An observant Curtis Park resident was briskly walking the track around William Curtis Park when she witnessed a man backing his Ford Ranger up to a huge pile of shredded bark meant for the children’s playground. She thought to herself, “What a shame to steal from the City and the children of our community.”

Greg Brown

She dialed 9-11 and reported the alleged thievery to police. My first thought was, why is there a mountain of bark dumped in the middle of the park? What would Leslie Knope (the main character of Parks and Recreation) do?

I called the City Parks And Recreation department and spoke to Lori Harder. She mentioned that the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association has officially adopted William Curtis Park through the City of Sacramento Partners in Parks program and it was part of the April 6th “Clean Up Day” at the park.

I then asked Terri Shuttle, who is the executive director of the SCNA, if she knew anything about the Curtis Bark Pile and she mentioned it was indeed part of a neighborhood cleanup day. They had requested bark for various spots; unfortunately, they were unable to bring the bark until a week later when no volunteers were readily available.

Soooo, one of the board members took it upon himself to work in the park one day to spread the bark using his pickup truck. Good for him! That’s when the police showed up. Oops. Turns out the Curtis Park resident who initially called the cops was barking up the wrong tree. Turns out the board member was just being a good deed doer. Now he is hesitant to go back and finish the job. The SCNA is looking at schedules to line up volunteers to take care of the rest of the pile but no date has been set.

Last month there was another episode of Yard Crashers direct from Hollywood Park. The lucky couple who received the grand makeover, “A Taste Of Tuscany,“ had a viewing party at Broderick’s in West Sacramento. For those who don’t know, “Yard Crashers” is a backyard improvement show where host Matt Blashaw surprises shoppers at Lowe’s, Green Acres, Emigh Hardware and other home improvement and garden stores with promises of an amazing backyard transformation. From drab to fab!

A lot of the episodes have been filmed in our own backyard in Sacramento. The Yard Crashers crew invades yards with jackhammers, cement trucks, shovels, shears and chainsaws. Before you know it they’re digging up turf, trees, shrubs and removing the greenery that has no purpose and replacing it with thoughtful landscape design.

There have been at least five episodes of Yard Crashers filmed in the middle class neighborhood of Hollywood Park alone in the last few years. Why Hollywood Park? Perhaps it’s because it has Hollywood in the name. Showbiz! Or it could be that the neighborhood has the perfect palette for the backyard makeovers.

The production company, Big Table Media, is actually based out of Sacramento. So it’s a short commute.

The show likes people who are showbiz ready, have a personality, and aren’t afraid to get their fingernails dirty. Also, have a backyard that needs some drastic improvements. On the show’s website they accept viewer submissions. Include a picture of you, your pathetic backyard, and why your yard deserves to be crashed. That’s a route you can take if you’re interested in getting a backyard makeover and want to be the envy of your entire neighborhood. The show airs on the DIY network as well as HGTV. The website for submissions is at www.Diynetwork.com

Last month I wrote about how Raley’s, which purchased the former Capital Nursery lot on Freeport Blvd, has no official plans for it…yet. There have been blue prints created and lots of rumors bandied about. Raley’s official spokesperson stated last month they have “no immediate plans for the site.”

I recently received an email from an “Over The Fence” reader with a great suggestion for the abandoned site. Phil Shroeder mentioned he thinks the property would be a good location for Beer and Food Festivals. “It would be ideal for a Sacramento Oktoberfest. High school musicians could be taught to play appropriate fest music and vendors could supply food and beer. The bus lines are right outside and the police are right down the street. It is just a dream I have of being able to hold European festivals right here in good ol’ Sacramento.”

I like the way Phil thinks! Sounds like a great idea. Throw in some lederhosen and dirndls and it could be a beer and sausage party on Freeport!

I have my own dream for that empty lot. I’d love to see somebody bring “The Zombie Hut” back to Freeport Blvd. “Delightfully different dining with a Polynesian atmosphere.” Oh, and luscious fruity island cocktails topped off with cheery miniature umbrellas. It would be the pride of the neighborhood!

Readers: What would YOU like to see at the former Capital Nursery spot? Send me your ideas at Greg@Valcomnews.com and I’ll publish them in next month’s column. Also, if you have any local neighborhood gossip or items of interest, feel free to send me an email at Greg@valcomnews.com

Photos by Sutter Buttes/John DiDomenico Photography These photographs were taken at the June 26, 2010 Mid Century Modern Tour in South Land Park. This year’s tour will be held Saturday, May 18. See sacmcmhometour.blogspot.com for more information.

Architectural design is a subject I don’t know a whole lot about. I ain’t gonna lie. But I know cool Mid-Century Modern when I see it. “Hey, look at that cool building!” I always just called it “retro” or “old school”.

I decided to get schooled on everything Mid-Century Modern by local MCM enthusiast Gretchen Steinberg. She is the President of SacMod (SacramentoModern) and researcher/blogger at Eichlerific. She is a resident of South Land Park Hills, and of course, resides in a beautiful Eichler home with her husband and two children.

She’s gearing up for another Mid-Century Modern Home Tour on Saturday, May 18. The tour will highlight more than 30 spectacular mid-century modern residential and commercial structures in South Land Park and Land Park neighborhoods of Sacramento. There will also be a vintage transportation show, historic displays and exhibits, and lots of goodies!

Photos by Sutter Buttes/John DiDomenico Photography

Here’s my MCM Q & A.

Greg Brown: How did you become interested in Mid-century Modern architecture and all things Modern?

Gretchen Steinberg: I was raised by my grandparents in SoCal near Palm Springs. We went there every weekend to hang at their second home. I would say MCM was imprinted in me big time from my childhood. But I didn’t realize it until I got older.

GB: How would you describe Mid-Century Modern?

GS: Mid-Century Modern in architecture has:
- clean lines with an emphasis on the horizontal/vertical
- a blend of natural and manmade materials
- large windows to allow maximum light and promote “indoor/outdoor living” (hangin’ on the patio, Daddy-O)
- open floor plans
- low-pitched, wide-angled or flat rooflines
and usually depicts the era between 1945 (post WWII) and 1970, give or take. It has roots dating back to 19th century design movements and Japanese design — but that’s a long history lesson.

GB: What’s the difference between architecture and design?

GS: Architecture is a type of design that focuses on structures that shelter people where they live, work and play. Design is a wider category that includes a wide array of items that are made to enhance our daily living — such as consumer products, graphics, fashion, machines, etc.

Photos by Sutter Buttes/John DiDomenico Photography

GB: I notice the slew of Eichler homes along South Land Park Drive and the surrounding areas. How many Eichler homes were built and why were they mostly all built in South Land Park?

GS: Eichler Homes wound up building roughly 60 homes in Sacramento. All Eichler Homes in our town are in South Land Park.

GB: I also notice the same type of homes in Carmichael. Would you call these homes Eichler inspired?

GS: Those are likely Streng Bros. Homes, designed by Carter Sparks. We have one on our tour. They built roughly 3800 homes in the Sacramento, Placer, and Yolo counties.

GB: Three of your most decadent points of interest on the Mid-Century Modern Tour are Marie’s Donuts, Mahoroba Japanese Bakery, and the Pancake Circus. Will there be free samples?

GS: We are providing the feast for your eyes – but don’t let that stop you from indulging your inner sugar monster!

GB: A lot of Mid-Century modern homes do not have a garage, they have a carport. Where the heck do you store all your stuff? A hoarder would panic in a Mid-Century Modern home!

GS: The carport was designed so that the post-WWII consumers could show off their gigantic finned cars! A well-designed MCM home has plenty of interior storage. Our home originally had a carport but the previous owner closed it in. Nowadays, garages are treated more like closets. Some people can’t even fit their cars in them.

GB: Why is preservation important? New is always better, right?

Photos by Sutter Buttes/John DiDomenico Photography

GS: Preservation is important because our very cultural identity and sense of place is inherently rooted in our historic landmarks. Take those away and you have a generic McCity. No one wants that.

GB: How important is color in Mid-century modern design?

GS: Very important! Hard to extrapolate from the old black and white photos — but if you look at old Kodachrome slides you will see that that era was quite colorful.

GB: Mid-Century Modern design is finding its way back into pop culture. Do you think the show Mad Men has helped popularize Mid Century Modern? You watch that show? And if so, do you find yourself looking at the furniture more than Don Draper?
GS: Definitely — but I think MCM was already starting to regain popularity before Mad Men. They just tapped into it. MCM has always been the darling of Hollywood. You can’t watch television or movies without seeing MCM in the background. Speaking of which, no time for me to watch TV — too busy with my family and volunteer work!

GB: I’m a “Generation Xer and mid-century modern is the look of my childhood. I think that is why I like some of its features. Which elements of Mid-Century Modern most appeal to you?

Photos by Sutter Buttes/John DiDomenico Photography

GS: I totally agree. I was born December ‘63 – the last month of the Boomer generation. I tend to gravitate toward the early 60s designs. I have a weakness for commercial buildings and neon signs of that era.

GB: Mid Century modern is being celebrated at the California Museum. It’s MCM Mania! Don’t you have some artifacts at the museum?

GS: I did some volunteer background research into Ray Eames’ childhood years in Sacramento and contributed some books that are displayed in the exhibit.

GB: You have some surprises at this year’s Mid-Century Modern Home show don’t you? Can you spill the beans for us here?

GS: We will have extra goodies and swag. Plus a surprise remodeled room at SacMod HQ. Here’s a hint: it abides, Dude.

GB: Preserving and protecting modern architecture is important, but I also think it would be cool to preserve the original concepts! I say bring back Woody’s Smorgasburger and The Zombie Hut to Freeport Boulevard. Whaddya think?

GS: I have been hoping someone would bring these classics back! In our guidebook we have devoted a two-page retrospective to Zombie Hut.

GB: A few of your favorite things:
Favorite Sacramento neon sign?

GS: Jugglin’ Joe in front of Gunther’s Ice Cream. I used to live in Curtis Park and would take the long way home just to see him throwing scoops at night.

GB: Favorite architect?
GS: That’s like asking who your favorite kid is.

GB: Favorite designer?
GS: See above.

GB: Favorite Mid-Century Modern home on the tour?
GS: See above.
GB: Favorite Point Of Interest on the MCM tour?
GS: I’d have to say the neon signs are my favorite points-of-interest. Our historic signs are really taken for granted. But we sure notice when they are gone.

GB: Okay, last question. Brady Bunch House. Mid-Century Modern or not?

GS: Oh sure — split level modern ranch. There’s a wacky one in SLP Hills. Absolutely enormous! Mr. Brady was an architect you know. Note that we will have four open buildings besides the homes and 22 additional drive-by points of interest. Ultimately what I’m hoping for is that people will know more about the stuff they pass by daily — and have an increased appreciation for and fondness of all that is around us. I’m proud to be from Sacramento. Everyone who lives here should be.

If you go:

What: MCM Home Tour
Where: Through out Land Park, starting at Sacramento Executive Airport, 6151 Freeport Blvd.
When: Saturday, May 18. The vintage transportation show is 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., registration and exhibits open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Homes and other tour locations open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: Get your MCM Home Tour tickets at www.sacmod.brownpapertickets.com til May 15th. $30 general admission $20 for SacMod members. SacMod is also on Facebook

Sierra 2 will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Sierra School building on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every half hour a video of the history of the school will be shown in room 9. In room 10, there will be historic exhibits and photos of the school including its rescue from demolition in the 1970s by the newly formed Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association. At 2 p.m., there will be a ceremonial unveiling of the historic landmark plaques at the front entry facing 3rd Avenue, followed by a 90th anniversary cake celebration in the garden room.

The Sierra 2 Center is working to restore some of the light fixtures to provide a more historically accurate representation of the original design. The center is looking for potential donors to help fund the project. Every $200 tax-deductible donation will purchase one light fixture. Each donor will be named on a commemorative plaque to be hung at Sierra 2 Center.

The following history and photos accompanying this article have been provided by Sierra 2.

When World War I ended Sacramento had great pent up demand for homes and schools. The Curtis Park neighborhood had only Highland Park School, a wooden structure first erected in 1888. A bond issue paved the way for new schools and Sierra School was opened for the spring term in 1923. Alumnus Philip Watkins who became a United States  District Judge recalled moving day from Highland Park School across the street: “We got in line and marched, two by two, down the steps of the old school and then across the street to our new home,” recalled the judge.

“Mrs. Rowe (the principal) led the way. It was the biggest thrill of our school life to that point.”

Much of the design of the school was accomplished by Curtis Park’s landmark architects Charles and James Dean. The school is Andalusian Spanish Style and inspired Spanish Revival Style homes in the nearby 1920s subdivisions. The auditorium was added in 1929. The campus was designated a Sacramento historic landmark in 2005.

Sierra was used as an elementary school from 1923 to 1976, educating thousands of Curtis Park children.

When the Field Act, an earthquake safety measure, forced cosure the neighborhood rallied to save the school. The successful effort led to the creation of the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association. Since it was saved, SCNA has run the Sierra School campus as the Sierra 2 Center for Arts and the Community. The first decade of that stewardship entailed a major restoration and rehabilitation project. Over the years the Home and Garden Tour has been a major source of revenue to continue the tradition of stewardship of this historic landmark and social and cultural resource.

Sierra 2 is located at 2791 24th St. For more information, call 452-3005.

A unique neighborhood of large canopy trees and early 20th century homes, Curtis Park is the place to be on Saturday, April 27 for the annual home and garden tour.

Everyone is invited to stroll through this unique neighborhood anchored by the Sierra 2 Community Center and an 18-acre park, touring five residences in Century Bungalow, Mediterranean Spanish, Colonial, and Tudor Revival styles with interiors running the gamut from contemporary to traditional. Outdoor spaces ranging from serene gardens to spectacular water features compliment the homes.

The Curtis Park Home and Garden Tour is one of the few in the Sacramento region that offers a range of authentic and historic architectural exteriors with equally diverse and artfully designed interiors.

The tour is held in spring, so visitors can enjoy delightful weather and new foliage.  The homes are not specially decorated to reflect a given theme or holiday, instead, the tour allows visitors to see how people live in these exquisite homes day to day — how they have adapted their homes for their own enjoyment with well designed, fresh and classic interiors, while maintaining and appreciating their historical stature.

A unique stop this year will be the Sierra 2 Center for the Arts and Community, celebrating its 90th birthday. Formally Sierra School, the 2013 event included a historic plaque unveiling, visits from local distinguished guests and refreshments. In addition, volunteers are planning displays and a video history.

Another unique feature in the planning stages is a plein air art show.    Artists will be invited to paint any aspect of the neighborhood in the latter half of April, whether it be majestic trees, homes, streets, parks or the Center.  Paintings will be offered for sale on tour day with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association.

Those who visit all sites will log just under two miles. Bicycling through the neighborhood is an option and bike racks are provided.

The program for the 27th Annual Curtis Park Home Tour kicks off at 10am at the north end of Curtis Park.  Visitors will enjoy music, vintage cars, food from Wicked ‘Wich and Mama Kims, and information on home restoration.

The event is a fundraiser for the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association and benefits the Sierra 2 Center and SCNA programs. The Greater Broadway Partnership and Joseph Eschelman with Wells Fargo Advisors are supporting sponsors.

Advance tickets are $20 ($15 for SCNA members) and will be available in late March.  On tour day, tickets will be $25 ($20 for SCNA members).   Call the Sierra 2 Center at 452-3005 for updates, or visit their website at  www.Sierra2.org

If you go:

What: 27th Annual Curtis Park Home Tour, presented by the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (SCNA)
When: Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $20 ($15 for SCNA members) in advance; $25 ($20 for SCNA members) day of the event.
Tickets: Will be available online at  www.sierra2.org in late March, at the Sierra 2 Center at 2791-24th Street, and area stores.
Location / Where to Start: On tour day, purchase tickets at the Sierra 2 Center at 2791 – 24th Street, or at the north end of Curtis Park at 26th Street and Donner Way.   The tour winds throughout an almost two-mile area in the Curtis Park neighborhood. Curtis Park is bordered on the north by Broadway, the south by Sutterville Road, the east by Highway 99, and the west by 24th Street and Freeport Blvd.
Food, Refreshments and Music:  North end of Curtis Park, Donner Way and 26th Street
Information:   www.sierra2.org

Kline Music is presently celebrating its 50th anniversary. Photo by Lance Armstrong

One of the success stories of local businesses is undoubtedly the story of Kline Music, which is celebrating its 50th year in business.
And in honor of its longevity in the music products industry, the store, which is located at 2200 Sutterville Road, across the street from the Sacramento City College softball stadium, recently received the Milestone Award from the National Association of Music Merchants.
According to a press release, “The award recognizes retailers and manufacturers who have succeeded over the years through best practices and strong community standing to reach a landmark anniversary.”
Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO, said, “Those that endure in the music products industry credit their longevity to providing exemplary customer service, becoming integral members of their communities, adapting over time and forging strong succession plans. NAMM is honored to call (Kline Music) a member and looks forward to supporting their success for many years to come.”

Betty Kline sits at her ivory Yamaha piano, which she purchased from a music dealer in Placerville. Although she founded Kline Music, Betty does not consider herself a musician. Photo by Lance Armstrong

NAMM is a not-for-profit association with a mission to “strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music.”
The association includes about 9,000 member companies in more than 87 countries.
In commenting about her family’s store, Penny Kline, one of the daughters of the business’s founder, Betty Kline, and the store’s afternoon manager, said, “I am proud to say that Kline Music employs four generations of the Kline family and continues to be family-owned and operated.”
Candy Anderson, another one of Betty’s daughters and a violin and flute teacher at the store, noted that considering that her father, the late W. Russell “Russ” Kline, was a musician, grew up in a musical family and established the Sacramento Youth Band, many people assume that her father founded Kline Music.
A year after establishing a very basic music accessories store in the basement of her Curtis Park residence at 3429 Franklin Blvd., Betty founded Kline Music at its original location at 5032 Franklin Blvd. at 26th Avenue in the Farmers Market Shopping Center in early 1963.
During an interview with this publication last week, Betty, who graduated from Sacramento High School in 1945, shared details about the pre-history portion of her business.
“Before the store front, my husband (who was a 1942 graduate of Sacramento High School and a woodwind instrument instructor) was giving private (music) lessons at home,” Betty said. “We had bought this two-story house on Franklin Boulevard, and he taught downstairs and we lived upstairs in one of those high-rise houses. People would drop their kids off and he had been teaching in our house since they were just small children in a different location (at 2511 23rd Ave.). When we moved there to (the Franklin Boulevard house), I got the brilliant idea, ‘We could have other teachers teaching here.’ So, we got a couple more teaching rooms going downstairs in the basement. And (Russ Kline) was always sending me downtown because the kids, ‘Well, they’ve got a broken reed,’ or the mother cut off the reed or whatever. And we had a guitar teacher (Zeke Nuez) right from the beginning and he would come to (teach) a lesson and he would have a broken string. So, I ended up buying a little showcase-like thing (stocked with music supplies) and kept it locked downstairs in the basement. So, I would go running downstairs, if somebody needed something. Russ would knock on the water pipe to get my attention. And so, that’s really the (unofficial) start of the store. And one day, our washing machine broke down – I had four children – so, I go down to (the FM) Laundromat (at 5036) Franklin Blvd. and there’s this place for rent (at 5032 Franklin Blvd., where Bookkeepers’ Business Service Corp. had previously operated). I figured I could lease this building, and so that’s how the store officially started.”

Betty Kline (right) and Candy Anderson are shown in this 1980s photograph. Photo courtesy of Candy Anderson

One of Kline Music’s first instructors, a trombone teacher named Bob Lindfeldt, built the teaching rooms at the first two locations of Kline Music. Additionally, Bob and his wife, Beverly, are remembered for their longtime association with the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society.
During the store’s early years, Kline Music had 10 instructors, who taught lessons in clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, accordion, guitar, drums and even baton twirling by the Satellites champion baton twirlers.
Today, the store has a teaching staff of 26 and provides instruction for nearly 700 private music students per week. Classes range from trombone, saxophone, flute and piano to guitar, violin, accordion and drums.
Kline Music’s longest term instructor is Mike Bobo, who began teaching piano lessons at the business in 1977.
The store has continuously rented musical instruments throughout its existence.
In recalling a certain day related to the store’s musical rentals in the early 1980s, Candy said, “(On one occasion), we rented out 50 instruments. That’s how busy we were. Although the store was nowhere near what it is today (in terms of renting instruments), it was still substantial.”
The current location of the store opened in 1980, following about nine years of operation at 4905 47th Ave., where the business added a musical instrument repairs department.
Betty purchased Kline Music’s present building, which was constructed in about 1956 and originally housed Capital Curtain and Rug Cleaners. The store’s previous buildings had all been rented on lease agreements.
In addition to Kline family members previously mentioned in this article, other members of the family who have worked at Kline’s Music are: Stan Kline (former trumpet teacher, Betty’s son); Paul Anderson (morning manager, Candy’s husband); Nick Meagher (piano teacher, Penny’s son); Katie Dahl (employee, Penny’s daughter); Julie Solorzano (employee, Candy’s daughter); and Anisa Solorzano (employee, Julie’s daughter).
Betty, who also has another daughter named Melody, said that she is proud of her business’s achievement of serving the public for 50 years.
“I am proud of my own ability to start the store,” Betty said. “It is nice to be celebrating 50 years in business. It’s what I have always hoped for and I hope the Kline family will keep the store as a permanent fixture in the city for years to come.”
In reaching a half-century in business, Kline Music will celebrate this milestone with a 50th anniversary party at Sierra 2 Center, Curtis Hall at 2791 24th St. on June 9 from noon to 6 p.m.
Kline Music is open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.
For additional information about this business, call (916) 456-8742 or visit the Web site www.klinemusic.com.

Illustration by Stan Meek, coloring by Serene Lusano

It all started when Michael Madsen, owner of The Coffee Garden in Curtis Park, was talking to his customers – one about bike rides and another about a local nonprofit that needed some help.

The result? The first-ever Mike’s Light Ride – a fundraiser and bicycle cruise through Curtis Park to enjoy holiday lights in the community – to take place on Saturday, December 22.

Feeling Festive

Madsen says the idea for the bike ride initially came from a conversation he had with a customer about community bike rides that had occurred in Sacramento in the past. They thought The Coffee Garden would be a good location for people to meet up for a bike ride.

Mike’s Light Ride will begin with a party at The Coffee Garden starting at 2pm, where attendees can mingle with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Snoopy. Additionally, Madsen invited the Sacramento SPCA to talk about animals available for adoption.

Then starting at 6pm, the bike ride will begin. Madsen plans to take riders on a route through some of the best holiday lights in the area, plus there will be a few stops for hot chocolate or hot apple cider along the way.

