The late John Skinner with his wife and bandmate Susan Skinner.
their instruments and go out with a bang on July 16. The evening will include a mixture of classic rock and swing dance tunes played by eight musicians, including Susan and John’s daughter, Kathryn. “Together, we’ll represent nearly 200 years of Skinner Band history,” Susan says. For more information, call (916) 481-0334 or visit John Skinner Band on Facebook.
CHAMBER SVP
Take A Bow JOHN SKINNER BAND GOES OUT WITH A BANG
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acramento’s own John Skinner Band will present a farewell show Saturday, July 16, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. as part of the Carmichael Recreation and Parks District’s Concerts in the Park series at Carmichael Park. The late John Skinner established the band in the 1970s upon his return from Vietnam and it quickly became a Northern California institution, playing gigs from weddings and circuses to backup for scores of world-famous stars like Bob Hope, Anne Murray, Natalie Cole and Luciano Pavarotti.
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“My husband’s favorite gigs were when his big band played every night for all three weeks of the California State Fair,” says Susan Skinner, John’s widow and longtime bandmate. “And he loved the Friday night dances at Town & Country Village, which had most of Sacramento dancing in the mall parking lot. California Gov. Pete Wilson hired the Skinner Band for most state shindigs—we even played his private parties. Gayle Wilson sometimes sat in with the band and she sang great!” Susan says that by the time she married John, the band was a staple for summer park concerts. It marked its 40th season at Carmichael Park with a $4,000 donation to CRPD. “Those were the days, my friends,” Susan says. “We thought they’d never end. And then they did.” John played his last solo at Carmichael Park in 2017 a few days before he died. An oak tree was planted on the spot. His wife continued the band after his death, but COVID made gigs scarce, so they’ve decided to hang up
The Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce has hired Jenna Abbott as its new senior vice president of strategic initiatives. Abbott’s accolades include a designation as a Certified Zero Waste Practitioner completed in 2018, the Sacramento Police Department’s Business Partner of the Year in 2016, the California State Assembly Nonprofit of the Year and the Martin Luther King Changemaker Award in 2015. She won the Sacramento Kings Community All-Star Award in 2014. A graduate of the Sacramento City Management Academy, FBI Citizen’s Academy, Citizen’s Planning Academy and Leadership Sacramento, Abbott has traveled to Washington, D.C., as a delegate on the Metro Chamber’s Capitol to Capitol program every year since 2013. “Jenna will be a strong voice for the Sacramento business community,” says Metro Chamber President/CEO Amanda Blackwood of the former executive director of the River District. “As a proud city resident, Jenna understands the needs facing our region and will represent the Metro Chamber well as we continue to advance our public policy, advocacy and economic development agendas.”
EMPOWER WOMEN Women’s Empowerment recently received two large donations—$25,000 from Kaiser Permanente and $30,000 from U.S. Bank—to empower women experiencing homelessness in Sacramento. Funding will support Women’s Empowerment’s two-month employment-readiness program, which includes mental health assistance, and domestic violence and substanceuse support groups. The nonprofit provides paid job training, child care and support services so women and
their children can break the cycle of homelessness. Since its founding in 2001, the organization has graduated 1,740 women and their 3,864 children. For more information, visit womensempowerment.org.
EXECUTIVE MBA The Sacramento State College of Business MBA for Executives program will begin accepting applications Aug. 1. Applicants are admitted on a first come, first served basis, so don’t wait to apply. The 15-month, cohort-based Executive MBA program provides a mix of cutting-edge theory and creative real-world applications to prepare experienced professionals and managers who aspire to leadership positions. Students tackle case studies individually and in teams, and work with local businesses, government and nonprofit organizations on real-time business challenges. The College of Business is waiving the GMAT/GRE admission test requirement for EMBA applicants for this application cycle. The application deadline for Spring 2023 is Dec. 1. For more information, visit csus.edu/college/ business-administration/graduate/mbaexecutives.
WATER WALL The “California Water Wall” mural was recently unveiled at 830 S St. as part of Wide Open Walls. The 2,000-square-foot mural by California artists Carly Ealey and Amanda Lynn encourages Californians to save water as the state enters its third consecutive year of serious drought. “The mural is more than a beautiful and vibrant artwork,” says Danielle Blacet-Hyden, deputy executive director at the California Municipal Utilities Association. “It’s also an everyday call for Californians to save water no matter the month, season or year.” The mural was sponsored by CMUA, Association of California Water Agencies, California Water Association, Regional Water Authority, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, city of Sacramento Department of Utilities and dozens of local water agencies. For more information, visit cawaterwall.org.
AQUATICS ART Yes, that is a giant pair of flip flops in the middle of the North Natomas
