Sunday, March 14, 2010, is the day this year when we set our clocks forward for one hour.  Don’t worry about that hour you are losing, you will get it back in the fall; just concentrate on the things you can do with that extra hour of sunshine.  You could work on your tan (good luck on that with all that sun screen you have to wear to prevent skin cancer); you could wash the car (never mind we need to conserve water because of the drought); you could mow the grass (not necessary because it died since you didn’t water it because of the drought).  Just forget about doing something productive and stay at the golf course an extra hour, maybe you can improve your game. 

Here are a couple of facts about Daylight Saving Time and how and why it started.  Daylight Saving Time started in the United States during World War I to save energy for war production by taking advantage of the later hours of daylight between April and October. During World War II the federal government again required the states to observe the time change. Between the wars and after World War II, states and communities chose whether or not to observe Daylight Saving Time. In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which standardized the length of Daylight Saving Time.

Since 2007 when the Energy Policy Act was instituted Daylight Saving Time is four weeks longer. The Act extended Daylight Saving Time by four weeks from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November, with the hope that it would save 10,000 barrels of oil each day through reduced use of power by businesses during daylight hours. Unfortunately, it is exceedingly difficult to determine energy savings from Daylight Saving Time and based on a variety of factors, it is possible that little or no energy is saved by Daylight Saving Time.

2010 Jaguar XF Premium

Power: 5.0-liter, V8, 385 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 16-23 mpg                                  

Price: $56,150

Standard features include: stability control; winter dynamic mode; steering-wheel mounted paddles; blind-spot monitoring system; leather front seats; center console; Bowers and Wilkins sound system, 6-disc in-dash mounted CD, MP3 decoder; keyfob remote entry; parking sensors; rain detecting wipers

By Jeffrey Weidel

The note left wedged into the passenger side window of my car was literally dripping with envy. A friend who works in the same building had left a message scrawled on the back of his business card - “When do I get to drive your car? Soon I hope.”

My friend is a veritable car nut who has a particular love for Jaguars. When he spotted the 2010 Jaguar XF Premium in our parking garage his first instinct was to leave a request even though he knew it would be politely turned down.

Loaner test drives aren’t part of the agreement one assumes in this business. So my friend would have to live vicariously through me as I drove the attractive XF for a week. To sum it up, this Jaguar is powerful, sophisticated, has a fetching appearance, and is very high tech.

Having driven some Jaguars previously, none of the above was surprising. What did startle me a bit was the sticker price - $56,150 was a lot lower than expected. Sure, that’s still a large chunk of change, but to Jaguar people who consider the whole car-owning experience a “lifestyle,” the sticker price must be appealing. The cost might have rivals BMW and Mercedes considering a price reduction in their similar models.

First introduced a year ago, the Jaguar XF is a mid-size sedan that replaces the S-Type that had a modest run from 2000 to 2008, which mirrored the sales and customer enthusiasm for Jaguar as a whole. Jaguar frankly had veered off track for a period, but seems to be back in a groove with vehicles like the XF, which are geared toward younger buyers who like the techie aspect and are conscious of style.

And speaking of techie, it came as quite a surprise that the XF doesn’t require the keys to ever come out of the pocket. The key fob allows one to open the car by just walking up to it. Once inside, hit the start button and off you go.

The “cool” factor is one way to measure a Jaguar, while another way is performance. The rear-wheel drive XF Premium features a powerful 5.0-liter, V8 engine with 385 horsepower. It cruises along at high speed with ridiculous ease, while also providing a smooth, quiet ride.

Looks certainly play a role in Jag sales, and the XF easily passes that test. The exterior features a sculpted hood and the back tail lights possess a stylish appeal that screams of Jaguar’s British roots.

The interior is also quite noteworthy. A rotary knob is the gear shifter and pops out of the console area when the car starts up. The air vents also open up when the engine kicks over, providing another fashionable statement.

Because the Jaguar XF has some challenging sight lines, the blind-spot monitoring system comes in very handy for anyone who is a frequent lane changer.

All Jaguar XF models seat five and come equipped with plenty of standard features. The sedan has three trims - Premium, Luxury and Supercharged.

Weidel on Wheels is a regular weekly feature in Gold Country Motoring.

The “Luck of the Irish” is spilling into the streets of Sacramento.  The biggest Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in Sacramento is a giant block party.  The City of Sacramento will block off L Street between 15^th and 16^th Streets from 9:00AM to 6:00AM the next day, so there will be plenty of room for everyone that wants to be have a few beverages and feel a little Irish.

Last year, nearly 7,000 people showed up for an all-day event that remained festive and safe; with no incidents, thanks to great security and a great crowd. Who knows, maybe this year will be even bigger, so come down to L Street and check out the fun.

Outdoor concessions will be well stocked. The food tent will again be selling sandwiches, sodas, and brats–and all proceeds will benefit the Fire Dept.’s Burn Unit. Two outdoor bars, a whiskey tent, and 26 beer taps will keep those beverage lines to a minimum. The 20/30 Club will host a Donation Station selling shirts with proceeds benefiting a local children’s cancer center.

de Vere’s Irish Pub, 1521 L Street, Sacramento, CA, is right in the middle of all this festivity.  What more could you need to make your Irish genes rise to the occasion?  If you are worried you won’t know what to do you can go to de Vere’s for a practice day on Saturday, March 13, 2010, after you go to the parade in Old Sac, or have brunch there on Sunday morning.  In fact they have a whole week of Saint Patrick Day festivities on tap.  If you want to check out all the Irish fun going on there visit their website at deverespub.com.

Oh yes, one more thing to set the mood, a little music.  Last year, the crowd-favorite 80’s cover band Tainted Love headlined the street concert series. Great news: They’re confirmed for 2010! Start practicing your moon walk. The Second Stage will feature traditional Irish dancers and Irish session music. The California Fire Department Pipes and Drums will blow your mind and have you screaming between live bands.

Confirmed Bands: Tainted Love, The Silent Comedy, Nine-8ths Irish

Tickets: A limited number of pre-event tickets will be available for $20.  Tickets will be available on St. Patrick’s Day at the entrance for $25.

Ticket Special: Come to the party on St. Patrick’s Day and then watch the King’s take on Milwuakee on the 19th! St. Patrick’s Day package with the King’s!

Parking information:

• The East End parking garage between L and K on 17th Street. No charge for the first 90 minutes, $5 maximum charge! NO overnight parking allowed in this garage.
• Valet parking will be provided by Priority Parking. Overnight parking will be available.

The City of Sacramento and Department of Parks and Recreation are teaming up to offer FREE seminars to teach us to compost.  I can’t think of a more fun thing to do with my Saturday!  Actually doing the composting stuff and planting a garden, even though it may be therapeutic, is not on the top of the fun list for me.  But I’m all about eating the fruits of my labor.  I love picking red ripe tomatoes from the garden that have that tangy taste of real tomatoes, not those pieces of red cardboard you can buy at the store.  That’s the stuff that motivates me, so if composting will help that experience happen, I’m in.  So, whether you’re looking for therapy or just want to eat the fruit of your labor go green and learn to compost.

Saturdays from 8:00-10:00AM on the following dates:

March 13 - Southside Community Garden - 5th and W Street
April 10 - Fremont Community Garden - 14th and Q Street
May 1 - J. Neely Johnson Park Community Garden - 516 11th Street
September 18 - GEO Garden - 1221 South Ave
October 9 - Southside Community Garden - 5th and W Street

• Seminars are free!
• Advance registration is not required.
• Compost bins will be available for sale

At the seminar you will learn:

• How composting works
• What materials you should and should not compost
• Getting the right balance of food, air and moisture
• Maintaining your compost pile
• Vermicomposting (composting with worms)

The Backyard Composting Seminars are taught in partnership with the City of Sacramento, Department of Parks and Recreation Community Garden Program.

Power: 6.2-liter, V-8, 426 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 16-24 mpg                                  

Price: $30,995

Standard features include: antilock disc brakes; stability and traction control; dual exhaust with rear spoiler; halogen headlamps; 9-speaker, Boston acoustic audio system, with CD, MP3, XM satellite radio; driver information center; heated front seats; 6-way, power front seats; trunk pass through; leather-wrapped steering wheel

By Jeffrey Weidel

As a scrawny kid who grew up with a muscular makeup that warranted no admiration, it never made sense to even consider owning one of the so-called “muscle cars.” Leave that to bolder guys with big egos who needed a car to match their self-image. As for me, I was perfectly happy owning a Volkswagen Beatle as my first car.

Not that I didn’t admire the muscle cars. They were powerful, made a daring statement, possessed a noisy exhaust that added to the appeal, plus they simply looked cool. What’s not to like?

One of the original muscle cars was the Chevy Camaro. It came out in 1967 and car geeks just drooled over it, while even non-car guys like me, who hadn’t even hit the teen years yet, were impressed.

