Forums, fauna and festivals

Here’s a little secret from a long-time Sacramentan: There’s always lots of stuff going on. Whether it’s a free workshop, a community meeting, or even a pirate festival, you can pretty much find it all in the Sacramento area. With so much to choose from all the time, it’s a new dilemma every weekend, but the good thing is that you have choices other than driving to the Sierra Nevada Mountains or the Bay Area. Highlighting a variety of happenings, here are some interesting local events in the upcoming week.

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Native American Day Celebrating Honored Elders

What: An annual celebration presented by the State Tribal Liaisons of California, the Department of Justice, the State Indian Museum and California State Parks.

When: Thursday, September 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: South steps of the State Capitol, near 11th and N streets

Why: You can honor the Elders of Native American culture, learn about traidion, hear stories and music, play games, buy crafts and more.

More: Free. For more information, call (916) 324-0971 or visit www.parks.ca.gov/indianmuseum.

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Labor Trafficking Forum

What: The Honors Program of Sacramento City College will host a labor trafficking forum.

When: Friday, September 23, at 3 p.m.

Where: Student Center of Sacramento City College, 3835 Freeport Boulevard

Why: Last year, 400 people showed up, and this year there will be guest speakers including a labor activist, law enforcement activists, a professor and a trafficking victim.

More: Free. For more information, email Richard Wellington at <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,114,99,104,114,100,119,101,108,108,105,110,103,116,111,110,64,121,97,104,111,111,46,99,111,109,34,62,114,99,104,114,100,119,101,108,108,105,110,103,116,111,110,64,121,97,104,111,111,46,99,111,109,60,47,97,62)) } </script> or Nich Miller at <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,109,105,108,108,101,114,110,64,115,99,99,46,108,111,115,114,105,111,115,46,101,100,117,34,62,109,105,108,108,101,114,110,64,115,99,99,46,108,111,115,114,105,111,115,46,101,100,117,60,47,97,62)) } </script>.

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Folsom Live

What: Attend a music festival benefiting Hope Productions Foundation, a children’s charity organization.

When: September 23-24, from 5 p.m. to close each night

Where: Venues include street stages around Sutter Street and indoor stages at PowerHouse Pub and the Folsom Hacienda Hotel in Folsom.

Why: The lineup includes headliners Los Lobos and Ronnie Milsap (pictured). Pat Benatar had to cancel at the last minute, but Eddie Money stepped in to fulfill your hankerings for ’70s and ’80s pop.

More: Tickets cost $37.50-$45 per day, or $65-$70 for both days. For more information, call (916) 920-4673 or visit www.folsomlive.com.

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Fall California Native Plant Sale

What: The Sacramento Valley Chapter of the California Native Plant Society is hosting its annual plant sale.

When: September 24-25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day

Where: Shepard Garden & Arts Center in McKinley Park, 3330 McKinley Boulevard

Why: Attendees can learn native plant gardening basics, browse plants for sale from several local nurseries, attend landsaping design clinics and purchase books and seeds.

More: Free. For more information, email <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,108,101,119,105,115,99,57,49,54,64,121,97,104,111,111,46,99,111,109,34,62,108,101,119,105,115,99,57,49,54,64,121,97,104,111,111,46,99,111,109,60,47,97,62)) } </script> or <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,102,108,119,101,105,108,97,110,100,64,121,97,104,111,111,46,99,111,109,34,62,102,108,119,101,105,108,97,110,100,64,121,97,104,111,111,46,99,111,109,60,47,97,62)) } </script>.

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Seafarers Marketplace and Pirate Festival

What: A festival and multicultural marketplace for Sacramento pirate enthusiasts.

When: September 24-25, from noon to 7 p.m. each day.

Where: Rio Ramaza Marina, 10000 Garden Highway

Why: In the only pirate festival along the Sacramento River, there will be pirates, wenches, cannon battles, mermaids, zombies, seafaring activities, sword fights and—on Sunday—a re-enactment of the Battle of New Orleans.

More: Free with a canned good or cash donation to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. For more information, call (916) 962-6415 or visit www.louisianasue.com.

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‘Know Your Rights’ Workshop

What: This workshop is titled “A Legal Guide to Survival in the Post 9/11 World.”

When: Tuesday, September 27, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Sol Collective, 2574 21st Street

Why: Sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union of Sacramento and the National Lawyers Guild of San Francisco, this workshop will provide helpful information to Americans who are targeted and/or stopped by the police, immigration agents and the FBI.

More: Free. For more information, call (916) 993-2294 or visit www.aclusac.org.