Crystal Aquarium (916) 455-9688, 5039 Freeport Blvd. Sacramento, CA, 95822.

This is my favorite fish store and I've been to them all in Sacramento...even the big ones that you'd expect good information from. The owner of Crystal Aquarium has continually rescued me and my little fish charges from one piece of bad advice to the next from these others stores that I deemed reliable and had good reputations at one time. But one large aquarium store gave me advice that almost killed my two goldfish and even did kill my sweet-natured Pleco. I stick with products and advice from Crystal Aquarium now. I learned the hard way.

At Crystal Aquarium, they won't even let me buy something there unless it's in the fish's best interest. I've spent hundreds on aquarium equipment and meds at these other "specialty fish stores," only to find out that my fish sometimes ended up sick and once very near death.

Goldfish owners: Don't buy an expensive cannister filter thinking that's better than a power filter. Goldfish get very stressed from the turbulence the cannister filter creates. And a cannister won't cut down on your need to change the water.

So patient with my endless array of questions and my periodic fish crises, the owner of Crystal Aquarium always takes time to help me...in detail. There's often a lot of information to absorb but I know it's trustworthy. He cares about fish and always the intent to do right by customers and their fish pets.

Crystal Aquarium's owner was raised on a fish farm in Hong Kong. He has offered his healthy-looking Salt Water and Fresh Water fish for sale since 1988. He knows more about fish than anyone else that I've encountered. And he always has a story to tell about why you should (more often about why you SHOULDN'T) do something to your fish.

The internet is currently hurting his business. But it's also the bad information on the Internet and in the cloned fish books that keeps leading me back to this shop with the expert advice.

In the three years that Crystal Aquarium 's advice and products have kept my two goldfish and two koi thriving, I can't thank Crystal Aquarium enough for saving me a lot of grief and money from other local fish stores. We need good sources of quality products, quality products, and expert advice that Crystal Aquarium still has available for us.

SSPCA Thrift Store 1513 E Street, Sacramento, CA, 916-442-8118, Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday.
You can support the SSPCA animals by donating gently used items to their volunteer-operated thrift store. Or, take advantage of bargains on quality used furniture, clothing, household items and books. All proceeds benefit the animal shelter.

Donations are always needed. Drop offs accepted during open hours. Please call first to confirm available donation space.

Items sold and accepted include:

* Furniture
* Lamps
* Sports Equipment
* Computers
* Medical Equipment
* Suitcases
* Hardback and Paperback Books
* Kitchen Items
* Clothing
* Games
* Jewelry
* Toys and Stuffed Animals
* Decorations
* Other Household Items

Sacramento Valley Freecyclers
If you hate to see anything end up in our landfill or get hives when still useable products get trashed, this is the internet group to join. No money is exchanged and no bartering allowed. It's fun and easy. You simply post an item you want to give away and wait, sometimes less than an hour, for a taker. Or post what you want. This could be your online wish list.

It's first come, first serve depending on who replies the quickest. And every day is Christmas at all Freecycler groups throughout the U.S. Our Sacramento online group has 4400+ members. If you've been looking long for a Paraffin Wax Pedicure Element or just want to unload some leftover sod, this is the message group to join. By the way, if anyone has a tree stump to give away, you'll be the answer to one member's wish list.

Sacramento Tree Foundation
This non-profit makes a huge contribution towards Sacramento's reputation that out-of-towners validate immediately. "There are so many trees here!"

Our region is truly an Urban Forest. Among the many continuing projects are the Shade Tree Program, Save the Elms, Community Shade, NeighborWoods, Seedling and Tree Planting.

The Sacramento Tree Foundation is my favorite local cause. If you want to get involved, join with a basic "Seedling" membership for $40 a year.

Earth Day Sacramento (916) 484-4644

Sacramento's annual Earth Day Celebration. Held at California State University, Sacramento in the main quad, one day the last part of April.
Environmental speakers, composting, wildlife presentations, crafts, food and more. Free family fun. www.earthdaysac.org

Chim Chimney (916) 387-5000, P.O. Box 277345, Sacramento, CA 95827.

What a wonderful company! They saved me money by suggesting I not do some of the work I thought I needed on my fireplace. So instead of $100 that was originally quoted to me, I ended up paying only $65.25. The terrific technician even told me about the coupon in the Yellow Pages to save another 10 %. I was happy with a new batch of chimney tips AND a clean, safe fireplace. A list of their services is at ChimChimney.net

ALL ABOUT PETS Greenback and San Juan in Sacramento

ALL ABOUT PETS has been funded by the California Veterinary Medical Association (through Maddie's Fund) to do spays and neuters on feral cats for free! Their hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. All you need to do is drop off the cat in the morning and pick it up after 5:00 p.m. Reports are that this program is great and very simple to use!

Friends For Life Animal Outreach P.O. Box 188796, Sacramento, CA, 95818 (916) 484-5686.

A new and much needed place for our furry friends was founded by Dr. Jill Roberts. Vaccines, spay and neutering, and other necessary medical care are provided to the homeless cats and dogs who await adoption into loving homes. Adult cats and dogs make wonderful pets, too. Visit their website to find out why and view the pictures of the cats and dogs that need a home.

Sacramento SPCA 6201 Florin-Perkins Road. Sacramento, CA 95828. Phone 916-383-7387; Fax number (916) 383-7062

41,000 animals arrive at the shelter annually. 28,000 are euthanized. The SPCA is an essential resource for Sacramento's abandoned critters. Many fundraisers for the shelter are held all year long -- everthing from book sales to tux and tie events. The SPCA also has many opportunities to volunteer that don't involve cleaning cages, such as greeter, adoption counseler, investigator for cruelty, and other interesting and worthwhile projects. Visit their web site for more information about what else they do and their current list of volunteer jobs. Please note that they are closed Mondays and some holidays.

SacCityShelter.com
2127 Front Street, Sacramento, (916) 808-7387. Hours of Operation: Sunday and Monday Closed; Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Local animal advocates have this site to enable people to look for an adoptable pet at the Sacramento city animal shelter via their computers. The Web site will feature photos and a brief description of the available animals. The official shelter Web site is SacPetSearch.com

Brownie's Lounge S. Land Park Dr. Sacramento, CA 95822
I almost hate divulging this special spot, because this Irish pub is getting more crowded all the time as word gets out that Brownie has the best corned beef and cabbage around anywhere -- but only on Thursdays. You get a heap of deliciously lean corned beef and a half cabbage. And, the prices are CHEAP! When you first walk in you'll likely hear a loud, "Hi folks" from wherever Brownie, the owner happens to be at the moment. Don't be surprised if he sits down with you for a spell. He's a big guy with a booming voice and a heart even bigger. For all his brusqueness, Brownie cares about people. Not only does his warmth come through in little ways, but every St. Patrick's Day, Brownie goes all out -- free food for all, a bag pipe band, limousines for his waitresses, and he even dyes his hair green. Great food and prices -- Brownie is an angel in disguise.

Safeway in West Sacramento
I love this store so much that I driven the approximately eight miles from my home to shop there, even though there are many other stores much closer. In fact, everything about this store I like. And now that they have that club card, it's even more fun to shop there. All their Select brand foods I've tried are delicious and inexpensive, and the sales are terrific. Even our cats like the balanced-nutrition Select brand canned food. The amazing thing about this store, though, is the people who work there. They're always so happy and helpful...always! After five years of shopping there, I've never encountered an employee in a bad mood. But the main reason why this store is listed on this page is because of the employees' attitude to the people who use food stamps. This Safeway isn't exactly in Beverly Hills, so the store gets many shoppers who are on welfare. And they're treated in every way just like the people who aren't. Every company should be so lucky to have so many wonderful people working at one place. It's a great place to meet real-life angels.