Friendship Force of Sacramento upcoming events

CapRadio Tour (April 18, 2026)

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Did you know that CapRadio, a major NPR station covering Northern California, had its roots in 1960 as student operated station KEVR at Sacramento State University? Through the years the station has gone through several changes, and now operates two full powered stations (KXJZ-90.9 and KXPR-88.9 ) and 5 repeating stations In 2023 CapRadio hit a crisis when it discovered financial mismanagement. Direct operational management was taken over by Sac State. CapRadio has stabilized finances, brought its sponsorship team in-house, and continues to serve the region despite losing federal funding. A former manager is facing embezzlement charges.

Let us show our support for CapRadio by participating in a radio station tour. Frank Maranzino, President and General Manager will be our host. We will meet in the Community Room at 3:30pm for an update of FF-Sac activities, and then Frank will give us an update on current plans at CapRadio, and a tour of the facilities.

Detailed parking instructions, and restaurant options following the tour will be provided at a later date.

Crystal Hermitage Gardens (April 23, 2026)

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:00:00 GMT

It’s springtime, and the tulips are in bloom at Crystal Hermitage Gardens near Nevada City. This has been an annual tradition for some of us and is always a great way to welcome spring.

Join us to explore the gardens at 11:00 AM on Thursday April 23.

Please register both on this website (so we know who is coming and can arrange carpools) and BUY YOUR TICKET on the website at https://crystalhermitage.org/. Click on Buy Tickets Online, then choose tickets for April 23 at 11:00 am. Adult tickets are $15. You must buy tickets in advance.

Possible add-on: Vegetarian lunch at their Expanding Light Retreat. Served at 12:30 promptly. You can sign up for this when you get your tickets.
You can also check their Tulip Watch page to see what's what is happening in the garden.

Contact: Helen Flach, kwflach@aol.com,

Central Arizona to St Mary’s and Stratford, Ontario, Canada (May 08, 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Journey#26179 Central Arizona to St Mary’s and Stratford, Ontario, Canada

May 8th - May 15th

Activities Include -

Stratford Theatre Festival with 3 major theaters
Toyota Auto Plant
Reapers of Hope: food dispensers to people in need around the world
University of Waterloo robotics lab
Doon Heritage Village

$500 US includes FFI charge of $25 per night fee

Does NOT include theatre tickets or transportation to and from the host site

Must be able to walk 30 to 45 minutes on uneven surfaces!

Contact Richard Mueller, Journey Coordinator at 608.838.3575 or RNmueller@yahoo.com

Applications can be found on the FFI website.

Cruise on the USS Potomac, Franklin Roosevelt’s yacht, in the Oakland Harbor. (May 09, 2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 18:45:00 GMT

Let’s go on a cruise on the USS Potomac, Franklin Roosevelt’s yacht, in the Oakland Harbor.

When: Saturday, May 9, 2026.

Visit Franklin D. Roosevelt's historical presidential yacht, known as his "Floating White House," from 1936 to 1945. Brought through the Panama Canal in the early 1960s, the ship is fully restored to her presidential glory. Berthed at Jack London Square in Oakland, Potomac has been providing cruises to the general public in San Francisco Bay since 1995. She is the only former historic Navy vessel still in daily operation and the only memorial to FDR on the West Coast.

Come aboard the USS Potomac for a beautiful cruise around San Francisco Bay!

Enjoy picturesque views of the San Francisco waterfront, Alcatraz, Angel Island, the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, while learning of the rich history of surrounding landmarks and the impacts FDR's administration had on Bay Area landmarks. The cruises are live narrated, with docents pointing out and describing sights around the bay. Some cruises in addition have special topic narrations as noted and described. All three-hour cruises include a box lunch with beer and wine available for purchase.

The tour is three hours, departing from 540 Water Street at Jack London Square in Oakland, California.

How to register: Please register on this FF website, so we know who is coming and can help with carpooling, but also BUY YOUR TICKET from the website at https://usspotomac.org/

Go to Get Tickets, then select Three-Hour Bay Sightseeing and History Cruises with Lunch, May 9, put in number of tickets (Adults $107.55) and pay for tickets. Please do this soon, as tickets tend to sell out.

Cruise departs at 12:30 but arrive 45 minutes early (11:45 am) to the Potomac Visitor Center at 540 Water Street on Jack London Square, Oakland for check-in and allow extra time to park. If you wish, you may watch a 15-minute video that provides a glimpse of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s use of the USS Potomac. The video retraces the impact of his administration on the nation, and tells the USS Potomac restoration story. While cruising, guests may elect to take a docent-led or self-guided tour of the ship.

On a typical cruise, we'll see all kinds of water craft, from container and cruise ships to luxury sailboats to kayakers. We'll also see sailboarders and windsurfers, and marine life, from harbor seals to flocks of soaring waterfowl. There is something for everyone!

Your three-hour cruise includes a delicious box lunch which is comprised of your choice of a deli-style turkey, beef or veggie sandwich (while selections last), a side of potato salad, piece of fruit, and a cookie, brownie, or similar dessert. Coffee, tea, and water are also provided. If you need snacks, please feel free to bring them with you.

Note: Tickets are fully refundable up until 72 hours before the date, and after that may be exchanged for a different date.

Contact: Helen Flach, kwflach@aol.com, 530-902-7543.

