Heal the world
This year Earth Day lands on Wednesday, April 22, but there’s plenty of earth-friendly stuff to do on both sides of that particular date. People who’ve always wanted to do something eco-friendly but never know exactly what’s possible can dedicate an entire week to cleaning up creeks, learning about the environment and committing to living sustainably with the following five events.
The Sacramento Area Creeks Council will hold its 2015 Creek Clean-Up for Sacramento County on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. Technically, registration closed on April 10, but if you head to www.creekweek.net/volunteer.html, there may be a Sacramento-area region still open to volunteers. If not, there’s an after-party at Carmichael Park (5750 Grant Avenue in Carmichael) at noon with free lunch, information booths and entertainment from Roseville’s Blacktop Comedy.
Another opportunity to clean up something on Saturday, April 18, comes via the California State Parks Foundation (www.calparks.org/help/earth-day). Auburn State Recreation Area needs cleanup volunteers to replace tree markets, clean the area below the spectacular Foresthill Bridge, and clean trails, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers should sign up online before spots run out.
Perhaps the biggest regional celebration will happen at the Environmental Council of Sacramento’s 2015 Sacramento Earth Day party (www.ecosacramento.net/earth-day). Taking place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Southside Park (2115 Sixth Street) on Sunday, April 19, the free celebration features more than 180 organizations with booths displaying practical environmental information, live music performances from Jenn Rogar, John Gruber and James Israel, and food from El Papagayo, Abyssinia and Dave Pops.
The City of Sacramento will host its own free Earth Day 2015 Celebration event at Cesar Chavez Plaza (910 I Street), from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22. It’ll also have environmental education booths, interactive demos and live entertainment. Head to www.tinyurl.com/sacearthday for more information.
The City of West Sacramento hosts another free Earth Day event next week on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at West Sacramento City Hall, 1110 West Capitol Avenue. It’ll offer live music, food, a guided bike tour, students selling produce, kids’ activities and workshops on rain barrels and composting. Find out more at www.tinyurl.com/westsacearthday.
—Jonathan Mendick
Picnic Day
Saturday, April 18
This year’s Picnic Day theme is “Heart of Our Community,” in order to reflect the “multifaceted community of UC Davis,” according to its website. That’s pretty vague, but we do know for certain that Picnic Day’s always a good time, with 200 events happening all day throughout UC Davis, including a marching band battle, fashion show, parade, dog races, live music and a “chemistry magic show.” Parking is free on campus all day. Free, all day at UC Davis, 1 Shields Avenue in Davis, http://picnicday.ucdavis.edu.
—Jonathan Mendick
Carmichael Elks Classic Car Show and Swap Meet
Saturday, April 18
This family-friendly event begins with a pancake breakfast with all the trimmings and a bloody mary bar. Then attendees can browse through pre-1975 vehicles and vote on your favorite. Capital City MoPars, The Over-the-Hill Gang, Model A’s, Sacramento Muscle Cars and the Italian Hot Rod Association will be well represented. There’s also wine, bowling, a barbershop quartet and a silent auction. Free, 8 a.m. at Carmichael Elks Lodge #2103, 5631 Cypress Avenue in Carmichael; www.facebook.com/carmichaelelksclassiccarshow.
—Trina L. Drotar
Fyah on the Water
Saturday, April 18, through Sunday, April 19
If you can’t stand the smell of marijuana and don’t enjoy the sweet sounds of reggae, hip-hop and rock, you are hereby ordered to steer clear of this wonderful two-day event. This year’s Fyah on the Water festival will bring together some of the biggest names of both the national, regional and local circuits including Kottonmouth Kings, Marlon Asher, Rappin’ 4-Tay, Arden Park Roots and Zuhg. $25-$250, 9 a.m. daily at Camp Pollock, 1501 Northgate Boulevard; http://reggaeinthehills.com/fyah-on-the-water.
—Eddie Jorgensen
Atomic Angels Fourth Annual Western Swing Party
Saturday, April 18
All ages are welcome to this western-themed event benefiting WEAVE and featuring a pin-up style competition and the crowning of Miss Spring Fling. Vintage Vandals, B.B. McKay and the Bumps will perform live. Visit vendors Strut Threads, Wild Kitten Boutique and Soapery Sweet and check out auctions and raffles, too. $10, 4 p.m. at Stoney’s Rockin’ Rodeo, 1320 Del Paso Road; www.facebook.com/TheAtomicAngels.
—Trina L. Drotar
California Aviation Day
Wednesday, April 22
Aviation—thanks to pioneers like John Joseph Montgomery and Howard Hughes—has played a huge role in California’s industry. It employs more than one million people, consists of almost 60,000 pilots, 246 public-use airports and generates more than $18 million annually. Learn about aviation’s role in California’s economy through interactive displays and talk with representatives from more than 20 organizations at this event. Free, 11 a.m. on the north steps of the State Capitol, 1315 10th Street;. http://caaviationday.com.
