Inside Pocket August 2022 by Inside Publications

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POCKET • GREENHAVEN • SOUTH POCKET • LITTLE POCKET • RIVERLAKE • DELTA SHORES Our Other Editions Serve: East Sacramento • Land Park/Grid • Arden/Carmichael

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EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY TO MAKE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD A BET TER PL ACE. 26 S

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Our Other Editions Serve: East Sacramento • Land Park/Grid • Pocket VISIT OUR WEBSITE: INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM 3104 O ST. #120 • SACRAMENTO, CA 95816

Our Other Editions Serve: East Sacramento • Arden/Carmichael • Pocket

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Our Other Editions Serve: East Sacramento • Land Park/Grid • Arden/Carmichael

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LINDA NUNES Linda Nunes is an award-winning local artist whose work has been shown throughout California, as well as Chicago, Santa Fe, Dallas and Italy. Shown: “Queue,” cold wax and oil painting, 24 inches by 24 inches. This piece, available at $1,800, is part of a nine-piece series called Ordered Chaos and can be viewed at Fire & Rain Gallery in Old Folsom. Visit lindanunesart.com.

PUBLISHER Cecily Hastings EDITOR Cathryn Rakich editor@insidepublications.com PRODUCTION M.J. McFarland DESIGN Cindy Fuller PHOTOGRAPHY Linda Smolek, Aniko Kiezel @anikophotos AD COORDINATION Michele Mazzera DISTRIBUTION Info@insidepublications.com or visit insidesacramento.com ACCOUNTING Daniel Nardinelli, COO, daniel@insidepublications.com

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AUGUST 2022 VOL. 9 • ISSUE 7 6 10 12 14 18 19 20 22 24 26 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44

Publisher's Desk Pocket Life Pocket Beat Out & About Giving Back Building Our Future Inside The County City Beat Walk On Wild Side Open House Farm To Fork Garden Jabber Spirit Matters Sports Authority Animals & Their Allies Open Studio Meet Your Neighbor To Do

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‘It Will Just Get Worse’ RECALL VALENZUELA AND SAVE NEIGHBORHOODS, DAN TIBBITTS SAYS

Dan Tibbitts looking at the spot where they found his sister Kate. Photos by Aniko Kiezel

CH By Cecily Hastings Publisher’s Desk

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Combined with a state policy of early release of prisoners, decriminalizing violent offenses and zero bail, Dan Tibbitts may be prophetic when he says everyone will become a victim.

“K

ate was my sister, but also my close friend. We lived a mile apart and walked several times a week in Land Park with our dogs. And, as of that fateful day last year, my friend is not here anymore. That will be with me forever,” Dan Tibbitts says. Kate Tibbitts was raped and murdered last September in her home on 11th Avenue. Her dogs Molly and Jenny were killed. Her house was torched. The next day police arrested a homeless man named Troy Davis for parole violations and warrants. Murder and rape charges were added when investigators linked Davis to Kate’s death. A history of assault, battery and drug charges follows Davis from at least 2013. The parolee was arrested for car theft three months before Kate was killed. But California’s zero-bail policy put him back on the streets almost immediately. “Kate was taken from us in an extremely violent manner that nobody should ever experience,” Dan says. “Most people have absolutely no idea what victims and their families go through in the aftermath.” Dan is working to recall City Council member Katie Valenzuela, who seeks to defund police while advocating for homeless people. “My issues with Councilmember Valenzuela are simple,” he says. “First, she refuses to hold the homeless community accountable for the crimes they commit, which is a bad thing by itself. Let alone hold them accountable for the crimes they commit against victims in their own community. “This all is made even worse when she wants to drastically defund the police, which disproportionately harms low-income and minority neighborhoods. Folks who in fact want more police presence rather than less. Either one is a bad, but in combination, it’s deadly. My sister Kate paid the ultimate price.” Dan believes more residents will come to share his feelings through tragic experiences. “Eventually we’re all going to be victimized—or be acquaintances, relatives and friends of victims,” he says. “When Prop. 57 passed—I opposed it—I thought it only a matter of time for society to figure out that releasing these bad people from prison has very

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negative consequences for our society. With even more prisoner releases ordered by state COVID policies, there is no doubt it will just get worse.” Proposition 57 increased parole and “good behavior” opportunities for nonviolent criminals. Voters approved the constitutional amendment by 64 percent in 2016. Dan Tibbitts, a civil engineer, was shocked when he reviewed the initiative’s campaign. He says, “Prop. 57 was sold to voters based upon a complete and utter lie. It was supposed to only apply to nonviolent felons. But the state’s policy language also includes violent felons. It’s detailed on the Department of Corrections website. And it was under that exact situation that Kate was murdered.” Before his sister was killed, Dan was skeptical of criminal justice reforms that ignore reality. “There are and have always been horrible people in this world,” he says. “That is why we have laws, law enforcement, district attorneys, judges, juries and prisons. They all exist to protect the rest of us from the danger they bring.” Dan believes his sister’s death demonstrates the “perfect storm” of a broken criminal justice system. He cites Proposition 47, which reduced some nonviolent felonies to misdemeanors in 2014. It passed by 60 percent. “First, (Davis) was released early for his second violent felony under Prop. 57,” Dan says. “Second, (Davis) was arrested for auto theft in June of last year. Prop. 47 recategorized auto theft as a nonviolent crime, so he was released. “Strike three is that zero bail is offered in Sacramento, so when he was released for the auto theft it was with zero bail.”

Supporters of zero bail say the policy helps people who lack financial resources. But transients often have no reason to stay around or report to court. “(Davis) didn’t show up for his arraignment for that car theft,” Dan says. “So it was three strikes, but it’s not about him. It was my sister who was struck out.” Dan Tibbitts believes state government is determined to release convicted felons early. “We need a strong police presence, and defunding the police is going the absolute wrong direction,” he says. The Tibbitts family works with Crime Victims United to support and strengthen public safety and protect the rights of victims. The organization hopes to analyze crime statistics to better understand the damage done by Propositions 47 and 57. Since 2019, the homeless population in Sacramento County has nearly doubled, with almost 10,000 individuals living outdoors. Sacramento has more homeless people than San Francisco, often considered ground zero for the crisis. Combined with a state policy of early release of prisoners, decriminalizing violent offenses and zero bail, Dan Tibbitts may be prophetic when he says everyone will become a victim. Will recalling Valenzuela help? “It’s a great place to start and also will send the message to other politicians who support her dangerous policies destroying our neighborhoods,” Dan says. 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

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Cutting Class

Blythe and Chris Antrim Photo by Aniko Kiezel

FOR THEIR STUDENTS, SUMMER MEANS WOODSHOP

or the past two years, Pocket residents Chris and Blythe Antrim haven’t taken a long summer vacation from their work. Some of their students have moved off campus to the Antrims’ garage, which has been transformed into a woodworking shop called Teacher’s Addition.

CM By Corky Mau Pocket Life

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The lesson plan is designed to keep unwanted furniture out of the landfill. Students hone their creativity, carpentry and math skills as they refinish old furniture. The Antrims teach at Rosemont High School. Blythe instructs English and drama. Chris teaches in the school’s Engineering, Construction and Design Academy, a program that partners with local construction companies. “At one time, our classrooms were next door to each other. Over time, our professional relationship evolved. We married in 2016,” Blythe says. The Teacher’s Addition began as a COVID-19 project. The name is a play off textbooks known as the Teacher’s Edition. The mission: Give new life to discarded furniture and entice the community to buy local. An early piece was an old bench from an East Sacramento home. The

owner loved the new look so much she encouraged the Antrims to do more. Now interested students assist. The most requested furniture piece is a children’s dresser that resembles Lego blocks. “The effort is time consuming, but so rewarding,” Chris says. “We enjoy teaching students practical skills, both in the construction world and in their daily lives. Many kids start with zero knowledge of painting, sanding, varnishing, etc. There’s a sense of pride on their faces when they look at their

finished piece.” Students often keep the refinished furniture. The Antrims aren’t just educators. They’re role models who motivate teens outside and inside the classroom. They aim to impart life skills—talents that pay dividends long after high school. “A majority of the used furniture is donated to us through word of mouth and NextDoor. This project helps us stay connected to our students and our community,” Blythe says. After meeting the couple, I gave the Antrims two old trunks from my garage.

THE LESSON PLAN IS DESIGNED TO KEEP UNWANTED FURNITURE OUT OF THE LANDFILL.

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My only request was that they donate the refurbished pieces to families who need furniture. You can find Teacher’s Addition on Facebook and Instagram. Instead of tossing your old furniture, consider donating to the program. For more information, email blytheantrim@ gmail.com.

COOL JAZZ August nights mean it’s time to cool off with music from a Sacramento favorite, the Vivian Lee Quartet. Lee is a vocalist specializing in jazz standards from Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Antonio Carlos Jobim and more. A free concert is Friday, Aug. 19, from 6–8 p.m. at Garcia Bend Park. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. If you don’t bring a picnic, food trucks will be on hand from 5–8 p.m. The event is part of the summer Trucks & Such sponsored by City Council member Rick Jennings.

SUMMER ART Robbie Waters Library offers another fun workshop as part of the Summer Art Series. Participants create in pastels Wednesday, Aug. 10. The class is open

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to all ages starting at 2 p.m. Supplies are provided. Bring your imagination. No registration or art experience necessary.

PARK CLEANUP Rick Jennings and Parks Commissioner Devin Lavelle sponsor another 9 a.m. neighborhood park cleanup Saturday, Aug. 13, at Renfree Park. Tools are provided. Register at bit.ly/d7renfree22 or email Lavelle at parks@devinlavelle.com.

NEIGHBOR MEETUP The Pocket-Greenhaven Community Association’s annual meeting will be held Wednesday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. at Robbie Waters Library. It’s a big meeting. Officers will be elected. Corky Mau can be reached at corky. sue50@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

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TRUCKS STAY BUSY AS LEVEE REPAIRS MAKE PROGRESS

Photo by Aniko Kiezel

parade of big rigs hauling dirt through the neighborhood has a nasty effect on people. Patience runs out. Residents want their streets back. Yes, heroic efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers to strengthen the Sacramento River levee in Pocket, Greenhaven and Little Pocket have taken a toll. The public was warned the Big Fix would be large, loud, long and dirty. Warnings are fine. Then reality hits. The loudest complaints come from Grangers Dairy Drive near Genevieve Didion School, one of four Pocket and Greenhaven locations known as “haul access points” by the Army Corps and its contractors. This is where trucks and trailers arrive and depart all day, carting away soil replaced by new seepage cutoff walls designed to prevent levee failure and catastrophic floods.

