Elizabeth Studebaker started scoping out spots in Midtown for a farmers’ market three months into her job. The director of the Midtown Business Association’s first pick was the parking lot adjacent to the Sacramento Native American Health Center on J Street, due to its central location and visibility. Studebaker has since secured the prime space between 20th and 21st streets, has hired a group to manage the market and has 45-plus vendors on board for the first Midtown farmers’ market in recent memory. It’s been about a year of detailed background planning work, but in only 12 days, that hard work will be realized when Midtown’s farmers’ market opens. “It's definitely one of the most pos

Trish Wallis didn't used to walk around her Midtown neighborhood carrying a personal taser, nor did she leave her purse at home when going out at night. But a few months back, when a wave of pedestrian robberies hit her neighborhood, she started taking extra safety precautions, and even stopped walking her dog at night. "It seemed like it was out of control," she said of the crime spree. “I keep my money and services within a few block radius from my house, so I don't want the recent crime to change that. That being said, I'm not stupid and want to be safe.” Wallis, a self-described activist at heart, starting pushing for more lighting on 26th Street, between G and E streets, and notifyi

There's a vacant lot on the corner of K and 24th streets that's overgrown with weeds and fenced off to keep homeless people from camping. The Golden Bear neighbors it to the right, and Ancient Future sits across the street in a former church. It's been empty for more than 10 years, but a local business owner is hoping to change that by bringing another German-style pub to Midtown. Dubbed "Der BierGarten," the project has been in the works for two years, but hasn't yet received the final OK from the city. That may change as early as next week, however, as Design Director Greg Taylor is set to decide whether approve the latest plans at a hearing on Thursday, March 21. While initially wary,

Only in the not-so-distant past, pickling was done out of necessity, as a way to enjoy seasonal vegetables year-round, and to eat during long trips when food wasn't readily available. The process usually involves lots of vinegar and results in saltier, tangier veggies, such as asparagus, cucumber, onions, green beans, and anything else that can be pickled. It’s become a popular hobby and business for some, and was even cited in a 2013 food trends report as being an emerging trend among the hip, cool crowd.  Cue Portlandia's "We can pickle that" skit.  Thanks to advances in food preservation techniques, today's pickling methods aren't just about making sure vegetables are on the shelf du

Those of us Midtowners, used to trekking all the way to the Sunday farmers’ market beneath the freeway, will soon have a more convenient location to pick up fresh produce. Announced Thursday via the Facebook page, the news of a Midtown farmers' market spread quickly through the social media world. And the people behind the movement – at the Midtown Business Association – couldn't be more pleased. "Sometimes with things like this you have to rip off the band aid to get it started," said MBA Executive Director Elizabeth Studebaker. The foundation of the market is strong enough as far as its design, support from neighbors and businesses, and having a secure location, to spread the word, she

'Tis the season for holiday celebrations galore. This weekend arrives bearing holiday events of all ilks, from theatre and dance to concerts, kids' activities, local shopping, and more. Check out some of our picks below, and find even more options in Sacramento365.com's Holiday Events section. Celebrate with the whole family: Holiday Magic: Sacramento Zoo; Sat 10am-4pm See your favorite Sacramento Zoo animals receive their special holiday presents. Animals will get special treats delivered to them and staff will be on hand to share facts, secrets, and answer your questions. Christmas Memories: Governor's Mansion State Historic Park; Sat 10am-4pm Surrounded by docents in period costume,

All across Sacramento, people are bringing boxes down from attics, unraveling tangled wires and testing the limits of extension cords. Holiday displays are going up fast, and Midtown merchants are about to get into the act. This year marks the third annual Light up Midtown contest in which businesses compete to see who create the most impressive, holiday cheer inspiring, oh-and-ah provoking store window display. As always, the contest is begin run by The Midtown Business Association, but this year we're proud to say The Sacramento Press is also playing a part. First, we need your input: Midtown shoppers and visitors will be able to vote online at ExploreMidtown.org for their favorite wi

Avoid the dreaded long lines and crowds at retail chains this Black Friday and consider turning your attention to the local shops and vendors in town. In fact, you can even take a pledge to shop local this season, courtesy of the Keep Your Green on the Grid campaign, organized by the Midtown Business Association and the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. Furthermore, Sacramento365.com's Local Marketplace section always fills up this time of year with myriad craft fairs, holiday shopping bazaars, and the like, which are great ways to get out and interact face-to-face with the people who create the gifts you are buying. In addition to pledging to keep your green on the grid, here are some sh

Top Dog: "BullRider" Pudge "Astro Mutt" Wile E The Midtown Business Association held its  third annual Pooch Parade and Trick or Trea on Saturday, Oct. 27. It was held at Marshall Park in the Sutter District and it was a happenin' place. Kids and dogs of all makes and models and sizes showed up dressed as someone else.   For the kids there was pumpkin decorating, face painting, carnival games, carmel apples and lots of prizes and candy. Here's the winning dogs and humans having fun: "Taxidermy Moose" LuLu "Giants" Bronx "Bee" Moxie "Devil" Ramsey "Shrek" Rocky "Strawberry Shortcake" Roxy and Emry And other scenes of people enjoying the halloween activities:

La Raza Galería Posada and the Midtown Business Association will be holding their annual haunted festivities this weekend, October 27-28, to celebrate both Halloween and Día de los Muertos, a Mesoamerican celebration that honors and remembers the dead. Last year nearly 4,000 attendees participated. This year, local businesses and organizers are hoping for an even larger turn out to join in on the free fun. Midtown Business Association’s “Yappy Hour” pooch costume contest will start the day, as dog owners have the opportunity to parade their spooky pets through haunted Midtown streets with the hopes of winning a prize. Meanwhile, children will be filling their sacks with sweets and treats

photographs by Barry Wisdom / The Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet company offered a preview of its 2012 production of "The Nutcracker," as well as several featured dances from its eclectic repertoire, at Saturday's Midtown Arts Festival, which Midtown Business Association representatives said drew some 4,000 to a variety of performance stages and vendor tables and booths on 20th Street (between J and K streets). Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet will present three performances of "The Nutcracker" on Folsom Lake College's Stage 1 at the Harris Center for the Performing Arts (formerly Three Stages): 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22; and 2 p.m. Dec. 23. Guest artist Michael Onstad will reprise his role

At the Midtown Arts Festival on Saturday, Oct. 20, ballerines pirouetted, a woman in Brazilian Carnaval dress danced the samba, a group of students popped and locked to a hip-hop beat and a women in an Indian sari moved gracefully across the stage. And that's a sample of the dance groups that performed - there was lots of local music - from a Rage Against the Machine cover band to a classical quartet, as well as booths with local artists, galleries, theater companies and more. Throughout the afternoon, a constant flow of people moved through 20th Street in Midtown, where the festival took place. Liz Studebaker, executive director of the Midtown Business Association, which organized the e

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.

Local professionals, business owners and others in the community will gather from 6 - 8 p.m. Thursday for the annual Midtown Mixer at the Hook and Ladder Manufacturing Co. space. The event is the first public look at restaurant, which is soon to be opened by the owners of The Golden Bear. Hosted by the Midtown Business Association, the event at 1630 S St. is free to members, and tickets are $5 for non-members. The admission price includes light appetizers and a no-host bar. Tickets can be bought in advance by clicking here, and eventgoers must RSVP.  Check the event Facebook page for more information.

This Saturday Midtown Neighbors, Business Owners & Community Members will come together to beautify the Midtown Community. Join them in celebrating the end of summer by cleaning up Midtown! The Midtown Business Association is partnering with the Midtown Neighborhood Association, the Boulevard Park Neighborhood Association, and the Marshall School/New Era Park Neighborhood Association to host a fall clean up with the support of The Volunteer Center of Sacramento. Volunteers will remove trash and help beautify the Midtown Community from 16th Street to 29th Street, from G to O Streets, or beyond if there is more litter to be found! Coffee and snacks will be provided in the morning when you

The fatal shooting of a man walking near 28th and J streets in Midtown early Saturday morning has nearby residents concerned about a perceived connection between violence and the local bar scene, but Sutter District business owners say there is no cause for alarm. “Midtown is a safe district,” Midtown Business Association Executive Director Elizabeth Studebaker said Monday. “It’s not the kind of place where we’re accustomed to this kind of violence. It’s definitely not the norm for us.” The Sutter District is a popular destination and draws thousands of people each week, according to Studebaker. That concentration of people can create occasional problems, she said, but not unlike any oth

What started as an artist-centered event to draw attention to the work of local artists has evolved into something much different, but District 4 candidates still want to make sure the Second Saturday Art Walk reaches its full potential as a destination event. “It’s become segmented,” candidate Phyllis Newton said Monday. “There are essentially two Second Saturdays – a family-oriented one in the early evening, and then, toward the later hours, it draws a different crowd.” On the second Saturday of every month, local art galleries, restaurants and other small businesses open their doors to thousands of visitors who come for art exhibits, music, food and wine for the Second Saturday Art Wa

Six of the seven candidates for council District 4 discussed the role of business and the value of art to the central city at a forum hosted by four business organizations Monday. The candidates – Steve Hansen, Phyllis Newton, Joe Yee, Michael Rehm, Terry Schanz and Neil Davidson – took the stage at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret Theatre on K Street Monday to answer a slew of questions about issues facing Sacramento’s recently reshaped District 4. Wendy Hoyt, local businesswoman and former president of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, moderated the forum. Hoyt noted that the central city is made up of variety of businesses and asked how the candidates would handle potential conflicts betw

Midtown Business Association Executive Director Elizabeth Studebaker said she is hopeful that the organization will be able to renew its status as a property and business improvement district in July. That status comes at an annual cost to local property and business owners – totalling $633,000 for the district – that is similar to an added property tax. In return, the MBA provides numerous services, such as graffiti removal, trash cleanup, private security patrols and marketing. If the assessment renewal is not passed, those services will not be funded, and the MBA will revert to being a much smaller organization able to do minimal marketing and advocate for the district at City Council

Candidates for the Midtown Business Association's June 20 elections will need to be able to cast aside their own business goals and work together to make Midtown a better business environment as the organization goes through a transition, according to MBA staff and business owners alike. “We’re at this pivotal point in Midtown, and I’d like to see a focus on the greater good – a sustainable Midtown business environment,” said Kimio Bazett of The Golden Bear and the upcoming Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co. Ten of the 25 Midtown Business Association Board of Directors seats are open to be filled by June 20, and only about seven incumbents are returning, meaning the organization will see ne