And to add to the holiday fun, riders are invited to come dressed in their holiday best and decorate their bikes for the chance to win prizes. “We’re having contests for the bike with the most lights, best kid’s bike, best costume or best holiday wear, and then best bike and holiday wear overall,” Madsen adds.

Tubman House

Although Mike’s Light Ride is all about holiday fun, it’s also a way of giving back.

From another customer, Madsen found out the staff of a local nonprofit, Waking the Village, held their weekly staff meetings at his coffee shop. And then he also found out they had recently lost part of their funding for their program Tubman House and decided to do something to help. “They do a lot of good work, so we decided to give whatever we get to (at Mike’s Light Ride) to them,” he says.

According to Bridget Alexander, executive director of Waking the Village, Tubman House is a transitional community where young parents between the ages of 18 to 21 that are currently homeless live with their children for 18 months as they work towards independence.

“We’re ensuring this is going to be their last experience with homelessness (by) tackling anything that might prove a barrier to that ability,” Alexander says, such as helping them finish high school and start college or career training, as well as receive counseling or parenting help them might need.

“They are working towards having a support network that’s going to sustain them, but also putting in place things and identifying the environment that’s going to allow them to maintain momentum after they (leave),” she adds.

As of October, Alexander says they lost about 60 percent of their funding after a federal government program was ended, leaving them “scrambling to raise money in challenging times.” “We’re going to lose 18 beds if we can’t close the gap, and of our six people staff we’ve laid off two staff positions,” she adds. “We’re really hoping to get back to full staff again as our programs operate much better with all the people we need on board.”

Madsen said because they intend on collecting more gifts than the Tubman House could use this Christmas, two other nonprofits have been selected to benefit from Mike’s Light Ride: Wellspring Women’s Center and the Praise of Worship Church of God, which is near Coffee Garden and has a list of 14 children in need of gifts.

To help out Tubman House, Madsen is asking attendees for donations of money, toys and food.

Alexander says diapers are a huge need for Tubman House, as they go through about 1,000 a month. And food is always needed as they have about 20 people living in their program at one time.

Overall, Alexander is “delighted” Madsen selected Tubman House to be the beneficiary of Mike’s Light Ride, especially at a time when they could use the community’s help to make their families’ holidays a bit brighter.

“Any event like this is a key reminder that we’re all responsible for one another, be it our neighbors, be it the poorest among us,” Alexander says. “And that at this time most of all it’s so important that we’re reminding ourselves of that and doing the work of making sure that we are an authentic community where all of us are honored and have our needs met, especially for children.”

And Madsen hopes Mike’s Light Ride will be a great way to bring family and friends together for a fun evening to do something good for Tubman House. “That I can turn around and help them is awesome, and having the community help them also is awesome,” he adds.

Mike’s Light Ride will take place Saturday, December 22, at The Coffee Garden, 2904 Franklin Blvd., in Sacramento. Party starts at 2pm, bike ride starts at 6pm. For more information, call 916-457-5507 or visit thecoffeegarden.com.

For more information on Waking the Village and Tubman House, visit wakingthevillage.org.

