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Keith Urban fans: Set your cell phone's reminder alarm for 10 a.m. on June 6.

That's when tickets go on sale for his July 23 "Escape Together World Tour" concert at Arco Arena. LeAnn Rimes is the opening act.

Ticket prices start at $20 and will be sold at Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com, and by phone at (800) 745-3000.

"LeAnn and I are going to give our fans in Sacramento a night to remember. A night where they'll be able to leave their cares at the door and just let loose for a few hours," Urban said in a news release issued today by Arco Arena.

"I hope our fans have as much fun offstage, as I know we'll have on," Rimes said.

Urban launched his 59-city North American tour earlier this month. Keep up with his comings and goings at www.keithurban.net

Student artists at Lee Middle School in Woodland will see their mural "Global Peacemakers" dedicated during a June 1 ceremony.

Teaching artist Juli Ann Blanco worked with students from the Horizon special ed program and the Gifted and Talented (GATE) program to create the mural that celebrates global harmony.

"This powerful public mural is a reflection of these student artists' desire for peace in the world," Blanco says.

The dedication starts at 5:30 p.m. in the central quad at Lee Middle School, 520 West St., Woodland.

For more info, call the Yolo County Arts Council at (530) 406-4844.

If you hestitate to use commercial pesticides, the Sacramento Public Library and Friends of Fair Oaks Library have a helpful workshop coming up.

Bill Hollins, of Water Wise Pest Control, will suggest ways to reduce the use of pesticides and teach you to control crawly critters with less-toxic methods.

The class is set for 6 p.m. June 8 at Fair Oaks Library, 11601 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks. Admission is free.

Registration is suggested. Call (916) 264-2920 or go to www.saclibrary.org

Governor's Mansion State Historic Park was home to 13 California governors over 64 years, so the place is full of history and great stories.

The elegant Victorian is in need of passionate, knowledgeable citizens to share its past with visitors.

So, if you're at least 18 years old and are interested in applying for the volunteer training program, contact Kendra Dillard at (916) 323-2500 or by e-mail at kdillard@parks.ca.gov

Application deadline is June 20. Nine weeks of classes start in July, on a day to be determined.

Governor's Mansion State Historic Park is at 1526 H St., Sacramento. Tours are offered 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily. For park information: (916) 323-3047, www.parks.ca.gov/governorsmansion

If you bank at Bank of America, your ATM, credit or check card - along with a photo ID - will get you free general admission to 120 museums, historical sites, science centers and zoos across the country.

The Museums on Us program starts June 6-7 and continues the first full weekend of every month, through Dec. 4-5, 2010.

Participating in our area are:
California Museum for History, Women & the Arts, 1020 O St., Sacramento
Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St., Sacramento
Explorit Science Center, 2801 Second St., Davis

In San Francisco, the offer is good at Contemporary Jewish Museum, de Young Museum, Legion of Honor and Museum of African Diaspora, and in San Jose at San Jose Museum of Art and the Tech Museum of Innovation.

Please note that the free-admission offer for Bank of America customers is not valid for special exhibitions, fund-raising events or ticketed shows.

For more info and a list of participating institutions, go to www.bankofamerica.com/museums

Yolo County Arts Council and Davis Farmers Market Foundation is launching a program called "Artist in the Classroom."

It's all about second graders learning to appreciate art and farming.

The project will bring artists into second grade classrooms in the Davis Joint Unified School District, after the kids visit a local farm.

"Artist in the Classroom" complements the school district's existing Farm to School program.

"Davis Farm to School Connection is excited to be cooperating with this phenomenal opportunity to connect farm visits to art through the talented artists with the Yolo County Arts Council's art education programs," said Dorothy Peterson, president of the Davis Farmers Market Foundation.

For more info: (530) 908-4321, www.artag@yoloarts.org

Think you've got talent? If you're 15 years old or younger, here's a chance to strut your stuff.

Auditions for the 2009 California State Fair's Kids Talent Show - individuals and groups - are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 23.

Call (916) 274-6180 or e-mail poppy@calexpo.com to reserve a spot.

The State Fair is Aug. 21-Sept. 7 at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento.