General Motors was in reactionary mode, trying to play catch-up to the Ford Mustang, which had arrived earlier and quickly captured the attention of the car-buying public. The Camaro and its GM buddy, the Pontiac Firebird, both came out in the same year and helped steal a little luster away from the Mustang.

The Camaro enjoyed a long 35-year run, took a break for seven years, and now is back on the scene with a very appealing 2010 model that is turning heads, much like the original version.

The new rear-wheel drive Camaro coupe has a retro look, featuring a long hood and familiar looking grille, while the rear has a short deck, distinctive fenders and rounded tail lights.

Although it comes implied simply with the Camaro name, the new models, which come in five trims, have plenty of power. I was fortunate to sample the Camaro 2SS for a week, a model that had a 6.2-liter, V8 engine with 426 horsepower and was capable of going from 0-60 in 5.0 seconds. Equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, the Camaro was predictably quite a bit of fun.

Besides the appealing looks and its powerful engine, what was also very cool about the Camaro was the price. The base model - a 3.6-liter, V6 304 horsepower - starts at $22,995, while the 2SS version is very affordable at just under $33,000. Gas mileage for the 2SS was a respectable 16-24 mpg.

Not that everything is perfect with the 2010 Camaro. Like many sporty vehicles, the Camaro has way too small a window of visibility, which leaves the driver tentative in passing situations. The interior was also a bit cramped, especially the backseat, while the trunk has a narrow opening and can make storage difficult.

But the bottom line is no one buys a Camaro for its roomy qualities and storage capability. They want it because it’s got a ton of power, grips the road with assurance and makes driving lots of fun.

Weidel on Wheels is a regular weekly feature in Gold Country Motoring.

On Thursday, March 4th, 2010, from 7:30AM - 8:00PM California First Lady Maria Shriver and The Women’s Conference are partnering with The California Museum, 1020 O Street, Sacramento, CA, to celebrate National Women’s History Month with an all-day free event - Day at The Museum.  Their goal is to inspire women to be architects of change, be empowered by the strong female community in California, and be educated about opportunities, health issues and the endless possibilities for everyone.   A full, FREE day of inspiration, empowerment and education.
Here is the schedule of the day:

When: 7:30am-9:00am
What: A Breakfast Meet-and- Greet with Women Elected Officials
Where: Museum lobby
This is an opportunity to meet some of California’s top elected women officials, from legislators to mayors and district attorneys.
· Speaker Karen Bass, first African American female speaker in the United States
· Secretary of State Debra Bowen
· District Attorneys Kamala Harris of San Francisco and Jan Scully of Sacramento
· Mayors Ashley Swearengin of Fresno and Kathay Lovell of South Lake Tahoe
· Elk Grove City Councilmember Sophia Scherman
· Women’s Caucus Chair Assemblymember Lori Saldana (D-76)

When: 9:00am-10:00am
What: A Celebration of Mind, Body and Spirit
Where: Auditorium
Acclaimed yoga and meditation teacher Trudy Goodman discusses the importance of taking time out of your busy life every day for yourself, and leads an exercise in meditation and mindfulness.

When: Tours at 10:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm
What: Tour of the State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State
Where: Tours begin at the main reception desk, 4th floor
Each half-hour tour will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the facilities used to preserve and provide access to the Golden State’s historical documents, including the Archives’ research room, the records stack areas, and the preservation lab along with the Archives’ current exhibit, “A Visit to the Pacific Shore: California in the Age of Lincoln,” a snapshot of life in California during Lincoln’s lifetime. The tour will also feature a glimpse of some of the collections relating to the role of women in California’s history.

When: 10:00am-11:00am
What: Minerva Award Exhibit and Minerva Quilt Project Recognition
Where: Museum lobby with a tour of exhibits to follow on the first floor
Many of the 28 Minerva Award recipients will be on hand as Maria Shriver officially recognizes the Minerva Award Exhibit at The California Museum. Among the women warriors working on the frontlines of humanity throughout California present at the event will be:
· Betty Chinn, ‘08 Minerva Award recipient, who works with the homeless in Eureka.
· Ramona Delgado, ‘06 Minerva Award recipient, co-founder of Sacramento’s WEAVE, the first domestic violence shelter in California.
· Jennie Hernandez Gin, ‘06 Minerva Award recipient, co-founder of WEAVE.
· “Sweet” Alice Harris, ‘07 Minerva Award recipient, founder of Parents of Watts.
· Dr. Kathy Hull, ‘09 Minerva Award recipient, Executive Director of George Mark House in San Leandro, the first free standing children’s hospice in the country.
· Sister Jennie Lechtenberg, ‘05 Minerva Award recipient, founder of PUENTE Learning Center in Los Angeles.
· Janice Mirikitani, ‘05 Minerva Award recipient, poet and founder of Glide Foundation in San Francisco.
· Ivelise Markovits, ‘08 Minerva Award recipient, founder of Penny Lane in Los Angeles, which works with foster children and families.
· Captain Maureen Pennington, ‘07 Minerva Award recipient, United States Naval nurse and health advocate.
· Christy Porter, ‘07 Minerva Award recipient, Executive Director of Hidden Harvest, innovative poverty/food program outside Palm Springs.
· Helen Devore Waukazoo, ‘09 Minerva Award recipient, co-founder of American Indian Friendship House in San Francisco. Services for recovering substance abusers.

