Sacramento March 2016

Sacramento MARCH 2016

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Beginning your search for an assisted living community can be challenging. After all, you want to make sure you find the best place for your loved one, and it needs to be clean, well run, and within your price range. You need to get a good sense of what the community is really like, not just what its advertising says about it.

Still, the process doesn’t have to be intimidating or overwhelming. Here are three simple steps you can follow to help narrow down the choices to the perfect community.

1. Do research online and by phone.

2. Tour to see what each community feels like in person.

3. For the communities you like best, follow up for more in-depth information.

Use this checklist for each community that you’re considering. As you learn more, note your observations.  Is the location close to shops, doctors’ offices, a pharmacy, and other important places? Try some of the features on Google Places to explore the neighborhood virtually.  Is the location convenient for family and friends to visit? Get directions on Google maps or MapQuest to figure out driving distances to and from the community.  If the community is not in your town, are there hotels nearby for when you visit the area? Try tripadvisor.com to search for area hotels.  Is the neighborhood generally considered safe, or is there a high crime rate? CrimeReports, Trulia, and NeighborhoodScout have tools to help you evaluate neighborhood safety and crime rate.  What are others saying about this provider in reviews?  Can you find any information about the provider through the Better Business Bureau or your local Area Agency on Aging?  Phone research  What types of payment are accepted, and/or does the community have programs to help residents afford care?  If there are any negative online reviews about the community, what is their response or explanation?  When do they offer tours, and how long do tours last?  What will they show you when you tour? Will you have a chance to try the meals or meet with residents?

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Lifestyle Letter

Rebirth & Renewal H

appy March everyone! March is the third month and it is one of seven months that are 31 days long. March is also the beginning of spring, and with springtime comes renewal, resurrection and regrowth.

The month is chock full of happy days of celebration, including St. Patrick's Day on the 17th and Easter Sunday on the 27th. Plus March 13th marks the return of Daylight Savings, meaning more sun every day. And basketball lovers can rejoice with the return of the NCAA's March Madness!

If you’re anything like I am, nature is a sure way to enjoy the beginning of spring. Enjoy the rebirth and regrowth of the season by planning a family hike to the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael and see deer, coyotes, migratory songbirds and raptors as you explore the preserve's lush oak woodlands. Read all about why we consider the Center to be the jewel of the American River Parkway in this month's issue — see you on the trails!

MARCH 2016 publisher

Lori Cruz | LCruz@LifestylePubs.com editor

Corrie Pelc | Corrie.Pelc@LifestylePubs.com contributing writers

Pamela Baker, Bryan J. Bentley, Michele Giacomini, Ken Kiunke, Laura I. Winn contributing photographers

Pamela Baker, Michele Giacomini

CORPORATE TEAM | Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Our March issue is also our celebration of the arts. Read up on the vibrant theater scene here in Sacramento, and get to know the Sacramento Ballet's "Tattooed Prince in Tights." I’m sure you’ll enjoy the read and it’s guaranteed to entice you to buy tickets sooner than later. And we also give you a behind-the-scenes look at California Middle School's newspaper and the students and staff behind its success.

And just in time for tax season, Bryan J. Bentley of Bentley Financial offers up five financial moves to make now. Don't miss reading this one — Bryan always shares such great ways for us to be smarter with our money.

CHIEF SALES OFFICER

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR AD COORDINATORS

| Brad Broockerd

| Nicole Sylvester

| Cyndi Harrington, Chelsi Hornbaker, Kim Foster, Megan Seymour

DESIGN SPECIALIST

Always my best,

| DeLand Shore

| Sara Minor

ART DIRECTOR

LAYOUT DESIGNER

Hope to see you around town this month!

| Matthew Perry

| Nicolette Martin | Ashleigh Thomson

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT APPLICATION ARCHITECT WEB DEVELOPER

| Melanie Carlisle | Michael O’Connell | Hanna Park

Lori Cruz, Publisher LCruz@LifestylePubs.com

by Community ™

ON THE COVER Sacramento Ballet dancer Alexandre Cunningham. The Sacramento Ballet’s Bach to Now and Beyond will run March 17 through April 2 at the new E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts in Midtown.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEITH SUTTER

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Sacramento Lifestyle | March 2016

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TALK TO US

P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 Proverbs 3:5-6 Sacramento Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Sacramento’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Sacramento Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

March 2016

Departments

18

18 The Vibrant Sacramento Theater Scene

6

Lifestyle Letter

10

Good Times

14

Around Town

16

Financial Buzz

22

Inspired By

24

Local Limelight

26

Water & Woods

29

Sold Properties

30

Lifestyle Calendar

34

Parting Thoughts

Learn about some of our city's theater organizations

24 The Tattooed Prince in Tights

Meet Sacramento Ballet principal dancer Richard Porter

26 Effie Yeaw Nature Center

Get to know the Jewel of the American River ParkwayÂ

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Good Times

Winterfest Beer and Wine Social

This year's Winterfest Beer and Wine Social raised over $21,000 for local non-profit Runnin’ for Rhett Foundation thanks to 150 volunteers, 80 brewers, vintners, restaurants, and food trucks who donated tastes of their products to a crowd of nearly 1,100 people. Photography Beers in Sac and Mark Loper.

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Sacramento Lifestyle | March 2016

Kids Helping Kids 4th Annual Signature Gala

The Kids Helping Kids Fourth Annual Signature Gala included a headlining performance by Grammy-nominated band NEEDTOBREATHE, while all revenue from ticket sales, raffle, and silent auction go towards their mission of making a difference from the classroom to the community by investing in the lives of children in need.

March 2016 | Sacramento Lifestyle

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Good Times

(CON TI N U ED)

CASA “Wild West” Crab Feed

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Sacramento County's 23rd annual Signature Crab Feed fundraiser supports Sacramento County’s most vulnerable children — those in foster care — by helping CASA recruit, train and support advocates for them. Photography Riverview Media Photography/Tia Gemmell

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Around Town

AROUND TOWN

GET YOUR EVENT IN SACRAMENTO LIFESTYLE! Holding an event you want our readers to know about? Or would you like to see photos from your event featured in the magazine?

Then tell us about it!

We are always looking for upcoming events to feature in our Calendar and photos from past galas and fundraisers to feature in our Good Times section. For more information – including deadlines and photo specifications – contact Editor Corrie Pelc at corrie.pelc@

Photo courtesy Sacramento Zoo.

SACRAMENTO ZOO BREAKS RECORDS IN 2015 Thanks to the support of the Sacramento community, the Sacramento Zoo celebrated some notable milestones in 2015.

In 2015 the Zoo saw high attendance numbers with 555,475 visitors, surpassing its previous attendance record of 540,514 visitors in

lifestylepubs.com.

WARHOL IS COMING TO THE CROCKER!

2013. Also in 2015 the Zoo received a Quarter Century Award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, recognizing the Sacramento

Opening March 13 at the Crocker Art Museum, “Andy Warhol:

Zoo’s continuous accreditation for 36 years. And on top of that, the

Portraits” features more than 160 works exploring the development

Zoo's 2015 visitors helped it increase its commitment to animal con-

of the artist’s iconic

versation in the wild locally and globally by providing over $150,000 to

portrayal of the famous

more than three dozen animal conservation programs.

or

wealthy.

For more information, visit SacZoo.org.

Included

are Polaroids, fashion

RALEY’S RAISES OVER 3.4 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD FOR LOCAL FOOD BANKS

sketches, photo-booth film strips and more.

Plus visitors will also have

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holiday

of Fine Stores raised

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past

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Screen Test using a Andy Warhol, Self-Portrait, 1986. Acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen, 108 x 108 x 1 1/2 in.The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Founding Collection, Contribution The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc., 1998.1.814. © 2015 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

more than 3.4 million pounds

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luminaires who eagerly

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million pounds.

Tennessee Williams, Pulitzer-Prize winner Truman Capote, artist Keith Haring, and actress Judy Garland.

Photo courtesy Raley's Family of Fine Stores.

Food donations were collected from November 6th through December 31st in stores, through Facebook, online and via text. Customers could

The exhibition, which runs through June 19, 2016, will be comple-

donate a bag of food for just $10 and Raley's more than doubled all dona-

mented by additional Museum programming, including portrait-making

tions, turning each $10 donation into more than $27 worth of food. All contri-

workshops for youth in March and April, live performances, Warhol-

butions collected stayed in the communities in which they were raised and

inspired parties, a symposium, and more. The Crocker is the only

were distributed by local Food for Families' food bank partners. Additionally,

California venue for this career survey, which was organized by The Andy

Raley's once again donated over 12,500 fresh turkeys, chickens and hams,

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For more information, visit CrockerArtMuseum.org.

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Sacramento Lifestyle | March 2016

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Financial Buzz

5 Financial Moves to Make for Tax Season ARTICLE BRYAN J. BENTLEY | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED Open or fund your retirement plan or Health Savings Account (HSA). If you already have

an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or other tax qualified retirement plan or intend to open one, you have until April 15th to fund the account. These plans are a great way to reduce your taxable income and invest or save using pre-tax dollars, or in the case of a ROTH account, creat future tax-free income.

You must be eligible to open one of these by either meeting income limits or through self-employment. Even if your income is too high or you are covered by an employer plan and are not eligible for a Traditional or Roth IRA, it may still make sense to fund a non-deductible IRA and use the “back door” or “2-step” approach to a Roth conversion. You may also be eligible to open an HSA if you have a high deductible health plan, which will allow you to lower taxable income and pay health expense with pre-tax dollars.

Take your first Required Minimum Distribution.

If you turned 70½ last year and have certain qualified retirement plans, the IRS requires you to begin taking distributions. In the first year, you are given a grace period and have until April 1st to take your distribution. Keep in mind that if you have waited until this year to take your first RMD, you will

need to take another distribution prior to the end of the year

Prepare for estimated 2016 taxes. If you end up owing additional taxes for 2015, you will most likely be required to make estimated tax payment throughout 2016, so plan accordingly. Your first estimated payment is due April 15th and you should understand when future payments are required. It also helps to create a strategy for funding those quarterly estimates, such as setting aside 5% or more of income.

Use up the funds in your Flexible Spending Account.

Some employers have taken advantage of new rules providing a grace until March 15th to use up the funds in your FSA, but these are still “use it or lose it” accounts.

For healthcare FSAs, there are a number of ways to quickly spend the money on eligible expenses, such as prescription glasses. For dependent care FSAs, it is more difficult to find new or additional expenses, so be sure to comb through your expenses for 2015 and find day care, babysitting, or summer and/or holiday camps that you may have previously missed.

Hire a tax preparer or get organized to do it yourself. If you have a complex tax situation such as multiple W-2s or 1099s, you have large investment gains or losses, or you own one or more businesses, it usually makes sense to hire a CPA or tax professional. Ask friends or colleagues for a recommendation or do your research to find an individual or firm that will be a good fit. If your financial situation is more straightforward or simple, it may make sense to do your own taxes. There are a number of good tax preparation software programs available online that are very inexpensive or even free.

Bryan J. Bentley is an investment advisor at Bentley Financial. For more information, call 916.877.5125 or visit MyBentleyFinancial.com.

Investment Advisory Services offered through Retirement Wealth Advisors, (RWA) a Registered Investment Advisor. Bentley Financial and RWA are not affiliated. Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance. This article is designed to provide general information on the subjects covered. Pursuant to IRS Circular 230, it is not, however, intended to provide specific legal or tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties or to promote, market, or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Please note that the author does not give legal or tax advice. You are encouraged to consult your tax advisor or attorney.

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Sacramento Lifestyle | March 2016

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Kurt Johnson and Maya Lynne Robinson star in Echo Location, a recent show at the B Street Theater. Photo courtesy B Street Theater.

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Sacramento Lifestyle | March 2016

VIBRANT the

sacramento theater scene ARTICLE KEN KIUNKE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

L

ive theater is what makes a community distinctive in its entertainment and arts scene.

While Americans everywhere share the same movies and television, it is the availability of quality live theater and music that can raise the level of cultural vibrancy for a region.

Sacramento has been fortunate to be a growing center for the entertainment arts over the past decade.

And live theater brings the viewer an experience like none other in entertainment. In theater, you can make a personal connection with the actors that is impossible through a screen, and the audience becomes part of the show and shared experience. And in every show, success depends on the individual and ensemble performances each and every time.

cue the actors CUE THE ACTORS

Sacramento now has many great options for live theater, the leader being California Musical Theatre (CMT), which presents both Broadway Sacramento and the summertime Music Circus. Both series encompass a wide variety of shows each season — Broadway hits like the upcoming The Book of Mormon; family friendly shows like Elf The Musical; classic musicals like last year’s West Side Story; and musician-based shows such as Rain —The Beatles Tribute.

“Live theater is important to any community and as Sacramento’s oldest and largest professional theatre organization, I believe CMT’s contribution is immense,” says Richard Lewis, CMT president and CEO. “Each summer after auditioning literally thousands of professional actors in New York City, Los Angeles and here in Sacramento, we bring some of the best in the business to Music Circus and create a series top quality shows. The experience our patrons have in the intimate Wells Fargo Pavilion is something they can’t get anywhere else. And with our Broadway Sacramento series at Community Center Theater, we also offer some of the most popular touring Broadway shows available. Through those two series, well over 200,000 people attend our musicals annually.”

CONTINUED >

March 2016 | Sacramento Lifestyle

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SACRAMENTO THEATER (CON TI N U ED)

Brooks Almy as Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi, and company members, in the 2007 Music Circus production of Hello, Dolly!

Photo by Charr Crail, courtesy California Musical Theatre.

Music Circus premiered in 1951, presenting shows under a circus style tent.

Then in 2003 the Wells Fargo Pavilion opened, continuing their shows in the unique in-the-round style, which brings the audience in close contact with the performers. In 1989 CMT opened the Broadway Sacramento series, bringing national touring productions of current Broadway shows, along with classic revivals, and presented at the larger Sacramento Community Center Theater. This addition brought large scale, world class productions, like Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Rent to the local theater scene for the first time.

This year, the Broadway Sacramento series is presenting The Book of Mormon in March, Disney’s Newsies in April, and Motown The Musical in May to round out the 2015-16 season. This summer Music Circus, which fits six shows into its brief 12 week season, will be presenting Legally Blonde, followed by Hello, Dolly!, Seussical, Caberet, Nice Work If You Can Get It, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

“We’re hoping more people will discover what a truly unique experience we offer at Music Circus,” Lewis adds. “Even though we’re going into our 66th season, there are some who have yet to try it. Once they do, I think they’ll be hooked.”

take your places TAKE YOUR PLACES

But it takes more than big productions to make a thriving theater scene and Sacramento is excelling in smaller, more intimate plays as well.

Sharing the Wells Fargo Pavilion facility with Music Circus is the Sacramento Theatre Company, which uses three smaller venues ranging from 85 to 300 seats. While

20

Sacramento Lifestyle | March 2016

we’re hoping more people will discover what a truly unique experience we of fer...

also producing musicals, they include serious dramatic plays by Shakespeare, Chekov and others, along with comedies and children’s shows. The company also runs a School for the Arts to train and develop young talent. Upcoming shows include Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Broadway classic The Fantasticks, and an adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes story The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Nearby Carmichael is the home of the Chautaqua Playhouse — a 100-seat theater that produces six plays and six Children’s Theater shows each year. They put on a variety of traditional and original shows, and run a School of Performing Arts as well. According to Warren Harrison, he and fellow producer Roger Hoopman select their shows with their audience in mind.

“Our philosophy is to produce generally family oriented plays and musicals that include a mix of newer shows alongside classic ‘crowd pleasers’,” Harrison says. “Although we like to appeal to a wide range of ages, the bulk of our audience members are seniors, so that is taken into consideration. Many times we will get requests to revive a particular show or style (mystery thrillers seem to be a favorite), so we try to include these in our season.”

Harrison explains they like to showcase original scripts from both local and national writers, and that he and Marie Raymond — who runs the Children’s Theater — have also written original shows. The performers for the adult shows are usually from local auditions, with some regulars.

Tony Scroggins, Maszaba Carter, and Liz Frederick from Celebration Arts. Photo courtesy Celebration Arts.

raise the curtain

RAISE THE CURTAIN

Branching out even further is Celebration Arts — an East Sacramento company that focuses on multi-cultural, multi-discipline performing arts, and strives to provide training and performance opportunities for community residents in dance and music, as well as theater. They produce six plays a year, usually with ethno-centric themes, along with classical, modern and jazz dance, and music though their Celebration Chorale.

Sacramento’s B Street Theatre, which recently received a boost in funding from the city council for a new downtown facility, focuses on contemporary, thought provoking dramas and comedies for both adults and family audiences. But they strive to educate as well.

According to representative Latrice Madkins, “B Street Theatre hosts a school tour program where an acting troupe and road manager travel into approximately 12 surrounding counties to perform a total of 12 shows per week. Each play is a full, 50 minute professional production. Along with each production, a full study guide with pre and post teacher-student activities are made available.” They also reach out to community agencies or institutions for disadvantaged or hospitalized children.

Upcoming shows at the B Street Theatre include Frankenstein and Alice in Wonderland in their family series, and Not Medea, a contemporary adult play.

There are dozens of community theater organizations all over the Sacramento area, along with wonderful youth theater programs, such as the River City Theatre Company and El Dorado Musical Theatre, which present high quality shows featuring teen and even younger performers. Like most performing arts companies, they rely on generous benefactors and sponsors, but mostly on enthusiastic audiences who appreciate the unique experience of a live show and talented performers — something the Sacramento community is happily providing.

Dan DeLuca and the cast of Newsies. Photo by Deen van Meer, courtesy California Musical Theatre.

March 2016 | Sacramento Lifestyle

21

Inspired By

The Californian:

A Publication That’s Gone Back to the Future ARTICLE MICHELE GIACOMINI | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

S

itting in the school’s archives for decades, the long-forgotten 1936 issue of California Middle School's newspaper, The Californian, was recently remembered, stirring up not only a sense of nostalgia but renewed excitement amongst students and staff.

According to Cal Middle School’s publications teacher Alesandra Sinistro, The Californian had a long run until the 1960s, but no one knows why the publication stopped. Regardless of the mysterious cease in production, upon her principal’s request Sinistro helped to create a publications elective class and is leading her group of middle school students through the process of resurrecting the paper for its student body readership.

One of the exciting things about this class is that it is a great example of what the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) movement is striving for in the classroom.

“Teaching students to be inquisitive, to search out stories and accurately report on them, to write creatively in a manner that will engage readers…all ties perfectly with CCSS,” Sinistro explains.

Not only are the students enthusiastic about the newspaper project, but as Sinistro reveals, “They are developing their strengths as writers, (as) writing is the primary focus of the class.”

However, the students don’t stop there.

“They are also using math skills to format pages and they use problem-solving skills,” Sinistro adds. Since CCSS requires students to dig deeper in strengthening their critical thinking skills, collaboration and support in writing, this class’s content spurs the students to apply their fact finding lessons and more.

“I really like to write and I like being able to inform students about what’s going on 22

Sacramento Lifestyle | March 2016

Students from the publications elective class at Cal Middle School.

Photo courtesy Cal Middle School.

around campus,” says Benjamin Silva, 12.

“I’m learning to be a better writer and how to write correctly. My favorite part is being able to bond with other students and work with classmates on articles. In the future if I decide to become a writer, this (class) can make a huge impact.”

In this day and age of digital publications, The Californian is sticking to its paper roots — for now. Sinistro says she has aspirations of going online and also combining with a broadcast class. But for the moment, she is simply thrilled with the students’ excitement to work on the paper.

Student Wilson Urkov, 12, says, “We’re learning skills on how to get things done.

It’s not that easy, so (the class is) teaching us how to complete (articles) with independence and on time.”

“I like learning about how to write an article to catch people’s attention and learning more about computers, which is a life skill. And I like the responsibility (the class) gives me,” interjects Bessa Miller, 13.

She continues that she believes the class will

“My favorite part is being able to bond with other students and work with classmates on articles. In the future if I decide to become a writer, this (class) can make a huge impact.” help her build skills that she can use in the future. “Technology is a big part of daily life, so maybe I could get a job in computers,” Miller adds.

In all, the Cal Middle School Publications students see the full potential of what this class offers. As Colby Tell, 13, sums up, “(We) apply writing skills for rigor. We’re working and collaborating with others in class to actually make the newspaper something that can happen at this school.”

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THE TATTOOED PRINCE IN TIGHTS MEET PRINCIPAL DANCER RICHARD PORTER

ARTICLE LAURA I. WINN PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

I

Richard Porter lifts his wife Amanda Peet. Photo by Keith Sutter.

24

Sacramento Lifestyle | March 2016

f you catch Richard Porter at the pub, you probably wouldn't guess he's a principal dancer with the Sacramento Ballet. Sporting tattoos on his arms and piercings in his ears, the 31-year-old Australian looks more like he belongs drumming in a rock band than spinning pirouettes in second position.

“I like to be different,” he says in an Aussie accent while sipping on a beer. Plus, he does actually drum.

As a sports-loving surfer dude growing up in Melbourne, Porter didn't initially envision himself as a ballerino. He had a different goal in mind: to dance in music videos. So he enrolled in hip-hop, tap and jazz. Ballet was suggested as a way to build the core strength needed to seriously pursue dance.

As a young teenager, Porter was hesitant to pull on the tights — what would his football mates think?

He quickly got over the embarrassment and “fell in love with ballet, especially the partnering.”

With ballet as the new dream, he trained at Dance World 301 and the Australian Ballet and later joined the West Australian Ballet and Melbourne Ballet Company. Then he was ready to travel the world. He

sent audition tapes to several California companies, thinking the state was all beach and surf.

Within a week, he was on a plane to dance under the direction of the Sacramento Ballet's husband-and-wife duo of Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda, whom he praises as “second to none.”

In his eight years with company, Porter has danced some of the most iconic roles: Romeo in Romeo & Juliet, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, and the Prince in Cinderella. Porter cites the classics as his favorites. “There's nothing like dancing for three hours as Romeo and then the curtain comes up and you see 3,000 people standing and crying.”

He also speaks with enthusiasm about the contemporary performances in smaller venues, such as the Beer and Ballet series, where the dancers choreograph themselves to modern music. The more intimate setting allows the audience to get a better appreciation for what the dancers do. “You can see all our muscles working, how hard we're breathing. It's gritty. It's hard work.”

When he's not working hard on stage, Porter stays busy as a new dad. He and his wife, retired Sac ballet dancer Amanda Peet, welcomed baby Annabelle in 2015. Despite the lack of surf, the family plans to stay in the capital city. “This is home for me.”

Sacramento Ballet dancer Richard Porter. Photo by Keith Sutter.

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25

Water & Woods

rr i

Pa

m Tho n h e r o n . P h o to b y

G re e

Effie Yeaw Nature Center

sh

River at sunrise. Photo by Thom Parrish.

JEWEL OF THE AMERICAN RIVER PARKWAY ARTICLE PAMELA BAKER | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

E

ffie Yeaw Nature Center, jewel of the American River Parkway, is a natural habitat of walking trails and abundant wildlife. A 100-acre preserve within Ancil Hoffman Park in Carmichael, the center offers a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of the nearby city.

The interactive nature center is named after Effie Yeaw — a teacher, early

26

Sacramento Lifestyle | March 2016

conservationist and visionary for the American River Parkway. In the 1950s and 1960s, Yeaw would often use the area, formerly known as Deterding Woods, to introduce children to nature and wildlife.

Alarmed by the growing threat to open space available for nature study, wildlife and recreation, Yeaw and other conservationists worked diligently to get a county parks bond

measure passed to purchase land along the American River and establish the parkway.

The lower portion of Deterding Ranch was part of that purchase and the Nature Center became part of the parkway plan, guaranteeing access to the river and nature’s beauty for future generations.

Teachers can bring their classes to the center where students explore the interactive

Lone deer crossing a trail. Photo by Pamela Baker.

C o y o te

. Ph

o to

by

Th

om

Pa

i sh

rr

.

museum and meet some of the native raptors, reptiles and amphibians; walk the trails and discover native plants and wildlife in the preserve; wade into the American River or ponds to investigate creatures living below the water’s surface; or learn more about the Maidu Indian culture in the replica of a native village.

The center also offers day camps during school breaks at a cost of $20 for members or $25 for non-members. Camps offer classes on outdoor skills, water and rain, exploring the river’s edge, a variety of animals, and many other fun topics.

Every Saturday and Sunday, there are free programs for families, adults, and children. Visitors need only pay the park entry fee of $5 per car, and arrive early to ensure a spot in that day’s program.

Topics range from Coyote Tales, Birding for Families, Nature’s Art Box, Beavers vs. Otters, Salamander Story Time, a Kid’s Christmas Bird Count in December, and many other fun and fascinating adventures. Once a month, there is a free family bird walk led by a member of the Sacramento Audubon Society.

But for those who just want to enjoy the center on their own, there are three self-guided trails with opportunities to see deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, owls, snakes, hawks and songbirds. On my last visit to the center, just a few steps into the Main Trail, I encountered two does and six fawns that were undaunted by my presence. The Main and Natoma Trails both lead down to the American River for an up close view of one of Sacramento’s most treasured natural resources.

Paul Tebbel, the center’s Executive Director, considers the center to be “one of the safest places in the Parkway. You don’t have to worry about bikes speeding by because the bike trail is on the opposite side of the river.” In fact, Tebbel said that many local residents use the trails on a regular basis for walking and running.

So the next time you feel the need to get away from confines of city life, visit Effie Yeaw Nature Center and experience this natural jewel in its wild, yet scenic, setting along the American River. To learn more, visit SacNatureCenter.net or call 916.489.4918.

A young girl catches a fish during the Nature Center's Outdoor Adventures summer camp. Photo by Kari Bauer.

Two young campers explore pond life during Nature Camp.

Photo by Kari Bauer.

March 2016 | Sacramento Lifestyle

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Lifestyle Calendar

March THROUGH MARCH 20

Photo by Monique Morgan

FRANKENSTEIN

MARCH 17

B STREET THEATRE

FARM-TO-FORK DINNER BY SUPPER CLUB AND TOUR OF “ANDY

Part of the B Street Theatre's Family Series, journey with Viktor Franken-

WARHOL: PORTRAITS”

stein and encounter his doomed creature in the first science fiction story

CROCKER ART MUSEUM

ever written. BStreetTheatre.org

It’s Andy Warhol’s dinner party, and you’re invited! Enjoy an exhibition tour

MARCH 5 & 6 THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EGGSTRAVAGANZA CROWNE PLAZA NORTHEAST

that is every bit as fun and different as Warhol himself, then revel in a fourcourse farm-to-fork dinner with locally sourced wine and beer pairings.

CrockerArtMuseum.org

See eggstraordinary creations from egg artists from all over the world,

MARCH 18

shop for egg art supplies, and learn how to recreate egg art step-by-step

6TH ANNUAL HARMONY OF TASTES FUNDRAISER

during a scheduled seminar (seminars held March 2-6).

SIERRA 2 CENTER

NorCalEggShow.com

The Sacramento Children's Chorus (SCC) 6th annual Harmony of Tastes

MARCH 5 & 6 18TH ANNUAL SACRAMENTO JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL CALIFORNIA MUSEUM

fundraiser will feature local wines and craft beer, sweet treats and savory bites. A silent auction and musical entertainment will also be part of the evening. SacramentoChildrensChorus.org

Newly relocated to the California Museum, the 18th Annual Sacramento

MARCH 19

Jewish Film Festival will feature contemporary films focused on the Jewish

SPRING GARDEN CLINIC & ORGANIC PLANT SALE

experience from around the world.

SOIL BORN FARMS/AMERICAN RIVER RANCH

CaliforniaMuseum.org/Jewish-Film-Fest

Get a jump start on your spring garden and learn about how to grow

MARCH 6

vibrant, tasty and healthy plants. SoilBorn.org

CAPITOL BEER FEST 2016

MARCH 24

CAPITOL MALL

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY: E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL

The 6th annual Capitol Beer Fest celebrates the close of Sacramento

MONDAVI CENTER — JACKSON HALL

Beer Week with 125+ breweries serving over 300 varieties of craft

The San Francisco Symphony presents the legendary work of Hollywood

beer. All proceeds go to the Runnin' for Rhett Youth Fitness program.

composer John Williams from one of the most iconic sci-fi films of all time.

CapitolBeerFest.com.

MondaviArts.org

MARCH 9 - 20

MARCH 25

THE BOOK OF MORMON

COMMUNITY MISSION: RETURN TO THE MOON

COMMUNITY CENTER THEATER

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Experience the thrill of space exploration with your family and friends

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MARCH 17 - APRIL 2

ervations required. TheDiscovery.org

BACH TO NOW AND BEYOND

MARCH 26 & 27

E. CLAIRE RALEY STUDIOS FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

SPRING EGGSTRAVAGANZA

Concerto Barocco and an edgy Sacramento premiere join forces for an

FAIRYTALE TOWN

unforgettable evening of dance. Balanchine’s streamlined marvel juxta-

This fun-filled family weekend features egg hunts, prizes, spring-themed

posed to a tour-de-force of the here and now weds the sublime to the

hands-on activities and visits with Peter Cottontail. Daily egg hunts are

bold. Included in this cross generational program, dancers explore the

held promptly at 12, 1 and 2 pm and hunt areas are separated by age

beyond utilizing the latest in today’s groundbreaking technology to create

group. FairytaleTown.org.

new forms of dance. SacBallet.org 30

Sacramento Lifestyle | March 2016

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Parting Thoughts

y p p a H CAMPER

WORDS CORRIE PELC | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

W

hen most people think of March, they think of the impending end of winter and the promise of warm days and spring flowers ahead.

For me, March signals that too, but also something even more important — the start of camping season!

About four years ago, my husband and I discovered camping. Both having grown up in Northern New Jersey with parents that laughed at the idea of spending a weekend in a tent in the wilderness, it's just something we had never been introduced to. Then thanks to some friends here in Northern California, we had an opportunity to go on our first camping trip. We absolutely loved it — the fresh air, the quiet, being unplugged from technology. It was bliss!

Every year since that first trip, we try to plan one camping trip every month from March through October. Our shorter weekend trips are spent tent camping in some beautiful spots like Sunset State Beach in Watsonville. And for our longer trips we bring our fifth wheel trailer along, which allows us to work while we're there, but then also unplug and enjoy the beauty of spots like Clearlake, Fort Bragg, and Lake Tahoe once our work is done.

Now you might be reading this and saying to yourself, “I'm SO not a camper!” Heck, that's what I said for many years. But you're really doing yourself a disservice if you never give it a shot. Here's some reasons to help change your mind.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Here in Sacramento we are very lucky to be just a few hours car ride from some of the most beautiful places to camp. Drive to the east and you can start camping as soon as Folsom Lake State Recreation Area 34

Sacramento Lifestyle | March 2016

or El Dorado National Forest. Go a bit further and there's tons of camping in Lake Tahoe. To the west there's beautiful lakes like Lake Berryessa and Clearlake, or keep on going to the coast. Drive a few hours north for camping spots in the Redding area, or head south to spots like Henry W. Coe State Park.

SO MUCH TO GAIN

There's numerous benefits to camping, many of which I didn't realize until I started doing it. The big one for me is being able to unplug from technology for a while — it does wonderful things for the brain! But you can also just unplug from life in general. There's no grocery store lists or telemarketers calling — just you, your family, and the beautiful scenery around you. And researchers have found spending time in nature can help relieve depression and just make you happier overall.

GIVE IT A SHOT

Although it might still be a bit too cool for tent camping, now is the time to start planning and booking camp sites as they will fill up fast. If you're new to camping, try sites like ReserveAmerica.com and KOA.com to find great camping spots all across the U.S. And if you don't have all the camping gear you might need, see if you have a friend that will let you borrow theirs for the weekend or some businesses like REI and Peak Adventures will let you rent camping gear so you don't have to buy it all upfront.

Remember camping is all about letting go of stress and enjoying the beauty around us. Get out there and find your inner happy camper!

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