First and foremost, Gillian and I were amazed at the loving way our family was treated by the tribal elders. We had traveled to the Sun Dance camp to disperse Varick's ashes as he had passed away last November.

Upon arrival, we were treated like royalty by Jesse Taken Alive and his family. Jesse, commonly referred to as Jay, spoke fondly of Varick and the role he had come to play at the Sun Dance. We learned that Varick first participated in the Sun Dance celebration in 1992. Over the next fifteen years, Varick had tended to the fire, ensuring the fire did not go out during each four-day ceremony. Jay explained to us that Varick had earned a special place in the hearts and souls of his people.

Many thanks go to Tom Eagle Staff who worked with my sister Michele to honor Varick in the Washing of the Tears Ceremony. My family sat in a semi-circle in the ring, in front of the Tree that had just been ceremoniously brought in and transformed from the enemy to a Lakota.

Cedric Goodhouse began the ceremony with a heartfelt speech about Varick. Virgil Taken Alive, Jay's brother, followed with an emotionally filled tribute, pausing midway for several seconds, as he choked back tears. Tom Eagle Staff and Jay closed out the speeches, leaving every member of my family in tears.

Jay proceeded to wash away our tears through his prayers, the sharing of the ground meal and water, and the passing of his prized feather over our bodies. Our mourning was over. It had been several months. The singers and drummers played a medley of beautiful music, singing each song in traditional Lakota verse. The tribe presented each member of my family with a lovely wool blanket and proceeded one by one to offer their condolences to my family. We received many, many hugs from Jay's people, most filing by with tears flowing down their faces.

After the ceremony, Tom Eagle Staff, who had spent several years tending to the fire with Varick, led the family to the fire pit where Varick's son Jesse lit the fire in memory of his Dad.

Later in the evening, right before sundown, the family, together with Cedric Goodhouse, Jr. and Iraqi veteran and wounded solider TJ Yellow (himself honored at the Tree Ceremony) trekked to the other side of the valley, climbed the hill where Varick would meditate by himself for a day after the Sun Dance ended.

It was here that we did what we had come to do. Overlooking the majestic valley and the former camp of Sitting Bull, and the present camp of the Sun Dance, with the sun setting in an amazing blaze of glory, and the full moon rising from the east, we let Varick go. It was a magical moment. And then Cedric, the twenty-two year old who Varick babysat sixteen years earlier while his mom and dad danced, asked me if it would be okay if he sang. He sang and it was beautiful.

The sun was setting. The moon was rising. Varick is home. Forever a Lakota brother.

Love,
Pierre

The season will kick off with a special event with Keillor at a 1:00 p.m. matinee Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the Crest Theatre. The Six-Lecture Subscription series follows on Oct. 23 (Glass), Nov. 11 (Updike), Feb. 5 (Handler), Mar. 12 (Price), Apr. 2 (Lehrer), and May 13 (Dove) at the Crest Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Each author presentation includes a lively Q&A with the audience and a book signing when patrons can meet the author. The evening also includes the popular “Lecture Previews” – biographical overviews about the featured authors presented by professors from Sacramento State University. These previews take place at the Crest Theatre one hour prior to each lecture.

“This season offers another memorable array of authors from legendary John Updike and news anchor Jim Lehrer, to former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove,” said Suzette Riddle. “Our seasons often sell out, so I invite everyone to subscribe early.”

Season subscriptions are on sale now ($162) at (916) 737-1300 or www.californialectures.org. Single tickets for Keillor will go on sale August 25 ($30), and single tickets for all other authors will go on sale Sept. 29 ($27).

SIX-LECTURE SERIES SUBSCRIPTIONS $1627:30 p.m. | Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, Sacramento

Includes Glass, Updike, Handler, Price, Lehrer and Dove. Subscriptions ($162) are on sale now at California Lectures: www.californialectures.org or (916) 737-1300.

GARRISON KEILLOR SPECIAL EVENT $30
1:00 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008 | Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, Sacramento

Tickets to Garrison Keillor ($30) can be purchased in advance with the Six-Lecture Subscription Series.

SINGLE TICKETS
Single tickets for Garrison Keillor ($30) go on sale August 25.
Single tickets for all other authors ($27) go on sale September 29.
Purchase tickets through: Tickets.com or (800) 225-2277, or in person at the Crest Theatre Box Office.

September 17, 2009, 1:00 p.m.
GARRISON KEILLOR – Special Event
Garrison Keillor, host and author of the National Public Radio hit, A Prairie Home Companion, will read from and discuss his newest book, Liberty, A Lake Wobegon Novel. Keillor has authored more than 17 books including Good Poems for Hard Times and his most recent New York Times bestseller, Pontoon. Keillor was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1994.

October 23, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
JULIA GLASS
Julia Glass won the National Book Award in 2002 for her first novel, Three Junes, which was also a Book Sense Bestseller and a selection of ABC/Good Morning America’s READ THIS! Book Club. Her second novel, The Whole World Over, was also a Book Sense Pick and bestseller. She will be discussing her newest book, I See You Everywhere (October 2008) — a candid double portrait that reveals the very nature of sisterhood.

November 11, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
JOHN UPDIKE
Widely recognized for his careful craftsmanship and prolific output, John Updike is the author of more than 50 books, including collections of short stories, poems, and criticism. Updike is the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, National Book Critics Circle Award, among other honors, and he will be presenting his newest novel, The Widows of Eastwick (October 2008). This rare speaking engagement is not to be missed.

February 5, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
DANIEL HANDLER

Daniel Handler is the author of three literary novels and the bestselling sequence for children, A Series of Unfortunate Events (written under the name Lemony Snicket), which sold more than 53 million copies and was the basis of the film starring Jim Carrey. Also known as a composer and screenwriter, Handler has also written for The New York Times and Newsday among other publications. Handler will be appearing as himself – not the persona of Lemony Snicket “who ruined forever his dream of a scruffy, anonymous, bohemian life.”

March 12, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
RICHARD PRICE

Richard Price is the author of seven novels, including Bloodbrothers, Clockers, Freedomland and the recent New York Times bestseller, Lush Life. He was nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay, The Color of Money, and he won the 2007 Edgar Award for his writing on the HBO series, The Wire. Price has also written for Esquire, The New Yorker, the Village Voice and Rolling Stone, and taught writing at Columbia, Yale and New York University.

April 2, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
JIM LEHRER

Jim Lehrer is the acclaimed author of 18 novels, two memoirs and three plays. He is the executive director and anchor for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS, and he has been the moderator for 10 nationally televised debates among presidential candidates. He is the recipient of the National Humanities Medal and two Emmys, and he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Science.

May 13, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
RITA DOVE

Former U.S. Poet Laureate, Rita Dove has published more than 13 books, including poetry, essays, a collection of short stories, a novel and a play. Her poetry collection, Thomas and Beulah, won the Pulitzer Prize. Other works include American Smooth, On the Bus with Rosa Parks and Sonata Mulattica (May 2009). Dove is the recipient of 22 honorary doctorates and numerous awards including the National Humanities Medal and the Duke Ellington Lifetime Achievement Award.

# # #

California Lectures is a public service literary arts organization based in Sacramento, California. The organization presents speaking engagements by distinguished novelists, poets, filmmakers, historians, journalists, and cultural figures who talk about themselves, their work, and issues of contemporary culture. The presentations take place at the Crest Theatre and many are broadcast on National Public Radio affiliate stations in Northern California and Nevada. In addition to lectures, the organization provides education and outreach services benefiting the greater Sacramento Region.

Information at (916) 737-1300 or on the website.

Congratulations to Suzette Riddle who has nurtured this amazing series from its start 6 years ago to what it has become today. The array of talent this season is incredible. This series continues to put Sacramento on the cultural map. Pierre and I loved attending these events, hearing the impressive authors, and we especially enjoyed the diversity of the works. Don't miss this. The price is a bargain and supporting cultural events like this in Sacramento is our duty - and a pure delight!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

We just got our most recent copy of CQ Weekly, and it has an interesting section on broadband access. It's clearly written for an audience that lacks tech savvy (section header: "What is broadband and how many people have it?"), but it has some really interesting stats on how far America has fallen behind as an international leader on high-speed internet. All sources: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Broadband penetration rankings, in 2001:

1. South Korea
2. Canada
3. Sweden
4. United States
5. Belgium
5. Denmark
7. Netherlands
8. Iceland
9. Austria
10. Germany
11. Japan
12. Switzerland
13. Norway
14. Finland
15. Spain
Broadband penetration rankings, in 2007:

1. Denmark
2. Netherlands
3. Iceland
4. Norway
5. Switzerland
6. Finland
7. South Korea
8. Sweden
9. Luxembourg
10. Canada
11. United Kingdom
12. Belgium
13. France
14. Germany
15. United States
We do equally poorly in terms of broadband speed. Here are the average broadband download speeds (Mbps) of 15 developed nations:

1 Japan 93.7
2 France 44.2
3 South Korea 43.3
4 Sweden 21.4
5 New Zealand 13.6
6 Italy 13.1
7 Finland 13.0
8 Portugal 13.0
9 Australia 12.1
10 Norway 11.8
11 Luxembourg 10.7
12 United Kingdom 10.6
13 Germany 9.2
14 United States 8.9
15 Canada 7.8

Clearly, Japan is killing the game and the United States has a lot of catching up to do. The fact that American broadband is so slow is compounded by the fact that it's expensive. According to CQ, the United States ranks 22nd out of 25 countries in terms of the affordability of broadband. The average monthly price of broadband in the States is $53.06. It's cheaper in Turkey. It's much cheaper in Japan, where a month of hi-speed runs $34.21. And it's cheapest in Finland, where it costs $31.18.

We're falling behind as a country. And because the American economy has transitioned and continues to transition from a manufacturing economy to an information economy, more and more people will be left out of America's next phases unless consistent and affordable hi-speed comes to rural and urban areas.

That's why many consider it important that we have a president that understands technology and has a strong technology platform.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

No, those are the worst 5 places.

Top place?

Plano, TX. Having lived in Plano, TX, I think I would rather be without a nest egg!
Other good places, Aurora, CO, Albuquerque, Minneapolis, and Omaha.
I will be staying in Aurora when I attend the Democratic National Convention. That's where the hotel is located where the Texas delegation is assigned. I hear the hotel is a pit. Two reasons not to want to build a nest egg!

And where does Sacramento rank? 39th out of 69.

You can check out the whole list on the Salary.com
website.

Thanks to Vai Sagues for passing on this info.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Is your career on the right train? Are you working for a company with good economics? Is your company awash with cash? Does your company continue to achieve high margins? Is it experiencing growth in revenue and profits? Is your company innovative?

If the answer is no to any of these questions, why are you continuing to work for the company? Higher salaries, raises, and promotions are more common if the answer is yes to each of these questions.

Is your company under pressure to cut costs? If so, guess what costs they will cut? Maybe your raise or promotion, or even worse your job.

I agree with Mary Buffett (Warren's former daughter-in-law): "If one goes to work for a company with poor long-term economics, then he can never expect to do really well because the company doesn't do well."

Get your career back on the right train. Join companies that have good long-term economics. This simple action will put in you a position to succeed.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

It wasn't until Varick's death did I know that Tommy Smith and John Carlos were two of my brother's heros. I never had a chance to share with Varick that Gillian and I met Tommy and John four years ago this week at the Track and Field Olympic Team Trials in Sacramento.

Varick, here's a salute to you from your heros!

We love you. Rest in peace

Pierre Cutler & Gillian Parrillo

"Really?" I feign surprise.

"Oh yes. His middle name is Hussein," my Republican friend replies with force, almost as if he played a high scoring trump card.

"And so what if he is a Muslim? Would it matter?" I ask.

"Well you know, Muslims want to annihilate Americans. All Muslims are extremists. They hate us!"

I hear this all the time. It's like a dirty little secret to them. And they delight in spreading the nasty myth.

But to me it is wicked and mean-spirited. It's downright dirty pool. It's despicable and disgusting.

So there I was this morning - a weekend bachelor, sipping my coffee and reading the Sunday New York Times. I spotted it on page A13, "HELLO. My name is HUSSEIN"! I just knew where this was going. I grew excited. Before I started to read, I thought, "Blog material", and headed for my computer, with the Times in tow.

Jodi Kantor's article caught my eye - the title read "Making a Political Statement by Adopting Their Candidate's Middle Name". Kantor writes:

Emily Hussein Nordling, her entry now reads.

With her decision, she joined a growing band of supporters of Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, who are expressing solidarity with him by informally adopting his middle name.

We felt great. People noticed and wanted to take our pictures.

And now, New York Times Sunday readers around the world are noticing. People do care and are fighting back.

