Explore SACRAMENTO .com

Fellow Sacramento blog, SacRag.com is having a little haiku contest…

The prize is a “genuine canvas bag from THE actual Mood Fabrics in New York City, as seen on Project Runway.”

Here are the rules:
1. Your entry must follow the traditional 5-7-5 syllable structure of haiku
2. It must address a current event
3. Entries must be received no later than noon on Friday, February 13.

Click here to check it out!

I’ve been debating this for a while, which may be evident by the lack of activity on ExploreSACRAMENTO.com lately… Should I take the blog in a slightly different direction?

I feel that I may be able to post more often and provide more of a service if I were to have a wider focus and include more news and items of interest rather than just things to do in Sacramento. I’ve covered quite a bit in that regard, already, and I guess I need to know where to draw the line. I have neither the time nor the resources to include everything there is to do in Sacramento and I would quickly forgo my agenda of keeping the blog family-oriented.

While I am definitely leaning toward moving in a new direction rather than disappoint with an inactive blog, I’d like to hear from you. Please feel free to comment and let me know what you think…

Here’s wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2009!

From,

ExploreSACRAMENTO.com

Crocker Art Museum

November 14 – January 18, 2009

Consisting of more than 160 drawings, paintings, animation cels and related art objects used in the making of Warner’s classic cartoons, the exhibition traces the development of all of Warner’s cartoon stars and provides a step-by-step breakdown of how classical cel animation is made.

Warner Bros. Film Festival
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1 PM
FREE TO MEMBERS, $3 NONMEMBERS
GUILD THEATRE, 35TH STREET & BROADWAY

Looney Cartooning Workshop
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 6 PM

Cartoon-a-Rama
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 10 AM-NOON

Second Saturday for Families: Draw a Cartoon
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, NOON-3 PM

Animation Workshop
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, NOON-3 PM,
CROCKER ART MUSEUM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 9 AM-4 PM,
SIERRA COLLEGE
$55 MEMBERS, $75 NONMEMBERS

The Annual Festival of Trees and Lights features a silent auction of full decocrated holiday trees and wreaths. Benefits the Cathedral Square Homeless Program; 916-442-4000
547 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Friday, Dec 5, 2008
Saturday, Dec 6, 2008
Sunday, Dec 7, 2008

A parade and other events to kick off the holidays will be held Saturday in Roseville.

The events begin with a breakfast with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Roseville Theater, 241 Vernon St.

The Sylvia Besana Annual Holiday Parade follows at 10 a.m. through downtown Roseville. The route begins at the intersection of Riverside Avenue and Douglas Boulevard and Vernon Street, proceeding down Vernon Street and ending at the back of Roseville Square shopping center.

IndieSacramento Holiday Trunk Show

Holiday Shopping: Sacramento’s largest trunk show & craft bazaar

*FREE swag bags to the 1st 200 patrons
*Live Music
*Activities for the kids
*Fashion Show with local designers
*Hot cocoa & coffee
*Door prizes
*And More!

(DON’T FORGET TO BRING CASH!)
IndieSacramento is happening in conjunction with the Midtown Holiday Celebration:

*FREE horse-drawn carriage rides
*The lighting of J Street
*Midtown’s first-ever tree lighting ceremony
*Family-friendly activities and entertainment throughout the Midtwon area

Pledge to shop local this holiday season!

When: Saturday, 12/6, 10am-6pm
Price: $1 with a canned or boxed food item, $2 without. Children 12 years and under get in FREE.
Ages: All ages

IndieSacramento Official Site

Fairytale Town’s 22nd Annual Safe &Super Halloween
3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento
(916) 264-5233
Dates and time: Friday to Sunday, Oct. 24 to 26, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly
Cost: Presale: $7 nonmember/$5 members. Day of event: $10 nonmembers/$7 members.
Kids can “Escape to Neverland” in this year’s Fairytale Town annual Halloween celebration. There will be live puppet shows, hands-on activities and 17 different candy stations throughout the park. Make sure to come in costume to fully experience this family-friendly event. Please note that the park will close at 3 p.m. (gates close at 2 p.m.) during this three-day event.

Trick Or Treat Night At Ikea
700 Ikea Court, West Sacramento
(916) 371-4232
Dates and time: Oct. 31, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Kids can meander throughout the Ikea store to pick up some treats or stop at several scary playhouses. The event is open for kids ages three to 12.

