The Kings lost a game Friday night at Arco Arena.

However, that was secondary to the loss of their rookie of the year candidate Tyreke Evans.

Evans suffered a concussion and some facial lacerations during the fourth quarter of Sacramento's 114-108 double-overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks before a stunned crowd of 12,098.

Evans went down during a wild scramble for a loose ball underneath the Kings basket with 27.3 remaining in regulation following a shot attempt by Kings forward Carl Landry. Evans remained on the floor after Landry was called for a foul.

Evans eventually was helped back to the Kings bench for a brief period before being helped to the Kings locker room. Landry said Evans told him he'd been hit by an elbow from Bucks 6-foot-10, 235-pound reserve forward Ersan Ilyasova.

Evans did not return to action. He was X-rayed at the arena. There was no sign of a fractured jaw initially, but the rookie is scheduled to undergo further examination today. He will not join the team on its trip to Los Angeles for Sunday afternoon's game at Staples Center against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Evans is an unlikely participant in Monday night's home game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Kings coach Paul Westphal said it was unknown when he would be able to play again. 

"Tyreke has a concussion," Westphal said of his rookie, who finished with 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and eight turnovers against a Bucks defense geared to slow him.

"He has some damage to his teeth and his jaw. There will be more tests. ... We have no idea how long he'll be out or how serious the injury is until the doctors are able to really examine him with all the equipment they have."

Meanwhile, it appeared the Kings would be able to hold off the Bucks, who have been one of the NBA's winningest teams since the All-Star break.Milwaukee has won 13 of its past 15 games.

By the time Evans walked off the floor, it appeared the only victory Milwaukee would have this night would be their own rookie of the year candidate, Brandon Jennings, winning his individual battle with the Kings rookie. Jennings put on a sterling performance with a game-high 35 points. That included a season-high, eight made three-point field-goals in 13 attempts.

Yet, the Bucks followed Jennings, former Kings swingman John Salmons and center Andrew Bogut back against the odds.

The feeling of security for the Kings, though, turned into a mirage.

Sacramento (23-46) had led 91-82 following a put-back by swingman Ime Udoka with 2:28 left in the fourth quarter. The teams exchanged missed possessions until Ilyasova pulled the Bucks within 91-84 with 1:42 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Kings missed their final four field-goal attempts of regulation, but Francisco Garcia and Beno Udrih each made a pair of free throws during the final 24 seconds.

Salmons, though, converted a three-pointer off an inbounds play and then Ilyasova stuck a three-pointer six-feet beyond the three-point line at the Kings logo with 6.4 seconds remaining, to tie the game at 95-95.

"I thought we made our free throws down the stretch, and we made them take the shots we wanted them to take for the most part and they hit some shots that defied description," said Westphal. "All you can really say is it had to be their night."

It certainly wasn't the Kings' night.

Notes: Tom Abatemarco, who has worked with the Maloof organization for seven years, has accepted an offer to join the men's basketball coaching staff at the University of Colorado. 


 

Saturday, March 20

10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

California Complete Count is hosting a rally/march to raise awareness of the U.S. Census. Entertainment starts at 10:00 a.m. and a 1/2 mile march around the Capitol starts at 10:45. At 11:45, there will be brief speeches from Mayor Kevin Johnson and Lt. Gov. Mona Pasquil. Entertainment from community groups will continue until 2:30 p.m.

The rally/march is intended to raise awareness and support for the census. Workers from the Census Bureau will man questionnaire assistance centers to answer questions and help fill out census forms.

The event is part of the March 20 "Be Californian, Be Counted" day. Five hundred people are expected.

No other events are planned until Monday.

Sutter's Fort Living History and Pioneer Demonstration Days return to the year 1846, the year California became a U.S. territory. Park docents and volunteers re-create the everyday life and times at "Fort New Helvetia," Sutter’s original name for the Fort.

Men dressed in heavy buckskin loading their flintlock rifles. Soldiers from the 1840s perform drills, while the blacksmith makes horseshoes at a hot forge. Women scrub clothes on a washboard and prepare stews over cooking fires.