When: 11:00am -12:00noon
What: “If I Can Do It, So Can You,” panel on the rewards of being a compassionate citizen hero
Where: Auditorium
· Moderator, Carla Marinucci, chief political writer for The San Francisco Chronicle
· Betty Chinn, ‘08 Minerva Award recipient
· “Sweet” Alice Harris, ‘07 Minerva Award recipient
· Dr. Kathy Hull, ‘09 Minerva Award recipient
· Christy Porter, ‘07 Minerva Award recipient
· Musical performance by renowned Davis High School’s Advanced Treble Choir

When: 11:30am-12:30pm
What: Chef demonstrations, book signings to follow
Where: Museum lobby
· Iron Chef Cat Cora
· Biba Caggiano

When: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
What: “Only in California: A Celebration of California Creativity”
Where: Presentations in the Auditorium, with book signings to follow in the lobby
· Lauren Greenfield, award-winning photographer and documentary filmmaker discusses her latest works, “Girl Culture” and “Thin.”
· Iron Chef Cat Cora
· Author Ayelet Waldman, Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities and Occasional Moments of Grace
· Costume designer Colleen Quen
· Performances by Adobe Youth Group
· Performances by Get Lit

When: 3:00pm - 4:30pm
What: Honoring Our Women in the Military, with a special announcement by First Lady Maria Shriver
Where: Museum lobby
Among those attending:
· Brigadier General Mary J. Kight, the Adjutant General, California National Guard
· Women returning from active duty overseas
· Military spouses and families
· Talbots, Inc.
· Music by members of the Governor’s Own Military Band
· An All Women’s Color Guard

When: 5:00pm-6:00pm
What: “I Did It My Way,” a Once in a Lifetime Conversation
Where: Auditorium
Moderated by Maria Shriver with four leading women pioneers:
· Astronaut and educator Dr. Sally K. Ride
· Environmental activist Erin Brockovich
· Award-winning journalist Lisa Ling
· Award-winning actress, singer and entertainer Rita Moreno
· Musical performance by members of the California Musical Theater

When: 6:00-7:30pm
What: Night at the Museum reception, featuring A Taste Of California
Where: Museum lobby

In addition to the program, Day at the Museum will feature a vast array of California talent throughout the Museum and Courtyard:
· Lauren Greenfield photographs (lobby)
· The Minerva Quilt Project (lobby and Minerva Exhibit area)
· Poster Project by the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
· St. Vincent de Paul Society Discarded to Divine, recycled clothes for everyday use
· Native American basket weavers
· Women painters, quilters and knitters
· Indian drumming
· Old Sacramento Living History Group
· Poetry by Adobe Youth and Get Lit
· The Peace Crane Project
· Canine Companions for Independence
· Live blogging by Sacramento’s Girls on the Grid

In the Courtyard:
· Dream Wall
· “Photo booth” Memories
· Health and Wellness tent with massage chairs
· WE Programs that make a difference
· California Arts Council License Plate Project
· WE Fit for fun
· An Edible Garden demonstration

When: 8am-4pm
What: “Take Ten to Know Your Numbers,”
Where: Outside of the Museum on 10th and O Streets
In just 10 minutes, Anthem’s health bus will give you the vital numbers that could save your life.

When: 8:00am-5:00pm
What: “Ask an Archivist”
Where: California State Archives Exhibit Gallery, 4th Floor
Take an opportunity to talk with archivists at the California State Archives. Get tips on conducting archival research, discuss the collections of the State Archives, chat about family history topics, and perhaps even do some research yourself about women in California’s history!

Parking: All-day parking is available for $5.00: 2311 6th Street, Sacramento CA 95818
(Located between 6th and 8th Streets, and W and X Streets in downtown Sacramento, ¼ mile from the Museum.) A free shuttle service will run between the lot and the Museum.

