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Sacramento’S newS & entertainment weekly

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Volume 31, iSSue 14

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contents

july 18, 2019 | Vol. 31, Issue 14

R C E E A R TION E D U N Right Down The Street!

Watch a frog’s desperate attempt to escape dissection at the Love Horror Film Festival this Saturday.

Experience the premier destination for clothing-optional fun and relaxation in Northern California.

Enjoy a spectacular range of accommodations in 200+ acres of unspoiled nature.

editor’s note letters essay + streetalk GreenliGht essay news feature arts + culture staGe dish

04 05 06 08 09 10 14 20 22 24

22 place calendar capital cannabis Guide ask joey

26 28 35 42

cover art by jefferson Miller

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.

Jenny Plummer, Lloyd Rongley, Lolu Sholotan, Carlton Singleton, Viv Tiqui N&R Publications Editor Debbie Arrington N&R Publications Managing Editor Laura Hillen Associate Publications Editor Derek McDow

• Seven pools and spas • Lounge/nightclub • Full-service lakefront restaurant • Basic to luxury rooms & cottages • RV and tent camping • Lake and river with sandy beach • Deluxe fitness center • Game room • Archery Range • 2 Tennis & 6 Pickleball courts • Volleyball - water & hard court • Theme events & entertainment • Day visits & annual memberships

N&R Publications Staff Writer/Photographer Anne Stokes

N&R Publications Staff Writer Thea Rood N&R Publications Editorial Coordinator Nisa Smith Marketing & Publications Lead Consultant Elizabeth Morabito

Marketing & Publications Consultants Editor Foon Rhee News Editor Raheem F. Hosseini Managing Editor Mozes Zarate Staff Reporter Scott Thomas Anderson Copy Editor Steph Rodriguez Calendar Editor Maxfield Morris Contributing Editor Rachel Leibrock Editorial Assistant Rachel Mayfield Contributors Ngaio Bealum, Amy Bee, Rob Brezsny, Aaron Carnes, Jim Carnes, Joey Garcia, Kate Gonzales, Howard Hardee, Ashley Hayes-Stone, Jim Lane, Chris Macias, Ken Magri, James Raia, Patti Roberts, Dylan Svoboda, Bev Sykes, Graham Womack Creative Services Manager Elisabeth Bayard-Arthur Art Directors Sarah Hansel, Maria Ratinova Publications Designer Katelynn Mitrano Publications and Advertising Designer Nikki Exerjian Ad Designer Naisi Thomas, Cathy Arnold

Advertising Manager Michael Gelbman Sales & Production Coordinator Skyler Morris Senior Advertising Consultants Rosemarie Messina, Kelsi White

Advertising Consultants Michael Nero, Rodrigo Ramirez, Vincent Marchese

Director of First Impressions/Sweetdeals Coordinator Trish Marche Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Assistant Lob Dunnica Distribution Drivers Mansour Aghdam, Beatriz Aguirre, Rosemarie Beseler, Kimberly Bordenkircher, Mike Cleary, Tom Downing, Marty Fetterley, Chris Fong, Ron Forsberg, Michael Jackson, Calvin Maxwell, Greg Meyers, John Parks,

Steve Caruso, Joseph Engle, Sherri Heller, Rod Malloy, Celeste Worden, Greta Beekhuis

President/CEO Jeff vonKaenel Director of Nuts & Bolts Deborah Redmond Director of People & Culture David Stogner Nuts & Bolts Ninja Norma Huerta Director of Dollars & Sense Debbie Mantoan Account Jedi Jessica Kislanka Payroll/AP Wizard Miranda Hansen Developer John Bisignano System Support Specialist Kalin Jenkins 1124 Del Paso Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95815 Phone (916) 498-1234 Fax (916) 498-7910 Website newsreview.com Got a News Tip? sactonewstips@newsreview.com Calendar Events newsreview.com/calendar Want to Advertise? Fax (916) 498-7910 or snradinfo@newsreview.com Classifieds (916) 498-1234, ext. 5 or classifieds@newsreview.com Job Opportunities jobs@newsreview.com Want to Subscribe to SN&R? sactosubs@newsreview.com Editorial Policies: Opinions expressed in SN&R are those of the authors and not of Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact the editor for permissions to reprint articles, cartoons or other portions of the paper. SN&R is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or review materials. Email letters to snrletters@newsreview.com. All letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to print letters in condensed form and to edit them for libel.

Advertising Policies: All advertising is subject to the newspaper’s Standards of Acceptance. The advertiser and not the newspaper assumes the responsibility for the truthful content of their advertising message.

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SN&R is a member of Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, CNPA, AAN and AWN.

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All in on EVs Sacramento wants to be America’s electric vehicle capital, but will residents cooperate?

by Foon Rhee GIG Car Share has put 260 all-electric Chevy Bolts on Sacramento streets.

Sacramento has a head start on its U.S. competition, thanks to $44 million it is getting from the settlement in the VW emissions cheating scandal. VW created an Electrify America subsidiary, which picked Sacramento as its first “Green City” and a slogan, “Sac-to-Zero.” The city adopted an electric vehicle strategy in December 2017.

One promotional line: “Getting around Sacramento has never been so EV.” Probably the most noticeable part of the plan is GIG Car Share, which launched in April as the nation’s largest all-electric car share fleet. The service, run by AAA Northern California, offers 260 Chevy Bolts in downtown, Midtown, East Sacramento, Land Park, Oak Park and other central city neighborhoods for $15 an hour or $85 per day.

Through June 30, according to GIG, more than 40,000 people have downloaded the app and they have driven more than 275,000 miles.

One hint from the new survey: A surprising number of people are worried about getting a messy car, so maybe offer portable vacuum cleaners and wipes.

A smaller program run by Envoy put about 35 electric VW Golfs at 18 apartment complexes.

Also, there’s an expanding network of ultra-fast charging stations that are open to the public.

In October, Electrify America plans to station three electric shuttles along the Franklin Boulevard corridor to replace diesel buses that now carry about 400 riders a day. And in October and November, Regional Transit and Yolo County Transportation District will each get six electric buses to start service between UC Davis and Aggie Square, the planned tech complex in Oak Park.

City Hall also wants Sacramento to become a national proving ground for self-driving vehicles, many of which could be electric.

Officials can make it as convenient as possible and come up with catchy promotions, but persuading people in car-happy California to give up their own vehicles is not going to happen overnight. Ω Photo by Foon Rhee

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Sacramento is betting big on electric cars for lots of good reasons: to reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion, to encourage walking and bicycling, to give poorer residents more ways to get around and to boost the local economy.

But for this vision to become reality, City Hall needs enough residents to cooperate and actually use electric vehicles.

So will they? City Hall tried to find out with an online survey in late May and early June. The results are a mixed bag.

More than 80% of respondents said they know at least some about EVs, but they weren’t correct about the cost of buying and operating one.

Also, respondents were less up to speed on car-sharing and on-demand transit—services that feature electric vehicles in Sacramento—than ridehailing services such as Uber and Lyft.

Half of respondents said they drive alone in their own cars at least three times a week, mostly to run errands and get to work. And more than half said they travel 30 miles or more at least once a week.

With only 277 responses, this survey isn’t statistically valid. Still, it’s similar to a study put out in March by the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies in showing that more public awareness and acceptance is needed for electric vehicles to break through and become an everyday way of commuting.

Around the globe, other cities are also jumping on the electric vehicle bandwagon. London’s mayor wants it to be an EV-only city by 2030 and is adding infrastructure, while Amsterdam is among cities taking a tougher approach, proposing to ban gas and diesel vehicles by 2030.

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Vilifying different views Re: “Coming to America” by Foon Rhee (Editor’s note, July 4): I am deeply disturbed that in your “What it Means to Be an American in 2019” issue, your editor portrays respect for the rule of law, as it relates to this country’s immigration law, as hatred. Can SN&R honestly portray itself as a supporter of diversity while wantonly vilifying those whose views differ from the views expressed within its pages?

While I’ve never shared all of the views expressed in the SN&R, I once valued it for its objective presentation of views that I disagreed with because it provided intelligent information that challenged my views. Sadly, that time is long past. Like some love-struck suitor unwilling to abandon belief in romance, I continued to read SN&R hoping it might return to those glory days. The editor’s note cited above makes it clear that that has been a fool’s errand.

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In the shadow of tyrants The biggest threats to Iranian-Americans are the leaders of Iran and America

by Raheem F. hosseini, page 14

Sacramento’S newS & entertainment weekly

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Volume 31, iSSue 13

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issuE 07.11.19 / in thE shadow of tyrants

Iran history lesson “In the shadow of tyrants” by Raheem F. Hosseini (Feature, July 11): The idea that absent the 1953 coup the Palavi “dynasty” would have likely become a real constitutional monarchy is laughable. Secularism (the Turkish/French kind) is something only the elite educated in Reza Shah’s government schools and their predecessors in the Qajr elite wanted. The present system has flaws, but to imply it has no popular support is misleading.

Paul Wick sac ramen to / via sn& r e xt r a

A close call with pedicab Re: “A roadblock for Sac pedicabs?” by Foon Rhee (Editor’s note, June 27): Thank you for featuring this important issue. A pedicab owner and operator claimed she hasn’t had any close calls with pedestrians, but if the unicorn motif of her pedicab is unique, she may have been the one I yelled at a couple months ago at Capitol Park for riding past on a narrow path without slowing as I walked with my 2- and 5-year-old sons. That’s troubling behavior with an extra-wide, 700-pound vehicle on a path with multiple painted “no biking” symbols. Over the years, I’ve seen a number of similar incidents.

I am 100% on board with addressing a core societal need for active and personal transportation, and for an urban fabric that makes it safe and irresistible. At the same time, riders and operators of all types of active transportation must obey clearly-posted rules and exercise basic interpersonal politeness to avoid poisoning public opinion and halting progress.

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CheCk out our new blog read more letters online at newsreview.com/sacramento.

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07.18.19

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essay

By Doris matsui

streetalk

By Graham Womack

Asked At Vic’s cAfe on RiVeRside BouleVARd:

Favorite recent book? elise MAchAdo barista

‘I was sickened by what I saw’ “Well run” and “clean.” That’s how President Trump recently described children’s detention centers at the U.S. border.

Having traveled last weekend to investigate detention facilities with my Democratic colleagues, I can confirm just how out of touch the president is.

We visited the “Ursula” Central Processing Center, in McAllen, Texas, where you can hear the cries of innocent children as you enter the converted warehouse.

Once inside, I saw children in fenced cages.

They had hives and rashes and were exhausted.

There was a baby suffering from the flu who could barely lift its head in their father’s arms.

We met unaccompanied children who had heartbreakingly memorized the names, addresses and phone numbers of family members to contact once they reached the United States. But instead of being reunited with their families, they are being held under lock and key in a cage.

I was sickened by what I saw—not only as a mother and grandmother or as an American citizen born in an internment camp, but as a decent human being. We should all be disgusted by the trauma inflicted upon children at facilities run by the U.S. government.

And at the McAllen Border Patrol Station, what I saw was equally inhumane and un-American.

With 40 migrants crammed into a cell, there was no room to move. Under the law, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is only allowed to detain migrants for 72 hours, but I met people who have been there as long as 60 days.

While detained, everything migrants do is in that cell—eat, sleep or use the restroom. The cells do not have showers or drinking water. Customs and Border Patrol claims that it takes migrants to nearby jails to shower. I didn’t meet anyone who had.

We cannot stand by and allow this to continue.

On Monday night, House Democrats passed a robust investment in the Northern Triangle—Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras—to stabilize their governments and society so that we can dramatically decrease the level of violence and potentially reduce the flow of migrants.

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How To Be a Badass. It’s like a self-help book, but [the author’s] not very, like, hippie type. She’s very relatable.

dAVid kuchinsk y attorney

One I’ve just finished, like maybe a month ago, was a trilogy ... The Fifth Season. … It’s like fantasy, sci-fi-y, kind of epic.

It was fun. It was very fun.

kelly kuchinsk y banker Rep. Doris Matsui of Sacramento, left, was one of 20 congressional Democrats who visited Border Patrol stations and processing centers in McAllen and Brownsville, Texas on July 13-14.

And in the coming weeks, we will be voting on legislation that holds officials in Customs and Border Protection accountable and raises the level of care that innocent children receive.

I am pleased to support those efforts, but we need more. We need wholesale reform because this system does not work.

Desperate asylum seekers have traveled thousands of miles on foot—often with their children or young relatives—to reach a better life. When they get here, we need to connect them with critical health and social services, instead of locking them up.

We need to end the role of private prisons at the border because no one should profit off the pain of innocent families.

And we need to end the policy of family separation—right now. Though President Trump supposedly ended the practice, it continues to this day. I want to investigate this systemic failure and ensure this doesn’t happen again.

Seeking asylum is not a crime. As a nation, we pride ourselves on taking the tired, the poor and the huddled masses. It’s why I will continue to fight, hold the administration accountable and work with my colleagues to make sweeping changes to our immigration system.

Let’s remove private prisons from the southern border. Let’s refocus the system on people and their humanity, and let’s end the child separation policy that is the root cause of too many atrocities in the name of our government. Ω

It’s called Temeraire … Basically, it’s a series. We had a baby in January and so I read seven of the nine books within the first two months because you don’t sleep.

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It was called Noir, by Christopher Moore. It’s another absurdist novel. I like film noir and it’s kind of a film noir book with monsters in it.

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The Holiness of God … It was stimulating, intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking, encouraging.

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Ariel. ’Cause I like it. ’Cause

she’s pretty.

building a

HealtHy

Sacramento

Sacramento Residents Call for Stronger Tenants’ Rights

By E D g a r S a n c h E Z

G

ina Massey’s South Sacramento apartment has rats and electrical issues —problems, through no fault of her own recently landed her in the ER. So, like any responsible tenant, she reported the issues to her landlord.

Speaking to the Sacramento City Council, Massey, 58, expressed her frustration about her situation. Instead of finding a maintenance person at her front door, she received an eviction notice for reporting the problems.

“I’m a disabled senior experiencing physical and mental distress,” Massey told the Council, asking it to act against “bad landlords.”

Massey, who must move by the end of August with nowhere to go, was among 17 local tenants and housing activists who told the council on June 25 that new protections are needed for Sacramento’s 246,000 renters.

Most of the speakers, including Massey, belong to a tenants’ union formed by the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), a nonprofit that advocates for tenants’ rights and receives support from The California Endowment to provide general education and strengthen coalition building in the region.

Jovana Fajardo, ACCE’s Sacramento director supports stronger laws for Sacramento tenants, pointing out, “City

laws are always stronger than state protections.”

Last year, ACCE helped collect over 44,000 local voter signatures on petitions calling for a rent-control initiative on Sacramento’s 2020 ballot. Among other things, that measure would cap rent increases at 5% and prohibit unfair evictions.

“I SuPPort rEaSoNaBlE rENt CaPS, ESPECIallY wHEN tHErE arE low va CaNCY ratES.” Darrell Steinberg Sacramento Mayor

Though the initiative qualified to be on the ballot, it hasn’t been scheduled for the March primary or the November general election. Fearing it will not go on the ballot at all, some speakers demanded that the council itself enact rent control.

Because the topic of rent control wasn’t on the agenda, a few activists took the mic during public comments, when anyone can voice their concerns.

Edith Fajardo (left) strives to protect tenants like Gina Massey (right) from “bad landlords.” Massey was given an eviction notice from her Sacramento apartment for reporting problems with the unit.

Photo by Edgar Sanchez

One Councilman was optimistic, stating that he hoped to find compromise by talking to local housing and business groups on this matter.

BuIldING HEaltHY CoMMuNItIES

And in a later statement, Mayor Darrell Steinberg said: “I support reasonable rent caps, especially when there are low vacancy rates. I’m hopeful my colleagues on the council and advocates from all sides can reach a compromise that protects tenants and doesn’t create a disincentive to build housing.”

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

Residents eagerly await to see if the initiative for rent control makes the ballot.

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

Health Happens in Neighborhoods. Health Happens in Schools.

Health Happens with Prevention.

paid with a grant from the california endowment

For more information on the alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, visit www.acceinstitute.org

www.SacBHC.org 07.18.19

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greenlight

People of many faiths come together to build a home

by Jeff vonKaenel

Last week’s groundbreaking for two new Habitat for Humanity homes in South Sacramento was an unusual combination of construction site and interfaith religious revival.

There were shovels and bulldozers. There were leaders of Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Methodist congregations. There were the future homeowners and their children. And there was Sacramento Vice Mayor Eric Guerra and his small child, who delighted in holding the big shovel.

There was love and empathy, and the thrill of doing something bigger than oneself. I have been involved with numerous interfaith builds where people from different religious groups, political persuasions and races have come together to build a house for someone of another race, political party or religion. Our differences make it even more special.

“Today we stand in this open space; it’s an open space where a dream resides, a dream to have a home to live in that is safe, and secure, and full—full of laughter, full of family, good food and an abundance of love,” Congregation B’nai Israel Cantor Julie Steinberg said at the groundbreaking.

“Today we begin to make that dream come true by turning this open space into a home.”

I suspect that living in a home built with interfaith compassion is actually different than living in a home built the conventional way. Somehow, having your wallboards signed by dozens of different people from a rainbow of religious faiths must create some sort of positive energy.

And an interfaith Build for Unity house impacts the people doing the build as well. It is really so simple. If you want to experience compassion, be compassionate. If you want to experience hope, be hopeful. If you want to 8

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experience community, be part of a community. If you want to be accepted, be accepting.

In 2016, I was on the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento board when we launched this idea of Unity Builds. Muslims and other religious groups came together to sponsor a house, and they built two houses together. This was at a time that our future orange-haired president was attacking Muslims. I believe in forging bonds with groups that are being targeted by hate. We can build homes or play softball, but it’s important to build those bonds.

Our vision was that we could start the Build for Unity project here in Sacramento and then it would spread across the country. And remarkably, it has. Leah Miller, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity here in Sacramento and a passionate advocate of this project, told me that 30 Habitat for Humanity chapters have started similar interfaith build projects. At the groundbreaking, she mentioned that the Orange County affiliate just signed on. I am very proud of this movement that started here in Sacramento.

In our 2016 Build for Unity project, we had 108 different Sacramento faith communities involved, as well as numerous other organizations. It was a real interfaith endeavor.

You can help us build these Habitat homes. Habitat has raised only $144,000 of the $200,000 needed to sponsor the two houses. So please pass the plate, or donate at the website listed below. And come to one of Habitat for Humanity’s Unity Concerts at St. John’s Lutheran Church, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18. RSVP at habitatgreatersac.org/get-involved/ buildforunity. Ω Jeff vonKaenel is the president, CEO and majority owner of the News & Review.

essay

by Jay Lund

The changing Delta’s challenges More collaboration is crucial to meet worsening problems The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is essential for the Central Valley’s economy, well-being and ecosystems. It is a major supplier of land for local agriculture, water for Central Valley farms and Bay Area and southern California cities, recreation for Californians and habitat for native species.

The Delta is ever-changing, from its origins 6,000 years ago as rising post-Ice Age sea levels drowned the confluence of local rivers to form a massive freshwater marsh.

Since the 1800s this marsh was diked and drained for agriculture, leading to continuing land subsidence, as much as 25 feet below sea level in some places. Major federal and state water projects altered and reversed its water flows. Humans also brought numerous invasive species that continue to alter its ecosystem; non-native fish and plants dominate the Delta today.

The Delta’s centrality for many purposes has made it California’s most complex major water challenge. Hundreds of local, state and federal agencies and other stakeholders struggle daily with the Delta—and sometimes with each other.

Many Delta problems are worsening.

Climate change is raising sea levels and temperatures, making floods and droughts more extreme and will likely further alter the mix of species. State legislation to end overdrafting of groundwater will increase demands for water from the Delta from farmers in the San Joaquin Valley struggling (mostly in vain) to find replacement water.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts to explore smaller—and perhaps very different—crossDelta water conveyance or tunnel proposals and to seek voluntary environmental flow agreements for Delta tributaries and outflows illustrate other potentially major changes that might also help.

These growing challenges will bring potentially rapid changes to the Delta and

Jay Lund is director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at UC Davis.

increase the need for adapting its management, involving a mix of state and local actions.

Changes and challenges for the Delta extend to seemingly non-Delta water issues.

Groundwater overdraft in the San Joaquin Valley connects directly with managing the Delta. Migratory species and environmental management in tributaries are connected to Delta conditions. The viability of many proposed water storage and conveyance projects depends directly on Delta conditions and how they are likely to change.

It is becoming more difficult to plan and implement a wide range of improvements when so many changes are occurring incrementally with so much uncertainty.

Changes are inevitable. Although some might be good for many, other stakeholders will be harmed. The difficulties of incremental management can lead to ineffective or wasteful investments, or abandonment of potentially useful actions. A larger framework is needed for advocates and opponents to work together.

Some actions that might help include difficult-to-organize public discussions of what kind of ecosystem, water management and economy the state should support for the Delta; a common scientific and technical program looking towards the future; coordination of sometimes conflicting regulations; and progress on a common Delta plan.

These are all tough issues, but progress on the Delta requires pulling many pieces together as a portfolio. Not changing is not an option. Ω

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Miguel Gonzalez-Miranda.

Image courtesy of Los Rios Community College

Dreamer detained

A stuDent thAt stAnDs out

ICE put a well-known Sacramento artist and community volunteer in a jail where detainees have been hunger-striking

by Scott thomaS anderSon A GoFundMe has been set up to assist in Miguel GonzalezMiranda’s legal defense: gofundme.com/f/ united-for-a dreamer? member=2408382.

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It used to seem like Miguel GonzalezMiranda was everywhere.

The multi-talented artist, musician and dancer volunteered for so many activities through the Los Rios Community College system that one could wonder if he had an identical twin. He helped host art exhibitions at the James Kaneko Gallery; he set up the digital printing equipment at Sacramento City College’s Makerspace; he took part in organizing numerous free music shows for the public; and he was a driving force in building a special campus space for American River College’s art club. |

07.18.19

Gonzales didn’t slow down outside of school, either. His energy flowed into efforts at the city’s Brazilian Center, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and elsewhere.

But since mid-June, GonzalezMiranda hasn’t been volunteering anywhere. That’s because he has been sitting inside the Yuba County Jail on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

Gonzalez-Miranda came to California as a child, joining the ranks of young undocumented immigrants known as the Dreamers. Recently, his inability to pay compounding fines dogging him since he

s c o t ta @ ne wsr e v ie w.c o m

was a teenager led to him being the latest casualty of an ongoing crackdown by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Worse yet for his friends and family, Gonzalez-Miranda is in a facility where fellow detainees used a hunger strike to protest their conditions.

“No one that I knew, up until Miguel, had been directly affected by these so-called strong immigration policies,” said Brad Carps, a friend from the art club. “Miguel is a really generous and kind person who didn’t deserve this. To me, this just represents the real systematic cruelty that’s going on.”

When Sacramento City College professor Tom Cappelletti learned that Gonzalez-Miranda was trying to gain U.S. citizenship last February, he didn’t hesitate to write a letter of support.

“He’s a natural leader and he ended up being a mentor and trainer to other students,” said Cappelletti, the director of Makerspace. “He’s also very self-driving. I found him to be mature, responsible and extremely trustworthy.”

Cappelletti remembers that during one conversation, Gonzalez-Miranda showed him paperwork indicating he had unpaid fines stemming from a misdemeanor incident when he was a teenager. Cappelletti said GonzalezMiranda owed roughly $8,000 or $9,000 due to mounting penalties.

Sacramento court records do not shed light on what the misdemeanor was.

According to friends of GonzalezMiranda, on June 4, he was babysitting

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NeW WildfiRe plaN see NeWs

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Too holTz Too haNdle his little brother when ICE agents seized him at his home in Sacramento.

Friends say he had commissions to paint two public murals in the coming months that may now be in limbo.

