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By Jessica Laskey Out & About

Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chief of staff of the Air Force, presided over the ceremony before 200 attendees. Brown called the 101-year-old Anderson a “wrecking ball” of a pilot.

“The impact you had on the history of our Air Force reminds me how fortunate we are to stand on the shoulders of gentlemen like you, and those other ladies and men who have served within our Air Force to make us great,” Brown said.

Anderson began his career at McClellan Air Force Base. During World War II, the fighter pilot flew 116 combat missions escorting bombers into German-occupied Europe. He earned his triple ace status after shooting down 16 enemy aircraft during two tours from 1944 to 1945.

Anderson flew several different P-51 Mustangs, all of which he named “Old Crow” after the cheapest bourbon whiskey available at the time. (It was also served at the ceremony!)

The California native retired from McClellan in 1972. Nearly 50 years later, a group petitioned the secretary of the Air Force for Anderson’s promotion.

Many artifacts, such as his World War II leather helmet, service uniform and other personal items are on display at the Aerospace Museum. For a $100 donation, honor Brig. Gen. “Bud” and help send an underserved child to Aviation Aces summer camp at the museum. For information, visit aerospaceca.org.

Thiebaud Donation

The Wayne Thiebaud Foundation has donated the late artist’s iconic 1965 painting “Two Seated Figures” to the Crocker Art Museum in memory of the painting’s subjects: the artist’s wife, Betty Jean Thiebaud, and friend C.K. McClatchy.

The painting is considered the most important single art gift in the museum’s history.

“It is most fitting that two such important Sacramento personalities shall remain here on canvas and in spirit in the city that they called home,” says the Crocker’s Mort and Marcy Friedman Director and CEO Lial A. Jones. “And because it is by Sacramento’s best known and most beloved artist, it will be a pivotal work in the Crocker’s collection for generations.”

Literary Leaders

The award-winning literary performance series Stories on Stage Sacramento is under new leadership. Yours truly and my husband, p joshua laskey, took the helm last month as co-directors of the venerable nonprofit to bring it into its 14th season—and beyond.

SOSS features writing from local, national and international authors read aloud by professional actors in a fun, fast-paced evening held every second Friday at 7 p.m. at the CLARA Auditorium on 24th Street.

The 2023 season kicks off Feb. 10 with the work of Northern California authors Jim Misner, Maureen O’Leary and RoseMary Covington read by actors Sam Misner and series favorite Megan Smith. For information, visit storiesonstagesacramento.org.

Housing Support

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has approved $3 million to help fund transitional housing and services through Women’s Empowerment for women and children experiencing homelessness.

The nonprofit will use the funds to lease 24 cottages to house families that have graduated from its employmentreadiness program with jobs, but still can’t afford housing. This funding complements $50,000 that Women’s Empowerment recently received from Kelly Foundation to sublease other local housing at a discounted rate for program graduates.

“We are proud of this housing program that provides mothers the critical stepping stone they need to advance in their job, increase their financial stability and prepare to move into market-rate housing,” says Executive Director Lisa Culp.

Women’s Empowerment provides a two-month employment-readiness program, paid job training, childcare and support services to help women and their children break the generational cycle of homelessness.

Since its founding in 2001, the organization has graduated 1,790 women and their 3,849 children. For information, visit womensempowerment.org.

Violence Prevention

NorCal School of the Arts has received a $600,000 federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Program.

NorCal offers socio-emotional theater arts education in area schools that promotes learning, life skills and mental wellness. In-person instruction is provided to more than 7,000 students in 280 classrooms across Title 1 schools in Sacramento City, Folsom Cordova and Twin Rivers unified school districts.

“We know as students experience peer rejection and feel a lack of visibility in their school environment, they become more susceptible to negative influences,” says Executive Director Michele Hillen-Noufer. “In search of validation, students have an increased risk of radicalization, getting involved in gang-related activities, drug use and violence.”

NorCal offers “students a means of establishing healthy connections while learning effective communication, critical thinking and conflict resolution skills,” Hillen-Noufer says. For information, visit norcalsota.org.

Fighting Hunger

The city of Sacramento has awarded $1 million in new grants ranging from $5,000 to $200,000 to 17 organizations to ensure access to healthy food.

City Council member Mai Vang and Mayor Darrell Steinberg spearheaded the effort to address the highest needs. Fifteen of the 17 grants will go toward expanding existing food pantries or food distribution efforts.

Hmong Youth and Parents

United are combining fresh produce distribution with an educational garden project. Health Education Council focuses on Afghan refugees, while Meals on Wheels helps seniors in congregate settings.