For more information and program updates go to CaliforniaMuseum.org.

Department of Consumer Affairs Building

Monday, March 8, 2010, from 10:00AM to 2:00PM at the Department of Consumer Affairs, 1625 N. Market Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95834.  Learn to be smart, be safe, and be heard in the California marketplace. Come to this FREE consumer resource fair featuring various consumer protection organizations that are looking out for you. Talk to the experts and obtain free consumer protection brochures and information.  This event is hosted by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.  For more information contact Erica Cano (916) 574-7528.

March 13, 2010, at 1:00PM the luck of the Irish will fill the streets of Old Sacramento.  Bagpipes, drum corps, Irish step dancers, over 500 costumed marchers including military regiments, marching bands, uniformed police and fire fighters will all be there for Sacramento’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The parade will last for one hour and start off from a new location at 2^nd and L Streets and proceed throughout the historic district of Old Sacramento.  Both before and after the parade there will be lots of family-friendly events appropriate for all ages including live Irish music, Celtic dancers in elaborate costumes, and even a Kazoo Band.  Many of the restaurants feature Irish menus and adults will even be able to have some Irish beer at some places in Old Sac. There will also be a Celtic festival in Waterfront Park (1000 Front Street) from noon - 6:00 p.m. featuring Irish music, dancing, food and a green beer garden. A number of vendors will be on hand to peddle their Celtic wares

Groups and organizations interested in marching should contact Nancy Mallory, parade organizer, at (916) 646-1545 or info@mallorypr.com. To request information about parade sponsorships or parade entries, contact Mallory & Associates at 916-646-1545 or info@mallorypr.com.

Remember 1985? New Coke, “We are the World,” and the first Nintendo was released.  Super Mario Bros. is as fun as you remember.  Come to the Franklin Community Library, 10055 Franklin High Road, Elk Grove, CA 95757, on March 13, 2010, at 1:00PM for old-school games played on the Wii. Side ponytail and Doc Martens are optional.

Power: 3.5-liter, V6, 263 horsepower

Mileage estimate: 18-25 mpg                                  

Price: $36,225

Standard features include: stability and traction control; rear parking sensors; foglamps; genuine wood trim; leather upholstery; leather-wrapped steering wheel; 10-way power driver and passenger adjustable seating; heated and cooled power front seats with memory functions; dual-zone automatic climate control; 11-speaker stereo, six-CD changer, satellite radio, auxiliary audio jack, Sync multimedia integration system; halogen headlights

By Jeffrey Weidel

Spend a week behind the wheel of this stylish sedan and one has to be impressed for a number of reasons. The 2010 Lincoln MKZ has a new exterior look, the interior is much improved, and vehicle delivers a smooth ride with sufficient power.

So why does the MKZ receive only faint praise by most auto publications? It’s the very formidable competition that pushes this Lincoln into the middle of the pack in the midsize premium sedan category.

Many supposed car experts will point to high-performance sedans like the Infiniti G37, BMW 3281 as superior in practically every category. Throw in other stalwarts like the Lexus ES 350, Acura TL and even the Nissan Maxima and it’s easy to see how the MKZ can get lost in the shuffle.

One of the prevailing feelings with the MKZ is it doesn’t separate itself enough from the Ford Fusion, a family sedan that shares the same platform. Why pay more ($36,225) for the MKZ when a fully-loaded Fusion sport model runs around $28,355?

Despite the criticism, which is valid, one has to admire what Lincoln has been doing of late. The stable of vehicles includes two midsize sedans in the MKZ and the larger MKS, and two crossovers, a five-passenger MKX and the seven-seat MKT. All four vehicles possess some admirable qualities.

The MKZ comes with major revisions for 2010. Improved fuel economy is one of the obvious ones. No longer a gas guzzler, the MKZ gets between 18-25 mpg. There’s also a new front-end styling and a revised drivetrain.

The interior changes are more dramatic. Lincoln decided to abandon the outdated dashboard and replaced it with a modern layout that resembles the MKS, which is the company’s flagship sedan. The MKZ interior is soft to the touch and also spacious, offering comfort to all. Even the trunk is unusually large and will hold plenty of cargo. Handy storage is also available in the center console and sizable glovebox.

The MKZ features a 3.5-liter, V6 with 263 horsepower and has no available V8. The vehicle accelerates briskly, but not fast enough to match many rivals. The front-wheel drive MKZ handles well and the braking is solid. Yet that type of performance is a bit underachieving for a premium vehicle.

Weidel on Wheels is a regular weekly feature in Gold Country Motoring.