FEBRUARY 17
S A C R A M E N T O ' S P R E M I E R F R E E C I T Y M O N T H LY
THE GRID
By Andrew Patterson-Tutschka
THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE, PLACES & CULTURE IN AMERICA'S FARM-TO-FORK CAPITAL
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THE GRID FEB n 17
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Andrew Patterson-Tutschka specializes in perceptual painting. He strives to capture the appearance of a place, its sense or feel, as well as underlying social structures. He is represented by the Elliot Fouts Gallery that provided this image of his work. Visit patterson-tutschka.com.
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FEBRUARY 17
THE GRID
S A C R A M E N T O ' S P R E M I E R F R E E C I T Y M O N T H LY
By Andrew Patterson-Tutschka
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THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE, PLACES & CULTURE IN AMERICA'S FARM-TO-FORK CAPITAL
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G E T
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N E I G H B O R H O O D
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THE GRID FEB n 17
FEBRUARY 17 EVERY DAY IS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE THIS CITY A LITTLE BETTER
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TO DO
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PUBLISHER'S DESK
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INSIDE DOWNTOWN
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RESTAURANT INSIDER
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BUILDING OUR FUTURE
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FARM TO FORK
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FOOD FOR ALL
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HOME INSIGHT
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GARDEN JABBER
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GIVING BACK
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CITY BEAT
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MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR
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WELL HEELED
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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
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SPORTS AUTHORITY Art Street in Progress January 7
Photo by Aniko Kiezel @anikophotos
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Sacramento Ballet is presenting "Beer & Ballet" this month at CLARA in Midtown.
TO DO THIS MONTH'S CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS
jL By Jessica Laskey
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THE GRID FEB n 17
Pints En Pointe “Beer & Ballet” presented by the Sacramento Ballet Feb. 3-19 Fry-Paoletti Stage at CLARA Midtown (E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts), 2420 N St. sacballet.org Get a glimpse inside the minds of the Sacramento Ballet dancers as they unleash their creative power with bold new works of choreographic imagination. Discover the next generation of visionary dance makers and enjoy a variety of brews while you do so. It’s a win-win!
Exhibitionism at the Crocker “JapanAmerica: Points of Contact, 1876-1970,” on view Feb. 12 through May 21 “Two Views: Photographs by Ansel Adams and Leonard Frank,” on view Feb. 19 through May 14 Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St. crockerart.org Check out two exciting new exhibitions opening at the Crocker this month. “JapanAmerica: Points of Contact, 1876–1970”, a major exhibition organized by the Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University, surveys the role that international exhibitions and world’s fairs have played in artistic exchanges between Japan and the United States. Focusing on Japan’s place in major international exhibitions held on the American continent from 1876 onward, finishing with a look at the first World’s Fair held in Osaka in 1970, this beautiful and diverse assembly of more than 100 works examines the influence of Japanese aesthetics on painting and printmaking, ceramics and metalwork, graphic design, advertising, bookbinding and illustration. “Two Views: Photographs by Ansel Adams and Leonard Frank” opens Feb. 19, 75 years to the day after former President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 during World War II, authorizing the Secretary of War to designate certain areas as military zones and clearing the way for some 120,000 Japanese Americans to be incarcerated in camps throughout the American West. This compelling collection of photographs—40 by Ansel Adams and 26 by Leonard Frank—presents two views of internment and incarceration in the early 1940s, providing an opportunity to reflect on the nature of reactionary politics, racism, forced separation and the resulting effects on victims.
Stormy Weather “The Tempest,” presented by the Sacramento Theatre Company Feb. 22 through March 19 Sacramento Theatre Company, 1419 H St. sactheatre.org Teeming with shipwrecks, fairies and magic, “The Tempest” is considered by many to be William Shakespeare’s finest romance. The deposed Duke Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, have been stranded for 12 years on a small island where nothing is quite as it seems. But as they separate fantasy from authenticity, they eventually triumph in a new world of love, harmony and redemption.
The Sound of Love “Love Songs in Feb.: From Nat King Cole to Diana Krall—And A Whole Lot of Lovin’ In Between,” a concert featuring the Valerie V Quintet Saturday, Feb. 25 from 6:30-9 p.m. Nepenthe Clubhouse, 1131 Commons Drive 205-4001, valsvocals.com. To reprise the mood from V Day, crooner Valerie V and her talented quintet will perform sultry standards sure to delight the ear and inspire some amorous admiration. A percentage of profits from the concert will go to Community Resident Services Broadway Senior Center, Sacramento.
"Sex With Strangers" is playing at William J. Geery Theater.
Strange Bedfellows “Sex With Strangers,” a play by Laura Eason presented by EMH Productions Feb. 2-18 William J. Geery Theater, 2130 L St. emhpros.weebly.com When star sex blogger and memoirist Ethan Kane, aka Ethan Strange (played by magnetic local actor Tory Scroggins), tracks down his idol, the gifted but obscure novelist Olivia (played by Elise Hodge, founder of EMH Productions), he finds they each crave what the other possesses: her brilliance as a serious writer and his notoriety as a hit on The New York Times best-sellers list for five years in row. As they inch closer to getting what they want, both must confront the dark side of ambition and the near impossibility of reinventing oneself when the past is only a click away. “Sex with Strangers” had its world premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago and its New York premiere at Second Stage Theatre in June 2014 under the direction of David Schwimmer (yes, of “Friends” fame).
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Rutherford Chang is exhibiting at the Verge Center for the Arts through March 19.
My Funny Valentine
Meaningful Music
“Guys! Make a Valentine” Feb. 9 from 6-8 p.m. “Rutherford Chang: We Buy White Albums” (exhibition continues through March 19)
Crocker Classical Concert featuring Jacqueline Hairston, Henrietta Davis and Laurel Zucker Sunday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m.
Verge Center for the Arts, 625 S St. vergeart.com Back by popular demand, this craft workshop will help guys who want to impress their significant other this Valentine’s Day with something other than chocolate and roses (though you might want to include some of those, too). Valentine expert Gioia Fonda, a Verge Studio artist, will lead participants of all skill levels through the steps of making a valentine that “doesn’t suck.” And to get the creative juices flowing, Verge is offering a free beer for workshop participants who are age 21 and over. While you’re there, enjoy the ongoing exhibition “Rutherford Chang: We Buy White Albums,” which continues through March 19. For the duration of the exhibition, the gallery will function as a record store stocking only numbered copies of The Beatles’ 1968 self-titled double-LP, popularly referred to as the White Album. But rather than selling albums, the anti-store will solicit additional albums for Chang’s collection of more than 1,600 copies. For the past decade, Chang has been collecting numbered copies of the White Album. The original pressing featured serial numbers stamped on the covers, alluding to a limited edition—though ironically, that initial release was in excess of 3 million copies! Chang’s interest in collecting the White Album lies in how every copy has aged uniquely. Like a blank canvas, the nearly half-century-old albums have accumulated doodles and graffiti from previous owners (along with discoloration and mold), turning each album into a one-of-a-kind object. The discs themselves have become warped and scratched over time, creating slight variations in playback. Over time, these albums have become uniform yet unique artifacts. Visitors are invited to browse the albums, listen to the vinyl and, of course, contribute their copies of the White Album to the collection.
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THE GRID FEB n 17
Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St. crockerart.org In honor of Black History Month, renowned composer/arranger and pianist Jacqueline Butler Hairston presents a program of works by female African American composers. Interpretive soprano Henrietta Davis and recording flutist Laurel Zucker join Hairston to offer compelling renditions of works that include Hairston’s own song trilogy “On Consciousness Streams.” The influence of African American jazz and spirituals, as well as European classical music, will be explored in this gorgeous concert, which will also include lyrical renditions of poetry by Alice Walker, author of “The Color Purple.”
Flutist Laurel Zucker will perform at Crocker Art Museum.
Roll Over, Beethoven Two-Week Beethoven Festival presented by the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera Saturday, Feb. 25 (and Saturday, March 4)
Crocker Art Museum will host the Mexico City Woodwind Quintet.
Woodwinds in the River City Crocker Art Museum hosts the Mexico City Woodwind Quintet Thursday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St. crockerart.org The Crocker Art Museum is honored to host the Mexico City Woodwind Quintet during its brief stint in Sacramento. Considered one of the most important chamber music groups in Mexico today, the quintet is dedicated to performing music that reflects contemporary Latin America. Performances with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Mexico State Symphony Orchestra gained the group widespread international acclaim, and its members draw on diverse musical backgrounds to infuse their instrumentalism with astounding artistry. Space is limited and advance registration is recommended.
We All Live in a Yellow Submarine Ron Campbell, legendary animator/director, at Beatnik Studios Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Community Center Theater, 1301 L St. sacphilopera.org Lend an ear to some of your favorite Ludwig van Beethoven pieces (including his beloved Symphony No. 7) as well as other classics such as Toru Takemitsu’s “Quotation of Dream” and Johann Sebastian Bach’s Double Keyboard Concerto featuring Peter Serkin and Julia Hsu on piano. Guest conductor Andrew Grams has led orchestras throughout the United States, including the Philadelphia, National and Baltimore symphony orchestras and the Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Dallas and Houston symphonies. He has also worked with orchestras abroad, including the Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver symphony orchestras, the Orchestre National de France, BBC Symphony Orchestra London, Sydney Symphony, Orchestra dell’Accademia di Santa Cecillia, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Hamburg Symphony Orchestra and Oslo Philharmonic. Talk about world-class conducting!
Forney Play “Darrell Forney: Playing Around,” presented by Beatnik Studios Feb. 3 through March 23 Opening reception on Friday, Feb. 3 from 6-9 p.m. Beatnik Studios, 723 S St. 400-4281, beatnik-studios.com In this exhibition, Beatnik Studios celebrates the work of late multimedia artist Darrell Forney, who made a significant imprint on the Sacramento community for decades through his paintings, films, photography, writing and music. His artwork ranged from large abstract oils to collage to acrylics to archival sketches and block prints. (He was perhaps best known for his paintings featuring crows, his sewing pattern paintings, his collages and abstractions and his paintings of large lettered postcards.) Beatnik will be showing a range of his work, much of it on loan from Sacramento City College, where Forney joined the faculty in 1966. Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. n
Beatnik Studios, 723 S St. 400-4281, beatnik-studios.com Ron Campbell, animation director of the Beatles’ 1960s Saturday morning cartoon series and animator of their 1968 film “Yellow Submarine,” will be making a rare personal appearance at Beatnik Studios to offer original cartoon paintings for sale from his 50-year career in animation, including work from “Scooby Doo,” “The Smurfs,” “Rugrats,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “The Flintstones,” “The Jetsons,” “George of the Jungle,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and more. During the show, Campbell will also be creating new pop art paintings, including a special piece entitled “All You Need Is Love,” which can be personalized for that special someone for Valentine’s Day. The exhibit is free and all works will be available for purchase.
Animator Ron Campbell is stopping by Beatnik Studios.
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Creative Energy
ART STREET AIMS TO REPLICATE SUCCESS OF LAST YEAR’S ART HOTEL Seumas Coutts and Shaun Burner are shown working in the industrial space that opens as Art Street this month.
L
ast February, art lovers were treated to an extraordinary experience with the success of Sacramento’s Art Hotel. The former Jade apartment building—less than a block from Golden 1 Center, which was still under construction at the time—was the temporary exhibit space for many of our region’s most talented painters, sculptors, muralists, historians and sound makers. The exhibit, in which 130 artists participated, took place before the aged building was scheduled for
CH By Cecily Hastings Publisher’s Desk
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THE GRID FEB n 17
demolition to make way for a new Hyatt hotel. Art Hotel emerged after up-andcoming Sacramento muralist Shaun Burner was approached about doing something to the exterior of the Jade apartment building. M5 Arts, the event’s nonprofit organizer, was overwhelmed by the community’s response. The building faced occupancy limits and block-long lines, so the organizers put strict time limits on viewing and created a timed ticket system, although the tours were free. Because of this, 13,000 tours were taken in the 10-day exhibit run. As much as I think I am on top of things happening in the arts community, I only heard about the exhibit during the first few days it was open. I acted fast and stood in line for several hours to get tickets
for my husband and stepdaughter to attend with me later that day—the last day of the exhibit! It was an extraordinary and unforgettable experience for all of us. So I was excited when I heard that the team behind Art Hotel was planning another short-term exhibit this year, called Art Street. Art Street will take place Feb. 3-25 on 3rd Avenue, just south of Broadway, in a much larger 65,000 square feet of interior and exterior space. This much larger space will allow viewers to move at a pedestrian’s pace, organizers said. “You will never hear, ‘You have 10 minutes,’” said Seumas Coutts, a lead curator of Art Hotel and Art Street. “We want people to hang out and experience.” Even with Art Street having more space and a longer run, the
organizers still promise a gritty, multidimensional, noninstitutional art experience. The new project will add food and alcohol to the mix to create a European plaza atmosphere. Coutts, who spent much of his career in art in Germany, said the “street” theme will explore transportation, connectivity, pathway and community in all the selected artworks, “even if it is not immediately obvious,” he said. The organizers had a goal of raising $100,000 in donations to cover the costs of the project, including stipends to all artists. My husband and I attended a fundraising event last fall and became project sponsors because of the sense of artistic community it develops, which is a major mission of our publishing business. As we went to press, they look to have reached their goal.
“
Projects like Art Street are a perfect example of an organically grown
experience that goes a long way toward shedding the bureaucratic, government-driven image of our city’s past.
Besides private donations, both Visit Sacramento and the new Mayor’s Creative Economy Pilot Project made grants to the project. In early January, the city council approved $500,000 in grants for various local art projects with this pilot project. The exact makeup of the creative projects it intends to fund has not been yet determined. But the program’s aim is to build new economic ecosystems around art, food and technology. The money comes from the existing Innovation and Growth Fund, created by former Mayor Kevin Johnson. For several years, our city and regional leaders have been looking for ways to create the cool image that attracts millennials to stay and relocate here. At the January council meeting, Mayor Darrell Steinberg said that part of his forward-looking agenda is “talk and act around making Sacramento a destination city that is for and about youth.” He went on to add that “the creative economy involves arts, food and technology—things that are tangible, but not necessarily a fixed structure.” “The creative economy is the confluence of arts, culture, business and technology. It is a diverse collection of artists, chefs, small business owners, galleries and creative places—everything that makes Sacramento cool,” said Clay Nutting, a restaurateur and one of the
”
organizers of Art Street, in his testimony at the council meeting. “The creative economy is a driver of significant economic impact. It helps attract business and talent to our community and gives us a competitive edge.” Projects like Art Street are a perfect example of an organically grown experience that goes a long way toward shedding the bureaucratic, governmentdriven image of our city’s past. This new pilot project fund is about investing in our own homegrown talent. While the government often has a terrible track record of picking winners and losers, I am eager to see this play out. The experience of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission definitely needs to be tapped for this effort to be successful. In creating our book, “Inside Sacramento: The Most Interesting Neighborhood Places in America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital,” I was exposed to the breadth and depth of the creative places in our city neighborhoods. I surprised even myself while selecting and documenting all our city has to offer. Please make sure to visit Art Street this month. My description can only go so far. You need to experience it firsthand to understand what is at work here.
Scenes from the 2016 Art Hotel project
Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. n
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Going to the Dogs NEW ‘BARK PARK’ WILL BRING DOG
I
LOVERS TO MIDTOWN
t’s interesting about development.
southern edge of Midtown is being
ignite the community with activity,
to the north and east, Kolokotronis
People talk. They take action.
reshaped from the ground up with an
excitement, people … and a few dogs.
has plans to construct the Q19
They position themselves for all
explosion of development.
possibilities. But economic headwinds
It was a neglected area around R, S
Development started in the area
apartments at Q and 19th streets,
before the Great Recession, but it hit
the 20th/PQR townhomes a half
can slow you down, or tailwinds send
and P streets between 16th and 21st
a wall and nothing much happened.
block away and Press Building on
you sailing. This is happening in areas
streets. A cornerstone of the area was
The Safeway still served a local
the corner of Q and 21st, where The
of Midtown, downtown, Oak Park and
The Sacramento Bee headquarters,
clientele. The Zebra Club still opened
Sacramento Bee parking structure
even Del Paso. More specifically, the
a corporate powerhouse and major
at 6 a.m. for those needing a stiff one
stands today.
employer that has seen better days.
after the graveyard shift or before the
The area has been home to vacant
day began. Some business ventures
surrounded by a chain-link fence
lots, old auto repair facilities and
held their own, while others faded
about a block from the Safeway
abandoned buildings.
away.
at 19th and S. It was supposed to
SC By Scot Crocker Inside Downtown
But developers like Sotiris
THE GRID FEB n 17
become a city park, but money got
Kolokotronis, Mike Heller and Mark
building The ICE Blocks, a mixed-
tight after funds were needed to clean
Friedman are fast-tracking new
use development of residential,
up the site.
housing, retail and offices that will
commercial and retail space. A little
A rendering of the new Truitt Bark Park in Midtown.
14
Heller and Friedman are
Then there’s the empty field
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“THIS IS GOING TO BE THE COOLEST PARK IN SACRAMENTO,” SAID HODGSON. “NOT JUST THE COOLEST DOG PARK BUT THE COOLEST PARK.”
The groundbreaking at Truitt Bark Park recently took place. Photos courtesy of Chantel Elder of Eleakis & Elder Photography. Community leaders held a public
amenities for dogs. One thing is for
meeting. The few people who
sure: It will attract a lot of activity,
attended advocated for a dog park
because people moving to Midtown
and community garden versus a
have dogs, love dogs and love to be
traditional neighborhood park. They
around others who love dogs.
approached Councilmember Steve
“This is going to be the coolest
Hansen, who asked to see a concept
park in Sacramento,” said Hodgson.
and plan.
“Not just the coolest dog park but the
Kolokotronis, developer John Hodgson and Wendy Saunders,
coolest park.” Truitt Bark Park (named for a
executive director of Capitol Area
community advocate Brooks Truitt)
isn’t a large dog park. It’s the type
Saunders said they will raise money
Development Authority, recruited
will feature two fenced-in runs: one
of park you’d find in urban areas,
from the public to fund the project.
Quadriga, a landscape planning and
for big dogs and one for small dogs.
but that’s a good thing because it
architectural firm, for some pro bono
The very contemporary design will
promotes socialization for dog and
not be accomplished by a dog park
design work.
include lighting, trees and public
people.”
alone.
But the sense of neighborhood will
“We needed Councilmember
art. It will have a public plaza feel
Hansen’s help to modify the city’s
with enough space for residents to
June. While the park will be filled
pedestrian-friendly area,” explained
master plan,” said Saunders. “He
congregate, whether they have a dog
with trees, it’s going to take some
Kolokotronis. “Something special is
helped us secure about $800,000
or not.
time for them to mature. “Eventually,
happening in the core. There’s pent-
for the park. CADA is investing
Brooks Truitt was often referred to
The park is scheduled to open in
“We have the potential for a very
we will have a park full of shade,
up demand for multifamily housing.
another $100,000 and managing the
affectionately as a curmudgeon. He
but it will take a couple years for
Empty nesters and millennials want
construction. There are a lot of new
showed up at meetings and advocated
the foliage and trees to grow,” said
an urban lifestyle, but we have to do
tenants and residents coming to that
to keep R Street’s industrial flavor
Saunders. “People will just have to be
more about getting jobs downtown.
area, and this will be very nice for
intact rather than building large
patient.”
If not, many people will have to leave
them.”
state office buildings. He was 25 years
While it’s officially a dog park, those behind the park are more inclined to call it a “people park” with
16
THE GRID FEB n 17
ahead of his time.
A centerpiece of the park will be
the urban core for work.”
a large concrete statue with letters
“This park is going to get a lot of
spelling out BARK. It’s part of the
use,” Hodgson predicted. “The park
city’s Art in Public Places Project.
Scot Crocker can be reached at scot@crockercrocker.com. n
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Romance Is in the Air THESE SPOTS ARE A SUREFIRE WAY INTO THE HEART OF YOUR VALENTINE
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hen the calendar turns to February, one can’t help thinking of Valentine’s Day. It’s a spot of warmth in an otherwise short and often dreary month. It’s an especially bright spot for those in the restaurant trade. Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest dining-out nights in the country. For some, it’s a highpressure date night; for others, it’s a cozy renewal of years of partnership. Wherever couples are in their romantic arc, Valentine’s is a night when many go out on the town and toast to their love. We offer a few ideas for romantic dining. Whether on V-Day itself or any old weekday night, these spots should help kindle the flame.
GS By Greg Sabin Restaurant Insider
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Take your valentine to Ella Dining Room and Bar for a romantic dinner. Ella Dining Room and Bar Maybe it’s the profusion of gauzy curtains, the soft lights swinging from the wood-paneled ceiling, or the gorgeous dishes coming from the kitchen, but Ella has a bit of a transportive quality to it. A night spent surrounded by the indulgent luxury and leisurely service at Ella can move a diner away from the everyday and into a dreamy, languid space. It’s hard to imagine that Ella, a jewel in the Selland restaurant group, has been open nearly a decade. It was
one of the first businesses to take a chance on a revitalized K Street and, despite nearby openings of eminently romantic restaurants like Mayahuel and Brasserie Capitale, it still ranks as the street’s premier dining destination. The elegant duck, a simple but gorgeous plate, is a feast for the senses. The old-fashioned seafood tower is a charming way for a party of two to get their hands dirty cracking crab and slurping oysters.
The cocktails are expertly crafted, and the happy hour is still one of the best in town. Ella is at 1131 K St.; 443-3772; elladiningroomandbar.com. The Firehouse Restaurant For half a century, The Firehouse Restaurant has put out exquisite food while surrounding diners with Victorian luxury. Still the grand poobah of Old Sacramento dining, The Firehouse has hosted every California governor since its opening in 1960.
A colorful salad from Taylor's Kitchen.
During the spring and summer, the ridiculously charming courtyard is a place to dine among twinkle lights under a canopy of lazy shade trees. But in the cold month of February, the velvety dining room, with its heavy lacquered woods and sumptuous colors, is a space whose warmth doesn’t come from the boiler in the cellar. Every plate that comes from the award-winning kitchen is a piece of art. It’s hard not to be romantic during an evening at The Firehouse. The Firehouse Restaurant is at 1112 2nd St.; 442-4772; firehouseoldsac.com. Taylor’s Kitchen It’s easy to overlook this little neighborhood dining room attached to Taylor’s Market, but the low lights, rich menu and bustling open kitchen make it a romantic getaway any night of the week. It’s a small, intimate room, and the limited but attentive staff makes every diner feel like friends of the house. It’s impossible not to bond with nearby tables of fellow diners and shout out “bravos” to the kitchen staff. Depending on the night, the room can be wryly rowdy or soothingly
relaxed. Either way, it’s imbued with a convivial romanticism that no diner can escape. Taylor’s Kitchen is at 2924 Freeport Blvd.; 443-5154; taylorskitchen.com. Aioli Bodega Espanola The large-windowed space on the corner of L and 18th streets makes Aioli’s medium-size dining room seem huge. During the spring and summer, the small, charming patio is a treasure. But in the winter, the warmth of the dining room, with its windows on the world, beckons. The menu, filled with expertly made Spanish tapas, allows a couple a chance to share and chat and stretch out the night with a plate of this and a bowl of that. The service is cheeky and charismatic and definitely helps make the evening special. Aioli Bodega Espanola is at 1800 L St.; 447-9440; aiolibodega.com.
The narrow, old-fashioned dining room on H Street is still as invisible from the street as it was when it opened nearly two decades ago. The menu is still a mere suggestion, with the rotating specials list being the star of the show. The mere presentation of the laundry list of specials is always a rabbit-fromthe-hat trick by the owner. The dim lights and closerthan-family service are unmatched for creating a romantic dining experience.
There is literally nowhere you can eat in Sacramento and feel as special and adored as you do at Moxie. Moxie is at 2028 H St.; 443-7585; moxierestaurant.com. Greg Sabin can be reached at gregsabin@hotmail.com. n
Moxie One simply does not discuss romantic dining without Moxie making its way into the conversation.
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Moving Forward NEW PLANNING DIRECTOR SPEAKS OUT
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ew year, new you, or at least that’s how the saying goes. Sacramento seemed to take it to heart, anyway, capping 2016 with a new arena and a new mayor. Sacramento’s 2016 was characterized by new growth and development, including the hire of new planning director Kate Gillespie, who looks to keep that trend going well into and beyond 2017. Inside Publications sat down with Gillespie earlier this year to get her impression of her new hometown and to ask her to share some of her plans for the city moving forward. You’re new to town, but you’re no stranger to planning and development. Where has your career taken you before you landed here in Sacramento? After grad school, I was recruited by the city of Boston and the city of New York and became the long-range
JV Kate Gillespie is the new city planning director. By Jordan Venema Building Our Future
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“THERE’S AN ENERGY HERE THAT’S REALLY EXCITING. IT’S AN OPEN COMMUNITY, AND WITH THAT COMES THE ABILITY TO CHANGE AND GROW.”
planning manager for the Manhattan office of the Department of City Planning. Then I lived in the Bay Area for about 20 years at a planning firm focusing on redevelopment. In 2012, I became the planning director for a firm with a national practice based out of New Orleans. The day that I started working there, Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast. We were eventually selected by the National Parks Service to restore two parks in New York. Sacramento must seem like something of a hamlet after New York and Boston. Well, we’re the right-size town, and I have the skills to help us be a bigger town. There’s an energy here that’s really exciting. It’s an open community, and with that comes the ability to change and grow. The city has made smart investments lately, from transportation enhancements to entertainment venues like Golden1 Center, and these will be catalysts to help propel our city. What attracted me here as opposed to other cities is that we have a vision and values that are pretty comprehensively shared by city staff and council members. It’s rare to see
a council that works so well and is in such close step with staff. Speaking of city staff, we’ve got a new mayor. Do you have any impressions of his stance on planning and development, and how do you plan to respond? Our new mayor has a level of urgency to his agenda, and so he’s challenging us already to compress schedules and do work faster and get on with opportunities to grow our city. We know that we have an obligation to build housing downtown. We’re also intrigued by the riverfront, especially along the Sacramento River. We have a path that needs enhancing, and we also have a lot of vacant land, particularly south of the Tower Bridge. So the mayor has recognized this and challenged us to come up with projects that could be quickly implemented that will help draw people to the waterfront. Specifically speaking, how do you view your role as the city’s planning director, and more generally for the department? I sit on the dais with the planning commission and interact with the commissioners a lot. We talk
informally on a one-on-one basis. I’m planning a training session for our commissioners in February, but I don’t have a vote within the commission. I see our role as planners as synthesizers—trying to chart a course that’s most ideal for the greatest number of people and to envision what the future should be and how to get there as a city. We have an obligation to look at different demographics, economics, social relations and issues of social justice, and try to weave all that together so we have a city that people want to invest in. How do you plan to engage with members of the community who aren’t usually involved in the planning process? Yeah, it’s not something that’s high on most people’s agendas unless they have a strong opinion already. So we’re trying to create an environment where people can participate in a variety of ways. We’re looking at the equivalent of a digital bulletin board where people can put their ideas online, and we’re doing a series of meetings with neighborhood organizations and business improvement districts and developers.
We also welcome applicants, property owners and developers to come and talk to us informally about their project before they start designing. We’ll also be introducing a lot of tools on our website that will help the community engage and to query any applications that we are currently working on anywhere in the city. Drawings and documents submitted by the applicant also will be available to the public, and it will give them an opportunity to contact the planner so that anyone can participate in the process in ways they haven’t before. Does the planning department have any projects in the works that Sacramentans can expect in coming years? My agenda, and I’ve talked to the mayor about this, is to use water taxis to get people from Pocket to downtown. Technology is changing in water transportation, and we have a dock available next to Tower Bridge that is very underutilized. So staff is looking at opportunity to develop nodes that will be focuses of activity. Jordan Venema can be reached at jordan.venema@gmail.com. n
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Happy
Cows
AT THIS FAMILY FARM, THE ANIMALS LIVE GOOD LIVES
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ay hello to Denise, Esther, Falla, Hedda and Marigold. Check out Kameo, Khan, Kona and Kettle Bell. They are the cutest cattle I’ve ever seen.
AK By Angela Knight Farm-to-Fork
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These are heritage-breed cattle— Scottish Highland, Dutch Belted and Irish Dexter primarily. You can reach through the fence and touch their shaggy winter coats. Marvel at their massive horns and gentle faces. Listen to them talk to one another in drawnout moos and throaty bellows. Long Dream Farm is a 90-acre farm and creamery located on beautiful but hilly terrain in the Sierra Nevada foothills outside of Lincoln. There’s another 280 acres used for grazing on the Bear River.
Andrew and Krista Abrahams established the farm in 2012. Humans and heritage-breed cattle aren’t the only creatures that live here. There are approximately 1,500 chickens, making a cacophony of chicken noises, nine prehistoriclooking emus, fiercely protective alpacas, equally protective and massive Pyrenean mastiffs, including one named Truck, donkeys, various regular-sized dogs, an Icelandic horse and others. All the animals have names. The female calves born this year will be
given names starting with the letter C, and the males will have names that start with an L. That way, the Abrahamses can keep track of when their animal charges were born. Long Dream Farm is one of only two dairies that show up in search results when I Google “dairies in Placer County.” According to Krista, the county once had a number of thriving dairies, but by the 1970s most had closed. Long Dream Farm stands out for another reason. The Abrahamses focus on the welfare and happiness of
the animals under their care, which is why the farm is Animal Welfare Approved. That label on a product indicates that it “come[s] from farm animals raised to the highest animal welfare and environmental standards,” according to AWA. “They’re meant to thrive outside,” Andrew explains. “It is possible to do [this] in a way where the animals have good lives.” By facilitating a low-stress, natural environment and maintaining family and social bonds, among other practices, the couple helps ensure that their animals are, well, happy. Most people believe that all dairy cows live in a green pasture, Andrew says. There usually aren’t any calves in that scenario, and there’s not a lot of verdant pasture, either. It is part of “greenwashing,” the type of information some companies use to present an environmentally responsible image. It is marketing spin that helps us feel good about the food we buy and consume. Andrew believes that people should care about animals and how they are treated, and
they should expect to pay more for Long Dream Farm’s products because they cost more to produce. The Long Dream Farm dream started back when the family was living in New York. The Abrahamses were concerned about the food they were eating and how it was produced. About six years ago, they left the East Coast and settled out west on the farm. Andrew has a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Illinois. He co-founded Aviso, a software company, in 2012. His degree and impressive career seem slightly out of place in this rural environment, but he’s adapted to his surroundings. He manages the farm’s Instagram account and often posts cameos of the photogenic Denise and her bovine friends and family. With a couple of part-time employees, the Abrahamses and their children handle the never-ending list of chores, including early-morning milking, egg gathering and making fresh Greek yogurt, several cheeses and ice cream in the creamery. Add
to that guiding farm tours, training milk cows (yes, cows), selling their products at local farmers markets, educational outreach and farm stays—overnight stays in the farm’s guesthouse. The 12-year-old is a natural at marketing, her 8-yearold brother likes to work with the chickens, and the 3-year-old enjoys giving tours. There’s also a heritage cattlebreeding program. Heritage cattle aren’t usually found in commercialsized dairies. According to The Livestock Conservancy’s website, “These are the breeds of a bygone era, before industrial agriculture became a mainstream practice. These breeds were carefully selected and bred over time to develop traits that made them well adapted to the local environment and they thrived under farming practices and cultural conditions that are very different from those found in modern agriculture.” Some, like the Dutch Belted and Dexter, were in danger of extinction and remain on the organization’s Conservation Priority List. Yet they might be
models for “survival and selfsufficiency” in the modern dairy. The Abrahamses do things differently. Cows are only milked once in the morning. They can even take days off. Calves stay with their mothers and continue to nurse until they are weaned naturally, which strengthens family bonds. The cattle live outdoors and graze on grass. The chickens hang out with the cattle, which helps cut down the fly population. But these aren’t new ways of doing things, as Krista is quick to point out. They are a return to old ways, with some new twists. This family-run farm in Placer County might be a long shot and a dream, but it is a model for better treatment of the creatures that provide us with so much. Go see it for yourself. For more information about Long Dream Farm, visit longdreamfarm. com or call 543-0758. Angela Knight can be reached at knight@mcn.org. n
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Rendering of the new Market 5-ONE-5.
Healthy Decision RALEY’S CEO PLANS TO OPEN A NEW MARKET CONCEPT
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ike Teel has a vision—and it’s not about Raley’s, the grocery chain that his family name has been tied to since 1935. Teel plans to open a new grocerystore concept called Market 5-ONE-5 in Sacramento’s R Street District this spring. Market 5-ONE-5 grew out of Teel’s frustration at his inability to find nutritious products in one grocery setting. “My inspiration was my frustration,” explains Teel, the president and CEO of Raley’s. The new market falls in line with health-focused decisions that Raley’s
AS By Amber Stott Food for All
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has made in the past year. In 2015, Raley’s stopped selling tobacco products, and in June, the company announced plans to remove all private-label artificially flavored sodas from its shelves. This new grocery concept has been in the planning stage for several years. At last year’s State of Food and Agriculture conference hosted by Sacramento Metro Chamber, Teel called the local food system “broken.” He spoke of a grocery business reliant on “slotting fees,” the practice of brand-name products paying a fee for placement on grocery store shelves. These fees are significant in overall grocery revenues yet don’t always align with Raley’s values of prioritizing customers’ health and well-being. Little by little, Raley’s intends to make healthier changes to its stores. But changing such a large, established
business will take time. With the launch of Market 5-ONE-5, Teel can jump straight ahead to the store model he idealizes. “The idea was to create a company that would not be held back by its current brand image, current customer base or internal paradigm of how we do business,” Teel says. The new model “sets the company free to move fully forward as fast as it can toward finding solutions to balance health and wellness for those who are really interested in the food that they eat and the impact on their bodies.” According to company spokesperson Chelsea Minor, Market 5-ONE-5 will embrace the notion that food affects health. The 11,000-square-foot store will carry products that embrace the store’s core values: organic, nutrition and education. Minor is enthusiastic about a model that combines these core values under
one roof. “These concepts individually exist in other formats,” she says. “It’s the holistic view that is the differentiator.” The new store will develop standards for its products as a way to keep customers informed. For example, the market may decide that all its meat will be humanely and organically raised without hormones. This standard will be published, allowing the customer peace of mind that this minimum standard will be applied to all Market 5-ONE-5 products. A “wellness evangelist” with a nutrition background will be on staff at the new market to help the store manager set wellness standards for the products available. Teel also hopes the store will positively affect local food production. By purchasing locally curated FOOD page 26
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FOOD FROM page 24
Mike Teel
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products, the market can help create a larger platform for small businesses to become more sustainable. Creating big rifts with a small idea is core to Teel’s approach. “We often don’t tackle big projects because we feel like we can’t really change the world with it. I don’t believe that’s correct,” says Teel. “I believe that even smaller companies can have a broad impact in changing the world around them, because when we make one change in our stores—an example I like to use is candy or soda at the registers—our competitors have to react to that. They can choose to do the same because we’re taking business away if they don’t follow suit.” Teel isn’t alone in hoping that fresher, healthier options will prevail in the grocery store industry. According to Nielsen, an agency that studies consumer
buying habits, sales of fresh deli, meats and produce are on the rise nationally. Shoppers are decreasing their purchases of “center-aisle” products, where the majority of packaged, processed foods are sold. According to Harvard Business Review, private-label goods are also financially outpacing brand-name products. A store that focuses on locally produced, fresh products places its bets on consumers who want to know where their food comes from. Based on consumer trends, Teel says, “I fully expect Market 5-ONE-5 will grow at a much faster rate than Raley’s.” That’s a smart bet in America’s Farm-toFork Capital. Amber K. Stott is founder of the nonprofit Food Literacy Center. She can be reached at amber.stott@gmail.com. n
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Designing Woman
SHE NAMED HER FURNITURE LINE AFTER A STREET IN EAST SAC 28
THE GRID FEB n 17
K
errie Kelly understands collaboration. An award-winning interior designer, author and multimedia consultant, she founded Kerrie Kelly Design Lab in 1995. Her new business venture, 42nd Street, came about through plenty of teamwork. Last year, Kelly and her husband, Vinny Catalano, met with a custom cabinetry and millwork manufacturing team in New York. They couple wanted to integrate the features of luxury kitchen cabinetry, such as self-closing drawers, dovetail joinery, and custom hardware, stains and finishes, into a line of wood furniture. The more ideas Kelly and her husband put on the table, the more the New York team agreed. “They never said no to anything we suggested,” she says. “In those couple of hours, the conversation evolved from needs
JF By Julie Foster Home Insight
Kerrie Kelly (in front wearing green) and her design team.
we had for cabinetry to sketches and walking through ideas about furniture pieces,” she says. “We knew we were on the right track. Then we wondered what we were going to call the company.” Kelly’s husband suggested the name 42nd Street, after the street where they live in Sacramento and the notorious New York thoroughfare. The tagline they developed for the business is “Make Your Statement.” “We typically say that our designs are by designers for designers,” Kelly explains. So far, 42nd Street has produced 40 pieces, including the Taylor Console, the Katelyn Bookcase, the Bernard Desk, the Vincent Secretary and the Ramona Buffet. (All are named after family members.) The furniture is made by Amish craftsman. The company’s signature piece is the Mary
Lou Jewelry and Lingerie Chest, named after Kelly’s grandmother. The piece embodies her grandmother’s personality. “She was a woman whose every action spoke to quality,” Kelly explains. The piece is similar to a bedroom dresser. But it is topped with a piece of glass, so you can see your jewelry at a glance and pick out pieces to coordinate with your outfit. “For me, it is out of sight, out of mind,” Kelly says. “I go shopping in my Mary Lou every day.” Every six months, a designer will be selected as a Tastemaker to create one piece under the 42nd Street brand. “Pieces are licensed and carry the individual’s name. When the piece is sold, they get a piece of the action,” says Kelly. “It allows us promote our
pals in the business and make it not all about us.” 42nd Street will be exhibited this spring at the largest furniture design show in the country: High Point Market in North Carolina. “Our brand partner, Wesley Hall, which does all of our private-label upholstery for the Design Lab and 42nd Street Design, has asked us to feature the line in a boutiquelike portion of their two-story showroom in High Point,” Kelly says. “It is also where we launch/announce our Tastemakers each market.” Kerrie Kelly Design Lab remains the hub of activity for Kelly. The East Sacramento location offers interior design and consultation services, indoor and outdoor furnishings, upholstery, casegoods, floor, wall and window coverings, and antiques and artwork.
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“Our team will always design pieces for Sacramento, and while 42nd Street is being feathered in, we are the foundation,” she says. Kerrie Kelly Design Lab is at 5704 Elvas Ave. For more information about Kerrie Kelly Design Lab, go to kerriekelly.com. To see Kelly’s 42nd Street line of furnishings, lighting, artwork and rugs, go to 42ndstreetdesign.com. If you know of a home you think should be featured in Inside Publications, contact Julie Foster at foster.julie91@yahoo.com. Correction: The homeowners in the story 'Nod to the Past' were incorrectly identified as Chris and Amy Cookson, rather than Chris and Amy Wood. (Home Insight, January 2017) n
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Sacramento’s Pride THE GARDENS SURROUNDING THE STATE CAPITOL ARE SIMPLY CAPITAL
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reams of making Sacramento the envy of the world aren’t unique to the 21st century. In 1863, Gov. Leland Stanford envisioned surrounding the new State Capitol with “grounds … with a beauty and luxuriousness that no other capitol can boast.” Stanford’s vision of a Victorian garden park that would bring glory and pleasure to residents of the city and state became reality. Capitol Park’s lush lawns were studded with trees from around the world, masses of colorful flowers and a carriageway lined with palm and elm trees. It’s still a glorious spot, even after years of drought and water conservation measures. Last year, the grass turned brown and many worried that the park’s historic trees and other beautiful plants would be lost. Fortunately, the state’s Department of General Services is committed to preserving them while demonstrating that it’s also possible to save water. DGS calls Capitol Park “one of our state’s most iconic public green spaces” and “the oldest arboretum west of the Mississippi.” Originally, the Capitol was built on a mound on 4 acres of land donated by the city. It soon overlooked the Great Flood of 1861-1862, which was so disastrous that Sacramento leaders
AC By Anita Clevenger Garden Jabber
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Capitol Park offers a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
canceled Christmas, the legislature fled to San Francisco and Gov. Stanford was rowed in a boat to his inauguration at the Capitol. Sacramentans got to work and raised the city streets, and the Capitol followed suit. Piles of rich river soil were brought to fill the grounds to their present level, 126 wagonloads a day. Victorians were interested in collecting and learning about plants from around the world, and the Capitol groundskeepers were not to be outdone. The park now boasts 235 different species of trees, more than 1,000 trees in all, many a century or more old. Modern visitors walk in awe under their canopy, admiring their size, enjoying their beauty and relaxing in their shade. Some of
the California fan palms still mark the route where horses pulled carriages through the grounds. Fourteen trees have grown to be “champion trees,” the biggest of their species in the state, nation or even the world. All good arboretums label their plants so that we can learn about them, and the trees sport new labels funded by the California Federation of Women’s Clubs. Terry Cook of the California State Capitol Museum says that it took two years to get everybody’s approval for the signs, but the effort was worth it.
Plants throughout the park serve as living memorial, including the Civil War Memorial Grove, established in 1897 with trees from Civil War historic sites. A turkey oak, an American elm and a tulip tree survive. There is the Pioneer Camellia Grove and the World Peace Rose Garden, created as a sanctuary of peace, love and inspiration. Cook’s love of this urban oasis is apparent when you walk through the grounds with her. “Here in the middle of the city, we have 12 city blocks, 40 acres of beauty, with trees cleaning up the air for us,”
Terry Cook of the California State Capitol Museum
she enthuses. The museum staff has recently developed two guides, one for the Capitol Park monuments and memorials and another devoted to the trees, which they will post on their website and update as things change.
When you visit the park, you never know what you will discover around the corner. The grass in Capitol Park is green once again, but water is still being saved. The 13 DGS parks maintenance staffers are implementing many water conservation practices while ensuring that areas that overlay tree roots are irrigated. Some of the thirsty turf is being replaced, either by pervious pavers, water-saving grass varietals or a drought-tolerant demonstration garden. When you visit the park, you never know what you will discover around the corner. It might be the cactus garden with alien shapes and brilliant flowers. You may feel that you are in the British Isles when you walk between two rows of Irish yews wired
into formal pillars. You will definitely know you are in California by the rows of palm and Seville orange trees that enclose the park. Many of the trees burst into brilliant fall color. Cook especially recommends seeing the champion Chinese pistache tree, with its burgundy leaves splashed with crimson and orange. Above and in the center of it all is the stunning white Capitol itself. Capitol Park holds fond memories for me because it was one of the first places I went on a date with my future husband, many years ago. After strolling for a while, we sat on the grass and kissed. We were falling in love with one another and with Sacramento. Thank you, Gov. Stanford. Terry Cook and her staff give tours of Capitol Park at 10:30 a.m. when staff is available. Call the museum office’s main line at 324-0333 for information or to request a tour. Anita Clevenger is a Lifetime Sacramento County Master Gardener. For answers to gardening questions, call 876-5448 or go to sacmg.ucanr. edu. n
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• Paragary’s Restaurant • Angela Heinzer, Realtor • Arden Hills Resort & Spa • Patty Baeta, Realtor 15 YEARS: • Bella Bru • Coldwell Banker Sierra Oaks • Reid and Price, Realtors • Dunnigan Realtors • Tim Collom, Realtor • Dignity Healthcare • Wendi Reinl, Realtor • SMUD • Tom & Kathy Phillips, Realtors • Sacto. Natural Foods Co-op • Ted Russert, Realtor • Espanol Restaurant • George Gudie Heating • S. Benson & Company
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ARDEN ARCADE SIERRA OAKS WILHAGGIN DEL PASO MANOR CARMICHAEL
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• El Dorado Savings Bank • Fulton Ave. Association • David Kirrene, Realtor • Town & Country Village • Rita Gibson Financial Services • Christian Brothers High School • St. Francis High School 7 YEARS: • Tim Leake Builder • Artisan Window & Sash • Eskaton • European Sleep Design 9 YEARS: • Fechter & Company CPA • Bella Bru • Katia’s Collection • Fat’s Restaurants • Mercy McMahon Terrace • Jayson Chalmers, DDS • Mondavi Center • Little Real Estate • Race For The Arts • Lorene Warren, Realtor • Relles Florist & Gifts • Turn Verein • Sacramento SPCA • Eberle Construction • Sacramento Choral Society
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LAND PARK CURTIS PARK SOUTH LAND PARK HOLLYWOOD PARK
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POCKET GREENHAVEN SOUTH POCKET LITTLE POCKET
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FEBRUARY 17
THE GRID
S A C R A M E N T O ' S P R E M I E R F R E E C I T Y M O N T H LY
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January 14 marked the unveiling of the first monument to Martin Luther King Jr. in the Capital City. Located on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, the educational center was dedicated by the namesake’s daughter, Dr. Bernice Albertine King in 2015. The visionary opening was attended by special guests and over 500 local residents that all helped to serve the center’s “No Youth Left Behind” mission statement
CONTRIBUTED BY ANIKO KIEZEL
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Patricia Sturdevant
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f you’ve ever taken a stroll through Land Park (or if you’re one of the lucky ducks who live there), you’ve no doubt noticed the beautiful array of foliage from the hundreds of mature trees that line every street and avenue. You may have also noticed that at certain times of year, citrus fruit hangs heavy on the branches of these gorgeous trees and either litters the sidewalk with squelchy, slippery bits of fruit flesh or is voraciously attacked by squirrels and other creatures. Patricia Sturdevant noticed this seasonal fruit phenomenon and decided to do something about it. The Land Park resident is a retired consumer protection and health care lawyer who didn’t mean to land here but fell in love with the area after growing up in far northern California and living in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., before moving to Sacramento for work. Since Sturdevant loves to take walks in her neighborhood, she started noticing that the citrus fruit was not only hazardous, but could also be the solution to an endemic problem that she’d spent her career—and countless volunteer hours—fighting. “There are 245,000 hungry people in Sacramento,” says Sturdevant. She knows that figure because of her work spearheading Food From the Sac Bar, a program of the Sacramento County Bar Association that benefits Sacramento Food Bank. “I noticed that so much of the fruit from the area’s mature trees goes to waste, so it seemed like a great combination of supply and
FINDING A USE FOR A SURPLUS OF CITRUS
JL By Jessica Laskey Giving Back
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demand to link hungry families with Land Park citrus owners.” Sturdevant brought her observations to Land Park Community Association. When her own trees gave her an overabundance of fruit two years ago, Sturdevant had called upon Senior Gleaners (which merged with the food bank in 2015). She recalls that “all ages had a great time picking and I felt good because the trees were clean and I was making a difference—and the donation was tax deductible!” At Sturdevant’s behest, LPCA decided to partner with Harvest Sacramento, a program of Soil Born Farms that harvests extra citrus fruit around town and donates it to local food assistance agencies. Though volunteers can lend a hand
troop will help us spread the word. It will be perfect timing, too—the early crops will still be on the trees and the oranges will just be ripening. It’s prime picking time.” Sturdevant is not just excited about the quality fruit the volunteers will be gathering for hungry Sacramentans. She’s most looking forward to the connection that volunteering brings, whether it’s for the Harvest Sacramento event or her other extensive charitable work as the president of the board of Consumer Action (a San Francisco-based consumer advocacy group), a member of the advisory board of Donate Life (which promotes organ donation), a member of the board of the National Council of Jewish Women and an active participant in various women
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harvesting any time during the year, LPCA will partner with Hollywood Park Neighborhood Association on Feb. 18 to host an all-day picking extravaganza complete with a free lunch put together by Biba Restaurant’s chef, Brenda Ruiz. “It’s going to be a major logistical effort,” Sturdevant says. “Dominic Allamano (who coordinates Edible City for Soil Born Farms) is going to help us put everything together, and students from McClatchy High School and Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High School as well as members of Matt Guzaitis’s Boy Scout
lawyer organizations. “I was a public-interest lawyer, so doing things in the public interest is really important for me,” she says. “I do it not only because I have altruistic goals of helping the community, but also because it makes me feel really good and I get to meet really interesting people. Instead of being linked by work, we’re linked by our neighborhood.” For more information on Soil Born Farms’ Harvest Sacramento program, call 572-6646 or visit soilborn.org. n
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Living Large
Artist Esteban Villa
CREATING A MURAL FOR GOLDEN 1 CENTER
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steban Villa is the most accessible artist in Sacramento. He can be found most every night at Simon’s bar on 16th Street, seated in the far corner, facing the door, his back to the hallway that leads to the patio. A pint of beer typically stands within reach, but beer isn’t the point. Notice the rainbow array of pens and pencils neatly laid out along alongside the beer glass, and the compact notebooks that contain Villa’s latest drawings. Don’t touch. The ink’s still wet. Look closely at the newest drawing and recognize the woman seated across the horseshoe bar. She’s
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talking to a friend. And she’s only vaguely aware that her flattering image has been interpreted and preserved by a renowned artist and muralist whose work is monumental in scope, size, irreverence and longevity. In some ways, Villa is Sacramento’s contemporary version of ToulouseLautrec. Our cafe artist celebrates the bohemian spirit and captures the swirl of nightlife as everyday citizens enjoy themselves. Of course, Simon’s is not the Moulin Rouge, circa 1890. Midtown is not Montmartre. And still going strong at age 86, Villa has seen 50 more birthdays (and counting) than the self-destructive French
postimpressionist master, who died at 36. Still, the comparison fits. To witness a respected artist working nightly in a saloon, where he finds inspiration in the festive environment disdained by other artists, that’s something special. “People ask me if I’m slowing down now that I’m 86,” Villa says. “I tell them no, I’m just getting started.” He means that literally. Despite the satisfaction Villa gets from creating postcard-sized art at his bar-top studio, he has bigger things in mind. Not long ago, Villa received a six-figure commission to participate in a high-profile project: the Royal Chicano Air Force legacy mural
at Golden 1 Center. RCAF artists Juanishi Orosco and Stan Padilla are also at work on the piece. The soaring K Street wall in the new arena is a perfect canvas for Villa, who loves to work large. He has enlivened numerous buildings around California. He helped create the sprawling artworks in the K Street
RG By R.E. Graswich City Beat
tunnel that runs beneath Interstate 5. His portfolio includes the state’s East End campus, two blocks from Simon’s, and Southside Park. Villa’s vivid folkloric inspirations are all around us. “When I think about the great experiences I’ve had, and the work I’ve been able to do, I stop and think, that’s not bad for a dirt-poor kid from Bakersfield,” he says. There are many reference points in Villa’s long life and success, but his biggest impressions involve two institutions: Sacramento State University and the Royal Chicano Air Force. Villa taught art classes for three decades at Sac State. He helped inspire the pioneering crew of professors who established the school’s creative direction and cultural legacy. Two decades into retirement, he maintains the title of professor emeritus. As for the RCAF, an artists collective that exquisitely expanded into the political realm to promote social justice though creativity, imagination and mysticism, Villa was a co-founder. He and the late Jose Montoya started the RCAF in 1970. The RCAF became one of the most enduring instruments of Chicano Power during the political upheavals of the 1970s. Today, UC Santa Barbara’s Donald C. Davidson Library maintains many pieces from the group’s work in an internationally recognized collection. RCAF artists—sadly, few have survived with Villa’s mortal staying power—were a hard-living bunch, politically sophisticated and subversive while comedic, generous and inclusive. Humor sustained their outrage. RCAF agitators reveled in making art spiked with hidden messages, a talent inevitably on display in Villa’s work. Years from now, people will study the Golden 1 piece and learn some old RCAF tricks.
Villa is studiously vague and cagey when describing his work. Always the teacher, he invites interpretation and encourages his audience to see beyond the obvious.
Our cafe artist celebrates the bohemian spirit and captures the swirl of nightlife as everyday citizens enjoy themselves. When I ask him about the themes for the Golden 1 mural, he smiles and deflects the question. He says, “It’s been done for years. We’ve just been waiting for the right place to install it.” His artistry extends beyond murals and cafe sketches. Villa is a singer, guitarist and songwriter, leading a loosely affiliated band of seven or eight musicians. His compositions are generally inspired by his rural childhood around Bakersfield, where he enjoyed traveling bands that played for farm workers. Villa sings about love and money troubles and nights with too many drinks. He carries batches of his latest CD, “Habanero Honey,” in a satchel with his art supplies. He gives copies to anyone who shows an interest. The music is like Villa’s art, a compendium of humanity, trouble, despair, love, hope and inspiration, captured on a postcard, a wall or the side of a building. R.E. Graswich can be reached at reg@graswich.com. n
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Beyond Charity USING ART TO ENRICH LIVES
Laura Ann Walton is the founder of Women’s Wisdom ART.
JL By Jessica Laskey Meet Your Neighbor
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think the process of being involved in creation is the best of the human spirit,” says Laura Ann Walton. “It’s the best thing we do as human beings.” Walton speaks about the human spirit from the perspective of not only being an artist herself—she’s a poet who self-published a book last year entitled “God Is a Lion”—but also as
the founder of Women’s Wisdom ART, a creative organization that offers art classes for women in need, and as a former nun. After graduating from Catholic high school in 1963, the Sacramento native joined the Sisters of Mercy religious order and later taught high school English while working on her master’s degree in creative writing at Sacramento State. Her experience working at Loaves & Fishes set her on her current course. “I was reading so much about providing for the poor, I thought it was much more important than what I was doing, so I gave up my poetry,” Walton says. Walton had a vision to expand Loaves & Fishes and founded the Maryhouse daytime hospitality shelter for women and children in 1986. Walton served as Maryhouse’s first director, overseeing the daily buffet breakfast and social services that linked women—many of them mentally ill—to services like shelter and rehab. Getting to know the
women she served had a profound impact on her. “Most of the women who came in were seen as people who needed help—objects of charity,” Walton explains. “It was difficult to see beyond the need to the person. As I got to know them, I learned that there was a whole lot more to these women besides needing charity.” In 1991, Walton founded The Wisdom Project, an empowerment program that included art classes and other resource-related workshops that met at the Loaves & Fishes dining room each week. Walton soon dropped the social services aspect altogether because she found that the women were most interested in the classes in painting, jewelry making and creative writing. “We discovered that it gave these women a chance to participate in something not as needy people. It gave them a chance to create,” Walton says. “In that process, they developed self-confidence and could see themselves as something other than a reject from society.”
The group was funded at first by Loaves & Fishes and the Sisters of Mercy. But when Walton got wind of a grant offered by the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission for an art show, she applied for and won the grant. “Having an art show in a larger space meant that the people who came to look at and buy the art were able to meet the women as artists instead of as homeless, helpless people,” Walton says. “They were now people in the community instead of victims.” The group—by now called Women’s Wisdom ART—had grown enough that it needed more space to operate, which it found at Sutter Galleria, then at a location in Curtis Park, then at Sacramento Food Bank, where it stayed for 13 years. During this time, Walton decided to leave the sisterhood and took a job with Turning Point Community Programs as a children’s mental health quality assurance manager. In 2012, Walton learned that the Food Bank was going to close the
Women’s Wisdom program. So she stepped back in. Today, Women’s Wisdom ART is based at the Sacramento Poetry Center. Last year marked a huge milestone: For its 25th anniversary, the group received official nonprofit status, proving that faith and friendship can take you far. “These women have developed a very strong support community,” Walton says proudly. “Because it’s strength based (we’re not here to fix anybody), a woman can be a member of the community as long as she wants to be. Some have moved on, done better for themselves, gotten jobs. Some of our mentally ill participants have achieved new levels of stability and connection. In the end, it’s all about the women. They’ve made the program work. The courage of these women to try art and transform themselves in the process calls forth the best, most courageous part of the human being.” For more information, go to womenswisdomart.org. n
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d e l e e H l l We
LOCAL ARTISAN CREATES HANDMADE SHOES FOR GLOBAL CLIENTS
JB By Jeanne Winnick Brennan
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C
armichael native Benjamin Schwartz has a natural eye for style. He always has. It was evident at age 12 when his father took him to a local tailor to purchase his first suit. The haberdasher was so impressed with his young client’s fascination with suit fabrics and styles, he sent him home with a professional trade catalog to encourage further study.
It worked. Now, 20 years later, Schwartz uses the world’s finest wool flannel and cashmere suiting fabrics in his own Sacramento shop, Benjamins, where he creates handcrafted shoes that have attracted an international following. A graduate of Del Campo High School and Sacramento State
University, Schwartz, who now lives in East Sacramento, originally steered his visual talents and innate sense of style into filmmaking and studied at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara. While in college, he interned with the state of California film crew that documents official news and events of the governor and other state officials. “It may sound exciting to be filming in the middle of all the action,” says Schwartz, “but lugging 500 pounds of photo equipment around Sacramento on a hot summer day was a different reality. When I graduated, I opted for a position with the State Treasurer’s Office and worked on affordable housing issues for seven years, which was rewarding but not particularly creative.” In 2015, he left his state job and opened Benjamins in the new Warehouse Artist Lofts on R Street. Schwartz can be found most days in his workshop—the nerve center for his global headquarters and his sole brick-and-mortar store. Orders for his shoes roll in from both his website (Benjamins-shoes.com) and local customers. At WAL, curious passersby can watch him create shoes by hand with beautiful and unusual fabrics. The process is from another era. Even his specialized hand tools—awls, knives and hammers—seem foreign. Schwartz is generous with his time and amiably conversant as he cuts, carves and stitches his custom orders. He fell into the custom shoe business while working in his spare time on a pilot for a TV show about custom-made men’s suits. “I met some shoe company guys and explained my interest in footwear and textiles,” says Schwartz. “They gave me some shoe lasts and said, ‘Here, practice on these.’ So I got my mom’s sewing machine, a used pair of Vans, some scraps of Robert Talbott fine cloth, a master shoemaker’s manual, and I started experimenting.” The television pilot didn’t go forward, but Schwartz did. His shoe experiments brought him full circle from his childhood interest in suits and fabric to trending footwear. It took him more than two years to wade through Australian Tim Skyrme’s “Bespoke Shoemaking: A Comprehensive Guide To Handmade Footwear.” During
that time, he formulated the idea that launched his business. “As I was learning the process, cutting soles, stitching uppers by hand and pattern making, I kept thinking about a classic, comfortable dress slipper on a sneaker sole,” says Schwartz. “With unique fabrics instead of leather, I wanted to create the ultimate in comfort with a welltailored, streetwear style—all in one shoe.” For the uppers, he uses exquisite fabrics Loro Piana cashmere from Milan, fine wool flannel from the legendary Fox Brothers in England and Ralph Lauren’s rugged outdoor polypropylene and upholstery fabric. Schwartz has a steady flow of customers who appreciate his unique shoes. There is a four-month lead time on all orders. Schwartz has grown his team to four people to help meet demand, and their goal is to produce about 40 pairs of shoes a month. Five clocks on their workshop wall— Sacramento, New York, London, Milan
and Tokyo—keep them conscious of their global commitments. They are always on the lookout for new fabrics and technological advancements for increased durability. Another attractive feature of Benjamins footwear is an organic charcoal bamboo lining that kills odorcausing bacteria. All shoes are made to order for men and women in sizes from 5½ to 16, and they range in price from $185 to $350. A linen bag and cedar shoe trees are included with each order. Next on Schwartz’s style horizon: a new hiking boot and an English-cut shop jacket for men and women in unlined wool flannel or natural linen. “I wanted to create a quality, goodlooking, tailored shoe that is versatile, ahead of its time and feels like your favorite slipper,” says Schwartz. “We’ve done that, and now the jacket is a natural progression from our shoes. It’s classic, it’s inspired by traditional British workwear—and, importantly, it’s comfortable.” n
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One Determined Artist
FROM CHILDHOOD, SHE KNEW SHE WANTED TO PAINT
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never entirely know what I’m doing, but that’s a good thing,” says artist Cherie Hacker. This refreshing honesty is pure Hacker, a Chicago native who’s been in Sacramento since 1983 and who specializes in vibrant abstract paintings that express her love of the environment and the energy of the outdoors.
JL By Jessica Laskey Artist Spotlight
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“I’ve made it a point to focus on abstraction for the last few years,” says Hacker, who works out of E Street Gallery and Studios with 11 other visual artists in a building that houses 12 studios and an exhibition space. “It expresses a raw, inner energy part of me. It was the way I wanted to paint early on but didn’t know how to accomplish that well. Now, after many years of painting and experience, I think I do it better. The most expressive part of me is always putting something down with paint.” Hacker has had this raw, inner artistic energy ever since she was a kid, when she would save up her allowance to buy herself art supplies and her first easel. Though she came from a musical family, her strengths
were visual, starting with drawing at the age of 5 and eventually showing her artwork at 19. “I’ve had jobs to keep everything going. I’ve worked at frame shops and learned a lot from different jobs. But
at UC Davis, an internship at the Smithsonian American Art Museum while earning her MFA at Maryland Institute College of Art, and group gallery exhibitions and solo shows all over the country, including one at
"NO MATTER WHAT I DID, NOTHING WAS GOING TO STOP ME FROM MAKING ART."
no matter what I did, nothing was going to stop me from making art,” Hacker says. “Period.” She has an impressive resume that includes studies with Wayne Thiebaud and Roy De Forest when she was an undergraduate
Ardgillan Castle outside of Dublin, Ireland. “I spent two months in Ireland last summer with my boyfriend, Jeffrey DeVore, who’s also an artist,” Hacker says. “We love to do projects together. We actually met when we
HACKER HAS A KNACK FOR BECOMING PART OF THE COMMUNITY FABRIC WHEREVER SHE LIVES.
were both featured in a show at the Sacramento Temporary Contemporary on Del Paso Boulevard. We saw that different castles were having art shows. We approached Ardgillan Castle, which is 20 minutes north of Dublin on the Irish Sea, and even though we weren’t from there, we were given a show. The small villages are very supportive of community art.” Hacker has a knack for becoming part of the community fabric wherever she lives. Upon returning to Sacramento after grad school in Maryland, she founded Asylum Gallery with fellow artist Ann Tracy at the R25 Arts Complex at 25th and R streets. She served as Asylum’s gallery director for four years, and while she loved sharing space with the Sacramento Poetry Center, California Stage and Alliance Française, she says she longed “to have dialogue with visual artists.” So when a spot opened up at E Street Gallery and Studios, Hacker leapt at the chance. “We meet once a year to pick which month we want to have something in the exhibition space,” Hacker says. “I’ve worked on student shows, I’ve curated shows and I’ve had my own shows there. We’re very fortunate to have the space available to us.”
While Hacker loves her indoor studio, her love of the outdoors has kept her working on more environmental projects as well. “The environment is very important to me,” Hacker says. “It’s part of where my heart is. The imagery in my abstract paintings often comes from nature—organic versus geometric shapes. I’ve internalized all my experience working out-of-doors, and it’s saturated and entered into my work.” One example of Hacker’s enduring love for the outdoors is her ongoing Lamp and Endtable Environmental Art Project, which she started in 2003 after hearing a report on National Public Radio that sparked her imagination. “I was listening to a scientist talking about his 20-year research project and I thought, ‘I need something like that,’” she recalls. “So I’ve used photography, printmaking, painting and sculpture to document the same two objects all this time, and I plan on continuing until I physically can’t do it anymore.” For more information about Cherie Hacker, go to hackerartpub.com. Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. n
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Ticket to the MLS SACRAMENTO AIMS TO PROVE ITS WORTHINESS TO SOCCER LEAGUE
Future location of Sacramento Republic's new field.
L
ike a bright and eager high school senior sending her application package to Stanford or the University of California, Sacramento Republic Football Club is facing a moment of truth. The soccer team began the new year by delivering its formal bid for membership in Major League Soccer. The MLS doesn’t care about inspirational essays, grade point averages and standardized test scores. The league wants to know about money. How will you finance your
RG By R.E. Graswich Sports Authority
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new stadium? How many founding corporate sponsorships and suites can you sell? What’s your premium season ticket benchmark? How much are your naming rights worth? Those are the real questions. The Republic insists it has the right answers. Assuming the team is correct, Sacramento should be guaranteed one of two 2017 expansion slots in the booming MLS. Acceptance letters are due this summer. “For over two years, Sacramento has methodically built our case as an MLS-caliber city,” says Kevin Nagle, Republic managing partner. Once membership is approved (and after the Republic pays the MLS a $150 million entry fee), work can begin on a 20,000-seat soccer pitch in the northeast corner of the downtown railyards, just off Richards Boulevard.
The $226 million stadium will be finished in time for the 2020 MLS season, which runs March to October and places the Republic directly in competition with the River Cats baseball club. The Republic has done the heavy lifting, building a textbook marketing program, engaging fans and setting attendance records while dwelling in the minor leagues of U.S. professional soccer. The team produced a compelling argument for MLS entry. But the real heroes are Sacramento sports fans. When a team applies for league membership, it’s the community that’s put on trial. Sacramento soccer fans may take the community’s worthiness as a pro sports market for granted, but the MLS makes no such assumptions. When a pro league looks at
Sacramento, it sees lots to like, but also potential problems. Two major categories for concern were identified early by the Republic. In a 2015 market analysis, the Republic listed “premium seating” and “corporate base” as “potential challenges” that could harm Sacramento’s chances for financial success in the MLS. Those two troublesome areas have long been questioned by sports promoters interested in Sacramento. In 2010, Major League Baseball sent a reconnaissance mission to explore the feasibility of a baseball stadium in the railyards. No specific team was highlighted, but the candidate was the Oakland A’s, which is still looking for a new home in Oakland. At the time, the A’s hoped to jump to San Jose—territory that A’s ownership had years earlier
given to the San Francisco Giants. Major League Baseball wanted an alternative site near the Bay Area. MLB crossed Sacramento off the list when the scouting party decided the capital market lacked the corporate heft to support premium seat sales and founding partnerships. And there was zero evidence Sacramento taxpayers would help pay for a $1 billion ballpark. Around that time, the NBA was in a panic over the financial viability of the Kings. The Maloof family still owned the team. The Maloofs had done their best to drive away even the most loyal corporate partners— not merely by throwing an awful product on the basketball court, but by laying off staff and eliminating little perks enjoyed and expected by corporate partners. Essentially, the Kings insulted and ignored their best customers. NBA headquarters sent a rescue squad of sales and marketing experts to salvage the wreckage, led by current Kings president Chris Granger. Ultimately, an ownership change saved the day, but it was a close call. The MLS may not know the dirty details of Sacramento’s flirtations and romances with big-league baseball and basketball, but the soccer
executives are highly experienced at judging midlevel markets. That’s why the Republic addressed the questions of corporate base and premium seating. The team outlined strategies to secure long-term commitments to suites, premium seats, naming rights, sponsorships and partnerships. “We’ve proven the strength of our market,” Nagle says. The Republic has demonstrated an ability to pack Hughes Stadium and the temporary bleachers at Bonney Field. But the MLS won’t care about the sheer number of warm bodies at the pitch, especially if fans walked in with discount tickets. Premium season tickets, sponsorships and suite sales are the name of the game. That’s where the Sacramento market must prove itself. Nagle and his crew understand what the MLS wants to see in gilded economic terms. If the Republic demonstrates long-term, top-dollar commitments from the region’s corporate leaders, Sacramento will tower above the pack of discountdriven cities seeking a ticket into the MLS. R.E. Graswich can be reached at reg@graswich.com. n
WHEN A TEAM APPLIES FOR LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP, IT’S THE COMMUNITY THAT’S PUT ON TRIAL.
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Art Preview
GALLERY ART SHOWS IN FEBRUARY
JAYJAY presents “What JAYJAY Loves” Feb. 14 to March 25. Valentine’s Day reception 5 to 7 p.m. Shown above: “Before We Count Up What This Will Cost,” mixed media on paper by S.R. Jones. 5520 Elvas Ave.; jayjayart.com
Tim Collom Gallery shows works by painter Miles Hermann in February. Shown above: “City Rain,” oil by Hermann. 915 20th St.; timcollomgallery.com
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The KVIE Gallery features the work of Bob Miller through March 17 in a show called “Bob Miller: Local Impressions.” Shown above: “Golden Fields,” oil by Miller. The KVIE Gallery; 2030 West El Camino Ave.; kvie.org
Sparrow Gallery presents “Heat 2017” through Feb. 27. This regional show features works done in encaustic (hot wax layers with pigments burned in). Shown above: “Field of Vision,” encaustic by Barbara Nilsson. 2418 K St.; sparrowgallerysacramento.com
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DOWNTOWN Cafeteria 15L 116 15th Street 551-1559 L D $$ Classic American lunch counter with a millennial vibe • cafeteria15l.com
DeVere’s Pub 1521 L Street L D Full Bar $$ Family-run authentic Irish pub with a classic menu to match • deverespub.com
Downtown & Vine 1200 K Street #8 228-4518 Educational tasting experience of wines by the taste, flight or glass • downtownandvine.com
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Rio City Cafe 1110 Front Street 442-8226 L D Wine/Beer $$ Bistro favorites with a distinctively Sacramento feeling in a riverfront setting • riocitycafe.com
1112 Second St. 442-4772
2801 Capitol Ave. 455-2422 L D $$$ Full Bar Upscale Northern Italian cuisine
L D $$$ Full Bar Global and California cuisine in an upscale historic Old Sac setting • Firehouseoldsac.com
Café Bernardo
1022 Second St. 441-2211 L D Wine/Beer $$ American bistro favorites with a modern twist in a casual, Old Sac setting • ten22oldsac.com
L D $$$ Full Bar Modern American cuisine served family-style in a chic, upscale space Elladiningroomandbar.com
L D $ Great burgers and more. • williesburgers.com
R STREET Café Bernardo
L D $$-$$$ Full Bar Upscale American fare served in an elegant setting • Paragarys.com
1431 R St. 930-9191 B L D $-$$ Wine/Beer Casual California cuisine with counter service
Firestone Public House
Frank Fat’s 806 L St. 442-7092 L D Full Bar $$-$$$ Chinese favorites in an elegant setting • Fatsrestaurants.com
Ma Jong’s
Grange
Fish Face Poke Bar 1104 R Street Suite 100 L D $$ Humble Hawaiian poke breaks free • fishfacepokebar.com
Hock Farm Craft & Provision
1116 15th Street L D $-$$ Full Bar Gastro-pub cuisine in a stylish industrial setting • ironhorsetavern.net
Old Soul & Pullman Bar 12th & R Streets B L D $ Full-service cafe with artisan coffee roasts, bakery goods and sandwiches • oldsoulco.com
Magpie Cafe
L D $-$$ Wine/Beer Wood-fired pizzas in an inventive urban alley setting • federalistpublichouse.com
Making M kiki memories i bbeautiful if l since i 19 11946 4466
rellesflorist.com 2400 J St. 441-1478
Hot Italian Tapa The World
L D Full Bar $$ Authentic hand-crafted pizzas with inventive ingredients, Gelato• hotitalian.net
2115 J St. 442-4353 L D $-$$ Wine/Beer/Sangria Spanish/world cuisine in a casual authentic atmosphere, live flamenco music - tapathewworld.com
Mulvaney’s Building & Loan
Thai Basil Café
L D Full Bar $$$ Modern American cuisine in an upscale historic setting
2431 J St. 442-7690 L D $-$$ Wine/Beer Patio Housemade curries among their authentic Thai specialties Thaibasilrestaurant.com
Red Rabbit L D $$ Full Bar All things local contribute to a
The Waterboy
sophisticated urban menu • theredrabbit.net
2000 Capitol Ave. 498-9891 L D $$-$$$ Full Bar Patio Fine South of France and northern Italian cuisine in a chic neighborhood setting • waterboyrestaurant.com
Paragary’s Bar & Oven 1401 28th St. 457-5737
Revolution Wines
OAK PARK La Venadita
2831 S Street
L D $ Bakery treats and seasonal specialities • hellonido.com
1409 R Street Suite 102
2005 11th Street 382-9722
D $$-$$$ Full Bar American cuisine served in a casual historic Old Sac location • Fatsrestaurants.com
Relles Florist & Gifts
2009 N Street
L D $$-$$$ Wine/Beer Seasonal menu using the best local ingredients • magpiecafe.com
South
1001 Front St. 446-6768
Federalist Public House
L D $$ Full Bar Fabulous Outdoor Patio, California cuisine with a French touch • Paragarys.com
Nido Bakery
Fat City Bar & Cafe
Spoil your valentine!
1601 16th Street
L D $$-$$ Full Bar Celebration of the region’s rich history and bountiful terrain • Paragarys.com
OLD SAC
L D $$ Full Bar Patio Regional Mexican cooking served in a casual atmosphere • Paragarys.com
2718 J Street
1415 L St. 440-8888
L D $-$$ Beer/Wine Timeless traditional Southern cuisine, counter service • weheartfriedchicken.com
2730 J St. 442-2552
1215 19th St. 441-6022
Iron Horse Tavern
926 J Street • 492-4450 B L D Full Bar $$$ Simple, seasonal, soulful • grangerestaurant.com
Centro Cocina Mexicana
1627 16th Street 444-3000
1431 L Street L D $-$$ Beer/Wine Cuisine from Japan, Thailand, China ad Vietnam. • majongs.com
B L D $-$$ Wine/Beer Casual California cuisine with counter service
110 K Street
1213 K St. 448-8900
L D $$ Full Bar Sports bar with a classical american menu• firestonepublichouse.com
served a la carte • Biba-restaurant.com
2726 Capitol Ave. 443-1180
Ten 22
1131 K St. 443-3772
1132 16th Street
MIDTOWN Biba Ristorante
The Firehouse Restaurant
Willie’s Burgers
Esquire Grill
L D $$-$$$ Full Bar Patio Regional Mexican cuisine served in an authentic artistic setting • zocolosacramento.com
Shoki Ramen House 1201 R Street L D $$ Japanese fine dining using the best local ingredients • sshokiramenhouse.com
L D $-$$ Beer/Wine Urban winery and tasting room with a creative menu using local sources • rwwinery. com
Skool 2315 K Street
3501 Thurd Ave. 4000-4676 L D $$ Full Bar Authentic Mexican cuisine with simple tasty menu in a colorful historic setting • lavenaditasac.com
Oak Park Brewing Company
D $$ Inventive Japansese-inspired seafood dishes • skoolonkstreet.com
3514 Broadway
Suzie Burger
Vibe Health Bar
29th and P. Sts. 455-3300 L D $ Classic burgers, cheesesteaks, shakes, chili dogs, and other tasty treats • suzieburger.com
L D $$ Full Bar Award-winning beers and a creative pub-style menu in an historic setting • opbrewco.com
3515 Broadway B L D $-$$ Clean, lean & healthy snacks. Acai bowls are speciality. Kombucha on tap • vibehealthbar.com n
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49
This Month @ the Market
A LOOK AT WHAT’S IN SEASON AT LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS IN FEBRUARY
BROCCOLI
CABBAGE
MEYER LEMON
This healthful cruciferous vegetable is available much of the year, from September through June. It’s a member of the cabbage family. To eat: Steam or roast at high heat in the oven with olive oil and salt.
This leafy green-, purple or white-colored plant is low in calories and can be pickled, fermented, steamed, stewed, braised or eaten raw. To eat: For a fresh slaw, slice thinly and toss with poppy seed dressing.
This citrus fruit is yellower and rounder than a regular lemon, and its flavor is much sweeter. To eat: Use the juice to make a sweet curd or a nicely flavored vinaigrette.
RADISH
SWEET POTATO
These are grown locally year-round, but they are particularly crisp, juicy and mild in flavor when grown in cool weather. They come in multiple varieties, including daikon, watermelon and white icicle. To eat: Serve with butter and salt for a French-inspired hors d’oeuvre.
This large, starchy, sweet-tasting root vegetable is a great source of beta-carotene. To eat: Roast the flesh and use instead of pumpkin for a delicious Southern pie.
BLOOD ORANGE
This lovely orange has beautiful crimson flesh and a pitted skin. It makes a spectacular juice for drinking plain or adding to cocktails. To eat: Segment and use in a salad.
50
THE GRID FEB n 17
Fabulous COUTURE for you
#PANACHE & vintage for your home Voted Best Vintage Couture by Sacramento Magazine
• CEREC one-visit crowns • Implant dentistry • Invisalign • General and cosmetic dentistry • Eco-friendly practice • Children and adults welcome • Sedation available
Dr. Paul Phillips & Dr. Barry Dunn Serving East Sacramento since 1991 1273 32 Street 452-7874
5379 H Street #B • 813-5758 • instagram/panache_on_hst
Expect MORE from your Realtor Character. Competence. Commitment. Community.
“We absolutely loved working with Steffan. We consider ourselves decently knowledgeable since this was the fourth home we have purchased, but Steffan blew us away with his depth of knowledge, customer service, overall helpful insight & advice. We will be recommending Steffan to everyone we know in Sacramento and have no doubts they will have the same experience.” -Mikey and Jessica Steffan Brown ł 717-7217 ł SteffanBrown.com
CaBRE #01882787
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
51
Coldwell Banker
#1 IN CALIFORNIA
ADORABLE ELMHURST COTTAGE! Located off the T Street parkway near UCD Med Center. This 2BD/2BA, open flrpln & low maint. bckyrd w/patio & 1 car garage. $379,000 WENDY KAY 717-1013 CaBRE#: 01335180
COLONIAL HEIGHTS REMODEL! 3 bed, 2 ba, open floor plan, granite counters, updated plumbing, electrical, & more. Walk to Public House Theater! PALOMA BEGIN 628-8561 CaBRE#: 01254423
L STREET LOFTS PENTHOUSE CORNER PENTHOUSE, most prestigious in city, 3600sf, 3+bds/3ba, sauna, deck. Doorman. 4 car prking. $3,000,000 MICHAEL ONSTEAD 916-601-5699 CaBRE#: 01222608
BRAND NEW EAST SACRAMENTO! This one of a kind Custom Blt hm has it all. 3BD/2.5BA, open flr plan. Fully loaded one of a kind Chef's Kitchen & Master Ste. $775,000 TOM LEONARD 834-1681 CaBRE#: 01714895
WONDERFUL SIERRA OAKS HOME! Close to Sacramento’s finest schools, shopping, dining & American River Parkway. 3-4BD/2.5BA, open flrpln w/pool & spa. $599,000 TOM LEONARD 834-1681 CaBRE#: 01714895
LITTLE POCKET! Cozy & clean home on 1/3 acre lot. 3bd, dual pane windows, hardwood floors and extra lrg garge. Easy commute to Dwntwn. $430,000 CATHY SCHAROSCH 801-9613 CaBRE#: 00586371
ARCHITECTURAL ELEGANCE! Gracious rms, chef's kitch, 5bd/3ba, finished 900+ sqft bsemnt, & 3+ car garage. On almost 1/4 ac. $1,459,000 THE WOOLFORD GROUP 834-6900 CaBRE#: 00680069, 01778361, 00679593
STATELY GOLDMANOR! Unique hm w/open-feel liv rm/ entertaining space & galley-style kitch. 5bd/3.5ba. Finished bsmnt w/1000sf bonus rm. $1,050,000 POLLY SANDERS & ELISE BROWN 715-0213 CaBRE#: 01158787, 01781942
BAJA CURTIS PARK! Remodeled 2 bed cottage w/ wood flrs, dual pane, quartz counters, tiled bath, big yard & 2 car garage. PALOMA BEGIN 628-8561 CaBRE#: 01254423
BEAUTIFUL EAST SAC TUDOR! 3bed, 2bath, updated kitchen and baths, hardwood floors and 2 car garage. MIKE OWNBEY 616-1607 CaBRE#: 01146313
L STREET LOFTS West Penthouse: City skyline view, 18’ ceilings, Gourmet kitchen, fireplace, loft bdrm, 2BA, soaking tub & deck. $994,000 MICHAEL ONSTEAD 601-5699 CaBRE#: 01222608
CLASSIC HIGH-WATER BUNGALOW! 3BD/2BA w/inviting front porch, high ceilings, blt-in hutch & master bdrm. Bay windows, indoor lndry rm, & a full walk-in bsemnt. $435,000 CHRISTINA HINDS 341-7806 CaBRE#: 01902832
SACRAMENTO METRO OFFICE 730 Alhambra Boulevard #150 • 916.447.5900
ColdwellBankerHomes.com
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©2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License #01908304.