S 2015 12 24

Sacramento’S newS & entertainment weekly

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Volume 27, iSSue 36

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thurSday, december 24, 2015

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newSreView.com

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SN&R | 12.24.15

COMING SOON 12/26 Big Eyed Fish 1/07 4th Annual Non Drummer Drum Off 1/08 Elvis and the Experience 1/15 Irishpalooza 1/15 Jelly Bread 1/16 Stu Hamm Band 1/17 JD McPherson 1/22-23 Tainted Love 1/24 Chicano Batman 1/28 Led Kaapana 1/29 Night of Flamenco 1/29 Abney Park / Diego’s Umbrella 1/30 Mania: Beatles Experience 1/30 Peace Killers 2/03 The Motet 2/05 Joy & Madness 2/06 Steelin’ Dan 2/06 Some Fear None 2/12 Glen Phillips 2/13 Foreverland 2/19 ALO 2/23 The Infamous Stringdusters 2/26 David Lindley 3/05 Dengue Fever 3/08 Anderson East 3/19 The Brothers Comatose

EditoR’S NotE

dEcEmbER 24, 2015 | Vol. 27, iSSuE 36

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08 23 30

05 06 08 11 12 18 21 23 27 28 30 37 41 55

STREETALK LETTERS NEwS + beats ScoREKEEpER FEATuRE SToRy ARTS&cuLTuRE NighT&dAy diSh + off menu STAgE FiLm muSic + sound advice ASK JoEy ThE 420 15 miNuTES

coVER dESigN By hAyLEy doShAy coVER iLLuSTRATioN By JASoN cRoSBy

Our Mission To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages employees to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live.

Co-editors Rachel Leibrock, Nick Miller Staff Writers Janelle Bitker, Raheem F. Hosseini Assistant Editor Anthony Siino Editorial Coordinator Becca Costello Editor-at-large Melinda Welsh Contributors Daniel Barnes, Ngaio Bealum, Alastair Bland, Rob Brezsny, Jim Carnes, Deena Drewis, Joey Garcia, Cosmo Garvin, Blake Gillespie, Lovelle Harris, Jeff Hudson, Jim Lane, Garrett McCord, Kel Munger, Kate Paloy, Patti Roberts, Ann Martin Rolke, Shoka

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Another year, another 52 weeks of riding light rail in the books.

I take it nearly every day, and in 2015 my estimate is that I paid around $17 a week in fares, or $884 a year.

Light rail isn’t like BART, so officers come around to check if you’ve paid.

How many times did an officer check for my fare this year?

Three.

It’s true. And I did some math: It’d actually be cheaper to never buy a ticket and risk getting caught.

I’d have to pay fines for evading six times to equal what I forked over this year in fares.

That’s no good. And it might explain why I hardly ever see riders buying fares. (Yes, I know some have monthly passes, but not a majority.) RT says fare evasion is not a problem. In fact, its internal reports say only 1 percent of riders skip paying for a ticket.

That number is ridiculous. Even the police lieutenant who oversees the light-rail beat told SN&R this year that the fare-evasion number is likely somewhere between 4 percent and 11 percent.

I bet it’s higher: If riders realize that they’re only going to get checked for tickets three times in an entire year, what’s the point in ever buying one?

A majority of the security officers on light rail, 71 percent, are privately contracted guards. The guards aren’t empowered to enforce fare evasion or check for tickets, because the union that represents the RT officers won’t allow it.

That’s absurd. What’s the point in having dozens of them on the trains if they can’t keep order? It’s time to empower them to enforce the rules.

Or we can keep pretending that everything on light rail is just fine.

Nothing to see here. Next stop, denial.

—nick miller nic k a m@ ne wsr e v ie w.c o m

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“The porTraiT of my besT friend ThaT i made.”

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Paul Heffron

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I got my brother a T-shirt featuring Kaoru Betto.

That is probably the best Christmas gift I have given.

I did that two years ago. …

Betto is the homer king of all time, but no one has heard of him. … This popularity was back in the ’50s. He is the Babe Ruth of Japan.

My 2-year-old adopted son, born in October. I gave him to me and my now-husband to raise. My niece couldn’t care for him. He is now our child. This child helped my husband rebuild his relationship with his own kids, and I feel this situation has allowed for my husband to get a second chance on fatherhood.

The best is the portrait of my best friend that I made.

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When I was 18, I spent the money from one of my first jobs that I ever had. I got [my siblings] exactly what they wanted for Christmas.

Back then, it was my brother was into Star Wars and stuff like that. I worked at a place called the Marina Inn and I spent it all on my brothers and sisters.

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A scrapbook of travels was what I gave to my father.

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One year my family and I decided to not buy huge gifts for each other. Instead we bough gifts for the [Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento]. We got to deliver the presents and it meant a lot more than a regular Christmas. We picked some cool gifts. … We, as a family, did it together.

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Thank you, Melinda Re “The time I have leftâ€? by Melinda Welsh (SN&R Essay, December 17): Bless you, Melinda! Thank you for all your good work. My family and I have admired you for many years. We appreciate you telling us what’s now happening in your life and how you feel as you find your way ahead of us. Your honesty and clear words are inspiring, my dear. ÂĄMuchĂ­simas gracias!

Karen Van epen W o o d l a nd

Rent-increase tales Re “Rent gone wild� by Nick Miller (SN&R News, December 17): I live in the Greenhaven/ Pocket Area, and while my rent didn’t skyrocket as much as Kristina’s, it did jump $60 for my new lease beginning December 1 of this year. That may not sound like a lot, but it makes the difference in

how much I have to spend on groceries each month. Whereas before I didn’t have to work overtime to make sure the basics were taken care of, now I’m actively looking for a part-time job. ‌ I’m already researching places to move to when my lease is up next year, and hopefully I’ll be able to stay in the same neighborhood.

Dia Toney Sacramento

More mistreatment at jails Re “Club solitary� by Raheem F. Hosseini (SN&R News, December 17): After my husband was booked on charges in June, he spent his first four days with no shower or change of jumpsuit, in holding, covered in blood. He is also HIV positive and was not engaged in treatment at the time; the officers were made aware of his condition at intake. They refused care for his HIV despite repeat requests.

Jennifer Ondechek Sacramento

Infill haters Re SN&R Scorekeeper, December 17: Apparently, SN&R loves the “idea� of infill development. It’s

just the reality of it that SN&R consistently opposes.

In the same issue where rapidly rising rents are (in a nice fact-based article) decried, Scorekeeper gives a -16 on an infill project that would add who-knows-how-many new units to an undersupplied market.

(News flash: Rents don’t go up because there are too many units available!)

Also, developer Paul Petrovich is subtly criticized for bringing “two fabulous� (but budget-oriented) chains to the Curtis/Crocker Village development. The NIMBYism here is both obvious and shocking— �We don’t want ‘those’ kind of stores near us!�

Mark Rakich Sacramento

Thanks!

I was shocked to read the news of Melinda Welsh’s terminal cancer. She became a friend and an editorial adviser to this freelancer when SN&R first came to Sacramento. The world will be less without her.

William J. Hughes Sacramento

Correction

@SacNewsReview

In last week’s Feature Story (“Rent gone wild� by Nick Miller), our writer incorrectly reported details for a local tenant’s rent increase. The tenant in the story experienced a $185-a-month rent increase, not $325. The cumulative increase of additional rent and parking fees is 11 percent lower than the number reported, 21 percent instead of 32 percent. Our writer regrets this mistake.

Facebook.com/ SacNewsReview

@SacNewsReview

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Sacramento News 12-24-15.indd 1

12.24.15

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SN&R | 7 11/23/15 2:27 PM

Richard Dean credits his pit bull mix, Shunka, with saving his life.

More than just best friends Homeless Sacramentans experience unexpected benefits, and persistent challenges, from pet ownership

by Dave Kempa

Richard Dean remembers when Shunka saved his life. It was a couple of years ago. He was breaking down. After a failed trip to the welfare offices, Dean suffered a panic attack on a bus ride to Loaves & Fishes.

“All the way back I was saying, ‘What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with me?’” Dean said. He’d recently stopped using drugs, but he was suffering mentally.

8 | SN&R | 12.24.15

The moment he returned to his dog, Shunka, he hugged her. Immediately, he felt better.

“That was when I realized, ‘You know what? I’m going to go over to Guest House [Homeless Clinic] and I’m going to get treatment,’” he explained.

“I realized that I’m not the only one in the picture, now.

“I had something that I had to take care of.”

photos by gavin mcintyre

Sacramento residents are no strangers to the homeless community and their pets. But few have asked why homeless people take on companions given the challenges of owning a pet while living on the streets. In a society where some view homeless pet ownership as a disservice to the animal, such questions are worth addressing.

Five to 10 percent of the country’s estimated 3.5 million homeless have

dogs or cats, according to Pets of the Homeless, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing food and veterinary care to pets of homeless individuals.

And while there are no concrete statistics for the Sacramento area, a January 2015 survey found 2,659 people living homeless in the region on one particular night.

By Pets of the Homeless’ numbers, some 133 to 265 of those counted were living homeless with pets.

James Shea and his orange-andwhite cat, Milo, stand among this group.

They’ve found themselves in need of services this winter after a recent injury left Shea, 32, unable to work. In times like these, Shea has considered finding other living situations for Milo, who turns 13 this Christmas. But their bond is too strong.

“Everyone should have the opportunity participate in love in their life, to whatever capacity,” said Shea. “And animals are an outlet to do that.”

That’s why he bought a small car to keep Milo sheltered, and utilizes local services to keep him in good health.

ViVEk

See ESSaY

dRakE

10

ScREw Biff TannEn See ScOREkEEPER

11

RESET ThE PaRadigm

James Shea is homeless, but actually bought a car to keep his cat, Milo, safe and warm.

Milo stays safe, warm and fed during the day at Anneke’s Haven, a 20-kennel facility offered to pets of guests at Loaves & Fishes. They stay there while their human companions eat, find jobs or obtain services. The building is named after Anneke Vos, a longtime advocate of the health and safety of Sacramento’s homeless pets. This place was Vos’ vision come true, opening just weeks after her death in February 2011.

Kennel supervisor Margaret Gonzales sees the deep connections homeless guests share with their pets. “It helps them,” she said. “It’s therapy.”

It’s often much more.

Gus Gus and Zeus are Sarah Soto’s certified service animals. Three-year-old Gus Gus is a PTSD dog for attack and rape victims. And Zeus alerts others These animals and humans share when Soto has an epileptic seizure. unique bonds because of their circumThey also serve a different, though stance. Three years ago, Dean found no less important, role: In the evenings, Shunka in a box left under the bridge on while Soto’s husband, Oso, is out working with the local nonprofit Safe Ground, 12th Street. The Soto’s dogs were homeless as well. Many in the community tell she is alone in the streets. Gus Gus and stories of feeding and caring for stray Zeus make sure she is safe. cats that find their way to campsites on “There’s been a couple people the American River. In fact, the majority that have tried to follow me at night,” of pets owned by the homeless commuSoto said. “But I’ve got these two big nity were themselves homeless at dogs who will do anything to some point. protect me.”

“There’s a real This is true for “There’s reciprocity of care virtually all homeless that I think is really been a couple residents with dogs, neat,” said Loaves including Dean, people that have tried to & Fishes execufor whom Shunka follow me at night. But I’ve tive director Joan often serves Burke. “It’s an got these two big dogs who will as a kind of empowering proximity alarm do anything to protect me.” feeling to say, at night. “If ‘Hey, I can do Sarah Soto she’s growling, this. I can help local homeless woman, on one of the it’s OK. But if someone.’” many benefits of pet companionship she starts barking Anneke’s Haven while living on I know they’re too fuels this sense of the streets close and I know they responsibility. Guests mean harm.” must keep their animals’ Such protection, paired food and water bowls full, walk with the deep, therapeutic bonds them twice daily and clean up after those in homeless situations develop with their animal companions, carries the their companions when someone has an accident in the kennel. relationship between human and animal In order to utilize services at to another level.

Anneke’s Haven, visitors must also make “There are two words that I do not sure their dogs and cats are spayed or use as I associate with a dog, and those neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations. are ‘owner’ and ‘master,’” Dean said This requires using the UC Davis School of Shunka. “I am her human. I am her of Veterinary Medicine’s free monthly human companion.” services at their Loaves & Fishes loca“We’re friends,” said Shea of Milo. tion, the Mercer Clinic.

“The agreement was that I don’t own him.”

It’s worth it. Dean credits Shunka for The Sotos consider Gus Gus and Zeus beating his drug addiction. Shea went family, referring to them as “the kids” in casual conversation.

beatS

ahead and bought a car to care for Milo (and also himself).

But the act of simply having a pet also creates huge barriers for homeless Sacramentans.

Besides Wind Youth Services (which only serves unaccompanied homeless youth), no local emergency housing shelter provides nighttime kennels for homeless guests, leaving most pet owners out in the elements with their companions. In terms of long-term housing, landlords at low-incomehousing facilities rarely accept formerly homeless residents with pets unless they are registered as service animals.

“It’s a barrier to people getting in, which is a barrier to getting employment help or mental health services,” Burke explained.

Thankfully, it’s relatively easy to incorporate kennels into homeless shelters, which is why Emily Halcon, the city of Sacramento’s Homeless Services Coordinator, started a task force to see what the region can do about serving the pets of the homeless community.

Advocates say the city needs to move fast, because people like Dean aren’t leaving their dogs behind any time soon.

Dean originally became homeless five years ago after his mother, for whom he was caretaker, passed away. When he looks at Shunka, he is reminded of her.

“There are times when I know my guardian angel is in her,” he said, eyes welling up. “There’s just things that she’ll do where she will remind me that my mom is still here, helping someone keep an eye on me.” Ω

As the bailiff delivered a bright yellow envelope to the defense table, Judge Jennifer Rockwell told the young woman something she repeats to every new graduate. Inside was a gift card, good for nothing more extravagant than a cup of coffee. It’s a modest prize. But then again, RESET is a court with modest expectations.

