By Jim Sanders, Sacramento Bee

Political careers of numerous California state senators could be altered or jeopardized by a key decision made Friday by the independent commission drawing new districts.

What seemed like a simple numbers game by the 14-member panel carried massive stakes because it signaled which lawmakers may be forced to run next year and which in 2014.

Put simply, senators drawn into new districts that are identified by odd numbers must gear up campaigns immediately, while those in even-numbered districts can relax for three years.

Affected senators are Ted Gaines, R-Roseville (who represents Lake Tahoe); Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina; Rod Wright, D-Inglewood; Mimi Walters, R-Laguna Niguel; and Tom Berryhill, R-Oakdale.

Two other senators were caught in the numbers game, but the issue may be moot because they are vying for other offices – Democrat Leland Yee for San Francisco mayor and San Diego Democrat Juan Vargas for Congress.

Political junkies and Capitol aides were eagerly awaiting the commission’s vote.

“The minute this came out, the tweets were flying – I got a ton of hits on my website,” said Paul Mitchell of Redistricting Partners.

Effects of numbering extend beyond lawmakers’ careers to communities, too, because some areas may find themselves with two senators in 2013 while others will not be represented by anyone their voters placed in office, Mitchell said.

Though important, the numbering decisions Friday were tentative. Their impact could change if draft maps are altered before a final vote Aug. 15.

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By Scott Hanson

It’s impossible to go through a single day in our community without experiencing the difference made by local nonprofits.

Shade trees planted by volunteers. The talented kid who can afford college only because a foundation recognized her potential with a scholarship.

The simple fact that anyone can express their hope for a better tomorrow by encouraging artistic expression, contributing to medical research or extending a helping hand to those in need.

Nearly everyone is capable of engaging in charitable giving. If more people did, the resulting impact on local nonprofits’ ability to realize their full potential would make a stunning difference in the Sacramento region’s quality of life. A recent study on behalf of the Greater Sacramento Generosity Project detailed exactly how, and how easily, that could be accomplished.

The research brought to light three key findings, with the first attracting the most attention. Currently, 62 percent of households in our region – Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and El Dorado counties – give to nonprofits. The national average is 66 percent.

Closing that 4 percent gap, and exceeding the average by a single extra percentage point to 67 percent, is an essential goal of the Generosity Project. And while the percentage points alone may seem negligible, they represent a challenge for all of us to achieve a historic transformation within our home region.

Scott Hanson chairs the Greater Sacramento Generosity Project’s steering committee.

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By Kathryn Reed

ANGEL ISLAND – “Not a bad view.”

It was the mantra for the day and the reason we barely made the 5-mile loop in our allotted one-hour bike rental time period.

Views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz – it’s all so breathtaking from the perimeter trail around Angel Island.

San Francisco from Angel Island. Photos/Kathryn Reed

I think I was a kid with my parents and a group of friends the last time I was on this island in the middle of San Francisco Bay. It was Sue’s first trip.

If I learned about the history of the island those many years ago, it was forgotten. Reading “Shanghai Girls” earlier this year gave me a glimpse into life of people trying to immigrate to the United States in the last century who were stopped at Angel Island before being allowed on the mainland.

On the ferry from The City a group of women said they were going to the island to retrace their family heritage.

Along the perimeter trail is the immigration station. (We had to walk back to it because we ran out of time on the bikes.)

Walking through the compound, reading about the conditions, seeing pictures — it’s one of those times when I don’t like being white. It’s one of those times when I wonder why our history books don’t teach us more. It’s one of those times when I wonder if we’ll ever embrace our similarities instead of continuing to point out our differences.

Asians were separated from Europeans – and treated much worse. Men and women – even if married – were separated.

Barbed wire surrounded the dormitories – and still does – even though these were not criminals and even though this is an island.

The island has a rich history. It was used during the Civil War in 1863 as an Army outpost in case the Confederate ships sailed into the bay.

In 1954, it was one of 19 Nike Missile sites in the Bay Area.

Today it is a state park.

Old buildings are scattered about. Some you can go into. Park workers also live on the island.

Ferries leave from a couple terminals in San Francisco, as well as Tiburon and Alameda. Our roundtrip ticket cost $16 each. The hour bike rental was $10 each. We could have paid $35 each for a half-day rental.

Although it’s bound to be cold, camping is allowed on the island. With the views so incredible during the day, they must be even more breathtaking at night.

We chose not to bag a peak on this trip. Mount Livermore is the highest point on the island at 781 feet.

Back in The City

It’s Fourth of July weekend in San Francisco and it’s hopping. The Marriott on Fourth Street is a central location for all things we have planned. Walking and easy to use public transit mean not having to drive for three days.

Chinatown provides a shopping opportunity for ingredients I can’t get in Tahoe.

North Beach provides outdoor seating at a fun Italian restaurant.

The Giants don’t win – but there’s never a bad day at the ballpark.

Before the game we catch some rays and relaxation on the lawn at Yerba Buena Gardens.

The only disappointment is the fireworks that night. It’s hard to beat the ones on the South Shore.

Near the Ferry Building is an outdoor art fair as well as a zip line. It’s set up across the asphalt and above the tourists who hope the cables hold.

Everything I love about cities – the energy, the constant choices of things to do, the abundance of delicious food, reliable public transit, how easy it is to find things – sometimes I miss all of that.

