Inside the pocket may 14 by Inside Publications

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MAY 2014

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S LAND PARK HILLS AT ITS BEST Amazing renovation features 3 bedrooms 2½ baths with open concept living! Fantastic kitchen and baths boast quartz and custom cabinetry. Kitchen and living and dining combo connects to the yard through a beautiful wall of glass! $488,900 JAMIE RICH 612-4000

GREENBELT CLOSE Beautiful property was builder’s own custom home. 3 bedroom 2½ baths with professionally landscaped front yard, Pergo Àoors, remodeled kitchen and half bath. There is also remodeled laundry play structure, dual pane windows and custom curtains and blinds. $365,000 MONA GERGEN 247-9555

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CUTE SLP CONDO Lower level 2 bedroom 2 bath cutie; spacious and open. Walk-in closet in the master bedroom, detached 1-car garage with opener. Pool and spa with clubhouse. Lush landscaping. Great value. Private patio. Inside laundry closet. Convenient location close to shopping, restaurants, library. $124,000 LISA McCAULEY 601-5474

SOUTH LAND PARK HILLS Fabulous brick home in a wonderful SLP Hills location! Quality built 3 bedroom 2½ bath home with spacious living room, curved family room ¿replace, covered patio, inside laundry room and big 2-car garage! $399,500 SHEILA VAN NOY 505-5395

RIVERGATE HOME Wonderful four bedroom home on a quiet street. This home has a great Àoor plan with lots of light! Private living room, kitchen family room combination and spacious master suite. Sliding glass doors in family room and master suite leading to generous sized backyard. $309,000 PAM VANDERFORD 799-7234

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WONDERFUL HALFPLEX Original owner has kept this home immaculate, 3 bedrooms 2½ baths, its amazing! New Àooring in kitchen and 1/2 bath, new Rhreem energy ef¿cient A/C, new light ¿xtures, new ceiling fans, 2 inch blinds. Professionally landscaped yard with auto sprinklers. Quiet cul-de-sac! $239,000 MONA GERGEN 247-9555

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BRIDGEWAY SOUTHPORT Beautiful lake front single story home situated in West Sacramento. 4 bedrooms 3 baths, ultra high ceilings and open Àoor plan beaming with natural sunlight. Large dining room, arched doorways, expansive kitchen, cherry cabinetry, and custom tile Àoors. $449,000 JESSICA BILLER 761-6035

WALK TO DIDION SCHOOL A rare opportunity to live close to Didion School. Spacious 4 bedrooms 2½ baths, 2264 square feet, with new interior paint, Àooring, light ¿xtures, granite counter tops in kitchen and all 3 baths, new dishwasher, and new gas range. Huge family room is just waiting for fun and games! $349,000 PAULA SWAYNE 425-9715

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LOT ON THE RIVER Must see this beautiful lot! A rare opportunity to build your own home on a riverfront lot in the Little Pocket area close to the freeway and downtown. Riverside Blvd close to 35th Ave. Go by, walk around the lot and enjoy the Sacramento River. Call agent if you have questions. $259,000 MONA GERGEN 247-9555

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COVER ARTIST Louis Baker Please see our Artist Spotlight on page 52 of this edition for comprehensive story on Mr. Baker.

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PUBLISHER Cecily Hastings publisher@insidepublications.com 3104 O St. #120, Sac. CA 95816 (Mail Only) 916-441-7026 (Information Line) EDITOR PRODUCTION DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHY AD COORDINATOR ACCOUNTING EDITORIAL POLICY

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Give More MAY 6 IS YOUR CHANCE TO HELP LOCAL NONPROFITS

BY CECILY HASTINGS PUBLISHER’S DESK

ongtime readers know that I value and promote the concept of local living. Our logo proclaims that our magazines feature information that is 100 percent local. Underneath the logo are the statements Do More, Know More, Buy More. Here’s one more idea, which is the subject of this month’s column: Give More. On Tuesday, May 6, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation will host a 24-hour giving challenge called the BIG Day of Giving. The goal is to increase the level of individual local giving. The organization hopes to help raise $1 million for local nonprofits from 5,000 donors. It wants 30 percent of those donations to come from new donors. Last year’s Arts Day of Giving, designed to help nonprofit arts organization, was a great success. This year, the concept has been expanded to all qualified nonprofits. Here’s the back story: Three years ago, the foundation commissioned a study called the Sacramento Generosity Project to come up with data on who gives and who does not.

The exhaustive study revealed that Sacramento residents as a whole give to charity at a lower rate than the national average. Those who do donate give less money than the national average. According to the study, 62 percent of Sacramento households give at least $25 per year, compared to 66 percent nationally. Our average donation is $1,990 per year, 11 percent lower than the national figure. Local nonprofits have been challenged as never before with the drastic reduction in charitable giving during the recessionary years. In 2011, a group of community leaders introduced a multiyear campaign called Live Here, Give Here, spearheaded by local ad/PR firm Runyon Saltzman & Einhorn. The goal was to increase the percentage of giving households from 62 percent to 67 percent, and to increase the average household donation from $1,990 to $2,355. This would generate an additional quarter of a billion dollars for nonprofits. It would make a huge difference for our community if we increased our giving to equal the national average. The campaign also aimed to increase the share of giving to local nonprofits. While 91 percent of households surveyed said it’s important to give locally, only 63 percent of donations went to local organizations. In the first 35 years of my life, I donated very little to charity. My middle-class parents gave to our church regularly and supported local causes, so I had an example growing up. But it wasn’t until I felt financially comfortable as an adult

(and paid off my student loans) that I started making charitable donations. My husband and I made giving a priority after we listened to a moving sermon by our church’s pastor explaining the biblical concept of the tithe, a one-tenth voluntary contribution of your income. On the way home, we decided to make charitable giving a regular part of our lives. In the years since, I have found the most joy from being involved in local activities that help those less fortunate and help build stronger neighborhoods and communities. The time I spend researching local organizations is invigorating and fills me with gratitude for my own blessings. The Sacramento Generosity Project’s strategy is simple: Encourage more people to give, inspire those who already give to give more, and persuade everyone to give locally. The 2014 BIG Day of Giving is the vehicle to accomplish this goal. Other communities across the nation have raised millions of dollars through similar events. Starting at midnight on May 6, you have 24 hours to give online (givelocalnow.org). Paying with a credit card, you can give as little as $25 or as much as $10,000. Each gift is tax-deductible, and local nonprofits will receive matching funds. You’ll receive email acknowledgement of your gift within an hour. Deciding which organizations to give to is the fun part. You may already know local nonprofits you want to support. If not, go to givelocalnow.org and look for The

GivingEdge database, which profiles thousands of local nonprofits.

DROUGHT TIPS I recently attended a meeting on drought strategies held by a local gardening group. I wanted to learn how to conserve water at my own home as well as at McKinley Rose Garden, whose care I oversee with the nonprofit Friends of East Sacramento. The expert speaker had lots of tips. I easily and quickly put two in place at my house. You can, too. First, instead of watering your lawn and garden for an hour straight, institute “cycle soaking.” If you have an automated sprinkler system, set the water to come on for 15 minutes, then off for 45 minutes. Repeat this over four hours. The water will soak into the ground more deeply between cycles, resulting in less runoff into gutters and drains. If you do this from midnight to 4 a.m., you will save even more water. (Most automated sprinkler manufacturers now have their manuals online if you have lost yours.) Second, save the water that normally goes down the drain as the shower water heats up. I bought a small white paint bucket at the local hardware store. It catches the water, which I then use to water outdoor container plants. I bought a smaller one for the kitchen sink to use the same way. It’s going to be a long, dry summer. Send me your drought tips and we’ll share your ideas with our readers. Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. n

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More Options for Aging GREENHAVEN TERRACE EXPANDS TO INCLUDE ASSISTED LIVING

BY R.E. GRASWICH POCKET BEAT

he paint is fresh, the floors newly covered with wood laminate. Soon it will be time to open a redesigned wing at Asian Community Center’s Greenhaven Terrace. A bushel of new services are ready for inspection and state certification. Time never stands still at ACC, a nonprofit organization in the Pocket that provides living facilities and services for older adults. The official ACC clock starts at age 62. But these days, 62 is nothing. Which means many clients can anticipate—who knows?—30 years of life beneath the ACC umbrella. “We often hear from adult children who say it’s getting to be time for Mom to make the transition into assisted living,” says Donna Yee, the center’s chief executive. “We tell them, ‘Well, these transitions can easily take 10 years, and 10 years really isn’t very long.’ They say, ‘Ten years?’ They seem shocked.” No human experience is more natural than growing older. It happens every day, every minute, to everybody. But for many people, no

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Donna Yee is the chief executive at the Asian Community Center

experience is more ominous than the contemplation of time’s advance. This is where Asian Community Center comes in. ACC serves an amazingly diverse swath of human maturity, potentially for one-third of a client’s life span. Some residential clients (no, you don’t have to be Asian) have full-time jobs. While they call Greenhaven Terrace home, they come and go. Others require full-time care from professional staff at the ACC nursing home, about a mile from Greenhaven Terrace. Others are in the middle.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all anymore in elder care,” Yee says. “It used to be elderly people were invisible in our communities. They would be getting along fine, then have a fall or something, move into skilled nursing and never be seen again. Today, they can be vital members of the community well into their 80s and even 90s.” The visible vitality of seniors is a key goal for ACC. Each month, ACC volunteers—themselves deep into Social Security range—make 4,000 trips around the Pocket and Greenhaven neighborhoods and

beyond, taking clients on shopping or social excursions and to doctor or dental appointments. Volunteers are such an essential part of the ACC experience that a Volunteer Hall of Fame was established. Twenty years of service are required to qualify. More than 80 volunteers have made the cut. “Maybe we should make it 40 years,” Yee jokes. The middle ground—the space between completely self-sufficient seniors and those who need skilled nursing—is the brave new world of elder care. It’s why ACC recently

upgraded Greenhaven Terrace and shifted some of its 144 apartments from fully independent lifestyles to assisted living. “It’s a process that we all go through as we age,” Yee says. “Maybe there’s a medical reason why you need someone to check on you and help with meals or meds. But you don’t need full-time skilled nursing. That’s the benefit of having an assistedliving option.” Yee, who has been interested in elder care since her undergraduate days at San Francisco State, earned a Ph.D. in the field. She spent years in the disciplines of elder research and nursing home compliance but was ultimately drawn to direct care, the hands-on mission of Asian Community Center. Today, her past academic and professional work serves Yee on a daily basis. So does her training in social work. Much of Yee’s time is spent dealing with family members. The relationship can be precious. “We consider the entire family to be our client,” she says. “The family

can be a big part of the successful experience for our residents. Adult children often have many issues when dealing with an elderly parent. Sometimes, they will say, ‘What do you mean, I have to go to class to learn how to take care of Mom?’ But there really is a lot to learn.”

“We consider the entire family to be our client,” she says. “The family can be a big part of the successful experience for our residents.” Despite enlightened approaches to aging and resources available to seniors, it’s still not easy to grow old. People arrive at ACC full of fear and apprehension. Some are motivated by loneliness, some urged into senior residency by family members who

don’t want to see Dad alone, rattling around his house. Many simply want to live somewhere that’s safe and friendly. Which means they come to ACC for all the normal reasons. Normalcy pervades the sprawling Greenhaven Terrace complex on Corporate Way. There are bingo games and workout equipment and yoga classes and a community garden. There are arguments about people growing flowers in the community garden.

(Some Terrace residents believe the garden should be for vegetables only. They work it out.) To see the common vitalities of life at ACC’s Greenhaven Terrace is to know this: Getting old is the ultimate norm, and far better than the alternative. For more information about Asian Community Center, go to accsv.org. R.E. Graswich can be reached at reg@graswich.com. n

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Know the Candidates WOULD-BE COUNCILMEMBERS ON CITY SERVICES, PENSIONS AND MORE

BY R.E. GRASWICH

wo candidates, Julius Cherry and Rick Jennings, are running for the District 7 City Council seat being vacated by Darrell Fong, who is running for the state assembly. The district includes the Pocket/Greenhaven and Valley Hi neighborhoods. The election is June 3. Cherry, 59, is a Sacramento attorney in private practice specializing in bankruptcy. His public-service career included 30 years with the city fire department, culminating in his appointment as fire chief (2004-2006). He serves on the community advisory board for Catholic Healthcare West and is a board member of Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley and Northern Nevada. Jennings, 60, is CEO of the Sacramento Center for Fathers and Families, a nonprofit serving young people and adults with after-school and parenting programs. A former regional manager with Xerox, Jennings served 12 years as a trustee of the Sacramento City Unified School District. He played professional football, including a victory in Super Bowl XI with the Oakland Raiders. Inside Publications invited Cherry and Jennings to share their views on topics of interest to voters. A third candidate, Abe Snobar, a school teacher and resident of Valley Hi, entered the race after our interviews

Many cities obtain savings by contracting out services such as garbage collection and medical ambulance response. Which city departments would you consider for privatization? Jennings: I’m not in favor of contracting out our ambulance service. It’s a vital service and it’s a revenue generator. I’m not a big believer in contracting out services because oftentimes, it doesn’t save the city any money. There are certain areas we should explore, to see if we can provide better services at a better rate. One example is Sierra 2. Take a look at how successful that’s been under the operation of a neighborhood group. Also, our golf courses have been contracted out. Another area we could look at is the marina. These are areas that once were revenue generators but have been

were completed.

Julius Cherry

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money. By the time you find out how much staff time you spent enforcing the contract, you realize you’ve spent time you wouldn’t have to spend if you didn’t contract out. So it may be a wash.

Rick Jennings

operating at a loss more recently. I wouldn’t consider contracting out any department, but only components of a department. Cherry: I don’t think I’d consider any departments. If the question has to do with contracting out for services, here’s where I am: I have heard for years from people who fervently believe that contracting out will save taxpayers money and the quality of service will continue to be as good. I have not yet seen that objectively proven. I think there are obstacles there. When I was fire chief, one thing we contracted out was the billing service. We thought, OK, this isn’t something we’re good at; we need a contractor. The problem is you end up spending staff time administering the contract. That’s

CalPERS is significantly increasing the rates it charges to fund city pensions. The city manager says the proposed rate changes are “not sustainable.” How will you pay the new rates? Jennings: Again, I believe in keeping my promises. The city must do the same. The city needs to work with CalPERS and negotiate with CalPERS on payments, and put aside money to pay for the new rates. The city needs to work with Gov. Brown and the legislature on this matter. Cherry: CalPERS is a gigantic organization. I know a little bit about it, but I’m no expert. They do something called “smoothing,” where they look at the good years and bad years and gaps and try to recoup losses over time. After the 2008 stock market crash and recession, CalPERS lost a ton of money. They are trying to recoup it. There are all kinds of strategies. One is collective bargaining, to bring employees to the table to pay their fair share. In many cases, the city was paying both the employer and employee share. That’s coming to an end. We’re all hoping the stock market continues to rise, but we can’t depend on that. This occurred when people thought the stock market bubble would never burst, but we know that’s not prudent. We’ve got to figure it out:

pay as you go or put money away to deal with it. District 7 is one of the safest districts in the city relevant to major crimes. What’s working, what’s not, and what can you do to improve public safety across the district? Cherry: Since I live there, I’m glad to know it’s one of the safest districts. I want to give a shout-out to the Sacramento police department for its leadership. Our officers and civilians have done an outstanding job with declining resources. We still have problems specific to property crimes, such as car break-ins and burglaries. We now have Nextdoor.com, which is a great way to get the word out. We have Neighborhood Watch and reverse 911, which was in place when I was fire chief. The fact is, we are building back resources in the police department and it’s going to take more staffing on the street to make the streets safer. I’m supportive of that. Jennings: What’s working is the police and residents of District 7 are working together. It’s incredible. The police, through Cops and Coffee, through ride-alongs, they’ve opened their doors to make sure people see them as partners. The residents are there. I’ve been to two Cops and Coffee events, and both times, I’ve seen the officers listen to the concerns and give answers that hopefully satisfy those residents. The Nextdoor Pocket and Nextdoor Greenhaven websites—that’s working. Residents can talk to each other and start to become the solution to the crimes that they see. What’s not working is we don’t have enough people who are using these resources. We want to make sure they know how to use these resources, how to access them, and continue to make our district and city one of the safest in the state. What specific services and strategies can the city offer to streamline the process of permits for small businesses? Cherry: The good news is last year, the city streamlined the process. They brought in stakeholders and streamlined the codes and eliminated

duplication. Those are things I supported as fire chief. We did things with codes, such as, if the code didn’t prohibit it, and the person could show us how to do it safer and better and save money, the code should allow that. We need to help smaller developers and even homeowners, like a guy who wants to put a hot-water heater into his house. They want to know that if they are remodeling a bathroom, the process will be as smooth as with someone who’s building a gigantic structure. You need to make the process fair. Jennings: I would hold roundtable discussions about how the city can help small businesses, both to open and expand. We can have workshops and technical assistance. We can help them get ready for specific changes, like the arena and revitalization of downtown. A major shopping center in District 7, The Promenade, has a high vacancy rate, with longterm vacancies at both ends of the center. How can you improve retail occupancy across the district? Cherry: It’s great to think that members of the city council have the power to lower vacancy rates, but that’s a tough a tough nut to crack until the economy gets better. I shop at that center. There used to be a hardware store on one end. It’s doesn’t exist anymore. Vacancy rates are too high across the city, and until we get our economy better, I’m not sure what people can do about it, except for things like what Councilmember Fong has done to help businesses find space to meet its needs, like what we did with the new grocery store at Riverside Boulevard and Florin Road. Jennings: Great question. As we were getting ready for our campaign headquarters, we went to every shopping center in Pocket, Greenhaven and Valley Hi. We were able to see firsthand the vacancy rates. A key strategy is how to create new businesses and the jobs that come with them. One thing we realized is that District 7 doesn’t have a business association or a property association,

Rick Jennings CITY COUNCIL – DISTRICT 7 CEO, Center for Fathers and Families 12 years on Sacramento School Board Former professional football player with the Super Bowl Champion Oakland Raiders 28-year Greenhaven-Pocket resident

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Restore City Services to their pre-2007 levels.

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Partner with schools and libraries to expand community programs.

Encourage small business expansion and job creation.

www.JenningsForCityCouncil.com Paid for by Rick Jennings for City Council 2014 6373 Riverside Blvd Sacramento, CA 95831 (916) 421-5500

and we need to start them in District 7. They will strategize about how to lower those vacancy rates across the district. It’s effective. It works. What plans do you have to deal with traffic impacts in District 7 created by the build-out in Delta Shores? Jennings: Delta Shores is a great opportunity to bring economic development. It will show that infill development can be done responsibly. We need to show that there will be enough green space, and that there will be opportunities for new businesses and jobs created by the project. As we act responsibly in the growth and development of Delta Shores, we’ll mitigate the traffic concerns. It means involving the residents who surround the project, though they may not all be in District 7. Some are in District 8, and some are in Elk Grove. If we’re responsible in our involvement of all the community, we can make sure

we identify those issues before they become a problem. Cherry: First, I want to shout to the ceiling with a round of applause that we’re finally getting Delta Shores off the ground. The interchange connecting I-5 is just about to be completed. Can you say “North Natomas”? Can you visualize an 800-acre project with 1.3 million feet of retail and thousands of houses? It’s going to be phased in over the next 15 to 20 years. I’m not a traffic engineer, but I spent seven years on the county planning commission and can tell you, you bring in the experts, the traffic folks, and get advice to deal with an internal traffic flow for a project that big. When you add a project that’s the size of a small city, and this is key, once we build out, we take into consideration your existing neighbors. It’s the old story: Do you move next to an airport and complain about the noise, or does the airport move to you? We need to be cognizant of how it will impact the existing neighbors, and what the mitigations are, and bring in our traffic engineering folks. n

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Uncertain Future BEFORE UPGRADING THE COMMUNITY CENTER THEATER, HOMEWORK'S NEEDED

BY CRAIG POWELL INSIDE CITY HALL

ne thing my experience with city government in Sacramento has taught me is that city policy is too often driven by an often unhealthy deference to conventional wisdom. The great pitfall of herd mentality governance is that key assumptions go both unquestioned and unexamined. A proposal to renovate the Sacramento Community Center Theater at a cost of as much as $53 million is chockablock with unexamined questions. For example, why is the city council poised to spend tens of millions of dollars renovating a civic asset like the theater when it has received no briefings on the asset’s current financial performance? Is the theater a moneymaker or a money loser? If it’s losing money, how bad are the losses? Since the council hasn’t been briefed on its performance, it hasn’t a clue. Eye on Sacramento (the watchdog group that I head) issued a report in September on the combined financial performance of the three city assets that make up the “convention center fund” assets: the Convention Center, Memorial Auditorium and the theater. EOS reported that the three assets have been losing a whopping $12

POCKET MAY n 14

million annually for years, but EOS did not break out the operating losses of the theater. City staff should. City staff is offering the council three options for renovating the theater. The “basic” option, designed to fix long-neglected Americans With Disabilities Act violations, would cost a reported $11 million, while an “enhanced basic” option, costing $36.5 million, would solve the theater’s ADA problems, as well as expand the size of the current lobby and restrooms and add loading dock capacity. A third “comprehensive” option, at a cost of $52.5 million, would include all of the above improvements, plus replace mechanical/electrical systems and add new acoustical and theatrical equipment. The city manager is recommending that the city council select the “enhanced basic” option. But why is he making this recommendation when he’s been warning of a coming “fiscal cliff” for city finances? According to the staff report, the upgrades are necessary “to position the theater to remain effective and competitive for the next 10 years.” But how do they know that it will do that? Is the theater competitive now? If not, will the changes make it competitive? And why will it help for only 10 years? Despite the confident statement in the staff report, the city really hasn’t a clue. A private business considering a $36.5 million rehab of a major asset would gather hard data on the market in which the asset operates. It would objectively assess the competition and quantify the expected financial return with financial projections based on reasonable assumptions. But the city hasn’t bothered to conduct a

marketing study to assess whether its claim has any basis in fact. Why is the city failing to perform such basic due diligence? Inertia. The city staff report on the proposed renovation outlines 14 years of sputtering start-and-stop efforts to renovate the theater involving a dozen different reports, feasibility studies, conceptual designs and council actions, all of which have led to absolutely nothing (apart from a financial windfall to a handful of consulting and architectural firms). By now, the renovation project has become an embarrassment and the city just wants to see it done. The reasons for doing so seem almost secondary. The theater is tremendously underutilized. One city source informed us that, apart from the popular Broadway Sacramento series of national touring musical productions (150,000 tickets sold annually) and the hugely popular but seasonal performances of “The Nutcracker,” the theater is used as little as once per month. Its current marketing plan has been described by one city wag as “waiting for the telephone to ring.” Unless the city adopts a robust marketing plan, throwing money at the theater for upgrades (apart from ADA upgrades required by law) in order to keep it “competitive” would be a waste of taxpayer money. The city’s current model of managing the theater—using city employees with little incentive to maximize revenues or control costs—should be rethought and outside management options carefully evaluated before any upgrade beyond ADA fixes is launched.

The theater, however, is not entirely about dollars and cents. It is a civic amenity and a source of civic pride for Sacramento since it opened its doors in 1974. Wanting to burnish that pride by improving our theater is a natural instinct. An impressive performing arts theater has long been considered a civic selling point for attracting both new businesses and new residents, particularly highly desirable young professionals, patrons of the arts and creative types who play an increasingly important role in our local economy and social fabric.

The theater is not entirely about dollars and cents. It is a civic amenity and a source of civic pride for Sacramento since it opened its doors in 1974. It is hard, however, to place a dollar value on such a civic asset. Every city expenditure involves setting priorities across a spectrum of pressing city needs: police, fire protection, parks, streets and fiscal stability. I would imagine that most Sacramentans may be willing to support a modest level of taxpayer subsidy for the theater to keep it both functional and attractive to patrons, provided they were assured that the city was doing its part to operate it

responsibly and prudently. But at the same time, Sacramento is facing a serious structural fiscal challenge in the coming years that has little to do with the ups and downs of recessionary cycles. No major new financial commitment should be made by the city council without considering the impact of the fiscal cliff. The fiscal cliff involves a trifecta of bad fiscal news. First, the Measure U one-half-cent sales tax hike, now producing about $28 million annually in revenue for the general fund, expires in six years. Next, CalPERS has advised the city to expect about a 50 percent boost in its already elevated annual pension contribution payment over the next five years. Finally, the proposed sale of bonds to finance construction of a new downtown arena will saddle the general fund with an annual debt payment that will start at around $14 million per year in a few years and then rise in steps to $24 million annually over the next 35 years. With an annual general fund budget of only about $370 million, the city’s fiscal cliff is serious business. Then there is the bonus feature: The city is accruing $28 million dollars in unfunded retiree health care costs each year. The city is not paying the $28 million expense each year because it still uses an antiquated (and misleading) cash basis of accounting, not an accrual accounting system (as private businesses have been using for more than 100 years). Shifting to a more truthful accounting system would force the city to recognize the expense (and pay for it) in its annual budget. Instead, the annual expense is just piled onto the city’s ever-growing $460 million unfunded liability for retiree health care costs. If the city council selects the $36.5 million “enhanced basic” option for the theater renovation, the city will finance the cost by borrowing about $25 million and then using $8 million in remaining balances in closed-out city tax assessment districts. (My question: Why isn’t the surplus money being paid back to the taxpayers who paid the assessments in the first place?) The remaining $3 million cost will be funded by a $3 ticket surcharge imposed on theatergoers.

How will payments on the $25 million borrowing be funded? City treasurer Russell Fehr anticipates a 10-year loan term and $3 million annual payments, to be funded by the theater’s ticket surcharge and about $2.2 million annually from the city’s 12 percent hotel tax. Use of the hotel tax as collateral for theater upgrade financing is uncertain at this point since the term sheet for the arena deal calls for all of the city’s hotel tax to be pledged as additional collateral for the anticipated $300 million arena bond. However, the status of the hotel tax may very well change in the final arena financing plan. If, however, the city council decides to limit the upgrades to just those required to bring the theater into ADA compliance, the city will be in a position to pay for all of the work from the surplus cash in the closedout tax assessment districts and the accumulated ticket surcharges. No borrowing would be required. Some commentators argue, with some justification, that the city should forget about major upgrades to the theater and should focus instead on building an entirely new theater, one with the architectural impact of, say, UC Davis’ Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. Some question the utility of spending $36.5 million (plus interest) on upgrades that will keep the Community Center Theater competitive for only another 10 years. At a certain point, it makes economic sense to eschew upgrades that provide only transitory benefit and to opt instead for a new theater. Rob Turner, co-editor of Sactown Magazine and a consistent booster of big civic projects, is the cheerleaderin-chief for a new theater. He caustically (and rather unfairly) called the existing theater “a high-profile architectural embarrassment for our city” and a “decrepit, uninspiring theater” in a recent Bee op-ed. He noted that Folsom now has Harris Center, a cluster of three theaters of various sizes that is winning rave reviews. He claims that Sacramento is now “getting its cultural lunch eaten by both sides of the region.” Turner wants the theater to be moved elsewhere downtown, perhaps near Memorial Auditorium or Music

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Circus, to provide greater space for the economic growth that he claims a new theater building and location would bring. Turner is not necessarily wrong in his pitch for a new location. Parking is a major constraint at the current location (and will become a larger constraint on Kings game nights as competition for limited parking heats up). One councilman who doesn’t seem to be a victim of inertia on the theater is Steve Hansen, in whose district the theater is located. He’s pressing the city to study alternative models for managing the theater, including giving the job to a nonprofit. He’s open to the idea of building a new theater in a new location and is smartly pressing the city to explore a naming rights deal on any new theater. Naming deals in comparable cities have generated $15 million toward the construction costs of new performing arts centers. Total costs of new centers have ranged from $116 million for the Utah Performing Arts Center in Salt Lake City to the $265 million Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.

3001 P St. Sacramento, CA

The city has engaged a consulting firm to look at the prices and options for constructing a new theater. But unless the great majority of the financing for a new theater is provided by the private sector, such a project is almost certainly a near- and midterm nonstarter for Sacramento. Between the city’s $2.3 billion total debt load, its maxed-out general fund borrowing capacity (thanks to the pending arena financing) and the looming fiscal cliff, another major civic amenity project is not in the cards for Sacramento, particularly given the cost impacts of the state’s prevailing wage laws and union-imposed project labor agreements. Given these likely cost drivers, the cost of a new theater in Sacramento would probably be closer to Philadelphia’s $265 million center than to Salt Lake City’s $116 million center. Craig Powell is a local attorney, businessman, community activist and president of Eye on Sacramento, a civic watchdog and policy group. He can be reached at craig@eyeonsacramento.org or 718-3030. n

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Political Pickings TWO COUNCIL CANDIDATES GEAR UP FOR JUNE ELECTION

BY SHANE SINGH POCKET LIFE

he race for the city council seat representing Pocket and Greenhaven is going full blast, but one candidate is keeping extra cool. Rick Jennings, a veteran of three terms on the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education, has rented campaign space next to the Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop on Riverside Boulevard and Florin Road. Jennings is an athlete—he won a Super Bowl ring with the Oakland Raiders—so he won’t be tempted to spend his downtime eating ice cream. And he won’t have much downtime, since the race against former Sacramento fire chief Julius Cherry no doubt will be close. “One thing we want to do is to expand resources for our youth and seniors by opening up schools as community centers and to have churches and nonprofits assist us,” says Jennings,

adding the city lacks a community center in Pocket-Greenhaven. Just across Florin Road, Cherry opened his headquarters next to Round Table Pizza. The retired firefighter wasted no time making news. After promising the crowd at his campaign kickoff celebration that “I will listen more than speak, but stand up and speak when it is required,” Cherry introduced State Senate pro Tem Darrell Steinberg as “the next mayor of Sacramento,” thus unofficially revealing Steinberg’s plans for 2016. As the audience cheered Steinberg, Cherry smiled and said, “I didn’t say that.” The termed-out senator has his eye on the mayor’s seat but must deal with incumbent Kevin Johnson, who almost certainly will run for a third term if the strong-mayor initiative passes in November. Steinberg and Johnson make nice in public but can hardly be called buddies. “Theirs is

Julius Cherry

POCKET MAY n 14

a relationship of mutual tolerance,” says one insider. The political fun gets up close and personal on Thursday, May 8, when Inside Pocket sponsors a community debate between Cherry and Jennings at 6:30 p.m. at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive. If you want to pose a question, email your interrogations to publisher@insidepublications.com.

NEW NAME, SAME OWNERSHIP During 38 years in the real estate business, Craig Dunnigan has been through a number of company changes. But he’s most excited about the one taking place this month. On May 1, his firm, Prudential Dunnigan Real Estate, will join billionaire investor Warren Buffett’s new real estate network. The firm will be known as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Dunnigan Properties.

Rick Jennings

Buffett, known as the Oracle of Omaha for his investment expertise, is the chairman, CEO and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, a multinational holding company headquartered in Omaha, Neb. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices was formed when Berkshire Hathaway’s real estate affiliate acquired a majority interest in the Prudential Real Estate Network. “This is a new high-quality brand built around the Berkshire Hathaway name,” said Dunnigan. “It’s the first time the name has been on any consumer-facing company.” Prudential Dunnigan is the first Berkshire Hathaway franchise in Sacramento and only the second in Northern California. “Not all Prudential franchises nationwide were invited to join Berkshire, so we were flattered,” said Dunnigan. “It is surely a testimony to the quality and professionalism of our agents.” Prudential Dunnigan’s Riverside Boulevard office has been a fixture in Pocket/Greenhaven since 1979. The business was originally Greenhaven Realtors, owned by developer Bill Parker and Irv Borchert. In 1987, Dunnigan and Borchert became partners and bought out Parker’s interest. Dunnigan bought out Borchert over time and now works with his wife, Joleen Dunnigan, also a real estate agent. In 2009, the business

RACE FOR THE AGES

new generation of local Cub Scouts participated in Pack 259’s annual Pinewood races at Genevieve Didion K-8 School. The top three speediest teams were those of Kai Labson, Carsen Lunetta and Jayden Tupou. By acclaim, the most interesting car was Matthew Martin’s green snakemobile with orange wheels, which won Best of Show by popular vote. Santiago Ortiz’s black-and-gold car was the Best of Show runner-up. These five young creative wizards all qualified to represent Pack 259 at the district race. “The fastest design seems to vary,” explains cubmaster Lee Adamson. “The skinny wedge designs seem to be fast, but the boys sometimes run into trouble building these types of cars because weight becomes an issue. The total weight of the car, wheels, paint and all, cannot be more than 5 ounces. The boys worked really hard this year on their cars. It is really cool to see the Scouts’ design and build improve from year to year as they

Tech trends come and go, but the Pinewood Derby endures. A

POCKET LIFE page 14

are residents of the Pocket. Ruben Jr. also coaches his daughter’s Greenhaven soccer team. “It really is not much different to coach the girls and the men of the Gold,” he says. Does that mean he has to advise the men to pay attention and not pick daisies off the pitch? Greenhaven Soccer Club coaching coordinator Wayne “Soccer Doctor” Novoa also serves as the Gold’s manager for community relations and day of game operations. At Greenhaven Soccer, Novoa is known for his high energy and entertaining training sessions. We can only imagine that this same enthusiasm will make a Gold match very entertaining. If you are interested in catching a match, the Gold provides quality sports entertainment at a steal. Go to sacramentogoldfc.org for more information.

Craig and Joleen Dunnigan are excited about joining real etate forces with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

became an independent Prudential franchise. The office has 30 agents. For more information, go to bhhsdunnigan.com.

OLIVE BRANCH Last month, we reported that a Pocket cafe owner had trashed one of our news boxes. Reader feedback was mixed. Some sympathized with us, while others blamed us for installing a box without permission. Some readers felt that our reporting was heavyhanded and could damage a small business. Fair enough. One reader suggested that the situation be put to rest with a peace offering by the cafe owner to the publisher in the form of a meal together in his cafe. After all, sharing a meal tends to break down barriers.

Our publisher said she is open to the idea.

OFF THE BALL Our local semipro soccer team, Sacramento Gold, recently kicked off its 2014 season. Two of last season’s players—Max Alvarez and Dominik Jakubek—have been signed by the Sacramento Republic professional team. Having the Republic around has stirred up the interest of soccer fans locally and is a win-win for the Gold as players look to work their way up to a pro team. The Gold wants to establish a solid relationship with the Republic in the months to come. The Gold has some significant connections to our neighborhood. Head coach Ruben Mora Jr. and general manager Ruben Mora Sr.

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Thursday, MAY 8 6:30 p.m. Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library Sponsored by:

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Local Cub Scouts participated in Pack 259’s annual Pinewood races at Genevieve Didion K-8 School

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grow up and learn how to make an award-winning racecar.” Adamson thanked racecourse operators Phil Long, Charley Wang and Paul Maniccia for making the event seamless. Amber Long and Francis Acosta-Ortiz chipped in to help make the derby a big success. Boys interested in joining the Cub Scouts need to be in first through fifth grades. Contact Adamson at 259Cubmaster@gmail.com. For more information, go to the pack’s website, pack259sacramento.org.

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In the past 25 years, the use of DNA as a crime-busting tool has moved from fiction to courtroom reality. In Sacramento County, prosecutors and police lead the way in this exciting field. Anne Marie Schubert, a Sacramento County prosecutor with 24 years of experience, issued California’s first “John Doe” warrant

based on a rapist’s DNA profile. In 1994, a stranger broke into Deborah L.’s home and raped her. An exam found the rapist’s DNA, but by 2000, it had not been matched to anyone and the statute of limitations was about to run out. Working with detectives, Schubert filed a complaint charging “John Doe” as the rapist. Paul Robinson was later identified through a DNA database match. Schubert tried and convicted Robinson. He was sentenced to 65 years in prison. To handle such cases, Schubert created the Sacramento DA’s Cold Case Homicide Unit in 2002. Asked about her most memorable cold cases, Schubert says, “When I worked with Sacramento police detectives to determine what unsolved cases we should focus on first, they all said that we needed to solve the Eva Chu case.” In 1979, Pocket-area resident Chu was seven months pregnant when she left work early for a doctor’s appointment. Along the way, she was kidnapped, raped and murdered. When the case was solved with DNA, the lead detective and

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Schubert informed Chu’s husband. “Her husband was overwhelmed with emotion,” Schubert says. “I saw that even if we could not provide closure from this horrific crime, we could at least provide answers and justice to the victims and survivors.” The killer was convicted and sent to prison in 2006. DNA can also exonerate the innocent. A case in point involves the Davis Sweetheart murders. DNA from that 1980 crime scene exonerated suspects who had been charged in Yolo County in 1993. More than 20 years later, convicted sex offender Richard Hirschfield was identified by DNA as the killer. In January 2013, he was sentenced for the murders. Without DNA, the crimes would never have been solved, and the man who raped and killed the Pocket’s Eva Chu would not have paid for his crime.

VIETNAM VETS HAVE STORIES TO TELL Sacramento Public Library is looking for Vietnam War veterans

to talk about their experiences for a storytelling project called “Valley to Vietnam.” The project captures on videotape the experiences, both during and after the war, of Vietnam vets from the Sacramento region. The videos air on Access Sacramento’s Channel 17 at 8:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. They’re also available on DVD at the library and through the library’s YouTube channel. So far, 10 interviews have been recorded with veterans such as Jerry Chong, a local attorney who was wounded while serving in Vietnam as a Marine Corps squad leader, and Ted Adams, who served three tours of duty in Vietnam. For more information or to suggest a Vietnam veteran to be interviewed, contact the project’s coordinator, James Scott, at 264-2795 or jscott@ saclibrary.org. Shane Singh can be reached at shane@shanesingh.com. n

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Fairytale Fun PUPPET SHOWS, A FARMERS MARKET, SUMMER CAMPS AND MORE

BY JESSICA LASKEY LIFE IN THE CITY

pring has sprung all over Sacramento, so why not get out in that sunshine and frolic at Fairytale Town this month? Entertain the little ones with a Puppet Art Theater Company show. The troupe will present “Hansel and Gretel” on every Saturday and Sunday in May at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. See the wicked witch, the gingerbread house and the plucky siblings in puppet form, guaranteed to capture the imagination for all ages. Tickets are $2 for nonmembers, $1 for members. Looking for an adult way to get in on the fun? Don’t miss the Mad Hatter Meets Sherlock Holmes Fundraiser on Thursday, May 8, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Sacramento Masonic Temple downtown. If the meeting of the Mad Hatter and everyone’s favorite English detective seems unlikely, leave it to Fairytale Town to intertwine the stories seamlessly in an event that will feature chocolate delicacies, wineand-food pairings, live music and a live auction and raffle. Cocktail or business attire is suggested—as are costumes! Proceeds will benefit Fairytale Town’s programs and park

POCKET MAY n 14

Don't miss Farms, Friends & Fairytales on Saturday, May 17 at Fairytale Town

improvements. For tickets, call 8087462. Sacramento Masonic Temple is at 1123 J St. Get tykes in touch with their earthy sides during Farms, Friends & Fairytales on Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Agriculture aficionados will enjoy watching the park’s resident twin Babydoll sheep get sheared and seeing the wool get spun into thread on an old-fashioned spinning wheel. There will also be a mini farmers market, hands-on activities and featuring local farms and farming organizations. The program is free with park admission. The weather warming up should remind you that summer’s just around the corner. Make sure you plan ahead and sign up soon for Fairytale Town’s

Summer FunCamps for Children, which start in June. To register, go to fairytaletown.org. For more information, call 8087462 or go to fairytaletown.org. Fairytale Town is at 3901 Land Park Drive.

40 AND FABULOUS Philanthropy and delicious cuisine never get old. Just ask Casa Garden Restaurant (formerly Casa de los Ninos), which celebrates 40 years of business this month. Join them for a full week of celebrations May 5 to 9. The volunteer-run restaurant serves lunch and dinner to benefit Sacramento Children’s Home. To date, it’s raised $2.6 million. Talk

about putting your money where your mouth is! Check out the daily activity breakdown for the restaurant’s celebratory week at casagardenrestaurant.org. To make a reservation, call 452-2809. Casa Garden Restaurant is at 2760 Sutterville Road.

IN THE SWING OF THINGS Things are getting wild and woolly at the Sacramento Zoo, starting with Where the Wild Kids Are on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit the zoo denizens and enjoy a day of kid-centric cultural entertainment, art, live music and

dance performances as well as booths featuring local museums, historical societies, genealogy groups and more. The event is included with regular zoo admission. Are you 55 or older with an affinity for animals and hot beverages? Check out Senior Tea & Tours on Mondays, May 5, 12 and 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Your group will be led on an exclusive tour of the zoo by knowledgeable volunteer docents, followed by a tea service with tea (of course), lemonade, coffee, finger sandwiches, breads and cookies. Register early for this popular event so you don’t miss out on the action! Call 808-5888 for more information or register at saczoo.org. And now, for a different kind of tea: Tee up for the zoo’s popular Swingin’ Safari Golf Tournament on Monday, May 12, at noon at El Macero Country Club in Davis. Now in its 13th year, this exciting event promises a good time with golf, food, prizes and a particularly wild putting contest. Tournament proceeds benefit the zoo’s educational programs. Tickets are $250. For tickets or more information, call 808-5166 or go to saczoo.org. For more zoo information, call 808-5888 or visit saczoo.org. The Sacramento Zoo is at 3930 W. Land Park Drive.

THE DUSTY MONTH OF MAY The sun is shining, the weather is still bearable—ideal conditions for a Land Park Volunteer Corps work day! Lend a hand (or a shovel) on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Connect at the corps’ Base Camp behind Fairytale Town and receive your assignment. (Tasks include bush trimming, pond cleaning, tree/ sucker/weed control and preparing garden beds for new plantings.) Fortify yourself with a complimentary breakfast provided by Espresso Metro, or refuel after you break a sweat with lunch provided by a generous anonymous donor. Need more information? Contact the corps’ lead coordinator, Craig Powell, at 718-3030 or ckpinsacto@

aol.com. Feeling more generous with your finances than your fingers? Donations are always greatly appreciated and can be addressed to Land Park Volunteer Corps, 3053 Freeport Boulevard #231, Sacramento, CA 95818. Base Camp is behind Fairytale Town at 3901 Land Park Drive.

HOME SWEET HOME If you’re a Land Park or Curtis Park resident—or a reader of The Sacramento Bee, for that matter— you’re probably aware of the controversial Curtis Park Village project that is due to break ground any minute in the former railyard between Curtis Park and Sacramento City College. The Bee has kept area residents up to date on the housing happenings for months, and the latest article by Mark Glover, published on March 11, is no exception. Glover reports that construction was due to start last month on the 72-acre property, most likely on a series of single-family homes that have been contracted to Sacramento homebuilder BlackPine Communities in conjunction with San Diego real estate investment company Presidio Residential Capital. BlackPine’s plan is to erect 86 homes—including cottage-style and East Coast-style brownstone buildings—on 7.6 acres of land. A representative from Presidio says that sales started last month, with a wait list of about 100 interested buyers. But it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for project developer Paul Petrovich. He’s spent millions of dollars on cleanup, but he continues to get embroiled in disagreements over the proposed use of the public spaces planned for Curtis Park Village, including a recent conflict over a park that Petrovich promised that he now says he’ll shrink in favor of building more homes. (The issue has yet to be resolved.) Though local residents are far from pleased with the project and its potential impact, the builders are committed to making the homes, at least, blend into the beloved neighborhood as much as possible.

trains and supervises prospective CASA volunteers. To purchase tickets, contact Richelle at richelle@ sacramentocasa.org or call 8753010. For more information, go to sacramentocasa.org. Beatnik Studios is at 723 S St.

“This is one of the most soughtafter areas in the city,” says Mike Paris, the president of BlackPine. “Curtis Park has developed into an eclectic area that continually revives itself with new flavor, mix and character. Our project is going to be a revival of the past with presentday materials and skills. We will play off of history and tradition but will continue to evolve and grow our product offerings.” We hope part of that evolution includes plenty of parks to play in. For more information on the Curtis Park Village project, go to petrovichdevelopment.com.

CEMETERY SONGS

MI CASA ES SU CASA May is National Foster Care Month, a time to shed light on the incredibly important—and often very difficult—process of fostering a child. To ease the transition, trials and tribulations of children in this perilous situation, a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is often assigned by a judge to advocate for a child who has been removed from his or her home due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. While not everyone is cut out to be a foster parent or a CASA, you can still do your part to help these amazing advocates. You could attend the Light of Hope 7th Annual CASA Event, for example, on Thursday, May 29, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Beatnik Studios. The event will include live music, dance performances, an auction and plenty of fine wine and hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds benefit CASA Sacramento, a nonprofit group that recruits, screens,

Sure, the residents of the Old City Cemetery are no longer very vocal, but in their time, they were some of the most musical guys and gals you can imagine. Listen up at the free Music in the Boneyard tour on Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. Find out which tune-talented folks reside at the cemetery and enjoy the beautiful weather. You might even be inspired to whistle a happy tune. Tours are free, but donations are gratefully accepted, as they go toward preserving the historic cemetery. For more information, call 448-0811 or 264-7839 or visit oldcitycemetery. org. The Old City Cemetery is at 1000 Broadway.

WAR STORIES Sacramento Public Library is looking for Vietnam War veterans to talk about their experiences for a storytelling project called “Valley to Vietnam.” The project captures on videotape the experiences, both during and after the war, of Vietnam vets from the Sacramento region. The videos will air on Access Sacramento’s Channel 17 at 8:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. They’re also available on LIFE IN THE CITY page 19

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Learning Curve BERGAMO MONTESSORI’S FOUNDER PROUD OF SCHOOL’S CERTIFICATION

to offer Montessori education to a wider range of families than she ever thought possible. “The best part of leading a school is partnering with families who are fully invested in their children,” Lynn says. “I am privileged to witness the amazing results when the family and school work together for the benefit of the child. Our mission is to prepare children for life. We celebrate each child’s individuality and help them discover how they can best contribute to our world and culture.”

BY JESSICA LASKEY SHOPTALK

school is nothing without great teachers,” Pam Lynn says, “and I am incredibly lucky to work with an amazing staff.” That sensational staff is the one Lynn oversees as the head of the Bergamo Montessori Schools, which includes Woodland Montessori School, Montessori Country Day and Bergamo Montessori School. They’re the only campuses in the region to offer authentic Montessori education (accredited through the Association Montessori Internationale) for nearly 400 children, from toddlers to sixthgraders, and Lynn is the first to tell you what a growth spurt Bergamo has undergone since its inception. “I started the school for my daughter, Wendy, in 1975,” Lynn explains. “I came across Montessori while researching methods of education and child rearing and leased a small space in a local church and attracted 17 students to the program. Thirty-nine years later, it has turned into my life’s work.” It started as the life work of Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator. Montessori developed her unique educational approach in the late 1800s while attending the University of Rome. Over the course of her career, the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated scientist determined the ideal conditions for a child’s psychological, physical and social development, which she described as independence and freedom within limits.

POCKET MAY n 14

“We celebrate each child’s individuality and help them discover how they can best contribute to our world and culture.”

Pam Lynn is the founder and head of Bergamo Montessori School

Montessori programs are characterized by mixed-age classrooms, uninterrupted blocks of work time (around three hours), freedom of movement in the classroom, and the ability for a student to choose what he or she wishes to work on within a prescribed range of options. But not all programs are created equal.

“Did you know that ‘Montessori’ is not trademarked and anyone can use the name?” Lynn says. “As a result, most Montessori schools do not offer authentic programs. Only 250 schools in the country meet the standards for recognition.” Bergamo is one of them, and Lynn is particularly proud to be able

So how exactly do Lynn and her staff do it? “All children are naturally curious and love to learn,” she says. “We support this innate drive by providing environments that meet children’s developmental needs, by creating a staff of loving and well-prepared adults and by building a community of families that actively support our mission.” Sign us up! Does Bergamo sound like the perfect fit for your child? Call 399-1900 or (530) 662-1900 to schedule a tour at one of its three campuses, or go to bergamoschools.com. n

PASSION FOR LEARNING SPARKED HERE. Magic happens everyday at Courtyard School. We know it has something to do with our small class Sizes, and a core curriculum that includes language arts, math, science, Spanish and PE. It could also be due to our arts programs and our variety of options for organized sports and student leadership. Truly, there are dozens of reasons why Courtyard School sparks leadership, artistry and scholarship in our students and helps inspire the most magical (and important) thing of all: happy kids.

916.442.5395 • courtyard.org

OPEN HOUS E

MAY 2

Now Enrolling For Summer Camp June 16 – August 27 LIFE IN THE CITY FROM page 17 DVD at the library and through the library’s YouTube channel. So far, 10 interviews have been recorded with veterans such as Jerry Chong, a local attorney who was wounded while serving in Vietnam as a Marine Corps squad leader, and Ted Adams, who served three tours of duty in Vietnam. For more information or to suggest a Vietnam veteran to be interviewed, contact the project’s coordinator, James Scott, at 264-2795 or jscott@ saclibrary.org.

NOT IN OUR BACKYARD If you’ve lived in Sacramento for any length of time, you’ve probably become accustomed to hearing the eerie hoot of a train whistle from pretty much anywhere in the city. But what if that whistle were screaming through your backyard? The state of California has proposed to put a maintenance rail line (or permanent rail line) through

South Land Park as part of the expansion of the Old Sacramento Excursion Train, which runs from Old Sac to the town of Hood. The proximity of the impending iron horse has raised some residents’ eyebrows. “The state’s proposed plan for expanding the excursion train disregards the negative impact to the South Land Park neighborhoods and its residents,” says Mike Ellison, president of South Land Park Neighborhood Association. “At our March 26th meeting, with over 100 residents attending, SLPNA decided to oppose the recommendation to establish a rail line through South Land Park residential neighborhoods due to concerns including air pollutants, ground vibration, whistle and track noise, safety concerns for children and residents created by passing trains, as well as an adverse impact on property values and rail line proximity to homes (less than 20 feet in some instances).” Ellison’s bottom line?

“The state needs to present other routes for consideration to expand the excursion train,” he says. But will this plan prove to be harder to stop than a moving train…? For more information, go to parks. ca.gov.

FIT FOR KINGS It appears that all systems are (nearly) go to start construction on the proposed downtown arena. In April, the city’s Planning and Design Commission made recommendations to the city council on arena planning and design issues, including plans for the public plaza and up to 1.5 million square feet of mixed-use development in the surrounding area. The council was also given an overview of the schedule, finance plan, terms and agreements to get the arena off the ground. On May 13, after years of planning and negotiation, the council will

consider the formal approval of the project, which will include final agreements with the Kings, an environmental impact report, the financing plan, ordinances and planning approvals. If all goes well, breaking ground will be breaking news in a few short months. “With the city council’s approval of the project, demolition at Downtown Plaza could begin this summer,” says assistant city manager John Dangberg. “The city and the Kings are implementing measures to reduce construction impacts and keep the public informed. Residents, businesses and the traveling public will be kept informed on the project and any disruptions through the project website, the media and other communication channels.” If you’re curious to see just what the city council will be approving, check out cityofsacramento.org/arena. Go, Kings? Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. n

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Designing Woman FORMER DANCER NOW CREATES DANCEWEAR THAT MOVES

BY JESSICA LASKEY

Bookbinder says. “I like the interaction.” One particular project that has been occupying Bookbinder of late is especially personal: the designer’s own line of active attire, 32 Swans Studiowear, which she launched in 2010. Bookbinder found herself seeking out dance classes here in town and fell in love with tap. She spends about seven hours a week either taking class or helping out beginners at River City Taps, run by her former tap teacher and friend Richard Walters. All that time tapping away in the studio led Bookbinder to realize that something was not quite right.

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ina Bookbinder figured out a way to combine two of her passions—dance and design—to create one great business: 32 Swans Studiowear, a dancewear-and-more clothing company. As a child growing up in New York City, Bookbinder studied ballet at the prestigious School of American Ballet under world-renowned choreographer George Balanchine. She performed in the New York City Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker Suite” until she hit high school. Facing the decision to continue with a career in ballet or pursue other artistic endeavors, Bookbinder instead enrolled at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where she earned a degree in graphic design and marketing communication. “Art was always my other interest,” says Bookbinder. “On Saturdays, I would go to ballet class, then art class. Ballet is still my passion. I’m actually still dancing. But I decided that it was not what I was going to pursue as a career.” After college, Bookbinder found herself in the world of retail marketing. She worked as the art director at major department stores like Emporium (the now-defunct San Francisco-based sister store to Weinstock’s, also now defunct), which brought her to the West Coast. “I was living in San Francisco for a number of years,” Bookbinder says, “but I had a friend who moved from there to Sacramento. I would visit on weekends and I just loved the big

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“Why isn’t there someplace I can go and find something that fits me that isn’t skimpy or tight?”

Nina Bookbinder combined her passions to create dancewear for women

trees and the historic architecture. I’ve always loved old houses.” In the ’90s, she moved to Sacramento to pursue a freelance design business, Nina Bookbinder Designs. She’s done everything from retail marketing and consumer catalog design to photo art design,

creative direction, direct mail campaigns, even books for Sunset. Her clients have ranged from major corporations to small businesses and startups. “I’m getting more and more interested in doing more personal projects with smaller companies,”

“I was always looking for clothes that felt comfortable. I’m getting a little bit older, so I want little more coverage,” Bookbinder explains. “I tried yoga clothes, but I always wished they were half an inch longer or more forgiving, not so clingy on the tummy. I thought, ‘Why isn’t there someplace I can go and find something that fits me that isn’t skimpy or tight?’” Bookbinder decided to fill her own needs—and, in the process, the needs of hundreds of other women who are looking for something stylish to wear to work out, travel or run errands.

“I call it anytime wear,” Bookbinder says. “Dance teachers flip over the designs. It’s work clothes designed for them. But women aren’t just buying it for studio activities. You can take a class, then go out for coffee with friends and still look stylish. It’s also great for travel. It packs down tight, doesn’t wrinkle, it’s breathable. And it’s all made in the USA.” 32 Swans—named for the number of corps dancers in the classic ballet “Swan Lake”—has developed a loyal following of women of all ages

and activity levels, just as Nina Bookbinder Designs is keeping its founder busy creating campaigns for companies of all sizes. You could say that Nina Bookbinder’s own professional life is her best design yet. 32 Swans Studiowear will hold a clearance sale and trunk show on Sunday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sierra 2 Center in Studio 3 of the Dance Wing, Studio 3. Sierra 2 is at 2791 24th St.For more information, go to 32swans.com or ninabookbinder. com. n

“For your Real Estate Needs… Select a Scharosch!” Greenhaven Residents since 1975 REALTORS® over 30 years | Expect Outstanding Service Jerry Scharosch 916 719-5122 jscharosch@cbnorcal.com www.topseller-sacramento.com CaBRE# 00330532

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Terrific

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A Father’s Grief DAD’S WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE DEMONSTRATES UNFATHOMABLE LOVE

BY NORRIS BURKES SPIRIT MATTERS

was reaching the end of my hospital shift one winter day in 2007 when I decided to make one more round of visits to the pediatric ICU. At the sight of people clustered outside the entry door, I gave my forehead a frustrated tap, remembering that the ICU was closed for its 20-minute shift change. Just as I was thinking about returning to my office, I spotted a man resting his head on the ICU door,

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like a safecracker listening for lock tumblers to click. With a nod in my direction, he asked, “Doctor, when are we allowed inside?” His words were packaged in a thick Indian accent, but his desperation translated well. “Sorry,” I said. “I’m a chaplain, not a doctor.” He cinched his eyebrows in quizzical confusion. “Religious man, shaman, priest,” I said, looking for a culturally equivalent term for “chaplain.” He must have recognized one of my terms because he slumped with the fear I sometimes see when people interpret “chaplain” as the Grim Reaper. “Will you pray for my daughter?” he asked. “Sure,” I said, “Let’s go inside.” I pulled open the ICU door and motioned him through while raising an arm to restrain the waiting gaggle. We hurried past a busy staff and into the room of the man’s 14-year-old daughter. She had a breathing tube down her throat and a glassy-eyed

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stare that told me she wasn’t really there. We stood for a few silent moments, the man shouldering a bigger load of grief than was natural for his slight frame. Finally, he began to tell me his daughter’s story.

We stood in silence, lamenting the decision that no father should ever have to make. Then he asked, “Can’t the doctors take my brain and give it to her?” Just yesterday, his wife had been preparing dinner, and he was paying the bills on his laptop. Their son was playing video games in the living room, while their daughter was in her room working on what she described as a frustrating homework assignment. Nothing out of the ordinary. When the mother announced dinner, the father came quickly and the son came reluctantly. The daughter failed to answer, so the father dashed upstairs to corral what he thought was a distracted teenager. The room was empty, but the closet door was ajar. Inside he found that his daughter had done an almost complete job of hanging herself.

“Now,” the man said, “the doctors say she’s brain dead, and it’s time to disconnect life support and plan her funeral.” We stood in silence, lamenting the decision that no father should ever have to make. Then he asked, “Can’t the doctors take my brain and give it to her?” The thickness of his accent tempted me to feign misunderstanding, but I understood. He wanted to give his brain to his daughter. I shook my head, holding back my desire to mask my own shock with a technical explanation as to why brain transplants were the stuff of science fiction. “Please pray,” he said, the tears spilling down his cheeks. I asked him about his religion so that I might pray from his tradition, but he insisted that it didn’t matter. “Just pray,” he said. Within a few minutes, the doctors returned, the family gathered and the girl was welcomed into the presence of her heavenly father. At that moment, there was no longer any cultural divide between us. We were just a couple of devoted dads willing to give our lives in exchange for our daughters’. We were loving fathers who sought guidance from a heavenly father: a father-god who knows better than any of us the grief of losing a child. Norris Burkes is a chaplain, syndicated columnist, national speaker and author of the book “No Small Miracles.” He can be reached at ask@thechaplain.net. n

Join the 24-hour Region-Wide Online Challenge! Support the Sacramento Ballet while helping to change the face of philanthropy in our region. (YHU\ GRQDWLRQ WR XV RQ WKLV RQH GD\ TXDOLÃ&#x20AC;HV IRU DQ extra percentage match, giving your support an even bigger impact! Go to

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Best Seat in the House PETS AND NICE FURNITURE DO MIX

BY SUE OWENS WRIGHT PETS & THEIR PEOPLE

hen my husband and I were first married, there was a rule about allowing pets on the furniture, at least for a little while. Having grown up in a home without pets, my hubby made a big concession by just agreeing to have a dog in the first place. Getting a large breed like a basset hound was a bigger one. Our first sofa was covered in orange velvet fabric, not the wisest choice for camouflaging pet hair. Since those days, our couches and chairs have been upholstered in brown leather, perfect material for a long succession of shedding, drooling bassets. Their claw marks have added a pet lover’s patina to the hide. Having a dog sit beside me to stroke whenever I’m reading, watching TV or knitting has been one of life’s greatest pleasures over the years. You’ll often find my husband and me situated on the sofa like bookends, with a dog or two lying between us. Finding a place to sit can sometimes be a challenge in our home. The rule at the Wright

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residence has changed: If you want the best seat in the house, move the dog. Bubba Gump, our previous male basset, did claim the best seat in our house, my husband’s leather easy chair and ottoman, where Bubba slept every night of his long, happy life with us. He’d stretch full length across chair and ottoman on his favorite snuggly blanket. After he left us at age 14, for a long time it was hard seeing his empty chair. I still can’t bring myself to discard it because Bubba slept there. I’m certain that many dog trainers would frown on allowing pets on the furniture, and in some cases it certainly isn’t advisable. If your dog has a tendency to be dominant or aggressive, permitting him to lie on your furniture—or worse, your bed— affords him equal status with you, which is not helpful in establishing who’s the leader of the pack. We made that unfortunate mistake with Daisy, who was undisputed Couch Queen and ruled us with an iron paw. I have photos of her draped on the couch like an artist’s model, her elbow propped upon the arm. All that was missing was Her Majesty’s royal crown and scepter. Jumping off furniture can put long-backed dogs like dachshunds and basset hounds at risk of disk damage. That’s why we provide steps for them to climb up and down to prevent any chance of spinal injury. I admit we spoil our dogs, but rescued dogs deserve some spoiling. Nowadays, there are options in pet-friendly decor that are stylish and inexpensive and don’t involve wrapping your furniture in

plastic. Choose from stain-resistant fabrics like microfiber, cruelty-free Ultrasuede and pleather, or Crypton, a cutting-edge textile that protects against stains, moisture, bacteria and odors. Machine-washable pillows and throws are a must. Bedding, too, if you share your bed with a pet. Avoid fabrics that are magnets for pet hair, and choose one with a color or pattern that helps camouflage it. For instance, a Newfoundland’s fur won’t blend with a white sofa or a Samoyed’s with a black one, but a black-and-white pattern might work if you have a dalmatian. Our dogs enjoy their playful indoor skirmishes, so we have furniture without sharp edges to prevent injuries. We also don’t keep anything breakable at tail-wagging level. Whenever Bubba’s long tail helicoptered in happy circles, he could clear low shelves of knickknacks with

one revolution. Tile has replaced wallto-wall carpet in our family room, which has helped reduce allergies that can result when pet dander and odors are trapped in carpeting fibers. Over the years, we have come to value our pets far above mere possessions like sofas and chairs. Our dogs have comfortable beds of their own, but we don’t forbid them from lying elsewhere if they want to. Furnishings are easily replaced, but you can never replace the special love of a cherished pet. If, like me, you believe it’s important for your fur babies to be part of the family circle, then you need to opt for pet-friendly decor in your home. Perhaps there’s a reason it’s called furniture. Sue Owens Wright is an awardwinning author of fiction and nonfiction about dogs. For more information, go to sueowenswright. com. n

ESKATON INDEPENDENT LIVING with SERVICES

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People are friendly at Eskaton Monroe Lodge. Maybe it’s the lively environment or the set-your-own-pace lifestyle. Friendships blossom at our picturesque lodge, where you can join in on the recreation and excursions, spend time with friends, and interact with children through Kids Connection. Surrounded by three acres of trees and minutes from downtown Sacramento, Eskaton Monroe Lodge offers independent living in a country-like retreat with all the city advantages. Housekeeping, dining and personal services keep life easy (and fun.) Eskaton Monroe Lodge is the active senior’s answer to living the fullest, most independent life possible. So, call or visit us today. Come to an event! Talk to our residents. Find out why life at Eskaton Monroe Lodge is so inviting. Call 916-264-9001 to respond. Live here ... Live at your own pace.

GUEST LECTURE SERIES: Explore exciting forms of Irish dance that still captivate audiences the world over. Guest lecturer Robert Coleman. Thursday, May 8, 2014 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Enjoy a program and slide show about the roots of American folk music. Discuss why and how Celtic tunes were adapted by immigrant groups. Lively, toe-tapping sing-alongs with Shirley Mercer, Monroe Lodge resident and longtime educator. Thursday, May 22nd 2014

Eskaton Monroe Lodge Independent Living with Services

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

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Ladies Who Lunch THESE HARDWORKING WOMEN STARTED A RESTAURANT TO HELP NEEDY KIDS

BY R.E. GRASWICH CITY BEAT

he husbands, naturally, thought the idea was silly. These were lawyers, doctors, accountants and merchants, the cream of Sacramento’s charitable circles. And their wives wanted to open a restaurant. Ladies, you must be joking. It was no joke. The ladies and their husbands were benefactors of Sacramento Children’s Home on Sutterville Road, the orphanage, boarding school, farm and family outreach center that has served the community’s most vulnerable citizens—destitute and abandoned children—since 1867. Now it was the early 1970s. Several women who served on the home’s volunteer board of directors were brainstorming ideas to raise extra dollars for the kids. In the honored tradition of fearless and naive conjecture, one woman suggested a restaurant. Why not? These were ladies who, it can be said within the context of the era, were comfortable around the kitchen. They knew how to interpret recipes and could create masterful dishes—even souffles!

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Sue Scotland, a Sacramento Children's Home volunteer

The prospective restaurant would be next door to the children’s home. Volunteers would staff the place. All proceeds would benefit the children. “So we told our husbands about the idea for a restaurant and they just laughed,” says Carol Williams, then and now a Sacramento Children’s

Home volunteer. “They said, ‘Do you have any idea how hard it is to run a restaurant?’ They joked about us wanting to spend more time in the kitchen. You can imagine.” Turns out the men were right in their description of the operational challenges of the restaurant trade.

But they underestimated their wives’ determination. Forty years later, Casa Garden continues on its mission, serving up chicken Sonora and roast turkey with polenta and Greek salad and sesame Thai beef salad and English toffee cake and soups and sandwiches. Every nickel (plus tips) is plowed back to the children’s home. “We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re still here,” Williams says. The story of Casa Garden is remarkable in ways beyond longevity. The founders could not have chosen a more challenging or ephemeral enterprise, given the discouraging mortality rate for restaurants in Sacramento, circa 1974 or 2014. They had no tangible resources to help improve the odds—no marketing budget (or marketing expertise), no famous chef, no hot location. They had an idea, a mission and faith in each other. “The board was so skeptical that the women were required to submit a design that could be turned into a residence for children when the restaurant failed,” says Sue Scotland, a Sacramento Children’s Home volunteer. “The budget was a $50,000 loan to outfit the restaurant. It was paid off in two years. The children never did get to use the restaurant building as a residence.” Which isn’t to suggest there haven’t been problems. Williams smiles gently and directs her gaze toward the patio garden, now ablaze with spring colors, as she begins to recall the bumps in the road that led to Casa Garden’s success. “Well, for starters, we originally called it Casa de Los Ninos, and

The lives we touch inspire us

people thought it was a Mexican restaurant,” she says. “That was a problem, because we weren’t. We changed the name to Casa Garden in 1994. And then there was 2008. That was a difficult time for everyone.” In 2008, the Great Recession tore through the restaurant industry in Sacramento. It continues to impact eateries, from fine-dining, whitetablecloth establishments to strip mall diners. The decades merge and slip away as Williams speaks. Her recollection is precise and objective, though she prefers to recall the high notes rather than the lower moments. Wisely, the Casa Garden directors have always been adaptable. As the name change demonstrates, they aren’t afraid to shift gears and jettison last year’s bright idea when it proves not so bright. They opened a gift shop to supplement the restaurant. Today, the gift shop is gone, replaced by a meeting and conference center. They realized Casa Garden was perfect for a certain wedding niche: matrimonial

ceremonies neither tiny nor huge but just right, between 80 and 120 people. “We set up the garden for weddings, and it’s beautiful,” Scotland says. “We took the old staff quarters, which date from 1906, and created special dressing rooms for the bride and the groom.” They hired a professional team, which includes two managers, a receptionist, dishwashers and janitors. Everything else is done by volunteers. Everything else means exactly that. For a time, volunteer waitresses made their own uniforms. While handmade uniforms have gone the way of original prices ($3.50 for lunch in 1974), retro kits will be proudly worn when Casa Grande celebrates its 40th birthday this month (May 5-9). Also present for the celebrations will be some husbands, mostly cooking and bartending, no longer laughing at the ladies.

SPRING CONCERT Featuring Five Choirs

the world is full of poetry May 18, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. Carmichael Seventh Day Adventist Church 4600 Winding Way, Sacramento

CONDUCTORS Lynn Stevens and Julie Adams ACCOMPANISTS Helen Mendenhall, Jennifer Reason and David Saul Lee TICKETS

$30 Preferred, $17 General, $12 Students

(916) 646-1141 www.sacramentochildrenschorus.org

R.E. Graswich can be reached at reg@graswich.com. n

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Food, Family, Fun AN ENTERTAINING COUPLE GETS THE REMODEL OF THEIR DREAMS

BY JULIE FOSTER HOME INSIGHT

“I wanted to build what I needed for the next 20 years so when friends and family come over we are comfortable.”

small dinner party for Kate and Mike Ingoglia m A small dinner party for Kate and Mike Ingoglia means at least 12 people. Thanksgiving diner equals 25 or more celebrants. On the Saturday before Christmas last year, the couple hosted 90 friends and family at their Land Park

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home. Theirs is a family shaped by food: Mike’s family founded Tony’s Fine Foods in West Sacramento. Built in 1934, their house is an outstanding example of Art Moderne architecture, which was highlighted at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Sometimes referred to as Streamline Moderne or Nautical Moderne, the

style is characterized by asymmetrical and streamlined low horizontal shapes, rounded corners, portholes or other nautical details and steel balustrades. The couple purchased the 4,000-square-foot house in 1996 and quickly instigated an extensive remodel. A second remodel, completed

in August 2012, included the kitchen/ dining room and basement. Before remodeling, they contemplated downsizing to a downtown condominium. Instead, says Kate, “we decided to stay and make it the home we want to be in for the next 20 years.”

3. 1. The large kitchen features two islands that can be moved around as needed 2. The dining room can accommodate large groups, a must during large family gatherings

3. Ready for a drink? Visit the basement bar

HOME page 30

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“There was incredible attention to detail and collaboration throughout the process.”

The living room offers great views of the park across the street

HOME FROM page 29 Their next-door neighbors had remodeled their house, and though the two houses are very different in style, Kate and Mike appreciated the quality of their neighbors’ work. “They were very generous with their time and showing us what was done to their home,” Kate says. So they hired their neighbors’ contractor, River City Builders. They also worked with Sage Architecture and designer Cheryl Holben.

A porthole view of the kitchen

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After hearing Kate comment about how cold the family room was during the winter, the designer suggested installing a rectangular gas fireplace in the room. The stainless steel surround complements the stainless steel accents in the remodeled kitchen. The raised walnut steps of the hearth often serve as an impromptu stage for Kate’s grandnieces. Steeped in a family-friendly food culture, the couple embraces crowds in the kitchen. “Everyone is always in the kitchen, so let’s make it so you can cook effectively,” Kate says. When their children were at home, the kitchen was serviceable, but the couple always felt the space had more potential. Today, three distinct new spheres—a dessert area, a work kitchen and a prep kitchen—meld effortlessly into one efficient and welcoming area. Charming wallpaper in a coffee-cup motif lines the walls of the large walk-in pantry near the dessert area.

The center of the kitchen boasts an 18-year-old Wolf range and a mega-sized Miele refrigerator. Kate explains that because of the way they cook, using mostly fresh vegetables and fruits, and with a huge extended family, they required a large fridge.

Now, there’s something for everyone in the reinvigorated basement. The prep area contains a large stainless steel sink, two wall ovens and a warming oven. There is also storage for pots, roasting pans, bakeware and other utensils. The swinging door dividing the prep kitchen from the laundry is a nod to the original house. While they were unable to salvage the original door, the couple retained the handle.

Refinished, the wavy-shaped handle is at home on a new door, complete with a porthole. “The original idea was to use a barn-style sliding door but we just weren’t feeling it,” Kate says. The basement also received an update. The original basement “was pretty utilitarian,” says Mike. “But it was perfect for a growing family.” Removing the commercial grade carpeting and staining the concrete floor a shiny gray lessened upkeep. Now, there’s something for everyone in the reinvigorated basement, including two 60-inch round poker tables, a foosball table, a shuffleboard table and a video game area complete with two X Rocker chairs. “I wanted to build what I needed for the next 20 years so when friends and family come over we are comfortable,” Mike says. Photos of Mike’s mother’s grandmother and great-grandfather overlook the basement bar, which is trimmed with chrome and leather.

Construction and Cabinet Makers. (He was also responsible for the kitchen cabinetry.) Other items from the original kitchen, including sinks, faucets, marble countertops and refrigerator, went to a nonprofit organization. The couple received a charitable tax deduction, and less stuff went to the landfill. “We felt good knowing that it was not all just going in the dumpster,” Mike explains. Both Mike and Kate praise the professionals who worked on their project. “I can’t say enough about the teamwork between River City Builders, Sage Architecture and Cheryl Holben,” Kate says. “There was incredible attention to detail and collaboration throughout the process.” Owners Mike and Kate Ingoglia

Several of the bar cabinets were salvaged from the kitchen and repurposed by Dave Puente of Puente

If you know of a home you think should be featured in Inside Publications, contact Julie Foster at foster.julie91@yahoo.com. n

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Gala Boosts Effie Yeaw EX-SUPERVISOR JOHNSON CHAIRS MAY 31 FUNDRAISER FOR NATURE CENTER

BY SUSAN MAXWELL SKINNER

ow in its fourth year operating as a nonprofit, Effie Yeaw Nature Center is preparing for its annual artauction fundraiser with a new patron. Celebrity painters have donated canvases for auction at the Saturday, May 31, event. Dozens of local artists also have provided juried work for sale at the Painting Where the Wild Things Are benefit. But the best news for Effie Yeaw supporters is the event’s endorsement by former Sacramento County supervisor and American River Parkway lover Muriel Johnson. As honorary event chair, she follows in the footsteps of last year’s benefactor, artist/philanthropist Marcy Friedman. Johnson attended the 2013 gala and purchased a painting at auction. “Just by being there,” said Effie Yeaw fund developer Betty Cooper, “community figures like Muriel, Marcy, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Assemblyman Ken Cooley and Supervisor Susan Peters demonstrate that the nature center’s work is vital. They are also draw cards in their own right. People love events where they can meet celebrities and elected representatives.” Having lived near the American River and enjoyed its parkway for many years, Arcade resident Johnson presents an authoritative voice in the nonprofit’s favor. “The Effie Yeaw Nature Center and wildlife preserve exists as an oasis in an urban area, providing respite and opportunity for quiet

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Former Sacramento Supervisor Muriel Johnson is chair of the 2014 Painting Where the Wild Things Are fundraiser for Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Pictured at last year’s gala, Johnson (center) partied with, from left, Assemblymember Ken Cooley, artist/philanthropist Marcy Friedman, painter Jian Wang and U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui.

Echo the owl will be among Effie Yeaw animal ambassadors scheduled to greet May 31 gala guests. The handler is Shawna Protze.

reflection,” she says. “Visitors, especially children, learn, discover and grow through direct outdoor

experience. This annual art gala is a wonderfully enjoyable way to support the educational center, which is

truly the jewel of the American River Parkway.” Despite loss of Sacramento County funding in 2010, the center offers services to more than 90,000 visitors per year. “There is so much more we could do with more funding,” Cooper says. “The support of caring people is what keeps us open and available for future generations. Muriel’s participation confirms the worthiness of our fundraiser.” Sacramento Fine Arts Center is a vital partner, organizing an all-day Painting Where the Wild Things Are paint-out for artists in the preserve. The art show that supports the event will this year be juried by gallery owner Elliott Fouts. Effie Yeaw’s financial supporter, the American River Natural History Association, will join sponsors of the sunset supper and auction. An annual highlight is a sale of VIP canvases under the hammer of David Sobon. Works by Terry Pappas, Maria Winkler, Pat Mahony and other well-known painters will be up for bid. Silent auctions will offer other award-winning work. Before the date, these can be viewed at the center at 5330 Gibbons Drive in Carmichael. Tickets are $50. Admission includes food and hosted wine, beer and soft drinks. The gala runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at the nature center in Ancil Hoffman Park. Table sponsors are welcome. For more information about the event, go to sacnaturecenter.net. To learn about Sacramento Fine Arts exhibition, go to sacfinearts.org. n

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For Hines, the zoo brings back fond family memories. Her father would take her to the zoo in the various cities they lived in. (Hines

The Sacramento Zoo docents in the Zoo Zoom in April. Pat Hines is third from the left.

is a self-described “military brat” who’s “sort of from everywhere,” though she was born in Rhode Island). When she came to Sacramento to pursue her career as a psychologist—she retired from private practice last year—and gave birth to her son, Hines decided it was time to return to one of her favorite places. “With a small child, you’re always looking for things to do outside of the house,” she recalls.

“I, like a lot of the zoo volunteers, had so many memories linked to the zoo, that when my son came along, we immediately became members.”

“I, like a lot of the zoo volunteers, had so many memories linked to the zoo, that when my son came along, we immediately became members. We would come and buy a soda and look at the animals, even if it was only for half an hour. He did all the Zoo Camps—those are so great. But when he grew up and we stopped going as much, I realized I missed it.”

Since Hines lives only one mile from the zoo, it didn’t take long for her to make it a regular part of her life again. The docent program was a wonderful change from her everyday working life—“It’s really different than what I did for a living,” she says—and a great way for her to stay active and engaged.

“On paper, the docent training program can be pretty daunting,” Hines says. “It’s essentially Zoology 101, with class in the morning and then shadowing the keepers in the afternoon. But it was fascinating. The keepers are so knowledgeable, and I loved learning about how much the zoo is doing with conservation. My first year, I worked 100 hours. It was easy!” On a typical Hines could show biofacts (hair, bones, etc.) to rapt preschoolers or help college students identify which chimpanzees are which in the zoo’s exhibit. So what’s the one thing visitors ask most of Hines? “‘Where’s the bathroom?’” she says, and laughs. For more information on the Sacramento Zoo volunteer docent program, go to saczoo.org. The zoo is at 3930 W. Land Park Drive. n

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More Than Doctors’ Wives LOCAL GROUP GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH GRANTS

BY TERRY KAUFMAN LOCAL HEROES

t’s challenging being the spouse of a physician. Long hours of work, weekends on call, continuing education, the stresses associated with being entrusted with people’s lives: All of these things take a significant toll on physicians’ life partners. More than 80 years ago, a local organization was created to provide support to those partners. Today, Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society Alliance is an organization of women with ties to the medical community, who not only support each other, but also work to improve their community. It has evolved from a women’s social club to become a powerful engine for improving the larger community. Anybody with a commitment to the group’s mission, whether or not they are involved with the medical community, is welcome to join. “I joined the alliance for the camaraderie of being part of the medical family,” says Celeste Chin, chair of the 2014 grants committee and former SSVMSA president. “We have a bond that is unique. I found a sisterhood that could provide me with feedback and help me go through common struggles, such as raising a

POCKET MAY n 14

Members of the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society Alliance board. Front row left to right: Margie Koldinger, Jerilyn Marr, Barbara Andras, Cindy Snook, Marilyn Skinner; back row left to right: Ann Parsons, Glenda Morris, Maryam Dolatshahi, Kim Majetich, Paula Cameto, Kathy Greenhalgh, Celeste Chin

family or having a career. I love that now I’m part of a group that gives back to the community.” “We came together 82 years ago to support each other, and then we began to look outside of ourselves to help others as well,” says Kim Majetich, the group’s current president. “It’s very rewarding to be part of a process that has such a big impact on our community.” That process is the annual distribution of grants, which concluded in early April with the award of grants to seven nonprofit organizations. Past recipients have included organizations that educate the public about disabilities, improve outcomes for babies, provide resources for the elderly, and address the medical needs of different cultures. “The applications that we review are amazing,” says Chin. “This

community does such a good job of looking out for people and taking care of them. We’re serving a broad cross section of the community, but it’s all very local and small.” The latest round of grants totaled $37,000. Recipients included Society for the Blind, for low-vision simulator goggles and educational materials; Children’s Receiving Home, for examination tables and medical supplies; Cordova Community Council, for bicycle helmets for children who complete a bike safety class; Oak Park Preschool, for healthy living initiatives; Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, to provide fresh food to underserved communities; Kiwanis Family House, for resources for families with loved ones at UC Davis and Shriners hospitals; and People Reaching Out, for peer mentoring of adolescent girls.

The alliance’s biggest fundraiser is The Art of Medicine, a dinner and auction that occurs every other year and was held April 26 at Del Paso County Club. Money raised at that event, as well as funds raised through the sale of holiday cards, goes towards grants, nursing scholarships and the alliance’s community endowment. A separate fund underwrites an annual scholarship for a local student attending medical school. Because the alliance is run by volunteers, all money raised goes back to the community. “We’re totally grass roots,” says Chin. “We have no paid staff, so there’s no overhead.” In alternate years, the alliance sponsors a community health day that focuses on issues such as coronary health, autism and bullying. The one-day program on bullying inspired Majetich to look at supporting a yearlong program in the schools on the subject. “I realized that we needed a layered approach, that this should be taught in the schools,” she says. “We’re working now with the Sacramento Unified School District, and I’m hoping that we can also work with San Juan to get workbooks and other resources on bullying into the schools.” Additionally, the alliance provides support for Community Resources for Older Adults, a manual published by UC Davis with information about elder services, respite care, advocacy and other area resources. The material is available in print, and it can also be found on the SSVMSA website. To learn more about Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society Alliance, go to ssvmsa.org. n

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Scott Syphax MENTORING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO BE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW

BY KELLIE RANDLE CONVERSATION PIECE

s president and CEO of Nehemiah Corporation of America, Scott Syphax works to promote homeownership for underserved populations. He also mentors young professionals through Nehemiah’s Emerging Leaders Program. He sees a bright future for young people and a region he loves. Tell me about the Nehemiah organization. Nehemiah is a national financial services enterprise that focuses on prosperity creation for underserved communities and individuals. Our mission is based on the biblical example of feeding a person a fish when they are in distress, but ultimately teaching them how to fish for themselves so they can feed themselves for a lifetime. Through our various initiatives, we empower individuals and communities through different means to achieve prosperity: financial, educational and community. Describe the Emerging Leaders Program and how it began. It began in 2009 as an idea that my wife and I had in honoring my father, who had always tried to mentor young professionals

POCKET MAY n 14

Scott Syphax is the president and CEO of Nehemiah Corporation of America

and help them move into senior management. What we found was that many young professionals who came from underserved communities, or were the first in their families to go to college, didn’t have the social networks or the polish in terms of leadership development skills in order for their opportunities to meet their aspirations. So I created a program to take young high-potential people who

could achieve and could be trained to give back through civic volunteerism. And the Emerging Leaders Program was born. We are celebrating our fifth year. Our graduates now serve on over 120 different boards and commissions in this region. How are the participants chosen? It is the world’s most grueling interview. We solicit nominations from community leaders from

throughout the region. We get over 300 nominations. They are screened, and 100 are invited to apply. From there, we narrow it to 30 to 40 for an all-day selection interview. We have a cross section of leaders from business to politics who hold the interviews, everyone from judges to CEOs to elected officials. It is the leadership of this region who chose these people. The people who make it through the selection process are the Delta Force of young people within this community. What type of training do the participants receive? It is a 10-month program. We have McGeorge come in and teach modules on negotiations. We have people teach about building your own brand. Lina Fat teaches etiquette training. The Nonprofit Resource Center teaches a course on board leadership and board service. We have the head of the California Association of Financial Planners come in to teach a course on financial management. They learn everything from presentations to public speaking. During this time, we give them three mentors: one for professional development; a civic engagement mentor; and a life coach. There is a strong public-service component to the program. Why is that important for Sacramento? We give them a mix of curriculum training that positions them to be able to effectively move into leadership positions in business, government, politics and the nonprofit sectors. In addition, we instill an ethic of giving back and instilling community. We want these young people to learn how to be peers with the people who

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SSPCA.ORG/DASH run this region. I’m a patriot and my wife’s a patriot. We believe we stand on the shoulders of all those who’ve sacrificed for this country, and we believe that too often the urge for public service has to be nurtured in us. We owe those who’ve made the opportunities we have in this great country to give a little bit of ourselves back. We train people not only to be successful in their professional life but to be part of the building of this region. What about diversity? We started it to address a problem that we saw in the African-American community. There was a lack of support systems. The classes now are very diverse and represent the breadth of the community. We want to represent the diversity of California. For us, it’s about creating the next generation of leadership for this region who are not only going to be successful in their professional endeavors but are going to be part of a network who are going to build this region after we retire and move on.

How do you see the future of Nehemiah and Sacramento in the next five years? We are on the cusp of the most exciting time Sacramento has ever seen. I think the most important thing that’s happened to this area is the Kings win by Mayor Johnson. Sacramento has always thought of itself as a second-class town—the Avis to San Francisco’s Hertz. We beat impossible odds because this region pulled together. And we won! Now, it’s all of our jobs to double down on that victory and that breakthrough of confidence to drive investment and opportunity into the region for the benefit of our children and grandchildren to come. Nehemiah wants to be a part of that in both empowering young people through our Emerging Leaders Program and through direct investment—going in and proving there is a market for private-sector capital where others may have written it off. Because that is what we do. Kellie Randle can be reached at KellieR@me.com. n

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The Aging Gardener MAKING YARDWORK EASIER AND SAFER AS YOU GET OLDER

BY ANITA CLEVENGER GARDEN JABBER

here aren’t many more avid gardeners than Tahoe Park’s Sharon Patrician. She created and tends a stunning perennial garden in the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery’s Hamilton Square. She served as a board member of the Sacramento Perennial Plant Club. She travels the world to study gardens. Her bookshelves are filled with gardening books. When Sharon wants a good time, she visits a nursery or plant sale, selecting the very best and most unusual specimens. So imagine my surprise when I heard that she was simplifying her home garden. “I’m not getting any younger,” she told me matter-of-factly. When I went to Sharon’s 65th birthday party some years back, it was fun to pick my way through her backyard’s paths. Her garden is still fun to visit but easier to walk through. “I needed to reduce hazards and work,” she said. She eliminated steps, putting in wide, gently graded gravel paths that surround the garden, edged with low walls of paving stones to keep wandering plants in place. The slightly raised garden beds make it easier to mulch and weed.

POCKET MAY n 14

“Hoses are dangerous,” Sharon observes. Her garden is irrigated with a drip system controlled with an automatic timer, with emitters going to individual plants and pots. She uses a lightweight, easy-to-handle compressible hose when a plant needs additional water. She increased the size of her patio because she likes to entertain outside, and she installed a large fountain that delights bird and human visitors alike. Sharon believes that a garden has to have structure that shows when nothing is blooming, and a focal point. “Otherwise, the eye is restless,” she says. A structured garden is much easier to manage than a chaotic one. Sharon kept many of the same plants but installed a few freestanding trellises into the garden where she grows flowering vines. They add a nice vertical touch and some screening, but she can reach them and all of the other plants in the garden without clambering up a ladder. She relies more and more on flowering shrubs rather than perennials that need dividing and cutting back. If you choose the rightsized shrubs, they don’t require a lot of pruning. Sydney Eddison, author of “Gardening for a Lifetime,” also has come to appreciate flowering shrubs, which “afford more value for less work” and “apply strong structural forms.” Eddison appreciates how evergreen shrubs offer year-round color and the berries that many carry throughout the winter. Sharon and Eddison both are fond of container gardening. Fragrant, colorful potted citrus add a Mediterranean touch to Sharon’s

Sharon Patrician in her Tahoe Park garden

patio. Other pots are massed in her front and back yards or placed in the planting beds. Even empty, they add interest and form. Large clay pots can be too hard to manage, but you can slip a plastic pot inside and remove it when you want to change out the plant or repot it. When I first read Eddison’s book, she overwhelmed me with her intensity, the immensity of

her garden and her standard of perfection. Her “simplified” approach to gardening is over the top compared to Sharon’s and my more relaxed style. However, her message is clear: At some point, you need to scale back and/or get good help. Sharon does most of her own work but recommends “a few tools for arthritic hands and cranky knees,” including “ergonomic hand tools,

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gel-filled knee pads, kneeling pads and seats which can help you get up from weeding, lightweight wagons to haul stuff around, trays with wheels for large pots and, if all else fails, enough money to hire someone!” At present, she hires help just for big jobs and stands over workers to make sure that they are doing things right. Eddison has more skilled, continuous help but relies on lists to define what needs to be done.

Sharon does most of her own work but recommends “a few tools for arthritic hands and cranky knees.” I’m younger than Sharon and Eddison, but I’ve already begun simplifying my garden at home and thinking about how to manage it in the future. My pond was the first

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thing to go. The raccoons wreaked havoc on it throughout the year. It was hard to keep clean, and it blocked access to the wisteria on the deck cover. My husband and I spend weeks on a ladder every year trying to subdue this wisteria, more than a dozen climbing roses and a cypress arch. Much as I love them, someday these plants will be phased out because ladders are more dangerous than hoses. When it’s time to replace my elevated deck, I’m going to build a patio at ground level. My decomposed granite pathways require constant weeding, so they need to be replaced with something more weed-resistant. No matter what your age, you can be a smarter gardener. Anita Clevenger is a Sacramento County UC Master Gardener. For answers to gardening questions, call the Master Gardeners at 875-6913, go to ucanr.edu/sites/sacmg or visit Fair Oaks Horticulture Center, where they will hold a garden workshop on Saturday, May 17, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. n

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Watercolor Warrior THIS OLD-SCHOOL VETERAN BRINGS A FRESH ATTITUDE TO HIS ART

ago, still in Elk Grove, where he resides today. Just six years shy of being a century old, with varied interests that span a multitude of subject areas, Baker is a present-day Renaissance man.

BY JODIE BARRINGER MYERS ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

emember that Lay’s potato chip slogan, “Bet you can’t eat just one”? Well, if you saw the watercolor paintings of Louis Baker, you might think something similar: Bet you can’t like just one. Baker, 94, was born and raised in Sacramento. Except for the seven years he was in the Navy—during which time he survived the attack on Pearl Harbor—Sacramento has always been his home. His love for painting began when he was 16. “In high school, I got an A in physical education and two A’s in my two art classes,” Baker recalls. “I liked getting those A’s, and I thought, ‘Maybe I can do this!’” He’s been doing it ever since, quite beautifully. “I just love the outdoors,” says Baker, an avid fisherman, accomplished hunter and ex-farmer who raised Angus cattle and pigs. It is that love of all-things-nature that informs and inspires his bucolic landscapes. Baker has a story to tell about each of his pieces, like the painting he made from a photograph he took of two old men trolling on a Minnesota pond many summers ago; or another that he titled “Beyond the Bells,” which shows two people walking down a verdant hill toward the blue of Bodega Bay. The bells refer to The Children’s Bell Tower Memorial honoring Nicholas Green, a young boy from Bodega Bay who was killed while in Italy with his family in 1994. Baker has painted many watercolors

POCKET MAY n 14

This month's cover art is by Louis Baker.

Louis Baker is a Pearl Harbor survivor and watercolorist

of ducks flying over Klamath River, one of his favorite fishing spots. While the majority of his paintings are landscapes, he has done a few still lifes—like the painting of persimmons he did some 20 years ago. “I was talking on the phone to a friend one day, and I saw these persimmons laying on the counter, and I just had to paint ’em,” he explains. “I never used so much orange in my life,” he says with a laugh. His very first painting was of “a train caboose, of all things,” he says.

It is now proudly displayed in his son’s Sacramento home. But Baker is much more than an artist. A devoted family man, he married the love of his life, also a native Sacramentan, after the war while working for the Navy as an aviation machinist. After coming home to Sacramento, he went to work for the state, designing substructures for bridges throughout California. He and his wife raised their family on a small farm in Elk Grove before moving to “the city” 30-plus years

His arsenal of pursuits and accomplishments is filled to the brim: proud patriarch, artist, Pearl Harbor survivor, farmer, hunter, fisherman (he’s very proud of that 25-pound salmon he caught), churchgoer, athlete, hiker, bridge designer, airplane builder (yes, he built two of them!) and teacher. As for America’s seminal event that is Pearl Harbor, Baker remembers with clarity the poignant details of that fateful day. At 7:55 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, before reporting to duty as a hangar watchman, clad in his all-white uniform and polished black shoes, he heard planes overhead. “I thought somebody was practicing on our base or something,” Baker recalls. “I saw these strange emblems on the side of the planes and thought, ‘Oh, I bet they’re from India.’” On his way to report to duty at 8 a.m. sharp, he noticed officers hurriedly driving around in cars but didn’t think much of it. To his chief he said, “Reporting to watch duty, Sir.” “Watch, hell,” said his boss. “We’re at war!”

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After the fighters came the bombers, about a half hour later. He and his comrades took shelter on the floor of a hangar. One of his buddies stood up to look out the window. At that moment a bomb hit, and his friend lost his life. “That was tough,” he says. Baker’s small in-home art studio is full of visual treats: a handwritten note to him from then-Gov. Ronald Reagan, innumerable ribbons won in past art competitions, family photos from yesteryear and old bridge blueprints. It is also packed with nine decades of memories and an abundance of potential. After his wife passed away four years ago, Baker gave his paintbrushes a rest. “But I think I’m going to start back up again,” he says. What’s next? A few miles away from his home is a eucalyptus tree. He has been eyeing it for years. “It’s just so majestic out there in that field,” Baker says. “And I think I’ll add a couple of bales of hay at the base of the tree.” Bales of hay or not, it will indeed be a captivating work of art. n

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High Society SACRAMENTO CHORAL SOCIETY AND ORCHESTRA PRESENTS ORFF MASTERPIECE

By Jessica Laskey RIVER CITY PREVIEWS

reat your senses to the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra’s performance of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 at the Community Center Theater. As you might expect, there are some remarkable and exciting challenges inherent in putting on a piece of this stature and complexity. “Some of the ‘Carmina’ challenges are rhythmical and linguistic in nature,” says James McCormick, president of the SCSO. “The 13th century medieval texts (that ‘Carmina’ is based on) are in Latin, Middle German and old Provencal French. There are lots of tempo and mood changes in the work as well. It also requires a large, vibrant chorus to cut above the large orchestra. Our team will number 320 musicians on stage.” The singers are well-equipped to handle Orff’s orchestral masterpiece. In fact, their premiere at Carnegie Hall in New York City with this very piece earned them three standing ovations and the CD of their acclaimed performance at the Robert

POCKET MAY n 14

Treat your senses to the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra’s performance of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” on May 17 at the Community Center Theater.

and Margrit Mondavi Center in Davis “was partly responsible for both Conductor Donald Kendrick and the SCSO itself to become finalists last year in the national American Prize Competition,” McCormick says. The SCSO has also been part of the musical masterwork’s history. “We performed in 2004 in the very Benedictine Abbey in Germany where the 13th century manuscript was found in 1803,” McCormick says. Sounds positively breath-taking! Orff’s operatic and melodious odes will be joined by Johannes Brahms’ “Schicksalslied” (The Song of Fate) and

Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Toward the Unknown Region.” For tickets, call 808-5181 or go to sacramentochoral.com. For more information, call the SCSO office at

536-9065. The Community Center Theater is at 1301 L St.

GIVE LOCAL NOW Are you looking for new ways to help your community? Then the BIG Day of Giving is for you. Starting at midnight on May 6, go to givelocalnow.org to donate to hundreds of local nonprofits and have your funds matched by generous businesses and organizations to show Sacramento locals some love. For just 24 hours on May 6, you’ll get to be a part of the national campaign GiveLocalAmerica, an event that aims to raise unrestricted dollars to support the work of nonprofits organizations all across the country. Here, the Sacramento

Region Community Foundation is spearheading the campaign to get Sacramento its share of the donated dollars. Last year, the foundation, along with many partners, led a similar giving challenge effort called the Arts Day of Giving, which raised more than $525,000 for 78 local arts organizations. Let’s try and beat last year’s totals! Do your part for Sacramento on May 6 and give what you can at givelocalnow.org. For more information, go to givelocalnow.org/ bigdayofgiving.

PENCIL US IN Spring has sprung at the Crocker Art Museum, so take a break from the sensational sunshine in the cool

museum corridors for some exciting events. From 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, bring your drawing pad, pencil and an artistic eye to SketchCrawl, the global initiative started in San Francisco by Enrico Casarosa. Peruse the pieces on the Crocker’s walls while local artists discuss and demonstrate drawing tips and tricks for avid and amateur artists alike. Thirsty? You’ll get to sample beer and wine at each stop—quite the incentive to keep drawing, huh? Gear up for Bike Month (pun intended) at Art Mix’s “Spoketacular” from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 8. Cycling fans can spin their wheels while taking in a bicycle fashion show curated by Juniper James, an exhibition of art bikes built by Kevin Greenberg, 10-minute art talks about cycleinspired works, interactive digital wheel art by MonkeyLectric and tips and tricks from Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen. The tunes by local DJs and live bands presented by the Davis Live Music Collective will keep you turning, as will the free bike valet provided by the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates. Admission is free for museum members, $10 for everyone else, and college students get a $2 discount. Drinks are under $5 all night—just don’t get a BUI (Biking Under the Influence) citation. Ever wondered what water sounds like in musical form? Find out when Trio 180 performs its Classical Concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 11. The group will perform works by composers Cindy Cox, Reinaldo Moya and Robert Schumann that evoke seascapes and water scenes to accompany the ongoing “Jules Tavernier: Artist and Adventurer” exhibition. It’s that time of year again: Jazz in the Courtyard is back! Don’t miss the first concert of the season at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 15 when Peter Petty and his Terpsichoreans perform. Petty’s 11-piece Prohibition Jazz band is sure to have you tapping your toes to some scintillating, syncopated rhythms. For tickets, call 808-1182. Own a little piece of heaven with the return of “Big Names, Small

Art” at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. Renowned regional artists will offer small pieces (12-by-12 inches or less) in a silent auction for even smaller price tags (bids start at $25) so everyone can get in on the art collecting action. Tunes and tasty bites are included to whet your artistic (and auction) appetite. For tickets or more information, call 8081184. Looking for something the whole family can do for free? Check out FamilyPalooza: A Free Family Festival, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 25. Attendees of all ages can create one-of-a-kind art and enjoy a plethora of performances on the main stage all day. The Crocker launches its “Workt by Hand: Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts” Crocker exhibition on May 25. Spanning two centuries of quiltmaking, the exhibition will examine quilt display techniques, the history of the craft and other fascinating ephemera. For more information about Crocker goings-on, go to crockerartmuseum.org.

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE… Looking for a little jaunt to take in the spring sunshine and fresh freeway breezes? Take a day trip to Grass Valley to visit the Grass Valley Old West Antiques Show on May 9 and 10 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Show owner Brian Witherell will look familiar to viewers of “Antiques Roadshow” (he’s one of the appraisers on the popular PBS show), and his keen eye for antiques runs in his family: His father, Brad, started an antique auction and appraisal business in 1969 and helped start the Grass Valley show in 1984. “It’s very exciting to bring it back into the family,” the younger Witherell says. The Grass Valley show attracts thousands of antique dealers and collectors each year, with sales topping $3 million in 2012. Check out the online auction featuring 300 pieces of specially selected merchandise from May 1 through 15 and then stop by the show on May

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Visit the Grass Valley Old West Antiques Show on May 9 and 10

9 and 10 to peruse pieces in person. This year’s highlights include items from the estate of the late Eppie Johnson, beloved restaurateur and founder of Eppie’s Great Race. Admission on Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, is $7. (Early admission with a dealer on Thursday, May 8, is $100.) Parking is free. For more information, go to witherells.com. The Nevada County Fairgrounds is at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley.

DANCING IN THE STREET You’ll be doing exactly what the title says from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 4 when the Oak Park Business Association hosts its fifth annual 35th Street Fair (at the intersection of Fourth Avenue). The day will be full of familyfriendly festivities, including food, vendors, social service booths, a classic car cavalcade, a Kid Zone with face painting and a bounce house, the ever-popular Off-Broadway Beer Garden, and a multitude of multicultural entertainment from the Yee Fow Lion Dancers, Sacramento Taiko Dan, Fenix Drum Group, Cali Danza and more. For more information, call the festival’s sponsor, the Oak Park Business Association, at 452-9222.

A free concert? That’s sure to put a spring in your step! Check out the Sacramento Concert Band’s spring concert at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12 at Christ Community Church in Carmichael. This performance marks the group’s 45th spring concert, which is no small feat considering the group consists of members ranging in age from 23 to 92. Some of them have been singing with the band since 1963! This year’s program, led by music director Grant Parker, will include a Dave Brubeck medley, “Tahiti Trot” by Dmitri Shostakovich and Claire Grundman’s “A Scottish Rhapsody.” (Parker says that audiences are particularly fond of “the variety of our programming.”) For more information, go to sacramentoconcertband.org. Christ Community Church is at 5025 Manzanita Ave. in Carmichael.

MASTER OF THE HOUSE Johannes Brahms was the master of many musical things, but he’s probably best known for his opulent waltzes. Hear some of these exquisite pieces performed in full by Capella Antiqua at its “Master Brahms” concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 30 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Considered by many to be one of the Romantic era’s greatest choral masterminds, Brahms was prolific and profoundly adored. This performance will feature selected quartets, lieder and a complete performance of his Liebeslieder Waltzes by the artists-inresidence at the stunning cathedral in the heart of downtown. For tickets and more information, go to capella-antiqua.org. The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is at 1017 11th St.

WET YOUR WHISTLE We’ve got music, my friends, right here in River City! The River City Chorale will present its aptly named PREVIEWS page 44

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Ted Adams, who served three tours of duty in Vietnam. For more information or to suggest a Vietnam veteran to be interviewed, contact the project’s coordinator, James Scott, at 264-2795 or jscott@ saclibrary.org.

VERY A-MUSE-ING

Oak Park Business Association hosts its fifth annual 35th Street Fair from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 4

PREVIEWS FROM page 43 spring concert, “Cruising Down the River,” on May 2 in Sacramento and May 4 in Roseville. As you might have guessed from the title, the program will include spiritual and secular songs that are explicitly about rivers, and not just because Sacramento is California’s “River City.” The Chorale is preparing for its 10th international concert tour next month, which will take place aboard a cruise down the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Switzerland, with stops at landmarks such as the Cologne Cathedral and the Heidelberg Castle Gardens. We hope it goes swimmingly. For tickets and more information, call 331-5810 or go to rivercitychorale. org. The concert on May 2 is at 7:30 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church (3135 Pope Ave. in Sacramento) and on May 4 at 4 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Community Church (1730 Pleasant Grove Blvd. in Roseville).

THEY’RE POETS AND THEY KNOW IT Songs are often described as poems put to music, and nowhere else is this more evident than at the Sacramento Children’s Chorus performance “The World is Full of Poetry” at 4 p.m. on May 18 at the Carmichael Seventh Day Adventist Church. The evening will feature songs set to the words of some of the world’s

POCKET MAY n 14

best-loved poets: Emily Dickinson, William Shakespeare, Walt Whitman, Dr. Seuss and, the most famous poet of all, Anonymous. Song styles range from blues to gospel to classical in tones both sublime and silly. The program will also include a tribute to the late, great Pete Seeger and the premiere of a newly commissioned work by composer Garrett Shatzer, “The Map of the Clock.” For tickets and more information, call 646-1141 or go to sacramentochildrenschorus.org. The Carmichael Seventh Day Adventist Church is at 4600 Winding Way.

Mythology has it that Apollo was instructed in the classical arts by three Muses before he ascended to his place in the pantheon on Mt. Olympus. See what three modern Muses—current choreographers Molly Lynch, K.T. Nelson and Melissa Barak—have in store at the Sacramento Ballet when they present “Modern Masters” alongside George Balanchine’s “Apollo” on May 15-17 at Three Stages Harris Center for the Performing Arts. Balanchine’s work was instantly considered a masterpiece for the ages when it debuted in 1928, and the three California choreographers featured in the “Modern Masters” lineup have created their modern masterpieces to complement Balanchine’s piece for a program that’s at once classical and cuttingedge. For tickets and more information, call 608-6888 or go to sacballet.org.

Three Stages Harris Center for the Performing Arts is at 10 College Parkway in Folsom.

OH, NOAH! There may have been a flood coming, but that doesn’t mean the animals didn’t pirouette their way onto the boat. Don’t miss the Deane Dance Center and Crockett-Deane Ballet Company’s spring production of “The Story of Noah’s Ark” at 7 p.m. on May 17 and at 2 p.m. on May 18 at the Center at Twenty-Three Hundred. The three-act ballet is choreographed by Don Schwennesen to original music by Henrik Jul Hansen and is appropriate for all ages. The fantastical costumes and talented cast are sure to entertain even the youngest aspiring balletomanes. For tickets and more information, call 453-0226 or go to deanedancecenter.com. The Center at Twenty-Three Hundred is at 2300 Sierra Blvd. Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Please email items for consideration by the first of the month, at least one month in advance of the event. n

GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM Sacramento Public Library is looking for Vietnam War veterans to talk about their experiences for a storytelling project called “Valley to Vietnam.” The project captures on videotape the experiences, both during and after the war, of Vietnam vets from the Sacramento region. The videos will air on Access Sacramento’s Channel 17 at 8:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. They’re also available on DVD at the library and through the library’s YouTube channel. So far, 10 interviews have been recorded with veterans such as Jerry Chong, a local attorney who was wounded while serving in Vietnam as a Marine Corps squad leader, and

Sacramento Ballet presents “Modern Masters” alongside George Balanchine’s “Apollo” on May 15-17

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A Yacht, Not a Dinghy WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING TO DINE ON THE RIVER

river and the latest game on the overhead flat-screen. The style coming out of the kitchen is mostly of the beige, fried variety, but with a few Cajun additions. Don’t go expecting the same world-class execution and brilliant flavors of Tuli Bistro and Restaurant 13. Pechal isn’t in the kitchen here. Yet there are some highlights that show Pechal’s hand in designing the menu.

BY GREG SABIN RESTAURANT INSIDER

’m going to Crawdads on the River,” I told my good friend, Brian. “Come join me for lunch.” “Is that the one that almost sank?” he asked. “No, that’s The Virgin Sturgeon,” I said. “Oh, is it the big outdoor hangout with the reggae bands and the fish tacos?” “No, that’s Swabbies. Totally different place.” “Then which place is it?” he asked. At this point, it was obvious to me that Crawdads doesn’t have much of a personality. For the life of me, the only thing I could think to tell my friend was that it was near Chevys Fresh Mex, in fact in the same parking lot. I have a feeling, however, this anonymity might not last for long. Two recognizable names have taken over the nearly-30-year-old restaurant and are quickly giving it a personality. The first is Trevor Shults of Pour House and Barwest, two hoppingly popular Midtown watering holes. The second is Adam Pechal, galley chief at the recently shuttered Tuli Bistro and Restaurant 13. Under their guidance, the sleepy river restaurant now has a fresher, more joyful vibe and a pretty decent kitchen. First, let’s talk expectations. What do you really expect from a bar/restaurant on the river? Fine dining, attentive service, immaculate execution? I have a feeling none of these crosses your mind. I may be a bit presumptuous here, but I’m guessing you expect fruity

POCKET MAY n 14

The interior feels less like a riverside cantina and more like an upscale yacht docked for the summer.

The dining room at Crawdads on the River is open and light

drinks, saucy young waitresses, flip-flops and fried food served with dipping sauces. Crawdads hits on all these tropes and a few more, but manages to do it with more style than you’d expect from a boat-dock bar. Much of that style comes from the gorgeous remodel undertaken by Shults and his team. The interior feels less like a riverside cantina and more like an upscale yacht docked for the summer. Bright whites contrast

with pale blues, graying teak and stainless steel to create a clean, serene interior, while the decks outside make the most of the nautical theme with simple outdoor seating surrounded by nylon rope and tented with blue canvas. A long, sunlit bar provides berths for a host of thirsty customers, and a cleverly situated couch offers an equally good view of the meandering

The shrimp po’ boy ($15) is a slightly simpler version than Tuli’s old standout, yet it still holds some memories of the best sandwich in town. Depending on who’s working the fryolator, the shrimp can be anywhere from acceptable to extraordinary. Served on a quality French roll with remoulade, this po’ boy is still a nice dish. The Louisiana BBQ shrimp ($14) hits the spot. Its spicy Creole BBQ sauce makes a nice pool in which to swipe anything from bread to fries. The mac and cheese ($8) is incredible: petite orecchiette pasta with a subtle cheesy gloss, flavored with bacon or andouille sausage. It’s a small but filling taste. The fish and chips ($15) are also top shelf. The bar has a few tricks up its sleeve as well. The bloody mary ($9),

made with Sacramento’s Preservation & Co. mix, is a spicy eye-opener, no matter what time of day you ingest it. For an extra $1.50, you can add a crawdad to the drink. (Interestingly enough, this is the only appearance of the titular creature anywhere on the menu.) Another liquid punch to the gut is the Zombie ($11), a mixture of rum and fruit juice served with an umbrella. It’s a potent yet proper beverage to sip anywhere that water meets land.

Service is casual, a little scattered and friendly. The place lends itself to long afternoons docked at a table, slowly sipping a drink and solving the world’s problems while watching parties float by on every skiff and tug. The staff won’t rush you. If there are any expectations you should have, it’s that you’ll be at Crawdads for a few hours if you’re doing it right. Crawdads on the River is at 1375 Garden Highway; 929-2268; saccrawdads.com. n

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