Docent Mark DeLong holds a cannonball as he explains Sutter had the cannon in the Southeast bastion of the original fort until 1846, when the guns were removed and it was used for storage. Then the bastion was used as a hospital for Cholera and other patients in 1849-50, with a Dr. Deal in charge. The cannon does get 'fired'.

The characters and costumes seen have been extensively researched for presenting an exciting period in our state's past. Costumes are authentic, from fur hats to ivory buttons and buckled shoes. Sutter’s Fort Living History Days and Pioneer Demonstration Days are filled with California History.

DeLong gives school children a history lesson.

Two visitors overlook the an oven and cooking pot from the original building inside the fort. Of the original fort, the two-story central building, made of adobe and oak, remains, the fort's outer walls and rooms, which had disappeared by the 1860s, were reconstructed after the State acquired the property in 1890.

 Firewood around a cooking area in the interior of the fort.

The fort was built by Swiss immigrant John Sutter more than 150 years ago is considered a pivotal point in history. The walls  were 2 1/2 feet thick and 15 to 18 feet high -- and developed what he considered to be the real wealth of California -- crops such as grapes and wheat, along with vast herds of cattle.

The Native Sons of the Golden West were influential in the restoration of the Fort which began in 1891 and was completed in 1893. Donated to the State of California, Sutter's Fort became a part of the California State Park System in 1947. Sutter's Fort stands as the oldest restored Fort in the United States.

The fort is located in midtown Sacramento between K and L Streets and 26th and 28th Streets • 2701 L St.

Information accompanying photos is from parks.ca.gov/, militarymuseum.org, hmdb.org

Living History Days at Sutter's Fort are10am-5pm Wednesdays and Friday-Sundays until June 30 then Tuesdays-Sundays in July.

Information:   (916) 445-4422.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

If finishing my last midterm was the cake, then watching Upright Citizens Brigade was the icing. And I had my fill when UCB performed its classic improv sketch comedy for an hour and a half Thursday before a crowd of 200.

Walking into the University Ballroom at Sacramento State, I could feel the energy as everyone waited for the show to begin. With UCB's television show long canceled, the only chance for viewing the show is at its Los Angeles or New York City theaters.

While I waited, I remembered a phone call earlier in the week:

"We take 15-22 of the best performers from both theater casts for the touring production," said director and coordinating producer Carter Edwards. "What people see are the best of the best from our talent pools."

Though there are only four cast members at each touring show, they change characters and run around the stage so much that it creates the illusion of 20 more people on stage.

The show was in three acts, with an intermission after the first.

In the first act, an audience member was chosen and given the microphone. Using his statements as fodder, the cast constructed short -- 45 seconds to 4 minute --improv skits that all related to one another.

I laughed uncontrollably as the cast pretended to look for American River College and pick up a hitchhiker along the way. "All sorts of crazy stuff goes on in this town," they said.

Skits centered around pop culture events to which everyone could relate. Topics included video games, snuggies and, my personal favorite, a French robot.

I wandered during intermission to the lobby, which was unusually busy for 8 p.m. A booth in the corner offered energy drink samples, and 10 or so shots later, I was more than ready for intermission to end.

I ran back into the ballroom and searched for my seat just as cast members retook the stage. They don't use many props, except four chairs. I never knew four regular office chairs could resemble a car, phone booth or couch.

The second act began with the audience shouting out movie titles. "Fight Club," a movie everyone had seen, was chosen and cast members began to act out "deleted scenes" lost from a DVD.

As the energy drink pumped in my veins, I laughed out loud at the parody. My favorite bit was about the real beginnings of "Fight Club" and its quest for more members. "It's hard to get members when the first rule states I can't talk about the club."

The last act was my favorite. Audience members were encouraged to share text messages from their cell phones.

Skits involved interrogating a man who just wants to party and a women's quest to label a man a liar for life.

The show was extremely funny, with cast members manipulating characters and plots into a common theme. Cast members cycled in and out of scenes, waiting to be called into the comedy arena.

