Junior League of Sacramento

Celebrate! 30 Minute Meal: Mardi Gras

2012-02-19T16:30:00.000-08:00

Celebrate! Fat Tuesday this Feb 21 with the impressively mouth-watering, multi-layered, stuffed sandwich, the Muffuletta (p83). In 1906, the king of all sandwiches, was first created by the famous Sicilian deli, the Central Grocery, and they have continued on the tradition of hand-crafting these fabulous treats ever since. Forget the calories, points or whatever you count; the Muffuletta, a New Orlean’s signature sandwich, second only to the Po’ Boy, is packed with Italian meats, cheeses, and, what has been called by urbanspoon.com the “soul” of the sandwich, olives. Make this a lunch by accompanying the sandwich with a bag of potato, a fountain drink, and a dessert of: beignets sprinkled with powdered sugar, pralines, or pecan pie and a cafe au lait.

Time saving tip: Trader Joe’s makes a fabulous Green Olive Tapenade that can be substituted for the olive spread component of the recipe, saving about 15 minutes and making this sandwich as simple to make as peanut butter and jelly.

The JLS Follies Revue

2012-02-17T07:10:00.000-08:00

Did you know that the Junior League of Sacramento used to present an annual Follies Revue? The event was a highlight of every year. Starring the JLS' own members, the fundraiser and social event included the Kick-Off-Party, the production itself, and the post-show Breakfast Party, which lasted into the wee-morning hours. From the look of the photos, it was as fun as it sounds! Enjoy these photographs from the 1958 production of Pink Stocking Revue!

{Program cover page}

{Mrs. Richard A. Shorrock}

{Mrs. Raymond O. Mackey (pianist); Barbara Biggs (dancer)}

{Mrs. William Applegate (Lower left); Mrs. Fred Carnie Jr. (upper left); Mrs. Michael O'Neil (lower right); Mrs. John Burris (upper right)}

Finding your place in JLS!

2012-02-15T04:17:00.000-08:00

February is always an exciting time of year for New Members as they choose their first official committee placements with the Junior League of Sacramento! We always look forward to welcoming a new group of enthusiastic women ready to help the JLS achieve its goals in the community and train future leaders, with the added benefit of long-lasting friendships. The committment and passion of the JLS' New Members has not wavered since 1942. Here is a photo from the 1954 Provisional Luncheon! (L-R Betty Richards, Louise Shaffrath, Pat Lentz)

For more information on becoming a member of the Junior League of Sacramento, click here: http://www.jlsac.org/?nd=involved

Surprise your Valentine with a homemade dinner!

2012-02-13T16:25:00.000-08:00

Looking for a romantic menu worthy of your special Valentine… Look no further!

Our very own Celebrate holds the answer! Indulge in the menu below and you are sure to win your Valentine’s heart!

Baby Lettuce and Brie with Walnut Port Wine Vinaigrette (page 115)

This salad has very few ingredients; however, the vinaigrette is what makes it a real showstopper! If you’re short on time, I would make the vinaigrette the night before as the port takes a little time to reduce. This salad would be delicious with pears, apples or anything else you would pair with brie.

Medallions of Beef with Wild Mushroom Cabernet Sauce (p.160)

This dish is as beautiful as it is delicious! A hot heavy bottomed pan is the key to the seared crust on the outside and tender goodness on the inside. The red wine sauce takes a little time to reduce; otherwise it comes together very quickly. The mushrooms give the sauce an earthy taste.

Creamed Spinach with Fresh Parmesan (p.164)

A steak house staple, this creamed spinach is simple and delicious. Throw everything into the food processor, pop it in the oven and you are 30 minutes away from creamy, buttery goodness!

Potato Soufflé (page 171)

This side will look incredibly impressive; however, it is surprisingly simple. Admittedly, the word soufflé sounds intimidating; however, it was uncomplicated and not at all intimidating! It was easy, airy and full of flavor. Also, since other people are intimated by the word soufflé, you will look like a Goddess in the kitchen!

Rum Chocolate Mousse (p.215)

Even after all this delicious food you must save room for dessert, it’s Valentine’s Day after all! This dessert is perfect to make the night before and leave to chill in the fridge. With only fifteen minutes until completion, you might be inspired to whip this up any night of the week. There is just a hint of rum and the coffee in the chocolate really brings out the chocolate’s intensity. It is delightful by itself; however, it would also be delicious served with fresh whip cream, ice cream or berries!

Turn to your copy of Celebrate for the recipes, if you do not have Celebrate stop by the league office and pick a copy for $26.95.

The Spring Link is OUT!

2012-02-07T19:42:00.000-08:00

The Spring issue of the LINK is out!!

It's a good one... Click HERE to read.

Party like it’s 2012 at the Crab Feed!

2012-02-01T18:44:00.000-08:00

The JLS 2012 Crab Feed is one of our biggest events of the year... and it's coming up THIS weekend!

Music is always one of the most important parts of any event, and this year we are thrilled to be working with famed Sacramento-area DJ Mike Regan with Mr. DJ Event Services!

Mike is a distinguished DJ who has been creating extraordinary events since 1989. Some of the great honors he’s been given are:

· Style Reader’s Choice Award Winner

· KCRA Voter’s Poll: Best Wedding Entertainment

· 2010 Pick The Knot Best of Weddings

He will be supplying the sound for the entirety of the event, from the dinner to the dancing. So get ready to put on your blue suede shoes as he puts a record on and dance the night away! You just might have to (disc) jockey for space on the dance floor with Junior League members, however—it’s been known for League ladies to boogie the night away right down to last call!

You won’t want to miss the party...

Buy your tickets online now at www.jlsac.org!

President Amy Wister talking about the Crab Feed on TV

2012-01-31T15:07:00.000-08:00

President Amy Wister and Chef Tyler Stone were on KCRA morning news this morning talking about the Crab Feed! (By the way, it's coming up this weekend... have you bought your tickets??)

Behind the scenes picture!

To watch the video, CLICK HERE!

See you at the CRAB FEED this Saturday!! If you still need to buy tickets, find out more information by clicking here.

JLS Children's Theatre

2012-01-27T19:14:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Children's Theatre is the Junior League of Sacramento's longest running community program? Each year, with the indispensable help of our community donors and volunteers, the JLS produces and presents a lively, fun and educational musical theater event for area school children. The 2012 show - The Tale Spinner - will mark JLS' 69th annual production!

