Often, New Year’s resolutions include generally unrealistic s goals such as learning a new language. Let’s get real here: It’ll take way more than a year to be fluent in a new language, and a lifetime of practice to master one. How about just pledging to learn something new this weekend, and then dropping the whole resolution idea altogether? This week, there are plenty of educational opportunities for those who want to learn something new and interesting—all in just a few hours time.
First up is Nevada City’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival (www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org), which boasts the tagline “where activism gets inspired.” Yes, it’ll have tons on documentaries that raise awareness about various environmental issues. But it’s also way more than just a film festival, with adventure outings, lectures, art, music, shopping, awards and parties—spanning multiple venues in Nevada City and Grass Valley. It happens Thursday, January 15, through Sunday, January 18.
Then there’s MLK365.org’s Capitol March for the Dream, on Monday, January 19. It starts at Sacramento City College (3835 Freeport Boulevard) at 9 a.m. and arrives at the Sacramento Convention Center (1400 J Street) for a Diversity Expo featuring arts performances, vendors, health and employment information booths, and speakers who participated in the Civil Rights Movement. Head to www.mlk365.org for additional information.
On Tuesday, January 20, television journalist, author and former child model Anderson Cooper will speak as part of the Sacramento Speaker Series (www.sacramentospeakers.com). His talk happens at 8 p.m. at the Community Center Theater (1301 L Street). Tickets cost $105-$150, and are packaged with the rest of the speaker series, which features Diana Nyad on Tuesday, March 3, and David Brooks on Tuesday, April 7.
Lastly, former CIA Analyst and Targeting Officer Nada Bakos will take the stage at UC Davis’ Mondavi Center (9399 Old Davis Road in Davis) as part of its Jackson Hall Speakers series. According to the event web page, Bakos played a role in “mining and interpreting” data, which helped end the long hunt for Osama bin Laden. She’ll partake in a Q-and-A session moderated by Religious Studies Associate Professor Flagg Miller. It happens at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, and tickets cost $27 to $62. More information is available at www.mondaviarts.org.
—Jonathan Mendick
More stuff to do after the following page break.
Estate Planning Safari
Friday, January 16
Although many people don’t want to think about their estates and planning wills before the age of 40, it’s never too early. Local attorney Mark S. Drobny will be offering up his services at a venue one might least expect: the Sacramento Zoo. Come learn how to properly administer assets in the right places, and then stare at flamingos and giraffes afterward. Free, 1 p.m. at Sacramento Zoo, 3930 West Land Park Drive; www.saczoo.org.
—Eddie Jorgensen
Winterfest 2015
Friday, January 16
This annual party returns with music by the Old Screen Door—plus food, beer and wine tastings. The Boxing Donkey, Dad’s Kitchen, The Porch and Costa’s Finest Kettle Corn are among the food vendors. Brewers include Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Heretic Brewing Company and Yolo Brewing Company. Proceeds benefit theRunnin’ for Rhett Foundation. $5-$65, 6 p.m. at Red Lion Woodlake Hotel, 500 Leisure Lane; www.sacwinterfest.org.
—Trina L. Drotar
Easyriders Bike Show
Saturday, January 17, through Sunday, January 18
What do motorcycle lovers love besides bikes? Girls in bikinis and Sons of Anarchy, obviously. Fortunately for said bike fanatics, not only can they see hundreds of the coolest bikes in the country on display at the Easyriders Bike Show, but bikini-clad women will be lurking around, as will Tommy “Chibs” Flanagan from SOA. He’s signing autographs for the public, and doing a special meet-and-greet with VIP ticket holders. $10-$20 per day, 10 a.m. daily at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street; www.easyridersevents.com.
—Aaron Carnes
Sunday Cinema Series: Love is Strange
Sunday, January 18
Public libraries offer much more than a place to simply surf the internet and check out music to burn. In fact, they offer many extracurricular activities to the public free of charge. This Sunday, the Folsom Public Library continues its Sunday Cinema Series with yet another free movie—and folks aren’t expected to buy overpriced soft drinks and popcorn tubs. Free, 1 p.m. at the Folsom Public Library, 411 Stafford Street in Folsom; www.folsom.ca.us/depts/library_services/default.asp.
—Eddie Jorgensen
Harlem Globetrotters
Sunday, January 18, through Monday, January 19
If you were wondering to yourself if the Harlem Globetrotters were still a thing, good news. They still are, and they’re still going strong. Anyone that’s never seen the basketball-meets-slapstick-comedy show before should Google the Giligan’s Island episode they were on in the ’80s to get a taste of their brilliance. After all these years the Globetrotters are still a lot of fun to watch, and kids adore them. $21-$131, 2 p.m. daily at Sleep Train Arena, 1 Sports Parkway; www.harlemglobetrotters.com.