Cast members were Joel Spence, Colton Dunn, Heather Anne Campbell and Suzi Barrett.

Photo credits: Matthew Ceccato
 

Rick D. Redding, born and raised in Sacramento, a Marine Corps veteran of Operation Desert Storm/Shield and a Public School Educator/Football coach, declared his candidacy for nomination as a Republican candidate for State Assembly (9th District). This district includes most of the city of Sacramento. The primary election is on June 8 and the general election in November.
 
Rick stated that, as a public school educator serving in the Assembly, he will work to ensure that every child has equal access to educational opportunities and that each student graduates from high school.

As our Assemblyman, Rick said one of his goals is to expand job training opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed as well as end all furlough days for state employees and restore the 14% reduction in state workers pay: "I do not believe the state budget should be balanced on the backs of state employees."  Moreover, Rick said that he will "introduce employer friendly deregulation of the current legislative entanglements that hamper businesses from prospering and creating jobs."  

"I'm a firm believer that irresponsible taxing and spending on behalf of the government should not dictate repeated tax increases for Sacramento citizens." For that reason, Rick supports the efforts of the Sacramento County Taxpayers League to roll back the Sacramento city utility rate increase from the projected 19.2% to 9.0% that will appear on the November ballot.

As your Assemblyman from the 9th District, Redding said "I will work with Mayor Kevin Johnson, the Sacramento City Council and the Board of Supervisors to help bring businesses to Sacramento that are not influenced by the ups and downs of the national and state economy thereby helping small business to prosper and provide good jobs.

Rick Redding is married to the former Jill Tammi (daughter of former Placerville mayor, Bonnie Tammi) and has four children Ryan (18), William (14), Benjamin (8), and Lauren (5).  

For more information about Rick's candidacy, you can visit the campaign website at www.VoteForRick.org.  Rick can also be contacted at 916-289-9018 or rick_redding1@yahoo.com.

There are very few known details about the closing of the Hard Rock Café downtown. Manager Kim Templeton deferred answering questions to a public relations firm. That firm would not answer phone calls.

According to a Sacramento Bee article, it will close March 27, but is that before or after the private event listed the same day on the Hard Rock website as "Morgan's Bat Mitzvah?" 

One thing is for sure. With the Hard Rock closing, Sacramento is losing several important things: a restaurant, a music venue, a 36-foot guitar with neon highlights and a small museum chock full of Rock 'n' Roll memorabilia. Not to mention an employer.

The following is a photo essay depicting some of Hard Rock's historical artifacts.


The first four photos are part of a small collection from local band Tesla. Pictured: Troy Luccketta's kick drum.


Caption: BRIAN WHEAT, TESLA. At a time when Rock & Roll consisted of makeup, strange hairdos, and elaborate costumes, Tesla were always about being comfortable. Simple blue-jeans, t-shirts and pure rock. With over 14 million albums sold, Tesla is Sacramento's finest. This bass was custom built for Tesla bass player Brian Wheat. It's known as the Shredded Wheat Bass. That was Brian's nickname in the early '90s. This bass was used on the Tesla 1991/1992 tour.


Caption: FRANK HANNON, TESLA. "This guitar has been used throughout my career in Tesla and specifically to record the hit single 'What You Give.' This guitar is featured in the video for 'What You Give' and has been in many live performances including 'Hanging with MTV' and the 'Psychotic Supper' tour of 1992. This guitar is also featured in the video solo of 'Love Song' from the 'Times Makin' Changes' DVD." - Frank Hannon.


Caption: TOMMY SKEOCH, TESLA. "Hey, what's up? Tommy Skeoch from Tesla Here. I put this guitar together when I was about 20 years old. It's a Kramer Voyager body with a Kramer Berreta neck. I used it a lot on our first record and many other recordings! I've also used this guitar at countless rock shows! I did the artwork on it too. ...Hard Rock forever!" - Tommy Skeoch.


Caption: BILL HALEY. 1959 swamp brown Guild guitar was used and signed by Bill Haley. Given to a former employee of Haley's "Essex" record company in Chester, Pa., Bill Haley signed the guitar just seven months prior to Bill Haley's death.


Caption: ELVIS PRESLEY. Orange "TCB" bodyguard's jacket with "TCB" patch on lapel worn by bodyguard Sonny West. West became a member of the Memphis Mafia (Elvis' bodyguards) when he was introduced to the King by his cousin Robert "Red" West - also a Presley bodyguard.


Caption: JANIS JOPLIN. Janis had a major part in defining the role of women in rock. Her wailing voice and amazing stage presence was truly a blessing in the late '60s. This is her silk shaw that she owned and loved in the '60s.


Caption: TONY IOMMI, BLACK SABBATH. Tony Iommi and Jimmy Page are debatably the only two guitarists that can take full credit for pioneering the sound of heavy metal. This guitar was used by Tony in performances and recordings.


Caption: PETE TOWNSHEND, THE WHO. Heavily influenced by the Beach Boys and Motown, The Who was one of the key groups in the British Invasion. Pete was known to be a very active guitarist from his wild windmills to his demolishing of guitars. This guitar is one of the famous numbered series of guitars used by Pete.


Caption: NIKKI SIXX, MOTLEY CRUE. 1986 custom Harley Davidson Softail. This motorcycle appeared on the cover of their 1987 album "Girls Girls Girls," but has since been repainted.


Caption: FREDDY MERCURY, QUEEN. Never really taken seriously by critics, Queen was taken seriously by fans being one of the most popular groups, especially in England. These red vinyl pants with black tie belt were worn by Freddie during Queen's 1980 European tour. They were featured on the cover of the program for that tour and signed on the back of the left leg by Freddie.


This vintage Fender Jaguar was owned by Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys. 

The Sacramento Police Department and the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities are warning residents and businesses about a man, claiming to be a City employee approaching homes in a recent water meter retrofit area and trying gain access.

Residents and businesses are warned that the City does not need to get into a home to test the water or conduct further plumbing work inside the home after a meter retrofit. Typically, City utilities employees do not need to enter into homes and if they do, they will schedule an appointment in advance.

City employees wear City of Sacramento uniforms, ID badges and drive City vehicles. Residents or businesses with questions regarding whether someone is a City employee can call the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities at 3-1-1 or 264-5011.

Residents or businesses who see anything suspicious or who are approached by someone impersonating a City employee should call the City of Sacramento Police Department at 264-5471.
 

This Saturday, the Sacramento Police Department is holding “Operation ID” which will provide engravers to put identifying numbers on your bicycle. This operation is in response to a rise in garage burglaries in which bicycles are being stolen.

The Police Department is attempting to curb a string of thirty-five garage burglaries in the downtown and east Sacramento area that have occurred since January 2010. The burglar(s) have been forcing their way into detached garages in the late evening to early morning hours. It is unknown at this time if the burglaries are connected or are individual acts.

On March 20, 2010, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., officers will be at Mckinley Park providing engravers to the community to place identifying numbers on their bicycles. Police will also write down your serial number for you to keep. The purpose of the program is to enhance the chances of locating stolen property (such as bicycles), by providing police an identifying number to run when we come across suspected stolen items.

We would like to remind the community to lock your doors, have proper lighting around your residence, purchase an alarm if you can, write down the serial number from your valuables (tv, iPods, bicycles etc…), or engrave identifying numbers on your property.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime or this person to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
 

This Saturday, the Sacramento Police Department is holding “Operation ID” which will provide engravers to put identifying numbers on your bicycle. This operation is in response to a rise in garage burglaries in which bicycles are being stolen.

The Police Department is attempting to curb a string of thirty-five garage burglaries in the downtown and east Sacramento area that have occurred since January 2010. The burglar(s) have been forcing their way into detached garages in the late evening to early morning hours. It is unknown at this time if the burglaries are connected or are individual acts.

