State Commission on Aging Hires New Director

Television Writer, Humor Columnist Larry Miller Dies at 81

The Best of Larry Miller Through the Years

55-Plus: Fried Oysters: a Dish Relished by Lincoln and Twain

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July 27
The Sacramento German Genealogy Society meets, 1 p.m., at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 2391 St. Mark’s Way, Sacramento. Program topic is “DNA and its relation to family history research.” Visitors are welcomed. (916) 782-5704.

July 28
Westminster Presbyterian Church offers its free Brown Bag Concert, noon to 1 p.m., at 1300 N St., Sacramento. Featured artist is guitarist John Pearce. (916) 442-8939.

Public Art Tours 2004 on display, noon to 1 p.m., at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento. (916) 566-3992.

July 30
Orientation and class registration for SeniorNet classes, 10:30 a.m., at the Hart Multipurpose Senior Center, 915 27th St., Sacramento. Classes begin the week of Aug. 9. (916) 264-5462.

July 31
American River College offers a mini-course, “Effective Leadership Skills,” approved for nine hours of continuing education credits. Cost is $9. Register online at www.arc.losrios.edu or at the ARC E-Center, 4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento. (916) 484-8512.

“Mongolian Art: A Living Landscape” opens at the Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St., Sacramento. Display runs through Oct. 17. (916) 264-5423.

Aug. 1
Carmichael Park hosts a free concert featuring the John Skinner Band, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Danny Bishop Memorial Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 5750 Grant Ave., Carmichael. (916) 485-5322.

The Western Swing Society holds its monthly dance, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Skyroom, Country Club Lanes, 2600 Watt Ave., Sacramento. Music by the Bud Duncan/Red Gillean All-Stars. Admission is $5. (916) 974-1236.

Aug. 4
Westminster Presbyterian Church offers its free Brown Bag Concert, noon to 1 p.m., at 1300 N St., Sacramento. Featured artist is classical pianist Hitomi de la Fuente. (916) 442-8939.

The California Hospice Foundation holds its annual fundraiser, the “Warm August Nights” used book sale, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Hospice Thrift Shop, 3257 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento. Theme is “World Traveler and History Lessons.” (916) 457-1877.

Aug. 5
The Carmichael Cactus and Succulent Society meets, 10 a.m., at Carmichael Park Clubhouse, 5750 Grant Ave., Carmichael. Visitors are welcomed. (916) 729-3475.

Aug. 6
Public Art Tours 2004 on display, 11 a.m. to noon, at the Cal-EPA Building, 1001 I St., Sacramento. (916) 566-3992.

The 18th annual August Women’s Peace Event, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Sacramento City College cafeteria, 3835 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento. Keynote speaker is Inga Olson of Tri-Valley Communities Against a Radioactive Environment. Tickets range from $3 to $15. (916) 448-7157.

The Friendly 45-Plus Social Club, for people 45 and older, meets from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Rusch Park Community Center, 7801 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights. Admission is $5 per person. (916) 991-9009.

Aug. 7
The Wednesday Seniors Club of the Mission Oaks Park and Recreation District serves a pancake breakfast, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 4701 Gibbons Drive, Carmichael. Cost is $2.50 per person. Proceeds benefit non-profit agencies. (916) 481-7784.

The 16th annual Gospel Music Concert, noon to 6 p.m., Hagginwood Park, 3271 Marysville Blvd., Sacramento. Free admission. Arts and crafts, food, more. (916) 566-6439.

The Society of Military Widows, Chapter No. 5 meets, noon, at the Lion’s Gate Hotel, 3410 Westover, McClellan. Guest speaker is Israel Valdez of InfoLine, followed by the installation of officers. (916) 635-6724.

Aug. 8
Carmichael Park hosts a free concert featuring the Carmichael Kiwanis Club Big Band, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Danny Bishop Memorial Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 5750 Grant Ave., Carmichael. (916) 485-5322.

Aug. 9
Mercy General Hospital sponsors a free talk about advance directives and living wills, noon, in the hospital’s Greenhouse Room A, 4001 J St., Sacramento. Documents available. (916) 733-6330.

Aug. 11
The Alzheimer’s Aid Society of Northern California’s Support Group for the Memory Impaired meets, 10:30 a.m., 2641 Cottage Way, Suite 4, Sacramento. (916) 448-7001.

Aug. 12
The Mission Oaks Computer Club meets, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Mission Oaks Community Center, 4701 Gibbons Drive, Carmichael. Discussion topic is networking, PDAs and cellular phones. Visitors are welcomed. (916) 489-5514.

Aug. 14
Old City Cemetery Committee offers “Squatter’s Riots (1850),” a free public tour, 10 a.m., beginning at the cemetery’s main gate, Broadway at 10th Street, Sacramento. Free parking across the street. Donations accepted to fund ongoing restoration programs. (916) 448-0811.

REGIONAL
July 27
Eskaton’s Senior Connection hosts an informational workshop on the Medicare Prescription Drug Program, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Raley’s Event Center, 6845 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay. (916) 334-1072.

