Time Well Spent - Volunteer!

On this blog i’ve talked about what we can do to enjoy our lives. To see and experience things we haven’t tried before or maybe not for a long time. But now i’d like to suggest something near and dear to my heart – volunteering. If you rolled your eyes when you read this, don’t worry; i did too for most of my life. I had in my head that volunteering was boring. Stuffy. Like filing books at the library or stamp collecting. It just didn’t have that zing that i thought i was looking for. Ha! I love it when i can surprise myself.


Sometimes it seems we’re already stretched to our limits with lists of “things to do,” many of which are never finished. You never feel there’s enough time. Or maybe you wonder why you should give away what precious little time you have – for free – to someone else; let some other sucker give it away. Even the most open of hearts can feel this way sometimes. We are pulled and pushed in so many different directions that just the idea of one more thing to do will send us over the edge. Yet we will make enough time to chat on Facebook or Twitter for hours. Or mindlessly watch whatever happens to be on TV for most of the evening.

Enrich Your Life
Despite what some might think, volunteering is not altogether an altruistic act. At least not completely. When you volunteer, you suddenly have a whole world of information open up that was previously not accessible. If you like learning new things, volunteering can be a great way to re-discover your inner-child. Like a great teacher it offers intellectual and hands-on learning. The best of both worlds.

I’ve found another benefit to volunteering. Camaraderie. This, even more than learning, is a huge factor in the warm and fuzzy feeling i get about volunteering. Humans are such social creatures. Being with other like-minded people is such a boost to our need for community. The time spent together working on a project connects us heart and soul to what is best in the human spirit.


Obviously, many of us like the idea of volunteering because we truly like helping others. The opportunity to help and contribute to the community in a positive way makes us feel good about ourselves. It gives us a place to belong and a reason to be a better person. And that’s addicting. One of the few addictions that won’t cause weight-gain, isn’t illegal, and you won’t be embarrassed about telling others.

The other great thing about volunteering – you make your schedule. Do as much as you want. Organizations that rely on volunteers are overjoyed with whatever you can give. So there really isn’t a downside to being a volunteer. It’s all good. If there’s something you like or are interested in, there’s probably a volunteer job out there that will fit the bill. Whether you want to work with animals, medical & disaster preparedness, museums, environmental, schools, sports, the homeless, or children’s services, there is a niche you can fill.

Where To Go To Volunteer
There are many, many centers over the greater Sacramento area that take volunteers. Most cities have a volunteer page on their websites but almost all organizations have listings on Volunteer Sacramento – an all-in-one site of information. There is also the Volunteer Center of Sacramento and Hands on Sacramento that have excellent suggestions and contacts for volunteering. So take a moment and ask yourself, “What do i have a passion for?” Now get out there and volunteer!

Bok Kai Festival!

 

Everyone Loves a Parade!
March 5 &6, 2011 - Marysville, CA
The festivities of March start off with the spectacular and colorful Bok Kai parade in Chinatown, Marysville. This will be the 131st year of the Bok Kai festival which celebrates the Chinese New Year and honors Bok Kai, a Chinese water deity believed to keep Marysville safe from flooding. The Saturday parade is a huge affair, with marching bands, equestrian riders, dancers, martial artists, singers, and various performances. But the big treat that everyone waits for are the lion dancers and the Bok Kai Dragon! So colorful, so energetic! The Dragon coils and uncoils and weaves its sinewy body along the parade route. The best show is, of course, in front of the Bok Kai Temple where the Dragon and lion dancers converge to honor Bok Kai. Two-story long firecrackers are set alight and the scene is filled with celebration! I have performed in many a Chinese New Year parade – but Marysville has more firecrackers than any place i have been – including the parade in San Francisco! It’s fantastic!

Bombs Away!
The following day, March 6th, is “Bomb Day” where special “bombs” are made and set off at 4 PM. Both days offer tours through the Chinese American History Museum of Northern California and the Local History Archives.

Parade Details
The parade is on Saturday the 5th and starts at 11 AM on the corner of 6th and D Street and lasts approximately one hour. Come early, bring chairs and get a good seat. Immediately following the parade are performances which are held on 2nd Street between C and D Streets. There will also be vendors selling food and drinks all throughout this area.

Click for a calendar of events!

Map of Marysville

Celebrate Beer!

Photofile from Wend Magazine

http://www.wendmag.com/greenery/2009/06/sustainable-craft-brewing/

It’s still dark, wet, and cold. What better way to pass the last of winter’s chill than with good friends sharing a golden pint of ale? Beer is not for everyone’s palate. But there are now so many breweries across the country, just about every taste bud can find a happy flavor that makes them go mmmmm. And lucky us, we have the perfect opportunity to find that perfect beer with the Sacramento Beer Festival. Valentines Day may bring out the wine and chocolate, but March and upcoming St. Patrick’s Day brings out the golden nectar of the gods – beer!


10 Days of Beer
Starting today, Feb. 25th through March 6th, there will be an abundant flowing of tasty beers. So many brewers, so few nights. And just about everyone is getting into the act. Nugget Markets are offering beer tasting on certain dates.  Capital Garage downtown is having a Stouts and Chocolate night. Bonn Lair is hosting the Sacramento Women’s Brewers Association. Come on guys – women who can make a fine beer. How great is that? The list of beer and fun events goes on and on. Bike shops promoting a race and environmental responsibility – with green beer, of course. A ping pong tournament. Old School Happy Hour at the Monkey Bar with $1 beers. A free Bluegrass concert at Hoppy Brewing. A scavenger hunt. Pizza and beer. Music and beer. Classes on beer making. There is something going on every night all over the Sacramento area. And i checked – many of these events are pretty inexpensive considering all the beer you get to sample.


