Japanese Taiko Drummer

Where else can you celebrate Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, East Indian, Thai, Hmong, Polynesian, and Hawaiian cultures at the same time? Why at the Pacific Rim Street Fest of course.

This annual event will showcase break dancers Flexible Flave, Polynesian dancers, Chinese lion dancers, Japanese taiko drummers, and various martial artists on four entertainment stages. Community-based organizations, restaurants, caterers, non-profits and small businesses will also be on hand to celebrate this diverse event.

By the way, the weekend forecast is expected to reach 100 degrees. So make sure to slather on that sunscreen and to keep hydrated.

When: May 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Old Sacramento and Westfield Downtown Plaza

Useful Links:

• Pacific Rim Street Fair web site
• Entertainment schedule
• Event vendors
• Parking map
• Light rail info

Yummy Strawberries

If my daughter had her way, she would eat every single strawberry she can get her hands on. So when we make our way to Galt's 13th Annual Strawberry Festival this weekend, she may just get her wish.

Along with the strawberries, there will be food vendors, crafters, entertainers and a carnival. The events starts on Friday with the 5th Annual Wine, Berries & Jazz. On Saturday, you can burn off what you ate from the night before with the Strawberry Jam 5K Run.

When: May 16 to 18

Where: 900 Caroline Ave., Galt

Cost: $8 general, $5 seniors (55+) and kids (6-11), free for kids 5 and younger. Family passes (2 adults and 2 kids) are $22 presale. Wine, Berries and Jazz tickets are $25 presale and $30 at door. Carnival tickets are $20 presale and $25 at gate. 5k Run tickets are $22 pre-registration and $25 at event. Saturday breakfast is $5 (6 and older) and $3 (5 and younger).

Useful Links:

• Directions to Galt Strawberry Festival
• Festival event schedule
• Strawberry Jam 5k info
• Wine, Berries & Jazz info
• Entertainment stage schedule
• Cruise 'n Ride Classic Car & Custom Bike Show

Photo Justin Lightly / Getty Images.

Sacramentans don't have to travel all the way to Napa Valley to enjoy Northern California wines. All you have to do is zip down to Lodi's 4th Annual ZinFest where festival goers can sniff, swirl and sip wine from 50 Lodi wineries.

Area restaurants will provide the food at several food stations throughout the festival and will be sold for $3 to $7 per dish. So along with your thirst and hunger, bring along a blanket to lay out in front of the Entertainment Stage.

When: May 16 to 18

Where: Lodi Lake, 1301 W. Turner Road, Lodi

Cost: Friday's Vintners' Grille at the Lake is $75 per person and Saturday's festival tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. Wineries tour bus available for Sunday at $40 per person.

Useful Links:

• Lodi ZinFest
• ZinFest Friday events and tickets
• ZinFest Saturday events and tickets
• ZinFest Sunday events and tickets
• Directions to Lodi Lake

Thomas the Tank Engine

Preschoolers will squeal with delight if you take them to the Sacramento RiverTrain this weekend to see Thomas the Tank Engine.

Thomas will take riders for a 25-minute ride, while visitors can meet Sir Topham Hatt, the controller of the railway, or participate in the arts and crafts, live music, storytelling or build with LEGO Duplo bricks.

When: May 9 to 11 and May 16 to 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Where: Sacramento RiverTrain, Corner of East Main and E Street, Woodland

Cost: $16 for those 2 years and older. Buy tickets online.

Useful Links:

• Day Out With Thomas
• Buy tickets online
• Sacramento RiverTrain

Whether its a birthday, holiday or any type of special occasion, I love to celebrate and share the event with cuisine.

So why not celebrate Cinco de Mayo at your favorite Mexican restaurant? Don't have one? Well, try one or all of these top Mexican restaurants in Sacramento.

Topping the list is El Novillero on Franklin Boulevard. It has been serving authentic Mexican food for nearly 40 years. Dine in the restaurant's airy and vibrant dining room which resembles a Mexican courtyard. While there, try the specialty of the house - carnitas or roasted pork.

Did your favorite make the list? Check out Top Mexican Restaurants in Sacramento and find out.

With gas and food prices going up while the economy going down, everyone's wallets are feeling the crunch. It's nice to know that you can still get something for free.