Junior League productions are free to the public and hundreds of thousands of Sacramento youngsters have benefitted from the program. For many children, the JLS Children's Theater is the only live theatre performance they will experience, and our goal is never to turn a child away due to funding. Performances are at the Hiram Johnson High School Auditorium at 10:00 am daily between January 31st and March 2nd (no shows the week of February 20-24th.) For more information, please contact Alison Miller at alisonmiller6@gmail.com.

As we look forward to this year's production, enjoy some memories of past shows!

Cigar Lounge and Scotch Offering at our Crab Feed!

2012-01-25T11:35:00.000-08:00

New This Year: Cigar Lounge and Scotch Offering!

We are excited to announce that this year we will be offering an addition to our Crab Feed in the form of Scotch served at the Bar and an outdoor Cigar lounge! This new idea has been graciously sponsored by Jim Gillum and has been eagerly anticipated!

The Cigar lounge will be a delightful outdoor escape to mix and mingle and meet new people! The patio area will have plenty of seating and heaters to ward off the chilly night air, and will be festooned with lights to add to the ambiance. Be sure to check it out! The Cigars that will be available are:

· Romeo y Julieta Edicion Limitada No. 2 (torpedo) 6.1"x 52 Ring Gauge

· Partagas Cifuentes Enero (toro) 6"x54 Ring Gauge

· Bahia Trinidad No. 2 Belicoso 6.5" x 54

· Victor Sinclair Primeros Churchill 7.0" x 50 (JLS House Cigars!)

Indoors at the Bar we will also be offering Scotch and Bourbon to complement the Cigars! The Scotch and Bourbon varieties are:

· Bowmore Islay

· Glenlivet 16 Year Nadurra

· Glenlivet 12 year

· Glenfiddich 12 year

· Woodford Reserve (Bourbon)

Spread the word! You won’t want to miss this new addition to our Crab Feed repertoire!

Photo Courtesy

Cure your mid-winter whines at the 2012 Crab Feed

2012-01-18T06:37:00.000-08:00

Have the mid-winter whines?

Check out the WINE Donated to the Crab Feed!

We are gearing up for the Crab Feed around here as we wind down to the home stretch. One of the areas making things a lot more stress-free for our committee is all the wonderful donations we’ve received from the community!

In particular, get ready to enjoy some wonderful reds and whites from our incredible sponsors—William Hill and the Naked Grape!

Wine away the winter blues with a delightful glass from these two top wineries at our fun Crab Feed! Spend more time eating, drinking, and bidding on our Silent Auction by taking advantage of our advance purchase options available on our website at www.jlsac.org!

· Red or White by the bottle -- $15 per bottle

Advance beverage tickets in packages of 12 (1 ticket = $1)

· Wine by the glass and beer – 4 tickets

· Pitcher of beer from a tapped keg – 12 tickets

· Cocktails and premium wine by the glass – 6 tickets

· Bottled water and soda – 1 ticket

Be sure to check out the website for more details on our all of our incredible sponsors!

To purchase tickets to the Crab Feed, click here.

We'll see you there!

Our 2012-2013 Board of Directors

2012-01-16T11:49:00.000-08:00

The Nominating Committee is delighted to announce the 2012-2013 Board of Directors who will be serving with incoming President, Aimee Gillum. We thank these ladies for being willing to step up and lead us in the coming year.

Please join us in welcoming the 2012-2013 Board of Directors!

{our new BOD at the General Meeting!}

President – Aimee Gillum

President-Elect – Amanda Merz

Treasurer – Laurie Green

Treasurer-Elect - Karen Sakala

Administrative VP - Melissa Munno

Recording Secretary - Stephanie Rice

Parliamentarian - Wendy Buckley-Stokes

Membership VP – Laurie Powers

Community Programs VP – Kristen Krueger

Communications VP - Angel Thompson

Sustainer VP - Elizabeth Payette

Fundraising VP - Renee Friedrich

Fund Development VP - Carol Shellenberger

How Can YOU Help Make The Crab Feed Successful??

2012-01-11T07:33:00.000-08:00

Make a donation :)

Crab Feed silent auction donations are still being accepted!

Do you know of a fun local business or large retail shop that would like to get involved in the community? Let them know they can donate to our Crab Feed Silent Auction!

Donations are always being accepted for this exciting fundraiser! Some of our current donations that have been rolling in are:

· Wine donations and baskets from area wineries

· Jewelry from local vendors

· A tea tasting package from a tea house

§ And more….!

We are also very pleased to be working again with the Pacific Auction Company! They will be providing a range of products from a variety of different prices for everyone’s tastes. They will be bringing everything from women’s accessories, to collectibles, to sports memorabilia!

Contact Kassie Fraser at kassiemfraser@gmail.com or Kelli Boehm at kelli.a.boehm@gmail.com for more information on how to donate to the Crab Feed Silent Auction!

Crab Feed Tickets On Sale Now!

2012-01-06T18:28:00.000-08:00

Tickets On Sale Now—Get Yours at the General Meeting!

Tickets are on sale for our 7th annual Crab Feed and are already selling quickly. Come grab yours at the General Meeting at the Orangevale Community Center on Monday, January 9th!

Prices are $48 for individual tickets, or grab some friends and reserve a table of 10 for $480! We also have wine-sponsored tables available for $600, which include two bottles of red and two bottles of wine plus the opportunity of sponsorship.

To get you in the spirit of our Crab Feed and the fun that will be had with our Silent Auction, dessert auction, and raffle, we are going to be raffling off a bracelet from Loomis Spa for anyone who purchased a ticket during the General Meeting! One ticket bought = one raffle ticket, so bring your checkbooks and credit cards.

Click here to purchase your tickets online.

You won’t want to miss it!!

See you at the General Meeting on Monday.

Christmas In April

2012-01-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

Did you know that the Junior League of Sacramento has sponsored houses for Sacramento's "Christmas in April" program? Now called Rebuilding Together Sacramento, Christmas in April was a community-based project where low-income elderly and disabled Sacramentans were provided with free home repair. The goal of the program was, as it remains today, to allow citizens to continue to live indepently, safely and comfortably in their own homes. Many groups and organizations sponsored homes during this weekend-long effort to update affordable housing. Together with volunteer contractors and materials suppliers, the Junior League of Sacramento completed the necessary restorations to ensure that a resident's home was safe and habitable. Enjoy some photos from JLS' efforts with Christmas in April in 1993 and 1994!

