[ltsmotorsport]

A lot of details and public meetings remain, of course.

Oh, of course. The public meetings.

Why can't it only be a few. Always "a lot". :rolleyes:

[sugit]

I might actually get season tickets for this. Usually there are one or two I'd like to see, but this year I wouldn't mind seeing all of them.

http://www.californiamusicaltheatre.com/index.cfm?page=325908

2008-09 Broadway Sacramento season announcement - April 13, 2008

The 2008-09 Broadway Sacramento season at the Community Center Theater will include the return of the spectacular production of Disney's "The Lion King" and four Broadway tours making their first ever visits to Sacramento: "The Color Purple," the Tony-winning best musical "Avenue Q," "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Frost/Nixon." The six show schedule will also include the phenomenal "Stomp," returning to Sacramento after a 10-year absence.

Broadway Sacramento, presented by the nonprofit California Musical Theatre, is the largest performing arts event in the Capital Region. Broadway Sacramento is sponsored by Wells Fargo. All performances are at the Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street, in downtown Sacramento.

Season subscriptions will be available at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office beginning Monday, April 21. Five-show packages (not including "Stomp") are $81.50 to $317.50. Six show subscriptions (with "Stomp") are $96.50 - $373. (Link: Complete ticket prices.) All prices include a $1.50 per ticket facility fee. (On sale dates for each of the shows sold separately have not yet been announced. Single-show tickets are expected to go on sale in the summer and fall.)

www.BroadwaySacramento.com
The Drowsy Chaperone
The Color Purple
Stomp
Avenue Q
Frost/Nixon
Disney's The Lion King

Current Broadway Sacramento subscribers will receive a renewal packet in the mail the week of April 21.

The Drowsy Chaperone
October 1-12, 2008
Get ready to be transported to a magical, wonderful world! A world where the critics are in awe, the audiences are in heaven and the neighborhood is buzzing with excitement. Welcome to "The Drowsy Chaperone," the new musical comedy that is swooping into town with tons of laughs and the most 2006 Tony Awards of any musical on Broadway! It all begins when a die-hard musical fan plays his favorite cast album, a 1928 smash hit called "The Drowsy Chaperone," and the show magically bursts to life. We are instantly immersed in the glamorous, hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious wedding day, complete with thrills and surprises that take both the cast (literally) and the audience (metaphorically) soaring into the rafters. (The Drowsy Chaperone home page)

Recommended for theatregoers 12 and over.

The Color Purple
November 5-16, 2008

Orah Winfrey presents "The Color Purple," a soul-stirring musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who triumphs over tremendous odds to find joy in life and her true innter beauty. Nominated for 11 Tony Awards, "The Color Purple" is a landmark theatrical event. With a joyous Grammy-nominated score featuring jazz, gosple and blues, "The Color Purple" is capturing the hearts of young and old, and uniting audieences in a celebration of love. (The Color Purple home page).

Recommended for theatregoers 12 and over.

Stomp
December 26, 2008 - January 4, 2009

"Stomp" is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments -- matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps -- to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. As USA Today says, "'Stomp' finds beautiful noises in the strangest places." "Stomp." See what all the noise is about. (Stomp home page)

Recommended for theatregoers 8 and over.

Avenue Q
March 11-22, 2009

"Avenue Q" is Broadway's smash-hit 2004 Tony Award winner for best musical, best score and best book. A hilarious show full of heart and hummable tunes, "Avenue Q" is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Called "one of the funniest shows you're ever likely to see" by Entertainment Weekly, "Avenue Q" features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risque and downright entertaining way. The New Yorker calls it "subversive and uproarious!" (Avenue Q home page)

For mature audiences. Recommended for theatregoers 16 and over.

Frost/Nixon
April 15-26, 2009

"Frost/Nixon" tackles the question: How did David Frost, a famous British talk-show host with a playboy reputation, elicit the apology that the rest of the world was waiting to hear from former President Richard Nixon? Legendary stage and screen actor Stacy Keach stars as Richard Nixon. He leads a cast of 10 in this fast-paced Tony Award nominated new play which shows the determination, conviction and cunning of two men as they square off in one of the most monumental television interviews of all time. "Frost/Nixon" is written by Peter Morgan, writer of "The Queen," "The Last King of Scotland" and HBO's "Longford" and directed by Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage. (Frost/Nixon home page)

Recommended for theatregoers 12 and over.

Disney's The Lion King
May 27 - June 28, 2009

Experience the phenomenon of Disney's "The Lion King" when Sacramento's best-loved musical makes a triumphant return to the Community Center Theater following its record-breaking 2005 engagement! Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animlas brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor, whose visual images for this show you'll remember forever. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score, including Elton John and Tim Rice's Oscar-winning song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life." Let your imagination run wild when the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation returns to the Community Center Theater stage. (The Lion King home page)

Recommended for the entire family.

[innov8]

Living History Weekend

History comes to life April 26-27 in Old Sacramento! The Living History
Program is a group of volunteers whose goal is to bring the early days of
Sacramento City to life through historical re-enactments, vignettes, and
strolls on the streets of Old Sacramento.

Visitors will be taught (and entertained!) about the history of Sacramento
while the Living History volunteers create a living street museum with
authentically costumed characters. Come immerse yourself in a little bit of
history and enjoy the charm of Old Sacramento! Living History
re-enactments will take place from 11am to 5pm both Saturday and Sunday
at Waterfront Park in Old Sac.

http://www.oldsacramento.com/

[goldcntry]

Well, I guess I'll throw in my two cents...

