Inside Arden - April 2023

HOUSE KNOWS HOMES

Imagine a world where people of all abilities have equal access to employment.

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A job means so much more than a paycheck; it also has the power to bring connection, community, and purpose. Today, thousands of people with disabilities in the Sacramento region are unemployed. Your donations make it possible for people of all abilities to experience the dignity of a paycheck and the pride that comes with meaningful work.

Building inclusivity, one job at a time.

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April is Photography Month Sacramento, presented by Viewpoint Photographic Art Center and partners, offering exhibits, workshops, field trips, free lectures, photoshoots and meetups celebrating all things photographic. Visit photomonthsacramento.org/events to plan activities.

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Cecily Hastings

Cathryn Rakich editor@insidepublications.com

M.J. McFarland

Cindy Fuller

Linda Smolek, Aniko Kiezel @anikophotos

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Shown: “Earth and Wind" by Jan Lightfoot at Viewpoint Photographic Art Center. The exhibit, Essential Elements: Earth, Wind, Fire & Water, runs April 5 to May 6. Second Saturday Reception is April 8 from 4–7 p.m. Visit janlightfoot.com.

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Gaslighting The Public

CITY GOES TO WAR AGAINST GAS STOVES, FIREPLACES, HEATERS

My favorite cooking tool is my gas stove cooktop. I’ve cooked on gas exclusively for four decades. The rhythm and timing of a sauté over an open flame is steeped in my muscle memory. I’m lucky to have a sensitively calibrated stovetop that makes cooking joyful. Plus, there is something primal about the fire under a metal pan. No wonder kids love nothing more than roasting marshmallows over an open flame.

I use natural gas to fuel my barbecue, fireplace and underfloor hydronic heating system.

But this practice will soon be history. Last year, the City Council voted to become the state’s 46th municipality to ban natural gas infrastructure in new construction. There was zero public outreach.

In a 7-2 City Council vote last June, the ordinance disallowed natural gas infrastructure in new buildings of three stories or fewer after Jan. 1, 2023. Natural gas is banned from high-rise construction—four stories or more—in the city after Jan. 1, 2026.

The ordinance applies only to new builds. “Businesses in existing buildings, including restaurants, will be allowed to purchase new gas equipment such as stoves and ovens for replacement and expansion purposes,” Jennifer Venema, Sacramento’s climate action lead, said last June.

By Cecily Hastings Publisher’s Desk

Apparently, the council didn’t want a revolt by local restaurant owners and chefs in America’s farm-to-fork capital. But the city is working on a strategy to transition away from gas in existing buildings.

“We are doing this because it’s the top thing we can implement as a city

to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Venema said. “Energy use in the built environment is a key sector that we directly regulate.”

According to the ordinance, pathways for including gas infrastructure in new buildings are available through limited exemptions for technical or cost difficulties through 2025.

The exemptions may be extended if the technology is such that full electrification is not feasible by July 1, 2025, Venema said.

Several councilmembers expressed a desire to avoid unintended consequences despite the exemptions and waivers.

“What a chef deems feasible versus what our building inspector deems feasible for cooking are two totally different things,” former Councilmember Angelique Ashby said. “They’re not industry experts. We’re not industry experts.” Ashby offered a substitute motion that would have required more research and a vote postponement. Her motion failed.

Chefs throughout the state, particularly those who prepare Asian cuisine, insist gas flames are essential. In 2019, the Sacramento-based California Restaurant Association filed suit against Berkeley over the first local ban. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit.

Opponents to the ban argued part of Sacramento’s electric power still comes from fossil fuel generation resources and suggested the measure was pointless until SMUD can provide 100-percent clean energy. SMUD’s board of directors voted last year to acquire 100 percent of the utility’s power generation from carbon-free resources by 2030.

Nationally, the gas stove debate has—no surprise—turned partisan.

A member of the Consumer Product Safety Commission appointed by President Biden threatened to ban gas stoves based on dubious evidence of public-health harm. “This is a hidden hazard,” Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. said. “Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.”

Pictured: #DAG Rachel

After withering public criticism, the commission chairman denied any plan to ban gas stoves. The White House said President Biden doesn’t want a ban. But climate-driven, progressive cities— including Sacramento—are doing it anyway.

Proponents of the ban argue that gas stoves are a major source of air pollution, and that they are a major contributor to climate change. Gas stoves emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants into the air. Ban proponents say gas stoves are inefficient and waste energy and money.

But pollution comes from cooking with poor ventilation, not from natural gas. Electric range-tops carry the “hidden hazard” of potential burns.

Opponents of the ban argue gas stoves are a necessary part of life, an important part of the state’s culture and economy. Gas stoves are used in many restaurants and homes and are a major source of employment. Also, gas stoves are a relatively inexpensive and convenient way to cook.

The debate over banning gas fuel in California continues. The state has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint, such as implementing a capand-trade system and increasing the use of renewable energy sources. However,

it’s unclear whether banning gas fuel would be an effective way to reduce air pollution and climate change.

Ultimately, it should be up to the people of California to decide whether they want to ban gas residential service. Sadly, the citizens of Sacramento had little voice in the ban that their city imposed on them without meaningful community input.

Ironically, last summer, I was warned by SMUD not to recharge my electric car or turn on my air conditioner during peak hours. The state’s electrical grid was overloaded. No one seems interested in talking about the failure of our electrical grid, or our city becoming overdependent on electricity as a sole source of fuel.

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Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

Dear Readers: I’m working on a short documentary film about the personal costs of the pandemic lockdowns on Sacramento residents. Please share with me your experience by answering the question: Which aspect of the response to COVID affected you most on a personal level?

Please limit your response to 75 words and email to publisher@insidepublications. com. Your privacy will be honored.

Thank you.

Cecily Hastings

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Century Of Fellowship Centur y Of Fellowship

CARMICHAEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY

Carmichael Presbyterian Church celebrates its centennial this year—100 years of service in the local community.

What started as a Sunday school planted in Carmichael Colony by three determined mothers in 1918, was officially organized as Carmichael Community Church in 1923 under Rev. J.W. Babcock. (Rev. Samuel Holsinger became the first “called pastor” in 1925, the same year the organization began its affiliation with the Presbyterian Church.)

The church used Carmichael Elementary School on Sutter Avenue as its first home. Eventually outgrowing that location, the church found a new home along Marconi Avenue on land donated by H.A. Hobbs in 1927. The new sanctuary, still in use today, was completed in 1951. The church changed its name to Carmichael Presbyterian Church in 1964.

Over the decades, the church has “played an integral role in the growth and development of the community,” says Karen Orlando, a member of the

J L JL

By Jessica Laskey Out & About

Centennial Committee that’s organizing celebratory events throughout the year.

The church has offered a summer Vacation Bible School since 1925 (this year’s will be July 10–14) and a Food Closet since 1973. It also hosts monthly Saturday suppers, weekly Wednesday dinners, facilities for the homeless, choirs for adults and children, language classes and various support groups.

Events to celebrate the centennial include guest preachers, concerts, potlucks and workshops. “Stories of Faith: Carmichael Presbyterian Church at 100” will be published in December. For information, visit carmichaelpres. org.

IMPACT100 GRANT

Impact100 Greater Sacramento will award up to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations operating in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and El Dorado counties. Applications are accepted through the end of April in five areas: Arts & Culture; Education; Environment, Preservation & Recreation; Family; and Health & Wellness.

“We want to help nonprofits realize their goals,” Sacramento chapter President Evelyn Jensen says. “Collectively, Impact100 chapters have provided $123 million in grants in their regions. Now it's our turn.”

Impact100 Greater Sacramento is the newest chapter of an international organization that empowers women as philanthropists working to benefit their

local communities. For information, visit impact100greatersacramento.org.

PHOTO MONTH

It’s finally here! Photography Month Sacramento is happening across the city led by Viewpoint Photographic Art Center in collaboration with the city of Sacramento and Sacramento365. The monthlong event features special exhibits, receptions, photo

shoot meetups, workshops, lectures and more. For up-to-date event information, visit sacramento365.com and photomonthsacramento.org.

MAYOR OFFICE ART

Mayor Darrell Steinberg is once again highlighting local artists by hanging their work in his office. The artwork will be updated each month in the alcove located in the

Carmichael Presbyterian Church celebrates 100 years of service—then and now.

“15 minutes before Sunset” by Aniko Kiezel is on display at the Mayor’s Office at City Hall.

public reception area between the mayor’s conference room and his office.

April’s featured artist/photographer is Inside Sacramento’s own Aniko Kiezel. Her photo, “15 minutes before Sunset,” captures a Lotus in William Land Park.

PSYCHOLOGY CLINIC

California Northstate University College of Psychology has opened Community Counseling and Psychological Services in Rancho Cordova to provide low-cost mental health services.

“Our students have given over 20,000 hours of free mental health service to this community,” says Dr. Bret McLaughlin, dean of the College of Psychology. “CCAPS is the next step in fulfilling our mission to provide skillful and affordable mental health care to this region.”

Individual and group therapy is provided by doctoral psychology students supervised by licensed psychologists, many of whom are faculty at the school. CCAPS is open to everyone 18 and older. Each therapy session is $20 and the clinic is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

IRS-certified volunteers help families file their taxes through United Way California Capital Region’s Free Tax Prep program.

Clinic services include general psychotherapy for mild to moderate depression/mood-related symptoms, anxiety, family conflict/relationship difficulties, phase-of-life adjustments, gender and identity concerns, and trauma. For information, visit psychology.cnsu.edu/ccaps.

JUNK PICKUP

Spring cleaning is upon us and the city of Sacramento’s Solid Waste and Recycling department reminds residential customers you can make two appointments per year to pick up junk too large to fit in curbside containers, including extra yard waste.

To make an appointment, call City Customer Service at 311—or (916) 264-5011 outside city limits. You can also use the free Sac311 app or make an online request at sac311.org. Appointments are available through October.

Materials should not be placed in the street more than 24 hours prior to pick up. Piles must be no larger than 4 feet by 4 feet by 9 feet and should be placed 6 feet from vehicles. Place tree and yard waste (branches, stumps, leaves) in a separate pile away from junk. Keep piles away from storm drains and bike lanes.

Appliances, e-waste and hazardous waste should not be included. For information, visit cityofsacramento.org.

INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Applications are open for the Creative Business Innovation Challenge

supporting underserved and minorityowned businesses in food, fashion, design, festival and cultural experiences, game design, film, media, music and entertainment.

The six-week program is managed by Unseen Heroes and Creative Start Ups, and is funded through the city’s Office of Arts and Culture.