News that Gonzalez-Miranda was seized came as a jolt to many of his instructors at the two colleges he attended. That included Patricia Wood, the director of Kaneko Gallery at American River College.

Wood says that GonzalesMiranda—who does figurative drawing, still-life painting, abstract art and printmaking—regularly volunteered to help the gallery host different art exhibitions.

Wood noticed Gonzales-Miranda would study every single piece of art on display and try to bring as many of his friends as possible to support whomever was being spotlighted. His passion for art and commitment to the community atmosphere were the first things that flashed through Wood’s mind when she learned he’d been detained.

“I was pretty pissed, pretty angry,” Wood said. “It’s been a shock, because I just didn’t think this would happen to a student I know.”

Gonzalez-Miranda’s classmates have been equally disturbed by his situation. Roderic Agbunag, a counselor at American River College, says that the school has a scholarship program and club for undocumented students and that Gonzalez-Miranda is well-known in those circles. According to Agbunag, the way ICE agents seized their classmate has cast a shadow of fear over all Dreamers on campus.

“The other undocumented students, it affects them, too,” Agbunag said.

“They’re saying to themselves, ‘All of this is actually on our doorstep now.

Our own community member is just suddenly gone.’ It makes it really hard for these students to focus on being academically sound and successful.”

As the stress on campus escalates, teachers and students have been coming together to try to help GonzalezMiranda. His sister, Sandra Gonzalez, started a GoFundMe page for his legal defense, which has so far raised more than $8,500.

“We are at a loss for words on how we feel about my brother’s situation,” Sandra wrote in a public message on the page, adding their mother has been hit particularly hard by her brother’s imprisonment. “It breaks my heart just seeing her in such a pain.”

a faciliTy ThaT sTaNds ouT Last week, more than 20 community organizations held a roundtable conference at Rep. Dorris Matsui’s office in Sacramento on ending what they call ICE’s child internment camps. The meeting came on the heels of reports that the Trump administration was planning another series of sweeping enforcement raids. One strategy advocates favored was pressuring local governments to end contracts with ICE to use their county jails as detention centers, a move the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors pulled the trigger on last year.

Since then, many detainees, GonzalezMiranda included, have been sent to Yuba County Jail.

Yuba County has a $6.5 million annual contract with the federal government, even though its jail has been under a judge’s consent decree to improve conditions since 1976. According to the Sacramento Immigration Coalition, conditions at the facility remain a problem after 40 years of legal pressure, which is especially true of the ICE detention center that’s existed there since 2008. Evidence of that, the coalition says, can be seen in the recent seven-day hunger strike that 15 detainees went on over lack of jail staffing, unsafe conditions and lack of medical and mental health care.

“There are cells that have no water, the lights are not working, pretty much the cells are dilapidated,” detainee Briant Pineda wrote in Spanish in a letter, which was translated by the immigration coalition. “We are being treated not as ICE detainees, but as criminals.”

He added, “The Yuba Jail is not dealing with medical conditions as they come.”

To some extent, independent investigations bear out the claims of Pineda and other detainees. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Detention and Compliance recently determined in its own inspections that Yuba’s jail was “deficient” on 14 of its 23 major standards.

The report was first obtained by the immigration coalition through a Freedom of Information Act request and later summarized by the California Attorney General’s Office. The AG conducted a one-day inspection of the Yuba jail in February, but relied on outside organizations and previous federal reports to highlight concerns about its medical services and whether it has appropriate “sexual abuse and assault prevention and intervention standards.”

At a jail press conference during the hunger strike, the immigration coalition’s Mahmoud Zahriya highlighted the irony.

“ICE officials are writing and expressing how poor of a job Yuba County does in monitoring its own jail,” Zahriya stressed. “If ICE is pointing fingers at Yuba County, you know conditions at this facility are extremely bad.”

Rhonda Rios Kravitz, who works with the immigrant advocacy group STEP UP Sacramento, says Yuba jail’s failures have already had dire consequences.

“There have been 41 attempted suicides [in the past 30 months], which we’ve learned about from our visits to those detained and talking with their family members,” Kravitz said. “The medical and health conditions there are abominable.”

Yuba County sheriff’s officials have not commented publicly on the claims of attempted suicide. However, in a February press release put out during a different detainee hunger strike, Yuba County Sheriff Wendell Anderson stressed that his facility was “in compliance with National Detention Standards” and that the detainees had access to education programs, counseling and addiction treatment.

Anderson also noted that some of those on ICE holds in his facility were connected to past serious criminal offenses, including aggravated assault, sexual assault, domestic violence, carjacking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, robbery, weapons charges, attempted murder and murder. The sheriff cited at least 73 detainees in his facility at that time that had such convictions in their backgrounds.

Kravitz, however, emphasizes that the detainees are mostly men and women who have paid their debts to society. She’s also convinced many are being deported over relatively minor offenses, in some cases, that are far in their pasts—like Gonzalez-Miranda.

For such detainees, STEP UP Sacramento wants ICE to move to a system where those on immigration holds would be in alternatives to detention.

That means they’d be housed with willing community members while on a monitoring program until their cases are resolved.

“These are not people who have been arrested for a crime, they are in custody on a civil hold,” Kravitz said. “There are better alternatives and these programs are way more cost-effective than the kind of detention centers that are at the Yuba County Jail.” Ω

Mandatory leadership seminars can be trying enough when you have zero feelings about the people leading them. But for employees of California State Auditor Elaine Howle, the prospect of sitting through a motivational speech by a guy who complained about an immigrant “invasion” when he endorsed President Donald Trump three years ago was too much to bear.

The office confirmed to SN&R on July 11 that it canceled the following day’s keynote address after employees complained about the man slated to give it—hall of fame college football coach and xenophobic octogenarian Lou Holtz.

Decades before making divisive comments about immigrants during a Republican Party speech in 2016, Holtz abruptly resigned as the Arkansas football coach in 1983, after getting blowback for appearing in two commercials supporting the reelection of then-U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, a longtime civil rights foe and segregationist.

Margarita Fernández, a spokeswoman for Howle, told SN&R last week that staff concerns prompted the cancellation of Holtz’s speaking gig.

SN&R obtained internal emails, including from chief deputy state auditor of operations Paul Navarro, that billed the speaking engagements as mandatory for all staff to attend and to be focused on “impactful personal and professional leadership.”

According to speaker bios emailed to staff, Holtz was to address employees about setting goals and accomplishing them through good leadership, planning, and teamwork. By the time Holtz’s appearance was canceled, state workers had already sat through the presentations of evan Marwell, a self-styled “serial entrepreneur” who founded the nonprofit Education SuperHighway, and photographer steve uzzell.

(Raheem F. Hosseini)

RecidiVisM dips Eight years after the Golden State implemented sweeping changes to its criminal justice system, a recent study suggested there has been small but measurable progress in one key area for evaluating these experiments: declining recidivism rates.

A decade ago, a panel of federal judges determined that California’s prisons were so overcrowded that they were increasing inmate death rates. Known as the Plata case, the judges ordered state leaders to reduce the prison population or risk a court-mandated mass release. In 2011, California realigned its prison system, shifting thousands of lower-level inmates to county jails rather than state penitentiaries. Then, in 2014, California voters passed Proposition 47, which reduced certain felonies to misdemeanors.

Evaluating the aftermath of those reforms, the public policy institute of california presented its study in late June to an audience in downtown Sacramento. The study tracked recidivism rates between 2011 and 2015.

The study was presented by two of its authors, Mia Bird, a professor of public policy at uc Berkeley, and Justin Goss, an accounting expert at ucla. The analysis included data not only from the state prison system, but also from 12 county jails and probation departments, including Sacramento’s, with those counties representing about 60% of the state’s population.

“This is quite a broad look at recidivism,” Bird noted.

The new study found a 2% reduction in the overall rearrest rate, to 66% of inmates released from prison or jail ending up in custody again. The felony re-arrest rate dropped from 56% to 53%. The felony reconviction rate dropped even further, from 30% to 22%. While re-arrests for drug offenses were markedly down, there was a 1% increase in re-arrests for violent crimes.

(Scott Thomas Anderson)

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Crossover America organizes basketball games during Summer Night Lights on the Mack Road Kings Court behind the community center, built by the Sacramento Kings in partnership with Kaiser Permanente in 2014.

Diamond Weaver, cornerbacks coach for Stony Brook University football, addresses the crowd at Summer Night Lights on Friday, June 28.

Weaver is from Sacramento’s Mack-Valley neighborhood and was involved with Crossover America in his youth.

PhoToS by MArgheriTA beALe

Saving the summer They grew up around Mack Road. Now they’re keeping the peace on the streets through Summer Night Lights.

by Margherita Beale

Sacramento Summer Night Lights continues Thursday-Saturday, 7-10 p.m., until Aug. 18. Visit mackroad partnership.com/ event/sacramento -summer-night -lights-7 for details.

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Just down the street from where he grew up in Sacramento, Chris Cooper is engaged in what he describes as a hyperlocal humanitarian effort—one that doesn’t send peacekeepers or aid workers thousands of miles away, but instead puts them to work much closer to home.

The 27-year-old is a program coordinator for the Summer Night Lights program, which returned last month to South Sacramento, a working-class part of the city high in poverty and crime, but also civic engagement.

For the past five years, the threemonth-long Summer Night Lights program has transformed the Mack Road Valley Hi Community Center into a buzzy place for area youth and their families to spend weekend nights. Pickup basketball and soccer games, relay races, |

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dance lessons, talent competitions, arts and crafts activities and community resources compete for their attention while also protecting kids from the violence that can flare unexpectedly during the dog days of summer.

Keeping the peace is important to Cooper. And for him it means preventing trouble rather than trying to stop it once it’s already started.

“When you’re on the intervention side you see the blood,” Cooper said.

“You see the high level of trauma, you’ve seen crying mothers. You’re in that hospital setting—an environment when you’re seeing that near-death moment.

“You come here and you have an opportunity to change that trajectory before it can even get to that point.”

Started in 2014 by the ReImagine Mack Road Foundation, Summer Night Lights starts each June. The program was modeled after one in Los Angeles, where organizers saw a sharp drop in gang violence after setting up community spaces with “free food, entertainment, recreation, education and artistic activities” during weekend evenings, when they determined youth were most susceptible to involvement in violence and crime.

Following the success in L.A., the ReImagine foundation looked to do something similar for the area encompassing Mack Road, Valley Hi and Center Parkway. During Summer Night Light’s first year, there wasn’t a single homicide in the area, a first in 15 years. It was this statistic that helped the program gain widespread popularity, said ReImagine program coordinator Ian Levin.

It branched out to Del Paso Heights in 2015 and Meadowview last year.

According to 2013 U.S. Census figures, 24% of the 4,798 families in the South Sac area lived below the federal poverty level. According to the program’s 2019 overview, police maps over the years have highlighted the 1.2-mile Mack Road area as “a volatile, trouble zone.”

But residents say those snapshots don’t tell the whole story of their vibrant neighborhood.

Alaye Sanders, 22, started with Summer Night Lights as a peacekeeper, defusing disputes before they escalated.

The youth squad leader stressed that it’s easy for people to make negative assumptions about neighborhoods they don’t know.

“Everyone in this community that knows the people that are here … don’t have nearly as negative of an outlook as everyone else,” Sanders said. “So I encourage people to just come down to programs like Summer Night Lights and just really get involved before making such a strong opinion about a place that nobody has really been a part of.”

Summer Night Lights doesn’t just provide a safe space—it provides youth like Sanders with jobs and training.

Every year, the program hires between 10 and 12 youth from the 95823 zip code to help run the program.

Jakayla Frazier, 19, started as a youth squad member three years ago, when program leaders came to Valley High School and handed out applications.

Now, she serves as a squad leader.

“I love working with my community for the simple fact that I live in this community,” Frazier said. “I understand them. I came from the trenches so I know everything that they go through.”

The program also aims to address hunger. According to the Elk Grove Unified School District, around 88% of students who attend schools in the Valley-Mack area are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. In 2018, Summer Night Lights served 5,502 free meals.

In a survey conducted last year

by Summer Night Lights, 88% of respondents said they felt an increase in neighborhood pride, 95% reported feeling safe at the events and 97% said they would return the following year.