Run to the Light: A Celebration of Life

The Sacramento Youth Symphony and the combined choirs of
the Valley Choral Society, Fair Oaks Presbyterian,
Fremont Presbyterian, and Roseville Presbyterian present:

Brahms' German Requiem

Saturday, May 3, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis

Tickets - $15 - $55
866-754-ARTS or www.mondaviarts.org/tickets

I sing with the Valley Choral Society... This should be an excellent concert!
www.valleychoral.org

:tomato:

[sugit]

I'm not big into art...but this is pretty darn cool. One stop art gallery.

Bob Shallit: From midtown office complex to artists' showcase
By Bob Shallit - bshallit@sacbee.com

A down-on-its-luck midtown office complex is about to become an arts incubator where local artists can work, mingle with their fans and – ideally – make lots of sales.

Downtown art gallery owner Barry Smith has leased the two-story building at 2110 K St. from property owner Thomas A. Roth – and is busily subleasing studio space to painters, photographers and sculptors.

"I thought at first I'd have to build it – and then they would come," Smith says of his Sacramento Art Complex. The remodeling work's not finished but he's already leased nearly all of his 20 or so available offices.

Among the tenants: Noted landscape and dragonfly painter Steve Memering – whose image of Sacramento's skyline will be part of the building's signage.

Memering is taking a prominent space at the building's entrance and will paint "right in the front window six mornings a week," says Smith.

Another prominent tenant is Vicki Asp, known for her lush, impressionistic California landscapes.

Smith will occupy the largest office suite, where he'll display and sell artworks by renowned landscape painter Gregory Kondos, the late cityscape artist William Tuthill and others. It's the same mix of art – along with framing services – that Smith carries at his downtown location at 1020 11th St., which will remain open.

The new gallery is set to debut Saturday during this month's Second Saturday festivities.

"People will stroll in … and immediately be in a maze of fantastic art," Smith says. "It'll blow their minds."

[econgrad]

Oh, of course. The public meetings.

Why can't it only be a few. Always "a lot". :rolleyes:

I love the City's bureaucracy! If we didn't have that, we would have a real city with nothing to complain about...this forum would be no fun, and we all would be living our lives happily day to day in a great city. Who the hell wants that?!!?

[ltsmotorsport]

I'd trade in the "fun" here for construction updates any day. Then Majin could go back to hating on trees since there would be no real problems for him to solve. ;)

[sugit]

More news on the Science Center planned for the old power plant on Jibboom Street.

http://powerhousesciencecenter.org/default.htm

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/5543/ourpromisehb1.gif
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/3466/27881539ah1.png


Looks like they did enough over the past month to warrent extending the ERN with the city for the site.

Agreement: Jibboom Street Powerhouse Station Site
(http://sacramento.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=8&event_id=32&meta_id=155396)Location: River District (District 1)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to approve and execute an agreement with the Sacramento Museum of History, Science and Technology for the Exclusive Right to Negotiate ("ERN") for the redevelopment and reuse of the Jibboom Street Power Station Site.


This time line looks really aggressive...
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6167/timelinefh7.png

I sure hope this to happens...this would be a great attraction for locals and visitors.

Big team of locals working on it..I have to imagine a lot of it pro-bono as well.
Carson Development, John F Otto Inc, Dreyfuss and Blackford, Lionakis Beaumont Design Group, Buehler & Buehler. Fundraising is being run by Bentz & Associates who seem to have a lot of experience in this type of thing.

[arod74]

Keeping fingers crossed here as well. This would be a nice addition, adding to the expanded Crocker, to give visitors a reason to spend time/tourist dollars in town when normally they would only stop to pee and grab a bite on the way to Napa, Tahoe, or the Bay...

[TowerDistrict]

Did anyone see on KCRA where they showed a ranking of the five most popular visitor attractions in Sacramento?

The water intake structure (also design by Lionakis) was #5. i can't find any online source for this, but it was funny. the newscasters were scratching their heads wondering why - but it seems so obvious to me. It's one of the only public structures that actually interacts with the river.

So people are already visiting that area to basically get near the river in any way possible. The Discovery Museum will do very well there without a doubt. And if this city will ever get the waterfront promenade started, the visitor dots may start to connect. brilliant!

[sugit]

And if this city will ever get the waterfront promenade started, the visitor dots may start to connect. brilliant!

Speaking of waterfront promenade...

The city issued an RFQ (http://www.cityofsacramento.org/econdev/msc/documents/DocksPromenadeRFQ073108.pdf)for a GC a couple weeks ago. Construction will begin by Jan / Feb, with completion by Oct 31, 2009. It HAS to be done by then or it sounds like the city loses some sort of funding.

I was went running down by the river this weekend...the promenade looks nice and had quite a few people on it. Its just waaaaay too short though. Running on the promenade is cool...running on gravel after O Street, not so cool. Having it stretch out to Miller Park would be darn cool.

Also, another RFQ (http://www.cityofsacramento.org/econdev/msc/documents/KStreetRFQ073108.pdf)went out for a GC on the K Street Streetscape. The RFQ says they need to start construction by Nov and be completed by June 09

*fingers crossed*

[tronblue]

What a great project for sac. I've been to the science center on Auburn so many times. And everyone should go to check out the planetarium. This is the kind of stuff we really need to focus on now and support as citizens. However, the sac state planetarium will be in direct competition, but there seems to be some problems for Gonzales and scus that i've heard in the past. PLus Gonzales is a slimeball anyways I hope it doesn't get built till after he gets fired.

[arod74]

Wasn't quite sure where to place this but this seems to be a good a place as any. Sacramento Magazine's list of 100 most influential people in the region. Found it thanks to the best Kings related blog on the web: Sactownroyalty.com. The article does a good job of providing capsules of the folks making up the list. Looks like Majin just missed out, coming in at 101. Better luck next year...

http://sacmag.com/media/Sacramento-Magazine/September-2008/The-Power-Influence-100/

[Majin]

Thanks, I'll definitely make it next year.

[innov8]

Crocker Expansion Goes Vertical

· Construction crews began to install more than 1,400 tons of steel to form the frame of the New Crocker on Oct. 17th.
· 175 truckloads of steel will arrive at the Crocker
· The size and weight of the heavy duty steel beams are unique for this project due to the load capacity of the building
· Structure will be built from bottom to top and south to north
· Ninety percent of the $100 million campaign goal has been raised, as of October 16, 2008

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3531/crockerexpansion1200810xu2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

· Since breaking ground in July 2006, the majority of construction has occurred below ground
· The steel superstructure will be a visual sign of the historic change occurring at the Crocker
· With a $100 million campaign goal and 125,000-sq-ft expansion, this is the largest cultural initiative in Sacramento 's history
· A world-class museum will boost the cultural development of the city

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/8399/crockerexpansion2200810te6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[tronblue]

I'll donate some art to fill that beast. Maybe I can paint up a Picasso copy one night on some of that steal work. Oh Ahhh just kidding yea. Well besides being able to expand on showing local art and the rest of the collection, I'll be glad that they have a new place to host the new tiny Renior that is currently located next to a light switch and a fire extinguisher.

[sugit]

Glad this is getting built, but in Rancho?

How the heck could the city not find a 7,000 place to put it within the city?

Missed opportunity....again.

Children's Museum to build in Rancho Cordova

The Sacramento Children’s Museum has selected a site in Rancho Cordova to build the planned 7,000-square-foot hands-on, interactive center.

The city of Rancho Cordova and the museum board announced Tuesday that the region’s newest family-oriented attraction will locate at 2701 Prospect Park Drive in Rancho Cordova, next to City Hall.


Roebbelen Contracting Inc. is the general contractor and has donated $100,000 in services.

Backers need to raise $1.3 million to open the museum in January. In a month, the museum has raised more than $56,000.

Representatives from the city and the museum “have been negotiating for almost a year, developing the partnership that gave life to the vision of having a children’s museum in Rancho Cordova,” a news release said.

Designed primarily for kids age 8 and younger, the museum will include exhibits that will “encourage children’s imaginations and prompt them to test, tinker, laugh and wonder,” the release said. The museum also will complement the exhibits with special shows, programs and speakers.

“We are pleased and proud to be a partner in this outstanding endeavor that will be a destination attraction, not only for our city but for the entire Sacramento region,” Rancho Cordova Mayor Dan Skoglund said. “Many people have been involved in the creation of what will be a gem for our community. They are to be congratulated for their creativity and tenacity.”

“It is fitting that the Sacramento Children’s Museum has formed a partnership with the city of Rancho Cordova as the museum has made it a priority to celebrate cultural diversity as part of its focus, and the Rancho Cordova encompasses more cultural diversity than almost anywhere else in the greater Sacramento area,” museum president Kathleen Palley said in the release.

Two local teachers who saw a need for inspiring learning through interactivity initiated discussions about a museum. They formed a nonprofit and started developing support.

The Junior League of Sacramento adopted the Children’s Museum as a project in 2006, and started working with the nonprofit toward making the museum a reality.

[wburg]

Figured I'd move this question here--in my mind, things like ethnic neighborhoods count as "culture."

[QUOTE=travis bickle;4254535]
I spent much of yesterday enjoying San Diego's revitalized Little Italy neighborhood. It occurred to me that I can't recall a similar neighborhood in Sacramento. Did (does) Sacramento ever have a "Little Italy" section? I seem to recall a distinct Portuguese population in what is now Sacramento's pocket area, but can't be certain now (San Diego's Portuguese population settled in the Point Loma area of town). I have read some things regarding Sacramento's Chinese area, but other than the two (?) blocks in downtown's west end, I know very little about it.

Perhaps we should move this to a history thread, but can you tell me if Sacramento had identifiable ethnic neighborhoods and if so, where they were and/or are?

I would greatly appreciate it sir.


I think I have posted about this before but here's a rundown:

Sacramento's immigrant neighborhoods were along the waterfront, from I Street to the Y Street levee. The original Chinese neighborhood, dating back to the Gold Rush, was along I and J Street, where the two-block "chinatown" is now. At the time, it was alongside a swampy lake called "Sutter Lake" or "China Slough," referring to the Chinese who lived along its southern edge. The Chinese called Sacramento "Yee Fow" which means "Second City." Our chinatown was second only to San Francisco's in size and population.

There was a large Japanese neighborhood roughly from L Street to O Street, from the 1880s on. At one point around 1900 Sacramento had the highest proportion of Japanese of any city in the state.

There was a Mexican barrio interspersed through the waterfront area, to some extent mixed in with the Japanese and Chinese neighborhood, but more noticeable along O and P Street.