RG By R.E. Graswich Pocket Beat

POC AUG n 22

A noble mission made possible by a schedule that keeps hard hats working from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Residents are ready for the job to end. The Army Corps, renowned for euphemism, explains its work requires “degrading the levee to achieve a working platform up to 50 feet wide” to build seepage walls. What that means is the Army must destroy our levee to save it. Other Pocket haul access points are Zacharais Park in the north and Axios River Court and Garcia Bend Park in the south. None of these temporary truck lanes are as despised as the Grangers Dairy route. The other paths are closer to Pocket Road. They disrupt fewer neighbors. The Grangers Dairy track brings big rigs down a quiet street unaccustomed to traffic. When the $1.8 billion Big Fix was approved in 2016, I figured most controversy would swirl around tree removal. The levee was covered with trees. Hundreds had to go. Locals hate to see eucalyptus, much less valley oak, chainsawed and shoved into the chipper. But if anyone opposed the destruction, they stayed quiet.

Instead, the major challenge has been the pain that comes when you drop a massive, yearslong construction job into a subdivision. The loudest and most consistent complaint I’ve heard is about trucks. Unfortunately, there aren’t remedies for trucks. Dirt doesn’t haul itself away. So contractors operate under special guidelines. Rules and regulations are explained in a Big Fix supplemental environmental impact report published in April. It makes for fun reading while waiting for the trucks to clear. The report describes how to handle lane closures (keep them short as possible and avoid commute hours), warning signs (post them a week before impact), bicycle detours (maintain safe access for pedestrians and cyclists at all times) and damage to local roads (repair potholes and cracks when the project is finished). The rules mostly seem to work. No project in Sacramento these days is complete without a mention of homeless people. The Army Corps anticipated it would encounter a few tents along the river. Those tents could interfere with levee repairs. But unlike city and county authorities who are dumbstruck by the homeless situation, the Army Corps was ready.

“The contractor will work with the city and county of Sacramento and the city’s police department to notify and remove these encampments while construction occurs. Therefore, there will be no socioeconomic or environmental justice impacts,” the report says. So much for homeless camps. See how simple that was? The current phase of the Big Fix continues through December. Another, final phase starts next year and ends in 2024. At the risk of jinxing the project, I can’t finish this column without mentioning one of the Army Corps’ biggest worries, a danger that haunts every shovel of dirt: the discovery of ancient human bones. “This is a potentially significant event,” the Army Corps says. If human remains turn up, work stops and protocols are implemented. Mitigation involves asking local Indian tribes to create a work plan. To keep the Big Fix on schedule, let’s pray old bones stay buried. 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

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When I was just starting my professional acting career at Sacramento Theatre Company, I delivered the curtain speech before each performance. In thanking our sponsors, the Harvego Family Foundation was always first on the list. The foundation made dozens of our productions possible. For that, I and the rest of the Sacramento community are eternally grateful.

Lloyd Harvego, founder of The Firehouse Restaurant.

OUTDOOR DINING The city’s temporary Al Fresco Dining program put in place during the pandemic to keep local eateries afloat became permanent July 1. The program now allows owners to build formal patios through a streamlined permitting process to “make it easy for local restaurant owners to create safe, durable and beautiful patios in public right-of-way,” says Matt Eierman, the city’s parking manager. Restaurant owners can browse, choose and customize free engineered layouts on the new permitting webpage at sacpark.org. Applicants will then work with the city to formalize their plans and secure a revocable permit. A formal grant program will launch soon using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to help offset construction costs and establish city fees.

NEIGHBOR MARKET

FIREHOUSE FOUNDER LEAVES LASTING LEGACY

JL By Jessica Laskey Out & About

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loyd Harvego, founder of the iconic Firehouse Restaurant, passed away June 13. “He was an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, business and community leader, and dear friend,” his family said in a statement. Nearly 60 years ago, Harvego opened The Firehouse Restaurant in its distinctive brick building in Old

Sacramento. It’s since become one of the city’s favorite fine dining locations, with a wine list that will make your tongue dance and a beautiful outdoor patio that’s been the site of countless weddings. Harvego was always keen on sharing his success—his extensive philanthropy efforts touched many organizations.

Unseen Heroes has launched a new NeighborGood Market in East Sacramento, open every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at David Lubin Elementary School. Unseen Heroes launched its first NeighborGood Market in Elk Grove in September 2020 as a way to bolster local small businesses that were hurting from the pandemic and safely bring people together to celebrate the good things in life—friends, family, neighbors, food, music and more. The market was so popular that Unseen Heroes launched the East Sac market and a third in West Sacramento outside Sutter Health Park. The family-friendly East Sac market features fresh produce and flowers from local farmers, one-of-a-kind gifts from talented artisans, weekend brunches and pour-over coffee. The market also directly supports David Lubin’s S.T.E.A.M. education program. Now that’s #whatsgood. For more information, visit unseen-heroes.com.

ARTS FELLOWSHIP

A new NeighborGood Market opens in East Sacramento

GREEN FLEET Sacramento County’s Fleet Services Division won three awards this year for its innovation and drive toward cleaner, greener operations. Sacramento County was named the No. 1 Leading Public Fleet at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo Fleet Awards, No. 3 Best Fleet of 2022 by the NAFA Fleet Management Association, and No. 5 leading fleet from Government Fleet and the American Public Works Association at the Government Fleet Expo and Conference. “The county has 2,800 vehicles in its fleet,” says Keith Leech, chief of the Fleet Services Division and Parking Enterprise. “By converting more than 60 percent of our total fuel consumption to renewable fuels and transitioning to advanced hybrid electric technology, we have significantly reduced our carbon footprint while achieving significant ongoing savings in fuel costs.” The Fleet Services Division is currently partnering with SMUD to eventually transition the county’s entire fleet to zero-emission electric vehicles.

CLEAN PARKS To keep our parks as clean as possible, Sacramento County’s Department of Regional Parks, Waste Management and Save the American River Association have partnered to replace trash barrels in county-owned parks along the American River Parkway.

The partnership is part of the second phase of Regional Parks’ “Keep Parks Clean” campaign to encourage parkway visitors to protect natural resources by responsibly disposing of their waste. Last year, 100 waste barrels were replaced along the parkway, with another 100 to be replaced over the coming months.

SCHOOL MURALS There are 40 new murals in town. Wide Open Walls unleashed a team of creatives at Tahoe Elementary School on 60th Street during this year’s WOW festival. The creators hope the murals will have a positive impact on the neighboring community, and the attitude and mental health of students, while turning the campus into a place of beauty. WOW will continue its mural-making initiative at area schools during future festivals. For more information, visit wideopenwalls.com.

ANIMAL HOUSE Plan to attend one of the region’s most popular art shows, Animal House, celebrating the beauty and intelligence of animals through oil, acrylic, watercolor, ceramic and more. This annual juried exhibit is showing at Sacramento Fine Arts Center in Carmichael now through Saturday, Aug. 13, when a Second Saturday Reception will be held 5:30–8:30 p.m. For more information, visit sacfinearts.org.

Five area artists from a range of disciplines have been awarded the Gloria Burt Sacramento Region Arts Fellowship. The fellowship, named in honor of late beloved arts advocate Gloria Burt, is a joint project of Sacramento Alliance for Regional Arts, Blue Line Arts and Sacramento Region Community Foundation. Jaya King will collaborate with youth artists from Wellspring Women’s Center to create a large community mural in Oak Park. Omari Tau will work with students from Los Rios community colleges and other collaborators to film a micro-opera that explores the demands of families, jobs and personal needs. Melissa Muganzo Murphy will premiere a documentary exploring the history of obstetrics and gynecology research and practice in relation to Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Teresa Forsyth will develop and perform a play examining historical events in Placer County. Amee Evans Godwin will partner with American River Conservancy and Arts & Culture El Dorado to explore wildfire through visual art and recorded interviews.

ART WALK The Third Saturday Art Walk in Downtown Roseville is fun way to support local artists, musicians, farmers, nonprofits and artisans selling original handcrafted items. This year’s final art walks are Aug. 20 and Sept. 17 from 5–9 p.m. Vernon Street is closed to traffic creating a walkable outdoor corridor for four city blocks. Each event features a public art project, such as mural painting, chalk art competitions, art demonstrations and mixed-media activities for all ages. Stop by Blue Line Arts gallery to view the current exhibition. Enjoy live music up and down Vernon Street, as well as local food trucks. Free parking is available in the garage next to Blue Line Arts and on surrounding streets. For more information visit bluelinearts. org/3rdsaturdays.

SCHOOL BACKPACKS Volunteers of America’s annual Operation Backpack launched last month with a goal of providing 9,000 local students with school supplies for the upcoming school year.

The campaign includes in-person collections hosted by local groups, as well as an online component. With support from donors and businesses, school supplies are distributed directly to students living in shelters, foster homes and low-income housing. “I have seen year after year the relief that Operation Backpack provides to students in need,” says Christie Holderegger, VOA vice president and chief development officer. “Knowing they have all the supplies they need to be successful allows students to focus on their studies and flourish.” Last year, more than 6,000 students in Northern California and Northern Nevada received a new backpack filled with school supplies. For more information, visit voa-ncnn.org/ backpack.

VET ADOPTIONS In a win for both military veterans seeking companion animals and shelter pets needing homes, veterans are eligible for waived adoption fees at our public animal shelters. Under California’s Pets for Vets Act, individuals with a valid driver’s license or ID card with the word “VETERAN” printed on it will have adoption fees waived. Licensing and other fees may apply depending on the shelter. Adoptions under this program are limited to one dog and one cat every six months. Potential adopters still receive standard adoption counseling to ensure a good match between the animal and person. To adopt, visit the county’s Bradshaw Animal Shelter or the city’s Front Street Animal Shelter. For information on adopting, donating or volunteering, visit animalcare.saccounty.gov or frontstreeetshelter.org.

