Black Friday Celebration

Black Friday is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year. This year, instead of having to get up early and brave the crowds and traffic at the mall, why not stay a little closer to home? This Friday, November 29, East Sac Mercantile is throwing a Black Friday Celebration starting at 11am. Best of all, it really is on Friday, not on Thursday, like many of the big stores are pushing the shopping season...

For more information, see the flyer below:

  

Run to Feed the Hungry

This Thanksgiving morning, earn your meal and support a great cause at the 20th annual Run to Feed the Hungry. It includes a 10K run and a 5K run/walk, allowing people of all skill levels to participate.

Since it began in 1994, the Run to Feed the Hungry has grown to become the largest Thanksgiving Day run in the country. Last year, it attracted more than 28,000 participants. The run begins at Sac State and winds through East Sacramento's residential neighborhoods--much of it including the Fab 40's--before ending at 56th and H streets.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. For entry forms and/or more information about the race or street closures, visit runtofeedthehungry.com, or call (916) 456-1980.

Keep in mind that if you need to get last minute fixings for Thanksgiving, you will need to plan an escape rout since the run blocks off many of the main streets in East Sac...

Nutcracker Preview

This Saturday, Nov. 23, bring the kids and stop by the Grand Hall at Clunie Community Center for a sneak peek at this year's "The Nutcracker." The free performance will run from 11:30am to 12:15pm, and then ballet company members will remain afterward to conduct a free children's ballet lesson.

My neighbor and friend's daughter has performed in The Nutcracker over the past several years and we love going to see the performance. It will be great to catch a sneak peak of them up close just a few blocks from our home!

For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIEcCyuCjBM&feature=player_embedded

Sacramento Moustache 5K

The only run out there dedicated to the mustachioed...and those who want to be. Bring your mustache--real or fake--to Sutter's Landing by 4pm this coming Saturday, November 16 for the Sacramento Moustache Run.

Along the 5K route next to the American River and through Sutter's Landing Park, you will have to do your best to outrun an old-fashioned barber out to give you a clean shave. Get your mustache safely across the finish line, and you're already a winner. But with this run you have the additional reward of the Mo For Your Bro after party, complete with live music, wine, beer, food trucks and, of course, mustache care stations and best mustache contests.

Part of the runs' proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society, while proceeds from the after party will go to the Active 20-30 Club of Greater Sacramento #1032. For more information and to register, do as the mustache commands and go to sacramentomoustacherun.com.

Get Involved with Diabetes, Health & Community

In the U.S., it's estimated that nearly 26 million Americans live with diabetes, with 3.9 million of those living in California. Nearly 80 million more are at risk for contracting Type 2 diabetes. That's why the American Diabetes Association (ADA) was formed, to provide information that will help those living with the disease and to prevent it from occurring in others.

On November 16, the ADA will host Get Involved with Diabetes, Health & Community in the Grand Hall of the Clunie Community Center. This free event runs from 11am to 3pm and will include speakers discussing living with diabetes, health screenings and consultations, volunteer opportunities and information on healthy living.

For more information, go to diabetes.org/sacramento, or call (916) 924-3232.

Pops in the Park Benefit Concert

The Pops in the Park summer concert series wouldn't be possible without support year round. As such, an upcoming concert at the Torch Club will benefit next year's concerts. The Count, a local band specializing in classic rock and soul music (and a featured Pops in the Park performer), will perform this coming Saturday, November 9 at the Torch Club (904 15th Street) from 4-7pm.

While admission is free, donations will be accepted for the Pops in the Park/ Gifts to Share fund. Good tunes and good cocktails, all for a good cause. What could be better?

Wine, Women and Shoes

This Saturday, November 9, help homeless women get back on their feet by kicking up your own heels at Women, Wine and Shoes. This fun, glamorous event will include wine tastings, the "glass slipper" auction, and a runway show. There will even be "Shommeliers" (also known as Shoe Guys) on hand during the silent auction to provide the perfect pairings of wine and shoes on silver platters.

The event runs from 3-7pm at the Center at Twenty-Three Hundred (2300 Sierra Blvd.). All proceeds will benefit St. John's Shelter Program for Women and Children, the largest shelter in the county focused exclusively on supporting and empowering homeless women and children.

There are still tickets available for luxury stadium seating at the runway show, and for the "Keys to the Closet" raffle. For tickets or more information about the event, go to stjohnsshelter.org or wine-women-shoes.eventbrite.com.

Christmas Around the World

This coming Saturday, November 9, get your taste buds ready to travel around the world...without ever leaving East Sac. The Christmas Around the World Festival is celebrating its 25th year of showcasing the culture, crafts, traditional food and baked goods from Armenia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, the Middle East, Russia and the Ukraine. The food alone is enough reason to go!

This delicious event will be held from 10am to 4pm at the Hellenic Greek Center & Hall (614 Alhambra Blvd.), and is sponsored by the Eastern Christian Church Women's Association. Admission is free. For more information, email vicki.mackintosh@yahoo.com.  

Shop East Sac

What is it that makes East Sac such a great place to live? Well, let's see. There are the quiet, tree-lined streets, the gorgeous homes and the friendliness of its residents. Not to mention a wide array of high-scale restaurants and charming boutiques. It is for the exploration of the latter that the Shop East Sac program was created.

From November 4-24, residents are encouraged to check out all the fantastic stores--and the unique goodies they have to offer--in East Sac. Twenty local stores are participating in the program, some offering discounts or small gifts with purchases. Visit 15 of the 20, and you'll be eligible for a $1000 East Sac Shopping Spree. (No purchase is necessary to enter.) The drawing will be on Dec. 4, just in time to wrap up holiday shopping.

This program was organized by the East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call (916) 452-8011.