Out & About
November 2024
By Jessica Laskey
Sweet Memories
Land Park landmark celebrates 77 years
If you have a sweet tooth, you know Vic’s Ice Cream on Riverside Boulevard in Land Park. Vic’s was founded in 1947 by World War II veterans Vic Zito and Ashley Rutledge.
Seventy-seven years later, Vic’s is still slinging scoops—but maybe not for long. The Rutledge family is selling the business.
In September, Arbëresh of Sacramento, a cultural club that promotes the heritage of the Albanian-speaking Arbëresh people of Sicily and southern Italy (Zito was one) hosted a gathering to honor Vic’s legacy and reminisce about the shop.
Attending were regular patrons and former employees, including Walter Fox, Craig Fong, Frank Plescia and Bob Sertich, who worked together at Vic’s in the 1970s.
“The camaraderie among Vic’s employees was very strong—my brother maintains close friendships with several of his Vic’s ex-colleagues to this day,” says Plescia’s older brother Anthony, who serves as president of Arbëresh of Sacramento and helped organize the gathering.
“All in all, it was a great afternoon remembering Vic Zito and Ash Rutledge and their iconic neighborhood ice cream parlor.”
ADULT LITERACY
The Sacramento Public Library’s Adult Literacy program celebrates 40 years of free literacy tutoring for adults, helping more than 5,000 learners.
“I started with the literacy program five years ago,” adult learner Patricia Davis says. “My goal was to read my mail, read a newspaper and read books. I didn’t even know how to use a computer, but I know now.
“The literacy program helped and encouraged me to get my high school diploma. My goals have changed because I have more confidence in myself.”
The library also celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Career Online High School program. In the past year, 40 adults completed their studies and earned high school diplomas. Since 2014, the program has helped 290 graduates prepare for the workforce.
For information, visit saclibrary.org.
EXPLORE MIDTOWN
The Midtown Association has launched Explore Midtown Pass, a digital passport that allows users to access deals and discounts at more than 20 Midtown bars, restaurants and eateries through Nov. 30.
Every check-in or coupon redemption earns points for the chance to win prizes such as gift cards, Kings tickets, B Street Theatre tickets, a staycation and more. Winners are randomly drawn at the end of the promotion and notified via text and email.
To download the pass, visit exploremidtown.org/pass.
CITIZEN APP
It’s easy to stay safe in Sacramento thanks to the Citizen app, which provides free, real-time safety alerts to area residents.
“We compile critical public-safety incidents involving anything from police activity, fires, missing persons and pets to earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires,” says Juliana Pignataro, Citizen’s director of distribution.
“Citizen empowers individuals to contribute to a shared safety net where everyone plays a part in preventing or mitigating crime, terror and disasters.”
Citizen launched in Sacramento in September adding to its roster of more than 40 cities nationwide. Download Citizen wherever you get apps.
CALLING DREAMERS
The Downtown Sacramento Foundation has selected 10 business concepts to move forward in its 12th annual Calling All Dreamers business incubator program.
The cohort will go through business development boot camp over the next few months for the chance to win cash prizes if they complete the program and open a Downtown storefront.
The cohort includes Vietnamese coffee café Cà Phê Diễm, Coffland Craft Butchery, cookie business Half Baked Goodness, improv and sketch comedy theater Haus of Comedy, Ethiopian beverage company Honey Nights, Jinx Soda, Nacho House, specialty teas and coffees Pittador Brews, women’s clothing boutique Style For It, and collaborative small-business venue Transformative Spaces.
For information, visit callingalldreamers.org.
CLAY WORKSHOPS
East Sac’s clayARTstudio 814 is offering two six-session ceramics workshops that bring animal spirits to life through sculpting.
Attendees will learn ceramic hand-building techniques to construct animal figures under the guidance of studio owner and ceramicist Marsha Schindler. Materials and tools will be provided.
Animal Spirits Figure Sculpture Workshops begin Nov. 5. Classes are available in morning and evening. Attendees must be at least 18 and able to lift 25 pounds. To sign up, visit clayartstudio814.com.
BAT EXHIBIT
“Bat HabiTAT” is on display at City Hall’s Robert T. Matsui Gallery through Dec. 13.
Curated by Emerging Curators Fellow Bridgètt Rex through the Office of Arts and Culture, the exhibit uses original artwork to highlight the essential role bats play in healthy ecosystems.
The pieces were created by 10 tattoo artists and one origami artist from Northern California who took inspiration from live bat observations with the Yolo Basin Foundation.
“Bats represent a peaceful dark and moodiness,” artist Shaina Hernandez says. “It was important to me that the bats be portrayed as innocent. So often they are depicted as scary or verminous.”
The gallery is at 915 I St. and open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
NEW STADIUM
Sacramento State plans to build a state-of-the-art stadium to replace Hornet Stadium, erected in 1969.
The new 25,000-seat facility, designed by architecture firm Populous, will host football, soccer and rugby, as well as visiting sports competitions, concerts, convocations and more.
“With this new facility, we will not only continue our tradition of hosting national and international sporting events, but also create opportunities for faculty and students to engage in large-scale academic and cultural programming, offering a space for learning, celebration and community-building,” says Carolyn Gibbs, chair of the Sacramento State Faculty Senate.
To donate to the project, visit sacstate.me/stadium.
DIDION LIBRARY
Sacramento City College has renamed its library the Joan Didion Learning Resource Center, thanks to a gift from the Didion family and Sacramento Historical Society.
A permanent exhibit on the author’s life is open in the building lobby. Students designed the exhibit with help from the California State Railroad Museum and professor of design and digital media Robyn Waxman.
Displays include books, photographs and artwork donated by family members and Sacramento Historical Society. “The exhibit was truly a team effort,” says Vicky Austin, Sac City College regional director of philanthropy.
The resource center is at 3835 Freeport Blvd. and open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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.
