Father's Day largess no match for mom's gifts
Father's Day is on Sunday, and Dad is about to get shortchanged, again. He'll receive a card, a tie, maybe some golf clubs if the kids are big spenders.
The average person will spend $117.14 on Father's Day this year, according to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation. That's up 10 percent from last year, but it is still less than people shell out for the women in their lives.
Survey respondents reported spending an average of $152 on Mother's Day in 2012.
Father's Day has come second to Mother's Day since its inception 102 years ago by Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Wash. One of six children being raised by a single father, Smart Dodd got the idea for Father's Day while listening to a sermon about – what else? – Mother's Day. Anna Jarvis succeeded in getting Mother's Day recognized as a national holiday in 1914; it took until 1972 for President Richard Nixon to do the same with Father's Day.
Still, University of Massachusetts psychology professor Nicole Gilbert Cote reports that dads tend to be more satisfied than moms with their holiday. "The bar is lower, and Dad is OK with that," Gilbert Cote told National Geographic News last year.
– Mary Lynne VellingaLuis Palau stages festival at Cal Expo
Luis Palau, an internationally known evangelist based in Portland, Ore., brings one of his trademark Christian festivals to Cal Expo this Saturday and Sunday. Staged in partnership with dozens of local churches and businesses, the free event features top-level Christian recording artists, as well as skateboarding, BMX and freestyle motocross demonstrations.
Behind the news: Palau, a native of Argentina, has drawn millions of participants to the festivals he has staged around the world. The Sacramento festival is the only one to take place in the United States this year.
More info:www.sacramentofestival. com or (916) 259-2165
Juneteenth celebration gets under way Friday
Sacramento's William Land Park is the site of a two-day Juneteenth celebration that kicks off with a gospel concert Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. and an all-day festival Saturday that starts with an 11 a.m. parade and lasts until 6 p.m.
Behind the news: Juneteenth, short for "June 19th," is known as African American independence day. It celebrates the day in 1865 when Union Gen. Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas, and belatedly freed slaves, who were unaware that President Abraham Lincoln had ordered them freed 2 1/2 years earlier.
Info: www. sacramentojuneteenth.com
IN THE NEWS
AAA's monthly gas price survey due Tuesday
Gasoline prices in California have edged downward of late, but they've remained above $4 a gallon thanks to steep surges in February and May. On Tuesday, AAA will release its monthly gas prices survey, breaking down average pump costs in jurisdictions throughout the state.
Stay informed: Check www.sacbee.com for results.
UC Davis graduations continue this week
From Wednesday through Sunday, UC Davis' 13 graduation ceremonies will take place at various sites around campus. Marie V. McDemmond, president emeritus of Norfolk State University in Virginia, will speak at the School of Education commencement Wednesday. James C. Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions, speaks at the Graduate School of Management ceremony on Saturday; and Secretary General Chris Buijink of the Netherlands' Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, speaks to graduates of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences on Sunday.
Info: For locations and times, go to http://commencement. ucdavis.edu/speakers.html
BIG GAMES
NBA Finals tip off Tuesday in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma City Thunder will host the first game of the NBA Finals at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Thunder will take on the Miami Heat in the best-of-seven series. All games will be televised on Channel 10 (KXTV).
Stay informed: www.sacbee.com/sports or www.nba.com
CIVIC AFFAIRS
Citrus Heights council to consider tax measure
The Citrus Heights City Council on Thursday will consider placing a measure on the Nov. 6 ballot calling for a 1.75 percent increase in the city's utility user tax for 10 years. The increase would generate an estimated $2 million annually, and the funds would be designated for hiring additional police officers, police equipment and technology, programs to prevent youth crime and violence, and residential street resurfacing. The measure would require approval by two-thirds of the city's registered voters.
More info: The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 7117 Greenback Lane.
AROUND TOWN
Pony Express departs
Wednesday in Old Sac
The National Pony Express Association will kick off its annual 10-day ride to St. Joseph, Mo., at 10 a.m. Wednesday from Second and J streets in Old Sacramento. About 600 participants each take a leg of the 1,966-mile journey.
French Film Festival kicks off Friday
The Sacramento French Film Festival, the only festival dedicated to French cinema in Northern California, launches on Friday and continues until June 24 at the Crest Theatre at K and 10th streets, Sacramento.
For movie and ticket information:www.sacramento frenchfilm festival.org
Plethora of piñatas at festival in park
Art, culture and innovation will be on display Saturday at the third annual Piñata Festival at Sacramento's Southside Park, Sixth and I streets. There will be free piñata workshops and a sugar skull-making area, plus music and entertainment.
Info: www.facebook.com/ pinatafestival
Free workshop on container gardening
Learn the basics of container gardening and discover a variety of plants that do well in containers during a free workshop titled, "Contain Your Enthusiasm: Container Gardening" from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the NID Business Center Grounds, 1036 W. Main St., Grass Valley.
Info: (530) 273-0919
Traffic-safety workshop planned in Citrus Heights
The Citrus Heights Police Department will conduct a workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday for teenagers and their parents focusing on the importance of traffic safety. The workshop will focus on driver safety, rules of the road, distracted driving, driving under the influence and safety statistics. Parents and teen- agers are encouraged to help address the safety concerns. The event will be at the Citrus Heights Community Center, 6300 Fountain Square Drive.
Stay informed: To register, call Sgt. Jason Russo at (916) 727-5578.
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