Out And About
By Jessica Laskey
January 2024
Sacramento’s Newest Gallery
Eclectic retail store transitions its offerings
You know Timeless Thrills on J Street for its eclectic mix of apparel, homewares, accessories, publications and events. It’s now the city’s newest gallery space.
December marked the opening of the first exhibition, “Battle Royale,” as part of owners Jessica and Tyler Wichmann’s efforts to transition the store into a gallery.
“Over our eight-year span in a professional retail setting, we have hosted multiple galleries, art shows, pop-up shops, live music, book releases and even a ping-pong league,” Tyler says. “This transition to an official gallery was natural. It was the organic evolution our brick-and-mortar always seemed to have coming.”
The Wichmanns plan to host 10 to 12 exhibitions a year that feature the melding of fine art and tattooing. “Battle Royale,” which runs through Jan. 6, features paintings, ceramics and mixed media works by renowned tattoo artists.
The couple will continue to host exhibitions for photographers and creatives in the world of print media as an outgrowth of the Newsstand, the section of the store that carries 74 varieties of zines, books, CDs, prints, magazines and more.
Timeless Thrills is at 3714 J St. For information, visit timelessthrills.com.
POINT-IN-TIME
Sacramento Steps Forward is looking for hundreds of volunteers to capture a snapshot census of people experiencing homelessness in the Sacramento region.
Sacramento’s 2024 Point-in-Time Count, part of a nationwide effort, will be held Wednesday, Jan. 24, and Thursday, Jan. 25. The event provides a comprehensive estimate of the number of individuals and families living outdoors and in places not intended for human habitation (vehicles, streets, parks) on a single night.
The data helps community leaders better understand homelessness, design more effective policies and programs, and measure progress toward reducing and ending homelessness.
More than 500 volunteers participated in the 2022 Point-in-Time Count, which found an estimated 9,278 individuals experienced homelessness on a single night. To register as a volunteer, go to sacramento24.pointintime.info.
SIERRA 2 LEADER
The Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association and Sierra 2 Center for the Arts & Community have a new executive director. Terri Shettle, their leader for 14 years, stepped down at the end of 2023.
The new hire, Kent Anderson, is a nonprofit leader with more than 25 years of experience. He served most recently as executive director of Effie Yeaw Nature Center.
“Sierra 2 is an incredible community amenity, and I am excited to join a dedicated and accomplished team of staff, volunteers and board members who are truly devoted to their neighborhood and larger community,” Anderson says.
He hopes to grow community classes and workshops, keep SCNA at the forefront of public engagement, and enhance and maintain the 100-year-old Sierra School campus, where SCNA and Sierra 2 are headquartered. For information, visit sierra2.org.
LAVENDER LIBRARY
The Lavender Library recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Founded in 1997 by local community members as the Lavender Library, Archives, and Cultural Exchange, the nonprofit serves as a research and information institution for Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ community.
The library houses books and magazines, media and archival materials, and hosts book clubs, support groups, open mic nights, craft markets and other community events with the goal of being “a sanctuary to the LGBTQ+ community and their histories.”
The Lavender Library at 1414 21st St. Learn more at lavendarlibrary.com.
In related news, the city’s Historic Preservation team was awarded $40,000 from the California Office of Historic Preservation with matching funds from the city to help protect and preserve LGBTQ+ history in Sacramento.
The project will identify significant people, places and events of the LGBTQ+ community and conduct a survey of the Lavender Heights neighborhood to determine if a potential historic district exists.
Visit cityofsacramento.org and search for “LGBTQ+ Historic Experience Project.”
GARDEN GUIDE
The Master Gardeners of Sacramento County’s “2024 Gardening Guide & Calendar” is available.
The guide highlights California native plants each month with accompanying photos and information on creating a habitat garden and planting to attract pollinators, birds and beneficial insects. Also included is a seasonal guide to vegetable gardening.
The calendar/guide is $12 plus postage. Proceeds support the group’s community projects. Buy online or find local retail locations at sacmg.ucanr.edu.
ENVIRONMENT AWARD
River City Waterway Alliance has been recognized with a Volunteer Group Award by the Environmental Council of Sacramento.
RCWA, an all-volunteer group, removed about a million pounds of trash and debris from area waterways last year. The alliance partners with government agencies to improve clean-up and prevention strategies.
“It’s a way I feel I can make a visible, tangible difference,” says Kathleen Ford, who co-founded RCWA with David Ingram, Mark Baker and Lisa Sanchez. “It’s a great and easy way for citizens to get involved and know they’ve made an impact. Plus, we have great camaraderie and we’re outside enjoying the river.”
To get involved, visit the group on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or email rivercitywaterwayalliance@gmail.com.
PUBLIC WATER MEETINGS
The Carmichael Water District and Sacramento Suburban Water District are exploring combining the two local water authorities to improve efficiencies, reduce costs, increase water-supply reliability and enhance customer service.
The public is invited to learn about those plans. The first meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the CWD boardroom at 7837 Fair Oaks Blvd. For information, call (916) 483-2452 or email mail@carmichaelwd.org.
The second meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. in the SSWD boardroom at 3701 Marconi Ave. For information, call (916) 972-7171 or email feedback@sswd.org.
The meetings will include a brief presentation and opportunity to ask questions and share thoughts with CWD and SSWD technical experts, managers and board members. Visit carmichaelwd.org and sswd.org.
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.