“I get that this is not an easy thing to do,” Rockwell said from the Department 23 bench in Sacramento Superior Court last week. “It’s not like flipping a light switch and then life is better.”

An acronym for Reducing Sexually Exploited & Trafficked, RESET is a diversion court that allows adult sex workers to exchange misdemeanor criminal charges for programs that, if completed, dismiss the charges. Six months into its pilot season, it’s still too soon to say whether the court is working. But the tenor at the last two hearings suggested court officers know that the RESET may have to be hit more than once.

“This is a difficult population to work with, as far as recidivism goes,” said Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Paul Durenberger. “There’s going to be slips and falls.”

While defendants qualify for the court because of misdemeanor charges, they often possess a cornucopia of issues, like past trauma, housing instability, physical ailments, mental health conditions and, most often, drug dependency, or what Rockwell terms “self-medication.” As a misdemeanor court, Rockwell pointed out, “Both our carrots and our sticks are not so big.”

When it was unveiled during a press conference in June, RESET was framed as an acknowledgment that prosecuting sex workers only indentured them to the profession. Still, critics feared the program created an incentive to keep it supplied with participants, which its defenders strongly dispute.

Prostitution arrests in the county did experience a steep increase last year, according to data from the California Attorney General’s Office. The 396 prostitution arrests that were made in 2014 are the most in five years and represent a 45-percent increase over 2013. But those arrests occurred before the court’s launch.

(2015 figures aren’t yet available.)

Like other diversion courts, RESET requires participants to plead guilty before they can participate, which irks advocates at the Urban Justice Center and Sex Workers Outreach Project.

But court officers say the guilty plea makes it clear what’s at stake. “It’s good to have that clarity,” said Joseph Cress of the Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office.

Thus far, Rockwell has extended participants a decent amount of rope. Last month, she issued only three bench warrants, even though 16 of the 31 participants were no-shows. Last Friday, 10 of the 38 participants didn’t attend, resulting in two bench warrants, each worth $10,500. Rockwell says she’s still figuring out how often participants should appear before her. Some might find the monthly check-ins detrimental to their progress. “I don’t want somebody to lose their job so I can tell them they’re doing a good job,” she said.

RESET is free and doesn’t require participants to say they were trafficked, which can be a sticking point for sex workers who don’t want victimhood thrust upon them. Though the court program is open to all genders and races, all of its participants have been women and most—68 percent last week—are black, which SWOP Sacramento director Kristen DiAngelo says could indicate a racial bias in arrests.

About 20 women have seen their charges dismissed thus far, with another six scheduled to graduate next month. A woman who recidivated was allowed back into the program, Rockwell said.

As last week’s lone graduate, a petite woman named Melissa accepted her yellow envelope with a promise. “You guys won’t see me in this court no more. No more street walking, no more Internet, I gave it up. I’m retired,” she said. Then, lifting her black ball cap as she walked the center aisle toward the exit, she bid adieu to her peers.

“Merry Christmas to all! And a ho-ho-ho!” (Raheem F. Hosseini)

12.24.15

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SN&R

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9

BOTH ALLE Y K AT Z LOCATIONS JA N. 2

Hotline Kings What’s up with the Drake-Vivek bromance?

by Nick Miller

7942 ARCADIA DRIVE CITRUS HEIGHTS 916.722.2682

Glasses of champagne out on the dance floor?

Sacramento first noticed the power couple last month, when the Canadian rapper sat courtside with the bachelor Kings owner during a home game against the San Antonio Spurs. What a curious match: Drake, 29, into dancing inside neon boxes and giving his hometown Toronto stupid nicknames.

Vivek, 58, into mispronouncing the nicknames of the rappers his daughter dates and creating software so Wall Street can screw over Main Street. Little in common, save for money and power.

Would it be enough?

Indeed, the bromance persevered.

Drake and Vivek recently were spotted in Las Vegas. Drake attended Vivek’s holiday party. And last week, Vivek played guide to Drake on a private, intimate tour of the new downtown arena. Drake posted a photo of them, arm-in-arm, on Instagram, with a caption referring to Vivek as “the boss don.” Cute.

That evening, the two rubbed elbows and laughed courtside—again—as the Kings spanked the Houston Rockets.

Win streak!

What is going on here? Is this some Pretty Woman arrangement? Vivek as Richard Gere, dropping commas on Drake? Does Mr. Ranadivé woo his 10 | SN&R | 12.24.15

Six God with lobster and Céline? Or do they just bro down with chickenfinger fries?

To that end: Is this affair even for real?

Does Drake actually find Vivek’s trademark “hang loose” pose charming?

Will Drake enjoy rolling in the 916 (with the Kings’ woes) for more than just a couple of dates?

All we know is: Them boys up to something.

We also know that, when Vivek and Drake are arm-in-arm, the Boss Don’s better judgment goes AWOL. Such is love.

For instance: After the Kings brutal home loss to San Antonio last month—and just after DeMarcus Cousins cussed out coach George Karl—Vivek thought it wise to sneak his Drizzy into the locker for an introduction to the players. Awkward!

All right, enough: What is Drivek really about?

Forbes may know: Last week, they reported that Vivek will oversee a new technology fund at the University of California. He’ll be doling out grants to eye-catching start-ups and synergizing the tech and entertainment industries, which means connecting geeks with stars like Drake.

Specifically, he’s going to get Drake to post on Snapchat about our future tech overlords.

“If you’re a startup with a very small marketing budget and a guy like Drake can like your product and tweet it, that’s worth millions and millions,” Vivek told Forbes.

Bingo: Vivek is pimping out Drake’s Instagram to Silicon Valley.

Ah, friendship.

Before Drivek even reads this, their relationship might be over. But just one request: Vivek, please book Drake as the debut act at the new arena. Put a ring on it. Ω PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN BRENEMAN

2 0 19 O S T REE T MIDT OW N 9 16.4 4 2.2 6 8 2

nic k a m@ ne wsr e v ie w.c o m

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

Doing gooD The SAlAM islamic Center, a local mosque on College Oak Drive, opened its doors to more than 100 homeless this past Saturday. The mosque provided two hot meals, shelter, blankets and clothing for those who came.

Spoiler Alert: lAMe! Star Wars: episode Vii—the force Awakens made more money at the movies last week than any other flick in the history of cinema. This means that most of you need to get a friggin’ life!

+ 100

- VII

HOVERBOARD HELL Two Elk Grove brothers were violently robbed of their hoverboards by a reallife Biff Tannen, allegedly Jourdan Ware, who remained at large until surrendering last week. The theft occurred on December 3. Does this mean we live in the disastrous Biff-run version of the future, rather than the utopian one? Maybe.

fundraising saga, to pay for a new location on Capitol Avenue, is officially over thanks to the city council agreeing to supply the remaining $500,000 needed.

Originally, the city set aside $2.5 million for the theater’s construction, but at last week’s meeting the council voted unanimously to raise it to $3 million.

Score one for the arts.

+ 500,000

DON’T MISS OUT!

Club Fantasy Admission: $20 for $8 Crest Theatre Admission & Concessions: $10 for $5 & $13 for $6.50 Laughs Unlimited: $20 for $10 Powerhouse Pub Admission: $15 for $3.75 Todd Morgan & The Emblems @ Harlow’s (01/02): $10 for $6 Jelly Bread: Here There & Everywhere Release Party @ Harlow’s (01/15): $10 for $6 Tainted Love @ Harlow’s (01/22 & 01/23): $15 fro $9

illuStration by Serene luSano

B Street theatre’s decade-long

UPCOMING EVENTS Art Mix @ Crocker Art Museum: $10 for $2.50

- 1,985 B legit

DISCOUNT TICKETS TO THE BEST SHOWS IN TOWN.

DUi for MSA SN&R broke the news last week that Good Day Sacramento host Mark S. Allen was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Roseville. This was MSA’s second DUI arrest. Bad news for Good Day.

- .08

Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame Celebration @ Thunder Valley Casino (01/30): $90 for $45 Foreverland: A Michael Jackson Tribute @ Harlow’s (02/13): $15 for $9 Valentine’s Soul Jam @ Thunder Valley Casino Resort (02/13): $80.76 for $40.38

NO Check out our website to get great deals on concerts at SERVICE Ace of Spades, Goldfield Trading Post and Harlow’s.

FEES!

W W W. N E W S R E V I E W.C O M 12.24.15

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by Janelle bitker, brian breneman, cosmo garvin, racHel leibrock, nick miller, antHony siino

GRINCHES OF THE YEAR !

Hipster-baiting Homebuilders, sHameless labor groups and otHer winners of sn&r’s annual awards for small-Hearted sacramentans

We normally Wouldn’t touch any of this year’s Grinches With a 39-and-a-half foot pole.

But, unfortunately, we’ve got to share the same sidewalks and streets with the 23 who made this year’s SN&R Grinch list. We’re not going to play nice. But we hope that, sometime soon, we can work things out.

Because there’s only so much room in Sacramento for holes instead of hearts, for souls full of garlic.

Here’s to showing some love in 2016, you bad bananas.

illustrations by Jason crosby

12 | SN&R | 12.24.15

A

y u p p i e

playground For as long as this newspaper has existed,

it has been a cheerleader for repopulating the urban core, for bringing new housing and many more people to the central city.

Yeah, never mind that. We’ve seen the vision of Sacramento 3.0, and it’s probably better if we just pave the grid and put up a parking lot.

Maybe you’ve seen it, too, like in the full-page newspaper ads for the Creamery at Alkali Flat housing development. The ads feature a young attractive white couple, straight out of hipster central casting. His beard, undercut (reverse mullet) and vest, his and her giant sunglasses, all seem a bit too on the nose. But wait, here’s a little asterisk at the bottom of the page letting us know these are “Real Sacramentans.” He’s a geologist, she’s a photographer. You couldn’t ask for finer specimens of The Creative Class, really.

The Creamery at Alkali Flat is just nine blocks from the new Kings arena and a “12 minute stroll from Wells Fargo Pavilion,” whatever that is. (Oh, they mean Music Circus?) Units start in the “high 400s.” The tag line under the Mr. and Ms. Creative Class Beardo is “Own the City.” Very subtle, gentrifiers.

Nothing should ever be called “at” Alkali Flat.

You’re not “placemaking.” You’re not fooling anyone. Also, no one is ever going to call it The Handle or The Kay or DoCo or whatever dumbass brand your consultants came up with.

The marketing for The Mill at Broadway is improbably worse. The Mill’s “Live On” campaign is all about pretty 20-somethings dancing on beaches and getting tattoos and painting and yoga-ing and generally being hip and creative and childless while the earnest (or possibly coked-up) narrator babbles a hashtag manifesto underneath: “We do not wake up because we can. We wake up because we must.” What does that even mean?

Who writes this stuff, Kevin Johnson?

Sure, it’s just a couple of lame ads. But all this “Own the City” stuff signals something to the rest of us working schlubs: The central city is being repackaged as a yuppie playground. The noncreative classes need not apply. (C.G.) Homebuilders schilling the grid as a future yuppie playground—working schmucks be damned— get coal for days.

G

“grinches of the year!” continued on page 14

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“grinches of the year!” continued from page 13

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Sweet little Piglet, how’d it come to be that so many want a pig roast?

During the Sacramento minimum wage debate, politicians went on about difficult decisions and no-winners-here compromises. But screw that: Everyone involved in the city’s minimum-wage debate, from council members to the mayor, union leaders and restaurateurs, came to the table with hearts too cold. The mayor and fellow electeds were too motivated by passing anything. Chamber of Commerce and restaurant owners were too inflexible, despite the obvious wave of support for lifting workers out of poverty. And even labor leaders deserve some blame, for talking $15 to members, but arguing for a lower number behind closed doors. The entire charade undermined good government and sent a crappy message to workers: Take your 10-bucks-anhour bump in 2016 and be grateful you’re not getting coal. (N.M.)

The rapper, The Thief It was a sad, sad day when the Sacramento hip-hop community realized one of its own was a big-time thief.

And not like a thief who swiped watches from Macy’s—that would have been just fine. Task1ne, once considered Sacramento’s perhaps most promising emcee, stole raps.

Sometimes whole verses. On at least one occasion, an entire song.

Verbatim. Consistently.

Turns out, only a quarter of his catalog is original.

The worst part? He didn’t even apologize.

After getting outed on social media, Task1ne went dark, apparently hard at work on his bizarre, hyper-edited YouTube video titled “Response.” He explained how he was getting too much attention too fast, how he couldn’t keep up with demand. Then, the kicker: “What bothers me the most is my choices … has brought out the worst in all of you. I’m sorry for that.”

Gee, thanks. (J.B.)

MiniMuM wage, MaxiMuM grinch

Snark biTe

P o o h

fa c e

Cute lil’ pigleT from Winnie the Pooh is noW one of the most divisive and GrinCh-y

figures in Sacramento. Crazy, right? It all happened when the city purchased a Jeff Koons porcine sculpture, named after and inspired by the lovable kid-lit character, for an eyeballdrying $8 million. Instant controversy! Critics viewed the Koons, which will be installed out in front of the new Kings arena, as a needlessly flashy and inappropriate use of public-arts monies. They also criticized the otherwise unimpeachable Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission for a lack of transparency when it came to the Koons selection process. SN&R gets it: Arts benefactor, K.J. donor and mom to Kings developer Mark Friedman, Marcy Friedman, wanted a Koons—so, she got it. Kudos to her for kicking down some cash to public art—but, c’mon, nothing is fine about that million-dollar swine swindle. (N.M.)

14 | SN&R | 12.24.15

Grinches get a bad rap around here, but sometimes you need someone a little cynical to call a spade a spade and say “that’s dumb.”

That’s why @sac_snark is kinda like Batman: He’s not the contrarian we need, but the one we deserve.