For general information about the fair: (916) 263-FAIR (263-3247), www.bigfun.org

The 1839 fort founded by Swiss immigrant John Sutter - and now a California State Historic Park - received a major gift today.

Sutter Health, Inc., donated $25,000 to Sutter's Fort, which stands across the street from Sutter Medical Center. The funds went to Friends of Sutter's Fort and are part of State Parks' "Proud Partner" program.

"In these uncertain fiscal times, this donation will enhance our programming for the community and provide continued respite for Sutter Medical Center employees and patients who use the fort grounds as their local park," said Catherine Taylor, State Parks' Capital District superintendent, in a news release.

Tom Gagen, the medical center's chief executive officer, said, "Since our beginnings in 1923, Sutter Health and Sutter Medical Center have always enjoyed a very special relationship with Sutter's Fort. We continue to live and learn by the example of Sutter's Fort."

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park is at 2701 L St., Sacramento. It's open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is $6 general and $3 for ages 6-17.

For more information on the state park: (916) 445-4422, www.parks.ca.gov/suttersfort

OMG! David Cook is coming to the 2009 California State Fair!

The "American Idol" season 7 winner opens the fair's 2009 Concert Series on Aug. 21.

And in other Big News about the place for Big Fun: Tickets for both the Concert Series and discounted fair admissions go on sale this Friday.

Here's the concert line-up:
David Cook, Aug. 21, $45
Tonic, Aug. 24, $15
Salvador. Aug. 25, $10
Hullabaloo Music Festival (Jay and the Americans, Cannibal and the Headhunters, Merrilee Rush, Badfinger, Sonny Geraci and Otis Day), Aug. 26, $10
The Fab Four, Aug.27, free show
Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Sept. 2, $10
MC Hammer, Sept. 3, $10
Three Dog Night, Sept. 4, $15
Blake Shelton, Sept. 5, $29
Tops in Blue Air Force Show, Sept. 6, free show

And here's a rundown on discounted State Fair admissions, available Friday through Aug. 19 (regular pricing goes into effect Aug. 20):

Poppy Pak (four general admissions and monorail rides and one parking pass), $39.95, a 43 percent savings

Single tickets:
General admission, $10, a 17 percent savings
Ages 62-plus, $8, a 20 percent savings
Ages 5-12, $7, a 13 percent savings

Unlimited-ride wristbands for the midway (ride all day, any day, until 11 p.m.) $28, a 20 percent savings

Fun Fair Combo Pass (season pass to both State Fair and Raging Waters at Cal Expo), $49.99, a 45 percent savings

The 2009 California State Fair runs Aug. 21-Sept. 7 at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento.

For more info: (916) 263-FAIR (263-3247), www.bigfun.org

Gas up the car: Live Nation is bringing some of the summer's top concert tours to Sleep Train Amphitheatre, outside of Wheatland.

Here's the lineup:
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, with Marilyn Manson & Slayer, July 10
Coldplay, July 14
No Doubt with Paramore, July 24
Vans Warped Tour, Aug. 21
Nickelback with Hinder, Papa Roach and Saving Abel, Aug. 31
Def Leppard with Poison and Cheap Trick, Sept. 3
Brad Paisley, Sept. 26

Closer to home, Live Nation booked these tours at Arco Arena:
Beyonce, July 9
Green Day, Aug. 24
The Killers, Sept. 22

For tickets and info: www.livenation.com, www.ticketmaster.com

Chi Cheng, the Deftones' bassist injured in a car accident in November, was released from intensive care last weekend, according to the Web site www.oneloveforchi.com

Cheng had been in a coma since the San Jose-area crash and, according to today's Web update, is now "in more of a semi-conscious state" and "started tracking with (his) eyes and saying words."

The Deftones, formed in Sacramento 21 years ago, released its first album in 1995. The top-selling hard rock band had its biggest success with the album "White Pony" (2000) and earned a Grammy for the song "Elite."

Winters will have a new branch library later this year, on the Winters High School campus, and the Yolo County Arts Council invites Yolo County residents to submit proposals for public art to "decorate" the main entrance, central information area, and the children and young adult sections.

