Inside Pocket April 2019 by Inside Publications

APRIL 2019

POCKET

CHRISTOPHER HO

POCKET • GREENHAVEN • SOUTH POCKET • LITTLE POCKET • RIVERLAKE • DELTA SHORES EAST SACRAMENTO • McKINLEY PARK • RIVER PARK • ELMHURST • TAHOE PARK • CAMPUS COMMONS ARDEN

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ARCADE

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SIERRA OAKS

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WILHAGGIN

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DEL PASO MANOR

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CARMICHAEL

LAND PARK • CURTIS PARK • HOLLYWOOD PARK • BROADWAY • THE GRID • MIDTOWN • OAK PARK INSIDEPUBLICATIONS.COM • 3104 O ST. #120 • SACRAMENTO, CA 95816

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THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE, PLACES & CULTURE IN AMERICA'S FARM-TO-FORK CAPITAL

sold

REMODELED CUSTOM GREENHAVEN Single story 3 bedroom 2 bath with an open Àoor plan. Family room/ kitchen/dining combination overlooks an immaculate/manicured backyard. Gorgeous large kitchen and both bathrooms remodeled in 2016. Wonderful kitchen nook. Home has quality and style! Beautiful laminate Àoors, updated pretty ¿replace. $525,000 MONA GERGEN 916-247-9555 DRE-01270375

pending

BEAUTIFUL SOUTH LAND PARK HOME Handsome Mid-Century Ranch brimming with pride of ownership and lots of love. 3 bedroom 2 bath with updated kitchen and baths, re¿nished hardwood Àoors, plantation shutters and dual pane windows. To complete your new home, there is a newer refrigerator and security system. Plus, it’s in a cul-de-sac and close to Land Park! $489,500 SHEILA VAN NOY 916-505-5395 DRE-00924678

pending

RIVERLAKE HALFPLEX Enjoy this warm 3 bedroom, 2½ bath halfplex with over 2500 sq ft in the gated community of Stillwater at Riverlake. The home has an open kitchen with travertine Àooring, double sided ¿replace, formal dining area, spacious master suite with Jacuzzi tub and ef¿cient backyard with deck. This is a great affordable opportunity! $529,000 PATRICK VOGELI 916-207-4515 DRE-01229115

sold

SOUTH LAND PARK TERRACE Here’s a chance to own a one-of-a-kind home! Resting at the top of the hill, with a tree-top view! Built by Unger for his parents, the quality exudes. An open Àoor plan featuring very spacious rooms. Details include cedar lined closets, indoor barbecue, over-sized ¿replace and storage galore. Pretty, private backyard. $700,000 PAULA SWAYNE 916-443-1229 DRE-01188158

pending

LAGUNA WEST HOME IN ELK GROVE Quality JTS built home with 4 bedrooms plus a nice den which can be used as a 5th bedroom. One bedroom and full bathroom downstairs. Gourmet kitchen with an island and Corian counter tops. Master suite with two walk-in closets. Pre-wired security system. Dual thermostat. Beautiful staircase and ¿replace. Excellent Àoor plan. $450,000 MONA GERGEN 916-247-9555 DRE-01270375

sold

REMODELED SOUTH LAND PARK Gorgeous remodeled home in highly desired South Land Park! Single story home on a large .21 acre lot, 3 bedrooms 2 baths with enclosed sunroom. Amazing quality remodeled white kitchen and bathrooms. Open Àoor plan and natural light. Beautiful large yard. Home is beyond immaculate. $441,000 MONA GERGEN 916-247-9555 DRE-01270375

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FANTASTIC RIVER PROPERTY This 3 bedroom 2½ bath property with separate guest house … has it all on a 5 acre parcel. A spacious entry welcomes you to a beautifully updated kitchen and generously sized dining room. The large family room is perfect for all the guests you would want. Guest house with it’s own legal address and huge garage/workshop! $875,000 PAULA SWAYNE 916-425-9715 DRE-01188158

pending

NEAT AND CLEAN POCKET AREA HOME Clean and ready to go... Enjoy this 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with 982 sq ft and 2-car garage. This freshly painted home has laminate Àooring, double sided ¿replace, dual pane windows, vaulted ceilings, generous sized bedrooms, ceiling fans, ef¿cient backyard with deck and side yard. Close to shopping and transportation. $325,000 PATRICK VOGELI 916-207-4515 DRE-01229115

sold

6 BEDROOM ELK GROVE Beautiful spacious home with many wonderful upgrades. Two bedrooms downstairs. Professionally landscaped yard with nice large covered patio. Amazing kitchen with pretty white quartz counter tops, huge island and pantry. Huge master suite with big walk-in closet. Large driveway with plenty of parking space. Shows like a model home! $528,000 MONA GERGEN 916-247-9555 DRE-01270375

SOLD Resort Living at Home! $599,000

SOLD

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EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY TO MAKE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD A BET TER PL ACE. APRIL 2019

APRIL 2019

EAST SAC

ARDEN

LAND PARK/GRID

POCKET

KELSEY BURKE

IAN HARVEY & KOO KYUNG SOOK

CHRISTOPHER HO

KATHRINE LEMKE WASTE

ARDEN • ARCADE • SIERRA OAKS • WILHAGGIN • DEL PASO MANOR • CARMICHAEL

LAND PARK • CURTIS PARK • HOLLYWOOD PARK • BROADWAY • THE GRID • MIDTOWN • OAK PARK

CARMICHAEL

EAST SACRAMENTO • McKINLEY PARK • RIVER PARK • ELMHURST • TAHOE PARK • CAMPUS COMMONS

LAND PARK • CURTIS PARK • HOLLYWOOD PARK • BROADWAY • THE GRID • MIDTOWN • OAK PARK

ARDEN

POCKET • GREENHAVEN •

POCKET • GREENHAVEN • SOUTH POCKET • LITTLE POCKET • RIVERLAKE • DELTA SHORES

LAND PARK • CURTIS PARK • HOLLYWOOD PARK • BROADWAY • THE GRID • MIDTOWN • OAK PARK

INSIDEPUBLICATIONS.COM • 3104 O ST. #120 • SACRAMENTO, CA 95816

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WILHAGGIN

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DEL PASO MANOR

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SOUTH POCKET • LITTLE POCKET • RIVERLAKE • DELTA SHORES

INSIDEPUBLICATIONS.COM • 3104 O ST. #120 • SACRAMENTO, CA 95816

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THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE, PLACES & CULTURE IN AMERICA'S FARM-TO-FORK CAPITAL

PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit # 1826 Sacramento CA

SIERRA OAKS

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ARCADE

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SIERRA OAKS

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WILHAGGIN

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DEL PASO MANOR

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POCKET • GREENHAVEN • SOUTH POCKET • LITTLE POCKET • RIVERLAKE • DELTA SHORES

CARMICHAEL

***ECRWSSEDDM***

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POSTAL CUSTOMER

ARCADE

PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit # 1826 Sacramento CA

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THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE, PLACES & CULTURE IN AMERICA'S FARM-TO-FORK CAPITAL

•

ARCADE

•

SIERRA OAKS

•

WILHAGGIN

•

DEL PASO MANOR

•

CARMICHAEL

POSTAL CUSTOMER

ARDEN

***ECRWSSEDDM***

EAST SACRAMENTO • McKINLEY PARK • RIVER PARK • ELMHURST • TAHOE PARK • CAMPUS COMMONS

THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE, PLACES & CULTURE IN AMERICA'S FARM-TO-FORK CAPITAL

COVER ARTIST

3104 O St. #120, Sac. CA 95816 (Mail Only)

info@insidepublications.com PUBLISHER Cecily Hastings EDITOR Cathryn Rakich editor@insidepublications.com PRODUCTION M.J. McFarland

CHRISTOPHER HO Christopher Ho is a self-taught artist who had his ﬁrst solo art exhibition in Kagoshima, Japan. Having participated in numerous art events in Japan, he moved back to Sacramento where he hopes to contribute to the city's art scene. The cover painting is his attempt to combine portrait with abstraction and the motion of energy. Shown: “Ms. Ooja,” 36 inches by 36 inches, mixed media on canvas. Visit instagram.com/ chrishoart.

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APRIL 2019 VOL. 6 • ISSUE 3 6 10 12 14 16 18 20 24 27 28 30 32 36 38 40

Publisher's Desk Pocket Life Pocket Beat City Politics Giving Back City Beat Inside Downtown Open House Sports Authority Pets & Their People Spirit Matters To Do Garden Jabber Open Studio Restaurant Insider

Donald Kendrick Music Director

ast West Co re è i Prem

SPRING SEASON

LIGHT AND FIRE

LUX: The Dawn from On High | Dan Forrest Die Erste Walpurgisnacht | Felix Mendelssohn

LUX: The Dawn from On High is Dan Forrest’s third major work for chorus and orchestra, after Requiem for the Living and Jubilate Deo. This five-movement work explores various facets of light, in texts ranging from ancient liturgical chant to Scripture to modern secular love poetry. Druids, witches, demons and ghosts are roused in Mendelssohn’s secular cantata celebrating Spring Pro rojjeect and the Sun. cted Carlos Santelli, Tenor Matt Hanscom, Baritone Also featuring Oksana Nebozhuk, Mezzo

Carlos Santelli

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Healing Our Divide BETTER ANGELS HOLDS RED-BLUE WORKSHOPS TO MEND DIFFERENCES ast fall we ran an article about Marisa Bogdanoff and Steve Sphar, local volunteers who are working to foster civil political discussion by leading Sacramento’s chapter of Better Angels. Better Angels is the national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing liberals and conservatives together to understand each other beyond stereotypes. The idea for the group was in the works before the polarizing 2016 presidential election. Soon afterward, Better Angels sprang into action, traveling across the country to set up Red-Blue workshops in which an equal number of conservative and progressive adults came together to talk about their differences within a structured format.

Marisa Bogdanoff and Steve Sphar of Sacramento Better Angels

"America has developed a ‘culture of contempt’—a habit of seeing people who disagree with us not as merely incorrect or misguided, but as worthless." -Arthur C. Brooks 6

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CH By Cecily Hastings Publisher’s Desk

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SUMMERatJESUIT.COM My husband and I attended their October event at Trinity Cathedral. Attendees saw an example of how Red-Blue workshops are structured. A local media panel discussed the effect of media on political debates. We were intrigued and offered to host a Red-Blue workshop in our home this coming May. I recently read a new book called “Love Your Enemies” by New York Times best-selling author and social scientist Arthur C. Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute. I found his previous book, “The Conservative Heart,” terrific. Given my personal mission to foster closer connections between members of our community, I am deeply troubled by what has been called the “outrage industrial complex” that prospers by setting American against American. Brooks explains that one in six Americans has stopped talking to close friends and family members over politics. And millions are organizing their social lives and curating news and information to avoid hearing viewpoints different from their own. Ideological polarization is at higher levels than at any time since the Civil War.

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Even worse, I’ve found almost everything has become political. Whether it’s our weather, schools, churches, comedy, entertainment, food, family life and even sports—politics has oozed up to divide us. I’ve especially felt deep polarization from neighbors in debating local land use and civic projects. According to Brooks, “America has developed a ‘culture of contempt’—a habit of seeing people who disagree with us not as merely incorrect or misguided, but as worthless. Maybe you dislike it— more than nine out of 10 Americans say they are tired of how divided we have become as a country.” Brooks’ prescriptions are counterintuitive. To bring America together, he argues, we shouldn’t try to agree more. Civility and tolerance shouldn’t be our goals, he says, because they are hopelessly low standards. And our feelings toward our foes are irrelevant; what matters is how we choose to act. “Love Your Enemies” offers a clear strategy for people eager for a new era of American progress. And most of all, it is a roadmap to arrive at the happiness

that comes when we choose to love one another, despite our differences. Brooks says that contempt, the noxious brew of anger and disgust, for those we disagree with is the root of this divide. And it is beyond just contempt for differing ideas—it is contempt for those who hold them. Contempt fuels much of the cable news shows and the social media machine. It affirms our worst assumptions about those with whom we disagree. I agree with Brooks that disagreement in itself isn’t bad. It is good because the heart of our democracy is competing political ideas. (I worry that both our city and state policy discussions are often one-sided.) So we need to not agree, but to disagree better. This requires that we commit to never treat others with contempt because, as Brooks says, “No one has ever been hated into agreement.” I’m not happy with myself for times when I’ve had harsh words or been dismissive of others. Trying to make amends can set you free, so Brooks advises us that we all need to try using more humor, good heartedness and magnanimity. Others may not always

accept it, but we ourselves can feel happier in the process. The challenge for Bogdanoff and Sphar is finding more conservatives willing to come forward for workshops, especially in Blue-dominated Sacramento. “They’re out there,” Bogdanoff says. “We just have to find them.” Nonetheless, the group gives conservatives a chance to voice views in a setting where they will be treated respectfully. I’m hopeful I can be successful in recruiting our own workshop participants from both sides. After all, conservatives are supposed to be concerned with local civic life and efforts to “conserve” civilized forums and debates! For more information, visit betterangelssacramento.org. To participate in or host workshops or other local events, contact Marisa Bogdanoff at marisangottuso@yahoo. com. On Wednesday, May 15, a Better Angels documentary will be shown at Clunie Community Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. n

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The Pocket Change Investment Association meets monthly.

Easy Money

E-WASTE & SHREDDING

POCKET INVESTMENT CLUB IS GOLDEN AFTER 25 YEARS

CM By Corky Mau Pocket Life

POC APR n 19

pside, downside, P/E ratio, EPS, options, short sells, PERT, SSG, REIT—all foreign terms to me. But I am a little smarter now after attending a meeting of the Pocket Change Investment Association. The investment club was established in April 1994 by Pocket neighbors. Founding members Michael Fong and Dr. Helen Kwong considered the monthly $25 dues as “pocket change,” which fit perfectly with the name of their neighborhood. And so the Pocket Change Investment Association was born. It meets monthly. The group celebrates its 25th anniversary this month with a weekend

Kwong says. “But the positive benefits of participating in the club still remain. We still have fun learning and earning with friends. When you consider that it’s easy to spend $30 a month on coffee and get nothing but a great cup of joe, our monthly $30 has not only reaped us a decent return on our investments, but a wealth of knowledge and, more importantly, long lasting friendships.” In 1994, the group immersed itself in learning how to organize, open a brokerage account and educate members on investment tools. The Pocket Changers purchased four stocks that year—Biomet, Cisco Systems, McDonalds and Zenith Electronics. Today, the club’s portfolio has 24 stocks with a market value of more than $470,000—a big jump from five years ago when the portfolio had a market value of about $217,000. I found the investment club meeting interesting. I learned how investment clubs function and enjoyed talking with new friends over dinner. And I can’t wait to see how the Pocket Changers will be doing on their 30th anniversary.

trip to Sonoma County. The club has 13 members, which includes five founders. The focus is business. The club collectively buys stocks, and each member is expected to make one annual stock presentation for the group to purchase. Members also present one business topic for discussion, such as work after retirement. Meetings rotate among members’ homes. The Pocket Changers like solid bets, and don’t go for risky investments. But inflation is unavoidable—monthly dues are now $30, up from the original $25. “Over the years, our membership has changed due to the usual life changes,”

Bring unwanted e-waste materials and documents for shredding to the Kennedy High School parking lot Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No charge for dropping off eligible e-waste products, but there’s a $3 to $5 fee for document shredding. For information on e-waste, call (916) 3868394. For information on shredding, call (916) 392-2317.

EARTH DAY VOLUNTEERS Celebrate Earth Day 2019 by volunteering to clean up Garcia Bend Park on Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Minimum age to volunteer is 14 (3 if with an adult). Dress comfortably and wear closed-toe shoes. Equipment and snacks will be provided. For more information, contact Devin Lavelle at (916) 808-7192 or parks@devinlavelle. com.

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EASTER EGG HUNT Grab those Easter baskets and head to the annual Egg Hunt at Garcia Bend Park on Saturday, April 20. Enjoy entertainment and children’s activities before the hunt, which starts about 10:30 a.m. Designated age-group areas will be set up with plenty of eggs for everyone. The Easter Bunny also will make a guest appearance.

SOCCER SIGNUPS Greenhaven Soccer Club is registering young people ages 6 to 13 for spring soccer. The next session is May 15–31 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Garcia Bend Park. Cost is $90 per child with a $20 discount per sibling. Register at campscui.active.com/orgs/ transatlanticsoccer.

SUMMER @ CITY HALL Deadline to apply for the 2019 Summer @ City Hall program is Friday, April 19. Current sophomores and juniors living in or attending high

school in the Sacramento city limits are encouraged to apply. The six-week program is a unique learning experience that emphasizes civic engagement and youthdevelopment principles. For more information, contact Maria VidesMedal at (916) 808-6162 or mvmedal@ cityofsacramento.org.

LOVE THIS PLACE I want to give a shout out to my wonderful neighbors who helped me and Freddie, my senior dachshund, while I recovered from hip-replacement surgery. I hear complaints about car break-ins and irresponsible pet owners who don’t pick up after their dogs, but the vast majority of Pocket residents are great people. Like the familiar adage goes, “It takes a village.” Love my Pocket village. Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. n

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Levee Parkway Blossoms HOW CITY WILL FUND, BUILD LONG-AWAITED TRAIL

hey present themselves as victims of robberies and assaults, but police data shows their streets are extraordinarily safe. They promise to sue the city, but never file lawsuits. They make threats and bark loudly, but never bite. Empty threats have worked wonders for a handful of Pocket and Greenhaven homeowners who claim they own public levees along the Sacramento River. The ownership claims are fantasy. In fact, easements were bought by the state a century ago. And since the 1800s,

RG By R.E. Graswich Pocket Beat

POC APR n 19

local levees have been used for public recreation and flood protection. Public access to waterways is enshrined in law. No matter, for almost 50 years, a few riverfront property owners got their way with city and state officials. They carved out private party zones behind locked gates on levees maintained by public funds. Authorities were deferential, as this report to the Sacramento City Council in 1997 demonstrates: “Private gates across the levee, private gardens, and dock areas have been constructed since these areas are viewed as extensions of the property owners’ backyards. Many riverfront property owners have lived in the same home for over 30 years and are strongly opposed to public access adjacent to their private property.” Note how the report—written by bureaucrats at City Hall—bent backward to avoid upsetting the riverfront homeowners. And note how no relevant facts were presented, no ordinances or laws cited. Instead, the report was filled with irrelevant, accommodating language: “viewed as

extensions,” “same home for 30 years” and “strongly opposed.” Today, as Councilmember Rick Jennings plans to finally open levee access to the public, he relies on a more visionary document, the Sacramento River Parkway Master Plan, commissioned by the city in 1975. The Master Plan calls for a continuous waterfront bikeway along the levee from Freeport to Downtown. Jennings considers the plan a promise the city must keep. Jennings hasn’t ignored riverfront homeowners. He’s not dismissive of their concerns about burglars and muggers. He says, “It has to be up to us to keep everybody safe along the parkway. We have to provide security.” Jennings hoped to remove the levee fences and open the parkway in his first term. But removing decades of resistance is not easy. Re-elected in 2018, Jennings expects the job to require another couple of years. His office estimates the cost at $7.925 million, which includes clearing up legal arguments over easements, environmental reports, permits and

design work. The cheap part will be the pavement—the new bikeway will run on gravel installed by the Army Corps of Engineers as crews make levee upgrades. The city has carved out $2.3 million for design, permits and legal costs. Riverfront homeowners are being offered cash settlements—the city figures it’s cheaper than going to court. Refusals will trigger condemnation. Another $325,000 has been earmarked for construction north of Garcia Bend Park to the Pocket Canal. The largest chunk—about $5.3 million—will be gathered from local, state and federal transportation funds, grants and city reserves. “It’s the right thing to do,” Jennings says. “The levee parkway means a healthier Sacramento, where people can ride bikes Downtown or to Folsom. It means access to playing fields and parks. It gives us the natural beauty that our rivers provide.” R.E. Graswich can be reached at reg@graswich.com. n

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What Price Glory? STEINBERG’S APPETITE NEEDS REALITY CHECK

t his State of the City speech in February, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said, “Sacramento can in fact have it all.” What he didn’t say was how the city will pay for it all. In the warm afterglow of his successful campaign to pass the Measure U sales tax, Steinberg exhibited gross overconfidence in the ability of local government to solve the most complex and entrenched social problem of our day—poverty—while losing touch with the city’s inherent financial limits. In his speech, Steinberg called for the city to put 80 percent of new

CP By Craig Powell City Politics • OPINION •

POC APR n 19

Measure U money (about $40 million a year) for five years into an “economic trust fund” to invest $200 million directly in “economic equity” in our neighborhoods. The irony is that the burden of his new 1-cent sales tax falls most heavily on those the mayor sincerely hopes to help with his “inclusive economic growth” program. If there’s a silver bullet solution to the problem of poverty, most policy experts would agree it lies not in transfer payments, corporate welfare, subsidized housing or redevelopment spending, but in preparing our young for productive and prosperous futures through excellent schooling. But education is the one policy arena where the mayor has been AWOL. Steinberg has done nothing to intervene in the tragically failing Sacramento City Unified School District, which is on track to run out of cash and get taken over by state receivership in November. In fact, the mayor’s sole intervention in the school district has been to exacerbate its crisis

by midwifing an irresponsible labor contract in 2017 with teachers. The contract handed out significant raises to teachers, but did nothing to control the huge health care costs that are concussing city school finances, as reflected in the stupefying $700 million unfunded liability for retiree health care.

ONE-TIME MONEY: CHRISTMAS MORNING AT CITY HALL As the mayor put it in his Jan. 29 budget memo to the City Council: “I strongly believe that in our first two years together we have laid a solid foundation on every key challenge and opportunity facing our changing City. 2019 must be the year we shift from foundations to breakthroughs.” The city has about $35 million in “leftover” money, sometimes called “one-time” money. This includes about $15 million in leftover money from last fiscal year, and $20 million in reserves

from the half-cent sales tax under the original Measure U. The council has a longstanding practice of taking money left from prior fiscal years and using it to shore up finances, usually by socking money away in Economic Uncertainty Reserves (now 10 percent of the general fund, compared to a reserve of more than 20 percent at the onset of the Great Recession). Alternatively, the city has modestly paid down its unfunded retirement liabilities (now nearing $1 billion). The city also typically uses leftover money for long-term investments. The council has a written policy not to use one-time money to pay operating costs. This year, the policy was largely shredded. Of the $35 million, $11 million is being spent on overtime pay, cost overruns, increased staffing, two fire academies and minor equipment purchases. The memo said $8 million “of one-time money (is being spent) to show the neighborhoods the potential of their transformational decision

station on a route that has struggled to achieve anticipated ridership levels. The angst is understandable given the major progress RT has made under general manager Henry Li in improving the security and cleanliness of Light Rail trains and stations. We’ve received no word yet on how school administrators or parents of Burbank students feel about a homeless shelter within a stone’s throw of campus. In District 3, Councilmember Jeff Harris is proposing that a shelter be built at Cal Expo. The site is located in the southeast corner of the Cal Expo parking lot, near the intersection of Ethan and Hurley, a short walk from Arden Fair Mall. One of the biggest objections North Sacramento residents had to the opening of the so-called “Winter Triage Shelter” on Railroad Drive 15 months ago was they felt blindsided by the lack of adequate notice from the city. When assistant city manager Chris Conlin was quoted in a Sacramento Bee article saying, “All council members have identified potential shelter sites in their districts to staff,” but failed to publicly identify the sites, we grew concerned. Were city officials playing “hide the pea” on exactly where councilmembers intended to place homeless shelters to avoid arousing neighborhood opposition until it was too late for residents to do much about it? Councilmember Allen Warren, whose North Sacramento district is most impacted by the operation of the winter shelter, urged colleagues at a recent council meeting to announce their potential sites. “We all have to play a major role in this process,” Warren said. When Warren’s plea fell on deaf ears, Eye On Sacramento filed a request under the California Public Records Act asking the city to divulge records on the sites proposed by each councilmember. Unsurprisingly, the city failed to deliver the information by our publication date. From this silence, the public can infer city leaders plan a repeat of the short-notice neighborhood ambush they used in North Sacramento, this time on other unsuspecting Sacramento neighborhoods. Craig Powell is a retired attorney, community activist and the president of Eye On Sacramento, the local government watchdog and policy advisory organization. He served as chair of the No On Measure U campaign. Powell can be reached at craig@eyeonsacramento.org or (916) 718-3030. n

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last November,” meaning a reward for approving Measure U. Of this $8 million, $2.1 million would be used to launch six new programs, mostly focused on youth. But the biggest item in the midyear spending spree is a whopping $16 million to open and operate eight new 100-person homeless shelters over the next two years. This would be augmented with $12 million in current and anticipated state dollars, $10 million in private-sector funding (mostly from health care systems), for a total of $40 million for shelters (it’s not clear where the final $2 million would come from). That equates to an eye-popping cost of $50,000 to house (on a cot) and feed each homeless person for two years. The proposal drew pushback from Councilmembers Angelique Ashby, Larry Carr and Allen Warren, who questioned whether spending so much on shelters made sense in the face of other priorities, such as police, fire and parks, and expressed concern about where the money to operate the shelters would come from after two years. There’s also the question of a $63 million hike in the city’s annual pension payments to CalPERS. There’s no provision for how the city will pay that bill. The City Council is shoveling nearly $35 million of one-time cash out the door while ignoring the fact that forecasts show Sacramento will experience $30 million in annual budget deficits to the general fund in just three years. The forecasts make no allowances for a future recession. The other striking feature of the mayor’s shelter plan is how he’s trying to shift responsibility for the location of eight homeless shelters from the city itself to individual councilmembers. Clearly, Steinberg wants councilmembers to take the heat for choosing shelter sites in their districts— along with potential impacts the shelters may have on neighborhoods. In other words, it’s the mayor’s homeless plan, but each councilmember gets the political headache. That may be one reason why only two of the eight members have, as of our publication deadline, publicly proposed shelters in their districts. The mayor’s closest ally, Jay Schenirer, is proposing a shelter in the parking lot of the Florin Road Light Rail Station, kitty-corner from Luther Burbank High School, next to a mobile home park. Our sources tell us the folks at Regional Transit are less than thrilled by the prospect of having a 100-person homeless shelter a few yards from a

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United We Stand POCKET RESIDENT DEDICATES DECADES TO UNITED WAY

Carolyn Mullins

By Jessica Laskey Giving Back: Volunteer Proﬁle

t a recent Women United luncheon, Carolyn Mullins was approached by one of the young men participating in the event. The annual luncheon is a celebration of the United Way women’s group that supports local foster youth. The young man asked Mullins if she would attend his high school graduation—excited to share this momentous occasion with someone who had helped him get there. Mullins enthusiastically agreed and attended the graduation later that spring.

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That should tell you pretty much all you need to know about Mullins and her commitment to United Way. She has been an active member of Women United since 2010; has served as a board member for 12 years— including three years as chair; and currently serves as chair of the Board Development Committee. But her involvement with the nonprofit that focuses on improving health, education and financial stability in communities started long ago.

“I first got involved with United Way in the late 1970s,” Mullins says. “As a manager at AT&T, I was responsible for coordinating employee-giving campaigns and United Way was always at the forefront for me. I eventually started coordinating the United Way campaigns within AT&T across California and Nevada, so I got to work even more closely with them. “When I got involved with Women United, I got the chance to bring a mentoring group called Women of AT&T to a local foster home to conduct

life-skills workshops for the kids. I love connecting people.” Mullins has made an impressive career of doing just that. The Pocket resident retired in 2013 as AT&T’s executive director of human resources of National U-verse Field Operations after a 41-year career, during which she supported 23,000 employees across 22 states. Through it all, she’s maintained a busy schedule of volunteerism for United Way—through Women United, as well as the organization’s Square One Project—that earned her the United Way California Capital Region’s Boje and Price Award for Outstanding Volunteerism last December. “I’m delighted and humbled,” says Mullins, who also serves as chair of the Public Policy, Advocacy and Community Involvement Committee for the Sacramento chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. “Volunteering is in my DNA. I love being part of an organization that has such an impact on children in our community. The Square One Project seeks to eliminate poverty through education—that’s very near to my heart. “My mother was an educator and my parents always said to focus on getting an education because no one can take that away from you. You don’t see children today getting that kind of help and support, so United Way is there to be a champion for the children.” For more information, visit yourlocalunitedway.org. Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. n

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Never Too Young

SAC CITY SCHOOLS TEACH PARENTS AND PRESCHOOLERS

f Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to see a best-practice example of early childhood education, he doesn’t have to travel far. A trip to David Lubin Elementary School at 35th and M streets, about 23 blocks from the state Capitol, will reveal wonders. Lubin is one of seven schools in the Sacramento City Unified School District to offer a program called Parent Participation Preschool. The formula is not new—Sac City borrowed the idea from Oakland and Berkeley schools in the late 1940s. Twenty years ago, I enrolled with my two kids. The experience still pays dividends. Here’s the secret to Parent Participation Preschool: the program

RG By R.E. Graswich City Beat

Anita Warmack (front, left) with her young students.

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flips the common approach to early education and makes the parent the student. Parents enroll through Sac City Unified Adult Education. Attendance is taken on parents, not kids. Each grownup works in the classroom one day per week and attends monthly meetings on parenting strategies. Mom and Dad learn a lot. The classes are beneficial to parents, but the big winners are the kids. They attend preschool daily, play alongside dedicated adults and learn from professional educators. “It’s an amazing program,” says Anita Warmack, who has taught Parent Participation Preschool for 31 years in Sacramento. “I can’t tell you how many parents come to me and say it was one of the best experiences they ever had with their children.” Warmack is a legend at Sac City Unified, not only for her dedication to parents and preschoolers but her invincible spirit. She has remained at work through multiple challenges with breast cancer, inspiring students and colleagues.

She spends her mornings at O.W. Erlewine Elementary in Larchmont Riviera, with afternoons at Lubin. As Warmack arrives for afternoon class, alumni members, now in first or second grade, run to greet her, yelling, “Miss Anita!” Two parents in the program were once children in her class. “This particular program is so valuable because it’s so much more than affordable preschool. It empowers parents to feel comfortable in the classroom, and lays a foundation for parents to later become more involved in the child’s school and education as a whole,” says Wei Garland, a parent with two children who graduated from the program. The essential purpose of Parent Participation Preschool hasn’t changed in decades. But the challenges of education have evolved for 3- and 4-year-old children. “Our day is still play-based, but the curriculum has undergone fundamental changes at the kindergarten level and beyond,” Warmack says. “One big change has been cellphones. Our children don’t have them yet, but

they know how to use them. And they have devices like iPads. We encourage parents to limit contact with tech. Young children need tactile engagement, and not a glass screen.” Moments in Warmack’s classroom are classic and timeless. Children still ask how babies are made. Parent Participation Preschool provides nervous parents with age-appropriate responses. During a vocabulary exercise, one boy demonstrated a four-letter lexicon that would have impressed a drill sergeant. Warmack thanked the lad for being helpful, and asked him to use other words. The semester cost of Parent Participation Preschool is $575 for the five-day preschool program, and $475 for the four-day option. Says Warmack, “People with resources can send their children to private preschool. For lowincome families, there’s Head Start. This is for everyone else.” To see for himself, Gov. Newsom would be welcome at Warmack’s classroom anytime. R.E. Graswich can be reached at reg@graswich.com. n

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Full Steam Ahead

RAILYARDS ARE FINALLY LEAVING THE STATION

Denton Kelley

SC By Scot Crocker Inside Downtown

POC APR n 19

he Sacramento railyards, which linger as an eternal dream for Downtown expansion, are picking up steam. Development plans are laying a foundation to extend the city’s remarkable evolution. At 244 acres, the railyards represent a massive economic opportunity. The project has taken decades, but the city has been busy. Many infrastructure

improvements are finished, including new streets, bridges, the Intermodal Transit Facility and restored train station, track relocation and parking improvements. The goal is a regional transportation hub to incorporate transit services and support amenities that bring together passenger rail, regional rail, light rail transit, intercity bus, local

bus, charters, rental services, bicycles, pedestrians and automobiles. While infrastructure is key, the railyards’ success requires commercial and residential development. That task falls to LDK Ventures. Founded by Larry Kelley, LDK has developed major projects around the region, including the conversion of McClellan Air Force Base into a successful business park. The vision is now in the hands of Larry Kelley’s son, Denton, who will help shape the former Southern Pacific yards over the next 20 years and beyond. “We have the opportunity to change the landscape of Sacramento and economic development of the city,” Denton Kelley says. “We can raise the bar by doubling the size of the Downtown area.” Kaiser Foundation Hospitals recently finalized plans to acquire eight square blocks in the railyards for a new medical center to replace Kaiser’s Morse Avenue facility. Billionaire Ron Burkle said he would purchase majority ownership in the Sacramento Republic soccer club, build a stadium in the railyards and develop an adjacent entertainment district. Burkle’s plans hinge on moving the minor-league Republic into Major League Soccer. “We are working for an MLS team,” Kelley says. “It’s still going and still positive. And we hope to announce a partner for our entertainment district, which can also serve as an anchor for our central shops and retail.” The plans for the full development of the railyards include more than 500,000 square feet of retail, roughly 3 million square feet of office and 6,000 to 10,000 residential units. There will be restaurants, retail, open space, and links to Sacramento’s cultural and historical roots. While the railyards are an extension of Downtown, Kelley sees the development as unique for Sacramento. “Downtown and Midtown are wonderful districts, but they are a mix of old and new just because they have been around for a long time,” Kelley says. “It’s a hodgepodge of architecture. While we have the old railyards’ buildings adding a gritty industrial vibe, the railyards will be totally new construction with a new, modern flavor.” Expectations are running high about the transformation and how it will expand the Downtown core for people to live, work and play there. “We wanted higher densities and to have people living close to work,” says

Renderings provided by RMW Architecture and Interiors Richard Rich, railyards project manager with the city. “We want to change transportation modes and get people out of their cars.” He sees the railyards as a pedestrian center where people can walk, bike or use alternative transportation. With its proximity to jobs throughout Downtown, residents will have options to get around, including bikes and scooters. Kelley agrees with the vision of residents living, working and playing in the new district. Kaiser will have several thousand employees. Offices and retail shops will mix with housing. “Think about how many doctors, nurses and support staff will work at

Kaiser,” Kelley says. “We can create a very nice work-live dynamic.” Sacramento isn’t only focused on the railyards. The Powerhouse Science Center is being built nearby along the Sacramento River. City officials are facilitating a vision for riverfront development north from Old Sacramento. As always, there could be headwinds. Economic downturns halted previous projects. And when the economy soars, construction costs rise and push property costs and rents higher. “These things are out of our control,” Kelley says. “It happens in development. Labor costs and construction go up in a

good economy. We’ll do the best we can and expect it will equal out over time.” Rich wonders about the perceptions of two distinct parts of Downtown, old and new, separated by rail tracks. “It happens,” he says. “You have a perception of this side, or that side, of the tracks. It can be a challenge, but we’re aware of it.” The railyards will progress over the next 20 years. Each milestone will offer another reason for Sacramento to join the ranks of the nation’s most livable cities. Scot Crocker can be reached at scot@ crockerbranding.com. n

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READERS NEAR & FAR 1. Debbie Lee in front of Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina. 2. Pam Elmore, Gina Viani, Mary Kay Hjelemand and Eileen Hayes at Abu Simbel archaeological site in AswÄ n, Egypt. 3. Bryon and Gulnaz Steiner in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 4. Kristin Daily at The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, Denmark. 5. Councilmember Jeff Harris with Miguel Fraga, Cuban ambassador to the U.S. 6. Newlyweds Nicole and Xeres Dalske in Mo'orea, Tahiti. 7. Marian Love in Shanghai, China, on New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day.

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Farmhouse Vibe HOW ONE FAMILY BUILT A NEW HOME IN OLD CURTIS PARK

he family of six was “busting at the seams.” Living in a small house in Oak Park, Micah and Emily Baginski and their four

CR By Cathryn Rakich Open House

POC APR n 19

children needed a bigger place to call home. But there was a catch. The couple wanted to build a new home in the established neighborhood of Curtis Park, where vacant lots are few and far between. After a year of searching, the opportunity finally presented itself. A home on a two-parcel lot came on the market. “The family that owned the house used the extra lot as their side yard,” says Micah, part owner and agent for Grounded Real Estate based in Oak Park.

Grounded purchased the house with its two parcels—and the Baginskis bought the extra lot from the agency. “This was an opportunity to have a brand-new house in an old neighborhood,” Micah says. The architecture for the 2,583-square-foot two-story home came from the Bungalow Company in Bend, Ore., which provides plans for craftsman-style homes. “They are specifically designed to fit on small lots,” Micah notes.

In addition to the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath main residence, there is a separate 357-square-foot inlaw cottage in the back. As a general contractor, Micah oversaw the project. “But my wife really ran the job,” he says of Emily, a teacher who home schools their four children. “She was here when I couldn’t be.” Micah got the inspiration to create a modern farmhouse-style home from Joanna Gaines, star of the popular HGTV series “Fixer Upper.” “There are elements of an old turn-of-the-century

farmhouse,” he says, such a shiplap siding. “But it’s also a craftsman-style home—so it’s a mish-mash.” The finishes and color schemes are “part of the farmhouse vibe,” Micah adds. The fireplace is almost an exact replica of one he saw on Pinterest. “I’m

a builder so I know how to translate that image into an actual piece of construction.” Micah designed the fireplace mantel using a 4-by-6 plank of reclaimed redwood he salvaged from a home in Fair Oaks. “I can piece it together in my

head and tell someone else to build it who has better skills than I do.” One striking feature is the solid hickory flooring throughout the ground level. The couple got a “phenomenal deal on ends and pieces” of staggered

lengths, Emily says, with beautiful color variations. The couple also chose bright white for the walls, built-ins, moldings, window and door frames, and kitchen cabinets. The décor is minimalist for “less visual clutter,” Micah says. “It was refreshing and mentally clarifying to move in here.” The kitchen island features a galvanized steel top that mimics an antique farmhouse workbench, which resides in the living room. “A good designer will tell you to pick one thing as the inspiration for your house—this was it for me,” Micah explains. The kitchen’s white marble countertop and tile backsplash are repeated in the bathrooms. Shower stalls have white subway tiles. California hickory was used for the halfbath vanity and staircase. The mudroom floor sports slate tiles in a herringbone pattern. The house has two master bedrooms—one downstairs and one upstairs. The master bathrooms have shiplap walls, custom beechwood cabinets and angular freestanding tubs. Because of Micah’s background in real estate, the couple was fortunate to have several subcontractors they could trust. “Our subs had been working with

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The Baginski children—(from left) Kai, Judah, Isabella and Noah—join Mom and Dad on the front porch of their Curtis Park home. Micah for years,” Emily says. “They were very sweet and accommodating. Some would come on weekends to finish things out.” Local master carpenter Yuriy Maksimchuk built the staircase, floating vanity in the half bath and sliding countertop drawer in the kitchen to hide small appliances. Ivan Lezin created the built-in cabinets in the library off the dining room and a banquet table with benches in the kitchen where the family gathers for meals. Local welder Ben Skelton fashioned the staircase bannister. Does Micah have tips for people planning to build or renovate a home? “Start with a good plan, otherwise your budget will be blown and it will take six months longer than you thought.”

CORRECTION The March “Home Insight” erroneously identified John Packowski as an architect. Packowski is a building designer and not licensed in California as an architect. To recommend a house or garden for Home Insight, contact Cathryn Rakich at crakich@surewest.net. n

POC APR n 19

Bet on Burkle? BILLIONAIRE IS NOT AN OPEN GOAL FOR SOCCER HOPES

Future Sacramento Republic soccer stadium

ow nice it would be to write that Ron Burkle is the ultimate thumb on the scale, the billionaire whose name, reputation and bank account guarantee Sacramento a golden admission ticket into Major League Soccer. Unfortunately, putting the words “Burkle” and “guarantee” in the same sentence turns the story backward. Burkle doesn’t give guarantees. He takes them. Burkle obviously has the name, reputation and money to help Sacramento secure a slot on the MLS membership roster. Whether he actually pulls the required levers is a different question.

RG By R.E. Graswich Sports Authority

My guess? The odds of Burkle moving the Republic FC into the big league are at best a coin flip—a 50-50 proposition. And I’m being optimistic. Giving Burkle a 50-50 shot is a significant improvement over the odds I gave Sacramento’s previous soccer savior, pharmaceutical insurance mogul Kevin Nagle. For years I’ve said the Republic needed two key items—site control and stadium financing—before MLS would consider Sacramento. Nagle had neither. Accordingly, Sacramento was left in the cold while Miami, Nashville and Cincinnati moved up. Austin has also been promised a team. Local soccer fans believe capacity crowds at Republic games should make MLS rush to embrace our market. In reality, MLS doesn’t care how often a team fills its grounds with cheap or discounted tickets. The league wants rich owners and corporate sponsors (rare in Sacramento), plus a new stadium. Which brings us to Burkle. The billionaire, who lives mostly in

London, sounds more interested in Sacramento’s development potential than soccer. He’s buying 14 acres in the Downtown railyards, plus a few extra acres for a $300 million soccer stadium. Apparently, he wants to build an entertainment district in the railyards. The entertainment district is a stretch, because Sacramento doesn’t need one. There are entertainment districts in Old Sacramento and Downtown Commons. There are two more in Midtown: the Sutter and Handle districts. And there’s R Street. Burkle would be No. 6. I worked for Mayor Kevin Johnson in 2011 and was involved in discussions with Burkle to buy the Kings and build a Downtown arena. Burkle was not particularly interested in the Kings. He was very interested in buying the Downtown Plaza from Westfield at a massive discount. Westfield wanted to unload the mall in a package deal with multiple depressed properties. Johnson convinced Westfield’s owner to sell the Sacramento mall separately.

The Westfield sale was by far the greatest accomplishment of Johnson’s time at City Hall. He gets credit for Golden 1 Center, but was merely the frontman. NBA commissioner David Stern made the arena happen. Vivek Ranadive and partners bought the Kings and the Westfield mall. They aced out Burkle. Now Burkle is back, looking at soccer and entertainment. What does he want? Burkle is a bargain shopper. He expects guaranteed returns on investment, with no risk. He will want the city as a partner—a backstop against risk. This is where Mayor Darrell Steinberg, the City Council and taxpayers must be extremely careful and transparent. Steinberg is already promising to help pay for Burkle’s infrastructure. Watch out. If Burkle gets guaranteed returns and zero risk, MLS might happen in Sacramento. If not, well, sorry. R.E. Graswich can be reached at reg@graswich.com. n

POC n INSIDEPUBLICATIONS.COM

A Man & His Dog ENERGETIC CANINE IS MORE THAN A WALKING BUDDY

ill Rogers wrote, “No man can be condemned for owning a dog. As long as he has a dog, he has a

friend.” For Jim Hastings, that friend is a 45-pound canine named McKinley. True to his breed—a Vizsla with sleek rustygold fur and a slender athletic frame— McKinley has abundant energy and a drive to move. “This is not a lapdog. This is a field dog,” says Hastings, 90, who walks with his canine cohort 4 to 5 miles every day along the American River Parkway near River Park. “Otherwise he’d be a nervous wreck. Anybody who has one should know that.” McKinley became Hastings’ “constant companion” when the East Sacramento resident retired in 2017 as chief financial officer for Inside Publications, which he co-owns with wife and publisher Cecily Hastings. At 5 years old, McKinley is a wellmannered, graceful, gentle pooch who lavishes affection on his owners, as well as complete strangers. “He introduces me to all kinds of people at the river—men, women, kids,” says Hastings, who is never without a half pound of beef jerky bites on their daily walks. “Every dog that comes up and says

CR Jim Hastings and McKinley

POC APR n 19

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“I’m 90. But I don’t feel old. A lot of it is that damn dog who won’t let me sit quietly somewhere and go to sleep. I never appreciated how much contribution animals made to my life. Now I have it. And now I appreciate it.” hello, we give a treat to. They know when they see us coming that they’re going to get a treat. McKinley has made so many friends of the other dogs.” McKinley, who lives with his family across from the East Sacramento park for which he is named, never misses a day of exercise, rain or shine. “I bought him a rain outfit,” Hastings notes. “He looks like a Canadian mounted policeman all dressed up in this red costume with green trim. Santa Claus himself couldn’t do better. “And he wears it well and does not gripe about it,” as many other honorable hounds might. “As soon as you get it buttoned up, he’s ready to go.” Friends come easy to a dog like McKinley, who is comfortable in public places and “likes everybody,” Hastings says. “He’s just like Cecily and me—when we’re out, we’re smiling and saying hello.” When the Hastings built their East Sacramento home in 2007, they owned two female dogs of the same breed. With an eye for design, Cecily Hastings had side-by-side kennels built into cabinets off the kitchen with decorative grate doors to disguise their purpose. McKinley now has his own cubby in which to sleep.

The only obedience training McKinley has received is from Jim Hastings, who taught his friend to sit, come, down, retrieve and go to his kennel. “He almost always follows instructions,” Hastings says with a laugh. And with McKinley by his side, Hastings has no problem reaching his goal of 26,000 steps a week. “You have to get out and get going and do something. He keeps me going and doing.” What does McKinley bring to the relationship? “Companionship. All the time. He’s there. If I want to do something, we go. I am not alone. He’s a great partner. We’re just two guys walking around together.” Author Dean Koontz wrote, “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.” Hastings and McKinley are proof that life is better with a dog. “I’m 90. But I don’t feel old,” he says. “A lot of it is that damn dog who won’t let me sit quietly somewhere and go to sleep. I never appreciated how much contribution animals made to my life. Now I have it. And now I appreciate it.” Cathryn Rakich can be reached at crakich@surewest.net. n

THEATRE GUIDE VIETGONE by QUI NGUYEN Capital Stage Company March 13- April 14 2215 J St, Sac 916 995-5464 Capstage.org

WHEN WE WERE COLORED (WORLD PREMIERE PLAY) By Ginger Rutland Sacramento Theatre Company Thru April 28

An all-American love story about two very new Americans. It’s 1975. Saigon has fallen. He lost his wife. She lost her fiancé. But now in a new land, they just might find each other. Using his uniquely infectious style The New York Times calls “culturally savvy comedy” — and skipping back and forth from the dramatic evacuation of Saigon to the here and now — playwright Qui Nguyen gets upclose-and-personal to tell the story that led to the creation of Qui Nguyen. **Wine & Dessert Bar

THE SELF-UNSEEING

Based on a book by Eva Rutland, this world premiere tells the story of one family’s experience with integration in post-World War II Sacramento. When a black mother moves to California from the segregated south with her husband and children, the family must confront what it’s like to be the first black household on the block, the only black children at school, and how to continue to love those with different ideologies—even when they live under your own roof. At once timely, poignant, and funny, this production continues STC’s commitment to produce new works with local relevance.

The Happy Hour Theatre at Black Box Theater April 5, 6, 12 & 13 1075 W Capitol Ave, West Sac 530 848-1580 Happyhourtheatre.org

RE-BORNING

Self-Unseeing, an hour of compelling short plays that explore the challenges of selfidentity. The characters in these pieces search for themselves, hide from themselves, and come face-to-face with uncomfortable truths about themselves. From dark comedy to surreal drama, this exciting hour of theater is packed with laughter, surprise, awkwardness, and anger. ** Drinks will be available before and after the performance, and audiences are encouraged to stay and socialize with our company members and discuss what they’ve seen and would like to see from The Happy Hour Theatre.

Art and life become disturbingly interchangeable when a sculptor of baby dolls meets a woman desperate to recreate the past. This dark comedy takes an unsettling look at work, latex, and the power of creation.

NOTE: This is a new theatre company founded in 2018. The company helps developing artists learn and grow and encourages experienced artists to tackle new challenges. By fostering the theatrical education and training of community members, this theater company wants to help keep theatre alive for the next generation of performers. There are plans to produce original works written by community members as well as published pieces in order to give local playwrights a place to bring their words to life. The goal is to select pieces with exciting, relevant, and engaging theater that challenges and intrigues performers and audiences alike.

Big Idea Theatre Thru April 6 1616 Del Paso, Sac 916 960-3036 Bigideatheatre.org

FAILURE: A LOVE STORY Geery Theatre Thru April 14 2130 L St, Sac Brownpapertickets.com event/4077575

By the end of 1928, all three Fail sisters will be dead -- expiring in reverse order, youngest to oldest, from blunt object to the head, disappearance, and finally consumption. Tuneful songs, and a whimsical chorus follow the story of Nelly, Jenny June, and Gerty as they live out their lives above the family clock repair shop near the Chicago River, before their time unexpectedly runs out. A magical, musical fable where, in the end, the power of love is far greater than any individual’s successes or failures. A zany story told with a familiar “Lemony Snicket” vibe. You’ll not want to miss it!

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For Safety’s Sake LIVE YOUR LIFE LIKE THERE WILL BE A TOMORROW

often make the claim that if I hadn’t become a chaplain, I’d have been a safety officer. That’s because when I’m on any kind of volunteer work project, I’m the guy who steadies the ladder, makes certain the lunch produce is washed correctly and then checks the perimeter for bad guys. The irony is that my interest in this subject comes from the tragedies I’ve witnessed in my chaplain career. In death’s aftermath, I’ve offered comfort to those whose loved ones were accidently struck, shot, suffocated, burned, poisoned, fallen or electrocuted. From those tragic encounters, I’ve developed a preoccupation with safety

NB By Norris Burkes Spirit Matters

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that my children say has cost them some freedoms. I’ve always made them wear hats in the sun, helmets on the bike trail and seatbelts in the car. For safety’s sake, I’ve made them chew slowly, run quickly and sleep adequately. They learned pretty well, but never did I realize just how much their training might come back to benefit me. In 2011, my wife and I flew to Denver to spend a few days with our daughter, Sara. We had no agenda. Just a little rest and relaxation. Following our late-night arrival, we were ushered into our accommodations, a garage conversion with an open-flame furnace. Playing the fastidious safety inspector, I checked to make sure that Sara had vented the heater properly through a nearby window. She had. Then, I tested the smoke and CO2 detector. Everything worked properly. Becky and I said our goodnights and settled in for a cozy winter sleep, snug under blankets, basking in a glowing heat.

About 2 a.m., we were jolted from bliss with a high-pitched alarm. I saw no smoke, so I focused my squinting eyes on the CO2 detector. Carbon dioxide levels were pushing high enough to send us singing in the celestial choir with Jesus himself. We immediately turned off the heater, opened all the windows and retreated to the living room, shutting the garage door behind us. After 20 minutes, levels returned to normal and we re-retired to bed—sans heater but with a double scoop of blankets. If you’re anticipating my point here, you’re probably looking for me to quote the Christian scripture that says, “It is appointed unto a man once to die and after that the judgment.” Those familiar with this scripture know that it’s often used following stories such as these to admonish people to go full throttle, seize the day and live every day as if it were their last. There’s likely some wisdom in that direction, but honestly, I don’t want to live every day like it’s my last.

There are days that I want to be regular. I need days that start with a decent breakfast, eight hours of a rewarding job and a drive home with takeout pizza to watch a mindless episode of “Survivor” with my wife. Nothing wrong with that. We all need some routine days where we find a setting to hold those that we love, exhale gratitude for the life we are granted and refuel to meet the next day’s challenge. Perhaps today wasn’t your best day. If today was only average, then I say be content that you had no close calls with death to throw you in an existential funk. You don’t need to always be prompting yourself with the morbid thought that this day might be your last. But more than anything, I say, “Stay safe. There will likely be a tomorrow.” Norris Burkes can be reached at comment@thechaplain.net. n

INSIDE

OUT

“WINGS OF THE CITY” A temporary art installation,“Wings of the City,” consisting of nine large bronze sculptures was recently installed Downtown. The sculptures were created by Mexican artist Jorge Marín and stand as high as 11 feet. They will remain in Sacramento through November and are placed along Capitol Mall between 8th and 9th streets and 11th Street between J and L streets.

IMAGES BY ANIKO KIEZEL

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TO DO THIS MONTH'S CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Beer and Ballet Sacramento Ballet Through April 7 2420 N St. • sacballet.org See new works created by Sac Ballet dancers mentored by master choreographer Val Caniparoli. Tickets are $60.

Artist Spotlight: Richard Stern Artists’ Collaborative Gallery Saturday, April 13, 3–6 p.m. 129 K St. • artcollab.com Award-winning photographer Dick Stern celebrates the “civilizing hand of man” with images of parks, gardens, monuments and urban landscape.

JL By Jessica Laskey

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Beer and Ballet at the Sacramento Ballet. Image by Keith Sutter.

Robin Leddy Giustina's "It’s Such a Perfect Day," oil on canvas, at Archival Gallery.

Spring Concerto Concert Sacramento Youth Symphony Premier Orchestra Sunday, April 7, 3 p.m.

Richard Stern's work at Artists’ Collaborative Gallery.

CK McClatchy Performing Arts Center, 3066 Freeport Blvd. • sacramentoyouthsymphony.org This concert features Benjamin Jiang playing Haydn’s “Cello Concerto” and Justin Wahby performing Mozart’s “Piano Concerto #21,” among other works. Tickets are $20 for general admission; $15 for students and seniors.

An Evening with the Divas SwingMasters Thursday, April 4, 7 p.m. El Camino Fundamental High School Performing Arts Center, 4300 El Camino Ave. • swingmasters.org This event features jazz vocalists Valerie V., Vivian Lee, Rubi Lee, Sister Swing, Beth Duncan and Sophia Jackson alongside SwingMasters Big Band, RC Swing and El Camino Fundamental High Jazz Band to benefit elementary and middle school music programs affected by the Butte County Camp Fire. Tickets are $30.

Girl of the Golden West Sacramento Civic Ballet April 19, 7 p.m., and April 20, 2 p.m. The Center at Twenty-Three Hundred, 2300 Sierra Blvd. • deanedancecenter.com Loosely based on the Belasco play and Puccini opera of the same name, this new ballet choreographed and directed by Don Schwennesen explores the Gold Rush era.

In the World of the Living Archival Gallery April 4–27 Second Saturday reception April 13, 6 p.m. 3223 Folsom Blvd. • archivalgallery.com Robin Leddy Giustina’s paintings are based on sketches she made at Water World while floating on the Lazy River. Also showing are sculptures by Eryle Swanson and Debra Kreck-Harnish.

Valerie V. in "An Evening with the Divas" at El Camino Fundamental High School Performing Arts Center.

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Jason Sia at Crocker Art Museum.

3rd Annual Great STEM Summit Square Root Academy Saturday, April 6, 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Pannell Community Center, 2450 Meadowview Road • squarerootacademy.com Attendees will be immersed in all the latest, greatest and most fun technology from partners Intel, Brown & Caldwell, Square One Clubs, Maker HQ and Sac State Physics Department at this free event.

The Sound Factory: Posters from Sacramento’s Rock and Blues Venue April 6–June 1 Reception Saturday, April 6, 2–4 p.m. Panel Discussion Wednesday, April 10, 6:30–7:45 p.m. Ella K. McClatchy Library, 2112 22nd St. • saclibrary.org This exhibit—curated by K-Zap’s Dennis Newhall—features a selection of original 1960s Sound Factory posters created by Bill Graham and Chet Helms.

Spring Eggstravaganza Fairytale Town April 20 & 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3901 Land Park Drive • fairytaletown.org This fun-filled weekend features egg hunts, prizes, spring-themed activities and visits with Peter Cottontail. Advance tickets are $7 per person. Tickets at the door are $10 per person. Children age 1 and younger are free.

Redux: New Work by Trent Burkett JAYJAY Gallery April 11–May 25 Reception Thursday, April 11, 5:30–7:30 p.m. 5524 B Elvas Ave. • jayjayart.com This one-person exhibit highlights Trent Burkett’s diverse approach to materials and the repurposing of objects to make sculptural narratives.

Sacramento Food Film Festival Food Literacy Center April 10–17 Various locations • foodliteracycenter.org/film-festival Created in 2012, this festival features educational films that seek to improve food literacy and the food system. Check the website for daily events.

A Legacy in Brick & Iron Sacramento History Museum Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m. 101 I St. • sachistorymuseum.org As part of the Gold Spike Lecture Series—celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad—historian Mary Helmich will present a lecture on Sacramento’s Central and Southern Pacific Railroad shops. Tickets are $7 for members; $14 for general public.

Koo Kyung Sook: Markings Sacramento State University Library Gallery Through May 17 6000 J St. • csus.edu/art/university-library-gallery This exhibition features 19 of Koo Kyung Sook’s large-scale works, including one collaborative painting, two digital prints and 16 relief woodcuts created since 2014.

Trent Burkett's "Construction Study #1 – 8," mixed media sculptures, at JAYJAY Gallery.

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Rigoletto Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m. Sacramento Community Center Theater, 1301 L St. • sacphilopera.org Hear Verdi’s iconic opera performed concert-style under conductor Michael Christie. Tickets are $23–$57.

Star Wars Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera Saturday, April 27, 8 p.m. Sacramento Community Center Theater, 1301 L St. • sacphilopera.org The orchestra will perform John Williams’ thrilling music from the “Star Wars” series under conductor Stuart Chafetz. Tickets are $18–$81.

Classical Concert: Jason Sia Crocker Art Museum Sunday, April 14, 3 p.m.

Sacramento Food Film Festival.

216 O St. • crockerart.org Sacramento native Sia will perform piano solos like “Hoedown” from Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo” and selections from George Gershwin’s beloved “American Songbook.” Tickets are $10 for members; $18 for students, youth and Capital Public Radio members; $20 for nonmembers.

Plant Foundry Spring Celebration UC Cooperative Extension Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Plant Foundry Nursery & Store, 3500 Broadway • sacmg.ucanr.edu Bring samples of your problem plants, mystery pests and questions to the UCCE Master Gardeners Information Table at this annual event.

Find Your Civil War Ancestor Genealogical Association of Sacramento Wednesday, April 17, noon–2 p.m. Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive • gensac.org Speaker Donald (Brad) Schall will give tips on finding ancestors from the Civil War era. The meeting is free and open to the public.

42nd Annual Bonsai Sekiyu Kai Show April 6 & 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sacramento Buddhist Church, 2401 Riverside Blvd. • bonsaisekiyukai@gmail.com Watch a demonstration by Yuzo Maruyama at 2 p.m. each day, purchase bonsai plants and related items, enjoy refreshments, and bid in a silent auction at this annual show. Free admission.

Walking on Water: Pastels by Kelsey Burke Tim Collom Gallery April 9–May 2 Opening Reception Saturday, April 13, 5:30–8:30 p.m. 915 20th St. • timcollomgallery.com Self-taught chalk pastel artist Kelsey Burke uses photos she and her six children have taken, as well as books by Madeleine L’Engle, as inspiration for her California landscapes. Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. n

Spring Eggstravaganza at Fairytale Town. Image by Greg Flagg.

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Open Gardens PUBLIC AND PRIVATE GARDEN TOURS OFFER INSPIRATION AND CREATIVITY

’ve been visiting gardens most of my life. I’ll never forget being an excited little girl in the hedge maze of the Governor’s Palace gardens in Williamsburg or a teenager stunned by the beauty of tulips in the Netherlands’ Keukenhof gardens. I’ve been to hundreds of gardens since then, and have never lost my initial joy and sense of discovery. It’s exciting to see famous gardens, but even better is spending time in private gardens with the people who created them. It’s a treat to peek inside their garden gates and learn how they design, plant and care for their personal Edens. Gardens reflect their creators’ personalities, even obsessions. No two are the same, and each is an inspiration. The Sacramento area has a long tradition of people opening their gardens for fundraising tours, most of which happen in April and May.

AC By Anita Clevenger Garden Jabber

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The California Native Plant Society’s “Gardens Gone Native,” featuring gardens in Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties, will be Saturday, April 27. The Folsom Garden Club hosts “Gardens of Folsom” on April 27–28. The East Sac Garden Tour is on Mother’s Day weekend, May 11–12, benefitting David Lubin Elementary School. Another favorite, the Curtis Park Home and Garden Tour, is taking a “gap year” and planning to return in 2020. On a more intimate level, garden club members often open their gardens to one another. Garden clubs may also schedule trips to gardens further away. I try not to turn down such opportunities. Gardeners don’t last forever, and neither do their gardens. I have rarely regretted taking time to see a garden, but will always be sorry that I didn’t see a few gardens that are gone forever. How have I visited so many gardens? I went on a garden tour to Italy, and attended conferences that have offered garden tours as part of their programs. I’ve taken advantage of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days. This organization is devoted to saving and sharing America’s special gardens in 15 states. It has scheduled five locations in Northern California this year, starting with San Francisco’s East Bay on May

11. When in England, I used the “yellow book” of England and Wales’ National Gardens Scheme, which offers access to more than 3,500 private gardens and raises a substantial amount for charity. You can plan ahead to visit gardens when travelling, or just see what’s available by visiting tourist offices or looking online. Some events are worth building into your itinerary. London’s famous garden squares, normally open only to residents, are open this year June 8–9. The following weekend, Amsterdam offers Open Garden Days. Don’t overlook public gardens. The American Horticultural Society sponsors a Reciprocal Admissions Program, offering special admission privileges and/or discounts to members or people who belong to a variety of other garden and gardening

organizations, such as the American Rose Society. The listing of member gardens may give you some ideas of gardens to visit, either in this area or further away. Garden listings for the United Kingdom’s National Trust properties include more than 200 wonderful gardens. There really aren’t an infinite number of gardens throughout the world to visit. It just feels like it. Of course, we have public gardens closer to home. Most are open seven days a week. The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is worth repeated trips. Carmichael’s Jensen Botanical Garden is a little-known gem. Land Park’s WPA Rock Garden is always magical. There are several rose gardens, including the World Peace Rose Garden in Capitol Park, Natomas Rose Garden and McKinley Rose Garden. You can also visit the gardens in the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery, including the California Native Plant Demonstration Garden, Hamilton Square Perennial Garden and Historic Rose Garden, where I have volunteered for the past 16 years. The cemetery is holding its 24th annual Open Gardens and Rose Sale on April 13–14. This event will include garden and history tours, and a sale of rare and historic roses. The Fair Oaks Horticulture Center will host Open Garden days on April 10 and May 11. You mustn’t take public gardens for granted. They often depend on volunteers to create and maintain them, and are vulnerable to budget cuts and changing priorities. Consider volunteering, donating or simply expressing your support and appreciation for them. Gather ye rosebuds whilst ye may, and visit gardens at every opportunity. Anita Clevenger is a Lifetime Sacramento County Master Gardener. For answers to gardening questions, contact the UC Master Gardeners at (916) 876-5338 or mgsacramento@ ucanr.edu, or visit sacmg.ucanr.edu. n

THE CEMETERY WILL HOLD ITS 24TH ANNUAL OPEN GARDENS AND ROSE SALE ON APRIL 13–14. THE EVENT WILL INCLUDE GARDEN AND HISTORY TOURS, AND A SALE OF RARE AND HISTORIC ROSES.

LEEKS

Commonly found in Asian dishes, these greens are mildly sweet and buttery. Early in the season, they are tender enough to eat raw. To eat: Use to wrap fish or seafood before cooking.

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 flavorr to stocks, soups or stews..

MORELS

This mushroom has a strong, nutty, earthy flavor. Its harvest season is short, but stro you can find dried morels year-round. To eat: Saute gently in but butter with chopped shallots, then add cream for a lovely, light sauce.

Monthly Market A LOOK AT WHAT’S IN SEASON AT LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS IN APRIL

STRAWBERRIES

This popular fruit, with its fresh aroma, bright red color and sweetness, po is a sure sign that spring has arrived in Sacramento. To eat: Eat right out of the basket, or serve with whipped cream or ice cream for f dessert.

ENGLISH PEAS

The pods are not edible, so you must shuck the sweet, tender peas before eating them either raw or cooked. To eat: Steam, boil, blanch or sauté them. They are delicious in pasta with a light, lemony mascarpone sauce.

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.

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Honest Introspection

s far as local artist Salvatore Victor is concerned, artistic success comes from getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. “For most people, making art can be difficult, because there’s a lot of emotional baggage there,” says the Tampa-born artist who has lived in Sacramento for nearly 30 years. Victor tries to apply the discipline he learned while studying martial arts as a youth to his artistic process. “I always sit with it, be with it, understand it, learn from it, keep moving, and that comes out in the work,” he says. His drawings are stark yet intricate, a mix of chaos and careful detail, and they are mostly created in charcoal shades of grey and black. Honest introspection is a key facet of Victor’s work. To that end, he has produced nearly 1,000 self-portraits over the years. “Part of this is being able to sit and be uncomfortable,” he says. “If you can’t stand being uncomfortable, you’re not going to go anywhere.” Victor’s journey started in central Florida, where he played sports and copied cartoon characters as a child. “I wound up being that kid that could draw a little bit,” he says. After studying business at Florida State University, Victor enrolled in art school in Sarasota, Fla. That’s where he met professor and artist Joe Traina, a major influence on his work, alongside old masters ranging from da Vinci to Magritte to Dali to Wyeth. After spending his early years in Florida, Victor moved to California in 1990, continuing to produce his art while working in local restaurants. He inherited some money after his parents passed away in 1998 and began to pursue his art full time, while augmenting

Salvatore Victor

SACRAMENTO ARTIST CREATES WORK OF CHAOS AND CAREFUL DETAIL

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DB By Daniel Barnes Open Studio

his income by taking teaching gigs at local charter schools and arts centers. “It forced me to understand my own process,” he says about teaching. “I had to verbalize that process.” It was around that time that Victor began to embrace charcoal, a medium he never worked in during his art school studies. “I was always afraid of charcoal because it’s a tough medium when you first start out,” he says. “Then it clicked for me, and now I can do anything with it.” Victor prefers the intimate and tactile feel of drawing with charcoal. “I’m all about seeing, but seeing with the idea of feeling, hearing, smelling— and I like my hands on the paper,” he says. “You never really master it, but once you move through it and you’re present to what you’re doing, the drawing essentially draws itself.” An extremely prolific artist, Victor tends to work on large series and bodies of work, including his extensive collection of self-portraits. A huge Rembrandt fan, Victor once tested himself by creating 50 self-portraits in 50 days. “It’s a little game I play, chasing Rembrandt,” he says. “It’s also an opportunity for me to check in, to see where I’m at.”

He recently finished a series of nearly 200 drawings of rabbits, a project that took him almost three years to complete. “When I put them all together, they’re all sort of self-evaluating,” he says. “When you really start to look, and you learn to really see, your observation opens up a whole new world.” Victor frequently compares the act of creating art to a conversation—a discussion not with a person but with the drawing, with the subject and with himself. “When I’m doing the drawings, the code is telling me what to do, and if I’m present to the work then it will show up on the paper. As soon as you break that relationship, you’re done.” Victor has participated in group shows for decades, held solo exhibits and shown his work in Boston, but his goal is to have national recognition within the next five years. “I’m not sure of the route, but that’s one of my goals.” To learn more about Victor, go to salvatorevictor.com. Daniel Barnes can be reached at danielebarnes@hotmail.com. n

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All-Star Lineup NEW BREWERY-RESTAURANT GROWS FROM OLD ROOTS

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ou’d be forgiven if you couldn’t keep track of the multiple brewery and restaurant openings in Sacramento last year. The region is simply bristling with new places opening at a record pace. To complicate the mix, in the last few years, we’ve seen openings (and closings) of several restaurants with similar-sounding names. The Italian restaurant, Amaro, opened and closed on R Street. Another Italian spot, Adamo’s, opened and remains open at P and 21st. One of Sacramento’s finest dining establishments, Allora, opened in East Sacramento in 2017. All of this is not to be confused with the focus of this piece—Alaro Craft Brewery. Alaro is new, it’s true, but the hands that built it and make it run are steeped in the Sacramento brewing and dining scene. Owners Ray and Annette Ballastero had their hands in opening River City Brewing Company back in the 1990s. River City was a fixture at the Downtown mall, serving exceptional beer and putting out fine fare when it wasn’t common to do both well. The hands in the kitchen belong to head chef Jason Azavedo. This tenured Sacramento chef has worked throughout the region’s culinary industry, helping craft the menu at places as diverse as Mighty Tavern in Fair Oaks, Paragary’s Hock Farm Craft & Provisions and Grange in The Citizen Hotel. Outside his restaurant duties, Azavedo is known throughout the industry as one of the most talented butchers and sausage-makers out there. Take those seasoned professionals and put them in a location steeped with local history and you’ve really got something. You see, Alaro isn’t just another brewery tucked away in a former industrial space, or a beerslinging establishment built out of shipping containers in an empty lot.

GS By Greg Sabin Restaurant Insider

Alaro took over the 2004 Capitol Ave. address formerly held by Rubicon Brewing Company, one of Sacramento’s most heralded breweries and a sorely missed presence in the local scene. Head brewer Chris Keeton is a holdover from Rubicon and gives Alaro a tie to that much-loved entity. His recipes pay homage to Rubicon while at the same time reaching for different flavors and updated styles. It’s a tribute to Keeton’s skill and the tutelage of Rubicon’s former brewmaster Scott Cramlet that, in his first year at Alaro, Keeton scored a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival, the most prestigious beer fest in the United States. So, while Alaro may be a new enterprise, it is really an all-star supergroup of industry veterans. And it’s easy to see why every person on the team is there. From the food to the beer, the vibe to the service, it’s a near-flawless expression of the best Sacramento has to offer. The menu, playing on the Ballasteros’ roots and the passions of Chef Azavedo, plays primarily with Spanish recipes. Well beyond the burger and fries, or sandwiches and salads, of most brewpubs, Alaro pushes the boundaries of what one would expect from a local craft brewery. You can find small plates and tapas like lamb meatballs with romesco and gremolata, mushrooms sautéed with sherry, and clams cooked with braised pork cheeks. Also expect to find salt-cod fritters and miso-glazed Brussel sprouts with Calabrian chili oil. This truly is something different from the pub grub at most brewery-restaurants we encounter. One of the standouts is the gambas, a beautiful dish of head-on shrimp cooked with lemon, paprika and garlic. This Spanish favorite is treated with passion and gusto. The impressive shrimp require diners to sink their hands into the food and savor every finger-staining bite. The sauce is an intense play of Spanish flavors. Paired with a California common or blond ale, the dish sings even more. A seafood paella, of course, is one of the crowning jewels of the menu. The Iberian classic really shines in Azavedo’s capable hands. It’s more than a simple rice dish. The generous infusion of seafood and bold flavors stands out when paired with a Czech pilsner or the award-winning Castillo, a classic IPA. Despite being a “beer place,” Alaro has an impressive wine list featuring Spanish, Portuguese and California

offerings chosen specifically to harmonize with the impressive menu. Whether it’s in a glass or on the plate, everything that Alaro turns out speaks to the decades of experience and expert knowledge at every level. It’s a standout organization that does Sacramento proud.

Alaro Craft Brewery is at 2004 Capitol Ave.; (916) 436-7711; alarobrewing.com. Greg Sabin can be reached at gregsabin@hotmail.com. n

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DOWNTOWN Cafeteria 15L Classic American dishes with millennial ﬂavor 1116 15th Street • 916.492.1960 cafeteria15l.com

Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters Award-winning roasters 3rd and Q Sts. • chocolateﬁshcoffee.com

Grange Restaurant & Bar

Old Soul

Temple Coffee Roasters

The city’s quintessential dining destination 926 J St. • 916.492.4450 grangesacramento.com

Artisan pastries and roasted coffee 1716 L Street (rear alley) • oldsoulco.com

2200 K Street • 2829 S Street 1010 9th Street • templecoffee.com

The Rind

The Waterboy

A cheese-centric food and wine bar 1801 L Street # 40 • 916.441.7463 therindsacramento.com

Classic European with locally sourced ingredients 2000 Capitol Ave. • 916.498.9891 waterboyrestaurant.com

Zocolo

LAND PARK

Hot Italian Remarkable pizza in modern Italian setting 1627 16th Street • 916.492.4450 hotitalian.net

La Consecha by Mayahuel

de Vere’s Irish Pub

Casual Mexican in a lovely park setting 917 9th Street • 916.970.5354 lacosechasacramento.com

A lively and authentic Irish family pub 1521 L Street • 916.231.9947 deverespub.com

INSIDE’S

Ma Jong Asian Diner

Downtown & Vine

Taste and compare the region’s best wines 1200 K Street, #8 • 916.228.4518 downtownandvine.com

A colorful & casual spot for all food Asian 1431 L Street • 916.442.7555 majongs.com

Mayahuel

Ella Dining Room & Bar

Mexican cuisine with a wide-ranging tequila menu 1200 K Street • 916.441.7200 experiencemayahuel.com

New American farm-to-fork cuisine 1131 K Street • 916.443.3772 elladiningroomandbar.com

Old Soul

Esquire Grill Classic dishes in a sleek urban design setting 1213 K Street • 916.448.8900 paragarys.com

Firestone Public House Hip and happy sports bar with great food 1132 16th Street • 916.446.0888 ﬁrestonepublichouse.com

Artisan pastries and roasted coffee 555 Capitol Mall • oldsoulco.com

Preservation & Company Preserving delicious produce from local farms 1717 19th Street #B • 916.706.1044 preservationandco.com

Solomon’s Delicatessen Opening summer of 2018 730 K Street • Solomonsdelicatessen.com

Frank Fat’s Fine Chinese dining in an elegant interior 806 L Street • 916.442.7092 frankfats.com

South Timeless traditions of Southern cooking 2005 11th Street • 916.382.9722 weheartfriedchicken.com

insidepublications.com

VISIT

Outstanding dining in a garden setting 2760 Sutterville Rd. • 916.452.2809 casagardenrestaurant.org

Biba Ristorante Italiano

Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters

Legendary chef, cookbook author Biba Caggiano 2801 Capitol Avenue • 916.455.2422 biba-restaurant.com

Open Summer 2018 • 2940 Freeport Blvd. chocolateﬁshcoffee.com

Block Butcher Bar Specializing in housemade salumi and cocktails 1050 20th Street • 916.476.6306 blockbutcherbar.com

Centro Cocina Mexicana Mexican cuisine in a festive, colorful setting 2730 J Street • 916.442.2552 paragarys.com

Federalist Public House Signature woodﬁred pizzas and local craft beers 2009 Matsui Alley • 916.661.6134 federalistpublichouse.com

Lowbrau Bierhalle Modern-rustic German beer hall 1050 20th Street • 916.452.7594 lowbrausacramento.com

Old Soul at The Weatherstone

Freeport Bakery Award-winning neighborhood bakery 2966 Freeport Blvd. • 916.442.4256 freeportbakery.com

Iron Grill A mecca to hearty eating 2422 13th Street • 916.737.5115 irongrillsacramento.com

Riverside Clubhouse Traditional Amercian classic menu 2633 Riverside Blvd. • 916.448.9988 riversideclubhouse.com

Selland’s Market-Café Family-friendly neighborhood café 915 Broadway • 916. 732.3390 sellands.com

Taylor’s Market & Kitchen A reputation for service & quality 2900 & 2924 Freeport Blvd • 916.443.5154 taylorsmarket.com

Fat City Bar & Cafe

Paragary’s

Vic’s Ice Cream & Café

American cuisine served in a casual historic Old Sac location 1001 Front Street • 916.446.6768 fatsrestaurants.com

French inspired bistro in chic new environment 1401 28th Street • 916.457.5737 • paragarys.com

Family owned since 1947 3199 Riverside Blvd. • 916.448.0892 vicsicecream.com

The Firehouse Restaurant The premiere dining destination in historic setting 1112 2nd Street • 916.442.4772 ﬁrehouseoldsac.com

Rio City Café California-inspired menu on the riverfront 1110 Front Street • 916.442.8226 riocitycafe.com

Willie’s Burgers A quirky burger joint 110 K Street • 916.444.2006 williesburgers.com

THE HANDLE Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates Unmatched sweet sophistication 1801 L Street, #60 • 916.706.1738 gingerelizabeth.com

Mulvaney’s Building & Loan Farm-fresh New American cuisine 1215 19th Street • 916.441.6022 mulvaneysbl.com

POC APR n 19

MIDTOWN

Casa Garden Restaurant

Artisan pastries and roasted coffee 812 21st Street • oldsoulco.com

OLD SAC

Tastes inspired by the town square of Mexico City 1801 Capitol Avenue • 916.441.0303 zocalosacramento.com

The Red Rabbit Kitchen & Bar A focus on all things local 2718 J Street • 916.706.2275 • theredrabbit.net

Revolution Wines

Willie’s Burgers A quirky burger joint 2415 16th Street • 916.444.2006 williesburgers.com n

Urban winery and kitchen 2831 S Street • 916.444.7711 • rev.wine

Sac Natural Foods Co-Op Omnivore, vegan, raw, paleo, organic, glutenfree and carnivore sustenance 2820 R Street • 916.455.2667 • sac.coop

Skool Japanese Gastropub Inventive, Japanese-nuanced seafood 2319 K Street • 916.737.5767 skoolonkstreet.com

Sun & Soil Juice Company Raw, organic nutrition from local farms 1912 P Street • 916.341.0327 • sunandsoiljuice.com

Suzie Burger Burgers, cheesesteaks and other delights 2820 P Street • 916.455.3500 • suzieburger.com

Tapa the World Traditional Spanish & world cuisine 2115 J Street • 916.442.4353 tapatheworld.com

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