Out And About
By Jessica Laskey
August 2025
Bringing Art To Life
Sutter’s Landing mural celebrates Sacramento’s heritage
Sutter’s Landing Regional Park has a new mural bringing the environmental and cultural heritage of Sacramento to life with imagery inspired by Native American stories.
“The Living Balance” mural, spanning 5,000 square feet, is by artist Liv Losee-Unger of ORLUarts.
The project, part of a public art initiative led by the Office of Arts and Culture’s Art in Public Places program, was funded in part by a state grant and developed in collaboration with Department of Youth, Parks and Community Enrichment.
For information, visit cityofsacramento.gov and search “Public Art Projects.”
CANNING HISTORY
A new Sacramento History Museum exhibit explains why the corner of Alhambra and Stockton boulevards is called The Cannery.
“Sacramento in a Can—Featuring the Campbell’s Sacramento Story” chronicles the city’s canning industry, which led to the city’s unofficial recognition as “the tomato soup capital of the world.”
“Our canneries, including some of the largest in the nation, turned our region’s agricultural bounty into goods that could be shipped around the world and provided employment for thousands of Sacramentans, principally women of color,” historian William Burg says.
“While most of our canneries are now gone or converted to other uses, many Sacramentans still remember the days when workers rushed to process the region’s bounty of vegetables during harvest season—and large parts of the city smelled like tomato soup,” Burg adds.
The exhibit runs through Sept. 1. For information, visit sachistorymuseum.org.
RESTAURANT GRANTS
Seven restaurants in Sacramento County—out of 188 in Northern California—received grants from the California Restaurant Foundation to help with ongoing pandemic recovery.
Duke’s Plates & Pints and Maestro Coffee in Sacramento, Matteo’s Pizza & Bistro in Carmichael and other eateries in Fair Oaks, Folsom, Rancho Cordova and Davis each received $5,000.
The financial assistance can be used for equipment and technology upgrades, unforeseen hardships, employee-retention bonuses and employee training.
The PG&E Foundation provided funding for the Northern California grants. For information, visit restaurantscare.org/resilience-general.
ITALIAN CLASSES
The Italian Cultural Society offers language classes for new and advanced students beginning Aug. 4.
Classes are held online and at The Italian Center, 6821 Fair Oaks Blvd. in Carmichael. For information, visit italiancenter.net.
LAWN REBATES
Save water and qualify for a rebate by converting lawn to a native, drought-tolerant landscape and installing drip irrigation.
The city offers up to $3,000 in rebates to eligible single-family and duplex customers who make the switch. Businesses can qualify for up to $50,000.
County residents can receive rebates of $1 per square foot of grass converted, up to $2,000 per household. Commercial customers can receive $1.50 per square foot of grass converted, up to $2,500.
To be eligible for rebates, customers must receive city or county approval before beginning a conversion project. For information, visit cityofsacramento.gov or waterresources.saccounty.gov and search “grass conversion.”
WILDCARD! STORIES
Wildcard!, a monthly storytelling series, offers a fun and unpredictable evening of swapping stories.
Presented by In a Nutshell storytelling, Wildcard! features two invited storytellers and a random “wildcard” audience member who tell tales.
Shows are every third Thursday from 6–8 p.m. at Old Soul Co. in The Alley at 1716 L St. This month’s show is Aug. 21. For information, visit inanutshellstorytelling.com/wildcard.
CROCKER DOCENTS
Crocker Art Museum needs volunteer docents with a passion for art and enthusiasm to share knowledge with visitors in gallery tours and community presentations.
Applicants participate in a nine-month training course that covers the Crocker’s collections, exhibitions, architecture, art history, education and touring techniques. Training includes lectures, interactive gallery experiences, workshops, field trips and hands-on activities.
No prior experience is required. The next docent training class begins this fall. For information, visit crockerart.org/docents.
PHILHARMONIC HONOR
Congresswoman Doris Matsui recognizes the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera with entry into the U.S. Congressional Record, noting the organization’s artistic excellence and cultural leadership.
“The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera stands as a beacon of creativity, resilience and artistic excellence,” Matsui says. “Their work not only elevates Sacramento’s cultural landscape but also ensures that the arts remain accessible and meaningful for all members of our community.”
For information, visit sacphilopera.org.
OLD SAC THURSDAYS
The Old Sacramento Waterfront launches Third Thursdays when more than a dozen businesses provide live demonstrations and artist activations from 4–8 p.m.
“The unique, locally owned businesses here are full of character and community, waiting for people to slow down and take time to explore them,” says Michael Ault, executive director of Downtown Sacramento Partnership.
Participating businesses include Artists’ Collaborative Gallery, Atrium 916, Blueprint Coffee, Glow Studio, Ink & Image, Theadeco, Ecojoyous and Sacramento History Museum.
For information, visit oldsacramento.com.
POETIC NETWORK
Inside Sacramento’s farm-to-form columnist, Gabrielle Myers, has a new book of poetry, “Points in the Network.”
“I wrote these poems during 2020–2021 when I was living in Midtown and had a large urban garden with ducks and chickens in my backyard,” Myers says.
“Points in the Network” is available for presale from Finishing Line Press at finishinglinepress.com.
COCKTAIL TRAIN RIDE
All aboard an adults-only cocktail train ride, the Golden Hour Express, presented by the California State Railroad Museum and Foundation.
Guests relax in a first-class, air-conditioned train car or take in the sunset from an open-air gondola while enjoying riverside views and alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
Trains depart Front Street at 7:15 p.m. on Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Tickets are $45 per adult and $40 for museum members, and include two drink tokens. For reservations, visit californiarailroad.museum/events/golden-hour-express.
OLD SAC CAFÉ
The city of Sacramento seeks proposals for a walk-up café in the Steamers Building along the newly renovated Embarcadero boardwalk at the Old Sacramento Waterfront.
The Steamers Building is a replica of the 19th century California Steam Navigation Company office with 750 square feet of interior café space and a fenced 1,550-square-foot outdoor patio.
“This is a rare opportunity to bring fresh energy to a high-visibility waterfront location and help transform the next phase of Old Sacramento,” Project Manager Valerie Mamone says. “We’re looking for a tenant who understands the area’s historic and social value, and can deliver quality food, drinks and hospitality.”
Responses are due Aug. 29 through the city’s online bid portal at vendors.planetbids.com/portal/15300/bo/bo-detail/131037.
CA MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS
The California Museum invites prospective volunteers to attend an Open House and New Volunteer Orientation on Saturday, Aug. 16. The event provides an overview of programs and requirements, and an opportunity to meet staff, tour current exhibits and start training to be a volunteer. The Open House is 10–11 a.m. The optional New Volunteer Orientation is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information or to register, visit californiamuseum.org/volunteer-open-house.
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.