Leadership Sacramento class of 2022 celebrates the outdoor renovation at Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center’s Senior Center. Photo courtesy of Tia Gemmell.

“Sacramento has a history of creative talent but it has not always been actively supported and recognized,” says Unseen Heroes CEO Roshaun Davis. “Through partnerships like this, new opportunities are being created to support and celebrate the city’s creative ecosystem, specifically for BIPOC entrepreneurs.”

Business experts mentor participants on developing business plans and pitches; marketing, finance and operations; networking and collaboration; and accessing funding and investment opportunities.

The deadline to apply is April 16. The application fee is $95. Find information at sacramentocityexpress.com.

CREATIVE CORPS

If you’re a nonprofit organization, arts collective or artist, now’s your chance to join the city’s Capital Region Creative Corps. The California Arts Council recently awarded $4.75 million to the city to implement the new program in our region.

The Creative Corps provides grants to create public awareness campaigns related to water and energy, conservation, climate mitigation, COVID-19, civic engagement and social justice. For information, visit arts. cityofsacramento.org/creativecorps.

FREE TAX PREP

Eligible residents can file their taxes online for free through United Way California Capital Region’s Free Tax Prep program through April 18.

Households that earned up to $66,000 in 2022 can file for free and receive up to $8,000 cash back from state and federal credits, including the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits.

The program provides tax help virtually and in person in multiple

languages and locations. For information, visit yourfreetaxprep.org or call 211.

ANTI-DISPLACEMENT

The City Council has approved a suite of programs to prevent people from being displaced along the Stockton Boulevard corridor as a result of UC Davis’ $1.1 billion Aggie Square mixed-use innovation district. The antidisplacement effort is funded by the city of Sacramento and UC Davis as part of the project’s Community Benefits Partnership Agreement.

Four community programs will receive funding to repair homes; help residents with one-time financial assistance for rent, utilities and other needs; and assist first-time home buyers in the ZIP codes surrounding Aggie Square.

The four programs are Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento Home Preservation and Electrification Program; Salvation Army Homeless Prevention Program; Step Up Homeless Prevention, Housing Coordination, Stability and Retention Program; and Unseen Heroes/CLTRE First-time Homebuyer Loan Program.

The Community Benefits Partnership Agreement includes pledges for local hiring and a commitment by the city to invest in affordable housing along the Stockton Boulevard corridor.

BETTERMENT PROJECT

The Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Sacramento class of 2022 has completed its community betterment project—the renovation of the outdoor space at Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center’s Senior Center.

The outdoor area now offers social spaces for seniors of varying mobility

and their families, as well as space for exercise and fitness, gardening and quiet time.

“Our senior population is often an underserved community and the pandemic has been especially isolating for them,” says class member Patrick Ibarra. “While there were so many great applications from deserving nonprofits in the area looking for help, we were most moved by Stanford Settlement’s application as we remembered members of our own families struggle during these trying times.”

Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center is at 450 West El Camino Ave. To learn about the project, visit leadershipsac22.org.

WATER REBATES

With a range of rebates, the Sacramento Suburban Water District encourages county residents to use water more efficiently.

Earn $150 for installing a WaterSense-labeled high-efficiency toilet, which can help the average family save 13,000 gallons of water per year. Earn $75 for a clothes washer on the Energy Star’s Most Efficient list.

Earn $500 for upgrading your sprinkler system with high-efficiency rotator sprinklers and drip irrigation; $150 for a weather-based sprinkler timer, which uses local weather data to time when and how long sprinklers run; and $500 for repairing leaks. Earn $100 for a new pool cover.

For information, visit sswd.org/ rebates.

ENERGY EFFICIENT

Hoping to reduce your energy bill and your home’s carbon footprint?

SMUD and the city of Sacramento have partnered with XeroHome to launch a website where residents can find retrofits to make their homes more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

XeroHome is free and available to all who live in single-family or duplex dwellings. The site helps users estimate their energy use based on a series of short questions and then provides suggestions for upgrades, such as electric heat pump water heaters, ceiling insulation and DIY options like LED lighting. For information, visit xerohome.com.

CITY MANAGER

The California City Management Foundation has named Sacramento City Manager Howard Chan as City Manager of the Year.

CCMF gives the City Manager of the Year award to city managers who provide exemplary leadership while delivering on important community initiatives.

Chan was appointed city manager in 2017, becoming the first AsianAmerican person in Sacramento history to hold the office. He has worked for the city of Sacramento for more than 20 years, including three years as an assistant city manager and more than a decade as parking services manager.

Students from Leataata Floyd Elementary School feed sheep at the Food Literacy Center.

City Manager Howard Chan is named City Manager of the Year.

Find your way back to the little things that matter.

Don’t let joint pain put life on hold or remove you from the day-to-day you once knew. When the pain is gone, the little things feel far more special—like enjoying your morning coffee with two sugars and no painkiller.

At Dignity Health, we can help show you the way back to the things you’ve been missing. Two of our hospitals are among only 17 in California certified by The Joint Commission for Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement, offering the highest quality of personalized care for a full range of conditions. Learn more about our services at DignityHealth.org/SacramentoOrtho

Homeownership is within reach.

make your dream of homeownership a reality.

Buying a home can sometimes seem like an unreachable goal. When you work with Tri Counties Bank, your local Home Mortgage Loan Specialist will walk you through products and resources designed for aspiring homeowners. It’s part of our commitment to helping our local communities grow and thrive through the power of homeownership.

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This is not a guarantee to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval.

FOOD LITERACY NEWS

The Food Literacy Center has some new residents—three sheep and three goats—at its student farm at Leataata Floyd Elementary School. The animal residents are on loan from AG Livestock for a few months to help reduce weeds, educate staff on how

to care for animals and give students in gardening classes a chance to interact with them. Interaction with animals— petting, feeding and touching—can have positive benefits, helping us stay calm and become more social.

In more good news, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty and his team provided

Dr. Dawnté Early, president/CEO of United Way California Capital Region, announces 100th anniversary goal at Yolo Kids Read event in West Sacramento.

$247,500 in grant funds to help build infrastructure on the farm, deliver a 10-week garden curriculum for 250 students and conduct outreach to surrounding communities to encourage participation with this new community amenity. For information, visit foodliteracycenter.org.

MCCLATCHY LIBRARY

After two years of serving solely as a pick-up location, the Ella K. McClatchy Library is open again for public browsing.

The beautiful historic building in the Newton Booth neighborhood of Midtown was closed first due to the pandemic and then to address ventilation and other issues. The city has made the needed repairs and the library is welcoming visitors back to this beloved landmark.

CAP-TO-CAP

Slots for the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s 51st Annual Capitol-toCapitol federal advocacy program are filling up. Cap-to-Cap returns to Washington, D.C., April 22–26.

The largest and longest-standing chamber delegation of its kind, Cap-to-

Cap includes a local contingent of up to 400 regional business leaders and changemakers—including more than 80 electeds—who travel to D.C. to meet with federal officials.

Advocacy issues include infrastructure investment and reimagined workforce development, forest health and wildfire mitigation, housing needs and solutions to help combat homelessness.

For information or to reserve a spot, visit metrochamber.org/cap23.

NEIGHBORHOOD GRANTS

Bank of America has named the Los Rios Colleges Foundation and North State Building Industry Foundation as two of its Neighborhood Builders awardees for greater Sacramento.

Each organization will receive a $200,000 grant over two years, as well as comprehensive leadership training on topics from increasing financial sustainability to human capital management and strategic storytelling. The North State Building Industry Foundation trains at-risk teens and young adults for residential construction careers. The grant will

allow the organization to expand its services and outreach.

The Los Rios Colleges Foundation (which includes American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College and Sacramento City College) helps previously incarcerated people transition back into school and the community through the Prison and Reentry Education Program.

PROM DRIVE

It’s prom season, but not everyone can afford a new set of dancing duds.

Bring your gently used (clean and in good condition) dresses, suits, shoes and other accessories to your local Sacramento Library during open hours and the library will redistribute them to high school students in need.

All sizes are needed. Suits and button-up shirts are especially in demand.

UNITED WAY GOAL

United Way California Capital Region has announced a new goal to raise $3 million to help 10,000 kids excel in school by 2025.

“This is such an important year as we celebrate 100 years working together

with this community to end poverty for local families,” says Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO. “We have learned so much over the past 100 years and now we are ready to enter our next century with a bold new goal. We know education is a proven ladder out of poverty and we know school is square one for reaching families in need.”

Through its Square One programming, United Way offers an array of services to ensure children and their families have the resources, from tutoring to income programs, to succeed in school and adulthood.

United Way’s milestone year will culminate April 29 with its 100th Anniversary Gala fundraiser at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. To purchase tickets or make a donation, visit yourlocalunitedway.org.

SUMMER JOBS

Know a teen who needs a summer job? Recruitment is underway for more than 150 seasonal positions in the city of Sacramento’s Aquatics Division across 17 area aquatics facilities.

The Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment Department is looking to fill positions for lifeguards, senior lifeguards, assistant pool managers,

pool managers, aquatics specialists and cashiers for the 2023 summer season. Applicants must be at least 15 years old by June 1 (cashiers must be 16). All lifeguards must be American Red Cross Lifeguard/CPR-AED/First Aid certified. To apply, visit governmentjobs.com and type the desired position into the toolbar.

NEW PARKWAY SIGNS

The next time you’re walking along the American River Parkway, take notice of new welcome signs.

The Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks Maintenance Division posted new “Welcome to the American River Parkway” and “Do Not Enter, Sensitive Habitat Area” signs at five sites. The signs include universal symbols to show allowed uses and regulations.

New signage was placed at Bannon Island, Two Rivers Trail, Steelhead Creek and SAFCA Loop, and Camp Pollock. These areas have been prioritized based on their locations in flood zones, public safety concerns like unstable soil or the potential for falling trees, impacts due to trash, levee compromise (digging), degradation from

vegetation fires, criminal activities and community complaints.

ALL THAT JAZZ

Sutter Middle School won big at this year’s Teagarden Jazz Festival (formerly the Traditional Jazz Youth Band Festival) at Sacramento State. The festival is open to small ensembles of four to nine musicians from elementary school to college. The Sutter Miner Minors enjoyed a festival debut and many students received awards, including Janelle Wells (Outstanding MS Clarinet), Owen Naqica (Outstanding MS Banjo), Luke Lyda (Outstanding MS Saxophone), Gloria Haskin (Outstanding MS Vocals) and Sidney Manricks (Outstanding MS Piano).

Naqica also won a half scholarship to the Teagarden Jazz Camp and trombone player Max Schwitalla won a $500 Music Lesson Award Scholarship.

Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

Hope For Change Hope For

LOVING EARTH PROJECT FIGHTS CLIMATE CHANGE WITH CREATIVITY

In April, a selection of panels will be displayed around Sacramento in the lead-up to Earth Day, April 22. Fowler and her fellow team members have planned exhibitions from April 1–30 at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, Atrium 916 and Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento. On April 15–16, the panels visit Effie Yeaw Nature Center and St. Anthony Parish. On April 23, they arrive at Southside Park.

“It’s wonderful to think that panels will also be on display in France, Belgium and Slovenia at the same time as ours,” says Fowler, a Pocket resident. “Ours just arrived and it was like Christmas opening the box. We received 110 panels and we’re selecting the ones that are the best match for each venue.”

When Fowler isn’t busy planning the Loving Earth Project tour, she volunteers for Sacramento Friends Meeting committees. She joined the Quaker group in 2001 after moving to Sacramento from Washington, D.C., to be closer to grandchildren in Davis.

More than two decades on and retired as a founding partner at Graves Fowler Associates, a marketing design firm for educational and nonprofit clients, Fowler has time to devote to advocacy and special projects such as Loving Earth.

“Any time we can convert an overwhelming, depressing issue into something we can be creative in thinking about, there is hope for change,” Cindy Fowler says.

She could be talking about any number of issues as facilitator of the Sacramento advocacy team for the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Quaker lobbying organization on Capitol Hill.

But today she’s referring to the Loving Earth Project, a traveling community textile project that encourages people to think creatively about climate change.

By Jessica Laskey Giving Back: Volunteer Profile

“What I love about the project is how it pulls out different kinds of creativity,” Fowler says. “Hours have gone into creating each 12-by-12-inch panel. Some are painted, some have felt pieces cut by children, some are intricately woven or

stitched. It’s such a diverse spectrum of creativity.”

The Loving Earth Project was started in 2019 by the Quaker Arts Network at the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham, England, to engage people in a dialogue about climate change.

Participants are asked to reflect on a series of questions—What do you love? How is that person, place or thing threatened by climate change? What are you willing to do about it?—and express those reflections on a fabric panel. More than 400 panels have been contributed from around the world and will be accepted through the end of the year.

“It’s a contemplative thing to be able to sit and think about something we really love and put into words what we’re willing to do to take care of it,” Fowler says. “It’s so inspiring to see what people make. It’s about using your creative energy to step up and do something about climate change.”

For project information, visit lovingearth-project.uk. For information about local events, visit quakercloud. org/cloud/sacramento-friends-quakermeeting, visitmosac.org, atrium916.com, uuss.org, sacnaturecenter.net, stasac.org and ecosacramento.net.

Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Previous profiles can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

Cindy Fowler

Photo by Linda Smolek

The 2023 Sierra Oaks Fun Run!

On your mark, get registered, get involved! The annual Fun Run kicks off April 17th. Our goal is to raise $30,000 to provide academic and social support for our students. Visit SierraOaksPTA.org/FunRun for registration and sponsorship information. We are working hard to make this fundraiser safe, fun, and successful for everyone!

All proceeds directly benefit the students, teachers, and staff at Sierra Oaks K-8. Find out more about this great event by scanning the code or visit:

SierraOaksPTA.org/FunRun

As a team member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) 2023 Sacramento Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign, with my friends and family, together we have set a fundraising goal of $100,000! The money raised helps LLS, the largest nonprofit dedicated to creating a world without blood cancers, fund research to advance lifesaving treatments, drive advocacy for policies that protect patient access to these treatments, and provide patients and families with hope, guidance, education and support.

Your help is needed

I'm Caroline Phillips and I am a junior at Saint Francis High School in Sacramento, California. I know many of us have been affected by cancer. I lost two Grandparents from cancer. I’ve been given the opportunity to be a team member on Team Cure’em With Kindness and I’m eager to make a change and help find a cure for cancer. I am committed to the challenge, and am more than excited to work with my team to accomplish our goal. Our campaign will provide support to the critical work of LLS in hopes that one day no one will have to grow up without the ones they love. I know that with your help, we can reach our goal and make a direct impact in the fight against blood cancers.

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On Deaf Ears

TIME FOR CITY OFFICIALS TO HELP ‘FIX FRONT STREET’

Tahoe Park resident Lynn Bishop joined dozens of other dog lovers last year answering a call from the city’s Front Street Animal Shelter. Foster a dog for the holidays.

Approximately 60 cars lined up for drive-through fostering. “It was like an assembly line,” says Bishop, who took home Roscoe, a 6-year-old unneutered chihuahua mix brought to the shelter as a stray.

On any given day, as many as 345 dogs are fostered through Front Street. Many are not spayed or neutered.

“It’s a lot of animals in foster care,” says Front Street Manager Phillip Zimmerman. “Unfortunately, when you have that many animals in foster care, there’s a lot of work that goes along with it.”

Tracking those dogs falls on one full-time employee. A part-time intern and off-site volunteer assist.

The job should include ensuring the dog is the right fit for the home. Is he the correct size, breed, age and energy level for the foster family? Is the home clean and safe, fenced and gated? Does the foster parent understand the time commitment for potty training, socializing, exercising and veterinary visits? What about providing personality information for website listings and social media, and taking the dog to adoption events?

If the foster dog is not spayed or neutered, are other dogs in the home altered?

Zimmerman sees these questions as “barriers” to fostering and adopting. “In our field, we want to reduce barriers,” he says. Placing a dog waiting for spay/neuter surgery in a home with an unaltered pet is considered on a “case-by-case basis.”

Zimmerman says there are a “plethora of reasons” why as few as 24 dogs—out of 345 in foster care— are listed for adoption on the Front Street website. One reason is that more than 200 dogs are “foster-toadopt.” Foster families have elected to keep the canines.

Street’s “foster-to-adopt” dogs are in limbo. “The biggest backlog is spay/ neuter surgeries,” Zimmerman says.

“Do we honestly think that he has adequate systems in place to prevent the breeding of those fostered animals in the community?” Bagley Franzoia says. “Hell, he has no systems to stop breeding in the city kennels.”

Last month, Front Street volunteers reported unaltered male and female dogs housed in the same kennels—some caught in the act.

By Cathryn Rakich Animals & Their Allies

“Shelters have found a way around the spay and neuter mandate upon adoption,” says attorney Hilary Bagley Franzoia, who headed up the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Animal Cruelty Unit and Animal Cruelty Task Force. “Now

they foster-to-adopt, providing the release without spay and neuter.

“That is a cheat they find necessary to save lives,” she says. “But that program is only as good as their diligence after the fact.”

For example, 19 days after Lynn Bishop took Roscoe home, she hadn’t heard from Front Street. She called the number provided by the shelter and left a message. Roscoe needed a neuter and dental before he could be adopted. No call back. She waited 10 more days, then texted. A return text the next day reported that Roscoe’s surgery was finally scheduled.

In the end, Roscoe became a “foster-to-adopt.” When Bishop and her husband considered keeping him, Front Street gave them 15 days to decide. That date came and went with no follow up from Front Street. A week later, Bishop had to notify the shelter they were adopting Roscoe.

Because shelter pets cannot be adopted until they are altered, Front

“It would seem in all the brilliance that is leadership at Front Street, it is acceptable to place unaltered males and females inside the kennels together,” says Elyse Mize, a local animal advocate. Mize helped launch Fix Front Street, a Facebook page bringing attention to what they call the city shelter’s mismanagement.

Zimmerman confirms he houses unaltered animals together. “In the perfect world, we would be within our capacity for care,” he says. “We would not have to double house dogs. Unfortunately, we are not seeing animals move as fast as we would like and the intake has increased. So we have to make choices on the best fit.”

Assistant City Manager Michael Jasso adds, “It’s being done for what we perceive is a greater good, which is being able to accommodate the animals versus having an increased euthanasia rate.”

If this is an acceptable practice, in 63 days—the gestation period for a dog—won’t there be more dogs to shelter and potentially kill?

“Front Street has had a longstanding practice under director Zimmerman to allow owners to reclaim their animals for free, with no spay or neuter requirements,” Mize says. “It is entirely feasible that

pregnant dogs are being sent home to their oblivious families. In many cases, they will end up just like their parents, unfixed and back in the shelter at the expense of the city of Sacramento, i.e., taxpayers.”

Zimmerman blames the backlog of spay/neuter surgeries on a nationwide veterinarian shortage. Front Street has one staff veterinarian and fills in with contract vets.

“Though many claim there is no solution to the spay/neuter crisis because of a veterinary shortage, we disagree,” says Julie Virga, a former city shelter volunteer who helped launch Fix Front Street. “Solutions can always be found with effort, sincere concern and resources. We have made the effort, Front Street has the resources, but we need city leaders to provide sincere concern and support for this effort.”

In a recent email to Zimmerman and city officials, Virga reported that Fix Front Street secured the services of a local veterinarian and her team willing to provide low-cost surgeries on a contract basis.

“We propose they work two to three days a week until the backlog of spay/ neuter of shelter animals is addressed and then two days a week to provide these services to Sacramento citizens and the animals of the unhoused that are literally breeding out of control in our neighborhoods.”

Virga says her proposal went unanswered by Zimmerman.

“No shelter is perfect,” Zimmerman says. “A small group of people who are extremely loud have chosen to just pick on Front Street. We are not going to communicate with those people anymore.”

Fix Front Street has brought concerns, mostly ignored, to Zimmerman and city officials for the past three years, Virga says. “If city leaders do not act to help animals, nothing will change at Front Street.”

Cathryn Rakich can be reached at crakich@surewest.net. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 1256 sq.ft

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Good, Not Great

DON’T GET CARRIED AWAY BY A LITTLE SUCCESS

That was the easy part, the transition from awful to good. Next step is the tough one, good to great.

Kings fans are thrilled with this season’s progress, a hungry audience given a meal of rump steak, starchy potatoes and organic lettuce. Now let’s talk about dessert and remember reaching the NBA playoffs is not a major accomplishment.

Everyone does it. Or almost everyone, other than the Kings for the past 16 years.

Here’s the difference. Great teams know the regular season is a long, slow warmup. They take a strategic approach to those soggy winter games. Some nights they sleepwalk. Other times

R G RG

By R.E. Graswich Sports Authority

they cruise. They try to avoid injury. Inevitably, they reach the playoffs. Coaches get fired for anything less.

Mike Brown knows this cruel world. The Kings’ coach was fired from three excellent jobs, twice by the Cleveland Cavaliers, once by the Los Angeles Lakers. His teams were filled with remarkable talent, including LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. His bosses concluded he wasn’t the right guy to blaze a path to the championship.

Couldn’t win the big ones. Too tough on players. Good, not great. Into the sunset he went.

Like many of us, Brown mellowed with age and earned another chance. His years assisting Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr produced four championships and proof that great teams don’t need a coach who screams and torments like a drill sergeant.

With great teams, mellow wins the race. Brown will never be as laid back as Kerr. He’s not wired that way. But Brown learned the wisdom of letting certain things go.

The Kings succeeded this season with the right mix of youth and speed. They finally had players who accepted the system and worked together. They won and had fun and weren’t ashamed to work for the Kings.

Brown, who long ago embraced the potency of three-point baskets based on a wonderfully archaic and simple pick and roll, inspired his men and let them play.

The Kings endured many challenges over the last 16 years, including a threatened move to Seattle and a forced sale to new management. The arrival of new owners a decade ago should have created stability. But some owners can’t keep their hands off the toys.

Such was the fate of the Kings. Until Brown was hired, managing partner Vivek Ranadive made bad situations worse by trying to run the Kings like a Silicon Valley startup. He thought constant disruption was somehow good.

He was wrong. The Kings aren’t a startup. They have been around in one form or another since 1945. They evolved in pitiful environments where they lacked money and support. After their first few years in Rochester, New York, they never aspired to greatness. Good was good enough.

The low hurdle created a franchise that lost respect among players, coaches, agents, fans, even referees. After a couple of games this season, youthful Kings moaned they didn’t get beneficial calls from refs thanks to their Sacramento uniforms. Nothing new

there. It’s been that way since the Kings came to town in 1985.

Now hungry Kings fans deserve credit for helping the team become good. Fans began to abandon the product last season, leaving rows of unsold, empty seats at Golden 1 Center. It worked. Nothing tells owners to fix things better than empty seats. Ranadive hired Brown and promised the coach could run things without interference.

Great teams have stability. Peripheral players come and go, but core performers and coaches stick around. The Kings have been a masterclass in instability for many of the last 38 years, with predictable results. No matter what happens this season, the goal must be stability.

There’s one big downside to success. All those unsold, empty seats are suddenly valuable. It’s a seller’s market for the first time in decades. The price of beer, hot dogs and tickets will rise as the Kings stick it to their loyal fans. Somebody has to pay for all that goodness.

R.E. Graswich can be reached at regraswich@icloud.com. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

The way they were: The Kings and Reggie Theus never had much luck in the late 1980s.

The y weree: The Kin

Smoother Landings

COUNTY FINDS $1.3 BILLION TO FIX AIRPORT’S PROBLEMS

Traveling via Sacramento International Airport has its frustrations.

There’s the wait for the people-mover train to reach your gate at Concourse B. When it arrives, you crowd into compartments with other passengers and risk exposure to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Then there’s the lack of parking near both terminals. And the need to ride a shuttle bus to rental car agencies.

Now Sacramento County’s Department of Airports is doing

something to remedy the situation with a $1.3 billion expansion. Besides improving infrastructure, the goal is to enhance the airport experience and accommodate projected passenger growth.

A $140 million pedestrian walkway connecting Terminal B to Concourse B is slated to start next year. Once completed, the walkway will give passengers a choice between the train or walking to the concourse.

Gates will be added to both terminals to allow more flights. Last month, Southwest Airlines began direct flights to Nashville, Tennessee.

HSA new Terminal B parking garage will be built, along with a consolidated ground transportation center to centralize taxi, ride-share and shuttles into a single area, walkable from both terminals.

By Howard Schmidt Inside The County

By late 2027, a new $400 million rental car facility should be completed to let passengers access rental car agencies without a shuttle.

“I am thrilled to see the launch of SMForward, the largest construction program in Sacramento County’s history,” says Supervisor Rich Desmond, using the project slogan. “This ambitious project not only signifies growth and progress for our region but also serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing worldclass facilities and infrastructure for the people of Sacramento County and its visitors.

“SMForward will not only enhance the travel experience but also create jobs and economic opportunities for local businesses.”

The work represents implementation of the airport master plan, which the Board of Supervisors approved last year. The plan anticipated the need for additional facilities to meet the growing demand for air travel.

Current usage exceeds peer airports in the region after unprecedented impacts from the pandemic. In 2022, SMF nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels. Forecasts show steady passenger

growth averaging 4.3 percent annually through 2041.

“The airport experience is the first impression many people see when they arrive in Northern California, and the last as they leave,” says Cindy Nichol, Director of Sacramento County Department of Airports. She acknowledges the airport’s parking, concourses and roadways have several choke points and says SMForward will address these problems.

The project is financed through a combination of federal and state grants, municipal bonds issued by the airport and user fees. This means the burden of payment will not fall on local taxpayers.

Howard Schmidt worked on federal, state and local levels of government, including 16 years for Sacramento County. He can be reached at howardschmidt218@aol.com. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

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‘We Can Do This!’ ‘We Can Do

AUTHOR HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL WOMEN WHO BUILT THIS CITY

Christine Hunter

The future may be female, but author Christine Hunter is here to remind us so was the past. Hunter’s new book, “We Can Do This! Sacramento’s Trailblazing Political Women and the Community They Shaped,” released last year, profiles dozens of women who led Sacramento from the 1970s into the 2000s.

The names are locally renowned: Anne Rudin, the city’s first elected female mayor; Kim Mueller, former City Council member and now a federal judge; and Lauren Hammond, the first Black woman elected to the City Council.

Proceeds from the book’s sales benefit the Anne Rudin Scholarship Fund administered by the League of Women Voters of Sacramento. The fund helps young women pursue higher education in public administration and public policy.

“I’d like to inspire younger women to see the possibilities in a positive light for being active in government,” says Hunter, a trailblazer in community

By Jessica Laskey Meet Your Neighbor

Photo by Aniko Kiezel

relations. “I want these young women to see whose shoulders we stand on and what they had to overcome— impediments to freedom in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s like not being allowed to have credit on their own, having to cosign contracts with a man and endless other ways women were disappeared.”

In a series of interviews, Hunter examines what these local women went through to gain footholds—sometimes literally. The cover, painted by Hunter’s great-granddaughter Jasmine Moffett from a photo in the book, depicts Mueller holding a pair of shoes with holes in the soles from countless miles walked during her 1987 City Council campaign.

Hunter traveled countless miles, literally and figuratively, to create her book. The Yuba City native was exposed to politics early when her mother served as president of the League of Women Voters in the late 1950s.

A shy, artistic girl, Hunter attended California College of Arts and Crafts and earned her master’s in printmaking at Sacramento State. Her dream was to be a college art instructor, but when Proposition 13 passed in 1978 and stripped schools of arts funds, she fought an uphill battle to remain employed.

While her white male counterparts landed full-time teaching positions, she struggled to string part-time jobs together.

She was “hurt and disappointed,” but Hunter threw her energy into the newly founded Environmental Council of Sacramento. She found her voice as a volunteer lobbyist and spokesperson for the group and was appointed to the Sacramento Planning Commission, which launched her new career.

While on the commission and later as a consultant, she worked to bring Sacramento’s 18-mile light rail starter line into existence.

In what Hunter calls “the heyday” of the late 1970s and early 1980s, she met many fascinating women through her involvement with organizations such as the environmental council, American Association of University Women and American Lung Association.

When some of these older intrepid female leaders began to die, Hunter realized something had to be done to preserve their stories.

“There’s not much ink given to women in terms of writing history,” the Arden Arcade resident says. “I wanted to do it.”

Next came a five-year process of interviews, writing and research to

capture the stories of Rudin, Lynn Robie, Illa Collin and others, including former mayor Heather Fargo, who wrote the last chapter.

“Having Heather write the final chapter helped it come full circle,” Hunter says. “It communicates to younger women considering being active in local government, ‘Here are resources. Get on planning commissions, local planning boards and committees and work your way up and see if you’re suited for this.’”

To make the book accessible, Hunter has arranged to have copies available through the Sacramento Public Library,

Los Rios Community College District and Sacramento County Office of Education, which placed 60 copies in local high school libraries for the next generation of trailblazing women to savor.

For more information, visit wecandothissacramento.com.

Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Previous profiles can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

Care Commitment

HOMELESS SERVICES FINALLY SEE COORDINATION

BY ERIN JOHANSEN AND LISA BATES

For the first time in years, stakeholders in Sacramento are committed to a single plan to end homelessness. While the situation is bleak on the streets, this commitment is new and can be a game-changer.

The key to success is the shared vow of all partners to move forward with action, services and resources. This means we work together.

We have already seen changes. Thanks to adoption of the city and county partnership, expanded homeless services are available. New housing and safe-stay shelter sites are planned, along with expanded behavioral health services in 11 community locations.

Last year, 9,278 homeless individuals were counted in Sacramento County. The number represented a 67%

increase since the last count in 2019. Employment, social and health care problems contributed to the increase. Approximately six in 10 unsheltered adults indicate they have disabling health conditions that prevent them from working or maintaining stable housing.

Such complexity necessitates collaboration. The Sacramento City and County Continuum of Care is a 30-member regional planning body to improve coordination of housing and services for people who experience homelessness as they move to stable housing and self-sufficiency.

The planning group includes local government, homeless service providers and people with experience, plus businesses, advocates and faith groups. Sacramento Steps Forward is the lead agency and facilitates the connections.

Sac Steps Forward coordinates our

homeless response, manages funding and grants, and collects data to improve the system’s performance and connect clients to housing and services.

We believe collaboration and action will produce the changes we need.

The city, county and continuum of care recently adopted the Sacramento Local Homeless Action Plan to line up resources for homeless people. The plan includes six strategies:

• Build and scale a coordinated access system where people know where and how to connect to resources.

• Ensure emergency shelters and temporary housing locations focus on clients leaving for permanent housing.

• Increase permanent housing opportunities.

• Prevent at-risk households from falling into homelessness.

• Attract and retain a robust and diverse workforce to deliver homeless services.

• Ensure people with behavioral health care needs can access services and supports.

The plan will serve as a blueprint for how we finally reduce and eliminate homelessness.

As we make progress, the public can measure our improvements by getting involved. If you would like to help end homelessness or learn more about Sacramento Steps Forward, visit sacramentostepsforward.org.

Erin Johansen is CEO of Hope

Cooperative and Continuum of Care chair for 2021-23. Lisa Bates is CEO of Sacramento Steps Forward. They can be reached at info@hopecoop.org or info@ sacstepsforward.org. n

Parkside Views

CURTIS PARK HOME TOUR FEATURES LIGHT-FILLED REMODEL

Peter Colussy and Willie Recht found a home in Curtis Park, in more ways than one.

Recht is CEO of the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region and Colussy is director for a public affairs firm. They have two French bulldogs, Daisy and Winnie.

In 2015, the couple purchased a home at Franklin Boulevard and Marshall Way. With each passing year, their appreciation for the neighborhood’s community spirit grew.

In 2019, on their daily dog walk through the tree-lined streets, they spotted a “for sale” sign at an attractive Spanish revival home on Curtis Way with views overlooking the park.

Once inside, they decided to make the move. “We loved our other home, but the bones of this home and the location were too much to pass up,” Recht says.

The new place wasn’t perfect. The couple found the interior somewhat tired and made plans to upgrade. Then the pandemic hit. Their plans needed modification because of supply chain issues.

“We did the remodel in two phases, which made it easier to manage and live through,” Colussy says. “We still had significant delays.”

The 2,200-square-foot home has four bedrooms, one used as a home office for Colussy, and two bathrooms. The couple love color and have made dramatic uses throughout.

By Cecily Hastings

The living room has views of the park through numerous windows in various shapes. The furnishings are stylish and eclectic. The art is either from their favorite local artists or purchased on international travels.

Off the living room is a study opened up from a former bedroom that features dark gray walls and a huge black and white

Photography by Aniko Kiezel Open House

Peter Colussy and Willie Recht

painting of the state bear, a California grizzly. A cozy sectional sofa invites relaxation.

The formal dining room is dramatic with leafy green wall paint, a sleek contemporary dining set, and glass and brass light fixture. The room opens off the living room through a pointed archway. A generous window and carved wood door direct the space toward the side patio.

The kitchen uses soft yellow cabinets and natural wood with taupe accents. Counters have a mix of gray soapstone with maple butcher block on the island. A white faux bamboo dining set adds a crisp touch.

Upstairs the master bedroom and bath are warmed by taupe walls and textured carpet. A contemporary four-

poster bed adds a graphic linear touch and creates a cozy “room in a room” feeling. The couple expertly planned a generous closet system using nooks and crannies of the roof dormers.

The bathroom and master closet have sleek, naturalfinish walnut cabinets with a mini-shaker edge detail. The bathroom is accented with graphic wallpaper of black and white trees, a nod to the park across the street. A red Oriental rug adds a colorful accent. Transitional-style cabinet hardware is used throughout but in different finishes in different areas.

The small balcony and side yard facing the park get lots of attention. But there’s also a beautiful backyard

barbecue, and patio and dining area dotted with greenery and cobalt blue potted plants.

During lockdowns, the couple invited neighbors over to maintain social ties. The dining room always stays busy as the affable couple offer one of the best dinner invitations in town.

As we sat in the living room, I asked what they liked best about their home. Recht and Colussy agreed: “Just sitting in this light-filled room with our dogs, and with the views of the park and neighborhood beyond. It just doesn’t get any better.”

The home will be featured in the 2023 Curtis Park Home Tour, returning this year after a three-year hiatus. Five homes and gardens will show the diversity of styles in Curtis Park on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are available at sierra2. org/event/home-tour or the Sierra 2 office at 2791 24th St. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on tour day. The

tour is presented by Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association. The event will include food trucks, live music, home and garden vendors, picnic tables and chairs at the north end of Curtis Park.

Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. To recommend a home or garden, contact editor@insidepublications. com. More photography and previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

Building Young Minds Minds

NEW SCHOOL OPENS DOORS FOR TRADE SKILLS, COLLEGE

It’s been a long time since I’ve cheered for a development with this much enthusiasm. But wait until you see what Kevin Dobson is doing at the long-shuttered Limn Furniture warehouse on Arden Way. Frustrated from watching so many directionless kids fail to graduate when he was principal at Natomas Charter School, Dobson quit his job to chase a dream. He created a free career academy where motivated high school students can get hands-on experience, internships and college credits at the same time.

Now, with support from the local business community, an agreement with American River College and a $14 million tax-exempt bond to purchase the Limn property for $2.6 million

G D GD

By Gary Delsohn Building Our Future

and build the school, Dobson’s Capital College & Career Academy is on track to open in August.

Dobson expects an initial class of about 80 ninth graders, with plans to add grades 10, 11 and 12 over the next several years.

Targeting students who are first in their family to attend college, the academy focuses on careers in the construction trades, where the need for young workers is acute.

“It’s kind of surreal, but I feel so fortunate to be in this position,” Dobson says. “We had a lot to get through to reach this point, but getting the bond closed was a huge lift. Now I’m excited to be doing the real work of

serving kids and families, especially in a neighborhood like this that can really use a boost.”

Dobson has been at this for a few years, so it’s easy to understand his sense of relief. To start a charter high school, he had to hire instructors, attract students and raise more than $1 million to help cover upfront costs. Then came negotiations to get the County Board of Education to sanction his new charter, all while dealing with the politics of public education. He was originally turned down after resistance from the California Teachers Association, which opposes new charter schools. But Dobson has enthusiastic community and business

support, especially from the trade unions worried where they will find the next generation of carpenters, electricians, masons and plumbers, along with other construction employees needed in accounting, human resources, marketing, management or whatever else a general contractor requires.

With help from a consulting firm that advises fledgling charter schools, Dobson addressed the county’s concerns and won approval for his charter. When the school opens this summer, it will be the only site-based high school in the Sacramento region to allow students to simultaneously take college classes at Sacramento

Kevin Dobson

Photo by Aniko Kiezel

CAMP T R O U B I E TROUBIE

JUNE 12 - 23: Rising 5th to 8th grade girls

JUNE 26 - JULY 7: Rising 5th to 8th grade girls

JULY 18 - 22: Rising 1st to 4th grade girls

S P O R T S SPORTS CAMPS

BEGINNING JUNE 12: Camps open to rising 1st to 9th grade girls

Basketball

State and American River College with the opportunity to earn up to three years of college credit by high school graduation.

At the groundbreaking ceremony in February, Mayor Darrell Steinberg was one of several speakers excited about Dobson’s vision.

“This charter school is going to combine academic rigor and also preparing young people for high wage jobs in the trades,” Steinberg said, “and it’s the exact kind of model we have to replicate not just in Sacramento but throughout the state and the country.”

Also appearing at the groundbreaking was Ken Wenham, president and CEO of Roebbelen Contracting Inc. He’s on the school’s board of directors, along with contractors and officials from SMUD, California Department of Transportation, Teichert, McCarthy Building Companies, Turner Construction, building trades and other local companies.

According to a news release, Roebbelen donated more than $150,000 for naming rights to the academy, one of a number of local firms making sizable donations.

“Once I met Kevin and understood his vision, I knew our name had to be on the building,” Wenham said. “We are grateful to participate in making this vision a reality and look forward to supporting the learning effort at the Roebbelen campus.”

The groundbreaking event attracted 14-year-old Coral May and her mother, Amy. Coral is interested in attending the new school.

“My mom found out about it and I was kind of on the fence because you hear about charter schools opening and then closing in two years because they run out of money or something,” Coral said. “But this seems really cool and (Dobson) seems to have a lot of great ideas for education.”

As her mom pointed out, “The school has so much community support that it feels worth the risk, especially when you factor in how much you can save on college costs by getting a lot of college credit at the same time you’re in the academy. I think it’s really exciting.”

Gary Delsohn can be reached at gdelsohn@gmail.com. Previous columns can be found and shared InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

INSIDE OUT

Community Events

PHOTOS BY SUSAN MAXWELL SKINNER

1. Carmichael Presbyterian Church commemorates its centenary year. Supporters with memorabilia are (from left) Karen Orlando, Pastor Ivan Herman, Pastor Keith DeVries and Allison Cagley.

2. Edward Stach (center) completes an Eagle Scout merit project. His new benches provide seating at the Koobs Nature Center in Carmichael.

3. Home Care Assistance President Ryan Waddell (center) and friends celebrate the senior care agency reopening in the Bel Air Shopping Center in Carmichael.

4. Twin Lotus Thai restaurant holds a one-year party. Guest entertainers include (from left) Rick Lotter, Buca Necak and Del Gomes.

5. At Carmichael Chamber’s 75th birthday celebration, Supervisor Rich Desmond staffer Vanessa McCarthy-Olmstead presents a proclamation to chamber President Izzy DeLancey, Rosie Buck and Julie DePrada-Schott.

6. Carmichael Chamber of Commerce former and current leaders reunite for the chamber’s 75th birthday.

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SIERRA OAKS LIVING 2,929 sqft /0.33 acres/4 car tandem garage. A must see home with excellent curb appeal and a desirable location at the very end of the street. Home boasts a great oor plan with a spacious living room and family room w/ replace. The Primary Suite looks out to the pool & spa. Relax outdoors with the lovely outdoor BBQ and replace. $1,695,000 CHRISTINE BALESTRERI & NANCY DYER 916.996.2244 CalRE#: 01511288 & 01256875

CAMPUS COMMONS 4Bed/3Bath 2137sqft. Downstairs bedroom and full bath. Interior location with end unit. Beautifully updated. $610K CHRISTINE BALESTRERI 916.996.2244 CalRE#: 01511288

WALNUT VIEW ESTATES Beautifully remodeled. Designer features. Showstopper kitchen. Entertain both inside and out. ANGELA HEINZER 916.212.1881 CalRE#: 01004189

RIVER PARK BEAUTY 3Bd/2Ba/1,609 SqFt. Covered patio.

ARDEN PARK GEM 3Br/2Ba/1,690SqFt. Charming Open Concept. Updated Kitchen. Pool & Hot Tub. TIM COMSTOCK 916.548.7102 CalRE#: 01879462

Quiz Master

Perhaps you remember the VegO-Matic commercial from the mid-1960s, where marketing guru and inventor Ron Popeil promoted a kitchen appliance by saying, “It slices, it dices and so much more!”

Veg-O-Matic ads inspired a “Saturday Night Live” spoof about a fish blender called the Super Bass-O-Matic, first performed by Dan Aykroyd in 1976.

Nearly 50 years later, let me introduce you to the Belief-O-Matic. Like the Veg-O-Matic, once you use it, you'll wonder how you ever did without it.

I’m not kidding. The Belief-O-Matic is real.

But it’s not a countertop appliance. Rather, it’s an online survey at

SHOULD AN ONLINE TEST PICK YOUR RELIGION?

Beliefnet.com that asks, “Are you sure your faith is the best choice for you? Take our religion quiz to find out!”

The religious personality test promises that “…if you’ll answer 20 questions about your concept of God, the afterlife, human nature, abortion, homosexuality, divorce and so on, the Belief-O-Matic will tell you what religion or spiritual path (if any) best suits your beliefs.”