There was an Italian community, unusual in that it consisted mostly of northern Italians rather than southern Italians and Sicilians (who predominate in most Italian immigrant communities in the US.) They also came earlier, during the Gold Rush rather than the late 19th century. Originally they were near N Street, then in 1915 they moved their church (St. Mary's) from 8th and N to 7th and T, and much of the neighborhood moved with it. In the 1950s, St. Mary's moved to East Sacramento, and much of the Italian American neighborhood, again, moved with it. There was also a smaller Italian neighborhood, apparently more Sicilian, in the Mansion Flat/Washington School area.

Southside had a big Portuguese community: there was something of an urban legend that the area's old nickname, the "Arizona District," was because there were so many Portuguese from the Azores (often referred to as "Azoreans," and mispronounced "Arizonans.") St. Elizabeth's Church on 12th and S is an artifact of Sacramento's Portuguese community, although the old ODES hall was demolished to make way for Highway 50.

There was a small African American community in Sacramento dating back to the Gold Rush, with two long-established churches (St. Andrew's AME on 7th and H, and Shiloh Baptist on 6th and P.) During World War II, the Japanese neighborhood was emptied, its inhabitants sent to internment camps. African Americans from other parts of the country came to Sacramento looking for work moved into the neighborhood. Some bought Japanese-owned businesses there. Before long, the Japanese neighborhood was a distinct African American neighborhood, and a lot of Sacramento's nightlife centered on the jazz clubs on M Street (aka Capitol Avenue.) After the war, the Japanese Americans returned to find their neighborhood inhabited, and many relocated farther south into Southside.

There were also ethnic communities in the farming areas, like the Portuguese farmers in the Pocket, Japanese farmers in Florin, or Chinese farmers in Locke. Typically the folks in town were the shopkeepers, artisans and industrial workers, and the ones in the country were farmers. As the Pocket became a suburb, a lot of the Portuguese community moved there, as well as Land Park.

Most of these neighborhoods were destroyed during the 1950s/1960s redevelopment area, most completely along the path of I-5, Capitol Mall, K Street Mall and the O Street government mall. For the most part, the African American community moved to Oak Park and North Sacramento, the Mexican barrio moved north to Alkali Flat or south into Southside, and the Japanese and Chinese moved into Southside.

[wburg]

Some references for further exploration:

Canton Footprints by Phillip Choy
Changing Dreams and Treasured Memories: A Story of Japanese Americans in the Sacramento Region by Wayne Maeda
"The Italians of Sacramento" by Bruce Pierini, Golden Notes Vol. 37 No. 2
Portuguese Pioneers of the Sacramento Area by Lionel Holmes and Joseph D'Allesandro
"An Historical Overview of the Development of Sacramento's Black Community 1850-1983" by Clarence Caesar (unpublished Master's thesis)

[travis bickle]

Thank you sir. Very interesting. And I'll take a look at your available references.

One of the things that has kept San Diego's Little Italy alive well into the present is that even when residents scattered to the suburbs in the 50s and 60s, they continued to attend the old neighborhood church, which I believe is called Our Lady of the Rosary. Do you find the same pattern in Sacramento? Also - Was there a "main street" in any of these communities like India Street is in San Diego's Little Italy?

I can remember my grandparents reminiscing about the great jazz scene around M Street. The way they told it, it was one of the hottest jazz scenes on the coast. I've often wondered if that was an accurate descriptions or more the romantic musings of when they were young and in love. Do any artifacts from that era exist?

Thanks again Bill.

[econgrad]

^
This is interesting history, but today there really are no ethnic neighborhoods in Sacramento like San Diego's little Italy. There is no cultural neighborhoods, and the history that Wburg briefed upon is completely unknown to 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999%
of Sacramentons. We have nothing like what you are looking for Travis.

[wburg]

I think part of why there is still a Portuguese community in Southside is because St. Elizabeth's is still there--St. Mary's relocation definitely moved the Italian neighborhood. The move was in part because there were already two other Catholic churches in the neighborhood (St. Elizabeth's and Our Lady of Guadalupe) and when St. Elizabeth's wanted to rebuild (they were still using the same building they had moved from 8th & N, moved to the new site in 1915) the diocese told them no.

There were a lot of Italian-owned businesses downtown but not a distinct downtown neighborhood--they were mixed together with businesses owned by Chinese, Japanese etcetera. The farmer's market south of Broadway (site of the Market Club, if you know where that is) was opened by a group of Chinese, Japanese and Italian farmers working together. The Portuguese community centered around roughly 3rd/4th around S and T, with a lot of businesses in close proximity. The streetcar lines were on 3rd, 7th and T so that's where most of the businesses were.

Japantown was centered around 4th and Capitol, going a couple blocks in each direction from there. There was a Japanese-language movie theater, an arena on L Street that featured sumo wrestling as well as boxing, and even a Japanese-owned hospital.

Another source I recommend: Barrio Boy by Ernesto Galarza. His family moved to Sacramento from Mexico in about 1913, and had a lot to say about how diverse Sacramento's West End was. He had a lot of good things to say about the principal of the Lincoln School, an integrated school where the kids were taught that one could be a proud and patriotic American without abandoning pride in their own culture and ancestry.

SAMCC has some artifacts from one of the old jazz clubs, a couple boxes of photos and assorted paper. Aside from a few photos here and there, and people's memories, it is all gone.