-Written By: Allison, CAR Chair

Vienna Coffee Cake

2011-12-27T09:25:00.000-08:00

I had an early morning coffee date with a friend and thought I would whip up a divine treat from Celebrate! last minute. I had everything in the pantry for the Vienna Coffee Cake (p71), except the 15.5 oz can of condensed milk. I only had a 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk. So, I tried it. The cake turned out marvelously. I whipped it up in 15 minutes flat and had it baking while we started chatting. By the time we were ready for coffee, it was ready to be pulled out of the oven. There's nothing better than warm coffee cake a fabulous conversation. What fun! This recipe is definitely going into my master file. And, even better, it only cost about $2.00 to make.

-Written by: A member of the Celebrate! Cookbook Committee

The History of JLS

2011-12-20T09:07:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays from the Collections, Archives and Research Committee! The goal of CAR is to assemble, record and store photographs and documents. We want to preserve the history of the Junior League of Sacramento, including both the members themselves as well as the contribution the JLS has made in the community. Whether it's training women for leadership roles, serving the women and children in the community, or just having fun with fellow members, we try to preserve all JLS events in the League archives. What fun it is to relive former JLS traditions and events, such as the Christmas Dance pictured below! If you have any photos from your collection that you would like to share, please contact Alison Wessel at alison.wessel@gmail.com.

This photo is from a JLS Christmas Dance (no date). One of the women pictured is Mrs. John Miller, the other is unknown.

Crab Feed Tickets On Sale

2011-12-15T05:27:00.000-08:00

One of our biggest events of the year - The Denim & Diamonds Crab Feed is coming up on February 4th! You can start purchasing tickets today!

When: Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Time: Doors open at 5pm and close at 10pm
Location: St. Mary's Catholic Church, Giovanni Hall
Ticket Price: $48 advance, $55 at the door if available ~ Adults Only Please ~
Click here to purchase online, starting December 15th!

Ticket Options:
Open Seating Ticket ideal for those who like to mingle with new people ($48 each)
Reserved Seating ideal for those in groups ($480 for reserved table of ten)
Wine/Company Sponsored Table Seating ideal for groups who want to share some wine without running up to the bar during dinner! You also get to share some great advertising for your company - ($600 for reserved table of ten, includes 4 bottles of wine and prominent sponsorship signage)

You won't want to miss it!

Celebrate Cookbook Spotlight

2011-12-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

We have been trying to eat a few vegetarian meals a week. This herb tart (page 63) once I omitted the pancetta fit the bill! The idea of a tart sounded a bit intimidating, however, this was very easy and came together fairly quickly! I served it with a green salad.

Tips and Tricks: As you can see, I don't have a tart pan so I just used a pie dish. It was not as beautiful, but still scrumptious! I guess I altered this dish a few times...I used cremini mushrooms instead of oyster (I couldn't find them at the store), I skipped the pancetta and used store bought pie crust. Despite all my cheating, this dish was really good!

It is perfect to warm you up with the crisp fall weather!

-Written By: Michelle Casagrande

Celebrate Cookbook Spotlight

2011-12-07T08:02:00.000-08:00

Turkey Piccata (page 143) was the star of this week's Celebrate selection! This dish was really delicious. In fact, I think it will make a regular appearance in the Casagrande meal rotation!

Tips and Tricks: I am a bit semi-homemade! In order to save prep time, I always try to buy things pre-chopped, peeled, etc. I bought thinly sliced turkey breasts and pre-sliced mushrooms. I also added a sliver of butter when I was finished with the sauce, I find that it gives it a silkier texture!

I encourage you to try this recipe - Delish!

-Written By: Michelle Casagrande

Cookbook Committee Meeting Recipe

2011-11-28T16:58:00.000-08:00

We had our monthly committee meeting. As part of our tradition, we sampled recipes from the Celebrate cookbook.

The Team discussing how we can sell Celebrate!

Jack-O-Lantern Muffins (page 72)

These were simple to make and delicious!

My son ate the tops off of 4 of them before I could stop him!

Orange Rolls

Stay tuned for a how to on Nettie's tips and tricks with making these delicious bundles.

-Written by: Michele Casagrade

Turkey Collection at The Sacramento Food Bank!

2011-11-23T15:24:00.000-08:00

Last year, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to distribute turkeys to people in our community who couldn't afford a thanksgiving dinner.

It was touching to actually talk to them, hand them all the food they need for a big meal, and wish them a happy Thanksgiving.

This year, I wanted to see what it's like to be on the other side... the collecting side.

Several ladies from our League and many others from the community showed up and helped collect turkeys from the generous people in our area.

The goal this year was 8,000 turkeys... and we made it!

At first... I was a little hesitant to be on this side of it because I didn't think I would feel as much satisfaction. But I was wrong. It was so touching to see people taking time out of their day, and money out of their bank account to help feed a family in need.

The giant Savemart shopping cart!

Getting ready for drop off!

It was easy to donate... you just pulled up in your car and we got it from your trunk or car.

JLS girls

A few organizations and groups from the community had big donations!

It was truly a wonderful experience and it makes you appreciate the little things in life.

I was talking to a food bank director and she was telling me that many of the people who line up to receive a donated meal are families struggling in this down economy.

It felt good to know we helped make a difference to more than 8,000 families this Thanksgiving!

-Written by: Tracy Lesher

League Spotlight: Kassie Fraser

2011-11-21T07:46:00.000-08:00

Kassie Fraser is only a first year active in the Junior League but she’s already co-chairing one of the biggest (and best) events that the Junior League of Sacramento puts on. As her friend, and fellow first year active, I was really excited to see that she was going to be one of this year’s Crab Feed Chairs.

I asked her how, as a newbie, she got involved and what her big plans for this year’s event were? “As a new member last year we got an email about the Crab Feed committee needing some help. I went to one of their meetings and ended up helping Rachel, the Bar subcommittee chair, with her work. About six or so weeks before the event itself Rachel had to go a conference in D.C. for her job, so I took over as bar lead from there through the actual date. I couldn’t have done it without Rachel doing all that hard work before she left! Since I took over Bar for the Crab Feed last year, I got a call from Nominating asking if I would like to be co-chair with Kelli Boehm, who was on the committee last year as well. I feel that Kelli and I complement each other’s strengths, and we are both looking forward to creating an event that will be a highlight of the Sacramento Crab Feed season!”