The artwork should be "pleasant, uplifting, inspirational and entertaining and illustrate the cultural diversity and history of Winters, along with county history," according to a news release. The project's budget is $30,300.

Find the proposals packet at www.yoloarts.org/public.asp Submission deadline is 3 p.m. June 11.

The Yolo County Arts Council is at 120 W. Main St., Suite B, in Woodland. For more info: (530) 406-4844, www.yoloarts.org

You may be lucky if you dillydallied about getting Dixon May Fair concert tickets.

Cheap Trick, Jessica Simpson and Chris Isaak have just released some of the best seats in the grandstand, which had been held for production crews and other folks.

Those prime tickets go on sale at noon today.

All concerts start at 7 p.m. and include admission to next week's Dixon May Fair.

Here's the line-up and ticket prices:

Cheap Trick - Thursday; $32 reserved, $25 general.
Jessica Simpson - next Friday; $42 reserved, $35 general.
Chris Isaak - May 10; $42 reserved, $35 general

To buy tickets: (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com

The 134th annual Dixon May Fair opens Thursday and continues through May 10. The theme is "Fun: You Can Bank on It." Fair hours are 2-10 p.m. Thursday, noon-10 p.m. next Friday, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. May 9-10.

The fairgrounds, site of the three concerts, is 655 S. First St., Dixon.

John Legend, with India Arie opening, will play Raley Field on Sept. 4.

The show, just announced, is part of Legend's cross-country, 50-city concert tour.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday at the Raley Field box office and Ticketmaster.com

Legend is a multi-platinum recording star and six-time Grammy winner whose latest album, "Evolver," hit the top of the charts.

For more info: www.raleyfield.com, www.johnlegend.com

Charming little Locke, the historic Chinese town alongside the Sacramento River, will celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month on May 9.

Main Street will be awash that day in dancers, artists, musicians, kung-fu performers, calligraphy experts and more.

Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is free.

The Locke Foundation is the event sponsor.

For more information: (916) 776-1661, (916) 776-1828.

Locke is about 22 miles south of downtown Sacramento.

Tickets for Kenny Chesney's July 18 "Sun City Carnival" concert at AT&T Park in San Francisco are on sale now.

Reserved seats are $29.50-$225.50.

The Kenny Chesney Family Plan is four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for $125 (plus a $6-per-ticket service charge.)

This is the country star's only major-league ballpark concert on his "Sun City Carnival" tour. The five-hour show, beginning at 5:30 p.m., includes performances by Sugarland, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum.

Information and tickets: (800) 225-2277, www.tickets.com

- Dixie Reid

The California Museum - along with Monterey Bay Aquarium, Sacramento Zoo, California Department of Fish and Game, Sierra Club, Save Our Sandhill Cranes and Cosumnes River Preserve - present the very special family day event "California Critters and Crawlers" on April 25.

And thanks to Target, admission to the California Museum that day is free 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Kids can learn about California's 100-plus endangered animals and how to protect them. California's official reptile, the Desert Tortoise, and predatory birds will be on hand. Activities include entertainment by Francie Dillon, arts and crafts, and face-painting.

The California Museum is at 1020 O St., Sacramento. Downtown parking is free on weekends.

For more info on this and other California Museum events (the Library of Congress' Abraham Lincoln exhibition opens there June 24): (916) 653-7524, www.californiamuseum.org

Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier on April 15, 1947, when he made his major-league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The Sacramento River Cats celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on Wednesday, the 62nd anniversary of Robinson's first game, with appearances by former Negro League players and members of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen (the first African American pilots in the U.S. military.)

Fans are invited to attend the 9:30 a.m. event, which precedes the River Cats' 11:35 a.m. game against the Portland Beavers.

Cats' tickets are for sale at the Raley Field box office, by phone at (916) 371-HITS (371-4487), or online at www.rivercats.com

The city of Woodland, known for its charming historic architecture and most recently for recently being dissed by favorite son Dustin Pedroia (the Boston Red Sox infielder), has another claim to fame: It's home to Gearhead Records.

The indie label with the motto "Punk 'n' Roll Begins Here" just signed sleaze-metal band Crank County Daredevils, of Asheville, N.C. Music critics have compared the group to Motley Crue and Faster Pussycat.