That could get easier now. In June, Democratic Assemblyman Jim Cooper of Elk Grove spearheaded an effort to provide $750,000 in additional funding for the program through the 2019-20 state budget.

“You come here and young people are enjoying themselves,” said Omar Turner, program director and founder of Crossover America, which organizes the program’s basketball games. “They’re able to express themselves and do whatever they like. You’ve got police officers over here participating. You don’t find that too many places.” Ω

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California’s new wildfire plan

by Julie Cart

You will be forgiven for having the impression that California lawmakers have been talking about comprehensive wildfire legislation forever, when it has only been days since the new bill ricocheted from the Assembly to the Senate and back again.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it on July 12, less than a week after the first elected official cleared his throat to introduce the package.

Isn’t thIs just a baIlout for CalIfornIa’s bIg utIlItIes? Kinda. One way to look at it is that the financial health of ratepayers, wildfire victims and utilities are intertwined. The first two groups need utility companies to maintain a beating heart in order to stave off higher electricity bills or to prevent being left high and dry after a utility-caused fire.

So there’s some mutual self-interest at work here.

The law sets a June 30, 2020 deadline for the state’s largest utility—Pacific Gas & Electric Co.—to emerge from bankruptcy, and requires that it settle with victims from 2017-18 fires it caused before it can participate in other aspects of the state plan.

That timeframe was meant for an audience of one: Dennis Montali, the San Francisco judge presiding over PG&E’s bankruptcy case.

Bankruptcy proceedings are notoriously thorny and can drag on for years. Lawmakers are hoping that the judge will see the law as providing the possibility of resolution and a way forward for the state’s largest utility—and thus accelerate the legal process.

What about the WIldfIre vICtIms’ fund? hoW does that Work?

Actually the companies can choose between two proposed options. In either case, fire victims are compensated by the utilities, via the fund. One is called a liquidity fund, and it establishes a $10.5 billion line of credit for utilities to draw from to cover fire costs that exceed their insurance coverage.

If the company is later found to have improperly operated its equipment, it must pay back the amount it took out. The second option is called an insurance fund. The fund will hold at least $21 billion, with half coming from the utilities and half from ratepayers from an existing state fund.

C A L m a t t e rs

(Ratepayers have been kicking in $2.50 a month for the fund, an amount that was set to expire.)

PG&E is barred from participating in either fund until it emerges from bankruptcy and all companies must comply with other requirements such as linking executive compensation to their firm’s safety record.

WIll thIs pot of moneY help WIldfIre vICtIms? In theory.

Without question, $21 billion is a lot of money. But keep in mind that, given the ever-increasing frequency, size, intensity and destructiveness of fires in California, the price tag to make victims whole is likewise exploding.

Consider, too, that PG&E alone estimates its liability for the most recent fires is in the neighborhood of $30 billion. So, it’s an open question how long even a fund as large as that will remain intact.

What does anY of thIs have to do WIth preventIng or ContaInIng fIres?

Yes, it seems as if there’s a lot about liability and bankruptcy but not much that speaks to the business of preventing or putting out wildfires.

The law requires the three big investor-owned companies to spend $5 billion to fireproof their equipment. They had already pledged to spend $3 billion in that effort, and that work can have a real impact. That’s things like insulating transmission and distribution lines, clearing trees and brush around equipment, replacing wooden power poles with steel or composite ones and placing protective covering over some infrastructure.

So that’s a big deal because so-called utility hardening projects can make it less likely that animals, wind or tree limbs will interfere with power equipment and spark fires.

And, for the first time, the state is requiring utilities obtain a safety certification, setting a standard for safe and responsible operation. Ω

CALmatters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics. An unabridged version of this story is available at newsreview.com/sacramento.

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Making SenSe of S a c r a m e n t o

When SN&R decided to hold a fiction and poetry contest, we thought that Sacramento is a region rich with writers.

We were proven right by the enthusiastic response—more than 150 entries in the four categories: The first part of a story or novel at a maximum of 500 words, flash fiction of 100 words or less, the best opening line and poems of as many 250 words.

And who knew there were so many poets out there? There were more entries in that category than any other.

The entries had to be about Sacramento, or set in Sacramento.

(Unfortunately, some submissions didn’t follow that rule and were disqualified.) So common themes included current issues such as homelessness, but also our history going back to the Gold Rush, plus the natural beauty of the Delta, the rivers and trees.

The editorial staff picked winners, plus honorable mentions, in each category. Special thanks to Capital Books in downtown Sacramento for providing gift certificates to the winners.

We hope this will become an annual event. For now, enjoy the writing of some of your fellow Sacramentans. Ω

featuring art by

Jefferson Miller

14 | SN&R | 07.18.19

StorieS winner

Miranda Culp 44, freelance writer and yoga teacher, Sacramento “Free Music” “Deep breaths, Reggie, deep breaths!” Janet screeched this in a way that was probably not soothing to Reggie, but she was trying to get him to “utilize his tools.”

They were standing under the grimy overpass on 21st Street with the auto garage and an empty lot where someone had planted an unlikely row of corn.

Janet would amble by this unprotected crop and casually check if the bright green stalks offered up any actual ears. Not that she could eat it since another tooth had popped out recently.

Reggie flapped his skinny brown arms and made a humming-hissing sound like he just stubbed a toe. Someone had taken their shit.

“It’s alright, buddy, there wasn’t much in there anyway.”

To score a bed in the same facility together was rare, so they took turns guarding the shopping cart.

Someone found it; everything was gone. This did not surprise Janet, but poor Reg, she thought.

The old Walkman Reggie had found at a Goodwill with working batteries and a Rob Base tape in it—that’s what distressed him. Janet was more of a Deadhead herself, although her days of being in crowds were long over.

“Buddy,” she said, finding a refried menthol in her ripped coat pocket. “Here,” Reggie accepted the half-smoked butt and started patting at his baggy jeans.

“I don’t even have a light,” Reggie wailed.

“You’ve got plenty of Light!” Janet joked.

Remember when restaurants had little books of matches, their company logo on the front and matchheads the same color as the cover? You never see that anymore. Reggie got his smoke lit and rubbed the back of his head, his way of saying thank you.

Okay, strategies. Loaves and Fishes was probably their best bet. She squinted at the sun in the sky. The line would be huge by the time they got there. They didn’t have money to catch the bus.

“We need to score some food, man.” Reggie nodded, looked at the ground, the itch gone out of him. Losing shit was normal. It was the idea of ownership at all that had become strange.

Probably an hour later, they were trudging downtown when Reggie suddenly perked up. “You hear that?” he asked Janet whose head was pounding, her mouth dry.

“No what.”

“I hear music.” He was right. A steady thump bounced over them from the park. Janet tried to reroute Reggie, but it was too late.

“It’s Friday!” he whooped, his gangly limbs suddenly reanimated but far more—what’s the word—jubilant this time. The thick tunka-tunk-tunk of a rockabilly bass wended its way around the buildings. He would probably scavenge food truck leftovers, but Janet couldn’t go in there. Too many vibes.

“We have to eat,” she tried, knowing Reggie was already disappearing into the undulating bodies of concertgoers to dance in the empty fountain.

It’s okay, she thought to herself as she sloughed towards the promise of a meal. He’s young. He probably needs music even more than food.

able H o n o ro n menti

milan Djurasovic 31, group facilitator and author of Balkan Grit, a book of short stories, Sacramento

Excerpts from “A Soft Taco:” At the corner of D and 15th, I snatched a chicken soft taco out of a kid’s hand and inhaled it before anyone could do anything about it. The kid’s dad threw his soda at me and got me all sticky. A debate ensued.

I told him he owed me a new pair of pants and he told me I owed his kid a chicken taco. He obviously won that round.

But I am the kind of man who will shield his honor at any cost to his dignity. For my closing argument, I decided to take off my clothes and prance around my foe in contracting circles. Debate over! Check mate!

When people feel intellectually outmaneuvered, they become consumed with resentment, and sometimes they call the cops. The blue automatons chased me around the block; I shouted and threw rocks at them. They eventually subdued me and asked me to lower my tone. I replied that I enjoyed yelling and that they were missing out.

They bought my silence with soda and a stale peanut butter cookie. I thought it a just transaction.

At the hospital they turned a hose over me and gave me a scandalous gown to wear. I protested, told them I wanted a cotton bathrobe, and I halfheartedly punched a man servant. The autocrat in white hid behind the guards and ordered “booty juice” and solitary confinement. The sugary sap muddled my reason and weakened my knees. I sat on the floor and fell asleep. I dreamed about grandma’s cooking.

A youthful virgin woke me up two days later.

She asked about my coping skills and leisure interests. I told her about the pectoral cross with which I was decorated for my services to the mankind. She wrote on her pad that my replies were tangential and had no earthly motives. I begged her to ask the autocrat for more “booty juice.” She told me that a second dose was a long shot for the uninsured. As a compromise, I was promised crackers in exchange for attending group and taking part in a tournament of Scattegories. ...

My etiquette and overall victory earned me discharge documents. The autocrat himself placed the certificate in my hands, along with sincere words of praise and good wishes.

As the guards escorted me through the cafeteria toward the exit doors, the kitchen stewards rolled their carts passed me on which there were hundreds of soft-shelled tacos. With moisture on my lips and eyes wide open, I looked at the pudgier guard, thinking he would understand. He shook his head firmly and gestured for me to get out.

Julian Quinn 26, paralegal, Sacramento

Excerpts from “Urbs Indominita: The Great Flood of 2068 in Retrospect:” When Jen stepped out of the pouring rain into the autoride, there was, unsurprisingly, already a passenger inside. But she was shocked to see the man sitting on the other side of the bench was wearing a black suit. He was probably ten years older than her.

He gave her a cursory smile as she sat down.

The car began to move forward, bouncing roughly over the potholes.

“You’re going South?”

“I’m going to Mack Road, sir.”

“Is that South?”

“I think so, sir.”

“Did you tell the car?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What class did you pay?”

“C class.”

“Oh,” he said. “I paid A.” He continued, “I’m supposed to get out at the Capitol. I think that’s north once we get on the freeway. Isn’t that out of your way?”

“I think so, yes.” …

“Did you know,” he said in a funny tone, “that we live in a pyramid?”

“Excuse me, sir. A pyramid?”

He chuckled. “Where you work, are you surveilled?”

“Yeah, there are cameras.”

“After you leave your work, all the footage from all the cameras is sent to another firm, where they analyze it to pick out inefficiencies. That’s how we automate. I don’t know where you work, but I know where the footage goes. It’s called Introspection; I work there.”

“Oh.” “The people who analyze the footage, your supervisors, they have supervisors too. That’s my job: supervising supervisors. And I have people who supervise me, and so on and so on. There are fewer people at every level; it’s a pyramid. We live in it.”

“From the top of a pyramid you have one view, and from the bottom you have a different view.

When I see the world, I see it as a map; when you see the world, you move around it on paths. I see it from above, you see it from the ground.”

Roughly 30 minutes later the man got out of the car in front of the Capitol.

Jen made it home within an hour, lucky to have the car not pick up any other passengers paying A class. Water flowed into the living room through the front door as she stepped inside the house. Jen peeked into the room where she slept. There were three bunk beds in a row; hers was the top middle bed. It was dark, everyone asleep. Jen rummaged around in her jacket for the packet of shatter pellets she had bought on her lunch break. Four hours’ wages. She put two pellets in her vaper, climbed into bed and finally blissed out.

opening

line winner

Jamey nye 45, educational administrator, Sacramento

My hips grew before my breasts, so by freshman year at C.K. McClatchy High School, I was known as the chubby nice girl, the one who wore cover-ups on hot Sacramento swim days while skinny Camille and Tara wore almost nothing, the chubby nice girl with slender daydreams who ate salad with friends and french fries alone and who took selfies from the shoulders up, the chubby nice girl weighed down by the unwelcomed curves of adolescence who longed to be less and more, smaller and greater—the chubby nice girl who, like all chubby nice girls in high school, was not very nice to herself.

ble a r o n o H n mentio

stephen Reinhard retired, Sacramento My brain contains all the knowledge in the entire universe, but unfortunately for this world, I am a turkey on the American River bike trail and nobody queries a turkey for solutions—until now.