corrie@valcomnews.com

Curtis Park resident Michael Neumann is a deep gentleman of many talents.
Neumann is the artistic director and conductor for both the Sacramento Youth Symphony and the Folsom Symphony.
For the past nine years, the latter symphony has grown in quality to the delight of audiences throughout the region. Musicians from the symphony hail from every neighborhood in Sacramento: Pocket-Greenhaven, Land Park, Arden, East Sacramento and elsewhere.
Neumann puts a great deal of time into considering each work the symphony will perform. A fine artist himself, he carefully develops concerts of depth and complexity that delight both the newcomer and the jaded audiophile.
This December’s winter concerts are a perfect case in point. The Folsom Symphony will host two holiday concerts that will gladden hearts on Dec. 15 and Dec. 16. The repertoire for “Of Fate & Joy” ranges from contemplative to festive to joyous.
According to Webster’s Common School Dictionary of 1892, “fate” is considered to be “a decree; (an) inevitable necessity…supposed by the ancients to determine the course of human life.”
Few would argue that, in its strictest definition, all mortal life is “fated” to have a beginning and an end. Not a jot can be changed about it. Somber, indeed.
Between those fixed points in time are all the things that go into life: good and evil, happiness and sadness.
And that, according to the sages, is where mere mortals have true power and freedom. Because happiness is a choice humans can make along the way.
Composers and poets throughout the ages struggled with these weighty matters. Many chose “Joy” as a personal statement of faith, and as a testimony to freely choosing the good in life. Such choices, they felt, bring out the best in the human spirit. They are heroic.
Appropriately enough, the concerts kick off with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Fidelio Overture.” First performed in 1805 Vienna, this opera was risky, given Beethoven’s political outlook. After all, the Napoleonic Wars were scarcely two years old. “Fidelio” musically tells a tale of personal sacrifice, heroism and eventual triumph…with an underlying struggle for liberty and justice. Ludwig could have lost his head – literally.
Next on the program is George Frederic Handel’s “Music for the Royal Fireworks.” A secular piece of music, it was commissioned by England’s King George II to celebrate a great hope for peace: the 1749 signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chappelle. The music is Handel at his most spectacular.
The treaty? It didn’t quite pan out the way the crowned heads of Europe had hoped. Little was accomplished in the end. Fate stepped in.
The evening continues with powerful works by Rimsky-Korsakov (“Capriccio Espagnol”), Brahms (“Schicksalslied,” accompanied by the Folsom High School Chamber Singers), Johann Strauss Sr. (“Radetzky March”) and his son (“Tritsch Tratsch Polka”). Popular composer Leroy Anderson’s work “Christmas Festival” will put audiences in the holiday mood.
Handel makes another appearance with his magnificent work from “Messiah” – the “Hallelujah” chorus.
Happiness, it is said, is not a destination. It is something one encounters along the way. One can choose to be joyful, or to be otherwise. In celebration of this fact, each member of the audience is invited to sing along to traditional carols near the conclusion of each concert.
Webster’s little dictionary from 1892 defines “joy” as “gladness, delight, exultation…bliss.” Intangible delights that the Folsom Symphony and Neumann specialize in every December.
“Of Fate & Joy” will be performed two days only, on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. Performances are held at Folsom Lake College’s Three Stages Theater. Get your tickets soon…these concerts sell out every year. Call (916) 916-608-6888 or visit  www.threestages.net. Also visit  www.folsomsymphony.com.

Free-range turkeys from Branigan Farm in Woodland / Courtesy of Taylor’s Market

Taylor’s Market knows how to talk turkey to their Land Park, Curtis Park and Sacramento customers. This local butcher and grocer has been selling Thanksgiving turkeys for 50 years, and recently made Sunset magazine’s list of “Top 50 local food stores” in the magazine’s October issue. Owner and head butcher Danny Johnson says Taylor’s Market began putting the spotlight on local turkeys almost 20 years ago.

Johnson explains, “We’ve been selling locally grown, free-range turkeys from Branigan Farms in Woodland for close to 20 years. We are the largest retail outlet for Branigan, and we sell their turkeys year-round. We always have Branigan turkey breast in our meat case, and it’s the turkey we use in our sandwiches as well.” Taylor’s Market also sells Mary’s Heritage Turkeys, free-range Narragansett and Bourbon Red turkeys in limited quantities. Taylor’s meat counter offers smoked Branigan turkeys as well as a stuffed turkey breast with prosciutto, roasted tomatoes and basil.

Taylor’s Market will sell 500-600 turkeys this Thanksgiving, which given the size of the market is amazing. According to Johnson, “We don’t have room for them all, and everyone wants to pick up their turkey a day or two before Thanksgiving. We lease a 30-foot refrigerated trailer from a local company just to store turkeys.” He says every turkey has a number and a name on it, with extra turkeys for walk-up customers who didn’t order in advance. “At Branigan Farms, they feed their turkeys longer than the industry standard, so there is a little layer of fat between the skin and flesh that makes them self-basting. You just let the turkey cook in its own natural juices.”

In this photo from 1977, Taylor's Market founder, Ed Schell, and meat counter staff get turkeys ready for pick up. / Courtesy of Taylor’s Market

Branigan Turkey Farm was established in 1942, and their family owned operation raises 18,000 to 20,000 turkey each year. Most turkeys are processed at 16 weeks, and while they are considered mature at that age, Branigan believes the only way to raise a quality bird is to raise their turkeys to 25 to 27 weeks. Besides being raised for quality flavor and value (more meat per bone), Branigan Turkeys are also processed for the same. Every bird has all fine pin feathers removed and the giblets and neck are properly packaged and stored in the turkey cavity. Branigan Turkeys are chilled with ice before final packaging.

Johnson says the brining trend is still in full swing this year. “Brining replaced the deep-fried turkey trend of several years ago. Brining helps make the turkey more moist and adds a certain amount of flavor. We sell brining kits with everything you need, including a food-grade bucket.” He recommends roasting your turkey breast down. “That allows the fat in the turkey back to baste the breast. Unless you’re planning to stage Norman Rockwell’s painting, Freedom from Want, you are probably not going to carve the turkey at the table. Even then, you can turn the turkey over for the last 45 minutes of roasting, or just brown the breast with a torch. When you bring it out of the oven, you’ll want to tent the turkey for 30 minutes to an hour to retain the juices.”