"This band is pretty different from the rest of the Gearhead roster, but they're great," label owner Michelle Haunold said in a press statement. "They make perfect sense with their classic rock sound and '80s metal look. And they're very hard-working, having toured continuously all over the South as part of the biker festival circuit."

Gearhead will release a new Crank County Daredevils album in late summer. The label also represents such bands as the Lords of Altamont, Hellbound Glory and the Mansfields.

For more info on Gearhead Records: www.gearheadrecords.com

For more on Crank County Daredevils: www.gearheadrecords.com/site/bands/crankcounty.php

Mumbo Gumbo, Kate Gaffney, the Poplollys, Dog Party and Middle Class Rut are among more than two dozen bands set to play this summer's free and wildly popular Friday Night Concerts in the Park.

The 15-week outdoor season at Cesar Chavez Plaza, 9th and J streets, launches May 1 with performances by Sol Peligro, Retrograde Revolution and La Noche Oskura.

Concerts are 5-9 p.m. every Friday through Aug. 7. The event is produced by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership.

For the complete schedule and sample audio tracks: www.downtownsac.org

A world record is on the line, and hungry people will benefit from this week's massive "U-Can" food drive in Sacramento.

The goal is to raise 400,000 pounds of nonperishable edible goods for Loaves & Fishes and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

The food drive, which ends Friday, is headed up by members of the Rotaract Club, a Sacramento State student organization, and the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region.

They're trying to set a Guinness World Record for food collection.

Loaves & Fishes, 1321 N. C St., is accepting foodstuff from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily through Friday, and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, 3333 Third Ave., is open for drop-offs 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Thursday.

For a complete list of donation sites: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=104936563727366352563.000466c11414005daa302

For more info: www.ucanfooddrive.com

Those of you who've waited patiently to board a Sacramento Southern Railroad excursion train will be happy to know that the season gets under way April 25-26.

It was delayed by construction on the riverfront-promenade expansion in Old Sacramento.

Steam trains will depart every hour on the hour weekends through September from the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot, on Front Street between J and K streets in Old Sacramento. A six-mile ride along the Sacramento River takes 40 minutes.

Tickets for regular closed coaches and gondolas are $8 general, $3 for ages 6-17. A ride in the first-class car El Dorado is $15, regardless of age.

Train crew member Kevin Hecteman will sign copies of his new book, "Sacramento Southern Railroad," from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. April 25 at the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot. At 3 p.m., he'll lecture at the California State Railroad Museum, 111 I St., Old Sacramento.

Hecteman is donating proceeds from the book to the museum's supporting foundation, to continue operation and upkeep of the Sacramento Southern.

For more info: (916) 445-6645, www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org

This is National Cell Phone Recycling Week, and who among us doesn't have an old, outdated, no-longer-cool cell phone - or more - rattling around in a junk drawer?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 100 million cell phones go unused each year, and if they were recycled instead of thrown out, they could save enough energy to power 18,500 homes for a year.

Recycling or donating old cell phones keeps them out of landfills and prevents pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Many cell phone manufacturers, retailers, network carriers, charities, and solid-waste programs will accept unwanted cell phones, PDAs and their accessories.

Check with such local businesses as Staples, Best Buy, Office Depot, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon for their drop-off or mail-in recycling programs.

For more on recycling your cell phones (and tips on preparing them for disposal), go to www.epa.gov/cellphones

If there is an upside to the economic meltdown, it's when institutions such as the Folsom History Museum generously waive admission fees.

You can get in free 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday and again April 13.

And, you pay no sales tax in the museum store April 13-17.

The featured exhibit is "Celebrating Folsom's Bridges," which focuses on, among other spans, the newly opened Folsom Lake Crossing over the American River.

Folsom History Museum is at 823 Sutter St., Folsom. For more info: (916) 985-2707, www.folsomhistorymuseum.org

The folks at Live Nation sent out a long list of upcoming shows in the greater Sacramento area. A sampling:

Tix go on sale Friday for the Memorial Day all-ages Stone Soul festival - Charlie Wilson, Jeffery Osborne, Average White Band, and Ashford & Simpson - at Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord. $35.75-$89.75 reserved.