Sacramento Zoo’s Boo At The Zoo
3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento
Dates and time: Oct. 31, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $9 (ages 3 and older)/$5 members (ages 3 and older). Buy tickets online.
The Sacramento Zoo will host a night of Halloween fun with a costume parade, pumpkin bowling, crafts and other hands-on activities. Kids can trick or treat around Lake Victoria as well as visit the reptile house. There will be limited access to zoo grounds during this event.
https://www.saczoo.com/NETCOMMUNITY/SSLPage.aspx?pid=394&srcid=360

UC Davis Children’s Hospital’s 1st Annual Capitol Family Fun Day
State Capitol, Sacramento
(916) 734-9638
Dates and time: Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Along with information from medial professionals about health and safety, the UC Davis Children’s Hospital will also provide a healthy trick or treat. Kids can wear a Halloween costume and visit the Trick or Treat Safety booth for a prize. There will be other informational booths about exercise, healthy eating and safety. Radio Disney will also be on site for fun and music.

Halloween At Country Club Plaza
Country Club Plaza with Macy’s and Gottschalks at Watt And El Camino
Dates and Time: October 31st, 6pm- 8pm
Bring your little monsters this Friday night for a safe, dry and warm Tirck-Or-Treating Treat! 107.9 The End will be on hand for fun games and prizes!  Pick up your free trick-or-treating bag with glow cup, while supplies last.  For more info call (916) 481-6716.

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Atmosfear Haunted House
Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights
Runs October 10th-11/1.
Benefits the March of Dimes

Callson Manor
Placer County Fairgrounds
800 All America City Blvd,. Roseville
Cost: $30 VIP (VIP entrance, interactive lounge and one night unlimited access)/$20 combo ticket (all three attractions)/$10 each attraction. Buy tickets online.
Date: Oct. 3 to Nov. 1.
Hours: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on open days.
Callson Manor is operated by professionals who have experience with special effects, make up and set design. So their attention to detail will make this haunted attraction a treat for all your senses. There are three attractions: the Callson Funeral Home, The Afterlife and The Deadlines (an attraction in conjunction with Heartstoppers Haunted House).

Fright Planet Haunted House
5961 Birdcage Street
Citrus Heights, CA. 95610
http://www.frightplanet.com/

Heartstoppers Haunted House
800 All America City Blvd.
Roseville, CA. 95678

Larry Scholl’s Folsom Ghost Train
121 Dunstable Way, Folsom
(916) 965-1217
Cost: $8
Date: Oct. 9 to Oct. 31
Hours: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on open days.
If you are a Disneyland fan who loves going through it animatronic rides, then you will enjoy riding through Larry Scholl’s Folsom Ghost Train. School, who actually worked for Disney, created this Disneyland-type attraction in 2003.

The Scream Extreme Haunted House
5961 Birdcage Street, Citrus Heights, CA. 95610
(916) 256-3452
Crops are usually available in September, October, November. Open: The Scream Extreme – 9/19 to 11/1/2008 Friday and Saturdays Only (7pm to 11pm) Scream Extreme’s Children’s Haunt – 9/27, 10/11 and 10/25/2008 Only (11am to 3pm). Payment: Cash, only. The Scream Extreme Haunted House – $13.00 each or $10 each with group of 12 or more The Scream Extreme Children’s Haunt – $5.00 each

Hagan Haunted Mansion
located on the grounds of Hagan Park, which is found at the end of Chase Drive, right off of Coloma Road in Rancho Cordova, (near Cordova High School).
Friday, October 24th; Saturday, October 25th; Halloween Night, October 31st, and the following night (Saturday, November 1st) from dark until 10pm. Ticket price is $10. 5961 Birdcage Street Citrus Heights, CA. 95610 http://www.frightplanet.com/ 800 All America City Blvd. Roseville, CA. 95678 121 Dunstable Way, Folsom (916) 965-1217 Cost: $8 Date: Oct. 9 to Oct. 31 Hours: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on open days. If you are a Disneyland fan who loves going through it animatronic rides, then you will enjoy riding through Larry Scholl’s Folsom Ghost Train. School, who actually worked for Disney, created this Disneyland-type attraction in 2003. 5961 Birdcage Street, Citrus Heights, CA. 95610 (916) 256-3452 Crops are usually available in September, October, November. Open: The Scream Extreme – 9/19 to 11/1/2008 Friday and Saturdays Only (7pm to 11pm) Scream Extreme’s Children’s Haunt – 9/27, 10/11 and 10/25/2008 Only (11am to 3pm). Payment: Cash, only. The Scream Extreme Haunted House – $13.00 each or $10 each with group of 12 or more The Scream Extreme Children’s Haunt – $5.00 each located on the grounds of Hagan Park, which is found at the end of Chase Drive, right off of Coloma Road in Rancho Cordova, (near Cordova High School). Friday, October 24th; Saturday, October 25th; Halloween Night, October 31st, and the following night (Saturday, November 1st) from dark until 10pm. Ticket price is $10.