If you’re engaged with Sacramento’s elite on Twitter, your feed is overflowing with pointless boosterism, sponsored content pretending to be content and hot takes that don’t even rise to the level of unnecessary.

And while it’s no revelation that marketing is disingenuous, or that politicians are bad at social media, having a voice of reason can be a ray of sunlight amid all the dreck. Sac Snark is 100 percent wrong about our website, though. (B.B.)

bAd er t S u b k c o bl

Forget CGI dinosaurs and superheroes. No summer blockbuster had the same staying power as the undercover videos produced by the Davisbred David Daleiden and

his anti-abortion group, the Center for Medical Progress.

Almost six months after the videos’ releases—which featured nothing more shocking than abortion providers discussing their work with the same professional frankness as an orthopedic surgeon—Republicans in Congress are still trying to strip women of reproductive rights, while hostility toward clinics has increased. The antichoice rhetoric that Daleiden reignited culminated last month, when a white terrorist mumbling “no more baby parts” shot up a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, killing three. This is Daleiden’s true legacy, and reveals his videos for the snuff films they really are. Some Christian. (RFH)

the entire chArAde Sent A crAppy meSSAGe to workerS: tAke your 10-buckS-An-hour bump in 2016 And be GrAteful you’re not GettinG coAl. A bunch of lAwyer bS Kevin Johnson’s attack dogs at Ballard Spahr say they’re not collecting any

fees for suing the city and SN&R. Rather, they are working pro bono— for the public good.

That’s rich. You know they’ll get paid somewhere down the line. For example, records obtained by SN&R show that Ballard Spahr were pitching their services to the city for work on the mayor’s downtown housing initiative, at the same time they were preparing to sue us.

Sacramento’s City Attorney James Sanchez shares in the blame for this lawsuit fiasco. His shop invited BS to take action to block SN&R from requesting public records related to the mayor’s use of city staff for his outside projects.

While Johnson gets unlimited “pro bono” legal help, and the city attorney can spend all the taxpayer money it needs on the suit, SN&R has to ask readers to donate to a defense fund. Gawker Media (parent of the Deadspin site that has done some aggressive reporting about Johnson’s misuse of city resources and other,

um, stuff) tried to intervene, which would have helped relieve some of the financial burden of defending against the suit. But the city attorney sided with Team K.J. and took action to block Gawker from joining, leaving SN&R financially isolated. Which, of course, is the whole point: to damage the paper.

Pro bono. (C.G.)

StreetcAr nAmed Grinch This past summer’s streetcar-tax vote never should have gone to the ballot.

It stood about as much chance of attaining a two-thirds majority as the mayor does getting favorable press from Deadspin. Nevertheless: Residents

and property owners who voted nay on the proposed streetcar line need to rethink

their affinity for an automobiledominated city. We need to build infrastructure now that will get people out of their cars in the future, in the next 20 to 50 years. And residents who likened streetcar to the Kings arena subsidy, as a present to developers, get extra coal in their stocking this year.

Grinch move, NIMBYs. (N.M.)

the

Grinch

don I feel bad

dissing Vivek as a Grinch again this year, because it truly feels as if he’s improving, I mean, instead of firing George Karl last month when the team started at 1-7, he fumed in private. Good for you, Vivek. Drake’s made you a changed man! But that doesn’t change all the drama of this year: Interim-coach-turned-noninterimturned-former-coach whateverhis-name-was, hiring a coach again before making Vlade Divac general manager and so on. This new arena and DoCo better be friggin’ awesome, Vivek, or it’s Grinches for life. For life! (N.M.)

G

Vivek “The Boss Don” Ranadive. That’s what Drake calls him. We say “Boss Grinch” is more apt.

“grinches of the year!” continued on page 16

12.24.15 | SN&R | 15

“grinches of the year!” continued from page 15

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Knives out This really should go without saying, but in light of this year’s events it bears repeating: Stop stabbing people. When you’re out walking around in Midtown and some guy says something shitty to you, don’t stab them. For fuck’s sake, you stabbers! Is it something in the water?

In June, three local musicians were stabbed in an incident at 21st and O streets that thrust Sacramento (and skinny jeans) into headlines all over the web. In October, actual hero Spencer Stone, who thwarted a terror attack in Belgium, was stabbed multiple times after a verbal altercation. In November, two homeless people were attacked near the Safeway on R and 19th streets.

Before we get too carried away with the fearmongering, though, it’s important to note the factors that aren’t as sensational—the possibility of PTSD as a factor in the June stabbing, the vulnerability of the homeless population to violence—will persist long after the headlines and news cameras go away. (B.B.)

Death becomes grr

moDerate grinches

People just wanted coffee, or a sandwich—but then union hardball tactics went next nuclear. This past winter, the Local 46 carpenters union began picketing popular restaurants and coffeehouses. A couple of stooges would show up outside Magpie on R Street, or one of Insight Coffee’s locations, holding a huge banner, which declared that the spots “hurt families.” The picketers also brought with them a 15-foot-tall grim reaper blow-up doll. Mmm hmm. Back then, the carpenters union explained to SN&R that they were targeting the eateries because, as future tenants in the now-open Powerhouse 16 mixed-use apartments, they were complicit in a construction project that did not use union workers. SN&R is all for fair wages, and SN&R honestly can’t remember the behind-thescenes wages drama on that project. But shameless picketing of local businesses that don’t even have a dog in the fight isn’t going to win union workers any points in this town.

That’s just heartless. (N.M.)

Can we come up with a new name for California’s ascendent caucus of “moderate democrats” in the state Legislature.

You know, the ones like Assemblyman Jim Cooper, the Elk Grove Democrat who torched efforts this year to reduce the state’s reliance on oil and gas and step up reductions of greenhouse gases.

Exactly what is “moderate” about taking millions of dollars from oil companies and then doing their bidding? Thanks to so-called moderate dems, oil companies torpedoed Senate Bill 32, which would have required the state to use 50 percent less petroleum by 2030. How is this the “moderate” position when, according to the Public Policy Institute of California, 73 percent of Californians supported the policy? That included 73 percent of black respondents and 80 percent of Latinos—the folks who tend to live in neighborhoods with the most pollution, and who Cooper claims to be looking out for.

Instead of “moderate” dems, maybe we should call them “radical corporate dems.” Or just Grinches. (C.G.)

16 | SN&R | 12.24.15

ami bera’s Disappointing support for a refugeescreening bill last month only aDDeD fuel to the argument that he’s a Democrat of convenience.

un-bera-ble Progressives had high hopes for Dem doctor Congressman Ami Bera when he finally unseated conservative robot Dan Lungren in 2012. But his disappointing support for a refugee-screening bill last month only added fuel to the argument that he’s a Democrat of convenience, easily shifted by the winds of political self-interest. And the government-research website InsideGov certainly didn’t help his case by pointing out the Seventh District rep has only sponsored six bills this year. With Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones shaping himself as the “build a wall” candidate for 2017, it might be time for Bera to reacquaint himself with his constituents and get to work. (RFH)

yalKers!

It wasn’t a good year for Good Day Sacramento and celebrities.

First came the local morning news show’s run-in with actress Cara Delevingne. Anchors Marianne McClary and Ken Rudulph had a rough time when they interviewed her via satellite about her film Paper Towns. Whether it was getting her name wrong (“Carla”), asking dumb, potentially sexist questions (“Did you read the book?”) or simply not understanding her dry sense of humor (at one point Mark S. Allen showed up to rebuke Delevingne for her lack of enthusiasm), the whole thing went down in flames, fast. To the point that Delevingne actually cut the interview short.

The clip went viral big time with media outlets such as Entertainment Weekly and Huffington Post weighing in to tsk tsk at the Sacramento anchors. Oof. Perhaps most embarrassing is that the Good Day folks, however, seemed unfazed by it all. That’s why by the time Patton Oswalt decided to live blog his experience watching Good Day from a hotel room somewhere near the 916 (“All the hosts of Good Day Sacramento are grand masters in the samurai art of ‘Yell Talking.’ #yalkers”) we could only read along, cringe and agree. (R.L.)

Just grinch Delete Here’s a good one: This paper first, and then a healthy chunk of the local media, put Mayor Kevin Johnson’s email practices in the spotlight. So what does the city do? They decide to permanently delete tens of millions of emails and records! What a solution, eh? Thankfully, concerned residents filed an injunction against city email deleters in court, and a judge delayed and ultimately told the city not to delete about 15 million

emails. But the rest of those records? Au revoir! Oh, yeah, why is this a bad thing? Well, consider SN&R’s investigation of the city’s water-meter install project: If our reporter didn’t have access to years’ worth of old emails, we never would have discovered needless expenses, and therefore never would have saved ratepayers $65 million! (N.M.)

Who’s the real pimp?

A 23-year-old escort comes to Sacramento to escape a pimp, turns to the FBI’s Office of Victim Services for help—but then realizes they just want to squeeze her for information and flees back back into the life. The U.S. Attorney’s Office came down hard on journalist and former Sacramento resident Matthew Keys for a website prank, but Keys insists it’s because he didn’t give up his sources. And immigrant rights’ attorneys say that U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement continues to try to circumvent a California law that protects undocumented immigrants from prolonged detention. Do these federal law enforcement agencies not have actual work to do protecting the homeland?

And another question: In each of these three scenarios, who’s the real pimp? (RFH)

still grinchy Sheriff Scott Jones was our Grinch of 2014, so we’ll go easy on him this year. Not that he deserves it: The sheriff spied on people illegally with invasive Stingray technology and lied about it, criticized Obama on Capitol Hill and still does his best to get around state and federal immigration reforms. That’s about as charming as an eel, Mr. Jones.

So, what does he do next? Run for Congress! (N.M.)

Paul Petrovich’s threats include fuel stations, Dollar Stores and Grocery Outlets.

Those are some threats!

Bad rap

#SodoSopa forever

Maybe it was people not understanding the difference between reputation and reality. Or maybe it was plain old racism. Whatever influenced it, Sacramento hasn’t been too cool about

A place can be a Grinch, too. And we’re still bummed that the brains behind the forthcoming Downtown Commons, a.k.a. DoCo, never sent SN&R any swag bag goodies when they announced the new project’s launch. How Grinchy was that? Things were made right, however, when South Park blasted DoCo and similar projects for their flagrant yuppie pandering and overall basicness. #SoDoSoPa forever! (N.M.)

treating rap and hip-hop shows equally with other art forms.

The biggest example is the city’s response to the shooting outside of Ace of Spades after a February Nipsey Hussle show. Both the city and neighboring businesses put pressure on the venue to halt its hosting of hip-hop shows, sending a clear message to rappers across the city: Your art is yet again on lockdown and under suspicion. To its credit, Ace quietly returned hip-hop and rap to the stage, but the fact remains that no other genre or art form around town has faced as much unwarranted scrutiny. (A.S.)

Crazy train

T o x i c Yes, paul petroviCh’S Curtis Park Village will one day be better than the toxic patch of dirt that Union Pacific left behind. But you have to wonder what could have been, had the 72-acre former rail yard had ended up in the hands of another developer.

It’s not only regret over the bitch fit Petrovich threw about not getting entitlements for a 16-pump gas station. Never mind there are two gas stations

within a half-mile, never mind that the site is right next to a light-rail station, never mind the whole development is supposed to be a “transit village.”

It’s not just the bait-andswitch and the bullying tactics that Petrovich has become known for—like threatening the neighborhood with chicken joints and a Hobby Lobby (?!) if he didn’t get his way.

It’s the whole history of the project, the missed opportunity to do something better with all that land—right

next to a community college and two light-rail stations!—instead of more suburban-style blah. And it’s the lame excuses from Petrovich and from certain city officials that, “It’s better than a toxic rail yard!” Sure, lots of things are better than a toxic rail yard. Even a gas station.

But pretty half-assed nonetheless. (C.G.)

After years upon years of avoiding the conversation, in 2015 there was finally talk of fixing light rail and Regional Transit. What child is this, a miracle! But then it was quickly obvious that motivation to improve services and safety on buses and trains was motivated by that pesky arena. “Gotta get all the poor people and bums off the light rail before Joe and Jane Season Ticket Holder converge on Sacramento 3.0.” The message from Sacramento’s business elite was unequivocally clear. Meanwhile, light rail is exactly the same as it was before the conversation started: expensive, unreliable, technologically antiquated, dirty and roundly dissed by riders. Yay! (N.M.)

SportS over artS These days, it seems as though there’s a lot of Daddy Warbucks money being pumped into the Sacramento region. That shiny new downtown arena is probably the best example of such.

There’s talk, too, about funding a new soccer stadium.

Too bad the open wallet philosophy doesn’t extend more to the local arts scene.

Earlier this month Mayor Kevin Johnson announced he was abandoning efforts to build a new downtown performing arts center.

Not enough donor monies, apparently. C’mon wellheeled arts lovers, it’s time to pony up. (R.L.)

the K.J. way We saved the Grinchiest for last: Mayor Kevin Johnson got sick of this paper’s constant snooping and questioning.

So he just straight sued us, filing an injunction to prevent our reporters from doing their jobs—and costing this paper tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees. If you can’t beat ’em, sue ’em—is that part of Sacramento 3.0? (N.M.) Ω

12.24.15 | SN&R | 17

No matter what mainstream media says, no matter how many “lost art of blacksmithing” articles there are or how the craft is depicted in pop culture, the art of blacksmithing, is in fact, not lost at all.

It’s not even a dying trade.

That’s just one misconception Mike Carson, a

18 | SN&R | 12.24.15

blacksmith based out of Woodland, wants to set straight.

“It seems lost to everybody because you don’t see it every day,” Carson said.

Carson should know.

He’s worked as a blacksmith since 1985, giving him a lot of experience with an

anvil. That timeline is crucial, he adds.

“I like to tell people it took 30 years to learn what I do now,” Carson said.

And it isn’t like he’s the only person still interested, either. The last few years have seen an upswing in people interested in blacksmithing as the

appreciation for handmade artisanal goods grows.