Closer to home, Fall Out Boy, Metro Station, Cobra Starship, All Time Low and Hey Monday play Memorial Auditorium on April 8. $37.50 general.

Chelsea Handler plays Sacramento Community Center Theater on May 1. $42.50 and $35.50 reserved.

All American Rejects headline Endfest on May 10 at Raley Field in West Sacramento. Also appearing: Lady Gaga, Flo Rida, White Tie Affair and 3oh!3. $20 general, $29.50 reserved, and $39.50 for a coveted GA Pit spot.

And, Fleetwood Mac hits Arco Arena on May 18. $149.50 gets you the best seat in the house. Otherwise, they're $79.50 and $49.50.

For more info and the rest of the schedule, go to www.livenation.com

- Dixie Reid

It's Hawaii week at the Palms Playhouse in Winters.

The group Hapa performs tonight, and the Hawaiian Treasures Celebration Tour, featuring George Kahumoku, Dennis Kamakahi and Richard Ho'opi'i, is Sunday.

Hapa, according to the Palms' website, "evokes a place many people ... referred to as heavenly." Showtime is 7:30 p.m. today. Tickets are $30.

As for Sunday's concert, Kahumoku, Kamakahi and Ho'opi'i are legends - and slack key masters. If you love island music, you won't want to miss this. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

The Palms is in the old Winters Opera House, 13 Main St. in Winters. For more information on these and other upcoming shows: (530) 795-1825, www.palmsplayhouse.com

Women's History Month will be celebrated in a big way Saturday in Old Sacramento.

Costumed docents from the Old Sacramento Living History Program will demonstrate daily life in the early days of this community, and the following authors will talk about their work and sign copies of their books:

Lynn Cook and Janet Ladue ("First Ladies of California")
Jackie Hanson ("Matilda" books)
Ellen Hartigan O'Connor ("The Ties That Buy: Women and Commerce in Revolutionary America")
Jody Hornor ("Golden Highway" books)
Melba Leal ("Women in the Pony Express: A Modern Tale of Changing Tradition" )
Marlena E. Uhrik ("In Grandpa's Hands")
Naida West ("River of Red Gold")

The event is 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday at 1849 Scene, in front of Sacramento History Museum (101 I St., Old Sacramento.) Admission is free.

For more info, call (916) 264-7059. The museum's Website is under construction and should be up and running any day now.

The weather is just about nice enough to curl up under a shade tree with a good book.

If you're looking for the perfect read, mark April 18-26 on your calendar for the Sacramento SPCA's Spring Book Sale.

The book offerings are a mix of new and used, and will include fine and rare books, fiction, mysteries, adventure tales, science fiction, biographies, history, westerns, art books, references, business, cultural issues, foreign language, humor, home and garden, and books especially for children and teens.

Sale times are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. every day except April 26, when they're 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The SPCA's bookstore is at Marketplace at Birdcage, 6187 Sunrise Blvd. (next to Long's Drugs) in Citrus Heights.

The sale helps with the SPCA's efforts to care for more than 12,000 abandoned, abused and unwanted animals in our community.

For more info, call (916) 383-7387, ext. 9103, or e-mail azablah@sspca.org

Vlade Divac, one of the most beloved Sacramento Kings players ever, is coming "home" to see his No. 21 jersey retired during Tuesday's Kings-Hornets game at Arco Arena.

While in town, he's planning to shoot hoops with teens at the River Oak Center for Children, which is opening its new Youth Development and Education Center gym. And, he's invited 20 River Oak youth to participate in his Charitabowl fund-raiser Monday at Strikes in Rocklin.

"We are so grateful to Vlade and his nonprofit Humanitarian Organization Divac (HOD) for giving River Oak children these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities," the center's president, Mary C. Hargrave, said in a news release.

For more details on where to find Divac in and around Sacramento over the next few days, go to www.divac.com

If you're weird, wild or wacky - and, most importantly, entertaining - the California State Fair has a stage for you.

Interested individuals, bands, performance artists and dance troupes who offer family-oriented entertainment should submit an application and promotional kit by March 30.