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El Dorado Orchards: Pumpkin Patch
Carson Road, Placerville, California 95667
(530) 622-5522
Email: Appleman@boavista.com
The Apple Ridge Express (train) carries many happy children, school groups and adults this fall season.

Pumpkin Acres
3101 El Centro Road, South Natomas3101 El Centro Road, South Natomas, CA.
(916) 929-7546

The Pumpkin Farm
7736 Old Auburn Road, (Citrus Heights) Sacramento, CA.
(916) 726-1137
The Pumpkin Farm has been serving up pumpkins to the Sacramento area since 1974. Visitors can enjoy the hayrides, pony rides, haunted barn, petting zoo, jumping castle, tower slides and of course the scarecrows. The Pumpkin Farm will again hold its annual Scarecrow Contest, where a creative entry could win a $1,500 prize. The Pumpkin Farm will be featuring giant pumpkins this year, a new attraction. Already, they have one that is more than 800 pounds.

Vern’s Pumpkin Patch
5415 Kenneth Ave., Fair Oaks, CA.
(916) 256-5069

Goblin Gardens Pumpkin Patch
3845 El Centro Road, Sacramento
(916) 416-1133
Days of operation: September 27 to October 31
Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or dusk
Goblin Gardens, operated by Bastio Farms, is popular with mommies toting babies and toddlers. The little ones can conquer the 1,000 bale straw pyramid or venture into the largest corn maze in Sacramento County (according to Bastio owner Dennis Bastio). There are also hay rides, antique tractors, slide, blow-up inflatables, produce and the ever-so-popular kiddies’ cars (powered by the kids’ feet). Goblin Gardens also hosts many field trips and may open earlier to accommodate these groups.

Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm
1415 Pumpkin Lane, Wheatland, CA.
(530)633-2568 (for info and school field trip reservations)
Days of operation: September 20 to October 31
Hours of operation: Sunday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free. Parking is free opening weekend and on weekdays and $10 on weekends. Corn maze is $3.50. Coyote Mountain admission is $3.50. BPF Railroad tickets is $2.50. Coupons are available online. Field trips is $6 per person from Sept. 24 to 30 and $7 per person from Oct. 1 to 31.
Plan to spend a big chunk of your day at Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm. Start by taking a free hayride to the pumpkin fields and pick your ideal gourd right off the vine. After that, why not take a not-so-leisurely stroll in the three-acre corn maze. If getting lost among the corn isn’t your thing, then take a ride on the BPF Railroad where the tracks meander through the jumbo pumpkin patch, through the apple and walnut orchards and by the horse pasture. Before leaving, tackle Coyote Mountains’ 50-foot slide and don’t forget to pan for marbles at the stream below the slide.

Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm
11011 Cecatra Drive, Wilton, CA.
(916) 687-4547
Days of operation: October 1 to 31
Hours of operation: Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $3 per person, free for kids 2 and younger
Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm is the brainchild of Elk Grove school teacher Stacey Cates. With her family history rooted in farming, Cates felt that students weren’t learning much about agriculture and wanted to do something about it. Hence, Fog Willow was born in 2003. The farm is tucked along the banks of the Consumnes River and is immensely popular with school-aged kids as evidenced by the many school busses making their way to the farm. This is a great location to bring your family as there are lots to do, with a barrel train, hay rides, petting zoo, crafts, picnic area, haystack and barbecue during the weekends. Kids can join the Lil’ Pickers Punkin’ Club ($20) to receive goodies.

Uncle Ray’s Pumpkin Patch
19376 Old River Rd. West Sacramento, 95691
(916) 997-8573
Hours:
M-F 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
Products/Offerings:
Pumpkins and gourds, free hay rides, petting zoo, display of modern farm equipment.

Boa Vista Orchards
2952 Carson Road
Placerville, CA. 95667
1-866-MtGrown (1-866-684-7696)
Local (530) 622-5522
U- Pick Pumpkin Patch Opens every day From Oct 4 & 5 thru Halloween.

“Pumpkinmaze” at Dell’Osso Family Farm
501 S. Manthey Road
Lathrop, CA 95330
(209) 982-0833
Kiddie Land, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo, Face Painting, Tractor Train,  FREE Hay Ride,  FREE Hay Bale Pyramid, FREE Speedway,  FREE Hay Bale Labyrinth, Maze Bridges
Picnic Area,  Food Court, Seasonal Decorations,  Photo Opportunities

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