“ m aking sense of s a cr a m ento ” continued on page 16

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“ m Aking SenSe OF s a cr a m ent o ” continued from page 15

pOem winner

ntio e m e l b Honora

Sue Owens Wright 71, author and artist, Sacramento

CiTY of TreeS Sacramento, city of trees, bright green waves in the Delta breeze; trees I climbed as a child when I was wild and skinned my knees shinnying up those trees.

Trees that bow to touch strong hands on downtown streets in regal stands, shading those who passed along in jostling wagons to this golden land.

Catherine Fraga 64, English professor at Sacramento State, Carmichael

Yard Sale When someone else’s sadness sends me out, I fill the hours with the temporary distractions of other lives.

Down H Street, dresses softened like old paperbacks a tin John Wayne wastebasket two flannel nightgowns hanging in frail fullness miniature Christmas firs crafted with plastic needles a 1972 Music Circus poster a faded River Cats hat.

I touch everything— fingers gliding over all the possibilities until I have seen enough, until my breath catches in my throat like water being sucked down a drain.

Trees that whisper evensong, casting shadows long beside the river trail where shy quail gather chicks along the quiet banks where cottonwood grow strong.

Mulberry, elm, oak, and birch, myriad hues of browns and grays leafy church to them who praise sentinels that shield our kin; Sacramento’s trees, sheltering all our days.

n

Andrew Jones 31, high school English teacher, Sacramento

The Man in The Train I sat pointless when his jacket caught in the closing automatic door as, his banging fists unheard, the train harangued forth with him gripped steely to the bare exterior of the SacRT commuter which tore through traffic not ever slowing even when the ticket agent was made aware to this danger by a hollering Jamaican woman and he mumbled frightened into his radio that a man was pinched in the doors like an ort of spinach stuck between incorrigible lips until the train arrived unbothered at 29th Street where the man, finally freed, boarded the instant I disembarked onto the yellow platform and was followed by unidentifiable stuff thrown from the mouthy entrance whose owner seemed obvious because he— the very same he!— stumbled out after his stuff and me into the cacophonous evening air and chattered with an old man lost in a plastic bag.

I threw one leg over my bike to pedal home, yet much of me remained at the SacRT stop, pondering and prodding at that trapped man as a tongue may peruse the widening gap between gum and loose tooth, thinking that while he clung to his burden, I sat sending some dumb text, safe in my seat, unaware that outside my world a dust-jacket man clutched the entire train, foretelling yet forbidden from the story crushing his sleeve.

“ m Aking SenSe OF s a cr a m ento ” 16 | SN&R | 07.18.19

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However, today, there are still millions of eligible homeowners who may simply not be aware of this “retirement secret. ”Some homeowners think these loans sound “too good to be true.” while others don’t know how a reverse mortgage works or understand the process of extracting equity from their home. You get the cash you need out of your home but you have no more monthly mortgage payments.

It’s a fact: “no monthly mortgage payments” are required with a reverse jumbo mortgage; however, homeowners are still responsible for paying for the maintenance of their home, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and, if required, their HOA fees.

While some wait until they need cash, a jumbo reverse mortgage loan with AAG is best applied as a vital planning

Our new Reverse Mortgage information guides & DVD are now available featuring award-winning actor and paid AAG spokesman, Tom Selleck

*Source:https://www.mpamag.com/market-update/senior-home-equity-has-grown-to-6-9-trillion-112295.aspx Reverse mortgage loan terms include occupying the home as your primary residence, maintaining the home, paying property taxes and homeowners insurance. Although these costs may be substantial, AAG does not establish an escrow account for these payments. However, aset-aside account can be set up for taxes and insurance, and in some cases may be required. Not all interest on a reverse mortgage is tax-deductible and to the extent that it is, such deduction is not available until the loan is partially or fully repaid AAG charges an origination fee, mortgage insurance premium (where required by HUD), closing costs and servicing fees, rolled into the balance of the loan. AAG charges interest on the balance, which grows over time.

When the last borrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse dies, sells the home, permanently moves out, or fails to comply with the loan terms, the loan becomes due and payable (and the property may become subject to foreclosure). When this happens, some or all of the equity in the property no longer belongs to the borrowers, who may need to sell the home or otherwise repay the loan balance.V2019.04.17 NMLS# 9392 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). American Advisors Group (AAG) is headquartered at 3800 W. Chapman Ave., 3rd & 7th Floors, Orange CA, 92868. (CA Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license (603F324) and Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act (4131144)) These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency.

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You should be

getting it once a week. if you would like to carry the paper for free, call GreG at 916.498.1234, ext. 1317 or email GreGe@newsreview.com n e w s r e v i e w.c o m

“ m aking sense oF s a cr a m ent o ”

FLash Fiction continued from page 16

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Perrie J. 16, student, Sacramento Heat blankets the night. Mosquitoes buzz aimlessly, searching for a meal. She lies on the pavement of a new driveway of an old house, eyes searching for a star. The sky is bright with clouds and pollution. The girl sighs into the darkness. The damp air presses close around her.

There. Something twinkles, lonely in the ashy atmosphere. A star, maybe. It blinks past, red and white. Just another airplane, passing by.

A cold Delta breeze raises goosebumps on the girl’s legs. Sacramento summer nights are worth the star-searching, she thinks.

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“You’re better than your photos online,” Hellen said.

“Thanks?” the boy replied.

“Come to Der Biergarten often?”

“If someone takes me.”

“You’ve the most expressive eyes.”

“Quite the leap in tone?”

“Perhaps.”

“Can I go home with you?”

“That’s a leap! Why?” “Because I’m loyal and a protector.”

“Former is necessary, but insufficient; the latter is complex.”

“They’re traits in my genes. I also talk. You want more?!”

“I guess that’s all I could ask from a good boy I met through Front Street Animal Shelter.”

Then Hellen grabbed the boy’s leash, and he heeled as they walked home.

There aren’t too many people who aspire to end up at a tent on Ahern.

I’m one of the lucky few.

I travel through turmoil, shuffled through Stockton, fight through Fruitridge and deal with Del Paso. I roll through Railroad and persevere Piss Alley.

I see needles, tents, bottles and pimps.

Wheelchairs, canes, walkers and stints.

A man screams. A child bawls.

Dogs fight. A woman yowls.

Desperation is everywhere.

My lofty journey to the epitome of the gutter is just the beginning. I know there is a better ending.

This is the unseen office of the social worker.

staff group

fiction

5 writers. 5 chapters. 0 communication.

Welcome to sn&r’s staff fiction experiment.

Chapter 1: a Constellation of two

By Raheem F. Hosseini He was a walk-in. Lind Alexander hated walk-ins. A waste of time 99.9% of the time. The new receptionist let him through. Lind asked for a first impression. The receptionist shrugged and said, “He doesn’t seem crazy.”

Even money remained on crazy. Lind grabbed a notepad and dragged herself to the lobby where the man stood fidgeting.

He wouldn’t talk until they were alone. After the receptionist took the hint, the man reluctantly admitted the voices in his head and the things they told him to do—switch his cable to Xfinity, tell the newspapers about the abandoned van under the X Street overpass, the one that people got into but never came out of. He smelled of spearmint and soap, another young Sacramentan sliding into the early stages of schizophrenia. Tragic, yes. Newsworthy, no.

He said his name was Donovan.

He wouldn’t give a surname or phone number. He crinkled a plastic water bottle in his hand and droned on with a dry mouth. His gums stuck. He connected dots like stars of a constellation only he had mapped.

Well, he and one other person.

That person also noticed the white van. That person wrote a suicide note with the van’s license plate number on it. That person

disappeared two weeks ago. Now Donovan had the note.

“Do you want to see it?” he whispered.

Lind palmed her cellphone and checked the time. Donovan squirmed.

“I know how this sounds,” he stammered. “But if this was like a mental thing, like if my mind— something would’ve happened to me. Trauma, right?”

Lind didn’t contradict him. She absentmindedly felt the scar under her knee. You don’t tell a crazy person they’re crazy.

“What do you want to happen here?” she asked, point blank. She held Donovan’s hungry stare. She saw something tilt.

“Lindsey,” he said. “It’s me.”

Chapter 2: ‘away’

By Steph Rodriguez “Lindsey … Lindsey … Hey! Lindsey!”

Lind quickly sat up from another daydream whiplash thanks to her friend Mike, a fellow gutter punk and all around know-it-all. The two sat on a red park bench at their usual kick-it spot in Lincoln Park as the chaotic echoes of afternoon traffic surrounded them.

“Where’d you go this time?”

Mike asked as he took a quick sip from a cheap pint of Four Roses concealed in a wrinkled, brown paper bag.

“Away,” Lind coldly responded before grabbing the bag. She took a long swig before lighting a cigarette.

As the smoke curved between her fingers with chipped nail polish, she began thinking about where she’d just been. A newsroom?

Lind had a knack for slipping into her subconscious, a place where she often escaped to imagine her life differently. Different city. Different parents. Different job—or any job for that matter.

She enjoyed the escape. After all, who wouldn’t?

Chapter 3: we don’t talk about the van inCident

By Rachel Mayfield “You working today?”

She nodded, only slightly. The less she acknowledged the question, the less she had to think about her job. Her real job.

“I don’t get why they had to put you on wax duty. If I could’ve explained we were just testing out the van—” “It doesn’t matter.” Lind cut him off. It was bad enough having to work at her family’s auto mall, a multi-brand dealership with “super great vehicles, hot hot deals and just okay financing.” She tried to persuade her dad to change the slogan. No one was going to buy a car with just okay financing. And now this van incident. What a mess.

Before Lind could slip back into her thoughts, Mike clocked a figure in the distance.

“Hey!” He waved. Mike seemed to know everybody.

“So who’s this guy?” she asked.

Mike motioned for the figure to join them.

“Him? Oh, that’s Don. Donald?

No, wait … Donovan.”

Chapter 4: donovan

By Mozes Zarate At the sidewalk’s edge he stood, head slouched, crushed by heavy thoughts and the world’s forbidden knowledge. Of the Del Paso sex cult and the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

Of doors to other dimensions and a dead woman who knew too much.

“You good, Donovan?” Mike asked.

“They wouldn’t let me sleep last night,” Donovan said, eyes trapped on Lind. “They told me all about you.”

His cracked lip twitched. His metal pincer for a hand shook, holding a crumpled sheet scribbled with pen marks that Lind recognized.

Lind blinked and he was still there. The ghost with a story to pitch, now a half-man, half-machine standing right in front of her.

“Lindsey, it’s me,” he said. “I’m looking to buy a used car.”

Chapter 5: hot off the lot

By Maxfield Morris Donovan got ready in front of a mirror. He’d switched out of the red blazer again. It was ostentatious.

Today didn’t call for it. To be fair, it didn’t fit anymore, either.

Scraping his dull safety razor across his left cheek, Donovan took a moment. It was supposed to be his final day working the car lot.

April 3, 1977, the fancy Kentucky Derby horse calendar read. Almost four years to the day spent clocking in, hocking cars to parents, to prom kings, to the worst people in this town.

Never again.

With a last glance into his own deadened eyes, Donovan left his bathroom, stepped out of his apartment and approached his van.

Peeling open the back doors, he exposed a maze of wires, PCBs and a harem of other electronics, gears and strange contraptions. He pushed a series of numbers on a keypad, pulled a rusty lever and pressed a silicone button.

He slammed the doors shut, staggering to the driver’s side door.

Inside, he released the emergency brake and pulled a cluster of wires out from underneath his seat. He pulled back his sleeve, revealing a port spliced into the flesh of his wrist. With a breath, he slid the wires into the port and turned the ignition. It sputtered to life.

“I’m coming for you, baby,” Donovan said, pulling a note from his pocket as the engine began to scream. “I’ll be there soon.” Ω

07.18.19 | SN&R | 19

T

Housinginsecure youth rock the main stage under a local record label

by Mozes zarate

he final rehearsal kicks off with a deep breath.

