BBQ in the Vineyards is the region’s signature political event for networking. Many business, community, civic and elected leaders attended the outdoor event at The Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg on Aug. 18. The BBQ had more than 750 attendees from the Sacramento building industry including dozens of local elected officials.

At the RECON Nexus Mixer on July 28, regional executives and professionals in the commercial real estate, architecture, engineering and construction industries met for a bi-monthly industry mixer at Blue Prynt Restaurant & Bar in downtown Sacramento.

Make-A-Wish of North California granted 6-year-old Ethan Dean’s wish to be a garbage man for a day, on July 26. Ethan, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at only 3 weeks old, got to ride through downtown in a Waste Management Truck and pick up trash at different locations in downtown Sacramento, ending with a with final stop at the State Capitol.

The Sacramento Tree Foundation held the Tree Heroes Awards Dinner on June 1 at the Farm Bureau in Natomas, featuring a live auction and dinner. The dinner, held beneath the heritage 300 year old native oak grove at the California Farm Bureau, celebrates those in the community working toward clean air, healthy communities and economic prosperity through the promotion of a healthy urban forest.

The annual Wind Youth Services Summer Soirée fundraiser was on July 22 at the home of Scott Gregory. The Wind Youth Center provides programs, tools and resources to homeless teens in the Sacramento area. All proceeds from the event were matched by Goodwill Industries International, Inc.

The Center for Fathers and Families recently held their 14th annual Salute to Fatherhood banquet. Guests were invited to hear an interview of Sacramento’s hometown hero, Anthony Sadler, Jr. and his father, the Reverend Anthony R. Sadler. The banquet raised $100,000 to support CFF’s programs and services.

The American River Parkway Foundation’s Summer Solstice Dinner and Auction was held on Saturday, June 25th, 2016 at William B. Pond Recreation Area in Carmichael. More than 250 guests helped raise $97,000 to support the Parkway Foundation in caring for Sacramento’s greatest natural asset, the American River Parkway.

Metro Edge Executive Insight, held on June 17 at the Sutter Club in downtown Sacramento, again brought together the region’s most influential executives. Guest speakers such as Chris Granger, president of the Sacramento Kings and John Hodgson, founder and president of The Hodgson Company shared what it takes to be successful and great leader.

On June 11, more than 500 guests attended the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Grand Finale Gala at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento. Jeff Anderson of Coldwell Banker and Nolana Mymka Daoust of Kaiser Permanente won the titles of Man & Woman of the Year for 2016 and more than $455,000 was raised for cancer research and patient services.

The 2016 Pride Awards took place on Capitol Mall, the same place where Sacramento Pride holds its festival. VIPs and guests enjoyed a reception at the Wells Fargo building with a hosted bar and appetizers by Il Fornaio, a live auction by David Sobon Auctions & Events, and food by Empress Tavern and Mother restaurants.