It wasn’t always that way. There was a period, Carson says, where enthusiasm waned.

“I think the low point was generally about the 1960s” Carson said. “But like a lot of other crafts … [blacksmithing was] saved by the hippies.”

Yippee ki-YaY! See NiGHT&DaY

21

JimboYS, oH boY See oFF meNu

23

Carson got his start as a farrier—someone who makes horseshoes—and went to school for it in Oklahoma City, more out of necessity than anything else.

At the time he was employed as a goat milker, and wanted to learn how to make horseshoes because he couldn’t find somebody to shoe his own horses. From there, he began to pick up blacksmithing work, and kept doing both until a few years ago, when he started focusing mostly on the latter.

For those unfamiliar with the trade’s finer points, blacksmithing involves the forging of metals. Steel is often used—that’s Carson’s preferred metal—but aluminum, bronze, copper, iron and other materials are also used.

And then there are the tools.

Carson starts with a heat source, either a coal forge or a propane furnace, the anvil (“Something to hit upon”), and then whatever material will be shaped.

The last few years have seen an upswing in people interested in blacksmithing as the appreciation for handmade artisanal goods grows.

That’s when things get hot.

Hot, hot and hot. The temperature needs to reach at least 1,800 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit in order shape the metal, and then it’s a race against the clock to work with the material while it stays hot.

“It’s losing heat the minute you take it out of the fire and put it on the anvil,” Carson says.

“Sometimes if you’re hammering hard enough and quick enough there, the friction from it, just moving, will keep it heated.”

As a point of comparison, Hawaiian volcanic lava is around 2,210 degrees Fahrenheit.

ForGeT Your maNNerS See DiSH

Items such as nails can be finished in minutes, with more complicated stuff—like gates or other larger pieces of metalwork—taking much longer, sometimes even days.

As well as working the forge, Carson also teaches on it. He’s been running the blacksmith booth at the California State Fair for the past 24 years, and gives regular presentations to school groups.

Nancy Koch, a grants analyst with the State Fair who has watched Carson at work, calls the blacksmith a fair “staple” for the way he’s used “his talent and trade to bring history to life.”

“He really captures your attention and teaches you things … [when you watch] you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s why they do that, I didn’t know,’” she said.

Carson also works regularly with the California State Parks Association, giving presentations at and doing work on Sutter’s Fort, where everything is fixed “pretty much the way they would have done it” back in the day.

He does most of his work that way. The only power tool he uses is an electric sander—everything else is done true to the history of the craft, with physical, not electrical, effort being used.

And being that hands-on isn’t easy work. Carson looks the part—his hands are big, and wellworn—from all the years working with metal and fire. Swinging a hammer against an anvil all day is a hard—and physical—effort.

That labor is something not everybody understands at first, either. Carson used to take apprentices; he once had a young man show up for his first day of training. He got the novice started. Then the kid left for lunch and never came back. “[People] don’t realize how much work goes into something,” Carson said.

Blacksmithing apprenticeships, however, are more common in Europe than America, and are much more regulated, with specific lengths of time and required tests.

In the United States it’s a little different. There are tests and certifications in the states

24

How To New Year’S eve See muSiC

for farriers, but it’s mostly a voluntary process. California also has a blacksmith association that handles events, workshops and certifications.

But whereas blacksmiths still find regular employment in other

countries, good ol’ fashioned U.S. consumerism has made a dent in the trade—Americans are more likely to just buy new products instead of trying to repair something first.

“When was the last time you actually went to get something that wasn’t an electronic repaired?” Carson said. “You just throw it away and get another one.”

Blacksmithing today also tends to be more specialized, with people picking certain niches such as knife-making, sculpture, fencing, housewares and architectural ironwork.

But some do pursue a more generalized trade—Carson falls into this category, making such diverse items as balls and chains for weddings and chastity belts.

One such belt was for a college human sexuality course Carson was taking. Instead of handing in a paper for the final, he made a version of the medieval body-wear.

He got an A. As with any trade, that educational component is important. Carson’s favorite part is giving educational talks and answering people’s questions, correcting many misconceptions about blacksmithing, often set by people’s perceptions of the trade

30

as depicted on TV and in pop culture.

To that end, Carson says that in the last 15 years he’s found that the most accurate portrayal has been in a fantasy film: The Lord of the Rings.

Mike Carson, a Woodland-based blacksmith, regularly teaches visitors at Sutter’s Fort about the art of hammering, forging and otherwise reconfiguring metal and other mediums.

“The techniques they were using [were] all good—because they did actually have a blacksmith on for technical stuff,” Carson said. “Usually you’ll see some guy standing over an anvil with a horseshoe sideways with a flatter instead of a hammer, making noise. That’s it.”

And at least it was better than the portrayal of blacksmithing in another popular movie. The Pirates of the Caribbean.

“Orlando Bloom, yeah he’s got a lot to answer for on that,” Carson said. “Those were a couple bad years, over blacksmithing. [with people asking] ‘Oh, like Orlando Bloom?’ No, we’re real.”

Indeed he is. Carson—just like the trade—is a living, swift rebuttal to the idea that blacksmithing is dead. It’s far from it, if you know where to look. But, correcting people’s notions about blacksmithing isn’t the only part Carson enjoys.

“Also, being able to make some pretty cool stuff,” Carson said. Ω

12.24.15 | SN&R | 19

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FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 24

Real Housewives of Rio Linda SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, AnD SUnDAY, DECEMBER 27 The Real Housewives franchise on Bravo is hard to not watch because these are some of the worst, pettiest women on the face of the COMEDY planet. The Real Housewives of Rio Linda, however, will hopefully change your perspective on such domestic goddesses. Not only are they nicer, but they are hilarious—and on purpose. $15, 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday at Tommy T’s, 12401 Folsom Boulevard in Rancho Cordova; www.therealfunnyhousewives.com. those asking themselves the important question of what to call the week of dead space between Christmas and New Year’s, worry no more; I did some research and the Internet revealed that there are sundry colorful ways to refer to it: “holiday taint,” “festive perineum,” and “merryneum”—all highly accurate (if slightly inappropriate for your 9-year-old nephew’s ears).

But now that we’ve tackled semantics, the question remains of what, exactly, you’re supposed to do. Brave the stores to return gifts? Nah. Stand in line for nine hours to see the new Star Wars? Ugh. Keep on with the steady infusion of mulled wine into the bloodstream? Well, sure. But if you’re looking to keep it mellow in the week leading up to New Year’s, the city offers a number of options.

For those with wee family members still in town, or for those with a sentimental side/ undying obsession with Julie Andrews, on Saturday, December 26, the Crocker Art Museum (216 O Street) is hosting its Sound of Music Sing-Along for the fourth year running.

There will be a costume contest and yodeling, so it’s good a time as ever to dust off your holiday lederhosen. There are showings at 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., and tickets can be purchased at www.crockerartmuseum.org for $12-$14.

If the Von Trapp family is a little too Pollyanna for you (the happy feels of 1960s cinema isn’t for everyone), haul the family out to Coyote Tales at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center (2850 San Lorenzo Way in Carmichael) on Sunday, December 27, at 1:30 p.m. for a narrative of the nature variety. Attendees will learn about the wily ways of this wild canine, examine a skull and pelt, and search for tracks on the center grounds. Admission is free and more info can be found at www.sacnaturecenter.net.

Alternatively, perhaps you need some “me time” in a serious way; on Tuesday, December 29, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunlight of the Spirit Books & Gifts (2314 J Street) is offering a free meditation class where the goal is to sit for an hour and literally think of nothing, which in contrast to the hubbub of the season sounds pretty sweet. Visit www.sunlightofthespiritbooks.com for more info.

For

—DEEnA DREwiS

—AARon CARnES

Die Hard SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26 If you ignore the fact that watching Die Hard on 35 mm film the day after Christmas is probably an activity Donald Trump would approve of, it’s an entertaining way to occupy any super-patriot relatives still in town. Let John McClane’s FILM masculine heroics inspire you, but let’s agree that the “yippee ki-yay” line has never been cool for those of us that aren’t Bruce Willis, and that it’s better to never say it out loud. $8-$10, 7:30 p.m. at Crest Theatre, 1013 K Street; www.crestsacramento.com.

—DEEnA DREwiS

Kwanzaa celebration SUnDAY, DECEMBER 27 Kwanzaa, the traditional weeklong holiday honoring African-American culture, starts December 26 and runs through January 1. The Center for Spiritual Awareness will host a 90-minute program about the late Harriet Tubman and her efforts to HOLIDAY end slavery via the Underground Railroad, plus live drummers, spoken-word presenters and a potluck feast. Free, 4 p.m. at 1275 Starboard Drive in West Sacramento; www.csasacramento.org.

—EDDiE JoRgEnSEn

Doug Loves Movies wEDnESDAY, DECEMBER 30 The only things comedian Doug Benson loves (almost) as much as pot are movies. Fortunately for him, the two go hand in hand. Benson loves movies so much that he discusses them at length on his PODCAST podcast Doug Loves Movies. He records his podcast live, so anyone who wants to see a taping can be part of the experience. $20, 8 p.m. at Punch Line Comedy Club, 2100 Arden Way, Suite 225; www.douglovesmovies.com.

—AARon CARnES

New Year’s Eve Sky Spectacular THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 One of the inevitabilities of adulthood is discovering New Year’s Eve is an overrated, expensive mess.

Harken back to the childhood delights of the holiday (and bring your kids along) while NEW YEAR’S EVE spending the night watching fireworks, playing 3-D video games and dancing. Free, 6 p.m. in Old Sacramento, http://nyesacramento.com.

—DEEnA DREwiS

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Soup as medicine aka tonkotsu, ryuJin raMen house It never fails. Just before Christmas, I always come down with the sniffles or a full-blown cold. But there’s no rest for the busy, so I load up on soothing soups like the Aka Tonkotsu ($8.95) from Ryujin Ramen House.

With spicy red ginger, green onions, BBQ pork and plenty of super-hot broth, it’s like medicine in a bowl. I love the semicooked egg, too, for its creamy smoothness. The other bonus is that the bowl is so big, you can easily get two meals out of one order. While I’m there, I usually get potato croquettes ($3.95), too: the best version of comforting fried mashed potatoes. 1831 S Street, http://ryujinramen.com.

—ann Martin rolke

Sippable sludge Drinking ChoColate, teMple Coffee roasters IllustratIon by Mark stIvers

Oh, boy …

by Janelle Bitker

That parm, tho: Rocklin recently got its first Jimboy’s Tacos, which held its official grand opening last week.

Welcome to Parmesan-dusted heaven, Rocklin.

The Rocklin Jimboy’s (5410 Crossings Drive) joins the Folsom location and a few spots further away in testing new Jimboy’s menu items. The Sloppy Jim is the Jimboy’s version of the sloppy joe, with taco-seasoned ground beef, enchilada sauce, American cheese and pickles on a grilled bun. There’s also a spicy veggie masala taco, stuffed with whole pinto beans, rice, masala seasoning, cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo and a spicy pepper cream sauce—in a Parmesan-scented tortilla, of course. The street fries are topped with nacho cheese sauce, tomatoes, olives, green onions, jalapenos,

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

cheese, choice of meat and, naturally, a final dusting of Parmesan. Jimboy’s also debuted a new food truck, which can be booked for special events.

Just baked: Insight Coffee Roasters has added a bakery in the back of its Capitol Cafe. Its lead baker is Alexandra Salidas Roll, who previously cooked for events under her blog moniker Figs & Feta. She’s an expert in Greek pastries and putting a Greek spin on classic American baked goods, and fans should be able to find her baklava at Insight locations.

There are also new vegan offerings, the work of Kenneth Bouche.

While Bouche is best known in Sacramento for his urban agriculture work, he previously cooked in kitchens throughout Illinois and Georgia, later helping open the upscale

Southern restaurant Pican in Oakland.

Most recently, he was sous chef at Long Meadow Ranch’s Farmstead Restaurant in Napa Valley, a fancy farm-to-table restaurant with its own farmers market.

Shuttered: Fair Oak’s Mighty Tavern closed last week. The farm-to-fork restaurant lasted about two years, but recently went through multiple chef changes and suffered a less-thanecstatic review from the Sacramento Bee. Too bad, there’s nothing else in Fair Oaks quite like it.

Tea, please: More and more boba shops keep opening in Natomas. The latest is T4 U, which boasts hip decor and excellent credentials. The first T4 opened in Taiwan in 2004, slowly adding more Taiwan locations before expanding to Malaysia in 2012. A year later, it opened its first location in the United States. It offers a huge array of teas—including crema toppings—plus Asian fried snacks, like takoyaki, chicken, lobster balls and squid. In Taiwan, its most popular drinks are nontraditional: perilla plum green tea, peppermint milk tea and an elegant lady rose tea. Ω

If regular hot chocolate is too weak for you, consider Temple’s drinking chocolate ($5.50). It comes with a spoon and glass of water, and both are necessary to fully appreciate the thick, dark sludge.

This is for true chocolate fiends: untarnished and intense, with notes of red fruit and coffee. The 3-ounce pour is crafted from TCHO 66 percent dark chocolate, freshly cracked sea salt and just enough hot water to turn it into a beverage. Grab it before New Year’s Day, when it’s taken off the menu. Multiple locations, http://templecoffee.com.

—Janelle bitker

Eat it everywhere Cabbage Cabbage: It’s what hot this winter. Or cold. Either way, it seems as though it’s served everywhere this time of year. Shredded with some carrots alongside your pupusas as curtido, pickled as banchan with a Korean feast and stirred into any number of soups and stews. Cabbage is a great source of vitamin C—even better than some citrus. It’s also high in fiber, thus it gets things moving after all the holiday indulgences. If you eat red cabbage, you also get a good dose of anthocyanins, those powerful sources of antioxidants.

—ann Martin rolke

12.24.15 | SN&R | 23

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Pho ru

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other stuff, like beef stir-fries and seafood. Nguyen, always present on the restaurant floor, is generous with advice for how and what to order.