Kassie is a great asset to the Junior League of Sacramento and when we got to talking I asked her why she decided to join. She replied, “I’ve always loved volunteering and community outreach, and have consistently been involved in some way through the years. I had just moved to Sacramento from Florida, and a few friends of mine, who were in Leagues themselves back East, suggested I check out the one here. They mentioned it was a great way to meet wonderful people and get involved in the community...and they were right! I’ve since started sharing that and suggesting the JL to anyone else I know!” And your favorite memory so far?? “I love the fundraisers. The Crab Feed itself, while at times stressful on the back end of it, was quite a fun event! I also loved working the little kids’ game booth at Family Fun Fest and seeing their expressions for the games. Aside from that, anytime volunteering with my fellow JLS ladies like painting the CRH or just meeting new people in the League and the community.

In addition to asking Kassie about her involvement in the Junior League I wanted to find out more about her as a person so I asked a couple personal questions: What’s your favorite travel destination? “Christchurch, New Zealand! I’m a bit partial to it as I went to high school there and some of my very best friends still live there. I try and get back to visit when I can (afford it). Other than that, give me a European city and I’m happy.” How about your guilty TV pleasure? “The Bachelor/Bachelorette. I started watching it last year because my 80-something godfather has quite the addiction to it (I know, right?), and he started a monetary bet with me on who would win in the end. Since then we’ve watched the “seasons” to keep up the game!” Ha, ha I love it!! I can only imagine what my grandmother would think of that show… And finally, what is your favorite book? “I’m quite a bookworm, (it’s true, I admit it), so I don’t have a favorite. Some of my tops are The Alchemist, Redeeming Love, anything by Kristen Hannah, Bill Bryson, Jane Austen, or Sarah Addison Allen...I could keep going... “Good answer! Jane Austen is classic!

Thanks for all you do Miss Fraser, and thanks for allowing me to put you in the spotlight so others could get to know you too!

-Written By: Meredith Abby

The Poinsettia Luncheon

2011-11-16T16:40:00.000-08:00

image courtesy

The 25th Annual Poinsettia Luncheon, presented by our fabulous JLS Sustainers, is coming up on December 7th 2011 beginning at 10:30 a.m.

It will be a fun luncheon with delicious food and a fashion show!

Check out this article about it in The Sacramento Bee.

For more information, contact the Junior League office at (916) 921-1096.

photo courtesy
League Members Nancy Tate & Barbara Kennedy are hard at work planning the event!

The Winter LINK is available now!

2011-11-07T16:02:00.000-08:00

The new edition of the LINK is ready for you to read!!

Check it out by clicking here.

Do you like to run or walk?? Join us for a good cause!

2011-10-29T10:21:00.001-07:00

Join us on Thanksgiving Day for the annual run to support the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. Sign up under the Junior League of Sacramento team on the Run to Feed the Hungry website!

Those who participated with us last year had a wonderful time. Bring your family and friends with you to enjoy the crisp fall air and make a difference to thousands of people in our community!

To register with JLS: (include family & friends) visit http://runtofeedthehungry.com/register/

and sign up under our name!

We will see you there!

President for the 2013-2014 Year Announced!

2011-10-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Amanda Merz!

Roseville resident, Amanda Merz, has been named President of the Junior League of Sacramento (JLS) for the 2013 – 2014 year. Merz will serve as President during the 71st term of JLS and lead the organization of more than 700 women forward in fulfilling the mission of JLS. Merz will serve her term after current President Amy Wister (2011-2012) and President Elect Aimee Gillum (2012-2013).

Merz has been an active member of JLS since 2005. During her tenure, Merz has held numerous committee, leadership and Board of Director positions within the JLS. She has served in a diverse list of roles such as the PR/Marketing Chair as a first-year Active, Communications Vice President, Nominating Committee, Co-Chair of Community Stars Brunch, and Co-Chair of the newly-revamped Wine & Dine fundraising event at Raley Field. Merz is currently serving on the Board as Fundraising Vice President.

“Amanda has the perfect combination of passion for our mission, approachability, intelligence, and institutional knowledge,” said Amy Wister, President. “Amanda has the skills and drive to be successful in serving as a catalyst for lasting change in the Sacramento community.”

“I believe in the organization as a training ground for women to learn how to drive change and impact in the region,” said Amanda Merz. “I look forward to continuing to drive our mission and the JLS’ current focus on healthy food choices and nutrition for Sacramento families.”

As President of JLS, Merz will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization and will preside over all Board meetings, General Meetings and Board trainings. Merz will also represent JLS at the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) conferences and is the voting delegate at the annual meeting.

Merz worked for five years as a French teacher where her three children attended school. She and her husband Michael Merz have lived in Roseville since 2002. Prior to that, Merz and her husband lived in Switzerland for 5 ½ years, where she was actively involved with the American Women’s Club in Geneva. In this capacity, Madeline Kunin, the Ambassador to Switzerland honored Merz with an award for a challenging graffiti clean-up effort she organized. Merz is active in the Roseville community and is currently serving as PTC Parliamentarian at her children’s school and is Volunteer Coordinator for the Del Oro Junior Golden Eagles Football team.

Celebrate! Cookbook: Orange Pumpkin Bread

2011-10-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

We just had a new family move in a few doors down. I decided it would be fun to welcome them to the neighborhood with a little loaf of Celebrate's Orange Pumpkin Bread!

The bread was very simple to whip up! The only thing I found unusual was the recipe actually calls for a whole orange! Yep, rind and all! I was a little concerned about how it would taste.

However, I had no need to worry, it was awesome! It tasted like a pumpkin carrot cake! This one will definitely be a fall favorite!!!

-Written By: Michelle

Celebrate! Cookbook: Veal Chops with Lemon Cognac Sauce

2011-10-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do something special for my Grandmother's birthday...so I decided on a fancy birthday lunch! The menu was chosen out of none other than... The Junior League of Sacramento's Celebrate Cookbook!

I set the table with my grandmother's china.

The main course was Veal Chops with Lemon Cognac Sauce (p.151)

I had the butcher cut these for me 1 inch thick. Since they cook pretty quickly, I cooked the mushrooms first. I also zested the lemons and chopped the parsley first.

The side was a Potato Puff Souffle (p.171) This was surprisingly simple. I was a little intimated by the word souffle, but I need not have been! It was creamy and full of flavor.

Pear, blueberry and pecan salad with Trader Joe's Champagne Pear Dressing. This was just thrown together out of my fridge.