If you take the time to seriously answer the questions, the site will rank your answers and match you with a world religion. Think of it as a dating app for God. Kind of like, swipe left if you’re liberal. Right if you’re fundamentalist.

In a world full of “isms,” you could potentially be matched with conservative Protestantism. Or maybe you’ll identify as a blend of, say, 75 percent Eastern Orthodox and 25 percent Seventh Day Adventism.

Your answers may spin you into unexplored places. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to learn about a new religion.

By Norris Burkes Spirit Matters

This Baptist took the Belief-OMatic test and found myself kin to the Religious Society of Friends, better known as Quakers.

The label Quakers took hold when early observers witnessed society

members’ “spiritual energy” and mocked them for “quaking.”

The Society of Friends website promotes two major beliefs: “All people are capable of directly experiencing the divine nature of the universe.” And, “God’s revelations have never stopped. God might reach out to any one of us at any time.”

To paraphrase, God isn’t locked into Bible stories. God lives in our personal stories and is still at work in today’s world.

I wouldn’t call my test results foolproof, but I’ll admit they do seem to fit a certain chaplain (me) who recently returned to pastoring a Baptist church after years of hospice work.

While editors of the Belief-O-Matic website say they hope to inspire people to examine their relationship with God, they admit the test has some shortcomings. It’s not intended as a religious litmus test.

Too bad. A working litmus test could help resolve the differences of religious factions.

But wait, there’s more!

Maybe a litmus test does exist. Dare I suggest it is multi-faith?

Jesus said the real test was for us to “love the Lord your God with all your

heart… (and) love your neighbor as yourself.”

His analysis suggests it’s not how much Bible, Buddha, Brahma or Bhagavad-Gita you can recite. What matters is how you live your faith.

More precisely, what matters is how your faith lives in you. Galatians 5:22 says it best:

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” When you see these behaviors acted out, you know faith has passed the test.

In the meantime, I encourage you to take the Belief-O-Matic test and let me know how you placed. For those with a serious religious interest, check out the Religious Typology Quiz by the Pew Research Center.

I’ve posted both tests on my website at www.thechaplain.net.

Norris Burkes can be reached at comment@thechaplain.net. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. Burkes is available for public speaking at civic organizations, places of worship, veterans groups and more. For details and fees, visit thechaplain.net. n

No Sloppy Joes

FIERY GINGER BRINGS FARM-FRESH QUALITY TO KIDS’ MEALS

When I stumbled onto Fiery Ginger Farm in West Sacramento, I thought I must be in the wrong place.

Just off a main drive choked with cars, behind a motorcycle shop, an agricultural oasis beckoned.

The confluence of urban and rural, the contrast of cement and steel with compost and budding broccoli, struck me as an oddly poetic but fitting combination as I considered the food many of our kids eat.

With rows of organic salad greens, rooting pigs, digging ducks, greeting goats, and a field of cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli, I was in homesteader heaven just blocks from Downtown.

Imagine our kids’ school lunch trays packed with fresh, organic salad greens, pastured pork, braised

G M GM

By Gabrielle Myers

Photography by Aniko Kiezel Farm To Fork

turnips, broccoli heads kissed with Meyer lemon zest, and strawberries with green crowns still attached. Replace the “as cheap as you can get it” pizza slices, fries, squashed hamburgers, nitrate-filled hot dogs, and out-of-season apples and bananas from faraway lands with local, organic, vibrant food to nourish young bodies and minds.

On my visit to Fiery Ginger Farm’s lush plot, cofounder Shayne Zurilgen makes the connection clear: “Our kids should have the same produce as we have when we go to Mulvaney’s. The more kids eat healthy food when they are younger, the more they will eat it as adults. We need to show them how to eat healthy, locally grown and nutrient-dense food. If the veggies are of better quality, they will eat them.”

Fiery Ginger began in 2015 with the goal to transform food access for students in kindergarten through high school. The farm shows kids how to grow, harvest and use farm ingredients. Fiery Ginger also works to deliver food picked and harvested at peak ripeness.

Zurilgen and co-founder Hope Sippola met via the Center for Land-Based Learning’s California Farm Academy. Zurilgen, a former middle school science teacher, and Sippola, a former garden coordinator at Davis Farm to School, each have a passion to get the best food possible into our schools.

Shayne Zurilgen and Hope Sippola

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Fiery Ginger serves as a training site for Davis Farm to School garden coordinators. The farm wants to help more school districts learn how to be leaders in the farm-to-school connection.

The drive to ensure quality food and meaningful connections to the earth enabled the pair to develop a revolutionary organization, Spork Food Hub, which pulls produce and products from about 30 local sustainable farms and ranches.

Spork Food Hub acts as a direct link between these farms and ranches and local schools. The hub allows cafeterias to work with the best produce, eggs and meats around, the same products high-end restaurants enjoy.

The hub serves 12 school districts from Placerville to Vacaville and

Yuba to Stockton. With food equity and access as its mission, the venture wants to help prisons, universities and hospitals gain access to quality, sustainably raised food at reasonable costs.

Now the hub wants to find a facility to process fruits and vegetables, and make good food easier to handle at understaffed and poorly equipped schools and institutional kitchens.

Fiery Ginger has two garden plots, one in West Sacramento and another in Davis. The farm hosts school field trips where students learn how plants grow, what plants need to develop to full potential, how soil productivity works, and how to harvest and preserve the bounty. With 40–50 field trips each spring and 25 or more each fall, the farm makes life-changing impacts on many kids.

The mind-body connection, the most important aspect of our ability to learn, gets addressed when we look critically at the food our kids eat. We can give them access to nourishing food and show them how to grow, prepare and love that nurturing of the physical and mental self.

You can find Fiery Ginger produce and transplants at the Davis Farmers Market, Talini’s Nursery, Davis Farmer’s Kitchen and in many school lunches.

Gabrielle Myers can be reached at gabriellemyers11@gmail.com. Her latest book of poetry, “Too Many Seeds,” can be ordered from fishinglinepress.com. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento n

Real Estate Sales

Closed February 1 - 28*

VISIT INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM FOR COMPREHENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD REAL ESTATE GUIDES WITH 6 MONTH HISTORICAL SALES DATA

* BASED UPON INFORMATION FROM METROLIST SERVICES, INC, FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 1, 2023 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2023. DUNNIGAN, REALTORS DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN ALL OF THESE SALES.

GONE TO POT

LET COLORFUL BLOOMS CHEER AWAY THE BLUES

D V DV

By Dan Vierria Garden Jabber

Rising utility bills and grocery prices can be a gut-punch, especially when tethered to other daily challenges. No wonder studies reveal sufferings from anxiety and depression have tripled in recent years.

Beat back the blues with flowers! Containers of cheery, happy blooms fill the heart with joy.

Trek to the neighborhood nursery and buy armfuls of ostentatious annuals. Select big, bold containers and sacks of quality potting soil. These are baby steps to designing and erecting an adult happy place. Spectacular containers add decorative focal points and supercharge an emotional boost and sense of accomplishment.

You can design flower art from a blank canvas. Arrange pots where they can be viewed from inside the home. An eyeful of beauty should be enjoyed multiple times a day, inside and outside.

A dandy benefit of flower pots is they can be hung or wall mounted. Containers, like people, are a variety of shapes and sizes.

“So many different choices,” says Greg Howes, sales specialist at The Plant Foundry Nursery & Store. “Really depends on where your container is going to be located and the design aesthetic you are after. For general purposes, you can’t go wrong with terra cotta (fired clay).”

Howes designs the nursery’s display flower containers. He prefers a 24-inch-wide pot because it lends itself to several design choices. A half wine barrel is ideal for larger plantings. Pots made from fiberglass, resin, wood, concrete, metal and ceramic are options.

Before purchasing plants, consider where to place centerpiece containers. Most summer annuals love full to mostly sun. Others, like coleus and coral bells, prefer partial shade. Search the label for sunlight requirements. Choose with form in mind.

“For mixed plantings, I often adhere to the thriller-filler-spiller formula,” Howes says. “Thrillers are taller, like grasses, perhaps. Fillers would be a low-growing plant that spreads, like verbena or thymes. For spillers, I love things like Million Bells and potato vines.”

Million Bells may be labeled Super Bells. Blooming non-stop throughout the summer and deep into fall, the tiny petunia-like flowers are a waterfall of striking color.

Choosing bloom colors can be simplified using the standard color wheel that determines

Greg Howes

Photo by Linda Smolek

Home Equity Line of Credit Loan

5 YEAR FIXED RATE

CHECK

local communities

CARMICHAEL www.eldoradosavingsbank.com

800.874.9779

*The initial Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is currently 6.00% for a new Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), and is xed for the rst 5 years of the loan which is called the draw period. After the initial 5 year period, the APR can change once based on the value of an Index and Margin. The Index is the weekly average yield on U.S. Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of 10 years and the margin is 3.50%. The current APR for the repayment period is 7.375%. The maximum APR that can apply any time during your HELOC is 12%. A qualifying transaction consists of the following conditions: (1) the initial APR assumes a maximum HELOC of $200,000, and a total maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) of 70% including the new HELOC and any existing 1st Deed of Trust loan on your residence; (2) your residence securing the HELOC must be a single-family home that you occupy as your primary residence; (3) if the 1st Deed of Trust loan is with a lender other than El Dorado Savings Bank, that loan may not exceed $300,000, have a total maximum loan-to-value (LTV) of 65% and may not be a revolving line of credit. Additional property restrictions and requirements apply. All loans are subject to a current appraisal. Property insurance is required and ood insurance may be required. Rates, APR, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Other conditions apply. A $525 early closure fee will be assessed if the line of credit is closed within three years from the date of opening. An annual fee of $85 will be assessed on the rst anniversary of the HELOC and annually thereafter during the draw period. Ask for a copy of our “Fixed Rate Home Equity Line of Credit Disclosure Notice” for additional important information. Other HELOC loans are available under different terms.

complimentary, harmonious color combinations. For instance, purple goes with yellow, blue marries orange and red loves green. Howes says his go-to color combination is purple with orange or yellow.

“Color wheels are great, especially for those who might be unsure and are trying to match or complement house color or something else,” he says. “In the end, it is your container and should please you first and foremost.”

How many plants are too many for the pot? Depends on the container and how large your choices will become at maturity.

“Ah, this is where things can get confusing and tricky,” Howes says. “Folks generally are looking for containers to match what they see at upscale shopping centers and on pages of publications like Sunset. They are almost always over-planted to produce that overflowing, lush and abundant look that is pleasing to the eye. In a 24-inch-wide pot, I would say plant as few as five and perhaps up to eight to 10, depending on the choice of plants.”