“I want you to close your eyes to imagine one moment in the show,” Grace Loescher gently instructs the artists for a group meditation.

They sit in a classroom narrowed by paintings, musical instruments and computer monitors on a Friday afternoon.

But in their minds, it’s Sunday night, and they’re at Ace of Spades—backstage getting pumped in the green room, by the merch table signing autographs, alone onstage for the first time, looking out at the crowd.

“I want you to imagine that moment going perfectly. Going exactly as you dreamed it, exactly as you deserve it,” continues Loescher, director of The Creation District. “I want us to put that right in front of our foreheads, and we’re going to keep that picture with us throughout the whole show. … Things are going to go wrong. Little things. Big things. But that picture is what is actually going on for each of us.”

All in their late teens or 20s, the Creation District crew opens their eyes, returning to the classroom inside Wind Youth Services, a safe space for young adults experiencing homelessness in Sacramento. They ease back to reality, where after seven months of recording

moze sz@ n ewsrev i ew . com

g i b e Th

t u b de 20 | SN&R | 07.18.19

and rehearsing, these 10 artists will each get five minutes to perform to about 1,000 people, in between performances by indie pop duo So Much Light and the folk-rap band Hobo Johnson & the LoveMakers.

The annual show on July 14 at Ace of Spades marked the release of the second album under a fledgling record label by the Creation District, a program under the nonprofit Waking the Village that provides free art supplies, classes and studio time with top-notch recording gear.

For some of the 10 musicians featured on the album, their fellow artists are the only family they have, and the art is their life.

“Really rocky home lives, your siblings or parents in and out of jail, people who you’re close to passing away. … Not having a super stable life and being an amazing music star is hard,” Loescher told SN&R.

Down and out Like high school before the bell rings, the classroom roars as the group scoots their chairs toward a small stage, sharing laughter and amping up. It’s time to run through the songs.

There are rappers King Shadow, J. Curly, LaRay, OG Playa and Dacce; singers Diamond and J. Deville; and dancer Mezzy, who was slated to open the set.

Singer Lil Babby Ke and rapper Goddess of Darkness couldn’t make the rehearsal.

“Curly,” who is Nathaniel Simmons, 20, was homeless when he heard about the Creation District’s free studio time. His tune, “We Could Be Anything,” is a rhyme about overcoming adversity, spat over wah-ed synth and lo-fi rhythm.

A rapper since he was 7, Simmons said he wants to top the charts like

Nathaniel Simmons, aka J. Curly, performing at Ace of Spades for Creation District Records’ album release show on July 14.

The general’s ‘wives’ see sTage

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fresh fruiT cockTails see Drink

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cuTe waTer meTers? see place

Eminem, faster than Eminem. He lived in 15 different foster homes from age 4 to 9. After moving to Missouri for a year, he returned to Sacramento in 2018, separating from his ex-girlfriend and newborn.

“I love my boy to death, and hopefully he’ll grow up to see his dad a talented man,” Simmons said.

He recently reunited with his biological parents, and his father was at the show. “I’m scared,” Simmons said. “But I’m also exhilarated.”

“Shadow,” real name Esteban Galvan, 18, said he left home straight out of high school.

“I wasn’t in a safe environment to be in, living with my dad and stepmom,” he said. “I couldn’t be myself around them. I would just lock myself in my room all day.”

Galvan said his father pressured him to give up music. He wrote his song, “A Girl Named Tess,” while hospitalized in January after he overdosed on Benadryl, he said.

“I just thought that [my parents] would see, and start taking me seriThe musicians, ously,” Galvan said. “I gave up and themselves, were decided to take the whole bottle. The involved in the entire doctors said I could have been in a process, including coma.” the album cover and In his sweetly morose rap ballad merchandise designs. with whistles and keys, Galvan “The resiliency of expresses remorse to a girl he says he continuing to create pushed away during that time. He says in the face of wild hearing the final recorded song helped difficulty and injustices him realize he’s at a turning point. reminds me that I “I was able to tell my story in front can do that each day, of people,” he said. “Like OK, this too,” says Loescher, a happened, and now I’m trying to find a grace loescher spoken word artist who different road and not get stuck in the director, the Creation District runs the Speak Out! same place for a long time.”

Sacramento open-mic Loescher, who manages the label, at Shine Café. “And founded Creation District Records when things are hard, in 2015 after realizing that many of they can do it, I can do it, we can all do it and the regulars were musicians. So Much Light keep moving and creating.” frontman Damien Verrett and Hobo Johnson, real name Frank Lopes, helped Loescher get the label running, and the three sometimes ‘Life is short’ recorded in a pop-up studio out of a van or set up in the bathrooms of shelters.

“OG Playa” needed a cigarette. Up the stairs Creation District Records held its first and past the open door to the stage, house music showcase last year at Harlow’s Restaurant blared for a crowd that earlier wrapped around and Nightclub. This year, Verrett produced the block on R Street outside Ace of Spades. It songs and taught music classes, while Lopes was five minutes until show time. donated instruments and soundgear and helped “You know, I got my family here, my secure Ace of Spades. A world-touring artist friends,” he said. “It’s nerve-wracking, I’m not who recently signed with Warner Brothers gonna lie. I’m gonna pull through, though. Life Records, he also drew a dedicated fan-base to is short, and I gotta live my life. It’s my motivathe show. tion, my drive.”

“Not having a super stable life and being an amazing music star is hard.”

26

moon lanDing Turns 50 see calenDar

Photos by Ashley hAyes-stone

He wasn’t alone. Earlier, one artist almost dropped out, but the group cheered them into submission. Everyone was on board now.

With Loescher emceeing and Verrett DJ’ing, the set kicked off with a twitch-hop dance routine from Mezzy, punctuated by heavy bass and an animatronic voice droning the word “Focus.”

LaRay glided through his song, “Middle Child,” wooing the crowd with brash confidence. J. Deville brought idyllic vibes for a hopeful reunion with his oldies R&B tune, “I’ll Be Missing You,” sometimes hitting offkey, but winning an applause by the end. OG Playa closed the set with a banger, “Turn It,” LaRay providing backup.

For the most part, the crowd of about 900 got it. It wasn’t a typical show with a professional instrumentalist or singer. Part of the ride was watching in suspense, hoping for a clean delivery.

The night grossed around $10,000, with $2,000 given directly to the artists, Loescher said.

The day after the show, Loescher said she was still riding a high. Her team, for a moment, were rock stars.

“I thought it was so fucking cool, finally, that these amazing young adults got to have— even just for a night—the quality of life they deserve.” Ω

28

Creation District Director Grace Loescher leads a production meeting ahead of the show.

learn more about Creation District Records at thecreationdistrict.com/record-label.

07.18.19 | SN&R | 21

now playing

Reviews

5

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Caught in the middle

by Jim Carnes

Photo courtesy of celebration arts

When Monty Navarro learns his late mother was disinherited from the wealthy D’Ysquith family, he resolves to kill all eight heirs and become the Earl of Highhurst. This is a fast-paced, exuberant and truly funny musical.

Thu 8pm, Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm; Through 8/4; $15-$30;

Davis Veterans Memorial Theater, 203 E 14th Street in Davis; (530) 802-0998; shakespearedavis.org. B.S.

5

5

The Tenth Muse

Shakespeare in Love

Three young women who are admitted to a convent for their protection during the Mexican Inquisition discover the lost writings of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, a revolutionary intellectual who died 20 years before.

Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm; Through

8/3; $15-$30; Davis Veterans Memorial Theater, 203 E 14th St. in Davis, (530) 802-0998, shakespearedavis.org. B.S.

A struggling, penniless playwright named Will Shakespeare tries to overcome writer’s block, pay off debts and break into a newly established theater world. Not only is it fun to see how his work comes about, but also how his plots are affected by his own world. Fri

7:30pm, Sun 2pm; Through 7/28; $5-$25; Sacramento

City College Main Auditorium, 3835 Freeport Boulevard; (916) 558-2228; sacramentoshakespeare. net. P.R.

short reviews by bev sykes and Patti roberts.

Photo courtesy of Daun KiM

For these women, it’s a neverending fight to survive.

Eclipsed

4

thu 8pm, fri 8pm, sat 8pm, sun 2pm. through 8/11; $10-$20; celebration arts, 2727 b st., (916) 455-2787, celebrationarts.net.

Celebration Arts’ current production, Eclipsed, is a rare theatrical event—a play written by a woman and acted by an all-female cast. It’s also a rare, challenging drama about people in a far distant and different land than our own, but facing situations that are all too familiar.

Playwright and Hollywood star Danai Gurira sets her tale in a rebel army camp in Liberia in 2003 (the Second Liberian Civil War to oust President Charles Taylor from power). The women, who share a single, sparse room, are captive brides of “the C.O.,” a rebel general. They are known solely by their rank: Wife No. 1, No.2, etc. There are petty jealousies, schemes and arguments, but the women have achieved a tentative peace until Taylor flees to Nigeria in exile.

Now “free,” the women face challenges they had never imagined.

Director James Wheatley directs the play with an ear to the rhythm and accents of the protagonists.

Though some of the younger actors are less experienced, Wheatley elicits impressive performances from everyone, in particular from Khaya Osborne as Wife No. 1, Tiffany Nwogu as Maima (Wife No. 2) and Monique Crawford as The Girl (aka Wife No. 4). Ω

Scenes of a dancing queen

4

The intimate theater space occupied by The Acting Company in Yuba City just isn’t big enough to house all the artistry and striking talent of the Mamma Mia! cast.

22

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In this beloved musical tribute to ABBA, a spirited young woman, Sophie (Bethany Huff), invites three of her mother’s past lovers to her wedding in Greece in an attempt to discover which one is her father. Sophie’s mother, Donna (Cassie Fifield), is surprised to find the three men at her hotel and must decide how, or if, to tell her daughter the truth.

Huff graces the small stage with enough charisma to fill a stadium, while Fifield gives a powerhouse performance—her tears during “The Winner Takes It All” are as moving as her strong vocals and natural stage presence.

Other notable characters include Donna’s two friends, Tanya (Jessy Nanoff) and Rosie (Ada Schmidt), who bring playful humor to this production. Joseph Morales, who plays a bartender named Pepper, lights up the stage and is hilariously entertaining. The cast’s ensemble of 16 (full cast of 30) includes several energetic high school and college students.

The set is expertly designed in the 20-by-30-foot space by director Foster McManus and her husband Paul McManus (who also plays Father Alexandrios), with moving parts and a relaxed, Mediterranean feel.

This musical is bursting with fun, flair and all the best ABBA songs. Take a chance on Mamma Mia! and by the end you may find yourself saying, “Thank you for the music.”

scReen pick if you’re a frog, chances are you’ll want to avoid dissection day.

Who turned off the lights?

Did you hear that? Probably nothing, just a creaking door or a scuffling mouse. Or … is it the sound of a dreaded film festival, returning for its sixth year in yet another attempt to murder you? The Love Horror Short Film Festival is back with a jam-packed lineup, including the animated “Don’t Croak” and “Pulped,” a classic tale of man versus GMO. There will also be live performances by the Scream Queens Gorelesque troupe, Redd FaFilth, plus an appearance by Greg Sestero, known for his role in the cult classic The Room. That? That’s just the sound of a film festival personified, clawing at your window. Yeah, I’d run if I were you. Sat, 7/20, 6pm; Through 7/20; $20-$65; Colonial Theatre, 3522 Stockton Blvd; (916) 456-7099; sachorrorfilmfest.com.

—rachel Mayfield

—Tessa MargueriTe OuTland Mamma Mia!: fri 7:30pm, sat 7:30pm, sun 2pm; through 8/18; $20; the acting company, 815 b st. in yuba city; (530) 751-1100; actingcompany.org.

1 2 3 4 5 foul

fair

GooD

Well-Done

subliMe Don’t Miss

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ILLuSTrATION BY kATE MITrANO

Simple sando turkey sandwiCh, siMpLeton CaFe

The Honey Fried Chicken (center) at South Villa is aromatic with an airy batter. The menu lists mostly Chinese favorites, but there are also Filipino dishes such as Crispy Pata, Fresh Lumpia and Pancit Bihon.