Hopefully she recommends the YaYa rainbow 6115 Mack Road, (916) 476-3754, trout ($12 and up, depending on size) to everyone www.rurestaurant.com who walks through the door, because it’s a true Dinner for one: $8 - $12 star. Coated in cornmeal, the whole trout’s skin Good for: a new flavor of Vietnamese cuisine fries into a thick, crunchy snack, leaving the flesh Notable dishes: YaYa rainbow trout, BoBo butter crunchy soft and lush. With fried garlic chips, lightly beef, tapioca crab noodles pickled carrots and daikon, and a sweetened fish sauce, both the textures and flavors are big and bold. It’s the sort of dish I started politely eating with chopsticks and aggressively finished off with fingers.

Many food writers argue the word “authentic” The BoBo butter crunchy beef ($8.75) similarly should be abolished from our collective vocabulary produces savage instincts. Strips of beef boast crispy when talking about specific types of cuisine. edges and abundant sesame seeds for an extra gratiWhat does “authentic” really mean? How can we fying crunch. Fish sauce, garlic and chili sauce coat Americans who have, say, never spent more than a the meat, and no matter how full, you should have no week in Vietnam claim to know what “authentic” trouble finishing the plate. pho tastes like? Why don’t we write about how that For something more traditional but equally excitold diner cooks up an “authentic” American cheeseing, try the tapioca crab noodles ($8.95), a dish from burger instead?

Nguyen’s native Saigon. The soup is viscous and I bring this up because one of almost gravy-like, marvelously coating the Sacramento’s newest Vietnamese restauslippery, thick and chewy tapioca noodles rants does not try to be 100 percent with bright crab flavor. Thin slices of “authentic.” For that reason, Pho Ru tender pork, shrimp and creamy quail transcends expectations for what The BoBo butter eggs make you feel as though you you’d get at another pho joint: stircrunchy beef should have paid much more for fried clams with black mushrooms such a well-stocked, delicious bowl. produces savage and water chestnuts are scooped The only miss was the aforemenup with airy shrimp chips ($9.95); instincts. tioned fried rice with hen—the flavor fresh spinach colors fried rice a fell short of its exemplary good looks. vivid green ($9.95 with a whole But the herb-roasted quail appetizer hen); lemon-cured shrimp brighten up a ($8.25) is an excellent alternative: glistening refreshing cabbage slaw ($9.95). but not oily, with crispy skin and succulent meat.

Yet Pho Ru is steadfastly the sort of place people It was even better dipped into a combo of Sriracha say is “authentic” or “tastes like Vietnam.” Whether and lime juice, per Nguyen’s suggestion. or not that’s true, I do not care.

Pho Ru looks spacious and modern, with Owner Lynn Nguyen moved to the states from bright red booths and columns left over from its Vietnam about 20 years ago. She ran a successful previous occupant, Chelo Restaurant. Servers are Vietnamese restaurant in the Los Angeles area, Song very kind and caring—especially Nguyen—if Phat, for 11 years. She opened Pho Ru in August, a little too caring at times. Still, Pho Ru stands relocating to be closer to her husband’s family. Said out in Sacramento’s crowded Vietnamese dining husband is also the chef and creator of most of Pho landscape for its location inside a Filipino shopRu’s subtly unusual recipes. ping center, its return-visit-demanding trout and its “We create something different,” Nguyen says. admittedly inauthentic ways. Ω “Too much traditional, you know?”

HHHH

Sure, Pho Ru offers a pho menu—and its pho is better than most—but the restaurant specializes in

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Cheers to eating fancy New Year’s Resolution: stop spending so much money at restaurants. It’s a worthy idea, but one that could wait until after a New Year’s Eve blowout dinner. Several area restaurants are offering such extravagant affairs. The Firehouse Restaurant’s five-course menus cost $99. Think fennel pollen-crusted lamb with a red wine-huckleberry sauce or chevre soufflé with chervil, crème fraiche and caviar.

Vegans get a menu too: smoked quinoa salad, chanterelle bruschetta, tofu in banana curry and so forth. Vegans will also be welcome when Mother and Empress Tavern team up for a five-course meal. For $85, guests can choose between one vegetarian—or vegan—and one meaty option for each course. And while strictly an omnivorous affair, the four-course dinner at Cask & Barrel looks mighty impressive. For $60 plus entry to a swanky afterparty, you get the likes of pan-roasted salmon with kumquat, fennel, sprouts, hazelnuts and beurre blanc or 24-hour short rib with apple chutney, fermented barley and a port wine sauce.

—Janelle Bitker

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Cake coup: ‘Don’t tell your friends’

By Shoka Remember that one time The V Word was excited about Safeway stores having vegan chocolate cakes in its bakery, but they were practically never in stock? Well, they have them now. Sort of. Just Desserts bakery’s Vegan Chocolate Midnight isn’t in every store yet, but in theory, can be ordered.

These are smaller than the ones carried earlier this year (6-inch diameter vs. 8) and pricier (about $13 vs. $9). But the cakes, made by

a San Francisco-based company, are fancier in the finishing touches, especially in the packaging: The cake rests on golden cardboard on an elevated platform in a square box. Recently, I spied a coupon for the baked good in a store flier, and when the checkout guy said, “This can’t be right,” and then, “It’s $2.99, I guess. Don’t tell your friends.” I gave the man three bucks and ran out of the store before he found the error. Cake d’état! Ω

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Restaurant located at 5504 Dudley Drive • McClellan • Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm 916.640.1333 • facebook.com/drewskishotrod • i.instagram.com/drewskis/ 12.24.15 | SN&R | 25

Thank You! SN&R wishes to thank all of the folks who came downtown on a Saturday afternoon for a charity pub crawl to help support Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California.

Garage, Federalist Public House, GoDowntownSac, IMAX, KBAR, Sacramento Republic FC, Sapporo, Streets Pub & Grub, Tequila Museo Mayahuel, The Coconut Midtown and The Daily Crave.

With over 350 revelers in attendance decked out in ugly sweaters, Santa suits and elf outfits, we were able to raise both awareness and funds to support Shriners.

So be sure to save those Santa suits, ugly sweaters and reindeer antlers as we’ve already begun planning for next year and we’re looking at doubling our attendance, participating locations and donations.

A special thank you to all of the businesses that participated in the crawl by either hosting revelers or contributing to the gift bag: 3 Fires Lounge, Alley Katz, Capitol

Until then, we at SN&R encourage you to stay on the naughty list … it’s just more fun!

SN&R

HELP A CHILD. DONATE OR VOLUNTEER.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN — NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

A

nyone who has ever cared about a child can imagine the nightmare of watching that child suffer. Add the crushing financial burden of treatments, and you may see what many families face while caring for a child with serious medical needs.

Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California is there for families in just such a time of need.

“We are one of the region’s leading pediatric facilities for children who need special care,” says Special Events Coordinator Joseph Ramos. “These are life-changing procedures that we’re able to provide children that will increase their mobility and their ability to thrive.

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SN&R | 12.24.15

Caring for the Littlest Patients is a Community Concern

by Anne Stokes

“Without the community, we would not be here. The community and their interest in the hospital keeps it alive.”

Joseph Ramos Special events coordinator, Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California

The hospital provides specialized care and rehabilitation to children with congenital conditions and complex medical needs. Services include care for burns, spinal cord injuries, cleft palates, orthopedic conditions and specialized plastic surgery.

Opened in 1997, the Sacramento medical center is the only facility within the Shriners network of 22 hospitals to cover such a wide scope of treatments. Shriners provides all services regardless of a family’s ability to pay, thanks in part to the generosity of its donors.

“Without the community, we would not be here,” Ramos says. “The community and their interest in the hospital keeps it alive, not only in fundraising but in awareness. The more people who know that we’re here, the more likely that we’re going to find that child who has a need that we can address.”

Supplement to SN&R Produced by N&R Publications division of News & Review

There are lots of ways to support Shriners: Go online at shrinerschildrens. org to donate and find out about other upcoming fundraisers and special events.

Mail a donation check to Shriners Hospitals for Children Development Office 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817.

Volunteer — from special events and fundraising to therapeutic recreation and child life services, your help is always needed. Contact the volunteer services office at 916-453-2087 or visit shrinerschildrens.org.

ReviewS

Now playiNg

4

The Behavior of Broadus

Flesh and flash Photo courtesy of Broadway sacramento

“Mama, can you hear me?”

Pippin Pippin; 8 p.m. tuesday through friday; 2 p.m. thursday, saturday and sunday; $24-$92. community center theater, 1301 L street; (916) 557-1999; www.californiamusicaltheatre.com. through January 3.

Broadway Sacramento brings in Pippin—a 1972 musical (with choreography by Bob Fosse) that picked up multiple Tony Awards at the time—for a brief run December 29 through January 3 at the Sacramento Community Center Theater. Pippin created a stir during its initial staging, and the show predicted a number of trends in musical theater and entertainment generally—but it has rarely been performed in Sacramento.

It was featured as part of the Music Circus’ 1979 season. This was back when the present-day California Musical Theatre organization, which now produces the Music Circus series and hosts touring shows as Broadway Sacramento, was known as the Sacramento Light Opera Association.

There was no Broadway Sacramento season in the 1970s—Broadway Sacramento commenced in 1989.

by Jeff Hudson

The original Pippin featured a never-really-defined touring troupe with clownlike performers staging a show (a play within a play) based on a tale from the Middle Ages, involving King Charlemagne and his wayward son Pippin, who sets out on journey to find meaning and significance in life.

Along the way, Pippin is exposed to war (which he doesn’t like), experiments with love (indeed, he sleeps around) and dabbles in art and religion; he also plans a palace revolution, but isn’t happy with the results once he’s in charge (so he gets the situation magically reversed).

Keep in mind that when Pippin hit Broadway in the early ’70s, tales involving a sensitive young man searching for meaning in life were all the rage. It was also a time when public opinion had largely turned against the Vietnam War, which President Richard Nixon was winding down under the slogan “peace with honor.” It was also a time when Broadway (and the movies) started depicting scenes involving frank sexuality and language that had been formerly off-limits. At the time, the New York Times theater critic Clive Barnes described the Broadway premiere of Pippin as “racy,” but praised director-choreographer Bob Fosse’s “pell-mell dazzle,” observing that “his dances have art and imagination. They swing with life.”

Pippin also premiered at a time when Motown Records was still a potent power in pop culture—in fact, Motown helped finance Pippin’s premiere, and the Jackson Five recorded the show’s best known song (“Corner of the Sky”) in 1972. The original production of Pippin also turned young dancer-singer Ben Vereen into a Tony winner and a celebrity.

Looking back from the perspective of 2015, you can see that Bob Fosse’s flesh-and-flash direction and choreography paved the way for his provocative choreography in 1975’s Chicago— a better-known show that’s been on the Broadway Sacramento series multiple times, and staged at the Music Circus as well. You could even argue that Pippin—with its revisionist (and fanciful) take on royalty, chivalry and romance—anticipated the arrival of Stephen Sondheim’s dark, fairytale-based fantasy Into the Woods, which reached Broadway in 1987.

Pippin was revived on Broadway in 2013 with director Diane Paulus mixing in a lot of circus-style acrobatics (juggling, tumbling, rings), winning multiple Tony Awards (including Best Revival of a Musical) and sparking a national tour. Sacramento is one of the latter tour stops, finally. Ω

This incredible, mostly true, wacky play tells the story of John Broadus Watson, father of behaviorism and modern advertising. Winner of two Ovation Awards for original musicals, it’s a mustsee for those interested in groundbreaking theater.

Th F 8pm; Sa 2pm and 8pm; Su 2pm; Tu, W 7pm. Through 1/3. $35-$40. Capital Stage, 2215 J Street; (916) 995-5464; http://capstage.org. B.S.

3

A Christmas Carol

The B Street Theatre offers an offbeat version of the Dickens classic, which features humor for adults who know the story and physical comedy for children who don’t. With Scrooge and an ensemble of four

1 fouL

wonderful actors playing all the non-Scrooge parts, the story moves quickly and keeps the audience laughing. Sa, Su 1pm & 4pm.

Through 12/27. $15-$20.

B Street Theatre, 2711 B Street; (916) 443-5300; http://bstreet theatre.org. B.S.

4

Cinderella

This bawdy, ballsy adaptation of the shoeless-lass fairy tale has made a couple of return visits over the years, though it’s been six years since the Sacramento Theatre Company last staged it as its holiday play. Not much has changed. It’s still a fun, naughty-and-nice mashup that appeals to both kids and adults.

F 7pm, Sa 2pm & 7pm, Su 2pm, W 7pm. Through 12/27. $20-$40. Sacramento Theatre Company Main Stage, 1419 H Street;

(916) 443-6722; www.sactheatre.org. P.R.

4

Handle With Care

It’s Christmas Eve and grandma’s body is missing—and has to be found in 24 hours so her granddaughter can ship it back to Israel for a proper Jewish burial. The story here is presented in both English and Hebrew dialogue. This light romantic comedy is filled with irrational coincidences, improbable plot lines and unlikely love connections.

But in the end, it works because it gives us less schmaltz and more heart.

Th, F 8pm; Sa 5pm & 9pm; Tu 6:30pm; W 2pm & 6:30pm.

Through 1/3. $23-$35.

B Street Theatre, 2711 B Street; (916) 443-5300; http://bstreettheatre. org. P.R.

short reviews by Patti roberts and Bev sykes.

2

3

4

faIr

Good

weLL-done

5 suBLIme– don’t mIss

This guy.

Photo courtesy of mIke marIno

Whatcha gonna do?

When I think “New Jersey Bad Boy” it’s usually Tony Soprano, Jon Bon Jovi or, with a different interpretation of the term, Gov. Chris Christie who comes to mind.

But apparently comedian Mike Marino is also the kind of guy who makes questionable life choices whilst wearing the kind of clothes you wouldn’t take home to Grandma.

Actually, to be fair, he’s also a beloved comedian, popular for his ribald riffing on politics, Italian family feuds and Jersey Shore. Sounds like a bad-good way to kick off 2016. 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Thursday, December 31; $20$35. Laughs Unlimited, 1207 Front Street; (916) 446-5905; www.laughsunlimited.com.

—Rachel leibRock

12.24.15 | SN&R | 27

the best FILM

of the YEAR

A new hope

Star Wars: Episode VII– The Force Awakens

4

by DAnIEl BArnES

@barnesOnFilm

rogue in a cool jacket) and focused almost exclusively on the monotonous, self-rubbing mysticism of the Jedi Knights, The Force Awakens features at least three different Han Solo figures, including the actual Han Solo (Harrison Ford, giving “Luke Skywalker has disappeared.” slightly more of an effort than in Crystal Skull).

With those four words, judiciously chosen by director There’s a cozy familiarity to The Force J.J. Abrams to begin the opening crawl of his hotly anticiAwakens—Abrams doesn’t set out to make or pated Episode VII, the Star Wars franchise reorients itself break myths, but rather to keep the old myths in in the land of things that people give a rat’s ass about. circulation. He takes the same irreverently respectful There’s nothing about trade embargoes or tariffs, nothing approach to Star Wars that he took to his Star Trek about filibusters in the Galactic Senate. No parliamentary pictures, recycling everything people loved about the procedure bullshit or soppy greeting card mush at all, originals and adding a half-twist. Abrams isn’t what just a terse and mysterious plot setup largely focused on you would call an “idea machine”—he takes characters that you care about. an existing invention and puts a clock This is not a groundbreaking approach in it, and the contents of his magic to storytelling, but it’s sensible, which The boxes are never as interesting as is groundbreaking in its own way film sets the the design of the latches. compared to the nightmarish selfAfter watching The Force franchise back on absorption and fan disservice of the Awakens, I’m actually excited prequels. I won’t rehash my own the right course, but for future Star Wars movies tortured history with the Star Wars does it without creating (something I never thought I’d franchise here, but suffice to say say), but less excited to revisit many signature that the words “George,” “Lucas,” this particular Star Wars movie. “is,” “dead,” “to,” and “me” would moments of The film sets the franchise back on probably dominate a word cloud its own. the right course, but does it without comprised from my mid-2000s movie creating many signature moments of its blogs. The infantile fussiness of the prequels own. It’s hard for me to imagine children flattened the Star Wars universe to the point of playing Kylo Ren vs. Finn the way that I used to discouraging imagination, but The Force Awakens turns play Darth Vader vs. Luke Skywalker. Still, for a it back into a tactile and dimensional cinematic world. film tasked with kickstarting a theoretically infinite It’s a real Star Wars movie; it’s just not a really great number of sequels and spinoffs, and burdened with Star Wars movie. setting up stories and characters that may never pay The Force Awakens is built on the framework of off, a decent tease is decent enough. Ω the original Star Wars film, now also known as A New Hope, and there are innumerable callbacks to that 1977 classic, including several dozen in the opening 20 minutes. There’s a real sense of overcompensation here—it’s telling that while the prequels eschewed any Poor Fair Good Very excellent sort of “Han Solo figure” (i.e., a clumsily charming Good

Hand in glove.

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1 2 3 4 5

GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD NOMINATIONS

BY DANIEL BARNES & JIM LANE

fiLm CLiPS

BEST SCREENPLAY BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS BEST ORIGINAL SCORE QUENTIN TARANTINO

JENNIFER JASON LEIGH

ENNIO MORRICONE

ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR!”

“

Chipmunks Alvin, Theodore and Simon get wind that their boss Dave (Jason Lee) is about to propose to his new girlfriend (Kimberly Williams-Paisley). Enlisting Williams-Paisley’s sullen teenage son (Josh Green), who doesn’t like the idea any more than they do, to help them torpedo the romance, they set off for Miami, but a vindictive air marshal (Tony Hale) places them on the no-fly list and pursues them crosscountry like a hammy Javert in some childish parody of Les Misérables. So much contrivance to so little point. Like its predecessors, this who-needs-it movie plays less as entertainment than as a make-work project for unemployed CGI animators, several dozen of whom rise admirably to the challenge of making chipmunks sing and dance. It’s harmless enough, but harmless garbage is still garbage. J.L.

2

The Big Short

Director and co-screenwriter Adam McKay (Step Brothers) bungles a great opportunity to savage the architects of the 2008 financial crisis in The Big Short, wasting an A-list ensemble cast in the process. Steve Carell, Brad Pitt, Christian Bale and Ryan Gosling play various tenuously related members of the finance industry, men who made made a killing by betting against the housing market, which at that point had superficially swelled to record highs.

All of the elements are in place for a lacerating satire, but almost every aesthetic choice in the film is bad, from the U-Turn-era Oliver Stone visuals to Carell’s sketch-comedy performance to the cheeky cutaways where Selena Gomez and Anthony Bourdain explain complex financial concepts. After a brutal opening half, it finally settles into a groove, and there’s a queasy charge in watching a credit-drunk America walking towards that cliff’s edge, but not enough to save the film. D.B.

4

Carol

Directing his first feature film in a decade, director Todd Haynes returns to the era of his 2004 success Far from Heaven for another story of repressed love, only this one’s a little less Douglas Sirk and a little more Ranier Werner Fassbender. A methodical, beautiful and often chilly film adapted from a Patricia Highsmith novel, Carol stars Rooney Mara as Therese, a 1950s shopgirl who locks on to the seductive gaze of lesbian divorcee Carol (Cate Blanchett, absolutely ravishing). While watching Sunset Blvd., one character remarks, “Right now I’m charting the correlation between what the characters say and how they really feel,” and you could make your own flow charts for Carol.

The music, cinematography, costumes, sets and overall design are flawless, and the film as a whole is utterly exquisite. Maybe a little too exquisite—Carol is so painstaking, I felt like I was watching it from behind a velvet rope. D.B.

3

ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR

Concussion

In this blandly efficient biopic from writer-director Peter Landesman (Parkland), Will Smith dials down his energy level to play Bennet Omalu, the Nigerian-born forensic pathologist (and current UC Davis professor) whose groundbreaking study on long-term brain trauma in football players got challenged and suppressed by the NFL. On a purely thematic level, Concussion fits nicely with the documentaries Happy Valley and The Hunting Ground as the final third in a football-is-the-root-of-all-evil trilogy, but as a drama it’s dead-eyed and unresponsive. Smith gives a fine lead performance, peeling away his usual affectations to expose his natural charm, but Omalu never becomes a fully developed character. The wonderful Gugu Mbatha-Raw gets totally wasted as Omalu’s wife—her only job is to gaze up at Smith as though he were a glowing idol—but there are solid supporting turns from Albert Brooks and David Morse, among others. D.B.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY QUENTIN TARANTINO

THE 8TH FILM BY

“Yassss.”

5

The Hateful Eight

Quentin Tarantino’s masterful western/murder-mystery hybrid The Hateful Eight is getting a lot of attention due to its limited, “road show” presentation, a three-hour theatrical experience projected on 70 mm film, with an overture of Ennio Morricone’s score and a 12-minute intermission.

Therefore, audiences may be surprised that the widescreen photography in The Hateful Eight is much more focused on the contours of a single interior space than on wide-open exterior spaces. Long-time Tarantino leading man Samuel L. Jackson stars as Major Marquis Warren, a merciless bounty hunter in post-Civil War-era Wyoming waiting out a blizzard with a den of scoundrels (including Kurt Russell, Tim Roth and Bruce Dern), all of whom seem to be concealing a secret. The first half is nearly perfect, a slow build of pinprick tension, and while the second half gets a little repetitive, it’s also where the brilliant Jennifer Jason Leigh is at her no-holds-barred, blood-soaked best. D.B.

2

Daddy’s Home

A straight-arrow, earnest and well-meaning but slightly dull stepfather (Will Ferrell) finds his cozy life turned insideout when his wife’s freewheeling bad-boy ex-husband (Mark Wahlberg) blows into town, dazzling the kids and making stepdad look even duller. The visit escalates into a testosteronepowered pissing contest, with each man trying to out-alpha-male the other. The script by Brian Burns, John Morris and director Sean Anders has promise, and Anders grapples with a good cast (including Linda Cardellini as Ferrell’s wife, Thomas Haden Church as his boss and Hannibal Buress as a freeloading handyman). There are a few good laughs scattered about, but with these stars it should have been a lot funnier—and Thomas Haden Church shouldn’t have gotten most of the funniest lines. J.L.

2

The Danish Girl

Director Tom Hooper and writer Lucinda Coxon present a measured adaptation of David Ebershoff’s novel, which fictionalized the true story of Lili Elbe (Eddie Redmayne)—born Einar Magnus Andreas Wegener—who in 1930 became one of the first persons, maybe the very first, to undergo gender reassignment surgery.

The movie focuses on the understandably complex relationship between Wegener/Elbe and his/her wife Gerda (Alicia Vikander), and Redmayne and Vikander share an earnest screen rapport. Hooper and Coxon honor Elbe (who died in 1931 from complications of her fourth and final surgery) as a pioneer of the transgender movement, but reverent as the movie is, it’s also rather dreary—the kind of embalmed, oversolemn opus where the actors whisper their lines slowly, one word at a time. J.L.

2

Joy

Yikes. Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle director David O. Russell reassembles much of his stock company (Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro) and most of his stock mannerisms (Scorseseian camera moves and song cues, nonsensical exuberance) for this extremely loose biopic about the inventor of the Miracle Mop. Joy is all forced smiles—it feels like an album made by a

band that should have broken up years ago, just a rambling and incoherent series of unmotivated actions and overemphatic gestures. Everyone gets points for gusto, especially Lawrence as a single mother holding together her wacky family while navigating a booby-trapped business world, but every scene feels like an undirected rehearsal, so the actors are left to screech their way through two hours of face-palming embarrassment. I never imagined I could dislike Isabella Rossellini in anything, but here we are. D.B.

2

Sisters

4

Youth

Two adult sisters, one caring and reliable (Amy Poehler) while the other (Tina Fey) is scattered and devil-may-care, go home to clean out their old room when their parents (Dianne Wiest, James Brolin) sell the family home—and decide to recreate the wild parties of their youth, inviting all their old high school pals for one last blowout. Paula Pell’s script is like a distended Saturday Night Live skit, overworking one lame joke: what if a bunch of 40-somethings threw the kind of party you only see in movies about hormonal teenagers? Still, Fey and Poehler are always fun, and the movie is so completely over-the-top that frequent laughs are inevitable, in an I-can’t-believe-I-just-saw-that sort of way. Director Jason Moore makes little effort to control the mayhem. J.L.

At a spa in the Swiss Alps, two old friends, a composer (Michael Caine) and a film director (Harvey Keitel) cope with old age and their waning careers. That glib synopsis does little justice to Paolo Sorrentino’s visually voluptuous movie, stunningly photographed by Luca Bigazzi with echoes of Sorrentino’s countryman and cinematic forebear Federico Fellini. Sorrentino moves delicately, like a barista making pictures in the foam of a caffe latte, drawing in Rachel Weisz as Caine’s resentfully solicitous daughter, Paul Dano as an ardent young actor and other characters who weave and flow through the fragile story. It’s a movie where very little really happens, and sometimes it feels as placidly shallow as the pools where the spa’s guests soak themselves, but there’s always something fascinating going on. J.L.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS JENNIFER JASON LEIGH

QUENTIN TARANTINO

IN SELECT THEATERS CHRISTMAS DAY. EVERYWHERE DECEMBER 31.

SACRAMENTO The Tower Theatre (916) 442-0985

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SACRAMENTO NEWS & REVIEW THUR 12/24 2 COL. (3.9) X 3.5 CS ALL.HFE.1224.SNR #2

REVIEWS.

EVERY THURSDAY. YOU’RE WELCOME, FILM GEEKS.

3 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD NOMINATIONS ®

IN C LU D IN G

* (D R A M A)

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NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip

BEST ACTOR* EDDIE REDMAYNE • BEST ACTRESS* ALICIA VIKANDER

“A CINEMATIC LANDMARK.” PETER DEBRUGE, VARIETY

#TheDanishGirl MOTION PICTURE: © 2015 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ARTWORK: © 2015 FOCUS FEATURES LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Eclectic and electric The Good Fortune mines its influences to fill a dance-worthy emotional niche

by Janelle Bitker

janelleb@newsreview.com

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“The EP is all Jeremiah’s head-child,” says guitarist Mark Johnston. “The lyrics, the compositions, everything.

It was sort of like a locked-in-a-tower passion project for him.”

The upcoming full-length, however, is a different story. The new songs were written in a more collaborative way. Eclectic influences abound. Johnston, for example, has a history in punk and hardcore. Synth man Dave Moskalets’ background actually Get lucky. reflects spent years as a solo country artist. Still, the Good Fortune doesn’t plan to veer too far from its original, dreamy roots.

By senior year of high school, Jeremiah Tsering “There’s a good energy there,” Johnston says. had built a studio in his parents’ Roseville garage.

“There’s something kind of untapped. When I try to But he never thought that by senior year of college, find something that fits that emotional niche, not a lot he’d already front one of Sacramento’s most promisof people are doing it.” ing, up-and-coming synth-pop acts and headline one There’s no name or release date set for the fullof Midtown’s biggest New Year’s Eve parties. length yet, but they’re shooting for spring. The tricky His group the Good Fortune’s first “real” part isn’t writing new material—it’s that Tsering’s gig—not at a cafe or DIY show—was THIS catalog is already so deep, and he’s constantly adding Midtown, opening for Los Angeles electro-pop artist to it. His phone is full of ideas, quick notes and Kauf this past summer. In other words, the partial songs.

Good Fortune pretty much came out of “You should hear my voice memos,” nowhere. he says. “I sound like a crazy person.”