Devils Food Chocolate Cake with Sinful chocolate frosting (from the Ghiradelli Chocolate Cookbook).

-Written by: Michelle

Crispy Eggplant

2011-10-05T15:24:00.000-07:00

My husband and I decided that we would like to have one meatless meal a week in our house. So I turned to the Junior League of Sacramento’s Celebrate cookbook once again for inspiration! Ahhah! Crispy Eggplant! It sounded easy and delicious.

In an effort to be a little health conscious, I used low-fat mayo and it still tasted delicious. The eggplant came together in minutes and I popped it in the oven.

I made a quick tomato basil marinara to dip the eggplant into. This really added some dimension! I served it with a arugula, pine nut, fresh mozzarella and tomato salad.

I highly recommend giving it a try, especially since it comes together in 30 minutes!

written by michelle

Join the JLS Run to Feed the Hungry Team!

2011-10-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

Join us on Thanksgiving Day for the annual run to support the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. Sign up under the Junior League of Sacramento team on the Run to Feed the Hungry website!

Those who participated with us last year had a wonderful time. Bring your family and friends with you to enjoy the crisp fall air and make a difference to thousands of people in our community!

To register with JLS: (include family & friends) visit http://runtofeedthehungry.com/register/

and sign up under our name!

We will see you there!

Jerusalem Feast with a dash of Italian

2011-09-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

So, you have probably noticed a few postings about dishes from The Junior League of Sacramento Celebrate cookbook. I am chairing the cookbook fundraising committee this year. In an effort to build excitement and curiosity, I have decided to cook from the cook book at least once a week and blog about it!

So this week's dinner was Chicken Jerusalem...

This dish was so simple and really delicious! All it really required was

dredging the chicken in flour and seasonings. Then browning it in some

olive oil and popping it in the oven with olives and artichokes.

I used mozzarella cheese because that is what I had on hand;

however, next time I will try the combination of cheeses suggested.

I also served whole-wheat cous cous with a little bit of garlic and parsley.

The dash of Italian was the caprese salad. Tomatoes are in

season and I have had a caprese just about every other day, yummy!

written by michelle

Webinar Wednesday - A message from AJLI

2011-09-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

AJLI's Webinar Wednesday registration is now live! Please share this news with your members:

Registration for AJLI's very first Webinar Wednesday is now live! The webinar will feature Heather McLeod Grant, author of Forces for Good, The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits, and a senior consultant with the Monitor Institute, where her practice focuses on network approaches to social change and on scaling social innovations. AJLI had the good fortune of working with Heather and her team at Monitor in the initial stages of our strategic planning process.

Heather's Webinar Wednesday will take place on Wednesday, October 5th at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

To register for Heather's presentation, click here.

For a list of upcoming Webinar Wednesdays, click here.

About Webinar Wednesdays

Webinar Wednesdays are one of many methods to help Junior League women develop as community and civic leaders. These sessions, typically one-hour in duration, are designed to appeal to every Junior League member, regardless of age or current engagement in her community, as an easy way to increase her knowledge of and interest in community and civic leadership.

Webinar Wednesdays will begin in October 2011 and run through May 2012, and will be offered on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 1pm (Eastern Time Zone).

Storm Updates

Junior League of Binghamton, Lynn Dowling, President
Our area suffered devastating flooding; most were without power for several days and some are still without power. FEMA has declared Broome and Tioga Counties a major disaster area. Area schools were flooded, and have since closed because they are uninhabitable for the time being. Schools were closed, and are slowly starting to reopen this week and next. People had to be evacuated and airlifted from their homes to shelters set up in churches, community centers and schools. Many people lost their homes due to the flooding. Some villages and towns are still in a State of Emergency. This was unexpected and a devastating blow to the entire community.

Wine & Dine 2011

2011-09-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of our local wineries & restaurants that came out for our Wine & Dine at Raley Field!

We had a wonderful turn out and it was a beautiful night!

Here are a few pictures from the evening:

Our fabulous event organizers!

Chef Tyler Stone in the VIP area

A great turn out!

Thank you

And if you missed out this year... stay tuned for Wine & Dine 2012!!

Sunday Afternoon Surprise - Celebrate’s Cream Puffs

2011-09-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

As the weekend was coming to a close, we needed something to sweet to cheer us up! We opened the refrigerator... eggs, check! Milk, check! Butter, flour, sugar, check! Yes, Cream Puffs it is!

To my surprise, these were very easy to make. The only thing I would do differently next time is to break the eggs ahead of time and pour them in slowly. It was challenging to crack, dispose and stir all at the same time.

I did not have a pastry bag, so I just put the filling in a ziploc bag and cut off the corner. I would also make mine a bit bigger next time so it could hold more filling.

I filled the puffs with whip cream. We decided to try it two ways:

Sprinkled with powdered sugar, good:

Sprinkled with powdered sugar drizzled with Leatherby's hot fudge and then dipped in hot fudge - Amazing!

Two year old approved!

These are a snap to make and delicious filled with a variety of fillings. Next time I will try the pastry cream as suggested in Celebrate Cookbook!

The recipe can be found in Junior League of Sacramento's Celebrate Cookbook on Page 238.

Written by: Michelle Casagrande

For information on how to purchase our cookbook, click here!

General Meeting Layered Polenta Pie and Brown Sugar Shortbread

2011-09-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

For the general meeting, we wanted to make something that could be prepared ahead of time and served at room temperature. The solution - Layered Polenta Pie with Fontina Cheese!

In order to make my life easier, I did all the prep work before making the polenta, since it needs a lot of attention. I made the sun-dried tomato sauce first, grated the cheese, chopped the sage and buttered the dish.

I was having trouble getting the polenta to lay in one even layer. So I buttered the back of a metal spatula and smashed it until it was in an even layer.

The end result was delicious! It was a big hit at the meeting, in fact a few people told me they made it for their families later that week!

The recipe can be found in our Celebrate Cookbook page 187.

We also made some Brown Sugar Shortbread Puffs! They are a new favorite in the Casagrande house! With only 5 ingredients and 12 minutes until sweet goodness they are made frequently! Cookbook’s Joanna used a melon ball scoop to make hers. The result were these adorable little shortbread dollops!

No matter how you scoop them, they are guaranteed delicious, especially dipped in coffee! The recipe can be found in our Celebrate Cookbook page 194.