GOLD AWARDS Forty-five Girl Scouts from Girl Scouts Heart of Central California, including 12 from the Sacramento area, were awarded the Gold Award, the organization’s highest achievement recognizing girls who have created sustainable change in their communities and beyond. This year’s class tackled topics such as the historical women at the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery, ecological importance of urban bat communities and effect of excessive screen time on schoolchildren. Other projects included podcasts to fight mental health stigma and promote

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The plan is set to start in September and will focus on economically marginalized and at-risk people. It will include job coaching, paid internships through city programs like #SacYouthWorks and Thousand Strong, and job placement in various sectors. The plan also will include neighborhood career navigators at public libraries to help connect people to services, training and jobs. Funding will come from the state’s new Californians For All program (approximately $7 million), mid-year budget (about $5 million) and American Rescue Plan Act ($2.75 million).

Mural by Max Sansing

Mural by The Butter Witches Collective

LABOR DIVERSITY

Tahoe Elementary School receives new murals during Wide Open Walls. anti-racism curriculum for high school students. “By earning the Gold Award and doing good work for their communities, these girls have inspired others to do the same,” says Girl Scouts Heart of Central California CEO Dr. Linda Farley.

CHOIR SINGERS Sacramento Valley Concert Choir is looking for singers for its community choir. The group has performed in Sacramento for more than 50 years and welcomes all voices, male and female, especially altos, tenors and basses. Rehearsals are every Tuesday from 7–9 p.m. from Sept. 6 through Dec. 20 at Arden Christian Church. Current COVID protocols are observed. For more information, visit svcchoir.org.

OLD SAC SIGN The Old Sacramento Waterfront has added a bright new sign to its skyline— the largest LED sign of this size and scope in the region. At more than 20 feet tall, the $250,000 sign is clearly visible on I-5 from its perch atop the California State Railroad Museum. The sign was custom-designed by Sacramento-based Pacific Neon

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Company using an environmentally friendly neon alternative. The privately funded project was made possible through the Downtown Sacramento Foundation in partnership with various local businesses and organizations. “This vibrant and eye-catching new LED sign celebrates the Old Sacramento Waterfront as the heart of our city,” says Michael Ault, executive director of Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “The iconic sign will serve as an inviting landmark to literally and figuratively elevate Sacramento’s profile as the center of innovation, commerce, connectivity and culture for our region.”

Afuera program, which will offer 49 activity days of outdoor leadership activities, career pathway exploration, environmental justice education and family-centered excursions for 900 participants over three years. For more information, visit lafcc.org.

JOB TRAINING The City Council has approved a $15 million plan to provide job training, paid internships and workforce readiness training to thousands of Sacramentans between the ages of 16 and 30.

A new report released by the city auditor sheds light on the diversity of the city’s workforce—and where we can improve. The report analyzes employee trends from 2016 through 2021. The percentage of Hispanic or Latino and Asian employees in both nonmanagement and management positions has increased, while the percentage of White and Black or African American employees in both of those categories decreased. Encouragingly, the percentage of women in management positions increased from 34 percent to 40 percent. “The city recognizes that to meet our workforce equity goal requires ongoing, sustained and systemic effort that commits to engaging with staff, leadership and stakeholders throughout the organization,” city staff wrote in a letter to the auditor. To help meet that goal, the city’s Diversity and Equity Manager Aimée Zenzele Barnes launched the Race & Gender Equity Action Plan to

LA FAMILIA The City Council recently approved $2 million to develop La Familia Counseling Center’s latest community project, the Opportunity Center. Located on Franklin Boulevard, the center will provide multicultural services—including a career center and computer lab, parenting classes, health and mental health resources, employment services and collaborative spaces—to the South Sacramento community. The project is expected to break ground by the end of the year. La Familia also recently received a $700,000 grant from the Outdoor Equity Program to fund a Juntos

Third Saturday Art Walk is held in Downtown Roseville.

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Old Sacramento Waterfront has a new LED sign. Photo by Julian Martinez increase the employment, retention and promotion of people of color and women; improve communication; provide best practices resources for hiring managers to increase equity; and develop partnerships to move workforce equity forward.

FOOD SECURITY The City Council has allocated $1.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to address food insecurity in Sacramento: $1 million for a grant program supported by the Food Justice Task Force and $500,000 to bolster ongoing food distribution through Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. The Food Justice Task Force, led by Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Councilmember Mai Vang, seeks to increase access points to healthy food in

high-need communities and invest in our local food system economy. With the new funding, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services will purchase approximately 371,900 pounds of food—which equates to about 310,000 meals—to distribute through its partner network of more than 150 food banks, local shelters and community-based organizations. In April, the food bank and its partners served more than 213,570 individuals—a 42-percent increase from pre-pandemic numbers. “The funding has been instrumental in getting us through the pandemic and this additional support comes at a time where we are seeing demand levels continue to rise as inflation adds another layer of challenge,” says food bank President/ CEO Blake Young.

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BASIC INCOME United Way California Capital Region’s Direct Investment Program is expanding thanks to $750,000 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars allocated by the City Council. The additional funding will expand the number of families receiving guaranteed basic income from 100 to 180, providing 80 new families with $500

in unconditional guaranteed income every month for one year. (The current program is providing 100 families with $300 a month for two years.) “To truly end poverty, we must have meaningful policy changes at the local, state and federal level,” says Dr. Dawnté Early, president/CEO of United Way California Capital Region. “The city of Sacramento is making the choice to address poverty directly by giving community members the money they need to meet their basic needs—housing, food cost and child care, for example.” United Way’s Direct Investment Program is the region’s first guaranteed income program. Seventy-two percent of participants are women and people of color, and one in three participants is working multiple jobs. The program aims to invest in 1,000 families by 2025. 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

Girl Scouts from Girl Scouts Heart of Central California are awarded the Gold Award.

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It’s The People MEALS ON WHEELS PROVIDES CONNECTIONS AND NUTRITION

Carolyn Kay Photos by Linda Smolek

JL By Jessica Laskey Giving Back: Volunteer Proﬁle

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hen Carolyn Kay wanted to volunteer after retirement, she chose Meals on Wheels by ACC because of the people. “They were—and still are—dedicated and kind and hard working and helpful and they care about the people they serve,” Kay says. “What more could you want?” Eight years on, those people still inspire Kay on her weekly rounds delivering meals to seniors. “I’ve learned a lot from (my clients),” Kay says. “Usually, nobody sees them. They see the gray hair, they see the wrinkles, that they’re not working and they think they’re just an old goat with gray hair. But I’ve met some lovely people with some great stories.” Meals on Wheels by ACC began in 2010 to provide nutritious meals to seniors age 60 and older in Sacramento County who have a hard time leaving the house or preparing food. The organization serves roughly 2,000 seniors each week with hundreds of volunteers. “At first when considering volunteering, people can be a little frightened off because it’s also your responsibility to make sure the people you deliver to are OK,” Kay says. “We’re required to tell the state if we see something wrong, like a relative who seems to be taking advantage or if the client’s health is going downhill. “That’s not necessarily something you’re going to run into every day, but it’s important. We’re not the main person that takes care of them, but we at least make sure they’re healthy and able to function.” Kay says many Meals on Wheels clients are “senior orphans,” older folks who never

married or had kids, or whose families live far away. “They’re alone,” she says, “and they need somebody checking in on them.” Kay is not dissimilar in age to many clients. She turns 75 this year. A native of Massachusetts, she moved to Sacramento with her husband Bill to follow their daughter Elizabeth, who helped found The Met, the innovative public charter school on V Street. Ten years ago, Kay retired as a software engineer, where she built networks “from the ground up.” Now she’s a watercolor artist who paints “anything in the world. I just paint whatever comes to my crazy little mind.” Kay realized her free time could help others, especially people in her age group who weren’t as lucky to have good health. She delivers meals to an average of seven clients each week on her route in North Natomas. “Meals on Wheels has a kitchen off Route 16 where we all drive in and park,” the Pocket resident says. “If you have a cold meal route like mine, they put boxes of five meals in your car and you take off and deliver them. “You talk to people as much as you can, but you also have to make sure you deliver your meals within two hours so the food doesn’t spoil. (On a hot meal route, food is delivered daily in a heated bag to keep the meal above 140 degrees.) I usually pick up at 9 a.m. and I’m done by 11:30. It’s a morning. I think most people could do it.” For information on volunteering and donating, visit mowsac.org. 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

Misplaced Danger PARKWAY’S A MESS, BUT IT’S SAFER THAN YOU THINK

Photo by Linda Smolek

ecent hand wringing about the American River Parkway being destroyed by illegal camping reminds me of the old Yogi Berra line: “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” If you listen to the critiques, including those from such stalwart advocates as the American River Parkway Foundation, you’d think the popular trail is a dangerous place best avoided at all costs. “The parkway is in crisis,” Dustin Luton, president of the foundation’s board, wrote city and county officials this year. “The environmental and public safety impacts of the growing number of incidents of illegal camping threaten the parkway’s beauty and sustainability and are a hazard to communities, schools and businesses that border the parkway.

GD By Gary Delsohn Building Our Future

This includes fire danger, diminished water quality and hazardous materials resulting from intravenous drug use.” Sometimes it’s necessary to use harsh language to get people’s attention. But this kind of fear-based messaging could result in fewer people using the parkway. Don’t mistake my argument for indifference to the problem of homeless encampments along the American River. I have been a frequent user of the bike trail since coming to Sacramento in 1989 and am distressed to see encampments and the problems they cause. But this is a much bigger problem than protecting the parkway. The 32-mile parkway is one of the most valued and beloved urban amenities in the Sacramento region. Meandering from Folsom Lake to the Sacramento River, it provides a pastoral escape from noise and traffic. It’s one of the longest paved urban bike trails in the nation, passing through lovely and serene landscape in the middle of a major urban area. On crisp summer mornings, you can peacefully run, cycle or stroll along the trail from Discovery Park to Folsom Lake. The most threatening creatures are likely to be wild turkeys, deer, coyotes, jackrabbits, raccoons and skittish squirrels.

Most of the homeless encampments are near Downtown in a relatively isolated area. I’ve had to pedal fast more than a few times when chased by stray dogs from the camps, but head east toward Folsom and you rarely see a homeless person. Last summer, more than 200 fires were set along the trail, fouling our air and burning 15 percent of the parkway. The scars are present still. But the best thing the city and county can do to protect the parkway is to deal effectively with homelessness throughout our community. Other cities, including Houston and San Antonio, have found answers. It takes resources, creativity, cooperation from public and nonprofit entities and residents. People living on the street are a terrible commentary on our society, but progress can be made. For another opinion, I reached out to my friend, Debra Banks, the most passionate cycling advocate I know. She’s executive director of the nonprofit Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates. Banks is adamant that the encampments are harming the parkway and need to be removed. But she also tells me “98 percent of my time spent riding up and down the parkway is good to great, even down to Discovery Park. Mostly I ride during daylight hours, but

I have been on it at night a number of times. I have never felt unsafe while on the parkway. Ever.” She mentioned the fire damage, which she appropriately called “sad to absorb and look at.” And she says, “But paradise lost? No. Paradise on the downslide, sure, but I think it can be restored. Poor management and old policies that need to change and quickly.” Banks continues, “I’d love it if we could relocate everyone off the parkway who is illegally camping on it. I think the land would restore itself and the environment would heal. I don’t see quite how to implement that strategy and I do think that anyone who is relocated off the parkway needs a place to go. We are way behind on that work.” The city and county are pushing measures that could result in an end to illegal encampments later this year. But like Banks says, people rousted from tents will need a place to go. It’s far from clear how that will happen. When that gets solved, the parkway “crisis” will get solved, too. 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

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Homeless Progress COUNTY PREPARES CAMPING RULES, TINY HOMES

esperate to manage a homeless population that’s nearly doubled in three years, the Board of Supervisors opened a two-pronged strategy this summer. Board members approved 100 “tiny homes” for a vacant lot in South Sacramento. And the board took preliminary steps to restrict encampments in sensitive places such as sidewalks, waterways, levees and the American River Parkway. In what’s become familiar blowback, supervisors were criticized for doing too much and not doing enough. Homeless advocates applauded the decision to provide the tiny homes, but

HS By Howard Schmidt Inside The County

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turned around and accused the board of trying to “criminalize homelessness” by preparing to remove camps from critical infrastructure areas. The tiny home site will include 100 pallet sleeping cabins at the corner of Power Inn and Florin roads. The temporary shelter has everything advocates should want: around-theclock security, case management services, on-site power, sanitation facilities and food services. The location will house up to 125 people. The program could expand as county staff evaluates other sites for more pallet homes. But anytime the board makes a decision on homelessness, there’s opportunity for arguments. The easiest attack is to label any effort to regulate the behavior of homeless people as “criminalization of homelessness.” Fresh from a June election that saw supervisors Phil Serna and Patrick Kennedy easily win new terms, the board wasn’t ready to accept the criticism. Serna said the “criminalization” charge “rings hollow” and “falls flat.”

Supervisor Rich Desmond said there were obvious reasons to restrict homeless people from building encampments wherever they please. He said the board “can’t disregard what’s happening to critical infrastructure and sensitive environmental areas” caused by homeless camping. Dianna Poggetto of the American River Parkway Foundation told supervisors the parkway was “ground zero for the number of homeless in the community.” Other people testified about trash and debris left by campers impacting waterways and causing environmental damage. A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision, Martin v. Boise, is often cited as an excuse to prevent authorities from removing homeless people when alternate shelter is not available. But the Martin decision allows communities to remove homeless camps from sensitive locations. County staff is preparing a camping ordinance to address the parkway, levees and other critical infrastructure, including accessibility routes such as sidewalks. Kennedy said the camping ordinance will simply “ask people to live within societal norms.”

Homeless campers have generated tons of trash and debris around campsites. Fires have become common, along with illegal activities such as burglaries, drug sales and prostitution. In the 2022-23 budget, supervisors authorized $5 million to fund new homeless efforts including shelter staffing, weather respite services and behavioral health staffing for encampment teams. Supervisor Don Nottoli conceded a camping ordinance offers “no miracle answer” to the problem. While the county creates homeless policy, the crisis continues to grow. The latest “point in time” count from February shows 9,278 homeless people in Sacramento County. A previous survey three years ago counted 5,570 homeless. 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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Not Again YOUTH TAX INITIATIVE DOESN’T GET THE MESSAGE

ever underestimate the arrogance of politicians, even at the local level. They know better than you and me. And they won’t take no for an answer. This summer, the City Council considered a November ballot initiative to steal about $10 million annually from cannabis taxes. The money would flow to private organizations. In theory, they will spend it on kids. Or so they say. If this sounds familiar, it should. Voters rejected two similar schemes, Measure Y in 2016 and Measure G in 2020. Sacramento spends millions on youth programs—$9 million this year.

RG By R.E. Graswich City Beat

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Organizations in the youth services industry, eager to expand their budgets, say children need more. Of course they do. Mayor Darrell Steinberg and several City Council colleagues cooked up the newest initiative idea. They based their plans on cannabis taxes, hoping the weed connection might make voters think the money is dirty and in need of cleansing. There’s nothing tainted about the city’s weed tax revenue. The money goes straight into the general fund. City Council spends it on parks and swimming pools and other amenities for young people—without mandates to support the youth services industry. Eager to put a face on why the city needs perpetual funding for youth programs, advocates singled out the Roberts Family Development Center as a stellar example. What a curious choice. The Roberts center is a North Sacramento outfit run by Derrell Roberts, a guy I’ve known for 30

years. I like Roberts, admire his enthusiasm, salesmanship and boundless self-confidence. Would I vote to give him a nickel of public money? No. Every City Council member knows about Roberts and the problems he’s had keeping tax dollars straight. In 2014, Roberts was given $1.4 million in state funds to operate several farmworker housing facilities in San Joaquin County. Apparently, that was more dough than Roberts could handle. When much of the cash disappeared, Xavier Becerra, then California attorney general, filed a civil lawsuit against Roberts and his organization. Becerra figured about $650,000 vanished. Authorities tried to discuss the matter with Roberts, but he “repeatedly used excuses to stall and repeatedly asked for more time to respond,” the suit said. Where did the money go? Personal credit card payments, restaurants, hotels in Los Angeles and Yosemite,

and “unidentified items,” the attorney general said. In 2019, Roberts agreed to pay back $400,000. When I asked about the scandal, Roberts said it was old news. Maybe, but his final restitution payment is due in December. In 2020, city auditor Jorge Oseguera decided to examine the bookkeeping practices at the Roberts Family Development Center. Given the farmworker mess, why not? Roberts was receiving serious city cash to run various programs—$1.2 million between 2016 and 2019. To no one’s surprise, Oseguera discovered “significant material weaknesses” in Roberts’ books. “We found their record keeping was disorganized and contained significant errors,” the auditor told City Council. Among other things, Oseguera said “revenues and expenses are not adequately tracked,” and loans were made “in violation of the California Corporations Code.” The auditor learned transactions with the city “were incorrectly

recorded.” City grant funds were “commingled” with other funds. Bank reconciliations “in some instances were not completed at all.” When Oseguera realized the depth of trouble at Roberts Family Development Center, the auditor concluded Roberts “may be struggling to meet financial obligations.” To keep the city spigot open, Roberts farmed out his money management chores. City Council rewarded him with $450,000 to remodel his meeting hall. If Steinberg and friends have their way, millions of future tax dollars will escape the general fund and disappear into the youth services industry. The only obstacle is you—the voter, for the third time.

In recent weeks, advocates for the youth services industry worked local media to build support for the ballot measure. Among the advocates was Monica Mares. Oblivious or indifferent to history, she named one remarkable organization that would benefit from a pipeline of city tax dollars: “The Roberts Family Development Center,” she said. 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

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EVERY CITY COUNCIL MEMBER KNOWS ABOUT ROBERTS AND THE PROBLEMS HE’S HAD KEEPING TAX DOLLARS STRAIGHT.

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Photo by Aniko Kiezel

Walk On Wild Side HE ASKS WHY CITY LETS TENTS BLOCK PEDESTRIANS BY NICK KUFASIMES GUEST OPINION

o you ever wonder why our local authorities allow homeless camps on city sidewalks underneath freeways? Why tents can block pedestrians, including elderly and disabled people, parents with strollers and children trying to walk to school? With these questions in mind, I contacted City Council member Katie Valenzuela, whose district includes Midtown and Downtown. She said sidewalks under freeways are state property controlled by CalTrans, and there’s nothing the city can do about homeless camps blocking those sidewalks. I contacted CalTrans. They told me the opposite—that sidewalks under freeways are city property, and there’s nothing CalTrans can do about camps blocking the way. Last December, our neighborhood held a meeting at 30th and C streets to discuss the homeless camp there

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and crimes committed by people living in the camp. We invited our local representatives. A member of the city manager’s staff joined us to answer questions. When we asked about homeless camps blocking sidewalks under the freeway, he said camps can’t be moved due to an opinion by the city attorney. He told us the city attorney’s interpretation of a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, Martin v. Boise, prevents the city from moving homeless camps from sidewalks, even if they block pedestrians. I read the Martin case multiple times and couldn’t find where it supersedes ADA guidelines, which require a clear path at least 36 inches wide. I didn’t see where Martin allows camps to block city sidewalks. In Sacramento, city code specifies sidewalks must be at least 6 feet wide to accommodate pedestrians. Blocking a sidewalk is a crime, an infraction. But apparently, infractions are no longer enforced in Sacramento.

On a recent walk Downtown, I saw police officers politely ask a homeless person to remove a tent from private property. I asked the officers why they didn’t request homeless people to move tents from public sidewalks. The officers told me the city was being sued by a homeless advocacy group and police were told by Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Valenzuela not to remove tents from public sidewalks. I wondered, could this be true? Our city charter prohibits elected officials from interfering with police business. Only the city manager can discuss policy with police administration. City Council member Jeff Harris recently introduced an amendment to the city’s “sidewalk ordinance.” The amendment would require a 4-foot clearance and make it a misdemeanor if the obstruction isn’t removed. The council is likely to vote on the sidewalk amendment this summer. As a taxpayer and property owner concerned about safety in my neighborhood and city, I am sick and

tired of watching the obvious disregard for laws at homeless camps. Each day I walk under freeways and past homeless camps, where I see garbage illegally dumped, prostitution, drug dealing, drug use and inhumane living conditions. We live in a rich state. Our city spends millions of dollars on homelessness. And these individuals need help! I am frustrated by how local representatives, including the mayor and City Council members, city manager, city attorney and police department, are not on the same page. There are federal ADA guidelines and city codes. Why aren’t they being enforced? Can some city official please provide an accurate answer? Where are the ADA advocates? When did it become normal for homeless camps to take over city sidewalks and prevent neighbors from walking freely and feeling safe? Nick Kufasimes is a lifelong East Sacramento resident and vice president of the East Sacramento Community Association. He can be reached at runsforhealth@gmail.com. n

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July 4 Celebrations on Land and Water PHOTOS BY LEAH GARIS & LINDA SMOLEK

The East Sacramento Fourth of July parade has been an Independence Day tradition in Sacramento for nearly 90 years. The parade begins at 41st and M streets, and draws crowds from all over town. Other celebrations take to the water, including the Sacramento Yacht Club’s boat parade. Decorated boats cruise along the Sacramento River, passing the Old Sacramento Waterfront where spectators line up to enjoy the festivities.

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Home Cooking THIS LOVE STORY STARTS IN THE KITCHEN

l Striplen was remodeling his Carmichael home in 2008 when he met his future wife Connie. While getting to know each other, Al invited Connie over for a visit. She walked in, saw how the work was progressing, and said, “You have my dream kitchen!” The couple married a decade ago. Since then, they created a very interesting, very personal home that reflects their heritage, interests and travels. The ranch home was built in the 1960s, similar to others in the neighborhood. Al purchased the property in 1979. “It was rather inexpensively built and very plain vanilla to the core,” says Al

CH By Cecily Hastings Photography by Aniko Kiezel Open House

Al and Connie Striplen

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of the 1,400-square-foot, threebedroom, two-bath house. The previous owner expanded the kitchen into the attached garage. Before they married, Al and Connie each raised families and were single for 10 years. They met at the State Indian Museum where Connie managed volunteers after a career as a travel agent. Al’s heritage is Native American and Mexican. He worked as a science teacher, counselor, musician and artist before retiring from Sacramento State as a professor of Native American studies. The kitchen remodel came first. The job began as a simple cabinet refacing project. “But the contractor made the case to gut it all and start over. This created a space for the refrigerator and a layout redesign, which is more efficient and spacious,” Al says. While selecting colors and finishes for the kitchen, Al established a color palette that guided the design of the home. The wood cabinets have a warm washed terra-cotta finish, a rope detail and glass doors to highlight colorful pottery collections. Counters are a lively multi-color granite of terra-cotta, gold, burgundy and purple. “The contractor let me know that what they installed was not what I had originally selected. But I told him I loved it and wanted to

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keep it,” Al says. “It was beautiful and totally unique.” Travertine floors in the kitchen and dining area set the stage for the warm Southwestern colors throughout. The couple’s favorite city is Santa Fe, New Mexico. It provided inspiration for furnishing and art choices. A walk through the home reveals art, artifacts, furniture, textiles and decorations from their travels to Mexico, Central and South America. The exterior of the house, once typical and ordinary, has been enhanced with the Stiplens’ stylistic touches. New stucco, windows and tile accents complement a custom-made carved wood entry door. The backyard is a “dry” garden with native plants requiring little water. The backyard pergola was custom made with roughened wood timbers. A natural stone patio extends the entire back of the house. The front

IT’S FITTING THAT THIS COUPLE MET AT A MUSEUM. THEY CREATED A MUSEUM-LIKE EXPERIENCE TO LIVE IN.

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yard is the most recent improvement and features an attractive clay paver driveway, terraced stacked stone walls and native plantings. Connie says her favorite part of the home is the abundance of design. “I like drama of the texture, color and meticulous detail. Everywhere I’ve lived I’ve tried to bring some drama

to it. Whether it’s big or small, new or old,” she says. Al is attracted to color and textural themes. “I like things to be different. Connie’s mom visited one time. She sat and looked at the colorful handwoven living room rug and she said she could look at it all day and never know all of it,” he says.

It’s fitting that this couple met at a museum. They created a museum-like experience to live in. “All the years that I’ve walked through here, there’s always something new that comes to mind. Everything has a story behind it,” Al says.

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

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Tree Kilpatrick, Jen Hoover and Margot Wilhelm

In The Clover DAVIS FARM TAKES FRUITS TO ANOTHER LEVEL

aste Sacramento in summer: thinly sliced bluefin tuna from Sunh Fish, wedges of Blenheim apricots from Cloverleaf Farm, torn basil, a drizzle of lemon juice and pinch of zest from our backyard, a splash of Bariani early harvest olive oil, black sea salt. The tuna’s red fattiness melts against the orange apricot’s bright tang and basil’s floral aroma. As I walk through Cloverleaf’s 8-acre orchard on the edge of Davis with the owners, our region’s bounty hits me. Looking up at bright red and orange globes of satiation and nourishment, we munch on snow queen nectarines and Robada apricots in prime ripeness. The sweetness and acidity are just right, an indication that Cloverleaf waits until fruit reaches peak ripeness before picking. This patience and demand for top quality contrasts with many fruit farmers who pick early to maintain longer storage times and survive rough deliveries. Collaborative effort is one of Cloverleaf’s many strengths. Tree Sylvan Kilpatrick, Jen Hoover, Emma Torbert and Margot Wilhelm have combined their talents to create a productive and profitable farm. Kilpatrick is majority owner. He came to Davis in his late 20s for graduate school in international agricultural development, with a focus on agroecology and sustainable agriculture. He held various jobs for two decades in Davis, yet none stuck until he worked at Cloverleaf for seven summers. Then, as he says, he “bought the farm.” Wilhelm’s background in plant pathology assists the group’s organic efforts. With a master’s degree in plant pathology, she worked in big ag for many years, but was “looking for something with more purpose,” she says. Cloverleaf helps prepare the next generation of farmers. Tess Kremer, an intern from the Center for Land-Based Learning in Woodland, learned how the farm operates and took on leadership roles.

GM By Gabrielle Myers Photography by Aniko Kiezel Farm To Fork

Margot Wilhelm

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California Native Elderberry

Cloverleaf Orchard

Brittany Gold Apricots & Flavor Top Nectarines The commitment to working together reflects in the ownership’s decision to pay living wages to seasonal workers, respect the land and interact with wildlife. Throughout summer, chickens from a neighboring farm are brought in to fertilize the land, devour weeds and control the insect population. On the property’s edge, numerous hedges of California native plants create wildlife and insect habitats. Large owl boxes and bee hives stand like sentinels in the hedges, signaling that this orchard works with nature, welcoming it in partnership. Depending on the season, lacewings, dragonflies and ladybugs thrive in the orchard and hedges. Native elderberry, which the farm uses to make delectable syrups and jams, grows alongside coffeeberry and mugwort. Blue jays click from cottonwoods to Santa Rosa plum trees, which shows how life is cultivated on this small farm.

July Flame Peach Cloverleaf practices deficit irrigation, which restricts water to every 10 days or so during the dry season and uses drip irrigation. The strategy not only saves money and water, it helps concentrate fruit flavor. The orchard’s soil, characteristic of the Davis area which receives fertile Yolo loam from Putah Creek, doesn’t get tilled. It’s replenished each year with a nitrogen fixing cover crop of vetch, bell beans and peas. As an organic farm, Cloverleaf doesn’t use chemical fertilizers or

pesticides. With open air flow, integrate pest management and pheromone disrupters, the farm naturally controls unwanted insects. Minimal use of copper and sulfur sprays in the offseason help to organically control diseases. The health of birds, insects and wildlife on the farm are an indication that Cloverleaf’s practices enhance all life and will benefit humans in untold ways. The collaborative approach can be a model to create a vibrant, sustainable world for everyone.

Find Cloverleaf at the Sacramento and Davis food co-ops, Arden Fair Mall farmers market and in Cloverleaf’s weekly CSA during growing season. Visit thecloverleaffarm.com. 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

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Budding Success

BROWN THUMB MAMA MAKES HER MARK IN THE GARDEN

Pam Farley Photo by Linda Smolek

rown Thumb Mama is a mother of two, garden writer and corporate world escapee who wields her superpowers from a suburban Sacramento home. With her Brown Thumb Mama website (brownthumbmama.com), weekly newsletter, social media sites, videos and TV appearances, Pam Farley recently exceeded a website milestone— more than 1 million annual readers. The next bite of the tomato is her first gardening book. “The First Time Gardener: Container Food Gardening” will be released next spring by Cool Springs Press. “It was a big project and I’ll be excited to see it in print,” Farley says. The Brown Thumb Mama weekly newsletter targets people who want to learn but know little about sustainable lifestyles. Her newsletter offers tips on gardening, kitchen chores and natural living. Topics include nutrition, the environment, saving money and eliminating “hidden toxins” in homes. “But what does everybody ask me about?” she asks. “Gardening!” Trial and error have been her gardening tutors. She’s not shy about discussing failures. The Brown Thumb Mama brand defines Farley’s experiences. “My garden is not always successful,” she says. “The year my russet potatoes were the size of golf balls comes to mind. Folks that can’t grow anything say they have a ‘black thumb’ and those who are great at gardening have a ‘green thumb.’ I’m somewhere in the middle, always learning new things about gardening.” Brown Thumb Mama was created in 2009, but Farley gave it full attention in 2015 following a career change. After 20

DV By Dan Vierria Garden Jabber

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“How to dry and use lemon peel” and “How to freeze bell peppers.” Farley’s yard is compact and mostly swimming pool in the back, where no soil is unplanted. Raised beds and containers stretch along the fence line. Indoors she has zinnias germinating in the kitchen and sandwich bags of seeds stowed here and there. Farley’s garden is far from immaculate. She describes it as a level below “Instagram perfect.” Weeds are easy to spot. Her front yard artichokes appear trampled by a crash of rhinos. Her brown thumb and busy mom lifestyle resonate with a growing audience. “I’m out there to show anybody can grow a garden, even if you only have a tiny spot on the windowsill, even if you’ve never grown anything before,” she says. “Even if you are on a tiny lot in the city, like me.” Inflationary food prices favor Farley’s frugal tips and green guidance.

„

I’m out there to show anybody can grow a garden, even if you only have a tiny spot on the windowsill.