The Stranger the Name, the Tastier the Beer
OK – that may not be true, but like a really cool record label or book cover, quirkiness and creativity get our attention. A great name for a beer is like the top SEO hit of blog advertising. And the stranger, more creative, and funnier the name, the more we want to try it. Especially if there’s a really good – and highly unlikely – tall tale to go with it. Here’s a list of names i came across that i would love to sample: Moose Drool Brown Ale, Double Bastard Ale, Portsmouth Kate the Great, The Perfect Storm/The Mother of All Storms (the name has been changed to protect the innocent – or trademark infringement), Supplication, La Fin du Monde, and i certainly have to try a beer with the name “Darkness” – by Surly Brewing Company no less. With so many jaunty names and saucy labels, it may take the rest of my life to sample them. I should start tonight.


Party with a Responsible Friend
All this partying though must be tempered with one thought – getting home safely. Before you go out, find a responsible friend – yes, i know you have one, we all do – and give them a healthy gas tip so they don’t feel quite so bad about ferrying all of us inebriated people home.  Whatever you do, DON'T DRIVE DRUNK!

Cheers!

For the home of all things brewing...Sacramento Beer Festival...
http://sacramentobeerweek.com/

Inspiration - Tibetan Monks...

If you are interested in the Tibetan monks and their stay in Roseville, see my main page, "If It Were Real" or hit the "back to home" button at the top of this page.  Their visit was an inspiration to all and i want to share with all my readers and not just we lucky Sacramento folk!  I will be adding another post shortly in the next day - so stay tuned!

Chocolate Festival this Saturday the 12th!

This Saturday, Feb. 12th

OK, OK, OK...  I know.  I said that the New Year's resolution for this blog was to be skinny and frugal.  Well, gosh, i just can't help myself.  I saw this and i had to post.  But come on!  It's CHOCOLATE we're talking about here!  And it IS free to go.  And there's nothing saying that you have to buy anything.  Or eat anything.  Right.  Lame.  OK - how about - it's Valentine's weekend?  Does that work of you?  Does for me!  Yes - everyone has a weakness and chocolate is mine.  At least i'm not alone.

Here's the venue - Whole Foods in Roseville is hosting a Chocolate Festival complete with a band and various vendors - henna tattoos, aromatherapy and more.  Starts at 4 pm.  Be there or be square.  ;-)

Whole Foods Market
1001 Galleria Blvd, Roseville 95678
916-781-5300

Tibetan Monks in Roseville!

Photo courtesy of the American Foundation for Tibetan Cultural Preservation.

I seem to be on a roll – the Universe must be talking to me. I should listen. The last two posts have been about places and things relaxing and meditative, and then today i came across this flyer presented by the Center of Wellness. Tibetan Monks are here in Roseville creating a sand mandala at the Children’s Art Center. This actually started last weekend but runs through this Sunday. I’m super excited to visit with the monks and watch them create this extraordinary piece of art. It isn’t free. But it’s well worth it, many times over. I plan on attending at least one event, possibly more, and i will post on this event.


To Peace, Compassion, Clarity, and Kindness – i hope all of you find your way to this place!

Here is a link to the flyer with all events and details:http://thecenterofwellness.health.officelive.com/Monks2011schedule.aspx

Rivers Run Mighty

We are so fortunate to live in the vastly varied and magnificently marvelous state of California. And having a day like today – with the weather near perfect while all the rest of the country is buried in snow – i’m beginning to think that this is God’s country. Well, at least until the earthquakes and floods take us.

Today was most amazing. And not because it was the Super Bowl. I took a stroll with a dear friend along some of the most beautiful and inspiring part of the American River as you could dream – The American River Confluence. It’s a spectacular area where the north and middle fork of the American Rivers meet and lies just south of Auburn at the intersection of Hwy 49 and Old Forest Hill Road. Right now the rivers are clear as a bell and roaring. In a few more months, when the snows melt, they will get muddy and violently turbulent for a short while. So this is a great time to explore and enjoy. I’ve been here before, many times in fact. But there was something in the air – a kind of soft, electric energy that was both relaxing and restorative at the same time. Just breathing made me feel giddy. I had this sudden vision of me leaping along the rocks wearing a tie-dye shirt and head band singing, “Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now…” It was just that kind of day.

Everyone needs a day like this. Like defragging the hard drive and plugging into a recharger – cleansing and rejuvenating. So now’s your chance to get that energy back that you lost over the holidays. And it’s completely free. Totally fun. Involves no consumption of calories and in fact will burn a few more than just sitting on the couch. All my New Year’s Resolutions for this site have been met and exceeded. Now go out and celebrate your own inner hippie! I’m already planning my next trip…

Some notes if you go:


Saturday afternoon can get crowded, especially in the summer, and tends to get a bit rowdy though the Park Rangers try to keep a tight lid on things. I suggest getting out of bed early and hitting the site by 10 am.


Bring water – but please do not leave the bottles behind except in proper trash bins.


Please be kind and bring a plastic bag with you to pick up any trash. This is part of the State Park system and, once again, the Park Rangers work at keeping it a clean place. But they shouldn’t have to pick up after our lazy selves! I always bring a bag to carry out any trash i see. Share the beauty!


Wear sturdy shoes. There are no paved paths and some of the trails can be steep and crumbly. Take care where you step.


Paths on both sides of the Rivers are shared by hikers and bikers alike and the trails tend to be narrow. There are horse trails too. Check out this map before you go and keep alert while on the trail.

I have to mention PARC because they have so much great information and do so much to keep our rivers beautiful.  PARC is a grass-roots operation based out of Auburn whose prime purpose is to protect the north and middle forks of the American Rivers.  They have a festival once a year, organize river clean-ups, and provide educational presentations.  Check out their site and join!