[SactownTom]

(Moving my post here from the Transportation page)

There was a large population of Italians in and around St. Mary's parish. There's still a little remnant of the cluster of Italian businesses in the nieghborhood on Folsom Blvd. (Corti Bros., Talini's Nursery, and Espanol Restaurant)

Franklin Blvd. between Sutterville and Fruitridge Road has a large cluster of Mexican businesses.

Probably Sacramento's biggest ethnic neighborhood is the Little Saigon section of Stocton Blvd between Fruitridge and Florin Roads. Both Wing Wa and S.F. Supermarket have remarkable selections of Vietnamese products. The number of Vietnamesse restaurants in that area is amazing (Everyone should go to Long's Sandwich for the best Bahn Mi in Sacramento. The BBQ Pork is the best I've had and at only $2.00 you can't beat the price). Since the Vietnamese-immigrant econonmy is largely self contained, it has pretty much been immune to the larger economic downturn. You can see lots of commerce and activity along the Blvd. There's a new business loft development on Stockton at El Paraiso that is really coming along nicely.

[wburg]

^
This is interesting history, but today there really are no ethnic neighborhoods in Sacramento like San Diego's little Italy. There is no cultural neighborhoods, and the history that Wburg briefed upon is completely unknown to 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999%
of Sacramentons. We have nothing like what you are looking for Travis.

Maybe you just haven't been to the right neighborhoods. Sacramento certainly still has ethnic neighborhoods, they just tend to be somewhat integrated. While redevelopment did a very thorough job of razing much of Sacramento's colorful past, the communities just shifted to nearby parts of town. There may not have been a particularly Italian neighborhood, but this was in part because Sacramento was not particularly big, and being so diverse, the West End had a very integrated mixture of ethnic communities in close proximity. We were multicultural and diverse way before it was fashionable. In some ways, our jumbled-up mixture of ethnic neighborhoods made Sacramento very unique--and we still have that profoundly multicultural character.

There is still a bit of a "Japan Town" along the 2200 block of 10th Street, from June's Cafe and the former Ouye's Pharmacy to Broadway and Riverside, with elements running south along Riverside, including the old Buddhist church and a couple of Asian markets within a couple of blocks. There is still a Japanese-owned gift/imports shop on Riverside just south of Target that was originally located at the corner of 4th and M.

The 1970s era "Chinatown" area between H and I Street bears some similarities to San Francisco's Japan Center, which was bulldozed and remodeled in the 1960s into its current form. None of the historic buildings remain, but it still retains its role as a Chinese cultural center, although perhaps an underutilized one. There is a pretty cool little Chinese history museum in the center, but it is only open a few hours a week.

East Sacramento contains what is probably the closest thing to a distinct Italian American community, near St. Mary's and East Portal Park, where there is a bocce field that a lot of the old Italian guys (and some of the younger ones) still use. The Italian Cultural Society recently completed a new building, but it is across the river on Fair Oaks Boulevard.

If one was trying to promote construction of a mixed-use development in close proximity to East Sacramento, trying to position it as a "Little Italy" European-style (and thus dense and mixed-use) neighborhood would be an interesting hook, and probably draw some interest from the local community. Finding a local Italian restaurant to open a location in such a development would be very cool, although having local Chinese and Japanese (or Mexican, etcetera) restaurants in the same center would be even cooler.

[econgrad]

^
Wburg, I admire your statement above, but come on man, no one, but no one knows or cares about Sacramento's long lost ethnic neighborhoods. No neighborhood stands out as a cultural neighborhood here whatsoever in any way shape or form. Maybe in the 70's, before my time..who has the time to care about that?

[wburg]

Considering how well my books (and other local history books) have been selling, and how often I give talks and interviews on the subject, quite a few people are interested in our history--especially our cultural history. A lot of people are aware of the old West End and secondhand stories of the old jazz clubs, the old Chinatown, etcetera. Second and third generation Sacramentans hear stories from their parents and grandparents about what this city was like when they were kids. Having talked to publishers of local history books, they tell me that Sacramento sells a disproportionately large number of books on the subject--indicating that yes, people are interested.

You may not know or care about history or Sacramento's ethnic neighborhoods, but you're definitely in the minority of Sacramentans...that is, you would be if you lived in Sacramento, which, as I recall, you don't. Maybe if you spent more time here you would notice just how diverse this city is...not necessarily distinct neighborhoods for distinct groups, but a multi-ethnic mix of neighborhoods and businesses in close proximity, with a few concentrations here and there.

[travis bickle]

^
Wburg, I admire your statement above, but come on man, no one, but no one knows or cares about Sacramento's long lost ethnic neighborhoods. No neighborhood stands out as a cultural neighborhood here whatsoever in any way shape or form. Maybe in the 70's, before my time..who has the time to care about that?

Econgrad... you must just be hanging out with different people than I know. And they're not all in their 40s either. I find an, if not intense, certainly a simmering interest in Sacramento's distinct historical neighborhoods. Sacramento is unique in that there was so much integration and cooperation among ethnic groups and that this great diversity was spread amongst such a relatively small area. It's a remarkable case study that carries an impact to this day. And because the neighborhoods grew organically without government assistance (interference?), they make outstanding case studies for developers/planners trying to recreate the experience now.