“We “Everything that’s happened so “They’re amazing,” Johnston literally had far has been a huge surprise to me,” counters. “The last one was him in no expectations.”

Tsering says. “We literally had no his car, singing a melody and trying expectations.” to beatbox the rhythm under it at the Jeremiah Tsering Tsering, influenced by acts like same time.” singer-songwriter, the Passion Pit, Flume and the Strokes, “I sound like I’m having a Good Fortune started writing music in high school. stroke,” Tsering says.

But the Good Fortune is his first legit As for future big goals, the Good project, and it came about accidentally Fortune hopes to play bigger venues about a year-and-a-half ago. A buddy who ran an someday, including the electronica-heavy TBD underground venue needed a slot filled, and he asked Fest—though Tsering says he tries not to think about Tsering to fill it with whatever. Tsering gathered it too much. But he certainly shares the fest’s ethos. a few friends, performed what was meant to be a “I believe in Sacramento,” Tsering says. one-off and immediately realized they needed to take “That underdog mentality definitely drives us. it further.

I want to show to the world that we’re not a The Good Fortune released its Social Crowns second-class city.” Ω EP in the spring, and it grabbed the attention of the folks behind Lipstick, THIS Midtown and Le Twist check out the Good Fortune at 9 p.m. thursday, December 31, during Tuesdays at LowBrau. For good reason: Social Lipstick’s new year’s eve party at old ironsides, 1901 10th street. tickets Crowns features catchy indie-pop songwriting, with are $8-$10. More at www.thegoodfortune.co. airy vocals, dancey beats and magnificent synth.

SouNd advice

A-game, brought Expecting big things: Although many fans and critics alike could argue about who started symphonic metal and when, most can agree the genre has made great strides in both the United States and abroad in the last 10 years.

Just look to Graveshadow, one such band with a growing fan base, not just in Sacramento, but also across the country and overseas.

The group recently released its debut full-length record, Nocturnal Resurrection, on the Belgium-based Mausoleum Records and celebrated with quite the raucous crowd.

One might think that a local five-band CD release show on a rainy Sunday night would be destined for failure. But the band brought its A-game and drew upwards of 200 fans. More importantly, it also delivered a ferocious set replete with fan favorites including the infectious “Blink,” “Namesake” and album closer “Blood And Fire.”

Singer Heather Michele held court center stage with one foot often resting on her monitor while the able guitar duo of William Lloyd Walker and Matt Mitchell provided distortion and riffs steeped in progressive and symphonic metal.

Bassist Ben Armstrong roamed the stage like a crazed madman playing his five-string bass, which complemented the double-bass drum quandary coming from Roman Anderson. Keyboardist Valerie Hudak was also a formidable force, providing some key headbanging along with, more importantly, impressive keyboard skills.

Score one for the locals.

—EddiE JorgEnsEn

Funky fresh: Meet Union, Dave Jensen’s brand new project. Then prepare to say goodbye, because you may never see Union again.

Jensen should be a familiar face. He previously drummed for Ideateam, James Cavern & the Council, Saint Solitaire and other bands around town. Earlier this year, he applied to the Berklee College of Music and also for a composition scholarship. That meant he needed to start composing.

He submitted three songs for the application, including the 20-person

orchestral piece “Shadow of a Doubt,” which features many other familiar faces. But Jensen had so much fun that he decided to keep going. As Union, he’ll release his first full-length record at Harlow’s Restaurant & Nightclub on Friday, December 25. Tickets cost $10.

The first single “Be There For You” is a polished, fun and funky track, featuring bassist Andrew Barnhart (Saint Solitaire), guitarist Justin Butler (Ideateam), saxophonist Chris Ryan (Zuhg, Ideateam) and singer Ryan Hernandez (the Big Eyed Fish). Jensen takes on drums, alternative percussion, piano and synth. But the assemble varies, as does Union’s eclectic style.

Good news: Jensen got into Berklee and got the scholarship, which means he’ll move to the East Coast in January. Oh wait, maybe that’s bad news. He insists that won’t be the end of Union though. He may form a band there, or he may just play Sacramento gigs when he returns next summer. Who knows?

He’s got a lot on his mind.

“It’s definitely a new experience being the guy taking helm,” he says, laughing. “Usually I just show up and play drums.”

Three for three: Local singer-songwriter Andrew Castro is still on track to release four EPs within 12 months. His third, Red Hearts, quietly dropped earlier this month—and the barely promoted record-release show at Old Ironsides was his third consecutive sell-out.

The people love him.

Whereas Inside Out channeled Jason Mraz and John Mayer, Castro honed a much more Justin Timberlake-esque sound with Red Hearts. It suits him well: his deeper, smokier style contrasts nicely against his falsetto and sparse instrumentation. What really sets Red Hearts apart, however, from other local singer-songwriter releases is Castro’s hip-hop influence, which comes through and shines thanks to guest spots by rappers Ky Romias and Kintessa Quintanar.

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

12.24.15 | SN&R | 31

Photo by marc kallweit

26 SAT

26 SAT

Fulkerson and Clarke

The Twilight Drifters

Shine, 8 p.m., $6

old ironSideS, 9 p.m., $5

Fulkerson and Clarke are a prime example of what makes duos so good: They each bring something unique to the table. Fulkerson plays the electric bass and has a JAzz wonderful baritone male voice, while Clarke’s tender vocals harmonize splendidly (and she plays the acoustic guitar, too). The duo met at Sacramento State almost a decade ago, but currently reside in Hollywood. They sometimes have other musicians, but you can count on the two lead names to be at any given show. Whatever the band’s size, they will be mixing jazz, soul, folk and country into something fun and emotive. 1400 E Street, www.facebook.com/ FulkersonandClarke.

27 Sun

Billy Lawler

Punk Rock Coat Drive

gold lion ArtS, 7 p.m., $10

Geoff Miller, lead vocalist and guitarist of Sacramento’s very own Twilight Drifters, will be celebrating his birthday a day late at one of the city’s longest-running live-music venues, Old Ironsides. Fans of swing, ’50s rock, rockabilly, country and blues will find great reward in their 2013 release Hopped Up! Their wonderful nineSWInG COunTRY song platter showcases a trio who sounds as if they were birthed in another time period without sounding derivative. Local chanteuse Keri Carr joins the group on vocals. Opening the show are Peter Petty and KB & The Slingtones, along with DJ Dereck. 1901 10th Street, www.facebook.com/thetwilightdrifters.

—AAron CArneS

27 Sun

the Blue lAmp, 7 p.m., $3-$5

Sacramento native Billy Lawler didn’t have much of a local music career. He was one of those secret-bedroom-project types. Then, two friends who had encouraged him to share his talent suddenly passed away, POP and he felt the need to honor those wishes. Now, he’s making a go at fame in Los Angeles. If Sam Smith’s success is any indication, Lawler definitely has a shot—with his soulful croon and piano-pop ballads, Lawler would make any Smith fan swoon. He’s working on his debut EP, but his first single “Casualty” is so Sam Smith: R&B influence, sparse instrumentation, emotional falsetto and just plain prettiness. 2733 Riverside Boulevard, www.billylawler.com.

—eddie JorgenSen

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join our

9 1 6 . 49 8. 13 88 1804 J STREET SACRAMENTO

You know what’s super punk rock? Taking one of your extra and/or old coats and being like, “IDGAF! I am going to give you to a needy individual because it’s pretty cold outside!” Slutzville will be cruising into town from Grass Valley, sharing the stage with local punk bands Kill the Cute (pictured), the Moans and the Rollin’ Blackouts for a night of live music for a good cause.

Comedian Jason James will also be PunK there making some jokes. Bring a coat (come on, you can’t go and not bring a coat) and get $2 off the cover charge. 1400 Alhambra Boulevard, www.bluelampsacramento.com.

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wed-sun • 9pm-1:30am • no cover

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sacramento, ca (916) 446–3624 www.PineCoveTavern.com •

SEqUINS ON SEqUINS.

28 MON

31 T HU

Crude Studs

Papa’s Culture

Studio 53 NYE Art Disco

Starlite lounge, 7 p.m., $5

preSS Club, 7:30 p.m., $12

Quick and dirty punk rock at its finest. Crude Studs vocalist Sophia Flores, along with Nich Lujan (bass), Bobby Khan (guitar) and JB Thomas (drums), released their self-titled 7-inch last year and even hit the road on a small West Coast tour. The group PUNK takes note from bands like Zero Boys, Rudimentary Peni, Thin Lizzy and even a little Queen. A live performance from Crude Studs packs hit-and-run tracks backed by grit, angst and enough energy to envelop an entire room with songs like, “Ground Chuck Night” and “Padded Walls.” Squidz and Blhans! round out the bill. 1517 21st Street, www.facebook.com/crudestuds.

—Steph rodriguez

blaCkbird, 7:30 p.m., $40-$75

For those who thought they’d have to wait another 10 years to catch a reunion performance from longtime Sacramento duo Papa’s Culture, you’re in luck. Fueled by the band’s recent comeback at Harlow’s in September, bassist-composer Harley White Jr. and guitarist-vocalist Blake Davis will once again perform across genres like jazz, R&B, reggae and more. This event also features the Sacto Storytellers with their feel-good JAZZ rocksteady appeal, and DJ Larry will keep the party going with his endless collection of jams. Take advantage of this second chance to catch Papa’s Culture on a Monday night. 2030 P Street, www.facebook.com/ Papas-Culture-738795119562112.

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Jackie Greene CreSt theatre, 8:30 p.m., $35-$65

Blackbird has quietly rebranded as an art-first eatery in recent months. Themed parties in the alley and record-release shows were only the beginning. The DJ PArTY restaurant-meets-art gallery booked rising nu-disco artist Figgy (pictured) and Sister Crayon for its Studio 54-themed NYE party. At Studio 53, fur coats, platform shoes and sequins on sequins are encouraged. The party will celebrate all things deco and disco. Hometown favorites Sister Crayon always pack it in for DJ sets, while Figgy’s cache of R&B remixes and disco edits are sure to bring the heat and poolside vibes to counteract the impending 1st of January. 1015 Ninth Street, www.blackbird-kitchen.com.

—Steph rodriguez

December 31st stoneys rockin roDeo 9th annual new year’s eve bash

photo by DaviD Morrison

27 SUN

Sacramento son Jackie Greene returns for a New Year’s Eve show in the wake of his seventh album, Back to Birth, released back in August. If you’re wondering how it stacks up to the early days, Greene says: “Musically, this album is kind AMErICANA of a return to the simplicity of the records that I started with, although I feel like I have a much better idea of what I’m doing now.” I’d add that it’s a little fuller sounding than his Dylan-esque days of yore, and longtime fans won’t be disappointed. For diehards, Greene joins Tim Bluhm as the Skinny Singers in San Rafael the night before.

1013 K Street, www.jackiegreene.com.

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12.24.15 | SN&R | 33

BADLANDS

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THURSDAY 12/24

FRIDAY 12/25

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

Fabulous and Gay Fridays, 9pm, call for cover

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BAR 101 List your event!

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

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Party Time dance party with Sequin Saturdays drag show at 9:30pm, $5-$12 ADAM BLOCK, CHOWDER HEART & FRIENDS, WANDERING SOULS; 9pm, $5

Open-mic, 7:30pm M; Pub quiz, 7pm Tu; All Vinyl Wednesdays, 6pm W, no cover

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Want to be a hot show?

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

SUNDAY 12/27 Sunday Tea Dance and Beer Bust, 4pm, call for cover

Christmas Eve with KEVIN & ALLYSON SECONDS, DAVID HOUSTON; 8pm

MICHAEL RAY, 7:30pm M, $5-$10; BEYOND URANIUM, 7:30pm W Salsa Wednesday, 7:30pm W, $5

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Stoney’s 18 & Over Pre-New Year’s Eve Bash, 8:30pm W, $5-$10

DELTA CITY RAMBLERS, 5:30pm; MIND X, 9pm, $8

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Print ads start at $6/wk. www.newsreview.com or (916) 498-1234 ext. 5 Phone hours: M-F 9am-5pm.

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BY JOEY GARCIA

@AskJoeyGarcia

Smoke, out My son, a high school senior, has a 22-year-old girlfriend. He failed most of his classes, and is scrambling for credits to graduate. His girlfriend supports him in that goal, but she is a high school dropout. She is also a smoker. Recently, I found cigarettes in my son’s bedroom. He said they were hers, but I knew he was lying. He knows his grandfathers died of lung cancer after decades of smoking, so I was angry. When his girlfriend came by, I asked if she left the cigarettes. Without hesitation, she said no, she smokes a different brand. My son later confessed that the cigarettes were his. I canceled his Christmas present (a ski trip), but don’t know what else to do.

and says if we can’t be together, he will kill himself. I can’t imagine my life without him, but when he talks like that it scares me. I am trying to convince my parents to let me visit him next summer but that’s not going well. My grades are dropping because I’ve been so worried about him, and because I’m not sleeping (there’s a huge time difference between our countries). We’re both almost 18, by the way. Any suggestions?

Step back from the situation, and look at it another way. Your boyfriend threatens to kill himself when he doesn’t get what he wants. Does that sound like someone you should travel thousands of miles to hang out with? He’s not in love, he’s in need and nothing you say or do can Be grateful that your son’s remove his pain permanently. girlfriend answered you That’s because your Your honestly. She may be a boyfriend is struggling high school dropout, but son’s girlfriend with serious mental she’s educated enough health issues, not a may be a high to value her integrity. broken heart. He needs school dropout, After all, she could to see a psychiatrist have covered for your but she’s educated right away. If you want son, but she chose not to help him, fill your enough to value her to do so. Maybe her parents in immediately integrity. influence on him is more and ask them to contact positive than you believe. his parents. If they refuse to Given the tendency get involved, insist or contact toward tobacco addiction in your the organization that fostered the family, your fear about lung disease foreign exchange. By taking action you is understandable. We know smoking are helping him grow into a stronger, can cause emphysema, heart disease or more balanced version of himself. Ω cancer. Studies on vaping are still inconclusive, but we know secondhand smoke can cause asthma attacks, sudden infant death, heart disease or cancer. Scientists MEDITATION OF THE WEEK also say the farming and processing of tobacco has a negative effect on our “The poetry of a people comes from the deep recesses of the climate. So have you considered invitunconscious, the irrational ing your son and his girlfriend for tea and the collective body of our and conversation about your concerns? ancestral memories,” said Try challenging them to quit together.

Margaret Walker. As the light Appeal to their common sense by births in the winter darkness, showing photos of the damage smoking what poetic wisdom guides you? causes the body. Or point out how much money they can bank by not buying cigs.

Dangle a tantalizing (but not extravagant) prize in exchange for kicking the Write, email or leave a message for addiction. Your son might initially shrug Joey at the News & Review. Give off the invitation to improve his life, but your name, telephone number I bet his girlfriend will go for it, and that (for verification purposes only) and question—all means he’ll get on board, too. correspondence will be kept strictly confidential.

My family hosted a foreign exchange student last year, and he and I fell in love.

He’s back home, and I miss him so much. We Skype but it’s not the same. He’s depressed

Write Joey, 1124 Del Paso Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95815; call (916) 498-1234, ext. 3206; or email askjoey@newsreview.com.

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AUMA revisited You made a few errors about the [Adult Use of Marijuana Act] initiative. We should be able to possess 8 grams of concentrates legally. Cities can’t completely ban personal home growing anywhere in California. They have to allow indoor, greenhouse or in a secured location out of public view, even in places that have bans.

The current law for over an ounce has a penalty of $500 or six months in jail. This unfortunately doesn’t change under the initiative. It’s what we have now and will stay that way. Most other common penalties will be downgraded.

If the taxes prove to be too high (evidenced by maintaining an illicit market), then the legislature has the authority to fix that and downgrade that, along with downgrading penalties even further.

If Colorado and Washington are any indication, arrests have gone way down since the passage of their initiatives, and they also just allow possession of 1 ounce. Arrests should go way down in California if this passes, as well.

—Mikki Norris Hello Mikki! Thank you for writing, and congrats on you and your partner Chris Conrad winning the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2015 Emerald Cup! You and Chris have been an unstoppable and inspirational combo when it comes to marijuana law reform and I thank you.

You are correct. The original wording had it listed at 4 grams of concentrates, but it has recently been changed to allow 8 grams. As to the growing ban, think about this: What defines a “secure area out of public view”? If you have plants in your backyard, but your neighbor can see them, does that count as public? If you have a 10-foot plant behind an 8-foot fence, will you be hassled by the cops? What defines an “open container” of pot? Does a baggie count? If I’m walking down the street puffing a doob, will I be subject to a fine?

I am just wondering why we continue to treat marijuana like crack, and not like wine. I feel like this initiative does a lot of over-regulating. I would like a law that makes it easier for me to grow and use cannabis.

We need farmers markets and bud-and-breakfast hotels, not sterile pot factories full of pesticides and greed. Colorado is having a huge problem with commercial pressures forcing growers to use pesticides. Is that what we want? California is already feeling pressure. At this year’s Emerald Cup, 15 percent of the entrants (and this is a contest for organically grown outdoor cannabis) tested positive for pesticides. We need to be creating space for our growers to make delicious natural cannabis, not sweating citizens over an ounce of weed. I could buy a van full of booze right now, and no one would blink an eye. Why should weed be different? Weed is safer.

All that being said, I want to support AUMA. I am hoping that Sean Parker and Co. will revise a few things and maybe throw a bone or two to the lifestyle cannabis user so that we won’t be mad at ourselves when we vote yes. Ω

I am just wondering why we continue to treat marijuana like crack.

Ngaio Bealum is a Sacramento comedian, activist and marijuana expert.

Email him questions at ask420@newsreview.com.

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Catherine Emond, Green Style Consulting

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“My current feeling on testing is that you’re a pothead growing weed until you have your product tested — now it’s medicine,” Kalif says.

Originally published on March 27, 2014

Produced by the Custom Publications division of News & Review.

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FRee will aStRology

by Rachel leibRock

by Rob bRezsny

FOR THE WEEk OF DECEMBER 24, 2015 ARIES (March 21-April 19): The raw materials

you have at your disposal in 2016 may sometimes seem limited. You might not have access to all the tools you wish you did. You could be tempted to feel envy about the vaster resources other people can draw on. But I honestly don’t think these apparent inhibitions will put you at a disadvantage. Within your smaller range of options, there will be all the possibilities you need. In fact, the constraints could stimulate your creativity in ways that would have never occurred if you’d had more options.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You know what

physical hygiene is. But are you familiar with imaginal hygiene? Educator Morgan Brent defines it like this: “Imaginal hygiene is the inner art of self-managing the imagination, to defend it from forces that compromise, pollute, colonize, shrink and sterilize it, and to cultivate those that illuminate, expand and nourish it.” It’s always important for everyone to attend to this work, but it’s especially crucial for you to focus on it in 2016. You will be exceptionally creative, and therefore likely to generate long-lasting effects and influences out of the raw materials that occupy your imagination.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your mind sometimes

works too hard and fast for your own good.

But mostly it’s your best asset. Your versatility can sometimes be a curse, too, but far more often it’s a blessing. Your agile tongue and flexible agenda generate more fun than trouble, and so do your smooth maneuvers and skillful gamesmanship. As wonderful as all these qualities can be, however, I suggest that you work on expanding your scope in 2016. In my astrological opinion, it will be a good time for you to study and embody the magic that the water signs possess.

What would that mean exactly? Start this way: Give greater respect to your feelings. Tune in to them more, encourage them to deepen and figure out how to trust them as sources of wisdom.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Swedish movie

director Ingmar Bergman won three Academy Awards and was nominated for eight others.

Numerous filmmakers have cited him as an important influence on their work. His practical success was rooted in his devotion to the imagination. “I am living permanently in my dream, from which I make brief forays into reality,” he said. Can you guess his astrological sign? Cancer the Crab, of course! No other tribe is better suited at moving back and forth between the two worlds. At least potentially, you are virtuosos at interweaving fantasy with earthy concerns. The coming year will afford you unprecedented opportunities to further develop and use this skill.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Avoid pain and pursue

pleasure. Be kind, not cruel. Abstain from self-pity and ask for the help you need. Instead of complaining, express gratitude. Dodge time-wasting activities and do things that are meaningful to you. Shun people who disrespect you and seek the company of those who enjoy you. Don’t expose yourself to sickening, violent entertainment; fill your imagination up with uplifting stories. Does the advice I’m offering in this horoscope seem overly simple and obvious?

That’s no accident. In my opinion, what you need most in 2016 is to refresh your relationship with fundamental principles.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Many of the atoms

that compose your flesh and blood were not part of your body 12 months ago. That’s because every year, 98 percent of you is replaced. Old cells are constantly dying, giving way to new cells that are made from the air, food and water you ingest. This is true about everyone, of course.

You’re not the only one whose physical form is regularly recycled. But here’s what will be unique about you in 2016: Your soul will match your body’s rapid transformations. In fact, the turnover is already underway. By your next birthday, you may be so new you’ll barely recognize yourself. I urge you to take full charge of this opportunity! Who do you want to become?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The English word

“ain’t” can mean “am not,” “is not,” “are not” or “have not.” But it ain’t recognized as a standard word in the language. If you use it, you risk being thought vulgar and uneducated. And yet “ain’t”

has been around since 1706, more than 300 years. Most words that are used for so long eventually become official. I see your journey in 2016 as having resemblances to the saga of “ain’t,” Libra. You will meet resistance as you seek greater acceptance of some nonstandard but regular part of your life. Here’s the good news: Your chances of ultimately succeeding are much better than ain’t’s.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): My old friend John

owns a 520-acre farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Blueberries are among the crops he grows. If he arranges their growing season so that they ripen in July, he can sell them for $1.75 a pint. But if he designs them to be ready for harvest in late summer and early fall, the price he gets may go up to $4 a pint. You can guess which schedule he prefers. I urge you to employ a similar strategy as you plot your game plan for 2016, Scorpio. Timing may not be everything, but it will count for a lot.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In 1803, the

U.S. government bought a huge chunk of North American land from the French government. At a price of three cents per acre, the new republic doubled its size, acquiring what’s now Louisiana and Montana and everything between. I don’t think you’ll add that much to your domain in 2016, Sagittarius, but it’s likely you will expand significantly. And although your new resources won’t be as cheap as the 1803 bargain, I suspect the cost, both in terms of actual cash and in emotional energy, will be manageable. There’s one way your acquisition will be better than that earlier one. The Americans bought and the French sold land they didn’t actually own—it belonged to the native people—whereas your moves will have full integrity.

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

year will be a favorable time for you to nourish a deeper devotion to truth, beauty and goodness.

Anything you do to make your morality more rigorous will generate benefits that ripple through your life for years to come. Curiously, you can add to the propitious effect by also cultivating a deeper devotion to fun, play and pleasure. There is a symbiotic connection between the part of you that wants to make the world a better place and the part of you that thrives on joy, freedom and wonder. Here’s the magic formula: Feed your lust for life by being intensely compassionate, and vice versa.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I predict that 2016

will be your Year of Fruitful Obsessions. In giving this positive spin to the cosmic tendencies, I’m hoping to steer you away from any behavior that might lead to 2016 being your Year of Fruitless Obsessions. One way or another, I think you’ll be driven to express your passions with singleminded intensity. Focused devotion—sometimes verging on compulsive preoccupation—is likely to be one of your signature qualities. That’s why it’s so important to avoid wasteful infatuations and confounding manias. Please choose fascinations that are really good for you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Your symbol of

power in 2016 will be the equal sign: =. Visualize it in your mind’s eye every morning for 20 seconds. Tattoo it on your butt. Write it on an index card that you keep under your pillow or on your bathroom mirror. Gestures like these will deliver highly relevant messages to your subconscious mind, like “Create balance and cultivate harmony!” and “Coordinate opposing forces!” and “Wherever there is tension between two extremes, convert the tension into vital energy!” Here are your words of power in 2016: “symbiosis” and “synergy.”

Apocalypse not quite yet For Nicholas Pinter, a geosciences professor at UC Davis, this winter’s predicted El Niño weather pattern is about opportunity. Not just for rain— hopefully buckets of drought-busting rain—but also the chance to correct past environmental neglects. In November, Pinter hosted the El Niño Summit, presented by the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences, which gathered experts across a spectrum of fields to identify the challenges (and opportunities) brought about by the weather phenomenon. Now, as the region heads into what is typically its rainiest season, Pinter took time to share some weather predictions— and explain why we should keep Godzilla’s name out of it.

How have you felt about the rainfall so far?

It’s been more or less what we’ve expected—nothing dramatic but we’re headed into the usual time when we expect to get more rain. That usually starts in December or January.

Have we started to experience El Niño yet?

That depends on how you define it; El Niño is really is defined by Pacific water temperatures and the oceanographers tell us we’re at or close to the peak [temperatures] now. This is slated to be the second largest El Niño ever recorded.

When was the biggest?

The 1997-98 winter. I was in Southern California at the time and we studied landslides in the area; [El Niño] had a very dramatic effect with heavy muds and debris and area flooding.

Tell me about the summit.

We asked [experts] to, first, put points on the map and [to say] what kept them up at night—what newspaper headline did they not want to wake up to some soggy January morning—and, second, what are the opportunities here? Because every crisis holds opportunity.

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

This is the time to correct past oversights in flood protection—neglect. [The summit] was not just a chance to trumpet the dangers of El Niño but also to engage in open conversation. The challenge was that our panel [included people] from all across California—from San Diego to Nor Cal. So it was interesting—both as to what was on that list and what didn’t make it.

PHOTO by lauran fayne wOrTHy

What’s of real concern?

meet again next spring, one would be that El Niño delivered catastrophic flooding … the second would be that it delivered very little precipitation. The hope is that we come somewhere in the middle.

There’s a very worrisome setup with the wildfires—that combination of such intense fire on deep slopes and with whatever El Niño brings us.

El Niño myths?

Let’s talk more about those opportunities.

Flooding is an opportunity to recharge ground water, to pick floodplains correctly and let them inundate with little or no help.

It’s a chance to get water back to aquifers— we’ve been drawing on them so heavily.

Will it help the drought?

There’s no certainty that the drought ends with this. The surface supply of water is so severely depleted; many people suggested we’re still looking at a deficit situation [after].

Mike Dettinger [a research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey] said his bet was for above-average precipitation. But he also pointed to predictions for warmerthan-average temperatures, setting up the possibility that you could have a lot of rain and flooding but snow drought in the Sierra. … We could come out of winter and into spring with runoff headed to the ocean—but very little of the snow pack that we rely on in the summer.

It feels as though we’re doomed.

(Laughs.) No, no—there’s cautious optimism that the precipitation will take a big bite out the drought. Jeff [Lusk] from FEMA [Region IX]—his takeaway was that he had two worst fears: If we were to

The correlation between El Niño and California’s most severe floods is not there.

The really extreme flooding of the 1860s was due to atmospheric river phenomenon, not El Niño. [Such] storms are basically Pineapple Expresses, which form in the equatorial Pacific and travel to California.

The biggest danger comes when you get a series of one after another like a train, like a flurry of punches in a boxing match.

It’s been called a “super” El Nino—is that accurate?

I don’t think it’s useful to call this “super” or “Godzilla” or anything like that. It’s an El Niño—it’s a strong one but it’s part and parcel of a couple of other [past] El Niños.

There’s good reason to be vigilant and cautious but no reason for apocalyptic predictions.

Thoughts on Chris Farley’s Saturday Night Live character by the same name.

(Laughs.) Is that on YouTube? I’ll have to check it out. Ω

12.24.15 | SN&R | 55

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