Those chosen will perform at the 2009 California State Fair, which runs Aug. 21-Sept. 7 at Cal Expo in Sacramento.

This year's theme is "Weird, Wild & Wacky."

Find an application at: www.bigfun.org/pdfs/entertainment/Entertainment_App.pdf

For more info: (916) 263-3141, entertainment@calexpo.com

It's a Barbie world, and on March 28, the California Museum will host a 50th birthday party for the iconic glamour doll.

Local collectors are bringing in some 200 Barbies of all vintage and attire to join the museum's own Barbie collection for the day.

The staff is planning some fun arts-and-crafts projects for attendees.

And, Robin Gerber, author of "Barbie and Ruth: The Story of the World's Most Famous Doll and the Woman Who Created Her," will be on hand to talk about Barbie and the doll's creator, Ruth Handler. Gerber also will sign copies of the book, for sale in the museum's store.

Barbie's birthday party is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Gerber's talk is at 11 a.m.

The California Museum of History, Women & the Arts is at 1020 O St. For more info: (916) 653-7524; www.californiamuseum.org

Regular museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8.50 general, $7 students and seniors with I.D., and $6 for ages 6-13.

California State University, Sacramento, will be alive with the sound of music May 4, when it hosts a rocking, rollicking Battle of the Bands.

Here's the rub: at least one member of each band must be enrolled at Sac State and must perform in the competition.

March 16 is the entry deadline.

The contest, limited to 10 bands, is sponsored by University Union UNIQUE Programs, KSSU.com and American Marketing Association.

Applications are at www.SacStateUNIQUE.com

Prizes include a $500 Guitar Center gift certificate and a chance to perform during UNIQUE's Wednesday Nooner series.

For more info: (916) 278-3928, www.SacStateUNIQUE.com

- Dixie Reid

There's a Northern California connection to the hit Broadway musical "Avenue Q," coming to Sacramento's Community Center Theater on Wednesday.

Set designer Anna Louizos is a 1975 graduate of Yuba City High School.

The onetime actress is among a small number of female set designers working on the Great White Way. And she's talented, having earned Tony Award nominations for "In the Heights," in 2008, and "High Fidelity," in 2007.

Louizos also did scenic designs for "Irving Berlin's White Christmas," "To Be Or Not To Be," "Curtains," "Steel Magnolias" and "Uncle Vanya."

Playbill described her "Avenue Q" sets as "battered yet whimsical" and spoke of the "weathered facades of outer-borough dwellings that sprout colorful interiors worthy of pop-up children's books."

"Avenue Q," part of the Broadway Sacramento series, runs through March 22 at the Community Center Theater, 1301 L St. Tickets are $16.50-$61.50. The show is recommended for age 16 and older.

For more info: (916) 557-1999, www.californiamusicaltheatre.com

Here's a clip from the original Broadway production of "Avenue Q" as performed on the Tony Awards:

If you like bunnies that glow in the dark, don't miss artist Eduardo Kac's talk on Thursday in Davis.

He specializes in making art with biotechnology and genetics. In 1999, he worked with French genetic researchers to combine a rabbit's DNA with that of a phosphorescent jellyfish. The result was a white rabbit that glowed green under black lights.

"It is a new era, and we need a new kind of art," Kac told the Chicago Tribune in 2000. "It makes no sense to paint as we painted in the caves."

His talk on "Telepresence and Bio Art" is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Veterans Memorial Center Theatre, 203 E. 14th St., Davis (between Davis High School and Davis Public Library.) Admission is free.

It's sponsored by the Art/Science Fusion Program at the University of California, Davis, and is part of the continuing Consilience of Art and Science colloquium.

After the lecture, Kac will autograph copies of his new book, "Telepresence and Bio Art: Networking Humans, Rabbits and Robots."

For more info on the program: http://artsciencespeakers.ucdavis.edu/

More on the artist: http://www.ekac.org/

Prakash Chandras, an Indian immigrant who lives in the Bay Area, keeps a most unusual diary: Every day he paints a small picture of something he's seen.