20 years ago San Diego's Little Italy was confined to a single, worn-out, gasping last block on India Street. Most of the original families had moved away and taken their businesses with them. Today it is a real, livable and thriving neighborhood that runs for blocks on end and spills far past India Street in both directions. The few remaining original families reached out to the City and asked them to create an environment that encourages development while staying true to the neighborhood heritage. The city did that by streamlining the process, cutting regulations and lowering fees and turning over design decisions to the locals.

It is home to people of all incomes and the population has increased five-fold. Although you still hear plenty of Italian spoken on the corner, it welcomes people of all races and religions. Does it please everyone? No. Nor should it or could it. Some scream "fake" when they see it. But these are people whom are likely to, as someone here once said, see things only in black and white. It is alive and strong when once, not too long ago, it was decayed and dying.

A perfect Utopia? Of course not. But it is an outstanding example of government and the private sector working together to preserve as best as possible an ethnic neighborhood while welcoming new investment to create a true revitalization success story.

Open your mind my friend. There are lessons to be learned by studying and preserving older, distinct communities… valuable lessons :tup:

And wouldn't "Yee Fow" be a great name for a the next Sacramento Chinese restaurant?

Edit: I should add that the locals also formed a BID to help self-finance improvements to the area.

[econgrad]

Considering how well my books (and other local history books) have been selling, and how often I give talks and interviews on the subject, quite a few people are interested in our history--especially our cultural history. A lot of people are aware of the old West End and secondhand stories of the old jazz clubs, the old Chinatown, etcetera. Second and third generation Sacramentans hear stories from their parents and grandparents about what this city was like when they were kids. Having talked to publishers of local history books, they tell me that Sacramento sells a disproportionately large number of books on the subject--indicating that yes, people are interested.

You may not know or care about history or Sacramento's ethnic neighborhoods, but you're definitely in the minority of Sacramentans...that is, you would be if you lived in Sacramento, which, as I recall, you don't. Maybe if you spent more time here you would notice just how diverse this city is...not necessarily distinct neighborhoods for distinct groups, but a multi-ethnic mix of neighborhoods and businesses in close proximity, with a few concentrations here and there.

I never said the city was not diverse. Please do not put words in my mouth as you usually do. I am saying this: I do not believe you. I do not believe books are flying off the shelves of Sacramento's bookstores regarding its history. I do not think anyone knows or cares. You can say "Yes. People Do!" I can say "No, people don't!" and that is about it. Please do not bring me into a debate about diversity when you care about diversity, and I think we are all humans. Yes, this city is racially diverse, wooptie doo! That was not our discussion. Our discussion is this:
1 - We have no cultural neighborhoods.
2 - We have had cultural neighborhoods and now they are all gone.
3 - No one really cares except a tiny few.
4 - There is nothing like what Travis is looking for in a cultural neighborhood here in Sacramento.

I own a House in Sacramento, you know that.

Travis: I have an open mind. I am just stating the fact that there are no cultural neighborhoods in Sac. You and Wburg can discuss "diversity" all you want. Yes, there are diverse "races" here in Sac, I am one of them. By me saying that there are no cultural neighborhoods in Sacramento, and also most if not 99.999999999999999999999999999999% of Sacramento residents do not even care about cultural neighborhoods, how does that mean I do not have an open mind?

[travis bickle]

Maybe in the 70's, before my time..who has the time to care about that?

That was the line I was referring to.

Listen, no harm, no foul here... but there are lessons to be learned. Had it not been for decisive action, a common goal, cooperation, sound planning and economic principles, San Diego's Little Italy today would be every bit as recognizable as Sacramento's:cheers:. We used to call it "Very Little Italy..."

[wburg]

econgrad: Okay, I thought you mentioned living out in Fair Oaks. Apologies then. But it sounds like you haven't been to Southside Park or Oak Park, down Northgate in south Natomas or down Stockton Boulevard lately. Ethnic neighborhoods don't have to be 100% "pure" one group or others to count--even during the periods of redlining, segregation and racial exclusion covenants, ethnic neighborhoods could be very mixed, and they still are.

By the standards Travis has set up (a block or so remaining of a former ethnic neighborhood) we have several definable remnants of ethnic neighborhoods, especially if you include the post-redevelopment "exodus" neighborhoods like Oak Park, North Sacramento, Southside Park or even East Sacramento. A plan to market an old ethnic neighborhood through a PBID, like he describes San Diego's "Little Italy," has some real potential. It would be based on our unique heritage, which is very marketable, and have potential appeal both to members of that ethnic group (for its sense of familiarity) and to other groups (for its sense of the exotic/unusual.) So, while we don't have a well-publicized and deliberately organized ethnic neighborhood in the exact manner of San Diego's Little Italy--but we could have several, should Sacramento get behind the idea of showcasing its diversity instead of its whiteness.

Sure, we're all human, but diversity is more interesting--the fact that we're all different is a good thing!

[Mr. Ozo]

Is someone arguing that there are no ethnic neighborhoods in Sacramento? That's nonsense.
Go to 18th and S and walk south, turning right on U or V street. That's a very Asian neighborhood, with Asian people, and Asian non-english speaking businesses. There's a row of houses on 18th at S that look just like Locke. My friend lived above the Chinese grocery on T and 16th, they didn't know a word of English. There are a lot of old time Chinese people who've had gardens as their yards long before it was cool. Once you hit southside park, it sort of turns Hispanic.