Mix a quality fertilizer into the potting soil during planting and feed with an all-purpose fertilizer during the season. Howes hand waters his containers so he can “check in” with

plants daily. I prefer drip irrigation on a timer.

Arranging flower pots to maximize impact is best achieved in the traditional design grouping of odd numbers, three or five pots. Varying heights is another impact design principle.

“Groupings of three are always correct to the eye,” Howes says. “If I am arranging multiple containers, using odd numbers always looks best. There are places where a single or standalone container would work best and have great impact. I tell folks to experiment and try different placements. Think of your outdoor spaces as you do rooms in your home when decorating. It’s all art!”

Dan Vierria is a University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener for Sacramento County. He can be reached at masterg29@ gmail.com. For answers to gardening questions, contact the UCCE Master Gardeners at (916) 876-5338, email mgsacramento@ucanr.edu or visit sacmg.ucanr.edu. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

Cultures United

MENU BLAZES TRAIL BETWEEN AFGHAN, AMERICAN FOODS

Madar Afghan Food and Bakery is tucked into a strip mall on the corner of Marconi and Fulton avenues. The little restaurant brings Afghan flavors and American expectations together in a smart and delicious package.

How smart? So smart I was convinced Madar was part of a chain. It’s not, but you’d be forgiven for thinking so. From the slick logo font, focused menu and navigable website, this place doesn’t feel like a small, independent restaurant. It’s a machine. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a dozen Madars in Northern California over the next few years.

Madar opened in April 2020. That was a tough time, one month into COVID-19 restrictions. But the crew at Madar persevered.

Ordering happens at the counter. The dining room delivers subtle hints of Afghan culture while being utilitarian and unfussy. A small platform in one corner, strewn with cushions and tucked away under a hanging lamp, feels like a place where travelers can park themselves and sip tea.

Chalkboards abound with frequently changed drawings of animals, flora and sage wisdoms. On a recent visit, a drawing of a blooming plant took up one wall with the words, “Wherever you stand, be the soul of that place.”

SThe humble and comfortable environs are not why most diners visit Madar. They come for the food. Flavors are explosive, preparations expert, the vibe undeniable. Let me add a few details and hope you catch my drift.

GBy Greg Sabin Restaurant Insider

The menu leans toward the mixand-match model, with a few different preparations, sandwich, pita or rice

bowl. Fries topped with meat and sauce, Indian samosas and desserts, including baklava and cookies, round out the menu.

Whether you opt for a crispy sandwich or a “naanwich” (served in Indian naan bread), the chicken is out of sight. A heavily spiced and breaded cutlet, studded with black sesame seeds and crispier than a potato chip,

is topped with your choice of sauces. Some are spicy, some sweet, all mouthpleasing. Any restaurant claiming it has the best fried chicken sandwich in town might need to take a step back.

Or you could have the chapli burger. Chapli is a type of kebab made of ground meat, herbs and spices. Madar chapli is made with tri-tip. The chapli burger is served on a brioche bun and

Photos by Linda Smolek

topped with tomato, coleslaw and yogurt mint chutney. Phenomenal.

The most indulgent American-style treat is the ’Merican fries. It’s a bed of waffle fries topped with crispy chicken, house sauce and seasonings. Here’s the Afghan answer to carne asada fries.

Over the last 20 years, more than 15,000 Afghans have arrived in Sacramento, predominantly in Arden Arcade. These immigrants and refugees bring food cultures, flavors and customs not seen before in the region.

Madar pulls together these imported preparations and ingredients, and melds them with American ideas of casual dining and fast-casual cooking. Much as Afghanistan itself has been a

crossroads, fusing cultures from Central Asia and the Middle East and absorbing ideas from travelers, restaurants such as Madar fuse Afghan and American cuisine to create something special. I encourage you to reach out and discover what our Afghan community has to offer.

Madar Afghan Food and Bakery is at 2654 Marconi Ave.; (916) 827-0009; madar.myncrsilver.com.

Greg Sabin can be reached at gregsabin@hotmail.com. Previous reviews can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

A Madar staff member prepares traditonal bread known as naan-e-Afghani for the oven.

FLAVORS ARE EXPLOSIVE, PREPARATIONS EXPERT, THE VIBE UNDENIABLE.

READERS NEAR & FAR

Visit

1. Conti Kolokotronis, Andrew Mills, Paul Bauer and Sotiris Kolokotronis in London, England.

2. Matt Dyas and Kim Smith in Seattle, Washington.

3. Yvonne and Eddie Fong in New York City.

4. Emily Sheffield and Shane Romick at the Xunantunich Mayan ruins in Belize.

5. Rosie and Zoan Ho at Gunung Ledang, the highest peak in Johor, Malaysia.

6. Doni and Reverend Robert Blumenstock in Casablanca, Morocco.

Art & Craft

MIXED MEDIA ARTIST COMBINES STYLES TO EXPLORE IDENTITY

Davy Fiveash is never not creating. When I catch up with him by phone, I hear telltale scratchings of a paintbrush on canvas while we chat.

“I picked up crayons like every kid does and then I didn’t put them down,” Fiveash says of his lifelong love of art and craft. “I always knew I wanted to be an artist.”

On this day, Fiveash is in his East Sacramento studio working on his newest piece, a large-scale, mixed-media painting based on his childhood titled “The Evangelicals.”

JLBy Jessica Laskey

Davy Fiveash

Photo by Linda Smolek

Open Studio

As a kid growing up in Valdosta, Georgia, Fiveash was exposed to art through his mom, an avid crafter. He recalls staying up late watching old movies while she crafted and he drew. Today, Fiveash considers his artwork a mashup of craft or folk art. He uses fabric and other “less specific” materials and methods, and traditional media such as oil paint.

“Those early influences really matter,” says Fiveash, who left Valdosta to make art in Atlanta. He moved to Boston to earn a diploma at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and eventually an MFA at San Francisco Art Institute.

“Craft was what I saw, so that’s what I thought art was. I started rediscovering my appreciation for craft in art school. I wanted to learn to be a really good painter, but craft kept coming back. It bonds me to home,” he says.

Religion bonds Fiveash to Valdosta and heavily influences his art. As the son of a fundamentalist preacher, Fiveash spent at least three days a week in church drawing while listening to his dad preach.

“As a little queer boy being taught how to be righteous, I learned that being gay was the opposite of that. There was a lot of turmoil in my head,” Fiveash says. “There’s a real

combination of religion and inner turmoil in my art, especially in my latest series, ‘Sunday School.’”

Rabbits, lambs, deer and flowers play into his compositions, both as allegory and reflections of the natural beauty he started to appreciate after being hit by a car in San Francisco in 2010.

“It took a lot of recovery and I started to re-evaluate what was important to me, which came out in my art,” Fiveash says. “Flowers are gorgeous but difficult to paint. They don’t do anything but grow up, give us beauty, then die.”

The breadth of Fiveash’s work has earned him fans in the Bay Area and Sacramento. He’s had work accepted into several exhibitions, including back-to-back juried staff shows at the deYoung Museum, Crocker Art Auction, PBS KVIE Art Auction and Crocker-Kingsley at Blueline Arts.

It was through the PBS KVIE auction that he met D. Oldham Neath, KVIE’s then-art curator, who liked Fiveash’s work. She asked him to bring some pieces to Archival Gallery, a gallery and frame shop she runs in East Sac. She has represented him ever since. He painted a mural of oversized blooms, titled “Providence,” on one of the gallery’s exterior walls as part of Sacramento Mural Alley.

The scratching of paintbrush on canvas catches my attention again.

“I’m painting a rooster for ‘The Evangelicals,’” Fiveash explains. “This is the biggest work I’ve ever made. It’s taller than me! Fundamentalist ideals I struggled with as a kid are starting to re-emerge in politics, so I’m incorporating that into my work. Those experiences have

turned into something I can make art about for a really long time.”

For information, visit fiveashart. com.

Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Previous profiles can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

TO DO

THIS MONTH'S CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Doggy Dash

Sacramento SPCA

Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

William Land Park, 3800 W. Land Park Drive • sspca.org

Go for the 2k/5k dog walk and stay for the “Bark in the Park” Pet Festival with food, drinks, games, demos, prizes, adoptable dogs and more. Funds raised provide medical care to sick or injured animals, lowcost vaccinations, spay/neuter services, behavior training and humane education.

Literary Death Match

Stories on Stage Sacramento & Chills at Will Saturday, April 15, 7 p.m.

The Auditorium at CLARA, 1425 24th St. • storiesonstagesacramento.org

This competitive humor-centric reading series features a mix of four famous and emerging authors who perform their most electric writing in seven minutes or less before a lively audience and a panel of three all-star judges.

Bonsai & Suiseki Show

American Bonsai Association, Sacramento

April 8 & 9, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Shepard Garden & Arts Center, 3330 McKinley Blvd. • abasbonsai.org

Enjoy a large exhibit of stunning bonsai trees developed by ABAS practitioners, along with Suiseki (Japanese viewing stones), workshops, raffles and sale. A demonstration takes place at 1:30 p.m. each day.

VOICES

Howe Avenue Theater

April 14–16 & 21–23

2201 Cottage Way • square.link/u/snhifz6n

Award-winning playwright Victoria Goldblatt presents six short plays of self-discovery featuring six different actors (including Goldblatt herself). Tickets are $20 and proceeds benefit designated charities.

Mira Loma High Art Show

Sacramento Fine Arts Center

April 18–29

5330B Gibbons Drive, Carmichael • sacfinearts.org

Check out the work of talented local high school students at this special exhibition.

Kim Abeles: Smog Collectors, 1987–2020

Sac State Library Gallery

Through May 20

Artist Talk: Tuesday, April 11, noon

6000 J St. • csus.edu/university-galleries/library-galleries

Kim Abeles makes art about pollution from pollution. The exhibition features more than 30 years of artistic investigations related to the environmental impact of airborne particulates.

Leonard Slatkin Conducts!

Sacramento Philharmonic & Orchestra

Saturday, April 29, 8 p.m.

SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St. • sacphilopera.org

By Jessica Laskey

Internationally acclaimed conductor Leonard Slatkin leads a night of classical music, including the only complete symphonic work of Cesar Franck, his Symphony in D minor.

SSPCA Doggy Dash at William Land Park.