As for carving, Johnson says, “The only part of the turkey you’re going to carve is the breast. Most chefs and home cooks will pick it apart with their fingers.”

Johnson adds, “Everyone has turkey for Thanksgiving because of the pilgrims. Thanksgiving celebrates our American heritage. And that means turkey with all the trimmings.” Taylor’s Market offers Thanksgiving sides a la carte (order early, quantities are limited), including: mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, candied yams, traditional stuffing, cornbread stuffing, creamed spinach, cranberry relish and green beans. Customers can also order pies (Apple, Pumpkin, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan, Sweet Potato Meringue and Pear-Cranberry Crumble) as well as assorted cookie platters, s’mores cupcake platters, holiday brunch breads and savory quiches from Taylor’s Pastry Kitchen.

The 22nd Annual Curtis Park Wine Tasting, Silent Auction & Beer Garden was held Saturday, Oct. 6 from 4-7 p.m., at Sierra 2 Center. As one of SCNA’s largest fundraisers, the event brought local wineries, breweries and restaurants to Sierra 2 Center for tastings. Attendees enjoyed delicious food and beverages along with the exciting silent auction and raffle drawings. Items for bid included original art, spa packages, beach rentals, dance lessons and much more.

Earlier this year, Land Park resident Whitney Roberts decided to put up a Facebook page devoted to Sacramento Whole Foods fans who would like to see a store in the planned project area of Curtis Park Village.
“We are a neighborhood of people who value healthy eating options, and we’re willing to pay for them,” Roberts said. “We are using social media because people are too busy to go into the stores and fill out comment cards. It’s much easier to click a button and know that you’re heard.”
The proposed project is at the abandoned Western Pacific rail yards off of Sutterville Road, behind Sacramento City College via a traffic roundabout at Donner Way and 24th Street.
The property is owned by Paul Petrovich of Petrovich Development Company, Sacramento’s largest retail developer.
While Whole Foods has made no formal announcement that it plans on moving into the area, Roberts says the high-end, natural foods retailer at Curtis Park Village would be an ideal fit.
“It’s centrally located, easily accessible from two freeways, near a college campus, nestled in an affluent neighborhood and nowhere near another one of their locations,” she said.
In the last few months, the “Bring Whole Foods to Land Park” Facebook page has collected nearly 300 “likes” from people stating that they “strongly want a Whole Foods Market.”
Even some city leaders are using their own social media profiles to support the cause.
“It’s a great area,” said Joseph Devlin, spokesman for District 5 Councilman Jay Schenirer. “Who wouldn’t want to move in to Curtis Park Village? Whole Foods would be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.”
District 4 Councilman Rob Fong was one of the first city leaders to post his support on Facebook. He was also one of the “yes” votes for Curtis Park Village, a mixed-use urban infill project with retail spaces and housing.
“Councilman Fong believes the vision put forward by Petrovich Development will add many amenities and residential options to Curtis Park and other surrounding neighborhoods,” said Lisa Nava, spokeswoman for Fong. “Whole Foods would be a wonderful addition.”
The question that remains is whether Whole Foods is right for an area that is already served by two similar markets offering high-end, organic products — Taylor’s Market, which is celebrating 50 years of doing business in Land Park, and newcomer Sunflower Farmers Market in South Land Park.
“Whole Foods, as far as I’m concerned, is a high-end grocery store,” said Curtis Park resident Robert Palmatier. “If you bring a Whole Foods Market here to Curtis Park, it’s like placing a Super Wal-Mart smack in the middle of a small hometown with mom-and-pop stores. It’ll take everything away.”
Courtney Clendenin disagrees. She and her sister Jaime Silva own The Sandwich Spot on 18th Street in Land Park, just a couple of blocks from the proposed area.
“We’ve just celebrated our third year at this location and we welcome the new business and new customers that Whole Foods would bring,” Clendenin said.
Terri Shettle, Executive Director of the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association, declined to comment only to say, “We have not taken a position on the issue regarding bringing a Whole Foods Market to the area.”
Whole Foods Market announces new store openings with its quarterly financial earnings and, for now, has not announced plans for Curtis Park. The next Sacramento-area Whole Foods is set to open in October in Davis.
“Whole Foods Market appreciates the interest and excitement that our current and potential customers have around a store in the Curtis/Land Park area,” said Jennifer Marples, Whole Foods Market spokeswoman.
Whole Foods Market currently has locations at 4315 Arden Way in Sacramento, 1001 Galleria Blvd. in Roseville and 270 Palladio Drive in Folsom.
Trace L. Johnson, Vice President of Leasing for Patrivoch Development Company, did not return phone calls seeking comment about the latest developments on Curtis Park Village as of press time.

elizabeth@valcomnews.com