On March 20, 2010, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., officers will be at Mckinley Park providing engravers to the community to place identifying numbers on their bicycles. Police will also write down your serial number for you to keep. The purpose of the program is to enhance the chances of locating stolen property (such as bicycles), by providing police an identifying number to run when we come across suspected stolen items.

We would like to remind the community to lock your doors, have proper lighting around your residence, purchase an alarm if you can, write down the serial number from your valuables (tv, iPods, bicycles etc…), or engrave identifying numbers on your property.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime or this person to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
 

Hartford Colonials head coach Chris Palmer has assembled the majority of his coaching staff for the 2010 United Football League season.

A staff of NFL-seasoned and emerging coaches will lead the Colonials when they kick off the second UFL campaign this fall. The coaches are meeting as offensive and defensive groups in the Connecticut state capital this week to formulate the team’s game plan and prepare for a 10-game season that includes five home games at the Colonials’ Rentschler Field home stadium in East Hartford.

“We are excited to announce our staff and begin developing our football program,” said Coach Palmer. “We have coaches that have a passion for football and enjoy helping young players develop. It was good to get together and discuss football.”

Hartford Colonials Coaching Staff:

Chris Palmer- Head Coach and General Manager
Ted Daisher- Defensive Line
Oji Fagan- Running Backs
Frank Hauser- Linebackers
Jerry Holmes- Secondary
Osia Lewis- Defensive Coordinator
Dave Ragone- Wide Receivers/ Quarterback
Tony Sparano- Assistant Defensive Line
Shane Waldron- Tight Ends
Todd Washington- Offensive Line

Chris Palmer, Head Coach and General Manager: Played football at Immaculate High School in Danbury, CT, and was a quarterback at Southern Connecticut State University before a successful spell coaching at the University of New Haven from 1986-87, posting consecutive 8-2 records. Most recently, Palmer tutored Eli Manning with the New York Giants from 2007 to 2009 and ultimately won a Super Bowl XLII ring.

Ted Daisher, Defensive Line: Was the Special Teams coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 and before that from 2004 to 2005. He has also coached with the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders.

Oji Fagan, Running Backs: Spent the last five seasons coaching the Hudson Valley Vikings. He was a four-year letter winner at the University of Albany and since has coached with Stonehill College in Massachusetts and worked with the New York Giants as a coaching intern.

Frank Hauser, Linebackers: A well-known local figure who coached in Connecticut with Wesleyan University for 24 years and was the head coach of the Cardinals for the last 18 seasons. He is also a physical education professor at Wesleyan.

Jerry Holmes, Secondary: Was the head coach at Hampton University in 2008 having spent five years coaching in the NFL with San Diego, Washington and Cleveland and played ten seasons in the NFL, mainly with the New York Jets.

Osia Lewis, Defensive Coordinator: Was the defensive coordinator at UTEP having coached previously at New Mexico and the University of Illinois. Following a standout college career at Oregon State, he played in the CFL and AFL.

Dave Ragone, Wide Receivers / Quarterbacks: Finished his college career as the second-leading passer in Louisville school history and was selected in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Won NFL Europe MVP honors in 2005.

Tony Sparano, Assistant Defensive Line coach: Was a three-year letterman at the University of Albany. His father is the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Shane Waldron, Tight Ends: Was the tight ends coach of the New England Patriots in 2009 having previously served as an offensive assistant with the Patriots and as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame. He played football at Tufts University.

Todd Washington, Offensive Line: Was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at the University of San Diego. During an eight-year NFL career played with the Houston Texans and won a Super Bowl XXXVII ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Group and season tickets to Hartford Colonials games will go on sale in April and the team’s new logo and uniforms will also be unveiled in the coming months. Sports fans can call 860-718-0141 for more information about the Colonials.

Social networking Colonials fans eager to interact with fellow fans can do so at:
http://www.facebook.com/UnitedFootballLeague
http://www.facebook.com/HartfordColonials
http://www.twitter.com/theUFL
http://www.twitter.com/theColonials