A Mother’s Story

Play reflects compelling chapter in sacramento history

By Corky Mau
March 2019

Eva Rutland had a special way to describe Sacramento: “How green, how clean, how wonderful!”

Her perspective was unique as an African-American woman who moved her family to California from the segregated South in 1952. Her book, “When We Were Colored: A Mother’s Story,” describes the family’s remarkable journey.

Eva died in 2012 at age 95. Daughter Ginger Rutland will hold a special reading and discussion of her mother’s book at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, Saturday, March 9, at 11 a.m.

Ginger Rutland, a former associate editor for The Sacramento Bee, has written a play based on her mother’s book. As the first black family in Curtis Park and the only African-American children at their neighborhood school, the Rutland story reflects an important and compelling chapter in Sacramento history.

The play “When We Were Colored” will have its world premiere at the Sacramento Theatre Company from March 20 through April 28.

HEAD-SHAVING FUNDRAISER

Jay Jugoz, owner of Riverside Sports Bar, will host his second annual St. Baldrick’s head-shaving fundraiser Saturday, March 9, from 3 to 10 p.m., to raise funds for childhood cancer research.

To participate or donate, visit www.stbaldricks.org/events/riversidesportsbar2019. Then show up and get your head shaved.

Participants will receive a swag bag and St. Baldrick’s shirt. Local professional barbers and cosmetologists will volunteer their time. Riverside Sports Bar is at 6401 Riverside Blvd. For more information, call (916) 346-4672. 

PROM ATTIRE GIVEAWAY

Teens can score free formal wear at the Prom Attire Giveaway in the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library on Saturday, March 16, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Community donations of dresses, suits, accessories and other formal wear will be given to young people ages 13 to 19.

Teens should bring a school ID or other form of identification, and wear clothing that makes it easy to change with limited space for dressing rooms. Please, no makeup as it can stain the clothes.

Adults may accompany the young people, but only teens can take items home. All library locations are still accepting donations of gently used formal wear. For more information, call (916) 264-2920.

PORTUGUESE HALL CARNAVAL

The community is invited to the annual SPHSS Portuguese Hall Carnaval on Saturday, March 2.  This family-friendly event starts at 8 p.m., and features live music, traditional Portuguese food and children’s activities.

Admission is $5 for adults; free for children younger than 12. The SPHSS Hall is at 6676 Pocket Road. For more information, call Jose Silva at (916) 969-4903.

JFK HIGH SCHOOL SPRING CONCERT

Students from the John F. Kennedy High School music department will hold their annual Spring Concert on Thursday, March 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the school auditorium.

Enjoy music by the concert band, and jazz and winter percussion ensembles, along with the choir, all for $5 per person. Proceeds will benefit school music programs affected by the Butte County Camp Fire.

COMPOSTING WORKSHOP

Learn the basics of composting from UC Master Gardeners on Tuesday, March 5, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., at ACC Senior Services. The free workshop, limited to 25 students, will cover essential composting topics.

Pre-registration is required. To register, contact Anna Su at (916) 393-9026, ext. 330. ACC Senior Services is at 7334 Park City Drive.

1. PATRICK’S DAY AT ELKS LODGE

Everyone is Irish at the Elks Lodge No. 6 annual St. Patrick’s Celebration, Sunday, March 17.

For $20 per person, enjoy corned beef and cabbage, with sides and dessert. Cocktail hour (plus Irish beer) starts at 3 p.m., with dinner at 5 p.m. For tickets, call (916) 422-6666 or visit the Elks Lodge. 

POCKET-GREENHAVEN COMMUNITY MEETING

Changes to the city’s recycling program will be discussed at the Pocket-Greenhaven Community Association meeting Tuesday, March 5, at 6 p.m., in the Robbie Waters library.

City recycling and solid-waste expert Meghan Vanderford will explain the changes. Parks commissioner Devin Lavelle will share results of a survey concerning local parks. 

GOVERNMENT OFFICE HOURS

Assemblymember Jim Cooper will hold office hours at the Robbie Waters library from 3 to 5 p.m., Thursday, March 21. For more information, contact Daniel Washington at (916) 670-7888 or daniel.washington@asm.ca.gov.

After Cooper’s event, City Councilmember Rick Jennings will meet with residents regarding community concerns at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Yoon Chau at (916) 808-7192 or ychau@cityofsacramento.org.

Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication date.