July 30
Sierra Club Seniors takes a hike at Carson Pass near Lake Winnemucca. Group meets at 8:30 a.m. in the Safeway parking lot at Howe and University avenues. Bring water, lunch, rain gear. (916) 925-0700.

John Skinner and his eight-piece band perform a free concert, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Rosemont Park, on Contempo Drive in Rancho Cordova. (916) 362-1841.

Aug. 3
The Roseville Fibromyalgia/ Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndromes/ Arthritis and Chronic Pain Support Group meets from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive, Roseville. Requested donation is $5 for first-time visitors or non-members. (916) 681-5679.

Aug. 7
Fair Oaks Horticulture Center presents “Harvest Day 2004,” 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Fair Oaks Park, Madison Avenue and Fair Oaks Boulevard. Speakers, demonstrations, educational booths and more. Donations requested. (916) 875-6913.

Aug. 8
The California State Old-Time Fiddlers Association features free stage performances and jam sessions, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Orangevale Grange, 5807 Walnut Ave., Orangevale. (916) 966-9067.

Aug. 9
Sierra Club Seniors takes a hike along Indian Creek Trail, a 3-mile loop west of Weimar following the north fork of the American River. Group leaves at 8:45 a.m. at Breuner’s parking lot, near the Madison Avenue exit off Interstate 80; or at 9:30 a.m. from the Foresthill exit on Lincoln Way. (916) 925-0700.

Aug. 10
The National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Elkhorn Chapter 1680, meets, 11:30 a.m., at Cherry Island Golf Course, 2360 Elverta Road, Elverta. (916) 332-3071.

The Alzheimer’s Aid Society of Northern California’s Roseville Support Group meets, 7 p.m., at Somer Park Residence, 1 Somer Ridge Drive, Roseville. (916) 448-7001.

Aug. 12
The Widowed Persons Association of California, Elk Grove Chapter 24, holds its monthly breakfast, 9 a.m., at Cornerstone Restaurant, 8511 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove. (209) 748-1966.

Aug. 13
The Roseville and Sacramento Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, Arthritis and Chronic Pain Support Group meets, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Living Grace Center for Conscious Living, 8909 Golden Gate Ave., Orangevale. Registration requested. Requested donation is $5. (916) 987-9935.

Solutions Through Education and Patient Support meets, noon to 1:30 p.m., 670 Placerville Drive, second floor, in Placerville. Speaker is Donna Geiger, family nurse practitioner. Reservations requested. (530) 621-2824.

Aug. 14
Fire on the Mountain Blues Festival 2004 at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds, Highway 49 at Downtown, Sonora. Gates open at 10 a.m. Twelve acts, including blues singer/guitarist Jackie Greene. Cost is $35, with proceeds benefiting the Visiting Nurses Association-Hospice. (209) 533-3473.

ONGOING
The Dance for Life Senior Wellness Program offers two Senior Tea Dances a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 3 p.m., at The Ballroom of Sacramento, 6009 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento. Admission is $5, partners not required. (916) 457-8307.

Getting Back Into Life, a social group for widowed, divorced, single or lonely seniors, meets 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays at Bruceville Terrace, 8151 Bruceville Road, Sacramento. (916) 395-6003.

The Gray Eagles, a military aviation educational group, meets at noon on the second Monday of each month at the Hometown Buffet, 4300 Florin Road, Sacramento. (916) 441-0811.

The Irish-American Club Ceile Dancers hold dances 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first and third Fridays of every month at the Hart Multipurpose Senior Center, 915 27th St., Sacramento. Fee is $2. (916) 444-3181.

Bridge is played from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the 49ers Plus Senior Center, Room 12 at Sierra II, 2791 24th St., Sacramento. (916) 455-6339.

Bridge Club Midtown offers classes and games for beginners or experienced players, singles or doubles. (916) 492-0723.

Capital Singles offers a dance for single seniors, 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sundays at the Elks Lodge No. 2103, 5631 Cypress Ave., Carmichael. No membership is required, dance lessons included with admission. (916) 366-6501.

The Foothills Senior Golf Club plays at 8 a.m. every Friday at Foothill Golf Center, 7000 Verner Ave., Citrus Heights. (916) 338-4733.

Senior Gleaners, a local outlet for the Second Harvest Food Bank, has open enrollment and tours on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, 9:30 a.m., 1951 Bell Ave., Sacramento. (916) 925-3240, ext. 107.

West Sacramento Senior Center, 664 Cummins Way, offers easy exercise classes for seniors at 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost is a $1 donation. (916) 373-5819.

The City of Sacramento 50+ Wellness Program sponsors ongoing neighborhood walks at various times and locations, most on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The program is free and open to people of all ages. (916) 277-6190.

To be listed in the calendar, please send your notices to: Spectrum Calendar, 530 Bercut Drive, Suite E, Sacramento, CA 95814 or fax to (916) 443-5871. Photos are welcome and may be mailed or e-mailed to Spectrum Calendar. Calendar announcements must be received at least two weeks before publication.