THEATRE GUIDE

MS. HOLMES & MS. WATSON, APT 2B

Thru April 16

Mainstage at The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts

2700 Capitol Ave, Sac 916 443-5300

Bstreettheatre.org

Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson brings Joan Watson into modern day London where she teams up with the erratic but brilliant Ms. Sherlock Holmes on her most intriguing and dangerous case. Come see this hilarious update on the classic Arthur Conan Doyle tales, with a gender-bending twist.

HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING

Thru April 16

Capital Stage Company

2215 J St, Sac

Capstage.org

Days after the white-supremacist riot in Charlottesville, four old friends gather for a reunion at their conservative Catholic alma mater in Wyoming. As the party stretches late into the night, they grapple with their beliefs and their place in the world. The reunion becomes less a celebration than a vicious fight that spirals into clashing politics and spiritual chaos. On a chilly night in the middle of America, Will Arbery’s haunting play offers grace and disarming clarity, speaking to the heart of a country at war with itself.

WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN

April 7 – April 30

Celebration Arts Theatre

2727 B St, Sac 916 455-2787

Celebrationarts.net

Characterized as a play-pageant-ritualhomegoing celebration in response to the physical and spiritual deaths of Black people as a result of racialized violence, What to Send Up When It Goes Down is meant to disrupt the pervasiveness of anti-blackness and acknowledge the resilience of Black people throughout history. This theatrical work uses facilitated conversation, parody, song, and movement in a series of vignettes to create a space for catharsis, reflection, cleansing, and healing. Boundaries between performers and audiences blur as the audiences are asked to observe the performance and participate in the ritual.

ANTIGONE

April 14 – April 30

Presented by Falcon’s Eye Theatre at Folsom Lake College at Harris Center for the Arts

10 College Pkwy, Folsom 916 608-6888

Falconseyetheatre.com

At the climax of a bloody civil war that pits brother against brother, both are killed while struggling for control of the nation. With both men dead, their uncle takes control striving to steer the country back to civility. He bestows public honors upon the heroic brother and orders public disgrace for the traitorous brother’s lifeless body. The story follows their sister, Antigone, as she goes against the commands of her uncle and attempts to bury the body of her brother, placing her brother above human laws.

Demolish Brick Wall

Genealogical Association of Sacramento

Wednesday, April 19, 11:30 a.m.

Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive • gensac.org

Speakers Victoria Fisch and Jeremy Frankel discuss acquiring knowledge from data gleaned from civil documents.

Best Buddies Friendship Walk

Best Buddies International

Saturday, April 29, 8:30 a.m.

North Natomas Regional Park, 4989 Natomas Blvd. • bestbuddies.org

Join other walkers to support Best Buddies programs that are creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Taste of East Sacramento

East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce

Saturday, April 29, 5–9 p.m.

Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 616 Alhambra Blvd. • tasteofeastsac.com

This annual event attracts more than 600 participants and vendors, and features more than 40 neighborhood restaurants, cafes, breweries, wineries and specialty grocers. General admission is $75; VIP tickets are $125.

Ode to the Earth & Sky:

Secular Music for Organ & Choir

Vox Musica

Friday, April 21, 7 p.m.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1701 L St.

Sunday, April 23, 5 p.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church, 2620 Capitol Ave. • voxmusica.net

This concert includes new and innovative works that speak to the powerful relationship between our planet, sky, sun and moon.

Featured artist is Vox alum Molly Pease, a vocalist and composer. Tickets are $40. Recording available online April 23–30 for $20.

Old Sacramento Spring Festival

Sacramento History Museum

Sunday, April 30, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

101 I St. • sachistorymuseum.org

Join in hourly dances around a 15-foot maypole—complete with a crown and ribbons—as well as traditional country dances, arts and crafts, hobby-horse races, gold panning, lawn games and more.

Art of Andres Alvarez

PBS KVIE Gallery

April 4–June 2

2030 West El Camino Ave. • kvie.org

On display are more than 20 paintings by painter and photographer Andres Alvarez, who has won numerous awards, including the 2018 Crocker-Kingsley Art Merit Award.

Spring Cleaning

ARTHOUSE Gallery and Studios

Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

1021 R. St. • arthouseonr.com

Items available for purchase include art supplies, proof prints, experimental and older work, slightly damaged pieces, art books, magazines and frames. Come early for the best selection!

Conductor Leonard Slatkin at SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center.

“Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe (After Manet)” by Paul Wonner at Crocker Art Museum.

Breaking the Rules: Paul Wonner and Theophilus Brown

Crocker Art Museum

April 30–Aug. 27

216 O St. • crockerart.org

Browse the comprehensive exhibition of Bay Area Figuration pioneers and artist couple Paul Wonner and Theophilus Brown, with 75 paintings, watercolors and drawings.

Hard Rock Live

Chris Tucker, April 1, 8 p.m. & 11 p.m.

Seven Lions, April 6, 8 p.m.

EPIK HIGH, April 9, 8 p.m.

Sting, April 12 & 13, 8 p.m.

Sabrina Carpenter, April 16, 8 p.m.

Bamboo and KZ Tandingan, April 23, 7 p.m.

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, April 29, 8 p.m.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain, 3317 Forty Mile Road, Wheatland hardrockhotelsacramento.com/entertainment

Check out the April lineup at the region’s newest entertainment venue. Tickets are $33–$396.

Bufferlands Birds & Blooms Walk

RegionalSan

Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m.–noon

8521 Laguna Station Road, Elk Grove • regionalsan.com/bufferlands

Join biologists and docents for a guided walk through the 2,000plus acre preserve surrounding the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. To register, contact conardc@sacsewer.com.

Overcoming Brutality: What to Send Up When It Goes Down

Celebration Arts

April 7–30

2727 B St. • celebrationarts.net

This play-pageant-ritual-homegoing celebration is in response to the physical and spiritual deaths of Black people as a result of racialized violence. It disrupts the pervasiveness of anti-blackness and acknowledges the resilience of Black people throughout history through conversation, parody, song and movement. Admission is $23; seniors and students are $21.

Music Series

The Sofia

Ron Sexsmith, April 13, 7 p.m.

Shannon Curtis, April 21, 7 p.m.

Royal Wood, April 30, 8 p.m.

2700 Capitol Ave. • bstreettheatre.org

Check out the April lineup of musical acts presented at The Sofia, Home of the B Street Theatre. Tickets are $20–$38.50.

Broke-ology

The Sofia

April 26–June 4

2700 Capitol Ave. • bstreettheatre.org

The King family is at a crossroads. As widower William deals with the challenges of getting older, his boys must face the prospect of taking care of their father while also pursuing their own best lives.

Exploring the Figure: Ceramics Classes

clayARTstudios814

Beginning April 4

814 Alhambra Blvd. • clayARTstudio814.com

Explore clay sculpture with instructor Marsha Schindler who demonstrates hand-building and surface/glazing techniques. Choose evening or morning sessions. All levels welcome. Adults only. Clay, glazes, tools and firing are included. Cost is $350.

CapRadio host Vicki Gonzalez in Literary Death Match at The Auditorium at CLARA.

Bonsai & Suiseki Show at Shepard Garden & Arts Center.

Gone Fishin’

Archival Gallery

April 6–29

Second Saturday Reception, April 8, 5–8 p.m.

3223 Folsom Blvd. • archivalgallery.com

This group show, in memory of Ron Wagner, features work by Richard Feese, Fred Gordon, DL Thomas, Ken Waterstreet, Maria Winkler and Wagner. A portion of the proceeds benefits Parkinson Association of Northern California.

Inspiration Education & Art

Elk Grove Fine Arts Center

April 1–27

First Saturday Reception, April 1, 4–7 p.m.

9683 Elk Grove Florin Road • elkgrovefineartscenter.org

This exhibition features work in all mediums by Elk Grove Unified School District educators. In the Foyer Gallery, abstract artist Amy Vidra presents “Lines, Lineage, Ravel: Good Luck Kid” with paintings, assemblage and sculpture.

Chris Tucker at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento.

“Bird on Fence” by Ron Wagner at Archival Gallery.

“Untitled” by Andres Alvarez at PBS KVIE Gallery.

Shannon Curtis at The Sofia’s Music Series.

Elk Grove Festival of the Arts

Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Old Town Plaza, 9645 Railroad St. • elkgrovefineartscenter.org

This annual festival includes fine art booths, live performances, food and wine, a youth arts show, kids’ zone and more. Free admission.

Celebrate City! Open House

Sacramento City College

Friday, April 14, 4–7 p.m.

3835 Freeport Blvd. • scc.losrios.edu

Celebrate Sacramento City College at this free community open house featuring food, music and entertainment showcasing the school’s classes, programs, clubs, student talent and more.

Bockbierfest

Sacramento Turn Verein

Saturday, April 15, 3 p.m.–midnight

3349 J St. • sacramentoturnverein.com

Celebrate the 53rd annual Bockbierfest with authentic food, beer, music and dancing. Tickets are $20 for adults; $5 for children 12 and younger.

Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

MORELS

This mushroom has a strong, nutty, earthy flavor. Its harvest season is short, but you can find dried morels year-round.

To eat: Saute gently in butter with chopped shallots. Add cream for a lovely, light sauce.

Monthly Market

LOOK AT W FARMERS MARKETS IN APRIL

MUSTARD GREENS

The leaves of the mustard plant are highly nutritious and have a peppery flavor. To eat: Add a small amount of raw greens to a salad.

FAVA GREENS

This vegetable, which is related to onions and garlic, is sweet and delicately flavored. Trim the tough green leaves and use the white stalk. To eat: Use to add flavor to stocks, soups or stews.

Inspiration Education & Art mixed media by Leah Newton at Elk Grove Fine Arts Center.

Shoulder muscle, briefly

5 Palindromic helicopter part

6 “Dragon Ball,” e.g.

7 Classic Pontiac

8 “Yeah ... I don’t think so”

9 Overwhelmingly

10 “Well, well, well ...”

11 Pod veggie in caruru

12 Many a B-Mitzvah attendee

13 Cool, in ’90s slang

14 Suspensions of activity

20 Full of fight

24 This cluef has one

25 Dined on humble pie

26 Insignificant

27 Refreshing coffee order

29 Word after “performing” or “fine”

30 Utters

31 School orgs.

32 Strong desire

33 HS class in which students might read “Dos Palabras”

34 First word of “Jabberwocky”

35 “Finishing the ___” (Sondheim memoir)

36 Stallion’s mate

43 Specs

44 Apple tablets

45 Like a fixer-upper, maybe

46 A razor has one

47 Permit

48 Capital of Norway

49 Infamous fiddler

50 Cookies and cream brand?

51 “Pick a ___!”

53 Fake ones might have plastic needles

54 Working hard 57 Cleverness

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