Written by: Michelle Casagrande

Sacramento Children's Museum Ribbon Cutting

2011-08-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

August 25th marked the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening for the

Sacramento Children's Museum. As the Junior League's Signature

Project for the past four years, hundreds of volunteer hours were

dedicated to make this event possible.Junior League women were present

to enjoy the day of celebration and to honor the accomplishments of

the SCM board and their dedicated partners in making this project come

alive. Speaking to a crowd of over 300 people, JLS President Amy

Wister recognized the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.

For more information about SCM visit www.sackids.org.

-written by: Amber Wiley

Wine & Dine on Fox40 Live!

2011-08-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

One of Sacramento Area's largest events, Wine & Dine, is happening tomorrow! If you haven't gotten tickets yet, get them now! You don't want to miss it. :)

This morning, Amanda Merz, our fabulous VP of Fundraising, was on Fox40 Live discussing Wine & Dine. We know it was on a little early, so in case you missed it, see it by clicking here!

Who: Junior League of Sacramento presents Wine & Dine

When: Friday, August 26th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Where: Raley Field

Don't miss out!

Our President on Sacramento & Company!

2011-08-23T08:22:00.000-07:00

Check out Amy Wister on Sacramento & Company discussing Wine & Dine!

Wine & Dine is on Friday!!

Make sure you buy your tickets, click here if you need information.

Wine & Dine... one week from Today!

2011-08-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

The Sacramento Junior League Wine & Dine is coming up August 26th at Raley Field.

For information about buying tickets, click here.

It's going to be a fabulous night of wine, music, great food, and of course, great people! You won't want to miss out!!

Here are just a few of the restaurants and wineries that will be in attendance:

Blue Cue

Dawson's at the Hyatt

Fat’s Catering

Icing on the Cupcake

Johnny Garlic's

La Provence

McCormick & Schmick's

Pasta Pomodoro

Michael-David Phillips Winery

Mumm Napa

Perry Creek Winery

Scott Harvey Wines

Sera Fina Cellars

St. Barthelemy Cellars

Terra d'Oro

Vinoce

Some snapshots of the fun at Raley field at last year's Wine & Dine:

It's going to be a great event!!

League Spotlight: President Amy Wister

2011-08-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

Anyone that has been to a Junior League meeting or function could easily identify the

new President. Amy Wister, is energetic, passionate, and is a natural in front of a crowd. To get to know Madame President a little better, and introduce her to the women of the league that don’t know her as

well, I sent her some questions to find out more about who she is and what makes her tick.

Read more to see which handsome hunk from Ocean’s Eleven she would prefer and what

Junior League meant to Amy growing up!

The first and most obvious question: Why did you join The Junior League? “Well, to be

fair I’d have to explain that the Junior League was a household term growing up, as a young

child it always meant my father was going to whip up “beanie weenies” for dinner (hot dogs and

baked beans) because mom was at a meeting. As a teenager it was tossed around as “girl’s

dinner group”, my mom’s monthly reprieve with some of her favorite sister sustainers. Mom

was really the role model of the “organization” for me and often said; “Honey, some day you are

going to make some wonderful friends in Junior League and they’ll be your friends for a long

time.” As an adult and transplant to Sacramento (from Daytona Beach, FL), I joined the Junior

League to meet women with similar interests, to volunteer and to build friendships.

What is your favorite Junior League memory? “This is a tough question. I think I have a

few, but if I had to choose one it would have to be my new member bus tour day. It was a huge

eye opener. I really had no idea how many lives the Junior League had touched until that day. It

was also the day I recognized the capacity of the organization.”

What was your favorite committee to work on and why? “Nominating. It was amazing

to see how the leadership slating process was executed. For most members, nominating is a

mystery. That committee placement left me with great admiration for all of our past and future

leaders.”

Now for the really crucial information: What is your favorite travel destination? “My

parent’s house in Daytona Beach, FL, followed by Europe.”

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? “Flying and flying fast. I’d like to

speed up getting from point A to point B, so I can log more life experiences. Plus I’d like to not

rely on planes.”

What is your favorite book? “The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood”

What’s your guilty TV pleasure? Modern Family and HGTV.

And finally, if you could go on a fantasy date with one of the men from Ocean’s Eleven

who would it be? Brad Pitt, George Clooney, or Matt Damon? “George.”

Written by: Meredith

The LINK!

2011-08-07T19:44:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the new LINK issue??

It's hot off the press and ready for you to read!

Read it by clicking here.

Wine & Dine is coming up!

2011-08-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Join us for the Sacramento Junior League's 13th annual Wine and Dine on Friday, August 26th at Raley Field. Tickets are on sale now and we're expecting Wine and Dine to sell out this year, so get yours now. Information on how to purchase tickets can be found on our website.

VIP tickets are $95 and will include early entry on the field beginning at 6:00pm, valet parking, private access to several high end wines not available during regular admission hours and a golf ball hitting contest with a number of different raffle prizes.

General Admission tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. These tickets include 7:00pm entry on the concourse level of the stadium, food and wine from more than 50 area wineries and restaurants, live music by local band Radio Active and raffle tickets available to purchase for the chance of winning a prize!

Cookbook Committee Meeting

2011-07-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

The Cookbook Committee had its monthly meeting and we had the pleasure of having dinner together. Since we are the Cookbook Committee, we sampled recipes from the Celebrate! cookbook. Our menu consisted of two recipes from the cookbook: “Chicken Stuffed with Spinach and Ricotta” and “Angel Hair Pasta with Tomato and Basil”. To drink we had “Orange Pineapple Punch”. It was perfect meal for summer, light and delicious!

For the chicken, instead of using a whole chicken, we prepared it with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Since we were using skinless breasts and could not put the filling under the skin, we cut a pocket into the breast and stuffed that with our filling. A good tip that we learned while making this dish, is to have your butcher cut the pocket into the breast, as his knives are much sharper than those found in the average kitchen. There was more than enough filling for six chicken breasts. The recipe makes enough to fill about 10 chicken breasts, which is great because the additional filling could be used in a frittata or quiche. This dish would be excellent for a dinner party and can be made ahead of time and put in the oven right before your guests arrive.

The pasta was made with fresh tomatoes and was delicious. Canned tomatoes could also be used for a quick substitute. This was a great pairing with the chicken and can also be made ahead. This dish would be great tossed with some shrimp or just with a salad.

Since we are a small committee, we cut the punch down to ¼ of the recipe and it was very refreshing. It would be perfect for brunch or for a shower.

