Issuu

Good Government, meet secret Government

Sacramento’S newS & entertainment weekly

Volume 27, iSSue 23

maGpie’s reboot flies hiGh

porch party

thurSday, September 24, 2015

newSreView.com

SN&R | 09.24.15

SEPtEMBER

24,

2015

Vol.

27,

iSSuE

EditoR’S NotE

20 Our Mission To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages employees to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live. Co-editors Rachel Leibrock, Nick Miller Staff Writers Janelle Bitker, Raheem F. Hosseini Assistant Editor Anthony Siino Editorial Coordinator Becca Costello Editor-at-large Melinda Welsh Contributors Daniel Barnes, Ngaio Bealum, Alastair Bland, Rob Brezsny, Jim Carnes, Deena Drewis, Joey Garcia, Cosmo Garvin, Blake Gillespie, Lovelle Harris, Jeff Hudson, Jim Lane, Garrett McCord, Kel Munger, Kate Paloy, Patti Roberts, Ann Martin Rolke, Shoka

coVER dESigN BY hAYLEY doShAY coVER phoTo BY KEViN coRTopASSi

Creative Director Priscilla Garcia Art Director Hayley Doshay Associate Art Director Brian Breneman Ad Design Manager Serene Lusano Production Coordinator Skyler Smith Designer Kyle Shine Design Services Manager Anne Lesemann Contributing Photographers Lisa Baetz, Evan Duran, Wes Davis, Luke Fitz, Taras Garcia, Michael Miller, Bobby Mull, Shoka, Darin Smith, Lauran Worthy

Executive Coordinator Jessica Takehara Director of First Impressions David Lindsay Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Services Assistant Larry Schubert Distribution Drivers Mansour Aghdam, Daniel Bowen, Heather Brinkley, Mike Cleary, Jack Clifford, Lydia Comer, John Cunningham, Lob Dunnica, Chris Fong, Ron Forsberg, Garry Foster, Joanna Gonzalez-Brown, Greg Meyers, Kenneth Powell, Gilbert Quilatan, Lloyd Rongley, Lolu Sholotan

Chief Marketing Officer Rick Brown Director of Sales and Advertising Corey Gerhard Senior Advertising Consultants Rosemarie Messina, Olla Swanson, Joy Webber, Kelsi White Advertising Consultants Joseph Barcelon, Meghan Bingen, Angel DeLaO, Teri Gorman, Dusty Hamilton, Stephanie Johnson, Dave Nettles, Lee Roberts, Julie Sherry Sales Assistant Matt Kjar Director of Et Cetera Will Niespodzinski Custom Publications Editor Michelle Carl Custom Publications Managing Editor Shannon Springmeyer Custom Publications Writer Kate Gonzales

President/CEO Jeff vonKaenel Chief Operations Officer Deborah Redmond Human Resources Manager Tanja Poley Business Manager Nicole Jackson Accounts Receivable Specialist Kortnee Angel Sweetdeals Coordinator Courtney DeShields Nuts & Bolts Ninja Christina Wukmir Senior Support Tech Joe Kakacek Developer John Bisignano System Support Specialist Kalin Jenkins

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05 STREETALK 07 LETTERS 08 NEwS + BEATS 13 ESSAY 15 ScoREKEEpER 16 FEATuRE SToRY 20 ARTS&cuLTuRE 23 NighT&dAY 25 diSh + off mEnu 28 STAgE 30 FiLm 32 muSic + Sound AdvicE 39 ASK JoEY 43 ThE 420 59 15 miNuTES

1124 Del Paso Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95815 Phone (916) 498-1234 Sales Fax (916) 498-7910 Editorial Fax (916) 498-7920 Website www.newsreview.com SN&R is printed by Bay Area News Group. Editorial Policies Opinions expressed in SN&R are those of the authors and not of Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact the editor for permission to reprint articles, cartoons or other portions of the paper. SN&R is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. All letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to print letters in condensed form and to edit them for libel. Advertising Policies All advertising is subject to the newspaper’s Standards of Acceptance. The advertiser and not the newspaper assumes full responsibility for the truthful content of their advertising message.

The health money pit A while back, my doctor scheduled a consultation for a procedure. The visit set me back a reasonable $40 co-pay. Then I received the real bill: $600. Talk about medical sticker shock. I already pay a lot for a policy with high premiums that will supposedly save me money in the long term, or in the case of severe illness or injury. After a few frustrating rounds with the insurance company, however, I learned exhaustively about the ins and outs of my policy, which requires me to pay out-of-pocket for almost anything but the most basic health exam until I’ve reached a sky-high deductible. After much argument, I managed to get the final bill knocked down several hundred dollars, but still. Of course, I’m not alone in this health care money pit. According to a new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation, health insurance deductibles have risen more than six times faster than workers’ earnings since 2010. As politicians and pundits debate the laws and ethics of the Affordable Care Act and $750 pills, it’s time to make room in the conversation for realistic insurance policies. Health care providers like to tout the cost-saving importance of routine and preventative care—and rightfully so—but now it’s time to pass along even a fraction of those savings to the rest of us. Staying healthy shouldn’t be so damn expensive. A $600 consultation? It’s enough to swear me off doctors, which I’m guessing might be counter-productive, at least when it comes to my personal health, if not my bank account.

—RAchEl lEiBRock r a c h e ll@ ne wsr e v ie w.c o m

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SN&R | 09.24.15

“Not just ‘CitizeNs for a Better ameriCa,’ But who are the CitizeNs?”

asked at Old sOul at the WeatherstOne:

How would you change the U.S. election process?

Melissa Medina government worker

Sometimes I don’t vote because I don’t know enough about the candidate. I don’t watch too much TV, so [the candidates] need to change the way they reach us. I don’t know, maybe use more social media? Maybe they need to be out and about and have more personable contact. We need to have candidates out where we are.

ricardO JOnes

stephanie salinas publisher development

The election process … doesn’t do enough to reach minorities, especially the Hispanic group. There needs to be a better marketing strategy. The minority is really not the minority any more, especially in California. There is not enough being done to rally those people.

Faith alchOrn-selk

tech trainer

travel pro

My issue is more so with people making uneducated guesses. … We could have some qualification process, something fairly reasonable, but at least it would filter out bad fish: people who vote for someone just because their friends are voting for that person. A more educated process, because that is where the power is.

I know it is not realistic, but to see politics as a career go away. It was not the way our system was conceived, and though it is not realistic to have a farmer be a part-time politician, I don’t think it is a good idea either to have the same elected official be in office for 30 years.

dr. Gary hO

JOel danneWitz

psychologist

retired

Voting is very important to me. I think in the U.S. each person should have one vote and that vote should be very significant and important. It has to matter. There is a mystery around the Electoral College. … Each vote should be for each individual American. It should be a majority vote.

[We need to] clearly know who is actually spending the money that is supporting the candidates. Not just “Citizens for a Better America,” but who are the citizens? Shorten the process, please. Put limits on it so we don’t have to listen to all of this long-term noise. I would say nine months would be plenty.

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SN&R | 09.24.15

Email lEttErs tO sactOlEttErs@nEwsrEviEw.cOm.

Love K.J., but … Re “K.J. lawsuit update” by Nick Miller (SN&R Editor’s Note, September 16): As a fan of the Sacramento Kings, it is disheartening for me to hear negative things about Mayor Kevin Johnson. He has been my hero. After all, K.J. almost single-handedly saved the team from moving to Seattle. Yet, I am deeply troubled to learn that the mayor has sued his own city and SN&R over a public-records request, as SN&R has every right to make those requests. This does not look good on the part of the mayor to try to block them from getting records that they are fully entitled to see. Instead, he seems to be endorsing the role of a bully, using the law and his attorneys as weapons of intimidation to others less powerful. As much as I admire Johnson, I also want to know the truth. I have to side with SN&R in their attempts to seek the truth. If there is a pattern of wrongdoing by the mayor, then I think that is very important for the people of this community to know. Let the chips fall where they may.

anonymous Li n c o l n

Safety net or freebie net? Re “Petitioning compassion” by Raheem F. Hosseini (SN&R News, September 16): So, if I don’t have a permanent address, or even if I do, I should be able to go to any American city and demand a decent place to stay the night (for free), a meal (for free) and of course medical attention (for free), because I am “homeless”? Because any city that fails to provide all this is “out of step with federal homeless policy” so I can camp anywhere I want and leave a big pile of trash when I leave. And the best part is that I will not be expected to contribute anything in return. Roland Brady Sacramento

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on wheTher Governor Jerry brown wiLL siGn The deaTh wiTh diGniTy LeGisLaTion: Not everyone agrees on what the right thing is.

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on rumors of popuLar feLine norm Lopez’s reLoCaTion: I hope he’s coming to Tallac Village!

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brian huCk Why does the concept remind me of the old entertainment center called America Live!, which was located in the area where the Nautilus Fitness Center is right now? America Live! opened in 1993 and suddenly closed down in 1996. And I remember SN&R wrote some negative things about that place, mainly because it was part of a corporation and did not promote local talent.

sTeven waTanabe I doubt it. And I’m curious how they market tested the name. Focus groups? Sorry, FoGros?

@SacNewsReview

Facebook.com/ SacNewsReview

@SacNewsReview

Online Buzz contributions are culled from Facebook and are not edited for grammar, spelling or clarity.

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09.24.15 | SN&R | 7

City council passed admittedly ambitious good-government reforms last week. But will the fight for sunshine touch the mayor’s office? ILLUSTRATION BY CHRISTOPHER FRIEDMAN

Where the sun don’t shine Secret K.J. emails reveal even more business-as-unusual inside the mayor’s office. Will City Hall’s newly minted good-government reforms change things? by Nick Miller nic k a m@ ne wsr e v ie w.c o m

When Mayor Kevin Johnson sued this paper in June, he did so to stop the release of emails and documents that he claimed were private attorney-client conversations. But, upon acquiring a list of them last month, SN&R has learned that the emails in question involved more than just the mayor. Everyone from city staff to public-relations 8 | SN&R | 09.24.15

experts, volunteers and even interns are included on the threads, all discussing Johnson’s “coup” (their words) of the Atlanta-based National Conference of Black Mayors in 2013. Based on the emails, it’s also actually difficult to tell who is a city of Sacramento employee and who is simply latched on as an employee of

one of Johnson’s many private groups and nonprofits. And, of course, there’s the question of who is paying for all these noncity people to do what the mayor has said is city work—and whether they’re operating out of City Hall or private offices when they perform whatever public or private work that they’re doing.

All these questions come on the heels of last week’s unanimous city council vote to approve sweeping and ambitious good-government reforms. The electeds passed a new ethics code, a watchdog commission to enforce said code, a new “sunshine ordinance” and a lot more. Councilwoman Angelique Ashby, who pushed the reform package to the finish line, told SN&R that the city was “biting off a big chunk” when it comes to accountability and restoring trust in leadership. That may be true. But will the reforms change business-as-unusual inside Johnson’s office? Or will the mayor continue to blur the lines when it comes to public and private (and even campaign) work inside City Hall? Will the use of private Gmail accounts by city employees persist? And will K.J. continue to raise unlimited monies for his private groups, which pay for the employees and volunteers who run what critics have referred to as Johnson’s “parallel government”?

FARM-TO-FORK GOALS See GREENLIGHT

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beatS

THE $10 MILLION MAN SN&R’s fight with the mayor over the allegedly private emails is also a window into why good-government reforms are needed at City Hall. Consider this past June, when the mayor’s attorneys—Philadelphia-based Ballard Spahr, which represents Johnson pro bono—claimed that nearly 500 emails and records pertaining to the NCBM should not be released by the city. SN&R challenged this claim and, just like that, the number of allegedly privileged emails and records fell to just under 150. “[W]e determined after careful examination that a majority of the potentially privileged documents flagged by the City Attorney’s Office were not in fact privileged,” Johnson attorney Scott S. Humphreys wrote in an email on July 29. On that same day, Ballard Spahr also delivered a “privilege log,” or a list of the emails in question—including such information as who wrote them, sent them or was copied on them; the subject title, and so on—to SN&R. This paper was surprised to discover that the mayor only authored seven of the dozens of emails he hopes to keep secret. The rest of these communications were written by the likes of Aisha Lowe, a “volunteer” with the mayor’s schools nonprofit Stand Up; Stephanie Mash and Mariah Sheriff, also Stand Up “volunteers”; and city staff, interns and others. The three aforesaid individuals composed more than 50 of the emails that the mayor alleges are privileged conversations. Lowe, Mash and Sheriff were never employed by the city of Sacramento. Last week, Deadspin.com writer Dave McKenna reported that the Walton Family Foundation, a major donor to Johnson’s private nonprofits during the NCBM takeover attempt, likely contributed to the payment of their salaries. “Between 2012 and 2014, while he was planning and executing his NCBM coup, Johnson reported at least six grants from that foundation totaling $1.625 million,” McKenna wrote. The email log also reveals that the mayor’s use of private Gmail extends beyond just a few staffers. One email, authored by Mash on September 16, 2013, and sent to 13 individuals, including senior mayoral city staff such as Daniel Conway and Cassandra Jennings, plus other noncity-employed volunteers, was composed under the following subject line: “Urgent: Please send all of

your NCBM emails to NCBMlitigation@ Councilwoman Ashby was quick gmail.com.” to point out the new reforms’ many SN&R has in the past criticized the upsides: mayor’s use of Gmail as a way of avoidThe city has hired an independent ing public scrutiny and even preventing budget analyst. There is the ethics the city from accessing its own mayor’s commission and code, a new Office of records. Compliance (with a $450,000 annual As of last week, on September 18, budget), plus items like a redistricting K.J.’s attorneys at Ballard Spahr still commission to better ink council boundwere arguing that the emails in quesaries. She explained that the city worked tion should remain private. They claim with a former investigator with the Fair that all the individuals in the records, Political Practices Commission—which whether volunteers or city staff has levied major fines on the or interns, “worked for the mayor in the past—to NCBM,” and that “the toughen up the reforms. privilege attaches “It’s a much better to those persons packet because of who were their involve“[W]e determined after working under ment,” she said. careful examination that our clients’ Citizen direction,” groups still a majority of the potentially Humphreys hope to hold privileged documents flagged by the wrote. the city to City Attorney’s Office were not in SN&R’s the fire and counsel says push on some fact privileged.” this argument key issues, Scott S. Humphreys “makes no in particular Mayor Kevin Johnson’s private attorney sense.” This fundraising for paper will be private groups and filing a motion the use of private challenging the priviemail for public work. lege of the records in the “We want the city to go coming weeks. much further on transparency than current practice,” Heidorn wrote It remains to be seen whether sunshine in an email, specifically citing changes from last week’s good-government to ad hoc committee accountability and reforms will reach the mayor’s office. email policies. On one hand, Nicolas Heidorn, EOS and Common Cause also want with government-accountability outfit to see more clarity on the issue of Common Cause, referred to the reforms “behests,” or financial contributions to as imperfect but “phenomenal.” He an elected official’s private groups or specifically praised the inclusion of an nonprofits, such as the mayor’s Stand ethics commission that will enforce the Up group, among others. Many of these city’s code. donations are not made public, and “We didn’t get 100 percent of there are no limits on the total sum what we asked for, and I also want to that can be given. EOS wants to put an acknowledge that we were asking a lot,” annual cap on the amount that can be he told SN&R. “behested” to a city official. Common On the other hand, Eye on Cause wants behests to be “something Sacramento spokesman Craig Powell we’re going to continue to move on,” decried the reforms, calling them according to Heidorn. threadbare and slapdash. He also critiAs for the mayor’s private Gmail cized Common Cause and the League use, Councilwoman Ashby told SN&R of Women Voters for meeting with city that the soon-to-be-conceived “sunshine leaders behind closed doors in ad hoc ordinance” will look at how an official committees to forge the ethics-reform can use personal emails. The city clerk deal, calling the move “offensive to and attorney will craft language for the the concept of public participation and ordinance in the next 60 to 90 days. input.” In the meantime, SN&R anticipates a Common Cause initially partnered return to court to challenge the mayor in with Eye on Sacramento in pushing for the coming weeks. Ω sunshine reforms at City Hall, but there was recently a splintering in the group.

The family of a Sacramento man who was fatally shot by a California Highway Patrol officer in March is seeking $10 million in damages from state and local law enforcement agencies. The parents and two sisters of Jose Roberto Leon filed government claims last week against the CHP, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and Sacramento Police Department for their involvement in the pursuit of the 22-year-old Leon, who reportedly bled to death inside of a home in the city’s northeastern edge on the evening of March 17. The claims say that Leon was riding his motorcycle near Elkhorn Boulevard and Dry Creek Road in the unincorporated community of Rio Linda when he was “illegally stopped and detained” by a CHP officer. According to the claims, filed September 14 by the law office of Reichel & Plesser, the officer then “illegally assaulted” Leon and shot at him at least three times, striking him at least once. In their initial telling of the event, authorities portrayed the encounter differently, and described Leon as a combative carjacking suspect. In a March 18 news release, the sheriff’s department says the CHP officer “reportedly fired shots during a physical altercation with a potentially armed motorist,” who was suspected of robbing a driver of his Ford Bronco truck. The release later identifies the suspect as Leon. After the shooting, Leon fled the scene and was later tracked to a home about three miles west, resulting in a two-hour standoff with sheriff’s deputies and the police department’s SWAT team. Authorities eventually entered the domicile and found Leon dead in a rear bedroom. The claims allege that authorities knew Leon was unarmed and “dying from his wounds,” and that they “refused to render aid” that could have saved his life. Attorney Mark Reichel was in court in Calaveras County on Monday and couldn’t provide details about the family’s account, other than to say in an email that “the claim was based on a fair view of what happened.” Because the shooting occurred in unincorporated Sacramento County, the sheriff’s department investigated its circumstances. That investigation was completed and forwarded to the district attorney’s office for an independent analysis on September 18, said DA spokeswoman Shelly Orio. The DA’s office reinstated its policy for reviewing officerinvolved shootings just 11 days prior to Leon’s fatal encounter with a highway patrolman. Under the policy, the office has 90 days upon receiving the sheriff’s department’s report to publish its own findings, “unless there is cause for delay.” The most recent DA review that’s available is from December 2014. There have been 11 officer-involved shootings or deaths in custody this year, none of which the DA’s office has reported on. Orio cited the complex nature of use-of-force investigations. She said the office is still waiting for a coroner’s final report regarding Leon’s death. If the three agencies reject the $10 million claim, Reichel said the next step is to file a lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court. A CHP spokesman declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. But he did say the officer involved in the shooting was back on active duty. Sacramento police didn’t respond to a media request. (Raheem F. Hosseini)

09.24.15 | SN&R | 9

PUSHIN’ TOO HARD

AN ACCLAIMED ROCKUMENTARY CHARTING THE INCREDIBLE RISE & BIZARRE FALL OF THE ORIGINAL 1960S FLOWER PUNKS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PREMIERES OCTOBER 3RD • CREST THEATRE, SACRAMENTO • 7PM OCTOBER 4TH • ROXIE THEATRE, SAN FRANCISCO • 5PM Q & A following each screening with Director NEIL NORMAN • Producer ALEC PALAO Founder Seeds member DARYL HOOPER For press, trailer and more info see PUSHINTOOHARD.COM

PREVENT MOSQUITOES AND WEST NILE VIRUS West Nile virus continues to be a big concern in our area. To find out how you can protect yourself and to sign up for email or text spray notifications, please visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net

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SN&R | 09.24.15

•

1-800-429-1022

Ganging up Years after young mom’s death moved them, Sacramento leaders tackle a gang problem by Raheem F. hosseini

Nearly five years after Monique Nelson threw herself over her baby boy and took a gangster’s bullet straight to the heart, a political response inspired by her memory has finally stirred to life. Buoyed by $1 million in Measure U sales tax revenues, the Sacramento City Council last Tuesday approved the first-year goals of its newly re-established Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force. One year is all the Measure U monies buy right now, though officials sketched out countywide objectives that would keep the task force busy for the next five years. Whether it still exists in the year 2020 will depend on the ability of the task force’s 27-member policy board to secure additional resources and grants. But that’s for the future. And the present is already precarious enough. This is actually the council’s second stab at establishing a gang-prevention body. Mayor Kevin Johnson spearheaded the first effort following the December 2010 killing of Nelson, a young mother who caught stray gunfire during a gang-related shootout outside of a south Sacramento barbershop. Nelson’s final act was to shield her infant son, absorbing the bullet that raced toward him. “You know, I think all of us remember the barbershop shooting that took place,” Johnson said during the September 15 council meeting. “And when we lose lives in Sacramento, that affects all of us.” Johnson convened stakeholder meetings and community forums in the 18 months following Nelson’s death to develop a plan to intercept children before they get sucked into Sacramento’s gang culture. In 2012, one month before voters approved Measure U’s half-cent sales tax, the council adopted the mayor’s plan. Then it sat on a shelf for three years. “We couldn’t get it in the end zone,” Johnson admitted last week.

ra h e e m h @ne w s re v i e w . c o m

That’s not to say that individual gang-prevention strategies weren’t pursued in the interim. But Councilman Rick Jennings, who led the task force reclamation project, said the feedback from various stakeholders at the city and county levels was that these efforts were disjointed and uncoordinated. The new, multiyear operating plan is supposed to reverse that course. It calls for surveying neighborhoods for resources and needs, establishing community-based violence response teams, and redoubling efforts on education and employment as alternatives to gang involvement. Seven neighborhoods were chosen to be the focus of the first year: Del Paso Heights, Oak Park, Meadowview and Valley Hi in the city; and Rio Linda, Arden Arcade and North Highlands in the unincorporated county. As for what derailed this same effort four years ago, Councilwoman Angelique Ashby said a lack of money was to blame. But so was a lack of prioritization. The council decided against fully funding the gang prevention strategy during budget hearings in 2013, and was reluctant to dedicate Measure U resources before sales tax projections were proven. The task force quietly dissolved as a result. In at least one case, the delay proved fatal. On September 1, Zai Chao Wu succumbed to a gunshot wound he suffered a day earlier inside his Fruitridge Manor apartment on Lemon Hill Avenue. According to Councilman Eric Guerra, in whose district Wu resided, the 18-year-old was at home at the time, heard gunfire and stood up. “And it’s that kind of tragedy from us not engaging in this earlier,” Guerra said last week. “But we’re doing it now. We’re doing it now.” Ω An extended version of this story can be found at www.newsreview.com/sacramento.

09.24.15 | SN&R | 11

Grow it Farm-to-fork is great—let’s expand it to include everyone by jeff vonkaenel

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2015 Ride through the scenic Delta Wine Region Fun & flat routes start & finish on Capitol Mall with a ferry ride across the Sacramento River for the full century riders. All levels of routes for individuals, families, beginning & seasoned riders. Rest stops with nutritious food & drink, SAG vehicles will patrol. FOUR RIDES: 100 | 65 | 40 | 20 MILES FAMILY RIDE: 8 MILES

Celebrate & relax at our post-ride Oktoberfest with music by Mumbo Gumbo, Playback, The Mock Ups, and City of Trees Brass Band Non-rider Oktoberfest ticket: $10 Great food, local beer & wine & fun for the entire family to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento & Team Red, White & Blue

www.SacramentoCentury.com 12 | SN&R | 09.24.15

The farm-to-fork movement is wonderful. Wonderful for the environment, wonderful for our taste buds. It is wonderful for our health, and for building tourism. The farm-to-fork movement also has the potential to significantly increase local farm and food production jobs; to enable our restaurants to develop a national reputation for their creative use of local produce and to encourage our 2 million residents to eat better tasting, healthier food, thus lowering health-care costs. The farm-to-fork movement can have a dramatic impact on our region, but only if farmers, schools, business organizations, local government officials, supermarkets and, of course, we the public who eat the food work together effectively. The Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau is doing a fantastic job. Their events, their focus on chefs, their ability to get national press and their concern about hunger has been top-notch. Their efforts are already paying off by building an excitement about our cutting-edge restaurants. And at this year’s farm-to-fork event, 170,830 pounds of food were delivered to local food banks. But farm-to-fork should be about more than chefs and restaurants. Most of our community’s meals are eaten at home and at schools, not at restaurants. We need to expand the focus to reducing hunger and creating jobs. Let’s talk about hunger. In the local farm-to-fork counties, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba, the California Food Policy Institute reports that there are 87,129 individuals who qualify for CalFresh (food stamp) benefits but are not receiving them. This represents tens of millions

je ffv @ ne wsr e v ie w.c o m

of dollars annually of untapped federal benefits. This federal money could dramatically reduce hunger in our region. By improving the counties’ application process, doing more effective outreach and by adding a small number of county employees to handle input, we could bring this money into our region, to be spent on local produce at local stores and farmers markets. We are also turning away millions of dollars of federal money that could be used for school breakfast, lunch and dinner programs. In the farm-to-fork counties, our school breakfast programs alone could be increased by $23 million, with additional funds available for school lunch and dinner programs. In addition, the schools could significantly increase the amount of local food they purchase. In 2012, voters passed Measures Q and R, which authorized millions for school construction programs in the Sacramento Unified School District. This included $8 million for a centralized kitchen. This kitchen could dramatically increase the amount of local produce used to make the 45,000 meals produced daily for local students. It would lessen the reliance of the school districts on processed foods. Even though the money is there, the kitchen has not been yet been built. Every day in the Sacramento region, there are 2 million forks put to use. Many of those forks are held by very little hands, or by hands belonging to someone who is struggling. For the farm-to-fork movement to succeed, we need to consider all of the forks. Ω

We need to consider all of the forks.

Jeff vonKaenel is the president, CEO and majority owner of the News & Review.

Watchdog, no teeth The city’s ethics commission does no good if it doesn’t have good rules to enforce by Cosmo Garvin

sets the city’s policy agenda more than any other There was a fair bit of self-congratulation at office—does its business using “private” email Sacramento City Council last week, following a accounts specifically set up to get around the unanimous vote to move ahead with a package of California Public Records Act. That’s unacceptable. good-government reforms, including creation of an This plan also does nothing to address public ethics commission and independent redistricting frustration about the city’s decision to begin mass commission. deletion of older city emails. “It’s the most sweeping reform any city has ever It does nothing to stop council members from initiated on its own in the history of California,” taking unlimited amounts of money in “behests” said Councilwoman Angelique Ashby. from companies and individuals who have business Not sure about that. I do know the proposal falls far short of the reforms needed to curb the bad before City Hall. It does nothing to prohibit council members behavior we’ve seen at City Hall. Recent scandals and lawsuits, and public outcry, from using city employees and city resources to work on noncity business. have brought council members around to support It does nothing to curb the City Council’s use an ethics commission, with dedicated staff and of “ad hoc” committees that are closed to the enforcement power. public—like the one that came up with this But the whole point of an ethics ethics plan. commission is to enforce a strong In all, it does nothing about ethics code and strong rules the kinds of bad behavior that The real ensuring government transparprompted calls for ethics ency. Unfortunately, those problem with reform in the first place. items aren’t in this mostthis actually-not-soSome council members sweeping-ever proposal. have griped about the cost of sweeping ethics proposal Sure, we’ll have a new staffing the ethics commiswatchdog on the job. But is that it makes no real sion—about $450,000 a it won’t bark much, unless changes to the city’s year. I’d just remind them some changes are made. of the $700,000 the City woefully deficient ethics The basic plan gives Council recently approved the mayor power to appoint and transparency to beef up Mayor Kevin ethics commissioners, with rules. Johnson’s staff. That would have confirmation from the City not only covered the cost of the Council. In other cities, the appointethics commission, it could have mostly ment power is a bit more diffuse, with restored the $300,000 public financing election a city attorney or other officers sharing appointfund. That fund, eliminated by the council a few ment power. years back, was created to give grassroots candiA bigger problem, I think, is that only judges dates a fighting chance. and law professors will be allowed to serve on the The League of Women Voters and Common commission. The danger here is that we end up Cause should be commended for negotiating this with a commission that considers ethics issues in proposal with some very resistant council members. a narrow, legalistic fashion, and serves to rubber But they’ve been pretty quiet about its many stamp whatever the council wants to do. Call it the problems. Another group, Eye on Sacramento, was Five Frawleys plan. cut out of negotiations entirely. Pretty troubling on This is not how other big California cities do both counts. it. They have ethics bodies that draw commissionAnd the plan seems to be a done deal, with little ers from a much broader variety of professional chance for improvement. backgrounds. “Sweeping change isn’t likely because of the But the real problem with this actually-not-socompromises and input already recognized in the sweeping ethics proposal is that it makes no real proposal,” says Ashby. changes to the city’s woefully deficient ethics and Compromises and input that happened behind transparency rules. closed doors, unfortunately. Ironically. It does nothing to fix the city’s stupendously An ethics commission does us no good if it dumb and reckless policy on emails. A big part of doesn’t have good rules to enforce. Ω our city government—the mayor’s office, which

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09.24.15 | SN&R | 13

building a

HealtHy S a c r a m e n t o

Growing a Movement

Young woman uses permaculture principles to improve food access by S u S a n W I n loW

alk to Ruby Avila for just a few minutes and it’s impossible to miss the passion in the young Sacramento woman’s voice when the subject turns to growing her own food. Her passion is personal and the 20-year-old anthropology major is ratcheting up that dedication by making it her life’s work to understand the connection between people, the land and their food. “This whole journey investigating food kind of changed me,” she says. Avila’s journey started with her mother’s diabetes battle and subsequent struggle to find affordable healthy food. But it stretches back even further to her own Mexican farming roots. During high school, Avila connected with Sol Collective, a community-based arts education center, and its founder, Estella Sanchez. Avila began questioning where local food came from, and she particularly wondered, “Why don’t we have affordable organic food around (here)?” She soon learned of a holistic, organic approach to growing food called permaculture, which utilizes patterns found in the natural ecosystem to create a sustainable agricultural system that benefits the earth and people. She dug deeper into permaculture’s philosophy when Sol Collective brought in permaculture

expert Rafael Aguilera to teach a yearlong workshop, which was funded by a Building Healthy Communities grant from The California Endowment. Avila learned about gardening aspects such as soil, compost, which plants grow well together and large-scale aquaponics. Permaculture’s unique approach to balancing a natural ecosystem struck a chord with her.

“This whole journey invesTigaTing food kind of changed me.”

“Permaculture became a direct way to take action and learn how to grow her own food if it wasn’t accessible to her community due to high costs of organic produce,” Sanchez says. “It was a solution she was looking for, not only for herself, but for her family and community.” Currently a student at University of California, Santa Cruz, Avila would like the permaculture philosophy to become mainstream. “It’s a revolutionary tool,” she says. “It’s a balance of everything. I think it’s a great way to interact positively with the Earth.”

Sanchez says she saw Avila’s passion for the method rooted in learning about “food justice.”

learn more about Sol Collective in the community www.facebook.com/artCultureactivism

paid with a grant from the california endowment SN&R | 09.24.15

Ruby avila hopes permaculture can be a tool to create food justice in our community. Photo by laura marie anthony

She went on to receive her permaculture certification, allowing her to help others with permaculture design. Avila brought permaculture into her community by helping create local gardens.

Health Happens in neighborhoods. Health Happens in Schools. Health Happens with Prevention.

In 2010, The California Endowment launched a 10-year, $1 billion plan to improve the health of 14 challenged communities across the state. Over the 10 years, residents, community-based organizations and public institutions will work together to address the socioeconomic and environmental challenges contributing to the poor health of their communities.

Ruby Avila Permaculture advocate

your ZIP code shouldn’t predict how long you’ll live – but it does. Staying healthy requires much more than doctors and diets. Every day, our surroundings and activities affect how long – and how well – we’ll live.

BuIldIng HEalTHy COmmunITIES

www.SacBHC.org

loFty Goals

studies show

yamanee is a proposed new

diverse cities are often

Midtown mixed-use high-rise at J and 25th streets, which will reach some 13 stories high, what with its “infinity pool” on the roof and Hawaii-inspired indoor-outdoor fire places. Yamanee is also a word, an exclamation yelped due to a spicy something in your mouth. But will this hot-shot shout of a housing complex fit with Midtown’s vibe? Scorekeeper has its doubts.

the most segregated, at least according to a recent study by Brown University. Except us. According to the university’s report, Sacramento charts at No. 1 for diverse neighborhoods, and our integration/ segregation index is +10.1, very solid. Go us!

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’S mento SacraerS and winn S—with loSer ry pointS ra arbit

+ 10.1

millions served ph

ill

Homelessness and social-services nonprofit loaves and Fishes served its 7 millionth meal this past weekend. Suck it, McDonald’s. uS

+ 7 million ay

Give this Guy a medal?

save our salamanders

Sacramento County Deputy Paul “scotte” Pfeifer has a Medal of Valor and is praised as a hero cop for his 14 years of employment. But, as The Sacramento Bee reported in an excellent expose on Sunday, he’s also beating people in the streets with a flashlight like a hero—but there’s probably not a medal for that.

sacramento County

-5

backed off proposed new development of the Mather area after outcry over endangered species and vernal pools. We shall let you live, fairy shrimp, spadefoot toads and California tiger salamanders!

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Judith and Chanowk Yisrael dig their urban ag lifestyle.

NO LAWN. NO POOL.

HELLO, URBAN FARM. S ac r am e n to ag r i c u lt u r a l i S t S t ur n

their

ya r d S to

in to

feed

the

by janelle bitker

ga r d e n S c i t y

j A N e L L e b @ N e W s r e v i e W. c O m

PhOtOs by keviN cOrtOPAssi

16 | SN&R | 09.24.15

Chanowk

Yisrael stands tall above a plot of dark green leaves, stems and pods, ready to harvest. He nimbly slices off okra into a brown wicker basket with his tool of choice: a machete. No, no, no, he insists, laughing. He doesn’t have a weird thing for machetes. He just grabbed it for some reason. Besides, his clippers are unavailable— he already handed them to four volunteers harvesting bright red Thai chili peppers. His helpers are down in the dirt, breathing in the clean, urban farm air, saying things like “so peaceful” with a sigh. Chanowk’s shoulder-length dreads bounce with him as he scours beds for more peppers prime for plucking. The Yisrael Family Urban Farm sits in south Oak Park, across from the now-shuttered Fruit Ridge Elementary School, south of 14th Avenue, just off of Stockton Boulevard. Like other homes in the residential neighborhood, it sits behind a towering, padlocked fence, though sunflowers creep over to greet visitors. Here, volunteers arrive weekly— anywhere between one or a dozen— eager to learn more about growing food and the Yisrael way of life. Chanowk, 38, started the urban farm about eight years ago with his wife, Judith, their children and zero farming background. Back then, Sacramento hadn’t yet been deemed the country’s “farm-to-fork capital” by Mayor Kevin Johnson. The city didn’t tout a huge farm-to-fork festival every September. Yet even then the Yisraels already exuded the farm-to-fork spirit, working to solve Sacramento’s farm-to-fork riddle: despite being such an important agricultural hub, only 2 percent of the food grown in the Sacramento region is actually eaten here, according to a 2010 report from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. Sacramento is still home to persistent food deserts and persistently hungry people. Chanowk and other food activists see urban agriculture as the answer.

Chanowk envisions a Sacramento with a hyperlocalized food system, with beautiful green spaces instead of blight, with more jobs and improved health in impoverished neighborhoods. Sacramento passed its first urban agriculture ordinance earlier this year, and a related tax incentive went into effect earlier this month. But, there are legal hurdles: The Yisrael Family Urban Farm is technically in county territory, which means that, unlike their peers in the city, they’re still prohibited from selling any of the veggies they grow. Chanowk is pushing to change that law and, in the meantime, it hasn’t stopped him from becoming the face of Sacramento urban agriculture—the everyman turned celebrated farm-to-fork pioneer. Other cities across the country— Detroit, Portland, Chicago, Austin, Seattle and many more—have passed similar ordinances over the past few years. Now, Sacramento’s urban agriculture movement is just starting to heat up. Are there are enough passionate people to push its growth? Is farm-to-fork more than a popular ethos? “The thing with farm-to-fork is, everyone talks about agriculture,” Chanowk says. “But at the end of the day, only 1 percent does it. Because it’s work.”

If you grow It, they wIll come “We’re going to turn this place into a tourist attraction.” Chanowk remembers uttering those words 10 years ago to one of his sons—after a stretch in public housing and before Chanowk ever learned how

to grow a tomato. He had just moved into the home that would become the Yisrael Family Urban Farm. His son laughed, but remarkably, those words sort of came true. Urban agricultural tours regularly make a stop at the Yisrael residence. Excited gardeners come through, snap photos and check in on Facebook. Before the Yisraels, the quarter-acre backyard had five fruit trees and grass up to Chanowk’s chest. Because of a neighboring foreclosure, Chanowk knocked down a fence and expanded his farm by another quarter-acre Now, there are 40 fruit trees, five roaming chickens, bees, a greenhouse and 1,500 square feet dedicated to growing food—rows of enormous zucchini, pale butternut squash and tall cardoons with spiky purple flowers. At the peak of fig season, Judith says she couldn’t keep the chickens from flying into the trees and stealing bites of jammy fruit. It all started in 2007, when Chanowk still worked in comfortable corporate America. He was a systems engineer in Rocklin. He had been doing the standard 9-to-5 for a decade. He didn’t even mow his own grass back then. But then he started to notice foreclosures around him, and working in a cubicle didn’t shield him from frightening news reports. “Not only were they talking about it being the second Great Depression, but there were also a bunch of scares as far as food goes,” he says, recalling outbreaks in E. coli and salmonella poisoning. Suddenly, Chanowk felt food insecure. His location in south Oak Park didn’t help—the area is often called a food desert, with far more convenience stores and fast food restaurants nearby than grocery stores selling fresh, local produce. He wanted to buy everything organic, but realized that was prohibitively expensive. Especially when he was feeding such a huge family—eight biological children, one unofficially adopted child. Eating organic didn’t always matter to Chanowk. Raised by a single mother, he taught himself to cook in third grade. That meant hot dogs, macaroni with Velveeta and whatever else he could find. It wasn’t the healthiest of diets for him or his parents. And both of

his parents suffered from cancer. His dad had to have his kidney removed. His mom is a four-time breast cancer survivor. “Doctors told me I was gonna probably get cancer because it’s hereditary,” Chanowk says. “I think what’s more important in a person’s life is culture. Eating habits are hereditary.” In an effort to avoid his parents’ fates, Chanowk slowly transitioned into a plant-based diet. He put three planter beds in his backyard. He would wake up at 6 a.m., garden for an hour, drop off the kids at school, drive to Rocklin, work for eight hours, drive home, start up dinner, pick up the kids, drive home, eat dinner and close out each day gardening some more. He did that for about a year before quitting his office job and settling into farming full-time. Eventually, Judith quit her 9-to-5 as well.

“We produce a lot of food in Sacramento and most of it’s not eaten here.” Chanowk Yisrael

farmer

Initially, they dug into their savings, but they quickly realized that between gas, daycare and lunches out at restaurants, it costs a pretty penny to work fulltime. Now, their food bill is basically zero bucks; they sell jams and soaps; and as the new poster boy for Sacramento urban farmers, Chanowk regularly speaks at events and conferences related to food activism, farm-to-fork and urban agriculture. Hello, honorariums. Next month, Chanowk will fly to Italy for Slow Food’s big Feed the Planet conference. Charity Kenyon, governor of Slow Food California, picked Chanowk to represent Sacramento—one of two people chosen in the entire state. “He’s a great leader and a real example,” Kenyon says. But to achieve true financial success, the Yisraels want to sell their

“hello, urban farm” continued on page 09.24.15

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“hello, urbAn fArm” continued from page

At Bird Dog Farm, Shanee Barner grows unusual flowers and squash alike.

fruits and veggies to the public. For now, they can’t. In March, Sacramento City Council passed an urban agriculture ordinance, effectively making it legal for anyone to sell produce grown in a backyard garden or minifarm smaller than three acres. For the first time since the 1950s, no permit or special zoning is required.

“Urban ag can be the tidal wave that shifts more younger farmers into the field.” Amber Stott

founder, CAliforniA food literACy Center

Earlier this month, a tax incentive kicked in as well for owners of vacant properties who transform them into urban gardens or farms. The Yisrael Family Urban Farm— just barely—lies outside of city lines, however, leaving Chanowk in limbo. The Sacramento Urban Agriculture Coalition—the same group that worked 18 | SN&R | 09.24.15

to get the city ordinance passed—is still working on a county ordinance. Organizer Matt Read says he hopes it’ll pass early next year. Chanowk still took advantage of the city ordinance, though, in a smaller fashion. He also farms on what used to be a vacant plot in Oak Park, just south of Broadway near 42nd Street—within city limits—and set up a stand there every Tuesday for eight weeks this summer. He usually sold out—though there was always plenty more ready to go somewhere. The other day, the family harvested 100 pounds of produce. “We have food coming out of our ears,” he says. “I have to give food away to people because we just don’t have anywhere to put it.” Usually, Chanowk donates to people in the neighborhood. But he wants the Yisrael Family Urban Farm to be a for-profit entity, creating jobs and opportunities for folks in the community instead. “We produce a lot of food in Sacramento and most of it’s not eaten here,” Chanowk says. “Of course, someone is economically benefiting from that, but it’s not the local economy that’s benefiting. There’s a whole

food system that should be located here in Sacramento—and it’s not.”

Grow local, eat local At Bird Dog Farm, unusual varieties of squash, watermelon and peppers emerge from patches of green—along with just about everything else Shanee Barner and Jenny Anschutz could think to plant. Colors and textures abound. Wrinkled, crimson flowers feel just like velvet; tiny white blossoms crinkle like paper. For fall, they’re especially excited about a small patch of butterscotch squash, a more petite and sweeter version of the well-known butternut. But before Bird Dog was born, growing food was a hobby for Barner and Anschutz. Still, their Tahoe Park backyard yielded pounds and pounds of tomatoes that they couldn’t possibly eat all by themselves. Last year, they set up a summer farm stand in front of their house, selling their organic produce under a little canopy. Neighbors flocked. Technically, last year’s farm stand was illegal. But they viewed it as no different from the countless other produce stands that pop up on street

corners and off highways. The payoff appealed too much—not the actual money, but the idea that farmers market-less Tahoe Park could have a hub for fresh produce; that every neighborhood in Sacramento could one day have a hub for fresh produce. “For every one person’s success— like Yisrael—it’s success for what you believe in,” Anschutz says. “It means the idea of small urban farming is growing.” Barner and Anschutz had been avid home gardeners for several years, and Barner knew he wanted to make growing food his life one day. He graduated from the California Farm Academy, via the Center for Land-Based Learning in Winters, and bought a one-acre plot in residential West Sacramento—a field of nothing besides the Delta breeze and the roar of Amtrak passing by. In February, they built their PVC-pipe greenhouse. By early May, they were selling salad greens and flowers at the Midtown Farmers Market. Soon after, they resumed their Tahoe Park stand as well. Now, Bird Dog sells directly to several restaurants. Anschutz remembers seeing their long beans pickled at Magpie, their baby squash as a side

dish at Biba and their tomatoes served in all sorts of dishes at Dad’s Kitchen and Tower Cafe. Already, Bird Dog has made a profit this year—proof of urban farming’s economic potential. “This is a doable size for someone with no real farming background to be successful,” Barner says. “This scale is low-risk, high-reward.” When Barner wanted to glean tips from other small urban farms—something bigger than a backyard, but smaller than a multi-acre enterprise— he couldn’t find much. He visited Soil Born Farms’ original farm on Hurley Way, the most well known urban farm in the area. Barner says he wound up getting the most insight from the twoacre garden at Yountville fine dining destination the French Laundry. That’s changing quickly though, especially in West Sacramento, thanks to the Center for Land-Based Learning’s new West Sacramento Urban Farm Program. In less than two years, it has turned four vacant lots into urban farms. With California’s drought, new farmers do encounter some backlash. But what about the 98 percent of food grown here that gets sent somewhere else?

“We’re just shipping our water away in the form of food,” Anschutz says. “We all have to eat. By growing our food here and eating it here, we’re keeping our water here.” It’s about keeping resources in Sacramento and boosting the local economy. Though Bird Dog and the Yisrael Family Urban Farm are currently too small to hire additional employees, that could certainly change in the future. Chanowk is often asked for help building out gardens or farming someone else’s land, but he doesn’t have the manpower to do it all. The demand is there, and so is the potential to monetize—even in south Oak Park, once the county ordinance is passed. “The reason why neighborhoods are like this is because there’s no employment here, no businesses, no way to make a living,” Chanowk says. “You can make money growing food and selling food, you just gotta learn how to do it.” Amber Stott, food activist and founder of the California Food Literacy Center, calls Chanowk a role model—proof that passionate gardeners can turn their hobby into a full-time enterprise and tackle bigger community issues at the same time. “Now, it’s about culture—there’s an active grassroots food movement and people want to get involved,” Stott says. “It’s about empowerment.” There are so many people to feed in Sacramento, and if the food they eat is grown in Sacramento, the carbon footprint will be so much less. “It’s critical to the health and sustainability of our cities,” Stott says. And let’s not forget that the urban agriculture movement is about food. We all want more delicious, nutritious food. “So much has gotten lost with the whole mantra, ‘We need to feed the world,’” Barner says. “We’re not trying to grow 2 million pounds of tomatoes, we’re just trying to grow 4,000 pounds of really, really good tomatoes. I think if there’s enough growers doing that, you can inundate the community with better quality, better tasting produce.”

‘Transforming The hood for good’ Fifteen women show up to the Yisrael home on a Monday night armed with aprons and brine on the mind.

A week earlier, Chanowk had harvested 30 pounds of cucumbers. For Judith, that meant a pickling party was in order. She posted an event on Facebook and a mix of neighbors, regular volunteers and new supporters quickly snatched up the spots. At the party, Judith splits them up into tasks: chopping garlic, thinly slicing cukes, placing feathery dill into jars and simmering the brine. She apologizes for her five-song playlist, but no one stops bobbing along to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” even two hours later. Judith looks completely at ease— and pleased—teaching the group the wonders of apple cider vinegar and sterilization. Here, Chanowk loiters in the shadows of the one-story home— available, but not necessarily needed. This is Judith’s show. She regularly teaches classes at both the Sacramento Food Bank and the family farm—one way that the Yisraels aim to be a catalyst for change in their neighborhood and beyond. “Transforming the hood for good” is painted on one of their fences; Judith coined the slogan years ago. Judith’s childhood was similar to Chanowk’s, foodwise. Early on, her parents often served fried chicken or fried pork chops—maybe smothered in gravy—and if there were vegetables, they were canned. Then her parents divorced, and she and her siblings had to fend for themselves. They ate a lot of government-assisted food, like day-old jelly doughnuts, canned corn and Top Ramen. “We’d get creative and mix the chicken packet with the shrimp packet,” she says, laughing. She grew up obese, and as soon as she became a mother, realized she didn’t want that for her children. She stopped eating meat, lost 30 pounds and suddenly had a captive audience of family members eager to learn her dietary secrets. The teaching began. That’s the main way Judith sees the Yisrael Family Urban Farm’s impact on her food desert of a neighborhood: “People are actually transforming their thought process about food,” she says. Judith remembers once hosting a honey harvest for about 40 people— mostly mothers and children. A few days later, she ran into a mother in the neighborhood who touted buying honey instead of sugar on her last grocery run. Another time, Judith taught a group of women how to make kale pesto—and how they

insisted their kids would never eat anything with kale. Then, she watched them pick up the dark leafy greens to take home. It’s a family effort. At the last pickling workshop, Judith and her daughter Tirtsah proudly wore matching Yisrael Family Urban Farm aprons, white with the family name in green cursive. Tirtsah snapped photos and hunted down bowls for food scraps. And the Yisrael home is very much a home. Yes, the fridge displays ancient grain cooking guidelines and a plant-based food pyramid, but also chore checklists and homework reminders. The backyard holds crops and irrigation systems, but also stray Lego pieces. The other big way the Yisraels are transforming the hood? Judith points to We Diggit Urban Gardens, a collaborative program funded by the California Endowment that builds edible gardens in backyards at no cost to the homeowner. It targets Oak Park and parts of Tahoe Park and Fruitridge Manor and has created about 150 gardens. But many of those gardens went dormant—the brand new gardeners didn’t know how to keep plants growing. About a year ago, the Yisraels took on a leadership role and made education a priority. Now, garden recipients need to attend a free organic gardening workshop and spend time volunteering at another urban farm. These were easy requirements for Shani Melinda Drake, who arrives at the Yisrael home bearing gifts: piles of cucumber lemons from her new garden. Drake has lived at the same house as her mom for more than 16 years, now with her baby daughter and 7-year-old son as well. One weekend in July, volunteers with We Diggit Urban Gardens transformed her Rainbow Park yard into a collard greens-growing paradise. With a school nearby, Drake envisions setting up a farm stand and selling produce to children who stroll past daily—stands selling candy and processed snacks already pop up regularly to take advantage of the clientele. “Any family can do it,” she says about growing her own food. “And as families pass by, they actually see it.” Food activists agree getting kids to think about food and agriculture is increasingly important. Chanowk launched a one-month pilot earlier this summer for what he hopes will

become an after-school program at the Yisrael Family Urban Farm. Called Project GOOD!, teenagers learned all about seed starting and bed preparations as well as public speaking and trust building. Unlike most after-school programs, GOOD! paid attendees for their work. But it’s tough getting teens from the neighborhood interested in agriculture, which Chanowk in part attributes to what he calls the plight of the black farmer. According to census data, there were 2.1 million farmers in the country in 2012. Among them, 33,371 were black—less than 2 percent. “It’s because we have a different history than everyone else in the country,” Chanowk says. “Part of why people left the South and came north was because people were working on the land—Jim Crow, sharecropping, racism in general—our connection to land has been colored with that idea.” Attracting all youth to farms, though, is becoming vital for the country’s food supply. The number of farmers keeps dropping and the average age of farmers keeps rising, according to census data. In 2012, that age was 58. Urban farming can help with its simple virtue of being urban, says Stott. “Youth want to live in cities. For young families, they can still have a city life or one parent can still have a city job,” she says. “Urban ag can be the tidal wave that shifts more younger farmers into the field.” At the house, Tirtsah unveils a batch of homemade carrot hummus for communal snacking. The crowd of volunteers goes crazy and begs for the recipe, but Judith refuses to reveal this particular secret. One woman in particular is in complete awe—she guesses spice after spice in between bites. “You know what? I think I can be vegan,” she said, spooning more fluffy orange dip onto her plate. Chanowk’s enthusiasm doesn’t stem from simply feeding his family. For the Yisraels, the farm has come to mean much more. They say it’s allowed them to grow in many ways—mentally, physically, spiritually. “It’s not necessarily about the tomatoes, the grapes and this and that,” Chanowk says. “It’s about creating a new way of life that you are now the creator of value as opposed to always searching for something to make you valuable.” Ω

09.24.15

SN&R

Voices carry by Kel Munger

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Adam Johnson’s novel will be brought to life by actor Kelley Ogden as part of Stories on Stage Sacramento

hen novelist Adam Johnson arrives to hear his story featured at Stories on Stage on Friday, it will be the first time a Pulitzer Prizewinner has been the guest of Sacramento’s fiction reading series.

Adam Johnson, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Orphan Master’s Son, will be on hand at Stories on Stage to hear actor Kelley Ogden read from one of his short stories.

20 | SN&R | 09.24.15

photo by samson yee

But, given how successful it’s been, spawning two offshoots in other cities since its 2010 launch, it’s a reasonable bet that Johnson won’t be the last novelist with a Pulitzer to grace the series. Johnson, whose best-selling novel The Orphan Master’s Son won the big prize for fiction in 2013, will be there to hear his story, “Interesting Facts,” read by Sacramento actress Kelley Ogden. The story, included in his recently published collection Fortune Smiles, tackles themes of grief and resilience in the voice of a woman with breast cancer. Ogden says she’s delighted to do her part by reading. “As an actor, you’re constantly interpreting writers’ words,” Ogden said, “and to get to do it in a room full of writers is a reminder that it’s not about you, it’s about letting

the language go and allowing the story to get out.” This Stories on Stage formula—inviting authors to attend, sign books and talk to readers, but leaving the story reading to area actors—has proved successful. Valerie Fioravanti, author of Garbage Night at the Opera: Stories, founded Stories on Stage shortly after moving to Sacramento. “I started it on a whim, really,” Fioravanti said. The catalyst: She’d been quite impressed with the way the poetry community in town had a variety of reading series, as well as workshops and events at the Sacramento Poetry Center. But when she asked about a prose series, Fioravanti said, “I kept hearing the dispiriting advice that I’d have to go to Berkeley or San Francisco, and I felt that couldn’t possibly be true.” Her favorite fiction series in New York had been the Symphony Space’s Selected Shorts, which uses Broadway actors as fiction readers. Given what she’d already learned about the number of area fiction writers—some quite well known, others just beginning their careers—and the number of excellent creative writing programs at area colleges and

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universities, it also seemed that pairing an established writer with an emerging writer would be a good combination. Fioravanti credits Bob Stanley, who was Sacramento poet laureate at the time, with helping her to get the series off the ground. “He volunteered the Sacramento Poetry “As an actor, you’re Center as a venue,” constantly interpreting she said, “and put me in touch with actress writers’ words, and to Cynthia Mitchell Speakman, who helped get to do it in a room bring in several actors, full of writers is a including our first casting director, Victoria reminder that it’s not Goldblatt.” And yes, when it about you, it’s about comes to a reading series that works, a letting the language go casting director is absoand allowing the story lutely necessary. The job, said current to get out.” Casting Director Peggi Woods, is essentially kelley Ogden about “matching the actor, Stories on Stage right persona, the right voice, to the particular who recently published story that’s being read.” her well-received debut, “We’re looking for someone with very good stage Landfalls: A Novel, was the featured emerging writer at presence, because depending the inaugural opening night on the venue, they have to for Sacramento Stories on really hold the room,” she Stage and is now featured said. But that doesn’t mean as an established writer for the actor needs to be an exact the series. On October 30, match for the narrator of the Williams will join actor story—or, for that matter, for Elise Winn for a staging of the author. Landfalls. Instead, she’s looking for “Jodi Angel was one of actors who can bring more our first established writers, than just a voice to the story. and her stuff is pretty difficult “They embody the story territory,” Williams said of the through mannerisms, gestures, You Only Get Letters From vocal modulation,” Wood Jail author. said. “A very talented actor Ben Moroski, an actor will take you inside that story who is now based in Southern without you even realizing California, but who previously it, because they will bring did well-received work in textures and nuances that Sacramento with Kolt Run someone just reading off the Creations and Resurrection page might miss.” Theatre, was tapped to read Naomi J. Williams agrees Angel’s story of a young man that the magic of the series in difficult situation, at least is in the mix of stories and partially because of his own actors. Williams should know. choices. The Sacramento author,

“He was so good at embodying the struggle of this feckless young man that it brought out the wit of the story,” said Williams. Despite the difficult material, there was laughter from the audience, which Williams said surprised both the author and the actor. “When there’s latent humor, it will come out of the actor,” she said. And, she said, “It’s also great to see a piece that starts out kind of funny and then gets darker, but the actor builds trust, so you’ll go there, and it gets so quiet you can hear a pin drop, and that’s a different sort of wonderful.” Davis’ Stories on Stage thrived right away, which was no surprise to director Jeri Howitt. “I know this town and felt certain it was ready for this event, but there is a moment when you have to make that leap into the wind and fly,” she said. “It sounds corny, but it hasn’t gotten old yet when each month our audience fills the room nearly to capacity.” Julia Halprin Jackson, who earned her Master’s degree in creative writing at UC Davis, had been a fan of Stories on Stage, and drove over from San Jose to hear a friend’s story read in 2013. “I turned to Valerie and said, ‘I really wish we had something like this in San Jose,” she said. Fioravanti told her, “You should start one.” Halprin Jackson said it hadn’t occurred to her before that moment that she could build her own community of writers around the events, but with Fioravanti’s encouragement, that’s exactly what she did. She enlisted the aid of writer Nicole Hughes and playwright-performer Melinda Marks to start Play on Words in San Jose. The series has received grants from San Jose Downtown Association, in

partnership with The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for two shows. Once the Sacramento series was solidly established, Fioravanti turned the job of coordinating it over to Sue Staats in the fall of 2013. “I knew my labor of love would be in good hands,” Fioravanti said. Staats, along with a stable of dedicated volunteers, has kept the focus on literary fiction, and the format sometimes even features two writers—one established, one emerging—with a brief intermission and a raffle. But there’s also been a concentrated effort to tap into the wealth of established writers in Northern California, which has meant more famous names—Anthony Marra, Ann Packer, Tobias Wolff and now Johnson—and has also meant that the usual venue at the Sacramento Poetry Center isn’t quite large enough. “We knew they would draw more people than the Poetry Center could hold,” Staats said. “Verge Center for the Arts has been a most generous partner with us in providing a bigger space for some of these better-known authors.” What’s best about Stories on Stage, Staats said, is how “it has become a kind of hub in Sacramento for writers, actors and people who just love good stories.” Davis coordinator Howitt would agree. “Good writing, surrounded by good art in the Pence Art Gallery, and good actors reading,” she said, makes for a well-rounded evening. And there’s always a draw in meeting a Pulitzer Prizewinner. Ω Stories on Stage Sacramento presents “Interesting Facts” by Adam Johnson, read by Kelley Ogden, at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 25, at Verge Center for the Arts, 625 S Street. A $5 donation is suggested. Learn more at https://storiesonstagesacramento. wordpress.com.

The young and the visionary “Daniel … you happy?” This is my annual phone call from Dr. William Bronston, the driving force behind the tower of Youth, or the 19th annual North American All Youth Film and Education Day. The all-day festival, which returns to the Crest Theatre on Friday, October 2, consists entirely of student-made short films selected and judged by a jury of age-appropriate peers. Bronston also books industry guest speakers and provides educational outreach opportunities for kids who are interested in making films. Yes, I am happy to hear from Dr. Bill. Tower of Youth is Dr. Bill’s baby, and this year he spent several weeks and more than $1,200 worth of pizza poring over the far-flung entries alongside his student judges. I have covered the festival over the last few years, and so I know that the technical quality and artistic precociousness of the selected films is always considerably high. This year’s entries are no exception, with the student filmmakers employing an array of narrative and visual styles over a wide range of genres including dramas

and comedies, documentaries and music videos. As always, these wildly disparate films collectively serve as

There is also a keen awareness of mortality in these films.

a hot-button checklist of adolescent fears and anxieties. The films I watched touched on such heavy themes as police brutality and racial profiling (Street Literature), shadeism and colorism (Society’s Coloring Book), poverty (If I Had a Trillion Dollars), genocide (The Rhythm of Healing) and drug and alcohol dependency (Growing Apart: The Politics of Separation). Beyond the burgeoning political and cultural consciousness on display, there is also a keen awareness of mortality in these films, whether embedded in the Twilight Zone-like twists of Harvard-Westlake student Henry Quilici’s clever Gray Matter, or faced more directly in the dreamlike story-poem of Costa Mesa high schooler Joshua Ovalle’s Two and a Quarter Minutes, where a young man imagines his final thoughts before drowning. Other generational concerns are addressed in Nathan Dang’s Crossroad, about a teenager reflecting on his uncertain future, and in Charles Blecker’s The Other Side of Midnight, a nonlinear fakeout about the need for compassion in a harsh world. However, San Francisco Art & Film student Laura Hanson’s Forgetting, about an old man slipping between the cracks of memory and consciousness, tops them all. Through a brilliant use of sound and montage, Forgetting becomes a haunting and highly cinematic depiction of Alzheimer’s from the inside out. It’s the unquestioned highlight of the festival. The Tower of Youth festival runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and while a number of area schools will bus in students for the day, the event will also be webcast live. Tickets will also be available at the Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street, the day of the event for $10-$15. For more information, visit www.towerofyouth.org.

—Daniel Barnes

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Sacramento Reptile Show Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27 Afraid of king cobras? Frightened by the mere mention of an alligator? If either question is answered with a resounding “yes,” ReptileS it’s time you face your scaly fears head-on. This year’s festival will feature a cavalcade of reptile species and more than 45 venomous ones will also be present. Don’t worry—with the exception of the tamest varieties, most critters will be safely contained behind glass. $8-$19, children 3 and under are free; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street; http://sacreptileshow.com.

—eddie JorgenSen

inspired California trade Show Sunday, September 27 Perhaps contrary to popular belief, it is possible to be on the cutting edge of the fashion industry here in Sacramento. Folks who swing by the Inspired California Trade Show will be the first to see upcoming clothing lines and brands that could FaShion very well be the next big thing—or not. Either way it’s a lot of fun to see what’s happening at style’s ground level. Plus, there’s live music and food. $10, 2 p.m. at The Grand, 1215 J Street; http://inspiredtradeshow.com.

—aaron CarneS

the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Sunday, September 27

may be not be often that one wishes one’s city would behave more like Washington, D.C., but museums across the country being Smithsonianized (read: free entry!) for a day? Yes, please. On Saturday, September 26, Smithsonian magazine is hosting an event in which 1,300 museums across the country are providing free admission for two, which essentially means it’s your civic duty to culturally enrich yourself. Local options abound: Check out the Crossing Cultures: Belle Yang, A Story of Immigration exhibit the day before it closes at the California Museum (1020 O Street) and the Day of the Dead: Art of Día de los Muertos 2015 and Pigskin Peanuts exhibits. Pick a side in the decades-long Camaro vs. Mustang debate after checking out the exhibit at the California auto Museum (2200 Front Street). Take flight at the aerospace Museum of California (3200 Freedom Park Drive)

or get in touch with the area’s native roots at the State indian Museum (2618 K Street) and the Maidu Museum & historic Site (1970 Johnson Ranch Drive in Roseville). For those looking to make a little daytrip and check out some more under-the-radar museums, hit up the lovely haggin Museum (1201 N. Pershing Avenue in Stockton), the Community Memorial Museum of Sutter County (1333 Butte House Road in Yuba City), the oh-soquaint Rio Vista Museum (16 North Front Street in Rio Vista) or the trifecta around Angels Camp: the Calaveras County historical Society (30 Main Street in San Andreas), the angels Camp Museum and Carriage house (753 S. Main Street in Angels Camp), and the tuolomne County Museum (158 Bradford Street in Sonora). Tickets and more information can be found at www.smithsonian mag.com/museumday.

—deena drewiS

Dust off the ol’ cravat and pocket square and join thousands of other riders in more than 400 cities nationwide in a charity motorcycle FUnDRaiSeR ride that aims to raise $3 million for prostate-cancer awareness and research. The ride is free, but those who raise at least $200 in funds will be entered to win one of four Triumph Thruxtons, with additional prizes available for even more ambitious fundraisers. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 614 16th Street; www.gentlemansride.com.

—deena drewiS

an evening with Michael pollan tueSday, September 29 The new season of the Sacramento Speaker Series is about to start and this time out it boasts journalists, politicians, physicists and other extraordinary people. Starting the season off leCtURe is food journalist Michael Pollan, who analyzes food on a deeper level than simply taste and nutrition. His books The Omnivore’s Dilemma, The Botany of Desire, and In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto examine the relationship between culture, nature and societal eating habits. Tickets can only be purchased for the entire season, not individual shows. $210-$450, 8 p.m. at Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street; www.sacramentospeakers.com.

—aaron CarneS

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Triumphant brunch Fried cHickeN & cHeddAr biscuit, roxy restAurANt ANd bAr I have gone to Roxy for brunch three times in the last few weeks. I admit it—I’m smitten. Brunch is usually a restaurant horror show of surly servers, tipsy patrons and greasy food slathered in broken hollandaise. Not so at Roxy. On a recent visit, I made sweet love to a plate of fried chicken and flaky cheddar biscuits topped with a sunny side egg ($14). The runny yolk sauced the plate, while an arugula salad served with pickled red onions and peaches washed away any bacon-induced brunch guilt. 2381 Fair Oaks Boulevard, www.roxyrestaurantandbar.com.

—gArrett Mccord

A sweet spin HorcHAtte, Nido by MAgpie

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Hot and cold by Janelle Bitker

Crusty: Watch out for a new food truck from Hot Italian chef and co-owner Fabrizio Cercatore. He hopes to have it rolling in time for the Farm-to-Fork Festival on Capitol Mall on Saturday, September 26. It won’t be a mobile Hot Italian, rather, a Passione Pizza truck. Cercatore started the side business six years ago, primarily selling pre-made pizza dough at grocery stores, such as Corti Brothers and the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op. That expanded into appearing at special events and doing cooking demos from a mobile wood-burning pizza oven. Now, Passione Pizza will have a food truck as well. Cercatore said he anticipates the food truck allowing him to offer more pizza crusts at events, including whole wheat and gluten-free. He’s

jan el l e b @ne w s re v i e w . c o m

currently working on sprouted grain as well. He’s working on a lot. A few weeks ago, Raley’s in El Dorado Hills also underwent a remodel and added more grab-and-go food options. That included hot, madeto-order pizzas from Passione Pizza. Meanwhile, Hot Italian is also expected to expand into Davis this fall. It’ll take over the former grilled cheese spot The Melt in Davis Commons. Bubbling hot: From the team behind Heat Shabu Baru comes Boiling Avenue (943 Howe Avenue), a softly opened hot pot hot spot. The space is bright and modern with industrial touches, and the menu specializes in mini, personal-sized fusion hot pots. Typically, hot pot is a communal dining experience. There’s a big,

bubbling pot of broth in the middle of the table and you dip ingredients into it. At Boiling Avenue, pots are already full of stuff—lots of stuff—for a more stew-like experience. For example, here’s the incredibly long ingredient list for the Korean kimchi ($12.99): baby octopus, kimchi, cabbage, beef, meatball, enoki mushroom, imitation crab, kamaboko, clam, shrimp, mussel, Korean rice cake, tofu, corn, noodles, green onion, cilantro. If that’s not enough, there’s a list of potential add-ons to boot. Boiling Avenue also offers appetizers, boba tea drinks and desserts in the form of waffles or crepes. Farm-to-scoop: By now, I hope you’ve heard about Cornflower Creamery (1013 L Street), which promises artisan ice cream with unique flavors driven by farm-fresh ingredients. Extremely exciting. Upon initial announcements, Cornflower aimed to open by Labor Day. That’s been pushed back to sometime in October. Don’t worry. I care deeply—maybe too deeply—about ice cream and will keep a watchful eye. Ω

The old Magpie Cafe space on R Street now belongs to Nido by Magpie, a cafe with light bites and crafty beverages. (Check out SN&R’s review of the new fullscale Magpie on page 26.) For a refreshing, nuanced spin on an iced latte, order the horchatte ($4 for a small). The base is Nido’s housemade horchata—the Mexican rice milk-based beverage—which is slightly sweet and toasty from a bounty of cinnamon. It makes for a brilliant complement to a shot of espresso, here courtesy of Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters’ beans. If you prefer a stronger coffee flavor, ask your barista to hold the splash of vanilla syrup. 1409 R Street, www.hellonido.com.

—JANelle bitker

Freshly shaken Nuts Most of the country already thinks California is rolling in nuts, and it’s true. Our state produces the country’s majority of almonds, walnuts and pistachios. New harvest nuts are available in farmers markets, freshly shaken from the trees as fall begins. The drought has affected crop sizes, so prices may be higher this year. They’re still a great source of plant-based protein. Try bright-green pistachio butter in pesto or almond butter mixed with soy sauce for a pot sticker dip. Walnuts on oatmeal or salad up your omega-3 intake so you don’t go “nuts.”