Fried ham hocks and white tablecloths South Villa 7223 55th Street; (916) 429-1949 Good for: Family style dining, fried chicken Notable dishes: Honey Fried Chicken, Fresh Lumpia,

$$$

Filipino and Chinese, South Sacramento

There aren’t a lot of Filipino restaurants in Sacramento.

That’s not a revelation. But South Villa seems to be the only one advocating a leisurely meal with white tablecloths.

The restaurant opened in 1993. Kenneth Cu runs the front of the house (his father is the cook) and I reluctantly bombarded him with questions about his family business.

His father, Ben Cu, is Chinese and his mother, Linda, is Filipino. His father moved from the Philippines in the 1970s, leaving his family behind to set up a life in the United States. It wasn’t until years later that he sent for the rest of his family, not an uncommon story.

In 1998, I spent every day basking in South Villa’s mango shake ($3.95) with a high school friend turned foe. We practically lived off those shakes—an unfiltered tropical sunset in a clear plastic takeout cup that was juicy, sweet, tart and velvety on the tongue. Although South Villa still has the mango shake on the menu, it just doesn’t taste the same. I suspect they now add a little coconut milk to it.

Flip through the mostly Chinese menu to find “authentic Filipino food” toward the back. My dining companion and I ordered the Adobo Manok ($8.95), Pancit Bihon, tender noodles that could definitely use more of a flavor boost ($8.25) and crunchy and uniform Shanghai Lumpia ($7.95).

24 | SN&R | 07.18.19

PHOTO BY ILLYANNA MAISONET

Turkey sandwiches aren’t revolutionary, and true to its name, Simpleton Cafe, a new eatery owned by Identity Coffees, keeps its variety ($11.75) well, simple.

The price tag sounds steep, but the presentation is robust in every conceivable way: Sliced roasted turkey breast, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and house-pickled red onion, all smashed between two ginormous pillowy pieces of sourdough bread. The result is a spicy, fluffy, peppery sandwich that’s both tender and juicy. And the fresh lettuce introduces a crispiness to the overall bite. While bacon, which isn’t brittle, can be added for some extra crunch, simple is the way to go with this Simpleton sandwich. 701 19th Street, identitycoffees.com.

—JereMy winsLow

C is for Cookie ... Monster Laura’s MiLkshake, Leatherby’s FaMiLy CreaMery

by Illyanna MaISonet

But the winners were the Honey Fried Chicken ($11.95) and fried Crispy Pata ($15). The aromatic fried chicken is like the “brandy” chicken of any ’90s baby’s hot-wok childhood, with an airy batter that seems substantial, but surrenders like gossamer upon contact.

I reached out to a few of my Filipino friends and inquired how to describe the cut of meat in Crispy Pata.

The responses were mixed: deep-fried trotter, deep-fried knuckle, deep-fried shank. The only thing they agreed on was that it was deep-fried. You might recognize it as a deep-fried ham hock. The hock is simmered in water with bay leaf, peppercorn, vinegar, soy sauce and other seasonings. It’s removed from the simmering water, patted dry, lowered into its deep-fry solitary confinement and rises moments later as your crackling savior.

Fresh Lumpia ($6.95) is a menu item that doesn’t make an appearance very often. The vegetable filling is wrapped in a crepe-esque egg roll wrapper, covered in a sweet soy sauce and topped with crushed peanuts. Some people make their lumpia wrapper from scratch, using simple ingredients consisting of flour, water and eggs.

Even though South Villa looks exactly the same as it did when I used to come in for my after-school mango shake, some of the menu items don’t taste the same. Maybe it’s like those scenarios when a croissant tastes so much better with a view of the Eiffel Tower and seafood tastes so much better when you’re seaside. It’s possible that the spoiled memories of that friendship changed my perception of the sweetness and purity of that mango shake. Ω

Leatherby’s Family Creamery has been on Arden Way since 1973, keeping us cool and putting smiles on the faces of children and adults alike.

Leatherby’s is also synonymous with volume. Laura’s Milkshake ($8.99) comes in a 24-ounce cup, with your choice of ice cream, simply blended with whole milk. The ice cream, loaded with butter fat, makes it a stomach-coating creamy treat. How about trying it with Cookie Monster ice cream?

It’s got a vanilla base in addition to Oreo cookies, cookie dough and Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies. Sound like too much? Give your friends a spoon, because it’s thick.

2333 Arden Way, leatherbys.net.

—MitCh barber

PlANeT v

A vegan’s guide to coffee and treats Sacramento has (mostly) reached the end of the era when soy and almond milk incur extra cost at coffee shops. Other non-dairy milks such as coconut and macadamia are getting easier to find, too, but they’re on the pricey side. Finding vegan snacks to go with coffee is still a little tough, but not impossible. While most places lean heavily on vegan sweets, Broadway Coffee’s vegan turnover is savory faux cream cheese with spinach and sun dried tomato. It offers prepackaged Sugarplum Bakery treats, too. Temple Coffee Roasters locations carry fresh Sugarplum sweets, which are (obviously) tastier. Identity Coffees has Conscious Creamery gelato, plus three types of Protein Pucks—and yeah, they’re as tasty as any food called a “puck” can really be. Oblivion Comics & Coffee does both savory and sweet “Specialty Toasts,” most vegan or customizable. It also hosts occasional vegan pop-ups, so be on the lookout for vegan cannoli.

—Lindsay oxFord

Photo by ben IrwIn

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Happy Hour Mon-Fri 2-5pM Our House bartender, Tim Huneck, visits the Davis Farmers Market each week in search of fresh fruit to make its market muddle cocktails such as this plum daiquiri.

@thaiatsac

Real, authentic Jamaican cuisine Jerk Chicken, Oxtail, Patties & Much More!

Veg a Opti n o n s Ava ilab le

drink

Farm to cocktail Our House in Davis creates weekly seasonal cocktails with fresh muddled fruit from its local farmers market

3419 El Camino Ave • Sacramento 916.339.6978 • www.dubplatekitchen.com

by Ben IrwIn

The swelter of summer may be here, but Our House, nestled in the heart of downtown Davis, offers an escape from the heat with its refreshing market muddles—craft cocktails centered around fruit fresh from the Davis Farmers Market.

From mid-March through the end of October while the Wednesday market is open, Our House patrons can expect a new market muddle every week—from loquat basil smashes to strawberry margaritas. Tim Huneck, bartender at Our House, makes a quick trip to the market each week in search of local fruit for a fresh market muddle to kick off happy hour.

“The recipes themselves are really simple,” Huneck says. “It’s summer, it’s hot and that’s what draws people in—something that’s going to be light and refreshing. Usually, when you make cocktails, the basic cocktail has the base liquor, lemon or lime juice and then basic ingredients that balance out the sweet or tart of the lemon or lime.”

Huneck searches the market for fresh fruit that catches his eye. The deep-red cherries and vibrant strawberries are tempting, but he’s looking for something new. When Huneck samples a succulent plum—sweet meat and a tart bite from the skin—he’s found his fruit. He purchases a bag of plums from a Fresno farmer and brings the haul a few blocks back to Our House.

For Huneck, this is an opportunity for creativity with fresh ingredients—a bartender’s dream come true. He grew up in Germany, where he completed an apprenticeship and earned a bartending certificate at

the Sofitel luxury hotel in Hamburg. He now brings his polished skill set and extensive mixology knowledge to Our House. He runs some ideas by manager Cassandra Runyan; with more than a decade of experience in bartending combined, the week’s original market muddle recipe starts to come to fruition as guests trickle in for happy hour.

Half a plum is muddled in the bottom of a cocktail mixer. Tequila is poured. Then the unmistakable clinking of ice against stainless steel as Huneck shakes the mixer, seemingly without effort.

What starts as a plum margarita quickly evolves into a plum daiquiri. Huneck says the tartness of the plum’s skin overpowers the libation, so he quickly tweaks the recipe and adds golden falernum, a syrup liqueur from the Caribbean. After a taste test from the chef, the final product is ready: A plum daiquiri that features fresh plums, rum, golden falernum, lime juice and simple syrup, strained over a round coupe glass and garnished with three slices of plum on a skewer laid across the rim.

“This is what our craft bar program is about,” Huneck says. “We do classic cocktails, industry standards like the old fashioned and things that everybody knows, but we also have things that you can only get here. We care about having drinks that people come back for.” Ω Grab a market muddle cocktail from our house located at 808 Second Street in Davis. For more information on hours and specials visit ourhousedavis.com.

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P

garden

plAce

A little frog shall lead them Regional Water Authority hopes free moisture meters get customers to conserve

by Debbie Arrington

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Photo courtesy of regional Water authority

OUTDOOr LIVING SPeCIALISTS

These meters also can be key to a healthier garden. “In non-drought years, focus on making your plants healthy,” Talbot said.

“That means giving them the right amount of water, not too little, but not too much.”

In summer, Sacramento’s water use spikes dramatically, mostly due to outdoor irrigation.

But in focus groups, people believed the most water is used indoors. “That’s because that’s where they notice it—washing dishes, doing laundry, taking showers,” Talbot said.

“But 60 to 80% of our use in summer is actually outdoors.”

Get a free froggy In the Sacramento area, it adds up to an moisture meter average of 200 gallons per person per day and water your lawn smarter. in summer, two to three times our average winter use.

During drought, persuading people to cut back use is easier because “they see the lakes How do you persuade people to save water when and reservoirs at low levels; they realize they need to there isn’t a drought? cut back,” Talbot said. But after periods such as the That’s the task currently facing Sacramento heavy rains last winter and spring, people are area water providers. less likely to pay attention to how much “In California, we’ve had a feast they use. or famine mentality,” said Amy “Rain or Now that temperatures are in the Talbot of the Regional Water shine, make 90s again, “people figure, ‘If I’m Authority, “but we always need hot, my plants must be thirsty,’” water efficiency a to be prepared for drought.

Talbot said. “But they need to “Rain or shine, make water way of life. That’s our check the soil first.” efficiency a way of life. That’s message now.”

And by focusing on garden our message now.”

Amy Talbot, health, water efficiency experts can Water providers are trying to persuade people to keep conserving.

Regional Water Authority communicate that message with “What we’ve found is that people the help of free moisture meters that really want a healthy landscape,” Talbot look like little comic frogs. said. “They want to be good stewards, but As the umbrella organization over they may overwater or underwater their garden.

21 water districts and agencies serving 2 million Either way is not good for plants.” people in the Sacramento area, the authority This summer, plants aren’t drought stressed and is currently offering the froggy meters at its have a chance to get healthier.

BeWaterSmart.info website.

“Now, we have time to really get to know our The little foggy meters are a hit, said Talbot, landscapes,” Talbot said, “to get in tune with what RWA’s water efficiency program manager. So far, our plants actually need.” the authority has given away thousands and has And a free froggy moisture meter can help. Ω thousands more available.

“They’re a low-tech answer [to efficient irrigation],” she said. “They’re tangible, visual reminders every day. They’re easy to use. You can get your kids involved; let them check the moisture.”

Debbie arrington, an award-winning garden writer and lifelong gardener, is co-creator of the sacramento Digs gardening blog and website.

Presents the kick off event! over 30 Wineries!

PoP & Pour Wine tasting August 7, 2019 | 6-8 PM clArA AuditoriuM 1425 24th street, sacramento

get tickets today www.rivercitywineweek.com

thank you to our sponors:

Pop & Pour is a benefit for

Music by Squarefield Massive Cheese & Charcuterie by Bella Bru CafĂŠ

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for the week of JULY 18

by maxfield morris

POst eVeNts ONLINe FOR FRee At newsreview.com/sacramento

MUSIC THURSDAY, 7/18 HARLeY WHIte JR. ORCHestRA: Listen to the Harley White Jr. Orchestra and its bigband sound at the Shady Lady. 9pm, no cover. Shady Lady, 1409 R St.

Le VeNt Du NORD: With a hurdy-gurdy ever close at hand, these Quebecois performers will be performing, turning a crank and making some music. 7pm, $35. Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts, 2700 Capitol Ave.