“One $2.50 pack of zucchini seeds can produce 15 plants and each of those plants could produce 10 pounds of zucchini over a season,” she says. “Right now, zucchini is $1.49 a pound at the grocery store. Pretty easy to see big savings there.” Farley says most grocery store vegetables and fruits come from farms and warehouses hundreds, even thousands of miles away. “When you grow your own food, you are helping, in a small way, to reduce shipping pollution. No plastic packaging is required for homegrown foods, which also reduces waste. Plus, when you share with friends and neighbors, you are building community.” Brown thumbs up! 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

VISIT

years, she “ditched the cubicle” to focus on her creative side and family. Leaving a steady paycheck and benefits wasn’t easy. Her husband, Gene, who owns Comics & Collectibles on Fruitridge Road, was supportive. The two children helped in the garden, although she jokes her teenager now seems more interested in eating than gardening. “While I learned a lot about how businesses are run and made lifelong friends, I felt the need to contribute to the world in a more direct, tangible way,” she says. “It is not nearly as exhausting as my corporate job, and I don’t have to meet with people before a meeting to go over what we were going to talk about in the meeting.” Farley’s style is down-to-earth. Her how-to topics are easy to digest. For instance, “How to grow zucchini in containers.” Or “Grow gallons of strawberries.” Her kitchen tips take it to the next level with topics such as

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Fishing For Souls IT’S ALWAYS BEST TO HOOK ’EM WHERE THEY LIVE

think it was Jesus who encouraged followers to become “fishers of men.” Honestly, that task seems easier than fishing for fish. Fishing requires a level of patience I don’t have. You’ll see this if you ever watch me pace the stage during one of my talks. I was recently reminded of my distaste for fishing when I took my grandsons and their parents on a fishing boat in Seward, Alaska. We were fishing for the big halibut we’d seen people bring home the day before, 90-pound prehistoric monsters. To begin the journey, I slap an antimotion sickness patch on my arm and

NB By Norris Burkes Spirit Matters

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plunk down my credit card to charter a boat. Jon Tippit is the captain. I trust Jon because he has mentored my son, Michael, in his dream of being a captain. He’s also my neighbor in Auburn during winter months. Including Jon, Michael and me, the little boat carries my wife Becky, our daughter Brittney, and her husband and two sons. During our one-hour cruise toward the fishing grounds, Jon plays guide, pointing out dolphins, whales, puffins and World War II gun emplacements. When we arrive, he drops anchor about 100 feet from a rock formation and we begin fishing in earnest. On my first cast, I pull up one rockfish. A few minutes later, that little catch takes his revenge when my body begins to ache with sea sickness. My teenage grandsons join me along the side, followed by their dad. Besides the professional fishermen on board, the only other folks who stand their ground are the fisherwomen. The whole experience has me wondering how Jesus was so successful in recruiting fishermen as his first disciples.

The story is told in Mark 1:16-18. “One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’ And they left their nets at once and followed him.” That passage bothers me because I come from a tradition that preaches how we Christians should always be out trolling for souls. I was taught we must first hook the unsuspecting sinner and convince him he’s doomed. Get him to the church and help him toward the truth. This is the only way to save the poor fish, er, man. But over the years, my chaplain work taught me a different angle. Not all of us are fishermen. It seems more likely that Jesus employed the fishing metaphor to personalize his message to Simon and Andrew. While these anglers understood the fish talk, you and I respond better to metaphors we know. For example, the teacher may hear Jesus say, “Follow me and teach my people.”

The musician hears, “Follow me and sing the joys of the kingdom.” The engineer may hear, “Follow me and help folks solve their most complex issues.” All of us can hear different words that reflect our calling. “Follow me and I will make you (fill in the blank).” In my line of work, it means helping people where they are, rendering the necessary aid. I’m not trying to change them into something they aren’t. In the end, I need to let Jesus do that. Finally, I know the question you’re dying to ask: Did you catch the big one? We missed the elusive halibut, but Brittney caught six rockfish to my one. Yup. I’m definitely not a fisherman. 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

READERS NEAR & FAR

1. Emily Sheffield and Shane Romick at the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins in Belize. 2. Rosie Ho at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. 3. Evan, Sloan and Dylan Parvin in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela’s bell tower in Spain. 4. Joseph Sellner on a cageless shark dive in Honolulu, Hawaii. 5. Lucas and Linnea Gerkovich at the Monterey Harbor in Monterey, California. 6. Nancy Bothwell and daughter Mackenzie Long in Times Square in New York City.

Visit our website at InsideSacramento.com, under “Near & Far,” for a map with past readers' photos! You can also submit photos directly from our website. It's never been so easy!

Take a picture with Inside and email a high-resolution copy to travel@insidepublications.com or submit directly from our website at InsideSacramento. com. Due to volume of submissions, we cannot guarantee all photos will be printed or posted. Find us on Facebook and Instagram: InsidePublications.

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Tom Stoltman (left) Photos by Aniko Kiezel

Minor Delights HOW SMALLER SPORTS CREATE MEMORABLE MOMENTS

eing a sports fan in Sacramento isn’t completely awful. True, the Kings have exploited the community’s onehorse status for decades. The basketball team sells far more tickets, suites and sponsorships than failure warrants.

RG By R.E. Graswich Sports Authority

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A season or two of home games with 10,000 empty seats would embarrass the Kings, if that’s possible, and provide visual and financial motivation to fix the mess. But there’s a benefit to being a bigleague backwater. Sacramento gets to pursue events other cities won’t bother with, fun stuff that doesn’t qualify as major league but is worth checking out. This spring and summer delivered two examples, the World’s Strongest Man competition in May and the Junior Olympic track and field championships in July. Recent years have seen the U.S. Senior Open golf championship, bicycle races, rugby tournaments and bass fishing contests. Something for everybody.

These aren’t events that attract global audiences and require the Goodyear Blimp to hover overhead. But they beat sitting around pulling weeds. The games may be second-rate and hopelessly irrelevant, but they fill hotel rooms and steer crowds into restaurants. The goal of every professional sport is to generate cash. With luck and decent management, even the most obscure competition spins off dollars to the host city. The World’s Strongest Man competition proves the point. It’s counterintuitive to believe sports fans will want VIP tickets to watch big guys lift heavy objects. But the World’s Strongest Man shows the way, building

a successful franchise atop ridiculous displays of strength. The strong man competition bridges the gap between the primal urge to gawk at muscular prowess and the boredom that comes from sitting in a bar with nothing good on TV. Creatively, the World’s Strongest Man evokes Gaelic hunter-warrior lore. One event involves lifting five logs, each heavier than the last, 375 pounds to 474 pounds. Apparently, lifting logs was a prized skill in ancient Ireland and maybe Scotland and even Iceland. I first encountered the World’s Strongest Man on TV at my local bar. I was hooked from the start. Could Magnus Samuelsson lift five “atlas stones,” which range in weight from

Tom Stoltman

220 pounds to 353 pounds? Better still, could he deposit those big rocks onto chest-high pedestals? Yes and yes! The World’s Strongest Man was created for TV and thus requires a dramatic backdrop. Last year’s event took place in Old Sacramento. There was an effort to work historic locomotives into the show. This year’s festivities were held at Sacramento’s most iconic location, the middle of Capitol Mall. I prayed for a politically themed challenge. Muscle men, including world champ Tom Stoltman, pulling an armored truck filled with lobbyists and State Senators? Alas, the big guys pulled an empty bus. Lovable concoctions such as World’s Strongest Man arrive courtesy of the Sacramento Sports Commission, a wing of the taxpayer-supported convention marketing outfit, Visit Sacramento. The city budgets $2.3 million for Visit Sacramento. City Hall hopes the investment pays off in hotel nights, restaurant receipts and publicity. But attracting even minor league events can be risky. A scandal nearly killed the Sports Commission in 2012. The group borrowed $400,000 from the city (and $150,000 from the county) to promote an event but couldn’t pay back the money. An audit showed years of

deficit spending, messy bookkeeping and diverted funds, pyramid style. Rather than padlock the commission, the City Council wrapped it into Visit Sacramento and hired new management. In the past decade, the Sports Commission lowered its expectations and chased events appropriate for smaller budgets. By far the biggest catch is the NCAA men’s regional basketball championship first and second rounds, which return to Sacramento next March. The college games will presumably attract upward of 25,000 visitors to Downtown. The NCAA tournament has a history of visiting Sacramento for first and second round games, most recently in 2017. The games return because the town puts on a good, profitable show. Naturally, Sacramento lacks an indoor stadium big enough for the Final Four, so preliminary rounds must suffice. For local sports fans, even a heavy log is better than nothing. 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

ACROSS 1 Internal audit pro 4 Walked (on) 8 Generation after Z 13 Workplace for a physicist 14 Team racing event 16 Shows boldness 17 Tandoor residue 18 *Sign near a construction zone (Note the ﬁrst word of each starred clue’s answer, and think “curling” for this one) 20 Blizzard or typhoon 22 Soviet org. in “Bridge of Spies” 23 “Nova” network 24 *Women’s health app 29 Not chicken 30 Fried Indian appetizer 33 House sitters may feed them 36 “Look, I did it!” 38 Comb or saw part 39 “So relaxing!” 40 Gloomy 41 Caustic compound 43 Texas longhorn’s sound 44 One uses pounds in the U.S. but not in the U.K. 5/1

46 Tall building on a farm 48 Kids’ observation game 49 Comedian’s routine 51 Chocula or Dracula 53 *Make the Guinness book, say 58 Greyhound sound 60 Land developer’s unit 61 Square root of nine 62 *Brief pause on a score 67 Turn down, as lights 68 Bring together 69 Organizing expert Kondo 70 Self-image 71 Feel the same way 72 Place for a kiddie pool 73 ICU staffers DOWN 1 Bracelet fastener 2 Miso or doenjang, e.g. 3 Loathe 4 Small earthquake 5 “The Last Jedi” villain Kylo 6 Ancient 7 Crimson, for one 8 Say further 9 Public defender’s ﬁeld 10 Places for stage accessories

11 Sage or shiso, e.g. 12 Makes a request 15 Exercise with a bridge pose 19 Grade school basics 21 Heartprotecting bones 25 Statistical numbers 26 Sitcom interruptions, say 27 Beckinsale of “Love & Friendship” 28 Expressive rock genre 31 “Knock it off!” 32 “___, matey!” 33 Skip a turn 34 Per item 35 “Valid point” 37 Give the go-ahead 40 Splinter group 42 “Make up ___ mind!”