Madison, Wisconsin Inbound Journey to Sacramento (May 13, 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

We are excited to announce that ambassadors from Madison, Wisconsin will be visiting Sacramento from May 13–19, 2026. Rick and Elaine Armstrong will be serving as coordinators for this journey and expect to welcome 12–15 ambassadors.

As with any incoming journey, we’ll need plenty of support — home hosts, day hosts, dinner hosts, help assembling welcome bags, planning activities, and more. Please mark your calendars and let us know if you’d like to host or assist in any way. Email: mellomom.elaine@gmail.com

Stay tuned for updates as we work together to create a wonderful and memorable visit!

Madison, Wisconsin Welcome Dinner (May 13, 2026)

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Welcome the Madison, Wisconsin Ambassadors!

On Wednesday May 13th at 5:00 pm we'll gather together at Chevy's on the River to welcome 14 Ambassadors from Wisconsin. This is a fun restaurant on the banks of the Sacramento River.

Chevy's will have a buffet for us from 5:30 - 7:30pm that includes dinner with soft drinks for only $ 39.00 (includes tips, taxes, gratuity). You may purchase alcoholic beverages separately. There is a parking lot under the restaurant – watch for the parking sign on the left as you approach the area.

Deadline to register is May 4th. If you have any questions contact Elaine Armstrong at mellomom.elaine@gmail.com

Saskatoon, Canada Outbound 2026 (June 17, 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Sacramento, California to Saskatoon, Canada

June 17th – June 24th 2026

The Journey to Saskatoon is currently oversubscribed. If you would like to be put on the wait list contact Chris Smith at 916-712-6979 via phone or text, or email smithinsac@gmail.com. We are still many months out and it's possible someone will need to back out before next June.

Saskatoon is a small city (about 300,000). Most of the Friendship Force members live close to each other. There will be plenty of options for activities, and also some down time for people to visit with their hosts and others.

Activities generally include: Wanuskewin Heritage Park an indigenous site with artifacts dating back 5000 years. UNESCO World Heritage site designation is pending.

A tour of the Remai Modern Art gallery and lunch at Hearth Restaurant

We have the city Archivist or someone from Meewasin Valley Authority do a guided walking tour of the river valley in the downtown area which includes the sight of the only ship wreck on the Canadian Prairies. See the Great White American Pelicans fishing on the river.

Depending on interest we tour the Synchrotron (The Canadian Light Source). We can also tour the University. It is quite a beautiful campus.

The Berry Barn hosts lunch and beautiful views of the river with gardens and walks.

The Western Development Museum presents the settler experience in Saskatchewan.

We usually do a day trip to Duck Lake, the St. Laurent Grotto and Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, cross the river on a ferry and go to Batoche National Historic Park, place of the Metis resistance.

Crossmount Cidery offers cider tasting and tours. Learn how to grow apples when it gets to -40C in the winter. There are also a number of distilleries and micro breweries.

Then there is Indigenous Peoples Day activities. I hope that might include a Pow Wow since it is a weekend.

There are many conservation areas with walking trails and interpretative centres. Beaver Creek Conservation area is one. Cranberry Flats is another.

If you would like to learn more about this unique visit to Saskatoon contact the Ambassador Coordinator, Chris Smith at smithinsac@gmail.com or 1-916-712-6979.

We are researching pre and post trip options for those who are interested.

June General Meeting (June 27, 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 22:30:00 GMT

June 27 General Membership Meeting

Please join us for the June Membership Meeting. Our guest speaker will be Dick Cowan discussing the recently released book, Restoring California's State Capitol by John C. Worsley. As Mr. Worsley passed away before he could finish the book and get it to the press, his family donated the manuscript to the California State Archives. Richard (Dick) Cowan stepped in, lightly edited the manuscript and got it to press.

John Worsley was the California State Architect who led the major restoration of the California State Capitol between 1976 and 1982. John, in this book, takes the reader through the 5 stages of large projects:

Euphoria
Disenchantment
Search for the Guilty
Punishment of the Innocent
Recognition for the Uninvolved.

The book details the many architectural and construction innovations that made the restoration as accurate as possible and it also records the author's political education necessitated by this large public works project.

Mr. Cowan also worked on the restoration, but at a less exalted level. His insights and knowledge tell an interesting tale.

Belle Cooledge Library, located at 5600 S Land Park Dr., Sacramento is the location for the meeting on Saturday, June 27. We will be meeting at 3:30 PM.

Plan to join our members following the meeting as we enjoy a meal together at a Florez Bar and Grill, 5900 Land Park Dr., Sacramento.

Western Kentucky Outbound (October 20, 2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The Western Kentucky club is in Owensboro Kentucky (fly through Chicago), which is just across the Ohio River from the larger airport at Evansville, Indiana.

Kentucky usually hosts Welcome and Farewell parties. Owensboro has a Fine Arts Museum, Science and History Museum as well as the International Bluegrass Museum and the Kentucky Botanical Garden. Activities are centered around Owensboro and can include Mammoth Cave, the Audubon Museum and Park and the Corvette Museum. October is perfect weather for Fall colors in this beautiful state; those interested can also do a bourbon tasting.

Anyone interested can email George Meyer at geowmeyer@icloud.com or text 1-916-599-0549.