Oak park is predominantly black, while Franklin Blvd., is heavily Hispanic. East Sacramento is white as the driven snow, and I see a lot Italian businesses in the area. The Broderic area of West Sac is heavily Mexican, while the Brite area is heavily Russian.

Sacramento is full of these neighborhoods, but they haven't been promoted. Perfect example is San Francisco's "Little Saigon". Someone at the city noticed a huge concentration of Vietnamese on Larkin street so they put up some signs to get more people interested. However, Sacramento may not be dense enough for this treatment.

[travis bickle]

econgrad: Okay, I thought you mentioned living out in Fair Oaks. Apologies then. But it sounds like you haven't been to Southside Park or Oak Park, down Northgate in south Natomas or down Stockton Boulevard lately. Ethnic neighborhoods don't have to be 100% "pure" one group or others to count--even during the periods of redlining, segregation and racial exclusion covenants, ethnic neighborhoods could be very mixed, and they still are.

By the standards Travis has set up (a block or so remaining of a former ethnic neighborhood) we have several definable remnants of ethnic neighborhoods, especially if you include the post-redevelopment "exodus" neighborhoods like Oak Park, North Sacramento, Southside Park or even East Sacramento. A plan to market an old ethnic neighborhood through a PBID, like he describes San Diego's "Little Italy," has some real potential. It would be based on our unique heritage, which is very marketable, and have potential appeal both to members of that ethnic group (for its sense of familiarity) and to other groups (for its sense of the exotic/unusual.) So, while we don't have a well-publicized and deliberately organized ethnic neighborhood in the exact manner of San Diego's Little Italy--but we could have several, should Sacramento get behind the idea of showcasing its diversity instead of its whiteness.

Sure, we're all human, but diversity is more interesting--the fact that we're all different is a good thing!

I think there might be something here worth exploring further. Difficult for me to do much on this now as I live in the San Diego area, but it's something I'd want to take a look at at the appropriate time. There's no urgency and I'd imagine some neighborhoods wouldn't want the exposure, but I bet you could find some that would be interested. Hmmmmmm......

[SactownTom]

Sacramento is full of these neighborhoods, but they haven't been promoted. Perfect example is San Francisco's "Little Saigon". Someone at the city noticed a huge concentration of Vietnamese on Larkin street so they put up some signs to get more people interested. However, Sacramento may not be dense enough for this treatment.

Little Saigon certainly is dense enough for promotion, but part of the reason this hasn't happened is that part of the area is in the city boundary and part is in the county. It think it makes sense for this area to be brought wholly into the city, if for no other reason then to keep the governance under one jurisdiction.

But then again, the area seems to be doing remarkably well without having a single government entity promoting it. The reality is that it is a thriving business and cultural district. There doesn't seem to be any need for promotion. Having signs there denoting it as "Little Saigon" would only make it seem kitch.

[Majin]

Little Saigon certainly is dense enough for promotion, but part of the reason this hasn't happened is that part of the area is in the city boundary and part is in the county. It think it makes sense for this area to be brought wholly into the city, if for no other reason then to keep the governance under one jurisdiction.

But then again, the area seems to be doing remarkably well without having a single government entity promoting it. The reality is that it is a thriving business and cultural district. There doesn't seem to be any need for promotion. Having signs there denoting it as "Little Saigon" would only make it seem kitch.

This is one of the major confusing points I wish someone would take the lead and fix (talking to you, KJ). Why are the city limits so random? You can drive down a single street and enter and leave city limits 3-4 times. Stockton Blvd or Franklin Blvd for example. I believe this only happens or mainly happens in South Sacramento which is a older area so it's very confusing out there could be gaps in city limits with no discernible pattern. It's not even like they are trying to keep poorer areas outside city limits since the pattern doesn't even show that. Maybe wburg can comment on this?

[wburg]

Cities like Sacramento annexed nearby land over time, mostly by taking over recently-developed suburbs that were already built out--remember, the original Sacramento city limits were Broadway and Alhambra (at the time, Y Street and 31st Street.) This meant that there wasn't much logical pattern to how we annexed other than following what had already been built. In the case of North Sacramento, by the 1960s the city of Sacramento completely surrounded the city of North Sacramento, and they were already broke, so annexation just seemed logical.

We get the funky boundaries because part of the annexation process includes a vote of the area to be annexed; if a majority of residents don't want to be part of the city, they don't have to be. Freeport residents voted against annexation by the city just a few years ago--personally, I think they still hold a grudge against Sacramento dating back to the 1860s when we took away their railroad.

To some extent, yes, annexation is based on taking over higher property value areas--the idea being that annexation will be a net fiscal benefit to the city. Parts of the county that would cost more to annex than the potential tax revenue don't have much appeal other than making the map look less weird.

Part of the move to annex the "Panhandle" area on the north end of town is because it is open, developable land (the kind suburb developers like best) which could potentially become much more valuable. Arden-Arcade is already built out, but the land is pretty valuable and its large retail corridors would contribute a lot of sales tax revenue--although residents are mostly opposed to the effort. The Stockton/Franklin corridor is less appealing, due to its relatively low property values and not-so-great prospects for expanded development.

Organizing businesses in that area into creating a "Little Saigon" PBID is an interesting idea. Sacramento does have a pretty significant southeast Asian community, adding a distinct new flavor to our multicultural stew, and Stockton Boulevard has a growing reputation with the local foodies (I see lots of food reviewers glowing about the best places to get banh mi and pho.) It might also raise the corridor's profile enough to drive an effort to incorporate them into the city boundary.