45 False statement 47 Frozen cube container 48 Bug bite symptom 50 Leafy green that you may “massage” 52 Earned after taxes 54 Societal standard 55 Select from a menu 56 Empress’s time in power 57 Software samples 58 Blue-green hue 59 Step on a ladder 63 Mail carrier’s circuit: Abbr. 64 Top for a fun run 65 The “E” of BCE 66 Title for Sidney Poitier

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My Only Sunshine LOCAL SANCTUARY HELPS ANIMALS AND THE COMMUNITY

Kristy Venrick-Mardon with Gilligan.

Curly at Only Sunshine Sanctuary.

CR By Cathryn Rakich Animals & Their Allies

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ominic is first to greet me when I push open the wooden gate. At 4 months old, this wiry-haired kid goat is playful, curious and sugar-coated. He was found tied up behind a business in Sacramento and taken to the Front Street Animal Shelter before making his way to Only Sunshine Sanctuary in the rural outskirts of Elverta.

Vegetables, a 5-month-old Jersey cow, nudges my thigh, his soft brown head begging to be scratched. “He’s like a giant puppy dog who loves to be petted,” says Kristy Venrick-Mardon, founder of Only Sunshine Sanctuary. Vegetables and his brother Gilligan were born on a dairy farm in Elk Grove. “Males are not useful to the dairy industry,” says

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Venrick-Mardon, who took in the pair when they were one day old. Neapolitan has no interest in meeting me. He’s too busy rooting around the chicken coop. The potbelly pig was abandoned three years ago near the sanctuary with third-degree burns across his back. “Neapolitan is a gentle soul. He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Venrick-Mardon says. Venrick-Mardon, who works for Kaiser Permanente’s call center, purchased her home on a 1-acre lot in 2013. “I bought the property with the intention of filling it with animals,” she says. “Not necessarily with the intention of a sanctuary. I’ve just always loved animals.” While the house was in escrow, Venrick-Mardon came across Harold, an 11-month-old Vietnamese potbelly pig, on the Sacramento SPCA website.

“They told me he was really shy and not that friendly. I walked in and he rolled over for a belly rub, and I thought OK, you’re coming home with me.” With Harold on board, VenrickMardon built fences and other outdoor necessities for her fur and feathered family. “Slowly, I would find other animals that needed homes in the community.” Next to arrive were three Nigerian dwarf goats—Curly, Moe and Shemp—who were advertised on Craig’s List. “Someone wanted the mom’s milk, but not them,” she says. “They were four hours old. My first bottle-babies.” As Venrick-Mardon became more involved in helping animals, including trapping, neutering and returning feral cats, she decided to take her

“I BOUGHT THE PROPERTY WITH THE INTENTION OF FILLING IT WITH ANIMALS.”

homestead a step further. In 2020, Only Sunshine Sanctuary became a nonprofit 501(c)(3). Among the pigs, cows and goats are three dogs, five cats, six roosters, 15 hens and six pure white domestic ducks. Four ducks were rescued from a park in Los Angeles. VenrickMardon spotted the other two while kayaking on the American River. “I said, ‘Those are not wild ducks.’ Domestic ducks can’t fly. They can’t get away from predators.” Most of the chickens are from backyard flocks—from people who lack the capacity or desire to care for them. Roosters are another issue. “In Sacramento, you can’t keep roosters,” per a noise ordinance, Venrick-Mardon says. “People buy chicks. Their chicks turn out to be roosters. The city says you can’t have them. But Sacramento has no place for them to go. So they get dumped or they go to the shelter.” COVID exacerbated the problem. “People got all these backyard flocks. Six months after that, all the rescues, all the shelters got this boom in roosters. It was like clockwork.” Then there are rabbits. VenrickMardon and her team rescued more than 45 domestic rabbits from a park in Citrus Heights. “Someone probably dumped a few a long time ago,” she says. “People see them and perceive them as thriving out there, so they continue to dump them,” especially after Easter “when their kids are no longer interested.” Helping the community is an important part of Only Sunshine Sanctuary’s work. In June, with a generous donation from a supporter,

Lambtrust.com the sanctuary hired a mobile vet clinic to serve the homeless community along the Sacramento Northern Bikeway near C Street. The clinic altered two canines, provided emergency care for a dog with a chain embedded in his neck, vaccinated 15 dogs and handed out flea medication, pet food and other supplies. Nikky’s International Meals donated 150 breakfasts. Earlier this year, the sanctuary held two mobile vet clinics, funded by Maginis Roofing in Rancho Cordova, providing free spays and neuters for 20 rabbits. In addition, the sanctuary works with INALLIANCE, a nonprofit serving adults with developmental disabilities. INALLIANCE volunteers visit twice a week to interact with the animals and help with chores. Fundraising includes monthly movie nights, where guests bring blankets and lawn chairs to watch a film projected on the side of the house. The sanctuary hosts the annual Vegan Chef Challenge in October, when area restaurants offer plant-based menus. “This year we are focusing on environmental reasons to try a vegan meal, even once,” Venrick-Mardon says. To donate, volunteer, adopt or foster, visit onlysunshinesanctuary. com. 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

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Artwork by Brandon Gastinell (right) in Winn Park

Artwork by Andy Duong at 16 Powerhouse

MIDTOWN ASSOCIATION INITIATIVE BEAUTIFIES EVERYDAY OBJECTS

ou probably walk by utility boxes every day without noticing. But if that utility box is splattered with vivid colors and a woman’s piercing stare, her head crowned in wildflowers, you might stop and stare. Beautifying everyday objects to bring art into public spaces is the goal of Midtown Association’s Art in Unexpected Places initiative. Launched in 2016, the program has covered 21 trash receptacles, 13

JL By Jessica Laskey Open Studio

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utility boxes and six dumpsters across Midtown. “The intent of all this is to create this really beautiful community moment, for neighborhoods to feel welcoming and present the best they have to offer,” says Emily Baime Michaels, executive director of the Midtown Association. “The artists have taken that and brought it to life.” Baime Michaels and colleagues envisioned the project as a way to spruce up Midtown’s alleyways. They started with a dumpster behind 16 Powerhouse, a Bay Miri development at 16th and P streets. “This activation piece was personal to me,” says Andy Duong, the artist whose work graces the large metal receptacle. “I had an apartment that looked into the alley and down at that

dumpster. I thought, if I can change my view, why not change it with something I can make beautiful?” Duong was designing marketing materials for restaurants, bars and nightclubs at the time, so when building owner (and longtime friend) Miri came to him with the project, it was a perfect fit. Duong wanted to create something fun and “Instagrammable” that paid homage to Sacramento’s natural beauty. “It’s a dichotomy of trash and refuse being notoriously ugly and making that more beautiful, so I went with watercolors,” he says. Duong’s two designs—one watercolor nature scene and a rendering of bike chains and hearts— were a hit, and led to similar projects for him at other Miri developments,

including The Hardin at 7th and K streets. “As artists, we naturally want our work to be front and center and be seen by as many people as possible,” Duong says, “but sometimes in life, some artwork should be a glint of happiness, something beautiful that pecks at you and makes you smile.” Following the success of the dumpster wraps, Midtown Association turned to another mundane object: utility boxes. In 2021, the association approached artist Brandon Gastinell about wrapping electric utility boxes at Winn Park. The digital pop artist had recently completed a large-scale vinyl wrap mural at 16th and J streets for Wide Open Walls, so he was familiar with the process and jumped at the chance.

Artwork by Melissa Uroff at Fremont Park “ R E G I O N ’ S B E S T R E S TA U R A N T ” – S AC R A M E N TO B E E

SUMMER AT ELLA! LUNCH, DINNER & HAPPY HOUR “It doesn’t happen often for digital artists to have a permanent spot for their art—that’s usually reserved for painters,” says Gastinell, whose work incorporates collage and images of pop icons, including Sacramento favorite Bill Murray. “Street art and art in the public space will never go away no

matter how far along tech goes. Public art is still important.” No doubt Melissa Uroff agrees. She was one of the first artists to participate in a local wrap project in 2015. When Midtown Association asked if she’d be interested in wrapping electrical pedestals in Fremont Park, she was excited to

Artwork by Jodie Miller in Lavender Heights

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have a platform to celebrate female artists. “I thought about how many times I’d go to that park with my creative mom crew (friends she made prepandemic who were pregnant around the same time) to plan out our next moves,” says the North City Farms resident. “All the women on the boxes are moms who work in creative fields and know how hard it is to be a mom and an artist. I think it’s so fun to think about their kids going down the slide and saying, ‘That’s my mom!’” In February, the Midtown Association completed Love is in Our Roots, a series of sidewalk utility box wraps in Lavender Heights showcasing local produce painted by artist Jodie Miller. There are plans for more projects, and Baime Michaels is toying with the idea of wrapping every dumpster across Midtown. Time—and funding—will tell. “We hope there’s a time people find themselves wandering through Midtown and see a huge mural or art on a trashcan in a park and get excited about it,” Baime Michaels

says. “These forgotten spaces can be a canvas for art that represents Midtown’s vibrancy.” For more information, visit exploremidtown.org. Check out the artists on Instagram @andylikedthis, @brandongastinell, @jodiecreates and @melissauroff. 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

Adopt an orphan who will steal your heart.

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Tom Avenell Photo by Linda Smolek

AT 93, THIS SENIOR TEACHES AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

failed at retirement,” Tom Avenell says. And he’s right. At age 93, after a full work life, the River Park resident is still on the move. A self-described “nice old man,” he conducts balance, exercise and self-defense classes for seniors. While his immediate focus is on teaching, his business background prepared him to conduct those classes. Avenell was a management consultant to banks, irrigation companies, credit associations, agricultural organizations and chemical companies. He was a problem-solver and troubleshooter. A bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly, a master’s from Cornell and postgraduate studies at Stanford prepared him for scrutinizing, evaluating and solving business dilemmas. Problems ranged from fraud to personnel issues. He dealt with audits and installed efficient practices and procedures. In October 1984, Avenell started his own business, Tom Avenell Management Company. He worked across an expansive range of enterprises: banks, property management and restoration, business loans and stock trading. Whether working for others or himself, his purpose has always been to make things better. Never idle, Avenell began learning taekwondo at age 66. Roughly translated, the Korean martial art means “the way of the hand and foot,” and, most importantly, “the way of life.” For Avenell, it meant embracing a new physical and transcendent aspect of life. “The day I broke the brick with my bare hand was one of the greatest days of my life,” he says.

LR By LeAne H. Rutherford Meet Your Neighbor

Starting such a demanding sport at a mature age amazed his instructors and sparring partners. At 70, he almost achieved his black belt, but for a heartstopping setback: the replacement of an aorta and installation of a pacemaker. Taekwondo forged a link between what Avenell had been doing and what he does now with his senior balance and self-defense classes. “I like to make things better, and now I can make people better,” he says. Illustrating those goals, he led classes at Sunrise Senior Living where he helped two women residents with Parkinson’s park their walkers after he provided them with some simple resistance band exercises. Avenell says the last time he saw one of them, “She was rolling bowling balls in the activities room.” He has led senior exercise classes for Ray Stone, Inc., a commercial real estate company, at three locations. He also has worked with senior housing providers Atria Senior Living and Golden Palms Mobile Home Estates. Teaching self-defense to seniors empowers them physically and psychologically. By releasing tension and reducing stress, seniors become less vulnerable. Avenell’s wife Fiona notes another reason for his success at senior communities: “The residents like you,” she says. “Is 30 Minutes a Day of Exercise Enough?” is the headline of a recent New York Times article. Avenell’s answer: “Listen to your body. If you can’t do 30 reps, do what you can.” There is no nobility in injuries, so Avenell tells students to breathe from their bellies, not their shoulders, and to never give up. To age well, we must keep moving. For a man who has overcome health challenges, he never gives up. He perseveres and embraces life. Avenell sows his energy and reaps the harvest of helping others. “He’s such an inspiration,” Fiona says. LeAne H. Rutherford can be reached at lrutherf@d.umn.edu. Previous profiles can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

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INSIDE

OUT

McKinley Rose Garden volunteers at work PHOTOS BY CECILY HASTINGS

Volunteers, organized and trained by Friends of East Sacramento, began deadheading McKinley Rose Garden’s 1,200 bushes earlier this year. Work continues through November. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to help clean, rake, weed, prune and maintain the garden. For more information, email friendsofeastsac@aol.com or visit friendsofeastsac.com.

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TO DO

THIS MONTH'S CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Tri-County Home & Garden Show at Roebbelen Center in Roseville.

JL By Jessica Laskey

Tri-County Home & Garden Show Aug. 19-21 Roebbelen Center, 700 Event Center Drive, Roseville • tri-countyhomegardenshow.com Northern California’s newest home and garden show features tiny homes, state-licensed contractors, local artisan market, garden pavilion, pet expo, gourmet food sampling and more. General admission is $10; seniors 60 and older are $7; kids 12 and younger are free.

Alegría Cirque du Soleil Through Aug. 28 Sutter Health Park, 400 Ballpark Drive cirquedusoleil.com This classic production, reimagined for a modern audience, is complete with acrobatics, tumblers, trapeze artists, fire jugglers, live music and fantastical costumes. Tickets are $49–$59. Parking is $15. Cirque du Soleil’s Alegría at Sutter Health Park.

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“Storyteller” by Helen Cordero at Crocker Art Museum.

Concerts in the Park Carmichael Recreation and Parks District Saturdays, Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Carmichael Park, 5750 Grant Ave. • carmichaelpark.com Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to this free event. This month’s acts include Todd Morgan & the Emblems, Fryed Brothers Band, Ticket to Ride and On Air.

Pueblo Pottery and Beyond: A New Gallery of Masterworks Stories on Stage at CLARA Auditorium.

Harvest Day UC Master Gardeners of Sacramento County Saturday, Aug. 6, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Fair Oaks Horticulture Center, 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd. • sacmg.ucanr.edu Experience the beauty of nature at this free event featuring flower photo ops, booths, vendors and more. Check out the Water-Efficient Landscape Garden, ask a Master Gardener your questions and listen to horticultural experts speak on topics such as selecting the right trees for our changing climate, building robust soil, growing water-efficient herbs and creating a wildlife-friendly landscape.

Stories on Stage Stories on Stage Sacramento Friday, Aug. 26, 7 p.m. CLARA Auditorium, 2420 N St. • storiesonstagesacramento.com This award-winning literary performance series presents excerpts from authors Shelley Blanton-Stroud’s book “Tomboy” and Catriona McPherson’s “Scot Mist” read aloud by professional actors followed by a Q&A with the authors. Tickets are a $10 suggested donation.

Crocker Art Museum Ongoing 216 O St. • crockerart.org Located in the museum’s second-floor ceramics wing, this new installation features approximately 200 Native American ceramics and accompanying sculptures in clay and other media representing more than 100 years of pottery making.

Fairytale Town Concert Series Thursdays, Aug. 4 & 25, 7–9 p.m. 3901 Land Park Drive • fairytaletown.org This summer concert series continues with DonGato Latin Band (Aug. 4) and Beatles tribute band RevolutionBeat (Aug. 25). Gates open at 6 p.m. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Tickets are $15 for non-members; $10 for members; free for children 12 and younger.

Art by Leslie Hackard & Richard Stein Archival Gallery Aug. 5–27 Second Saturday Reception Aug. 13, 5–8 p.m. 3223 Folsom Blvd. • archivalgallery.com This agricultural-inspired show features Leslie Hackard’s depictions of colorful California fruits and vegetables alongside Richard Stein’s aerials of farms and fields.

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“Fair Oaks Bluffs” by Susan Ballenger at PBS KVIE Gallery.

Go with the Flow Sacramento Fine Arts Center Aug. 16–Sept. 10 5330B Gibbons Drive, Carmichael • sacﬁnearts.org Check out the Watercolor Artists of Sacramento Horizons’ annual open exhibit, featuring work by artists from Northern California and Eastern Nevada with a love for water-based mediums.

Monster Jam Greece series by Thomas Sellas at Elk Grove Fine Arts Center.

The Reclaimist Midtown Farmers Market Saturday, Aug. 13, 11:30 a.m. 20th Street between L and Capitol • midtownfarmersmarketsac.com The Midtown Association has added free monthly second Saturday classes, demos and clinics to its popular Midtown Farmers Market, showcasing the market’s weekly vendors. This month’s featured vendor is The Reclaimist featuring art made with recycled materials.

Aug. 5–7 Golden 1 Center, 500 David J Stern Walk • monsterjam.com This action-packed motorsports event celebrates its 30th anniversary of intense competitions. Fans can see the massive trucks up close and meet their favorite drivers and crews at the Pit Party on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15–$90. Pit Passes are $20. Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento. n

Watermark: Paintings by Susan Ballenger PBS KVIE Gallery Aug. 9–Oct. 7 2030 West El Camino Ave. • kvie.org This exhibition includes vivid waterscapes from the winner of the PBS KVIE Art Auction 2021 Best of Show award. Susan Ballenger’s work explores nature in all seasons and times of day, capturing reflections, light and shadows.

American River & Greece Paintings From the Island of Paros Elk Grove Fine Arts Center Aug. 6–25 First Saturday Reception Aug. 6, 4–7 p.m. 9683 Elk Grove Florin Road • elkgroveﬁneartscenter.org This exhibition features paintings of the American River and Greece by artist Thomas Sellas, as well as BIG Art by the center’s member artists that includes oversized landscapes, still-life and figurative paintings. Monster Jam at Golden 1 Center.

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THEATRE GUIDE THE SECRET GARDEN August 9 - 14 UC Davis Health Pavilion 1419 H St, Sac Broadwaysacramento.com The enchanting literary classic is reimagined in brilliant musical style. A compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal, The Secret Garden won three Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards when it premiered on Broadway in 1991. Orphaned in India, 11-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his disabled son Colin. The estate’s many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and spirits from Mary’s past who guide her through her new life. Note: Very young children may be frightened by elements of the musical, or have difficulty following its plot. Two of the main characters—a recentlyorphaned young girl and her widowed uncle—are struggling to deal with the intense grief that comes from the loss of loved ones. The characters who have died appear as ghosts but not in a menacing way. While dark at times, the musical’s overall message is a positive one, that nature and friendship can help assuage grief.

THE COLOR PURPLE August 23 – 23 UC Davis Health Pavilion 1419 H St, Sac Broadwaysacramento.com With a fresh, Grammy-winning score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, The Color Purple is an unforgettable, intensely moving musical based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the Oscar-nominated film. The New York Times calls it “exquisite! A joyous celebration of storytelling.” This stirring family chronicle—a young woman’s epic journey through joy, despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of

love—leaves its mark on the soul. Note: Based on the 1982 Alice Walker novel, The Color Purple tells the story of fourteen-year-old Celie and her life growing up as an African American woman in rural Georgia in the 1930s. Abused by her father, a victim of incest, married off without her consent to a physically and emotionally abusive husband, and separated from her sister and children, Celie perseveres through it all to discover her inner strength and true value.

NUNSENSE Thru August 14 Mills Station Arts & Cultural Center 10191 Mills Station Rd, Rancho Cordova Rise Up Theatre Company Nunsense is a hilarious spoof about the misadventures of five nuns trying to manage a fundraiser. Sadly, the rest of the sisterhood died from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia Child of God. Thus, the remaining nuns – ballet-loving Sister Leo, streetwise Sister Robert Anne, befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia, the Mother Superior Sister Regina, and mistress of the novices Sister Mary Hubert – stage a talent show in order to raise the money to bury their dearly departed. With catchy songs and irreverent comedy, Nunsense is sure to keep audiences rolling with laughter. This is a musical comedy in two acts with a 15 minute intermission. Concessions available for purchase prior to the show and during intermission.

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Thank you Sacramento

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Inside Pocket August 2022

Articles inside

Spirit Matters

Meet Your Neighbor

Sports Authority

To Do

Farm To Fork

Open Studio

Open House

Inside The County

Walk On Wild Side

City Beat

Pocket Beat

Publisher's Desk

Pocket Life

Building Our Future

Out & About