Ease those economic blues every Friday at the free concerts at Cesar Chavez Plaza which starts its 2008 season tonight and runs through August 15.

First in the line up are Bucho, Righteous Movement, Sol Peligro, and Crazy Ballhead.

Read more ...

Where: Cesar Chavez Plaza, 10th and J streets

When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Parking: Street and at City Hall garage at 10th and I streets ($5), free bicycle parking

Don't forget to visit area bars and restaurants after the concert. With your concert wrist band, you can get drink and food specials like $1 off beers and appetizers. Useful Links:

• Free Concerts at Cesar Chavez Plaza
• Cesar Chavez Post Concert Specials
• Sacramento Regional Transit Fares

Mother' Day is just around the corner and if you haven't made any plans yet, here are some ideas.

Take mom out for brunch with just dad for a romantic meal or with the whole family. You don't have to dine on land, with so many rivers and waterways in Sacramento, why not take mom for a meal on the Delta for a dining cruise experience.

Mothers and daughters can relive their youth by visiting one of many Sacramento area tea rooms. Some establishments provide hats, gloves and purses just for the occasion.

Of course a favorite Mother's Day present is one which only mom can enjoy - a day of pampering at a spa. (A hint for my husband.) There are several places to choose from to help you treat the moms in your life to being queen for a day.

Useful Links

• Mother's Day Brunches in Sacramento
• Dining on the Delta
• Sacramento Tea Rooms
• Sacramento Day Spas

Bring your old electronics and small kitchen appliances to the California Electronic Asset Recovery and KCRA sponsored E-Waste Drive at Cal Expo today.

Recycle, for free, your old VCRs, stereos, TVs, computer equipment (monitors, mice, printers, desktops, notebooks, etc.), office equipment (fax machines and copiers), PDAs, digital cameras, cell phones, and small appliances (microwaves, mixers and toasters).

Unfortunately, larger appliances (washers, dryers and refrigerators), furniture, batteries, paint, oil, tires and fluorescent light bulbs are not being accepted at this drive.

California Electronic Asset Recovery will also shred all hard drives.

Give yourself extra time as the wait may be long, depending on the time of day.

When: April 22, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sac., Main Gate Loop. Enter Lot B

Useful Links:

• Directions to Cal Expo
• List of accepted and unaccepted items
• California Electronic Asset Recovery Inc.

Environmental Council of Sacramento

There are several Earth Day activities in the Sacramento area for families and individuals to help clean up the environment. Although for 2008, Earth Day falls on April 22, there are several events that surround this date.

The largest Earth Day event in Sacramento will be the festival sponsored by the Environmental Council of Sacramento. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people are expected to enjoy the one-day event at Southside Park. There will be more than 100 informational booths and exhibits, live entertainment from local bands and performers, organic and locally grown food sold at the mini farmers market, as well as an e-waste drop-off.

When: April 20, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Southside Park, 2107 6th St., Sac.

Cost: Free

Useful Links:

• Sacramento Area 2008 Earth Day Events
• Environmental Council of Sacramento

If you know how to circle to the left, circle to the right, make a left-hand star, then half sashay, then you may feel right at home at the 49th Annual California State Square Dance Convention.

This year’s theme, “Dancing in Wonderland,” centers around a Alice in Wonderland theme. There will be eight dance halls and a Center Courtyard – aka the Queen of Hearts Courtyard – where there will be exhibits, vendors and even a fashion show. Other events include beginner sessions, the 7th Annual Youth Square Dance Competition and an excursion to Lodi for a wine and chocolate tasting tour.

If you don’t have a dance partner don’t fret. Singles are encouraged to come. There will be opportunities to meet other single dancers – although there are no guarantees that you will be able to dance every dance.

When: April 18 to 20

Where: Cal Expo, Expo Center.

Parking: Enter at Main Gate. Parking is $8. RV parking: $25/day (advance), $28/day (at door), $30/day (advance with electrical hook-up), and $33/day (at door with electrical hook-up). Parking is free on April 17.

Useful Links:

• Cal Expo profile and directions
• Cal Expo grounds map
• 49th Annual California State Square Dance Convention Web site