[econgrad]

Is someone arguing that there are no ethnic neighborhoods in Sacramento? That's nonsense.
Go to 18th and S and walk south, turning right on U or V street. That's a very Asian neighborhood, with Asian people, and Asian non-english speaking businesses. There's a row of houses on 18th at S that look just like Locke. My friend lived above the Chinese grocery on T and 16th, they didn't know a word of English. There are a lot of old time Chinese people who've had gardens as their yards long before it was cool. Once you hit southside park, it sort of turns Hispanic.

Oak park is predominantly black, while Franklin Blvd., is heavily Hispanic. East Sacramento is white as the driven snow, and I see a lot Italian businesses in the area. The Broderic area of West Sac is heavily Mexican, while the Brite area is heavily Russian.

Sacramento is full of these neighborhoods, but they haven't been promoted. Perfect example is San Francisco's "Little Saigon". Someone at the city noticed a huge concentration of Vietnamese on Larkin street so they put up some signs to get more people interested. However, Sacramento may not be dense enough for this treatment.

I am debating (not arguing) something different. To me, you are saying there are "racially homogeneous" neighborhoods in the Sacramento area: TRUE! I am stating that this is a different concept from "Cultural" Neighborhoods such as "Little Italy" as Travis brought about. I find it completely ludicrous that just because a neighborhood is racially homogeneous it becomes a cultural neighborhood. I also love all of your statements like: "It is a Black neighborhood" "Hispanic Neighborhood" Black is a skin color, in Africa there are many different cultures with the same skin color. Black is not a culture. Hispanic is a general term as well, for it represents many different cultures from Portuguese to Mexicans. A cultural neighborhood could be defined as more commercial. Yes, Sacramento has rich ethnic history, I believe we are cheapening it with trying to claim certain neighborhoods are more than what they really are. This is a different point from Travis and Wburg.

[innov8]

The new Crocker Art Museum opens on October 10, 2010... here's a sneak peak.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7714/crockerartmuseum2010060.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/i/crockerartmuseum2010060.jpg/)

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/7714/crockerartmuseum2010060.jpg (http://img63.imageshack.us/i/crockerartmuseum2010060.jpg/)

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/7714/crockerartmuseum2010060.jpg (http://img251.imageshack.us/i/crockerartmuseum2010060.jpg/)

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/7714/crockerartmuseum2010060.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/crockerartmuseum2010060.jpg/)

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7714/crockerartmuseum2010060.jpg (http://img188.imageshack.us/i/crockerartmuseum2010060.jpg/)

[wburg]

Seems like midtown Sacramento is taking on yet another role: we are rapidly becoming a theater district. Capital Stage is relocating from the Delta King to Midtown, taking over the former site of Old Sacramento Armory (RIP)!

Capital Stage to leave Delta King for midtown site
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By Marcus Crowder
mcrowder@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Aug. 9, 2010 - 5:26 pm
Last Modified: Monday, Aug. 9, 2010 - 5:46 pm

Capital Stage plans to move next year from its Old Sacramento theater venue on the Delta King to midtown.

The theater company has signed a five-year lease agreement, with two five-year options, to occupy the vacant space at 2215 J St. The brick-walled warehouse formerly contained the Old Sacramento Armoury Inc.

Capital Stage expects to begin producing theater at its new venue in spring 2011.

Capital Stage is a professional theater company that was founded as the Delta King Theatre in 1999 by Stephanie Gularte, Jonathan Williams and Peter Mohrmann. In 2004, it became the city's fourth professional equity company, joining California Musical Theatre, Sacramento Theatre Company and B Street Theatre.

In 2005, it became an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.

Capital Stage always has performed at the 115-seat Delta King Theatre. The new theater space will be slightly larger at about 125 seats, depending on the stage configuration.

Williams, the producing director of Cap Stage, will oversee the renovation of the roughly 4,000-square-foot building, along with Sacramento architect Craig Hausman.

Capital Stage estimates the cost of the renovation at $300,000. Well-known Sacramento arts patron Dan Brunner is heading up a fundraising effort for the theater's move to midtown.

Capital Stage has an annual operating budget of nearly $450,000 and 800 season subscribers.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/09/2947805/capital-stage-to-leave-delta-king.html#ixzz0wB1YbWsV

[Surefiresacto]

Elks Tower cafe, bar and chocolates with a view
by Suzanne Hurt, published on June 14, 2011

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/52109/Elks_Tower_cafe_bar_with_a_view

I remember seeing something about this a while back. I was hoping for more of a public bar in the penthouse rather than a private events area. Hopefully I'll get the chance to go check it out sometime soon.

A couple of main points from the article.
The bar, small cafe and chocolatier will share a ground-floor, L-shaped space that overlooks the empty basement pool after walls blocking the view were removed in mid-2010, Michael Gelber said.

The anchor business will be a full bar featuring wines from Sacramento's first urban winery – Rail Bridge Cellars at 400 N. 16th St., which the Gelbers own under Alexis Ventures.

The renovation will leave most of the historic building's character intact. Exposed brick walls, the original concrete floor and peeling paint will be left to express the building's venerable history.

The family is also opening the Elks Tower Penthouse Lounge on the 14th floor, which can be rented for wine tastings, private parties and meetings, in two weeks. Windows on three sides offer views of the Capitol, City Hall, the railyards and the Sierra Nevada mountains