Recently, it's been San Francisco's Coit Tower, a strawberry field, a crane, a seagull and Big Sur at sunset.

"These little cards are the essence of my California experience," he says.

To see examples of Chandras' California Daily Art, go to >www.californiadailyart.com/

He sells the postcard-size pictures for $100, plus shipping and handling.

They're little reminders of why people the world over find California so appealing.

Time to think about booking it to Berkeley, but don't leave yet. The 15th Celebration of Children's Literature isn't until April 18.

The free, multi-ethnic event is part of Cal Day, the annual open house at the University of California, Berkeley.

Among the several Bay area-based children's writers and illustrators slated to be on hand are:

Ying Chang Compestine, author of "Revolution is Not a Dinner Party," an autobiographical novel set during China's Cultural Revolution.
Robert San Souci, "Mulan" screenwriter and author of 85 books for young readers.
Yuyi Morales, Latina author of "Just In Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book."
Todd Parr, best-selling author and illustrator of 33 children's books, including "The I Love You Book."
Lisa Brown, designer/illustrator of the best-selling "The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming."

Storytelling, music and a drop-in art activity will be part of the event. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Tolman Hall.

For more info: http://gse.berkeley.edu/childlit.html

The Crocker Art Museum has launched an "arts stimulus package" to lure more folks through its grand wooden portal this year.

State, county and city employees get $2 off admission for themselves and three accompanying friends or family members every Friday in 2009. Show a business card or company ID for the discount.

In addition, membership fees have been reduced $5, to $40 for individuals and $50 for families. Membership has its privileges: free admission for a year, and invitations to exhibition openings, family programs and Third Thursday jazz concerts.

Finally, a coupon at www.crockerartmuseum.org/specials is good for 10 percent off a purchase of $10 or more in the museum store.

"Historically, museums are very well attended during times of national strife and economic decline," Crocker Art Museum director Lial Jones said in news release. "Our goal is to keep the Crocker easily accessible during this difficult time."

Crocker Art Museum is at 216 O St. in Sacramento. It's open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and until 9 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of the month. Regular admission is $6 general, $4 for seniors, and $3 for students. Admission is free 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays.

For more information: (916) 808-7000, www.crockerartmuseum.org

Now that Sacramento has its own Zagat guidebook ("Zagat: Sacramento Restaurants," Zagat Survey, $5.95, 80 pages), published in January, can our own spin-off "Dating (and Dumping) Guide: Restaurants, Bars and Other Hot Spots" be far behind?

New York and Los Angeles just got theirs: Small volumes for pocket or purse in which locals recommend places to take a first date and, if things don't work out, where to deliver the "it's not you, it's me" speech.

The "dumping" part is a joke, Zagat's editors say. Participants in those cities simply rated locales you'll find more interesting than you do your current companion. A hookah lounge, perhaps.

Helpful dating tips are included, such as: Men are turned off by women who talk to cats, act like a princess, and wear "old lady" clothes and too much perfume. Women don't like guys who lie about their age, have "mommy" issues and don't open doors for them (men in turn expect women to let them open the door.)

Here are pick-up lines to avoid: "I dig older ladies like you" and "My mother would love you." Oh, and never, ever say, "I like your dress. It would look good on my floor."

The two 80-page "Dating (and Dumping) Guides," published by Zagat Survey, are $5.95 each. More info at www.zagat.com.

Sierra No. 3, the "movie star locomotive" undergoing extensive restoration in Jamestown, is finally ready for a close-up.

The staff at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, the Jamestown branch of the California State Railroad Museum, will hold special tours Feb. 18 and March 18 to reveal the progress that has been made.

A 90-minute program, which starts at 11 a.m. both days, includes a tour of the historic railroad shops. Tickets are $5. Call (209) 984-3953 for reservations.

Sierra No. 3, built in New Jersey in 1891, "starred" in a number of Westerns, including the classic "High Noon," and such TV shows as "Bonanza," "Gunsmoke" and "Petticoat Junction." It is expected to return to work at Railtown 1897 next year.

For more information on Railtown 1897 State Historic Park: www.csrmf.org/railtown

Volunteers are being sought for 135-acre Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park, in Pine Grove, the site of 1,185 limestone-bedrock mortar holes - the most in North America.