Check back for more great recipes and meals from your cookbook committee… Celebrate!

The year's first general meeting!

2011-07-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

Our first general meeting of the 2011-2012 year was a success!

Our President, Amy Wister, did a fabulous job taking the lead and getting the year off to a great start.

We were very happy to have our guest speaker, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, at the meeting. He discussed the importance of volunteering in our communities and the impact it has on the future.

More than 80 women attended our first meeting!

President Amy Wister welcoming everyone to another fabulous year in The League!

Mayor Kevin Johnson

The Mayor's speech was heartfelt. He talked about his life growing up in the Sacramento area and his history with volunteering. He also talked to us about the importance of The League and his appreciation of the hours of service we provide in our community.

Thank you Mayor Johnson for speaking at our meeting!

And, thank you to all of our members who came out to in support of our new year, it's going to be a great one!

Celebrate! Cookbook: Mai Tais

2011-07-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

We've already given a sneak peek of our Celebrate! Cookbook, but we figured we give out one more recipe from the "Beverages" section.

There are so many delicious recipes in our cookbook, if you're interested in purchasing it, click here.

Remember, when you purchase this cookbook you help The Junior League of Sacramento fund the ongoing community programs that are the heart of our organization and the Sacramento community.

With summer time in full swing, nothing sounds better than a refreshing Mai Tai on the back patio :)

Here's the recipe....

What you'll need:

1 fifth light rum

1 fifth dark rum

3/4 cup orange Curacao

38 ounces unsweetened pineapple juice

Skewers of fruit

How to make them:

Mix all ingredients in a gallon container and chill. Serve over ice with skewered pineapple, cherry, orange wedges and lime.

It serves 16-18 people.

These are perfect for the beach, tailgates and picnics since the mixture fits perfectly in a one gallon milk carton for easy storage.

Cheers!

Introducing... Our Board of Directors 2011-2012

2011-07-05T08:54:00.000-07:00

We are so thankful to have a talented group of fabulous women leading The League as our Board of Directors!

These ladies meet monthly to keep our organization moving forward and reaching our goals.

Bottom row from left to right:
Nancy Stebbins, Communications VP
Amanda Merz, Fundraising VP
Amy Wister, President
Susan Maples, Treasurer
Sheri Chow, Parliamentarian
Aimee Gillum, President-Elect

Top row from left to right:
Carol Shellenberger, Finance Development VP
Kristen Oliver, Administrative VP
Kristen Krueger, Community Programs VP
Melissa Munno, Recording Secretary
Dawn Graham, Membership VP
Vicki Robinson, Sustainer VP
Laurie Green, Treasurer-Elect

Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to The League.

2011-2012 is going to be a fabulous year!

Wine & Dine Tickets on sale NOW!

2011-06-27T16:27:00.000-07:00

If you love wine, food, friends & music... don't miss

Wine & Dine at Raley Field!
When: August 26th, 2011
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

More than 50 of the region’s finest restaurants and wineries will be there!
Enjoy fine wine, great food and live music on the Raley Field concourse, which lends a great view of downtown Sacramento. Proceeds from the event benefit The Junior League of Sacramento’s nutrition education programs.

Tickets are available for just $35 in advance and $45 on the day of the event. VIP tickets include early entry at 6:00, a special wine tasting and valet parking. VIP tickets are $95.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

This is a 21-and-over event.

Celebrate! Cookbook: Sangria Blanca

2011-06-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

With the hot weather, what sounds better than a refreshing glass of Sangria? Yum!

Here is a delicious recipe from our Celebrate! Cookbook:

What you need:

1 bottle of dry white wine, chilled

1/2 cup of Cointreau

1/4 cup of sugar

10 ounces of club soda, chilled

Ice cubes

1 lemon, thinly sliced

2 limes, thinly sliced

1 orange, halved and thinly sliced

How to prepare:

Combine wine, Cointreau and sugar until well blended in a glass pitcher. When ready to serve, stir in ice cubes and soda. Garnish with sliced fruit. Serve in clear, stemmed glasses.

Serves 6 to 8.

If you are interested in purchasing our Celebrate! Cookbook, please click here.

When you purchase the cookbook, you help our league fund the ongoing community programs that are the heart of our organization and the Sacrament community. Thank you!

New Member Mixer

2011-06-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

The JLS reaches out to all women age 21 and older regardless of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, handicapped status, or national origin who possess an interest in and a commitment to voluntarism, to join each Fall.

We offer our members an opportunity for personal growth through training in specific volunteer skills and offers a supportive environment for members to foster friendships with other caring, committed women.

We have started recruiting for our 2011-2012 New Member Class! Our membership year starts in August 2011.

Last night, women interested came to our mixer at a member's home in El Dorado Hills.

Our current members answered questions and talked about the League.

It was a fun meeting with many great women who are interested in joining from our community! Thank you for coming to learn more about us.

If you missed this week's mixer, no worries! We have another one coming up on July 11th. For more details, click here.

The Sacramento Children's Museum!

2011-06-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Sacramento Children's Museum is gearing up for its Grand Opening!

July 29-31 - Around the Clock 3 day event for founding families, educators, community partners & media.

August 25 - Grand Opening to general public

November 5 - Grand Opening Gala

For more information, visit their website by clicking here!

Welcome to our 69th year!

2011-06-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

The Junior League of Sacramento starts its 69th year today! It was a wonderful, productive, and successful year last year. We especially would like to thank Gina Ketcher, our 2010-2011 president for all of her hard work and dedication to our organization. She had a tremendous impact on the organization and we are so grateful to have her.

Today our new president, Amy Wister, takes the reigns and begins her journey leading our organization.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn’t for the encouragement and support of my husband, many JLS members, sustainers, past presidents, and friends, nor could I be here without the committed training of AJLI and my personal “sensei”, Gina Ketcher. I thank each of you for this gift, the possibility of leadership in a sustainable and remarkable organization!

We are an organization of women trained as community and civic leaders creating community impact. For over 68 years, JLS members and sustainers have been planting dreams in the Sacramento community and each one of those dreams has grown into unique possibilities: possibilities that have lead to a safe environment for neglected children at the Children’s Receiving Home, a place for family bonding in the center of Land Park, Fairy Tale Town, court advocates for children in need, Court Appointed Special Advocates, a public foundation were any local organization, or corporation can choose to house an endowment, or self funded foundation, the Sacramento Regional Foundation, a safe place for infants in vulnerable environments, the Crisis Nursery….and the list of possibilities originating from a JLS dream go on.