—ANN MArtiN rolke

09.24.15 | SN&R | 25

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Owners Roehr and Janel Inouye have never worried much about what everyone else is doing; they do what they like best and their customers generally benefit. Take the chocolate 1601 16th Street, (916) 452-7594, and avocado mousse ($6.50) as an example. www.magpiecafe.com The not-so-secret ingredient is avocado used in Dinner for one: $15 - $30 place of cream. A simple sprinkle of cinnamon Good for: creative, high-quality food with a local focus and sea salt garnishes the mousse and makes a Notable dishes: California cheese plate, lemon revelatory experience out of dessert. chicken salad The new full bar means fun cocktails, and Magpie answers the call. The Sacramento Summer ($5) mixes the house honey lemonade with pilsner and mint for a refreshing tipple. The Elderflower Spritz ($7) is a much sweeter In the six years that Magpie Cafe has been drink, combining elderflower liqueur, chamopen, its reputation for great food and a casual pagne and club soda. vibe has only increased. So let this serve more More space for brunch diners is great news as an update to its offerings. for Midtown. The biscuits and gravy breakfast In July, Magpie flew its cramped coop on ($13) is a massive bowl of two split biscuits and R Street and opened a new location on the eggs smothered with cream gravy. We added corner of 16th and P. The current space is the house sausage and enjoyed its heady sage not only larger, but more open, with lots of seasoning. While the gravy was slightly dull by windows and a high ceiling. itself, it balanced the spicy sausage nicely. Some of the design elements of the old cafe We also tasted a summer Benedict ($14.50) remain, notably the bright yellow column in which had a beautiful presentation with front of the cashier, on which the daily basil and tomatoes. It’s no longer menu is posted on butcher paper. available, as the kitchen transitions New elements include a large full A simple to fall and puts more seasonal bar and a more spacious patio dishes on the menu. sprinkle of with rustic wood seating for As with any restaurant that waiting customers. cinnamon and sea salt follows the local seasons, Fortunately, many of the garnishes the avocado dishes come and go at Magpie, stand-out menu items are which is frustrating if you fall mousse and makes a still available. The California in love with something, but farmstead cheese plate ($16) revelatory experience keeps you interested when new has always been outstanding. out of dessert. ideas appear. You get five California cheeses Another notable change is the paired with fantastic dried figs, decision to offer a line on charge fresh seasonal fruit (lately figs and slips for a kitchen tip. Some people nectarines) and plenty of crisp toasts. found this confounding at first, but explanatory The lemon chicken salad ($10.75), consiscards now advise you to tip 15 to 18 percent for tently top-notch with moist grilled chicken servers and 3 to 5 percent for the kitchen. This and tender greens, comes with a lively lemon is Magpie’s answer to the constant issue of the vinaigrette and two long baguette toasts. It imbalance between server and kitchen pay. Tips always satisfies. help to give cooks a fair wage without raising Recently, this paper named the new Magpie menu prices. Burger ($15) one of the best in town. It was a Magpie keeps you guessing, but not on qualbeauty, with Niman beef, a housemade brioche ity. You won’t find better cooking in town, so bun and pickles, and a perfectly ripe heirloom visit often and enjoy the surprises. Ω tomato among the toppings. Ever the iconoclast,

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owner Ed Roehr has since taken it off the menu in favor of a banh mi sandwich as the “beef offering.” It’s a shame, but so goes Magpie.

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Five for forking Assuming you’re not attending the ritzy, caviar-studded gala on the Tower Bridge this weekend, then close out your Farm-to-Fork week with the Farm-to-Fork Festival on Capitol Mall. It’s free and massive, with lots of fresh fare available for purchase; informative booths from local grocers, farmers and ranchers; live music; entertainment for kids and five stages for cooking demonstrations. There also will be restaurants (Shoki Ramen House, Foundation Restaurant and Bar), food trucks (Granola Girl, Slightly Skewed), coffee (Insight), desserts (Maui Wowi Hawaiian, Cornflower Creamery) and, uh, Chipotle. At least the brewery list is completely local, including not-beer providers Two Rivers Cider Co. and Nash’s Natural Brewing Co., which makes kombucha. On the demo stages, watch out for local chefs like Michael Tuohy, Brian Mizner, Allyson Harvie and Taro Arai. Most exciting: a hog cutting competition among chefs led by Danny Johnson, butcher at Taylor’s Market. It all goes down from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, September 26. More at www.farmtofork.com.

—Janelle Bitker

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Falafel by the ball By Shoka During a trip to New York City a few years ago, the towering, sun-obscuring skyscrapers of Manhattan were easily eclipsed in impressiveness by a little fast-casual chain of eateries named after a bean, Chickpea. It left a stomach-rumbling impression that Sacramento should have the next link in this NYC chain that sells individual falafel pieces by the ball. And now there is one. Kind of. It’s not the same as the East Coast franchise, but it’s called Chickpeas (a subtle difference), and it’s in Davis at 640 W. Covell

Boulevard. It has the reasonably priced options a hungry vegan would expect from a Mediterranean-slashMiddle Eastern grub hub, like baba ghanoush and hummus. And, of course, falafel—sold by the ball (50 cents each!). If that is not enough fried garbanzo goodness, take note: Pita Kitchen Plus opened a second location in Roseville (1725 Santa Clara Drive, Suite 150). Newbies, order the Super Sandwich stuffed with falafel and tabbouleh. Or go to Chickpea in New York: The choice (and falafel) is yours.

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A tip of the hat to Capital stage’s new Producing Artistic director Michael stevenson (left), pictured here with actor Brian Patrick Williams.

The baton has been passed over at Capital Stage, as departing Producing Artistic Director Jonathan Williams has turned over the reins to Michael Stevenson, who officially started the job earlier this month. When Williams decided to follow his spouse, Cap Stage co-founder Stephanie Gularte, to Florida (where Gularte became artistic director of the American Stage Theatre Company this year), Stevenson decided to apply for the Capital Stage job. “It’s a natural evolution of having been an actor, then a director, in Sacramento,” Stevenson explained. “This is kind of the next step up.” Stevenson is hardly a newcomer the scene—he’s been a fixture in the local theater community for nearly 20 years, arriving in Sacramento in the midto-late 1990s as an actor with an appearance in a B Street Theatre production of Jeff Daniels’ romance Apartment 3A. The script was forgettable, but Stevenson was good, as was co-star Jamie Jones (who is Stevenson’s spouse). They decided to settle here because Jones has family in Elk Grove. Soon Stevenson was directing occasional shows at B Street as well (Jane Martin’s

by Jeff Hudson

Jack and Jill: A Romance, David Mamet’s Boston Marriage, Steven Dietz’s Becky’s New Car, Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s Boom). Over the years, Stevenson has also worked with the Sacramento Theatre Company, appearing as an actor in Treasure Island and The Taming of the Shrew, and directing Of Mice and Men, Noises Off and Pride and Prejudice. And he was previously affiliated with the old Delta King Theatre, which became Capital Stage and relocated from Old Sacramento to Midtown. Stevenson gave a memorable performance playing an aloof husband and physician in the outrageous, orgasmic Victorian-era comedy In The Next Room (or The Vibrator Play), and as a philandering, pleasure-seeking husband in Anna Karenina. And he directed shows focusing on challenging contemporary social issues, including Clybourne Park and Ideation. Stevenson inherited the lineup of plays in Cap Stage’s current season, picked by Williams. Stevenson directed the first show himself, Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, a futuristic script that examines how theater survives and adapts after the sudden, disastrous collapse of modern technological civilization. “I love the script, the thought processes are so original,” Stevenson said. October will feature a production of Gularte’s new script adapting the classic Henrik Ibsen drama, A Doll’s House—with a twist. “We’ve moved the setting to post-World War II America,” Stevenson said. “Janis Stevens will direct.” And in December, the company will try something new: The Behavior of Broadus, a musical about John Broadus Watson, the pioneering behaviorist researcher who also developed Madison Avenue’s early subliminal advertising campaigns. If anything, Capital Stage’s niche remains presenting thought-provoking fare: “The plays can be funny, but they always have an edge, they start a conversation,” Stevenson explained. The venue is small, he added—just 125 seats— so the goal is filling that intimate little house six times a week, and growing the list of subscribers. “The kind of theater we do attracts an inquisitive audience … people who enjoy the artistic risks we take,” Stevenson said. Ω learn more about capital stage at http://capstage.org.

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A small band of survivors gather together and, for entertainment purposes, try and recreate the popular “Cape Feare” episode of The Simpsons. Over time, first seven years later, and then 75 years later, through collective storytelling and passed-on mythology, The Simpsons, as well as loads of other pop references, evolve and meld into strange legends and deep-meaning lore. This is an overly simplistic overview of the complex and challenging plotline of playwright Anne Washburn’s play. A modern riff on a dystopian society, it’s fun, fascinating, fantastical and often very frustrating. But seldom boring. Unfortunately, too often Washburn overloads her ideas with too many obscure cultural

1 FOUL

and pop references while jumbling WTF plotlines. However, since much about Mr. Burns is intriguing, if you go, put logic aside, embrace the overall premise—and watch the The Simpsons “Cape Feare” episode beforehand.

Th, F 8pm; Sa 2pm and 8pm;

Su, W 7pm. Through 10/4. $25-$35. Capital Stage, 2215 J Street; (916) 995-5464; http://capstage.org. P.R.

The Ruling

Closet Door Theatre presents the world premiere of a one-act featuring members of an LGBT community awaiting the decision of the Supreme Court on marriage equality. Emotions build, tempers flare, revelations are made and the end brings happy tears. A fitting celebration of a pivotal moment in recent history. F, Sa 8pm. Through 9/26.

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Short reviews by Patti Roberts and Bev Sykes.

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Virtue vs. leisure The Art Theater of Davis presents the classic Anton Chekhov comedy Uncle Vanya this weekend. Directed by Timothy Nutter, the play is set in the 1890s on a family estate in provincial Russia. Uncle Vanya presents a complex of love triangles as the characters abandon a virtuous life of work for idle pursuits. The play premiered in 1899 at the Moscow Art Theatre—from which The Art Theater of Davis derives its name. 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $15 general, $10 students and seniors; all seats $10 Thursday. 203 E. 14th Street in Davis; www.arttheater.org.

—Jeff Hudson

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Cold War kid by Jim Lane

lives in Brooklyn with a mother (Robin Weigert) who speaks in radical slogans and may be under surveillance by the FBI as a suspected communist. Is this surveillance real, and the root of Bobby’s paranoia? The movie plants the idea without saying. Bobby takes refuge in chess. He’s a genuine prodigy, and by the time he’s grown old enough to be played by Tobey Maguire, he’s a prominent world player. He also accuses the Soviets of gaming the tournament system to keep him from challenging their supremacy. The shifty-eyed Russians who hover in the background certainly seem capable of it, but again the movie lays out the idea yet doesn’t say. Finally, Bobby gains two valuable allies. One is Paul Marshall (Michael Stuhlbarg), a music industry lawyer and “patriotic American” who says he can help Bobby pursue his goal. Is Marshall covertly supported by the CIA or State Department? Yet again, the movie doesn’t say, perhaps wisely: Marshall is (or was) a real person and he (or his heirs) might take umbrage at anything more definite. The other ally is Father Bill Lombardy (Peter Sarsgaard), a grandmaster who agrees to coach Bobby (in real life, Lombardy had known Bobby since childhood). Together the two men keep Bobby on track—Marshall greasing the skids, Lombardy discussing chess on something like Bobby’s level Pawn Sacrifice and massaging his psyche as needed. The movie’s centerpiece is the match itself, skillThis might take awhile. fully pitting Maguire’s jittery, hyper Bobby against the businesslike composure (and graciousness in defeat) of Liev Schreiber’s Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer may have been the greatest chess player In a way, it’s ironic that a player as unconvenwho ever lived, but chess isn’t exactly the most tional as Fischer should be the subject of such a spellbinding of spectator sports. It’s remarkthoroughly conventional biopic, but we able, then, that director Ed Zwick’s Pawn can’t all be geniuses: professionalism It’s Sacrifice is as good as it is. has its upside too. As Fischer, Maybe it helps if you were ironic Tobey Maguire gives us the around in 1972 and can remember man’s mercurial rage and that a player the hoopla that attended Fischer’s twitchiness. His big teddy-bear as unconventional match against world champion eyes can’t quite match the real Boris Spassky in Iceland. The as Fischer should be Bobby’s vulpine stare, but match between the cool Soviet that may work in the movie’s the subject of such champ Spassky and the prickly favor; this Bobby is far more a thoroughly American Fischer was one of sympathetic than the raving antithose skirmishes that pitted East conventional Semitic the real Bobby became. against West on a bloodless Cold War The last we hear is the real biopic. battlefield. It’s no spoiler to disclose that Fischer, raving about how America Fischer beat Spassky decisively, only to discarded him once the Cold War was forfeit his title three years later when he refused to over. Do Knight and Zwick endorse this view of defend it against a fresh Soviet challenge. the aging, unhinged Bobby? Again, they lay it out So much for background. Zwick’s movie, from there but they don’t say. Ω Steven Knight’s script, opens in the midst of that 1972 match, as Fischer dismantles the phone in his rented Reykjavik house, obsessed with the idea that the Russians are messing with his head. Then it flashes back Poor Fair Good Very excellent 20 years, to where the child Bobby (Aiden Lovekamp) Good

1 2 3 4 5

fiLm CLiPS

90 Minutes in Heaven

Grandma

An elderly former poet and retired academic (Lily Tomlin) takes her wheezy old 1955 Dodge out of storage and hits the road to help her pregnant granddaughter (Julia Garner) raise the money for an abortion. Writer-director Paul Weitz tries to give his movie a veneer of indie-flick honesty, but at heart it’s as slick and trivial as his American Pie (1999), and just as specious. Weitz is lucky Tomlin signed on; her prickly performances distracts us from the symphony of false notes in the script, and she makes this puny little movie worth watching (well, more or less). Tomlin is aided in this by the many star cameos (Judy Greer, John Cho, Elizabeth Peña, Sam Elliott, Marcia Gay Harden) who parade across the screen like guests on a TV variety show or the celebrity blackouts on Tomlin’s Laugh-In in the 1960s. J.L.

The Intern

A retired widower (Robert De Niro) decides to go back to work, and lands a job as a “senior intern” at an online clothing retailer, where the workaholic boss (Anne

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

Those who remember 2014’s eminently forgettable The Maze Runner get a fresh fix here from director Wes Ball and writer T.S. Nowlin, adapting James Dashner’s teen novel. As derivative as the first movie, this one’s a mashup of Mad Max and Night of the Living Dead, with our hero (Dylan O’Brien) and his good-looking friends escaping from custody into the ravaged world. If you’re not fed up with the sci-fi subgenre where brave, photogenic teenagers in a dystopian future fight the never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American Way, this one is passable

QC:

Live: 3.65x10.25

Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley are such likeable performers that they’re watchable in the worst tripe, but it’s hard to imagine a weaker vehicle for their considerable talents than Isabel Coixet’s Learning to Drive. In perhaps the lowest-stakes plot setup of all time, Clarkson plays Wendy, a wildly successful but newly divorced woman who needs to pass her driving test in order to visit her daughter at a farm. That’s it, that’s the movie. Kingsley plays her mild-mannered driving instructor, Darwan, an Indian immigrant and aging bachelor cannon-shot into an arranged marriage while nursing an admiration for Wendy that can never be consummated. Brief Encounter it is not; in fact, there’s barely any film here at all, and the overarching message of Learning to Drive seems to be that nice people are nice, but that mean people are not nice, and that nice niceness is the nicest nice of all. D.B.

CW:

Phoenix

CD:

The Perfect Guy

AM:

AD:

The boyfriend-from-hell thriller The Perfect Guy is barely a professional effort, and frequently veers in to the lane of lurid trash, but its depiction of white-collar African-Americans is an extreme rarity in the cinema, and the film serves a woefully underserved audience. Too bad it’s a total dud. Sanaa Lathan stars as Leah, a 36-year-old political lobbyist whose charming new boyfriend turns out to be a psychotic stalker. Director David M. Rosenthal proves pretty inept at building suspense, and every attempt at a “thriller moment” falls short. The third act is needlessly distended—it doesn’t tie up loose ends so much as it double-knots ends that had already been tied—and the dialogue is clunky beyond belief. Only Lathan’s earnestness holds the film together—she’s so good while being given so little to work with, it’s a crime that she isn’t headlining better films than this one. D.B.

PM:

Learning to Drive

enough—The Hunger Games without Jennifer Lawrence, Divergent without Shailene Woodley. Patricia Clarkson again does a guest star walk-through, as does Lili Taylor, who (spoiler alert!) unfortunately won’t be returning for the dreaded Part 3. J.L.

Christian Petzold’s quietly mournful post-World War II elegy Phoenix whispers infinite thematic and narrative echoes of Vertigo, but the film’s cold-blooded aloofness fails to fully captivate. As the war comes to a close, a horribly burned concentration camp survivor named Nelly (Nina Hoss) is smuggled across the German border and into a medical clinic, where the doctor offers her a new face—the old ones are “out of fashion.” Nelly insists on keeping as much of her old face as possible, and returns to Berlin to rehab and reconnect with Johnny, the husband who betrayed her to the Nazis. Phoenix is the name of a creepo nightclub in the American sector, but Nelly is also a literal phoenix, rising from her own scorched ashes to live anew. Petzold slowly sketches out a world struck dumb by self-imposed amnesia, and Phoenix ends at a wallop of a destination, but it’s not an especially compelling journey. D.B.

PO:

Hathaway) wasn’t really sold on this internship idea to begin with. Writer-director Nancy Meyers (What Women Want, The Holiday) once again deploys her regrettable penchant for cute contrivances and cheap forced gags— Linda Lavin as De Niro’s man-hungry neighbor particularly suffers in that department, but nobody really escapes unscathed. An episode of De Niro and his co-workers (Adam DeVine, Zack Pearlman, Nat Wolff) breaking into Hathaway’s mother’s house to delete a nasty email is simply ridiculous. Meyers’ direction is careless, too—pacing is limp and shots don’t match. Hathaway and De Niro save the day; they’re wonderful together. J.L.

MUST INITIAL FOR APPROVAL

The true story of psycho killer Brian Nichols (David Oyelowo), who shot his way out of an Atlanta courthouse after murdering a judge, then took meth-addicted single mother Ashley Smith (Kate Mara) hostage in her own apartment—with her only comfort a book she never wanted, Christian writer Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life. Writer Brian Bird and director Jerry Jameson, adapting Smith’s book, don’t gloss over the message of religious redemption that underlies her story, but they don’t preach at us either. They let the story, both fascinating and inspiring, speak for itself, and leave the rest to Mara and Oyelowo, each of them perfectly cast, with good screen chemistry, and giving strong performances. Also strong are Mimi Rogers as Smith’s Aunt and Michael K. Williams as the detective on the case. J.L.

Director Baltasar Kormákur and writers William Nicholson and Simon Beaufoy recount the notorious 1996 disaster on Mount Everest, when a sudden blizzard, along with some (possibly) avoidable delays and (possibly) reckless chance-taking, led to the deaths of eight climbers as their weather, oxygen and luck ran out. The movie focuses on two fatalities, New Zealander Rob Hall (Jason Clarke) and American Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal), and one incredibly lucky survivor, Texan Beck Weathers (Josh Brolin). The movie could possibly stand to be 10 minutes shorter, and characters become hard to distinguish as the snow and beards thicken, but it’s riveting nonetheless, especially in IMAX 3-D, and utterly convincing, whether filmed on the actual slopes, in the Italian Alps, or in studios in Rome and England. J.L.

Trim: 3.9x10.5 Bleed: None

Captive

Closing Date: 8.12.15

Johnny Depp stars in Black Mass as the real-life 1970s crime kingpin James “Whitey” Bulger, a mass murderer allowed to run wild in the streets of South Boston for years due to his favored status as an FBI informant. The script strains to paint Bulger as a scary but vaguely sympathetic grieving father, an emotionally wounded Nosferatu in a Member’s Only cowl (true to form, Depp allows his prosthetic teeth to do most of the acting), but that just leaves him at the center of a film without a center. A hilarious chowder rainbow of bad Boston accents aside, Black Mass is such a sturdily faceless production that it could have come from a kit labeled “Whitey Bulger Biopic”—director Scott Cooper just happened to assemble the pieces. If you’re interested in the Bulger story, Joe Berlinger directed a perfectly serviceable documentary last year; start there and skip this rote biopic. D.B.

Everest

Pub:Sacramento News

Black Mass

Less snow, more oxygen please.

Job/Order #: 276431 QC: sgm

A Texas minister (Hayden Christensen) is mangled in an auto accident and declared dead for more than an hour. During that time he visits heaven—and finds the experience so overwhelming he has no interest in returning to earth and recovering from his injuries, to the pained consternation of his distraught wife (Kate Bosworth). Christian pastor Don Piper’s bestselling memoir is brought to the screen by writer-director Michael Polish, placing the emphasis more on Piper’s long convalescence (and his wife’s devotion) and less on his visit to the Pearly Gates (a climactic scene that plays more smoothly than in last year’s similar Heaven is for Real). There are a couple of extraneous plot threads—like a cameo by Dwight Yoakam as a cornball ambulancechasing lawyer—but sincere performances carry the day. J.L.

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09.24.15 | SN&R | 31

Hello, neighbors With the inaugural Sac PorchFest, local bands take it outside to make music, build community by AAron CArnes

photo by jonathan mendick

hopefully interacting with people living near them who they don’t normally socialize with. “I think it’s a really cool thing, just a serendipitous opportunity to engage in and be part of the community,” Phillips says. “This isn’t going out to a venue. It’s in the neighborhood and directly part of the community.” The event is free, but Phillips is using the opportunity to raise some money for a good cause. There will be donation stations set up at the different porches and proceeds will benefit the Mustard Seed School, a private school for homeless children in need between the ages of 3 and 15. Participating artists include Joseph in the Well, Salt Wizard, Be Brave Bold Robot, Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera and others. For Be Brave Robot’s Dean Haakenson, the event appeals on many levels. “It’s important to give what we can to our community,” says Haakenson. “This PorchFest is both a Catch Joe Kye—a.k.a. Joseph in the Well— community party and a charity event. Double win.” on a Midtown porch this weekend. With PorchFests all over the country, each city organizer is free to tailor it to the area’s personality. Some cities’ are really small, and some host big events with an art walk and other nonmusic activities. Talent is one thing but when it comes to a good Phillips says there was a lot of interest in Midtown to gig, location, location, location is also important. make it bigger, but they opted to take a conservative Especially so when it comes to the upcoming approach—at least for this inaugural year. Sac PorchFest, which aims to highlight several local Phillips and Brilliant got the idea to put on Sac bands and build community by having them perform PorchFest after stumbling on some articles on, yes, various front porches. about other ones via the Internet. PorchFest co-founder Mike Philips was Philips, who lives in the Eye Street particularly inspired by Sacramento’s “This Co-Op and is used to putting architectural history. isn’t going on events for the community, “Sacramento has a lot of really thought this would be a nice fantastic, beautiful Victorian out to a venue. It’s addition to that. The Eye houses,” Philips says. It’s a in the neighborhood Street Co-op will, naturally, relevant observation, considering and directly part of the be one of the afternoon’s three the festival happens on folks’ porches. front porches in Midtown. It’s a community.” One of the most interesting chance to show off the bands and Mike Phillips aspects for Phillips in putting showcase local homes. co-founder, Sac on PorchFest isn’t the people Of course, that’s not the main PorchFest planning on coming out to see their reason the event was founded, but it’s favorite bands, but the people who a nice bonus. The first PorchFest started know nothing about it, and are just out for in Ithaca, N.Y., in 2007 as a means to build a pleasant Saturday stroll in their neighborhood. community and have some fun, and the concept has “The idea is to make their experience on since spread all over the country. an afternoon that much richer, that much more This marks the first year for Sac PorchFest, and vibrant,” Phillips says. “There’s going to be music Phillips and co-founder Nina Brilliant are starting on porches in the neighborhood and people coming out small with just eight bands performing on three by. ... I think that’s really cool.” Ω porches in a tight single-block area. It’s all happening this Saturday afternoon between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Phillips and Brilliant say they really connected catch Sac porchFest 2-7 p.m., Saturday, September 26, on various porches in to the idea of PorchFest as a means to getting folks the 21st and i streets area. Learn more at www.sacporchfest.com. out of their houses and into their neighborhood, and

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09.24.15

ALLEY KATZ PRESENTS

SouNd advice

ktoberfest O

What the kids wanted Party on: During Chromeo’s second-to-last song—during the last set of TBD Fest last weekend—the lights went out. Not an issue for the Canadian electro-funk duo. David Macklovitch instructed everyone to whip out their smartphones—to crowdsource light, basically—for the final farewell, and it felt just right. Chromeo’s over-the-top cheesiness—Macklovitch perpetually looked liked he was posing for a photo-op—felt just right to close out the festival as well, perhaps because Chromeo played the festival back when it was called Launch three years ago. So much has changed. Organizers estimated 30,000 people attended over the course of three days, a significant jump from last year’s 21,000. While Friday and Sunday offered breathing room, Saturday was crazy-packed, with hundreds of angry people stuck at the water line and thick, dusty air by nightfall. Still, the water, dust, shade and VIP sections were all greatly improved from last year. More room for improvement? Sure. Ditto on the food selection, which heavily relied on food trucks and national festival food businesses rather than local chefs. Chef competitions returned, but in a not completely successful food-truck format with poor sightlines and awkward commentary. Anyway, Saturday’s success just proved that the kids want EDM these days and that TBD does EDM really well. Its headliner Pretty Lights indeed brought pretty lights, though Porter Robinson’s anime- and confettiladen set went over even better, with possibly the most stoked crowd all weekend. (Except Death Grips, because Death Grips.) Cut Copy bridged the rock band and dancey electronica arenas well. And Chance the Rapper delivered a polished, jazzy set full of charm and audience connection. Friday and Sunday boasted EDM too, of course, but with distinctly different vibes. Friday brought out more hip-hop fans for Tyler, the Creator and Death Grips and the bass-heavy stylings of the Glitch Mob. Sunday brought out indie rock, disco and ’80s fans for the likes of Dr. Dog, Chromeo and Tears for Fears.

Yes, Death Grips actually showed up! The band began with a flurry of drums and screaming and head banging. Hilariously, ballet dancers with Capital Dance Project were still twirling mere feet away—their movements definitely did not match the hardcore punk aggression from Sacramento’s legendary experimental hip-hop group, but at this point, frankly, no one was watching them anyway. Performing in front of a blindingly white screen, the members of Death Grips just looked like silhouettes for their whole set. Frenzied crowd surfers lunged toward the stage, hoping to get a better look at Stefan Burnett a.k.a. MC Ride, before getting consumed again by the biggest mosh pit all weekend. As promised, Zach Hill was a beast on drums, Burnett was primal on the mic and they didn’t pause for the entirety of their 45-minute set. They played fast and loud and hard and did I say loud? I don’t know if I’ll ever hear the same way again. Earlier on Friday, Purity Ring shined with one of the most captivating performances all weekend. The lights, stage design and Megan James’ futuristic bodysuit all helped create a spellbinding effect—aptly placed fans even blew her hair at just the right angles—but it was James’ elegant, pitch-perfect voice that hypnotized most. Sunday’s standout was even earlier in the day: Dr. Dog, clearly a band meant for the stage and not for MP3 files. Even in the 4 p.m. dire heat, a huge crowd grooved in full force to Dr. Dog’s folky rock jams. Tears for Fears opened with its huge hit “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” immediately drawing people into hardcore ’80s nostalgia. But it moved on to play some of its more mainstream-sounding rock as well, and oddly a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.” I wasn’t a huge fan of that choice, but overall, Tears proved its worth as a TBD Fest heavyweight. After its second year, TBD Fest still has some kinks to work out, but they’re just kinks. Ultimately, the lineup excelled in its balance of electronic, hip-hop and indie rock— genres we’d like to see more of in Sacramento on a regular basis. In other words, great party. —Janelle Bitker jan el l e b @ne w s re v i e w . c o m

SATURDAY, SEPT. 26TH

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09.24.15 | SN&R | 33

25 FRI

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Papa’s Culture

Monophonics

Brett Dennen

Cam

Harlow’s restaurant & nigHtclub, 6 p.m., $20 Reuniting for its first gig in a decade, Papa’s Culture brings its unique spin on grooves far and wide to Harlow’s. Featuring JAZZ vocalist-guitarist Blake Davis, bassist-composer Harley White Jr. and a supporting cast of on-point musical ringers, you can expect to hear (deep breath) songs celebrating the joys of swimming, real-deal reggae toasting, sitar, deep-as-the-sea R&B grooves, airy backing vocals, plunger-muted trumpet solos and a menacing take on “The Muffin Man.” It’s bursting at the seams with inventive spirit, but holds together nicely due to Nelson’s affable persona and White’s steady hand on the bass. Catch them now or wait another 10 years. 2708 J Street.

—brian breneman

Harlow’s restaurant & nigHtclub, 10 p.m., $15-$18

capitol mall, 11 a.m., no cover

They’re funky like Sly and The Family Stone, but burst with the high energy of Northern soul and early rock ’n’ roll. Bay Area-based psychedelic soul band the Monophonics echo an old-school sound with a unique flair for modern audiences. A sometimes sixmember lineup combines the usual guitar, bass and drums, with trumpet, trombone and keys for a punchier live-band appeal. In April, the band released its latest SOUL album, Sound of Sinning, influenced by the more psychedelic stylings of the ’60s and ’70s—think the Zombies—and the song “Promises,” led by Kelly Finnigan’s rich vocals, makes for one soulful jam. 2708 J Street, www.monophonics.com.

Why would nationally relevant singer-songwriter Brett Dennen play Sacramento’s free Farm-to-Fork Festival? Maybe because folk-pop artist Dennen is from nearby Oakdale and, apparently, a foodie at heart. He recently FOLK-POP came out with his own wine label, Dennen Wines. Boldly, his first wine is a sparkling rose called, expectedly, “Charismatic Fool.” Plus, the bright-red-haired, oversized glasses-wearing man is known for being all about peace, love, nature and sustainability. OK, perfect fit. At press time, set times weren’t released, but the whole thing ends at 6 p.m. Check www.farmtofork.com for more info. Capitol Mall, http://brettdennen.net.

—stepH rodriguez

UPCOMING EVENTS SEPTEMBER 24 CHRIS GARDNER BAND

OCTOBER 13 LACS

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL AT STONEY’S FREE STONEYS BURGERS TO FIRST 25 GUESTS AT 5:30-6 MONDAYS. 50¢ WINGS!

SUNDAY FOOTBALL $5 ALL YOU CAN EAT BLUEBERRY PANCAKES $10 BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS TILL 2AM 50¢ WINGS THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL $10 RIB EYE DINNER TIL IT RUNS OUT!

FREE DANCE LESSONS NIGHTLY

1320 DEL PASO BLVD

STONEYINN.COM | 916.927.6023 34 | SN&R | 09.24.15

sol collective, 7 p.m., $5

—Janelle bitker

After sharpening his swords in the battle arena, Sacramento rapper Cam has been proving he doesn’t fall into the onedimensional emcee category by making great records. In February he dropped the mellow-grooved The Chill Out Tape mixtape on Bandcamp as a precursor to his official record, Cold Chillin’—sure to counteract the hot box of a packed party. The albumrelease party at Sol Collective unveils his record with the regular players we expect to see lurking in Sol like Andru Defeye, Esso, Kurt Hustle and a special dance HIP-HOP performance by Derek Dzrcks Dobynes. 2574 21st Street, www.facebook. com/events/1491592614468021.

—blake gillespie

“ThE ThEME WiLL bE SEx.”

26 SAT

The New Plague

SAT

27 S UN

Saved by the ’90s

Glitter Wizard

Doofy Doo

On The Y, 9 p.m., $7

harlOw’s, 10 p.m., $12-$15

Auburn’s the New Plague is undoubtedly the area’s longest-running death metal band, and have earned the respect of METAL its peers by opening for countless national acts. To say that singer-guitarist Adam Whitley is menacing onstage would be a gross understatement, although he is quite the approachable guy before and after the sets. Fans of Immolation, Goreaphobia, Sinister, and Sadistic Intent should flock in droves to see this rare Sacramento show. And, while the band hasn’t been as prolific as it should be, the group recently came together after a lengthy hiatus to spread bucketfuls of hate. 670 Fulton Avenue, www.facebook.com/thenewplagueband.

—eddie JOrgensen

press Club, 5 p.m., Call fOr COver

The current state of pop culture is such that some of you might’ve recently purchased Adidas Adilette slides for the second time in three decades. Or perhaps you’re presently rocking a scrunchie and shortalls with only one side fastened. Up your ’90s-revival game even further with a cover band dedicated to the likes of Alanis Morissette, the POP Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, No Doubt and Oasis, just to name a few. The New Yorkbased five-piece puts on a raucous show meant to make you giddy with nostalgia, so get ready to re-enact all the times “SemiCharmed Kind of Life” came on in the Jeep and you sang along like a total doofus. 2708 J Street, http://savedbythe90s.com.

sTarliTe lOunge, 8 p.m., $6

“I don’t worship the devil. The devil worships me.” With lyrics like that, you’d think Glitter Wizard is probably another band of hairy dudes who only care about Satan, amps and getting stoned. And, to be fair, they’ve got a lot of GLAM METAL hair. But take that stoner band vibe, with ’70s rhythm, riffs and flutes, and mix it with a make-you-wanna-dance glam sax, and boom, you’ve got Glitter Wizard. This show ought to be a nice way to get your doomed-out friends to smile for a change. With Charles Albright and a band that recently entered the scene, Gymboyz. 2030 P Street, (916) 444-7914, https://glitter wizard.bandcamp.com.

—deena drewis

Let’s be honest: Doofy Doo is a weird name. But it’s nowhere near as weird as the performance. Totally different at every show, it’s the one-man-project of Drew Walker, who many Sacramentans will know as a go-to sound man and the bassist for experimental rock group Gentleman Surfer. For Doofy Doo, he mixes electronics, sampling, audio collage art, improvisation and out-of-this-world insanity to create a unique (usually themed) show. For Sunday’s show, ExPEriMENTAL he’s going to collaborate with several local musicians—one at a time, and in five-minute segments. The theme will be sex. Don’t miss this mindfuck. 1517 21st Street, https://doofydoo.bandcamp.com.

—anThOnY siinO

—aarOn Carnes

2708 J Street Sacramento, CA 916.441.4693 www.harlows.com 9/24 7PM $15ADV

HONEY HONEY THE WALCOTTS

9/27 2PM $15

SACRAMENTO BLUES SOCIETY 2015 HALL OF FAME AWARDS

9/25 6PM $20ADV

PAPA’S(ALLCULTURE AGES) 9/25 9:30PM $15ADV

MONOPHONICS

9/29 5:30PM $25

JOE ELY

9/30 6PM $15ADV

THEJOSEPH OH(ALLHELLOS AGES) 9/26 5:30PM $12ADV

KEVIN RUSSELL’S CREAM OF CLAPTON

10/1 7PM $27.50ADV

DAVE ALVIN AND PHIL SAVED BY ALVIN WITH THE THE 90S GUILTY ONES 9/26 10PM $12ADV

DEAD ROCK WEST

COMING SOON 10/02 10/02 10/03 10/04 10/08 10/09 10/10 10/10 10/15 10/16 10/21 10/22 10/23 10/24 10/25 10/26 10/30 10/31 10/31 11/01

Jason Wright & Sara Maria Mustache Harbor Petty Theft George Kahumoku, Jr Big Mike and the Rhythm Section Civil Twilight Joni Morris: A Tribute to Patsy Cline Duran Duran Duran Mudhoney Wonderbread 5 Sir Mix-A-Lot Luna Sorta Like Heaven Foreverland Classic Chris Jones New Kingston The Cheeseballs Noah Gundersen Matt Pond PA Matalachi

09.24.15 | SN&R | 35

BADLANDS

2003 K St., (916) 448-8790

THURSDAY 9/24

FRIDAY 9/25

#TBT and 5 Card Stud with throwback video requests, 8pm, call for cover

Fabulous and Gay Fridays, 9pm, call for cover

BAR 101 List your event!

Post your free online listing (up to 15 months early), and our editors will consider your submission for the printed calendar as well. Print listings are also free, but subject to space limitations. Online, you can include a full description of your event, a photo, and a link to your website. Go to www.newsreview.com/calendar and start posting events. Deadline for print listings is 10 days prior to the issue in which you wish the listing to appear.

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 9/28-9/30 Feel Good Mondays happy hour all night, M; Trapicana, W, call for cover Trivia Night, 6:30pm M, no cover; Open-mic night, 7:30pm W, no cover

BLUE LAMP

1400 Alhambra, (916) 455-3400

BUSS DA HUSSLAH, 8pm, call for cover

SADISTIK, SAPIENT, CAESCHI, EARLY ADOPTED; 8pm, call for cover

THEE MERRY WIDOWS, PAT TODD; 6pm, call for cover

JONNY “TWO BAGS” WICKERSHAM; 4pm, $12; MAYDAY, 8pm, call for cover

THE BOARDWALK

ZELLA DAY,

THE DEAR HUNTER, CHON, GATES; 7pm, $17-$20

LITTLE HURRICANE, MOON MANTIS, RIN TIN TIGER; 7pm, $12

THE BROWNING, EVACUATE THE CITY, FAINT SILHOUETTE; 6:30pm, $12

CENTER FOR THE ARTS

DARK STAR ORCHESTRA, 8pm, $30-$34

The Alignment of the Star Tribes, 7:30pm, $35

DAVE ALVIN AND PHIL ALVIN, DEAD ROCK WEST; 7:30pm, $27-$30

COUNTRY CLUB SALOON

KMZ, 5pm, call for cover JETSTREAM, 9pm, no cover

CHAD BEALLS, 7:30pm, call for cover; DJ Sean, 10pm, call for cover

THE COMMANDER CODY BAND, 1pm, $15-$20

Luxe with DJ Oasis, 10pm, call for cover

Panic City, 10pm, call for cover

9426 Greenback Ln., Orangevale; (916) 988-9247 7pm, $12 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley; (530) 274-8384 4007 Taylor Rd., Loomis; (916) 652-4007

THE COZMIC CAFE

594 Main St., Placerville; (530) 642-8481

FACES

Everything Happens karaoke, dance and swim; 9pm-2am, no cover

Absolut Fridays dance party, 9pm, $5-$10

Deejay dancing and Sequin Saturdays drag show, 9pm, $5-$12

FOX & GOOSE

CHICKEN & DUMPLING, 8pm, no cover

MANGO JENNINGS, 9pm, $5

KENNY REGO, WESTBOUND 50; 9pm, $5

GOLDFIELD TRADING POST

HELLBOUND GLORY, 9pm, no cover

CHAD BUSHNELL, 9pm, no cover

1001 R St., (916) 443-8825 1603 J St., (916) 476-5076

HALFTIME BAR & GRILL

5681 Lonetree Blvd., Rocklin; (916) 626-6366

THE FUNK ROCKERS, 9pm, $5 CREAM OF CLAPTON, 6:30pm, $12-$15; SAVED BY THE ’90s, 10pm, $12-$15

HONEYHONEY, THE WALCOTTS; 7pm, $15-$18

PAPA’S CULTURE, 6pm, $20-$23 MONOPHONICS, 10pm, $15-$18

THE HIDEAWAY BAR & GRILL

Trash Rock Thursdays, 9pm, no cover

CONCEIVED IN CHAOS, THE LOSING KIND, KINGS FIRE; 8pm, $8

LUNA’S CAFE & JUICE BAR

Joe Montoya’s Poetry Unplugged, 8pm, $2

RED’S BLUES BAND, 8pm, $5

MIDTOWN BARFLY

Stilldreamin’ with Ganja White Night, A Hundred Drums, Chlorophil; 9pm, $5

2565 Franklin Blvd., (916) 455-1331 1414 16th St., (916) 441-3931 1119 21st St., (916) 549-2779

EMMYLOU HARRIS AND RODNEY CROWELL, 8pm W; $32-$250

Sunday Mass with heated pool, drag show, 2pm, no cover

EDM and karaoke, 9pm M, no cover; Latin night, 9pm Tu, $5 Open-mic, 7:30pm M; Pub quiz, 7pm Tu; All Vinyl Wednesdays, 6pm W, no cover Open mic, M, no cover; Tacos and Trivia, 7pm Tu, no cover

Karaoke, 9pm, no cover

HARLOW’S

2708 J St., (916) 441-4693

PETER CORNETT; 8pm M; DIRK DIG, 8pm Tu; BARS 4 CASH, 8pm, W

Open-mic, 7:30pm, no cover

DISTRICT 30

2000 K St., (916) 448-7798

Hey local bands!

SUNDAY 9/27 Sunday Tea Dance and Beer Bust, 4-8pm, call for cover

ISLAND OF BLACK AND WHITE, 9:30pm, no cover

101 Main St., Roseville; (916) 774-0505

1016 K St., (916) 737-5770

Want to be a hot show? Mail photos to Calendar Editor, SN&R, 1124 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815 or email it to sactocalendar@ newsreview.com. Be sure to include date, time, location and cost of upcoming shows.

SATURDAY 9/26 Spectacular Saturdays top 40 and high energy dance, 9pm, call for cover

DAVID HOUSTON AND STRING THEORY, NAKED NATE, 8:30pm, $6

Trivia night, 7:30pm Tu; Bingo, 1pm W; Paint Nite, 7pm W, $25 Blues Society Hall of Fame Awards, 2pm, $15; DAVID WILCOX, 8pm, $25

JOE ELY, 7pm Tu, $25, THE OH HELLOS, 6:30pm W, $15-$18

Sunday Sinema, 8pm, call for cover

Record Club, M; Cactus Pete’s 78 RPM Record Roundup, 8pm Tu Nebraska Mondays, 7:30pm M; Open-mic comedy, 8pm Tu Salsa Wednesday, 7:30pm W, $5

LIVE MUSIC VOTED BEST BAR IN ROSEVILLE! 2015 -PRESS TRIBUNE

Sep 25

ISLAND OF BLACK & WHITE

oct 02

DR. ROCK & THE STUFF

oct 03

TWO PEACE (REGGAE)

oct 09

CHRISTIAN DEWILD

oct 10

ONE LEG CHUCK

oct 16

HONEY B

oct 17

SIMPLE CREATION

oct 30

IN THE NO

oct 31

HUMBLE WOLF

27 BEERS ON DRAFT TRIVIA MONDAYS @ 6:30PM OPEN MIC WEDNESDAYS SIGN-UPS @ 7:30PM PINT NIGHT MONDAYS 5-8PM

101 MAIN STREET, ROSEVILLE 916-774-0505 · LUNCH/DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK FRI & SAT 9:30PM - CLOSE 21+ FACEBOOK.COM/BAR101ROSEVILLE

SN&R

09.24.15

THURSDAY 9/24

FRIDAY 9/25

SATURDAY 9/26

NAKED LOUNGE DOWNTOWN

Comedy night with Ian Bender, Hunt Hill and guests; 8:30pm, $5

THE KELPS, PANDOVAL, FAILURE MACHINE; 8:30pm, $5

STEVE KOTAREK, ROCKY KAJIMURA, THE DEPTHS, 8:30pm, $5

OLD IRONSIDES

Open acoustic jams, 8pm, no cover

UNDERTONE, 9:30pm, $5

ON THE Y

Open-mic standup comedy and karaoke with Ni Kara, 8pm, no cover

DREAM IN RED, 8pm, no cover

1111 H St., (916) 443-1927

1901 10th St., (916) 442-3504 670 Fulton Ave., (916) 487-3731

THE PALMS PLAYHOUSE

SUNDAY 9/27

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 9/28-9/30 Jazz session, 7:30pm M; PUSH TO FEEL, GRIZZLY EFFECT; 8:30pm W, $5 Guest chefs serve $5 plates, M; Karaoke, 9pm Tu; Open-mic, 9pm W

TWITCH ANGRY, UNPROVOKED, THE NEW PLAGUE; 8pm, $7

COMMANDER CODY, 8:30pm, $20

13 Main St., Winters; (530) 795-1825

PISTOL PETE’S

Karaoke, 9pm, no cover

POWERHOUSE PUB

KERINA, 10pm, call for cover

140 Harrison Ave., Auburn; (530) 885-5093 614 Sutter St., Folsom; (916) 355-8586

WHISKEY ALLEY, 9pm, call for cover BOOMBOX, 10pm, call for cover

THE PRESS CLUB

2030 P St., (916) 444-7914

SHADY LADY SALOON

HOT CITY, 9pm, no cover

SOPHIA’S THAI KITCHEN

MINER, 9:30pm, $12

1409 R St., (916) 231-9121

129 E St., Davis; (530) 758-4333

CURRENT PERSONAE, 9pm, no cover

Karaoke, 9pm Tu, W, no cover

BLACKWATER, 10pm, call for cover

TWO TONE STEINY, 3pm, call for cover

Live band karaoke, 8pm Tu, call for cover; Local Licks, 8pm W

Pop 40 dance party, 9pm, $5

GLITTER WIZARD, CHARLES ALBRIGHT, GYMBOYZ; 5pm, call for cover

M. LOCKWOOD PORTER, 8pm M; NOT A PART OF IT, MOB RULE; 8pm W

GOLDEN CADILLACS, 9pm, no cover

PETER PETTY, 9pm, no cover

THE SHE’S, EYES ON THE SHORE; 9:30pm, $5

Trivia night, 9:30pm Tu; Open-mic 8pm W

STARLITE LOUNGE

MOTHERS WHISKEY, 8pm, call for cover

SORTA LIKE HEAVEN Cure tribute; 8pm, call for cover

DOOFY DOO, SASHA CONDA, TODD LUFFA; 8pm, call for cover

SWABBIES

LATIN TOUCH, 6pm, $5

RIFF/RAFF, call for time and cover

TAKE OUT, 3pm, call for cover

PAILER AND FRATIS, 5:30pm, no cover; SOLSA, 9pm, $12

AARON KING, 5:30pm, no cover; CON BRIO, 9pm, $10

Blues jam, 4pm, no cover; Blues Hall of Fame Afterparty, 6pm, no cover

1517 21st St., (916) 704-0711 5871 Garden Hwy, (916) 920-8088

TORCH CLUB

X TRIO, 5pm, no cover; ISLAND OF BLACK AND WHITE; 9pm, $6

904 15th St., (916) 443-2797

MICHAEL RAY, 8pm Tu, no cover; PETER PETTY REVIEW, 9pm W, $5

All ages, all the time ACE OF SPADES

1417 R St., (916) 448-3300

THE COLONY

BUSTIN’ JIEBER, LIVING POOR, MOON MANTIS; 7pm, $5

SHINE

Jazz jam with Jason Galbraith, 8pm, no cover

3512 Stockton Blvd., (916) 718-7055 1400 E St., (916) 551-1400

Print ads start at $6/wk. www.newsreview.com or (916) 498-1234 ext. 5 Phone hours: M-F 9am-5pm. All ads post online same day. Deadlines for print: Line ad deadline: Monday 4pm Adult line ad deadline: Monday 4pm Display ad deadline: Friday 2pm

Online ads are

A THOUSAND HORSES, CHASIN’ CRAZY; 7pm, $20

STRANGE HOTEL, AUDIOWAVE; 8pm, $6

CASH CARTELL, BROTHERS STRONG & CO., BANJO BONES; 7pm, $7

*Nominal fee for adult entertainment. All advertising is subject to the newspaper’s Standards of Acceptance. Further, the News & Review specifically reserves the right to edit, decline or properly classify any ad. Errors will be rectified by re-publication upon notification. The N&R is not responsible for error after the first publication. The N&R assumes no financial liability for errors or omission of copy. In any event, liability shall not exceed the cost of the space occupied by such an error or omission. The advertiser and not the newspaper assumes full responsibility for the truthful content of their advertising message.

Delightful massage from a Latin expert Special rates for seniors. Private upscale home w/ shower. By appt only in Fair Oaks (Sunset & Minnesota). *82-916-961-3830 Struggling with DRUGS or ALCOHOL? Addicted to PILLS? Talk to someon who cares. Call The Addiction Hope & Help Line for a free assessment. 800-978-6674

Oriental Magic Hands

Jason Shimomura CMT 601-1292 (9am-9pm daily)

Licensed contractor #559281 Drains from $25 (916) 457-4481

MUST SELL EVERYTHING! Hospital bed w/ trapeze - $1000 Metal frame porta-potty - $40 2 mobility walkers w/ seat - $30 each.Electric mobility scooter deluxe model - $1000 Admiral fridge - $50 Emerson 32” flat screen TV - $75 Magnavox 18” TV w/ CD/VCR - $75 Tascam Porta-studio - $100 Yamaha and Roland keyboards, pro quality/great sound - $75-$200 Boss multi-effect foot pedal - $100 Huge flood light - $20 Security metal gate door/windows - $40 Call (916) 454-0625 or (916) 494-8398 Sacramento area CASH PAID FOR DIABETIC TEST STRIPS Up to $30 a box. Fast pickup. One-touch Freestyle and other brands bought. Call Rachel (916) 505-4673.

$ GET YOUR CASH NOW $

Did you win a Court Judgment? Can’t get your MONEY? We CAN and We WILL! Alpha Omega USA. 927-5190

adult *Champagne Entertainment* Escorts, Exotic Dancers, Massage, Bachelor Parties. 916-491-0980. Now Hiring

STILL

FREE!*

Island of Black and White 9:30pm Friday. No cover. Bar 101 Folk rock

TOM KEIFER, 7pm, $25

CB Rooter and Plumbing

CASH PAID For unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS HIGHEST PRICES! Shipping prepaid. 1 DAY PAYMENT. 1-888-366-0959 www.Cash4DiabeticSupplies.com

*Upscale Exotic Massage* By a petite blonde w/a sinful appeal. experience my touch. I’ve got just what you’re looking for. Relax, & let me take care of the rest. Enjoy my unrushed touch in my clean quiet home. (916) 812-5330 Absolute Deluxe Massage Red Crystal Red Lace Massage. $70 for 2 hours, Incall also, outcalls always. Great hands with a great girl. Marvelous lemon or plain oils. In call special $38. Call til late 916-256-7093 Curious About Men? Talk discreetly with men like you! Try FREE! Call 1-888-779-2789 www.guyspy.com (AAN CAN)

more adult online

www.newsreview.com

The She’s with Eyes on the Shore 9:30pm Saturday, $5. Sophia’s Thai Kitchen Pop rock

PURE GOLD SHOWGIRLS

TOTALLY NUDE

STORE OPEN 10AM · CLUB OPEN 5PM UFC SAT. OCT. 3RD

FIGHT 192 ON 135’ SCREEN

REAL PEOPLE REAL DESIRE REAL FUN

Tommy T’s

Comedy Club

Ticket Giveaway Josh Accardo Naughty Boutique Toys, Rabbits, Vibes & More

DANCER

5 PACK DVDS

DAILY

W/COUPON REG. $12.69 AD EXPS 10-15-15. 1 PER CUSTOMER

AUDITIONS

$9.69

3000 SUNRISE BLVD. #2 RANCHO CORDOVA, CA

916.631.3520

CHATLINE TM

916.480.6227 Try for FREE

Ahora en Español

For More Local Numbers: 1.800.926.6000

www.livelinks.com

Teligence/18+

9E=JA;9 K @GLL=KL ?9Q ;@9LDAF=

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916-480-6210

09.24.15

SN&R

Heat Up Your Night On RedHot TRY FORE FRE

www.Goldclubcenterfolds.com

#1 Per n&r great food

lunch specials

chloe amour

over 140 XXX movIeS

wed sept 23 – sAt sept 26

916.480.6200 More Local Numbers: 1.800.700.6666 18+ redhotdateline.com

started out with playboy online stage times:

Wednesdays & thursdays 10pm & 12:30am Fridays noon, 9:30pm, 11:30pm & 1:30am Saturdays 9:30pm, 11:30pm & 1:30am

store signing fri & sat 6-8pm amateur contest/auditions every monday

9:30 pM - $450.00 CaSh prize

ITY S R E DIV is o u r

Y T L A I C E P S The Only Club w w/ Cover on Mondays $5 C

$5 Off Dailyto receive discount ent ad With ad, must pres

free admit w/ad $5.00 value

valid anytime With Drink Purchase

FREE TO LISTEN AND REPLY TO ADS

Free Code: Sacramento News & Review

mento In Downtown Sacra

Military MondMialitaysry ID

friendly attractive dancers hired daily call 858-0444 for sign up info

birthdays:

ALLANI See her dance Wed,Thurs & Sun, 10pm-3am

free+admission, drinks & vip – 5 dayS oF BirThday

BacHelOr / DivOrce PartieS 916.858.0444 FIND REAL GAY MEN NEAR YOU O SACRAMENT

entlemensclubfantasy.com lubfantasysac // www.g ls .4475 // facebook.com/c .447 916 // s from all major downtown hote min Sac 0 wn 5–1 nto a, 10 mins from Sac Airport, 851 Richards Blvd, Dow Aren n Trai p Slee from s min 5 6pm-4am Sun-Thu 6pm-3am // Fri-Sat |

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SN&R | 09.24.15

Sacramento:

(916) 340-1414 Davis:

www.megamates.com 18+

(530) 760-1011

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858-0444

M-Th 11:30-3 • Fri 11:30-4 • Sat 12-4 • Sun 3-3 Gold club centerfolds is a non-alcohol nightclub featuring all-nude entertainment. adults over 18 only.

by JOEY GARCIA

@JoeyGarcia

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I met someone special and assumed I was the only person he was dating. He has a harem of sorts. It’s been painful to acknowledge my incorrect perceptions (my dating history is 50-plus years old). Since I found out seven years ago, I have gone in and out of this relationship, always thinking it will be different. Is a mature relationship one in which both people are OK with their significant other enjoying dinner or a concert with someone else? Recently, after we were physically intimate he showered, then dressed up nice to go to the opera with another woman. I feel ashamed and It stupid. Please help.

need from the people they date. So young people fail to establish ground rules. But people who are 65-plus rarely do, either. Older adults, many of whom are widowed, fail to articulate boundaries because they don’t think they need to. After all, when they were dating in the 1940s and ’50s, the rules of romance fit accepted social standards. Today, couples craft their own rules. So, yes, a couple in a committed relationship can decide to socialize separately, and with the gender they are attracted to. Alternately, a committed couple can forsake all others, or only socialize when there is no possibility of attraction. must be One last thing, the You may be dating a painful to realize 21st-century dating pool narcissist. If so, that’s you have been contains more women why he flits from sex than men aged 65-plus. expecting him to be with you to playing Situations like yours arm candy for another better to you than happen regularly in woman without concern you have been to retirement communities. for anyone’s feelings. He Hopefully, knowing that yourself. enjoys himself and resists you are not alone will ease real intimacy. Or he believes your heart. You must also protect he is entitled to the attention. He yourself. If you want a relationship that may describe himself as just accepting what is intimate on all levels, don’t settle for less. women offer him. If that’s his justification, If you can be satisfied with the occasional there is truth to it, right? hookup while sharing a man with other It must be painful to realize you have women, accept that about yourself. But been expecting him to be better to you than don’t accept crumbs if you know you’re you have been to yourself. You want him ready for true love. Ω to dismiss the other women and commit to you. He won’t. He is showing you who he is. When will you believe him? Most of us have asked a partner to change in ways that would nourish the relationship. But how long should we wait? If married, the answer is complicated. When a couple vows to stitch their lives together (for richer or poorer, in sickness or health …) they must continue co-creating that tapestry, unless addiction, abuse or adultery make it impossible. On the other hand, dating is a period of discernment. Individuals may want to bind their lives to a partner, but should never allow that desire to anchor them to an unhealthy relationship. Signs of ill health include relationships driven by adrenaline, or those in which frustration, hurt or anger rule more than 20 percent of the time. Let’s talk about dating and life stages. Stories like yours are common among teenagers and 20-somethings. That makes sense, right? Teens and young adults are indoctrinated by fairy tales to believe that infatuation is love. They also lack practice in asking directly for what they want and

MedItatIOn Of tHe WeeK “A memoirist forging false tales to support his more comfortable notions or to pump himself up for the audience—never learns who he is. He’s missing the personal liberation that comes from the examined life,” writes Mary Karr in The Art of Memoir. How honest are you?

Write, email or leave a message for Joey at the News & Review. Give your name, telephone number (for verification purposes only) and question—all correspondence will be kept strictly confidential. Write Joey, 1124 Del Paso Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95815; call (916) 498-1234, ext. 3206; or email askjoey@newsreview.com.

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Waiting for governor Have you had a chance to look into Assembly Bills 266 and 243 yet? What do you think? —Eric As of last Friday afternoon, Gov. Jerry Brown had yet to sign the bills. He has until October 11 to sign. However, many cities and jurisdictions are acting in anticipation of these bills passing. Humboldt County is working on a plan to regulate large scale grows. Long Beach is coming up with a new medical marijuana plan based on these new rules. Looking at the bills more closely, it would seem that the government is giving people time to get their shit together: The bills don’t take effect until January 2016. The businesses that can prove they’ve been open for a while will receive priority in the line for licenses. There’s also some other stuff in there that goes all the way until 2023. Read the bills at http://tinyurl.com/read243 and at http://tinyurl.com/ read266. One of the coolest things in the bills is that they will create geographical appellations for growing regions. If you thought weed from Humboldt or Mendocino County was popular now, just wait. Humboldt County is the Napa Valley of weed. That appellation will carry weight. We will see if the governor signs the bill.

Have a happy harvest, everyone!

Do you think the recent fires will affect the outdoor cannabis crop this year?

—Smokie DeBaar First, I would like to take the time to send thoughts and prayers and condolences to all of the victims of these devastating wildfires in California and Oregon. May everyone stay safe and receive the help they need in these tough times. I have a friend that lost a 50-acre farm, and I have heard of plenty of farms in Placer, Lake and Butte counties that have been either destroyed by fire or contaminated by the planes dropping fire retardant all over everywhere. Linda Lepp, Eddy Lepp’s ex-wife, lost everything in the Lake County Fire. (Eddy is serving 10 years in federal prison for cannabis cultivation. The judge herself called Eddy’s sentence unjust, but said her hands were tied by the law.) Linda has set up a Gofundme (www.gofundme.com/ku4394pw) to raise some money for rent and clothes. Please help her if you can. That being said, I don’t think the fall harvest will be super small. Hundreds of farms all over the state are still going strong. Humboldt and Mendocino should have some great flowers, and I expect Fresno County (despite the county’s ridiculous ban) to have great weed this year too. Small digression: High Times magazine is throwing a medical cannabis cup in Lemoore (it’s between Coalinga and Visalia, just next to Hanford) this coming Halloween weekend. I think it will be a great time. And it will be fun to see a big time cannabis event outside of the larger metropolitan areas. Back to the subject: I don’t expect prices to spike, but I don’t think pounds will be crazy-cheap either. Have a happy harvest, everyone! Ω Ngaio Bealum is a Sacramento comedian, activist and marijuana expert. Email him questions at ask420@newsreview.com.

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Free will astrology

by LoveLLe Harris

by rob brezsny

FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 ARIES (March 21-April 19): You are destined to

become a master of fire. It’s your birthright to become skilled in the arts of kindling and warming and illuminating and energizing. Eventually you will develop a fine knack for knowing when it’s appropriate to turn the heat up high, and when it’s right to simmer with a slow, steady glow. You will wield your flames with discernment and compassion, rarely or never with prideful rage. You will have a special power to accomplish creative destruction and avoid harmful destruction. I’m pleased at the progress you are making toward these noble goals, but there’s room for improvement. During the next eight weeks, you can speed up your evolution.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus-born

physicist Wolfgang Pauli won a Nobel Prize for his research. His accomplishment? The Nobel Committee said he discovered “a new law of nature,” and named it after him: the Pauli Exclusion Principle. And yet when he was a younger man, he testified, “Physics is much too difficult for me and I wish I were a film comedian or something like that and that I had never heard anything about physics!” I imagine you might now be feeling a comparable frustration about something for which you have substantial potential, Taurus. In the spirit of Pauli’s perseverance, I urge you to keep at it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In 1921, the French

city of Biarritz hosted an international kissing contest. After evaluating the participants’ efforts, the panel of judges declared that Spanish kisses were “vampiric,” while those of Italians were “burning,” English were “tepid,” Russians were “eruptive,” French were “chaste” and Americans were “flaccid.” Whatever nationality you are, Gemini, I hope you will eschew those paradigms—and all other paradigms, as well. Now is an excellent time to experiment with and hone your own unique style of kissing. I’m tempted to suggest that you raise your levels of tenderness and wildness, but I’d rather you ignore all advice and trust your intuition.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The astrological

omens suggest you could get caught up in dreaming about what might have been. I’m afraid you might cling to outworn traditions and resuscitate wistful wishes that have little relevance for the future. You may even be tempted to wander through the labyrinth of your memories, hoping to steep yourself in old feelings that weren’t even good medicine for you when you first experienced them. But I hope you will override these inclinations, and instead act on the aphorism, “If you don’t study the past, you will probably repeat it.” Right now, the best reason to remember the old days is to rebel against them and prevent them from draining your energy.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You may laugh more in the

next 14 days than you have during any comparable 14-day period since you were 5 years old. At least I hope you will. It will be the best possible tonic for your physical and mental health. Even more than usual, laughter has the power to heal your wounds, alert you to secrets hiding in plain sight and awaken your dormant potentials. Luckily, I suspect that life will conspire to bring about this happy development. A steady stream of antics and whimsies and amusing paradoxes is headed your way. Be alert for the opportunities.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): It’s a favorable time to fantasize about how to suck more cash into your life. You have entered a phase when economic mojo is easier to conjure than usual. Are you ready to engage in some practical measures to take advantage of the cosmic trend? And by that I don’t mean playing the lottery or stealing strangers’ wallets or scanning the sidewalk for fallen money as you stroll. Get intensely real and serious about enhancing your financial fortunes. What are three specific ways you’re ignorant about getting and handling money? Educate yourself.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “I feel like a wet seed

wild in the hot blind earth,” wrote author William Faulkner. Some astrologers would say that it’s unlikely a Libra would ever say such a thing—that it’s too primal a feeling for your refined, dignified tribe; too lush and unruly. But I disagree with that view. Faulkner himself was a Libra! And I am quite

sure that you are now or will soon be like a wet seed in the hot blind earth—fierce to sprout and grow with almost feral abandon.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You and I both know

that you can heal the sick and raise the dead and turn water into wine—or at least perform the metaphorical equivalent of those magical acts. Especially when the pressure is on, you have the power to attract the help of mysterious forces and unexpected interventions. I love that about you! When people around you are rendered fuzzy and inert by life’s puzzling riddles, you are often the best hope for activating constructive responses. According to my analysis of upcoming cosmic trends, these skills will be in high demand during the coming weeks.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Some

astrologers regard the planet Saturn as a sour tyrant that cramps our style and squelches our freedom. But here’s my hypothesis: Behind Saturn’s austere mask is a benevolent teacher and guide. She pressures us to focus and concentrate. She pushes us to harness and discipline our unique gifts. It’s true that some people resist these cosmic nudges. They prefer to meander all over the place, trying out roles they’re not suited for and indulging in the perverse luxury of neglecting their deepest desires. For them Saturn seems like a dour taskmaster, spoiling their lazy fun. I trust that you Sagittarians will develop a dynamic relationship with Saturn as she cruises through your sign for the next 26 months. With her help, you can deepen your devotion to your life’s most crucial goals.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The coming

weeks will be a favorable time to break a spell you’ve been under, or shatter an illusion you have been caught up in or burst free from a trance you have felt powerless to escape. If you are moved to seek help from a shaman, witch or therapist, please do so. But I bet you could accomplish the feat all by yourself. Trust your hunches! Here’s one approach you could try: Tap into both your primal anger and your primal joy. In your mind’s eye, envision situations that tempt you to hate life and envision situations that inspire you to love life. With this volatile blend as your fuel, you can explode the hold of the spell, illusion or trance.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Go to the edge

of the cliff and jump off. Build your wings on the way down.” So advised author Ray Bradbury. That strategy is too nerve-wracking for a cautious person like me. I prefer to meticulously build and thoroughly test my wings before trying a quantum leap. But I have observed that Aquarius is one of the three signs of the zodiac most likely to succeed with this approach. And according to my astrological calculations, the coming weeks will be a time when your talent for building robust wings in midair will be even more effective than usual.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You are being

tempted to make deeper commitments and to give more of yourself. Should you? Is it in your interests to mingle your destiny more thoroughly with the destinies of others? Will you benefit from trying to cultivate more engaged forms of intimacy? As is true for most big questions, there are no neat, simple answers. Exploring stronger connections would ultimately be both messy and rewarding. Here’s an inquiry that might bring clarity as you ponder the possibility of merging your fortunes more closely with allies or potential allies: Will deeper commitments with them inspire you to love yourself dearly, treat yourself with impeccable kindness and be a superb ally to yourself?

you can call rob brezsny for your Expanded Weekly Horoscope: (900) 950-7700. $1.99 per minute. must be 18+. Touchtone phone required. Customer service (612) 373-9785. and don’t forget to check out rob’s website at www.realastrology.com.

PHOTO by darin smiTH

Give it a spin What do you do when you have a vinyl record collection of more than 8,000 albums and a passion for vintage, midcentury modern furniture and accessories? Open a store, of course. That is exactly what Tim Matranga and his wife Laura did this May with Kicksville Vinyl & Vintage in the Warehouse Artist Lofts on the R Street Corridor. Tim heads up the music department, while Laura scours estate and garage sales for the unique vintage items littered throughout the two-business enterprise—the Matrangas partnered with Marty DeAnda, who operates MediumRare Records in the same store. SN&R recently sat down with Matranga to talk vinyl, the pains of collecting and his radio show Psychedelic Psoul on KDVS.

Why is vinyl still relevant? I think people want something that they can put their hands around and say they actually have a physical copy of something rather than just purely digital. I think people really do want some type of physical object related to the music, whether it be vinyl or CD.

Is digital streaming musical heresy? Not really, because everyone does it these days and just about everyone has streamed or downloaded music they want to hear when they’re in a pinch, but I think the real experience is listening to a record on a good stereo system so you can really fully appreciate the music that is on the disc.

What genre of music sounds better on vinyl? All sorts, I think. Everything from rock ’n’ roll to psychedelic, and it’s a big part of hip-hop, of course, and some electronic as

well. Sometimes you’ll hear nuances that you might miss if you’re just listening to an MP3, or the sound quality [might be off].

are two different, contrasting elements going on there.

When did you start your collection?

Getting up early on Saturdays and going to garage sales, estate sales, record swap meets—that’s a big one—also traveling to San Francisco and L.A. on record buying trips. I’ll come back with a big box or two of records for the store. Then there’s always dealing with other dealers and trading. We’re always looking for collections, so if you’re selling, we’re buying.

How do you go about finding music?

It started when I had a paper route when I was 14 years old and I had a little disposable income. I went to the record store and at the time I was buying whatever was popular. Then, eventually in high school, I started listening to more ’60s rock, like the Beatles and the [Rolling] Stones and then I got into, like most people do, punk and obscure underground music. Being involved with KDVS, I sort of jumped all the way into buying way too much music.

Any records in your collection that you would never part with? There are some records that I’ve gotten that I can’t imagine I would sell unless it were a dire situation. But one is by a band called the Search Party and they did an album called Montgomery Chapel. I can’t remember what the whole story is on the group, but it’s one of those mega-rare ’60s psychedelic rock [records] with kind of a Christian bent.

How did the store come about? The vintage was [Laura’s]. She had been selling vintage knickknacks and furniture for a long time, but we figured it was time to make it real and open a shop. Since I knew the records and she knew the vintage, we decided, “Why not call it Kicksville Vinyl & Vintage and merge the two ideas?” Then once we had Marty on board, he invited us to do this, it just worked out. Marty’s half of the store is a bit different than mine—a little bit more classic rock and ’50s,’60s, ’70s. My stuff is more ’80s, ’90s and 2000s with some select soul, rockabilly and garage rock. We’re trying to emphasize different things so when people walk in they can see there

Most unusual item to come through your store? There have been several, but there was this band from Sacramento called the Horny Mormons and one of their records came in, but it sold already.

What is the one record that got away from you? I was at a record show and a guy pulls up a Chocolate Watchband record next to me and I think it was marked at some silly price like $8 and I was like, “Oh, I’ve been looking for that record forever, can I buy that from you?” and he was like, “Nope, that’s for me.”

You have a show on KDVS—did video really kill the radio star? I don’t know. I think as far as I think radio is still relevant, but not quite as much as 10 or 20 years ago. I still continue to do [the radio show] because so much of what you hear on the radio is just commercial, you know, the same 50 songs over and over, and so I like to throw things out there that people haven’t heard. Ω

Check out Kicksville Vinyl & Vintage at 1104 r street, suite 140, or at www.kicksvilleshop.com.

09.24.15

sN&r