JANUARY 18
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 Miles Hermann
THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE, PLACES & CULTURE IN AMERICA'S FARM-TO-FORK CAPITAL
“I believe that no one can sell a home because people don’t buy homes – they invest in dreams.”
- Tim Collom
CABRE#01304855
No matter what brings you joy, we will help by getting you and your family into the perfect home. From Midtown to East Sac to Arden Park, we know Sacramento better than any other group.
2425 Fair Oaks Blvd #1 / Sacramento, CA 95825 / 916.247.8048 / WWW.TIMCOLLOM.COM
2
THE GRID JAN n 18
The best things in life never miss a beat. Learn hands-only CPR and more at our heart health event. All life’s gifts depend on the beating of your heart. But each year, over 350,000 people have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, often at home where loved ones have a chance to provide aid. So this February—American Heart Month—come learn how two simple steps can turn your hands into lifesavers. At our uplifting heart health event, you will: t &OKPZ IFBMUIZ BOE EFMJDJPVT GPPE t 4FF B EFNPOTUSBUJPO BOE QSBDUJDF IBOET POMZ $13 DIFTU DPNQSFTTJPOT t )FBS GSPN EPDUPST BOE DBSEJBD FYQFSUT BCPVU IPX UP LFFQ ZPV BOE ZPVS MPWFE ones heart healthy Join us and find life-saving inspiration. To register or learn more, visit DignityHealth.org/HeartShaped.
Saturday, February 3 9 to 11 a.m. Sacramento Hilton 2200 Harvard Street Sacramento Thursday, February 8 6 to 8 p.m. &M .BDFSP $PVOUSZ $MVC 44571 Clubhouse Drive Davis
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
3
INSIDE THE GRID @insidepublications
JANUARY 18
VOL. 2 • ISSUE 8
3104 O St. #120, Sac. CA 95816 (Mail Only)
info@insidepublications.com Marybeth Bizjak mbbizjak@aol.com M.J. McFarland Cindy Fuller Linda Smolek, Aniko Kiezel Michele Mazzera, Julie Foster ads@insidepublications.com Sue Pane sue@insidepublications.com Daniel Nardinelli, Lauren Hastings 916-443-5087
EDITOR PRODUCTION DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHY AD COORDINATION DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNTING EDITORIAL POLICY
Commentary reflects the views of the writers and does not necessarily reflect those of Inside Publications. Inside Publications is delivered for free to more than 75,000 households in Sacramento. Printing and distribution costs are paid entirely by advertising revenue. We spotlight selected advertisers, but all other stories are determined solely by our editorial staff and are not influenced by advertising. No portion may be reproduced mechanically or electronically without written permission of the publisher. All ad designs & editorial—©
Submit editorial contributions to mbbizjak@aol.com Submit cover art to publisher@insidepublications.com
SUBMISSIONS SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscriptions at $25 per year guarantees 3rd class mailing. Pay online at insidepublications.com or send check with name & address of recipient and specify publication edition.
Cecily Hastings
PUBLISHER
Miles Hermann is a Sacramento painter who has won numerous awards and is widely collected. This work is part of a show at the KVIE Art Gallery through Feb. 2. Visit mileshermann.com
GRID COVER ARTIST Miles Hermann
VISIT INSIDEPUBLICATIONS.COM Ad deadline is the 10th of the month previous. CONTACT OUR ADVERTISING REPS:
NEW ACCOUNTS:
INSIDE
EAST SACRAMENTO McKINLEY PARK RIVER PARK ELMHURST TAHOE PARK CAMPUS COMMONS
JAN 2018
Sally Giancanelli 916.335.6503 direct SG@insidepublications.com
Melea Martinez 916.505.3050 direct MLM@insidepublications.com
Duffy Kelly 916.224.1604 direct DK@insidepublications.com
Nick Mazur 916.716.8711 direct NM@insidepublications.com
INSIDE
ARDEN ARCADE SIERRA OAKS WILHAGGIN DEL PASO MANOR CARMICHAEL
JAN 2018
INSIDE
LAND PARK CURTIS PARK SOUTH LAND PARK HOLLYWOOD PARK
JAN 2018
INSIDE
@insidepublications
POCKET GREENHAVEN SOUTH POCKET LITTLE POCKET
JAN 2018
JANUARY 18
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
PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit # 1826 Sacramento CA
POSTAL CUSTOMER ***ECRWSSEDDM***
I N T O
I N S I D E
T H E
N E I G H B O R H O O D
THE GRID JAN n 18
G E T
P U B L I C A T I O N S . C O M
3 1 0 4
O
S T R E E T
S A C R A M E N T O
C A
9 5 8 1 6
POSTAL CUSTOMER
9 5 8 1 6
***ECRWSSEDDM***
C A
I N T O
I N S I D E
PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit # 1826 Sacramento CA
S A C R A M E N T O
T H E
N E I G H B O R H O O D
G E T
P U B L I C A T I O N S . C O M
3 1 0 4
O
S T R E E T
S A C R A M E N T O
C A
9 5 8 1 6
***ECRWSSEDDM***
S T R E E T
POSTAL CUSTOMER
O
I N T O
I N S I D E
PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit # 1826 Sacramento CA
PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit # 1826 Sacramento CA
4
3 1 0 4
T H E
N E I G H B O R H O O D
G E T
P U B L I C A T I O N S . C O M
3 1 0 4
O
S T R E E T
S A C R A M E N T O
C A
9 5 8 1 6
By Miles Herman
POSTAL CUSTOMER
G E T
P U B L I C A T I O N S . C O M
***ECRWSSEDDM***
I N S I D E
I N T O
T H E
N E I G H B O R H O O D
THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE, PLACES & CULTURE IN AMERICA'S FARM-TO-FORK CAPITAL
www.mansoursruggallery.com Personal Consultation in Your Home
SACRAMENTO 2550 Fair Oaks Boulevard – (916) 486-1221 ROSEVILLE 1113 Galleria Boulevard – (916) 780-1080
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
5
HHAPPY APPY NEW NEW YYEAR! EAR! TTHE HE CCREATIVE REATIVE LLANDSCAPE ANDSCAPE IISS M MAKING AKING A CCOMEBACK, OMEBACK, TTHE HE M ARKET IISS SSTRONG TRONG AAND ND M IDTOWN AAND ND IITS TS SSURROUNDING URROUNDING AAREAS REAS AARE RE MARKET MIDTOWN THRIVING! THRIVING! LET LET ME ME HELP HELP YOU YOU BE BE PART PART OF OF THIS THIS INCREDIBLE INCREDIBLE RESURGENCE! RESURGENCE! I am motivated by your best interests! Highly desirable 2007 built large Gold River town home located just steps to Gold River Racquet Club, restaurants and shopping.
Unrivaled industry knowledge
JUST SOLD
20+ years experience Full time top-performing Realtor
Amazing investment opportunity to purchase this mild fixer in fantastic school district.
Priced for immediate sale! End of year investment or the perfect home. New carpet, new flooring and fresh paint. PAST MASTERS CLUB PRESIDENT
PENDING CalBRE#01221064
TedRussert.com 6
THE GRID JAN n 18
916.448.5119
Ted@TedRussert.com
JANUARY 18 EVERY DAY IS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE THIS CITY A LITTLE BETTER
8 12 14
TO DO
PUBLISHER'S DESK
LIFE ON THE GRID
18 20 22
RESTAURANT INSIDER
BUILDING OUR FUTURE
GIVING BACK
24
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
26
PETS AND THEIR PEOPLE
28
HOME INSIGHT
34
INSIDE CITY HALL
38
CITY BEAT
40
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR
42
BEER BOOSTER
44
FOOD FOR ALL
Photo courtesy of Aniko Kiezel
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
7
TO DO THIS MONTH'S CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS
“Drag Dinner: A Night of Drag and Comedy” LoLGBT Sunday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m. Punch Line Sacramento, 2100 Arden Way • punchlinesac.com Get ready for some outrageous laughs as LoLGBT presents a night of comedy and drag hosted by local drag comedian Suzette Veneti. Local comics John Ross and Jason Bargert will share the stage with East Bay comedian Chelsea Bearce and celebrated drag queens Apple Adams, Mercury Rising, Mae Heffiman and more. Come in drag for a chance to win a prize, enjoy a themed menu and stay afterward for priceless photo-ops.
Mercury Rising willl perform at Punch Line on Jan. 28.
8
THE GRID JAN n 18
jL By Jessica Laskey
“E. Charlton Fortune: The Colorful Spirit” Crocker Art Museum Jan. 28–April 22 216 O St. • crockerart.org This new exhibition features plein-air landscapes from California artist E. Charlton Fortune (1885–1969), who came of age during a time when women began to redefine their roles in society.
“Little Stones” National Council of Jewish Women Sacramento Sunday, Jan. 7, 1 p.m. Kashenberg Ostrow Hayward Library and Cultural Center 2300 Sierra Blvd. • ncjwsac.org The award-winning documentary film “Little Stones”— directed and produced by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Sophia Kruz—follows Brazilian graffiti artist Panmela Castro, Senegalese rap singer Sister Fa, Indian dance therapist Sohini Chakraborty and fashion designer Anna Taylor as they use their art to combat violence against women.
Author Mark Noce will be at The Avid Reader this month.
Author Mark Noce in Conversation The Avid Reader Saturday, Jan. 13, 5 p.m. 1945 Broadway • avidreaderonbroadway.com The author of historical fiction novel “Between Two Fires” returns to Sacramento to discuss his recently released sequel, “Dark Winds Rising.”
Don't miss award-winning “The Nether” at the Capital Stage.
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
9
The documentary "Little Stones" will play at the Kashenberg Ostrow Hayward Library and Cultural Center. Photo courtesy of Sophia Kru.
VAPA Gala
Classical Concert: TriMusica
C.K. McClatchy High School Saturday, Jan. 20, 6 p.m.
Crocker Art Museum Sunday, Jan. 14, 3 p.m.
3066 Freeport Blvd. • ckmvapa.org Celebrate the opening of C.K. McClatchy High School’s new 800-seat, state-of-the-art theater and Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) wing at this black-tie event featuring food and drink (no alcohol), performances, art shows, a silent auction and commemorative swag.
216 O St. • crockerart.org Clarinetist Sandra McPherson, cellist Susan Lamb Cook and pianist John Cozza will perform classical music from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, featuring works by Mozart, Brahms and Russian-born Swiss composer Paul Juon.
James Baker on Autosomal DNA Genealogical Association of Sacramento Wednesday, Jan. 17, 12:15 p.m. Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive • gensac.org The GAS monthly meeting will feature speaker James Baker, who will explain autosomal DNA. It is, as he describes it, “so good, you can hardly believe it.” The meeting is free and open to the public.
10
THE GRID JAN n 18
“The Nether” Capital Stage Jan. 24–Feb. 25 2215 J St. • capstage.org This award-winning new play by American playwright Jennifer Haley is a sci-fi crime drama set in the near future.
Harpsichordist and organist Nancy Metzger will perform at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Organ & Harpsichord Recital St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Sunday, Jan. 28, 2 p.m. 1430 J St. • stpaulssacramento.org Listen in as Nancy Metzger, St. Paul’s music director, plays a handmade copy of a historic Flemish instrument. The pipe organ at St. Paul’s is one of the oldest on the West Coast. A donation of $10 is suggested. Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. n
Bring the kids and enjoy FREE admission with coupon below! Present this coupon to buy one, get one of equal or lesser value free! Coupon subject to use at equal or lesser value of purchase price. Not redeemable for cash. VALID THROUGH 12/31/18
3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento // 916-808-5888 // saczoo.org
California artist E. Charlton Fortune will be on exhibit at Crocker Art Museum.
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
11
Lifelong Learning SAC STATE’S RENAISSANCE SOCIETY PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY
John Walker, Doris Keller and Bob Taylor
12
THE GRID JAN n 18
THIRTY-TWO YEARS AGO, A HANDFUL OF SENIORS APPROACHED SAC STATE’S THENPRESIDENT, DON GERTH, ABOUT CREATING AN ORGANIZATION TO KEEP RETIRED FOLKS LEARNING AND GROWING.
O
ur entire society benefits when older adults stay engaged and fulfilled. And with the baby-boom generation pumping an increasing number of folks into retirement, keeping their lives vital and meaningful presents a real challenge. “When people first retire, most often they want to travel and spend time with family and grandchildren,” says Bob Taylor, an 81-year-old East Sac resident who has been active in the Renaissance Society at Sacramento State University for 15 years. “But over time, folks usually discover that these activities alone aren’t enough to keep their minds engaged.” Thirty-two years ago, a handful of seniors approached Sac State’s thenpresident, Don Gerth, about creating an organization to keep retired folks learning and growing. “He was well aware that there was a growing thirst for meaningful existence in retirement,” said Doris Keller, the group’s current president. The organization was based upon an annual membership model. It has developed tremendously over the three decades. It started with a dozen
CH By Cecily Hastings Publisher’s Desk
members in 1986 and grew to more than 2,100 this year. The program has two basic aspects. The first is Friday seminars that run on the traditional 12-week fall- and spring-semester schedules. The other provides partnerships with some university departments and programs, which includes volunteering opportunities for members. Each member pays dues of $80 annually, along with $20 for a parking pass. Each semester, members select from dozens of seminar options. The subject matter is diverse, including history, reading, sports, travel, crafts, music, current events and more. The Friday schedule includes a morning session, lunch on campus and an afternoon seminar. Later in the afternoon, the classes convene in a forum setting to hear from a guest speaker. Seminars range from as few as 12 students to more than 50. A few classes are offered on Saturdays, and there are single-session symposiums held off-campus in residential and community centers. “Classes are held in unused classrooms on campus, and most take advantage of the school’s ‘smart’ classrooms, utilizing the latest in audiovisual technology,” says Keller. Most seminar leaders are volunteers from within the organization. “We have members who have an interest in a subject, do their research and then present a course syllabus to the group’s seminar
committee for approval,” Keller says. “Once a year, we have a leadership course for our members to learn how to put together and present a seminar.” “We were also the first learning-inretirement program to adopt the Bill Gates-inspired Big History education project,” says Taylor. Over the past two years, 800 members have taken the Big History course, which explores the nearly 14 billion years of human evolution. “Our primary goal has been to provide a lively educational environment for our members,” says John Walker, the group’s former president. “But our commitment to Sac State is also to offer support and expand the number of partnerships we’ve established with the university’s education units.” “Each year, several thousand volunteer hours are provided to the university by the group’s members,” says Taylor. In the past year, 123 members provided nearly 900 volunteer hours of service to the Department of Gerontology. Volunteers helped students in their elder mentor, assessment, chronic disease and physical therapy evaluation programs. Classical-music seminar participants also help provide support to the university’s School of Music. Over the past nine years, members have contributed more than $10,000 in scholarships to university music programs.
“We also provided 184 usher volunteer hours for six university theater and dance department productions,” Keller says. “Over the past two years, our members have supplied more than 700 hours of volunteer time to these programs.” “In the past year, we also expanded our priority scholarship program to outstanding Sac State students,” says Taylor. “Since 1993, our organization has provided $143,000 to 76 deserving students, including six new $3,000 scholarships awarded last May.” Taylor says members of the Renaissance Society used to consider themselves “guests” on the campus. “But recently, Sac State president Robert Nelsen told us we are no longer guests. Instead, we have proven to be a vital and active part of campus life. “The desire to keep learning is key for our members,” Taylor continues. “We want to find out what is happening both here and around the world. People are thirsty to find a meaningful existence in retirement, and we have found a great way to help them find it.” To join the Renaissance Society, go to csus.edu/org/rensoc, email rensoc@ csus.edu or call (916) 278-7834. An orientation session for the spring semester will be held Friday, Jan. 26, at 9 a.m. Seminar listings are available on the website. Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. n
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
13
every school family contributes to the Annual Fund. “If we reach 100-percent parent participation in the Annual Fund, I’m scheduling a snow day on Feb. 16, complete with pajamas, a schoolwide pancake breakfast, snow cones and an early dismissal to get a jump on the midwinter break,” says Lee Thomsen, the head of school. The school’s annual fundraising campaign ends on Jan. 23. For more information, go to saccds. org.
New Skool JJAPANESE A PA N E S E RESTAURANT RE S TAURA N T IN IN MIDTOWN MI DTOWN REBRANDS RE B RA ND N DS ITSELF ITSELF
JL By Jessica Laskey Life on the Grid
A
s Skool Restaurant in Midtown approached its twoyear anniversary, its owners decided it was time for a
change. Rebranded in December as Skool Japanese Gastropub, the popular eatery features a new kitschy, colorful interior and an updated menu. “The menu is clearly Japanese now—no fusion confusion,” says coowner Andy Mirabell. The restaurant also features an expanded cocktail menu with trendy chuhi cocktails, made with fruity soda water and shochu, a spirit similar to vodka. Skool has also bulked up its sake program. “Overall, we want a casual dining spot for locals and visitors where they can eat amazing, affordable, sharable Japanese dishes and have great drinks to match,” says Mirabell. “Our goal was to create the best version of Skool we can for Sacramento.” Skool serves Sacramento’s only Japanese-inspired weekend brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Happy hour is all night Tuesdays from 3 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday through Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. Dinner is served nightly from 5 p.m.
14
THE GRID JAN n 18
Skool is at 2319 K St. For more information, go to skoolonkstreet. com.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY You can touch the art at Crocker Art Museum’s new kid-friendly Art Spot installation, “Wingding,” open through March 4. The Crocker’s Art Spot program features immersive installations designed for children 5 and younger and their caregivers. Each Art Spot is created by a different artist or team of artists, who spend up to a year participating in the Crocker’s earlychildhood program. On Nov. 6, local artist and teacher Sonja White took up residence in the Crocker’s Weborg Gallery to construct “Wingding” in time for its public opening on Nov. 19. The installation is composed of hundreds of wooden shapes—ranging from 1 foot to 8 feet across—that children can build, stack and spin to create their own 3-D patterns on the walls. White even placed mirrors on the ceiling to let kids experience their art from another angle.
“Children have many different types of learning styles,” White explains. “Some are true creators, some are builders and some are kinetic learners who need to move through something to understand it. While ‘Wingding’ is designed to appeal to individual types of learners, it also brings them together as they communicate using the universal language of geometry.” Crocker Art Museum is at 216 O St. For more information, go to crockerart.org.
LET IT SNOW
PETAL IT FORWARD On Oct. 11, Relles Florist filled Sacramento streets with thousands of flowers as part of Petal It Forward, a program designed to boost happiness with the sharing of blooms. In partnership with the Society of American Florists, Relles Florist gave away more than 5,000 stems of flowers (approximately 1,500 bouquets) to 750 people. Each person received two bouquets: one to keep and one to “petal it forward” by giving it to a stranger, co-worker, neighbor or friend. Why the shower of flowers? According to a survey conducted by the Society of American Florists, 88 percent of Americans report that giving flowers makes them feel happy, and 80 percent report that receiving flowers makes them feel happy. In fact, even being around flowers improves your mood: 76 percent of Americans agree that having flowers in their home or office makes them happier.
Sacramento Country Day School will hold a “snow day” in February if
NorCal's Fastest is on display at the California Auto Museum.
REAL PEOPLE. REAL CONNECTIONS. Eskaton is people. Real relationships ... real connections between residents, employees, families, volunteers and donors. When you move to an Eskaton community, we welcome you to our family. Come for a visit. Experience the Eskaton difference.
eskaton.org A leading nonproďŹ t provider of aging services in Northern California since 1968
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
15
Relles Florist participates in "Petal It Forward."
Relles Florist is at 2400 J St. For more information, go to rellesflorist. com.
FRESH MEALS TO GO At Courtyard School in Midtown, chef Matt Kramer is offering healthful, tasty meals to go. Kramer, formerly of Magpie Cafe, sells the fresh, restaurant-style meals from Cafe Courtyard on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m. (The schedule is expected to expand this year.) The weekly rotating menu features convenient meals, including vegetarian options and a children’s menu. Courtyard is at 205 24th St. For more information, go to courtyard. org.
CAREER TRAINING AFTER HIGH SCHOOL C.K. McClatchy High School will hold an informational session on career training and technical education programs on Monday, Jan. 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the school’s library. Hear from potential employers and get information on apprenticeship programs in construction, government and other fields.
16
THE GRID JAN n 18
For information, email Consuelo Hernandez at hdezconsuelo@ sbcglobal.net. McClatchy High School is at 3066 Freeport Blvd.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE This month, Sacramento Zoo welcomes a new director and CEO, Jason Jacobs. Chosen from a competitive pool of 38 prospects and five finalists, Jacobs impressed the board with his proven track record as the director of Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Ariz. In grade school, Jacobs interned, volunteered and ran education programs at Florida’s Zoo Miami. He went on to earn dual bachelor’s degrees in environmental science and English from Florida International University, and he worked at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Ind., Los Angeles Zoo and, for the past four and a half years, Reid Park Zoo. “Jason clearly shares our vision for reimagining the future Sacramento Zoo,” says Jeff Raimundo, president of the Sacramento Zoological Society’s board of trustees, “providing the best possible environment for the animals in our care, a focus on animal conservation in the wild and creating
new and exciting experiences for our half-million visitors a year.” For more information, go to saczoo. org.
ZOOM ZOOM Like fast cars? Then the California Automobile Museum’s newest exhibit, “NorCal’s Fastest: From Grassroots to the Professional” is sure to get your motor running. The exhibit, which opened Dec. 2, profiles a series of influential people who have been involved in the Northern California racing scene, including drivers, builders and more. A few highlights include Angelique Bell, a biracial woman currently
New zoo director, Jason Jacobs
racing sprint cars; Bill McAnally, a former NASCAR driver who owns and manages a successful West Coast NASCAR team; and Don Racine, a pillar in the unique world of MINI Cooper racing. The exhibit also features stunning race cars. “NorCal’s Fastest” will remain on display through March 12. The museum is at 2200 Front St. For more information, go to calautomuseum.org. Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. n
If it’s creative... it’s here!
Representing BOTH BUYERS & SELLERS! Arden-Area Beauty with a Pool
art supplies custom framing decorative papers greeting cards
photo frames ready-made frames classes, workshops demos– and more!
uniquee gifts stationery nery journals aalsls kidstuff uffffff
Tahoe Park single story
Dream 5 acre property in Wilton
Kris Adams Realtor®
916.217.3039 Kris@KrisAdamsRealEstate.com
Kris Adams Real Estate… Because I KARE! CA DRE# 01717972
www.KrisAdamsRealEstate.com
UArt Sacramento 2601 J Street 916-443-5721 UniversityArt.com
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
17
Family Style AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE, EVAN’S KITCHEN STILL SATISFIES
18
THE GRID JAN n 18
T
he term “family restaurant” does not come with many positive connotations. When I hear the term, I think of national chains that do more reheating than cooking. I think of places that serve conspicuously inexpensive steaks, consider chopped iceberg lettuce a salad and have a signature sauce that is invariably one ingredient away from Thousand Island dressing. I don’t disparage these places, mind you. They have their place on the dining scene. They’re cheap, accessible and nearly always open. They’re safe bets for the pickiest eater in your family, and they’ll usually serve you more food than you can eat at one sitting. But when I hear a restaurant with a long and considerable reputation referred to as a family restaurant, it gives me pause. Am I being too judgmental? Should I widen my expectations of what a family restaurant can be? Or is the description just not applicable? When it comes to Evan’s Kitchen and Catering, the answer might be “yes” to all three questions. The restaurant, opened in 2004 by local chef Evan Elsberry, sets new standards for what a family restaurant can be. Located in a nondescript storefront in East Sacramento’s 57th Street Antique Mall, it looks simple from the outside, but the food is delivered with skill, care and a touch of panache. The most popular items on the menu are familiar American dishes without pretension. They’re served on plain white dishes alongside sturdy, simple flatware. The napkins are cloth. Let’s start with breakfast. If you like anything smothered in gravy, get it. The gravy is made from scratch and undeniably bad for your health. Unlike most short-order places that
“craft” their gravy from a powdered mix, Evan’s Kitchen serves layered, fennel-rich sausage gravy that you’ll remember. Or grab a stack of pancakes with real maple syrup. No fake stuff here. Want something a little different? Try Lauren’s Southwestern Benny, a pumped-up eggs Benedict featuring corncakes, roasted pasilla chile and chipotle hollandaise. Each house-made component is a spot-on execution. There’s no doubt that the folks in the kitchen know what they’re doing and care enough to do it. For lunch, there are no surprises. Sandwiches, burgers and salads dominate the menu. But each offering is, again, much better than you expect. A grilled seafood salad with prawns, scallops and salmon for $14.75 is not only a good value but a lovely lunch. A burger topped with a bucket-load of fried onion strings is probably big enough for two. The steak sandwich and prime rib sandwich both belong in the pantheon of local steak sandos. Evan’s offerings stand toe to toe with those of local favorites Jamie’s Broadway Grille and Club Pheasant. In fact, these restaurants share more than just a good sandwich; they feel like they’re cut from the same cloth.
• 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
The dinner menu spans three pages and includes more choices than you can comfortably get your head around. But the midweek prime rib special has to be the best dining bargain in town. For $19.99, you get soup or salad to start, a petite slice of prime rib with sides of indulgent sour cream mashed potatoes and vegetables, and dessert. Each element of the meal is skillfully handled and satisfyingly old-fashioned. If prime rib isn’t your style, then a host of pasta dishes, including impressive seafood pasta, might work for you. Or if you skipped breakfast and don’t plan on eating again this year, the chicken-fried steak smothered in gravy might be right up your alley. Rare finds like Italian pot roast and prosciutto-wrapped scallops also
hit the mark. As with all the entrees, portions are hearty and won’t leave you wanting. If you somehow have room, desserts are also simple and excellent. Evan’s Kitchen puts out some of the best apple pie this side of Apple Hill. And lastly, if you happen to be at Evan’s on Friday, the weekly clam chowder is one of the best in town and shouldn’t be missed. Whether you call it a family restaurant or not, whether you’re looking for something upscale or down-home, Evan’s will hit you in the right spot: the stomach. Evan’s Kitchen and Catering is at 855 57th St.; (916) 452-3896; chefevan.com. Greg Sabin can be reached at gregsabin@hotmail.com. n
GS By Greg Sabin Restaurant Insider
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
19
A Win for the Arts O
WITH GRANTS, THE CITY PUTS ITS MONEY WHERE ITS MOUTH IS
Local artist Eben Burgoon received a Creative Economy microgrant.
n Nov. 6, the city of Sacramento announced the recipients of its Creative Economy Pilot Project, awarding grants worth between $5,000 and $25,000 to 57 art, food and tech-related projects, an investment the city hopes will generate economic development in Sacramento neighborhoods. Speaking outside Oak Park’s Brickhouse Gallery to an audience of mostly artists and grantees, Mayor Darrell Steinberg conceded that “the arts have been traditionally underfunded.” He then gave a number that shed some light on how important an economic driver the arts can be. “Art and culture in Sacramento led to $167 million of economic activity in 2015,” he said. Steinberg called the grantees “the present and future of this city.” Steinberg’s comments were well received by an audience that reflected Sacramento’s diversity. That diversity was also reflected in the panelists who awarded the grants. “We felt it was necessary that our panelists represent the
JV By Jordan Venema Building Our Future
20
THE GRID JAN n 18
With his grant, Eben Burgoon will host comic-book workshops at local schools. depth and breadth and diversity of the community and the nature of the applications,” said Maya Wallace, one of the nine volunteer panelists—six mayoral appointees and three city employees. Each panelist spent between 60 and 80 hours poring over more than 500 grant proposals. Then they broke into groups of three, rating each proposal on a 1-to-5 scale. They were looking for projects with “community placemaking potential and the potential of economic development,” said Wallace. “Also, doing things that had never been done before was important, and opportunities for economic development in underserved areas.” The Creative Economy Pilot Project was designed for the city to continue a relationship with grantees. “It’s more like a contract,” Wallace said, “so that we could keep investing in something to grow. It enables [the city] to continue to have dialogue with the grantees and make stipulations in the contracts about what the projects will be and where they will be.” The project exhibits the city’s commitment to the arts. But reading
between the lines of its funding reveals an even more significant shift on the city’s behalf. The City Council unanimously approved $500,000 for the Creative Economy Pilot Project in January 2017, only weeks into Steinberg’s term. The money came from the city’s $10 million Innovation and Growth Fund, which was approved by the council in 2016 under Mayor Kevin Johnson, with the explicit intent to lure tech companies to Sacramento. While the word “tech” was mentioned in the description of the Creative Economy Pilot Project, the parameters were widened to include experimental arts and food initiatives. So while $500,000 might seem like a drop in the city’s overall budget, it represents a subtle shift to funding the arts—a shift that means the difference between what is possible and impossible for many artists. “It’s really big deal,” said Herine Thoroughly, 21, a promoter of allages concerts through Peach House Presents. For Thoroughly, the $5,000 microgrant she received more than doubled Peach House’s 2016 budget.
The city’s gesture “shows that artists are important,” said Thoroughly, adding that the grant money will go back into the community, “and in places where it’s not always put.” What was Thoroughly’s first reaction to the news that Peach House had received $5,000? “Honestly, that I’m going to make my rent and be able to pay people what they deserve.” It’s obvious how even a $5,000 grant can make a difference for small nonprofits like Peach House Presents. But it is also true for larger, long-established nonprofits like Sacramento’s Fairytale Town. These grants will make it possible to expand projects like Sacramento Adventure Playground, a free-form outdoor play space built by Fairytale Town at Maple Neighborhood Center in South Sacramento. Steve Caudle, the play manager at Adventure Playground, described it as “kids playing in a junkyard—true free play.” Recipient of a $25,000 grant, the relatively unknown Sacramento Adventure Playground will now bring
pop-up events to local libraries, “so kids can play unencumbered,” said Caudle. Without the grant, he added, “this would not have happened. We’re working hard to keep Adventure Playground up and running, but the $25,000, although wonderful, is not continuous.” Not yet anyway, but the city has verbally committed to continuing the Creative Economy grant program, especially since only 12 percent of applicants received funding this round. “I hope the city continues it,” said Wallace. “Mayor Steinberg says he wants to do it again, but he will need the council’s approval, and I think we need to demonstrate the value to the council in order to do it again. I think we could see a year where we don’t see a bump in funding, but we’ll see what we learn.” For a list of grantees, go to cityofsac.forms.fm/creative-economy. Jordan Venema can be reached at jordan.venema@gmail.com. n
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
21
Yoga for All SHE FINDS PEACE TEACHING YOGA AT SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND
Samantha Adams teaches yoga at Society for the Blind.
JL By Jessica Laskey Giving Back: Volunteer Profile
22
THE GRID JAN n 18
S
amantha Adams doesn’t give up. The Gold River resident was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa—a genetic disorder that causes loss of vision—at age 12, was declared legally blind at 19, and from age 40 on has been “mostly a total,” as she puts it, which means she can only perceive light. “I instinctively knew all along tthat my vision was off,” Adams ssays. “The condition starts with n no night vision—I’d never seen sstars. I was always tripping o over the vacuum and the dog. I couldn’t catch a ball in the o outfield. At 14, I stopped riding m my bike because I was hitting p parked cars.” But that didn’t stop her ffrom moving from Canada to C California, working as a defense llawyer and prosecutor, or ccompleting 200 hours of training tto become a volunteer yoga iinstructor. For most of her youth, Adams cconsidered herself “someone who jjust couldn’t see very well.” She g got through high school using llarge-print books that she would h hide from her classmates. When h her vision was reassessed after a year as an exchange student iin Brazil, she could see less than 1 10 degrees peripherally—“like llooking though an empty pen ccanister,” she says. She was cclassified as legally blind. As an a attorney, she adapted as she w went, reading with magnifiers o or memorizing text that her ccomputer read aloud to repeat in ccourt. But after meeting her husband a at guide school in San Rafael in 2 2003 and moving to Sacramento, A Adams suddenly found herself in h her toughest situation yet. “We had a blended family, which is nothing like the Brady Bunch,” Adams says with a laugh. “Nobody told me what to expect. It was chaos.” Luckily for Adams, she walked into her local gym on a whim one day in 2005 and “fumbled my way” through a yoga class. As difficult as it was to keep
pace with a teacher doing moves she’d never heard of, much less seen demonstrated, Adams felt something shift within her. “Yoga is what grounded me and got me through,” she says. “It brought me much-needed peace.” The manager of Adams’ club gave her three hours of private lessons so she could learn the technique. In one-on-one sessions with an instructor, Adams “got hooked” on yoga. When she found out three years ago that the same instructor was offering teacher training, Adams decided to take another leap of faith and joined the teaching program in fall 2015. After completing her training, Adams decided she should do something with her newly earned skills and called Society for the Blind to see if they were in need of some yoga. Adams has volunteered her time to teach hours of classes to staff members and clients who find the practice as freeing as Adams. “Half of the society is instructional,” says Adams, which includes classes in Braille, technology, life skills and mobility to help clients re-enter the workforce. “The other half is the Senior Impact Program. There’s ever-increasing blindness in the senior population, and the society helps them adapt to that loss of vision instead of isolating themselves.” Adams’ oldest student is a 101-year-old woman she met at a senior retreat. Clients in their 80s and 90s benefit from her chair yoga classes, a scaled-back version of the practice that anyone can do at home. “The hardest part of teaching as a blind person is you don’t know if your students will know how to listen,” says Adams, who hopes to teach at fitness facilities in the future. “But knowing how much I want to share my practice with others keeps me going.” For more information on the Society for the Blind, go to societyfortheblind.org. n
READERS NEAR & FAR 1. Cindy Fuller on the 126th oor of the Burj Kahlifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2. Stacy Walsh, Sandy Lewis, June Brookins, June Miller, Debbie Kenny and Dawna Daniel in Fakarava, French Polynesia 3. Robert Marcello in Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy 4. Joyce and Bob Paese in Paese, Italy 5. Erin and Anthony Arieas visiting Rome, Italy, and the Pope at the Vatican 6. Elaine Hussey visiting family in Tallinn, Estonia 7. Kimi Kaneko, Katsuko Hirota & Marielle Tsukamoto on their hike in Bhutan with the Tiger's Nest and Monastery in the distance
Take a picture with Inside Publications and e-mail a high-resolution copy to travel@insidepublications.com. Due to volume of submissions, we cannot guarantee all photos will be printed or posted. Find more photos on Instagram: InsidePublications
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
23
Heavy Metal Man SCULPTOR TACKLES A PROJECT CLOSE TO HOME BY DANIEL BARNES ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
F
or a man famed for his work with heavy metal, Joe Scarpa doesn’t much look or act like a rock star. Out of his home workshop and driveway in Land Park, the thoughtful, soft-spoken Scarpa has produced some of the most recognizable, beloved and ostentatiously enormous public sculptures in and near the Sacramento area, including the alien spaceship in Southside Park, the giant dog collars at BarkleyVille Dog Park at Feather River Park in Stockton and the “Authors of Our Own Destiny” triptych at North Natomas Library. Scarpa works with all types of materials, but he is best known for his metal sculptures, the product of an early interest in armor and blacksmithing. “Armor making was the height of art and technology in the pre-Renaissance,” says Scarpa from his workshop, a covered area teeming with tools, including some
24
THE GRID JAN n 18
of his own design. “The way they manipulated metal was beyond what anyone else was doing.” A giant hunk of repurposed metal sits at the heart of Scarpa’s most famous work, the Airstream trailer turned alien spacecraft placed next to the playground in Southside Park, a piece known as “Port of Call: Earth.” “I think that’s a pretty good window into who I am, combining a little bit of found object, a little bit of humor,” says Scarpa, who considers it his signature work. “Port of Call: Earth” is filled with Easter egg details, from the neon lights that simulate the rocket engines to the miniature aliens crawling all over the craft. There were moving pieces before vandals defaced the sculpture, but it remains a masterwork of oversized whimsy. “It’s just so big and outrageous,” says Scarpa’s friend and mentor, artist Tony Natsoulas. “He could have done a halfway job, and he went all the
way. It’s pretty fabulous, especially before it got vandalized.” Intentional “vandalization” is the central concept behind another notable Scarpa installation, the “Authors of Our Own Destiny” triptych at North Natomas Library. The two key pieces of the triptych sit on Del Paso Boulevard: an enormous open book and a detached metal eye scanning the pages from above. Scarpa conceived a dynamic interactive element for the piece, permitting anyone to repaint the pages at any time. “If you’re driving by that every day, if it was something static, you would see it once and never look at it again,” says Scarpa. “But making it a public graffiti wall, now you see something different.” It took a while for the public to catch on, and two weeks after installation, the pages remained blank. Scarpa brought in a friend to spray-paint some designs, and panicked library officials called
him with the “bad” news. “I told them, ‘That’s exactly what it’s for. Everybody should be tagging it.’” While Scarpa customarily works for competitive commissions, his latest work is a labor of love. Leonardo da Vinci Middle School in Hollywood Park, the alma mater for both of his children, needed a new security fence, and the school was familiar to Scarpa from his volunteer work. “I love the school, so I really wanted to do something nice for them,” says Scarpa. “They gave me free rein to do whatever I wanted.” Scarpa designed the security fence to reflect the school’s model of integrated thematic instruction, dividing it into three themed panels (science and technology; the tree of life; and art and architecture) attached to a giant gate filled with da Vinci’s drawings. “There are so many pieces in that fence, so many designs, you won’t see everything the first time,” says Scarpa.
The whole gang is waiting for you.
sacpetsearch.com sspca.org happytails.org saccountyshelter.net Brought to you by the animal lovers at
As for his own education, Scarpa entered the art world without any formal training. “He’s a very wellread person, which is sometimes unusual for artists, and he comes from a science background,” says Natsoulas. “He knows a lot more than just the regular art stuff.” Scarpa worked as an environmental chemist
ARTICLE
Thank you! From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for your continued support. 2017 was a great year! Looking forward to serving you during 2018 and for many more years to come! -The Sanchez Family, Article Consignment
INSIDE PUBLICATIONS
706 56th St. #100 • 916.316.5772 articleconsignment.com
during the Superfund boom of the 1980s, but the industry had dried up by the late 1990s. By then, Scarpa had made enough connections to quit his day job, and the rest is art history. Although Scarpa doesn’t have any major pieces under construction at the moment, he is always working on something, either assisting another
artist or stretching his own limits. In one corner of his workshop sits a halffinished personal project, a giant clock decked with colorful kitchen timers, and in another sit broken shards of ceramic, the products of a failed experiment. More than anything, Scarpa credits his family for his success.
The "Port of Call: Earth" sculpture hovers near Southside Park playground.
“It’s hard to be a successful artist without the support of someone else,” says Scarpa, who raised the kids and pursued his art while his wife worked during the day. “You need the support of friends and family, no matter what level you’re at.” To see examples of Joe Scarpa’s work, go to jscarpa.com. n
"Authors of Our Own Destiny" is at the North Natomas Library.
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
25
One Smart Cat THIS ADOPTED FELINE IS CATNIP FOR HER ADORING OWNER
can’t impose myself by picking her up and cradling her like I have other cats in my life. That’s not going to happen.” By day, Mastrodonato is senior government relations manager for The Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit that creates parks and protects land. By night, he is a guitarist in Mad Music Love, a Sacramento-based ’70s funk band. He opened his heart to Ella not long after his cat, Curtis, died at almost 20 years old. “There have been very few windows in my life when I did not have a pet,” he says.
ON HER OWN TERMS
E
lla balances on the top tier of her carpeted cat tree, fixated on an iridescent hummingbird hovering only inches away from the feline’s face. But the tiny bird is safe. Ella’s perch is inside the house, strategically situated in the corner of the living room between two windows directly in front of a bird feeder. Rico Mastrodonato, Ella’s dad, has placed feeders all around the outside of their home in Arden-Arcade for
CR By Cathryn Rakich Pets and Their People
26
THE GRID JAN n 18
her entertainment. “The house is surrounded with bird feeders,” he says. “She is five inches away from that thing. And hummingbirds are not bashful. They get right up to the window and get in her face, and they stare at each other.” Out the kitchen window, he says, is “a smorgasbord—a peanut butter feeder, two hummingbird feeders and a bird bath.” Ella is a 6-year-old black-and-white cat with a smudge under her nose that looks like an untamed mustache. She was trapped in a feral colony in Sacramento. However, after she was spayed, it became evident that this frisky girl was indeed friendly. “But affection is on her terms,” says Mastrodonato, who adopted Ella from a local rescue group two years ago. “I
Mastrodonato understands and appreciates Ella’s quirky, crazy, unpredictable personality. “Once in a great while she will nip me, but only when she gets overstimulated. I think it’s some weird form of affection from her perspective. But that’s not the way I take it,” he says with a laugh. “I think a lot of people would not adopt a cat like that. They would bring her back because they want her to be like a stuffed animal right out of the box.”
manipulative. She gets me to play with her any time she wants me to.”
WILDLIFE INFLUENCE When Mastrodonato was in fourth grade, his family moved to a rural region in upstate New York. “I grew up in a town with less than 200 people. So I spent a lot of time by myself in an area that was surrounded by wildlife. I have worked for an environmental organization from the minute I stepped into California, which was 27 years ago. What I do for a living impacts wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors. At this point, pretty much every single animal in existence depends on people to survive, even if they are wild.”
MUSICIAN BY NIGHT Mastrodonato majored in music in college and has been seriously playing guitar for 37 years. “I’ve seen a lot of Europe and most of this country because of music. Ella seems to like when I play the guitar. If I’m playing through an amplifier, she will stop and listen.”
SO SMART
ELLA’S NAMESAKE
Mastrodonato is quick to note that Ella is among the smartest cats he has encountered. “And I have been around at least 30 cats throughout my life,” he adds. “She responds to commands. She comes when I call her. She knows to get off the counter when I tell her to. And she is obviously
Ella was named after the famous jazz singer. “I tend to name my pets after musicians I’m fond of, and I consider Ella Fitzgerald to be perhaps the most talented female vocalist that ever was recorded. It had been a while since I had a female pet. It was in my back pocket for a long time.”
GET PAID DOING WHAT YOU LOVE Account Representative Daniel@insidepublications.com
WHY RESCUE? Mastrodonato does not shy away from emphasizing the importance of adopting a homeless pet. “Whatever you have in mind for a pet you can find at a rescue. So why buy one? Puppy mills have earned the reputation they deserve. The animal is the last consideration.”
LOYAL COMPANION Ella has brought Mastrodonato “love, companionship, affection,
entertainment,” he says with admiration. “She is low maintenance. She rarely complains. She is very dependable. She is loyal. What more could you want when sharing your life with someone, whether it’s another human being or another species? It is give and take, and she gives more than she takes. I am very proud of her.” Cathryn Rakich can be reached at crakich@surewest.net. n
916-376-7590
START YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION HERE BIKE FITTING | GAIT ANALYSIS | STRENGTH & MOBILITY TRAINING
Mention this ad for a $5 Class* *Restrictions apply
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
27
Staying Put INSTEAD OF MOVING, THIS COUPLE REMODELED
W
hen Jeff and Deanna Johnston purchased their East Sacramento home five years ago, they thought it was perfect. Built in 1914, it’s an eclectic, stylish mix of Craftsman, American Foursquare and Prairie style. But over time and with daily use, they began contemplating making a few changes. The kitchen felt isolated from the rest of the 2,150-square-foot house. The laundry room was on the first floor; they preferred one on the second floor. Getting to the basement
28
THE GRID JAN n 18
required navigating a clunky external featured in the book “Images of outdoor staircase. America: East Sacramento.” While They vacillated, thinking it might the house was being built, the Mellors be prudent to move rather than lived in a shack in the backyard. remodel. “It was going to be a lot There, Rose Mellor was born. She of money to sink into a house that lived in the family home for 91 years, is over 100 years old,” says Jeff. from 1911 to 2002. The shack still But after weighing their stands, now serving as options, they decided to Deanna’s home office. stay, recognizing that it Once they decided to would be difficult to find stay, the Johnstons began another house with the poring over magazines same look and feel. and attending open By Julie Foster Built by the Mellor houses for remodeling Home Insight family, the house is ideas. Their first project
JF
was revamping the living room fireplace. “It was one big wall of unattractive used brick that had been added sometime over the years,” Jeff says. The insert was old, and there wasn’t a mantel. They sanded down the bricks and applied drywall, tile and a granite hearth. Jeff designed the new mantel and surround. “The goal was to make it look authentic but also make it somewhat modern looking,” he explains. Later, with a recommendation from Deanna’s parents, they enlisted the help of William E. Carter Company,
THE COUPLE ENTERTAINS FREQUENTLY, AND THE NEW KITCHEN REFLECTS THEIR PASSION.
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
29
BUILT BY THE MELLOR FAMILY IN 1914, THE HOUSE IS FEATURED IN THE BOOK “IMAGES OF AMERICA: EAST SACRAMENTO.”
a local design/build firm. Jeff and Deanna planned on staying in the house during construction but soon changed their minds. “Once they started tearing into the plaster, it was so dusty,” says Deanna. “We had a 2-year-old. It was just too much.” Construction took nine months and involved adding 300 square feet to the back of the house. Though the kitchen was the main focus of the project,
30
THE GRID JAN n 18
numerous upgrades were added as the project progressed. The couple eliminated the outdoor staircase to the basement and installed a trap door in the kitchen floor. They added a water filtration system, replaced the upstairs flooring and put the laundry room on the second floor, using repurposed cabinets from the kitchen. They also added a spacious walkin closet in the master bedroom and
gave the master bathroom a partial makeover. “Our big thing was we wanted double sinks in here,” says Jeff. The couple entertains frequently, and the new kitchen reflects their passion. A large pantry keeps staples stashed out of sight. Two sinks and under-counter lighting make meal prep a snap. A microwave is tucked discreetly under the counter in its own cabinet. The stellar lineup of appliances includes a Wolf range, a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a nifty Miele steam/ convection oven that produces magazine-perfect meals. “I am still figuring out how to use all the settings,” Jeff says. A creative at heart, Jeff had plenty of input on the remodel. “I have a technical job and love to implement creative ideas,” he says.
The backyard also received a major facelift. The patio was enlarged, and there’s an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue, refrigerator and sink. A new metal arbor defines the space and offers a respite from Sacramento’s summer heat. “It looks natural and is shady all summer long,” says Jeff. Guests now easily navigate between the house and backyard for food, drinks and conversation. “You just open the doors and it turns into one great big outdoor space,” he explains. Jeff and Deanna are happy with their decision to stay put. “We love the neighbors and the neighborhood,” says Jeff. “There is not one thing I would change.” If you know of a home you think should be featured in Inside Publications, contact Cathryn Rakich at crakich@surewest.net. n
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
31
Not Too Shabby Chalk Paint Classes Home Accessories Sale
The Most Anticipated Show of the Year
Not Too Shabby has been the go-to store in Historic Folsom for painted furniture, home decor and gifts since 2005. Now attendees of the Home & Landscape Expo will enjoy attending one of their free workshops held during the Expo to learn some fun and creative ways to work with the popular Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® Line. New this year will be a retail boutique area of beautiful home accessories at incredible savings.
KOHLER® Bold Experience Tour The Plumbery Luxury Kitchen and Bath Showroom will host the Kohler Bold Experience Tour at this year’s Home & Landscape Expo! This interactive trailer, located just inside the main gates of Cal Expo, offers a one-of-a-kind, hands-on experience with a selection of Kohler showering and toilet products.
how S g i B e Th o! p x E l a C t a
January 26 - 28, 2018 • Cal Expo, Sacramento Friday 12 pm – 7pm • Saturday 10 am – 6 pm • Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
www.HomeandLandscapeExpo.com FOR SHOW SPECIALS AND COMPLETE DETAILS Enjoy over 1,000 exhibits! Whether you are planning to build, remodel, repair or redecorate, you’ll find the largest gathering of professionals to help you with your home project.
32
THE GRID JAN n 18
LANDSCAPE SHOWCASE Featured Designers ł CreativeScapes Landscape Design and Construction ł Under Juniper Landscape & Development ł The Paver Company
Gary Brown Enterprises, producers of the Northern California Home & Landscape Expo, has developed a reputation for not only having the best 'home show' but also the most landscaping for gardening enthusiasts to enjoy! This year’s Landscape Design Competition will feature current trends in the landscape. Area designers have submitted designs and only a select few are invited to participate (featured above). Be sure to spend some time admiring the elaborate displays and see who the 2018 winner is! Landscape Competition Sponsored by:
Outdoor Living Workshops from top speakers include: EDUCATIONAL • INFORMATIVE • ENTERTAINING Creating Low Maintenance & Sustainable Landscapes with Roberta Walker • New Design Trends with Michael Glassman • Designing Your Outdoor Living Space, Katherine Kawaguchi, NKBA • Edible Landscaping, Japanese Maple Care, Outdoor Lighting Design and much more!
Professionals You Can Trust…
Two $10,000 Giveaways:
Attendees to the Northern California Home & Landscape Expo can visit the largest gathering of NARI members and view the "Wall of Possibilities" featuring pictures of award winning projects. Not only will the 2017 Contractor of the Year Award winners be showcased, but there will be additional before and after photos of stunning projects available for viewing.
DAILY FRONT DOOR GIVEAWAY
A DOOR A DAY GIVEAWAY! STANDARD INSTALLATION INCLUDED!*
At NKBA’s booth in the Pavilion, they will showcase the Award Winning projects for the 2018 Design Competition. You will find loads of creative ideas along with a directory of industry experts, home and garden giveaways and you will be able to sign up for a ‘Designer Hour’. The
nst, NARI D. Loesch Co
Guchi Interiors, NKBA
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
33
Epic Fail
O
n Dec. 6, officials with the Sacramento Transportation Authority, the agency that divvies up $120 million each year in Measure A transportation sales taxes, dropped a bombshell at an STA board meeting. For the past decade and a half, the board has been spending Measure A tax revenues on local transportation projects based not on actual tax revenues but on tax-revenue projections, which
CP By Craig Powell Inside City Hall
34
THE GRID JAN n 18
overestimated revenues by more than $1 billion. Yes, that’s billion with a B. During much of that time, the board’s spending decisions also failed to take into account potentially hundreds of millions of dollars of STA debt-service payments on bonds the authority has been issuing to accelerate the construction of local transportation projects. In other words, the board has been spending Measure A taxes blindly, oblivious to the fact that tax revenues were falling far short of projections and that debt-service payments were eating into its cash flow. The revenue projections that are at the heart of the fiscal nightmare were apparently prepared by STA consultants before the onset of the Great Recession and were never
$1 BILLION OF MEASURE A REVENUES ARE ‘MISSING’
updated. For 15 long years, staffers never bothered to compare actual revenues to projected revenues. Consequently, what started out as relatively small differences between actual and presumed revenues in the early years telescoped into a huge gap over the 35-year duration of the Measure A tax. This wouldn’t have mattered much if the board had been making spending and borrowing decisions based on STA’s actual revenues. But the board has been spending and borrowing based almost entirely on increasingly bogus revenue projections, which has led to massive overspending. That fundamental error, coupled with STA’s longstanding practice of accelerating the construction of transportation
projects by borrowing heavily against future Measure A revenues, has put STA into a fiscal vice that will likely choke off funding for most future transportation projects in Sacramento County while starving local governments of the Measure A monies they’ve been counting on for road maintenance. If that weren’t bad enough, the financing vehicle that the board has been using to accelerate transportation projects—nonamortizing, interest-only bonds—has been substantially increasing its interest costs, further slamming STA’s cash flows. STA collects two types of Measure A taxes: the one-half-percent sales tax (its primary source) and a transportation “mitigation” fee that it
Who Loves Their Garage Door Guy?
Our clients do. Try us! You’ll like us!
W Fashion for good. Benefiting WEAVE.™
e called Russ, and he was there in two hours. It was determined our system was too old to be Àxed so he gave us a couple of quotes for new systems and actually recommended the one that cost less. He did not charge us for that visit because he was unable to Àx the problem! The following Monday we received a call from Russ saying he had found a system that he thought would Àt and he could come the next day to install. Well, he came the next day, the system did NOT Àt and he had to return it but did Ànd one that eventually did! The operative word here is eventually. Russ was at our home all day! He did not charge any extra and now we have a garage door and opener that WORKS!!!! I want to thank Russ and let him know I would recommend him to anyone needing garage door services. I only wish I knew more people that did.
T RU ECLOT HING.ORG
Tuesday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. 1900 K STREET collects from builders and developers. At STA’s December board meeting, interim executive director Norm Hom explained that revenue projections have been assuming that Measure A sales-tax revenues would grow at an average annual rate of 5 percent over its 35-year existence. But according to Hom, Measure A’s actual sales-tax revenues have averaged 3.3 percent growth. Mitigation-fee revenue was projected to grow at an annual rate of 8.59 percent but actually grew at an average rate of 3 percent. This wouldn’t have been a problem had STA periodically compared its projected results to its actual results and adjusted accordingly, as any sane business enterprise or government agency would do. According to STA officials, it will take them “most of next year” to unravel the mess and get a full handle on the extent of the authority’s overspending and the planned projects that likely will be ditched because of it.
EYE ON SACRAMENTO’S WARNINGS Last year, Sacramento County voters narrowly rejected Measure B, which would have doubled the onehalf-percent Measure A sales tax. I chaired the Don’t Double the Tax, No on Measure B campaign committee. In the run-up to the November 2016 vote, Eye on Sacramento (the civic watchdog group I head) issued a report on Measure A spending and its implications for Measure B. While we had no idea at the time that the STA board and staff were relying on false, badly out-of-date revenue projections in their spending and borrowing decisions, we did know about and reported on STA’s overspending and wasteful borrowing practices. In our summary of findings, we warned that “STA is engaged in an alarmingly rapid escalation of credit-fueled spending on capital projects, with its outstanding bond debt increasing from $180 million in 2009 to an expected level of over $450 million in 2017—a 243 percent anticipated increase in debt.”
- Donna R. on
GARAGE
DOOR CENTER Sacramento
Call today! 764-8481
Sales | Service | Install | 33 yrs experience | Lic #764789 We also commented on the likely fallout from STA’s borrowing spree: “This rapid escalation in STA’s bond service payments is also increasingly diverting Measure A funds away from surface road maintenance road programs and Regional Transit’s operations and maintenance … The diversion of Measure A funds to pay interest on STA bond debt is projected to divert over $350 million of Measure A taxes from spending on surface road maintenance, RT’s transit operations and capital expenditures on both roads and transit over the next 23 years.” We were alarmed that STA’s use of interest-only bonds was an indicator of deeper problems, writing, “The use of interest-only bonds is a ‘red flag’ that the issuing entity is borrowing more money than it is capable of paying back on standard commercial terms (i.e., through fully amortizing standard muni bonds). Otherwise, the issuing entity would use standard bonds to avoid the higher interest costs that interest-only bonds entail.” The cumulative effect of these irresponsible STA practices led us to
implore Sacramento County leaders to take action. “We urge Sacramento County to retain an independent financial adviser to assess the sustainability of the current pace of STA’s capital spending, its portfolio of outstanding bonds, and its borrowing practices, and to recommend prudent changes in STA’s borrowing practices and in the pace of its future capital spending,” we wrote. Local government leaders ignored the report’s recommendations. A longtime STA board member, Folsom City Councilmember Kerri Howell, dismissed the report and was quoted as saying it was “full of errors.”
UNACCOUNTABILITY OF JOINT POWERS AUTHORITIES The STA is one of hundreds of special districts in Sacramento County. It is organized as a joint powers authority, which is the government equivalent of a joint venture between private parties. TO page 36
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
35
FROM page 35
THEATRE GUIDE SOMETHING ROTTEN
Community Center Theater Jan 3 – Jan 7 1301 L St, Sac 808-5181 SCCBOTtickets@cityofsacramento.org With 10 Tony® nominations including Best Musical, Something Rotten! is “Broadway’s big, fat hit!” (NY Post). Set in 1595, this hilarious smash tells the story of two brothers who set out to write the world’s very first musical! With its heart on its ruffled sleeve and sequins in its soul, it’s “The Producers + Spamalot + The Book of Mormon. Squared!” (New York Magazine).
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL
Harris Center for the Arts Jan 5 – Jan 7 10 College Pkwy, Folsom 608-6888 HarrisCenter.net It began as one man’s story…became everyone’s music…and is now Broadway’s musical. Motown the Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Motown shattered barriers; shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Featuring classic songs such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” experience the story behind the music in the record-breaking hit, Motown the Musical!
WALKIN’ AFTER MIDNIGHT: BROADWAY LOVES COUNTRY Sacramento Theatre Company Jan 18 – Jan 21 1419 H St, Sac 443-6722 SacTheatre.org
THE WHITE ROSE
Pamela Trokanski Performing Arts Theatre Jan 4 – Jan 21 2720 Del Rio Place, Davis (484) 735-2494 AcmeTheatre.net It’s 1942. In Germany, dissent is forbidden and the Gestapo stands ready to execute those who resist the Nazis. And yet, a handful of college students calling themselves the White Rose are circulating pamphlets that criticize the Führer. When 21-year-old Sophie Scholl is arrested in Munich with her brother Hans, a local policeman investigating the case of the White Rose has to determine if they are confused children, dangerous rebels, or idealistic patriots.
CIRCA: CANIVAL OF THE ANIMALS Mondavi Center – Jackson Hall Jan 28 501 Alumni Ln, Davis (530) 754-2787 MondaviArts.org
Feathers, fur and fins—oh my! Circa’s fanciful production features creatures of both land and sea, who tumble, fly, leap and spin their way through the many wondrous worlds of the animal kingdom. Inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns’ beloved musical suite, Carnival of the Animals whisks audiences away on a thrilling circus escapade through the talents of seven acrobats, two singers, four musicians and delightful animations that bring to life juggling zebras, street-smart elephants and somersaulting kangaroos.
Broadway takes inspiration from many popular genres, and country music is no exception. In STC’s first tribute to this unique musical sound, enjoy showtunes influenced by honky-tonk, bluegrass, Americana, gospel, and contemporary rock from musicals like Big River, 9 to 5, Bright Star, Million Dollar Quartet, and many more. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxing. Beer and wine is available, as are light appetizers of fruit, cheese, and desserts. Parental Guidance: Appropriate for Middle School & Up
SUBMIT EVENTS TO ANIKO@INSIDEPUBLICATIONS.COM
36
THE GRID JAN n 18
The constituent members that make up a JPA are the local governments that agree to act jointly with one another on some project or function. Each participating government appoints representatives to the JPA’s government board, usually elected officials of the constituent members. The problem is that our local elected officials serve on way too many JPAs, boards, commissions, etc., to be able to provide effective fiduciary oversight over any of them. Sacramento councilmembers typically serve on close to 20 of them. County supervisors can serve on as many as 30. With elected officials spread so thin, the staffers who run a JPA on a daily basis end up operating with zero effective oversight. If we’re lucky, the JPA managers will be excellent. But too often, unsupervised JPA managers turn out to be outof-control JPA managers. STA is a textbook case of the problem. Additionally, very few elected officials are experts in municipal finance, municipal bonds or complex construction projects. What they’re good at is getting elected (and reelected) and setting broad policy goals. The solution is fairly obvious: Elected officials need to clear off of JPA boards like STA and Regional Transit and appoint in their place proven business leaders and agency administrators who have extensive hands-on experience in running and overseeing large, complex organizations, as well as the time to serve as true fiduciary overseers.
WHAT CAN BE DONE? It’s clear that STA staffers cannot and should not be entrusted with the job of unraveling their own mess. It’s imperative that a forensic audit be conducted as soon as possible by an independent party. Given the gravity of the problem and the stakes each constituent member of the STA has in the outcome of the review, no member government of the STA should be put in charge of auditing its books. For example, we’ve uncovered a problem with STA’s handling of its
development mitigation fees revenue. Under Measure A, STA is supposed to hand over such fees ($32 million since 2009) to the local jurisdiction in which such development takes place. But because STA doesn’t bother to track where its mitigation fees come from, it hasn’t been complying with the law. The city of Sacramento appears to be the local government most prejudiced by STA’s failure to obey the law. To eliminate any potential conflicts of interest, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors should submit a request to the state controller that his office audit STA and issue a public report, including recommendations for changes in STA governance and policies. EOS is filing a complaint this month with the Sacramento County Grand Jury asking it to investigate the matter. At the end of the day, the most prudent action may be to dissolve the STA and for Sacramento County to assume STA’s role of distributing Measure A revenues. That way an elected body—the Board of Supervisors—would be directly accountable for the functions performed by STA. That would also get STA out of the business of issuing bonds, which has been the source of much of its troubles. Local governments can decide for themselves whether they want to spend their allotment of Measure A taxes on a pay-as-you-go basis or borrow against their future allotment of Measure A cash, risking a repeat of STA’s disastrous experience. Until these problems are fully resolved, Sacramento voters would have to be crazy to approve any hike in the countywide transportation sales tax that ends up in the hands of STA. To read Eye on Sacramento’s report on Measures A and B, go to eyeonsacramento.org. For a list of Sacramento Transportation Authority members, along with their contact information, go to sacta.org. Craig Powell is a retired attorney, businessman, community activist and president of Eye on Sacramento, a civic watchdog and policy group. He can be reached at craig@eyeonsacramento.org or (916) 718-3030. n
Art Preview GALLERY ART SHOWS IN JANUARY
“(WAL)PAPER” is a solo show of paintings by Tyson Anthony Roberts. It runs Jan. 5 to 31 at WAL Public Market Gallery. 1104 R St.
Sparrow Gallery presents “Moments in Time,” featuring works of mixed-media artist Kerri Warner, from Jan. 10 to Feb. 2. Shown above: “Tea Time,” a mixedmedia collage. 1021 R St.; sparrowgallerysacramento.com
The 13th edition of “Animal House,” an exhibit of animal-themed art, runs Jan. 3 to 28 at Sacramento Fine Arts Center. The show includes paintings, drawings, photography and sculpture selected from hundreds of works submitted from across the country. Shown above: “Hollywood Star” by Sandy Lindblad. 5330 Gibbons Drive; sacfinearts.org
ARTHOUSE on R presents “Invocation,” featuring the works of interdisciplinary artist Steph Rue, from Jan.12 to Feb. 6. The show is a series of drawings and books exploring contemplative prayer practices in the Christian tradition. Shown above: “Invocations 9.” 1021 R St.; arthouseonr.com
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
37
Instant Hotels WITH AIRBNBS POPPING UP, WHAT’S A NEIGHBORHOOD TO DO?
T
he East Sacramento home was lovely. When the longtime owners decided to sell, multiple offers stacked up. In the end, the biggest consideration wasn’t money. The winner stood out thanks to a heartfelt letter. The letter described a young family moving to Sacramento from the Pacific Northwest, eager to join a welcoming community, a place with friendly neighbors, where kids played on sidewalks and folks carved pumpkins every Halloween. But once escrow closed and the keys changed hands, a different reality emerged. The new owners made brief appearances but never really moved in. Instead, the place went up on Airbnb.
RG By R.E. Graswich City Beat
38
THE GRID JAN n 18
Overnight, the owners introduced the cozy neighborhood to the shortterm-rental commerce that flourishes with loose sanctions and minimal oversight. “The sellers had been a big part of the fabric of the neighborhood for years, and they chose these buyers because they thought they would be the best fit for the block,” says Sharon Huntsman, whose family has lived on the street for 17 years. “Now they feel sick about what happened.” What happened is something worse than the broken trust represented by a manipulative letter sent to a trusting seller. By taking over singlefamily homes in quiet neighborhoods and transforming them into shortstay hotels and party houses, Airbnb entrepreneurs wreck community bonds. They erase housing stock from the market and exploit weaknesses in our zoning laws. In Sacramento, mini hotels have sprouted across the city. The owners are supposed to get a short-term rental permit. They are supposed to limit guests to six per night. And if they live elsewhere, they must limit
rentals to 90 days per year. After 90 days, they must secure a conditional use permit—a big obligation. The permits are used to collect taxes. But many owners ignore the requirements. A recent search through Airbnb showed about 150 houses available for daily rentals in Sacramento. City officials believe the total number is around 400. There’s no easy way to track how many reach the 90-day limit and leave the market. Cynthia Smith of the city’s Revenue Division would not release data without a public records request, but officials told me only about 70 shortterm permits have been issued. “I know the city has bigger fish to fry,” Huntsman says. “But everyone knows Sacramento has a big problem when it comes to housing inventory, and prices keep going up. These hotels remove inventory from residential neighborhoods where families could live. And they erode the togetherness of the community. That’s the last thing we should want to do.” In Huntsman’s case, the problems caused by the neighborhood’s instant hotel have been more annoying than cataclysmic. Every two or three days, new guests arrive. The adventure begins again. Sometimes the blow-ins are quiet. Others are too obvious, like the 13 Berkeley students who partied
and frolicked in the pool until nearly dawn. Or the bachelorette contingent: women eager for a blast of indiscretion before celebrating the vows of domesticity. One weekend, some guests were undetectable until their cannabis smoke wafted into nearby homes. “I’m sure most people who rent from Airbnb are nice,” Huntsman says. “But when they travel, they get a little carried away. People on vacation don’t stop to think about the impact on neighbors.” Like any reasonable homeowner faced with a disruptive neighbor, Huntsman tried to bring her concerns to the hotel owner. He shows up about once a month for a day or two. He lives 800 miles away and operates several Airbnb homes. “At first there was all this talk about why can’t we all just get along,” she says. “Then he got nasty, threatening to sue us. He’s just running a business, and there’s a lot of money in it.” A few months ago, Huntsman brought her complaints to City Hall. She testified before the City Council and was respectfully received. Several councilmembers told their own Airbnb horror stories. Deeper solutions have been elusive. Councilmember Jeff Harris represents East Sacramento. Harris is
GIVE THE BOOK THE PERFECT GIFT
Special Pricing
Buy Locally at:
& FREE SHIPPING
University Art Chocolate Fish Coffee Avid Reader Time Tested Books Crocker Art Museum
insidesacbook.com pushing for tighter rules—especially on absentee landlords. “Despite our best intentions, we have rules that are extremely hard to enforce,” he says. “And we have transferred the enforcement action over to neighbors like Sharon Huntsman. That’s not good policy.” Harris has decided to explore options for prohibiting Airbnb-type operations where the owner doesn’t live in the house full time. “With off-site operators, do we even want to support that kind of business?” Harris asks. For Huntsman, one long-term solution to short-term rentals is something she hates to consider. It would mean selling the home she loves and moving away. R.E. Graswich can be reached at reg@graswich.com. n
Sharon Huntsman advocates for stricter rules regarding Airbnbs.
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
39
Finding Their Voices THROUGH 916 INK, YOUNG PEOPLE BECOME HEROES OF THEIR OWN LIVES
W
hen you first step into 916 Ink’s Imaginarium on 37th Avenue, you may mistake it for an old-time apothecary shop—an entire wall filled floor to ceiling with glass jars, animal skulls, antiques and books. But the jars aren’t filled with medicines or mysterious substances. Instead, you will find an assortment of old keys, marbles and seashells. These knickknacks serve as writing prompts for the kids who come to 916 Ink to become storytellers. “What 916 Ink does is give young people an opportunity to know that their voice matters, to know that they can create meaning in the world by the way in which they tell stories and how they listen to stories,” says Katie McCleary, the founding executive director of 916 Ink. For McCleary, 916 Ink’s story started long before the organization’s founding in 2011. When she was growing up in rural Idaho, the local library was her sanctuary, an escape from a childhood with parents whose marriage was a constant struggle and a sister who was blind and developmentally disabled. Eventually, McCleary wrote about her childhood experiences, culminating in a book she considers less memoir and more
FL By Faith Lewis Meet Your Neighbor
40
THE GRID JAN n 18
Katie McCleary
biomythography—a blend of myth, history and biography. Chronicling her early life with a sister who was “sort of like the town freak show” and the emotional impact the townspeople’s unabashed pity had on her growing up, the book is on the path to being published in 2018. “I’m really open about the fact that I’ve had a lot of depression in my life. At the end of the day, the only way for me to really tackle that is to write it,” says McCleary. She found that fictionalizing what happened in her life helped to give her some distance and an element of control. “I think that’s where the magic happens. It is in being able to write about your life,
step back from it and look at it from the realm of possibilities.” Having experienced the power of fiction and writing in her own life, McCleary began to see how this could benefit young people. She was especially aware of high-risk youth, like those she had worked with as the director of mentoring services at Grant Joint Union High School District nearly two decades ago. “What really stuck with me from that job was that for kids from really high-risk neighborhoods who face a lot of obstacles in their lives, there’s not a lot of opportunity for them to have joy or to experience some sort of whimsy and wonder about life,” she says.
In 2011, McCleary teamed up with Michael Spurgeon, an English professor at American River College, to create a literacy program that would empower youth and give them a creative outlet in the local community. Inspired by the success of the 826 Valencia writing center in San Francisco and the techniques taught by an international organization called Amherst Writers & Artists, 916 Ink offers several creative-writing programs targeted at different age groups. With the goal of becoming a sanctuary and a safe place for young people to put their stories to paper, 916 Ink partners with local schools to offer on-campus programs during
Z
LQQH
U
Body & Fender Shop Specializing In All Makes and Models Where Quality is the Patience to Check and Doublecheck
Serving Sacra
mento for Over 60 Years
# 6,2 /" ,+ "/+"! ,21 1%" 0 #"16 ,# 6,2/ 1/""0 4&1% 1%" /" "+1 / &+0 +! !/,2$%1 ,+!&1&,+08 ,+02)1 + / ,/&01 "/1&#&"! 6 1%" +1"/+ 1&,+ ) , &"16 ,# / ,/& 2)12/" J K: /"" /" 0%,2)! " -"/#,/*"! 6 ,*- +&"0 "*-),6&+$ "/1&#&"!8 )& "+0"!8 ,+!"! +! &+02/"! -"/0,++"):
916.454.4433
1717 Stockton Blvd • Bertoluccis.com Now open Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
or after the school day. 916 Ink also offers Word Squad, an after-school creative-writing club. Students learn how to write about their life through the lens of the “hero’s journey.” They are also taught to be active listeners and offer positive feedback when other students read their writing, whether their chosen genre is poetry, fiction or creative nonfiction. More than 3,000 students have found their voice and published 85 books to date.
McCleary says the program continues to teach her about the importance of storytelling. “Narratives can change and inform ideologies and institutions,” she says. “Narrative and story for me is everything. It is how humans make meaning of the world.”
, +,1 % 3" 1/""0 1,--"! " 20" 1% 1 4&)) * (" 1%"* -,1"+1& ))6 *,/" % 7 /!,20: %" / *"+1, /"" ,2+! 9 1&,+ !"0 /& "0 %,4 1, %&/" + / ,/&01 1 %11-rNN0 1/"": ,*N 00"10N#&)"0N$2&!"0N%,4 1, %&/" / ,/&01:-!#: , #&+! ,+"8 $, 1, 444:&0 9 / ,/: ,*N-2 )& 21/" %N #&+! /"" /" "/3& "N&+!"5: 0-5:
SEASONAL | LOCAL | ARTISAN | SUSTAINABLE | FRESH
For more information about 916 Ink, go to 916ink.org. n
Where Midtown Hangs
20%
LOCALLY GROWN. GRANGE CRAFTED.
OFF Happiest of Hours 7 Days a Week 3-6 pm Sat & Sun Brunch 9am–2pm
1725 I Street
purchase of $25 or more Mon–Wed w/ coupon. Some restrictions apply. Exp. 1/31/18
916-469-9574 • www.EasyOni.com
HAPPY HOUR DRINK PRICES ALL DAY WEDNESDAY
926 J Street | Sacramento, CA 95814 | grangesacramento.com | 916 492 4450
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
41
Beer Booster
HE CREATED INNOVATIVE PASSPORT PROGRAM FOR LOCAL BREWERIES
BY DANIEL BARNES MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR
A
Aaron O'Callaghan
42
THE GRID JAN n 18
s Aaron O’Callaghan returns to the table with a glass of hazy IPA in hand, he pauses to smile and survey the room. It’s one of those this-is-why-I-do-it moments. The noisy and bustling scene at the Track 7 taproom in Curtis Park includes two bawling babies, several breeds of dogs and a cacophonous children’s birthday party. It’s a microcosm of the allinclusive, family-friendly craft beer scene that inspired O’Callaghan to create Sacramento Beer Frontier, a local “brewery passport” program. “I have a 2- and a 4-year-old, and I don’t know that this project would have happened without them,” says O’Callaghan. “I wanted to make a small contribution to the landscape.” A collaborative project with the Sacramento Area Brewers Guild, the brewery passport is a 28-page, pocket-sized passion project with a foldout map and a list of every local craft brewery. After purchasing the passport, customers must visit area breweries to get their books stamped, collecting various prizes along the way. “It speaks to that excitement you get when you stamp your passport in a foreign country,” says O’Callaghan. “There’s a little bit of a game to it.” The project was fully funded through Kickstarter, and the finished product debuted in early 2017. O’Callaghan originally expected to sell 500 or 600 passports by midyear but instead sold nearly 2,000. He planned to update the passport twice a year, but given the current rate of brewery churn, Callaghan will make quarterly
Fabulous COUTURE for you
#PANACHE
“...Shortly after returning from Italy, we thought we had never come home.” - Gourmet
& vintage for your home
Voted Best Vintage Couture by Sacramento Magazine 5379 H Street #B • 916-813-5758 • instagram/panache_on_hst
LIKE
Happy Hour! Monday – Friday 5 - 7 pm
INSIDE PUBLICATIONS updates for the foreseeable future. He also included blank pages so that customers don’t have to buy a new edition every time a brewery opens or closes. It all started with a simple map. Back in 2014, O’Callaghan was drinking beers with his friend Trent Yackzan, the co-owner of Sudwerk Brewing Co. Zackzan was a member of the Sacramento Brewers Guild, which had been discussing the idea of creating a brewery map for Beer Week 2015. “The idea behind the map was to turn Sacramento into a global beer destination, to get people out and about and remembering that beer is social,” says Yackzan. “It’s hard to drink beer over the internet.” A longtime cartography enthusiast, O’Callaghan volunteered to create the map, figuring it would be a fun little project for Beer Week. “I think I printed a stack of 200 posters and posted them around town, and they were getting stolen off walls,” says O’Callaghan. “Everyone was excited about this map, and that resulted in doing a Kickstarter campaign, which
ultimately resulted in developing this passport program.” For Daniel Moffatt, brewer and co-owner at Hollywood Park-based Fountainhead Brewing Co., their spot on the 2015 map was a sign that they had arrived. “At the time, we were a couple months old, so it was super exciting,” says Moffatt. “It made us feel like we were on the scene, that we had been recognized and validated.” The brewery passport also helped boost recognition for the fledgling brewery. “Every weekend we get people who have never been here, getting their stamp for the first time,” says Moffatt. Before O’Callaghan could kickstart his Kickstarter, though, he needed to get all 50-plus local breweries on board. “Getting in touch with all the breweries was hands down the most difficult part of the project, and ultimately came down to me going to every single one, just showing up in the taproom,” says O’Callaghan. Industry support proved invaluable and helped O’Callaghan end his 30day campaign in three weeks, with
2801 Capitol Av Avenue (916) 455-2422 www.biba-restaurant.com several local breweries taking to social media to nudge it over the finish line. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Sacramento Beer Frontier is that it’s a brewery booster created by a customer, rather than someone with a monetary horse in the race. According to Yackzan, that speaks to O’Callaghan’s legitimate passion for craft beer and community. “The guy is so naturally enthusiastic and authentically fired up, not just about beer but about his town,” says Yackzan. The success of Sacramento Beer Frontier has led to offers for O’Callaghan to host events, create an app, write a blog and more, but for now he’s content to keep churning out passports. “It exists, people are enjoying it, and I’ve been printing passports way faster than I ever imagined,” he says. Many people claim that the Sacramento brewery market is already oversaturated, but O’Callaghan points out that there are still blank areas on the map. “Sacramento can probably support more, if breweries are smart about what they do,” he says. “I don’t
think it works if you just hang your shingle.” To that end, the most recent edition of the brewery passport is already out of date, not reflecting several recent surprise closures. “In some ways, the passport serves as a guide book, but it also serves as a reference book,” says O’Callaghan. “It marks a place in time. Daniel Barnes can be reached at danielebarnes@hotmail.com. n
O’CALLAGHAN ORIGINALLY EXPECTED TO SELL 500 OR 600 PASSPORTS BY MIDYEAR BUT INSTEAD SOLD NEARLY 2,000.
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
43
Stepping Into the Future THREE FOOD PROJECTS TO WATCH IN 2018
AS By Amber Stott Food for All
44
THE GRID JAN n 18
Ryan Seng will produce his Can Can Cocktails in a space at The Food Factory, founded by Andrea Lepore.
and wine sommelier, respectively, they have teamed up to express this passion in their new restaurant, Allora, set to open this winter in the former Rust Florist building at 5215 Folsom Blvd. in East Sacramento. During their travels in Italy, Williams and Mandalou kept hearing the word “allora,” which translates to “then” in English. In daily Italian use, A FOOD INCUBATOR the term is a richer expression that one might use, for instance, when Andrea Lepore, the owner of handing someone a gift. the Hot Italian pizza restaurant in Williams, the former executive Midtown, believes the most important chef at The Firehouse Restaurant, thing missing in America’s Farmdescribes Allora as a modern Italian to-Fork Capital is small-business seafood restaurant. But he points out incubation. Incubators are popping that the food won’t drive the menu. up all across the country. According Mandalou is the sole female Level 3 to an industry report, the number of advanced sommelier in Sacramento. such facilities has increased by more than 50 percent nationally in the past (Only two others hold that title four years. Lepore wants to bring the locally—and they’re men.) At Allora, the couple plans to build every meal concept to Sacramento. She’s calling around the wine—a concept that her incubator The Food Factory. turns typical food-forward dining on According to Lepore, it’s “a food its head. incubator for small food businesses “The sommelier will direct us in focused on healthy and functional the kitchen, and then we’ll create foods.” The project will help culinary food that will go with that wine,” says entrepreneurs get access to space (she has already secured a warehouse Williams, adding that Mandalou, not the chefs, will be the star of the show at 1425 C St.), equipment, investors at Allora. and assistance with marketing and Customers will find a 22-foot-tall distribution. Lepore wants to see more healthful, custom wine cellar as they enter the space. Herbs and vegetables for the affordable food produced locally. She restaurant will be grown on the patio. is partnering with SMUD to create what she claims will be the country’s most sustainable facility, and she’s A FARM IN THE meeting with investors to get the BACKYARD project off the ground. In November, the city awarded Randy Stannard and Sarah The Food Factory a $25,000 grant McCamman want to be farmers, and to produce a series of design they want to do it in the city. charrettes (professionally facilitated This past fall, the couple purchased brainstorming sessions) that will a home in Oak Park. They quickly culminate in a project concept ready planted 30 fruit trees on the 1-acre for launch. The meetings will begin property, and they plan to install a with local food-industry experts, greenhouse and produce-washing and the draft project model will be stall. presented to the public for input on Stannard served on the Sacramento Feb. 10 at The Food Factory. For Urban Agriculture Coalition, which more information or to get involved, helped pass a city ordinance in 2015 follow The Food Factory on Facebook. to allow expanded farming on urban
A WINE-DRIVEN RESTAURANT Deneb Williams and Elizabeth-Rose Mandalou love Italian culture—the cuisine, wine and language. As a chef
lots. Today, he’s looking forward to taking advantage of the new law as he and McCamman plant two-thirds of their land with food they’ll be able to sell. McCamman left a successful CSA business at Heavy Dirt Farm in
Legendary Chinese Cuisine. Unparalleled Service.
Lunch M-F Dinner Served Nightly Martini Hour 3pm-6pm
A Sacramento tradition since 1939
806 L Street | Downtown Sacramento | 916-442-7092 | frankfats.com Davis to run the couple’s farm full time. Stannard, who works as the executive director of the nonprofit Oak Park Sol, intends to keep his day job and help with the farm part time. Together, they’ll run a farm stand on their property on Tuesday evenings beginning in May and maintain a space at the Oak Park Farmers Market. Stannard hopes this farm can serve as a local model for other urban farms. He points out that his neighborhood has plenty of properties with large lots. Oak Park could be one of Sacramento’s first “agrihoods.” This month, the couple will host a naming party, gathering friends to help them select a name for their new farm and home. “I’m excited about really being a farmer!” Stannard says. Amber Stott is founder of the nonprofit Food Literacy Center. She can be reached at amber.stott@gmail. com. n
Photo credit: Rachel Valley
S
acramento’s entrepreneurs are earning the city bragging rights to its Farm-to-Fork Capital designation. From smallproducer startups to backyard farms, new food businesses are on the rise. Keep an eye out in 2018 for these changemakers.
Couch potato no more.
sacpetsearch.com sspca.org happytails.org saccountyshelter.net Brought to you by the animal lovers at
INSIDE PUBLICATIONS INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
45
INSIDE’S
DOWNTOWN
OLD SAC
Cafeteria 15L
Fat City Bar & Cafe
1116 15th St. • (916) 492-1960
1001 Front St. • (916) 446-6768
L D $$ Full Bar Classic American lunch counter with a millennial vibe • cafeteria15l.com
L D $$-$$$ Full Bar American cuisine served in a casual historic Old Sac location • fatsrestaurants.com
Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters
Rio City Cafe
400 P St. • (916) 400-4204
1110 Front St. • (916) 442-8226
Small-batch coffees brewed from beans harvested within the past 12 months • chocolatefishcoffee.com
L D $$ Full Bar Bistro favorites with a distinctively Sacramento feeling in a riverfront setting • riocitycafe.com
de Vere’s Irish Pub
MIDTOWN Biba Ristorante 2801 Capitol Ave. • (916) 455-2422
Suzie Burger 2820 P St. • (916) 455-3500 L D $ Beer/Wine Classic burgers, cheesesteaks, shakes, chili dogs, and other tasty treats • suzieburger. com
1521 L St. • (916) 231-9947
The Firehouse Restaurant
L D $$ Full Bar Family-run authentic Irish pub with a classic menu to match • deverespub.com
1112 Second St. • (916) 442-4772
L D $$$ Full Bar Upscale Northern Italian cuisine served a la carte • biba-restaurant.com
L D $$$ Full Bar Global and California cuisine in an upscale historic Old Sac setting • firehouseoldsac.com
Café Bernardo
Ten22
B L D $-$$ Wine/Beer Casual California cuisine with counter service • cafebernardo.com
L D $-$$ Wine/Beer/Sangria Spanish/world cuisine in a casual authentic atmosphere, live flamenco music • tapathewworld.com
Centro Cocina Mexicana
Thai Basil
Downtown & Vine 1200 K St. #8 • (916) 228-4518 L D $$ Educational tasting experience of wines by the taste, flight or glass with tapas and small plates • downtownandvine.com
Ella Dining Room & Bar 1131 K St. • (916) 443-3772 L D $$$ Full Bar Modern American cuisine served family-style in a chic, upscale space • elladiningroomandbar.com
Esquire Grill 1213 K St. • (916) 448-8900 L D $$-$$$ Full Bar Outdoor Dining Upscale American fare served in an elegant setting • paragarys.com • esquiregrill.com
Firestone Public House
L D $$ Full Bar American bistro favorites with a modern twist in a casual Old Sac setting • ten22oldsac.com
Willie’s Burgers L D $ Great burgers and more • williesburgers.com
R STREET Café Bernardo 1431 R St. • (916) 930-9191 B L D $-$$ Wine/Beer Casual California cuisine with counter service • cafebernardo.com
1104 R St. Suite 100 • (916) 706-6605 L D $$ Beer/Sake Humble Hawaiian poke breaks free • fishfacepokebar.com
806 L St. • (916) 442-7092
Iron Horse Tavern
L D $$-$$$ Full Bar Chinese favorites in an elegant setting • fatsrestaurants.com
1800 15th St. • (916) 448-4488 L D $-$$ Full Bar Gastro-pub cuisine in a stylish industrial setting • ironhorsetavern.net
1431 L St. • (916) 442-7555
Magpie Cafe
L D $-$$ Beer/Wine Cuisine from Japan, Thailand, China ad Vietnam. • majongs.com
1601 16th St. • (916) 452-7594 L D $$-$$$ Wine/Beer Seasonal menu using the best local ingredients • magpiecafe.com
926 J St. • (916) 492-4450
Shoki Ramen House
B L D $$$ Full Bar Simple, seasonal, soulful • grangesacramento.com
1201 R St. • (916) 441-0011 L D $$ Beer/Wine Japanese fine dining using the best local ingredients • shokiramenhouse.com
Hock Farm Craft & Provision 1415 L St. • (916) 440-8888 L D $$-$$ Full Bar Celebration of the region’s rich history and bountiful terrain • hockfarm.com
THE HANDLE The Rind 1801 L St. #40 • (916) 441-7463
South 2005 11th St. • (916) 382-9722
L D $-$$ Wine/Beer Cheese-centric menu paired with select wine and beer • therindsacramento.com
L D $-$$ Beer/Wine Timeless traditional Southern cuisine, counter service • weheartfriedchicken.com
Zocolo 1801 Capitol Ave. • (916) 441-0303 L D $$-$$$ Full Bar Patio Regional Mexican cuisine served in an authentic artistic setting • zocolosacramento.com
46
THE GRID JAN n 18
2431 J St. • (916) 442-7690
L D $$ Full Bar Patio Regional Mexican cooking served in a casual atmosphere • paragarys.com • centrococina.com
L D $-$$ Wine/Beer Patio Housemade curries among their authentic Thai specialties • thaibasilrestaurant.com
Easy on I
The Waterboy
1725 I St. • (916) 469-9574
L D $$ Full Bar Sports bar with a classical American menu • firestonepublichouse.com
Grange Restaurant & Bar
2730 J St. • (916) 442-2552
110 K St. • (916) 573-3897
Fish Face Poke Bar
Ma Jong’s Asian Diner
2115 J St. • (916) 442-4353
1022 Second St. • (916) 441-2211
1132 16th St. • (916) 446-0888
Frank Fat’s
2726 Capitol Ave. • (916) 443-1180
Tapa The World
L D $-$$ Full Bar American eats, including BBQ, local brews & weekend brunch • easyoni.com
2000 Capitol Ave. • (916) 498-9891 L D $$-$$$ Full Bar Patio Fine South of France and Northern Italian cuisine in a chic neighborhood setting • waterboyrestaurant.com
Federalist Public House 2009 N St. • (916) 661-6134 L D $-$$ Wine/Beer Wood-fired pizzas in an inventive urban alley setting • federalistpublichouse.com
OAK PARK La Venadita 3501 Third Ave. • (916) 400-4676
1627 16th St. • (916) 444-3000
L D $$ Full Bar Authentic Mexican cuisine with simple tasty menu in a colorful historic setting • lavenaditasac.com
L D $$ Full Bar Authentic hand-crafted pizzas with inventive ingredients, gelato • hotitalian.net
Oak Park Brewing Company
Hot Italian
3514 Broadway • (916) 660-2723
Mulvaney’s Building & Loan 1215 19th St. • (916) 441-6022
L D $$ Full Bar Award-winning beers and a creative pub-style menu in an historic setting • opbrewco.com
L D $$$ Full Bar Modern American cuisine in an upscale historic setting
Vibe Health Bar 3515 Broadway • (916) 382-9723
The Red Rabbit 2718 J St. • (916) 706-2275 L D $$ Full Bar All things local contribute to a sophisticated urban menu • theredrabbit.net
Paragary’s 1401 28th St. • (916) 457-5737 L D $$ Full Bar Fabulous Outdoor Patio.,California cuisine with a French touch • paragarys.com
Revolution Wines 2831 S St. • (916) 444-7711 L D $-$$ Beer/Wine Urban winery and tasting room with a creative menu using local sources • revolution-wines.com
Skool 2319 K St. • (916) 737-5767 L D $$ Beer/Sake Inventive Japansese-inspired seafood dishes • skoolonkstreet.com
B L D $-$$ Clean, lean & healthy snacks. Acai bowls are speciality. Kombucha on tap • vibehealthbar.com n
RADISH
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. inc To e eat: Serve with butter and salt for a French-inspired hors d’oeuvre. hor
SWEET POTATO This large, starchy, sweettasting root vegetable is a great source of betacarotene. To eat: Roast the flesh and use instead of pumpkin for a delicious Southern pie.
BLOOD ORANGE
This small citrus fruit has few seeds and a loose, puffy orange skin that peel, making it a popular addition to children’s lunchboxes. is easy to p Eat it: Peel and enjoy.
Monthly Market A LOOK AT WHAT’S WH IN SEASON AT LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS IN JANUARY
CABBAGE
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.
BROCCOLI 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 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.
INSIDESACRAMENTO.COM
47
Coldwell Banker
#1 IN CALIFORNIA
STUNNING SPANISH HOME IN THE FAB 40'S 4 BD/3 BA, elegant home w/ oak hardwood floors, fireplace, dining room w/ french doors, courtyard, pool. $1,395,000 RICH CAZNEAUX 916.212.4444 CaDRE#: 01447558
GRACIOUS CRAFTSMAN IN MIDTOWN'S POVERTY RIDGE! Gorgeous new hdwd flrs, 3BD, 2BA, finished basement w/den, kitchenette & possible 4th bdrm! $685,000 STEFFAN BROWN 916.717.7217 CaDRE#: 01882787
SACRAMENTO RIVER CROWN JEWEL Grand single story estate, private boat dock, pool, 2 +/- majestic acres & exceptional location. $2,395,000 MAGGIE SEKUL 916.224.5418 CaDRE#: 01296369
EAST SAC STORYBOOK CHARM! 3 BD/1.5 BA w/ Studio. Coved ceilings, arched doorways, leaded windows, built-ins, & fireplace! $749,900 JEANINE ROZA & SINDY KIRSCH 916.548.5799 or 916.730.7705 CaDRE#: 01365413/01483907
L STREET LOFTS! Majestic 2-story penthouse loft w/ balcony, 18 ft ceilings, huge windows, marble baths, hrdwd flrs, frplc, granite & stainless kitch. MICHAEL ONSTEAD 916.601.5699 CaDRE#: 01222608
EAST SAC BUNGALOW PLUS GUEST HOUSE 4 bed, 3 bath Bungalow with original charm & modern updates PLUS garden studio PLUS 1-2 bed guest house. $925,000 PALOMA BEGIN 916.628.8561 CaDRE#: 01254423
SOLD
EAST SAC CHARMER 4 Bed/3 Bath, 4684 SF, recently added 2nd floor with master suite, 2 bedrooms, bathroom. Great street in East Sac! $1,159,000 RICH CAZNEAUX 916.212.4444 CaDRE#: 01447558
ICONIC EAST SAC TREASURE Gracious entry, common rms, gorgeous architectural details. 4bd+den & 4.5ba. Wide .3+ acre lot w/pool. $1,695,000 THEWOOLFORD GROUP 916.834.6900 CaDRE#: 00680069/01778361/00679593
BEAUTIFUL SOUTH LAND PARK HOME 4BD/2.5BA. 3 bd dwnstrs, mstr ste w/gas frplc upstrs, lrg loft. Rmdld ktchn, lrg bckyrd, detached garage w/office. $689,000 SUE OLSON 916.601.8834 CaDRE#: 00784986
PENDING
1930'S CLASSIC IN EAST SAC Restored top to bottom, incredible layout, designer finishes & style. Steps to premier East Sac schools, shopping & dining. $839,000 TOM LEONARD 916.834.1681 CaDRE#: 01714895
SACRAMENTO METRO OFFICE 730 Alhambra Boulevard #150 • 916.447.5900
INCREDIBLE REMODEL IN CURTIS PARK! Thoughtfully remodeled 3 bed, 2 bath, 2,400 sq. ft. home with no detail missed. Fully landscaped yard. $899,000 MICHAEL OWNBEY 916.616.1607 CaDRE#: 01146313
ColdwellBankerHomes.com
ALKALAI FLAT CONDO! 2BR 1BA w/ off-street parking, laundry, storage, yard, & more. Convenient & walkable location, near light rail, downtown. Must see today! MARK PETERS 916.600.2039 CaDRE#: 01424396
facebook.com/cbnorcal
©2017 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 ColdwellBanker 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.