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder (Click on photos to enlarge.)

By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal

A tough economy is showing itself with decreased boating activity at Lake Tahoe, a report released by Lake Tahoe regulators shows.

Monitoring of boat traffic over the last two years shows the number of vessels using Tahoe dropped by more than 1,200 from 2009 to 2010, a decrease of nearly 8 percent.

Unused buoys signal fewer boaters on Lake Tahoe. Photo/LTN

The recession and high gas prices likely prompted fewer boaters to spend the money to hit the lake, said officials with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

“Definitely it’s the economy and less disposable income,” TRPA spokesman Jeff Cowen said. “There’s less people traveling and fewer people boating.”

While no precise numbers are yet available for this summer, the trend appears to be continuing, Cowen said.

“It’s flat or a little bit less,” than the 2010 boating season, Cowen said.

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U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews expect to begin prescribed fire operations on the south side of the intersection of Pioneer Trail and Highway 50 in Meyers on July 25. Work will continue through Tuesday. The project area is approximately 60 acres and consists of piles of vegetation and woody materials remaining after fuels reduction efforts aimed at reducing wildfire risk to the community. Fuels management crews expect to accomplish 30 acres.

On Monday, the Forest Service will staff a prescribed fire information station at the end of Evelyn Road on the south side of Pioneer Trail. Fire information staff will be available from 8am until 1pm.

Sony Corporation has joined forces with the America’s State Parks organization in a Filmmaker Challenge Contest designed to provide funding to California State Parks and other state parks across the nation.

In the competition, park visitors are invited to create videos of their favorite park experiences in a contest for Sony prizes.

The benefit for Sony is that it is encouraging visitors to capture, edit and create their own material using Sony’s new Vegas Movie Studio Platinum HD video editing software. The benefit for America’s State Parks is the campaign will help build awareness of America’s magnificent state park system at a time of reduced budgets. For every sale of the editing software, Sony will donate $20 to America’s State Parks. Additionally, America’s State Parks will offer a $30 discount to the public on Sony’s Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11.

Submissions will be accepted through Sept. 1, America’s State Parks will host the user videos on its YouTube page.

More information can be found at the America’s State Parks webpage.

The Village at Squaw Valley will pair cold beers with hot music at the 10th Annual Brews, Jazz and Funk Fest to support the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.

Some of the most recognized jazz and funk legends will perform under the peaks of Squaw Valley Aug. 13-14 from 2-8pm in The Village at Squaw Valley.

Festival-goers can listen to continuous live music on two stages while sampling beers from more than 20 breweries including Big Sky, Deschutes, Eel River, Feather Falls, Fossil Fuels, Franziskaner, Full Sail, Gordon Biersch, Great Basin, Lagunitas, Lockdown, Mad River, Mammoth, Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Spaten, Stone, Sudwerks, and Trumer. Beers are $4 each. A $5 entry donation to the festival is requested. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.

The festival is open to all ages with well behaved dogs welcome on leashes.

Kids can enjoy activities such as an 18-hole miniature golf course, sky jump bungee trampoline or ride the scenic aerial Cable Car to play paintball, swim, roller skate and hike at High Camp. For activity pricing, check out Squaw’s website.

For more information, go online or call (530) 452.4000.

Publisher’s note: Nevada continued to register the highest unemployment rate among the states at 12.4 percent in June. California had the next highest rate, 11.8 percent. El Dorado County’s unemployment rate last month was 12.1 percent compared to 12.7 percent a year ago as well as in May 2011. Placer County’s June unemployment rate was 11.4 percent. It was 10.8 percent the prior month and 11.6 percent in June 2010.

By Dale Kasler, Sacramento Bee

The job market shook off the blahs in surprising fashion in California and Sacramento last month.

But in spite of a surge in hiring reported Friday, unemployment rates actually increased in June.

And it’s unclear if the latest report from the Employment Development Department means the economy is truly gaining momentum – or if June was just another tease.

On the plus side, Sacramento’s job market had a historic month: Payrolls grew by a resounding 13,500 jobs. That was the single best month since modern record keeping began 21 years ago, said EDD labor market consultant Justin Wehner.

Big job gains were reported in the restaurant, travel and entertainment industries, among others. Employers such as Thunder Valley Casino have put out help-wanted banners.

“It could be a sign we’ve finally joined the recovery,” said economist Jeff Michael of the University of the Pacific. “Sacramento has just been the caboose on this thing.”

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Adventure Risk Challenge’s annual benefit poetry reading and reception is 5:30pm Aug. 2 at the Cedar House Sport Hotel in Truckee.

Ten youth participants of ARC’s 40-day literacy and outdoor immersion program will recite their works at this event.

ARC’s interactive approach is rooted in rigorous academic instruction combined with outdoor education. Historically, summer program participants surpass their peers academically: 92 percent pass the California High School Exit Exam (compared to a 72 percent pass rate for socio-economically disadvantaged youth and 81 percent overall) and 77 percent attend a two or four-year college or university.

The reading and reception are free and open to the public.

Email Jen Gurecki at jgurecki@berkeley.edu or call (530) 416.5682 to RSVP.

The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue featuring The Tommy Castro Band, Coco Montoya, Curtis Salgado and Sista Monica will play at Harrah’s South Shore Room on Oct. 15 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $22.50. For more information or tickets, call 800.786.8208.