The park also is home to a reconstructed Miwok village and roundhouse, and the Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum.

Volunteers work on the hiking trails and in the native-plant garden, lead children's activities, perform traditional Miwok crafts, and meet and greet park visitors.

An open house for would-be volunteers is 10:30 a.m.-noon March 7 in the museum. A training session follows and will be repeated 9 a.m.-noon March 11. Volunteers only need to attend one training class.

For more information, call Wendy Harrison at (209) 795-7980 or e-mail her at wharrison@parks.ca.gov

Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park is at 14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road in Pine Grove.

Visit www.parks.ca.gov/ for information.

This is the last winter the Sacramento Zoo's giraffes will live in drafty quarters.

The Sacramento Zoological Association has spent three years raising money to build a new, warm barn for the three reticulated giraffes. And great news for folks who've always wanted to look a giraffe in the eye: The new habitat will have an elevated walkway for sight-seers.

The groundbreaking ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, with zookeepers and docents talking about the giraffes. At noon, remarks will be offered by Mayor Kevin Johnson, city council member Robert King Fong, zoo director Mary Healy and Zoological Society president Terry Kastanis. Children and dignitaries will turn the ceremonial shovelsful of dirt for the $1.75 million project.

Sacramento Zoo, at Land Park Drive and Sutterville Road in William Land Park, opened in 1927. It's home to 140 species.

For more information: (916) 808-5888, saczoo.com

The California Museum for History, Women & the Arts, in anticipation of this summer's arrival of the Library of Congress' "With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition," on Thursday will throw a 200th birthday party for the nation's 16th president.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson has accepted an invitation to speak. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and first lady Maria Shriver also may attend. Members of the 2nd Division California Calvary and 5th California Volunteer Infantry Brass Band will be on hand, and an actor portraying Lincoln will recite the Gettysburg Address.

Lincoln's birthday celebration begins at 1:15 p.m. at the museum, 1020 O St., Sacramento. "With Malice Toward None," now on exhibit in Washington, D.C., opens June 24.

For more information: (916) 653-7524, www.californiamuseum.org.

By Dixie Reid

The rink that Sparky built is the site of the 13th annual Wine Country Face-Off Junior Hockey Tournament, which runs Feb. 12-16 at Redwood Empire Ice Arena, 1667 W. Steele Lane in Santa Rosa.

The rink was built 30 years ago by Charles M. Schulz, creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip and an avid hockey player until his death in 2000. Sparky was his nickname from childhood.

The Santa Rosa Flyers will host teams from Oregon, Arizona and California, including Capital Thunder from Roseville and the Vacaville Jets. Tournament admission is free. For a schedule, call (707) 546-7147 or go to www.snoopyshomeice.com.

The endlessly entertaining Charles M. Schulz Museum is a short walk away at 2301 Hardies Lane. Among the new exhibits are "To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA" and "Sebastopol to St. Paul." For museum information: (707) 579-4452, www.schulzmuseum.org.

By Dixie Reid

This bit of news is sure to make a splash: Raging Waters Sacramento, the water park at Cal Expo, is hiring 300 people for the summer.

"Anything anybody is looking for, we probably have it - lifeguards, admissions, groundskeepers, food and beverage, marketing coordinators," says spokesman Joe Pinell. "We're seasonal, so we have to hire for everything."

Job applications filled out online at www.ragingwaters.com will be considered right away. A job fair for folks without computer access is planned for 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 28 in Building A at Cal Expo.

Raging Waters Sacramento is open May 16 through Sept. 20. It will operate weekends in May and September, and daily June through August.

And in other good news: The water park is offering a season pass for the price of one day's admission: $27.99 for adults, $19.99 for kids (with some restrictions).

"We understand what people are going through with the economy," says Pinell, "so here you buy a day and get the summer free. We're going to give value to the point that it's a no-brainer. Come one time, and get the rest of the summer free."

Raging Waters Sacramento is owned by Palace Entertainment, which is based in Newport Beach and owns water parks around the country. The company made $1 million in improvements when it took over Water World two years ago, says Pinell.