Out And About

By Jessica Laskey
June 2023

Dream On

Splat studio brings families together through art
Helping families connect through positive art experiences, Dipped N Color Splat Studio is the winner of the Downtown Sacramento Foundation’s 10th annual Calling All Dreamers business program.

The prize package includes $20,000 in cash and in-kind services, and resources valued at $120,000 to help launch a small business in a Downtown storefront. At Dipped N Color, families create art with custom pre-sketched canvases, paint kits, private parties and “splat” sessions on canvas, walls and even each other.

The new-and-improved Calling All Dreamers takes qualified applicants through a business development program that includes planning, market research, proof of financial sustainability and more. Since its inception, the program has helped 31 businesses open, created more than 100 jobs and leased more than 26,000 square feet of space.

New this year, each of the five remaining finalists are eligible to receive $5,000 if they open their doors by March 1, 2024. Finalists are The Teetotalist Zero-Proof Social Club, Flora & Fauna Provisions, Mercado Urbano, Retrospect-Vintage Fashion, and Burnside Coffee Bar. For information, visit downtownsac.org/start-a-business/calling-all-dreamers-contest.

STREET FOOD

Three more businesses have received Street Food Sacramento grants from the Midtown Association. The program celebrates Sacramento’s diverse street food culture while reducing entry barriers for historically underrepresented populations.

The awardees are Lee and Kathy Kuykendall of Fork Fire Foods, showcasing small-batch, handmade marinades; Pablo Rivas of Old Coyote, a Latin-fusion food pop-up; and Dennelyn Siazon of Real Mojo Foods, featuring small-batch, preservative-free pickles and sauces.

In addition to coveted booth space at the Midtown Farmers Market, the grant package includes infrastructure, startup funds, and marketing and social media support. For information, visit exploremidtown.org/street-food-sacramento.

FOOD FRIDAYS

Beginning June 2, the Food Literacy Center at Leataata Floyd Elementary School opens each Friday from 4–7 p.m. for an open house and pop-up café featuring snacks, sandwiches, soup, salad and mocktails.

The event includes tours of the facility, games and activities, and spices and limited-edition swag for sale.
The Food Literacy Center will also offer enhanced science and nutrition programs thanks to $1,050,000 in federal funding secured by Congresswoman Doris Matsui. The funds will allow the center to convert a previously vacant lot into a multi-use, outdoor classroom, and will support educational programs at Leataata Floyd Elementary School. For information, visit foodliteracycenter.org.

STANFORD SPRING

Three local museums are collaborating to present “A Stanford Spring,” showcasing the lives of Jane and Leland Stanford.
Unique artifacts are on display through the end of June at the California State Railroad Museum, Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park and Sacramento History Museum.

Items include the historic Central Pacific railcar that carried Leland Stanford and the Golden Spike to the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, a cherished cookbook owned by Jane Stanford and one of her opulent special-occasion dresses.

Visitors receive half off admission to the Sacramento History Museum by showing their same-day receipt from the California State Railroad Museum. Admission to the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park is always free. For information, visit californiarailroad.museum/stanford.

DEL RIO TRAIL

A new project is underway to turn a 5-mile abandoned railway corridor into a beautiful pedestrian trail with public art.

The corridor includes approximately 63 acres of land that runs through Land Park, South Land Park, Freeport Manor, Z’Berg Park, Pocket and Meadowview. It was previously occupied by Sacramento Southern Railroad’s Walnut Grove Branch Line but was abandoned in 1978.

Sacramento Regional Transit acquired the property in 1984 but never used it. The city of Sacramento acquired the property in 2021 in an agreement to develop the corridor as a multi-use trail and linear park with direct connections to RT bus stops.

Thanks to a Caltrans Clean California grant, the city is turning the Del Rio Trail into an activated public space, including creative placemaking and public art managed by the Office of Arts + Culture’s Art in Public Places program.
The grant has funded 20 artists to create temporary artwork about the trail and seven artists to make permanent work that will be displayed along the trail. Beth Jones Art Consultant, run by Beth Jones and Lynda Jolley of JAYJAY Gallery, is providing project management and coordinating an exhibition of artists in July at Twisted Track. For information, visit delriotrailart.org.

LATIN DANCE

Dance On The Edge hosts Latin Dance Nights at the Old Sacramento Waterfront on select Saturdays through summer and fall.

Enjoy a free evening of music, dance and festivities along the picturesque waterfront. No experience necessary—a dance lesson is held from 6–7 p.m. at each event.

This month, dance the night away June 10 and 24 from 6–10 p.m. For information, visit danceontheedge.com.

WINN WEDNESDAYS

The Midtown Association’s popular Wednesdays at Winn farmers market has returned from 3:30–7:30 p.m. through Oct. 25 at Winn Park.

The market features 40 open-air booths filled with flowers, artisan goods and grocery items, as well as free fitness classes, live music and art for sale. On the last Wednesday of every month, Kirchhoff Family Wines presents a special Sippin’ at Winn wine tasting from 5–7 p.m.

For information, visit exploremidtown.org/midtown-parks and follow the market on Instagram @wednesdaysatwinn.

DOWNTOWN MARKETS

Downtown farmers markets have returned to Capitol Mall on Wednesdays and Cesar Chavez Plaza on Thursdays.

At the Capitol Mall market, Downtown workers, residents and visitors can buy locally sourced groceries, baked goods, fresh flowers and more, plus dine al fresco with food from vendors and trucks.

In partnership with La Cosecha restaurant, Bodega Days at Cesar Chavez Plaza is now bigger and better. Enjoy live music, culinary activations, locally made art, fresh produce, flowers, hot lunches, and other food and beverages from farmers and vendors.

The markets are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information, visit godowntownsac.com.

SECOND SATURDAY

The Midtown Association, Turton Commercial, Visit Sacramento and city of Sacramento are reinvigorating Second Saturday with monthly activations through October.

Each Second Saturday highlights unique experiences that include live pop-up art installations, entertainment, family-friendly activities, gallery tours, culinary artistry, and food and drink specials at nearby bars and restaurants.

Activations start early in the day at the Midtown Farmers Market and continue into the evening. More activations are planned for Fremont Park, the Midtown Central and Midtown Sutter restaurant districts along 16th Street from C through P streets, and at several apartment complexes.

Don’t forget to visit local art galleries—many still host monthly receptions to celebrate the opening of new exhibits. For information, visit midtownsecondsaturday.com.

PARK CONCERTS

The 30th season of Concerts in the Park has returned to Cesar Chavez Plaza Downtown.

Rock out on Friday evenings through July 28 (except July 7) at the largest, longest-running free outdoor music festival in Northern California, showcasing nearly 60 local and national bands and DJs.

This year’s lineup includes Blue October, KALLITECHNIS, Matt Maeson, Eric Bellinger and Arden Park Roots, along with DJs hellagoodcompany, Lady Char and My Cousin Vinny.

After the last act every Friday, attendees are encouraged to visit after-party locations. For a lineup and information, visit godowntownsac.com/events/signature-events/concerts-in-the-park.

WOODIE EXHIBIT

“Wood is Good!” is on display at the California Automobile Museum through July. The exhibit features 13 “woodies” (wood-bodied vehicles) from 1926 to 1973, celebrating their evolution from luggage transports to family vehicles to surfer icons.

Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for “vintage” (65 and older), $9 for military and students, $5 for youth ages 6–17, and free for children 5 and younger. For information, visit calautomuseum.org.

HOUSING REPORT

Over the past several years, Sacramento has built more affordable housing per capita than other cities in the region and other major cities in California, according to the new Housing Element Annual Progress Report.

Sacramento permitted 1,267 low- and very-low-income units in 2022—32 more units than in 2021. When measured against the population, the city’s production between 2019–2021 has topped Oakland, San Jose, San Diego, Fresno, San Francisco and Long Beach.

City staff also report the number of building permits issued for accessory dwelling units in Sacramento jumped by another 32% in 2022 after soaring 124% in 2021. The number of applications submitted to build ADUs rose by nearly 50%. For information, visit cityofsacramento.org.

COLLEGE PRESIDENTS

Lisa Cardoza has been named president of American River College.

Cardoza served as vice president for university advancement and executive officer for the University Foundation at Sacramento State, where she led record-setting fundraising efforts.

At Sacramento City College, Albert Garcia has been appointed president after serving as interim president since last July.

Garcia has held several positions during his more than 30-year career at the college, including English professor, English Department chair, Language and Literature Division dean, vice president of instruction and interim associate vice chancellor of instruction at the Los Rios Workforce and Economic Development Center.

AIRPORT AMBASSADORS

The Sacramento International Airport is seeking friendly and outgoing people to join its Ambassador Program, which provides a warm welcome to visitors and helps them navigate airport services.

Airport ambassadors are asked to commit to at least two four-hour shifts per month, with multiple shifts available each day at information desks and additional roving shifts on weekdays.

Applicants must be 18 or older, enjoy customer service and have strong communication skills. Ambassadors should be knowledgeable about the Sacramento region and have basic computer and internet skills. For information, email Barbara Tustin at tustinba@saccounty.gov.

SALMON SURGE

Thanks to a 2021 project to enhance salmon and steelhead habitats in the Lower American River at Ancil Hoffman Park, recent data collected by the Sacramento Water Forum shows a noticeable surge in Chinook salmon redds (underwater nests created by female salmon to lay their eggs).

Prior to the project, 64 redds were counted at the site in fall 2020. A few months after the project began, the number of redds more than doubled to 170.

“This increase is considered even more remarkable given recent drought conditions and warmer river temperatures in 2021,” says Erica Bishop, Water Forum’s program manager. She adds that the Ancil Hoffman site also attracted 30% of the steelhead trout spawning in the entire Lower American River in 2021. For information, visit waterforum.org/ah.

TELE911

The Sacramento Fire Department has launched Tele911, a new pilot program using telehealth technology to immediately connect people to a doctor to expedite medical care and free up resources for other emergencies.

The program uses a network of California emergency department physicians who can be contacted 24/7 for a video medical consultation for patients served by SFD. These doctors evaluate patients in real time while crews are on the scene and advise if treatment in place is the preferred option or if the patient needs to be transported to a hospital by ambulance.

“This program helps the Sacramento Fire Department make the best decisions possible when responding to low-acuity and non-life-threatening medical calls,” Sacramento Fire Captain Justin Sylvia says.

GRAZING PROGRAM

If you’ve noticed hundreds of goats and sheep in North Natomas Regional Park, they’re there for a good reason. The animals are placed at city parks to sustainably reduce fire risk as part of the city’s Department of Youth, Parks and Community Enrichment’s grazing program.

“These sheep are one of our greatest assets as they’re able to get into areas that would be difficult for a machine like a mower to access,” says Shawn Aylesworth, the city’s park maintenance manager. “We maintain many open spaces across Sacramento and the animals are a sustainable way to reduce fire fuels.”