For some, having a frog in their throat is a good thing. That was the case for Samuel Clemens — also known as Mark Twain — who found his voice + leapt into celebrity status with his short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.”
Originally published in 1865 in the New York-based The Saturday Press, the fictional tale of a gambling-obsessed Gold Rush rogue who thinks his frog can jump farther than any other was a huge gambit for Twain. He was a struggling journalist wanting to go full-time as a fiction author — a profession that “was considered very lowly… at the time.”
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A man participates in the Jumping Frog Jubilee. | Public Domain Photo via Wikimedia Commons |
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Thankfully for Twain, the local color piece — which is said to stem from a conversation he overheard at a bar in nearby Angels Camp — was an immediate success, jumping from paper to paper to give the country + the world over a glimpse at Gold Rush life in California.
Following its publication, he saw greater success as a writer, and would go on to report for the now-defunct Sacramento Union before writing classics like “Tom Sawyer.”
But the humorist’s narrative has left a lasting impact on our region + the mining town where he wrote it: Angels Camp.
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Angels Camp — a "sylvan paradise" for Twain. | Public Domain Photo via Wikimedia Commons |
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To commemorate Twain’s story, the small city (think: ~4,000 residents) has hosted the international Jumping Frog Jubilee alongside the Calaveras County Fair since 1928. There’s even a hall of fame for past winners, like “Johnny Jumper” from Sacramento who leapt over 20 feet in 1983.
Gathering up to 50,000 people, the four-day fair + jubilee is set for this Thurs., May 19-Sun., May 22, with the “International Frog Jump Day!” happening Sunday.
Want to join the contest for the chance to win its $5,000 grand prize, but don’t know where to start? Hop to this guide called “Frog Jump Secrets.”
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Share this story with someone you’d like to leapfrog to the jubilee with. |
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Today -
Sacramento River Cats vs. Tacoma Rainiers | Tues., May 17 | 6:35 p.m. | Sutter Health Park | $12+ | ⚾
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Glass Act Mosaics (GLAM) Collective | Tuesdays | 12-3 p.m. | Room 11, 2791 24th St. | $12+ | Meet other mosaic artists + encourage each other’s creativity at this meetup intended for all levels.
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Tootsie | Tues., May 12-Sun., May 22 | Times vary | SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center | Prices vary | Broadway Sacramento brings the “Unstoppable” musical to the River City. 🎭
Wednesday - Art Gallery and Art Cafe | Wednesdays-Fridays | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Atrium, 1020 Front St. | Free | Explore local + eco-friendly crafts, from inner-tube wallets to homemade jewelry. ♻️
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Pearl Jam | Wed., May 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Golden 1 Center | $122+ | Eddie Vedder + company bring their era-defining grunge rock to the G1C. 🎸
Thursday -
Grace Leslie | Thurs., May 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Mondavi Center | $10+ | Mind isn’t over matter at this performance of electronic “Brain-Body” music that explores the relationship between sounds + emotion. 🧠
Saturday - Brews in the Burbs | Sat., May 21 | 4-8 p.m. | Sunrise Mall | Prices Vary | This backyard-inspired hangout in Citrus Heights is designed for enthusiasts to get a taste of local breweries. 🍻
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VHcreSt Presents: Super Mario Bros. | Sat., Mat 21 | 8-11 p.m. | Crest Theatre | $5+ | “It’s-a Mario time” — catch Dennis Hopper as King Koopa in this showing of the 1983 cult film via a VCR player.
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We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends. |
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The Motley Fool offers a 30-day membership-fee back guarantee. | Photo by The Motley Fool |
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Weather - 92º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain ☀️
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Temperatures 10-15 degrees above average are forecasted this week, with tomorrow slated to be the warmest at 97 degrees. However, it’s unlikely that Sacramento will break the all-time daily high record of 102 degrees set in 1997. 🌡️ (FOX40)
Festival -
Sacramento is now accepting applications for the first round of its “City of Festivals” program, which will support special events taking place around town. Applicants can receive up to $7,500 to offset costs, like fees for parking + required permits. Learn more about the program, and apply before Fri., June 3. 💰 (Sac City Express)
Number -
60,000. That’s how many kids participated in youth development or recreation programs put on by community-based organizations in Sacramento this fiscal year. In total, there have been “3.2 million hours of enrichment,” with the city spending a record total of $38.2 million on programs so far. (Sac City Express)
Announced -
The Auburn State Recreation Area has enacted a new regulation that prohibits wake-surfing at Lower Lake Clementine. The State Park explained the order was due to damage caused to the shoreline, the marina facility, and other vessels by the activity.
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Old Town Pizza Auburn has closed shop in order to move — but not to a new town. The local pizzeria is packing up for Downtown Auburn, with its new location at 510 High St. to open on Mon., May 23. 🍕
Coming Soon -
Japanese restaurant + bar Mizuki Sushi of Citrus Heights is making moves to open a second location in Elk Grove by next month. Located at 7440 Laguna Blvd., the 2,500-sqft eatery will serve nigiri, bento boxes, appetizers like deep fried gyoza, and more. 🍣 (Sac Biz Journal)
Concert -
Carrie Underwood’s “The Denim & Rhinestone Tour” is underway for Sacramento. Carrie will take center stage at the Golden 1 Center on March 14, 2023 with tickets going on sale Fri., May 20. 🎟️ (CBS13)
Environment -
Rice — our region’s key crop that brings in ~$1 billion each year — is being hit hard by our historic drought. An agricultural economist from UC Davis expects acreage for rice to shrink to as low as 250,000 acres this season, or half of what’s normal. 🌾 (Sac Bee)
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Sunsets, evenings by the river, and movies projected onto lawn jumbotrons — we can practically feel the summer breeze already. 🌇
Drake’s: The Barn in West Sacramento is rerolling the film on its free Barnflix event with a screening of “Bohemian Rhapsody” on Wed., June 1 from 8:30-10:30 p.m. It will then repeat every Wednesday, with flicks like “Freak Show” + “Jumanji” on the marquee. 📽️
Pro tip: Arrive early to pick your favorite seat in the house — er, lawn.
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Editor’s Pick: I bought a new pair of running shoes over the weekend from Sac’s very own Fleet Feet, and I had a bit of a “mind-blown” moment.
I didn’t know the foot scanning technology to help you find the right pair was specific to the company — consider me head over heels for yet another instance of pride in River City innovation. 👟
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We looked at Raley’s new O-N-E stop shop coming to Roseville.
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