Out And About
By Jessica Laskey
January 2026
Sharing And Caring
Local church helps school’s struggling families
Greater Immanuel Church in Rancho Cordova has adopted Umoja International Academy in East Sacramento to help struggling and homeless families with food and supplies.
Church members bring groceries and toiletries to the school and families grab what they need. A children’s clothes closet is also available.
“This year, we have 40 homeless students and families, and I asked if it was possible for (the church) to share some of the food with our homeless families,” Umoja Head of School and Principal LuTisha McGregor says.
“They immediately agreed.”
Donations are made possible through Shelby’s Way, a nonprofit organization sponsored by Greater Immanuel Church dedicated to preserving the memory of the late Pastor Shelby R. Richards.
For information, visit shelbysway.life.
AUSTEN BIRTHDAY
Don your best Regency attire to celebrate the 250th birthday of English author Jane Austen.
The Jane Austen Society of North America, Greater Sacramento Region, holds the event Sunday, Jan. 11, from 1:30–4:30 p.m. at the Sterling Hotel. Enjoy appetizers, birthday cake and English country dancing led by the band Quite Carried Away.
Austin’s birthday celebration is held annually, as well as events with speakers, field trips and other Austen-related activities.
For more information, see “Giving Back” in this edition of Inside Sacramento. For birthday celebration tickets, visit jasnasac.org.
BIKE ACADEMY
Twenty-six students from Cordova High School’s Velo Lancers completed a 10-week cycling academy hosted by American River Bike Patrol.
The program, part of the patrol’s Bike Academy, introduces high school students to safe cycling, first aid, bike maintenance and trail etiquette. Students advance from short rides to a final 32-mile ride from Beals Point at Folsom Lake to Discovery Park.
“This academy does far more than teach kids how to ride,” patrol spokesperson Vic Massenkoff says. “It builds confidence, independence and a connection to outdoor recreation that can last a lifetime.”
Patrol volunteers cover more than 400 miles of bike paths and multi-use trails offering help with trail etiquette, directions, first aid, bike repairs and other assistance. To volunteer or for information, visit americanriverbikepatrol.org.
CALLING DREAMERS
BYTES, Pizza Knights, EcoPress Sacramento and Wonderson’s Company are finalists in Downtown Sacramento Foundation’s Calling All Dreamers competition.
Finalists receive $5,000 if they open a storefront Downtown. One finalist wins $20,000 and second place receives $10,000 once a Downtown lease is signed.
BYTES is an outdoor, community-driven culinary space spotlighting local food vendors, emerging chefs and cultural events.
Pizza Knights is a husband-and-wife-run business specializing in East Coast-inspired pizzas using locally sourced ingredients.
EcoPress Sacramento is an environmentally minded art studio that transforms plastic waste into functional art.
Wonderson’s Company is three shops in one: a handmade candy and coloring bookstore, a cat-themed cafe and a toy shop.
Winners are announced next month. For information, visit callingalldreamers.org.
OPEN GARDEN
Beat the winter blues with a stroll through the UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County demonstration garden at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center on Saturday, Jan. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Master Gardeners will give tips on selecting and maintaining succulents, starting seeds for a summer vegetable garden, composting, creating a backyard orchard and more.
Snag a 2026 Gardening Guide & Calendar with gardening advice and ideas to try at home.
The calendar is also available online and at Emigh Ace Hardware (3555 El Camino Ave.), The Plant Foundry Nursery & Store (3500 Broadway), Talini’s Nursery (5601 Folsom Blvd.), Wild Birds & Gardens (5339 Sunrise Blvd.) and four Green Acres Nursery & Supply locations.
For information, visit sacmg.ucanr.edu.
FILM GRANTS
Sacramento’s Film + Media office accepts applications for its film grant program through Jan. 15.
The grant program, funded by Measure U, awards six production grants of $10,000 and two post-production grants of $5,000.
Eligible productions include feature-length films, short films, episodic television, TV pilots, TV movies/miniseries, documentaries, docuseries, commercials, music videos and unscripted TV.
Since 2021, the program has allocated more than $267,500 for 26 grants to support locally shot productions.
“This program continues to be an important investment in Sacramento’s film and media landscape,” Sacramento Film Commissioner Jennifer West says. “We’re eager to support projects that advance our local industry and highlight the creativity of Sacramento’s filmmakers.”
To apply, visit filmsac.com/grants.
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
