Out & About
By Jessica Laskey
February 2024
Art Of Food
New cookbook celebrates local artwork and recipes
The Sacramento Fine Arts Center has released “Savoring Sacramento: An Artists’ Cookbook,” a 300-page compendium of food and art.
The cookbook contains recipes from dozens of individuals alongside food- and dining-related artwork by artists celebrating local culinary and visual arts sectors.
“We are dedicating this beautiful art cookbook to our Sacramento area community with its incredible diversity of languages and cultures,” says Angelia Gordon, the center’s executive director. “Many of the recipes reflect the richness of the Sacramento area, as well as its history in its art and recipes.”
Cookbooks are available in the gallery store for $45. Sacramento Fine Arts Center is at 5330 Gibbons Drive in Carmichael. For information, visit sacfinearts.org.
PARKS APP
There’s a new way to explore Sacramento County regional parks—a free mobile app.
Visitors can use the app to plan a visit, navigate within a park, discover new places, and locate parking, restrooms, picnic areas and other amenities. They can access information about ecological, geological and historical points of interest, share experiences and photos, and more.
“From the Dry Creek Parkway to the American River Parkway and down into the Delta, this app is a new and innovative way for us to help park visitors explore and connect with our parks and other park visitors,” says Director of Regional Parks Liz Bellas.
For information, visit regionalparks.saccounty.gov.
SINGING VALENTINE
If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day gift, consider a singing valentine from two local singing groups—Voices of California and Stay Tuned.
The groups offer a choice of two love songs sung by a quartet and delivered in person to your special someone in the greater Sacramento area.
Cost is $55 standard delivery, $25 for phone delivery or $250 for corporate delivery. For information, call (530) 621-1904.
SEEKING SINGERS
The Capital Chorale seeks singers of all voice types to join rehearsals for the spring concert, “Handel Beyond Messiah.”
The concert features a full orchestra and takes place Friday, April 26. Rehearsals begin Thursday, Feb. 29, at 6:30 p.m. at Pioneer Congregational United Church at 2700 L St.
To be included in the roster of singers, email Music Director Elliot Jones at musicdirector@pioneerucc.org.
SUTTER MURAL
A new mural at Sutter Medical Center on Capitol Avenue celebrates the hospital’s century of service.
Sutter Hospital opened kitty-corner to Sutter’s Fort in December 1923 and was touted as “the most modern hospital to be found in the state.” One hundred years later, Sutter Health has grown into a 24-hospital health system serving more than 3 million Californians.
Rebecca Denna, a neonatal intensive-care registered nurse who has worked at Sutter for 40 years, proposed the idea of a mural. Local artist (and former Sutter employee) Uli Smith created the artwork.
Find the mural, “Sutter on the Scene,” on the second floor by the check-in station and chapel, near the skywalk across 29th Street.
HABITAT HOMES
Nine families have received keys to their new homes at Cornerstone, a first-of-its-kind collaborative affordable housing community by Habitat for Humanity and Mutual Housing of California.
Cornerstone is 18 single-family homeownership opportunities, plus wrap-around services in education, job skills, workforce development training, financial stability and more.
Each family put in 500 hours of sweat equity alongside hundreds of volunteers to build their homes. Through Habitat for Humanity’s affordable mortgage solutions, they purchased their homes with a 30-year, 0% interest equivalent mortgage.
“As a mother with the responsibility of raising my girls on my own, I want to experience a forever home with them,” says Jessica, a single mother who grew up in foster homes and now has the “family home” she dreamed of.
DREAMER FINALISTS
Five business concepts have been named finalists in Downtown Sacramento Foundation’s 2023-24 Calling All Dreamers competition.
Capital Tuk-Tuk, Ecojoyous, Nouvelle Healing, Planted Foods and The Dreamland Cinema are eligible for a cash prize of up to $5,000 each if they open a storefront Downtown. One finalist will win $20,000 and a start-up package valued at $100,000 with in-kind services. Second place receives $10,000.
Finalists work with Capital Corridor SCORE mentors to refine their business plans and prepare for a final pitch to the selection committee. Winners will be announced around Feb. 20. For information, visit downtownsac.org.
ALHAMBRA PLAN
An extensive landscaping revitalization and beautification project along Alhambra Boulevard has wrapped up.
Midtown Association’s $87,000 effort began in 2018 to enhance the Alhambra corridor with murals, landscape improvements and mobility infrastructure. The area is home to nearly 20 restaurants, a historic retail center, grocery store and The Cannery.
The project’s final flowers were planted in front of the Limelight Bar & Café. “The Alhambra corridor connects East Sacramento with Midtown and serves as a key entrance to the central city,” says John Mikacich, Limelight owner and chair of the Alhambra Committee. “We are excited to invite the community to rediscover the Alhambra corridor.”
SCHOLARSHIPS
Applications are open for more than two dozen scholarships of $500 to $1,000 through the Sacramento Region Community Foundation for students pursuing higher education.
Criteria for each scholarship is unique, but most aim to support students with specific financial need or career goals. Many are open exclusively to students with ties to the region.
The foundation has awarded more than $225 million in scholarships and grants to the community since its inception in 1983. For information, visit sacregcf.org/students.
NORCAL CHAMPIONS
East Sacramento Youth Soccer Club’s under-13 boys team won the Norcal State Cup for the first time in club history.
In the final game against Madera United in Modesto, the team won 4-1 in what coach James Boyle calls “a brilliant performance. The boys have transformed themselves this season and have been rewarded with the biggest trophy of them all—State Cup winners.”
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
