Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "k street"

The $250 Million Challenge: Downtown Streetcar Corridor

2013-03-29T06:36:54Z

Yesterday, Sacramento Press contributor Tony Sheppard challenged fellow readers and contributors to share what they would do with a theoretical $250 million, in a way that might bring a greater return than a basketball arena. I started writing a comment but, as often happens, it ended up being an article in itself. So here it is.

Step 1: Build the Downtown/Riverfront Streetcar: $130 Million.

Streetcars are often called "development-oriented transit" because they promote growth of transit-oriented neighborhoods along their right-of-way. Portland is the canonical example of a new city streetcar line spurring growth in the "Pearl" District, a mostly vacant industrial district until installation of a streetcar line, and today Portland's most densely populated neighborhood. Their investment of $89 million prompted $2.5 billion in private development. Tampa, Florida's TECO line has spurred $600 million in additional public projects and $700 million in private investment.

The cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento cooperated on a draft streetcar plan in 2008, and revised that draft plan in 2011, approving a route from West Sacramento's city hall over the Tower Bridge, north to the Sacramento Valley Station and the edge of the Railyards, back down K Street through the heart of Downtown, and ending up at 19th and K Street in Midtown Sacramento. The project had an estimated cost of $125-135 million. The Memorandum of Understanding between the two cities was updated at the most recent Sacramento City Council meeting, but was kind of overshadowed by other items on the agenda. One of the funding mechanisms suggested for building a streetcar line, used in Portland and other cities, is a parking management plan. Parking revenue is used to repay construction costs for streetcar lines, and market-priced parking encourages streetcar use and "park-once" parking by providing a way for people to get around a neighborhood without a car. This plan is ready to go, the city of West Sacramento has collected extra sales tax revenue for years in anticipation of a streetcar line, but Sacramento has not backed up our neighbor city with construction funds. By funding the process locally, we don't have to wait for future rounds of federal funding that might never arrive. By partnering with the city of West Sacramento, the city of Sacramento won't have to come up with those funds alone.

Step 2: Add market-rate housing along the right-of-way: $70 Million.

We're not the only city with a troubled downtown mall. Providence, Rhode Island's "Providence Arcade" was in even worse shape than Downtown Plaza--it closed completely in 2008 due to a lack of tenants. Providence Arcade was originally built in 1824 (older than Sutter's Fort) and is a National Historic Landmark, so rather than knock it down for a new project, they decided on a different strategy. With an investment of $7 million, they built 48 small-scale urban lofts (between 300-500 square feet) and 14 small shops, aimed at local businesses instead of conventional mall chains. Before the mall reopened, they had a waiting list of tenants twice as long as the number of available spaces.

Assuming we want to think larger than Providence, but use the idea as a model, a fund of $70 million could be used to create 10 times as many market rate small apartments and shops in existing buildings along the streetcar alignment. So they have a National Historic Landmark? So do we--in Old Sacramento. Most of Old Sac's ground floor shops are full, but about half of the upstairs offices are vacant. Old Sacramento's residential buildings, however, are almost always at capacity, suggesting a greater unmet need for housing. Old Sacramento's restored historic buildings and reconstructed buildings can fill vacant spaces with residents, bringing economic activity to the district and "eyes on the street" A streetcar that lets Old Sacramento residents easily serve basic needs without a car would also address concerns about lack of parking access and permits in their neighborhood.

Outside of Old Sacramento, there are many other downtown buildings along the streetcar alignment that sit vacant, including city-owned properties like the Plaza Building, or privately owned upstairs rooms currently sitting vacant like those above Procida Florist on J and 12th or Hamburger Pattie's on J and 17th, that could be reactivated by adding residents interested in small, efficient places to live in the downtown core. Today's generation of professionals actively seek homes in the heart of downtown, and new high-tech companies choosing headquarters look for facilities in emergent downtowns. They prefer urban neighborhoods where their prospective employees can find the amenities they seek, including housing within walking distance of the office.

In addition to 480 apartments, this project would pay for 140 small stores, with priority for locally owned businesses, to open along the streetcar right-of-way. These stores could go into the ground floor of currently vacant buildings, especially long-vacant and blighted spaces like the ground floor retail space of the Renaissance Tower at 8th and K Street, vacant for over a decade.

Complete the 800 K Project: $30 Million.

Across K Street from the Renaissance Tower is a vacant quarter-block at 8th and K Street, and three buildings at 8th and L Street, including the Bel-Vue Building. A proposal for this block was cut short by the end of redevelopment, but a portion of the $250 million (along with existing funding sources like the $5 million MOPA fund held by the City of Sacramento) could reactivate the dormant 800 Block project, to construct a new mixed-use building at 8th and K and rehabilitate the Bel-Vue. This project included both larger market-rate housing and smaller mid-income housing on the site. A recent article in the Sacramento News & Review mentioned the hesitance of banks to fund urban infill projects that don't meet the standard suburban mold, but a city fund to create these projects could provided needed construction dollars in a way that meets contemporary market needs.

Each new downtown resident spends a much larger proportion of their disposable income within the downtown district than a commuter or suburban visitor--at an approximate ratio of 20:1. 500 downtown residents, spending money in their own neighborhood, have an economic effect equal to 10,000 visiting suburban residents. But, in addition to their own spending power, the presence of an additional 500 or more new downtown residents will draw visitors. The stores opened to serve the daily and occasional needs of downtown residents will also serve the needs of visitors and commuters. Friends and family visiting downtown residents will also become patrons of downtown businesses, and recreation/entertainment venues will draw both local and regional customers. And these downtown residents are far more likely to work downtown, meaning they won't add more cars to our highways at rush hour.

Some may have noticed I haven't mentioned the Downtown Plaza property in this plan. That's because, geographically, it is probably the best spot for a sports arena and entertainment complex of some type. But a more economically healthy downtown, one based on mixed use instead of solely focused on drawing suburban visitors, will be much better suited to draw increased private investment and make a downtown arena economically feasible with a smaller ratio of public investment to private expenditure.

Disclosure: William Burg is President of Sacramento Old City Association.

Arena plan puts the 'king' in parking

2013-03-26T19:13:51Z

In order to build a downtown arena, Sacramentans will have to give up that which they hold dearest: free parking. The funding plan requires expansion of on-street metering downtown, and will increase parking rates at city lots. The arena’s presence dramatically changes the economics of private parking lots, in ways that threaten the main funding source for the arena.

By releasing the term sheet at the absolute last minute, on a Saturday night, followed by a Monday city holiday and a crashed City of Sacramento website, the opportunity for public review is so limited that it is effectively nonexistent. Three days is simply not enough time for a detailed look at the term sheet, but it was sufficient to find a major flaw in the funding plan.

Arena Construction Funded by Parking Plan

The city’s contribution to the arena plan includes $38 million in private land given to the arena developers, the $5 million in Sheraton MOPA Fund money, and $212.5 million in bonds to be repaid by future parking revenues.

What repays those future parking revenues? The city’s public-owned parking spaces downtown, both city-owned lots and street parking. Today, the city owns 5721 on-street parking spaces between F Street, P Street, Front Street and 17th Street, and 8580 spaces in city-owned lots and parking structures, for a total of 14786 city spaces. Of those 8580 lot/structure spaces, 3700 are inside Downtown Plaza and will be given to the developer. Some will be demolished, others will become a portion of a 1000 space “VIP” parking area inside the arena. 181 of the city-owned spaces are on Lot X, the city block between 3rd, Capitol, 2nd and N Street, and Lot Y, at 2nd and O Street near the Crocker Art Museum, with 85 parking spaces. This leaves 4,614 off-street spaces, or a total of 10,335 city-controlled parking spaces—30% fewer spaces than currently exist.

City Parking Supply Will Shrink—But Profits Expected To Triple?

The revenue generated by the city’s parking spaces (not just downtown, but citywide) creates a $9 million profit to the city. In order for the arena financing plan to work, it must generate enough money to pay off that $220 million debt in 35 years, and replace a portion of the $9 million in lost revenue that currently goes to the General Fund. A $220 million bond with a 35-year term and 5% interest requires payments of about $16 million per year. The “backfill revenue” chart on the Term Sheet assumes $3 million from increased parking revenue and $625,000 from parking revenue during ESC events. Thus, in order for the arena plan to break even, parking profits have to increase from $9 million per year to $20 million per year, with 70% as much downtown parking, effectively a tripling of parking revenue profits while losing one-third of the parking spaces that supply the revenue. The only way to accomplish that goal is to dramatically raise parking rates, and increase metered hours for the on-street parking spaces that represent more than half the downtown parking supply.

Metered Parking Hours Must Extend To Pay Debt

Currently, except in a few high-traffic areas like around Music Circus, street parking in downtown Sacramento is unmetered after 6 PM on weekends. This means that no revenue is generated at night or on weekends. In order to increase revenue and pay for those bonds, Sacramento’s street meters will have to run until midnight or later. Otherwise, arena visitors can park on the street without paying—at least, the first 5721 visitors to arrive downtown, minus spaces occupied by the cars of downtown residents. This practice is common in cities with high demand for parking spaces at night. Of course, visitors could always park farther from the arena, such as in Midtown, and walk downtown, if Midtown parking meters stop charging at 6 PM. If Midtown’s parking spaces get overly clogged at night, they might have to charge for late-night parking too, just to make space for Midtown visitors. And because there are more residents in Midtown than Downtown, most of whom do not have off-street parking, arena visitors will have to find spaces among Midtown residents’ cars and the cars of those visiting Midtown restaurants, clubs and theaters. There are only about 4500 street parking spaces in the Midtown business district, and a 2006 City of Sacramento parking study found that Midtown’s street parking at night is almost as crowded as Downtown’s street parking during the day.

Private Parking Competes with City Parking

Under the proposed arena plan, private parking lots will not have to pay any additional fees. At Thursday’s meeting at City Hall, City Manager John Shirey said that the term sheet will not include a tax on private parking lots. This means that, while an arena will bring much revenue to downtown Sacramento’s private parking lots, none of that revenue will go to pay off the new debt for the arena. Since public parking will become more expensive, private lots that charge less than city lots will draw customers. Because this plan makes parking lots much more profitable, property owners in the central city will have more incentive to convert their downtown properties into parking lots or parking structures, vs. new amenities like housing, retail or offices. Parking lots are a poor generator of city revenue, and a dreadfully poor use of premium downtown land, but if they bring the most immediate profit, parking will become the “highest and best use” for many downtown lots.

The term sheet also gives the new arena operators several downtown Sacramento properties for development, including 8th and K Street, the aforementioned Lot X, Lot Y at 2nd and O Street, and part of the 3700 Downtown Plaza spaces (presumably, about 1000 will not be demolished.) The instant profitability of downtown parking means that, rather than developing these lots, the ESC development team could create an instant, untaxed revenue stream by converting these areas into parking lots.

How Will Nighttime Metered Parking Affect Downtown and Midtown Businesses?

Few subjects in Sacramento are as delicate as the issue of parking. Businesses in downtown and midtown Sacramento generally do not have their own parking lots, and consider free street parking in the evenings essential to draw visitors downtown at night. Past plans to extend metered parking hours or restrict parking in residential areas near business districts inevitably meet enormous resistance from the business community, business associations, and downtown visitors used to parking on the street at night without charge. This would all change with an arena. Yes, there would be many more downtown visitors coming to the arena, but many who may have come to downtown or midtown events might choose to visit other neighborhoods if parking downtown (or midtown) at night means paying $20-30 in a parking lot, or even parking at a meter on the street.

How Can The City Limit Its Economic Risk?

The funding plan depends on people using city lots, rather than private lots, to generate revenue, but does nothing to ensure that those city lots will be used. It gives the developers large plots of downtown land but does nothing to ensure that these lots will not become new parking lots, as much a blight on the urban landscape as a vacant lot. There are three simple modifications of the term sheet that can increase city revenue, create a new funding stream, and help ensure that the lots given to the arena team have a higher and better use than parking.

First: Add an event surcharge to private lots within 1 mile of the arena, and place a moratorium on new parking lots. The arena will create massive new numbers of nighttime visitors and an enormous new income stream for private parking lot owners. In addition to the city’s spaces, there are about 30,000 spaces in privately owned lots and structures. Many sit vacant at night, but this new opportunity for evening business will open their doors. A 5% surcharge, like the surcharge proposed for arena events, means that parking operators that benefit from the arena’s presence will also contribute to its financing.

Second: Add a requirement that the ESC investors do not use properties given by the city for new parking lots. If these investors already plan on uses other than parking, adding the requirement that they not use them for parking is no loss to them. The lots closest to the arena site will become prime real estate for adaptive reuse or new construction, and a simple restriction on the site will help ensure that construction there goes vertical instead of remaining horizontal. The exception to this rule could be the three lots (Downtown Plaza lots, Lots X and Y) that are currently in use as parking structures. Charging the same 5% surcharge to the ESC operators mentioned in my first point will contribute to paying off arena debt—under the current agreement, the arena operators are not obligated to pay any new fees for use of these spaces.

Third: To protect Downtown and Midtown businesses and facilitate parking for their customers, create a citywide validation program for city lots and street spaces. This would work similarly to validation programs at Downtown Plaza: buy something at a Downtown or Midtown store or restaurant, and receive hours of validated parking at city lots. A citywide program will create uniformity and simplify a validation program. This will encourage people to use city lots or street parking, allow visitors to avoid some or all parking charges if they patronize central city businesses, and limit displacement of downtown business patrons by arena visitors.

Sacramento Deserves A Better Plan--And More Time For Public Review.

The proposed arena plan has many improvements over the 2012 plan. The arena has a better, more central location with access to highways, public transit and existing downtown amenities. The private investors are better capitalized, and willing to pay a higher proportion of the arena costs. But this plan’s fatal flaw is its dependence on a shrinking supply of parking, with no means to limit competitors for that parking supply. Parking will become more expensive if this arena is built, and free parking downtown will become a memory—this is an unavoidable consequence of the arena plan’s main funding mechanism. A parking surcharge for private lots, a requirement that ESC investors cannot turn their new properties into new parking lots, and a validation program for central city businesses can create a new funding stream, encourage development of vacant properties into something other than parking lots, and protect existing businesses. This reduces the risk to the city’s general fund and makes better use of city assets being given to the arena developers.

Without these three additions, the arena term sheet violates the city’s fundamental rules of engagement. It jeopardizes the city’s general fund, and does not make the best use of city resources. Tight deadlines and high pressure should not ease public scrutiny and detailed review of the term sheet. If such serious flaws can be found in the term sheet in only three days, what other unidentified and unexamined weaknesses does it contain? Sacramento deserves better than this.

Sources:
2006 DKS Associates’ “Sacramento Central City Parking Master Plan”

http://www.cityofsacramento.org/transportation/parking/central_city_parking/

2013 Sacramento arena term sheet
http://sacramento.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?meta_id=396718&view=&showpdf=1

Disclosure: William Burg is a Sacramento resident.

Lights, Camera, Fashion: The Evolution of Sacramento Fashion Week

2013-03-10T04:39:52Z

Lights, camera, fashion is all the buzz to be heard around the Emerald City as it kicked off its seventh annual Sacramento Fashion Week http://sacfashionweek.com/, February 24 - March 2.

Growing in attendance each year since its launch in 2006, we have been able to watch fashion in Sacramento transition from adopted trends from nearby cities and magazines to developing designers and fashionistas with inimitable style.

SACFW Editor in Chief, Bridgett Rex explained that SACFW allows us to educate our community about fashion and style, creating a demand for people to become more interested and eager to engage in fashion.

“With events like Sacramento Fashion Week, the community becomes more educated about fashion and more knowledgeable and curious to learn the business; they begin applying everything they see during SACFW to their own style and business,” Rex said.

“I think having SACFW mixers, our Fashion Affairs, every third Wednesday of the month, helps to create a discussion about fashion and style, which in turn slowly changes our wardrobe.”

This year marked the third consecutive year the designer showcase sold-out of tickets. Even more exciting, this is the first year SACFW made strides connecting with the community with increasing demand from local media, bloggers, stylist and supporting businesses to attend.

“Our biggest improvement this year was media coverage and community support. With the development of new alliances SACFW was able to connect to our community more efficiently,” Rex said.

Aside from the basis of fashion week in any city - or country for that matter, which is to showcase designer collections, initiate trends and create business, it seems the market for fashion in Sacramento is evolving with the growth of the city.

A leader in local development in its own right - with the newly developed venues along K Street http://kstreetvenues.com/, the efforts to empliment a high-speed rail sysyem http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/trip_planner.aspx and the continued push for a new sports and entertainment arena http://www.cityofsacramento.org/arena/index.html, the capitol is separating itself from the comparisons of nearby cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco and standing on its own sentiment.

This year it was clear that fashion in Sacramento is not just an academic elective and executing a better understanding about the business of fashion was an apparent goal of SACFW Executive and Co-Producer, Duane Ram and Will Rodriguez.

“Fashion is an industry, a business and at the end of the day you want to sell a product or a service. We wanted to make sure that designers think of fashion week as business, not just a platform to invite friends and family to see their work,” Ram said.

Detail, organization and execution are key factors in being successful in any industry and SACFW fostered an environment for the local fashion market to execute business endeavors.

“We want to bring together designers and boutiques, so that we can fill the demand for fashion merchandise from our local talent,” Rodriguez said.

Understanding that fashion is a business first, was also the objective of conversation at SACFW fashion forum on Monday, Feb. 25, in the Ballroom at Sacramento State University http://www.csus.edu/.

A panel of professionals discussed the importance of developing a business plan and employing the week to build business relationships and immerse in the versatility of the jobs the fashion industry has to offers.

Whether you are a designer, stylist, photographer, writer etc… the panel made it clear that there are rules to this industry and understanding these rules is how you become successful in the business of fashion.

“When I am teaching a student, the first thing I teach them is, learn the rules before you break the rules,” said veteran Model Coach and visual artist & photographer for GOS Art, Gerry Simpson.

“There is something about young people when they come to school. They have this idea in their minds that they are going to create the most outrageous stuff in the world. You have to remember, you have to create for people who will want to buy your stuff,” Simpson said.

Although directed towards designers, the overall discussion was geared towards applying these standards to any area of fashion you work in, placing great emphasis on the importance to create for the purposes to earn income and not limiting yourself to one area of fashion.

“Many professionals in the fashion industry end up on the extreme end. They create and create and whether they are making money does not matter. The way you get freedom to create is to think about business,” said Attorney and Partner at Ebitu Law Group, PC and founder and Editor in Chief of LadyBrille Magazine, Uduak Oduok.

“Not earning money for your work is okay until you reach a certain age, then you have to ask yourself are you being responsible,” Oduok said.

Americas Next Top Model, Cycle 4 winner, Naima Mora also sat along the panel offering her experience to advise on the subject.

“There’s an importance placed on commerce and earning revenue from fashion, but its also okay not to earn money from fashion. If you want to be a designer, make-up artist, photographer, etc… and you want to really focus on fine art, Zac Posen from Project Runway said it best when he said, “Fashion is a balance between design and commerce.” If you want to go that route, finding the balance is crucial,” Naima said.

Other panelist included: Modeling Agent at Cast Images Talent Agency and former model, Amber Collins, Founder and CEO of The Stylist Online, Amy Wister, award winning educator and acclaimed designer, Ester Amato, hosted by Tracy Suville.

Several days of building the conversation that Sacramento can being recognized on a global scale as a lucrative business market for fashion, lead to two exciting nights of showcasing and networking at the Elks Tower Ballroom http://www.elkssacramento.com/ in midtown on Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2.

This is the first year SACFW has experienced this much upset regarding the demand for attendance. As a result, they adopted an efficient resolution used at grand events such as the Grammy’s and the Oscars to resound their presences to the public, while balancing demand for attendance, a media pit.

A media pit is an area designated for press to occupy for the purposes of covering any particular event. It is strategically placed in an area that aids the press in obtaining photographs, interviews, video recording, etc…

Both nights, the expectation of media was to stand & report, with the option to access rotating seats. There was a designated personnel to aid us with back stage access to producers, staff, models and designers, as well as an invitation to attend the VIP Gala following the showcase at the Citizen Hotel http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/sacramento/citizen.

Despite the crunching of my toes as I stomped around in a pair of gold, strappy, open toe Steve Maddens, my pain reprieved with the ease of the media pit.

A strategy newly implemented by producers to effectively meets the increased demand for local media to attend.

Despite the crunching of my toes as I stomped around in a pair of open toed, gold, strappy Steve Maddens, my relief came with the organization of the media pool.

As fashion week moves on to Paris and L.A., my only hope for Sacramento is to continue growing each year proving our city is indispensable to the fashion market.

In terms of fashions progressive development in Sacramento and SACFW making an impactful contribution to the local fashion market using a global approach, in this moment, Sacramento is the Mecca of fashion, capturing its true essence, evolution.

MY HOPES FOR SACFW 2014

• Midtown crawling with fashionistas, bloggers, stylist and media all week long.
• Street style coverage of locals rocking global trends.
• Tents for the designer showcases rather than one venue for 18 designers.
• Official press passes that read “SACFW”
• Television and radio media coverage.

MY FAVORITE DESIGNERS FROM SACFW 2013 SHOWCASE

Models melted the runway during the showcases for Maisha Bahati, Jason Powers and Samuel Parkinson.

Bahati http://maishabahati.com/ is right on trend for summer in Sacramento with loose fits, flowing trains, silhouettes, cool Caribbean colors and inimitable prints.

Although reminiscent to Rhianna’s new clothing line, Rhianna For River Island, which previewed this year during New York Fashion Week, Bahati separates her collection by staying true to femininity, ditching hard edges and malleables.

Self described as, mainstream with a mohawk, Powers’ collection, Rampant http://www.rampantfashion.com/, stole the show with is raw masculine approach. With bare skin, leather facemask and tailored pants, Rampant was a HOT! surprise.

A collaborative collection gaining recognition for its risk taking, Rampant will be featured as an installation to House of Gaballi on March 15, 2013 during L.A. Fashion Week.

A new approach to urban wear, Parkinson’s collection, Kings Tribe Clothing http://www.kingstribeclothing.com/, exonerated the idea that urban means baggy or oversized.

Unlike most urban wear such as, LRG, Ecko and Zoo York, Kings Tribe Clothing sets itself apart from competitors using a fitted esthetic, allowing craftsmanship and style to be the focal point.

It was clear each designer had a target market and aimed to connect to their audience, fufilling one of the main objectives of SACFW, which is to appeal to consumers and translate the business of fashion to industry interest.

Group seeks to Turn Downtown Around - ‘Get up and help, don't hate’

2013-02-26T15:42:05Z

While Mayor Kevin Johnson, the City Council and a good chunk of the media are focused on the fate of the Sacramento Kings, a group of renegade entrepreneurs in downtown has decided that, arena or no arena, basketball team or not, they are going to start pushing to improve the neighborhood where they work and live.

You may already have heard of Turn Downtown Around, a community group made up of business owners and downtown residents, mostly in their 20s and 30s. The group is still informal at this point but it has a vibrant Facebook page and big ambitions.

I recently had the chance to meet with about a dozen people who say they're committed to the group and its mission. We’ll be featuring a few of them as part of a new series on Sac Press about people in their 20s and 30s who have decided that they want to make their mark in Sacramento, and help transform this city for the better.

It has to start with Carina Lampkin, the chef and owner of Blackbird Restaurant and Bar, and one the lead organizers of TDA and, while she hasn’t formally adopted the title, its founder. She has worked with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership to put together the group's first event, the Downtown Beer Bust, an "evening of local food, beer, art and music" occurring at the Downtown Plaza on March 14. Tickets cost $35 in advance, $40 at the door, and proceeds will benefit The Downtown Sacramento Foundation's Downtown Mural Project in The Kay district. The project aims to commission 14 local artists to paint murals on the wooden barrier that blocks of the vacant, city owned lot at the corner of 8th and K streets.

We'll be have more on the Beer Bust on Sac Press, but you can get all the details on the event’s Facebook page here.

First, we wanted to hear from Lampkin about her goals for TDA, and what she hopes the event and mural project will accomplish. The 8th block of K is of particular concern to her – Blackbird is just a block away, on 9th Street between J and K Streets, and she hopes that the murals will be the first step in the larger process to revitalize the eastern end of K Street, and has taken the same approach with the walls around her resturant.

We spoke by phone last Friday, and oddly enough, John F. Kennedy came up twice.

Sac Press: Why did you think it was necessary to start Turn Downtown Around?

Carina Lampkin: I just don't feel like there was enough movement. The government is broke and they're also responsible for all the bad decisions that lead us to where we are today. I think planning and creativity need to come from the citizens because they live here and they know the culture and they know the needs of where they live. It's not people living three counties away in the suburbs, not the baby boomer generation.

SP: While it's not exclusive to any age group, to what extent do you think TDA is trying to be the voice of a younger generation of business owners and professionals downtown?

CL: Well, I think a lot of decisions are made by the Sacramento Metro Chamber and I don't think there's more than two people who were born after the Kennedy assassination. So we have all these baby boomers still calling the shots. Meanwhile they won't come down here because they don't want to pay for parking. Zoning ordinances need to be changes, slumlords need to be harassed, developers need to be enticed, and I think Sacramento needs more of an identity.

SP: Downtown faces a lot of challenges. What are your first priorities as an organization?

CL: The eighth block of K. I want to see it turned around by 2015 or 2014, not 2020, and if they are going to get a developer, I want to see the developer with a site plan within a year.

SP: What's the relationship between Turn Downtown Around and The Downtown Partnership?

CL: The Downtown Partnership knows all of the district supervisors, the chief of police, they work on making the city safer and recruiting business and I think TDA can be essential to them by just rallying the troops, raising money and getting people motivated. Our role is to get citizens to imagine change, and then actually get up, turn off the television and come do something.

SP: What would you say to people that hear talk like that and scoff?

CL: So, what did you do yesterday for your town? Kinda like Kennedy, "Ask not what we can do for you, but what you can do for us." I would say "Lend a hand, not a poor opinion. Get up and help, don't hate.”

SP: Where would you like to see downtown in five years?

CL: The west side of K Street has always been known as the west-end K, and it's always been slummy. I would like it to look sexy like the east end of K. There is the beautiful water-fountain put there by David Taylor when he first redeveloped that in the early 200s. Then as you go down there is the beautiful Crest Theater with the neon lights, there is the sushi bar, there is Kay Bar, there is the Pizza Rock development. Where I'm at, 9th through 5th. There are two vacant properties that the city owns, so those need to be activated. I think we could definitely use a few art museums or galleries and more housing for this area.

If Kings leave, that mall needs to be re-developed and we need to recruit local retailers that have an eye for design and some national retailers that are just in the zeitgeist – like American Apparel needs to be down here, Apple needs to be down here. We need more amenities too - a yoga studio downtown would be fantastic. And art everywhere.

SP: The proceeds from the Beer Bust will go toward commissioning artists to paint murals at the corner of 8th and K Streets. How will that help turn downtown around?

CL: Putting the murals up is just a way to kind of ignite the fire, create a conversation with the community to add interest and bring people downtown. It also acts as urban camouflage, putting bandaids over things that look ugly, but if we look beyond, once we all notice that it's ugly, we can imagine change, and once we imagine something, we can make it happen, but we just have to get everybody dreaming.

THIS INTERVIEW HAS BEEN EDITED AND CONDENSED

Sacramento Heritage Dessert Tour

2013-02-01T07:13:10Z

Join Sacramento Heritage, Inc. on Saturday, February 9 for a "Dessert Tour." This two-hour stroll through Midtown Sacramento's residential and business district will visit architectural treasures, share stories of the city's past, and include delicious desserts from four of Midtown's most popular purveyors of sweets. Proceeds benefit Sacramento Heritage Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to protecting and maintaining Sacramento's architectural treasures.

For fans of historic architecture, the tour will feature a look at Midtown Sacramento's diverse architectural styles, including 19th century Italianate and Queen Anne, early 20th century Craftsman and revival styles, and even Mid-Century Modern apartment buildings. Those interested in local history will learn about Sacramento's first streetcar line, the first permanent home of the California State Fair, and why midtown Sacramento has a railroad running through the middle of the neighborhood. But a neighborhood is more than just buildings, so the tour will also explore the lives and stories of some of the fascinating people who lived in these neighborhoods, including tavern owners, doctors, department store executives, real estate developers, mad widows, and many more. Board members of Sacramento Heritage Inc., including local historian William Burg, will lead the tour.

This two-hour stroll will cover approximately two miles on foot, including four stops for dessert, including Midtown Village Cafe, Rick's Dessert Diner, Trey B Cakes and Devine Gelateria. A dessert at each stop is included in the tour price.

Tickets are sold via BrownPaperTickets.com and must be purchased in advance, no later than Thursday, February 7. The tour costs $30 and is open to all ages. The tour is limited to a maximum of 30 people, so buy your ticket before they run out!

Sacramento Heritage Dessert Tour: Saturday, February 9, 2013, Noon-2 PM

Tour begins at Midtown Village Cafe, 1827 I Street, Sacramento.

Advance ticket purchase is required by Thursday, February 7!

Purchase tickets at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/299059

Sacramento Heritage, Inc. was incorporated by the City of Sacramento in 1975 as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation governed by a nine-member volunteer board of directors appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The board includes representatives from the City’s Preservation Commission, Planning Commission, Housing Code Advisory and Appeals Board, and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission, in addition to at-large members with expertise in preservation, history, housing, construction and finance. Since its founding, the organization has helped provide grants and loans to historic properties, conducted historic property surveys, sponsored preservation workshops, conferences and events, and has produced walking tour brochures of many of the City’s historic districts. For more information about Sacramento Heritage, Inc., please visit our website at http://www.sacramentoheritage.org

Disclosure: William Burg is a board member of Sacramento Heritage, Inc.

Where did the downtown population go?

2013-01-03T07:19:19Z

Many who visit downtown Sacramento note that, on evening or weekends, it seems like a ghost town. There is little pedestrian traffic, and most businesses are closed. In some ways, downtown Sacramento became a ghost town when half the central city’s population was forced to leave, and their homes were destroyed. Perhaps the ghosts of 30,000 former residents wander the streets, wondering what happened to their downtown neighborhood?

The drop in Sacramento’s downtown population after 1950 is easy to see using census data. The US Census tracks population down to the “Census Tract” level, neighborhood-sized chunks of about 4,000 people. In 1950, the portion of Sacramento now known as “the grid,“ or “downtown” and “midtown,” the rectangular zone from the Sacramento River to Alhambra Boulevard between the B Street railroad levee and Broadway was often called the “Old City,” the original city limits.

Fourteen census tracts are within this boundary, numbered 4-14 and 19-21. In 2010, three census tracts (9, 10 and 11) combined into Tract 11.01. The information in this article was derived from United States Census reports, and a paper by Prof. Robin Datel and Dennis Dingemans, “Historic Preservation and Social Stability in Sacramento’s Old City,” published in Urban Geography, 1994.

Downtown in 1950 – 58,000 people

In 1950, the Old City held more than 58,000 people, representing almost half of Sacramento’s population of 138,000, and about a quarter of Sacramento County’s population of 277,000. State government was not Sacramento’s largest employer then. Most worked in the massive Southern Pacific locomotive shops and railyards just north of downtown, the Western Pacific main shops in Curtis Park, or one of the enormous canneries, mills and other factories along the Sacramento waterfront, R Street and the city’s north edge.

About 5,000 migrant workers lived along the waterfront, where hiring halls connected laborers with farms throughout the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys; about 15% of California’s agricultural hiring was done there. Sacramento’s streetcar system ended a 75-year operating history, with the last streetcars taken out of service in 1947. Sleek new General Motors buses replaced the streetcars in the same year, but an upsurge in private automobile ownership was already clogging downtown streets.

The most heavily populated tract was Tract 7, the old “West End” that now includes Old Sacramento and Downtown Plaza, with 5,866 residents. Most were the aforementioned migrant workers and the population of Sacramento’s Chinatown, nearly 80 residents per acre. Southside Park (Tract 21) was a close second with 5,832 residents, followed by Mansion Flat and Boulevard Park (Tract 5) with 5,426 and Tract 12 (around Fremont Park, south of Capitol between 12th and 21st) with 5,376. Each of these four residential tracts averaged about 40 residents per acre. Tract 8 (Capitol to R Street, river to 7th), with 4,467 residents, was the home of Sacramento’s Japanese neighborhood, whose residents had recently returned after internment during World War II. This tract also included much of Sacramento’s African American community, tripled in size during World War II, filling jobs, homes and businesses vacated by the Japanese during the war.

The smallest tract was Tract 10, H and Capitol between 7th and 12th, the neighborhood Downtown Sacramento Partnership calls “The Kay,” with only 1,338 people in 25 blocks, or about 21 residents per acre. Tract 10 was the heart of the business district, filled with department stores, movie theaters and office buildings, so those 1,338 residents were crowded into dense apartment buildings and residential hotels.

Overall, there were 19,318 “housing units” in the old city, including single-family homes and apartments, but often not counting boarding houses or residential hotels. 27.8 percent of these housing units, about 5,000 homes, were owner-occupied. The remaining 72 percent were rentals. By comparison, 63 percent of Sacramento County’s households were owner-occupied in 1950.

Major changes were in store for downtown Sacramento. Massive federal highway projects were underway, and millions of returning World War II veterans were eligible for subsidized home loans. These loans were often not usable in downtown neighborhoods, considered “redlined” and thus unsuitable for FHA or VA loans. Redlining discouraged investment and depressed property values because they were considered a higher risk for home loan default. Redlining was the result of several factors, the most important being the race of a neighborhood’s residents. Between 1949 and 1954, a series of federal laws were created to address the problems of downtown districts, commonly called “redevelopment.” The mid-1950s included a unique method of paying for redevelopment, called “Tax Increment Financing,” a means of paying for construction via bonds to be repaid by the increased future property value of redeveloped land. Sacramento pioneered tax-increment financing on an urban scale as a way to pay for redevelopment projects.

Downtown in 1970 – 27,000 People

Redevelopment was originally intended to replace substandard housing in America’s downtown slums, but the policies of redevelopment changed quickly. Few redevelopment projects were executed until 1954, when the requirement that housing within a redevelopment zone be replaced within the same zone was removed — a neighborhood’s families could be relocated elsewhere and the properties converted to commercial use. Instead of focusing strictly on the worst slums, the term “blight” was used to describe neighborhoods that were not slums, but those likely to become slums. Redevelopment zones often became the site of major public landmarks, high-profile business districts and retail areas, like the St. Louis Arch or San Francisco’s “Japan Center,” but these projects generally displaced most or all of the neighborhood’s original residents.

This was the case in Sacramento, where the densely populated West End and Japantown neighborhoods were emptied to make way for Capitol Mall, state office buildings and private commercial buildings, the K Street pedestrian mall, Downtown Plaza, and Old Sacramento. Construction of Interstate Highways 5 and 50 removed entire rows of city blocks, displacing more people and destroying homes. The Southern Pacific and Western Pacific Shops remained open, but required less manpower as the railroads converted from steam to diesel-electric locomotives, and railroad passenger travel slowed dramatically.

As the canneries and other industries along the waterfront docks relocated to the Port of Sacramento in West Sacramento or other sites outside the city, industrial jobs within the city disappeared, and the homes started to disappear too. Between the 1950 and 1970 census, Sacramento’s central city population dropped to 27,205, a loss of over 30,000 people. Hundreds of small apartment buildings replaced older houses, intended for entry-level employees of the expanding state government or Downtown Plaza.

Downtown was not considered a place where any sensible person would want to purchase a home or raise children, so virtually no new single-family homes were built during this era. The number of housing units dropped to 16,522, despite the new apartment buildings, due to the demolition of thousands of single-family homes and older apartments. Owner-occupied housing dropped to 13.3%. Some neighborhoods were replaced with parking lots, offices or garden apartments. One project, Capitol Towers, was constructed as an example of things to come — a “superblock” of low-rise apartments with a mid-rise tower at its center, leaving no trace of the city neighborhood it replaced, and a total capacity of about 25 percent of its previous population.

The most dramatically altered neighborhood was Census Tract 9, between Capitol and R Street from 7th to 12th, where the population of 2,388 dropped to only 120. Tract 10, “The Kay,” dropped to only 120, losing more than 90 percent of its population. The old West End still had 1,131 residents, in part because of Sacramento’s main jail, whose several hundred residents were counted in the census, but the neighborhood lost almost all of its residents not behind bars. Even the neighborhoods least affected by redevelopment like Newton Booth/Poverty Ridge (Trac t 19) dropped by one-third, from 4,353 in 1950 to 2,823 in 1970, due in part to Highway 50 demolishing blocks between W and X Street. Tract 14, now the heart of Midtown (between H and Capitol, 21st to Alhambra) lost half its population, dropping from 4,216 to 2,176.

By contrast, Sacramento’s city and county population exploded during this period. By 1970, Sacramento County’s population had more than doubled to 631,498 and the city grew to 257,105. Downtown went from nearly half the city’s population to less than 10 percent in less than 20 years.

Downtown in 1990 – 31,000 people

Between 1970 and 1990, the tide began to turn. Abundant postwar funding for federal projects like highways and redevelopment dwindled away in the wake of the Vietnam War and economic recession. Efforts to save the Alhambra Theatre from demolition, while unsuccessful, helped ignite interest in restoring and repairing Sacramento’s architecture, including its residential neighborhoods spared the bulldozer and wrecking ball. Young people, including college students, counterculture hippies and a newly empowered gay and lesbian community, moved to the central city seeking inexpensive rent and a more tolerant atmosphere than the suburbs.

A new generation of state workers who wanted to live closer to their workplace began buying up dilapidated homes, sometimes using credit cards as the homes were still redlined, and formed a club to exchange tools and techniques for restoration of older homes, the Sacramento Old City Association. The city’s first preservation regulations slowed the demolition of older homes and promoted incentives to fix them up. Redlining eventually became illegal, and people could once again purchase central city homes using conventional home loans. The newly formed Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA) slowed the demolition of downtown apartments south of the State Capitol and created a limited amount of new housing, and Sacramento’s first clusters of low-rise condominiums popped up on long-vacant parcels along P and Q Streets, in the shadow of downtown office buildings of the previous decades. In 1987, electric railroads returned to Sacramento streets via Sacramento Regional Transit’s first “Light Rail” line.

The gains of this era were modest. Tracts 4 and 5 (Marshall School/New Era, Boulevard Park/Mansion Flat) became the most populous districts with 3,939 and 3,754 people, still well below their 1950 levels, because fewer homes were demolished (except along 29th and 30th Street, where the Capital City Freeway stood.) The central city’s population grew 5 percent during the 1970s and 11 percent during the 1980s. Tract 9 was still the least populated with 275 residents, up from a 1980 low of 69 people. Alkali Flat lost several hundred due to expansion of Crystal Dairy’s industrial facilities and new Sacramento County administration and courts buildings. The rate of ownership housing dropped to 11.1 percent in 1990. Housing units increased to 18,512, an increase of about 2,000, primarily small apartment buildings, public/senior housing, and a few low-rise condominiums like the Stanford Park townhomes at 16th and P Street.
The city of Sacramento’s growth continued at a slower rate, reaching 369,365 by 1990, and Sacramento County’s population rose to over 1 million. Only 3 percent of Sacramento County’s residents called the Old City their home in 1990.

Downtown in 2010 – 30,000 people

Despite the growing interest in Sacramento’s central city and some new infill, the population of the Old City has lost about 2 percent of its population in each of the past two decades, with a population of 30,544 in 2010. Some of this loss may be attributed to gentrification and rising property value, and the loss of hundreds of inexpensive SRO rooms. Sacramento’s central city still has a large quantity of affordable rental housing compared to most other Sacramento neighborhoods, intermixed with more expensive apartments and even more expensive ownership housing. This has created neighborhoods of mixed incomes that preservation economist Donovan Rypkema calls “economic integration.”

Census Tract 7 saw a boost in population when the new Main Jail was completed, holding 2,400 inmates, but adding little residential vitality. In 2010, 2,806 people lived in Tract 7. In addition to the jail, there was new housing constructed in Old Sacramento (the iLofts and Orleans). Despite a few well-publicized efforts to build new residential condominiums (the Saca Towers at 3rd and Capitol) and the Daniel Libeksind designed “Aura” at 6th and Capitol) there was little residential growth in Census Tract 7.

In 2010, census tracts 9, 10 and 11 were combined into a single tract, 11.01, reflecting the permanent loss of residential population. In 1950, 6,530 people lived in these three tracts combined, but in 2010 only 2,047 called Tract 11.01 home. This tract saw an increase of only about 150 residents between 2000 and 2010. Marshall School/New Era Park still led the central city in residents with 3,667 people, but Mansion Flat/Boulevard Park was overtaken by Tract 12 around Fremont Park, from 12th to 21st between Capitol and R Street, with 3,323 residents. New CADA residential projects, and lofts like the 14th & R building, increased the population of this tract. Despite this limited growth, none of the central city census tracts comes close to the population it had in 1950.

The number of owner-occupied units dropped even more, with only 2,015 units (including condominiums) in 2010, of 20,129 residential units — an ownership housing rate of just over 10 percent. Compared to 1950, when ownership housing was 27.8 percent, there were about 5,300 owner-occupied homes — now there are only 2,015 owner-occupied homes. Despite the reputation of neighborhoods like Midtown and Southside Park as districts of single-family historic homes, they are a tiny minority of the housing stock, while 90 percent of the housing is rental.

While the loss of 30,000 downtown residents had a profound effect on downtown, the population of Sacramento always grew decade after decade, primarily due to annexation and new suburban construction. Cities like St. Louis and Detroit lost more than half a million people during the same era, greater than the entire population of Sacramento! Downtown Sacramento has an extremely high jobs/housing balance, with three times as many people working in the central city as it has residents, a figure which is responsible for crowded commutes during the weekdays but a relatively unpopulated downtown at night. Midtown and Downtown are regional destinations for nightlife entertainment.

But while Midtown’s clubs are as well-attended by neighborhood residents as visitors from other parts of the region, Downtown has almost no residential base to support local businesses, and the perception of the central city as a nightlife hub has caused friction between business owners and neighbors. There has also been an increase in crime, including several high-profile homicides.

Downtown in 2030 – ???

Urban planners, civic boosters, business leaders and real estate developers look back at historic photos of K Street at its peak and lament downtown Sacramento’s loss of urban vitality. Some blame the demise of the downtown business district on the 41-year period when K Street was a pedestrian mall, but that was a desperation measure, as downtown Sacramento’s businesses were already suffering by the 1960s. Some claimed that highways would be the savior of downtown, but they made the central city as easy to leave as it was to enter, and easier still to avoid entirely, while the highway’s path destroyed thousands of homes. Some blamed a lack of parking, but the parking demands of 90,000 commuters from other parts of the region already fills tens of thousands of parking spaces, while downtown residents need not own a car at all if they work in the same neighborhood.

The missing factor in the downtown equation is people. Once people were removed from downtown, either willingly or unwillingly, few had any reason to return, and the businesses they supported closed. Until there is sufficient housing for thousands more central city residents, downtown Sacramento has little hope of revival, and even the encouraging signs of recent successes are vulnerable to the next economic downturn or political shift. Residents bring economic stability and political representation to a neighborhood; if Sacramento’s central city still contained 58,000 people, it would have sufficient population to comprise its own City Council district.

Midtown also lost population, but enough remained for restoration by community activists, small businesses and neighborhood residents. Visitors are more comfortable in a neighborhood where people are visible on the street, and are encouraged to join in the neighborhood by friends and coworkers. Today, there are apartments for rent and homes for sale (if limited in number and often high in price) in Midtown, and despite its problems, it is considered a desirable and expensive neighborhood, held up for other cities to emulate. But downtown Sacramento has very little rental housing, and virtually no for-sale housing. Its empty streets are less comfortable for visitors, and there are few downtown residents to encourage their friends to come visit. The sites of boom-era residential condo towers Capitol Towers and Aura sit vacant, while the sites of entitled but still unfunded buildings like the Metropolitan at 10th & J and the Cathedral Lofts at 11th & J prevent use of existing building stock, leaving blocks to sit vacant and unused for untold years. These placeholders for nonexistent buildings present downtown visitors with the impression that these blocks have been simply left to rot.

Could Sacramento’s downtown be back up to 58,000, or even more, by 2030? It is possible, but details of how to do that will require another article. By regaining its lost population, downtown Sacramento could once again become a vibrant, lively central city. There is room downtown for a mixture of entertainment, employment, commercial activity, public transportation, and tens of thousands more downtown residents, who can then join commuters, visitors and friends from the greater Sacramento region in the intricate dance of modern city life. Such a city would be very familiar to the ghosts of those 30,000 missing Sacramentans – a downtown more like the one they called home.

Disclosure: William Burg is President of Sacramento Old City Association, a historic preservation and urban planning nonprofit.

Cashing out of The Kay: Building holding Pizza Rock, K-Bar and Dive Bar up for sale [Updated]

2012-12-10T17:39:10Z

The area around K Street in downtown Sacramento has done well in recent years, and one group of developers is hoping for a return on their investment. If the price is right, the city could see money headed its way as well.

The building that holds Pizza Rock, K-Bar, and Dive Bar, along with six other establishments, is up for sale. Local developer David S. Taylor, who owns the property along with the CIM Group of Los Angeles, says they are "testing the market" and will only sell with the right offer. They have not listed a price.

The City of Sacramento subsidized the project, called 1000 Kay, with $5.7 million in 2009, and Taylor said the terms of the deal were such that the city would be in line to get the money back if Taylor's company and CIM received an offer that was high enough. The money from any purchase would first go to the investors, and if they made a specified amount of profit, the remaining amount would go to the city. (Taylor wasn't sure what the exact figures were, but we're working to get those from city staff soon.)

They decided to sell because they believed they had "nine high-quality tenants" in the building. The sale shouldn't affect the businesses, Taylor said.

While Taylor said that one of their initial fears when developing the project was that "no one would show up," the area has seen a r esurgence in recent years, with a cluster of restaurants and cafes opening both on K Street and in the surrounding blocks, including K-Bar, Tequila Museo Mayahuel, Blackbird Kitchen & Bar, Estelle’s Patisserie, Plaza Café Lounge and Broadacre Coffee.

The downtown Business Partnership has sought to take advantage of the momentum by rebranding the area between 7th and 13th streets as "The Kay."

In other words, it was a "Field of Dreams" type situation: he built it, and the people did in fact show up.

"It shows that if you provide good entertainment options, people will come," Taylor said. "They will come in droves and they will come consistently."

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Book Talk: Sacramento Room welcomes 'Weinstock's' author Annette Kassis

2012-11-27T03:57:57Z

On Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 6 p.m., Annette Kassis will discuss her book, “Weinstock’s: Sacramento’s Finest Department Store,” (The History Press, 2012) in the Sacramento Room at the Sacramento Public Library at 828 I St.

“Weinstock’s: Sacramento’s Finest Department Store” is the second book from The History Press, based in Charleston, S.C., about Sacramento history. The first, released earlier this year, was “Sacramento’s K Street: Where Our City Was Born” by Sacramento author and historian William Burg.

Unlike other history-based books, the History Press does not focus primarily on visuals. While photos certainly enrich the text, the focus is on the text, the writing, and that is what sets the History Press apart from other books in this genre. While there are many books about Sacramento, and there are books about different areas within Sacramento, there hasn’t been, to my knowledge, books as locally focused as Kassis’ “Weinstock’s: Sacramento’s Finest Department Store” and Burg’s “Sacramento’s K Street: Where Our City Was Born.”

Although I did not have the opportunity to shop at Weinstock’s, the name is familiar to me, and my interest was piqued. Below, I’ve reviewed both books, and I highly recommend these as gifts for people interested in local history.

* * *

“Weinstock’s: Sacramento’s Finest Department Store” by Annette Kassis
The History Press
ISBN 978-1-60949-444-5
2012, 142 pp., $19.99
Local interest, history

Annette Kassis’ book “Weinstock’s: Sacramento’s Finest Department Store” is sure to be a hit with people interested in Sacramento, California and department store history. While Weinstock’s was familiar to me, it was only in relation to the Emporium name in the San Francisco area, and since San Francisco has often been the place for the big-name stores, I was fascinated by the impact Sacramento had in this area. As Kassis points out in her introduction, while the name was familiar to many, few knew “how Weinstock’s came to be, and most did not realize the department store was a homegrown business with its roots deep in post-gold rush Sacramento.”

If you don’t know the history of this magnificent store and the players involved, this is the book to read. The story opens with “David Lubin’s first store expansion began with his arrest,” in the first chapter, “D. Lubin, One Price, 1874-1891.” Of course, I had to read further to find out why he was arrested (no, I’m not telling). Throughout the book, Kassis provides short narratives about the people who built Weinstock’s, the struggles and “the beautiful 1891 department store” that suffered through flood and was burned to the ground in a matter of hours in 1903. Some of the most interesting tidbits are the small fire company that tried to battle the fire and that The New York Times ran the story. Today, with the Internet, that might not seem like such a big deal, but in 1903, it was. Another thing that Sacramentans will notice is that fire may destroy structures like playgrounds, or in this case, Weinstock’s, and Sacramentans rebuild.

Indeed, you’ll learn in Kassis’ book that this department store had several lives, and the construction is fascinating, but don’t forget the story of Lubin, who left the day-to-day operations of the store, but continues throughout the book in another capacity. He is a fascinating person. Who would have thought to connect Sacramento with Paris fashions? Kassis covers WWII and a protest ad against a lynching photo on the front page of the Sacramento Bee. Discover when “a new era in retailing had begun in Sacramento” and how elegant this department store had become, and it’s possible that you might recall the store’s Youth Center and its milk bar. Some will recall Weinstock’s at Arden Fair Mall, and many will recall the consolidations and the loss of the name that had been part of Sacramento’s history for more than one hundred years. This book has it all – history, intrigue, interesting characters, and you’re sure to laugh, wonder and even shed a tear.

* * *

“Sacramento’s K Street: Where Our City Was Born” by William Burg
The History Press
ISBN 978-1-60949-425-4
2012, 142 pp., $19.99
Local author, local interest, history

William Burg is a local author and historian who does a wonderful job of covering the history of K Street. He brings history to life through his writing and the narratives, biographies, quotes and essays about people and businesses that have populated K Street in some form. Love it or hate it, K Street, as Burg writes, “reflects their opinion of Sacramento as a whole.”

Burg, in his introduction, reminds us that “K Street begins at the Sacramento River and ends at Thirty-First Street, Sacramento’s original city limit,” something that many, in 2012, may not realize. “K Street,” he continues “is a street that functions solely within Sacramento’s urban core.” Burg also notes that K Street is “divided into segments,” and provides their descriptions. Beginning with “Embarcadero,” Burg reminds us that this land “was inhabited by the Nisenan (or Southern Maidu),” and about early businesses, the Sacramento Valley Railroad and fighting slavery. Yes, a fight against slavery on K Street.

Throughout each chapter, you’ll find biographies, history and snippets from people like Lincoln Steffens, who recalled Sacramento as a “center for ranches and mines.” In “Raising K,” Burg reminds us that flooding has long been a concern for Sacramento, and you’ll find information about Sacramento’s Chinatown and the Central Pacific Railroad. Similarly, through each remaining chapter, “Progress and Prosperity,” “K Street Jazz,” “The Sacramento Scramble” and “The Shadow of the Alhambra,” you’ll find treasures about this city that nearly half a million people call home, a city that draws people from other parts of California or the country, and a city from which people leave and return to. You’ll discover Japanese jazz, moviemaking, elegant hotels along K Street, Santa’s arrival by helicopter and many businesses that no longer exist. You’ll learn about Sacramento history through the history of K Street. Burg’s writing is clear and interesting, and his passion for Sacramento history and K Street shines.

* * *

Both books will make a wonderful addition to any personal library, and will make wonderful gifts. Since much of Weinstock’s history takes place on or near K Street, these books are likely to be great companions.

Lowbrau beer hall to open in Midtown early December

2012-11-15T07:22:47Z

Lowbrau owners Michael Hargis and Clay Nutting say they expect to open their German-style beer hall and sausage restaurant in the first few weeks of December, if construction stays on track.

The restaurant will take the 20th and K streets location of the former Lounge on 20, which closed earlier this year after an extensive redesign failed to draw fine-dining customers in the numbers needed to make it succeed.

Hargis and Nutting say they have a markedly different concept, with the communal tables, larger square bar and decor that’s a cross between modern and Bavarian styling designed to foster a sense of community at affordable prices.

“We were really lucky,” Hargis said Tuesday. “We’ve been working on this for two years, and the best location in the city happened to become available. We’re beyond excited.”

So how does a German beer hall fit in with Midtown culture?

“It pays homage to the German beer hall but with the look and feel of Midtown,” Hargis said.

One of the aspects that combines the two cultures will be a shadow-box display featuring a classic German fixture – the cuckoo clock. But instead of something that will quickly feel dated, Hargis said, it will be done in a monochromatic fashion so it blends with the feel of Midtown.

Another aspect of the design will be the incorporation of birch trees used in one area as a mini dividing wall. A private dining room will be sealed off with sliding barn doors, and all of the furniture and building materials are locally sourced.

The beer selection will be varied, and Nutting says something will be available to satisfy any palate.

“Beer is something that we’re really passionate about,” Nutting said. “We will have some German beers on tap and in bottles. Also, we’ll have Belgian and craft and local beers.”

But beer is only part of the equation.

“Sausage is the focus of our kitchen,” Hargis said. “We’ll have traditional sausages like bockwurst and knockwurst, and of course frankfurters, but we’ll have some gourmet ones – maybe elk or quail.”

The restaurant will also offer a vegan sausage.

“This is a place we want everyone to be comfortable in, and a lot of people in Midtown are vegetarians or vegans,” Nutting said.

Prices are designed to appeal to the community as well, with lunch and a beer running around $12.

Hargis and Nutting teamed up with the crew from Shady Lady Saloon for the cocktail menu, and a number of the drinks will be based on traditional German schnapps.

Schnapps is traditionally a flavored brandy, and Hargis says he’s excited to roll out the cocktail options, which were some of the most popular items when a trial dinner for family and friends was held a few months ago.

The majority of the seating in the approximately 3,700-square-foot space will be dedicated to communal tables, with a few tables for two or four available to people who want a more intimate setting.

Patio space was a must for the duo, who says the MARRS Building’s large deck was part of what made the space ideal. About 150 can be seated inside, with another 70 on the patio.

“We also are really happy to be able to have 20th Street right outside,” Hargis said. “We will want to do something for Oktoberfest next year, and there are other events we’d like to participate in.”

Hargis and Nutting are behind the Launch Festival, which was in the central city earlier this year. Nutting has a background in events through working with Concerts 4 Charity to raise funds with music.

Nutting says that events management is a field that’s all about showing people a good time, and it’s something he and Hargis will strive to do with Lowbrau.

Standing in the center of the restaurant, near the as-yet-unfinished bar, Nutting rests a hand on the rough plywood and takes in the sight before expressing exactly what he wants to see it become: “This is a place where a lot of good stories will come from.”

Mayor Kevin Johnson to Hold Election Results Viewing Party

2012-11-05T21:07:23Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson will be hosting an Election Night Results Viewing Party on Tuesday night, and is inviting all Sacramento voters to join him in watching the results.

Johnson, who has campaigned for President Obama in the key swing states of Nevada, North Carolina, and Florida, says the viewing party will allow Sacramentans of all political stripes to gather together to watch the returns in this historic election.

"This is a critical election for our nation, our state, and our city," said Johnson. "We're hoping for a record turnout, and I'd lke to welcome any Sacramento citizen who has cast their ballot to watch it being counted with us, no matter who you are supporting."

Here are the details:

Election Night Watch Party
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Oishii Sushi Bar & Grill
1000 K Street, Suite 200 - Sacramento
Near KBAR, Dive Bar & Pizza Rock

RSVP to electionwatchparty2012@gmail.com.

Disclosure: (Steven Maviglio was the campaign manager for Kevin Johnson's mayor campaign and was a delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention from Sacramento)

Hansen and Yee take questions from the public in final forum

2012-10-31T16:12:38Z

The last debate between Steve Hansen and Joe Yee took place at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret on K and 10th streets Tuesday night. In a cordial showdown, the differences between the two candidates seemed arguably lessened, as both men agreed that any winner would be good for Sacramento.

“After over a year of campaigning, I think a lot of issues have come to the fore,” said Hansen. “Joe (Yee)’s been a great person to run against because we both deeply care about this city.”

Within the immediate downtown/Midtown/Land Park area, the race for City Council has been a close one. There were only 75 votes between first and second place during the primaries in June. Even this late in the race, there were nearly 140 people who wanted to listen for the last word.

“It’s important to have informed voters,” said Yee, “so we can all work toward our vision of Sacramento.”

There have been some familiar concerns that have enveloped a variety of neighborhoods within District 4, such as safety, schools, parks and the future of “The Claw,” Sacramento’s most loved lawn waste picker-upper. But other pressing topics were presented by members of the public who wanted to know more about where Hansen and Yee stand.

On residential and commercial zones working together toward urban development;

Hansen: “It’s a simple question of leadership. When people in your district or in your community have problems that you can help them with, I believe you have an obligation to do what you can to help them. To me, this is a customer service job.”

Yee: “There are roles in the city to help people get together and have a discussion, but there could be that fear of getting too much in the weeds. Government has its roles, and I think it should respect the limitations.”

Private property neglect and demolition within the city limits;

Yee: “Demolition by neglect is a very difficult issue to try to resolve. It’s difficult to regulate conduct. I don’t have a solution for it now – It’s always been a challenge of how to make people responsible for what they have, to preserve what we believe to be of important value within our community. I’d be glad to work with other members of the community to try to develop some policies where we can prevent demolition by neglect.”

Hansen: “We have to make sure that our heritage isn’t lost. It’s actually something that distinguishes Sacramento from many other cities is the quality and quantity of the Victorians still remaining. Not every property is worth saving. We just have to make sure everyone is treated fairly.”

Community underrepresentation;

Yee: “I think there’s a significant part of District 4 that we haven’t talked about. There’s River Oaks, Swallow’s Nest and west Natomas. It is the job of the council member to represent the entirety of the district, not just where you live. The council member needs to recognize the diversity within the district, the different needs and reach out to those people.”

Hansen: “I don’t think there’s an inherent tension where you can be from one neighborhood and not look after another. It’s been 30 years since someone from the central city, the grid, has sat on City Council. We have unique identities, that doesn’t mean we’re not part of the same quilt, that we’re not part of a wonderful city that can, despite our differences, work together.”

Alternative plans for the railyards;

Yee: “It’s hard to ignore the influence of the railyards. As many of you may know, there have been recently three different master plans for the railyards. Even the latest one, the business model that created that plan, is no longer viable. Pre-recession plans did not acknowledge the realities that we deal with currently. It has great potential. It was once said that the railyards is a once-in-a-lifetime project, and I believe that to be true. We need to be careful of what we approve, of what the vision is to make sure it is worthy of that site that is sustainable.”

Hansen: “I think we do need the railyards to be reflective of our downtown mixed use – housing, retail, livability and the vibrancy that will come from people who are living in the city that, I think, will help the Downtown Plaza, will help K Street. We know that redevelopment is gone, is dead as we know it, so we need to find new sources of money if we’re going to pay for the infrastructure. Otherwise it’ll sit there for a lot longer.”

Despite the varying subject matter, different personalities and ideals on how to guide the city forward have vastly separated the candidates throughout the campaign. Critics have pegged Yee as stiff and traditional, though his supporters see him as sincere, and point to his experience as his best asset. Hansen has campaigned hard, with a noticeably heavier social media presence, and he has even given out his personal cellphone number at every opportunity, including during the closing statements of the debate.

As election day approaches, the event served as the last time people could get up close and personal to the District 4 candidates, even if there’s just a little time left to make up one’s mind.

“I think both of them tried to answer a lot of questions,” said Midtown resident Karen Humphrey. “I think they both tried to be constructive with their answers, but I’m still mulling over what they said.”

Note: The Sacrtamento Press would like to thank our event sponsors, Capitol Towers, for supporting the debate.

View the story "Steve Hansen's amazing green socks and other tweets from the D4 debate" on StorifySteve Hansen's amazing green socks and other tweets from the D4 debateIf the election were held on Twitter, Steve Hansen would win, judging from the tweets last night during the final District 4 City Council debate. (Yee's supporters were out in force as well, just not as glued to their phones). All the tweets and a few Facebook posts from last night: Storified by Jared Goyette · Wed, Oct 31 2012 09:30:05 The #D4SP debate just started! Politics + @KBARatPRG after! http://pic.twitter.com/E0LtIYwOChris Brune Let's get ready to rrrrumble! — at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cosmopolitan-Cabaret/134056153305996" class="">Cosmopolitan Cabaret</a>. go, steve, go!Thomas Dodson RT @pweekly: @steve4sac socked it to the competition tonight #d4sp #sacramento http://pic.twitter.com/taUIm8AEAnthony Donnelly Baller socks from @Steve4Sac. #justsaying #d4sp #Sacramento http://lockerz.com/s/257619896Girls on the Grid Voting for @Steve4Sac primarily cuz he's got green striped socks. The dude's got flair #d4sp #vote #AmazingSocks #debate #SacramentoAlexandra Cunningham The #D4SP debate can be seen LIVE here - http://www.accesssacramento.org/ (click on the 'channel 17' icon) Thanks @accesssac!The Sacramento Press Huge disconnect between those who want growth & those who are committed to terrifying people of the dangers of growth. #sacramento #d4spGirls on the Grid As an alumni i'm loving all this talk about CKM student safety and bike lanes on Freeport #d4sp #debate #SacramentoAlexandra Cunningham We'll get your question answered Janna! Check the comments later today. Bust. Didn't get to ask my question. wanted to hear candidates' take on strong mayor initiative. #d4sp #sacramentoJanna Marlies Maron Why don't I have @Steve4Sac's cell phone number? Apparently I'm the one... #d4spEmily Sheldon "Prohibition didn't work" - @steve4sac on placing a moratorium on new liqueur licenses in #midtown #MyMan #d4spPatrick Harbison Thoughtful issues from both candidates, but Steve Hansen seems to know everybody! #d4spcollin poseley Great questions from the audience! Thank you for hosting the #D4SP debate Cosmopolitan Cabaret. http://pic.twitter.com/JUUqEPSsThe Sacramento Press

PHOTOS: Oishii sushi restaurant/karaoke rooms now open

2012-10-19T00:31:08Z

Oishii Sushi Bar and Grill held its grand opening Thursday, announcing it will offer half-price karaoke rooms for the first week.

The restaurant, located above the Cosmopolitan Cabaret at at 1000 K St., is the third one for owner Joe Zheng, who also owns similar places in New York and San Francisco.

Combining sushi, Mongolian barbecue and teriyaki fare, the restaurant also incorporates 15 private karaoke rooms, that can accommodate anywhere from six to as many as 40 people.

The ceiling in the room above was created in-place and took about two months, according to Zheng. Lighting effects on three levels allow the LED lights to change colors with ease.

Sushi rolls at lunchtime will range from $7 - $11, and dinner prices will be about a dollar more. Smaller rolls in the $4 - $5 range will also be offered, and cooked items such as teriyaki dishes and a mongolian barbecue are available.

More information about the restaurant can be found in a previous Sacramento Press article.

The space is open for lunch from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on weekdays. Dinner hours are 5 - 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 5 p.m. - 2 a.m. Thursday and 5 p.m. - 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The karaoke rooms are open from 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 4 p.m. - 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

A full bar with bottle service in the rooms is also a part of the concept.

All photos by Ron Nabity.

Ready? Set. Scavange! Scavenger hunt planned for downtown November 10

2012-10-15T19:44:48Z

A scavenger hunt is being organized to get you acquainted with Sacramento's sustainable side!

Get your walking shoes and "green" thinking caps on as well as have your smart phones ready, and join the City of Sacramento, Greenwise Joint Venture, and 350 Sacramento at the free "Cut Your Cubes" scavenger hunt on November 10 beginning at 1 p.m. Teams of two to four will vie for gift baskets valued at $500, and will include gift cards to local businesses and more.

"As part of the scavenger hunt, we want people to discover what sustainable features are downtown, in Old Sacramento, and in midtown," said Maurice Chaney, media and communications specialist with the City of Sacramento. "We have a real opportunity, in a fun way, to showcase the city and its businesses, as well as educate people on how green Sacramento really is."

Did you know that the Crest Theatre marquee on K Street stretches a whopping two miles? After it was renovated several years ago, a timer was installed to make the iconic sign more energy efficient. These and more than 40 other clues will be the feature of the scavenger hunt.

The scavenger hunt will also feature businesses that have incorporated sustainability and green features into their business operations. For example, Pizza Rock has a bike-only pizza delivery service, and will be highlighted during the hunt.

There are other ways participants can win. Teams participating are encouraged to dress up creatively or capture the best photo during the hunt for a chance to win additional prizes.

This hunt is part of the "Cut Your Cubes" campaign aimed to encourage residents and businesses to take action by adopting simple lifestyle changes for the environment. Cut Your Cubes envisions informing, educating and engaging Sacramententans on how to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions at the household level, or how to cut their cubes. Ultimately, this campaign also encourages Sacramento (and unincorporated county residents) to join the Cool California Challenge, a statewide competition between nine other cities.

Disclosure: Carlos Eliason is a designer and photographer working for the City of Sacramento.

Opinion: Are you okay with "The Kay"?

2012-10-12T01:26:30Z

Editor's note: The author of this piece, William Burg, will participate in a Sac Pres live chat on K Street this Wednesday at noon. Plan to watch? Please RSVP on our Goole+ page. You can also catch Burg live and in person at the California State Archives on Tuesday at 7 p.m. as he presents on his book, "Sacramento’s K Street: Where Our City Was Born". Event detials can be found here.

This week’s Sacramento Press scoop about Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s new “The Kay” marketing strategy was met with reactions ranging from grudging acceptance to outright ridicule. The marketing campaign was paid for by DSP, downtown Sacramento’s business association, funded by downtown property owners. This campaign hopes to redefine the blocks of K Street between Seventh and Thirteenth, traditionally the heart of Sacramento’s downtown retail/entertainment district. Recent attempts at downtown rebranding include “The Handle” (Capitol Avenue from 17th to 20th) and the “Sutter District” (along 28th between J and O Street) or Del Paso Boulevard’s “Uptown” campaign. The campaign would include banners, signs and bike racks along K Street, but would not actually change the street name.

Rebranding of neighborhoods is nothing new. What we now know as Downtown Plaza and Old Sacramento were once known as the “West End,” Capitol Mall was once “Japantown,” Southside Park was once “The Arizona District” before its eponymous park was built, and before William Land Park was built, the area south of the Old City Cemetery along the Riverside Road (before it was Riverside Boulevard) was called “Homeland.” Streets like Broadway and Alhambra Boulevard were renamed after beautiful new theaters (the Tower and the Alhambra) demanded names less prosaic than Y Street and 31st Street. The same rule applied to neighborhoods like Boulevard Park, built atop the old state racetrack. Sometimes new rebranding efforts failed to catch on, like the early 20th century move to rename Poverty Ridge (the hill along 21st Street south of R) as “Sutter’s Terrace,” a name that failed to ignite Sacramentans’ imagination. Even “Midtown” is really just a rebranding campaign used to differentiate the business district of downtown Sacramento from its mixed-use ring of residential neighborhoods. That campaign was so successful that many now refer to Sacramento’s central city, including downtown, as part of Midtown. The name has such cachet that areas clearly outside the central city, like the Alexan Midtown apartments east of Broadway (called the Trammell Crow condominiums prior to their construction) to avoid associating its neighborhood, the Alhambra Triangle, too closely with Oak Park, while the neighborhood of North Oak Park between Sacramento High School and Stockton Boulevard has been pushed by realtors as the “Med Center” neighborhood, for basically the same reason. However, the “Midtown” name apparently came from both resident groups and local businesses using it before it became popular and eventually caught on. No paid consultant was involved.

K Street looms large in Sacramentans’ minds, becoming such a potent symbol of Sacramento’s destiny, successes and failures that I wrote a book about it. Rebranding such an iconic part of the city is a risky proposition. The last time it was tried was during the late 1960s. While K Street was the Sacramento region’s primary shopping destination from the Gold Rush through the 1950s, by the mid-1960s it was in rough shape, thanks to competition from suburban malls and the removal of thousands of downtown residents via redevelopment and demolition (which is how “Japantown” became Capitol Mall.) What we now know as Downtown Plaza (until recently, Westifeld Downtown Plaza) was the boundary of the West End, a district containing hundreds of bars, nightclubs, taxi-dance halls, burlesque strip clubs, pool halls, arcades, all-night moviehouses, pawn shops, liquor stores, thrift stores and agricultural hiring halls. The district’s residential hotels, boarding houses, shelters and alleys were populated by thousands of migrant workers, railroad boomers and retirees, along with winos, prostitutes, and gangsters. The waterfront, where hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the Delta King and Railroad Museum today, was still an active railroad freight yard and industrial switching area, owned by Southern Pacific, traditionally more concerned with moving freight than the concerns of civic reformers.

Redevelopment of K Street was intended to completely sweep away this neighborhood and recapture some of the sales tax revenue that had abandoned K Street and shifted to suburban malls. Anchored by a Macy’s at 4th Street (drawn with the promise of an interstate highway just a block away at 3rd Street), the Downtown Plaza shopping center took over the blocks between 4th and 7th Street, and the block between 3rd and 4th became a massive parking lot for the new Macy’s store. The blocks between 7th and 13th were transformed into pedestrian malls in 1969, capped by the new Convention Center and Community Center between 13th and 14th in 1973. The angular, Modernist forms of concrete sculpture filled the middle of the pedestrian mall, intended to function as a symbolic map of California, with placid waterways and jutting mountains. But most adults didn’t get it, and to the kids of Generation X the concrete sculptures were just things to play on—or, later, ideal terrain for urban skateboarding. Over the long term, the K Street Mall was not a financial success, in part due to its location too far away from Sacramento’s exploding suburban populations.

While subsequent generations may not have spent much money at Downtown Plaza and the K Street mall, they understood what a mall was, and their main complaint with K Street (in addition to its distant geographic location) were the inevitable differences between the suburban version of a mall and K Street’s version. Suburban malls had free parking, while downtown parking was limited by tens of thousands of commuting downtown workers who took over any free parking lots. Suburban malls were in private, controlled-access buildings and exclusively retail, visited primarily by middle-class suburbanites, while K Street was still a public street. Many of the West End’s occupants simply moved east into downtown hotels, so its population remained far less suburban, and it also became a favored hangout for hippies and idle teenagers. Suburban malls were also family-oriented places, very G-rated on their public face. While redevelopment had closed down K Street’s burlesque strip clubs, there were still adult bookstores and peep shows along K Street, and movie theaters advertising “Teenage Psycho vs. Bloody Mary” and “Deep Throat” did little to encourage families to linger. The “Old Sacramento” waterfront was dramatically changed, cut off from the city entirely by Interstate 5 and denuded of its population, a transformation so abrupt that most people assume the six blocks of Old Sacramento was the entire city during the Gold Rush, and that it was always known by that moniker. The “West End” was wiped away entirely by rebranding, demolition, and a liberal application of federal redevelopment funding. But, even after more than 40 years, downtown Sacramento and K Street are still associated with poverty, crime and difficult parking (sometimes by people who haven’t visited downtown since “Deep Throat” was still showing at the Esquire Theatre)—but also with nightlife, expensive restaurants and a growing interest in urban living. None of these things are found in suburban malls, but they are a common feature in urban downtowns, and it is becoming harder and harder to escape the fact that K Street is the heart of just such an urban downtown, and not a shopping mall.

So, are efforts like “The Kay” similarly doomed to failure, or are they an effort to move away from the failed methods of the past 40 years to attract a suburban audience to a failed simulation of a suburban shopping experience? From reactions seen in Sacramento Press and social media, the “the” goes over like a lead balloon, but people like the spelled-out “Kay.” As Sacramento News & Review editor Nick Miller mentions in today’s “Midtown & Down” column, a similarly-groomed $50,000 rebranding campaign for Midtown was launched in 2010, with a slogan taken from a Fleetwood Mac song and a squiggly-line logo that looked more like someone trying to find parking near Zocalo than a symbol evocative of Midtown living. While Midtown Business Association still uses the logo, it abandoned the full-force “branding” campaign with the arrival of its new director Elizabeth Studebaker, who has instead shifted funds into more pragmatic efforts like black-and-red MBA trashcans and power-washing along 21st Street. It seems that despite Sacramento’s common use as a product test market, we’re somewhat resistant to marketing shibboleths and slogans—to the point where, according to rumor, the 2010 MBA rebranding motto “Go Your Own Way” only won out narrowly over the more-prosaic “Keep Midtown Janky.” Sacramentans clearly love Midtown, so much that residents are willing to endure high rents and occasional neighborhood weirdness to live there, and visitors are willing to endure heavy traffic and are even willing to pay for parking just to hang out here. But, while we love it, we don’t want to be told what it is or why we love it—least of all by product-marketing types.

Similarly, people clearly want to love K Street, or we wouldn’t have spent 40 years and millions of dollars trying to spruce it up. Others clearly don’t love it, because they have no interest in the urban experience, but perhaps that’s not sufficient reason to ignore those who still hope for a resurgent downtown. However, as some Sacramento Press readers point out, rebranding is not a substitute for public safety, cleanliness or other improvements that improve the pedestrian experience, from lighting and street vending to late-night public transit and more retail stores—or, perhaps, convincing more downtown restaurants and eateries to stay open past office workers’ lunch hours. Rebranding efforts by Downtown Partnership are just part of their approach—their “Fight the Funk” team power-washes streets, their Navigators try to connect indigents with social services, the Guides direct people and keep an eye out for trouble in Downtown and Old Sacramento, and their marketing team coordinates events on K Street and tries to inform the public about them in a timely fashion. A catchy district name, at best, is a wrapper on a package that is less important than the contents of the package—but the wrapper is what we see first. And while a marketing campaign can give a district focus, an urban downtown is not a Disneyland-style theme park; no marketing campaign or redecorating efforts can fully control the granular, evolving and interactive nature of street life. No force can fully control it. At best a group like Downtown Partnership can merely set up the conditions to allow it to happen. Visitors in a city are not just passive receivers of entertainment, like folks at home watching TV or surfing the Web; they become part of the dance of street life. Boys sitting at a sidewalk café watch girls strolling down the street, while the girls strolling down the street watch the boys sitting at the café. Theorists like Jane Jacobs called this “the casual public sidewalk life of cities.” Mall cops call it “loitering.”

Not every piece of marketing advice is golden, no matter how much you spend on it. The marketing firm that spent thousands test-marketing Crystal Pepsi in Sacramento thought they had a winner, as did the makers of Zima, but both are long since consigned to the cultural wastebasket, along with the Midtown “Go Your Own Way” slogan and “Sutter’s Terrace” in what is either Midtown, Poverty Ridge, the Homes District, Alhambra or part of the Newton Booth Neighborhoods Association boundary, depending on who you ask and when. But regardless of how much money gets spent on a rebranding campaign, those responsible for it should not become so attached to it that they have to argue with their potential customers over its validity or its value, especially parts of it that don’t perform as advertised. The “The” met with immediate revulsion and ridicule—but a mere mention of the word “Kay” set off memories of Christmas on K Street, dinners at Tiny’s Waffles and Hart’s Cafeteria, dancing at the Trianon Ballroom and feature films in Technicolor at the Fox Senator and the Crest, and shopping at Weinstock & Lubin and Breuner's. So perhaps “Kay” is big enough to bridge the gap between the suburban visitor and the urban offerings of K Street—assuming that the present inside that sentimentally-loaded package matches up to the expectations of those who dare to open it.

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” –Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities

Disclosure: William Burg is President of Sacramento Old City Association.

Chat preview: Too many bars in Midtown?

2012-10-10T00:08:04Z

Does Midtown have an overconcentration of bars? It’s an issue that has divided readers on The Sacramento Press since we launched four years ago.

Sacramento Bee Associate Editor Foon Rhee wrote about the issue on Sunday, and we’ll have him and Midtown resident George Raya on Sac Press Live Wednesday to discuss it.

The video chat window will be live streamed here on Wednesday at noon:

Some longtime residents say the Midtown area is overrun with drinking establishments, and it’s destroying their quality of life. Others cite the walkability of the district – and the amount of bars and restaurants – as reasons to live nearby.

When new restaurants apply for alcohol licenses, they often face stiff opposition from neighbors, who attempt to have conditions placed on them. Those conditions sometimes include limiting hours the patios can be open, requiring security guards and limiting hours when alcohol can be sold.

For some restaurants, restrictions have outlasted the business – as was the case when Red Lotus went into the space formerly occupied by G.V. Hurley’s.

Red Lotus has since closed and been replaced by Red Rabbit Kitchen & Bar. Located on the 2700 block of J Street, it is joined by a series of restaurants and bars, including BarWest Burgers & Wings, Centro Cocina Mexicana, Blue Cue and Harlow’s.

The issue also came up in a Sac Press Live chat in August with local historian William Burg. In a response to a comment on Sac Press that he was a “NIMBY” for raising concerns about what he sees as the negative effect of bars in Midtown, he said his issue is not that the bars are there, but that they don’t show enough concern for residents.

"I have this opinion that these places can be run reasonably and with respect for the neighborhoods around them, and I expect that of them," he said.

Do you think there are too many bars in Midtown? What would you like to see our guests discuss? Post a question in the conversation below.

To find out about our chats or learn about ones you can participate in, follow The Sacramento Press on Google+.

Anatolian Table to bring authentic Turkish food to former Hina's Tea space on K Street

2012-09-28T18:55:01Z

Those acquainted with Turkish food often think of kebabs and hummus, but Erol Hazar said it’s far more diverse, and when he opens Anatolian Table in the former Hina’s Tea space at 2319 K St. later this year, he wants to showcase the authentic cuisine of his homeland.

Turkey straddles the border of Europe and Asia, and Hazar – a native of Istanbul – said Anatolia is the name for the Asian section of the country, which makes up about 80 percent of the land mass.

“Turkish food is like Mediterranean food,” he said Friday. “It’s not too spicy, there’s nothing greasy, and there’s nothing cooked in a fryer. It’s all done on the grill or in the oven.”

Dishes such as tavuk guvec – a chopped chicken breast baked with vegetables and spices in a casserole dish and served with a side of rice – are staples of Turkish cuisine. Another dish to be featured in the restaurant is Manti, which is a Turkish meat ravioli made in-house and served with a garlic yogurt sauce.

Doner kebab and dishes such as salmon and halibut that are more widely known will also be served at Anatolian Table, Hazar said.

Lunch prices range from $6-$10, and dinner prices are from $10-$15.

One Turkish beer and six Turkish wines will be on the menu, and coffee imported from Turkey will be served in the traditional style.

“Everything is made from scratch,” Hazar said. “We make our own baklava and yogurt and other ingredients.”

He added that spices are imported, but he uses the abundant supply of fresh fruits and vegetables from Northern California.

The 1,600-square-foot space will hold between 40 and 50 diners, and two tables of four will be on an outdoor patio.

Hazar and his wife, Tugce, opened their first Anatolian Table location in Rocklin when they came to the United States five years ago. For the past two years, a second location in Sacramento has been a priority, and Erol Hazar said he is looking to add a third, bigger location in Sacramento.

Before coming to the United States, Hazar and his wife lived in England, and he said they have been in the restaurant business for about nine years.

The K Street restaurant will open at 11:30 a.m. and close at either 8:30 or 9 p.m. on weekdays, staying open later on weekends.

“We will be open late on Second Saturday,” Hazar said, “probably until midnight.”

Kimio Bazett, owner of the nearby bar The Golden Bear, said he’s happy to see a tenant taking the space.

“I’ve met him in the past through my landlord, and he’s a really nice guy,” Bazett said. “I’ve heard the food is really good, and I’m a huge fan of Mediterranean cuisine – Persian, Moroccan, Greek – it’s a really good flavor profile.”

He added that he hopes it brings more energy to the area and increases the block’s appeal. The same block also houses Rick’s Dessert Diner and The Plum Cafe and Bakery, formerly Sugar Plum Vegan.

Erol Hazar said he’s looking to bring a unique dining option to the area, which he said attracted him because of its location and the liveliness of Midtown.

“It’s a really unique restaurant,” he said. “It’s one of the most authentic Turkish restaurants in the country. We don’t Americanize the food.”

The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Faces owner Terry Sidie opens new club, domino effect for other businesses

2012-09-27T23:42:26Z

There’s a business shuffle in Lavender Heights.

The Kennedy Gallery left its space adjacent to Headhunters and moved into the Victorian house on the corner of 20th and L streets. The owners of the costume shop that formerly occupied the space retired, and it was all so that Headhunters and Faces owner Terry Sidie could relaunch his first Sacramento nightclub – Club Bojangles – in the art gallery’s recently vacated space.

Club Bojangles is a rebirth of the first club that Sidie owned, back in the 1970s. His subsequent establishments, like Club Bojangles, all cater to the gay community, but welcome straight people as well.

“I opened Bojangles in ’76 on Folsom Boulevard,” Sidie said. “I started with it, and now I’m ending my career with it. Almost everything I own is up for sale. I’ll have my 67th birthday soon, and I realize I’m not 30 anymore.”

Headhunters and Club Bojangles are joined by a patio and occupy much of 20th street between K and L streets. The whole complex is more than 9,000 square feet, with 3,000 for Headhunters, 3,000 for the patio and 3,400 for Club Bojangles. Sidie said that, all told, it can accommodate 400-500 people.

The space was originally intended to serve as a club, but Sidie said he leased it to the art gallery because he didn’t want to overbuild.

“Because I had most of it done, we probably put $100,000 into lights and stuff to make it pretty,” he said.

Cornerstone, the restaurant that moved into Headhunters from its space at 24th and J streets two years ago will still be a part of the business, and Sidie said he plans to bring in a chef to prepare dinner options.

The Kennedy Gallery’s move to the Victorian house increases its size by about 1,000 square feet, taking it to approximately 4,000 square feet, owner Michael Kennedy said. That translates to an approximately 50 percent increase in the number of artists who can show in the space, from 11 to 17.

“It’s got a lot of interesting history and character,” Kennedy said, adding that a section of the basement will be dedicated to the house’s history. “It really melds well with our artists.”

Kennedy said the additional basement space will allow the gallery to host classes on art techniques capable of holding 15-20 students, and artists will have more space to work than they did at the old location.

The bigger space is a calculated risk, businesswise, Kennedy said, but the art gallery brings between 3,000 and 5,000 visitors during Second Saturday Art Walks. He said he thinks it complements the nightclubs, helping keep the area vibrant.

All work shown in the gallery is approved by a jury, and Kennedy said work ranging from students to Sacramento art legend Gregory Kondos has been shown in the space.

Improvements are being done to the Victorian house, but the gallery is currently open. Its first major showing in its new digs, however, will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 11, when it will feature works depicting animals.

The Sacramento Zoo is also bringing by some animals, and artwork created by monkeys and elephants for the event, Kennedy said.

“One of the things that lets us succeed right now is that we have something for everyone,” Kennedy said, adding that subject matter and media displayed in the gallery are varied. “We have something whether you live in an apartment or in a house in the Fab 40s.”

Kennedy Gallery is open from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Club Bojangles will be open from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.

The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Sacramento rejects New Years Eve ball drop on K street

2012-09-24T21:00:36Z

If you want to watch a ball drop this New Year’s Eve in Sacramento, you’d better plan to be near a TV.

The city has rejected a proposal to hold a New Year’s ball drop at K Street, between ninth and eleventh streets, due to safety and traffic concerns, according to a report by Ryan Lillis Monday in The Sacramento Bee.

City Neighborhood Services Director Vincene Jones sent a letter to the planner of the event, Dale Robertson, co-owner of the Parlaré Euro Lounge, outlining the reasons for the move.

The letter said it would be difficult to clear the area before light rail services would have to start up again in the morning, and that city police and the California Highway Patrol would be stretched thin if they had to manage both the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks downtown and the proposed ball drop on K Street, which organizers expected to draw 12,500 guests.

City rejects ball drop plan for K Street

The city last held a ball drop in 2008, and was one of the first cities on the west coast to hold such an event, according to an article published that year in the Bee. The event was discontinued in 2009 due to disagreements between the Paragary Restaurant Group, which hosted the event in 2008; the city and the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, according to a previous article in the Sacramento Press.

Sac Press readers on Facebook had different takes on the issue.

"They've made a terrible decision," Facebook user Roscoe Frazier wrote in a post. "That just means my family and me will be traveling even further to go celebrate life."

Ashley Wi said that he had attended the ball drop in 2008, and that crowd control was a serious issue. He suggested an alternate location. "This town does need more events like the drop, so why not have it at the Capitol?," Wi wrote in a Facebook comment. "There is more green space to spread out, and far fewer corners to worry about."

Steve Tuck agreed with Wi that the 2008 event was best not repeated.

"It was absolutely the right decision," he wrote."I heard many stories like Ashley's which made this event sound like the one place you did not want to be New Year's. The whole idea was just very hokey and out of place. Stick with the Old Sac fireworks."

What do you think? Did the city overreact, or would both a ball drop and the fireworks display be too much for Sacramento to handle?

Bento Box: Asian dining in Midtown/downtown Sacramento staying open late

2012-09-18T05:56:56Z

The recent recession cost Jonathan Kim his job in the building maintenance industry, but it also opened the door for him to follow a dream he’d had for years – owning a restaurant.

A fish and chips restaurant in South Sacramento was short-lived, but five years ago, he opened the first location of Bento Box near Sacramento State, and he came up with a winning formula.

He’s now expanding Bento Box to the Midtown/downtown area with its third location, and he said it will be open longer and seat more people than the previous two – one at 65th Street and Folsom Boulevard and the other in Loehmann’s Plaza in East Sacramento.

Most dishes will be served in bento boxes – plastic boxes with built-in dividers. Kim said that bento is Japanese for lunch, and they originated as a way to keep foods such as salad, rice and meat separated until they were ready to be eaten.

“Our most popular is the teriyaki – chicken, beef, all of it,” Kim said, adding that sushi and Korean fare is also on the menu.

Though Kim is from Korea, he has lived in the United States for 39 years, and he said Bento Box – set to open in late October – is a place where multiple cuisines from Asia – including Chinese, Japanese and Korean – can be found.

One of the items Kim said he expects to be a favorite at the new location is dol sot bi bim bap, a dish of rice, vegetables, a fried egg and beef, chicken or fish served in a heated stone dish similar to a stir fry.

“People really love that,” he said. “And they can order it vegetarian, too.”

Plates run from about $7 to $12, with the dol sot bi bim bap costing $9.

A full bar will be available, with beer, wine, sake and cocktails.

The restaurant is located in a downtown entertainment district at 16th and K streets, Kim said he plans to stay open until 4 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to draw people leaving nearby clubs and bars.

Kim is offering a 10 percent discount to government employees.

Real estate broker Daniel Mueller of Turton Commercial Real Estate is working with Kim, and he said the restaurant, which is about 6,000 square feet and will seat approximately 230, has an outside patio that is covered and heated, and there will be a quick-service window where people can pick up a cup of coffee or crepes in the mornings.

There will be faux trees and potted trees inside the restaurant to make use of the building’s high ceilings and give the feel of an urban oasis, Mueller said.

Inside the restaurant, faux trees a well as potted trees will be designed to make use of the building’s high ceilings and give the feel of an urban oasis, Mueller said. Additionally, a waterfall will be constructed, and water will meander about 25 feet before sinking into a large lit bento box.

“It’s going to feel like a bit of nature in downtown,” Mueller said. “The waterfall is going to be exotic, and it’s going to focus on nature with an Asian twist.”

The restaurant will open at 7 a.m. every day with a selection of coffees and crepes – both sweet and savory – with the full menu available after 10:30. It will close at midnight Sunday through Wednesday and start out being open until 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

“If there’s no revenue that late, it might close around 2 or 3 a.m.,” Mueller said.

Kim said he recognizes that there are other Asian eateries nearby, including Ma Jong’s Asian Diner, Mikuni and Sapporo Grill, but he said he hopes to complement them more than compete with them.

“I want to serve quality food for a reasonable price,” he said. “I hope people know that, and they come to Bento Box.”

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Sushi restaurant with 15 private karaoke rooms coming to downtown Sacramento

2012-08-29T01:22:47Z

A style of entertainment popular in Japan that also has a proven track record in the United States is coming to K Street by October: karaoke – but not the karaoke you’d expect at most bars.

Oishii Sushi Bar and Grill, located at 1000 K St., will be a sushi restaurant with 15 private karaoke rooms.

The rooms range in size, with small rooms able to hold six or eight people and larger rooms holding as many as 40.

“It’s a family and friends concept,” owner Joe Zheng said. “They can go and reserve a private room and do karaoke for a birthday or a friends’ get-together type thing.”

Located above the Cosmopolitan Cabaret, Oishii can be accessed via an elevator from K Street. Upon entering, people see the dining room of the restaurant, with tables along the K Street wall, where the Crest Theatre can be seen through the windows.

Private karaoke rooms line the left wall, and a hallway toward the back branches off to more private rooms.

“In this economy, that’s the kind of thing people need,” Zheng said. “We did a price comparison, and we’re charging about what the fast-food takeout is, but we’re providing the quality of high-end stuff that’s twice the cost.”

This will be the third restaurant/karaoke room setup for Zheng, who said he has one in San Francisco and another in New York.

Karaoke will be available from the afternoon until late night, possibly as late as 3 a.m. on weekends, he said. During lunchtime, people can reserve the rooms for free for private dining or office meetings, and the flatscreen TVs can be hooked up to computers for presentations.

Once the karaoke starts around 3 or 4 p.m., room rentals will start at about $25 or $35 per hour.

Lisa Martinez, spokeswoman for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, said she thinks the restaurant will give downtown workers another option for lunch as well as good entertainment in the evening.

“We are really excited to hear that we have a new business coming to K Street,” she said. “I think their business will complement some of the successful businesses that are already flourishing in that area.”

She added that it’s good to see family fun enter the mix.

“It’s exciting to hear that they are looking to bring a range of audiences from adults to families, and that there will be more family entertainment on K Street,” she said.

Oishii Sushi Bar and Grill will open for lunch at 11 a.m. and stop serving around 3:30 p.m. Dinner service will start around 5 p.m. and continue through 11 p.m. on weekdays, but likely continue until 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

People renting the karaoke rooms can have food served in them, and bottle service from the full bar will be available.

“The best part about our bottle service is you don’t have to finish it,” Zheng said. “We can store it for you, so if you want to come back later because you didn’t want to drink it all, we will have it for you.”

You might not have time to check the site every day, but you can still keep up with our coverage with our weekly newsletter. The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

"Rock 'N' Roll High School" at the Crest Theatre

2012-08-18T07:08:26Z

This Saturday night, the 2012 Trash Film Orgy season will close with a showing of Roger Corman's "Rock 'N' Roll High School," the end of a six-week series of the finest trash cinema seen on the screen of the beautiful Crest Theatre.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 11:00 PM! Admission $10 ($1 off for those in awesome costumes), 18+ only. At the Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, Sacramento.

"Rock 'N' Roll High School," released in 1979, stars PJ Soles, Vince Van Patten, Clint Howard, Mary Woronov, and The Ramones. PJ Soles stars as Riff Randall, biggest Ramones fan at Vince Lombardi High. The soundtrack is a veritable who's who of late 1970s rock, most prominently featuring The Ramones, legendary three-chord wonders and object of Riff Randall's obsession. Roger Corman, better known for drive-in horror and action films, originally intended to make a film called "Disco High" until a pair of young writers told him that teenagers didn't go to discos--they loved rock and roll. This last-minute switch set the stage for a classic exercise in cinema insanity! Filmed in Los Angeles, far from the Ramones' home base of New York City, LA punk fixtures Darby Crash and Lorna Doom (both members of The Germs) were extras in the film.

In addition to the film, the TRASH FILM ORGY always includes copious bonus features, including the wildly interactive Trash Action Sideshow in the lobby, beer and wine in the Crest Lounge for those 21+, and this week, a live performance by Sacramento's own three-chord punk legends The Secretions! Doors open at 11 PM and the film starts at midnight!

For more information about the Trash Film Orgy, visit their website, which features information about other TFO Productions events, and their independent film company--makers of "Monster from Bikini Beach," "Planet of the Vampire Women," and the forthcoming "Badass Monster Killer"!

Save a wait in the long line outside the Crest by ordering tickets in advance and pick them up at will call!

Disclosure: William Burg will DJ in the theater before the film begins, playing songs by Sacramento rock & roll bands past and present.

Urban wine tasting room coming to Sacramento's K Street

2012-08-18T06:45:52Z

Downtown & Vine – an urban wine tasting room – is seeking to bring the best of California wine country to K Street downtown, with a scheduled opening date of mid-October.

Co-owner Gregg Lamer said Friday that he and co-owner Kate Chomko think Sacramento needs a varied selection of wines from Sonoma, Napa, the foothills and other wine regions across the state, and the 1200 K St. location is the perfect fit.

“We’ll have 12 wineries, and we’ll feature three wines from each one,” Lamer said, adding that wine will be poured in 2-ounce tastes, 5-ounce glasses or flights of three 2-ounce tastes.

Of the 12 wineries, 11 will be the backbone of the business, while the 12th will rotate – likely bringing in high-end boutique wineries, Chomko said.

The names of the wineries aren’t being released as yet, pending Alcoholic Beverage Control approval for the space, but Lamer and Chomko said there will be a wine for everyone’s budget.

“We’ll have bottles you can take with you, and we’re expecting to retail those for as little as $15 and up to over $100,” Lamer said.

Chomko added that she wants to have affordable, everyday wine as well as wine that will draw serious collectors.

While not set up as a restaurant, the business will include food options such as smoked salmon hors d'oeuvres, artisanal cheeses and charcuterie plates. Details are still being worked out, but there will be a happy hour-type program with wine and food pairings, as well as wine education.

When it’s done, people entering the 2,350-square-foot space will see a wall of retail wine racks before turning left and seeing a concierge desk – where guidance on trips to wine country will be offered.

Along the left-side wall will be the bar. Wine will be up front, and the food preparation area will be toward the back of the building.

Seating for slightly less than 100 people will be offered both indoors and outdoors, with approximately 30 able to sit on a patio on the pedestrian part of K Street between 12th and 13th streets.

A private room with seating for 14 can be rented, and a more open rear section of the business will hold 30-40 people for standing receptions.

“This is perfect location,” Chomko said. “We’ve got the Convention Center, the theaters, the Capitol – all that is nearby. What’s not to like?”

Valerie Mamone-Werder, business recruitment manager for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, said Thursday that the business is a good fit for the K Street area downtown.

“This is a really great business,” she said. “They have a long history in the wine industry, and they’re really great operators.”

She added that Chomko and Lamer understand what the city and business community is doing on K Street, which has undergone an overhaul in the past several years, and she said she thinks they will be a good part of K Street’s future.

Chomko said she has been a wine educator in the Napa, and Lamer recently sold two wine businesses he founded in Amador County. They are now moving to Sacramento, which they will be calling home.

“We’re excited to be here,” Chomko said. “Carmel, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco – they all have something like this, but Sacramento doesn’t. Sacramento has small ones, but nothing like this.”

"Sacramento's K Street" Book Signing at Time Tested Books

2012-08-14T00:28:39Z

On Wednesday, August 15 at 7:00 PM, Time Tested Books (1114 21st Street, Sacramento) hosts a book signing and talk for my new book, "Sacramento's K Street: Where Our City Was Born."

From its early existence as a path from the Sacramento River to Sutter's Fort until the present day, K Street was the axis upon which the city of Sacramento turned. From its beginnings as a riverboat dock and nexus for stagecoach lines, K Street grew into the city's main business street. Fortunes were made and lost along K Street in the tumultuous decades of disaster and ambition that followed the Gold Rush. This era ended with the completion of America's first transcontinental railroad, a project started almost 150 years ago at the foot of K Street. But this was not the end of K Street's story--it was just a prelude.

As Sacramento's first generation of entrepeneurs moved on, a new generation took their place, creating business institutions including banks, department stores, grocery stores and hotels. Waves of immigrants came to Sacramento to find work and created their own businesses, with K Street as the center of a diverse downtown. Sacramento's Chinatown, or "Yee Fow," was just north of K Street, and our Japantown, or "O-fu," was just to the south. Other ethnic neighborhoods, each with their own businesses, churches and cultural institutions, made K Street a remarkably diverse, lively and engaging place. It was a center of commerce and entertainment, but also an urban neighborhood that thousands called home.

In the early 20th century, K Street became the hub of a network of interurban railroads spanning from Chico to Stockton and Oakland. A second transcontinental railroad, Western Pacific, arrived at the far end of K Street. Visitors could choose from a variety of hotels, restaurants, theaters, department stores, arcades and other entertainment. They could even visit the restored Sutter's Fort on K Street's bucolic and tree-lined eastern end. At the same time, Sacramento's new merchant class, living on the eastern end of K Street, built new neighborhoods, including the city's first suburban tracts, all connected to K Street by streetcar. Their new Sacramento Chamber of Commerce held celebrations and public festivals on K Street while planning a future of growth outside the city limits.

K Street was the hub of Sacramento's urban culture. K Street's central location made it the natural choice for citywide celebrations, marches, and public events, from the city's earliest days. The sounds of jazz spilled from Sacramento nightclubs and dance halls, vaudeville theaters and burlesque houses. Prohibition in the 1920s muted these tones but did not still them, as Sacramento gained a reputation as a place where alcohol still flowed freely. Restaurants and cafes, ranging from inexpensive eateries for workers to fine dining for senators and governors, were found here too. Vaudeville stage acts were slowly overtaken by a succession of amazing motion picture palaces, culminating in the Alhambra Theatre at the eastern end of K Street at 31st Street, a landmark so impressive that the street where it sat was renamed in the theater's honor.

The book ends with the fight to save the Alhambra Theatre in the early 1970s, and explores the complex and often misunderstood reasons why K Street fell from its status as the city's heart.

Most photographs were provided by the Center for Sacramento History, and some from private collections. Sources included interviews with Sacramentans who shared their memories of K Street, theses, government reports, newspaper stories, autobiographies and archaeological reports. Secondary sources included works of local history, like Sacramento County Historical Society's Golden Notes series, and academic treatises on urban history and the Progressive Era, in order to better connect Sacramento's urban heritge to the national narrative.

In addition to the book's subject matter, I will also share some stories that couldn't fit into the book--including a few fascinating tales (and photographs) discovered immediately after the book went to print! Copies will be available for sale.

Who: Presentation/book signing by William Burg, author of Sacramento's K Street: Where Our City Was Born.

When: Wednesday, August 15, 7:00PM

Where: Time Tested Books, 1117 21st Street, Sacramento

Disclosure: William Burg is the author of "Sacramento's K Street: Where Our City Was Born." 50% of royalties generated from book sales go to the Sacramento History Foundation.

Theater review: Freud meets farce in Triple Espresso

2012-07-25T22:47:11Z

I go into every production with an open mind — given that we all have
biases of some kind, regardless of how we try to tamp them down. I go
into every situation with the intention of assessing its overall
quality, and taking back to readers enough of an overview to let them
make up their own minds about whether or not the event might appeal to
them.

But I would be lying if I said that when I entered the lobby of
Cosmopolitan Cabaret and read the words “comedy,” “farce,” “magic” and
“music” in the promotional material for “Triple Espresso,” my first
reaction wasn’t dread.

I was not much encouraged when, immediately upon opening, the audience
was included in the show.

Audience participation. Swell.

What I couldn’t help but notice, even in my curmudgeonly state of
skepticism, was that the audience seemed to know what to say and do
the moment the lights went up. Either there were a fair number of
“plants” in this crowd, or for quite a few this was, as we say in the
entertainment biz, not their first rodeo! A seasoned reviewer like
myself is able to suss out these little morsels of interest.

It turns out “Triple Espresso” had an eleven year run in San Diego
prior to coming to Sacramento. Eleven years. That’s like the “Rocky
Horror Picture Show” of the over-40 crowd (complain if you must, but I
am over 40 and I reserve the right to flail it around in any manner I
see fit!). It’s a wonder folks from the crowd weren’t up on stage
alongside the performers—but it’s only a few months in, so give it
time!

I could beat around the bush a while longer, but the truth is, the
music, the magic, the comedy, the endearing performances by
Christopher Hart, Brian Kelly and Paul Somers; it all sucked my
cynical self right in!

Set in a coffee house—albeit a coffee house with a piano and a lounge
singer—”Triple Espresso” is basically the tale of three friends who
are determined to make it in show business and end up stepping on,
over and around each other in the process, only to end up back
together, no more successful or self-sufficient than they began; a
sort of musical chairs of partner - cum friendship.

The show was written by Bill Arnold, Michael Pierce Donley and Bob
Stromberg, who also originated the roles, but it’s hard to imagine
more consummate casting than the three currently on stage. Hart, Kelly
and Somers are akin to a kinder, gentler version of the Stooges,
bringing a certain affection to farce, making it palatable to even the
most resistant (i.e. me) of ticket holders.

At the risk of going too far out on a limb, one could even compare the
characters and the actors who embody them to Freud Hart, as Buzz
Maxwell, reminiscent of a PG-rated Richard Belzer, is the Super Ego,
concerned with fairness and getting the story right; Kelly, as Bobby
Bean, is goofy and unfiltered, the Id, and says more with an
expression than any line of dialogue; Somers is the lounge singer who
ties it all together (that would be the Ego).

Did I really just reference Freud in a review about a musical farce?

That alone should make it worth the price of admission!

“Triple Espresso” is appropriate for most ages. Performances run
through (at least) Sept. 9, 2012. For more information, visit
www.cosmopolitancabaret.com.

Plans taking shape to bring Lowbrau, a German beer hall, to former Lounge on 20 space

2012-07-12T18:32:08Z

A deal is in the works to bring a German beer hall with a modern twist to the former Lounge on 20 space at 20th and K streets.

Called Lowbrau, one of the business partners, Michael Hargis, explained that it’s a fresh take on a Bavarian beer hall.

Some of the classic Bavarian elements are planned to be incorporated, such as long communal tables, a healthy selection of imported German and Belgian beers, and imported sausages for the food menu.

“It’s a play off the German beer halls,” Hargis said. “It’s not going to be uber-German, and the name Lowbrau kind of shows that we’re not taking ourselves too seriously.”

Since the deal is not finalized, details at this point are scant. Hargis said he will be able to share more information if the deal is struck and he’s able to get into the space.

Despite some rustic German elements, Hargis said modern design cues will be a fit for the Midtown area.

The idea was partly inspired by other businesses with similar concepts – Wurstküche in Los Angeles and Suppenküche in San Francisco – and Hargis said he hopes Lowbrau will see the same success in Sacramento.

In Germany, the beer hall is a communal gathering place, and the communal tables encourage strangers to get to know each other over a half-liter or liter of beer. Hargis said he hopes Lowbrau will be able to provide a similar sense of connectivity to the community at 20th and K streets.

Hargis stressed that the deal has yet to be struck, so at this point it is still in the planning stages and is not a sure thing. The Sacramento Press will continue to follow developments with the business and the former Lounge on 20 space.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

New Year's on K Street; More Maloof angst from Sacramento Kings fans - Wake-Up Call

2012-07-03T14:01:52Z

Welcome to another edition of the "Wake-Up Call," a rundown of items that we're working on, found interesting, or otherwise thought you might want to know about today. As is always the case here at Sac Press, suggestions are welcome.

WHAT WE’RE READING:

NEW AULD LANG SYNE: Sure, it’s more than five months away, but some downtown businesses say it’s never too early to start party planning for New Year's, especially if the party is going to be at your house. Ryan Lillis writes in the Sacramento Bee that a group of downtown business owners, led by Sharif Jewelers owner Omar Sharif, wants to revive a Times Square-ish New Year’s party this year on K Street – complete with a “diamond drop” in front of Sharif’s store. K Street had such a party once, years ago, but poor planning did away with the fun. If Sharif and friends can do it better, it may be the must-attend party of the year.

SOLD OUT: Not all Kings fans are happy about the team's performance in the draft, despite the fact that they ended up with Thomas Robinson, a player widely considered to be second best available. The reason? The team's owners, the beloved Maloof family, sold their second round pick for cash. Kings fans have voiced their disgust on Twitter, but Cowbell Kingdom's James Ham has another view:

“Whether on Twitter or elsewhere, the conversation has turned ugly. The Maloofs are being called broke, cheap and a few other words I’m not willing to write on our G-rated site. While the Maloofs have made plenty of questionable decisions over the last couple of seasons, I believe that fans are a little off base from a pure basketball standpoint.”

City builds mysterious object for Cut Your Cubes campaign

2012-06-25T21:47:25Z

The City of Sacramento has started to construct a mysterious object at Cathedral Square in downtown Sacramento, which will help launch the Cut Your Cubes Campaign designed to ask residents to take action and adopt lifestyle changes for the environment.

The object is a large 30x30x30 foot cube made of scaffolding and mesh fabric. The cube is a visual representation of something that is generated by the average Sacramento household at a rate of 40 of these cubes per year.

Sacramento area residents are encouraged to guess what the cube is by submitting to www.cutyourcubes.com by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 25. Those that guess correctly will have a chance to win a prize valued at $500.

The large cube will be displayed from June 25 through June 28 at Cathedral Square located at 11th and K Streets.

Sponsors of the Cut Your Cubes Campaign include PG&E, Skyline Scaffold, Rudolph and Sletten, Mogavero Notestine Associates, Fast Signs of Natomas, 350 Sacramento and Greenwise Joint Venture and Brower Mechanical.

Disclosure: Carlos Eliason is a designer and photographer working for the City of Sacramento.

Drive-thru, gun store, restaurant, pool discussed on 'Insight'

2012-06-20T05:25:55Z

On Tuesday morning’s Capital Public Radio “Insight” program, I discussed a new gun store, a controversy about a McDonald’s drive-thru and other issues with host Beth Ruyak.

The first story we discussed was the opening of a pool in Southside Park. The Southside Park Pool only opened because of a grassroots effort led by the Southside Park Neighborhood Association, which saw a partnership with the city and the YMCA of Superior California.

A joint campaign between the city and Save Mart supermarkets raised $1 million to keep other pools open, but Southside Park Pool was not a part of that effort.

On a more controversial topic, a new gun store is slated to take the spot of the old Cornerstone breakfast place in Midtown. A firearms dealer license was issued last week, and while many residents and local business owners support the shop, others say Midtown isn’t the right place for it. Click to see their comments on the gun store.

Even more controversial than the gun store was the decision on whether a new McDonald’s in Oak Park would get a drive-thru approved. The City Council decided not to allow it, and the show was recorded before the meeting on Tuesday.

The chain restaurant appealed a Planning Commission decision that denied a drive-thru, and residents were looking to keep the drive-thru out of the area, citing nuisance concerns and the fact that it’s across the street from a UC Davis Med Center obesity clinic.

New to the grid is the Lil’ Hopper, an offshoot of the Sactown Hopper run by Allen Transportation. While the Sactown Hopper has been taking people between Sacramento State and the central city for a few months, the Lil’ Hopper starts this week, running a 30-minute circuit of popular restaurants, bars and clubs in the downtown and Midtown core. The $10 ticket is good for both bus routes.

Finally, we discussed the arrival of a new downtown restaurant with a concept similar to Dean and Delucca’s. Trio Restaurant, Bakery and Market is a Mediterranean-themed eatery that will move in to Eighth and J streets. It’s owned by Gönül Blum, who also owns Vanilla Bean Bistro, and it opens July 1.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Lil' Hopper: New bus makes bar hopping easy, safe

2012-06-13T06:18:06Z

A new central city hop-on/hop-off bus route begins June 22, and it aims to provide a low-cost shuttle service between restaurants and bars on the weekends, according to owner Laura Allen.

Called the Lil' Hopper, the 27-seat bus will make 30-minute loops throughout downtown and Midtown. It will likely start at 7:15 p.m. and end at 1 a.m.

The scheduled route will begin at 12th and J streets and make stops along J, K and L streets and Capitol Avenue on its loop. Stops include 15th and J, 18th and J, 23rd and J, 24th and K, and 18th and Capitol Avenue.

The Lil' Hopper will run Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets are $10 for the night, and they can be purchased from the bus driver.

“People have asked for the new route,” Allen said. “Some people get on downtown, and they don’t want to ride back to Sac State before going to the next stop. This is more of a bus for people who want to hop between different locations on the grid.”

The bus comes from Allen Transportation, the same company that launched the Sactown Hopper in March. The Sactown Hopper transports riders between stops in the central city and the area around the Sacramento State campus, and is also expanding its operation to run Wednesday through Saturday beginning next week. A single ticket allows unlimited rides on both buses.

“We’re trying to keep people safe, let them have fun and make sure they don’t drink and drive,” Allen said.

h/t: Story tip via The Gridizen Facebook page.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

K Street, mobile business discussed on ‘Insight’

2012-05-16T00:01:33Z

Growth on K Street, mobile businesses and the mayor’s race were all subjects I discussed today on Capital Public Radio’s “Insight” program with guest host Rick Kushman.

K Street is defying the image it’s had in recent memory as a blighted area that’s largely deserted on nights and weekends as about a dozen new businesses have opened on or adjacent to the downtown stretch in the past 18 months.

Starting with the much-touted Dive Bar, Pizza Rock and District 30 trio on the 1000 block, the newest addition is the combination Cafe Bernardo and KBar, which replaced Cosmo Café a couple of weeks ago.

The Sacramento Press’ community has been active on the story, discussing the benefits or lack thereof of redevelopment, the mayor’s impact and what, exactly, a “vibrant area” really means.

Sacramento Press user JWS said on May 10 that there haven't been so many people on K Street after lunch and before dinner in a long time, if ever, and Julie Murphy posted that 10th Street was a "visual dead zone" before the patio was installed at Cafe Bernardo.

In other business news, Kushman and I talked about the growing trend of mobile businesses that aren’t food trucks, including a mobile clothing store and a pair of repurposed Davis transit buses that now serve as video game centers and gymnastics play zones for kids.

The national trend of mobile businesses was brought about in part by the recession and banks’ scaling back on small business loans, making the low overhead of trucks attractive to many entrepreneurs.

Most visible of the mobile businesses are the food trucks, and local operators have been trying to get an ordinance limiting them to 30 minutes in one spot changed for more than two years.

SactoMoFo formed more than a year ago to advocate for food truck rights, but some food truck owners are now forming their own alliance, Norcal Food Trucks, saying that they need to represent themselves and work with the local restaurateurs, arguing that SactoMoFo has been too aggressive.

Another issue to come up in the past week was that there was a mayor’s race candidates forum, and incumbent candidate Kevin Johnson didn’t go. The other candidates, Leonard Padilla, Jonathan Rewers and write-in candidate Edgar Hilbert-Garcia were there, expressing their views, but Johnson’s staffers said the current mayor doesn’t feel the competition warrants his attendance.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

K Street's resurgence

2012-05-10T02:14:49Z

The opening of Cafe Bernardo and KBar on K Street in the past two weeks by local restaurateur Randy Paragary are the latest steps in what many see as the street's return to its former status as a vibrant shopping and entertainment district.

“What we’re seeing is a return of the nightlife centers to K Street, and that’s historically something it traditionally was,” said local historian William Burg. “A lot of it was forcibly done away with during the redevelopment era, but from the Gold Rush to the 1960s, K Street was where it was at.”

Burg said the street was, until the latter part of the 20th century, a hub of activity – from retail to restaurants and nightlife spots. In later years, buildings emptied and, despite there still being activity on the street, perceptions changed.

The new KBar and its adjoining Cafe Bernardo on the corner of 10th and K streets is the fourth Cafe Bernardo for Paragary. It replaces Cosmo Café, which he said he opened in 2007 to serve patrons of the Cosmopolitan Cabaret Theatre.

What started off as a strong business model took a hit during the recession, and even now that the recession is technically over, Paragary said the concept didn’t fit the area.

He added that when Pizza Rock, Dive Bar and District 30 opened more than a year ago, a different demographic came to the area.

After considering how to fit in with the neighborhood, Paragary said he embarked on a $400,000 remodel of Cosmo Café to change it to a business model he said is designed to appeal to those who frequent the area for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night eats and drinks.

Cafe Bernardo is billed as a European-style cafe with entrées ranging from under $10 to about $14, a midrange venue in the district that he said is dominated by higher-end restaurants such as Ella Dining Room & Bar, Grange and his own Esquire Grill, which opened about 13 years ago.

“You had a lot of those finer-dining places, and then you had Blimpie and Subway,” he said. “For the people around here, they aren’t going to the high-end places every day. Those are occasional places for retirements or birthdays.

“This is not Google’s headquarters,” he added. “This is California’s headquarters, and a lot of the people around here are state workers.”

Paragary said that if midrange dining options such as the nearby Ambrosia and Cafe Bernardo succeed, it will likely make others take notice, and he speculated that businesses such as Jack’s Urban Eats and Chipotle might take an interest in the downtown portion of K Street.

“We’re open from 7 a.m. until midnight, and our neighbor, Pizza Rock, is open until 3 a.m. serving food,” he said. “People are coming down here more and more.”

Burg agreed with Paragary that the area is reclaiming its former status as a destination within the city.

“It absolutely has seen a resurgence,” Burg said. “Just in the past couple of years. That project on the 1000 block of K Street – in some ways it was used as the butt of jokes and the bludgeon against redevelopment, but it worked.”

Other businesses have opened in the area recently as well, including Tequila Museo Mayahuel, Blackbird Kitchen & Bar, Estelle’s Patisserie, Plaza Café Lounge and Broadacre Coffee.

Lisa Martinez, spokeswoman for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, said that in the past year, 43 new businesses opened downtown, with four of them located on K Street and another eight located in the immediate vicinity, six of which are on the numbered streets.

“The city is looking beyond J, K and L as thoroughfares and seeing how they can make what they call the numbered streets more vibrant,” Paragary said.

Cafe Bernardo features a large elevated patio capable of seating about 22 along 10th Street. He said city officials made the process easy, allowing him to get it built and operational without having to face multiple hurdles.

Martinez credited the businesses on and around K Street with taking it from a blighted area to moving in the direction of regaining its former status.

“I think that over the past several years we’ve seen a lot of promise with K Street with a lot of new business owners coming in,” she said. “They’re creating a good, vibrant area in that space.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

Updated: Lounge on 20 makes cuts to dining options

2012-05-08T01:47:45Z

Editor's note: This story was updated at 11 a.m. May 8 with information from restaurant consultant Andy Soto and customer Donelle O'Brien.

Lounge on 20, which combined high-end dining with a lounge feel in Midtown’s MARRS Building at 20th and K streets, took a step back from the more complex menu items as the top chefs left the business last week in a move owner Ali Mackani said was due to the economy.

The business will move back toward its roots as a lounge with more mainstream fare, said Pajo Bruich, former executive chef.

Mackani said he, Bruich and Sous Chef Mike Ward collectively made the decision, and neither is with the company any longer, though he stressed they weren’t fired.

“We had an amazing product, and we received national recognition,” Mackani said. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t something that financially made sense to do in the current market.”

Lounge on 20 went through an extensive remodel last May in which 100 seats were added for dining, and a high-caliber chef staff was brought on.

“We made every effort to share our vision of cuisine in Sacramento and offer something that was unique and exciting and that we felt was something that could bring a fresh element to Sacramento,” Bruich said. “It was a good concept, but it wasn’t what the clientele coming in necessarily wanted.”

He added that the food had a strong following, but the majority of the clientele preferred to come to the venue for its nightlife and entertainment.

“That’s what we went back to,” Bruich said, “exciting nightlife and entertainment and one of the best patios in the city and artisanal cocktails.”

Mackani said Lounge on 20 will retain its normal hours, opening at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and a new summer menu will be released without some of the more complex food preparation, including sous vide – a method of slow-cooking meats for hours – and molecular gastronomy selections.

“The appetizers and entrées will be more mainstream than (what) we were doing before,” Mackani said.

Customers interviewed by The Sacramento Press last year praised the food, with Mary Duffin of Sacramento calling the whole menu a “When Harry Met Sally” experience.

Andy Soto, owner of Spectrum Restaurant Consulting, said he has never worked with Lounge on 20, but speculated as to the reasons for and possible outcomes of the new direction.

“I don’t think Lounge (on 20) never truly defined themselves as to what their concept was,” he said. “I think a lot of people who frequent Lounge (on 20) now may not like where it’s headed.”

Soto added that the business accomplished a lot with respect to Sacramento’s dining scene over the past year, and the chefs brought a unique experience to the city in a great location, even though the surrounding area is primarily a nightlife district and not generally associated with high-end dining.

“I’m going to be very interested to see what happens next,” Soto said. “Certainly, there’s going to be shell shock from some of the community, but one thing is certain: Ali Mackani is no dummy. (Lounge on 20 is) one of those places where it’s the guy on the corner that you’re rooting for.”

Customer Donelle O’Brien said she is disappointed to hear of the changes, but didn’t think it was unexpected.

“Pajo brought mind-blowing dishes to Lounge on 20 that will be surely missed,” she said. “I won’t forget how he taught us how to turn mango purée into what appeared to be an egg yolk at a dinner party there. Perhaps it wasn’t the best fit for this nightlife spot. I am hoping he will consider staying in the Sacramento area, to continue his cutting-edge contributions in putting our dining scene on the map.”

Bruich told The Sacramento Press that he isn’t sure where he is headed next, and it may be outside of the city, but he has roots in the area and would like to continue working in the city.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell and on Facebook.

Photo gallery: A look at KBar in downtown Sacramento

2012-05-04T05:46:48Z

KBar opened April 26 and is the newest venture on K Street, which has steadily grown as a nightlife district over the past year and a half.

The newest venture of local restaurateur Randy Paragary, KBar is connected to what will be the fourth Cafe Bernardo in Sacramento, and patrons can order from the Cafe Bernardo menu.

Located at 1024 10th St., the combination KBar and Cafe Bernardo replaces Cosmopolitan Cafe, which Paragary Restaurant Group spokeswoman Callista Wengler said wasn’t hitting its mark.

“It was a large space, and it never looked full,” she said. “Now that we’ve split it up, we’re catering more to the neighborhood.”

Well drinks and domestic draft beers are $3, and during happy hour, from 3 - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, they’re $2.

The bar has a casual urban feel, and Wengler said local artist Shawn Burner did the artwork throughout, which gives the space much of its ambiance.

Approximately 60 people can sit at the mix of booths, high tables and the bar, and the wall fronting K Street opens to a railed-in patio.

Photos: Plaza Café Lounge now open

2012-04-27T23:43:11Z

Plaza Café Coffee Lounge opened April 2 after numerous construction delays.

The coffee bar at Seventh and K streets fronts St. Rose of Lima Park, and co-owner Omar Tarin said Friday that it is already attracting regulars.

“We have a modern lounge feel, and we have two TVs playing news at all times, and people are already telling us how good our paninis are,” Tarin said.

Cups of coffee, with beans supplied by Vaneli’s, run $1.50, and panini sandwiches average about $7. A range of desserts, fresh fruits, salads and smoothies is also available. Free wireless Internet access is provided as well as many electrical outlets.

The 1,600-square-foot interior seats about 45, and an 800-square-foot patio able to seat another 45 is in the works.

Currently, the coffee bar is open from 7:30 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Tarin said he hopes to push the opening time back to 7 a.m. in the next few weeks.

To read more about the business, click here.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Lululemon takes over Newsbeat spot in MARRS Building

2012-04-26T01:04:07Z

The primarily yoga-focused Lululemon Athletica clothing company opened a showroom Friday in the MARRS Building at 20th and J streets, a space vacated by Newsbeat last year.

Showroom Manager Victoria Tanforan, 24, said that the showroom is designed to be a temporary space with a retail area to introduce Lululemon’s attire to the local market. If it garners enough interest, she said, a full retail store could be forthcoming.

“We’re a company that specializes in high-quality yoga and running wear,” Tanforan said. “We are all about becoming a part of the community we’re in, and we have free classes every week.”

The Lululemon showroom will work with 10 athletic ambassadors, which range from athletes to gym owners and yoga instructors. Two of them will be on-hand to give a free yoga class at 8 a.m. Saturday.

“It’s a great way for the community to get involved in fitness and learn what Lululemon is all about,” Tanforan said.

The MARRS Building was chosen because of its placement in the heart of the city’s vibrant Midtown district, said Tanforan, a Sacramentan who graduated from Sacramento State and chose the location.

She said the Vancouver, Canada-based company set up a showroom about four or five years ago in Sacramento, but the market didn’t warrant opening a store at the time.

Now, however, she said there is a following of Lululemon buyers in the region, and the company is giving Sacramento another look.

Designing the space was up to her, and she said her dad did much of the buildout, and friends helped with ideas, including artwork.

Shipping palettes divide the 2,300-square-foot space between showroom and inventory storage, and Tanforan said she wanted to keep the industrial feel with a few splashes of color to brighten the area.

Yoga mats are stored on steel-pipe shelves, and what construction wasn’t done by her father, Tanforan said was done by her and her three employees.

“They built out the space in a very clever way,” said building owner Michael Heller of Heller Pacific. “It’s great to see what was done with the space.”

Heller said there was a lot of interest in the location after Newsbeat moved out, and he is happy to have an international corporation as a tenant.

“We quickly made the decision with Lululemon,” Heller said. “We have a growing yoga community in Midtown, and it’s a fitting partner.”

Tanforan said that though the company has more than 100 locations in the United States, it still gave her autonomy in the Sacramento location, and one of the employees, 22-year-old Saba Rahimian, is using the business as her first art exhibit area.

“I majored in art at UC Davis, and (yoga is) an avenue for what I paint,” said Rahimian, who also teaches yoga classes at Zuda Yoga in Midtown. “I couldn’t think of a better place to showcase my art.

The showroom opens Friday, and Tanforan said local DJ Nate Spross will spin music meshed with Eastern-inspired beats.

Lululemon Athletica, located at 1050 20th St., is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Free weekly classes will be held at 8 a.m. every Saturday. For more information, visit the showroom’s Facebook page.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

SideTrax night club sets Labor Day weekend opening date

2012-04-25T00:49:33Z

SideTrax, a night club being built on top of Hot Rod’s near 20th and K streets, is now on pace for a Labor Day weekend opening, and an innovative membership program may be the key to allowing 18- to 20-year-olds access despite the club having a full bar.

The venue was initially scheduled to open last spring, but the date had to be pushed back due to construction delays involving design changes and the addition of an extensive patio.

Owner T.J. Bruce said the club will accommodate about 300 people in a cigar bar-meets-urban lounge setting with high-quality sound and lighting systems.

Bruce also owns nearby Lavender Heights night spots The Depot and Badlands, and he said SideTrax will appeal to the LGBT community, but is open to all.

“We decided to add a large patio,” Bruce said Tuesday, explaining the delay in construction. “You’ve got to have outdoor area. The people with the outdoor areas are the people that are going to survive.”

About one third of the 3,000-square-foot, second-floor venue will be taken up by the patios, one of which faces the street while the other is larger and on the backside.

Yet to be determined: whether it will be open to those aged 18 to 20.

Bruce said he hopes the city will allow him to serve alcohol and stay open to a younger crowd, and he has an idea for a set of controls to keep out the ones who become problematic.

“With anybody under 21, we will do a membership kind of thing,” he said. “It won’t cost, but we’ll have extra information on them – name, address, ways to contact them. We’ll have a face and video surveillance so we can tell if they’re a problem.”

He said he thinks the idea is unique, and those who try to get alcohol or otherwise cause trouble would be contacted, and potentially have membership revoked.

“It’s really kind of hard to draw the line,” Bruce said. “It’s not like it’s some kind of weird private club, but we’ve got to divide those who are responsible and those who are not.”

Bruce added that he believes if young adults are treated with respect and told about the strict compliance system, the club can run smoothly and be fun for all.

Maurice Chaney, spokesman for the city’s code compliance division, said that entertainment permits, which SideTrax will need to operate, are granted on a case-by-case basis after being reviewed by a variety of city entities, including the Police Department.

“I’ve never heard where the operator sort of proposed their own system to ensure the health and safety of those who are underage,” Chaney said Tuesday. “That seems very positive in my mind.”

He said it is premature to comment on whether SideTrax will be issued a permit that allows alcohol sales to the 21-and-over crowd while the under-21 age group is allowed in the building.

“We want to be fair and objective, and we want to make sure that culture and entertainment ~~innovation~~ in the city is safe,” he said. “If we can make it all work, I think that’s all for the best.”

Editor's Note: A correction was made to this article after it was published. The incorrect information was struck out and the correct information was added.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Downtown post office to move in mid-May

2012-03-17T01:46:08Z

The downtown post office is set to move from its current location at 801 I St. to Westfield Downtown Plaza by mid-May, postal officials said Friday.

In the new location, customers will have access to the lobby from 5 a.m. - 9 p.m. seven days per week. There will be no security checkpoint, and those with post office boxes will have access to them every day, said Augustine Ruiz, spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service’s Sacramento district.

“It’s going to be 4,000 square feet, and we’re going to be leasing the location,” he said. “One of the added conveniences is better parking.”

Postal officials previously told The Sacramento Press that there is no need to expand the post office, but they have been looking since January 2011 for a new location to provide better customer service.

The location within the mall does not allow 24-hour lobby access, Ruiz said, because access is limited by mall hours.

It was unclear Friday whether there are currently any plans for a new tenant at the historic 801 I St. building, which has housed the post office since 1933 and is owned by the federal government.

“We are glad this critical service remains downtown and will bring activity to K Street,” Maurice Chaney, spokesman for the city’s economic development department, said in an email Friday.

In addition to the downtown railyards, the planned site of an entertainment and sports complex, the section of K Street between Seventh and 12th streets has been a major focus for the city when it comes to economic development and redevelopment.

The Downtown Plaza mall has been a topic of discussion in that as well, with Westfield representatives talking about selling the property at various times over the past few years.

In addition to the post office’s upcoming move to the shopping center, 24 Hour Fitness recently completed a $10 million remodel in the space, on the side bordered by Seventh Street.

Officials from Westfield Downtown Plaza were not available for comment Friday.

Specialty grilled cheese coming to Ninth Street

2012-02-24T02:30:17Z

A specialty grilled cheese sandwich shop called Cheese Louise is slated to come to Ninth Street between J and K streets downtown as early as the beginning of April.

Ron Berger, a local veteran of the hotel industry, will be running the shop, and he said the idea is similar to a shop called The Melt in San Francisco, but will be expanded with the addition of soups and a salad bar.

“We’ll have various types of grilled cheese, with Spanish, French, Italian and American cheeses,” he said. “We’ll also have soups every day, and we might do specials with a lasagna or something.”

Opening at 7 a.m. and closing by 6 p.m., the store, located at 1009 Ninth St., will serve a breakfast selection of hot cereals such as oatmeal, fruits and pastries and an English muffin with melted cheese, among other items.

Berger said he expects lunch customers to be able to eat for between $5 and $9, depending on what they order, and breakfast customers to eat for about $5.

Beer and wine are planned to be on offer, with possible drink specials from 3 - 6 p.m.

“It’s nice for something that is quick and fresh and all of that,” building owner Mo Mohanna said. “Hopefully they’ll do good. That area is coming along. It’s happening little by little.”

The 1,500-square-foot space previously housed a sandwich shop called Crave It, and it was vacant for about four months before Berger began work on Cheese Louise.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Midtown's musicians featured in new art exhibit

2012-02-09T01:37:59Z

Art pays homage to art in a new gallery exhibit called “Musicians of Midtown” at Gallery 2110 as artist Brooke Walker-Knoblich exhibits 10 paintings of local musicians playing in Midtown venues.

“I’ve always been intrigued by musicians in particular – not just music, but the performance of music,” Walker-Knoblich said.

The paintings – all done in oil – evoke the emotions she felt in hearing the music, she said, adding that she watched the musicians perform, drawing sketches of them in as little as 30 seconds, then painting the larger works using the sketches as foundations.

Some of the works have shorter brush strokes to fit with the quicker pace of the music, while others are longer, and light and darkness are used to show emotion as well.

Musicians such as Musical Charis, The Nibblers and Clemon Charles are featured in the paintings, and the venues in which they are performing include The Urban Hive and Bows & Arrows, though the musicians are the prominent parts of the paintings.

For the exhibit, 20 sketches and 10 paintings are on display, and Walker-Knoblich said she spent the past year working on the body of work, which could extend into the future if other galleries are interested in the style.

Originally from Nevada City, the 29-year-old Walker-Knoblich moved to Midtown about three years ago. The current show is a departure from her normal style of work, which is Renaissance Realism.

“It was very liberating, and very challenging, too,” she said. “It was very different. I could kind of do whatever I wanted.”

She sketched more than 450 musicians over the past year, but for the show in Midtown, she chose 10 locals to turn into paintings.

“When I moved down to Midtown, I started checking out the scene, going to venues, and I was totally shocked at how great the scene was and how personable the artists were,” Walker-Knoblich said.

Walker-Knoblich said she has been an artist from an early age, but a year spent in Paris when she was 21 was the year when she determined art would be her career.

Clare Bailey, owner of the gallery, said that she would like to see Walker-Knoblich’s work tour to other cities, allowing Walker-Knoblich to add new paintings as some are sold and keep the exhibit evolving and financially successful.

“There are some artists, whose sketches she did, (who) have traveled from across the country to get here, and those haven’t turned into paintings yet, but they could, and this could be an exhibit that travels,” Bailey said.

“I think one of the elements that I love the most is we’re paying tribute to music in a fine art gallery – and it’s all related,” Bailey said.

All works are for sale, and the exhibit will run through March 2, Bailey said.

For more information on Gallery 2110, click here.

The exhibit is currently on display, but a reception will be held Thursday, with Walker-Knoblich available from 6 - 8 p.m. Guitarist Sean Paul Mee will be playing music during the reception as well.

Viewing the show on Saturday will be possible anytime between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., as the gallery extends its hours for the Second Saturday Art Walk. Walker-Knoblich Will be in the gallery from 5 - 9 p.m. Saturday as well.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Blackbird to open by end of February

2012-01-28T01:37:16Z

Replacement of a gas line is postponing the opening of the downtown seafood restaurant Blackbird Kitchen & Bar from Valentine’s Day to Feb. 21, but the restaurateurs are still able to work inside, and the iconic graphic on the front is complete.

“The buildout is being done right now, and the menu will be available in a couple of weeks,” said General Manager Shayne “7evin” Iles.

“We’re going to open when PG&E finishes the work, so hopefully it’s sooner, or at least on time,” he said.

Officials from Pacific Gas and Electric did not return messages left on Friday.

Blackbird Kitchen & Bar is located at 1013-1015 Ninth St.

Mediterranean food coming to K Street

2012-01-27T01:07:29Z

Influences from the Andalusia region of Spain such as Moorish arches and water features will be the architectural highlights of a Mediterranean/American restaurant coming to 925 K St.

The restaurant does not yet have a name and won’t be open until at least June, but Gene Hopkins, the superintendent in charge of the buildout, said it will be a combination buffet and full-service restaurant that will feature Mediterranean cuisine as well as some American dishes.

Formerly Farley’s Soup and Salad, the building has been vacant for about six years, and work began on the new business at the end of last year, Hopkins said.

Customers entering the 4,200-square-foot ground floor will be greeted by a waterfall on the right side, recalling the Moorish architecture prevalent throughout Spain. Two more waterfalls are planned to divide the buffet area with the seating area, and Moorish arches will serve as accents.

“It’s definitely going to be classy,” Hopkins said. “It’s going to fit in with some of the other businesses that are here or going in around here. We’ve got the restaurant and bars down the street (Dive Bar, District 30 and Pizza Rock), and we have Sharif Jewelers coming in across from us.”

While it will likely come after the restaurant opens, a facelift of the façade is planned. At the least, it will be repainted, but if plans are approved, one option is to carry the arch theme to the front of the restaurant and add pillars to accent the doorway.

The menu is still in the early stages, but Hopkins said it will include traditional Mediterranean fare such as hummus and pita sandwiches. No pork will be served, and it’s not yet determined whether alcohol will be served.

The owner, Sam Abukhdair, is from Palestine, Hopkins said, adding that he is bringing the inspiration for the cuisine.

The building itself is historic, and Hopkins said he sees it as a blend of 1820s and 1970s design.

As part of the city that was originally at a lower level, what is currently the basement used to be at street level.

“The entrance to the shop was set back, and if you go down there, you can see where the doorways and windows used to be,” Hopkins said. “They’re concreted over now, but the hinges are still there.”

At one point, the building served as a bank, and a heavy vault door Hopkins estimated to weigh at least a ton will be the new entryway to the walk-in refrigerator.

“There’s no way we can move that out of here,” he said with a laugh.

Despite the historic elements, the interior design will be more modern.

“The wall behind the buffet is going to glow,” Hopkins said, adding that LEDs will be placed behind frosted Plexiglas. The bathrooms are walled and floored in marble tile, and granite countertops will be installed.

A removable stage might be incorporated into the back end of the restaurant to allow for live music, and exterior seating along K Street will be built if plans are approved, Hopkins said.

The second floor of the building is being renovated as well, and it might be used to house events, while the third floor is being built out as offices.

The business, when it opens, will be another in a recent wave of businesses opening along the once-dreary K Street.

“It’s been a huge change here over the past six months, even,” Hopkins said, noting that new businesses and other changes to K Street have brought increased foot traffic to the area. “This is totally turning around.”

Esther Son, who opened Estelle’s Patisserie at the other end of the 900 block about a month ago, said she is happy to be on K Street, and added that she thinks another business will only add to the success she is seeing.

“It’s definitely an aid,” she said. “It’s synergy. I want neighbors. That will bring more people down here, and we’re building a community.”

Son said she wants to see more retail stores open as well as restaurants, but she has gotten support from local workers and customers that she said she is happy for.

“I enjoy being there,” she said. “I’m doing really well, and we get pretty busy during lunchtime. People come in, and they say they’re happy to have more businesses, and they want us to succeed. It’s been really good, and I think more (businesses) need to open up.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Sharif Jewelers to open new location on K Street

2012-01-24T00:45:38Z

Sharif Jewelers is the next locally owned business to take a chance on K Street, with a new store expected to open in the former Breuner’s Department Store at 1001 K St. in June or July.

Like the company’s Howe Avenue and Folsom locations, the downtown location will be a full-service jewelry store, with new and pre-owned jewelry, watches, repair and service, said co-owner Mahmud Sharif.

“We have been looking into going downtown for the last three or four years,” Sharif said Monday. “We had the chance to invest in that corner, which we believe is the best corner in downtown.”

He added that he believes people who work downtown and near the Capitol will provide a strong customer base to the store because it is more convenient to the area than the Howe Avenue location, which hosted its grand opening in November after moving to a larger space.

Erica Clark, sales manager, said customers at the Howe Avenue location have given positive feedback, which encourages the company that the downtown store will be a success despite the economy.

“I would consider the space the heart of downtown, and that’s a part of the metropolis,” she said. “We feel very confident it will be a thriving business.”

She added that the development on K Street over the past year reaffirmed the decision to open a store in the area.

“The reopening of K Street to cars solidified us,” she said.

The business will occupy the 5,000-square-foot ground floor of the building, which has, in years past, been home to historic holiday window displays.

Sales of new jewelry will likely be the “driving force” of the store, she added, though repair, modification and custom jewelry will be important as well.

As with the other stores, Turkish coffee and baklava will be offered to customers, Clark said.

Sharif Jewelers has been in Sacramento for more than 30 years, and Sharif’s son, Omar Sharif, said he plans to continue with the business that started with his great-grandfather in Palestine.

“With the jewelry market and industry itself, most families shop at the same jewelry store for generations, so it’s nice to have a jewelry store run by the same family and the same people and always be there,” he said. “People tend to like it, and we get to know our customers that way.”

He added that he grew up in and around the store and is currently studying business administration at Sacramento State.

“Downtown is going to grow, and we hope to grow with downtown,” he said. “I think, personally, that everything is starting to move away from Midtown and back into downtown, and K Street is the heart of that area.”

Store hours have not yet been set, but it will likely open around 10 a.m. and close between 5 and 6 p.m., Clark said.

“We are very excited,” Mahmud Sharif said. “Truly we are blessed, blessed to have that location and be downtown.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Arena headlines State of Downtown discussion

2012-01-17T22:43:22Z

San Francisco Giants President and CEO Larry Baer compared Sacramento’s efforts to build a new arena to the campaign to build Pac Bell Park in San Francisco, telling a collection of businesspeople and government officials that there is “tremendous opportunity” for Sacramento going forward.

Baer’s remarks were part of the 2012 State of Downtown address at Memorial Auditorium Tuesday morning, in which Mayor Kevin Johnson, State Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg and other officials stressed the “why” of building a downtown entertainment and sports complex.

Baer said efforts to build the downtown ballpark in San Francisco were under way as early as the 1960s, with four attempts at using public funds defeated by voters. When ground broke on the project in 1997, it was for a privately funded stadium.

If Sacramento uses the resources of private enterprises such as the Sacramento Kings and other corporations along with some public funds that do not impact the city’s general fund, Baer said, it can get support.

The March 1 deadline to have a workable arena plan to present to the National Basketball Association is less than two months away, and Johnson said he is confident.

“We’re going to figure out a way to pull it off,” he said. “I think we’re closer than we’ve ever been.”

Key to any plan that will have both political will and the will of the people, he added, is making a plan that protects taxpayers, the city’s general fund – which has recently been plagued by shortfalls, necessitating layoffs for the past several years – and ensuring job growth.

“If we want to accept and live up to the identity of Sacramento, you’ve gotta have a strong downtown core,” he said.

Baer noted that the area around Pac Bell Park was markedly different just eight years after the ballpark opened.

The area around the park previously held disused land, warehouses and some residential neighborhoods. Today, he said, it is a hive of mixed-use activity including more residential, ground-floor retail and corporate offices.

Some of the notable corporate offices within 10 blocks of the park include the headquarters of Twitter and Zynga as well as the San Francisco offices of Google.

Another aspect of the arena that has worked well in San Francisco and can work in Sacramento, Baer said, is making use of the planned intermodal transit hub that is slated for the downtown railyards, next to the proposed arena site.

Half of the visitors to Pac Bell Park drive, but the other half take public transit, walk, bicycle or come by boat, he said.

Sacramento City Councilman Kevin McCarty spoke to The Sacramento Press after the event, saying that while the two projects have some parallels, there is still much to consider.

“It really has transformed that area of San Francisco, so if we can get that kind of energy here, of course the devil is in the details, but it certainly shows that a venue like that can make a major difference as far as being a catalyst,” McCarty said.

He pointed out that the San Francisco ballpark was privately financed, whereas the Sacramento plan relies on an expected 50/50 public/private partnership.

“We are still trying to figure that out as far as if it is a good decision for the city of Sacramento,” McCarty said.

One of the major decisions for the City Council will be whether it should lease control of the city’s parking for the next 50 years.

The event was hosted by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, and Executive Director Michael Ault commented on a variety of successes in the downtown core over the past year.

Long-term projects such as bringing cars back to K Street and beginning redeveloping the 700 block of K Street happened in 2011. Additionally, 40 new businesses opened downtown, and the ice rink at St. Rose of Lima Park drew an all-time record of more than 30,000 skaters.

Another example of success in the downtown core was the recipient of the annual Visionary Innovators in Building Excellence (VIBE) award: California Musical Theatre Executive Producer and CEO Richard Lewis.

Ault said in a press release that Lewis and CMT are instrumental in attracting hundreds of thousands of people downtown each year, which provides economic activity.

During his acceptance speech, Lewis pointed out that 2012 will be another strong year, with “Wicked” almost sold-out already – only 5,000 tickets remain to be sold of the 75,000 originally available, and he said they will sell quickly.

Photos by Ron Nabity.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Editorial Note: A correction was made to this story after it was published.

Sacramento Music's Numbers Game

2012-01-17T03:51:30Z

Music promoters in Sacramento gathered Sunday evening to discuss the need to create more local venues and how this would help the local music culture thrive. Time Tested Books hosted the Living Library discussion, called, “The State of Live Music in Sacramento.” Many panelists said that creating more venues in Sacramento is vital and find the city’s regulations to be a huge obstacle.

No chairs were empty, and a crowd stood for the whole two hours of the event. When the moderator, local writer/music fan Dennis Yudt, asked if anyone present was a musician, more than half of the attendants raised their hands.

Yudt spent the first hour and a half prompting the five panelists with questions – music promoters Jerry Perry (who once ran a popular venue called The Cattle Club), Brian McKenna (promoter of many local bands, including Hella), Mindy Giles (who was once vice president of Alligator Records and was marketing director for Tower Records) and Rick Ele (who hosts the “Art for Spastics” show on KDVS). Also with them was Olivia Coelho, co-founder of the music venue and vintage shop Bows and Arrows.

When Yudt asked the panelists what Sacramento has that other cities don’t, Perry had great things to say about the local artists. When looking for Sacramento’s new great band each year, he said he finds 10 or 20 that are up to par.

The conversation quickly switched to what Sacramento lacks, and for all the panelists, it’s a key way of presenting these artists to bigger audiences.

“There’s a 1,500-seat venue that’s the missing link,” McKenna said.

McKenna outlined this missing link as a transition for bands to go from smaller venues to big shows – not necessarily a “huge building to fill every night,” but a new venue open to all genres and all audiences.

Everyone on the panel agreed that supporting the city’s culture and opening more music venues could help revitalize K Street and would be a step toward turning Sacramento into a world-class city.

Ele said that he could easily brainstorm 80 venues in Portland, but not even two dozen in Sacramento, which he finds extremely problematic.

“If (Portland) can rise from the joke of a scene that they were,” Ele said, “there’s no reason Sacramento can’t, too.”

Perry expressed a lot of frustration with the city’s regulations on entertainment. He said that many restaurants would be selling food and alcohol without any trouble, but once live entertainment was involved, suddenly people would worry about minors drinking alcohol.

“What makes you think we’ll let them drink?” Perry said. “They treat us like children…. I wish the city would open their eyes and support us.”

McKenna agreed with Perry’s point, and he said that it is important for the missing link to be all-ages and still provide alcohol.

“Adults don’t want to come out if they can’t get alcohol,” McKenna said, “but it’s the kids that really bring new enthusiasm for music.”

Coelho said she knows this venue struggle firsthand. She explained how tough it was for her to present live music at her store, Bows and Arrows, legally. The process consumed a lot of time and money, sometimes leading to paying bands out of pocket.

“It’s incredibly expensive to make sure bathrooms are up to date and to have sprinklers,” Coelho said. “(It costs) tens of thousands of dollars just to have amplified music in your place.”

Coelho spoke of one victory she had for Bows and Arrows, where she was able to save money by asking the city to allow her one security guard instead of the required two.

When she pointed out that her venue is small and that two guards for so much as two attendants was unreasonable, they listened to her plight and agreed with her.

“Sometimes (the city) will be more responsive than we think they will,” Coelho said.

Despite this victory, the “one-size-fits-all” entertainment permit has to be renewed every two years, even if nothing has changed with the establishment. The application fee is supposed to cover the cost of time the government gives to investigate a venue, she said, and the renewal is $1,400.

“I would be so sad to not be able to bring live music to people,” Coelho said.

Once Yudt finished his questions, the panel turned to the audience. Many hands filled the air to offer ideas and brainstorm new strategies for helping Sacramento’s music culture. One audience member suggested that they file petitions against certain regulations, while another said that the panel could easily be the founders of a special interest group.

One audience member, Michael “LP Sessions” LaPlante, pointed out that theaters in San Jose have several months of off time, and that they supplement income with live music performances. LaPlante said that The Sacramento Theatre Company, Wells Fargo Pavilion, and B Street Theatre could easily do the same.

“We have lots of diverse music in this town,” LaPlante said. “Venues and presenters and bands need to get together and organize.”

Yudt closed by thanking everyone for coming to the event. He asked that they take action to help Sacramento’s music culture, even if it’s something as small as bringing a new friend to a live performance.

“Everyone can have a say to institute change,” Yudt said. “Young, old, regardless of genre… tonight, we’re all in the same genre.”

The next Living Library will be held Febuary 19th, and will have beer historian Ed Carroll, author of “Sacramento's Breweries,” discuss Sacramento’s brewing heritage.

Year in review: Business comings and goings

2011-12-29T02:18:58Z

The past year saw quite a bit of businesses come, go and expand in the central city area, and The Sacramento Press covered many of those happenings. Below are some of the major expansions and changes as well as some of the most-viewed stories on businesses closing.

A favorite Sacramento lunch spot changed hands this year as Chef Daniel Pont handed over ownership of La Bonne Soupe Café in late April. The 72-year-old chef said he still enjoys cooking, but running the one-man shop by himself was too much. He has since opened another restaurant, this time in Folsom, where he has a staff to help run it.

New owners Ed Stoddard and Leah Brown reopened the restaurant in the same location in May.

The popular Bows & Arrows vintage clothing store closed its spot at 17th and L streets in April and moved across from Safeway on 19th Street. As part of the move, owners Olivia Coelho and Trisha Rhomberg partnered with Davis-based Fat Face Cafe to add food and drinks to the new spot as well as art shows and musical performances.

Curtis Park’s Pangaea Two Brews Cafe expanded its business from being a taphouse and cafe to include a bottle shop. Owner Rob Archie said he wanted to offer locals the chance to grab individual bottles of less-common brews at to-go prices.

The Downtown 24 Hour Fitness club completed an extensive remodel in October, a $10 million project that added 31,000 square feet to bring the total to 50,000, which now includes a basketball court, a racquetball court and new cardio machines.

A couple who started a donut business called Doughbot Donuts from home in May 2010 added a Southside Park storefront in September. Owners Bryan Widener and Dannah O’Donnell said they sold 700 donuts on the first day and 1,000 the next.

Temple Coffee was a fixture in an old bookstore on 10th Street between J and K streets since 2005, but it moved a block east in September, reopening in a larger location. Owner Sean Kohmescher said the new, more open space allows for more conversation and personal engagement.

The owners of Tuli Bistro opted for a downtown location, opening Restaurant Thirteen on the ground floor of the Sterling Hotel at 1300 H St. in March. The new restaurant is intended to have an atmosphere similar to a fine-dining establishment, but without the stigma, said Chef Adam Pechal.

Shoki Ramen House also opened a second location in May, this time bringing the Japanese noodles to R Street. The ramen is all made from scratch in-house.

Despite many restaurants doing well in 2011, there were some that closed – with closures due to retirements, a bad economy or any number of other reasons.

Newsbeat, a newsstand that stocked a wide range of hard-to-find magazines, closed its doors in the MARRS Building in Midtown in November. Co-owner Terrence Lott attributed the closure to high rents and the decreasing demand for print media as digital media continue to grow in popularity.

Perhaps the biggest flop in central city business in 2011 was Garlic Shack, which was much-anticipated and kept delaying its opening date. When it did open in July, it was to mixed reviews, and by mid-October, it was gone, with no word from the owners.

The unique Hangar 17, a restaurant in a Quonset hut in Midtown, shut down in March. Owner Joey Madrid said the economy cost the business its viability, and workers left with a bitter taste in their mouths, saying their final checks bounced.

Next-door Midtown businesses Aura and Red Lotus also closed in 2011, and Aura was replaced by BarWest Burgers & Wings, while Red Lotus will be replaced by another restaurant, Red Rabbit, in 2012. Aura closed in March, and Red Lotus closed in September.

Despite the popularity of bicycles in Midtown, the bicycle-themed Spin Burger Bar at 16th and K streets wasn’t able to make it, closing in July. The closure, however, opened the space for a new Indian restaurant, which was up and running in December.

The 52-year-old Capitol Aquarium also closed in 2011, calling it quits in July as the owners were unable to find a buyer for the business.

Another veteran business, Brew it Up!, wasn’t able to make it at the corner of 14th and H streets, shutting down in late July. Owner Mike Costello said debt piled up and not enough customers came in to pay the bills, so he had to call it quits.

Not all restaurant closures were due to the economy, with Celestin’s Island Eats & Cajun Cuisine being one example. The 28-year-old business closed when owners Patrick and Phoebe Celestin decided to retire. They said they didn’t want to sell it, and the space reopened in December as The Porch, a Southern-themed restaurant run by the owners of nearby Capitol Garage.

Do you have a favorite business that expanded or closed in 2011? Let us know in the conversation below.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Year in review: Changes to K Street

2011-12-28T01:30:41Z

K Street was a fixture in local news this year, with the most noteworthy event being its reopening to vehicular traffic for the first time since the 1960s – a major part of the city’s plan to revitalize the area. Other revitalization efforts included redevelopment and the moving of the Greyhound station.

The section of K Street between Seventh and 12th streets known as the K Street Mall has long been blighted, and city officials argued that much of that blight was the result of the failed pedestrian mall concept for the area.

That led to a long process of returning it to vehicular traffic, which was well under way by the middle of the year.

By mid-September, there were noticeable changes to the streetscape as crews dug up old paving and prepared the street to handle light rail and cars.

K Street officially reopened to cars on Nov. 12, to much fanfare.

Though it is now legal to drive down the street, Sacramentans have been slow to start using it. In early December, about a month after the street reopened to vehicles, The Sacramento Press asked businesspeople on the street if they had noticed a change. While most said they had not, the general feeling was that it is too soon to tell, and some were hopeful for a revitalized K Street in the near future.

One large-scale redevelopment project is under way on the south side of the 700 block. D&S Development, Inc., which worked to redevelop the historic Maydestone Building at 15th and J streets, partnered with CFY Development, Inc., on the 700 block of K Street.

The $47.7 million project is seen by city officials as a catalyst to turn the street into something the city can be proud of.

The City Council approved the project in July, and in late August, The Sacramento Press took a tour of the buildings that are scheduled to be redeveloped starting in 2012.

Another move in changing the face of K Street was the moving of the Greyhound station from nearby L Street to Richards Boulevard. After the move, police reported seeing approximately 60 percent fewer calls in the area around the station, including K Street, and D&S Development, Inc., representatives concurred.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Downtown Sacramento Christmas Lights Photos

2011-12-23T20:57:51Z

It’s that special time of year on Capitol Mall and Old Sacramento, Christmas lights are up inviting people to walk a few blocks and the Capitol Christmas Trees decked out in all its splendor. Over the last several years, it appears as if more lights have gone up to enrich the overall experience as an inviting destination to visit and enjoy. The Wells Fargo Center has done a fantastic job with a beautiful tree in the lobby and twinkling lights inside and out.

Merry Christmas!

Disclosure: Read more at: http://livinginurbansac.blogspot.com/ or http://zwahlenimages.com/blog/

Indian restaurant opens on K Street in Midtown

2011-12-15T02:30:48Z

Indian cuisine arrived at the corner of 16th and K streets last week when Monsoon Indian Bar & Grill opened Dec. 8, and the response has been positive, co-owner Paul Singh said.

“I go to Yelp, and we’re getting reallygood reviews,” Singh said. “I think it’s a good barometer, and it also gives you feedback. People take the time to go and write, and I take them seriously, even though it’s only about 10 or so so far.”

Some of the most popular dishes so far, Singh said, are thechicken tikka masala, lamb Vindaloo and the samosa pakora appetizers – vegetarian-friendly pastry wraps of peas and rice.

“People are coming back for additional visits, and that gives me confidence,” Singh said.

Many of the nearby buildings house state offices, and some of those employees were in the restaurant for lunch on Wednesday.

“This is my first time trying Indian food,” said Nadine Jordan, a 50-year-old state employee from Sacramento. “It was an awesome experience. I’ve never tried it in my life, and it was absolutely good.”

Farzana Buksh, a 27-year-old state worker from Sacramento, is from an Indian background and said she thinks the food is authentic, though not necessarily what her mother would make at home.

“The food was really delicious,” she said. “I had the chicken tikka masala, and it was good.”

Erik Sweeting, a 28-year-old state worker from Rocklin, said he tried the mango prawns and enjoyed them as well as the naan.

“The service was very friendly,” he added. “I’ll definitely come back.”

Those unfamiliar with Indian cuisine are given samples of the food, Singh said. A new dish is in the works that will provide three samples of three different foods during lunchtime.

“We currently have a lunch deal that is very popular,” Singh said. “We call it the two for 20, and you get an appetizer, two meals of your choice, rice and naan bread for $20.”

Though the soft opening was last week, Singh said the grand opening will likely be the first week in January.

“We wanted to wait until after the holidays since everyone is so busy,” he said.

The interior décor, which Singh said he originally envisioned as being more traditional, is more modern – a result of the restaurant’s large window space.

Stockton-based interior designer Kathleen Jennison worked with Singh and his business partners.

“They wanted it to be Indian but also contemporary,” she said. “They were looking for a nightclub feel, but also a family-friendly atmosphere.”

Jennison said she wanted to evoke a sense of rain, given the restaurant’s name, and the gray and blue walls are accented by crystal light fixtures to give a feel of cloudiness with lightning. The concrete floors were polished to give a sense of shiny water.

One wall is red, which Jennison said is an homage to the colors of Indian spices.

Monsoon is open from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

The Sacramento Press on 'Insight'

2011-12-07T02:02:03Z

City Council election drama, a potential swap of high school campuses, new businesses and two Sacramento Press contests were all topics I discussed with Jeffrey Callison Tuesday morning on Capital Public Radio’s “Insight” program.

Elections are quite a ways away, but the District 2 City Council race is already heating up as some accuse candidate Kim Mack of using an email list from her time working on the Obama campaign to push for a Strong Mayor initiative for Mayor Kevin Johnson. Mack denies sharing the email list with the Strong Mayor backers. Read more by clicking here.

Another contentious issue in the city right now has to do with education – more specifically education facilities. The Sacramento City Unified School District board floated the idea of swapping Sacramento Charter High School and West Campus – two high schools that sit about two miles apart. Proponents say moving the public West Campus school to the old Sacramento High School facility – which now houses the charter school – would provide a pedestrian-friendly comprehensive school for the area. Opponents say there is no reason to swap them, and moving schools will only put a different set of students in an inadequate facility.

As the ongoing Occupy Sacramento movement stays in the news, one Sacramento Press reader asked Sacramento Police Officer Michelle Lazark in her weekly column about the difference between camping in Cesar Chavez Plaza and in front of stores for deals. Lazark replied that police enforce the no-camping ordinance on public property, but typically don’t do so on private property unless business owners ask them to or there are “No Loitering” signs posted.

A pair of coffee roasters with about a decade of experience each are opening Insight Coffee Roasters, a new coffee bar and roasting house in Southside Park. The duo plans to focus on sustainable coffee, working directly with growers in Latin America and selling only organic milk and sugar in their drinks.

The old Fog Mountain Cafe business in the City Hall Garage will soon be replaced by a barbecue eatery: Big Joe’s BBQ. Fog Mountain closed in April, and the city forgave some of the lease in order to bring Big Joe’s on as soon as possible.

Bringing as much comedy as drama, Sacra-Melo – a musical theater parody group – opened on the Delta King in Old Sacramento in late September. Actors don’t stay strictly to the script, but interact with the audience and work with piano accompaniment to give a show the owners say is unique in the area.

Finally, a pair of contests on The Sacramento Press gives readers the chance to be more interactive with the site and earn some prizes at the same time. “To Catch an Error” is in its second month and gives readers the chance to help us improve the quality of content on the site. For more information on how you can take part – and win a meal at Zócalo – click here. The second contest is the third annual Journalism Open, which runs for the month of January. Is there something you think should be in the news? You have the chance to put it there and win prizes – with the first place winner taking home $600. For more details and rules, click here.

Man on the Street: business after cars on K

2011-12-07T01:50:25Z

It’s been almost one month since cars returned to K Street between Eighth and 12th streets, and The Sacramento Press asked business owners and managers on the former pedestrian mall if they have observed any differences as a result.

To read about the reopening of the K Street Mall to vehicular traffic, click here.

Larry Bethune, 25-year-old shift leader at Quiznos, 902 K St.

“I think it allows a lot more people to know about the different restaurants on K Street,” Bethune said. “It hasn’t increased business yet because there’s nowhere to park. There’s a lot about a block from here with purple fence around it. If they turned that into a parking lot, then having cars on the street would turn into a really great idea.”

Veni Sharma, 63-year-old co-owner of DeRow & Sharma Clothier & Tailors, 916 K St.

“It’s too early to tell, but it’s improved a little bit,” Sharma said. “People are still learning they can drive down here. It’s a positive thing.”

Chuck Karajeh, 51-year-old owner of Midtown Market, 1026 K St.

“There’s been no change so far,” Karajeh said. “I don’t think it’s going to change anything. To me, well, I’ve been here a long time. I don’t think people are going to stop, and there’s no parking. If they had street parking, it would help.”

Chris Dooley, 32-year-old bar manager at Ella Dining Room & Bar, 1131 K St.

“We’re still doing the same, but we have always had a street with cars on it, since we’re on the corner (of 12th and K streets),” Dooley said. “For some, I’m sure bringing cars back has increased business. It definitely makes the street more approachable to pedestrians and families, so it’s more accessible now.”

Jesse Lua, 29-year-old manager of Blimpie Subs & Salads, 1023 K St.

“There’s been no change,” Lua said. “It really hasn’t gotten any traffic at all. I don’t think it’ll do anything without parking. The only traffic I’ve seen is maybe some cabs, but there hasn’t been an accident yet.”

Sid Garcia-Heberger, 46-year-old general manager of the Crest Theatre, 1013 K St.

“I’m seeing increased activity on the street,” Garcia-Heberger said. “Most of the increased activity is on the weekends and at night. I think people are still getting used to it. Once more people know about it, I think it will really help.”

What is your perception of the changes to K Street over the past month, since cars were allowed. Have you driven down the former pedestrian mall? Let us know in the conversation below.

Monsoon to bring Indian cuisine to 16th and K

2011-11-28T05:41:56Z

Monsoon Indian Bar & Grill is scheduled to open the first week of December in the building at 16th and K streets that formerly housed Spin Burger Bar and Bistro 33.

“It’s going to be fresh food, prepared daily,” said co-owner Chan Singh. “This is Indian food where we use spices to enhance the flavors of the food, not overkill it.”

Singh, originally from Delhi, India, came to North America in the 1990s, getting into the restaurant business in Toronto, Canada, opening his original Monsoon location.

Singh said his business in Toronto is well-run by his managers, allowing him to come to Sacramento and focus on the new venture.

In India, the monsoon season typically lasts from June to September, and it’s a special time, according to Singh.

“It’s considered to be kind of a romantic time in India,” he said. “You have five to six months of 100-plus temperatures, and then the monsoon comes, and it really brings everything to life and cools down. People love to go out and have fun and eat.”

The restaurant, which will be open seven days per week, will serve lunch and dinner and have a full bar. A limited late-night menu will be available after about 10 p.m., and Indian-themed cocktails will be available as well, Singh said.

The food will be traditional Indian, served to Singh’s specifications.

“It’s going to be the kind of food I like to eat,” he said. “If I wouldn’t want to eat it, why would I serve it?”

Chicken Vindaloo, a spicy dish from the Goa region; Kerala fish, a fish topped with coconut sauce, peppercorns and curry leaves; chicken tikka masala, roasted chicken in a curry sauce; and numerous other dishes including shrimp and salmon will be available.

In addition, there will be a variety of what Singh said are more modern dishes in India, including a dish with chicken atop a coconut chickpea sauce and lamp chops in a creamy curry sauce.

A range of vegetarian items will be available as well.

Full menu details are still being worked out, as is the cocktail selection. Prices for food will range from around $10 for vegetarian items to $12 - $15 for non-vegetarian items. The lunch menu will be less-expensive, with food running from about $8 - $10.

The 2,800-square-foot restaurant will seat about 95 people inside, and the existing patio will be retained.

Most recently, the space held Spin Burger Bar, which evolved from Bistro 33.

“We originally wanted to decorate it in a traditional Indian way, but when we saw the building, it’s very modern, so we will have a more modern influence,” Singh said.

Some of the décor will be paintings imported from India.

While Singh is not a Sacramentan, he said he will be living here for the foreseeable future as the restaurant gets started, and he has two local partners.

“We were looking in Roseville, but when we saw that this space was available, we knew we had to come here. I don’t think there is anything else like this around here.”

Jennifer Young, a 41-year-old state worker from Sacramento who works in the area, said the restaurant will be a nice complement to the area.

“I like curry,” she said Wednesday afternoon. “I’ll definitely try it out.”

Young said that, with numerous state office buildings in the area, affordable food will likely be key to staying in business.

Another nearby state worker, 27-year-old Abby Eddy of Sacramento, said she thinks the corner location is the perfect spot for a restaurant, and it will be successful if it provides a good late-night option for diners and those looking for drinks.

“I’ll definitely give it a shot,” she said.

Monsoon Indian Bar & Grill, 1020 16th St., is scheduled to be open from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Newsbeat shuts doors on 20th Street

2011-11-15T04:13:53Z

Editorial Note: This story has been updated since it was published.

Newsbeat, a business that some called Sacramento’s last newsstand, closed over the weekend, leaving an empty space in the popular MARRS Building.

“It’s a tragedy for our building. A tragedy,” said Pete Haynes, owner of the next-door Denim Spot. “They were a pillar of the Midtown and Sacramento community. We’ve definitely lost a piece of our culture.”

The independently owned Newsbeat, 1050 20th St., sold hard-to-find magazines and candies, greeting cards and a mix of other goods.

Terrence Lott, co-owner of the store, said that in comparison to his other Newsbeat location in Davis – which remains open – some of the “bread and butter” business never materialized, including sales of candy, cigarettes and cigars.

“The building is trafficked significantly, but we never had that kind of neighborhood destination,” he said.

He added that opening in the space took a big capital investment, and the building is one of the higher-rent places in Sacramento, and revenues didn’t recoup the costs.

Newsbeat was open in the MARRS building for four almost four years, and before that, it was at 10th and L streets for 16 years.

Lott didn’t rule out the possibility of opening another space sometime in the future, but said there are currently no plans.

“We’re just ind of taking a step back,” he said. “There’s a lot to figure out about the idea of selling print media.”

On the closing days, Lott said the community support was touching, with longtime customers stopping by, some bringing cookies and other baked goods.

“That was rewarding and reinforcing,” Lott said. “That makes you just believe in community.”

Mike Heller, property developer overseeing the MARRS Building, said in an email Monday that the business plan was not viable, and the general economy “contributed greatly” to the business’ closure.

He said he will now look to bring in another tenant for the building.

Haynes said business has slowed considerably on the block in the past year – and high rents with a much smaller Second Saturday Art Walk crowd have hurt all the businesses.

Valeri Simons, a 51-year-old who works at the nearby Headhunters bar and lounge, 1930 K St., echoed Haynes’ statements.

“It’s been pretty slow lately,” she said. “That’s terrible that they’re gone. I think it’s definitely a loss to the area.”

Simons added that she used to purchase cards at the store, since it was close and had a better selection than many of the larger chain stores.

Haynes said the business stocked items that simply weren’t available elsewhere.

“They were so unique, people came from all over because they knew they could find or quickly get access to magazines maybe you could only get in Europe,” he said.

Brian Crall, owner of the Sacramento Comedy Spot in the same building, said Newsbeat will be missed.

“It’s a great ma and pa store, but the economy is really tough,” he said.

Nicholas Avey, a 27-year-old freelance graphic designer from Midtown, said he went into Newsbeat a few times to buy postcards and magazines.

“It’s sad,” he said, adding that he doesn’t plan to make the drive to the Davis store.

Crall said that it was disconcerting to see the moving truck packing up the last of the store fixtures Monday night.

“It’s really upsetting to see when somebody goes out of business,” he said. “I’m an independent business owner myself. We do the best we can every single day, and it’s sad when you see somebody who has put so much of their life into it have to close down.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Hundreds gather to celebrate cars returning to K Street

2011-11-14T06:54:21Z

On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people came to support and honor the decision for cars to return to K Street after 42 years. People rallied behind the development and celebrated the change at the Cars on K opening event. Guests seemed to be in consensus that cars returning to K Street was cause for celebration.

“K Street is the spine of downtown,” Mayor Kevin Johnson said. “By opening it up, we start to get connected again.”

It was all smiles as the first inaugural drive down K Street took place.Over 40 old and new cars paraded down the street while bystanders clapped and cheered as red, white and blue confetti rained down from the tops of surrounding buildings.

“I can remember when cars were on K when I was a little girl. I am happy that they are back,” said Virginia Steele. “After the cars weren’t allowed on K Street, less and less people came and visited. I am glad that we are moving forward again.”

James Brown’s “I Feel Good” blasted through the streets while old and new Chevrolet trucks, Mustangs, Lamborghinis, Camaros and other show cars revved their engines and drove down K Street for the first time.

Johnson rode passenger in a red Ferrari resembling the one from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Families strolled down the street as music and applause filled the surrounding blocks with celebratory noise.

“The vision is to reconnect K Street to the rest of the grid,” said Lisa Martinez, Downtown Sacramento Partnership marketing and outreach director. “This is forward momentum and is a positive step in the right direction for both businesses and the city.”

Families, business owners, politicians and visitors of all ages surrounded the stage at 12th and K streets while Johnson and other local dignitaries spoke about the importance of cars returning to K Street.

With throwback prices, restaurant specials and retail deals at nearly every business on K Street, people flowed in and out of the buildings as if discovering them again for the first time.

“Ideally, I hope that the whole block can be a vibrant walk for someone that wants to experience Sacramento,” said Ernesto Delgado de Tequila, owner of Tequila Museo Mayahuel at 1200 K St. “It connects Old Sacramento to the Convention Center to the Capitol, and we are working to bring some positive energy to this section of town.”

Street performances by a mariachi group, the Sizzling Sirens Burlesque Experience dance troupe, DJ 7evin and many others kept the energy high and the excitement flowing throughout the evening.

“By reopening K Street to cars, there will be a surge of energy in regards to safety and economic growth,” said Maurice Chaney, Economic Development Department’s media and communications specialist.

Performers walked on stilts along K Street as cars continued to circulate. A skate park between Capitol and K streets attracted crowds as skaters of all ages took turns showing off their tricks.

Many guests walked with smart phones in-hand as they participated in a K Street scavenger hunt with prizes that included $100 gift card to Chops, tickets to events like Marilyn’s on K New Year’s Eve Party and a hotel night at the Residence Inn at Capitol Park, Citizen Hotel and the Hyatt Regency .

The Cars on K event was a celebration that honored and marked cars returning to K Street as an important day in the history of Sacramento. K Street is now open to vehicles. Enjoy the ride.

Editorial Note: A spelling correction has been made to this story after it was published.

French pastry shop coming to K Street downtown

2011-11-11T01:20:54Z

French desserts will once again be available at the corner of Ninth and K streets downtown as the owner of a popular East Sacramento cupcake shop plans to open Estelle’s Patisserie on Dec. 1 in the building that formerly housed Danielle’s Creperie.

“This has been my lifelong passion,” said owner Esther Son. “I’ve always dreamed of owning a bakery, ever since I was a little girl.”

Though not traditionally trained as a baker, Son said she considers herself self-taught, and she has extensive experience in coming up with recipes and tweaking them until they’re perfect.

Her cupcake shop, Esther’s Cupcakes, has been in business at 2600 Fair Oaks Blvd. for two years.

“We were always coming downtown because we had a lot of clients at the Capitol,” she said. “The politicians and the lobbyists would bring in our cupcakes for gifts at fundraisers, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used to order from us.”

The pastry shop, however, will have a much broader set of goods. Some of the menu items include French macarons, croissants, green tea madeleines, fresh strawberry cakes, puff pastries, French baguettes and even sandwiches such as ham and cheese on a croissant.

Fruit tarts and quiches loaded with vegetables will also be available, and coffee from Temple Coffee will be sold.

Most desserts will be in the $3-$4 range, and Son said customers will be able to get lunch and a drink for about $8.

Though Son is Korean-American, she said she chose to focus on French desserts, starting at the roots, and then modifying them with Asian and American influences.

“The root of all dessert and pastry making is French,” Son said. “Not that American, Asian or Italian styles aren’t as good, but I wanted to go back to the roots and then improvise.”

The name Estelle, she said, is the French version of Esther, so it was a natural choice.

A self-described perfectionist, Son said she and her staff – the patisserie will employ about 10 workers – spent six months perfecting the croissant.

“We boast of our butter croissants,” she said. “We don’t buy pre-mixed or frozen croissants. It’s 100 percent homemade, and there are not many of those in town. It’s really flaky and buttery.”

With a husband who is a physician, Son said that even though her business has a variety of desserts, being health-conscious is still important.

“We need to educate people on what good dessert is,” she said. “Some people are used to Twinkies, and they are so unnaturally sweet and oily, but a dessert doesn’t have to be overwhelming.”

To get away from processed foods and make even a buttery croissant more healthy than the alternative, Son said she focuses on using high-quality ingredients bought from local sources whenever possible.

“We avoid shortening and corn syrup,” she said. “It’s hard to say dessert is healthy, but you can work on it by reducing those kinds of ingredients.”

Also available will be diabetic-friendly and vegan items. There will also be “almost-gluten-free” items, and Son explained that to legally call something gluten-free, it must be produced on separate equipment, which is something she isn’t set up to do.

One of the clients of her other business, Esther’s Cupcakes, is the J. Crew store in Arden Fair Mall.

“We use Esther for her cupcakes for special events for our store clients,” said Manager Sophie Pena. “Her cupcakes are a special, unique treat. They look amazing; they taste amazing. You just look at them, and you can tell they’re hers.”

Pena said she is looking forward to going down to the patisserie and trying Son’s other baked goods once it opens.

The building, at 901 K St., was formerly Danielle’s Creperie. At 3,000 square feet, it has a seating area of about 1,000 square feet that can hold 25-30 people. A few more tables will be put on the fenced-in patio that fronts K Street.

K Street will open to vehicular traffic for the first time since the 1960s on Saturday, and Son said that was one of the reasons she chose to open a downtown location.

“I’m really excited to see the city and urban life turn around, and I want to be a part of this,” she said. “If I can make a little change to the downtown lifestyle, I’ll be so honored.”

That sentiment, according to Downtown Sacramento Partnership Business Recruitment Director Valerie Mamone-Werder, is key to turning around the blighted K Street area that has seen improvement over the past year with the opening of numerous new businesses, including Tequila Museo Myahuel and the nightlife trio of Pizza Rock, District 30 and Dive Bar.

“I think that getting these tenants, these merchants and retailers that really get downtown is refreshing,” she said. “We have a lot of naysayers, but we have people who see downtown for what it is and can be, and she sees what we do have, and what’s coming.”

Having lived in Sacramento for the past 10 years, Son, 34, said she plans to raise her two children, ages 5 and 6, in the area.

Also scheduled for late winter and early spring openings are another cupcake shop in the Westfield Galleria at Roseville Mall and another Estelle’s Patisserie in the Arden area.

“I’m not here to come in and then go out of business in five years,” Son said. “I plan on being here for the long haul.”

Estelle’s Patisserie, 901 K St., will initially be open from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. on weekdays. If business warrants, Son said, she will stay open on weekends.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Downtown Ice Rink Opens

2011-11-05T05:14:24Z

Kids were lined up and ready to skate on opening day of the downtown outdoor ice rink. A chill was in the air, adding to the feel of the upcoming holidays.

"There's nothing that says 'holidays' better than ice skating," Michael Ault, Executive Director of the Downtown Partnership said right before the rink opened.

And this is its 20th season. Skating was free today until 10 p.m.

Located at 7th & K Streets in downtown Sacramento it is open annually seven days a week from early November to mid-January.

The 7,000 sq. ft rink, across from the Westfield Plaza, is produced by the Downtown Partnership with numerous sponsors.

Here's photos from opening day;

Generally, hours are 2 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Open daily November 4, 2011 – January 16, 2012
Monday – Thursday: 2 pm – 8 pm
Friday – Saturday: 10 am – 10 pm
Sunday – 10 am – 8 pm

For more info, CLICK HERE>>>>

Gourmet seafood restaurant coming to downtown Sacramento

2011-11-05T02:01:20Z

Two historical downtown buildings are being refurbished, and they will soon house Blackbird Kitchen & Bar, a seafood restaurant that owner Carina Lampkin said will serve “gourmet food at hipster prices” and is expected to open in December.

The approximately 3,500-square-foot building was formerly two separate buildings, 1013 and 1015 Ninth St., and both date back to the 1930s.

“Blackbird is a compilation of all of my experience so far,” said the 30-year-old Lampkin. “I grew up on the East Coast and spent every summer in Maine. In 2003, I moved to San Francisco and went to culinary school.”

After spending almost a decade cooking at restaurants in San Francisco, Lampkin made the move to Sacramento and partnered with Rachel Kelley, a 27-year-old pastry chef who spent the past four years working at Ella, and Shayne “7evin” Iles, a graphic designer, marketer and DJ who will be the general manager.

While Lampkin isn’t sharing too many details of what the menu will hold, she said the restaurant will feature a variety of fish, including salmon, cod, halibut and mahi-mahi. She said she also loves working with dungeness crab and lobster.

Both Lampkin and Kelley will work in the kitchen, along with other local talent they have recruited.

Oysters – both raw and cooked – will also be on the menu, and non-seafood items such as steak, chicken and pork will be available.

“Our kitchen is basically the same size as our dining room,” Lampkin said. “We have a lot of space to make a lot of different types of food.”

Before Blackbird, the space housed a Thai restaurant.

When it comes to dessert creations, Kelley said she will be using fresh, seasonal ingredients, and her double-chocolate ice cream is one of her favorite dishes.

Prices have not been set, but Lampkin said she wants to provide excellent, affordable food.

“None of us is looking to get rich off of this,” she said. “We know times are hard, and if we break even on our high-cost items like fish, I’ll be happy.”

The owners said they are happy to be in historical buildings.

“The building on the left was Skagg’s Cash Store, the predecessor to Safeway,” 7evin said. “The other one, at 1015 (Ninth St.), was built by the Dean brothers in 1933, the same people who built Memorial Auditorium.”

Setting up in historical buildings at first seemed challenging, as the restaurateurs realized there were restrictions on what they could and could not demolish inside, but in the end, it turned out for the better, Lampkin said.

“When we’re done with the interior, it’s going to be amazing,” she said. “And we’re not three kids coming from the Bay Area with money – we’re doing a lot of the work ourselves. I never expected to be scraping paint, but that’s what we’ve been doing.”

Work on the interior is still under way, and the three partners said they are enjoying designing it but look forward to its completion.

“The great thing about (Lampkin, Kelley and 7evin) is that they have a vision, and yet even with their vision and artistic abilities, they are still willing to listen to the preservation department, and they have truly partnered to make that space pop,” said Valerie Mamone-Werder, business recruitment manager for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership.

She added that that section of the city is an important area for economic development, with nearby K Street readying to open to vehicular traffic.

“I think we’ve seen a lot of success from 12th (Street) to 10th Street, and this feels like a natural progression down the street and around the corner, and that’s very exciting,” she said.

For those looking for a preview of the food to come at Blackbird, the restaurant will be participating in a celebration for bringing cars back to K Street scheduled for 4 p.m. Nov. 12 at 12th and K streets.

“We’ll be out there with our fish tacos and a few other things,” Lampkin said.

Looking to do more with the space than simply serve food, Lampkin said a large cocktail selection will be available as well, and art will feature prominently in the space.

“I feel like Sacramento is a true artists’ community,” Lampkin said. “In San Francisco, rent is too expensive to really foster that community, but Sacramento’s arts community is amazing.”

7evin, who works in graphic design and marketing but is also a DJ, said the restaurant will not have any dance space, but DJs will be brought in to perform for the diners.

“It’s not going to just be people with two turntables and a mixer,” he said. “It’s people who are really performers, who are mixing live and really creating art.”

The most noticeable artwork displayed by the restaurant won’t actually be inside. The exterior space will feature a wall painting of 7evin’s graphic rendition of Lampkin’s idea to showcase a flock of blackbirds taking flight from a tree.

Lampkin said that when she woke up after being in a car accident in 2005, she heard the Beatles’ song “Blackbird,” and it stuck with her. Sadly, her close friend did not survive the collision, and Lampkin said she has since learned that many cultures believe the dead communicate with the living through blackbirds.

“I didn’t even know that until after I named the restaurant, but it’s really fitting,” she said.

Initially, the restaurant will be able to seat 50 people, and Lampkin said that after six months of being open, she plans to add another 25 seats.

Sean Kohmescher, owner of Temple Coffee, which has a location across the street, said he is happy to see Blackbird opening.

“I’ve met them quite a few times, and they seem like great people,” he said. “I’ve had their food, and the food was amazing. There’s been so many changes going on downtown, mostly in the last few years with places closing, it’s good to see places opening up.”

Blackbird Kitchen & Bar is located at 1015 Ninth St.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Sacramento International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

2011-10-20T16:50:22Z

This past weekend marked the 20th anniversary of the Sacramento International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (SIGLFF) at the Crest Theatre. The festival ran selected film series each evening from Thursday to Saturday.

Founder Alan Cole started the project in 1992 as a student-run film festival that received support from Sacramento State University, Gay and Lesbian Alliance students with grant funding from Associated Students Inc. , which is a official governing body which operates the sponsorship of programs and services to CSUS students.

A bevy of sponsors and volunteers support the board of directors, programming and gala committees to prepare and organize the annual festival that takes place in October to celebrate National Coming Out Day. The festival showcases handpicked films by the committee that are created by filmmakers of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The festival serves as a vehicle for LBGT talent such as actors, writers, producers and directors from around the world to showcase their abilities.

Thursday evening kicked off the festival with two works: one 18-minute film called "The Rescue" by director Phillippe Gosselin and an 88-minute film called "Morgan," directed by Michael Akers.

Board of directors president J. Todd Lohse explained that each night centered around a theme. Thursday evening was films directed toward men , Friday evening was ladies night with films based around lesbians, and Saturday was a series of short films that touched on subjects such as sexual identity, race and struggling relationships.

The large crowd at Friday’s screening was mixed with people of all ages from all walks of life, but it was apparent that the female population dominated the night’s attendance.

Well before the films started, members of the public, LGBT community, volunteers and workers were busily flurrying around the Crest Theatre concessions stands for popcorn, drinks and snacks, grabbing a cocktail and mingling with other filmgoers. Even after the lights flickered to warn everyone the film was starting soon, people were still falling behind with cocktails finishing a great conversation or in line for last-minute snacks.

Cole and Lohse introduced the films, speaking of their love and commitment to the organization. They thanked their sponsors, such as Fred Palmer from Outword Magazine, who has been a sponsor for the last 14 years.

The first film was "Lesbian Cliche Song" by director Bob Koherr. At five minutes long, the film served almost as a satirical music video of all the typical lesbian cliches perceived by society, which the audience seemed to agree with as they responded with laughter.

The second was a feature film, "Jamie and Jessie Are Not Together" directed by Wendy Jo Carlton. The dramedy musical focuses on two best friends who blur the line of friendship and romance.

Afterward, one of the film’s stars, Fawzia Mirza, took the stage to answer questions from the audience.

"Are you single?" was the very first question asked. (The answer was yes.)

After her Q&A, she encouraged everyone to carry the party over to Headhunters nightclub for the after-party.

"We are loving the idea that gays and lesbians are receiving recognition not only for their filmmaking but that stories about the private struggles of being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender are being artistically told,” said one woman who wished to remain anonymous, standing hand-in-hand with her partner outside the theater.

Visit siglff.org for updates, volunteer information and details for 2012's festival.

See you next year!

Local businessman starts effort to 'bring back K Street'

2011-10-17T01:38:35Z

A downtown K Street businessman is turning to other nearby businesses and the community in an effort to jump-start the long-blighted area’s revitalization with the rallying cry: “It's your turn. It's my turn. It's OUR Sacramento.”

Señor Ernesto Delgado de Tequila, owner of Tequila Museo Mayahuel at 1200 K St., wants to start a grassroots campaign encouraging people to come downtown to eat, shop and explore.

“I want to put a call out to people to come here, take a walk and experience downtown,” Delgado said Wednesday. “There is so much here, and people should be part of it.”

Delgado opened his restaurant six months ago on what is arguably the most vibrant section of K Street at the moment.

“We have the IMAX Theatre and The Broiler and Ella on this corner (of K Street),” Delgado said, “and just down the block we have District 30 and Pizza Rock and others. There’s a lot right here.”

According to Lisa Martinez, director of marketing and outreach for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, 20 new businesses have opened in downtown and Old Sacramento since Jan. 1. Five more are expected to open by the end of the year.

But a handful of restaurants isn’t enough to revitalize what years ago was a popular section of downtown, Delgado said.

“We need people to be active on K Street,” Delgado said. “We need foot traffic as much as car traffic.”

The city is opening K Street to cars in November, and large-scale redevelopment projects are in the works on the 700 and 800 blocks of K Street.

Larry Lords, owner of The Broiler, a restaurant across K Street from Tequila Museo Mayahuel, said Wednesday that he “applauds (Delgado’s) effort” to do something positive for the area.

Lords said he is also skeptical about the idea’s success.

“I’m sure he’s getting as anxious as the rest of us are, because this economy is really hurting everyone,” Lords said, “but it might be something better-suited for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership to take the lead on. They do plenty of things like this.”

MIchael Ault, executive director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, said Friday that he is “excited to hear about what (Delgado) wants to do” for the K Street area.

“We’re supportive of working with the businesses down there,” Ault said, “not just from a business recruitment standpoint, but from an economic standpoint as well.”

Ault said more people coming to K Street is important to the local economy, and he and the DSP are interested in seeing how Delgado and others work together in the effort.

Delgado said his mission to get the community involved in revitalizing a district is not a new idea – but the effort is new to him, so he’s turned for help to neighboring businesses, associations and others who have started similar efforts.

“This is bigger than just one person,” Delgado said. “It’s going to take all of us if anything is going to change for the better.”

Teresa Rocha, executive director for the Greater Broadway Partnership, said Friday that Delgado is “headed in the right direction” with his initiative and she hopes he will keep the idea going.

“The more people like Ernesto who are willing to put time and energy into building up the community, the better,” Rocha said.

The Greater Broadway Partnership was instrumental in the recent revamping of the business corridor along Broadway in Sacramento.

Rocha said she spoke with Delgado last week about his idea for inspiring change on K Street. She gave him some advice based on her experience with the changes on Broadway, including street and sidewalk cleanup efforts, encouraging new businesses to locate there and establishing a property business improvement district.

“I told him to nail down the three main goals that he wants to achieve,” Rocha said, “and then do something that has immediate results.”

Rocha said it will be important to have small successes right away that the effort can build on – longer-term strategies that will help the district in the long run will come easier after that.

“(Delgado) is a new business owner, and he brings a fresh perspective to K Street,” Martinez said.

“There are pockets of activity and pockets of inactivity (on K Street),” Martinez said. “Over the past eight months, we’ve seen a number of new players on the block.”

Martinez said it would be good to see K Street become a dynamic urban center, with more pedestrian activity to spur “the kind of energy you expect on a busy city street.”

Delgado and Martinez both said the movement is in the very early stages, but the concept could go in a number of different directions.

“There are still things to figure out on the concept and deciding who to approach and how to go about making it happen,” Martinez said, “but it’s good to have the passion and energy that Delgado brings.”

Melissa Corker is a Staff Reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

New restaurant to embrace Southern fare

2011-10-06T00:55:22Z

The owners of Midtown’s Capitol Garage are bringing Southern-style cooking to the spot recently vacated by Celestin’s Island Eats and Cajun Cuisine, with a projected opening in mid- to late November.

The Porch, located at 1815 K St., will feature items such as fried green tomatoes, catfish and corn hushpuppies, a soft shell crab po’ boy and other Southern favorites, said Chef and co-owner Jon Clemons.

He added that he wants to keep entrées priced below $20.

“We’ve been trying to do a second place for about a year and a half,” said co-owner John Lopez, adding that The Porch will be a dedicated restaurant, unlike Capitol Garage, which mixes a bar, restaurant and entertainment venue.

After looking at a variety of locations around Sacramento, Lopez said, he, Clemons and co-owner Jerry Mitchell began working with the owners of Celestin’s at the end of June to figure out a leasing agreement.

“It was really attractive because it was a turnkey operation,” Lopez said. “The only real changes we need to make are cosmetic.”

The two businesses will be about three blocks apart, with Capitol Garage located at 1500 K St.

The interior décor of The Porch will give customers the feeling of a home, and the exterior will be changed to embody the restaurant’s name, with the back patio opened up for seating, augmenting existing front patio seating.

The idea for the restaurant came on a trip to Portland, where the owners dined at a Southern restaurant, Lopez said.

“We thought that type of cuisine is really missing from Sacramento, and we wanted to bring that here,” he said.

Next up was a trip to Charleston, S.C., to get more ideas and inspiration for the menu.

“Charleston is such a great city for food,” Clemons said. “We’re going to focus on the coastal Southern food, with a lot of seafood. We’re also going to branch out into Creole and Cajun food.”

But for those wondering if some of the menu items from Celestin’s will return to the new restaurant, it’s unlikely.

“We might do a gumbo (soup) or something,” Clemons said, “but it would be our own recipe.”

The food will not be a copy of the fare at Capitol Garage, but some of the future menu items from The Porch are currently being offered on the specials menu at Capitol Garage.

“It’s kind of a way people can come in and preview the menu,” Clemons said.

The Porch will have a full liquor license, with wine pairings for some of the meals as well as bourbon drinks and cocktails that the owners are working with a bartender from Charleston to create.

They are also working to stock some beers common in the South but hard to find on the West Coast, such as Yuengling.

Open for lunch and dinner, Lopez said he wants to add Saturday and Sunday brunch around the beginning of the year.

Lopez said the prospect of a deeper recession is worrisome, but he thinks the proximity of the Convention Center and the foot traffic in the area will let the new restaurant thrive.

About 25 people will staff the restaurant, and Lopez said about half of the Celestin’s staff will be retained, with several already working shifts at Capitol Garage.

Celestin’s owners Patrick and Phoebe Celestin previously told The Sacramento Press that the new owners’ agreeing to interview the existing staff was a good gesture as they took over the location, which the Celestins had built in 2001.

The building has yet to be altered, but Lopez said passers-by should see changes starting in the next week or two as construction gets under way.

“Just keep driving by,” he said. “You’ll be surprised at the difference.”

The Porch’s website is under construction and will be reachable via the Capitol Garage website.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

K Street work well under way

2011-09-15T07:40:23Z

Crews made progress on preparation work for the 900 block of K Street Wednesday in advance of scheduled resurfacing starting Thursday night. The city is working to bring cars back to what has been a pedestrian mall for about 40 years.

A tentative completion date has been set for the end of October, with a grand opening planned for Nov. 5, according to an email from Linda Tucker, spokeswoman for the city Department of Transportation.

The move to return vehicular traffic to the blighted area that was formerly a thriving business district was approved by the City Council earlier this year.

The older brick paving stones were laid down atop sand, and over time, they tend to shift, making them unsuited for vehicular traffic, Tucker said.

The pavers will be replaced with stamped concrete, which will be poured over Thursday, Friday and into next week.

The 900 block is the only one to receive the full concrete pouring, with the work spanning the 800 block to the 1200 block consisting mostly of sidewalk improvements at street corners for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Light rail service continues despite the work.

Workers coated the bare metal tracks with a rust-preventing solution that will protect them from degradation after the new concrete is poured around them. The rust prevention treatment was needed after the tracks were sandblasted.

While the work is being done, pedestrians can still traverse most portions of the street, though some crosswalks will be closed, and fencing will keep pedestrians out of some areas.

Vehicular traffic will not extend through the 700 block of K Street, where a massive redevelopment project is under way opposite Saint Rose of Lima Park. Instead, the section will remain as it has, with St. Rose of Lima Park on one side and multiple upcoming businesses facing it on the south.

Owners of Celestin's reflect on 28 years in business

2011-09-09T01:11:23Z

When it opened at 25th and J streets on a December morning almost 28 years ago, Celestin’s Island Eats & Cajun Cuisine was an instant success in the area, long before it was widely known as Midtown.

The restaurant, now located at 1815 K St., will close for the final time Sept. 30 as the Celestin family looks to relax and take a vacation.

“It’s the right time,” co-owner Phoebe Celestin said. She and her husband are looking to get out of the business, and they will now rent the space to a Southern-themed restaurant called The Porch.

She added that the closure is not financial. They handed it off to their son and his wife in 2006, but took it back in June, as the younger couple wanted to spend evenings together with their child. From that point on, they were looking to lease the space.

Selling Celestin’s wasn’t really an option, she said, since it had always been a family business and wouldn’t be the same otherwise.

Celestin said she and her husband are happy to see that Midtown has grown and prospered, getting to the point they dreamed of it becoming almost three decades ago.

“It’s bittersweet to leave it now, since the area is what we wanted it to be all that time,” Celestin said. “We were popular from day one, and we’ve been really fortunate. We had a strong beginning, middle and end. Every story should have that.”

Celestin added that several things were memorable over the years. She said customers always commented on how the windows on the original J Street location constantly steamed over, and she also remembers high-profile politicians stopping in for lunch.

But there’s one aspect of running the business that she said she will especially miss.

“My favorite was always being in a rush and working really hard and then pulling it off,” she said. “That was always a great feeling of satisfaction.”

With news of the restaurant’s impending closure coming out on Wednesday, Thursday’s lunch was very busy, and when the rush was past, co-owner Patrick Celestin, Phoebe Celestin’s husband, was wiping down patio tables.

“It’s what I do,” he said. “It’s important to have a good work ethic. I really like serving the folks and cooking the food. I’m going to miss the people and the hustle and bustle.”

Born in Port au Prince, Haiti, Patrick Celestin was in Sacramento visiting a friend from the Peace Corps when he met Phoebe, who had moved to the city from Seattle, and the two were later married.

Opening a restaurant seemed the natural thing to do for Patrick Celestin, who came from a family of chefs, caterers and restaurateurs.

“It’s in my blood,” he said Thursday. “What pleased me the most about owning this restaurant is that we maintained the quality of our food the whole time.”

The move from J Street to K Street came in 2001, after a fire burned a beauty salon on the space, and the Celestins were able to have a building constructed to their specifications.

At that time, they upgraded from a beer and wine license to a full liquor license and added mojitos and sangria to the menu, which have been some of the restaurant’s best-selling items since.

When it comes to food, the gumbo soup has remained a staple, as well as Haitian dishes.

“I have my favorite dishes,” Phoebe Celestin said. “I never tired of the gumbo, and I always loved the poulet blanchi, which is chicken in cream sauce with peas and onions.”

She added that another popular item is Haiti’s national dish, grio, which is twice-cooked pork with a sauce called Ti-Malice made of shallots, lime juice, chilies and thyme.

On Sept. 30, an auction of Haitian voodoo flags that grace the establishment’s walls will be held, with 15 percent of the proceeds donated to a charity the restaurant has partnered with for years, the Haitian Education and Leadership Program.

Customers packed the restaurant Thursday, and one of them was Nebrisa Novello, who came to celebrate her 28th birthday.

“I’ve come here on and off for the past 10 years,” she said. “It’s one of those Sacramento institutions. I like to keep going to them and help keep them around.”

She said she is happy that Celestin’s isn’t the victim of the economy and that The Porch will open in November to keep it from becoming an empty space.

Phoebe Celestin said the owners of The Porch, who also own nearby Capitol Garage, agreed to interview the entire staff of Celestin’s.

“That was very important to us,” she said.

Terry Sidie, who owns the Faces nightclub at 20th and K streets, ate at Celestin’s Thursday and said he is sad to see it go.

“They’re absolutely great,” he said. “There’s nothing else like it in town. There’s nothing I can say about Patrick and Phoebe that isn’t good.”

With the restaurant’s final three weeks approaching, the Celestins are making plans for what to do in the future.

Phoebe Celestin said she wants to return to Paris on a European vacation that might also include Spain and Switzerland to visit friends and family.

Patrick Celestin said he wants to relax, work around the house and clean out the garage.

Down the line, the couple might start a small product line of some of the restaurant’s favorites, including the gumbo soup and Ti-Malice Haitian hot sauce. They would then look to sell it at local markets.

But that’s in the more distant future. On Thursday, Patrick Celestin said he was focusing on the last weeks, where he hopes to see a lot of familiar faces so he can thank them for coming in over the years.

“Thank you. Thank you, Sacramento,” he said. “I am so grateful for the 28 years of support. I can’t emphasize my gratitude enough.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Celestin's to close this month

2011-09-08T00:45:30Z

After 28 years, Celestin’s Island Eats and Cajun Cuisine is closing its doors Sept. 30, according to owner Phoebe Celestin.

The Midtown restaurant will be replaced by a new venture from the owners of Capitol Garage, called The Porch Restaurant & Bar, which will feature Southern-style cuisine, according to a Wednesday press release.

The business was handed down to Celestin's son and his wife several years ago, she said, but once they had a child, they wanted to spend evenings together – something not conducive to running a restaurant.

"My husband and I came back and were considering offers that have been made," Celestin said. "We talked to several people and have a really good connection with the guys from Capitol Garage."

She added that there are currently no plans for her and her husband to open another restaurant, but that might be a possibility down the line.

"My husband loves to cook for people and will probably do it until he is no longer able to," she said. "He may look for something similar as a labor of love, but it's not in the plans at this moment."

Celestin’s, currently located at 1815 K St., originally opened on J Street in 1983 before moving to the current space in 2001, according to the restaurant’s website.

The Celestin family, originally from Port au Prince, Haiti, will auction off the Haitian Voodoo flags that hang on the walls of the restaurant on the last night of business, Sept. 30.

Celestin’s is known for its Caribbean- and Cajun-inspired food, including hamburgers with jerk seasoning, chicken curry and the popular gumbo soup.

The Sacramento Press will provide a more detailed article on Thursday.

To read a previous review of the restaurant by a Sacramento Press contributor, click here.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Temple Coffee reopens in new location

2011-09-07T07:02:05Z

Temple Coffee, a fixture on 10th Street since 2005, moved a block on Wednesday to Ninth Street, where it will have a more open, modern feel, but little else will change.

The move from 1014 10th St. to 1010 Ninth St. was something owner Sean Kohmescher said he had been looking to do for some time, saying the old space didn’t fit the needs of the coffee bar.

“The design of the (new) space is set up much more for conversations and engagement,” Kohmescher said, adding that the old space felt cramped.

Also bigger, at about 2,000 square feet compared to the old location’s 1,450 square feet, the newer one gives a more open feel. Both seat about 60 people, but the feeling in the new building is more spacious.

“It’s a lot cleaner feeling,” he said. “It’s more modern and fits in more with what Temple is about.”

The old coffee bar shut down on Saturday, and the move was done on Sunday and Monday, with final inspections on Tuesday.

A grand reopening ceremony will be held Saturday, with free coffee and tea, and art shown by painter Ilah Rose Cookston.

Trees felled more than five years ago just a few blocks away were made into tables, which now dominate the interior. Concrete flooring and clean lines, as well as spaces to hang artwork, are the major differences customers will notice from the previous address.

“It has a real community feel,” said Manager Shannon Loudon. “There’s a lot more foot traffic here, and a lot of our regulars live in the lofts upstairs, so they’re happy to see us in the new building.”

She added that a larger patio seating area that will be built in the next week will be railed off and give customers the option to sit inside or outside.

Electrical outlets are provided for the six seats fronting the Ninth Street floor-to-ceiling windows, and wireless Internet will be free once it is installed Thursday.

Regular customer Chester Randle, 61, said Tuesday that he often comes to Temple Coffee on his breaks from his state job.

“The service is fantastic, and the coffee tastes better than Starbucks,” he said, adding that he is glad the coffee bar moved to a location that is still close to walk, and that he will continue to go there.

Another customer, 52-year-old Henry Tavalaro, said he lives next door to the old location and frequented it, but he will still patronize the new location.

“I hope it’s a good move,” he said. “I know they’ve been wanting a bigger place.”

The new space had lain empty before Temple Coffee moved in, and Building Manager Anthony Reda said he thinks the coffee bar will be a good fit.

“Temple is a very well-known coffee and tea shop here in downtown Sacramento,” he said. “Our building is in an area that is about bringing the old and the new together and bringing Sacramento forward with revitalization.”

Temple is now located at 1010 Ninth St. Its hours are 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. every day.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Photo tour of K Street's 700 block

2011-08-31T05:02:25Z

The massive redevelopment project on the 700 block of K Street will be submitted to the city’s building department for approval in October, and if approved, work could begin as early as the end of this year.

“We’re looking to break ground in (February or March) of 2012, but it might be sooner,” said Ali Youssefi of CFY Development.

The approximately $47.7 million project is a collaboration between D&S Development, Inc., and CFY Development. It will be a mixed-use project with apartments, retail spaces, restaurant/bar spaces and an approximately 15,000-square-foot live music venue.

“We really want this to be a catalyst for the rest of the area,” said Bay Miry of D&S Development.

For more information on the project, its funding and how it got to where it is, click here.

Both Youssefi and Miry said they don’t want to think of the project in terms of what it compares to in other cities.

“This isn’t Polk Street in San Francisco, or some place in Portland, or the gaslight district in San Diego” Youssefi said. “Sacramento is sort of creating its own identity. We want this to be a place people use as an example.”

Miry agreed, adding, “We want this to be K Street.”

The project area stretches all along K street and 180 feet back along Seventh and Eighth streets to the alley. The 90 feet fronting K Street will maintain a similar footprint, but the rearward 90 feet will be demolished, and mid-rise apartment buildings with two levels of parking will be built.

“There’s going to be a courtyard between the new construction and the historic buildings,” Youssefi said, adding that the courtyard will be landscaped and serve as a space where people living in both the all-new buildings and the apartments incorporated into the original buildings will be able to go.

Part of the project involves thinking beyond the ground-to-ceiling spaces and making creative use of rooftops and basements.

Outdoor seating will be a big part of the restaurants on the block, with one slated to make use of a patio that extends 10 to 15 feet into the sidewalk.

The city plans to bring cars back to K Street by November, but the 700 block will still remain free of vehicular traffic.

“We’re going to get a lot of visibility when cars come back,” Youssefi said. “K Street was a big business district until they closed it off to cars, and that was really a failed experiment.”

Miry said other projects in the area are contributing to its return from being a blighted area.

“The project over on the 1000 block (composed of Dive Bar, Pizza Rock and District 30) is one aspect, and the moving of the Greyhound station (from nearby L Street to Richards Boulevard) has really helped, too,” Miry said.

“We’re down here every day, so we really notice the difference,” Youssefi agreed.

The estimated build time for the project is just under two years, he said.

The project is receiving redevelopment funds from the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, which is currently a controversial subject. On the statewide level, redevelopment agencies are fighting for their existence, but Youssefi said the 700 block of K Street has already secured the funding and will be built.

“This project could be one of the last of its kind,” he said.

The end goal, according to Miry and Youssefi, is to return K Street to its former status as one of the vibrant sectors downtown and bring mixed-use retail, restaurant, entertainment and residential entities to downtown.

Sixty percent of the project is dedicated as affordable housing. The other 40 percent will be market-rate housing.

“It’s going to bring a good mix of workforce housing as well as apartments that are as nice as any downtown,” Miry said.

Youssefi said there is one overarching reason the project excites him.

“I grew up in Sacramento,” he said. “To be a part of this project, which will be a catalyst for revitalizing downtown, that’s exciting”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Editorial Note: A correction has been made to this story after it was published.

"The Greenest Building" Film Showing at Crest Theatre July 25

2011-07-18T06:55:43Z

What: The Greenest Building Documentary Film, followed by a panel discussion on the connections between historic preservation, green building and economic sustainability.
When: Monday, July 25 at 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Movie 7:00 PM, discussion panel 8:00 PM)
Where: The Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, Sacramento
How Much: Free!

Over the next 20 years, Americans will demolish one third of our existing building stock (over 82 billion square feet) in order to replace seemingly inefficient buildings with energy efficient “green” structures. Is demolition in the name of sustainability really the best use of natural, social, and economic resources? Or, like the urban renewal programs of the 1960’s, is this well-intentioned planning with devastating environmental and cultural consequences?

On Monday, July 25th, “The Greenest Building,” a new hour-long documentary by Eugene, Oregon film producer Jane Turville, will be screened at the Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, Sacramento. The film presents a compelling overview of the important role building reuse plays in creating sustainable communities. Narrated by David Ogden Stiers, “The Greenest Building” explores the myth that a “green building” is a new building and demonstrates how renovation and adaptive reuse of existing structures fully achieves the sustainability movement’s “triple bottom line” - economic, social, and ecological balance. The film reveals: (a) how reuse and reinvestment in the existing built environment leads to stronger local economies that can compete on a global scale, (b) that sense of place and collective memory, while intangible, are critical components of strong sustainable communities, and (c) the direct correlation between reuse of existing buildings and a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, degradation of the natural environment and overuse of precious natural resources.

If you are interested in buildings, community development, sustainable communities or just plain want to find out if existing buildings really are worth keeping, plan to attend this special event. “The Greenest Building” starts at 7:00 pm. The panel discussion starts at 8:00 PM, and will feature Matt Piner of Pinerworks Architecture, Roberta Deering, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Planner for Historic Preservation, City of Sacramento Community Development Department, Bay Miry of D&S Development, Ray Nalangan of SMUD, Susan Rainier, AIA, LEED AP, of USGBC and UC Davis, and Craig Hausman, AIA, Hausman Architecture. This panel will help relate the ideas presented in the film the film to recently completed and upcoming preservation projects in Sacramento.

From the film's website:

"At the start of “The Greenest Building” narrator David Ogden-Stiers poses the question “Might it be that the greenest building is the one that is already there?” The answer at the end of the film is true for buildings, as well as all consumer products – “Reuse is key to triple-bottom-line sustainability.” Why? When we reuse any consumer product, whether it be a plastic milk jug or a ten story building, we automatically reduce our consumption of natural resources as well as recycle that item either for its original purpose or for a new purpose. An item doesn’t necessarily have to change physically (as in plastic bottles into carpet) in order to be recycled. In fact, synonyms for “recycle” include “reprocess”, “salvage”, “recover”, and “reuse”. In building reuse, it’s often called “adaptive reuse.”"--Jane Turville, producer

This film is presented by the Sacramento Old City Association (SOCA) in conjunction with Wagging Tale Productions and the assistance of the Crest Theatre.

For more information, visit http://www.sacoldcity.org or www.thegreenestbuildingmovie.com.

The Sacramento Old City Association promotes actions that preserve and enhance a high quality of life for Central City residents, businesses, working people and visitors. The organization works to achieve balanced and harmonious relationships among residential, commercial and employment uses in the Central City.

Disclosure: William Burg is a board member of the Sacramento Old City Association.

New coffee bar coming to Seventh and K

2011-07-15T00:47:51Z

An empty former Starbucks at Seventh and K streets will soon be serving coffee and food as Plaza Cafe Lounge opens next month with an emphasis on bringing a San Francisco-style coffee bar to downtown Sacramento.

“We want to make it a lounge place where you can sit on a comfortable couch or out on the patio and meet with friends,” said co-owner Zack Alemi.

The 1,800 square-foot space will be outfitted with $10,000 worth of leather lounge chairs and couches as well as free wi-fi. A 1,500-square-foot patio fronting St. Rose of Lima Park will add seating, and Alemi said the coffee lounge will connect to the Antigua night club next door.

Six big-screen plasma TVs will be in the space as well, tuned to various news channels or whatever customers want to watch, Alemi said.

A mixture of hot sandwiches, ciabatta paninis and pizza by the slice will be available, as well as bagels, other breakfast foods and desserts.

“We’re going to have pies, probably six types of cheesecake, and smoothies and shakes,” Alemi said. “I don’t know of many places where you can just go and get a piece of pie and some ice cream, and we want to offer that.”

The shop will stay open until 11 p.m. on weeknights and 2 a.m. on weekends, and Alemi said hookah pipes will be available as well.

“We’re really bringing a new-age cafe like you see in San Francisco, L.A. and San Diego,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of potential here for a coffee cafe with the mall and the Capitol so close.”

The coffee will come from Vaneli’s Handcrafted Coffee of Rocklin.

“(The owner) goes all over the world and goes straight to the farmers for the coffee,” Alemi said. “He’s got the best Italian roast – it’s smooth and you don’t even need to add sugar or cream.”

Much of the plumbing and other infrastructure was already in place from Starbucks, and Alemi said that enabled him to save money on the building, though he estimated the cost redo the space and add equipment – such as a $5,000 machine to squeeze fresh orange juice – to be about $175,000.

The 24-year-old Alemi and his 22-year old co-owner Omar Tarin said they are excited about recent developments to that section of the K Street Mall.

The City Council’s June 21 approval of the redevelopment plan for the 700 Block of K Street along with the move to bring cars back to K Street will both benefit their business, they said.

“When we get those apartment buildings right across the street, it’s going to be really good for us,” Alemi said. “And the cars will be good, too. Light rail comes by every 30 minutes, but cars come by all the time, so they’ll see us.”

If the possibility of Temple Coffee’s move from the Levinson’s Book Store space pans out, Alemi said his coffee cafe will be the only coffee bar in the area.

Tarin said he sees the potential for the corner of K Street and Seventh Street as a beautiful area, adding that he likes being next to St. Rose of Lima Park.

Alemi said he anticipates coffee and hot chocolate sales being good during the winter when the park has its ice-skating rink.

Next door to the coffee cafe, Antigua owner Felipe Olvera, 32, said he thinks the coffee cafe will be a good addition to the corner.

“They’re going to add to the potential of K Street,” he said. “We’re some of the first businesses to be here, and we hope to be here for a long time as the area really develops.”

He said opening up a walkway between his night club and the coffee cafe will be a way to give his customers a place to hang out and have a conversation when they want to take a break from dancing or drinking.

“We want to promote each other and be able to survive in this hard economy,” he said. “We need to all come together.”

Alemi said his biggest concern with opening the business is the fate of the nearby Westfield Downtown Plaza, which has been the subject of sale talks.

“I’d love to see someone come in and buy it and bring some high-end stores in,” Alemi said.

He added that he anticipates the completion of the 24 Hour Fitness remodel will bring a steady flow of traffic to Seventh Street.

Neither Alemi or Tarin have formal business degrees, but both own or have owned businesses in the past, and Alemi said he thinks it’s more important to know how to connect with the community and offer a product than have formal schooling.

“There are people with business degrees looking for jobs at Target,” he said. “You’ve got to know how to bring people what they want.”

Alemi owns Frontier Limo Service in Elk Grove, and Tarin owned the World Class Motors car dealership in Roseville, as well as two Paradise cafe locations in Rancho Cordova, which he sold.

Two employees have been hired, and Alemi said hours will be from 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. on weekdays, and the business will stay open late – until 2 a.m. – on Fridays and Saturdays.

“It’ll be a cool place for people to lounge and get coffee,” Barista Jasmine Mojadidi, 20, said.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

No longer a ‘pedestrian mall,’ K Street prepares for cars

2011-07-12T02:39:31Z

On Tuesday evening, the City Council will consider revising a local ordinance that will bring the city one step closer to seeing cars on K Street for the first time in more than 45 years.

The revised ordinance will change a city code that has been in place since the early 1960s that defined the five blocks of K Street between Eighth to 12th streets as a “pedestrian mall,” closing it to vehicular traffic.

“It was something that was happening in a lot of places back then,” said Denise Malvetti, department manager at the city’s Economic Development Department. “Cities were trying to replicate the suburban experience, and they created a lot of these pedestrian malls. It was a failed experiment, though.”

Roughly 150 cities in the U.S. installed pedestrian malls in the 1960s, Malvetti said, and now about half of those have converted back to allow street traffic.

“We’ve been working on getting cars back on K Street since late 2008,” Malvetti said. “We’ve put a lot of consideration into this project, and we did a lot of outreach to the community.”

Business owners were outspoken in saying that returning cars to K Street is vital to increasing retail activity in the area, Malvetti said, but they won’t see an instant change.

“It will likely be an incremental increase over time,” Malvetti said.

City Council recently approved numerous projects intended to revitalize the J-K-L corridor, and K Street in particular, in order to stimulate economic activity in the area and bring people back to what was once a hub of activity in the city, Malvetti said.

The “Cars on K Street” project was part of a $2.7 million construction and design project approved by City Council in April 2010.

The purpose of the project, according to a staff report, is to “increase access and visibility to businesses, promote a safe environment, stimulate additional economic activity, and improve (traffic) circulation.”

“Sacramento needs to be more pedestrian-friendly,” said Councilman Steve Cohn, “but the way that part of K Street is laid out, it wasn’t working as a pedestrian-only street.”

Cohn said returning cars to K Street makes sense because it will help with traffic flow and make it easier for people to get to the businesses along that part of K Street.

In order to allow for the reintroduction of cars on K Street from Eighth to 12th streets, the city code must be amended to remove the definition of “pedestrian mall” currently applied to those five street blocks.

According to provisions in the city charter, the council must first pass the revised ordinance for publication, and then it can finalize the approval at the following City Council meeting.

This is one of the last steps before construction can begin, Malvetti said. The Department of Transportation will bring a construction contract to City Council next week for approval, and then groundbreaking can begin within the first week of August.

Design plans for the “Cars on K Street” project include creating new crossing signals at 11th and K streets, wheelchair access at intersections and the addition of edge treatments (possibly planters or street furniture) to provide a buffer between the roadway and sidewalks to increase pedestrian safety and make the blocks more visually appealing.

“Our goal is to have cars back on K Street in early November,” Malvetti said. “It’s one more step in the revitalization of K Street.”

Melissa Corker is a Staff Reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

K Street redevelopment project a 'great investment for the city'

2011-06-25T03:02:16Z

The approval of the redevelopment project for the 700 block of K Street brings more than just the prospect of a revitalized block of the J-K-L corridor, it also includes financial incentives that supporters say will spur the local economy and bolster revenues for the city.

Originally, developers Bay Miry, D & S Development, and Ali Youssefi, CFY Development, proposed that the city put in $16 million of funding assistance – one half of that amount in the form of a grant, and the other half in repayable loans from a variety of redevelopment agency sources.

Since the initial proposal, however, Miry and Youssefi were able to tap into new funding sources for the project, including a federal program called New Market Tax Credits (NMTC).

With more outside funding, the amount of private investment increased and the level of public investment decreased.

The approved project now includes only $14.7 million in public funds – nearly $2 million less than originally proposed.

“From a financing standpoint, we’re pleased that the developers have made such an effort to increase their equity input,” Councilman Rob Fong said Friday. “It’s a great investment for the city.”

In addition to a decreased level of public funding for the project, the city will profit from the redevelopment project at 40 percent of whatever the cash-flow is.

This translates to a return for the city of approximately $17.4 million on a $14.7 million investment.

“That is unheard of in a private-public partnership project,” Miry said. “It’s a really good thing for the city.”

That’s not all, though, according to Miry.

The financing terms of the project include yet another added incentive to the city.

In the event the development is ever sold to new investors, the city will receive 20 percent of the profit from the sale, over and above full repayment of all loans on the original project.

“Neither of those two aspects (a high return on reduced investment and profit on future sale) were part of the initial proposal,” Miry said.

City Council members gave the green light to the K Street project on Tuesday, saying the project would be “transformative” and “invigorating” for the downtown sector.

“This long awaited project will certainly change the face of K Street,” said Maurice Chaney, communications specialist for the city’s Economic Development Department. “It will generate millions in tax revenue and support 500 permanent jobs once operational.”

“This is a win, win, win situation,” said Councilman Kevin McCarty Friday.

“It’s a win for revitalizing K Street. It’s a win for housing downtown. It’s a win for development and jobs,” McCarty said.

Read more about the 700 block project here.

Moving forward with K Street redevelopment plans

2011-06-23T02:02:53Z

With the approval of the 700 block project on K street, developers Bay Miry and Ali Youssefi are closer to realizing their long-awaited vision.

But that vision has changed in some unexpected ways since its initial proposal.

First, that vision “got a lot bigger,” Miry said.

When Miry and Youssefi were awarded the project in July 2010, they didn’t have access to the interior of the buildings at the project site.

“The initial proposal was very conceptual in nature,” Youssefi said. “We knew that if our team was selected we'd have the opportunity (later) to refine the project design based on a thorough inspection of all the buildings.”

Once they were handed keys in late August, they had a chance to fully explore what the building had to offer – and what they found was surprising.

“We realized that there’s tons of character and potential to not only create basement concepts, but also rooftop concepts,” Youssefi said. “Sacramento just doesn’t have nearly enough rooftop restaurants and businesses.”

The discovery allowed them to nearly double the amount of retail space offered in the plan from 37,480 to more than 64,000 square feet – and increased the total cost of the project from $35.5 million to about $47.7 million.

The housing element of the project also changed.

Initially, the plan called for 136 rental housing units, but the design underwent some architectural changes, and the overall appearance of the block was modified and the number of rental units increased by one.

The level of affordable housing also changed from all moderate-income units at the start to a mix of 60 percent low- to moderate level affordable income housing units and 40 percent units rented at market rate.

“The affordability and total number of housing units fluctuated for several months as we were refining the design of our project and evaluating different sources of financing,” Youssefi said.

(An in-depth look at affordable housing is covered here.)

A portion of the project relies on affordable housing subsidies – funding that critics have called into question.

During the discussion of the project at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sacramento Housing Alliance Policy Director Bob Erlenbusch said the public subsidy is being applied inappropriately.

“The current proposal … over-subsidizes the affordable units in the development,” Erlenbusch said. “It’s significantly higher than the average (for the area) and is based on unreasonably high market rents.”

Erlenbusch said, “Simply put, SHA feels that there is too much subsidy for hardly any affordability.”

The developers disagree.

“Having the units be a mix of low/moderate and market rates creates a diverse community,” Youssefi said.

It also provides apartments to “an under-served demographic – people who don't qualify for traditional low-income housing but who can't necessarily afford the market rents in downtown Sacramento,” Youssefi added.

Miry noted that the city has invested a lot of money in projects in the downtown area that target low- and very-low-income thresholds.

“To balance that out in the K Street area,” Miry said, “there was a strong desire (from Miry and Youssefi and the Economic Development group) that there be a healthy portion of market-rate housing in the block as well.”

Council members applauded the revised proposal as they completed the agreement with developers and gave their approval for the project.

“This is a very exciting project,” said Councilwoman Angelique Ashby. “This (project) is what we are trying to do: rebuild our city. Make it a special place for people to come together. (This project) provides solutions for everyone who wants to be a part of downtown.”

Where Do They Go From Here?

Now that the project has City Council approval, Miry and Youssefi turn their attention to the next two steps in the process: finalizing project financing and securing building permits.

“Everything we’ve worked on architecturally so far was the conceptual drawings package required for Planning Department approval,” Miry said. “Now we go into specific detail of how we are actually going to construct the project.”

The developers need to complete and submit final construction drawings and get them reviewed and approved by the building department before breaking ground on the project.

Miry said it will take two to three months to complete the construction drawings and another two to three months to obtain approval from the city building department.

“After that, we’re ready to go,” Miry said.

Both D & S Development and CFY Development have their own in-house contracting licenses, and will oversee the actual construction.

“We’ll be (sub-contracting) some work, but the day we have permit in hand, we’ll be able to start the demolition process,” Miry said. “If (the building department) will issue a demo permit ahead of the building permit, we’ll start even sooner.”

Ashby and Councilman Kevin McCarty underscored the importance of the 700 block project with praise for the benefits of moving the project forward.

“We’re always saying ‘jobs, jobs, jobs,’ ” McCarty said. “Well, (this project) means 400 jobs for our community. This is great.”

“It’s a true partnership between the (Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency) and the business community, and a partnership with the community at large,” Ashby added.

Miry and Youssefi said a lot of people have wanted to see K Street revitalized for a long time.

“We’re confident we’ll be able to put it together by the new year timeframe,” Miry said. “We’re going to see a cool new Renaissance here on K Street pretty soon.”

Bay Miry talks about getting approval of the 700 block project from MelissaCorker on Vimeo.

Council approves K Street redevelopment proposal

2011-06-22T07:22:40Z

The proposal for redevelopment of the 700 block of K Street received the nod of approval from City Council Tuesday night, opening the way for developers to move forward with the $47.7 million project.

With close to 64,000 square feet of retail space and more than 130 housing units, the project is designed to revitalize a long-ignored section of K Street with a diverse tenant mix of restaurants, boutique shops and a live music venue.

If all goes as planned, developers expect to begin construction in late January or early February of next year.

With their unanimous vote, council members approved the environmental impact and planning commission reports, and formalized a Developer Disposition Agreement (DDA), which spells out the terms of the redevelopment deal with the city.

Bay Miry, senior associate at D & S Development, one of the project’s development companies, said they anticipate the project will create approximately 300-400 construction jobs during the building phase, and another 400-500 permanent jobs from the 14 retail spaces being built into the development.

“We’re very excited and thankful for (the) council’s approval,” said Ali Youssefi of CFY Development, the other half of the 700 block development team. “Now it’s all about completing the plans, getting to construction and getting to the day when we can go out and enjoy the finished product.”

The next steps for Youssefi and Miry will be securing the remaining financing elements, including a conventional loan and a federal grant for redevelopment of blighted neighborhoods in distressed areas.

“We’re hoping that this will put us where we consider to be very solid ground,” said Beth Tincher, a senior project manager with the city's Economic Development Department.

Tincher described working with city planning and building officials on the project at every step as a “collaborative effort to ensure the success of the project.”

“They have indicated their willingness to work with us and help us to keep to the schedule we’ve outlined,” Tincher said.

The development team initially requested $16 million in existing city redevelopment assistance funds to go along with developers’ private investment of $1.5 million in cash equity and $18 million in conventional debt to develop the 700 block, Miry said.

As the project was being negotiated, however, the deal was revised so the city would contribute only $14.5 million, and developers increased the private investment of debt and equity to a total of $33 million.

The development team anticipates about 200 residents “living, working and playing” in the K Street area from the 137 apartments planned for the project, Miry said.

The developers anticipate the project will bring about 6,000 patrons to K Street every week.

Additionally, developers estimate about $1.6 million in annual sales tax revenue generated from the project, and another $330,000 annually in property tax.

“We really feel this project will encourage development in the surrounding underdeveloped, vacant, blighted parcels,” Miry said. “It’s a home run for the city, for sure.”

Lounge on 20's remodel

2011-06-18T08:15:08Z

Midtown’s Lounge on 20, known for its all-white décor and dim lighting and as a place to grab a drink and relax, transformed last month to include dining and incorporate a warmer color scheme.

“We added almost 100 seats for dining, a new menu and (Executive Chef Pajo Bruich),” said owner Ali Mackani. “There are color changes, new lighting, a freestanding sculpture that’s also a fireplace, and we still have areas for lounging.”

He added that a dessert chef, Elaine Baker, formerly of Grange Restaurant and Bar, is also working at the remodeled space.

Also included is an elevated stage for live performances Thursday through Saturday nights.

Careful preparation enabled the transformation to take place over four nights, Mackani said, adding that it reopened to the public on May 20.

The successful lounge concept is still evident, but Mackani said the goal was to bring in dining, and he added that from the outset he wanted it to be unique.

Bruich uses sous vide cooking methods, which allow meats to be slow-cooked for hours at a low temperature to retain their juiciness and flavor.

Mackani said Bruich will also be incorporating “molecular gastronomy,” which is paying close attention to the way foods interact with each other at the smallest level of detail to deliver the exact taste the chef is looking to create.

In about a month, the bar menu will be updated to include demonstrations – such as one where liquids will be turned to gels – and specialty drinks, some of which will be served in glasses made entirely of ice.

The overall effect of the remodeled space, Mackani said, gives a softer touch to the colors and makes the area feel more intimate. Curtains allow some areas to be shielded from the rest of the space for a more private feel.

Mackani said customer response has been very positive.

Customer Desmond Williams of East Sacramento told The Sacramento Press Friday that he loves the addition of food.

“I hope the community really embraces it,” he said. “Chef Pajo’s making really great stuff.”

He said he also likes the space, adding that it does a good job of providing both openness and an intimate feel. When it comes to live music performances, he said the acts start late enough that diners can still have conversations over dinner, then stick around for the music.

Customer Mary Daffin of Sacramento raved about the food selections as well, calling the whole menu a “When Harry Met Sally” experience.

Mackani said he is happy with the renovation of the restaurant and lounge, which originally opened in 2008.

“We just think it’s a great place to come and dine and stay later at night for drinks,” he said. “We want to really be a place you can pick for a lot of different occasions.”

To view the menu and prices, click here.

To stay up to date on events and musical acts, check Lounge on 20’s Facebook page.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Public art grows in Midtown alleys

2011-05-14T01:00:00Z

An alley art project is growing in Midtown.

Three new pieces featuring the Sacramento skyline and a desert scene were installed on an alley off K Street within the last two weeks.

Many people are already stumbling on this cache of alley art. By early June, residents will be able to take walking tours of this growing outdoor gallery, thanks to tour maps being printed and posted online as part of the Midtown Alley Project (MAP) led by artists and an art-loving property owner.

"The whole thought is to take these alleys back, make them more aesthetically pleasing and also provide points of interest," said Gallery 2110 owner Clare Bailey, a muralist and fine artist who started the alley art project with artist Kristina McClanahan and property owner Thomas A. Roth.

"We are making art happen on K Street," she said.

They created MAP about three years ago using buildings Roth owns on K Street as the canvases. MAP now includes seven pieces of art: five murals and two sculptures. All of the art faces alleys between K and L streets from 21st to 24th streets. Maps will be available online and in print at Gallery 2110 by June 11.

The first installation was the 80-foot Midtown Mosaic on a wall behind Art Beast, 2226 K St. The mural is a community mosaic of paintings and one tile piece by 60 people ranging from tattoo and graffiti artists to nuns from a nearby Sisters of Mercy home.

Kristyne DiMeo later painted the 18-foot-high Hollywood Mural, also known as “Hollywood comes to Sacramento,” on the back of Studio 24, 2220 K St. A silhouette of a man painted in the left bottom corner was a tribute to Roth.

Two more works can be found behind Gallery 2110 at 2110 K St. – formerly called the Sacramento Art Complex. Metal assemblage artist Steve Cook created a 40-foot-wide metal peacock sculpture with tail feathers made of rebar and sawblades atop an iron gate on a back patio. Other artists are collaborating on a mural there.

The three newest pieces include a 16-foot-by-4-foot Steve Memering mural of the Sacramento skyline, which was restored by Laura Carone and hung on an apartment building at 2320 K St. a week ago.

Artists Margaret Arnold and Cook collaborated to make a 30-foot-wide patio wall behind Roth's Western Properties office, 2318 K St., beautiful and more secure. Arnold painted the new “Desert Cactus” mural on the three-sided, 6-foot-high wall.

Two weeks ago, Cook installed another assemblage sculpture on top of the wall as functional art. “Prickly Pear” is a collection of cacti and aloe vera plants made from rebar, nails and sawblades. He also built a secure, tall metal door to replace the patio's wooden gate.

The patio had problems with intruders who left needles, condoms and beer bottles, Bailey and Cook said on a tour of the art pieces Friday.

The alley art project was created to beautify buildings and alleys, and to help make alleys safer by bringing more people there. Murals can help deter graffiti artists from tagging buildings.

The project was also started to bring artists more work and give their art more visibility. The MAP pieces are the first public art projects each of the artists have done, Bailey said.

New construction projects on empty lots are required to devote a certain percentage of budgets to interior or exterior art. Redevelopment projects may be eligible for public funding of art. Midtown doesn't have many empty lots or redevelopment projects, Bailey said.

"Public art isn't going to happen unless a private entity makes it happen," she said.

Roth, who's owned property in Midtown for at least 20 years, has paid for six of the art pieces in the project – all but the Midtown Mosaic – to launch the project and inspire others to add to Midtown's public art offerings. Roth estimates the pieces cost more than $20,000 total.

Some already have been inspired by the project. Three murals have since been painted by others on the back of a house, a garage door and record store Phono Select on an alley block across 23rd Street from the Midtown Mosaic.

Owners of at least three other properties are now talking with the MAP crew about adding public art at their spaces.

The founders of New Era Garden, a community garden that sits on a cul de sac and alley at 26th and B streets, would like to add some art – possibly a recycled metal sculpture. They would have to do some fundraising first, said co-founder Deniz Tuncer.

"I think it's a lovely idea to beautify the area," she said.

For future pieces, he and Bailey determine the budget property owners have. They then meet with the artist to determine the cost to create the art. MAP organizers will hold fundraisers to help make up the difference. Fundraisers could include bake sales, art auctions and art classes at Gallery 2110. Artists donate talent, time and materials, Bailey said.

"We had to get enough of these out here, and now people are starting to catch the enthusiasm," Bailey said. "Some day we're going to have a really great strolling outdoor art gallery."

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

Cold case squad solves crime, faces budget cuts

2011-05-12T00:18:16Z

It was a beer can that gave cold case detectives the evidence they needed to make an arrest in a 1987 homicide on Friday.

Detective Peter Willover spends his time poring over homicide and rape crimes committed before DNA became a routine part of police work. He is a reserve officer who previously spent 40 years as a detective with the Sacramento Police Department.

“I’ve probably reviewed close to 100 cases,” he said Wednesday. “We focus on cases that may provide DNA evidence.”

One of those cases was the 1987 stabbing death of 52-year-old Richard Schultz in an alley near 21st and K streets.

At the time, homicide detectives had a vague description of a man who had allegedly stabbed Schultz and another homeless man, who survived his wounds.

When reviewing the report of the case in February of 2009, Willover noted the surviving victim’s statement that he, Schultz and the attacker had all been drinking beer together. That detail made the case a priority for Willover.

“We get a lot of DNA evidence off of beer cans and bottles,” he said.

The can was sent to the crime lab, where DNA evidence was eventually extracted and uploaded into a national database of DNA profiles.

It took more than two years to get a result – a fact Willover attributed to manpower shortages at the crime lab. He said the crime lab is integral to solving cold cases.

“Cases that are going to court get the first priority,” he added.

The Department of Justice’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database matched the DNA to 48-year-old Gregory Samuel Olguin, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

At 8:15 a.m. Friday, officers arrested Olguin in the 9100 block of Elk Grove Boulevard, and he was subsequently booked and charged with murder, according to a police department press release.

Department spokeswoman Laura Peck said Wednesday that she could not discuss whether Olguin made any statements or confessions, but said he is being held without bail and will go to trial.

The cold case unit at the department is composed of Willover, two other part-time reserve officers and a full-time detective.

While Willover and the other reserve officers are funded by a federal grant set to expire in October, the full-time detective is employed by the Sacramento Police Department, which could potentially lose about 12 percent of its staff, Peck said.

Proposed budget cuts include eliminating 80 sworn police officer positions, which could see the end of the cold case unit, Peck said.

“It’s all up in the air at this point,” she added. “We’re not sure what the department is going to look like.”

Willover said that, depending on the language in the grant, it’s possible that the cold case squad could be eliminated if other positions in the department are lost, including the detective assigned to the unit.

Peck said cases like the one from 1987 would essentially have no one looking into them if that happened.

Willover said there are more than 100 cases from before the early- to mid-1990s – when DNA testing became mainstream – that still need to be reviewed.

Generally, he added, homicide and rape cases top the list, since other crimes tend to be past the statutes of limitations, meaning that even if they are solved, arrests can’t be made.

The department’s cold case unit has been featured three times on the A&E TV show “Cold Case Files,” Willover said.

Most notable was a case shortly after the program was started 10 years ago at the behest of Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert.

The murder of a young woman, Penny Parker, in 1977 had originally been investigated by Willover when he was a homicide detective. She was a paper carrier for The Sacramento Bee and went missing while on her route, only to be discovered dead several days later, with evidence of sexual assault.

Willover said he had a good idea of who had committed the crime, but didn’t have enough evidence to make an arrest at the time.

In the early 2000s, the case was one of the first he looked at, and DNA evidence placed the original suspect at the scene of the crime.

Willover traveled to Arkansas, where the man was living, and he still denied knowing the woman.

A warrant was obtained, and when police knocked on the door, the suspect killed himself.

“It was a made-for-TV movie,” Willover said.

To read more about that case and Willover, click here.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

DWB: Before the BIG news

2011-05-02T20:19:41Z

Before the events of this weekend were overtaken by Sunday night's historic news of Bin Laden's assassination, and then immediately by this morning's local news of the Maloofs' decision not to leave for Anaheim (yet), this weekend was already pretty great.

Downtown and Midtown were bumpin' all weekend. I spent a lot of it on my bike, morning, noon and night, and I was not alone. I felt like I was in Sacramento future. But in fact, I was in Sacramento NOW.

Despite terrible news early last week - Sacramento's job market is clearly, measurably the worst in the country, our new budget may have to cut public safety in a way we've never done, and our air quality is Top 10 worst in the nation - it was a great weekend to be in Sactown.

The media, including Sacramento Press, was fixated on the Mobile Food Festival, which was a success. No, not just a success: It was a SUCCESS!! There were people everywhere, on bikes, in lines hundreds long, in traffic backed up all over the area around Fremont Park, and eating in neighboring restaurants that reported 50-100 percent increases in business.

It was a clear message to our "Footloose" mentality City Council and other regulators of civic behavior that we're a grown up city, and we don't need (and our businesses don't need) to be protected from competition or "roaches" or whatever they think they're protecting us (or some of us) from.

As Sacramento Press community contributor Lindol French put it:

“SactoMoFo was an emphatic repudiation of the draconian mobile food restrictions imposed upon us by our elected delegates. Basically, we voted 10,000 to 0 that Measure 5.68 is a crock. We're here and we're hungry, and we don't need our city council to protect us from cheap and delicious street food."

The council should rescind Measure 5.68 immediately. Restauranteurs who feel the heat from food trucks might want to start one or two of their own. Mai Pham of Star Ginger already has plans to do this. Others should follow suit. Free enterprise, remember? In any case, grabbing a bao or tiny burger is an entirely different thing than sitting down for a three course meal. Apples and oranges.

But that wasn't all that was going on in the Grid. Friday night I did an informal study of local restaurants (creepily peering through windows, sorry diners!), and found that while a few were more or less full, most were not. And it wasn't mobile food that was doing it. It was the high price of a nice meal out. We're in a new economy, and that was very clear on a Friday night in the Grid.

Midtown, especially J Street, was busy enough, but nothing worth noting. At that point, I thought the weekend was going to be typically quiet.

But then I went, of all places, to K Street Mall downtown. It was sick with people. People walking from the Kevin Hart's show at the Community Center Theatre, people lined up to get into Dive Bar and Pizza Rock, people eating dessert at Ambrosia Cafe and GoGi tacos at 15th and L.

It was amazing. The main source of the foot traffic was the California Democratic Party's annual convention, which drew a lot of people, as well as the Hart show. But there were also Cindo De Mayo events, a protest or two at the Capitol, and good (if a bit windy) weather. It was a great night to be out and about, and it lasted through the weekend.

Sacramento can be this more often. We have something to offer. We are a destination: A lot of those people were from out of town, and my bet is that they'll say nice things about Sacramento to their friends back home. Six months ago, that may well not have been the case.

A lot of people are working to make this community better, however they define that. And as bad as the news has been lately, it was encouraging to see life being lived on the streets, by locals and tourists and conventioneers.

Let's keep it going. It can work. It TAKES work. But the end result, a vibrant city full of people out and about, eating, drinking, talking and enjoying our central city, is worth every bit of it.

And let's get rid of the silly ordinance.

Future of Westfield Downtown Plaza in doubt

2011-04-29T00:06:15Z

Will Westfield Downtown Plaza be put up for sale?

According to the Wall Street Journal, Westfield is testing the market for a buyer for the mall, which has been plagued by empty storefronts.

In August, when the mall underwent a remodel, General Manager Russell Dougherty said it was only 65 percent occupied.

Westfield officials did not return phone calls for comment on their plans for the mall this week.

“The Mayor remains committed to working with Westfield and finding ways to make the plaza a viable entity in Sacramento,” said Joaquin McPeek, press secretary for Mayor Kevin Johnson. “At the end of the day, this is such a critical piece of downtown and we’ve all got to work together to see it reach its full potential.”

Johnson has previously said the city is “extremely committed” to reviving the mall.

“I don’t think we’re overly surprised with the announcement,” said Michael Ault, executive director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “We knew for a long time it wasn’t an asset that was paying off.”

Ault said the mall in the heart of downtown – straddling K Street from Third Street to Seventh Street – is an asset that is too big to let deteriorate, and if it does end up being sold, he said he hopes any potential new owner will be able to revitalize it.

“Westfield is one of the largest mall operators in the world,” he said. “If they didn’t make it work, maybe somebody needs to re-look at what it is.”

That could be an opportunity, to reconfigure it from a shopping mall to more of a mixed-use space including both retail and office space, he said.

But don’t look for it on Craigslist yet.

“At this point, they’ve just hired somebody to see if anybody is interested,” Ault said. “We’re not sure that anybody wants to buy it. We clearly don’t want to see it continue to deteriorate to the point that it starts to impact some of the new development.”

The downtown core has seen some successful recent development, with more on the way.

The trio of nightlife venues a few blocks down K Street, another nearby restaurant opening and the endorsing of the downtown railyards as the site for a new courthouse are spread around the mall.

Another player in the area is Macy’s, which owns its buildings in Downtown Plaza. The two separate downtown Macy’s stores on the plaza compose one of the biggest Macy’s stores in the state, Ault said.

“Macy’s represents a large part of why people continue to shop at Westfield,” Ault said. “No matter what happens at Westfield, we want to make sure we support Macy’s as well.”

Macy’s officials were not available for comment this week.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @brandon_darnell.

City loans California Musical Theatre $300,000

2011-04-28T01:17:51Z

The struggling California Musical Theatre in Sacramento will receive $300,000 from the city to help it stay afloat.

The Sacramento City Council unanimously decided Wednesday to loan the amount to the theater over the next three years. The theater can withdraw the money in $50,000 increments each quarter until the $300,000 total is reached, according to a report by city staff. The money will go toward the theater’s operations.

California Musical Theatre runs Music Circus, the Broadway Series and Cosmopolitan Cabaret.

“It’s an important piece of downtown,” Councilman Jay Schenirer said, referring to the theater. The business the theater brings to downtown is “incredibly important,” he added.

The city is taking $300,000 from its Community Center Theater Renovation Project for the loan.

Councilwomen Sandy Sheedy and Angelique Ashby noted that the money for the loan is designated for the arts and cannot be used in the city’s general fund.

When the theater withdraws money from the loan during a fiscal year, it must pay back the city the amount plus interest by June 30 of that fiscal year, according to the city staff report.

The theater cannot receive a bank line of credit because of its financial situation, the staff report said.

Still, the theater provides benefits to the city, according to the report. The theater employs more than 550 people, and pays $800,000 to the Sacramento Convention Center in rent annually, the report said.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Ask Officer Michelle - Incident at 9/K Streets

2011-04-17T15:52:29Z

Posted by Frank000064

On 4/5/11 just after 2:30pm when I went into the RiteAid at 9th & K, I was told by a cashier that a customer had just been body slammed into the side of the building and robbed, but no one had been apprehended. Do you know if anyone was caught? I work a couple of blocks from there and myself along with other in my building were concerned about what happened. I checked the various news sites but didn’t see anything about it and did not see anything in your crime log either.

Dear Frank000064,

I know exactly the call you are speaking of. I was dispatched to that call myself. The complainant/victim was contacted at the bus stop at 9th/K Streets by a Hispanic male who asked him if he wanted to buy some marijuana. The victim told the suspect that he wanted to see the marijuana first. When the Hispanic male took three bindles of marijuana out of his pocket to display it to the victim, the victim grabbed the marijuana out of his hand and proceeded to walk toward the Rite-Aid. The Hispanic male caught up to the victim and punched him in the face. The Hispanic male then took off on a bicycle. The complainant said that it was his intention to give the marijuana to the police, and that he took it as evidence. Responding officers checked the area but were unable to locate the Hispanic male. The victim was taken to an area hospital for a precautionary examination. Thank you for your post.

Officer Michelle

The Crystal Method coming to District 30

2011-03-31T01:22:46Z

Electronic music duo The Crystal Method will be coming to the new District 30 venue April 7, and Ken Jordan, who founded the group with Scott Kirkland in the 1990s, spoke to The Sacramento Press about the upcoming show.

The Sacramento Press: How would you describe your music?

Ken Jordan: I would say it’s electronic dance music. It’s hard and soulful, and it’s more of a, well, not-quite-underground sound. There’s lots of jargony words I could use to describe it, but it’s cool, electronic dance music.

SP: You’ve been nominated for Grammy awards twice for best electronic/dance album (2009’s “Divided by Night” and 2004’s “Legion of Boom”). What does that sort of recognition mean to you, and has it changed anything in how you make your music?

KJ: It’s great. Ever since they’ve had the electronic music category, our two albums released since then have been nominated. We lost to Lady Gaga (“The Fame Monster”) this last time, and, you know, she had a really big year. It’s great to be nominated, but it’s never a goal. Our goal is always to create a record that’s good and something we enjoy.

SP: When it comes to creating electronic music, how have the technological advances since you formed more than 10 years ago changed the way you work?

KJ: It’s changed a great deal. The creative part of it is essentially the same. When we were first making music, though, just disc storage and RAM memory was all at such a premium. I can remember the first time we had 44-megabyte cartridges for memory and that was a big deal. Overall, the hard disc size and speed – all of that has come so far. That was always a technical limitation that cramped creativity. All of it is so cheap and so fast now that it’s become something you don’t think about so much.

SP: What are you looking forward to in Sacramento? Are you familiar with District 30?

KJ: I know it’s a new venue, and some of the people from Ruby Skye in San Francisco own it. We trust that element of it, and we’re excited about the new club. The last show we had in Sacramento was at Harlow’s. That was 2008, probably, and it was a lot of fun, but this show is going to be totally different, so it’s still something fresh.

SP: How is this show different from the last one?

KJ: That was a live show. We had keyboarders and drummers, and this one is going to be a DJ set. We usually play live shows with keyboardists and drummers and some additional people when we’re promoting an album, but we’re currently not promoting a new album. It’s going to be a really cool show. What we like doing the most when we tour is playing places (for) the first time or ones we don’t hit that often. It’s a fresher crowd.

SP: Will you be playing music from your albums, or will it include more than that?

KJ: We play lots of music that’s ours and remixes we’ve done and remixes of our music done by other people. There’s a lot of Crystal Method music in the set. We just finished a remix for the “Tron” soundtrack, so we’ll play that. What we’re working on right now is a couple of scenes from a big movie that’s coming out later this year. We will possibly play those.

SP: What is the name of the movie?

KJ: I can’t say. I’m in a non-disclosure contract.

SP: In doing work for TV, movies, video games and your own albums, which do you prefer?

KJ: Working on our albums is always the No. 1 priority. You get more satisfaction out of that, since you’re making it for yourself. On the other (projects), you’re making music for another project.

SP: Is there anything else you’d like people to know about The Crystal Method?

KJ: We’re a couple of nice, American boys from Las Vegas residing in L.A. A lot of times people ask us if we’re from England. A lot of our sound is based in classic rock and ’70s punk and early hip hop. We’re not that far out there. Anyone that likes music, if they give us a listen, they should like it. Even our parents like our music.

The Crystal Method’s show will be held at District 30, 1022 K St., from 9 p.m. - 3 a.m. April 7. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Photo essay: Tequila Museo Mayahuel; soft opening Friday

2011-03-30T05:06:49Z

Monday night, a huge Dia de los Muertos caricature welcomed guests to Tequila Museo Mayahuel on 12th and K streets.

Inside, sugar skulls, candles and marigolds transformed the new tequila museum and restaurant into a Dia de Los Muertos party, called “Subterraneo” put on by Jose Cuervo Tradicional tequila.

The party was a sneak preview of the not-yet-open Tequila Museo Mayahuel. Only those in the restaurant and bar industry were invited.

Jose Cuervo Tradicional is touring cities around the country with the Dia de los Muertos party and selected Sacramento to host Monday’s event.

According to Gina Castillo, tequila ambassador for Jose Cuervo and Don Julio Northern California, Tequila Museo Mayahuel was chosen because Sacramento is an important tequila market and it’s a brand new restaurant that has a tequila museum in it.

This is the first time Jose Cuervo Tradicional has hosted an event in Sacramento.

“(Mayahuel is) a place that’s going to stick to Mexican culture and since Dia de los Muertos is such a Mexican holiday, we wanted to make sure that we had it in a place that made sense,” Castillo said.

Some of Sacramento’s restaurateurs came to check out the new K Street restaurant and bar, including Ali Mackani, owner of Lounge on 20; Billy Ngo, owner of Kru and Red Lotus Kitchen & Bar; and Andrea Martin, who owns Bulls.

TJ Bruce, who owns Badlands and Hot Rods, was also there and said he was enjoying the party.

“It is very rustic. The food is wonderful,” he said. “It’s very clubby. I think a restaurant would do well (having) a club” atmosphere while it was serving food.

“I have a feeling it’s going to be a lot more low-key” normally, he added.

Small bites, or bocadillos, were served from the menu, including

Bruchetas de Rajas con Crema (french bread slices topped with strips of poblano chiles marinated in sour cream);
Dobladitas de Camaron y Queso Manchego (tortillas stuffed with shrimp and ricotta cheese sautéed with onions);
Molletitos de Chorizo y Queso Monterrey (baguette with black refried beans and chorizo and crumbled cheese);
Brochetas de Pollo y Nopal al Guajillo (chicken with cactus, Guajillo chile and mushrooms);
Tostaditas de Chile Ancho y Nopales (tostadas with Ancho chiles, guacamole and cactus);
Tostaditas de Tinga de Pollo (shredded chicken breast cooked in chipotle sauce, served on a tostada);
Panuchos de Cochinita Pibil (pulled pork that’s been cooked in Ancho chiles and citrus sauce on a soft tortilla with refried black beans).

For dessert, they served Mosaico de Flan de Chile Ancho (flan with pasillo peppers) and a mango mousse cake.

Nate Radabaugh, David Tyler and George Boeger came all the way from Chico to see Tequila Museo Mayahuel.

Radabaugh and Tyler said they do security for Chico’s Normal Street Bar, which Boeger owns.

“This is my first time in Sacramento,” Radabaugh said. “It’s a great city – a walking city – I didn’t know what to expect. I like the celebration.”

On display behind the bar were hand-painted Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia tequila boxes.

“Each box is different – different artist, different art,” Mayahuel owner Ernesto Delgado said. “They hired a Mexican artist to paint their box, and each year, they select a new artist to paint the box, and now it’s a series.”

The tequila boxes are the current display for the “museo” (museum) part of the restaurant. The history and culture of tequila will continue to be reflected in the rotating exhibits planned for Mayahuel.

“The idea is that the whole place is going to function and work like a museum,” Delgado said. “(The) one (behind the bar) is obviously the main exhibit, but throughout the entire restaurant we’ll have different exhibits on different walls that will coordinate with events, programs, venues (and) tastings.”

The exhibits will rotate every three months or so, he said.

Bartenders stayed busy serving specialty drinks, which included Trad Fresco, made of Tradicional Silver, simple syrup, grapefruit juice, muddled cucumber and mint leaves; Paloma Mayahuel, which mixed Tradicional Silver, grapefruit juice, agave syrup, lime juice, seltzer water and a pinch of salt; El Beso Ardiente, made of Tradicional Silver, agave syrup, lime juice, Serrano pepper and muddled pepper wheels; and others.

El Beso Ardiente means "the fiery kiss," according to Castillo.

Nicole Novoa, an analyst for the California Department of Consumer Affairs, said she came Monday because she is friends with the restaurant’s manager, Javier Valdez.

When asked what she thought of Mayahuel, she said, “It’s different from what I’ve seen. It doesn’t compare.... It’s culturally diverse. It has a really good ambiance.”

More than 200 people took part in the celebration throughout the night, according to Delgado.

DJ Alex Trujillo and DJ Will Rodriguez played music all night, getting the Day of the Dead caricatures on the dance floor along with many painted faces in the crowd.

Delgado said Tuesday that he was very pleased with the event.

“I personally loved it. It was a great reflection of what I’m trying to showcase – the culture.... Dia de los Muertos is a day of appreciating the past with the present – the people that have been here – their life and history. In Mexico, we celebrate our past by celebrating the deaths of people that were close to us,” he said.

The grand opening of Tequila Museo Mayahuel is scheduled for the weekend of Cinco de Mayo. However, the restaurant and bar will be open well before that, with a soft opening at 3 p.m. Friday. Delgado said they will serve small plates and a limited cocktail menu.

Tequila Museo Mayahuel is located at 1200 K St. For more information, read Suzanne Hurt’s recent article here or Brandon Darnell’s original article here.

Photos by Chris Brune and Colleen Belcher.

Joan Rivers at the Crest Theatre - Slideshow

2011-03-14T08:13:30Z

800 K Street Plan at Preservation Commission

2011-03-02T02:13:31Z

This Wednesday, March 2, the City of Sacramento's Preservation Commission will review and comment on plans for the 800 block of K Street. This plan follows the February review and comment for the 700 block of K Street, (a project of D&S Development and CFY Development) by the Preservation Commission, later presented to Design and Planning Commission.

City of Sacramento Preservation Commission

Wednesday, March 2, 5:30 PM, City Council Chambers, New City Hall, 915 I Street, Sacramento

Agenda for the Preservation Commission meeting can be found here:

http://sacramento.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=21&event_id=144

This project, selected last summer as one of two projects for the 700 and 800 block of K Street, is presented by David Taylor Interests, Domus, CIM and Zeiden Properties. After input by the city of Sacramento, the project now includes 200 apartments (the original plan called for 110) varying in size from 450 to 1100 square feet, and 20,000 feet of retail space, on a lot of approximately 1.1 acres. Two new buildings will be constructed, at 800 K Street and 801 L Street, and the historic Bel-Vue Apartments/American Cash Apartments building will be restored and renovated. The 800 K Street building will be six stories tall, not including a basement parking level at Sacramento's original street level. The 801 L Street building will be five stories. Affordability levels will vary within the project, ranging from low and moderate income to market-rate units. Potential tenants for the ground floor retail units were not specified in the staff report.

The complete report for the 800 Block proposal can be found here:

http://sacramento.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=21&event_id=144&meta_id=218914

This item will be received for review and comment, most likely to be followed by presentations to Design Review and Planning Commission in the coming weeks.

This month's Preservation Commission will also feature public hearings on two items: a recommendation for the Broadway Triangle project, a mixed-use project planned for Broadway between 34th and 36th Street that will include several landmark buildings in the Oak Park/Broadway historic district, and a recommendation for district signs, art, and bicycle furniture for the R Street Corridor between 10th and 13th Street.

Details about the Broadway Triangle project can be found here:

http://sacramento.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=21&event_id=144&meta_id=218908

The R Street streetscape plan can be found here:

http://sacramento.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=21&event_id=144&meta_id=218910

The Preservation Commission will also review a staff report regarding whether or not to recommend the California State Printing Plant on North 7th and Richards Boulevard to the City Council as a city landmark. Staff report can be found here:

http://sacramento.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=21&event_id=144&meta_id=218912

Pictures accompanying this article were taken from the City of Sacramento staff report, linked above.

Downtown is focus for urban design experts

2011-02-17T02:04:29Z

Sacramento needs to build a better image for its downtown, and Downtown Plaza should be “ground zero” for change, urban design experts said Wednesday.

City and business leaders often refer to the heart of downtown as the J-K-L Corridor, named for the major streets the area is built on.

But referring to downtown that way promotes the idea that it's just an area to move through on the way to somewhere else. The city needs to focus on creating a downtown district that becomes the center of the city, said Betsy Jackson, president of The Urban Agenda Inc. of Ann Arbor, Mich.

"Stop thinking and speaking of this as a corridor," Jackson said at City Hall during a presentation by a team of urban design and city planning experts.

Mayor Kevin Johnson invited the six-person team to visit the city through a National Endowment for the Arts leadership initiative called the Mayors' Institute on City Design. The program is offered in partnership with the American Architectural Foundation and the United States Conference of Mayors.

The institute holds six to eight such workshops throughout the country each year. The team was brought to Sacramento to help support ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown.

The team spent two and a half days touring Sacramento, learning from local stakeholders and developing guiding principles and recommendations. Those stakeholders – city staff, labor officials, artists and business owners – attended the presentation.

Echoing the concerns of all local stakeholders, the team identified major change at Westfield Downtown Plaza as downtown's top redevelopment priority.

The 1970s-era shopping mall is a visual and physical barrier that helps disconnect downtown from the central city's grid and doesn't contribute as much as it could to downtown's economy. The city should consider replacing the internally focused plaza with externally focused mixed uses such as retail, office and residences, said Graham Stroh, a program manager with the American Architectural Foundation.

"That is probably ground zero for Sacramentans," he said.

The team offered plenty of other ideas. They include:

• Improve downtown's connections to its near neighborhoods;
• Invest in quality for streetscape, landscaping, parks, trash pickup, maintenance and graffiti prevention/removal;
• Activate public spaces year-round with events and recreation that draw different demographic groups and make use of undeveloped lots;
• Promote informal, spontaneous uses of public spaces and different activities for different sites;
• Enhance major streets with more landscaping and a green infrastructure of open space and natural areas, starting with 10th and J streets, then expanding to I Street and beyond;
• Educate property owners and residents about the economic benefits of preserving and adapting historic properties, such as Sacramento's original street level hidden away in basements and hollow sidewalks;
• Reform permitting and regulations to make development less confusing, less expensive and less time-consuming;
• Build safety by adding downtown guides at night;
• Review efficiency of one-way streets;
• Improve on the almost-nonexistent access to Sacramento and American rivers;
• Build downtown's identity through mid-rise buildings that stand out from the low-rise residential buildings of surrounding neighborhoods.

The city should develop a "customer service approach" to building downtown and its image, Jackson said.

"The idea is you need to sweat these details," she said.

The other people on the team were Brad Cownover, a regional landscape architect with the U.S. Forest Service in Portland; Mark Dawson of Sasaki Associates in Boston; and Keith Lichten with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The team will present a final plan to the city within two weeks. The plan will be posted on the city's website and then used to continue a conversation about changing downtown, said Kunal Merchant, Johnson's chief of staff.

World-renowned artist's originals for sale in Midtown

2011-02-11T01:44:50Z

Eric Decetis’ cartoons have appeared on greeting cards, in magazines and likely, to his chagrin, in your e-mail inbox.

He is probably best known for his “Lost Puppy” cartoon, pictured below, and now the Sacramento native is offering his original works to the general public for the first time at Gallery 2110 on K Street.

“I have never had a showing of my originals,” Decetis said. “I’ve flown under the radar for many years now. I’ve been in the business for 30 years.”

He has only sold three originals – one to a collector and two to Charlie Sheen.

But with his work appearing in Penthouse, Hustler and on greeting cards around the world, even if he has managed to stay out of the public eye, his work has not.

The proliferation of his work on the Internet, however, is a double-edged sword, according to the 58-year-old artist.

“The cartoon business is my primary income,” he said. “To see my cartoons in e-mails is flattering, but I can’t spend flattery.”

Decetis said he has been drawing since he was a kid, but it wasn’t his first choice as a job.

After graduating from Christian Brothers High School, he went on to University of California, Davis, and earned degrees in biology and respiratory therapy.

“I was a respiratory therapist at Mercy Hospital back in the '70s,” he said. “I never had any art classes. I just got lucky.”

It wasn’t long before his hobby was noticed, and he started drawing cartoons for Hustler and Penthouse in 1982, where he stayed until 2005.

He said he draws about two or three cartoons per week, and he does them all by hand.

“The trend now is a lot of the younger cartoonists are scanning their line art into computers and using various illustrative programs to color them,” he said. “I enjoy hand-inking all of my work. I really enjoy using brushes and dyes.”

When he finishes a piece, he scans the completed image and sends it to whomever has bought the licensing to use it. The original then goes into a file drawer.

Decetis recently decided to move – for the first time in 36 years – and it was then that he realized just how many original pieces he has.

“I have a huge volume of work,” he said, adding that he has a lot of unpublished work as well, but didn’t give specific numbers.

Around the same time, he was approached by a friend of a friend who happens to run Gallery 2110 at 2110 K St., Clare Bailey, who pitched him the idea of doing a showing.

“I thought, ‘This must be the time to do it,’ ” he said. “If not, it’ll probably all end up at Denio’s upon my demise.”

His works will be shown at the gallery until March 4.

The show, called “Cupid Made Me Stupid,” has a number of Valentine’s Day-themed works, and all are for sale. Prices range $1,500 - $5,000.

“He is at the top echelon – he’s an established artist and internationally renowned,” Bailey said.

She added that the fact that he is both so well-renowned and also from Sacramento is “a blessing” for the community.

The gallery is open 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday and is closed on Sunday.

This Saturday, the gallery will be open from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. for the Second Saturday Art Walk, and Decetis will be in the gallery from 6 - 9 p.m.

“People will be captivated by his personality,” Bailey said, describing him as both very talented but also humble and somewhat shy.

Decetis said he has always followed a guiding principle – advice given to him years ago by his father.

“ ‘No excuses.’ That’s what my dad told me,” he said. “If you want to get into the business, you just can’t give up. You’ve gotta just keep hammering away.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Illicit mural removed

2011-02-02T04:22:18Z

The smoke has cleared in the skirmish over a guerrilla-art mural painted next door to Sugar Plum Vegan Bakery in Midtown.

A graffiti-removal service hired by the Midtown Business Association painted over or "buffed out" the roughly 20-foot-tall mural of a three-headed blue and green man a little more than a week ago.

Sacramento artist Shaun Turner had painted the outdoor mural Nov. 13 as a Second Saturday Art Walk event to help draw attention to the bakery, which opened at 2315 K St. in March.

Trouble was, the mural was technically painted on the wall of a small commercial building next door at 2309 K St.

The bakery’s manager and chef, Marshall Massa, and Sugar Plum owner Melissa Sugar had given Turner the go-ahead to paint the mural on the wall, which forms sort of a backdrop to their front courtyard. But they didn't have permission from the owner of the building next door.

"It was 100 percent guerrilla style," Massa said Tuesday. "We knew it would obviously raise some eyebrows and ruffle some feathers."

Those behind Sugar Plum are fans of Turner's work. Two more of his murals hang on drop cloths inside the bakery and in a back courtyard. They paid him to paint the mural that was removed and a mural containing the Sugar Plum name in back that's served as their business logo on menus, business cards and packaging. Another artist painted the lettering.

But the blue and green man – which looked like a cross between a futuristic industrial style and folk art – didn't appeal to the building's owner, Bob Proctor.

Proctor has owned the building for 11 years. His business, Statewide Information Systems, operates in a second-floor office. Other businesses also lease space there.

He was out of town when the mural was painted on the building. He wasn't asked for permission and wouldn't have given it if he was, he said.

"I'd a said ‘no,’ " Proctor said. "They're promoting their business. And quite frankly, I love this little building."

He didn’t consider pressing charges. Businesses like his pay property-based improvement district assessment fees to the city for services such as graffiti removal, administered there by the MBA. But Proctor had to pay a little extra – about $75 – to match the brown exterior, according to Proctor and the MBA.

Sugar and Massa have brought in music, art and plants to help create character in the space. Sugar tried to persuade Proctor to keep the mural, which stayed up longer than expected.

"We're just trying to keep it as vibrant as possible," Massa said.

Turner did a nice job on the mural, said James Cooper, executive director of the nonprofit Sacramento Education Events for Art Midtown Murals Project.

“I was saddened to hear that there were some discrepancies in the process of getting it up,” he said.

Turner, 29, said the mural was one of the best he’s done in Sacramento, although it was only 60 percent complete. He described the style as free-form and stream-of-consciousness – something he’s been developing over the last six months.

“I was bummed that it got painted over. But I understand,” he said. “It just wasn't doing it for him.”

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

A Happier Hour for K Street?

2011-01-31T18:44:55Z

For some time now, K Street has been wavering between its past life as a Sacramento hot spot and its future as a wilting has-been. The busy street is clearly an institution from 9 to 5, but despite the Crest and the constant stream of events, city planners have been struggling to pull in a real evening crowd.

The news is out that a team of fairytale Bay Area developers has joined forces and created Dive Bar, Pizza Rock and District 30. This nightclub-pizza-bar trio hopes to entice the masses for some good old K Street entertainment and after-hours. But is this Bay Area vibe a bit of a stretch in grabbing the attention of the average Midtown resident? Even worse is the grueling task of convincing the average state worker that, despite ridiculous amounts of overtime, they have the energy for just a few more hours after work. Fun it may be, but it still takes energy.

So how will this all shape up? Will we be pleasantly surprised and find ourselves meeting up on K next Saturday? Or will it all be a blur of good press and hearsay, and we'll be left wondering if it will be yet another Subway? Do the mermaids get a pension?

The future is less predictable than we would hope, but I would have to wager that, at the least, Pizza Rock is here to stay. The rock in Pizza Rock is subtle, drawing in those who know trendy and comforting those who don't. A clean, silver chain holding back the heavy floor-to-ceiling black curtains, a Craftsman toolbox serving as the hostess station, and even the bathrooms are tastefully done, with Japanese-esque red walls, weathered framed mirrors and the city-standard 1930s-era hexagonal tile. The Peterbilt barreling out of the wall above the bar is a bit more than subtle, but you have to expect something outrageous from the creators of Dive Bar.

The pizza was dazzling in a way that had me planning my next visit. Five different types of crust, all of them flawless and the perfect blend of real Italian-style pizza and the American level of toppings that we just can't resist. The food was fresh, fast and reasonably priced.

The old-school music had Midtowners and middle-agers alike tapping their feet along with at least a song or two. The beverages were quality and varied with a full bar, a reasonable wine list, and even Bear Republic's Racer 5, a nice nod to the regional craft beer industry that's becoming more popular each day. On the whole, it's stunning that such a well-balanced pizza place was designed by the same people that created a bar with a 7,500-gallon tank filled with scandalously live mermaids.

Hopefully the next newbies on K Street will follow their lead, thinking of all and excluding none, if only so we can wander down the K Street Mall among friends rather than just passing through it on the way home. Currently, it's a bit too much like a deserted rail corridor, where it would be wholly unsurprising to find someone stripped naked in front of Pizza Rock, warming their clothes on the decorative blue flames that were forgotten at closing that night.

Or is a noon rush all that K Street has left?

French composer to add life to time-tested film

2011-01-22T02:10:57Z

Kicking off its 10th year, the Sacramento French Film Festival has invited French composer Raymond Alessandrini to direct an orchestral accompaniment for its first film/concert, which will be performed by the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra.

“It’s something we’ve never done before. It’s quite exceptional,” said French Film Festival Executive and Artistic Director Cécile Downs.

The show will be held at the Crest Theatre on Jan. 29 and 30.

“It’s a very big event for us,” Downs said. “We (often) have guests, but usually they are just coming to present a film that is already finished. Having the composer of the score coming is more exceptional.”

The film to be shown is a 1928 silent film, “Un Chapeau de Paille d’Italie” (“An Italian Straw Hat”), directed by René Clair. It was originally based off the play by Eugène Labiche.

“This film is extremely funny,” Downs said. “It goes at a very, very fast pace ... in France, it is one of the most famous silent films.”

When the film was originally shown, it would have been accompanied by a pianist in a theater, Downs said.

In 1986, when the Cinémathèque Française (France’s national film center) celebrated its 50th anniversary, several composers were asked to write scores to original silent films that had been restored, Alessandrini told The Sacramento Press.*

Alessandrini was chosen to write the score to “An Italian Straw Hat” and another film.

“The challenge is always to respect the character, the style and the spirit of the director,” Alessandrini said in an e-mail. “For ‘The Italian Straw Hat,’ the difficulty was to be musically funny with the most subtlety possible, all the while staying true to the occasional surrealism of René Clair, as well as the rapidity and precision of the film editing.”

He added that in addition to needing to write the music so it is both precise and detailed – akin to the music of a cartoon – a lot of the difficulty comes in directing the orchestra so the sounds are at all times synchronized with the film’s images.

“The film is one of the great classics of French cinema and is very much appreciated by the film lovers in France and those interested in René Clair,” Alessandrini said. “It is also one of the great theater works of the 19th century.”

Alessandrini said Labiche wrote the play as a mockery of the stupidity of his contemporaries.

“It is a very funny film that puts everyone in a good mood,” he said. “The duration is 1 hour and 24 minutes, but it gives the impression that it’s over in 10 minutes. The music contributes enormously to the humor of the scenes, and it is always a sight to see these films on a big screen with a live orchestra.”

Alessandrini said he has not spent much time in the United States, but did a similar show in the early 1980s at a film festival in Colorado, also working with American musicians.

He has performed “An Italian Straw Hat” in England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and all the large cities in Italy. He has also done two show tours in Russia, and one on the Middle East, he said.

He got his start in the industry as a classically trained musician, and it was when he worked as a pianist that he met filmmakers and producers, who led him down the path to eventually composing scores to accompany restored films.

“It’s an honor to me to be able to work with the musicians of the Sacramento Philharmonic, and I hope that this will be a pleasant experience and will bring much pleasure and joy to the people of Sacramento,” he said.

“Everywhere you go in the world, this music and this film are a success,” he added. “It’s a rare show, and it’s a shame if you don’t take advantage of it.”

The film will be shown twice – at 8 p.m. Jan. 29 and 2 p.m. Jan. 30.

Tickets are $30, or $25 for friends of the film festival, philharmonic subscribers and members of the Alliance Française or Tempo. Tickets can be purchased at Tickets.com, by phone at (800) 225-2277 or at the Crest Theatre box office.

“I think, to me it’s kind of a historic moment in Sacramento,” Downs said. “We’re bringing a French composer, it’s a very very famous and funny film, and it’s just gonna be fun. I can’t say when we’re going to do that again, so it’s not to be missed.”

*Interview with Raymond Alessandrini conducted in French and translated to English by Brandon Darnell, staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Pizza Rock opens to the public

2011-01-17T05:32:31Z

K Street’s newest restaurant Pizza Rock opened Friday with success and a lunch rush that lasted past 3 p.m.

“There was a line when we opened and it’s been like this all day long,” said Pizza Rock pizzaiolo (or pizza maker) Jim Hemstalk.

Pizza Rock is one of three establishments opening this week on K Street. The other two, District 30 and Dive Bar, will have grand openings on Wednesday.

“The turnout so far has been fantastic and the response from everybody has been wonderful,” Hemstalk said. “Everybody just raves about it as they walk out the door, so that’s a good sign.”

Pizza Rock’s co-owner Tony Gemignani, internationally renowned pizza-throwing champion and chef, said the inspiration for the place came about five years ago and the overall concept is “nightlife meets pizza.”

And that’s definitely the vibe you get when walking into the place.

At the front end of the restaurant to the right of the entrance is a Cirigliano Forni pizza oven and kitchen, imported from Italy, which cooks pizzas in 90 seconds at 900 degrees.

This oven is manned by two pizziolos, and their station is enclosed by a huge gray marble counter.

Gemignani said he thinks the front oven is great for kids to be able to come up to the counter, hang out and watch how pizza is made.

But the restaurant has three other ovens — one rotating oven that is made of stone and can cook about 50 pizzas at a time, and two regular-sized pizza ovens in the back of the main kitchen.

The dining room of the restaurant is where the “rock and roll” style really comes out with the punch-cut steel ceiling decorations, red linens, alternative rock songs playing over 10 large overhead speakers, high black ceilings, black chair-backings made to resemble the inside of a guitar case, six flat-screen TVs sitting plush against all-brick walls, black and gray checkered carpet and drawn black curtains separating the dining room from the two kitchens.

Meanwhile, a chain-link fence with barbed wire tops the long bar to the right side of the restaurant.

As though driving through the fence on top of the bar, the front end of an old-fashioned Peterbilt truck is painted with flames and doubles as the DJ booth.

As for the pizza?

Gemignani says Pizza Rock pizza is unique in a variety of ways, but mostly in the way it stays true to the ingredients, with six types of dough, ingredients imported from Naples and the best cheeses in the nation.

Each pizza is between 12 and13 inches around with six slices and serves two to three people, and the prices range from $11-30 a pop.

Pizza Rock also serves a Pizza Romana, which stays true to its Italian roots as a meter-long thin pizza with 18 slices and three separate arrangements of pizza toppings on it.

Downtown Sacramento Partnership Marketing director Lisa Martinez ordered a Margherita pizza and the Sicilian pizza to share with a group of co-workers.

She said the food was phenomenal and that she appreciated the variety of pizzas.

“They have a bunch of different varieties of Italian pizzas, and I think that it’s a little bit of a different style than what we’re used to seeing here in Sacramento,” Martinez said.

Michael Ault, executive director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, said he was also very satisfied with his experience.

“The food was incredible,” he said. “You know it’s day one so you’ve got to have a little perspective coming in, but the food came out delicious and it’s definitely somewhere we’ll be back.”

“The decor gives a feel that all along people have said Sacramento deserved,” Ault said. “I think some of the investment that’s being made in the central city as it relates to the quality of the product and the real destinations are very, very impressive. They did a wonderful job.”

Jay Sherman, the restaurant’s other acclaimed dough spinner, will perform regular shows of pizza acrobatics in the dining room.

Pizza Rock hours are as follows:
Monday and Tuesday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Wednesday through Friday: 11 a.m. - 3 a.m.
Saturday: 11:30 a.m. - 3 a.m.
Sunday: 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Photos by Ron Nabity

A year's activity on K Street

2010-12-30T01:19:45Z

The downtown portion of K Street saw a lot of activity in 2010, from streetscape improvements to community debate over the redevelopment of troubled portions and the construction of new nightlife venues.

At the beginning of the year, portions of K Street were still torn up from the previous year’s streetscape improvement project. A Sacramento Press article from February covered the ongoing improvements, which have since been completed.

By late March, the city was discussing the next step in the process and considering four proposals for the 700 and 800 blocks of the street.

The plans for K Street were the subject of significant public debate, with historians, developers, residents and businesspeople all involved. Historian William Burg wrote his opinion on the plan here, generating a lengthy discussion on what the future should hold.

In advance of a pivotal July City Council meeting, the major contenders were vying for the city’s nod to develop portions of K Street, and Sacramento Press Editor in Chief David Watts Barton wrote his first of several editorials on the subject.

The July 13 City Council meeting saw two teams – one led by D & S Development, Inc. and CFY Development, Inc. and the other by Sacramento developer David Taylor – come out on top. To read more about the meeting and their proposals, click here.

Barton wrote a second editorial on the subject in which he expressed his approval of the decision as well as the community involvement throughout the process.

Other news on K Street in 2010 involved the construction and opening of new businesses.

The portion getting the most attention was the 1000 block of K Street, in which a trio of venues promises to add to the street’s nightlife.

San Francisco nightclub owner George Karpaty’s multimillion-dollar vision was undergoing construction in 2009, but work had stalled. By February, the construction was back on track.

As the months passed, construction steadily progressed, and Barton wrote another editorial about K Street – this time specifically about Karpaty’s project.

Late in the year, things were coming together, with a projected opening for the end of December or January, and The Sacramento Press brought readers a glimpse into the venues.

By the middle of December, projected January opening dates for the three businesses were given in an update on the construction progress.

Just a few blocks away, near Seventh and K streets, Vive Cocina opened in March, and a tequila-themed restaurant and museum – Tequila Museo Mayahuel – was under construction at 12th and K.

To finish out the year on K Street, the Sacramento County Historical Society brought back a holiday tradition – antique holiday window displays on the corner of 10th and K.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Image one by Brandon Darnell. Images two and four by Staff Reporter Suzanne Hurt. Image three by Ingrid Ratliff.

Holiday Evenings on K Street

2010-12-17T19:29:00Z

Fog around US Bank and Wells Fargo towers seen from K St.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Council members discuss Central City

2010-12-16T02:42:44Z

Sacramento’s Central City has received a lot of media attention for shootings and muggings in recent months. However, the area is also frequently in the spotlight because of large-scale development projects, such as the downtown Railyards or George Karpaty’s trio of businesses on K Street.

The Sacramento Press recently interviewed three City Council members to learn about their plans for the Central City. Councilwoman Angelique Ashby and Councilmen Steve Cohn and Rob Fong shared their priorities for the different parts of the Central City they represent.

Ashby’s portion of the area includes the downtown Railyards, K Street, Old Sacramento, Alkali Flat and the River District. Ashby mentioned the Railyards and K Street Mall as examples of key development sites in her district.

“Some of the best opportunities in the city lie in the downtown portion of District 1,” she said.

As an elected official, she said she wants to help avoid hurdles in the development process. “In my position, I can help make sure they get those projects done in a timely manner,” she said.

Ashby also said she wants to be a behind-the-scenes facilitator for the various groups involved with projects in the area. Stakeholder groups involved with Central City development projects, such as community members, government agencies and environmental organizations, need a “point person” at City Hall, she said, adding that she wants to take on that role.

Public safety in her district, and throughout the city, is a key priority, Ashby said.

Cohn, too, emphasized public safety when asked about his work in District 3. His section of the Central City includes Midtown and part of downtown. His district’s stretch of K Street starts at 16th Street and heads east.

He pointed out the shooting death of a 24-year-old that occurred after a Second Saturday Art Walk event in September. Cohn also mentioned that the neighborhood has bar and nightlife issues. He said he wants neighborhoods and businesses to work together to solve public safety and public nuisance issues in Midtown. In his view, Midtown’s development has been a success, he said.

“I want to make sure it can continue to succeed and not be a victim of its own success,” he said.

On a different topic, he said work is under way to enhance Sutter’s Landing Park on the northeast edge of Midtown.

Meanwhile, Fong said he was excited about the R Street streetscape project in his district. Fong’s piece of the Central City includes part of Midtown and downtown. The street improvements will make the street more pedestrian-friendly and inviting, he said.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the effort to revamp the street with new lighting and parking enhancements was held in September. The street will be remodeled from 10th to 13th streets.

Click on the following links to view maps of City Council Districts 1, 3 and 4.

Learn more about some of Ashby’s priorities for North and South Natomas here.

Photos of Cohn and Fong by Brandon Darnell. Photo of Ashby by David Watts Barton.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Good Signs on K St.

2010-12-13T05:19:05Z

The Dive Bar is the last of three new businesses on K St. to have its sign completed. The sign maker put the finishing touches on it early this evening. Pizza Rock and District 30 signs are up and the trio are on track to open on or before Jan. 1, 2011. Crest Theatre's marque is reflected in the glass. For more info on these businesses, CLICK HERE>>> .

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

Holiday Display at 10th & K

2010-12-09T21:06:04Z

Sacramento County Historical Society's holiday display at 1001 K Street formally opened on November 26, but its operation continues through the beginning of the New Year and it attracted attention from passersby even before the display formally opened.

The display uses figures originally built by the Gaffney Display Company in the 1950s, used in Breuner's Department Store holiday display windows. This tradition began in Sacramento in 1934, continuing until 1974. Gaffney figures were used throughout the Breuner's chain, but have been absent from K Street for decades. More information on the historic Breuner's displays can be found in this article:

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/40096/Department_Store_Holiday_Display_for_K_Street

Construction of the display started in early November, utilizing the talents of a team of volunteers. Some were SCHS members with experience in museum display construction and art. Local artists involved with the "Matrix Arts" organization lent their talents. Some filmmakers from local film company TFO Productions took some time off from producing their new feature "Planet of the Vampire Women" to lend a hand. And some were just Sacramentans willing to help out. Mark Gaffney, owner of the figures and the still-operating Gaffney Display Company, provided the figures and his expertise in setting up the display. About 60 individuals, businesses and organizations contributed funds and materials to the display project, both through our online Indiegogo fundraising effort, solicited donations, and an appeal to Historical Society members.

The project, located in the dramatic corner window of Sacramento's landmark 1946 Roos-Atkins building, combines the historic figures with a newly designed setting entitled "Winter in the City." Set in approximately 1910, the display portrays a Sacramento streetcorner, with a department store and movie theater inspired by Sacramento buildings demolished long ago (the Edison Theater and Weinstock-Lubin department store that once stood on the 400 block of K Street.) A Sacramento streetcar, returning from Oak Park, is located on the K Street side. A family is transfixed before the store window, the parents appreciating the holiday lights while the kids detail which of the toys inside the window they want. A young couple exits the movie theater, hailing the streetcar for a ride home. A bell-ringing Santa, inspired by the "Volunteers of America" fundraising Santas, stands on the corner welcoming passersby. The display is intended to portray the era when K Street (and downtown Sacramento) was the shopping, entertainment and transportation hub of the Sacramento Valley, as well as a densely populated urban neighborhood that was busy day and night.

The display operates from 11 AM to 11 PM on weekdays, and on weekends the lights and animated figures keep running until 2:00 AM. The display will remain in operation until the first week of January 2011, when the figures will be returned and the lumber used to create the display will be donated to a local theater company.

This Saturday, December 11, the Sacramento Old City Association and SCHS will host the quarterly Preservation Roundtable across the street at 1000 K Street, inside the Cosmopolitan Cabaret. The Preservation Roundtable includes updates and information from local history and preservation organizations, and runs from 9 AM to noon. The featured speaker of this quarter's Preservation Roundtable is Mark Gaffney, who will talk about the history of the Gaffney Display Company and their involvement with the Breuner's animated window displays, as well as the story of this year's holiday display. The presentation will end with a visit to the display site at noon.

Sacramento Preservation Roundtable

Saturday December 11, 9 AM-12 PM

1000 K Street (Cosmopolitan Cabaret), Sacramento

(Photos 1 and 2 by William Burg. Photos 3-11 by M. Parfitt. Photos 12-14 by Gretchen Steinberg.)

K Street nightlife trio nearing completion

2010-11-25T00:16:22Z

After having their opening date pushed back, the three establishments on the 1000 block of K Street are on track to open by New Year’s, if not before then.

“We think we can have them open before Christmas,” said Russ Conley, superintendent for Terra Nova industries.

Conley said power has been supplied to the three businesses and that working with SMUD was a breeze.

Construction was delayed due to an unstable electrical vault under the property.

The three business concepts include a "mermaid bar," a gourmet pizza restaurant with acrobatic pizza tossers and a high-end, over-30 dance club to further develop K Street Mall into an entertainment district and to bring people from as far away as the Sierra Nevada foothills.

The project is the work of San Francisco nightclub operator George Karpaty.

Inside Pizza Rock, the big rig has been installed above the bar area.

Art on the ceiling recalls Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel piece, but with a guitar being handed over in lieu of the moment of creation.

Another view of Pizza Rock.

The pizza oven at Pizza Rock.

The pizza oven’s exterior portion fronting K Street.

Dive Bar has had its fish tank installed.

Dive Bar’s bar area under construction.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Department Store Holiday Display for K Street

2010-11-05T05:16:22Z

Sacramento County Historical Society
Holiday Window Display Project
Roos-Atkins Building, 1001 K Street, Sacramento CA
Grand Opening of Window Display: Friday, November 26, Noon

This November, Sacramento County Historical Society will recreate a full-sized holiday display window on K Street, using animated figures that once graced the windows of the Breuner’s department store in downtown Sacramento. The display will occupy the window of the former Roos Bros. department store building at 1001 K Street, the northeast corner of 10th and K. Setup will take place during November 2010, with a “grand reveal” of the completed display the day after Thanksgiving, November 26, at noon. The display will remain in place until the first week of January, 2011.

The Downtown Sacramento Partnership is an active participant in this project, with contributions from the Sacramento Old City Association, Capital City Preservation Trust, Midtown Neighborhood Association, Matrix Arts, and SCHS members. The property management and real estate firm Colliers International has provided access to the ground floor picture window of the historic Roos-Atkins Department Store. This enormous window on a feature corner provides an ideal place to celebrate K Street’s legacy and usher in its future.

The theme for the 2010 Holiday Display Window is “Winter in the City,” an urban scene set in downtown Sacramento circa 1910. Store windows containing period gifts and merchandise, a nickelodeon movie theater, a K Street streetcar, and lighted architectural elements will reflect the holiday season. Animated Gaffney Display Company figures will interact with each other and their surroundings. Local artists and SCHS volunteers will create the display setting. The window will also include historic photos of original Breuner’s display windows,other downtown department stores like Weinstock & Lubin, Roos Bros. and Kress, and past holiday celebrations on K Street, provided by the Center for Sacramento History. Interpretive panels will explain K Street’s historic role as a shopping, entertainment and cultural destination. We hope this celebration of K Street’s history can also serve to inspire its future, and recreate the sense of wonder of holiday seasons past.

Sacramento County Historical Society is organizing the fundraising effort. We are close to our funding goal, but we need your help to bring this tradition back to life on K Street. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to this project via Indiegogo.com by using the link below:

http://www.indiegogo.com/Winter-in-the-City-?a=52855&i=addr

The idea for this display window started last year, after a presentation by Gaffney Display at an SCHS meeting that resulted in a smaller window display at Grebitus & Sons Jewelers--see that story below:

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/18787/Historic_Holiday_Display_at_10th_L

William Burg, Vice-President, Sacramento County Historical Society
SCHS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting and sharing local history through publications, education and special events.

For more information about SCHS, please visit our website at http://www.sachistoricalsociety.org

Photos 1-8: Courtesy of the Center for Sacramento History. Photos 9-11: Taken by William Burg. Photo 12: Author's collection.

Icing on the Cupcake

2010-10-29T07:08:31Z

If you think a cupcake is a special treat – and that a business selling them might be considered a luxury in tight times – you’d be wrong.

Individual cupcake prices at Icing on the Cupcake, 1121 Alhambra Blvd., range from $2.75 to $3, and co-owner Christee Owens characterized them as being “small indulgences that make people smile.”

According to Area Manager Kristina Johnson, the store – which has been open for two weeks – has already garnered a loyal following.

“We have every-day customers,” she said. “It makes you feel good to see them coming in each day.”

The new location is the third one for the chain, which was founded three years ago in Rocklin.

Cupcakes are baked fresh each day from scratch, following family recipes, at a central kitchen. Workers arrive at 1 a.m. and bake between 2,500 and 3,000 cupcakes to be distributed to the three stores.

“My mother taught me to bake when I was really little, and it was always a tradition,” said Owens, who owns the business with Chuck Meridith and her mother, Shirley Nagasawa.

Flavors include the most-popular red velvet, confetti cake, German chocolate, maple bacon, chocolate mint and pistachio.

“The German chocolate is my great-grandmother’s recipe,” Owens said, adding that her favorite is caramel apple.

She described her cupcakes as being like old-fashioned, dense cakes.

Not all 34 flavors are available each day, but Johnson said she looks forward to Thursdays and Saturdays, when her favorite flavor – the lemony “Pucker Up” – is available.

In an effort to keep customers coming back and keep empty boxes out of the landfill, Icing on the Cupcake has developed a rewards policy that doesn’t include carrying around a punch card.

Johnson explained that customers who buy four-, six- or eight-cupcake boxes and come back to refill them, they will get an extra cupcake for free.

And before long, Sacramentans will have more locations to snag their cupcakes.

“We have a couple more Sacramento locations in the works,” Owens said. She didn’t specify the locations, but said they would be considered suburban.

Despite opening on the eve of the recession, Owens said the business has done well and was profitable within the fourth month in Rocklin.

As for the newest addition to the chain, which sits at the border of Midtown and East Sacramento, Owens said the welcoming from the community was “like a great big hug.”

The building was empty for about a year, and had previously been Sargent’s Coffee, open for about a year.

On the grand opening, she said, she was struck by the number of people coming by from the nearby neighborhoods to welcome the store.

Jess LeClerc visited the bakery for the first time Thursday, and though she hadn’t had a chance to taste any of the cakes, she said the selection was amazing.

Kristen Knerr, on the other hand, is one of the cadre of regulars happy the bakery is now open.

“I think it’s a really cute idea,” Knerr said. “My fiancé and I are not huge cake or cupcake fans, but we loved them, and they’ve got me coming back.”

Knerr said her favorite flavor is October’s monthly special: caramel corn.

“It’s not too sweet...it’s just right,” she said.

Icing on the Cupcake is open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit the company’s website.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Choral Society to give cathedral concert

2010-10-22T06:30:17Z

Surrounded by Sacramento Choral Society performers, audience members at the Oct. 30 Cathedral Vespers concert will be able to hear the music as it was originally intended – ringing through a building that optimizes the sound.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament at 11th and K streets will be the venue for the event, and performers will be placed throughout the building for a show that promises quality sound and resonance.

“We’re taking full advantage of the space,” said Julie Anne Miller, mezzo-soprano soloist.

About 160 performers will be in the chorus, which will be organized in a ring around the audience from the altar to the main doors entering the nave. Miller and her quintet will be in a corner of the balcony above the doors, along with other musicians, while the conductor and another soloist will be up front on the altar.

“You get a sense, as an audience member, of being in the choir,” Miller said. “That’s very unique.”

At the society’s concerts at the Mondavi Center, the performance has a concert-hall feel and is not as intimate as the cathedral setting.

The music scheduled for the concert includes a Gregorian chant and works by Mozart, Rachmaninoff and Renaissance composer Gregorio Allegri.

Miller said that if she had to pick a favorite for the evening, it would be Allegri’s “Miserere Mei, Deus.”

“You just don’t get to hear Renaissance music that much,” she said. “And now, we’re performing it in the type of building it was composed for.”

The cathedral itself is one of the show’s stars, having been renovated in 2003 at a cost of more than $34 million, according to James McCormick, president of the Sacramento Choral Society board.

Built in 1889, the cathedral has long been a landmark in Sacramento. In the 1930s, the dome was obscured by an interior roof and was only reopened in 2003. McCormick said city leaders always wanted the building to draw the community together, and added that arts performances help further that goal.

“Music adds good health to a community, and choirs especially,” McCormick said. “It’s a community within a community.”

With a maximum audience of 1,150, McCormick said there are only 100 tickets left.

“I’m trying to save some for the walk-in crowd, but it may not be possible,” he said.

The performance is open to all, and Miller said there is no dress code for those in attendance.

“Just come as you are and enjoy the beauty of the music,” she said.

“We’re trying to knock down the barriers to classical music,” McCormick added. “We don’t want this to be some stuffy event.”

Miller said the concert will be a full evening of entertainment, with a talk about the history of the cathedral followed by the main event and topped off with a reception afterward in which audience members will get the chance to mingle with the performers.

And according to Miller, the entertainment will be top-notch, as would be expected from a chorus that has performed abroad in cities including Prague and Vienna.

The singers don’t use microphones, and Miller said that’s because microphones don’t allow the full range and tonal capacity of the human voice to be transmitted, and singing in the cathedral without them will ensure the richest sound.

“I like to watch the looks on the people’s faces as they look at the lights and the ceiling and the architecture,” Miller said.

The Oct. 30 performance will kick off the Sacramento Choral Society’s season, and McCormick said the musical repertoire is challenging. Audience members can expect to hear excellent performances in their original languages, including Latin and Russian, with translations provided in the program.

Tickets are $25 for adult general admission and $12.50 for students. Seating is first-come, first-served.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 with the pre-concert talk at 7:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online here or by calling (916) 536-9065.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Second Saturday deemed successful

2010-10-11T05:42:52Z

Police called this month’s Second Saturday Art Walk a success, attributing that success to a heightened police presence as well as changes made by the Midtown Business Association and the city.

“We still had a shift in the crowd after the event, with them walking in circles and just hanging out, but the numbers were lower, and some of the problem groups were identified proactively by police,” said Sacramento Police Department spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong.

Approximately 80 Police Department staff – ranging from uniformed and plainclothes officers to volunteers and civilian staff – were on-hand at the event. Last month, it was 29.

“I think we balanced it with the right amount as far as what was visible,” Leong said.

In contrast to the increased number of police, the amount of event attendees was down, though Leong couldn't give estimates on numbers.

“There are slightly less people,” said MBA Operations Manager Aja Uranga-Foster, but she didn’t attribute that to fears about violence. “I think it’s because of the Crocker (opening for its members) and the Sammies. The event is more spread out.”

People interviewed by The Sacramento Press Saturday night generally said the violence didn’t deter them.

“I didn’t think twice,” said painter Chris Barnhart, who set up shop just off K Street between 20th and 21st streets. “In the early hours, there are a lot of people looking at art. We get families down here, but there’s less people this year.”

Bridgette and Marvin Maldonado said they talked about whether to come down, but in the end saw last month’s fatal shooting of a man on the Sunday morning after as an isolated event.

For many, the event is still about the arts.

“More people need to get out and paint and be creative,” said local artist Michael Sawyer. “That would provide people with something to do.”

Another local artist, Daniel Foglesong, agreed.

“We’re just here painting because we love to paint,” Foglesong said. “Most people out here on Second Saturday aren’t trying to cause problems.”

In addition to police, code enforcement officers were out, but they said their job was routine, though they noticed a smaller crowd.

“We’re just out checking for permits (for vendors and musicians), and we also carry a sound meter to make sure they aren’t too loud,” said Code Enforcement Officer Bill Hutchinson. “People have been cooperative.”

Code Enforcement Officer Julia Mason said she has friends who said they weren’t coming to the event because of fears of violence.

“Some people I talked to said ‘forget it,’ ” Mason said. “They would rather stay home and watch TV.”

Fears of violence made 17-year-old John Lamont think twice, but in the end, he came down to hang out with friends around the intersection of 20th and K streets.

“I wouldn’t want to get shot,” Lamont said. “It makes me think about who I’m out with.”

Lamont said he enjoys just being out with his friends, and planned to go home around 9:30 p.m. when the event ended so he would be home before the 10 p.m. curfew for minors.

Nai Saelee was out for a friend’s bachelorette party, and she said she wasn’t worried about gangs or violence.

“I don’t generally come out for Second Saturday, but I’m not worried,” she said.

Saturday was also the first art walk that the newly formed Lavender Angels were present for, and Director Tara Golden said having a small group of volunteers out was a good way to get a feel for the neighborhood and work out some policies.

“We’ve got a good core of dedicated people,” Golden said. “We’re hoping for more volunteers eventually.”

The Guardian Angels were also out, and Sacramento Chapter head Patrick Kent said he and his angels were making their rounds to serve as a visual deterrent to criminals.

“There’s a strong police presence,” Kent said, “but people are out here having fun. I’ve seen a couple of open containers (of alcohol), but nothing serious.”

Police did detain several people throughout the night, but Leong said none of the offenses posed a threat to the event.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

'Angels' working to keep Sacramentans safe

2010-10-07T04:51:29Z

Looking to make Sacramento a safer place after dark, two citizens' patrol groups will be out this weekend.

With their first training Wednesday night, the Lavender Angels will be joining the long-established Guardian Angels in serving as extra sets of eyes and ears for police and providing basic community services.

Now headed by the Gay and Lesbian Center, the Lavender Angels program is designed to make the Lavender Heights area anchored around 20th and K streets a safer place at night.

The intersection has a high concentration of bars and night clubs, and according to police, about 10 robberies per month are committed in Midtown against people out after dark, usually on their own in poorly lit areas.

“It’s a really awesome partnership between our community, the business community and the public safety community,” said Wendy Rae Hill of the Gay and Lesbian Center.

The Midtown Business Association is on board, as is the Sacramento Police Department.

“We’re very excited about this program,” Lt. Mike Bray said to the 15 Lavender Angels present at the training session. “Anytime we can get help doing our job ... the better. It makes your community safer and our job easier.”

Bray discussed the type of information the Lavender Angels could provide to police and gave tips on how to stay safe.

The Lavender Angels made it clear that they are not law enforcement and are mainly there to be a visual deterrence to criminals and recognizable safe contacts for anyone needing assistance.

The Lavender Angels will wear purple uniforms when they are out.

Another group of Sacramentans is part of a larger international organization – the Guardian Angels – which was established 31 years ago.

“Basically, we patrol the street to deter crime and educate people against drugs, gangs and violence,” said Patrick Kent, head of the Sacramento chapter.

Kent, who was also at the Lavender Angels training session, said he wants both groups to work in partnership, and added that he thinks the Lavender Angels program is a good idea and will keep the Guardian Angels from having to patrol the area.

“We generally will patrol once a week,” Kent said. “We don’t always do a set day, like Saturdays between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., because if we did, then the criminal element would know when we’re out.”

Kent described his group as being “a bit more extreme” than the Lavender Angels, as Guardian Angels occasionally make citizens’ arrests.

The Guardian Angels also cover a much wider area, including patrols down Watt Avenue where drug trafficking and prostitution are problems.

"We pay attention to the news and the problem areas, and we focus our attention there," Kent said.

Their main objective, however, is still working with police and letting professional law enforcement officers handle any problems.

“Our primary goal is just a visual deterrent,” Kent said.

Both groups plan on being out for the Second Saturday Art Walk this weekend, and both groups will check in with police before their shifts.

To contact the Lavender Angels, e-mail lavender.angels@saccenter.org, and to contact the Guardian Angels, go to their website.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Q&A with Safe Ground's Tracie Rice-Bailey

2010-10-01T23:29:32Z

If you attend the weekly Sacramento City Council meetings, you’re likely to see an activist with colorful clothing address city leaders on homeless issues.

Tracie Rice-Bailey, 57, has appeared at Tuesday night council meetings so frequently in the last year that she has become a familiar face at City Hall.

For more than a year, Rice-Bailey and other advocates for the homeless have lobbied council members for a legal camping ground for the area’s homeless.

Rice-Bailey is a vocal member of the advocacy group that calls itself Safe Ground Sacramento. The group wants the city to reserve a space for homeless people where the city’s camping ban would not apply.

Rice-Bailey, who said she was homeless for 12 years and now lives downtown, often intersperses her short speeches at City Hall with quotations from the Bible. She also has a distinctive style: She is instantly recognizable because of her 1960s-era necklaces and beaded headband.

The Sacramento Press sat down with Rice-Bailey at Loaves & Fishes recently to talk to her about her role with the Safe Ground campaign. In her responses, she referred to “Tent City,” the homeless campground in Sacramento that attracted major media attention last year.

The Sacramento Press: How did you become involved with the Safe Ground issue?

Rice-Bailey: I was trying to get John Kraintz (current Safe Ground president) to work with me because I wanted someone else to roll with ... and he flipped me to work with the Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee. And out of SHOC, Safe Ground was born.

SP: So, SHOC was first, and then Safe Ground came after that.

TRB: Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee has been here for years. And that is our mother. We were at a SHOC meeting actually trying to figure out what to do with the people from Tent City because everyone was being displaced.

John had to go to the bathroom, and everyone was jamming John up, (asking): “What are we going to call it? What are we going to do? Where are we going to go?”

And John’s going, “Man, I just need safe ground!”

Hence our name.

It became Safe Ground from that second on. That’s what we all need: We all need safe ground.

SP: Safe Ground has been around for —

TRB: July 1, 2009 was our maiden march and our maiden camp-out. We camped across from the water treatment plant. And from there we went by the mission on Bannon Street. From there, we went to what we call the “field of dreams.”

From there, we went to Mark Merin’s property on 13th Street — and everybody knows about that.

And now, we’re out in the woods hiding again.

SP: Field of dreams? What is that?

TRB: That’s the North 10th property. We call it the field of dreams because when you have nothing, it’s a dream to even have a field.

SP: That’s an empty property?

TRB: It’s an empty property with trees on it, which makes it a dream in itself. The tent city by campers was not called “Tent City.” It was called “The Wasteland” or “The Badlands” because there’s no trees. There’s no shelter. There’s nothing to shelter you from the sun.

SP: Safe Ground advocates have been lobbying the City Council for more than a year. How optimistic do you feel about a Safe Ground site being set up?

TRB: I think they really have no choice. There is no budget. Nobody has a budget ... If they would just give us a moratorium (on the camping ban). And I’m not saying (that we should) sleep on K Street or J Street, which people do right now anyway. But give us a place to be, and let us be self-governing. Let us take it from there.

SP: Are Safe Ground advocates taking their cause to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors?

TRB: We’ve made one visit there. We’ve been talking about that as something we’re going to have to start doing. The reason we’ve gone to the city so hard is that the city has the ordinance, and the city has the ability to change that ordinance. They can sign a paper and give us a moratorium ... The county does all the homeless services. But now they’re cutting all of them. So, we’ve got to go there.

SP: I’ve heard you quote the Bible in your comments at City Hall. I’ve heard you speak many times. How do your personal religious views relate to your advocacy for a Safe Ground site?

TRB: We are our brother’s keeper. How the hell are you going to say I’m my brother’s keeper and not try to find him a place to be? You can’t. It’s not acceptable behavior. We’re here to learn to love each other. If we can’t figure out how to get along here, there is nothing left for us later.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

New dance club coming to 20th and K

2010-09-23T22:57:04Z

A new dance club and bar is scheduled to come to K street by spring.

The 2,500-square-foot night spot will be built atop the Hot Rod’s hamburger restaurant, 2007 K St., and will be the first bar and dance club on the corner to feature food, according to owner T.J. Bruce, who also owns nearby night spots The Depot and Badlands.

“The main difference is we’ll have real local DJs instead of the video jockeys we have in the other clubs,” Bruce said.

The venue will be called Sidetrax, and like other bars in the area, it will cater to the gay and lesbian community, but Bruce was quick to say it’s not exclusive.

“It’s a bar for everyone in Midtown,” he said.

Bruce added that he plans to keep the club open to the 18-and-over crowd Friday and Saturday nights.

“They don’t have anywhere to go on Friday and Saturday nights, especially not gays and lesbians,” Bruce said.

The building had three stories, but Bruce said the top floors were torn off and will be rebuilt for the club, including a rear balcony and rooftop area where food and drinks will be served.

Access to the club will be via a staircase next to G Spot, an adult store.

In order to distinguish Sidetrax from the other dance clubs he owns, Bruce said it will likely have karaoke and country music at times.

“I just think it’s unique,” Bruce said. “Plus, we’ll be providing a place for local DJs to come and perform.”

Opening another gay-friendly bar and dance club in an area already dominated by them will, Bruce said, help “anchor the LGBT community to this area and provide a really strong (alternative) to San Francisco.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.