Pocket Life
By Corky Mau
May 2023
They Mean Business
Neighbors keep it local with bakery, yoga studio
Since May is Small Business Month, let’s visit two local businesses run by neighbors from our community.
Through the Looking Glass Cakes recently opened in Greenhaven Plaza near Ace Hardware. Customers are greeted by colorful wall murals and owner Shanna Spinola. As the Looking Glass theme suggests, she loves all things “Alice in Wonderland.”
The business has several layers. On weekends, it’s a baking studio where Spinola teaches children’s baking classes. Students learn kitchen safety and cooking techniques. They take home their fresh-baked goods.
Weekends can get busy with birthday parties and private events. Customers savor molasses ginger cookies, brioche bars, lemon tarts and cream puffs. Get there early. Popular made-from-scratch items often sell out before 1 p.m.
Spinola is mostly self-taught. “The only lesson I’ve taken was a cake decorating class at Michaels. Now I learn a lot from The Great British Baking Show,” she says.
In June, Spinola offers summer baking camps for kids ages 9–15. Baking workshops for adults are planned. For information, visit lookingglassbakingstudio.com.
Once an Air Force recruiting office, Rise Wellness now operates on Greenhaven Drive near Wells Fargo. Instructor Aimee Meyer and her husband own the yoga and massage studio.
There’s a sense of community at Rise. Ann Braunstein joined Rise in 2014 and says, “You don’t have to practice yoga or meditation to be part of the Rise community. You can join our Rise Book Club, get a massage or get yoga therapy.”
Not all yoga studios offer yoga therapy, which appeals to people who want to incorporate yoga into medical treatments. “I’ve been a yoga therapy client since 2010,” says Francie Teitelbaum. “I’ve suffered a few injuries over the years. Yoga helps minimize the discomfort from chronic low back pain, a frozen shoulder and balance issues.”
My neighbor Judy Loewe joined Rise 16 years ago. “There are classes for all ability levels,” she says. “There’s a new student special, two weeks of unlimited classes for $25. It’s a good way to experience all Rise Yoga has to offer.” For information, visit riseyoga.com.
CINCO DE MAYO
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Elks Lodge on Friday, May 5. There’s dinner and dancing to music from Latin Touch Band, plus Mariachi Los Gallos and Yemaya Salsa Dance Company. Tickets are $35 per person. Call (916) 422-6666 for reservations.
ART CAMP
Local artist Terri Bianco hosts an outdoor art camp Sunday, May 7. No experience needed. Receive art materials and training for a $10 donation.
Learn about different mediums and techniques. Bianco’s work was on the cover of Inside Sacramento’s December 2021 Pocket edition. For information, contact Bianco at terri@terribianco.com or call (916) 955-9834.
CLASSIC CARS
Vintage cars are back at Device Brewing Company in the Promenade center from 4–8 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays each month. Meet car owners on May 4 and May 18. This free, family-friendly event runs through October.
FESTA PARADE
The annual Holy Ghost Festa Parade arrives Sunday, May 28, at 11:45 a.m. The parade circles streets near Portuguese Hall and St. Maria Church off Pocket Road. It’s a Pocket tradition that began in 1914.
Taylor Marie Corsetti is this year’s Festa Queen. She’s a legacy. Her great-grandfather, Frank R. Dias, was the first president of Portuguese Hall.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
