Pocket Life September 2019

By Corky Mau
September 2019

Gray to Gold

Local author hits the road with latest book

Pocket resident and author Dorothy Rice moves in the fast lane. Her second book, “Gray is the New Black,” launched in June. Within a month, she was interviewed by host Veronica Johnson for a segment on “Good Morning Washington,’’ the ABC affiliate covering the nation’s capital. For the next eight months, Rice will participate in book events from San Francisco to Montana to Belize.
Rice grew up in San Francisco during the psychedelic 1960s. “Now I’m in my 60s and the book is a belated coming-of-age memoir, my own journey to achieve self-improvement and self-acceptance,” she says. “It’s ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ without the fairytale ending.”
The book is a personal story, but it resonates on a universal level with readers. “I’m learning how to love and embrace my silver strands,” Rice says. “Gray is the New Black” is available from Amazon and Small Press Distribution. Check out Rice’s website www.dorothyriceauthor.com.

CULTURAL FOOD FESTIVAL

Hawaiian BBQ is the newest addition to the annual community festival at St. Anthony Parish on Florin Road. The big event—always free—takes place Saturday, Sept. 7, from noon to 9 p.m.

The International Food Alley will showcase homemade foods representing the rich cultural diversity in our community. Live music, children’s games, dessert and wine spins, book sales, a country store, bingo and raffle prizes combine to make this a must-see Pocket celebration. For more information, call the parish at (916) 428-5678.

WELLNESS FAIR

As we get older and wiser, embracing healthy lifestyles should be foremost in our minds. The Pocket community is invited to ACC Greenhaven Terrace for a Healthy Aging and Fall Prevention Fair on Friday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Medical professionals will conduct free assessments, including fall-risk tests, medication reviews, blood-pressure checks and home-modification consultations. For more information, contact Susan Sarinas at (916) 393-9026 or ssarinas@accsv.org.

CLASS OF ’74 REUNION

Calling all alumni from the Kennedy High School class of 1974. It’s time for the 45th class reunion, which means boundless opportunities for catching up. The big reunion will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Holiday Inn Downtown.

Tickets are $80 per person before Sept. 20 or $100 per person at the door. For more information, contact Evie Clemons Spottiswood at ecspottiswood@gmail.com or Mary Jew Lee at mary@mjlee.com.

BILINGUAL STORYTIME

Families are invited to the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library on Saturday, Sept. 21, for a morning of stories and singing conducted in English and Spanish. The free program, designed for children ages 5 and under, starts at 10:30 a.m.

FREE MOVIE IN THE PARK

The always-popular movie and food truck night returns to Garcia Bend Park on Friday, Sept. 20. Food trucks and children’s activities will start serving up fun at 5 p.m.
The free movie, “A Dog’s Way Home,” begins at dusk. The 2019 family film follows a canine named Bella who travels more than 400 miles to find her owner. It’s an adventure not to be missed.

FITNESS FUN

U-Jam Fitness is a dance/cardio fitness class where participants enjoy fun, creative workouts. Classes are Thursday nights at ACC from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Cost is $20 per month or $7 per class, if space is available. Instructors Jasmine Smith and Kimberly Wasserman advise students to wear comfortable, loose attire. To register, contact Anna Su at (916) 393-9026, ext. 330.

BOOK DISCUSSION

Crime novel fans won’t want to miss the book discussion of “The Wife,” by New York Times bestselling author Alafair Burke, Saturday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m. in the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library.
Burke is a former prosecutor with a genius for plot. The book is a CrimeReads Best Novel of 2018 and is described as an “intriguing, twisty psychological thriller.”

INDIAN CUISINE

At last, authentic Indian food has arrived in Pocket. I dropped by Hop Junction at 7600 Greenhaven Drive recently with friends.
Owner Jasdeep Purewal has expanded the menu to include savory curries and tandoori entrees—and a good variety of wine and beers are always available. There’s even karaoke on Saturday evenings.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento.