There is a saying that you shouldn’t work with kids or animals, they’ll steal the spotlight for sure. But Jessica doesn’t mind. In fact, she’d rather they have the spotlight and dedicates most of her life, professionally and personally, to seeing that they do. Jessica is from upstate New York (Medina), and  lived in the Bay Area before moving to Sacramento about 9 years ago. She has worked as an ICU vet tech in animal shelters in the Bay Area and Sac and went to Foothill Community College, studying as a vet tech. She’s been interested in helping animals since she was 6 years old, when she gave all of the family pets health exams. As much as she liked the hands on work with animals, she ultimately decided that animal advocacy was her calling and she now works for Born Free USA, an orginization that advocates on the behalf of exotic and captive wildlife. On her own time she blogs (Confessions of a Euthanasia Technician), runs fashion shows that benefit animal rescue shelters, and has just started a jewelry line. If that’s not enough, she and her fiance, who she met here in Sac, will be getting married this year. Jessica likes most music, right now she’s into Wax Tailor and Bennie Benassi. Her favorite movies are Across the Universe, The Notebook, and her favorite TV is Mad Men(!). Jessica is 31.

Favorite Accomplishments: While working at an animal shelter, we had a dog that was wrongfully condemned to die in a ‘dangerous dog’ case. It was a case of mistaken identity. The dog was sweet and tested well for bomb detection work. So I faked his death and sent him into the ‘doggie protection program’. He is now a bomb squad dog.

Regrets: Every decision I’ve made has gotten me where I am now and I love my life! So, no regrets.

What are your passions and obsessions: Professionally, animal advocacy. Speaking for those that can’t speak for themselves. Personally, my fiance. He’s the love of my life. And my ‘fur-kids’, they keep me going.

What’s something about you that surprises people? That I have 9 large tattoos. I generally hide them for professional reasons, but when people see me socially they are always surprised. It’s like they think people with tattoos can’t be professionals.

What’s the toughest thing you’ve gone through? Within a 6 month period, I was robbed by knife and gun-point 3 separate times. By the third time I had post-traumatic stress disorder and it took several years to get over. I still get startled easily, but I’ve come a long way.

Sound Off!: Spay and neuter your pets, please! 25% of animals entering shelters are pure-breeds. Right now it’s summer and that means kitten season. Kittens are arriving in shelters by the boxload and not enough people adopting them. Many get put to sleep. The number of animals in shelters is at an epidemic level. There is no reason not to spay or neuter your pet in the face of so many animals dying in shelters everyday.

www.fabshows.org

www.confessionsfromtheanimalshelter.com

www.mypitbullis.com

This is Michael. I met Michael at Sac City College where he is taking general ed classes. Michael was born in Lamont, CA and lived in the Bakersfield area as well as the Bay Area and Oregon while growing up. Michael was born with some brain damage which was made worse when his mother’s ex-boyfriend threw him against a wall. He and his sister, as well as his mother, suffered drug-fueled abuse by this man until his mother got him into a foster home when he was almost 4. At age 6 he was finally adopted and escaped that environment only to enter into one filled with verbal abuse. At age 16, not wanting to be in an unhealthy situation anymore, Michael moved into a group home in Sacramento. Michael finished high school and has attended college in Taft, Bakersfield and now in Sacramento. He lives in a men’s home and is trying to get an apartment of his own. He works for the Athletic Dept. at Sac City College, in the equipment room, and also helps line the fields for games. Michael wants to start his own drug and alcohol rehab center, and wants entertainment to be a part of it. He sings and raps and writes his own songs and loves to share them with others. He also writes poetry. Having ADHD doesn’t stop him because, in his own words, those who have ADHD are creative geniuses. Recently, Michael sang and rapped at the Gospel Festival in Land Park. He is part of the student government at Sac City College. Michael has had some obstacles in his life, to say the least, but they haven’t stopped him from following his dreams. He always has a smile on his face and his determination is an example for anyone, even for those without disabilities. Michael’s musical influences are Michael Jackson, will Smith, Patty Loveless, and Michael w. Smith. His favorite movies are Power Rangers, Super Mario Brothers, and Transformers. Not suprising since he says he has designed robots. Michael is 33.

Favorite Accomplishments: 2 year champion at the Bakersfield College Idol competition. 1 year champion for drawing. 1st place winner in miniature golf in Lapine, OR. Commissioner of environmental affairs for the Sac City student government. Working with the youth ministry group at church. Having some of my poems published on Poetry.com.

Regrets: That I wasn’t able to protect my sister and my mom from abuse. I was too young.

What are your passions and obsessions? My creativity (singing, rapping and writing). Jesus. My education and my job.

Why do you want to open a drug and alcohol rehab? The man that abused my family was a drug addict. I want to help people like that so they don’t hurt other families.

What’s the toughest thing you’ve gone through? My abuse, both the physical and the verbal. I have PTSD because of it.

What’s something about you that surprises people? An African American guy in my class was surprised that I am trying to stop prejudice. Some of my raps are against prejudice. I have one called “Race by Race, Gender by Gender (It Doesn’t Matter If You’re Disabled or Elderly)”.

Sound Off: People who have gone through abuse and heartache like I have, don’t have to go through it alone. I am here to help anyone who has gone through what I have.

Thanks Michael! I wish you the best.

This is Jay. I met Jay at the Farmer’s Market today. If you go to the Farmer’s Market you’ve probably seen Jay. He runs the Truth Table at the entrance, by the parking lot, where the other political folks have their tables. The sign on his table says “Jews Against Zionism”, but it’s not just information on the state of Israel that you can find. Jay tries to provide articles and info on “any news not covered in the mainstream media”. Jay is a Brooklyn native, born and raised there in a Zionist family. He was a union movie projectionist in New York and lived in various parts of the state before coming out west. In 1969, Jay was working for the band Mountain and traveled with them to the Woodstock festival. He still has personal movie footage of some of the acts tucked away somewhere. In the 80′s, Jay moved to the Bay Area and worked at a video equipment store and then moved to Phoenix where he worked in stage lighting. He didn’t care for Phoenix too much and moved to Sacramento where he managed a couple of Jack In The Box restaurants. Jay is now retired and makes the Truth Table his main focus. His favorite movie is Ghostbusters (!) and his favorite band is the Grateful Dead, closely followed by Frank Zappa. Jay is 61.

Favorite Accomplishments: Running the Truth Table and getting the truth out to people.

Regrets: That I have to do what the media should be doing.

What are your passions and obsessions? Telling the truth, no matter what the cost.

Have your opinions cost you friends and/or family? I have lost some friends and family, but I’ve gained new ones. I’ve made new Muslim friends. They can’t say the things I say without being labeled anti-semitic. Some Jews call me a “self-hating Jew”, but I’ve had many come up and shake my hand too. There are other Jewish people out there that believe what I do.

What’s something about you that surprises people? That I’m Jewish and say the things I do about Israel.

What’s the toughest thing you’ve ever gone through? When I left Phoenix, because my kids were young and they stayed behind with their mother. Now my son lives out here, so that’s good.

Sound Off! Israel should not exist, it is not a Jewish state. The Jews lived in peace for 6,000 years in Palestine with Muslims and Christians alike until 1935, when the Zionists moved in and took over.

Jay doesn’t have a website for the Truth Table, but likes this one: http://www.ifamericansknew.org/

This is Renee. I met Renee at Weatherstone cafe tonight. Renee is a Fresno native who is living in Folsom for the summer before heading back to San Francisco State in the fall. She is studying women and gender studies and hopes to complete a masters in public health or human sexuality. She also plays guitar, writes songs and sings. When she first moved to San Francisco to go to school, Renee didn’t know anybody and the loneliness led to too much drinking. She says the guitar saved her. Even though she’s played since jr. high, it’s in the last year that she has started to write songs and perform them. She admits that it’s not happy music, but it’s cathartic for her and helps her let go of some things. Renee has also recently revived a long love of horses and may help a friend train on her farm. So, she’s got lots of options, and she’s happy about that. After several years of ups and downs, it’s nice to be in a good place. Renee is 22.

Favorite Accomplishments: Moving to Peru by myself when I was 19 and surviving reckless adventures into the Amazon and Bolivia. Growing into a woman with dignity and integrity after all of my years of free-spiriting.

Regrets: Not following my dreams sooner and getting sidetracked by worldly temptations. I would not, however, change anything. Everything has led me to this moment and I can say with complete honesty that I have a beautiful life today.

What are your passions and obsessions? Coffee and cigarettes. Horses and jumping. Playing guitar and singing broken heartedly. Finding my higher power. Literature and writing. Dark movies like ‘Buffalo 66′ and ‘Requiem For a Dream’. Women and gender studies. Reproductive freedom and justice.

Why Peru? My older sister was living and working there. I went for a visit and loved it. I got a job at a place where foreigners come to learn Spanish. I also thought going there would help me not party so much, but that didn’t really work out.

What’s something about you that surprises people? That I sing and perform. I was always a closeted musician until recently. Most people don’t know of my love for horse riding either.

What’s the toughest thing you’ve ever gone through? My parents’ divorce when I was 15. Getting sober. (1 year sober next week!)

Sound Off: “If I’m not raw, I’m just a bit underdone”

Some of Renee’s songs: http://www.myspace.com/missionofmoths1

Thanks Renee. Looking forward to the CD!

This is Abby, another Camellia Waldorf 5th grader. Abby is a native of Sacramento. She recently joined the rest of her class in Yosemite and like most of them, loved the waterfalls the best. She was also pretty handy with a knife! Abby enjoys school, loves art and crafts, and appreciates the freedom that she and the rest of the kids have when it comes to their writing assignments. She is serious about her violin playing and recently tried out for the Sacramento Youth Symphony, so keep your fingers crossed for her. Her favorite pieces to play are the Brandenburg Concertos (#3) and The March of the Bowmen. While Abby likes most kinds of music, she is more specific about her film tastes, preferring romantic tragedies from the 1600′s -1800′s (read: Jane Austen). Hopefully, you won’t have any of your own romantic tragedies to deal with for a while. As for books, Percy Jackson and the Olympians make the top of the list. Abby is 11.

Favorite Accomplishments: It was really nice when I learned the violin. Once I got the hang of it, it was awesome!

Regrets: I forget things a lot. I don’t pay attention to where I put things and then I get freaked out when I need them.

What are your passions and obsessions? I like playing the violin, watching romantic movies and eating chocolate.

What’s the toughest thing you’ve ever gone through? My parents divorce. Also, when my friends have big fights.

What’s something about you that surprises people? My little sister and I do a lot together, we are good friends. Oh, and I really like knives and whittling.

Sound Off: I love to read and draw!

This is Neveen. Neveen was born in Jordan and lived there until she was 8 years old. Her mother, “the pants and the skirt” of the family, decided they needed to emigrate to the U.S. for a better life. Her mother worked at a hair salon and her dad was a carpenter, neither of them went to high school. First they landed in Jacksonville, Florida and then to San Francisco, and finally to Sacramento. Two months after moving to Sacramento, her father passed away due to complications with obesity. That event has spurred Neveen in her efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle and help others to do the same. Neveen, although she has a job as a dental tech, is back in school to become a nutritionist. She also maintains a busy spiritual life. Even though she was born in Jordan, Neveen was raised Catholic and says that Jordan is actually about half Muslim and half Christian. Growing up she had both Muslim and Christian friends, but her mom didn’t encourage the non-Christian relationships as much. The religions don’t mix that easily. Neveen likes all kinds of music and likes to read spiritual books and the Bible. Neveen is 30.

Favorite Accomplishments: Running 2 1/2 marathons and going back to college to work on a nutrition degree.

Regrets: I feel God has put me in every situation, in the past and present, to make me the person I am today. I have no regrets.

What are your passions and obsessions: My passion is being healthy and helping others to become healthy. Working out, running, eating healthy, and reading spiritual books.

What is your favorite memory of Jordan? Hanging out with my uncle who spoiled me.

What is your least favorite memory of Jordan? Lining up for punishment in school. When you did poorly on your work, they lined you up and slapped your open palms with a long wooden rod. I don’t think they do that anymore. Women still remain covered, however. Just 3 years ago, I went back for a visit, and I went out in a t-shirt with my cousins. It was so hot, but we had barely started walking and I had to go change and cover up. The stares were too much.

What’s something about you that surprises people? That I’m a believer, a Christian.

What would you do with a million dollars? Well, it’s not really a lot, but I would give some to charity and then I would only work part-time until I finished my degree.

Sound Off! Live for today, plan for tomorrow, and give a hand to someone who needs it without expecting something in return. GOD BLESS.

This is Sedra. I met Sedra in San Francisco on Friday. We met up to do some test-shooting in the Mission and she agreed to let me take down, what a friend calls, my ‘nosey notes’. Sedra is an ‘all over’ Southern California native, finally settling down in Marin County with her husband and 13-year-old daughter. Things are great now but it didn’t start out that way. Sedra grew up with a “hippie mom” and a dad that wasn’t able to contribute much financially, though he tried. Sometimes the electricity was on, sometimes it wasn’t. “You know the book Glass Castles?” Sedra asks me, “It was a lot like that. She stole my life. I have my own to write someday.” At age 13, Sedra couldn’t take it anymore and took off with a friend. Through various escapades, the kindness of strangers, and her own strong will she survived on her own until age 18, when she met her future husband while working at Scandia Family Fun Center in L.A. They moved to Canada for a while until finally coming back to California. She’s had various retail and service jobs, most recently managing a Starbucks. But for the last few months, Sedra has gone into modeling full-time. Don’t call her a model though, she prefers Independent Entertainment Worker or just an actress. “I’m acting like a model” she says. She’s getting lots of gigs so she must be doing something right. Sedra likes old zombie movies and “Requiem for a Dream”. She likes indie music like Bright Eyes and Elliot Smith. Her favorite author is Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club). Sedra is 33.

Favorite Accomplishments: Living in another country. Having my daughter. Leaving home when I was young. Surviving.

Regrets: Leaving home when I was young.

You say ‘leaving home when you were young’ as both an accomplishment and a regret? I hated to have to do it, that I felt I had no other choice. I regret that my youth was like that, but I’m proud that I was able to leave and start a new life.

What are your passions and obsessions? Life and love. New experiences. Music and animals. Food (I’m big on Mexican and I could eat spaghetti anytime of the day).

What’s the toughest thing you’ve gone through? Dealing with normalcy. It’s hard to believe that everything is normal , that my life is the way I want it.

What would you do with a million dollars? That’s not really a lot. Could you raise it a few?

What’s something about you that surprises people? That I’ve been married for so long and have a 13-year-old daughter.

Sound Off! Don’t eat anything you have to kill!

Thanks Sedra, looking forward to the book.

This is Jessica. Jessica was born in L.A. before coming up north to the Sac area. She graduated from Center High in Antelope and is now at Sac City College, getting some general ed done before starting Nursing School. Right out of high school she became certified as a nurse’s aid and home health aid. She currently works with the Triple R program at the Hart Senior Center, working with senior citizens dealing with dementia. She sets them up with activities and spends a lot of time talking and listening. She found the job on Craigslist (hey, it IS good for something!). Jessica has a two year old son named Julian. She got pregnant in high school, at 16, finding out after she had broken up with her boyfriend. She went into independent study and graduated a year early. So now Jessica is a single mom, living with her mother. Julian’s dad is involved, but Jessica bears the brunt of the daily working, studying and taking care of her son. Jessica’s favorite music is neo-soul, her favorite movie is Avatar, and her favorite book is the Bible. Jessica is 19.

Favorite Accomplishments: Finishing high school early, at 17, while both working and having my child.

Regrets: No regrets. You can’t really regret something that once made you happy, right?

What are your passions and obsessions? I love being a mother even though it happened to me at a young age. It taught me so much and I have to say, it’s the best job ever.

What would you do with a million dollars? I’d buy a home for me and my son. Give some to my parents. I’d buy my son lots of trains and try to save some.

What’s the toughest thing you’ve gone through? My pregnancy. I was 16 and scared. I didn’t really know what to do, but good things came out of it.

What’s the hardest thing about being a mom? Giving up the ‘young life’ I never really had, going out and having fun. I feel kind of old already.

What’s something that surprises people about you? That I’m a mom!

Sound off! Life is truly what you make of it. God is love.

This is Bill. I met Bill today at the Salvation Army. This is Bill’s second visit there in the past few months, between hospital stays. Bill is a Sac native, grew up in Fair Oaks and went to Del Campo High School. At 19, he married and went to work at Denny’s. He didn’t like restaurant work and apparently not marriage either. His first one only lasted 18 months and the second one didn’t last any longer. Bill doesn’t have any kids. He finally found his calling and drove trucks and other heavy machinery for 32 years. He enjoyed a life of work, fishing, and riding motorcycles until he had an accident in 2007 where he smashed his foot. That was the beginning of the end he says. He went on disability, began drinking heavily and struggled with depression. When the economy took a dive, he was layed off for good. He went through his boat, his bikes, and his camper, selling them to pay his mortgage. Finally, when there was nothing left, his house went into foreclosure. In November 2009, Bill went into the hospital for 58 days, having lost 100 pounds through drinking and not eating. He’s 6 months sober now but still has a hard time walking. In the next month, SSI and SSD will kick in and he hopes to get squared away in an apartment. He has never been homeless and doesn’t want to be. Still, he confides in a stranger and has a few laughs with me, tells me where his favorite fishing holes are (Loon Lake and Butt Lake). His biggest catch was a 22 inch brown trout. He likes 70′s music like the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan and the movies of Harrison Ford and Shwarzenegger. Bill is 55.

Favorite Accomplishments: I was really good at driving trucks and machinery, forklifts, backhoes. Anything like that, I could drive it.

Regrets: Drinking.

What are your passions and obsessions? Motorcycles (although I’d be a bit nervous to ride one now). Fishing and camping.

What surprises people most about you? My temper. I’m usually very mild-mannered, but when my temper blows, it blows big.

What’s your favorite memory, your happiest day? Once, in the 70′s, a bunch of friends and I were going deer hunting, but they all bailed out for one reason or another and I ended up going alone. I didn’t think the trip was going to be any good but I got a 6 point buck, I couldn’t believe my luck. I never went hunting again.

What’s the toughest thing you’ve gone through? This situation right now. Loosing my home, not knowing where I’m going to be tomorrow. It’s really stressful.

What would you do with a million dollars? Buy a home in the mountains. Maybe in Allegheny.

Sound Off! I wish they would get the whole Medical Insurance thing worked out. Seems like only the doctors, lawyers and politicians are making any money. And why do they have to keep running the homeless off? The city should give them an area, some portable toilets, and dumpsters to keep it clean.

This is Myra. I met Myra at the Whole Earth Festival in Davis on Sunday, Mother’s Day. Myra was an army brat and grew up all over the East Coast, before coming to California with her boyfriend on the day Richard Nixon was elected. She’s still not sure if that was some kind of omen. “We came looking for the Summer of Love but found the Winter of Heroin. We were too late” she says. They did find a connection in Stephen and Ina May Gaskin and, along with several hundred others, loaded up their buses and landed in rural Tennessee where they founded The Farm, an intentional co-operative community, that still exists today. Myra lived on The Farm for 25 years and homebirthed all 5 of her children there (Ina May Gaskin is one of the most recognized midwives in the country). She moved back to California about 13 years ago and currently lives in the foothills. Myra has had all kinds of jobs, everything from accounting to scrubbing toilets. She is currently doing paralegal work. Myra is 63.

Favorite Accomplishments: Motherhood! And I’m not just saying that because it’s Mother’s Day.

Regrets: Breaking up with my husband.

What are your passions and obsessions? Music (I play the guitar), poetry and barbaric history.

What are your favorite memories of the Haight? Mmmm…the mescaline. The free concerts in the park.

What’s the toughest thing you’ve ever gone through? Being married to my husband but in love with someone else.

These kind of festivals and these ideas are old hat for you, but do you think the current generation gets it? They get it in their hearts. They’ll do better than we did.

What would you do with a million dollars? Start a perma-culture institute and re-forest Haiti.

Sound Off! Where are the German engineers when we really need them? We need their technical expertise and friendship.

http://www.thefarm.org/