The class is half-empty: It's not unusual to note old high school reunions – 40th, 50th, 60th. Recently, this column even wrote about the 74th anniversary reunion for Sacramento High's Class of 1934. But the class that graduated from Sac High just nine years ago is having trouble planning their 10th anniversary party – their first reunion. "We're having, like, a really difficult time," said Reese Herrick, one of the organizers. Why? Well, first they have to send out an announcement to students, but they need a list of addresses to do that. To get that, "I think they usually go to the high school office," said Maria Lopez, spokeswoman for the Sacramento City Unified School District. Except in this case, the district doesn't operate Sac High anymore. St. HOPE, which does, doesn't have any old records. The district, which should have records, can't seem to find them. Sac High's Class of 1998 is having the same problem, said Talaina Brown. Facebook, Google and networking have turned up only 70 alums out of a class of hundreds. "Basic advertising is kind of the only way to go," Brown said. That's depressing news to Herrick, who worries the 1999ers may get just 100 people. "To only have 100, it's kind of sad." …

Gold medal at the fair: Local authors Jennifer Martin and Bud Gardner were out at – where else – the local authors table at the State Fair, signing books. Both have written for the "Chicken Soup" series. Who should stop by but basketball star Ruthie Bolton. "One thing led to another (especially since Bud used to coach basketball at American River College) and Ruthie pulled her Olympic gold medals out of her purse to show us," Martin told us. (Quite different from the many medalists who claim to keep them in the sock drawer.) Bolton also picked their brains about publishing, as she has a book in the works. "You never can tell who you're going to meet at the State Fair," Martin added. That's what Weird Al always says, too. …

Shirts happen: Local product (St. Francis High) Jennifer Ortega checked in from Denver, where she got to experience the peripheral happenings at the Democratic National Convention. Ortega did a stint in Sacramento PR after Cal and before moving to the Bay Area, and she sent local friends some DNC observations, including a note on her favorite T-shirt: "Democrats are HOT – Ever hear of a fine piece of elephant?" … Uh, no. On the other hand, no one ever threatened to kick my elephant, either. …

Roll over, Beethoven: All Hallows Church in Tahoe Park has developed into a wonderful musical mecca. Its "Concerts of All Hallows" have blossomed into the "Academy at All Hallows." But even for the Academy Orchestra, Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony" is a tall order. It requires a chorus, so the academy is partnering with the Music in the Mountains Festival Chorale to run through the "Ode to Joy" in October. Even that's not enough, said Ryan Murray, the academy's director of vocal activities. Murray is looking for 30 or 40 more voices to complement his Music in the Mountains chorus, so he'll hold auditions Tuesday. This is not "American Idol." No Simon Cowell- esque slams on the would-be singers. "Not in classical auditions," Murray said. In fact, it'll probably be just Murray sitting for hours, running singers through their paces one at a time. If you think you've got what it takes, call (916) 813-9150 or e-mail choir@concertsofallhallows. com for more info.

Call The Bee's Carlos Alcalá at (916) 321-1987. Back columns, www.sacbee.com/alcala.