This past weekend, the Gougé family had an absolute blast at the client appreciation party hosted by Doug Reynolds a. If you’ve never been, it’s one of those places that instantly brings out your creative side, even if you don’t think you’re artistic at all.

The kids were fully locked in from the start, and honestly, so were the adults. There’s something oddly relaxing about sitting down with a blank piece of pottery and getting completely focused on painting it. I always tell myself I’m just going to casually paint for a few minutes, and then next thing I know, an hour and a half has flown by and I’m obsessing over tiny details like I’m preparing artwork for a museum.

What made it even better was the atmosphere. Great people, lots of laughs, kids running around excited to show off their creations, and just a really fun community vibe. Huge shoutout to Doug Reynolds for putting together such a cool event for clients and families. In a world where everyone is always rushing around, it was nice to slow down for a couple hours and do something creative together.

If you’re looking for a fun family outing in the Sacramento/Folsom area, Color Me Mine is definitely worth checking out. Just be warned… once you start painting, time disappears fast!

The Gist: California State Parks is offering free admission to veterans and active duty or reserve military members on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. This year, 145 participating parks are waiving fees, including Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park and San Buenaventura State Beach. Eligible visitors just need to show a valid military ID or proof of discharge to spend the holiday enjoying the outdoors.

Why It Matters: This is a thoughtful way to honor the neighbors who have served our country by giving them a chance to recharge in the natural beauty they helped protect. It makes our state’s incredible resources more accessible to military families looking for a place to reconnect and reflect together.

The Gist: The Sacramento region’s Big Day of Giving brought in a record-breaking $15,430,725 on May 7, with more than 29,000 donors making 62,000 gifts to 886 nonprofits across Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, and Yolo counties. The annual giving day has now generated more than $132 million for local nonprofits since launching in 2013.

Why It Matters: Big Day of Giving is one of the clearest snapshots of how much this region shows up for local causes. This year’s total topped last year’s $13.8 million, giving hundreds of nonprofits a major boost and reminding us how powerful small gifts can be when thousands of neighbors pitch in together.

The historic Esquire Grill space has found its second act as Aiona, a Mediterranean destination centered around a glowing charcoal hearth. The $4 million redesign features coral banquettes and a striking Art Deco mural, setting a polished stage just in time for you to hang over the long weekend.

Order the lamb and beef souvlaki or the three-day sous vide short rib. With a 3,000-bottle cellar and a breezy but heated patio, it’s the season’s most coveted reservation.

Sacramento Running Company is honoring the upcoming holiday with a massive sidewalk sale followed by a Saturday morning run and a backyard style BBQ with all the fixings.

Meghan and Josh provide personal service and precise fittings on 21st Street. Whether you are dropping in for the New Balance demo night or the Sunday morning clothing exchange, the atmosphere is neighborly and grounded.

It is a reliable place to find your stride: head out for a loop around Curtis Park!

🐉 Dragon Boat Festival Celebration | DoubleTree by Hilton | 05/21 | More
Elegant evening of cultural performances, community awards, and shared heritage.

🎡 Sacramento County Fair | Cal Expo | 05/21-05/25 | More
Traditional carnival rides, livestock competitions, and classic fair treats for all ages.

📽️ Asian Pacific Film Festival | The Sofia | 05/22-05/24 | More
Curated stories celebrating the diverse heritage of Asian and Pacific communities.

🌍 International Kids Festival | William A Carroll Amphitheatre | 05/23 | More
Multicultural celebration with pony rides, face painting, and live performances.

🏍️ Memorial Day Weekend Celebration | Harley-Davidson of Sacramento | 05/23 | More
Community gathering with food trucks, gear giveaways, and prizes for enthusiasts!

🏃 Memorial Day Freedom Run | Sutter's Landing Park | Sacramento | 05/23 | More
Community run offering 5K, 10K, and Half-Marathon distances to honor fallen heroes.

⚡ Back to the Future The Musical (final week!) | SAFE Credit Union PAC | through 05/24 | More
Stage adaptation of the cinematic classic featuring a time-traveling DeLorean.

⚾ A's vs. Mariners: Family Day | Sutter Health Park | 05/25 | More
Big league baseball with a special holiday giveaway honoring military families.

🍷 Plant & Sip Experience | Lucid Winery | 05/21 | More
Creative workshop combining indoor gardening with curated local wine flights.

🎶 Grandaddy: 25th Anniversary | Ace of Spades | 05/22 | More
Atmospheric indie-rock journey revisiting the landmark sounds of an influential era.

🎸 Trio Los Panchos | Crest Theatre | 05/22 | More
Romantic Latin melodies and lush vocal harmonies in a historic theater setting.

🍹 Memorial Day Weekend Bar Crawl | start at KBAR DOCO | 05/23 | More
A lively holiday trek through downtown's premier bars with exclusive drink specials.

🎙️ Sammy Obeid Stand-Up | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 05/24 | More
Sharp, intelligent wit and rapid-fire wordplay from a record-holding comedian.

🎖️ East Lawn Memorial Day Tribute | Multiple Locations | 05/25 | More
Solemn ceremonies honoring fallen heroes with keynote speakers and color guards.

✨ Veterans' Memorial Day Car Show | Cali. Automobile Museum | 05/25 | More
Cars and historic rides on the streets of Sacramento to honor military personnel.

Thanks for reading! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

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