The 2011-2012 JLS term and Presidential position aren’t about me, they are about long term sustainability... about serving my client, you the members, and about breaking down the barriers to your dreams. This is how we create lasting community impact and how you become an army of community and civic leaders. I invite you to join this change journey, by casting your dreams in committee meetings, at council tables and over a glass of wine, because……without the dream there is no change and without change “…..there would be no butterflies.” "

- Amy Wister

The LINK Spring 2011 Issue is out!

2011-05-26T14:34:00.000-07:00

Post written by: Communications Vice President Nancy Stebbins

Hot off the presses! The LINK Spring 2011 is out. Don't miss it! The LINK can be accessed on the front page of our JLS website or by clicking here.

Community Stars Celebration

2011-05-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the

Junior League of Sacramento's

Award Winners!

Community Star of the Year: Ruth Fields Messersmith

President's Award: Keri Case

New Member of the Year: Melanie Barnes & Bethany Chavez

First Year Active of the Year: Kelli Bohem

Active of the Year: Laurie Green

Sustainer of the Year: Diane Grenz & Linda Scott

What a beautiful morning at The Sutter Club in Sacramento. Our sold out event was attended by inspiring, beautiful, and passionate people!

The Sutter Club - our fabulous organizers decorated the tables with beautiful centerpieces!

Our Community Star Ruth Messersmith accepting her award. She had a warm and inspiring speech that got everyone on their feet.

Some of our fabulous ladies at Table 1

{photo courtesy: Tuti Hawkins}

Our fabulous League presidents - Amy Wister (2011-2012), Gina Ketcher (2010-2011), and Mindi Stewart (2009-2010)

Thank you to everyone who attended the event and supports our League!

It was a wonderful morning... thank you to our event chairs for all the hard work to make this event so special!

A Morning at the "Musical Theatre"!

2011-03-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

My almost 3-year old loves to pretend play, so it is no surprise that her dolls are all going to the "musical theatre" now. Her dollhouse is full of laughter, cheering and singing. Why? Because I took her to see a performance of "The Artful Mouse".

The Junior League of Sacramento transformed the auditorium of Hiram Johnson High School into a Children's Theatre that entertained hundreds of kids.  The play was written for children Pre-K through 3rd grade, so my daughter may not have picked up on all the lessons about manners, good choices and health eating, but it sure was a magical experience.  

She loved the dog and kept asking where he went if he wasn't in the current scene.  It was a great learning experience and imagine her amazement when the cast, including the dog, was outside to thank the kids for coming!  

Kudos to the Junior League for putting on an amazing, free theatre production for over 67 years that reaches tens of thousands of children annually!

Written by: Julie B

Mayor Kevin Johnson graces Children's Theatre stage

2011-03-15T17:04:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, Mayor Kevin Johnson graced the Children's Theatre stage! The mayor wowed the crowd with his "hand jive" skills, getting the students excited about participating in this year's production of The Artful Mouse. He then got the crowd yelling, repeating the pledge:

"Be Kind!

Work Hard!

Climb the mountain to college!"

Children's Theatre is the longest running program in the Junior League of Sacramento. This year, the production brought the message of "The Artful Mouse" to over 13.000 elementary school children in the area.

Thank you to Jen Gamble, Children's Theatre Committee Chair, and all the actresses and people involved with bringing this production to life. Also, a huge thank you to Pat Boyd and the California Retired Teacher's Association for their continued support.

A thankful morning at the food bank.

2011-01-20T12:28:00.000-08:00

By: Tracy. Her personal blog can be found here.

This morning - I dragged my bootie out of bed at 6 a.m. to volunteer at the food bank in my town. I had no idea what an impact it would have on my day & my soul. I have volunteered before - being a part of a sorority in college, we did our philanthropic events.... feeding the homeless, ect.

But this was different.

I am a member of the Jr League in my home town. If you don't know what it is, it's a women's organization that focuses on enhancing the community through philanthropy, volunteering, and raising money. It's also a place to meet inspiring women. I heard about it originally from my cousin, Mackenzie, who is the president of her chapter. Volunteering is quickly becoming a staple of importance in my life. Not only because of what I do for others, but because of what it does to me.

Today, I met up with a big handful of these Jr League women and several volunteers in our area and we fed the hungry.

But not the "typical" hungry you would think. These are every day-working people. People who have recently lost their jobs, hit an unforgiving life speed bump. People who just want to feed their family for the holiday. Many were embarrassed to be in line... but all of them were extremely appreciative. I had to fight back tears a few times when some of them looked at me and said "thank you so much, god bless."

More than 2,000 people were already in line when I showed up at 7 a.m. The line wrapped around the block - and immediately after I stepped out of my car, I took a deep breath...

Wow, there are so many hungry people.

We didn't hand out hot food - we handed out boxed stuffing, mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, cranberry, and (most importantly) turkeys. The food bank (along with Jr League women & volunteers) gathered 7,056 turkeys... & today, we passed out half of them... the other half will be handed out on Wednesday.

I did my best to be positive with a cheerful "Happy Thanksgiving" with every bag of canned food I distributed. I made eye contact with them. I wanted them to feel the warmth I hold for them in my heart.

I wish everyone a fulfilling thanksgiving holiday with their family.

I am truly thankful.

The line wrapped around for blocks.

Some of the Jr League girls getting just before distribution.

These are all the fixings.

These are a lot of the turkeys - so generous of our community to donate.

Handed out 2,000 of these bags.

{{Thank you to my friend, Tuti, for taking all the pictures}}

Get Involved!

2011-01-20T11:26:00.000-08:00

What is Junior League of Sacramento?

The Junior League is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and to improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

We reach out to all women over the age of 21 regardless of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, handicapped status, or national origin who possess an interest and commitment in volunteerism.

Junior League of Sacramento is a fun way to get involved with women all over the area who have a passion for community, friendship, and leadership.

Through out the year, we work closely with our community to volunteer our time and efforts. We also have fun events to raise money to better the efforts of Junior League.

To see the programs we work closely with, check out our website. (jlsac.org)

Wine & Dine 2010

Handing out Thanksgiving meals at the Sacramento Food Bank

Our fabulous Board of Directors!

How to get involved:

Attend one of our prospective member meetings, fill out an application, and get started. For more detailed information, click here.