Mayor to make All-Star pitch to keep Kings
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson played in the All-Star Game three times during his NBA career.
But this might be his most important All-Star appearance ever.
The mayor plans to be in Houston next weekend for Sunday's All-Star Game and related events. His mission as he plies the cocktail parties and other festivities: Explain to league executives and team owners why the Kings should stay in Sacramento.
With the Maloofs agreeing to sell the Kings to a group that wants to move the team to Seattle next season, Johnson is working to assemble a counterproposal that would keep the team in town.
While in Houston, Johnson will try to sell that plan. He expects to chat up "anybody who will allow me to talk about the merits of Sacramento," he said at a news conference last week. "I'm going to be lobbying the mascots. Anybody who will listen, we will state our case."
What's unknown is whether he'll be accompanied by any of the investors hoping to buy the team and keep them in Sacramento. It's also unknown if Seattle is sending a contingent – or if the Maloofs themselves will make the trip to Texas.
– Dale Kasler
Darwin's birthday a cause for celebration
President Lincoln's birthday is Tuesday (he would have been 204), but another historic figure, Charles Darwin, who was born on the same day, will be feted Sunday at the La Sierra Community Center, 5325 Engle Road, in Carmichael. The Sixteenth Annual Sacramento Darwin Day Festival, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., features a talk by UC Davis professor Ivan R. Schwab, author of the book "Evolution's Witness: How Eyes Evolved."
Behind the news: Darwin Day is a celebration of science to honor of the life's work of Darwin, the originator of the biological theory of evolution. Schwab's book was named one of the 12 best science books of 2011 by Scientific American.
Class separates fat fact from fat fiction
The Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op's Community Learning Center, 1914 Alhambra Blvd., is offering a class from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday on "Demystifying Fat," led by naturopathic doctor Antonella Aguilera-Ruiz.
Behind the news: Aguilera-Ruiz will help participants make sense of good fats, bad fats, trans fats and omegas. She will also discuss misconceptions about fat and help clarify facts about fat from fiction. Recipes incorporating healthy fats will be tasted. The cost is $15; Co-op owners, $10.
Info:www.sacfoodcoop.com
OR A GOOD CAUSE
Crab feed raises money for water rescue team
Sacramento's Drowning Accident Rescue Team is holding its 10th annual Crab Feed and Silent Auction from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Sunrise Event Center, 11167 Trade Center Drive in Rancho Cordova. Tickets go for $50 per person, or $400 per table of eight, and can be purchased from any DART member or online at www.dartsac.org/crab-feed. There will be all-you-can-eat crab, pasta and bread, a no-host bar, dancing and the silent auction. All funds go toward the purchase of equipment and the maintenance of response rigs, boats, and dive equipment, as well as training for volunteers and water safety promotions.
Info: www.dartsac.org/crab-feed
IN THE NEWS
AAA releases gasoline price survey Tuesday
Fueled by multiple factors, including a recent surge in the price of crude oil, gasoline prices have surged at pumps in the Sacramento area and throughout California. On Tuesday, AAA will release its monthly survey of gas prices, breaking down average pump costs in jurisdictions throughout the state.
Info: Check www.sacbee.com for results.
AROUND TOWN
Program focuses on birds and reptiles
The Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library celebrates National Science Literacy Month at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday with a program that helps families learn to classify birds and reptiles by their special characteristics. The free program is led by Effie Yeaw Nature Center representatives.
Info: Call (916) 264-2920 or visit www.saclibrary.org
Carnaval comes to midtown on Saturday
Carnaval 2013 will be celebrated Saturday with a host of activities at the YWCA in Sacramento, 1122 17th St. Entertainers will include "Tambores Julio Remelexo with Palvara," two female drummers and special guest singers from Bahia Brazil. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in Carnaval style. Cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Info: (916) 387-7344 or www.braziliancentersac.org
Little Saigon parade on Stockton Boulevard
The Little Saigon Street Festival Parade on Saturday will be followed by the Tet Festival Celebration hosted by Vietnamese American Community of Sacramento. A combination of music, classic cars, floats and cultural performances will highlight the parade, which begins at 9 a.m. The parade will travel south on Stockton Blvd. beginning at Fruitridge Road and finishing at Florin Road, where the annual Tet Fes- tival will continue the festivities.
Info: http://littlesaigontetparade.org
Biographer to discuss S.I. Hayakawa book
Gerald Haslam will discuss his book, "In Thought and Action: The Enigmatic Life of S.I. Hayakawa," on Wednesday at California State University, Sacramento. Hayakawa was a semanticist, U.S. senator, and controversial president of San Francisco State. Haslam is a professor emeritus at Sonoma State. The book is co-authored by his wife, Jan. The free discussion, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., is part of the Friends of the University Library's Author Lecture Series.
Info: (916) 278-5954.
Huge car show starts Friday at Cal Expo
The 63rd Sacramento Autorama, featuring some of the West's top automotive craftspeople and hundreds of colorful cars, kicks off its three-day run Friday at Cal Expo. Billed as one of the longest-running indoor car shows in the world, this year's event will spotlight more than 500 custom cars, hot rods, classics, motorcycles and specialty vehicles from across the nation. Show awards will be distributed Sunday.
Info: Ticket and other information can be found at www.rodshows.com.
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