I still have the badge and plan to wear it on the plane tomorrow to Sacramento. I'll wear it with pride.

Pierre Hussein Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

CNN tells me that a majority of Americans favor Barack Obama's call to clamp down on speculators and reduce demand through tougher fuel efficiency standards and more conservation. The network also informs me that a majority favor John McCain's plan to open up offshore drilling to expand oil supplies. The take-away: a majority want something substantive done that will lower prices at the pump soon.

Of course, neither candidate has much to offer in terms of short-term relief; the constraints of America's political culture guarantee that price controls and fuel subsidies for transportation-dependent industries -- things other governments might contemplate -- are off the table.
But even in the context of this truncated debate, it's clear that the conservative movement's ideas are utterly bankrupt. They're offering a defense of an unsustainable -- indefensible -- status quo: just pump more oil and we'll keep doing what we've been doing without a hiccup. All they have to offer is drilling offshore and in the Alaskan wilderness.

Let's dig into that argument briefly. Our friend Bill Scher over at Tompaine crunched the numbers offered up by Bush's own Department of Energy and found that opening up the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge would result in a decrease in oil prices amounting to 75 cents per barrel of crude, some 17 years from now. Assuming for the sake of argument that demand doesn't increase -- an unlikely assumption -- and using the rough rule of thumb that every dollar in the price of a barrel of crude oil equals 2.5 cents in a gallon of gas, that works out to a promise to reduce gas prices by less than 2 cents per gallon.
McCain claims that there's another 21 billion barrels offshore. Scher cites a a DOE estimate of 18 billion, but let's use the Senator's figure. Opening up our offshore deposits would result in an additional cost reduction of $1.50 per barrel. So, adding the two, we can conclude that opening ANWR and drilling like Hell offshore would result in cost savings to consumers of about 6 cents per gallon of gas. And that's by 2025, meaning that you could get into bed and conceive a child today, and that 6-cent-per-gallon cost reduction would be included in gas prices by the time the fruit of your loins got his or her learner's permit.

Rush Limbaugh won't be mentioning those details, I think..

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Varick, you must be dancing! South Dakota, my brother's final resting place, has brought Barack victory! How poetic!

Yes we can!

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

We arrived with clipboards and pens and forms and we got busy. We registered young graduates and family members and friends and anyone else we could. We were excited to watch the parents encourage their kids to sign up.

It was exhilarating, sharing this special day with these beacons of the future. Many of these kids came from very poor neighborhoods. The fact that they had persevered to graduate is celebration enough. But now they are even more empowered. They are voters!

And more ceremonies to come next week.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

This book captures Chinese Americans contributions to Sacramento's diversity and their integral part in Sacramento's rich history. Canton Footprints, Written by eminent Chinese American historian Philip P. Choy, it brings together over 150 years of Chinese American history in Sacramento. Through more than 40 oral histories, Choy shows the role and influence that the Chinese American community has had in shaping Sacramento.

The 160-page book includes 178 historical photographs and is offered in soft bound and hard cover. The photographs from the Anna Wong Lee Collection and 19th Century lithographs and engravings from Philip Choy's private collection give visual impact to the importance of the Chinese American Community's role in Sacramento history.

The author, Philip P. Choy will give a lecture and sign copies of the book on Sunday June 1, 2008 at a CACS dinner to be held at the Holiday Villa Restaurant, 7007 S. Land Park Dr.
Sacramento, CA. The cost is $25 per person.

The book costs: $20 paperback, $30 hardbound.

To place orders for the book, contact: Donna Scotti, PO Box 60267 Sacramento, CA 95822
e-mail: CACSbookorder@comcast.net.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

The news and sports shows are a buzz this week about him owing $400,000 to the Wynn Las Vegas Resort from a bad night at the tables this past October.

Now for the $64,000 question - does Charles Barkley have a gambling problem? I don't think so. But what is his problem then, if he has lost $10 million in the past twenty years at the casinos?

It's simple. He has a math problem. Charles doesn't understand the mathematical principles behind Las Vegas casinos - the house has an advantage when it comes to odds. And Charles has not figured it out - if you play for twenty years in Las Vegas, it's almost certain you will lose over the long run.

Charles, stop gambling with the Las Vegas house. Go someplace else, where you can get better odds, preferably when the odds are in your favor.

Charles, it's simple - you have a math problem. Fix it.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive