Sacramento Magazine March 2023

THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 17TH - 19TH

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YOUR BEST LIFE BEGINS AT ARDEN HILLS

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PUBLISHER

Dennis Rainey

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Krista Minard

ART DIRECTOR

Gabriel Teague

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR

Darlena Belushin McKay

DINING EDITOR

Marybeth Bizjak

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sasha Abramsky, Luna Anona, Mark Billingsley, Diana Bizjak, Cathy Cassinos-Carr, Kara Chin, Sena Christian, Marcus Crowder, Ed Goldman, Dorsey Griffith, Angela Knight, Elena M. Macaluso, Reed Parsell, Kari L. Rose Parsell, Bill Romanelli, Thea Marie Rood, Nora Heston Tarte, Mari Tzikas Suarez, Catherine Warmerdam, Sara E. Wilson

ART

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Debbie Hurst

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kat Alves, Gary and Lisa Ashley, Mike Battey, Beth Baugher, Francisco Chavira, Debbie Cunningham, Wes Davis, Terence Duff y, Tim Engle, Kevin Fiscus, Kevin Gomez, Aniko Kiezel, Ryan Angel Meza, Tyler Mussetter, Stephanie Russo, Rachel Valley, Susan Yee

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ADVERTISING MANAGERS

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SENIOR ADVERTISING DESIGNER

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MARKETING & WEB

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND DIGITAL MEDIA

Dan Poggetti

CIRCULATION

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Riley Meyers

SENIOR CIRCULATION COORDINATOR

David Benvenuto

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Stephen Rice

SALES OFFICES

SACRAMENTO

Midtown owned and operated, Little Relics provides artisan and fine contemporary jewelry as well as custom and full-service repair. At the helm and leading the circus, Susan Rabinovitz, trained with Masters from around the world (over 1,000 hours with mentors) earned certified recognition as a Graduate Jeweler, Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. Susan, also, had the esteemed privilege to be the only female competitor in Stuller’s International Battle of Benches, 2019. In an effort to continuously provide quality service, Susan is currently accepted and attending GIA, Graduate Gemologist Program (eta completion fall 2023).

Wed–Fri. 11-5:30 • Sat & Sun 12-4

Refer to our list of local cosmetic medical professionals.

See pages 61–67.

PUBLISHED BY SACRAMENTO MEDIA LLC

CEO Stefan Wanczyk

PRESIDENT

John Balardo

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WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

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Transported

Do you remember your first pair of roller skates? Mine were my older sister’s castoffs. They had sliding metal plates, one leather ankle strap each and little hard wheels that barely rolled. I’d go clacking up the street to the neighbor’s sloped driveway, and then I’d better hope not to hit a pebble on the way down that hill. Stub a wheel and I’d go sprawling—road rash, holes in the knees of my flowered pants—then endure a painful clomp home.

Skates had improved significantly by the time roller skating got popular in the late-1970s, when I was in high school. We all cruised around town on smooth orange wheels. To stop, we peeled an under-toe braking knob along the sidewalk. I’m sure skates are even better now. Writer Angela Knight, who has rediscovered skating herself, rounded up a bunch of people to talk about roller skating’s revived popularity during the pandemic. Paired with some fabulously energetic photos from Wes Davis, Angela’s words bring back the fun of spinning around a rink—or around town—on eight wheels.

Also in this issue, Jessica Laskey covers Sacramento’s art gallery scene, catches us up on how it’s going after the past couple tough years, and profiles a number of spots to go if you’re looking to buy—or simply admire—local artists’ works. Meanwhile, Sena Christian writes about the art of music this month. Sacramento has become a destination for concertgoers, with Aftershock, GoldenSky, Sol Blume, Concerts in the Park and other outdoor events drawing thousands of people. Furthermore, a couple of guys have made it their business to promote local musicians and their works, and live-music venues are hopping nearly every day of the week.

In keeping with a bit of an art theme, Sasha Abramsky starts his essay about his Southwest road trip with a description of a painting he picked up in his travels. “ . . . a stark, crevasse-lined, pink New Mexico mountain ridge set against a deep blue sky . . .” Even without an actual image of the art piece, we can see it. He shares his journey with us, bringing us along as witnesses to the magic of the Southwest’s deserts and open roads. As a visual artist in my family once said as we were driving through the desert, when all I saw around us was dull beige: “There are a million different colors out there.”

Whether you’re flying down driveways with wheels on your feet or allowing yourself to be transported to new worlds through local artists’ creations, enjoy the ride—and the issue.

KRISTA MINARD krista@sacmag.com

AND THERE’S MORE . . .

Out now, for newcomers and visitors: Explore Sacramento published by Sacramento Media—is a guest and relocation guide packed with information about the region. For copies, go to sacmag.com/ sacramento-guest-relocation-guide.

Sacramento Magazine’s free newsletter, The Daily Brief, goes to email subscribers every weekday. Catch the latest updates in dining, arts and entertainment, wine, recreation, health and more. You’ll also find links to other community news and resources and social media posts that have caught our eye. Subscribe at sacmag.com/newsletters.

CONTRIBUTORS

Catherine Warmerdam

“In discussing design, so much focus is placed on how a home is decorated and not on how it performs,” says Sac Design writer Catherine Warmerdam. “What I’ve learned from Mela Breen at Atmosphere Design Build is that we need to be having more conversations about buildings that are energy efficient, climate resilient and resource aware. Her firm is doing really forwardlooking work in this arena, proving that when it comes to well-designed structures, beauty truly is more than skin deep.”

Wes Davis

Whether it’s roller skating or skateboarding, photographer Wes Davis has experience with the rolling community. “I’ve been riding a skateboard for over 30 years and have a deep connection to all my fellow skaters,” he says. “Skating for me has always been my meditation and my lens to view the world. I had a great time photographing this assignment and connecting with so many unique and passionate rollers!” His portfolio also includes artists—lots of them—in creative imagery: art imiting art.

Jessica Laskey

“The local gallery scene is near and dear to my heart,” says Jessica Laskey, a Sacramento native and the daughter of two artists. “It was fascinating to catch up with gallery owners and curators. Though we lost quite a few beloved galleries during the pandemic, I think the art scene will recover and continue to thrive. Sacramento loves art, and that will never change.” Jessica’s work has appeared in Comstock’s, The Sacramento Bee and Inside Sacramento, and she’s the executive director of Stories on Stage Sacramento.

Celebrate the Earth with us.

WITH YOUR HELP, WE’LL DOUBLE OUR DONATION AND PLANT TWO TREES FOR EVERY BOTTLE.

SCAN. PLANT. CELEBRATE.

To date, we have planted over 973,000 trees across the United States.

Go Bald

Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance, St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Supercuts are holding the 21st annual “Brave the Shave” fundraiser for children’s cancer research this month. Headshaving events take place at a number of locations around the region, including Mulvaney’s B&L (and elsewhere) on March 6 and Westfield Galleria at Roseville on March 21. Become a “shavee” and you’ll not only be raising money for a great cause, but your cool new hairstyle will help spread awareness and support for kids undergoing cancer treatment. To sign up and for more information, go to getbald.com.

The 916

Cara Nooren of Team Glaibo braves the shave in 2022.

Fine Art and Books

AMATORIA FINE ART BOOKS grew out of a fascinating collection owned by local collector and historian Richard Press, who passed away in November 2020. Over a span of decades, Press roamed the world looking for rare books. He was particularly interested in Jewish art and history, Japanese art, photography, architecture, design, sculpture, pottery and ceramics. He knew about African, Indian and Islamic art traditions. And on and on and on. Press was omnivorous in his interests, and his collection went down one side road after another as his curiosity and knowledge grew. He would bring the books back to Sacramento, aiming to keep some and to sell others. His midtown store, piled high with the delightful chaos of a genuine collector’s lair, would open at seemingly random hours. It was frequented mainly by arts aficionados from around the region. When Press retired in early 2020, his collection and business were taken over by an out-of-state book dealer, Lawrence Hammar. Hammar, in turn, sought help managing the business and the roughly 15,000 volumes of art books.

“I was driving by one day and saw the bookstore open,” recalls Laurelin Gilmore, a local artist and librarian. “I did a U-turn, came back, found it was a different bookseller and that Richard Press had retired.” Soon after, she began working in the store. “It felt like I had been training for it my whole life. Sacramento and the region doesn’t have anything else like this.”

Miranda Culp, a fiction editor and freelance writer who worked with artists, heard the store needed an assistant when a friend from her college days at Goddard College in Vermont forwarded a Facebook job posting. The qualifications involved good writing skills and familiarity with art. “It changed my life forever,” she says happily.

In the early months of the pandemic, Gilmore and Culp bought Hammar out. They have been clearing passages through the densely piled books and turning the tiny space into a gathering spot for artists, theater troupes doing table readings of new plays, writers reading from their new books and other local creatives of one stripe or another.

“BOOKS HAVE A PERSONALITY AND A MAGNETISM OF THEIR OWN, AND THE BOOKSTORE REALLY HAS A WAY OF MATERIALIZING THINGS.”

These days, Gilmore’s and Culp’s Amatoria is one of Sacramento’s hidden gems, specializing in quality art books and rare editions from around the world. They help fill in holes in collections that other stores can’t. “A person’s library tells you so much about themselves,” Culp explains. “We consider ourselves to be shepherds of those collections. Books have a personality and a magnetism of their own, and the bookstore really has a way of materializing things. It’s a way of bearing witness every day, where something just comes up in the air.”

Local artist and community college instructor Eric Wood is a regular. “Part of a place like this is about reading and teaching curiosity,” he says. “It’s pretty hard not to browse. Browsing is surface knowledge, which can lead to curiosity and deeper knowledge. A bookstore is a scalpel, putting that knowledge in people.”

Tony Marquez, who spent years on the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission and was instrumental in developing the Broadway Sacramento theater series, knew Richard Press since the late 1980s and has been fascinated by the eclecticism of the Amatoria collection ever since. “I enjoy everything about this bookstore: the quality, the customers, and Miranda and Laurelin,” he says. “Today, I’m buy-

ing a bunch of stuff: a Man Ray book, some books on contemporary Mexican art, and a book on photo illustrations, a review on Latin American literature and arts, which has articles by [Mexican poet] Octavio Paz, [French writer] André Breton, just a bunch of really good people.”

Gioia Fonda, another local artist and community college teacher, agrees. “My interests are changing all the time, and my book collection doesn’t catch up to my interests.” When that happens, she visits Amatoria, not necessarily to buy but to browse and take notes. While teaching a class on murals, she recently visited Amatoria to glean information from its many books on the great muralists. “It’s very life-affirming to see a book on a shelf, and you thought you were the only one who cared about it. When I come here and see books that are very obscure, I feel less alone. This is an anchor. This is an artists’ space.”—

SASHA ABRAMSKY

Miranda Culp and Laurelin Gilmore

Artwork by Joha Harrison

Digital Drive

Neville Boston and his company, Reviver, are on a mission to modernize the driving experience.

BY BILL ROMANELLI

It started in 2008, as Neville Boston listened to a friend lament his latest experience with the DMV. That conversation would change the course of Neville’s life—and how drivers interact with the much-reviled Department of Motor Vehicles.

Neville went on to launch a company originally called Smart Plate (later changed to Reviver). Fast-forward to 2015, and the fi rst digital license plate prototype was a xed to an automobile. Unlike other smart technology that never goes beyond the “cool new toy” application, the digital license plate is a true game changer.

“WE’VE RE-IMAGINED IT FROM A SIMPLE PIECE OF METAL INTO A FUTURE-PROOFED CONNECTED VEHICLE PLATFORM.”

“Everything on the automobile has embraced smart technology, even the tires,” says Boston, whose company is based in Granite Bay. “The only thing that hasn’t changed is the license plate. We’ve re-imagined it from a simple piece of metal into a future-proofed connected vehicle platform.”

Think of something like a Kindle in your license plate frame. It’s connected to your cellphone and can update your vehicle registration remotely with no lines, no stickers and no tags. It can communicate Amber alerts and weather and tra c updates, streamline tolling, parking and other services, and even indicate if a vehicle is in autonomous mode. That’s just for starters.

California approved digital license plates in 2016, followed by Arizona, Michigan and Texas, with legislation currently pending in seven other states. Today, there are more than 50,000 digital license plates on the road, and the market is likely to continue growing until, as Boston hopes, digital plates become the new standard.

So what about the name? Why Reviver?

“It’s what we’re doing with this technology: We’re taking something old and reviving it into something new,” Boston says. “It’s also similar to what’s happening in this region with so much innovation. I’m so happy to be building this here.”

Neville Boston

Catching Up With: Rebecca Lowe

Rebecca Lowe lives two lives. In one, she’s an unstoppable NBC sportscaster, covering Premier League soccer (er, “football”) all over the world. In the other, she’s a Northern California mom with a penchant for afternoon tea.

“We moved here from the UK—after a short stint in Connecticut—when my husband [Paul Buckle] got hired as the head coach of the Sacramento Republic,” says Lowe, who lives in El Dorado Hills. “We feel like we’ve found a hidden gem.”

That’s high praise from someone who travels the world in the limelight. Her sports-television career started in 2002 when she won the BBC Talent Search for a football reporter. She later moved to ESPN UK, where in 2012 she became the first woman to host the FA Cup Final, a six-hour live broadcast from Wembley Stadium. She joined NBC Sports in 2013, covering the Olympic Games in 2014 and 2016 before taking her place as host of NBC’s Premier League coverage.

She’s on the road several weeks a year, so when she’s home, her passions are her family, getting out into the El Dorado Hills countryside and baking.

“I absolutely love baking. My secret desire is to one day open a tea shop here,” Lowe says. “I’d love to spread the word across California on how to make a good English cup of tea.”

To say she and her family have also fallen in love with life here would be an understatement—they all became American citizens last year.

Still, they do enjoy a taste of home now and then by cheering on the Sacramento Republic. As someone with deep roots in professional “football,” Rebecca has high hopes for the team’s future.

“I hope and pray one day Major League Soccer can find its way to Sacramento,” she says. “It’s a city, a football club and a fan base that absolutely deserves it.”

—BILL ROMANELLI

Road Trip: Indoor Water Park

Waiting for summer to hit the water park? No need. Great Wolf Lodge, a year-round indoor water park with locations in Southern California and Texas, opened its Northern California location in Manteca in 2021.

The 95,000-square-foot water park is the biggest draw of the family-focused stay-and-play resort, bursting with attractions for “pups” big and small. (They lean hard into the wolf theme here.) The water is always a balmy 84 degrees. Speed through a quarter-pipe slide headed for a splash or take it easy on the lazy river. A 20-foot vertical free-fall ride, dubbed Wolf Tail, drops the floor out from under you, and Fort Mackenzie is a four-story treehouse fort filled with waterfalls, slides and fountains. When you’re not splashing in the wave pool or shooting hoops waist-deep in water, you can cozy up in a cabana with a piña colada in hand (virgin or not). Water play is unlimited with a day pass or overnight stay.

The rest of the 29-acre resort includes an outdoor swimming pool equipped with loungers, a ropes course that travels through a 45,000-square-foot indoor adventure park, mini golf, a full arcade, a mirror maze, a gemstone activity and mini bowling. The MagiQuest adventure game lets guests uncover secret perks and play hidden games throughout the property, all with the flick of their wrist (magic wand in hand). Nightly dance parties for the whole family and morning yoga classes are hosted in the lobby.

The 500-room resort is designed so families don’t have to leave, with on-site shopping, dining, an ice cream shop, Dunkin’ for a caffeine fix, and a candy store selling goodies by the ounce. Book a basic room or one expanded with a kids’ cabin or wolves’ den. 2500 Daniels St., Manteca; (888) 966-9653; greatwolf.com NORA HESTON TARTE

Rebecca Lowe

Left to right: Tim Howard, Tyler Adams (from U.S. Men’s National Team), Rebecca Lowe, Robbie Earle, Robbie Mustoe

Natural Gas: Good or Grim?

BY REED PARSELL

Sustainability and residential energy use have an uneasy relationship, to say the least. The former is almost always victimized by the needs of the latter. Solar panels atop the house can improve that relationship, but . . . Let’s face it. We go about our lives with the technology and collaborative spirit we have in 2023, not the technology and collaborative spirit we might need for life to thrive in the future.

Which brings us to this month’s topic: natural gas. Is it ethically superior to electricity? Are you more of an Earth steward if your stove, water heater and furnace run on gas rather than electricity?

There is no clean answer. Literally, especially when talking about natural gas, a fossil-fuel-derived energy source that before it became a marketable commodity was referred to as merely “gas.” Much discussion about gas is presented in a pros-andcons format.

For example, MET Group, a large European energy company “with activities in natural gas and power,” recently had these positive things to say about gas:

• It’s less expensive than other fossil fuels.

• It burns cleaner than other fossil fuels.

• It’s reliable in a way that electricity, subject to power outages, is not.

• It has “more e cient storage and transportation compared to renewable energy.”

MET Group admits that producing usable gas is “a long and costly process.” MET is an example of a “bridge” energy promoter, which acknowledges that gas is not long-term viable but is a great option to tide us over until wind and solar take its place.

The Natural Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group based in New York, in a November 2021 post titled “Natural Gas 101” countered with, “Natural gas may be a triumph of marketing, but the fact is that gas is a major contributor to air pollution, water pollution and climate change.”

The NRDC stresses that gas is a finite source of energy, one that even the MET Group concedes likely will run dry in about a half-century. Then there’s the pollution angle.

“Gas doesn’t yield as much greenhouse gas as coal or oil does when burned,” the NRDC says, “but that’s not the only way greenhouse gases escape into the atmosphere. Before it’s burned, gas leaks at every part of its journey: from the well, during transportation along pipelines, at power plants, and in the homes and businesses where it’s burned. That means that at every step, copious amounts of methane—the second most significant climate pollutant—are released into the air.”

The gas industry also “emits nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds,” which help create “ground-level ozone”

that can cause lung ailments. Furthermore, the violent, loud and aesthetically challenged practice of fracking, which in recent decades has surged so much in the United States that we now produce more gas than Russia, among other shortcomings pollutes millions of gallons of freshwater at each fracking site.

“Fracking wastewater can be radioactive, corrosive and toxic to humans and wildlife,” says the NRDC, adding, “at least 29 chemical additives in fracking water have been identified as of particular concern for human health— and more than a dozen are probable or known human carcinogens.” People residing in low-income areas are most likely to be exposed to such pollution. So there’s an inequity factor.

A truck carrying liquefied gas is, according to the NRDC, “essentially a bomb.” In the unlikely but quite chilling event a convoy of 22 such trucks crashed and exploded, the 1945 Hiroshima atomic bombing would be re-created in a different city and era. So there’s a catastrophic danger factor, too. For “natural” gas, the cons are giving the pros quite a run for their money.

“Natural gas may be a triumph of marketing, but the fact is that gas is a major contributor to air pollution, water pollution and climate change.”

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Chiropractic Myths and Truths

Wellness

Vance Jones receives a chiropractic adjustment from Dr. Steve Long.

BY DORSEY GRIFFITH

After a series of mountain bike falls and ski injuries, Vance Jones began losing mobility. One day he stood up, only to crash to the floor with a massive back spasm. After pain meds and muscle relaxants failed to help, the Sacramento man reluctantly sought help from a chiropractor.

“I had this preconceived notion that what they do causes more harm than good,” he says. Ten years later, he’s a believer. “It’s not a magic fix-all, but he got me on a path to recovery I have been able to sustain through a combination of alignment adjustments, stretching and mobility exercises. I trust him.

I see him every other week.”

Jones is among a growing patient base for chiropractic care, which aims to improve one’s health and quality of life with a focus on manual therapy and adjustments to relieve muscle and joint pain, plus nutrition and exercises. While chiropractic care is popular among those seeking a nondrug approach to health problems, the practice is still misunderstood and even maligned as illegitimate. Sacramento Magazine talked to several California chiropractors about myths that still plague chiropractic and the relevant truths of practice today.

MYTH: People become chiropractors because they aren’t smart enough to be medical doctors.

TRUTH: “The rigor would shock people,” says Greg Snow, a doctor of chiropractic and dean of academic affairs at Palmer College of Chiropractic West in San Jose. He says more than 80 percent of Palmer’s students enter the four-year program with a bachelor’s degree, many in the fields of kinesiology or exercise science. At a minimum, program entry requires 90 semester hours, including 24 in science courses, plus courses in differential diagnosis and clinical evaluation and technique. Residencies are not required, but students work in the school’s on-site clinic, and many go onto preceptorships in chiropractic offices, or Veterans Administration clerkships. “The students come out with an incredible amount of knowledge,” Snow says.

MYTH: They are not real doctors.

TRUTH: A chiropractor is not an M.D. but a doctor of chiropractic after meeting academic program requirements and

passing National Board of Chiropractic Examiners tests. Students also must pass X-ray competency exams to diagnose patients. To become licensed in California, chiropractic students must apply to the Board of Chiropractic Examiners and pass an ethics and jurisprudence test. Doctors of chiropractic can get board certified in a variety of specialties, says Elizabeth S. Hoefer, president of the California Chiropractic Association. Hoefer is board certified in “craniocervical junction procedures,” specializing in upper cervical procedures for patients with migraines, Meniere’s disease and vertigo.

MYTH: Chiropractic scope of practice is limited to spine manipulation.

TRUTH: State law allows a licensed chiropractor to manipulate and adjust the spinal column and other joints, as well as manipulate muscle and connective tissue. Over 90 percent of spinal manipulation in the United States is done by chiropractors. Chiropractors can legally diagnose and treat any condition, disease or injury as long as they do it in a way that is consistent with chiropractic methods and within their scope of practice. In treating patients with nonpharmacological options, chiropractors have wide latitude; in addition to manual manipulation, massage and physical therapy, they can use heat, light, ultrasound, activator adjustment tools and electrotherapy, nerve stimulation and similar modalities.

MYTH: Chiropractic care is far outside mainstream medicine and health care .

TRUTH: Chiropractic techniques run the gamut from unconventional to routine and familiar. John Linck, a 65-year-old

Sacramento man with occasional back and neck tension restricting his movement, says one chiropractor’s use of an activator tool felt like “witch doctory,” but his current chiropractor employs a massage chair, a hand massage device, electrical stimulation and manual adjustments. “He does this head-twist thing, and I can hear it. Instantly, I feel so much better,” he says. “I can look up and down and side to side without that grinding feeling.”

In some practice settings, chiropractors work alongside M.D.s and other providers. The practice has become common at VA medical centers. Robert Walsh, chief of chiropractic services at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, says there are more than 300 VA chiropractic providers nationwide. “I can’t pull a private practitioner off the street and throw them into our setting and consider them to be safe without further training,” he says. “We are expected to practice guidelineconcordant care. That’s not the same with private practice.” While some veterans hesitate before accepting a referral to a chiropractic doctor, he added, the practice is proving very effective for patients with low-back pain, especially by reducing reliance on opioid drugs.

John Chardos, an M.D. at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, admits he was skeptical about chiropractors until he saw one 15 years ago for nerve pain in his arms that was so bad that he could no longer pick up his children. He rejected an M.D.’s advice to take an anticonvulsant drug and instead saw a chiropractor. At first, he says, the chiropractor prescribed fish oil and a special type of salt, then after an examination “diagnosed the problem and

did manipulations and acupressure. He was able to help me out. I could now bend my arms.” Now chief of integrative primary care at the VA, Chardos is impressed with the chiropractors’ expertise, evidence-based approaches and teamwork. “Our experience is that we can prevent an acute low-back problem from becoming a chronic problem,” he says.

MYTH : Most people can adjust themselves .

TRUTH: While self-adjustments may provide some relief temporarily, they are rarely e ective over the long term. The popping noises in the joints when you either get an adjustment or attempt your own are the sound of a decrease in pressure in the capsule around the joint, which releases gases. That pop returns motion and function to the joint. But while cracking one’s knuckles or other joints may feel good, you are not likely restoring motion to the areas that should be targeted, says Heather Dehn, a Sacramento chiropractor. “You are overstretching the joint and the support structures around it.” An adjustment, on the other hand, is quick and not deep, “not just stretching and stretching until something reaches its limit and makes noise.”

MYTH: Chiropractic care is inherently dangerous.

TRUTH: Chiropractic is one of the safest alternative health care approaches for treatment of musculoskeletal problems. A systematic review of 26 randomized clinical trials led by physicians and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2017 found that spinal manipulation for low-back pain improved pain symptoms and was not associated with any serious adverse events.

“The evidence supporting the safety, cost-e ectiveness and patient satisfaction with chiropractic is substantial,” says Snow. “But we have to battle the turf wars and the stigma that years of misinformation spread about the profession that were less than scientific.” Much of chiropractic’s negative safety reputation stems from cases in which patients seeking relief for neck pain have su ered a cervical artery dissection (CAD), or tear in a blood vessel running up the neck, potentially leading to a stroke, says Sherry McAllister, a chiropractor and president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress based in Folsom. She says claims that chiropractic

adjustments trigger CAD are based on case studies that do not establish a direct causal link, and she cites a recent study in the Annals of Medicine concluding that the incidence of stroke associated with chiropractic visits is 1 per 8.1 million.

Chiropractors say they are trained to know when to refer a patient to an M.D. “The doctor must listen carefully to the patient’s history, take their vitals and perform orthopedic tests,” says McAllister.

MYTH: Chiropractors are not held to the same kind of ethical standards and regulations as other kinds of health care professionals in California.

TRUTH: Just as California M.D.s are regulated by the Medical Board, chiropractors are regulated by the Board of Chiropractic Examin ers. In both cases, the boards investigate and discipline doctors for violations. In her nine years on the board, Dehn says most disciplinary cases involved chiropractors arrested for DUI or accusations of insurance fraud or unprofessional conduct, and less often involved negligence or other incidents surrounding patient care.

MYTH: Research has demonstrated that chiropractic care is effective for almost any condition.

TRUTH: Chiropractic care has been shown to be safe and e ective for treatment of acute and chronic lower-back, headache and neck pain and for some other musculoskeletal problems. There is not scientific consensus on efficacy of chiropractic for non-musculoskeletal conditions, like viral infections or diseases of the heart, lungs or other organs. “You can get some really interesting results with chiropractic for nonmusculoskeletal conditions,” says Snow. “The problem is that they are not always predictable.” Snow adds that because chiropractors are holistic providers, many of the benefits for patients are less measurable: “Touching someone with your hands and listening to them. Figuring out what is going on and trying to help them. Sometimes it’s an adjustment; sometimes its nutrition and lifestyle changes. Sometimes it’s passive things like soft-tissue mobilization. Being reassuring and providing optimism and coaching what to do to avoid exacerbating symptoms is crucial to what we do in practice.”

How

CHIROPRACTIC IS ONE OF THE SAFEST ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE APPROACHES FOR TREATMENT OF MUSCULOSKELETAL

AM I OKAY TO DRIVE?

BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING

The Thrill of Victory

As another March Madness season approaches, a basketball fan remembers how she fell in love with college ball and watches her favorite team among friends.

Essay

inside: More than just a game

Elena M. Macaluso (middle row in gray sweatshirt) with the Sac Jayhawks of the Kansas Alumni Association at a game-watch party in January.

BY ELENA M. MACALUSO

nd this is Allen Fieldhouse,” my cab driver pointed out.

We had been in the car for about 45 minutes. I’d just dropped my mom off at Kansas City International Airport for her return flight to Sacramento. Mom and I had driven from Sacramento, my hometown, to Lawrence, Kansas, so I could pursue my master’s in journalism at the University of Kansas. I’d gotten my undergraduate degree at Sac State and had never lived out of state. I had traveled back east, from where my family hails, a handful of times, but I had never visited the Midwest and I had never set foot in Kansas.

To say I was a bit emotional after dropping Mom off is an understatement; I was nearly in tears when I got in the cab. The driver, who probably wasn’t much older than 30, picked up on this and—either out of pure kindness or a self-preservation-spurred desire not to have a crying 20-something in the car—peppered me with fun facts about my new home and gave me a mini tour as we made our way to my off-campus apartment. The pièce de résistance? The aforementioned Allen Fieldhouse.

I’m not going to lie: Upon arriving at KU, I was a casual sports fan at best, and that’s only if joining my dad watching the Yankees play in the World Series or attending college football games for the sole purpose of tailgating counts. I had never heard of Allen Fieldhouse, let alone the Kansas Jayhawks (more on them in a second), and I had no idea why either was important.

But I quickly learned.

Built in 1955, Allen Fieldhouse, named in honor of University of Kansas basketball coach Dr. Forrest C. “Phog” Allen, is the home of the Kansas Jayhawks basketball teams. Games there—particularly men’s basketball games—are legendary. Last year, CBS Sports announcers Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander asked—anonymously—some 100 college basketball coaches, “which arenas have the best environments in college hoops?” for their annual Candid Coaches series. Allen Fieldhouse topped the list with 67.3 percent of the ballots. In July 2022, AFH tied for first place with Duke University’s Cameron Indoor Stadium on ESPN analyst Jay Bilas’ list of top five college basketball venues.

I’ve often described attending a game

at Allen Fieldhouse alongside a thundering crowd of 16,000+ fans—KU students, staff and faculty, the community of Lawrence and sports fans in general—as a religious experience. The sound of the cheers is deafening, the energy palpable, the excitement off the charts. Even the chant, “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk,” is mesmerizing, starting slow and melodic and ending in a frenetic cheer: “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, KU!” And when one of the starters—which in the years I attended KU included basketball hall-of-famer Paul Pierce (best known for his time with the Boston Celtics) and former Sacramento King Scot Pollard (best known for his quirky personality and wild hairdos)—showed their grit, or just a fancy b-ball move, the crowd went wild. After my first game at Allen Fieldhouse on a cold November night with my newfound pals Emily and Regina, I could no longer consider myself a “casual sports fan”—at least not when it came to the Kansas Jayhawks. I was hooked. For the rest of that season and the following year until I graduated, when the ’hawks played, you could find me at one of three places: a friend’s apartment (watching), a local sports bar or—when I was really lucky—in the stands at Allen Fieldhouse.

weeks—when I learned about a group of KU alumni and fans who gathered to watch games at a local sports bar. Watching a game with fellow fans? It sounded like my grad school days minus the stress of studying. I attended my first “watch party” in March 2002. And the rest, as they say, is history.

WHEN THE GAME IS ON, THIS GROUP IS HARD CORE, MAN. ALL EYES ARE ON THE TV. EVERY PLAY IS SCRUTINIZED. EVERY BASKET MADE GETS A ROUSING CHEER. EVERY BASKET MISSED GETS A GROAN.

Fast-forward some four years later. I had graduated from KU, returned to Sacramento and gone to work for a local magazine. (This publication, as a matter of fact.) I enjoyed watching games—especially the yearly March Madness tournament, where some 68 college basketball teams vie for the NCAA National Championship over the course of about three

The Sac Jayhawks of the Kansas Alumni Association holds game-watch parties at Players Sports Pub & Grill in Fair Oaks. The group is led by Joyce Pulley who, with assistance from her husband, Glenn (an alumnus of heated rival University of Missouri—but we still like him), ensures that Players will be open and the game will be shown, sends out invites to the group and, on game day, arrives early to welcome new and old members alike. KU coasters, blueand-red pom-poms and Jayhawk mascot cutouts adorn the tables, courtesy of the alumni association. Though the group boasts more than 200 members, attendance at watch parties typically ranges from about two dozen people to 65+ depending on the game. Members vary in age from 20-something to 80-something, with different backgrounds and interests. However, the thing that unites us is our love for the Kansas Jayhawks and our shared desire to see them win every year.

And so, over cold beverages and greasy pub food, wearing our favorite Jayhawks shirt, sweatshirt, hat or socks (or maybe all of the above), we watch, intently. Superstitions are taken seriously; we have lucky seats and lucky shirts (that may or may not be washed during the tournament itself). When the game is on, this

group is hard core, man. All eyes are on the TV. Every play is scrutinized. Every basket made gets a rousing cheer. Every basket missed gets a groan. And if a ref makes what the group deems a bad call? Well, let’s just say some adult language may accompany those adult beverages some of us are sipping.

For me, game watching with this group brings me back to those bygone grad school days and that awesome sense of community that a sports team can foster. Living in Lawrence, I would see local business marquees sporting an encouraging message to the town’s beloved basketball team or hear a game broadcast while grocery shopping at the local supermarket. The college town of about 75,000—when I lived there in the 1990s—stood behind the team through good seasons and bad. Likewise, so does the Sac Jayhawks group.

Watch parties take place every three to four weeks during the regular season, increasing, depending on game schedules, as we get into the Big 12 Tournament, and last however far the Jayhawks go in March Madness. Each time the group reunites the following year, it feels

a bit like coming home. Collectively we have been through a lot in 20 years— marriages, divorces, retirements, career changes, major surgeries, relocations. We’ve lost a husband, lost parents, had a couple of kids, nearly died of a heart attack, su ered a layo , gone back to school, raised a grandson, moved away, come home. All that life stu is shared, supported and celebrated during those moments before, after and—OK, if the game is a blowout in the team’s favor— maybe during games.

The Jayhawks are always a highly ranked team going into March Madness. The chance of their winning the national championship, though greater some years than others, is always an option. And so every year we watch, hopeful that we will make it all the way and experience the thrill of victory. We did in 2008 in a heart-stopping overtime victory against the Memphis Tigers, and we did last year against the North Carolina Tar Heels. But, much like life, the road to the NCAA Championship title is tough. Unlike the NBA Finals, which has a bestof-seven series, the NCAA tourney is a

one and done. If you lose the game, you’re out of the tournament and your season is over. When that happens, the sense of deflation is striking, correlating in intensity with how far into the tournament your team has gotten when that loss happens. And the years that happens (all but two during the years I’ve been watching with the Sac Jayhawks), we mumble our goodbyes as we head to the door, our heads hung low and the thought universal among us: “Maybe next year.”

But during those seasons when the Jayhawks manage to fend o their opponents (some easily, others not so easily) and make it all the way to the Final Four, make it all the way to the championship game and, especially, when they win the championship like they did last year, something magical happens. For a brief moment we, the Sac Jayhawks of the Kansas Alumni Association, believe we ourselves have won that championship and, for a brief moment, we as a group are one. We are united. And maybe, just maybe, if we are lucky, we carry that sense of unity out into the world.

Rock Chalk!

PHOTOS BY TIM ENGLE AND GABRIEL TEAGUE

th e where ART i s

Local art galleries evolve to keep up with changing times.

BY JESSICA LASKEY

When I was a twentysomething living at 21st and I streets in midtown, I would walk out my front door on Second Saturday and immediately join the fray of locals strolling the streets in search of art—and free booze— on the city’s monthly art walk.

My then-boyfriend and I would wander through dozens of neighborhood galleries, including Viewpoint Photographic Art Center, b. sakata garo, 20th Street Art Gallery, The A rt Studios, Kennedy Gallery and more, before going to dinner somewhere on the Grid.

Things have changed. I’m no longer a twentysomething (thank goodness), and I no longer live in midtown. My then-boyfriend has been my husband for more than 11 years. And Second Saturday, though still alive and kicking, hasn’t quite recovered its usual vigor since the pandemic temporarily shut it down in 2020—and permanently shuttered more than a few venerable art galleries.

But depending on whom you ask, the change in the local art scene hasn’t been all bad. A renewed focus on the artists themselves as well as access to patronage through both traditional galleries and unconventional venues has led to a clearer sense of purpose for both curators and creatives.

Elliott Fouts Gallery

Not Just Four Walls and a Door

Galleries help expose us to the larger narrative around our culture,” says independent art curator and former gallerist Faith J. McKinnie. “Just as we need museums, we need those places where we can look at art and see what artists are thinking about. But a gallery is not just four walls and a door—there’s a responsibility. The duty of a gallery is to make an artist more visible to the public and advance their work through institutional placement, to advocate for their career and think about how they’ll hold up in the canon when we’re all long gone. I love to think the artists I’ve shown have this place in history where their work can stand out in the present moment as well as when we look back.”

Funnily enough, McKinnie didn’t intend to become a gallerist. She worked in nonprofit arts administration for years before using her extensive knowledge of the art market to curate for local collectors. When a client suggested she should have her own gallery and offered her the temporary use of a building that was about to be demolished, McKinnie jumped at the chance to have her own space. The Faith J. McKinnie Gallery showed 35 artists across six shows between July 2021 and January 2022. The entire experience made McKinnie keenly aware of not only the difficulty of running a for-profit gallery—even though she got the building for free, she says she ran through her personal savings to keep it afloat—but also of how the gallery scene was shifting around her.

“Ten years ago, it was all about going out on Second Saturday, planning where you were going to start and finish,” McKinnie says. “Galleries were the foundational, institutional base, and I feel like after the pandemic it’s transitioned into pop-up galleries and temporary activations like Art Hotel, Art Street, Coordinates and The InsideOut. We’ve turned to these alternative art spaces because we don’t have access to the economic influence to get space. I don’t want the city to lean on those temporary spaces. It’s important that we also have galleries to anchor the community together.”

D. Oldham Neath has seen this evolution of the local gallery scene from multiple angles. As the director of Archival Gallery since 1983, Neath helped found the Second Saturday Art Walk with the late Michael Himovitz, the late Chuck Miller, Sheri Watson and the late Judith Weintraub. She’s also served as a curator for several galleries in and out of town and for the PBS KVIE Art Auction and gallery.

“The gallery role has really changed,” Neath says. “I’m one of the few galleries that still actively represents their artists and places them in galleries—some I’ve represented for 30-plus years. There used to be a lot of sales driven by interior designers or people who were paid to choose work for corporate or private clients. Now, people walk in and want a piece of art because they like it; they don’t care where the artist went to school. We have a younger clientele, and they have a different aesthetic from their parents.

“It’s important that we also have galleries to anchor the community together.”

— Faith J. McKinnie

Archival Gallery

Neath can also see a positive even in the pandemic. “I think COVID was actually really good for art galleries,” she says. “When they were locked in their homes for two months, people started nesting and figured out that their environment was important. They started to want things that people made, not mass-produced crap. Even business owners are taking their environment more seriously. Art has become more of a personal choice and less of a status statement.”

A Really Big Party

Being in person with a piece of art is still a crucial part of the buying process, and galleries felt the squeeze when lockdown orders kept clients out. The city shut down Second Saturday from March 2020 through June 2021, which Neath believes hurt pop-up exhibitions more than brick-and-mortar galleries.

“For pop-up galleries, where a show is only up for three days, Second Saturday is a blood source,” Neath says. “But for us, it’s not a bastion of sales. It’s for people to meet the artists and celebrate. True collectors come in before Second Saturday, just after we’ve installed a show, to make sure they get the good stuff.”

Melissa Uroff, curator of Warehouse Artist Lofts Public Market Gallery from January 2019 to 2023, also noticed a shift in First Friday, the R Street Corridor’s answer to Second Saturday.

“Prior to COVID, our First Friday receptions were packed, and we’d sell lots of things that night,” Uroff says. “Now, people tend to visit the gallery throughout the month since they don’t want to be around crowds, which has actually been better for sales. People are buying higher-priced items and are more apt to spend money on the creative community.”

Mima Begovic, former owner of contemporary gallery artspace1616 on Del Paso Boulevard, which closed in 2020, remembers Second Saturday as “a really big party with so many people you could barely move,” but not much more.

“I loved having monthly parties, but that’s not what it takes to run a gallery,” she says. “I’m focused on the artists first of all, then on people who actually spend money on art. You can have a party without having a gallery. When I think about what I want to do as a next step, I’m going to try to expand my collectors circle and promote artists to support their careers. It’s not about how many people come to a reception.”

Begovic takes heart that even with some local gallery mainstays closing down (she wistfully mentions JAYJAY), the art scene in Sacramento is still headed in the right direction. She specifically singles out curators like McKinnie and Kelly Lindner of Sacramento State’s University Galleries and spaces like Verge Center for the Arts for their continued creation of opportunities for emerging as well as established artists.

“We have good curators and excellent artists. I think it’s a matter of connecting them,” Begovic says. “Right now, there’s a feeling that something is brewing in Sacramento. If we are all connected and smart, we might actually have an art renaissance.”

It’s really nice to see people making their own choices.”

LeeAnn Brook, Realm

Teddy Osei, Whisper’s

The Exhibitionists

Regional galleries offer artistic variety.

Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, El Dorado and Nevada counties are home to a variety of art spaces: traditional galleries supported solely by art sales; arts nonprofits that o er educational programming in addition to exhibition; cooperatives where member artists share costs, tasks and exhibition space.

Here are 12 places around the region to add to your list the next time you go gallery hopping.

Archival Gallery

3223 Folsom Blvd. | archivalgallery.com

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1983

EMPHASIS: Contemporary Northern California fine art

KEY ARTISTS: Sean Royal, Maureen Hood, Mel Ramos, Jian Wang

Since 1983, Archival Gallery has given serious art collectors access to the best and brightest of Northern California. Director D. Oldham Neath—also known as the Art Lady—represents a core group of more than 30 artists and actively places them in galleries around the state, including in Palm Springs and Carmel, as well as showcasing them on a monthly basis in her East Sacramento gallery.

As a longtime curator, Neath keeps an eye out for upand-coming talent like Sean Royal, Davy Fiveash, Corey Okada and more. She also exhibits work from late, great “legacy artists” like Mel Ramos, Eric Dahlin and Laureen Landau and current big names like Al Farrow, Gary Dinnen and Jian Wang. As one of the founders of Second Saturday, Neath also knows how to throw a good party—Archival’s monthly artist receptions are legendary for their lively atmosphere, now with live music from Cactus Pete.

As the gallery prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary this August, Neath is looking toward the future. She plans to bring back “Introductions,” an annual July exhibition featuring artists who’ve never shown before—a concept she hopes to make citywide. Neath also started Sacramento Mural Alley in the 32nd/33rd Street Alley as a way to beautify and elevate blank walls and other surfaces with art by local artists. Six murals have been completed thus far.

Archival is also Sacramento’s longest-operating picture frame shop, offering custom designs and a variety of specialty services. Group show “Women’s History Month” is on display March 2–31.

Archival Gallery

D. Oldham Neath

Kennedy Gallery

1931 L St. | kennedygallerysacramento.com

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2006

EMPHASIS: Multimedia

KEY ARTISTS: Pat Orner, Sally Shapiro, Crystyl Hollister, Janet Waltz

In an iconic Victorian on the corner of 20th and L streets in midtown Sacramento sits a jewel of the local art scene, Kennedy Gallery. Owner Michael Misha Kennedy has spent the past 17 years creating an artistic hub not only for the 18 resident artists he represents but for all of art-loving Sacramento.

“Our strong suit is our diversity of types of art,” says Kennedy, himself a celebrated painter who exhibits in the gallery each March. “Metal, glass, painters in all media, mixed media—all of that is representative of the art at our gallery.”

Kennedy Gallery has even received commendations from the California State Assembly and the Sacramento City Council for its contributions to the community as a platform for minority-based artists.

Each May, the gallery puts on its highly anticipated Twenty20 show, wherein 20 artists selected by a panel of judges are asked to produce 25 8-by-8-inch pieces on a common theme. (The work is small to keep it affordable.) Kennedy also hosts a mean Second Saturday—the gallery saw upward of 3,000 patrons each month pre-pandemic.

Like many galleries, COVID took a toll, but Kennedy has the antidote. “The best thing to do is to come back out and support on Second Saturday,” he says. “If you make an outing to a gallery, it isn’t just the gallery that benefits. All the retail stores around us, the restaurants and nightclubs benefit, too.”

“My Abstract View: Abstract Artists Take Center Stage” is on display March 9 through April 2.

“Metal, glass, painters in all media, mixed media—all of that is representative of the art at our gallery.”

—Michael Misha Kennedy

Kennedy Gallery

Michael Misha Kennedy

Elliott Fouts Gallery

1831 P St. | efgallery.com

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1999

EMPHASIS: Landscapes, ceramics, Pop art, resale

KEY ARTISTS: Gregory Kondos, Wayne Thiebaud, Jeff Nebeker, Karen Shapiro, Deladier Almeida, Samantha Buller, Timothy Mulligan, Miles Hermann

Elliott Fouts has seen a lot during his decades on the gallery scene, but one thing is consistent. “Some classics you can keep around and people will keep buying them from generation to generation,” he says.

Fouts launched his eponymous gallery in 1999 to showcase a range of “classics” from well-known faculty and alumni of UC Davis’ storied art department as well as new talent—to have “something for everybody” in a range of prices. Since 2012, he’s occupied an unassuming midtown building that houses 5,600 square feet of exhibition space with exposed ceilings and concrete floors. It feels like a quintessential—read: classic—art gallery.

In 2010, Fouts entered the secondary art market with EFG Private Collections, offering resale and consignment of big-name artists like Robert Arneson, Matt Bult, Fred Dalkey, Roy DeForest, David Gilhooly, Helen Post, Jerald Silva, Peter VandenBerge and more.

Monthly rotating solo and group exhibitions of contemporary artists feature work from Northern California and Utah creatives working in a variety of subjects and mediums, including photography, ceramics, landscapes and still lifes. Recent exhibitions include work by Miles Hermann, Sarah Gayle Carter, Tyler Abshier, Nathanael Gray, Timothy Mulligan, Samantha Buller, Bill Chambers, Ken Waterstreet and Andrew Walker Patterson.

Gold Country Artists Gallery

379 Main St., Placerville | goldcountryartistsgallery.net

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1992

EMPHASIS: Paintings, photos, ceramics, wood, glass, jewelry

KEY ARTISTS: Cooperative of 47 artists

Treasures abound at Gold Country Artists Gallery, the Sierra Foothills’ longest continuously running gallery, a cooperative of 47 member artists.

Located in historic downtown Placerville, the two-story building features dark gray walls and bright lighting to brilliantly showcase a collection of all kinds of handmade artwork, from ceramics and paintings to woodwork, leather goods, gourds, jewelry and more.

“When I first came in, I thought it was the most beautiful gallery I’d ever seen,” says Lori Anderson, the gallery’s president for the past six years. Anderson started as a customer before applying to join the co-op at the behest of a fellow painter and was thrilled when she was accepted by the gallery’s 16-person committee.

As part of her membership, Anderson works three shifts per month in the gallery. This cooperative model helped the gallery stay afloat during the pandemic. Because the artists share the monthly rent, Gold Country survived even when it was forced to close during lockdown.

Now, the gallery is abuzz with activity again and is open seven days a week, with two artists on hand at all times. It participates in Placerville’s Third Saturday Art Walk (which Anderson says is “like Second Saturday, only more low key”) along with two neighboring Main Street galleries.

“It’s a nice way to spend the evening,” Anderson says. “Come up early, go shopping at some cute stores, look at art, have a glass of wine, go out to dinner. You can make a whole afternoon and evening of it.”

Lori Anderson

Elliott Fouts Gallery

Gold Country Artists Gallery

Twisted Track Gallery

1730 12th St. | rocnsol.life

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2021

EMPHASIS: Contemporary art

KEY ARTISTS: Kosono Okina, Ryan “Pawn” Rhodes, Shane Grammer, Raphael Delgado

One of the newest art spaces on the scene, Twisted Track Gallery is part of the lifestyle company Roc & Sol, launched by restaurateur Matt Haines in 2020.

Though he and his brother Fred are best known as the brains behind 33rd Street Bistro, Haines is no stranger to the art world. He ran a gallery adjacent to the bistro for years and is excited to dive back into the creative arts with Roc & Sol, an umbrella brand that includes the Twisted Track art and music venue at 12th and R streets, Roc & Sol Diner (an art-driven restaurant/bar and e-sports lounge at 10th and R streets) and a retail store.

“R Street is the hub of the art scene in Sacramento,” Haines says. “There are beautiful live-music venues like Ace of Spades and Old Ironsides. We’re across the street from the Warehouse Artist Lofts, and murals from Wide Open Walls surround us. R Street is really a unique street in our city.”

A new show goes up at Twisted Track every First Friday featuring local artists, many of whom have participated in Wide Open Walls. Haines has incorporated art into Roc & Sol Diner, with paintings inside and out by Shane Grammer, Ryan “Pawn” Rhodes, Kosono Okina and Rigo the Artist. Haines also has plans to create an outdoor patio gallery at the space he bought down the block that previously housed Shoki Ramen House.

Don’t miss the TTG Mini Mural Festival this month, featuring 30 affordable, large-scale pieces by local artists.

Matt Haines

Twisted Track Gallery

“R Steet is the hub of the art scene in Sacramento.”

—Matt Haines

WINDOW SHOPPING

The next time you’re walking to JC Penney inside ARDEN FAIR mall, stop and take a look at the shop windows along the corridor. You might be surprised to find not apparel but art.

Since 2018, Arden Fair has contracted with digital marketing agency UpperCloud to run unchARTed, a program designed to activate unused space in the mall with art installations. Curator, artist liaison and event producer Sarah Marie Hawkins has worked with dozens of artists over the past five years to make the mall an unexpected but welcome place for Sacramentans to come in contact with local art.

“To have a retail center like this use their influence and platform to uplift the artistic community is so important,” says Hawkins, a photographer by trade who curated pop-up galleries around town for 10 years before joining UpperCloud. “I grew up with art, but if you weren’t privileged enough to do that, that world can often feel out of reach and like a place where you don’t feel welcome. At Arden Fair, where every walk of life comes through, it’s so imperative for art to be accessible.”

UnchARTed started as a series of First Friday events featuring murals, performance art, immersive experiences and digital art in empty storefronts that were waiting for tenants. When COVID hit and in-person events became impossible, Hawkins and her team pivoted to window galleries where artists could display their work on a monthly rotation. These galleries not only kept the public in contact with local art at a safe distance but also became an opportunity to train emerging artists in the business of art.

“In my career, when it came to larger organizations or corporations offering opportunities for art, I was very intimidated. Am I a contractor? Do I put together a proposal?” Hawkins recalls. “I would just check it off in my mind as not accessible, and that made me really sad. Now, part of my job is helping artists with their proposals and implementation, getting them onboarded to understand the process so they can propose larger, higher-dollar installations for future years.”

In March of last year, unchARTed returned to in-person exhibition with The HeART of Sacramento, a gallery in the space previously occupied by Gap. Faith J. McKinnie curated a show about Black creativity that proved wildly popular, spawning more than 500 notes from the community about how pleased they were to see themselves represented. That was followed by an exhibition of work by “the godmother of Black art,” Dr. Samella Lewis, curated by her grandson Unity, which culminated in a Juneteenth celebration that also served as a memorial for the artist, who passed away in May at age 99.

Hawkins says there are plans to launch another gallery in future months to focus on another minority group, continuing unchARTed’s mission of uniting art and the Sacramento community.

“Samella used to say, ‘Art is not a luxury, it is a necessity,’” Hawkins says. “That’s why unchARTed exists—it tells a story for our community. Art cannot be gatekept. Arden Fair is special because it’s helping create a landmark Sacramento people can be proud of.”

Pence Gallery

212 D St., Davis | pencegallery.org

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1975

EMPHASIS: Local and regional fine art of all media

KEY ARTISTS: Chris Daubert, Marsha Schindler, Jose Arenas, Sara Post

Pence Gallery’s cool contemporary façade of steel, glass and brightly colored concrete announces itself as a place where art lives.

The nonprofit gallery has been in operation since 1975, when a local dentist gifted the building to the city of Davis. In 2005, the facility was redesigned by San Francisco firm Barcelon Jang Architecture to contain three gallery spaces: the Andresen Learning Center Gallery, the Dowling Community Gallery and the Coldwell Banker Main Gallery.

“Our solo and group shows by artists from this region challenge people to think in interesting and different ways,” says Natalie Nelson, Pence’s director and curator. “I want people to be talking about the meaning of art. How do these artworks make people engage with ideas and each other?”

Pence Gallery offers plenty of opportunities to engage, with 20 exhibitions per year, coordination of the citywide 2nd Friday ArtAbout with fellow Davis gallery The Artery, and a multitude of educational programming that includes lectures and workshops.

“Some people are only comfortable coming into a gallery if they want to buy something. But only about 50 percent of our effort goes into that type of experience,” Nelson says. “We want people to learn, ask questions and be very hands-on. If we had to focus on just selling art, it would be a sad day.”

“Figurative Exposé: Art From the California Art Club” is on view through April 2, and ceramics by Cathi Newlin and paintings by Toni Rizzo are on display from March 3 through April 30.

Natalie Nelson

Pence Gallery

Viewpoint Photographic Art Center

2015 J St. | viewpointphotoartcenter.org

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1991

EMPHASIS: Full-service photographic art center

KEY ARTISTS: Rotating exhibits featuring more than 200 photographers each year

“Viewpoint is a hybrid in the gallery world—we’re both a museum and a gallery,” says executive director Roberta McClellan. “We’re not just about gallery sales, though that is important to us, but about the whole fine-art photography movement. We want to create meaningful displays of art to share and create community and discussion.”

The full-service, nonprofit photographic art center offers a diverse range of programming, including two galleries with monthly rotating exhibits, student education programs, print and portfolio nights for members, lectures and workshops. Viewpoint also spearheads Photography Month Sacramento, an annual monthlong celebration each April that brings creatives together from around the region. McClellan says the center provides many photographic artists with their first opportunity to show work publicly on gallery walls.

Started more than 35 years ago by Jeff Redman and Jim Galvin as part of their camera store Lightwork on 57th Street, Viewpoint has grown into a robust gathering space for photographic artists looking for community, exhibition space and camaraderie.

Surprisingly, the pandemic actually increased—and youthened—Viewpoint’s membership base, as people searching for something to do discovered that photography would get them out and about safely while engaging in an artistic endeavor. The center also invested in a new website complete with online galleries and sales to allow fully remote participation. “We want to keep the gallery ‘walls’ where people can access them,” McClellan says.

“Mary Aiu: Unbridled, The Horse at Liberty” and “Brooklyn Shinabargar: American Indigeneity” are on display March 8 through April 1.

“We want people to learn, ask questions and be very hands-on.”

—Natalie Nelson

Roberta McClellan

Viewpoint Photographic Art Center

Blue Line Arts

405 Vernon St., Roseville | bluelinearts.org

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1966

EMPHASIS: Contemporary fine art

KEY ARTISTS: Recent solo exhibitions of Peter Combe, Mark Abildgaard, M. Mark Bauer, Joe Strickland, Teagan McLarnan, Brandon Gastinell

Blue Line Arts is a testament to the growth that can happen when a community invests in its artists. Since its first outreach exhibit in 1966 under the name Roseville Community Projects Incorporated, Blue Line has grown into a regional nonprofit arts hub housed in a beautiful 5,000-square-foot facility.

“Our new five-year plan is to be a regional cultural hub committed to fostering impactful experiences through the visual arts,” says Brooke Abrames, co-executive director with MaryTess Mayall. “We do that through exhibitions, educational and community programs centered in the arts, work in the public art space and arts consulting for private projects.”

Blue Line serves thousands of kids each year through its classroom and on-site arts programming. It also offers art therapy for veterans, art camps for vulnerable youth and public art initiatives like the Roseville Mural Project.

Exhibitions rotate every six weeks in Blue Line’s five display spaces. Abrames and her team “try to curate art that’s supportive of regional and emerging artists and is inclusive and welcoming to all,” she says. “We’re making sure we’re representing communities that have been historically underrepresented in the fine-arts world.”

To that end, Blue Line holds regular open calls for artists both local and farflung and partners with Placer Artists Studios Tour, the Susan Cooley Gilliom Artist in Residence & Teaching (ART) Program and Kingsley Art Club to find new talent.

This month, check out “Duality: An African Diasporic Narrative” featuring Ghanaian artists Teddy Osei and Glover Marfo, on view through April 1.

Brooke Abrames

Blue Line Arts

“We’re making sure we’re representing communities that have been historically underrepresented in the fine-arts world.”

—Brooke Abrames

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE . . .

The Crocker Art Museum’s Art Auction Season gives bidders the chance to score some original art for their collections while supporting one of the region’s key cultural institutions. Big Names, Small Art is an online offering of small artworks in a variety of mediums. A separate online silent auction offers works of all sizes. Both start May 10. A live auction event takes place at the museum on June 3. For more information, including details on the Auction Season preview party and exhibition, go to crockerart.org/events.

The Brickhouse Gallery & Art Complex

2837 36th St. | thebrickhousegalleryartcomplex.com

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2003

EMPHASIS: Contemporary fine art

KEY ARTISTS: BAMR the Artist, Shonna McDaniels, Deborah Pittman, Keith Mikell, Rita Szuszkiewicz, Milton 510 Bowens, Esteban Villa

The Brickhouse Gallery in historic Oak Park feels like the perfect marriage of classic and contemporary. The building itself was once a sheet metal factory built in 1924 and is surrounded by other historic landmarks. The gallery was opened in 2003 by David DeCamilla and featured nine art studios for local creatives.

Director and curator Barbara Range took over in 2010 and has made it her mission to establish The Brickhouse Gallery as an art destination for the Sacramento community and beyond. Recent exhibitions include artwork by DeAndre Drake, Esteban Villa, Rita Szuszkiewicz and Dr. Lisa Daniels as well as two quilt exhibitions.

“The goal of The Brickhouse Gallery is to provide a space for all forms of art and art voices, especially for Black and Brown artists,” Range says. “Our goal for our audience is to expand it beyond our Sacramento art community. I feel that’s the goal of any gallerist: to be known beyond where you are.”

The building is still home to nine art studios (and a pizza oven on the patio) as well as a regular slate of monthly and bimonthly exhibitions and events. Range presents special exhibitions for Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March. The gallery also participates in First Fridays Oak Park as well as the Second Saturday Art Walk. Beyond the visual arts, The Brickhouse hosts a poetry night every second Saturday and will start The Brickhouse Music Series on the first Friday of the month from May to December.

Barbara Range

The Brickhouse Gallery & Art Complex

Art Works Gallery

113 Mill St., Grass Valley | artworksgalleryco-op.com

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2010

EMPHASIS: Variety

KEY ARTISTS: Cooperative of 32 artists

It’s hard to know where to start when you first step into Art Works Gallery. Everywhere you look, beautiful art objects meet your eye, from photography and painting to fiber art, ceramics, jewelry and more.

Art Works started as a concept in 2009 when a group of local artists got together to do a pop-up to sell their work. It went so well that they decided to find a building, include even more people and make a go at a cooperative art space. They’ve been in the 19th-century building on Mill Street in Grass Valley’s historic downtown since 2010 and have now grown to a group of 32 artists who share rent and other tasks to keep the gallery running. An artist is always on duty, seven days a week.

“We’re all locals,” says Susan Lobb Porter, a mixedmedia artist and former board vice president. “We’re your neighbors—you’re supporting us and we’re supporting you. Being in a co-op is like being in an extended family. We’ve got each other’s backs.”

Just as they’ve formed a community within the co-op itself, Art Works members pride themselves on supporting the community around them as well. They host two fundraisers every year to support the Food Bank of Nevada County and local youth art programs.

As for the art, there’s something for everyone—and every budget. Artists must be juried in to join the co-op, so the artwork is high caliber and as varied as the population. All the artists live and work in the Sierra Foothills.

Latino Center of Art & Culture

2700 Front St. | thelatinocenter.org

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1972

EMPHASIS: Latino/Hispanic/Chicano art

KEY ARTISTS: Project-based

“We’re living in the spirit of our mission statement: to be by, for and to the Latinx community,” says Justin Mata, board secretary of the Latino Center of Art and Culture. “That’s the filter we look through for all our programming.” Having just celebrated its 50th year, LCAC has lived many lives over the past five decades. Started as La Raza Bookstore by members of the Royal Chicano Air Force art collective, the organization evolved into a creative hub under the name La Raza Galeria Posada. In 2014, it rebranded as the Latino Center for Art and Culture to respond to the evolution of its community.

“We were founded as a Chicano art space, but we have the opportunity to have a conversation with the community about what it means to be Latino now,” says executive director Carissa Gutiérrez.

Now a multidisciplinary cultural center, LCAC hosts regular in-person and digital exhibitions highlighting Latinx creators as well as its permanent collection of artwork, which includes historic political posters. It puts on live cultural events like the annual El Pantéon de Sacramento as part of Día de los Muertos and the holiday musical “A Pastorela in Sacramento.” The nonprofit also serves as part of Sacramento Artists Corps, an initiative started during the pandemic to put local artists to work.

“We have a commitment to making visible what is sometimes seen as invisible,” Gutiérrez says of the local Latinidad community. “Showcasing this artwork tells a more accurate story of the people who live here.”

Carissa Gutiérrez

Susan Lobb Porter

Art Works Gallery

Latino Center of Art & Culture

Axis Gallery

625 S St. | axisgallery.org

YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1987

EMPHASIS: Contemporary multimedia from regional artists

KEY ARTISTS: Muzi Li Rowe, Vincent Pacheco, Joanne Tepper Saffren

“What’s amazing about a cooperative gallery is that the economics are taken out of it,” says Eliza Gregory, current president of Axis Gallery and a social-practice artist and photographer. “It’s a place for experimentation, a place for artists to build and connect with their particular audiences, where they can test out new ways of working and new ideas without the market pressures. You can make whatever you want to make, push yourself and your practice in new directions, take risks and be vulnerable. It’s a very exciting space to be in.”

Founded in 1987 as 750 Gallery, Axis changed to its current name in 2007 when it moved to 19th Street, where it shared a building with the Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento. It moved to its current location in the Verge Center for the Arts building in 2014. Gregory says the move has proven “mutually beneficial” and has opened up all kinds of opportunities for Axis’ 22 members.

“The gatekeeping is minimal,” Gregory says. “We maintain a standard of quality, thoughtfulness and commitment to art making, but it’s really accessible. Having a space like this helps you develop as an artist—you need a deadline, something to work toward.”

Axis presents two new exhibitions each month, one in the main gallery and one in the East Room. The shows represent a wide variety of different mediums from a diverse stable of emerging and established artists. This month, Axis is featuring photographer Nick Shepard and large-scale landscape painter Mirabel Wigon.

Axis Gallery

Eliza Gregory

“We have a commitment to making visble what is sometimes seen as invisible.”

—Carissa Gutiérrez

Latino Center of Art & Culture

ONA

On Friday and Saturday nights in my hometown, I swam in the recreation center’s baby-blue pool or skated on the wood floor that doubled as a basketball court. The building smelled like chlorine and youth. Occasionally, a boy would ask me to skate. While holding sweaty hands, we’d watch the mirrored disco ball go round and round.

Roller skating meant freedom. It got me out of my head and out of my crowded house. (I was the oldest of six children.) I could feel the floor moving underneath me after I took o my skates.

Even though I haven’t skated for decades, I bought a pair of roller skates a few months ago. I blame social media.

I’m addicted to watching reels featuring the Gri n Brothers, skating siblings who have more than 400,000 Instagram followers.

If the Gri ns make me smile as they side-byside skate around a rink, then Estro Jen (aka Michelle Steilen, the founder of Moxi Roller Skates) makes me nervous as she rips down a city street or pops a handstand on the side of a concrete skate bowl. If you look closely, you can see scrapes and bruises on her arms and legs.

When I was a kid, I didn’t own safety gear. Now?

I have elbow, wrist and knee pads. I also wear an old bicycle helmet when I skate outdoors, which is better than no helmet, but not ideal; the padding is falling out. The fi rst few times I tried my skates on the street, my husband ran alongside me holding my hand.

Granite Regional Park

ROLL

Roller skating made a comeback during the pandemic, thanks to social media. A local writer takes to eight wheels and explores Sacramento’s rollerskate community.

BY ANGELA KNIGHT

PHOTOS BY WES DAVIS

Has the Pandemic Changed Roller Skating?

You could argue that the pandemic hasn’t changed roller skating, but it gave it (and, by default, roller skates) a popularity boost. It’s also produced a new generation of skaters.

People wanted skates in bright colors, badass skates, serious skates, custom skates, professional skates. Locked up and scrolling, people wanted an activity that took them outside or safely into their garages— something that would make them forget what was going on in the world.

They wanted to jam like German influencer and jam skater Oumi Janta, who posted a video of her smoothly dancing on skates to “In Deep We Trust” in the summer of 2020; it’s received millions of views.

Minnesota-based Riedell Skates, founded in 1945, has seen record demand for its skates over the past couple of years. “That was crazy,” says Tyler Havens, Riedell’s marketing manager. “Sales tripled and quadrupled.” In the early days of the pandemic, the company struggled to manufacture and ship skates fast enough, mainly due to supply-chain issues.

Current mainstream popularity notwithstanding, roller skating has been around for a long time. And it’s important to remember that roller skating has played a supporting role in Black culture, from the civil rights movement to hip-hop to Black Lives Matter.

“United Skates,” a film that debuted a few years ago, documents some of that culture, along with the loss of roller rinks across the country and why those spaces are so important to the African American skating community. When I contacted Tiffany Fisher-Love, one of the film’s producers, to discuss Sacramento’s skating culture, she said I should talk to Richard Humphrey and Michelle Noble. “They are the heart of the skating community and skate action in Northern California,” FisherLove wrote in an email.

Josie Steiger

it’s important to remember that roller skating has played a supporting role in Black culture, from the civil rights movement to hip-hop to Black Lives Matter.

Nailah Prophet

“These spaces have been safe places where we raised our kids, where we’ve met our spouses, where we’ve built lifelong friendships and community.”

—MICHELLE NOBLE

Michelle Noble

Richard Humphrey, the self-titled Rollerdance Man, started skating as a kid in the ’50s. Later, he says, it became “a passion, a hobby and a career.” Now 70, he has had both knees replaced, but he can still do the splits—just not as low. He’s taught people how to skate—his own style of roller dancing—since 1990. When the pandemic hit, he started holding classes outdoors at tennis and basketball courts. Suddenly, there were 60 to 80 people a week learning Humphrey’s signature moves.

Janta posted about meeting Humphrey (she called him an OG) in 2021 and noted that, decades ago, he was perfecting some of the moves skaters are obsessed with today. For example, “downtown,” where you cross your skates over one another while going side-to-side, was called the “the long” by Humphrey—he showcased it in his first instructional video.

“Skating has always been popular,” Humphrey tells me. “It didn’t come back. It’s just that the pandemic made more people aware of how much fun roller skating is, what it always was. What has really helped skating a lot now is the technology, the equipment—that makes it much more fun, much safer.”

Humphrey advises beginners not to be intimidated by skaters

on social media. “They were not always good. They were in your shoes at one time,” he says. “It gives you hope that you can be like that yourself if you put in the time, the hours.”

I think about his advice as I skate with what looks like thousands of children at The Rink on Bradshaw Road. I stick close to the wall, but after finding my skate legs, I feel some of my old confidence. Most of the younger skaters hold onto rolling walkers. Despite their skate aids, the kids careen and wobble, all jutting elbows and flying skates. One falls and then another and another as I dodge flailing limbs.

Michelle Noble, one of the skaters in “United Skates,” is passionate about preserving skating rinks and culture—like so many of her skating peers. “These spaces have been safe places where we raised our kids, where we’ve met our spouses, where we’ve built lifelong friendships and community,” she says.

While Havens says the roller-rink business is strong (Riedell also supplies rental skates to rinks), I wonder, strong in which communities? In California, where property prices are high, it’s likely more lucrative to build another big-box store than preserve a roller-skating rink.

Richard Humphrey

Where To Skate

A quick Google search shows that the Sacramento area has six roller-skating rinks. And, according to Gabby Miller, a spokesperson for the city of Sacramento, there are 14 parks open to roller skaters.

I visited a few of those parks on a recent Sunday, but I didn’t skate. The posted rules were aimed at skateboarders and in-line skaters, not roller skaters, and I was intimidated by the structures: ramps, bowls, pipes. Lots of concrete, and I’m no Estro Jen. I watched as a kid on in-line skates collided with a skateboarder. Both were OK, but it made me wonder: Where do seasoned skaters skate in Sacramento?

The short answer, according to Jackie England, is almost everywhere (while wearing the right gear). She’s the administrator behind the Greater Sacramento Outdoor Skate’s Facebook page and a coach for Sacramento Roller Derby’s junior program. England, who goes by the skate name Jacked RipHer, took up roller derby when she was 39.

“I thought it was really cool and exciting, and having grown up as an athlete, I was drawn to sports in general. [Derby is] an all-female focused sport that is really hard-hitting and intense. You don’t see that in very many other sports besides maybe rugby. And that appealed to me a lot. I was definitely a deer on ice when I first started,” England says.

How does she feel about coaching? “I love my kids so much. They’re amazing, inspiring and strong. And even if they come in smaller or maybe socially awkward or don’t feel like they fit in anywhere else, derby is a good home for them. Just like it is for adults. It’s a really strong-knit community.” Community is a word I heard repeatedly from the skaters I interviewed. England practices endurance skating with other skaters along the American River Trail. She skates in West Sacramento from Drake’s: The Barn to Discovery Park. She skates in Pride parades. She skates at Granite Skate Park and Shasta Skate Park, the hockey rink at Ernie Sheldon Park in Folsom, and various basketball courts.

For skate park tips and etiquette, she recommends the website Chicks in Bowls. They include making sure you can roll backward and forward on level ground and learning to fall correctly before you hit the skate park.

Jennifer Davis, one of the co-founders of 2-Raw Sk8rs, likes the wood floor at Sunrise Rollerland. She’s been skating for 50 years. Together with Kandi Greene, since 2009 she has hosted monthly and annual skate parties for adults. It’s $18 in advance and $25 at the door. Davis says they don’t do it for the money; it’s to keep skating alive.

Jackie England (right)

Jennifer Davis and Kandi Greene

Learn to dance on skates: rollerdance.com

All things roller derby: sacramentorollerderby.com

Evening roller-skating events for adults: 2rawsk8rs.com

Roller-skate tips: Queer Girl Straight Skates on YouTube

Learn more about “United Skates” documentary: unitedskatesfilm.com

How To Learn (or Relearn) To Skate

Like England, Angela Rohrer (Boss Taco) and Amanda Dunham (LOLz Lemon) are enthusiastic about skating and roller derby. Sacramento Roller Derby’s last game, called a bout, was in February 2020—due to the pandemic, they’ve been on hiatus. While they had planned to restart in December, the weather didn’t cooperate. There’s a tentative schedule for 2023.

Sacramento is a roller-skating-friendly city, Dunham says, which should make it easy to learn or relearn how to skate. Although there aren’t as many as before, we still have roller-skating rinks. You can join a rollerskating group: Cap City Rollers, Greater Outdoor Skates, SacQuadSquad. You can access Sacramento Roller Derby’s skate library and videos. You can take an introductory class—Roller Derby 101—and learn how to fall properly.

Don’t stand up straight, get low, bend your knees and wear safety gear. Spend time—lots of time—on skates, Rohrer and Dunham tell me, everyone tells me. You’re in it for the long haul. If you aren’t falling, you aren’t trying. England reminds me not to worry about what I look like when I skate. When I’m ready, I could try out for roller derby. I might not be the oldest skater out there.

“What has really helped skating a lot now is the technology, the equipment— that makes it much more fun, much safer.”

—RICHARD HUMPHREY

Mikhala Lazetich

Southwest Southwest

Magic Magic

BY SASHA ABRAMSKY

i

In pride of place in my living room now hangs an oil painting of a stark, crevasse-lined, pink New Mexican mountain ridge set against a deep blue sky. The mountain is void of vegetation, as spare and unforgiving as a NASA photo of Mars. And yet the rocks don’t look hard. Rather, they seem somehow fluid, repositories of light and of life. They look endlessly mysterious, as if those delicate colors hold an eternity of secrets. Perhaps it’s a cake rather than a landscape. Or maybe a blood cell enlarged a billion times. Depending how bright are my overhead dimmer lights, the sky is either a fading late-evening hue or a powerful desert-morning huzzah.

I bought the painting, somewhat on a whim, in a gallery in Taos this past September during a weeklong road trip through the Southwest with my partner. We traveled from California to New Mexico via Tucson, Arizona, and back to California.

Marissa lives in San Diego, which is where I headed from Sacramento to begin our road trip. From there, Interstate 8 snakes east, through the California desert and its Joshua trees, and out into the cactus lands of southern Arizona, running along the border with Mexico.

A road trip from California to Arizona and New Mexico transports a Sacramento writer into the swirling colors of the desert.

Tucson, Arizona On the way into Tucson, we stopped to look at ancient petroglyphs carved into the desert rock. The car thermometer recorded 113 degrees—oddly, three degrees cooler than Sacramento that day, but still far too hot to do very much other than quickly walk around the site and then, dripping, flop back into the air-conditioned vehicle.

Tucson’s downtown is fi lled with bars and music venues, with old record stores and funky clothing outlets. Its outskirts are home to wondrous expanses of saguaro and organ pipes cacti, which look— respectively—like improbably tall tra c cops, armed raised aloft to stop oncoming tra c, and very prickly green organ pipes.

We stayed in the historic Hotel Congress , a creaky old place with periodpiece, fully functioning wooden radios dating back at least to World War II in the bedrooms. Besides a rather nice restaurant and a willingness to host raucous local bands in the evening, the Congress’s chief claim to fame is that outlaw John Dillinger was arrested there in early 1934. Legend has it a ghost or two inhabits its hallways. We had dinner with an old university friend of mine at the Congress, walked down the street afterward to a

nice gelato place, and the next morning drove out to the old San Xavier del Bac Spanish mission.

The mission, founded in the late 1600s and completed nearly a century later, has soaring, brilliant white walls that jump from the surrounding desert scenery. The church interior is refreshingly cool despite the omnipresent summer heat. It seems, somehow, a place removed from the boundaries of time. I could have stayed there all day. We were, however, aiming for Santa Fe, hundreds of miles to the northeast, in time for dinner that night, so we climbed back into the car and set o once more.

You can drive fast in the desert, which is good because there are long, long stretches of road to cover. We drove fast.

Northeast through Arizona, we cut left at Hatch, New Mexico, a small crossroads town that prides itself on being the center of the region’s, nay the very world’s, chiligrowing industry. Every restaurant sells uber-spicy cuisine, and every house has bunches of deep red-purple chilies hung for drying out front. From Hatch, we kept going north. We cruised through Albuquerque as the sun was setting to our west and proceeded up to Santa Fe.

Organ pipes cacti

Santa Fe’s St. Francis cathedral

Maynards at Hotel Congress

Santa Fe, New Mexico The road twisted and turned, the elevation increased, the temperature dropped. By the time we reached Santa Fe, the plaza of which was built by the Spanish in 1609 (some 11 years before the Pilgrims arrived on the East Coast in the Mayflower), it was almost mild enough to put on a sweatshirt.

We stayed at the Old Santa Fe Inn , a pretty hotel with a kind concierge and a decent breakfast, for three days. We window-shopped in the streets surrounding the beautiful (but extremely pricey) plaza.

We looked at art we couldn’t a ord and bespoke desert-chic clothing. We ogled turquoise jewelry, handmade out in the pueblos—in some instances, it cost as much as a car.

More within our price range, we explored the beautiful St. Francis cathedral —no entrance fee—and spent a couple of hours in the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum , an homage to the artist who lived to be nearly 100 years old and spent most of her adult life roaming around, and painting, the hidden intimacies of the Southwest

landscape. Later that evening, we ate wondrously flavorful New Mexican cuisine— heavy on chilies and a potpourri of spices—at Cafe Pasqual’s , its tables packed tightly together in an intimate space on the edge of the plaza.

At the O’Kee e museum, I almost bought a high-quality print of one of the artist’s landscapes, painted near her remote adobe home in Abiquiu, in northeast New Mexico. In Taos, a day later, I found an original canvas that made me nearly as happy. We bought it from the artist, had her pack it up in multiple layers of cardboard, bubble wrap and more cardboard, and laid it in the trunk of the car for the long return journey to California.

On the Road For three decades now, the Southwest has drawn me back again and again and again. There is simply no other road trip landscape more cinematic or—in its vastness and epic solitude between cities—more meditative. When I was in my 20s and living in New York, every year I would go to Auto Driveaway, the company that Jack Kerouac and his friends had used in “On the Road” more than four decades earlier, to fi nd cars whose owners needed them transported west. The woman in the New York Auto Driveaway o ce—a cluttered little space on a midlevel floor in the Empire State Building—would take my information, tell me in her gravelly smoker’s voice that she would call me when a car showed up, and send me on my way. A few days later, she’d have a car for me, and I’d be on my way west. I hit the highways that way every year for five years.

Back then, when I didn’t have two spare pennies to rub together, I’d simply sleep in the car by the side of the road, under the starry carapace of the western skies. I didn’t have a cellphone then, nor was there satellite radio in the cars. I wasn’t a backcountry hiker, so it was as close to o the grid as I ever got. Auto Driveaway would give you 10 days to get from coast to coast, and I’d usually spend about five of them meandering through the deserts of the Southwest, hiking in canyons, visiting Native American communities, finding out-of-the-way classic diners for burgers and milkshakes, sometimes interviewing

I relax in the hugeness of the desert, where improbable swirls of color calm me and help guide me to a point of focus.

Petroglyphs in Tucson

San Xavier del Bac Mission

San Xavier del Bac Mission

random people for travel stories that I’d write, and photographing a painted landscape of endless psychedelic hues.

Nowadays, I do have enough pennies to spring for hotels. I have a smartphone that means I’m in constant contact with the rest of the world, and endless choices of radio stations, podcasts and streamed music, as well as a classic iPod (perhaps my most prized possession) that serves as my personal jukebox. But the basic principle of the Southwest remains: It’s still a place of transcendent beauty where, if you have even an ounce of humility, you can’t help but feel you’re a transient, very temporary speck. In an era of bombast and gigantic egos, where everyone seemingly wants to be a celebrity, that sense of anonymity and insignificance is infi nitely refreshing.

Creatures in the desert look as if they belong in an untamed Jurassic world: Gila monsters, furry spiders, scorpions, snakes, vultures, coyotes and more. Cacti dot the landscape, having spent millions of years evolving to be perfect water-conserving, bristling fortresses of spikes and thorns. Huge gorges have been carved deep into the rocks. You can fi nd fossilized remains of sea creatures from back when this arid landscape was underwater, and entire petrified forests, the wood fossilized into exquisite red and brown and purple rock formations, from when the land was marsh.

Till recently, the upper levels could only be accessed by ladders. These days, tourists can wonder around much of the pueblo, although the chambers where religious rituals and dances occur remain o limits to outsiders.

When Columbus sailed west and “discovered” the Americas, those Taos Pueblo buildings had already existed for nearly half a millennia. When the Pilgrims arrived in North America 400 years ago and set about “civilizing” the natives, Taos had already been a thriving agricultural hub for centuries. The Native Americans’ Great Pueblo Revolt of 1680, one of the hemisphere’s most durable e orts to shuck o the new colonial rulers—it held the Spanish at bay in New Mexico for 12 years—was centered in Taos.

anges, dark grays and purples. The Petrified National Forest is, quite simply, weird. Huge, felled trees, cut into sections by the earth’s pressure from the ages when they were submerged, lie strewn through the desert. The trees have long since fossilized, the soft, organic sensation of bark and live wood replaced by unforgiving mineral hardness. When you wander through this petrified world, it’s a whisper from the future—of what a planet no longer capable of sustaining life might look like.

Heading Home We drove through Flagsta , gateway town to the Grand Canyon—we had a late-afternoon lunch at a fun ’50s diner—and west once more.

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

In Taos Pueblo , inhabited at least part of the year by up to 1,400 people, roughly 150 skilled artisans—potters, tanners, painters, jewelers—live there full time and sell their wares to tourists. A few shops sell deep-fried Indian bread, slathered in honey and powdered sugar. The adobe housing—huge, multistoried complexes standing for roughly 1,000 years—are the ancient equivalent of apartment blocks.

Today, you can still feel that history in the ancient pueblos and old cemeteries, their wooden crosses preserved from rot by the desert-dry air. In the unforgiving landscape, speckled with Spanish churches. In the arroyos and bosques through which flow hard-fought-over waters. In the plazas that blend multiple cultures.

Painted Desert and Petrified National Forest, Arizona— On our way back west, we drove through the Painted Desert and the Petrified National Forest —among the most beautiful landscapes I have yet seen. The Painted Desert erupts with brilliant reds and or-

It was two days of hard driving, including a deep-into-the-dark-night journey across the Mojave Desert as we navigated our way to a motel in Barstow. It left my middle-aged eyes strained and scratchy for a couple of weeks, but it was well worth it. I breathe slower and deeper in the Southwest. My back muscles uncork a bit. I relax in the hugeness of the desert, where improbable swirls of color calm me and help guide me to a point of focus.

Each morning now, when I come downstairs, I look at my new painting, and it makes me smile. For a moment, at least, before the hustle-bustle of daily life kicks in, I see the pink mountains and I’m back in the desert, a tiny dot in a grand and wild immenseness.

Horned lizard

Painted Desert

Below: Sasha Abramsky

Dignity Medical Aesthetics Celebrates 17 Years in El Dorado Hills!

The Dignity Team

This year marks the 17th anniversary of El Dorado Hills’ favorite medical practice for treatments to slow the appearance of aging on the face, neck and body.

Dignity Medical Aesthetics (DMA) was established in 2006 by Missey McCallum, RN, and Sherellen Gerhart, MD.

Dignity Medical Aesthetics has been the premier medical aesthetic practice in El Dorado Hills since 2006. They offer services such as laser and IPL treatments for permanent hair reduction, removing brown spots and redness, as well as treating lines, scars and laxity to help provide younger, smoother looking skin. They offer non-invasive treatments for lifting the neck or brow and skin tightening. They have options for Body Contouring, Radio Frequency Microneedling and Vaginal Rejuvenation. Plus Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are offered to naturally help with hair loss and skin rejuvenation. They are national leaders in injections of Botox and fillers for relaxing lines, adding volume, and for lifting facial areas to lessen the appearance of sagginess and jowls.

All new patients receive a complimentary 45 minute consultation to carefully review their medical history followed by a general overview of treatment options that can best meet their personal needs for enhancing their appearance.

New patients receiving Botox or filler for the first time are strongly encouraged to return for a courtesy follow-up appointment.

They are known for excellent service with competitive pricing All medical providers at Dignity Medical Aesthetics are thoroughly trained.

DMA realizes that natural looking results are a huge priority for their patients and achieves that through their procedures.

By looking at their website (www.dignitymed.com), you can see examples of most of their treatments and services. Check out their amazing reviews on line too.

Sherellen Gerhart MD

Diana Zanoni-Potts MD

Haley Phelps PA-C

Joty Pabla PA-C

Missey McCallum, RN, CANS Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist

Jennifer Thomas RN

Ashley Brown RN

Lacey Russo, Patient Care Coordinator

Cate Borrego RN

Gretchen Britt Receptionist

Carley Thetford Receptionist

Sarah Spadavecchia Receptionist

Kristi McCallum Medical Assistant

Alyssa Wik Receptionist

HONORED AS ONE OF SACRAMENTO’S TOP DENTISTS*

Your HEALTH and SAFETY is our top priority…

Many things have changed, but one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety. Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice. While we have always had high standards regarding infection control, we have incorporated additional CDC recommendations to keep our patients safe and healthy. The care and quality that our patients have come to appreciate remains a source of pride for our office.

Having loyally served the Sacramento community for the past 25 years, Doctors Amy Woo, Kristine Balcom, Kelly Brewer and Patricia Murphy look forward to continuing in our tradition of putting the health and safety of our patients first.

ADA/CDA/CDC PPE COMPLIANT

Dr. Amy Woo Dental Care

2627 K Street, Sacramento 916.443.8955 www.DrAmyWoo.com

Administrative Team

Hygiene Team

Amy M. Woo, DDS

Kristine E. Balcom, DDS

Kelly A. Brewer, DDS

Patricia Murphy, DDS

Here’s our short list of recommended Cosmetic Medical Professionals for 2023. Learn more about them in the following pages.

Cosmetic Medical Professionals Guide

Paul P. Binon, Paul P. Binon, DDS, MSD, FAO

Eric Grove, D.D.S

Kendall Homer, D.M.D. Eric Grove, D.D.S.

Kendall Homer, D.M.D. Kendall Homer, D.M.D. Eric Grove, D.D.S.

Debra Johnson, M.D., ABPS

Ideal Plastic Surgery

Suzanne L. Kilmer, M.D. Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Northern CA

Pirko Maguina, M.D., ABPS

Ideal Plastic Surgery

Arnie Miller, M.D., ABPS

Ideal Plastic Surgery

Daniel L. Monahan, M.D.

Monahan Vein Clinic

Kenneth M. Toft, M.D.

Toft Facial Surgery

Travis Tollefson, M.D., M.P.H., FACS

UC Davis Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Amy Woo, D.D.S. Dr. Amy Woo Dental Clinic

We are the region’s largest certified plastic surgery center. We have state-ofthe-art facilities and an expert surgical staff focused on ideal results. Dr. Pirko, Dr. Deb and Dr. Boone with over 40 years of combined experience are at your disposal when you are ready for an ideal change.

Somos el centro de cirugía plástica certificado, más grande del región. Contamos con instalaciones de primera y un equipo de cirjanos expertos, enfocados en resultados ideales. Dr. Pirko, Dr. Deb y Dr. Boone con más de 40 años de experiencia combinada están a su disposición, cuando esté listo para un cambio ideal.

Ideal Plastic Surgery

77 Cadillac Drive, Suite 170 Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 664-3391

Facebook: IdealPlasticSurgerySacramento www.IdealPlasticSurgery.com

Dr. Travis Tollefson is a highly skilled and experienced facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a passion for helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals. He received his master’s degree from Harvard School of Public Health and completed extensive training in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Tollefson is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest advances in Rhinoplasty and serves as editor-in-chief of the high impact journal Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine

He is known for his keen eye for detail and ability to create natural-looking results that enhance his patients’ facial features. With his warm bedside manner and commitment to providing personalized care, Dr. Tollefson is dedicated to helping each patient look and feel their best. Book a consultation today.

Travis Tollefson,

UC Davis Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

2521 Stockton Blvd., Ste. 6206 Sacramento, CA

(916) 734-2347

www.drtravistollefson.com

Laser & Skin is one of the world’s most comprehensive cosmetic and laser dermatology facilities, founded by renowned laser expert Suzanne L. Kilmer, M.D. Having done more than 300 clinical trials on-site, Laser & Skin’s research led to the development of many popular devices, including laser hair and tattoo removal, laser resurfacing, Fraxel, Thermage, Ulthera, Sofwave, CoolSculpting, Emsculpt, and more. Laser & Skin’s team of five board-certified dermatologists has more than 100+ years of experience. The doctors are joined by a physician assistant, seven registered nurses, five estheticians, and more to provide state-of-the-art care and expertise to each patient. With nearly 50 lasers and devices, plus dozens of injectables, Laser & Skin has one of the world’s most wide- ranging collections of industry-tested, leading-edge treatments to best cater to each patient’s individual skin needs.

Experience the Art & Science of Ageless Beauty at Laser & Skin!

Our goal is to help people enjoy better self-esteem, happiness, and health by treating unwanted varicose veins and spider veins. Dr. Monahan is Board Certified in General Surgery and Phlebology and specializes in vein disorders. EDUCATION: UC Davis, BA, Zoology, 1976. Medical School: University of Hawaii, 1981, M.D. MEMBERSHIPS: American Venous Forum; American College of Surgeons, American College of Phlebology. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Published a research project which changed the understanding of varicose veins and treatment. INNOVATIONS: I treat varicose and spider veins in stages, reducing the amount and cost, resultant problems and improving results. All the most current knowledge and technology are used in our evaluation and treatment of patients with venous disorders.

Dr. Binon is a Prosthodontic Specialist with three years of advanced training beyond dental school. His training is focused on function and esthetics, which includes dental implants, crowns, bridges, veneers, and dentures. He graduated from Creighton U. with a DDS and was inducted in Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society. He received a three-year NIH Fellowship to Indiana U. and completed a residency in Prosthodontics. Former academic appointments include Medical College of Georgia, Indiana U. and UCSF as a research scientist. He has published over 50 articles involving research and clinical techniques. He trained under Dr. P.I. Brandmark at U. of Washington, and received additional implant surgical training at Montefiore Hospital. He has the distinction of being the first recipient of the Academy of Osseointegration Certificate in Implant Dentistry.

General Dentistry, including cosmetics, implant restoration, and emergency dental care. EDUCATION: Dr. Homer completed his B.A. at Sacramento State and earned his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry from Washington University. Dr. Grove received a B.S. from Pacific Union College and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University. Drs. Homer and Grove belong to the ADA/CDA/SDDS. Dr. Grove is also an active participant in the SDDS. WHAT SETS THEM APART: Dr. Homer’s and Dr. Grove’s patients’ appreciation is evident in client loyalty, with 40-year plus patients bringing their children and grandchildren in for treatment. CHARITABLE: Dr. Homer supports Save Ourselves, which helps support people living with breast cancer. Dr. Grove participates in the Smiles for Big Kids program in Sacramento.

dentist@grovehomerdentists.com

Dr. Kenneth M. Toft is widely considered Sacramento’s expert in facial plastic surgery. Dr Toft began his surgical training at Stanford University, continued his studies as a Clinical Instructor in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at UCLA, and was the Medical Director of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at Mercy San Juan Medical Center. This impressive pedigree is backed up with exceptional results. Dr. Toft uses his expertise and over 22 years of experience to minimize the signs of surgery so his patients can return to their active lifestyles looking refreshed, youthful, natural and balanced. Since Dr. Toft performs facial plastic surgery exclusively, he is able to focus on the best facial surgery techniques for each patient to achieve the best individualized results.

Dr. Toft also personally performs all fillers, Botox®, Dysport® and Photofacial treatments. If you are considering facial plastic surgery, make an appointment with the expert in facial plastic surgery, Kenneth M. Toft, M.D.

2023 SACRAMENTO FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGERS

These days, it takes a village to manage your financial world. Whether it is managing your assets with a wealth manager, navigating the ever-changing tax landscape, sorting out your estate and succession planning or picking the right life insurance, finding the right team can be a daunting task. In fact, many consumers have a hard time figuring out where to even begin.

Sometimes, a few simple questions can put you off on the right path. Asking a professional what makes working with them a unique experience can help you understand how they work and if their style meshes with your own.

This is a great place to start! Five Star Professional uses its own proprietary research methodology to name outstanding professionals, then works with publications such as Sacramento Magazine to spread the word about award winners. Each award candidate undergoes a thorough research process (detailed here) before being considered for the final list of award winners. For the complete list of winners, go to www.fivestarprofessional.com.

RESEARCH DISCLOSURES

In order to consider a broad population of high-quality wealth managers, award candidates are identified by one of three sources: firm nomination, peer nomination or prequalification based on industry standing. Self-nominations are not accepted. Sacramento-area award candidates were identified using internal and external research data. Candidates do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final lists of Five Star Wealth Managers.

• The Five Star award is not indicative of a professional’s future performance.

• Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets.

• The inclusion of a professional on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the professional by Five Star Professional or Sacramento Magazine.

• Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any professional is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected professionals will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future.

• Five Star Professional is not an advisory firm and the content of this article should not be considered financial advice. For more information on the Five Star Wealth Manager award program, research and selection criteria, go to fivestarprofessional.com/research.

• 946 award candidates in the Sacramento area were considered for the Five Star Wealth Manager award. 107 (approximately 11% of the award candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers.

FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER DETERMINATION OF AWARD WINNERS CRITERIA

Award candidates who satisfied 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. Eligibility Criteria –Required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative. 2. Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years. 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards. 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation Criteria – Considered: 6. One-year client retention rate. 7. Five-year client retention rate. 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered. 9. Number of client households served. 10. Education and professional designations.

Regulatory Review: As defined by Five Star Professional, the wealth manager has not: been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; been convicted of a felony. Within the past 11 years the wealth manager has not: been terminated from a wealth management or financial services firm; filed for personal bankruptcy; had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them (and no more than five total pending, dismissed or denied) with any regulatory authority.

Five Star Professional conducts a regulatory review of each nominated wealth manager using the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website. Five Star Professional also uses multiple supporting processes to help ensure that a favorable regulatory and complaint history exists. Data submitted through these processes was applied per the above criteria; each wealth manager who passes the Five Star Professional regulatory review must attest that they meet the definition of favorable regulatory history based upon the criteria listed above. Five Star Professional promotes via local advertising the opportunity for consumers to confidentially submit complaints regarding a wealth manager.

FIVE STAR PROFESSIONAL

PROPRIETARY RESEARCH PROCESS

NOMINATION OF

CANDIDATES

Three sources of nominations:

– Firm nominations

– Peer nominations

– Prequalification based on industry credentials

REGULATORY CONSUMER COMPLAINT REVIEW

All candidates must demonstrate a favorable regulatory history.

CANDIDATE SUBMISSION OF PRACTICE INFORMATION

Candidates must complete either an online or over-the-phone interview.

EVALUATION OF CANDIDATE PRACTICE

Candidates are evaluated on 10 objective evaluation and eligibility criteria.

FIRM REVIEW OF AWARD CANDIDATE LIST

All candidates are reviewed by a representative of their firm before final selection.

2023 AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Finalization and announcement of Five Star Professional award winners.

Peak Financial Freedom Group

HIGHLIGHTS

• 50 years of combined experience

• Co-authors with Larry King

• Retirement income planning

• Providing entire plans in writing

• Co-authors with Jack Canfield

• Conservative asset planning

• Presented to thousands of people

• Multiple weekend radio broadcasts

• Weekly television show broadcast

Investment advisory services are offered through Fiduciary Solutions, LLC, a California Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance products and services are offered through PFFG Insurance Agency LLC, a licensed insurance agency (CA License #0N14013). Peak Financial Freedom Group, LLC is a financial planning and umbrella marketing organization, which enables the provision of multiple financial services under one brand. Peak Financial Freedom Group LLC, PFFG Insurance Agency LLC, and Fiduciary Solutions LLC are affiliated entities with common ownership and control. Jim Files is licensed as an investment adviser representative with Fiduciary Solutions LLC (CRD # 1620449) and is a licensed insurance producer with PFFG insurance Agency LLC (CA Insurance License #0F06511). Dan Ahmad is licensed as an investment adviser representative with Fiduciary Solutions LLC (CRD # 1491561) and is a licensed insurance producer with PFFG insurance Agency LLC (CA Insurance License #0732913).

FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER

This award was issued on 02/01/2023 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 06/06/2022 through 12/09/2022. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed were considered for the award; 107 (11% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, #

27%, 1/1/17, 4/26/16 - 12/28/16; 2/1/13, 8/5/12 - 12/31/12; 2012: 881, 175, 20%, 2/1/12, 8/5/11 - 12/31/11.

Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded

Left to right: Five-year winner Dan Ahmad; Kellie DeMarco, TV Co-Host; Five-year winner Jim Files

What Would You Feel Like if You Didn’t Have to Worry About Your Money?

Dan and Jim are Investment Advisors with a fiduciary duty to do what is in your best interest, such as designing plans to help protect your assets against large stock market losses and helping to reduce your fees when possible. They are accountable to their clients — they say what they do and do what they say — put everything in writing and create customized income plans designed to provide dependable income for life. Dan and Jim have built Peak Financial Freedom Group on integrity and trust because doing what is right for you is better for you and their business. They help meet your goals and needs with tailored solutions, and they believe financial advice is about having a customized plan to reflect your life’s goals beyond just your finances. Dan and Jim help you make more informed and effective financial decisions that may help you to feel more relieved, confident, self-assured and empowered — all of which may help you obtain your version of financial freedom. Their ultimate purpose is to help you stop worrying about your money.

At Peak Financial Freedom Group, Our Top Priority Is To Help You Stop Worrying About Your Money

If you’re retired or nearing retirement, you can’t afford mistakes.

If you’re like many of the people we meet, you’re confused and worried about your money. You may even worry a lot. What you’ve worked so hard to accumulate over the years must be protected against large losses. What you have right now must last your entire lifetime — you literally can’t afford to run out of money.

It takes time and expertise to create an actual plan in writing for your financial security. You or your advisor can’t rush through the process. Going through an actual planning process may help to reduce the worries you have about your money. At Peak Financial Freedom Group, we put everything we have into creating comprehensive, written retirement income plans because your retirement deserves nothing less than our best.

questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 946 Sacramento-area wealth managers Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period.

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

Financial Planning

Dan Ahmad · Peak Financial Freedom Group

Pages 2 & 3

Richard Allison · Allison Wealth Management Page 4

James Wesley Biller · Wedbush Securities

Ryan Allen Breedwell · Capitol Planning Group

Tom Chandler · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Page 7

Jim Files · Peak Financial Freedom Group Pages 2 & 3

Courtney McHarg · McHarg & Associates Wealth Planning Page 7

Russel Louis Phelps III · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Rosie Roberts · Capitol City Wealth Page 8

Michael Edward Rodegerdts · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Leslie Roper Day · Leslie Roper Day & Associates Page 6

Matthew Harold Schmitt · Robert W. Baird & Co.

Lamar Simpson · LPL Financial Page 6

David Edward Stone · Stone Consulting Group

Violetta Sit Terpeluk · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC/ IndigoFlow Financial Group

Ronald William Tolle Jr. · Morgan Stanley

Lucius Williamson Jr. · Williamson Financial Solutions

Investments

Mark Aizenberg · Wells Fargo Advisors Page 7

Jaime Barretta · Barretta Wealth Management, Inc.

Page 8

Louis Joaquin Barrientos · FC360 Wealth Management

Joyce Ann Blonskij · Blonskij Financial Services

Patty Michelle Estopinal · Robert W. Baird & Co.

Wolfgang J. Hawlisch · Wells Fargo Advisors

Catherine Lynne Heath · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Tim Johnson · Wells Fargo Advisors Page 7

Paul Marchetti · 401(k) Engineers Inc. Page 8

Charlotte Sloan · Equitable Advisors, LLC Page 5

John J. Zezini · Granite Bay Wealth Management Page 5

Richard Allison

Investment Advisor Representative, Certified Financial Fiduciary®

Thank You for Your Continued Trust and Referrals

• Independent, objective advice to help you achieve your goals

• Providing personalized financial solutions

• Retirement planning and wealth preservation

• Specializing in retirement income strategies

Smart planning starts with a clear understanding of your personal and financial needs and goals. Only then can I develop customized strategies to put the pieces of your financial life into a cohesive plan to secure your future. My goal is to take the uncertainty out of creating and protecting wealth and, ultimately, to guide you through the ever-changing world of retirement programs and rules. My mission is to become your trusted advisor. I am a 2012 – 2023 Five Star Wealth Manager award winner.

• Cell: 530-902-0382

YEAR WINNER 12

richard.allison@securitiesamerica.com

www.allisonwealthmanagement.com

Richard K. Allison is a registered representative of, and offers securities through, Securities America, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC, Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc., Richard K. Allison Investment Advisor Representative. Allison Wealth Management and the Securities America companies are not affiliated. CA Ins. Lic. 0D67551.

This award was issued on 02/01/2023 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 06/06/2022 through 12/09/2022. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed were considered for the award; 107 (11% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, #

27%, 1/1/17, 4/26/16 - 12/28/16; 2/1/13, 8/5/12 - 12/31/12; 2012: 881, 175, 20%, 2/1/12, 8/5/11 - 12/31/11.

Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded

Twelve-year winner Richard Allison, Investment Advisor Representative, Certified Financial Fiduciary®

— WEALTH MANAGERS —

Charlotte Sloan

Helping You Plan for Tomorrow So You Can Live for Today

• Focusing on retirement planning, life insurance, investing and annuities

By combining my knowledge and experience in financial services with my focus on building lasting relationships, I’m determined to deliver sound investment and insurance strategies that can help you take control of your financial future. My education and experience enable me to explain complex issues and strategies in clear language. When it’s time to implement your strategy, we’ll work together to review the options and alternatives.

Equitable Advisors, LLC

193 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 110 Folsom, CA 95630 Office: 916-294-4425 • Cell: 415-279-3012 charlotte-ann.sloan@equitableadvisors.com www.charlottesloan.com

This Five Star Wealth Manager Award was given on [02/01/2023], remains valid for the year of 2023 and is administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba five Star Professional). Neither the named award recipient nor any other party has paid or otherwise compensated Crescendo Business Services, LLC to be considered for or to win the award. Securities offered through Equitable Advisors, LLC (212-314-4600), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory products and services offered through Equitable Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor. Annuities and insurance offered through Equitable Network Insurance Agency of California, LLC. CA Insurance Lic. #: 0678681. For Five Star Professional Methodology, please visit www.fivestarprofessional. com/public/research. AGE-5085324.1(11/22)(exp.12/23).

John J. Zezini

I am dedicated to helping my clients pursue their investment and planning goals. I believe it is important to invest the time to understand what is important to you before investing any of your money. It is also important that I understand the level of risk you are comfortable accepting, so we can balance it with the proper investment strategies to pursue your long-term goals. My business is structured with your objective in mind.

Nine-year winner John J. Zezini, CFP®, CRPC®, AAMS®

questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 946 Sacramento-area wealth managers Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period.

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

2020 – 2023 winner Charlotte Sloan, Financial Professional

— WEALTH MANAGERS —

Leslie Roper Day

CFP®, AIF®, Founder

Down-to-Earth Financial Advice

• Comfortable, caring environment

• Personalized strategies for your needs

Day,

950 Glenn Drive, Suite 230 Folsom, CA 95630

Leslie Roper Day, a sixth-generation Sacramentan, has enjoyed serving her friends, family and neighbors as a financial planner for over 30 years. In 2008, she founded her own firm, Leslie Roper Day & Associates, to provide a truly independent and extensive approach to financial planning for her clients. The firm is dedicated to building long-lasting relationships and works with clients of all ages, from retirees to rock stars and rocket scientists.

and services offered by Leslie Roper Day & Associates or CES Insurance Agency. CA Insurance License 0808285.

Lamar Simpson

Financial Planner, Advisor, CRPC®

• Personally committed to your growth

• Dedicated to you

It’s important to find someone you can trust to help develop your personal wealth. Lamar Simpson of Simpson Wealth Planning has the experience and personal character to make the most of your investment options. He’s invested in your success and handles your investments, never outsourcing to brokers. By being personally committed to you, Lamar makes it a point to evaluate your personal situation and goals to provide honest feedback about the different options available. He will handle any trade himself to ensure that your plan is followed.

Lamar is dedicated to helping you grow your wealth to work toward achieving your financial goals.

2277 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Suite 425 Sacramento, CA 95825

Office: 916-333-5910

lamar@simpsonwealthplanning.com

www.simpsonwealthplanning.com

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.

This award was issued on 02/01/2023 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 06/06/2022 through 12/09/2022. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed were considered for the award; 107 (11% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, #

Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded

Left to right: Taryn Griffith; Landon Tymochko; Four-year winner Leslie Roper

CFP®, AIF®; Shari Segon; Rana Manivong

Eight-year winner Lamar Simpson

— WEALTH MANAGERS —

Tim Johnson and Mark Aizenberg

Invested

• Relationship-based investment planning

• Professional portfolio management

• A trusted partner in estate planning discussions

• Tax-efficient strategies

With nearly three decades of experience, it never ceases to amaze us the value of a relationship. It is the guiding principle in understanding the unique needs of each of our clients. Our gratitude is never ending when clients entrust us with their most important financial concerns. We look forward to many more years being your trusted advisor.

400 Capitol Mall, Suite 1700 Sacramento, CA 95864 Phone: 916-491-6371 • Phone: 800-877-7783 emily.hy@wellsfargoadvisors.com www.jafsg.com

Courtney McHarg

CRPC®, Principal, LPL Financial Advisor

2277 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Suite 425 Sacramento, CA 95825

Phone: 916-922-5812 courtney@mawealthplanning.com www.mchargassociates.com

Inspiring Confidence in Your Retirement

• Retirement planning strategies and investments

• Income strategies

• Women’s financial strategies

• 2012, 2014 – 2023 Five Star Wealth Manager award winner

Courtney brings 22 years of experience as a financial planner and wealth manager to clients seeking to maintain and grow their assets throughout retirement.

The financial consultants at McHarg & Associates Wealth Planning are registered representatives with, and securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.

FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER

Investment and Insurance Products:

NOT FDIC-InsuredNO Bank Guarantee MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. CAR-0123-01302.

Tom Chandler

CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, RICP®, Financial Advisor, Managing Director

1420 Rocky Ridge Drive, Suite 200 Roseville, CA 95661

Office: 916-380-3194

thomas.chandler@ampf.com

ameripriseadvisors.com/team/the-chandler-group

Build Confidence in Your Financial Future

My purpose is to help you feel confident, connected and in control of your financial life. The right financial advice can help prepare you for whatever life brings — both the expected and the unexpected. I am a 2015 – 2019 and 2021 – 2023 Five Star Wealth Manager.

The Chandler Group A Private Wealth Advisory Practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.

Investors should conduct their own evaluation of a financial professional as working with a financial advisor is not a guarantee of future financial success.

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, C ertified f inanCial P lanner ™, and the CFP® mark (with plaque design) in the U.S.

FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER AWARD WINNER

questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 946 Sacramento-area wealth managers Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period.

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

Left to right: Emily Hy, Client Associate; 2012 – 2014, 2016 – 2020 and 2022 – 2023 winner Mark Aizenberg, First Vice President – Investments; Jackelyn Khalid, Client Associate; 2013 – 2023 Tim Johnson, Managing Director – Investments

— WEALTH MANAGERS —

Paul Marchetti

AIF®

120 E 12 th Street Tracy, CA 95376

Phone: 209-879-9450

paul@401kengineers.com

www.401kengineers.com

I Enjoy Creating and Building Custom Solutions.

Paul provides advice based on his deep understanding of people from all walks of life. Starting in a family hardware business in 1985, he realized early on that he thoroughly enjoyed educating customers on solutions. He knows the realities of managing a business and what it’s like to be the client of a financial advisor; it was actually his advisor who originally inspired him to launch a new career in financial services.

For over 33 years in stock-broking and insurance, Paul formed 401k Engineers Inc. in 2013 with renewed energy. Here, he can make the most of his passion for problem solving. Much like during his days in hardware, he enjoys helping people build things and overcome obstacles — and he always ensures that clients fully understand the process. The best choice is the educated choice.

• Dynamic process

• Help create clarity

Jaime Barretta Principal,

Financial Advisor

63 Natoma Street, Suite 170 Folsom, CA 95630

Phone: 916-293-8512

jaime@barrettawealth.com

My goal is to take the noise out of your financial life. We listen to our clients and put a plan in place that strives to combine your heart’s desire with reality. In February 2016, I became a widow, and this life-changing event has provided me with the personal insight of being able to assist my clients.

registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified finanCial Planner™ and federally registered CFP (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and This award was issued on 02/01/2023 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 06/06/2022 through 12/09/2022. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed were considered for the award; 107 (11% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # 2/1/20, 5/27/19 - 12/20/19; 2019: 997,

Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded

Financial Planning

Nicholas Adam Abelow · LPL Financial

Ariel Tolentino Agustin · Merrill Lynch

Sarkis Aubrey Anduze · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Marina Alexandra Armbruster · School Benefit Services

Brian Daniel Bain · VALIC Financial Advisors

Karen Marie Bothe · WGG Wealth Partners

Kenton Aaron Bradley · WGG Wealth Partners

Christopher James Bulman · Bulman Wealth Group

Daniel John Cairns · DA Davidson & Co.

Raymond Wyman Chow · Wedbush Securities

William Thomas Corley · Corley Investment Management

Elizabeth Stephanie Daffner · Ameritas Investment Company

Jeffrey Wayne DeBoer · Allworth Financial

Julia Katherine Earle · LPL Financial

Kent Robert Elliott · Robert W. Baird & Co.

Olga Garton · Iron Point Advisors

— WEALTH MANAGERS —

Bret Andrew Glover · WGG Wealth Partners

Garrick David Gookin · South Placer Wealth Management Group

Norielle Raenier Gottschalk · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Colin Stephen Grahl · WGG Wealth Partners

Clare Elizabeth Hiatt · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Joseph Matthew Hinojos · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Jennifer Katherine Kachmar · WGG Wealth Partners

Seth Levin Kaplan · Robert W. Baird & Co.

Stephanie J. Kerns · WGG Wealth Partners

Tatyana Anna Kjellberg · Morgan Stanley

John Miller Landberg · Robert W. Baird & Co.

Stan Borgquist Leavitt · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Stanley Chow Cho Leong · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

John Grant Lewis · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Cynthia Susan Meyers · Confluence Financial Planning

Cody Michael OKeefe · WGG Wealth Partners

Christopher Greg Packard · Packard Financial & Insurance Services

Monika Lynn Reyes · WGG Wealth Partners

Devon Kay Robb · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Paul Richard Rossi · Rossi Financial Group

Chris Scott Santi · WGG Wealth Partners

Robert Anthony Santoriello · Iron Point Advisors

Derek Tadao Seo · Seo and Associates

Terry Dale Sherrill · WGG Wealth Partners

William Alan Silva · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Zach Adam Vail · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Timothy John Vas Dias · Ameritas Investment Company

Stephen Michael Westlake · WGG Wealth Partners

Marilyn S. White · Private Wealth Management

Investments

Angela Kay Adler · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

William David Altavilla · Captrust

Timothy Aaron Brockway · Asset Strategies Group

Robert James Burton · Wells Fargo Advisors

Mark Joseph Chapman · Wells Fargo Advisors

Leland Mccormack Crawford · Wells Fargo Advisors

A. Bruce Dickson · Dickson Financial Advisors

Robert James Ferriman · Robert W. Baird & Co.

Laura Filice · Wells Fargo Advisors

Rikki J. Foster · Bangerter Financial Services

Scott Merritt Gordon · Captrust

Brad Lewis Heaps · Charles Schwab & Co.

Glenn David Kenes · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Johnny Anthony Kovalek · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Lew Howard Lemon · LPL Financial

David Allan Loeffler · Wells Fargo Advisors

Richard Loek · Onesta Wealth Management

Sean Michael Lucas · Merrill Lynch

Bryan Ray Ludwig · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Douglas Kenneth MacFarlane · Robert W. Baird & Co.

Ronald William Mammen · Cetera Advisor Networks

Martin Richard Meier · LPL Financial

Kevin Joseph Mounkes · Wells Fargo Advisors

David Lee Odom · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

James Aladino Parenti · Aladino Financial Services, Inc.

Craig Vernon Parker · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Kenneth Richard Peters · Wells Fargo Advisors

Rani Hathaway Pettis · Wells Fargo Advisors

Gregg Anthony Roh · Wells Fargo Advisors

Jeffrey A. Schnoebelen · RFS Wealth Advisors

Julie Lynn Small · Merrill Lynch

Dru Alexander Torvend · Hometown Advisors

Margaret Ann Wilkin · Robert W. Baird & Co.

Chien Yeh · Eagle Strategies

ongoing certification.

questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 946 Sacramento-area wealth managers Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period.

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

sac design

JUMP INTO SPRING!

Living beautifully, inside and out

SPRINGTIME IN WINTERS

IF YOU MANAGE TO MAKE IT TO JUST ONE GARDEN TOUR

THIS SEASON, don’t miss the guided walks through the lush grounds of PARK WINTERS , located a 15-minute drive from downtown Winters. Rafael Galiano, co-owner of the luxury inn and gardener extraordinaire, shares his passion for plants and all things beautiful with visitors who travel from across Northern California for the experience. He promises you won’t be disappointed. “I was born in Cuba and I’ve been gardening since I was 5 years old,” says Galiano. “One day I’m going to write a book about people who’ve had transformational experiences from gardening.” Tours run spring through fall and are typically oneand-a-half to two hours long. Park Winters also offers pick-your-own-bouquet events and workshops on floral arranging, wreath making and more. For schedules and pricing, go to parkwinters.com.

TOP (2): Floral arranging workshop at Park Winters.

MIDDLE (2): Park Winters property BOTTOM: Rafael Galiano giving a garden tour.

cut and dried

NINA BOOTH didn’t set out to create a wildly successful floral studio. What began as a COVID-driven hobby has grown, almost by accident, into a thriving business servicing high-end retailers and customers across the country.

“I’ve always made wreaths and arrangements for family and friends. During the early part of the pandemic, I would go foraging for flowers with my dog and make jewelry or bouquets from them,” says Booth, whose business, RIGHT SIDE HAND, operates out of a quaint workshop in Winters where color-coordinated bundles of dried flowers are stacked gingerly on a wall of shelves.

A friend saw what Booth was making and asked, “What are you going to do with all of it?” Booth wasn’t entirely sure. After a few months of hawking bouquets at pop-up events and posting her creations to Instagram, Booth was contacted by New York-based ABC Carpet & Home about producing a holiday collection for them.

Before long, she was selling her exquisite dried flower terrariums and

arrangements to national retailers like The Sill, Anthropologie and Terrain.

Since then, Booth’s work has appeared in Vogue magazine and The Wall Street Journal, and her terrariums have been gifted to celebrities including Rachel Brosnahan

(“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) and Jonathan Van Ness (“Queer Eye”).

Booth prefers to work with dried flowers over fresh. “I love the nature of them and the beauty that can still come after they’ve been picked and dried. They take on this whole different look,” she explains, adding that she enjoys the patient pace of work that dried arrangements afford. “I feel rushed working with fresh flowers.”

Booth, an artist who left a job with West Elm to run Right Side Hand, believes that since the pandemic, “people want more nature in their home.” Dried flowers, she says, “are an investment. I love that you don’t have to replace them. They can be more of a permanent part of your décor.”

To order, visit rightsidehand.online.

NOW OPEN

ANTHROPOLOGIE, that temple of ultra-feminine boho-chic style, opened in Sacramento’s Ice Blocks last fall in a coup for the city’s retail scene. Although less expansive than most of its other locations, the midtown store is chock-full of on-trend apparel, accessories and home décor for those looking to add some flair to their closet or living space. The retailer’s arrival is a sign that this stretch of R Street—which has scored other big-name brands over the years, including West Elm, Bonobos and Warby Parker—has established itself as the liveliest (and possibly the loveliest) shopping area in the urban core. 1610 R St.; (916) 866-4214; anthropologie.com

Bottom: Gabriel Teague

Getting Warmer

HOW AN ORANGEVALE HOME WENT FROM BASIC TO WOW .

Story: CATHERINE WARMERDAM Photos: STEPHANIE RUSSO Interior Design: DESIGN SHOP INTERIORS

TOP: In the dining room, a white oak table is teamed with black stained chairs in a classic silhouette. “We played with a lot of wood tones in these spaces, but I think they all speak to each other really well here,” says designer Jada Gilbert.

RIGHT: A first-floor bathroom was designed to welcome guests and pets alike. The arched cutout in the cabinetry is the opening for a custom-made kitty litter box built as a drawer for easy cleaning. The V-groove cabinetry is painted a muted green-gray called Cromarty by Farrow & Ball.

when the owners of a home in Orangevale tapped Jada Gilbert of Design Shop Interiors to help inject some character into their builder-basic residence, warmth became a guiding principle of the overall design. “They wanted to add their own style and function and flow,” says Gilbert, “and they were drawn to more traditional, warmer spaces, so that’s what I focused on.”

Gilbert was intentional about selecting finishes that lent the home a bit of old-world appeal while still being very much of the moment. In the kitchen, for example, the pretty hand-painted terra-cotta tile backsplash looks as though it could have been plucked straight out of a charming old apartment in Paris or Lisbon. “It’s the wow moment on that range wall,” says Gilbert.

In the dining room, which enjoys ample natural light and a commanding view of the large backyard, Gilbert added wooden plank paneling, box beams and an oversized pendant light to give the space depth, texture and a dose of cottagey coziness. “There’s a huge oak tree outside the window, so we decided against window treatments here,” explains Gilbert. “This room is all about the view and enjoying an indooroutdoor lifestyle.”

“We were able to layer in a lot of warmer natural materials on top of a pretty neutral, transitional, timeless space.”

—Jada Gilbert

“It was a

challenge to start with the darker

because it meant that everything else had to be lighter,”

LEFT: A white oak island topped with Taj Mahal quartzite serves as the heart of the kitchen. Terracotta tiles from Tabarka soften the wall behind the range, while dark cabinet hardware complements the existing wood floors.

good

flooring

says Gilbert.

RIGHT AND BOTTOM:

The principal bath was one of the few spaces where the layout had to be reconfigured to meet the homeowners’ needs. A large drop-in Jacuzzistyle tub and small shower were replaced with a compact soaking tub and spacious bench-style shower with zellige tile. “It’s not a large space, but the new layout feels totally open and has that spa feel, thanks to the soft blues and whites and neutral flooring,” says Gilbert.

Throughout the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room, Gilbert employed a mix of subtly beautiful materials—leathered quartzite, white oak, V-groove paneling, unlacquered brass—to achieve a subdued elegance. There’s not a hint of flashiness in the graceful design; this is a space where understated beauty reins, even down to the sheen of the materials. “Because we were working with existing flooring that was very shiny, I kept everything else matte to balance things out,” adds Gilbert.

“We were able to layer in a lot of warmer natural materials on top of a pretty neutral, transitional, timeless space,” says the designer, who credits her clients with bringing good ideas and inspirational examples to the process. “It was a fun collaboration, and they were really trusting, which led to a great project.”

© Adam Potts Photography

Story: CATHERINE WARMERDAM Photos: KAT ALVES Design & Construction: ATMOSPHERE DESIGN BUILD

Project Architect: JEFF ADAMS

ROCK SOLID

A massive boulder lit a creative spark for this Loomis home design.

When it comes to any creative pursuit, limitations are a surefire way to spur ingenuity. Just ask Mela Breen, principal designer at Grass Valley-based Atmosphere Design Build, who was tasked with siting a new home on a topographically challenging lot in Loomis.

The quarter-acre property, which sat undeveloped for three decades, came with numerous challenges: utility easements on two sides, a steep drop-off in one corner, a large tree, and a giant boulder in the middle of it all. All told, the constraints meant only about 10 percent of the lot could be used as buildable space.

Still, owner Ellen Wolfe was convinced that the property, which overlooks Folsom Lake and abuts a wide-open swath of parkland, was perfect for her needs. “The idea of having a lot that backed up to state park property is something that was intriguing to me,” says Wolfe. “It’s also in a little neighborhood and has a very community feel to it, so it was a nice blend of what I wanted for myself.”

BOTTOM LEFT (2): The color of the home’s exterior siding takes its cue from the lichen on the massive boulder that inhabits the property. Cedar cladding creates an exterior space that gives the building depth without interrupting its basic, energy-efficient form.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Near the entry, a gate hugs the boulder, emphasizing the intentionality of the home’s siting.

The constraints meant Breen had to get creative. Obtaining a variance for one of the easements gave her some much-needed wiggle room, but maintaining a small footprint was essential. Situating the tallest part of the house adjacent to the tree consolidated the massing and helped preserve views for nearby homes. And building a separate garage structure offered greater flexibility than an attached one.

Breen decided against integrating the boulder into the home’s interior because, she says, “it wouldn’t work in terms of temperature control and water intrusion.” At the same time, “we wanted to experience the boulder. It’s almost like a beautiful sculpture.” By constructing the home mere inches from the massive lichen-covered rock, “you can have a tactile experience with it as you move into the house.”

Inside, the home is all about “this tension between constraint and expansion,” explains Breen. For example, the designer needed to create the feeling of a private sanctuary in a home that is situated within a neighborhood. The solution? Strategically placed windows that draw the eye to nearby open spaces so that there is, as she says, “a continual relationship between the inside and the outside.”

“What I probably like most about the house is that I have all these incredible views,” says Wolfe. “At every window, I have something amazing to look at.”

The home’s interior—with its high ceilings, maple floors and cabinets, and rooms awash

TOP: Atmosphere Design Build constructed the house to acknowledge rather than minimize the massive boulder.

“In some ways, constraints can be really helpful because they spark innovation.”

—Mela Breen

in natural light—is the calm, retreat-like space that Wolfe desired. “The materials all go together so well, and the space is comfortable and warm,” says the homeowner.

The building also possesses “a level of craft that is more than skin deep,” according to Breen. “Its beauty is about what’s happening behind the walls more than the finishes.” The highly efficient home boasts airtight construction in part due to the use of European windows and doors; a balanced heat-recovery ventilation system to ensure the constant flow of fresh, filtered air; hot water supplied by a solar thermal system; and a roof-mounted photovoltaic system and backup battery for a resilient energy supply.

“It’s a high-performance home where all the systems are designed specifically for the building,” says Breen, whose firm specializes in a holistic, energy-conscious approach to design and construction. “It’s custom in every sense of the word: for the client, the site and the microclimate.”

TOP: A woodburning stove was on the homeowner’s must-have list. “What I love about the living space is that it can be experienced multiple ways: facing inward toward the stove or outward toward the windows,” says designer Mela Breen.

RIGHT: Maple plywood casework and a backsplash made from Heath tile are part of the kitchen’s simplicity. The island is constructed of claro walnut, a species native to California.

“We wanted it to feel light and airy, with built-ins for almost everything and very little furniture.”

—Mela Breen

MIDDLE: In the half bath, Pratt + Larson tile “picks up on the muted, earthy colors” around the property, says Breen. The wood for the walnut slab countertop and casing was sourced from her father.

BOTTOM: The bathroom’s handmade denim-colored ceramic tile by Portland-based Pratt + Larson “has great luminous complexity to it,” says Breen.

TOP: A Murphy bed tucks into the wall to make way for a yoga space in one of the bedrooms.

So Much Music

Sacramento’s reputation as a music lovers’ destination is taking off, pumping dollars into the city’s economy, creating opportunities for local musicians and generating plenty of excitement for residents.

Aftershock, GoldenSky, Sol Blume and more

Tony Christ and Robbie Metcalf of the entertainment company Hall of Fame

inside:

BY SENA CHRISTIAN

Tony Christ, a Sacramento native, says he’s always been a fan of his hometown—even when he left to live for a while in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, producing events in the entertainment and nightclub spaces.

But his appreciation wasn’t shared by all. When he and his business partner, Robbie Metcalf, started Hall of Fame, an entertainment company centered on music and collaboration, in 2008, “the landscape of the Sacramento creative community was a lot di erent. There wasn’t the Sacramento pride that I would say you see now,” Christ says.

HOF started simply, with a music blog showcasing local talent. “We were posting almost every day, something new from Sacramento that was coming out,” Metcalf says. “I was surprised there was that much music coming up and that much to share, but we were really on top of that.” Then they grew their social media network as another way to get the word out and share music videos by local artists.

From 2015 to 2017, they put on #HOFDAY, an annual music festival in Old Sacramento featuring local rappers and bands. Between 2018 and 2020, HOF

Above: Steve Thrasher; below: Kevin Gomez

Robbie Metcalf and Tony Christ

Metallica headlined Aftershock in 2021.

produced more than 250 pop-up events, warehouse parties and other activations. They highlighted local acts like Hobo Johnson & The LoveMakers, whose song “Peach Scone” for the NPR Tiny Desk Contest in 2018 went viral and propelled Johnson to a major label.

“Our business really focused on bringing those people into one space and creating events around people that were from here,” Christ says. “What really di erentiated us from other businesses was that our events, our festivals, our warehouse parties were 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 people with Sacramento talent as the focal point, and that didn’t really happen during that time.”

The partners are now part of the ownership group of Tiger, a restaurant and lounge near Golden 1 Center at DOCO. As part of their bigger visions of reinvigorating K Street, they have placed music as key. Their lounge, Tiger After Dark, features live music four nights a week.

Sacramento has emerged in recent years as a music destination through this emphasis on local talent as well as through major music festivals that usher in hordes of fans and dollars. Mike Testa, president and CEO of Visit Sacramento, says his organization is less focused on specifically branding the city as a music destination, but rather more broadly as a “fun and exciting place.”

Testa saw clear evidence of this strategy working at this past October’s Aftershock, a four-day festival in Discovery Park, which brought 160,000 attendees to see headliners Slipknot, Kiss, My Chemical Romance, Muse and about 90 other artists on four stages. Its inaugural year in 2012 was a one-day event with a capacity of 11,700 people. Aftershock has become, Testa says, the largest hard-rock festival in the United States, generating roughly $30 million for the local economy. Visit Sacramento produces the event with Danny Wimmer Presents.

“That’s why we do the work we do,” Testa says of last year’s success. “Personally, it’s incredibly gratifying when I see this market change from a sleepy Gold Rush capital of 1849 to this vibrant music scene . . . drawing people from across the world.”

only 100 people coming to this small corner of J Street. Ault has photos of himself pouring beer for customers. The concert series started as a way for downtown workers to leave their o ces and begin their weekends, stopping for music, a beverage or two and dinner nearby. “It really has become a gathering point for the community, as well as a platform for a lot of artists through the years that have played here,” Ault says.

Concerts in the Park is now California’s largest, longest-running, free outdoor-music festival, he says, with nearly 6,000 fans gathering for each week’s show. “We’ve got families now that have come back to us and have said, ‘You know, I used to come here when I was in high school, in college with my parents and now we’re bringing [our] kids and families back,’” he says.

Nationally touring artists have played the stage, including Cake, Deftones and Nappy Roots. Each spring, DSP does a big unveiling of the lineup for the upcoming season. Ault’s organization has been aiming for more diversity and inclusion with its lineup, making the event more representative of Sacramento’s diverse community and cultural vitality. Christ, of HOF, says that with Concerts in the Park, “Over the years, the landscape in Sacramento has changed and the people in power are understanding the way the tides are changing.” These event producers, he says, are getting closer to the ground floor of the creative community with the help of groups like HOF.

Building “Iconic” Music Festivals—

Since 1991, Sacramento has held Concerts in the Park in Cesar Chavez Park downtown. It has become an “iconic” music festival, says Michael Ault, executive director of Sacramento Downtown Partnership, which produces the 12-week summer series. In those early years, there’d be

Metcalf, who has been a DJ at Concerts in the Park since 2017, says organizers are receptive to their ideas, especially around the importance of including local acts as openers for major talent, so relationships and bonds can be created backstage, trickling down to help Sacramento’s scene. “They’re looking to us, 10, 15 years younger, and like, ‘Hey, what’s poppin’, what’s hot, what should we do?’”

As with Concerts in the Park, if an event is produced right, people show up. Last spring, Sol Blume, an R&B,

Exodus at Aftershock in 2021

soul and hip-hop festival, returned to Sacramento for its third year (after a brief hiatus), growing from a oneday festival at Cesar Chavez Park to a two-day event at Discovery Park. Media reports estimated roughly 40,000 people attended. Headliners included Jorja Smith, Jazmine Sullivan, Jhené Aiko and Summer Walker. Sol Blume is scheduled to return this spring.

In October 2022, the weekend after Aftershock, Visit Sacramento partnered again with Danny Wimmer Presents to produce the inaugural GoldenSky Festival, intended to become the country music equivalent of Aftershock. Tim McGraw and Sam Hunt headlined the two-day event, which also featured local chefs to give people a taste of the city’s food scene.

“Our goal is to grow that to a similar level as Aftershock,” Testa says. “It’d be pretty exciting for our city to say we’ve got the largest hard-rock festival in the country and largest country festival in the country.”

The goal of Visit Sacramento is to boost local business and economic activity through visitation: Music has shown to be an e ective way to do this. Most attendees of Aftershock, at about 65 percent, don’t live in the Sacramento region, Testa says. They fly into Sacramento International Airport, rent cars, stay in hotels throughout Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties, eat at restaurants and buy souvenirs.

“It’s pulling from 20-plus countries across the world,”

Testa says of Aftershock, in addition to every state in the United States. “It is truly a destination. If hard rock or heavy metal is your genre and you look at that lineup, it’s worth getting on an airplane for.”

For a long time, from a tourism standpoint, Sacramento focused on conventions, which are still the area’s largest tourism driver. But the region’s national reputation has changed over the past decade, with music shifting its profi le away from bland state government city to an attractive spot for promoters working on conferences, sporting events like the Ironman triathlon, food tours and other programming. All of this constitutes a win for Sacramento, Testa says. When Testa—a music lover himself—looks back to that fi rst year of Aftershock when Stone Temple Pilots headlined, he remembers it as “incredibly fun.” That energy has only increased, he says. Fast-forward to Metallica playing two nights in 2021, and then GoldenSky’s festivities. “It was this incredibly fun vibe that was out there,” he says. “We just see people having a good time. As somebody who produces events, that’s why you do it: The fun of watching people enjoy the things that you and your team have built is incredibly rewarding.”

Aftershock has become the largest hard-rock festival in the United States, generating roughly $30 million for the local economy, says Mike Testa of Visit Sacramento.

Brent Faiyaz will headline Sol Blume

How the City of Sacramento Can Help—Megan Van Voorhis, the new director of the city of Sacramento’s Convention and Cultural Services Department, says she is a big proponent of both large music festivals and the smaller, independent venues that keep the music ecosystem going year-round, like Harlow’s, Cafe Colonial, Torch Club and The Russ Room (above Solomon’s), along with Memorial Auditorium, which recently went through a $16.2 million renovation.

Van Voorhis sees the city’s job as removing barriers for participation in this ecosystem and helping to bolster the creative economy. A big part involves figuring out policy tools for “harmonious living,” where independent venues and entertainment districts are protected while nearby residents are not negatively impacted. Additionally, it means helping to provide infrastructure investments to grow the local music scene.

Last year, the city launched a music census to collect data on current conditions and the lived experience of people in the music community, Van Voorhis says, and to further refine investments and policy changes. Results were released to the public in January.

HOF’s Christ and Metcalf say they’ve been invited to city meetings around updating permitting processes and removing the red tape surrounding producing music events. “It took us a while to figure out, and we do feel like there’s a lot of people that want to produce events and are capable of doing it successfully,” Christ says. “But, as of right now, Sacramento isn’t the easiest place to do that. So I’m really happy to see that they’re working to do those things.”

Through these efforts, producers will see the dynamic of the city changing, just as Christ says he and Metcalf have over the past 15 years. When they look at their own contributions to this shift, they point to Tiger. Christ calls this a beacon: a consistent hub where fans can hear new tracks by local artists, see live shows and collaborate.

“It’s been amazing to see this shift over the last three or four years of the local music community really coming together and supporting each other, taking pride in each other and reposting each other’s music,” Metcalf says. “There’s just a really cool energy behind it. Us even being a small part of that has been humbling and exciting, and something we’re very proud of, for sure.”

Cannons at Concerts in the Park in 2022

Gabriel Teague

MARCH

4

Drink Up—Savor

tastings of craft beer, mead, cider, hard kombucha and more from dozens of the nation’s best brewers and providers at the 13th Annual Capitol Beer Fest on Capitol Mall. Complement your froth with fodder from local food trucks and live music from Nor Cal cover band Daze on the Green. All proceeds from the 21-and-older event benefit Runnin’ for Rhett youth fitness programs. capitolbeerfest.com

MARCH

Green Means

Go—Hey, exercise enthusiasts, you’re in luck! Shamrock’n Weekend is back, offering festive 5K and 10K races—plus a half-mile Leprechaun Dash for kids—on Saturday and a half-marathon on Sunday. Or do the Doubleheader and run both days! Racers start and end in Sutter Health Park, cruise over Tower Bridge into downtown and back, and wrap up with food, beer and St. Paddy’s Day cheer. shamrocknhalf.com

Good Hair Day—

The setting is 1960s segregated Baltimore, the music is soul-infused doo-wop and dance pop, and the hair is bouffantbig. But the themes in “Hairspray”—challenging racial discrimination and fat shaming, and embracing acceptance— are hardly retro, making this rollicking musical culturally on point. See the national tour of the Tony-winning Broadway hit at SAFE Credit Union PAC. broadwaysacramen to.com

MARCH 18

Party On—St. Patrick’s Day is on a Friday this year, but why not celebrate all weekend? There’s no better place to get your Irish on than Old Sacramento Waterfront St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade

Be sure to take in the parade—the city’s biggest and best—and cheer on Irish dancers, pipe-anddrum bands and community groups galore as they march on Old Sac’s cobblestone streets. old sacramento.com

MARCH 28

Events

The Roaring ’20s

Sacramento’s Eastern Star Hall, built in 1928 as a meeting place for Masonic women, has been reborn as Hyatt House boutique hotel. Up on the third floor, the newly opened STAR LOUNGE pays homage to the building’s history with salvaged chandeliers, an old wood pulpit repurposed as a host stand and hundred-year-old windows overlooking Fort Sutter. But the offerings are definitely 2023, including seasonal craft cocktails and menu items like short rib tacos and a double smash burger. 2719 K St.; (916) 894-6500; historicstarlounge.com

francisco chavira

Bartender Kira Cayetana Coene

inside: Michelin Man / The Original Yelp / Seoul Street Eats

Star Status

Michelin comes calling for Localis’ Chris Barnum-Dann.

BY MARYBETH BIZJAK

Back in January, the news that Noma in Copenhagen would close at the end of 2024 shook the fi ne-dining world. If Noma, considered the world’s best restaurant, couldn’t make it, what restaurant could?

Since at least the start of the pandemic, we’ve been hearing about the unsustainability of the high-end restaurant model. The too-thin profit margins. The di culty in fi nding—and keeping—sta . The crazy hours. The even-crazier chefs, who make working in professional kitchens a misery. The situation reached its illogical conclusion with the release last year of the comedy-horror fi lm “The Menu,” in which a terrifying celebrity chef at a Noma-like restaurant literally burns the whole thing down.

So it’s been interesting to watch Sacramento’s fi ne-dining scene take o as others pull back. This past December, Localis received a coveted Michelin star, only the second local restaurant (after The Kitchen) to do so. By then, Localis had already racked up an impressive list of awards: One of Eater’s “38 essential restaurants.” An award of excellence from Wine Spectator. One of the 50 best restaurants in the world, according to Wine Enthusiast.

That Michelin star was both vindication and sweet reward for Localis’ owner, chef Chris Barnum-Dann, who opened Localis in 2015 in a former pizzeria at the corner of 21st and S streets. The building—with

its janky plastic-sheeting windows and canvas roof—didn’t jibe with his dreams of o ering exquisite chef’s tasting menus. So in 2016, Barnum-Dann split with his business partner and began changing Localis to fit the idea in his mind’s eye.

With a hybrid menu that allowed diners to choose from a multicourse progression and a la carte o erings, Barnum-Dann was already well on his way to achieving his dream when COVID -19 struck in 2020. It was a bad time for everyone in the industry, but particularly bad for BarnumDann, who has dealt with depression and “serious mental issues” for most of his life. But after a couple of weeks of despair, he decided to dig in and make it work. He never thought of closing the restaurant, he says: “There’s no quit in me. Zero.”

He began o ering his tasting menu to go, coming up with innovative ways to prepare and package his food so that it could travel to customers’ homes. He also changed the way he looked at life. Religion played a role in his transformation. “I made a massive life change,” he explains. “I chose happiness.”

When Localis reopened in August 2021, Barnum-Dann leaned into the tastingmenu model; no more a la carte. Today, the 12-course tasting menu costs $197 and changes monthly. It always includes, as an amuse-bouche, a salty, crunchy bite of fried potato with white miso butter topped with a fried quail egg and shavings of preserved duck yolk. It also always features some version of fi re-roasted octopus, the dish that made Localis famous. Another standard: a dish called Painter’s Palette, a piece of house-made matzo topped with dabs of seasonal “paints” such as duck liver mousse and turnip puree. His dishes have whimsical names like I’ll Just Have the

Caesar With Chicken (quail with broccoli Caesar) and Stoners Delight (an elevated take on a macadamia nut brownie).

Barnum-Dann made other changes after the pandemic, like hiring a pastry chef, instituting a $330 wine pairing and remodeling the dining room. He also remodeled his relationship with his employees. Conceding he was sometimes a “not-great boss,” he now o ers full-time workers a package of benefits that includes a minimum salary of $55,000 and a month of paid leave. He calls it “creating an atmosphere of love.”

WHEN LOCALIS REOPENED IN AUGUST 2021, CHRIS BARNUMDANN LEANED INTO THE TASTING-MENU MODEL; NO MORE A LA CARTE. TODAY, THE 12-COURSE TASTING MENU COSTS $197 AND CHANGES MONTHLY.

As we talked in Localis’ dining room, I brought up “The Menu.” It turns out BarnumDann took a bunch of his employees to see the fi lm. He threw his head back and roared with laughter. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he yelled across the room at sta ers working in the open kitchen: “I love you all!” In on the joke, they mimicked the fi lm’s brigade of cowed kitchen workers, shouting back in unison, “We love you, too, Chef!”

Even as Noma gets ready to close down, Barnum-Dann is looking to the future of fi ne dining in Sacramento. “Our flavor s were good enough to take us” to one Michelin star, he says. Now, he plans to focus on his next goal: a second star.

Citrus supremes with crunchy beets, arugula romesco, golden beet “caviar” and a beet tuile

Chris Barnum-Dann

Barnum-Dann goes over recipes for the week

Potato chip with crème fraîche, caviar and chive

Painter’s Palette

Scallop crudo with kumquat, leek and kiwi

One for the Books

Patrick Mulvaney could write a book on the magic that happens when people gather around a table to share a meal—and in a sense, he has. Since the doors of his eponymous midtown restaurant, Mulvaney’s B&L, opened two decades ago, servers have handed used books to diners along with the check at the end of a meal, inviting them to sign a page if they wish.

The practice (he stole the idea from Town Hall restaurant in San Francisco) was Mulvaney’s way of soliciting private reviews from customers. “When we first opened, we were worried about whether anyone was going to like us. We knew that this was going to be a way to get automatic feedback,” he explains.

It worked. “About six weeks in, I was looking through one of the books at the end of the night and there was a note that read, ‘To Mulvaney’s, upon celebrating a 10-year anniversary with my one true love at the place we first met.’” It was the affirmation he’d hoped for.

Today, the restaurant has a collection of at least 100 books—mostly tattered hardback novels, many with food-related titles like “Fork It Over” and “Bitter Sugar”—scrawled with annotated passages, hastily drawn sketches, loving dedications, a few salty jokes and countless heartfelt thanks from customers.

The notes often read like love letters—to the chef, to the staff and, on occasion, to the food itself. “I would make love to the tomatoes and mozzarella,” reads one note. Another page displays a lipsticked kiss from a very satisfied diner. Several years ago, author Malcolm Gladwell wrote succinctly, “Thank you very much for a lovely pork chop,” according to Mulvaney.

Got Seoul

THE RESTAURANT HAS A COLLECTION OF AT LEAST 100 BOOKS SCRAWLED WITH MESSAGES, SKETCHES, DEDICATIONS , JOKES AND THANKS FROM CUSTOMERS.

Many of the messages are from people marking a special occasion—a birthday, anniversary, graduation, beating cancer. The fact that his restaurant is a destination for celebrations is not lost on Mulvaney. “We know that breaking bread changes conversations and becomes the string in the rock candy around which your memories can gather,” he says. “We are happy to provide that space.”

Mulvaney still pores over the messages with regularity. “About once a month, I skim through them. Turns out we’ve done some cool stuff in Sacramento over the last 20 years.” And he has the notes to prove it.

—CATHERINE WARMERDAM

The latest venture from Sacramento restaurateur Minnie Nguyen, owner of Station 16 and Firehouse Crawfish, is a playful take on Korean cuisine. Located on L Street in the space formerly occupied by de Vere’s Irish Pub, Seoul St is a restaurant and bar with a “fun atmosphere where people can grab a drink and some small bites and enjoy hanging out together and having a long conversation without being rushed,” says general manager Amanda Aldrich.

Nguyen remade the traditional pub interior into an industrial-sleek eatery where the bar remains the center of attention. “We wanted to pay homage to de Vere’s by keeping the front bar the main stage of the establishment,” explains Aldrich.

Signature cocktails—mostly clever riffs on the classics, like the Back to Seoul mule made with Jinro soju and yuzu juice—dominate the drinks menu. A small selection of Korean beers, including Cass and OB, are available by the bottle.

As for eats, Seoul St serves up Korean street food, often with a stateside twist. Think loaded bulgogi fries, galbi tacos and buffalo kimchi wings. Chimaek, the classic Korean combo of beer and fried chicken served with cubes of cool, crunchy daikon,

is a happy hour must-have. Seoul St’s galbi bao, a boneless short rib tucked into a pillowy steamed bun, is “what you’d get if a White Castle burger and a taco had a baby,” quips Aldrich.

Most plates at Seoul St are made for sharing, which Aldrich says is by design. “We’re all about guests communing together and having a good time, sharing food and conversation.” 1521 L St., Sacramento; (916) 292-9744; seoulsteats.com—CATHERINE WARMERDAM

Top: Gabriel Teague

Seoul St

Dine

As a reader service, Sacramento Magazine offers the following list of noteworthy restaurants in the Sacramento region. This is not intended to be a complete directory, and not all restaurants profiled appear every month. Before heading to a restaurant, call or check its website to make sure it’s open.

ARDEN

BENNETT’S AMERICAN COOKING At this comfortable neighborhood hangout, the food is like homemade, only better: things like braised short rib with mashed potatoes, lasagna Bolognese and chicken enchiladas. There’s something for every taste, from avocado toast, available all day long, to prime rib (weekends only). 2232 Fair Oaks Blvd.; (916) 5159680; bennettsamericancooking.com. L–D–Br. American. $$$

CAFE BERNARDO AT PAVILIONS The menu offers straightforward fare guaranteed to please just about everyone. Breakfast includes huevos rancheros and eggs Bernardo, while lunch and dinner feature chewycrusted pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and substantial entrees such as pan-seared chicken breast with mashed potatoes. 515 Pavilions Lane; (916) 922-2870; cafebernardo.com. B–L–D. New American. $$

LEATHERBY’S FAMILY CREAMERY Go for the ice cream, all made on the premises and used in shakes, malts and towering sundaes. 2333 Arden Way; (916) 920-8382; leatherbys.net. L–D. Sandwiches/ice cream. $

LEMON GRASS RESTAURANT This chic eatery serves delicious, upscale Asian fare such as salad rolls, green curry and catfish in a clay pot. Everything tastes fresh, light and clean. 601 Munroe St.; (916) 486-4891; lemongrassrestaurant.com. L–D. PanAsian. $$$

THE KITCHEN Part supper club, part theatrical production: This is like no other restaurant in Sacramento, and it’s Michelin starred. You need to make reservations months in advance for the multi-course dinner. The food is complex and mind-blowingly creative. 2225 Hurley Way; (916) 568-7171; thekit chenrestaurant.com. D. American. $$$$

WILDWOOD RESTAURANT & BAR At this restaurant, New American and global cuisine shares the menu with an all-American burger. The spacious patio is a great place to grab a drink and listen to live music. 556 Pavilions Lane; (916) 922-2858; wildwoodpa vilions.com. L–D–Br. American/global fusion. $$$

ZÓCALO This Mexican restaurant is one of the best places to while away an evening with friends over margaritas. The menu has regional Mexican specialties such as tacos de cazuela, a casserole-ish concoction of steak, chorizo and cheese served with house-made tortillas. 466 Howe Ave.; (916) 2520303; experiencezocalo.com. L–D–Br. Mexican. $$

AUBURN

RESTAURANT JOSEPHINE The seductive aroma of food roasting over a wood fire is one of the first things you notice at this French dinner house. The menu has a bistro bent, with mainstays such as steak frites, French onion soup, duck liver mousse and escargots and mushrooms “en cocotte.” 1226 Lincoln Way; (530) 820-3523; josephineauburn.com. D. French. $$$

BROADWAY

SELLAND’S MARKET-CAFE Choose from an array of appetizers and hot items along with crowd-pleasing side dishes and pizza. This high-quality takeout food can be a real lifesaver on nights when you’re too busy to cook. 915 Broadway; (916) 732-3390; sellands.com. L–D–Br. Gourmet takeout. $$

TOWER CAFE This place is a hot spot on weekend mornings. Regulars swear by the New Mexico blueberry cornmeal pancakes and the thick-cut, custardy French toast. Breakfast is all-American, but lunch and dinner have a global flavor. 1518 Broadway; (916) 441-0222; towercafe.com. B–L–D. World fusion. $$

JAMIE’S BROADWAY GRILLE Open since 1959, this old-school restaurant is a favorite with long-timers and newcomers alike, serving up Sacramento history along with clam chowder, garlic steak sandwiches and daily specials such as smoked prime rib. 427 Broadway; (916) 442-4044; jamiesbroadway grille.com. L–D. American. $$–$$$

CURTIS PARK

PANGAEA BIER CAFE While it’s known as a beer cafe and bottle shop, this casual spot also serves up tasty bar food, including a burger that has taken home top honors more than once at Sacramento Burger Battle. 2743 Franklin Blvd.; (916) 454-4942; pan gaeabiercafe.com. L–D. American. $$

DAVIS

BURGERS AND BREW The casual, publike restaurant uses high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and serves an interesting selection of beers and ales. 1409 R St.; (916) 442-0900; burgersnbrew.com. L–D. Burgers. $–$$

MIKUNI JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND SUSHI BAR

This hip sushi bar serves its sushi with a side of sass. The dense menu offers appetizers, rice bowls, bento boxes and sushi rolls. 500 First St.; (530) 756-2111; mikunisushi.com. L–D. Japanese/sushi. $$

Ella’s pork belly

PASTE THAI This hidden gem, located in a busy strip mall, offers the cleanest, freshest Thai around. Everything is made in-house, including the pastes that go into the exquisite curries. 417 Mace Blvd.; (530) 564-7051. L–D. Thai. $$

SEASONS The menu at this attractive, upscale restaurant changes every three months. Pizzas are great; so are the bountiful salads. But you’ll find the kitchen’s real talent in its creative appetizers and limited entrees. 102 F St.; (530) 750-1801; seasonsdavis.com. L–D. New American. $$–$$$

DOWNTOWN

BINCHOYAKI Small plates of grilled meats, fish and vegetables are the stars at this izakaya-style restaurant. But you can also order ramen, tempura and other Japanese favorites. 2226 10th St.; (916) 4699448; binchoyaki.com. L–D. Japanese. $$–$$$

CAFE BERNARDO For description, see listing under “Arden.” 1431 R St.; (916) 930-9191; cafebernardo. com. B–L–D. New American. $$

CAMDEN SPIT & LARDER This swank brasserie in a modern, glass-walled building near the Capitol appeals to lobbyists, lawyers and legislators with its gin-forward cocktails and a menu that’s an interesting mash-up of British chop-house classics, English schoolboy favorites and elevated pub fare. 555 Capitol Mall; (916) 619-8897; camdenspitandlarder. com. L–D. Steakhouse. $$$–$$$$

THE COCONUT ON T With Thai dishes made from fresh ingredients, this little restaurant is a popular spot for creative twists on staples such as pad thai or drunken noodles, as well as curries, rices and rolls. Sweet potato fries and fried calamari are house favorites, too. 1110 T St.; (916) 822-4665; coconutont. com. L–D. Thai. $

ECHO & RIG Situated in the lobby of The Sawyer hotel, this outpost of a Vegas steakhouse is sleek and unstuffy. Prices are considerably gentler than at most other steakhouses, but the quality of the meat is high. In addition to standard cuts like filet, NY steak and rib-eye, you’ll find butcher cuts such as hanger, bavette, skirt and tri-tip. 500 J St.; (877) 678-6255; echoandrig.com. B–L–D–Br. Steakhouse. $$$

ELLA This stunning restaurant is an elegant oasis compared to the gritty hustle and bustle outside. From the open kitchen, the staff turns out innovative dishes and old favorites. The emphasis is on seasonal, local and artisanal. 1131 K St.; (916) 4433772; elladiningroomandbar.com. L–D. New American. $$$$

FOX & GOOSE PUBLIC HOUSE This tavern plates up some of the best breakfasts in town, along with pub staples like beer-battered fish and chips, Cornish pasty and Welsh rarebit. 1001 R St.; (916) 443-8825; foxandgoose.com. B–L–D. English pub. $–$$

FRANK FAT’S Downtown Sacramento’s oldest restaurant, Fat’s is a favorite of the Capitol crowd. The restaurant is well known for its steaks—especially Frank’s Style New York Steak—and its brandy-fried chicken. This is Chinese cuisine at its most sophisticated. 806 L St.; (916) 442-7092; frankfats.com. L–D. Chinese. $$$

GRANGE RESTAURANT & BAR Located in The Citizen Hotel, Grange proves that a hotel restaurant doesn’t have to be pedestrian. The menu changes frequently and spotlights some of the area’s best producers. At dinner, the ambience in the stunning dining room is seductive and low-lit. 926 J St.; (916) 492-4450; grangerestaurantandbar.com. B–L–D–Br. Californian/American. $$$$

KODAIKO RAMEN & BAR This below-ground ramen shop takes the Japanese noodle soup to a whole new level. Ingredients are organic, and almost everything is made in-house. For a fun experience, sit at the six-person ramen counter and chat with the chefs. 718 K St.; (916) 426-8863; kodaikoramen.com. L–D–Br. Japanese/ramen. $$–$$$

MAGPIE CAFE This restaurant has a casual, unassuming vibe, and its hallmark is clean, simple fare that tastes like the best version of itself. 1601 16th St.; (916) 452-7594; magpiecafe.com. B–L–D. Californian. $$

MAJKA PIZZERIA + BAKERY This takeout shop offers only one style of veggie pizza per day. But oh what a pizza it is! It features organic, whole-grain sourdough crust and toppings from local farmers markets and small farms. When the weather’s nice, pick up a pizza, a bottle of natural wine and a couple of chocolate chunk miso cookies and head across the street to Fremont Park for an alfresco meal. 1704 15th St.; (916) 572-9316; lovemajka.com. L–D. Pizza. $$

MIKUNI JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND SUSHI BAR

For description, see listing under “Davis.” 1530 J St.; (916) 447-2112; mikunisushi.com. L–D. Japanese/sushi. $$

THE 7TH STREET STANDARD Located inside the Hyatt Centric, this is an unabashedly big-city restaurant. The menu has a modern California sensibility, using fresh ingredients, classic French techniques and a healthy dash of South Indian flavors. 1122 Seventh St.; (916) 371-7100; the7thstreetstandard. com. B–L–D. Modern American. $$$

URBAN ROOTS BREWING & SMOKEHOUSE At this brewery, a massive smoker turns out succulent

meats—brisket, ribs, turkey and sausage—in the tradition of the great barbecue houses of Texas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Sides include collard greens, mac and cheese, yams and poblano cheese grits. Sit indoors or out at long picnic tables. 1322 V St.; (916) 706-3741; urbanrootsbrewing.com. L–D. Barbecue. $$

WILLOW Located in The Exchange hotel, this elegant restaurant specializes in southern Italian and Mediterranean Sea cuisine, with a focus on pastas (all made in-house). 1006 Fourth St.; (916) 938-8001; willowsacramento.com. B–L–D–Br. Italian. $$$

EAST SACRAMENTO

ALLORA Modern Italian fare with a heavy seafood bent is the focus at this sophisticated eatery. Tasting menus come in three, four and five courses, with caviar service and in-season truffles offered at an additional cost. Extensive vegetarian and vegan options are also available. 5215 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 538-6434; allorasacramento.com. D. Italian. $$$$

CANON With Michelin-starred chef Brad Cecchi at the helm, this breezily chic restaurant offers an ambitious menu of globally inspired sharable plates. Much of the menu is vegetarian, vegan or gluten free, but you can also order from a small selection of hearty meat, poultry and fish dishes. 1719 34th St.; (916) 469-2433; canoneastsac.com. D–Br. Global/New American. $$$–$$$$

THE HOUSE OF AUTHENTIC INGREDIENTS The food here is simply first-rate. Everything from soups and salads to curries and stir-fries is made with care and precision. 4701 H St.; (916) 942-9008; thaiatsac. com. L–D. Thai. $$–$$$

House-made scones with Devonshire cream from Fox & Goose Public House

KRU Chef/owner Billy Ngo produces high caliber, exciting Japanese fare. The restaurant has a craft cocktail bar, outdoor patios and an omakase bar. (An omakase cocktail pairing is also available.) 3135 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 551-1559; krurestaurant.com.

L–D. Japanese. $$$–$$$$

THE MIMOSA HOUSE This local chain offers a comprehensive lineup of breakfast fare: omelets, Benedicts, crepes, waffles, burritos and, of course, mimosas. The rest of the menu is similarly broad, with burgers, salads, grilled sandwiches and Mexican “street food.” 5641 J St.; (916) 400-4084; mimo sahouse.com. B–L. American. $$

ONESPEED Chef Rick Mahan, who built his stellar reputation at The Waterboy in midtown, branched out with a more casual concept at his East Sac eatery. The bistro has a tiled pizza oven that cranks out chewy, flavorful pizzas. 4818 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 706-1748; onespeedpizza.com. B–L–D. Pizza. $$

ORIGAMI ASIAN GRILL This fast-casual eatery serves Asian-flavored rice bowls, banh mi, salads and ramen, along with killer fried chicken and assorted smokedmeat specials from a big smoker on the sidewalk. 4801 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 400-3075; origamiasian grill.com. L–D. Asian fusion. $–$$

EL DORADO HILLS

AJI JAPANESE BISTRO This casually elegant restaurant offers an innovative menu of Japanese street food, interesting fusion entrees, traditional dishes such as teriyaki and tempura and—yes—sushi. There’s a short, approachable wine list, sakes and a full bar. 4361 Town Center Blvd.; (916) 941-9181;aji bistroedh.com. L–D. Japanese/sushi. $–$$

ALMIGHTY BISTRO This gluten-free restaurant has a large menu that includes salads, sandwiches, tapas, large plates and lots of meatless options. You’ll find poke, kale Caesar salad, avocado toast on an everything bagel, grass-fed burgers, short ribs, falafel, beans & rice—a tremendous variety for every dietary need. 4355 Town Center Blvd.; (916) 510-1204; al mightybistro.com. L–D–Br. Gluten-free global. $$

C. KNIGHT’S STEAKHOUSE An upscale dinner house serving steaks, chops and seafood, this restaurant offers classic American fare that’s stood the test of time. 2085 Vine St.; (916) 235-1730; cknightssteak house.com. D. American steakhouse. $$$$

MILESTONE This unstuffy eatery serves great takes on comfort-food classics like pot roast and fried chicken. It’s straightforward, without pretense or gimmickry. The setting is like a Napa country porch, and the service is warm and approachable. 4359 Town Center Blvd.; (916) 934-0790; milestoneedh. com. L–D–Br. New American. $$–$$

THE MIMOSA HOUSE For description, see listing under East Sacramento, 2023 Vine St.; (916) 9340965; mimosahouse.com. B–L–D. American. $$

SIENNA RESTAURANT The menu includes a playful melange of global cuisine, including fresh seafood, steaks, stone-hearth pizzas and a stacked French dip sandwich. 3909 Park Drive; (916) 941-9694; siennarestaurants.com. L–D–Br. Global. $$–$$$

ELK GROVE

BOULEVARD BISTRO Chef/owner Bret Bohlmann is a passionate supporter of local farmers and winemakers, and his innovative food sings with freshness

and seasonality. 8941 Elk Grove Blvd.; (916) 6852220; blvdbistro.com. D–Br. New American. $$–$$$

JOURNEY TO THE DUMPLING This Elk Grove eatery specializes in Shanghai-style dumplings, along with Chinese dishes such as green onion pancakes, garlic green beans and salt-and-pepper calamari. 7419 Laguna Blvd.; (916) 509-9556; journeytothedump ling.com. L–D. Chinese. $$

LEATHERBY’S FAMILY CREAMERY For description, see listing under “Arden.” 8238 Laguna Blvd.; (916) 691-3334; leatherbys.net. L–D. Sandwiches/ice cream. $

FAIR OAKS

MIKUNI JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND SUSHI BAR

For description, see listing under “Davis.” 4323 Hazel Ave.; (916) 961-2112; mikunisushi.com. L–D. Japanese/sushi. $$

SHANGRI-LA A fun restaurant reminiscent of Palm Springs in the ’50s, this establishment boasts an expansive, retro resort-style patio and a menu teeming with beautiful, inventive cocktails. Come for Baja fish tacos, ahi poke or a towering burger, and find plenty of other vibrant dishes made from local, seasonal ingredients. 7960 Winding Way; (916) 2419473; shangrilafairoaks.com. D. American. $$

FOLSOM

BACK BISTRO A warm pocket of coziness and urban sophistication, this place offers an appealing menu of casual nibbles and swankier entrees. But it’s the wine program that really knocks this charming little bistro out of the park. 230 Palladio Parkway, Suite 1201; (916) 986-9100; backbistro.com. D. New American/Mediterranean. $$–$$$

FAT’S ASIA BISTRO AND DIM SUM BAR This glamorous restaurant looks like a set from an Indiana Jones movie. The menu focuses on Asian cuisine, from Mongolian beef and Hong Kong chow mein to Thai chicken satay served with a fiery curry-peanut sauce. 2585 Iron Point Road; (916) 983-1133; fatsasiabistro. com. L–D. Pan-Asian. $$

LAND OCEAN The menu hits all the steakhouse high notes: hand-cut steaks, lobster, seafood and rotisserie, entree salads and sandwiches. 2720 E. Bidwell St.; (916) 983-7000; landoceanrestaurants.com. L–D–Br. New American/steakhouse. $$$–$$$$

THE MIMOSA HOUSE For description, see listing under “East Sacramento.” 25075 Blue Ravine Road; (916) 293-9442; mimosahouse.com. B–L. American. $$

SCOTT’S SEAFOOD ROUNDHOUSE This restaurant offers a solid menu of delicious seafood, from crab cakes and calamari to roasted lobster tail. 824 Sutter St.; (916) 989-6711; scottsseafoodroundhouse. com. L–D. Seafood. $$$–$$$$

THAI PARADISE Standouts on the extensive menu include spring rolls, tom kha koong (coconut milk soup with prawns), green curry, spicy scallops and pad thai. Try the fried banana with ice cream for dessert. 2770 E. Bidwell St.; (916) 984-8988; thai paradisefolsom.com. L–D. Thai. $$

GARDEN HIGHWAY

CRAWDADS ON THE RIVER This riverfront restaurant draws crowds looking to party on the water during warm-weather months. Boats pull up to the restaurant’s deck, where you can sip a cocktail. The Cajuninspired menu includes fish tacos and several fun

Pan-fried pork buns and Chinese meat burgers from Journey to the Dumpling

entrees. 1375 Garden Highway; (916) 929-2268; sac crawdads.com. L–D–Br. Cajun/American. $$

GRANITE BAY

HAWKS Known for its elegant cuisine and beautiful interior, this restaurant features framed photos of farmscapes that remind diners of owners Molly Hawks and Michael Fagnoni’s commitment to locally sourced ingredients. The seasonal menu is full of delicious surprises, such as seared scallop and sea urchin. 5530 Douglas Blvd.; (916) 791-6200; hawksrestaurant.com. L–D–Br. New American/ French. $$$–$$$$

GREENHAVEN/POCKET

CACIO This tiny sliver of a restaurant has only a handful of tables. The fare is high-quality Italian comfort food, with an emphasis on pasta. Service is warm and homey and reservations (even at lunch) are a must. 7600 Greenhaven Drive; (916) 399-9309; caciosacramento.com. L–D. Italian. $$

SCOTT’S SEAFOOD ON THE RIVER Located in The Westin Sacramento, Scott’s has a patio and a view of the river. For dinner, splurge on a lobster tail or choose a more modestly priced grilled salmon. 4800 Riverside Blvd.; (916) 379-5959; scottsseafoodon theriver.com. B–L–D. Seafood. $$$–$$$$

LINCOLN

HIGH STEAKS This Thunder Valley Casino restaurant is a meat lover’s paradise, offering up everything from an 8-ounce prime filet to a 26-ounce bone-in New York steak. Side dishes range from sweet potato casserole to five-cheese macaroni. 1200 Athens Ave.; (916) 408-8327; thundervalleyresort.com. D. Steakhouse. $$$$

LEATHERBY’S FAMILY CREAMERY For description, see listing under “Arden.” 610 Twelve Bridges Drive; (916) 209-3757; leatherbys.net. L–D. Sandwiches/ ice cream. $

MIDTOWN

BEAST + BOUNTY The beating heart of this chic restaurant is its open hearth, where meats and vegetables are roasted over a wood fire. The meaty ribeye, served over potatoes roasted in the meat’s fat, is meant to be shared. So is the pizza, thin, flat and seductively charred from the wood-burning pizza oven. 1701 R St.; (916) 244-4016; eatbeastand bounty.com. L–D–Br. American. $$$

CAFE BERNARDO For description, see listing under “Arden.” 2730 Capitol Ave.; (916) 603-2304; cafe bernardo.com. B–L–D. New American. $$

CENTRO COCINA MEXICANA Owned by the Paragary group, this is the restaurant that introduced Sacramento to authentic regional Mexican cuisine. Standout main courses include cochinita pibil and Oaxacan enchiladas. 2730 J St.; (916) 442-2552; centrococina.com. D–Br. Mexican. $$$

LOCALIS Only the second restaurant in Sacramento to receive a coveted Michelin star, this little restaurant is known for its prix-fixe menu of inventive, ingredient-driven dishes. Chef Christopher BarnumDann works with local farms to source most of the menu within 100 miles. 2031 S St.; (916) 737-7699; localissacramento.com. D. Californian. $$$–$$$$

LOWBRAU BIERHALLE This chic yet casual watering hole serves house-made sausages, duck fat fries and

stand-out beers. Long communal tables make for an experience that’s noisy and convivial. 1050 20th St.; (916) 706-2636; lowbrausacramento.com. L–D–Br. Beer hall. $

MAYDOON This eatery offers fresh Persian food, from hummus and dolmeh to shish kebob and koobedeh. The Maydoon bowl is a delicious delight: your choice of lamb, beef, chicken or falafel served with rice, cucumber, tomato and onions with house dressing and green sauce. 1501 16th St.; (916) 382-4309; may doonrestaurant.com. L–D. Mediterranean. $$–$$$

MULVANEY’S B&L Distinctive and cozy, this topflight restaurant exudes the generous affability of its owner, chef Patrick Mulvaney. It’s housed in a brick firehouse from the late 1800s, and the lush patio is a popular spot in warm months. The menu changes frequently and is focused on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. 1215 19th St.; (916) 441-6022; mulvaneysbl.com. L–D. Californian. $$$

PARAGARY’S This legendary restaurant focuses on elegant, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. During the warm months, the serene patio behind the restaurant is the place to be. 1401 28th St.; (916) 4575737; paragarysmidtown.com. L–D–Br. New American/Californian. $$–$$$

THE WATERBOY This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant produces perhaps the finest cooking in the region. Chef/owner Rick Mahan honors local farmers with his commitment to simply prepared, highcaliber food. You can’t go wrong if you order one of the lovely salads, followed by the gnocchi, ravioli or a simple piece of fish. You’ll also find French classics such as veal sweetbreads. 2000 Capitol Ave.; (916) 498-9891; waterboyrestaurant.com. L–D. Mediterranean. $$$$

ZÓCALO For description, see listing under “Arden.” 1801 Capitol Ave.; (916) 441-0303; zocalosacra mento.com. L–D–Br. Mexican. $$

NATOMAS

HIMALAYA VEGAN ORGANIC RESTAURANT Situated in an out-of-the-way strip mall, this fast-casual eatery offers a side of peace with your vegan meal. The owner, a former Buddhist monk from Tibet, changes the menu twice daily; you get a combination plate with six separate vegetarian dishes, plus a cup of soup. Everything is fresh, simply prepared and clean tasting. 4160 Northgate Blvd.; (916) 622-5728; himalayavegan.com. L–D. Vegan. $$

MEZCAL GRILL This excellent restaurant offers regional cuisine that draws from all 32 Mexican states. In addition to tacos and burritos, you’ll find “platillos especiales,” such as mole, and shareable “mocajetes”: volcanic rock bowls filled with protein, rice and beans. 1620 West El Camino Ave.; (916) 6464826; mezcalgrill.net. L–D. Mexican. $$–$$$

YUE HUANG The dim sum here made Michelin Guide inspectors sit up and take notice. They gave this Cantonese restaurant a Bib Gourmand award, calling it a “hidden treasure.” The extensive menu includes pork buns, dumplings, shrimp balls and much, much more. 3860 Truxel Road; (916) 621-3737; yuehuangdimsum.com. L–D. Chinese. $$–$$$

OAK PARK

THE BUTTERSCOTCH DEN You’re

the chef at this supper house, where you cook your own steak on a massive grill in the middle of the dining room. Pric -

Seared ahi from Scott’s Seafood on the River

es are gentle and the action wild as you compete with your friends to see who can come up with a perfectly medium rare hunk of meat. 3406 Broadway; thebutterscotchden.com. D. Steakhouse. $$

FARIA On Wednesday evenings, this wildly popular artisan bakery turns into a dinner destination with a concise menu of hyperlocal, produce-forward dishes. Pizza is a mainstay (toppings change with the season), along with thoughtfully composed salads and small plates. 3417 Broadway; (916) 204-8726; fariabakery.com. D (Wednesdays only). Bakery. $$

FIXINS SOUL KITCHEN This bustling place serves up friendly Southern hospitality along with chicken and waffles, gumbo, fried catfish, and shrimp and grits. 3428 Third Ave.; (916); 999-7685. fixinssoul kitchen.com. B–L–D–Br. Southern. $$

OLD SACRAMENTO

THE FIREHOUSE Since opening in 1960, this has been Sacramento’s go-to restaurant for romantic atmosphere and historic charm. Located in a 1853 firehouse, it’s white tablecloth all the way, and the outdoor courtyard is one of the prettiest in town. The food is special-occasion worthy, and the wine list represents more than 2,100 labels. 1112 Second St.; (916) 442-4772; firehouseoldsac.com. L–D. Californian/American. $$$$

RANCHO CORDOVA

CATTLEMENS This classic Western steakhouse serves up big slabs of prime rib, porterhouse, T-bone and cowboy steaks, plus all the trimmings: shrimp cocktail, loaded potato skins, deep-fried onions and

more. 12409 Folsom Blvd.; (916) 985-3030; cattle mens.com. D. Steakhouse. $$$

J.J. PFISTER RESTAURANT & TASTING ROOM In addition to a tasting room where you can sample locally made premium gin, vodka and rum, this family-owned distillery also operates a restaurant serving lunch and dinner. The alL–Day menu features salads, sandwiches, tacos and boozy desserts. 9819 Business Park Drive; (916) 672-9662; jjpfister. com. L–D. Casual American. $$

ROSEVILLE

AMY’S DRIVE THRU From the company behind Amy’s Kitchen prepared foods comes this fast-food operation serving healthy versions of burger-joint fare. The menu includes plant-based burgers, vegetarian chili, organic fries and milkshakes, as well as gluten- and dairy-free options. 1119 Galleria Blvd.; (916) 9575868; amysdrivethru.com. L–D. Fast food. $

FAT’S ASIA BISTRO AND DIM SUM BAR For description, see listing under “Folsom.” 1500 Eureka Road; (916) 787-3287; fatsasiabistro.com. L–D. Pan-Asian. $$

LA PROVENCE RESTAURANT & TERRACE This elegant French restaurant offers some of the region’s loveliest outdoor dining. The seasonal menu features items such as bouillabaisse and soupe au pistou. 110 Diamond Creek Place; (916) 789-2002; laprovence roseville.com. L–D–Br. French. $$$–$$$$

MIKUNI JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND SUSHI BAR

For description, see listing under “Davis.” 1565 Eureka Road; (916) 797-2112; mikunisushi.com. L–D. Japanese/sushi. $$

THE MIMOSA HOUSE For description, see listing under “East Sacramento” 761 Pleasant Grove Blvd.; (916) 784-1313; mimosahouse.com. B–L. American. $$

NIXTACO Singled out by The Michelin Guide for a Bib Gourmand award, this taqueria is known for its authentic nixtamalized blue-corn tortillas (made fresh in-house), high-quality ingredients and inventive taco fillings. 1805 Cirby Way; (916) 771-4165; nixta.co; L–D. Mexican. $$

PAUL MARTIN’S AMERICAN GRILL The bustling, comfortable restaurant is a local favorite. The kitchen offers a great list of small plates and robust, approachable entrees. 1455 Eureka Road; (916) 783-3600; paulmartinsamericangrill.com. L–D–Br. New American. $$$

RUEN THAI Simple and serene, Ruen Thai is a family-owned restaurant that offers a surprisingly large selection of fresh-tasting food. 1470 Eureka Road; (916) 774-1499; ruenthai.net. L–D. Thai. $

ZÓCALO For description, see listing under “Arden.” 1182 Roseville Parkway; (916) 788-0303; zocalosac ramento.com/roseville. L–D–Br. Mexican. $$

TAHOE PARK

BACON & BUTTER Lively and delightfully urban, the place is packed with fans of chef Billy Zoellin’s homey flapjacks, biscuits and other breakfasty fare. 5913 Broadway; (916) 346-4445; baconandbuttersac. com. B–L. Breakfast/American. $–$$

MEZCAL GRILL For description, see listing under “Natomas.” 5701 Broadway; (916) 619-8766; mez calgrill.net. L–D. Mexican. $$–$$$

MOMO’S MEAT MARKET This no-frills, family-run business serves simply first-rate barbecue, smoked over wood in huge drums in the parking lot. Sides include pepper Jack mac ’n’ cheese, cornbread and deep-fried cabbage. 5780 Broadway; (916) 452-0202. L–D. Barbecue. $$

WEST SACRAMENTO

DRAKE’S: THE BARN Located in a stunning indooroutdoor structure along the river, Drake’s serves excellent thin-crust pizzas, along with a few salads and appetizers. You can get table service indoors or on the patio. But if you prefer something more casual, grab a folding lawn chair, find a spot at the sprawling outdoor taproom and order a pizza to go. 985 Riverfront St.; (510) 423-0971; drinkdrakes. com. L–D. Pizza. $$

FRANQUETTE This contemporary French café from the owners of Canon is an open-all–day, drop-in-fora-glass-of-wine kind of place. You can order a freshly baked croissant or tartine at breakfast, a salad, quiche or baguette sandwich for lunch, and something a little more filling—say, duck meatballs or a crock of boeuf bourguignon—at dinner. 965 Bridge St.; hellofranquette.com. B–L–D. French. $$–$$$

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Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Prices quoted in advertisements are subject to change without notice. Sacramento Magazine (ISSN 0747-8712) Volume 49, Number 3, March 2023. Sacramento Magazine (ISSN 0747-8712) is published monthly by Sacramento Media, LLC, 1610 R St., Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95811. Periodical postage paid at Troy, MI and additional offices. Postmaster: Send change of address to Sacramento Magazine, 5750 New King Dr., Suite 100, Troy, MI 48098

Rick’s Deluxe Burger from The Waterboy

Reflect

Ever the Optimists

Throughout its 100 years of existence, Soroptimist International of Sacramento, Inc. has boasted an illustrious membership. The club’s mission—providing women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment—early on attracted members such as Belle Cooledge, who later won election to the Sacramento City Council and was appointed mayor. Virginia Mueller, Sacramento County’s first female deputy district attorney, joined the organization in 1960. Current members include Alice Jarboe, former Sacramento County registrar of voters; Nancy Wolford-Landers, former Sacramento County auditor-controller; and Pat McConahay, an experienced communications director many will remember from broadcast news.

A 100th anniversary celebration is scheduled for March 4 at 5 p.m. at The Dante Club, 2330 Fair Oaks Blvd., with Mark S. Allen as the master of ceremonies. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at sis.ticketleap.com/100.

—DARLENA BELUSHIN MCKAY

A Soroptimist International of Sacramento, Inc. luncheon during the 1940s