American Idol Contestants 2008

The American Idol Tour comes to town bringing its top 10 contestants from the television to the stage to perform live. This Sacramento stop on the American Idol Tour is its last California date so get your tickets quick.

Idols scheduled to perform are as follows: Brook White, Carly Smithson, Chickezie, David Archuleta, David Cook, Jason Castro, Kristy Lee Cooke, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay, and Syesha Mercado.

When: July 9, 7 p.m. (Doors open 6 p.m. Tolls open at 5 p.m.)

Location: Arco Arena, One Sports Parkway, Sac.

Cost: $68.50/$54.50/$39.50. Prices include $1.75 fee. Parking is $12. Buy tickets online.

Useful Links:

• Arco Arena Profile
• American Idol Tour
• Tour set list **SPOILER** (Don't click if you don't want to know.)

Photo courtesy Frank Micelotta/FOX.

Both the northbound and southbound lanes of the boat section of Interstate 5 between Downtown and Old Sacramento will be open for the July 4th weekend.

The repairs will resume on Tuesday, July 8 at 8 p.m. and will affect the southbound lanes. This phase will continue until Tuesday, July 15 at 5 a.m.

Both lanes will remain open for a brief time. Then on Thursday, July 17 at 8 p.m., the northbound lanes will undergo repairs until Thursday, July 24.

Make sure to print out the new closure calendar (PDF) at the FixI-5.com Web site.

Useful Links:

• I-5 Scheduled To Close for Repairs
• Fix I-5 Project Web site
• Live traffic cameras on I-5
• Sacramento Regional Transit Fares

Fireworks

There's plenty to do to celebrate our nation's Independence Day in Sacramento County.

You can either start off the day with a run/walk event in Sacramento, Elk Grove or Roseville. Both adults and kids can participate in these activities, which can start as early as 7 a.m.

For later risers, mid-morning parades are probably your best bet. The cities of Roseville, Carmichael and Rancho Cordova will hosts these parades.

Among the best pyrotechnic displays - my favorite part of the holiday - can be seen at Cal Expo. The event is free and gates will open at 6 p.m.

Perhaps the best, if not the longest, celebrations will be at Rancho Cordova which will host a two-day event surrounding the fourth. A fireworks display will punctuate both nights.

See the July 4 Celebrations in Sacramento for details.

Photo by VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm / Getty Images.

Tomi Jenkins of Cameo

Enjoy listening to jazz at the popular South Sacramento Meadowview Jazz Festival.

This year's line up includes R&B act Cameo, who was made widely popular with its 1980s hit "Word Up!," and the Bar-Kays. The Capitol City Band and Cynthia Douglas are among those who will perform.

In addition to the music, there will be food vendors, cultural displays and a youth activity area.

Note that barbecues, video and audio recorders, and dogs are not allowed at this event.

When: June 28, gates open at noon. Entertainment starts at 2 p.m. The Bar-Kays perform at 5 p.m., while Cameo hits the stage at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Cosumnes River College Stadium, Bruceville Road and Cosumnes River College Boulevard

Cost: $10 advance and $20 at door. Parking is $3. Kids 12 and younger are free. Advance tickets will remain on sale until June 27 at 4 p.m. and can be purchased at the Pannell Meadowview Center at 2450 Meadowview Road and at the Sacramento City Hall, Revenue Office, 915 I St., First Floor.

Photo by David Friedman / Getty Images.