POuYA: The Miami rapper won’t stop until he’s performed in this city, and even then he’ll probably continue rapping. He’s unstoppable, and on his Liquid Sunshine tour. 7pm, $27.50. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St.

tHe ROCKet MAN sHOW: You’ll be fresh out of

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sAt

Need a reason to celebrate? The moon— we landed on it.

Apollopalooza

tHROWBACKtHuRsDAYs: Thursdays are for reminiscing about the music of the 1990s and 2000s at Ambiance Lounge. Step back in time every Thursday and get your weekly dose of nostalgia. 9pm, no cover. Ambiance Lounge, 910 2nd St.

AerospAce MuseuM, 10AM, $10-$15

VANsIRe: Check out the band Vansire, a poppy,

There’s a moon mission virtual reality experience, space-themed cosplayers, science-themed activities and much more.

You’ll get to see some moon landing footage from NASA and the Smithsonian, you’ll take in some food trucks and learn something about the moon landing. You don’t want to miss this once-in-a-half-century event. 3200 Freedom Park Drive, Suite 300, aerospaceca.org.

Where were you when the first humans walked on the moon? If you’re like me, you don’t remember because MuseuMs you weren’t alive, but you can remember where you were when you celebrated the 50th anniversary of the day—the Aerospace Museum’s Apollopalooza. The museum is partnering with the Powerhouse Science Center to put together this day of lunar lunacy.

tICKet WINDOW

luck if you miss this show that features the music, performance and style of Elton John, all without any of the actual John. It benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation, is Elton-approved and recreates an early concert in all its glory. 7pm, $39-$59. The Crest Theatre, 1013 K St.

Purchase anything.

dreamy indie band from Rochester, Minn.

They’re playing with Boyo and Münechild, who unfortunately do not get genres or hometown call-outs—not enough space here for such frivolities. 6:30pm, $12$15. Momo Sacramento, 2708 J St.

FRIDAY, 7/19 ALIVe MusIC: The venue is a comedy theater, but this listing is in the music section— what’s next, comedy in a library? I hope not!

I honestly hope not. But check out Justin Farren and Ordinary Elephant, folk singers and musicians extraordinaire. If you’re on the fence, just watch Farren’s video on how to turn a popcorn ceiling into a non-popcorn ceiling and you’ll be instantly hooked. 7pm, $10. STAB! Comedy Theater, 1710 Broadway.

COFFeY ANDeRsON: Catch the country

BOz SCAggS You betcha pop icon Boz

Scaggs is coming to Harris Center. He’s touring on his recent album Out of the Blues and probably wants you to buy a ticket. 8/15, 7:30pm, $52-$249, on sale now.

Harris Center in Folsom, harriscenter.net.

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON & THE STRANgERS

POST MALONE Catch the former

SoundCloud rapper who hit it big with a single about basketball as he tours in through Sacramento. Swae Lee and Tyla Yaweh will also perform. 9/19,

8pm, $83.50-$183.50, on sale 7/19 at 10am. Golden 1 Center, ticketmaster.com.

8/21, 7:30pm, $48-$78, on sale now. Harris Center in Folsom,

harriscenter.net.

Wow, Austin. Wow. |

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legend, the one-of-a-kind speaker is coming to the Mondavi Center. Come get some motivation from someone who’s seen the Earth in a way you likely never will. 10/16, 7pm, $12.50-$65, on sale now.

Mondavi Center, tickets.mondaviarts.org.

TWENTY ONE PILOTS The band

famous for their music and their success through a partnership with Taco Bell is coming to Sacramento to share their teenager-friendly music on their Bandito tour. 11/3, 8pm, on sale 7/19 at 10am. Golden 1 Center, ticketmaster.com.

The singer-songwriter whose music is in quite a few music books is playing with The Strangers, the band famous for providing backing music for Merle Haggard—not anymore!

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TERRY VIRTS The astronaut, the

rocker that did a Weird Al-style parody of Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” but instead of funny lyrics, it shoehorns in Christian rock lyrics instead. 7:30pm, $20. Goldfield Trading Post, 1630 J St.

CONCeRts IN tHe PARK: Concerts in the Park continue with more music, more art, more drinks, more food and more. This week, there are performances from SHAED, Centersight, NYTVZN and Zephyr. Don’t miss the silent disco, the hula hoops, the trucks with food, the plastic cups and the friendship. 5pm, no cover. Cesar Chavez Plaza, 910 I St.

DeAD HORses: With horse fatalities in the news lately (see SN&R’s “Death on the track,” July 11), come check out the band with a similar name. They’ll be playing folk music, celebrating the sounds of soulful voices and instruments and sharing their joy and

snr c a le nd a r @ ne wsr e v ie w.c o m

Online listings will be considered for print. Print listings are edited for space and accuracy. Deadline for print listings is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Deadline for NightLife listings is midnight Sunday.

Send photos and reference materials to Calendar Editor Maxfield Morris at snrcalendar@newsreview.com.

pain. 6:30pm, $10-$12. Momo Sacramento, 2708 J St.

ONe OK ROCK: The Japanese rockers/emo rockers/post-hardcore rockers are performing on their Eye of the Storm world tour. Weathers are also performing at this show. 6:30pm, $29.50. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St.

stICK tO YOuR GuNs: The Orange County band that plays punk rock music is going to be playing punk rock music in Sacramento on their Pure Noise tour. Catch them and you might just catch performances from Counterparts, Terror, Sanction and Year of the Knife. 6pm, $22.50. Holy Diver, 1517 21st St.

tHe stRONGeR: Hugo Weisgall’s opera “The Stronger” gets a take from the Rogue Music Project, with a performance from Carrie Hennessey. 9pm, $25. Magpie Café, 1601 16th St.

tORee MCGee: Catch country singer Toree

McGee at Tower Brewing. 7pm, no cover. Tower Brewing, 1210 66th St., Suite B.

SATURDAY, 7/20 ANDRe NICKAtINA: The West Coast rapper is set to perform some rap music live and in person at the Ace of Spades. While there, Mahtie Bush will also perform.

Bush is a West Coast rapper as well, from the California city known to locals as “Sacramento: Land of the Continental Breakfast.” 7pm, $24. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St.

DIKeMBe: The Gainesville, Florida indie punk rockers are performing with Pool Kids and Soft Nerve. 6:30pm, $10. Momo Sacramento, 2708 J St.

SUNDAY, 7/21 tHe AQuADOLLs: Catch the dance hall music of Aquadolls as they perform with Preschool and Munechild. 7:30pm, $10. Goldfield Trading Post, 1630 J St.

FLY Me tO tHe MOON: There’s a free jazz jam in Sacramento. If you like music and you like hearing that music performed, you’re in luck. Catch this jam with moon-themed songs in honor of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. There’s Vanna Turner, Glenn Boutte, Cathy West-Packard and Julie Gallaher along with Bill Dendle and Shelley Denny. 7pm, $20. The Wilkerson Theater, 2509 R St.

TUESDAY, 7/23 38 sPeCIAL: 38 Special is performing at the California State Fair. See some llamas, then spend some time with the classic rockers as they grace the fair with their classic hits. 8pm, no cover with fair admission. Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd.

FESTIVALS THURSDAY, 7/18 tHIRD tHuRsDAY At 24tH & K: Do you like things made in Midtown? You’re in a spot of good luck, as this festival also likes those things

Saturday, 7/20

Best of California Brewfest Cal Expo, 2pm, $35-$50

The problem with most beer festivals is that they’re not definitive. They lack the expert approval, Food & drink the brews that 19 out of 20 brewers recommend. Come to the Best of California Brewfest to get unlimited tasting of the beers that the State Fair’s venerable judges endorse.

There are more than 60 categories, more than 1,000 beers selected from and plenty of options for you to enjoy.

If you want to feel special, pay for the VIP ticket and get in an hour early. 1600 Exposition Boulevard, castatefair.org/brewfest-2019.

and wants to share them with you. Head on over and check out artisans, craftspeople, makers and more, and think about grabbing a drink or a morsel of food. 6pm, no cover. 24th & K St.

FrIday, 7/19 PArTY in THE PArk: Are you concerned that summer is ending? It’s not! Not until September, as always. Come celebrate it still being summer with this party. It features performances, food, drinks and more. You can refresh yourself with some music and much more fun, classic park activity goodness. 5:30pm, no cover. Lincoln Village Community Park, 3450 Routier Road.

Saturday, 7/20 Ain’T nECESSAriLY dEAd FEST 2019: Check out this free event with music and much more at the Auburn Regional Park. noon, no cover. ARD Regional Park, 3770 Richardson Drive in Auburn.

FOOd & drINK

things to eat along with a complimentary glass of wine. 4pm, $75-$165. Canon East Sacramento, 1719 34th St.

CAViAr WEEk-TSAr niCoULAi CAViAr FArM ToUr: Grab a ticket to tour the Tsar Nicoulai Sturgeon Farm. There’s an optional caviar tasting, and you’ll see plenty of fish and potentially fish eggs. Caviar is made of fish eggs. 1pm, $80. Tsar Nicoulai Farm, 10822 Gay Road in Wilton.

FirEFiGHTErS BUrn inSTiTUTE 3rd AnnUAL ToUGH CrAWL PUB CrAWL: Join the Firefighters Burn Institute as it takes a stroll through Midtown and tours local bars. The point of the event is to have a good time and to support the institute, along with wearing matching shirts. noon, $15-$38. Der Biergarten, 2332 K St.

SoiL Born FArMS AMEriCAn riVEr rAnCH FArMSTAnd: Saturdays aren’t just for decompression any more. They’re also for fresh produce, fresh-baked goods and more. Show up to the American River Ranch and find a cornucopia of great things to buy from great local vendors. 8am, no cover. Soil Born Farms American River Ranch, 2140 Chase Drive in Rancho Cordova.

tHurSday, 7/18

SuNday, 7/21

MrAZ BEEr dinnEr: Join La Crosta Pizza for

CHinESE FASHion SHoW And LUnCHEon: Join the

some pizza and beer, brought to you by Mraz Brewing. There’s beef, cod, potatoes, quail egg, yogurt, bratwurst and lots more, all paired with the brews of your dreams. 6pm, $86.20. La Crosta Pizza Bar, 330 3rd St. in West Sacramento.

FrIday, 7/19 diSTiLLErY ToUrS And SPiriT TASTinGS: Tour a distillery, the place where dreams are made. This organic distillery’s got the alcoholic business down. Get the low-down on the situation, on the spirits and the consumption. 4pm, $5. J.J. Pfister Distilling Company, 9819 Business Park Drive.

Saturday, 7/20 BEST oF CA BrEWFEST: Want some of the best brews in the Sacramento area? How about the best brews in California? Look above to read all about it. 2pm, $35-$50. Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd.

CAViAr dAY rAGE: Are you furious about caviar? Well, that’s not really what this day is about. It’s actually a party, or celebration. Just show up and enjoy plenty of caviar, plenty of music and plenty of drinks. It’s a 21-and-over day of the fish egg, and there are plenty of

Chinese American Council of Sacramento Foundation for a luncheon paired with a traditional fashion show. There will be lots of embroidered outfits, other works of art and the entire event supports the Chinese Heritage Museum in Folsom. 11:30am, $50. Happy Garden Restaurant, 5731 Stockton Blvd.

MidSUMMEr iCEd HiGH TEA: Join The Novel Tea for a Scandinavian high tea. You’ll be learning about the tea tradition, noshing some tea treats, sipping on ice cold tea beverages and consume even more Scandinavian fare. 1pm, $45. Sierra 2 Center, 2791 24th St.

FILM tHurSday, 7/18 BUTCH CASSidY And THE SUndAnCE kid: Catch this 1969 film starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as they go toe-to-toe with some of the toughest banks, trains and robbing targets in the world, all

CALEndAr LiSTinGS ConTinUEd on PAGE 30

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See more eventS And Submit your own At newsreview.com/sacramenTo/calendar

CALendAr LiStinGS Continued From PAGe 29

while dealing with the repercussions of their actions and engaging in some wacky hijinks. 7pm, $8. Auburn State Theatre, 985 Lincoln Way, Suite 104 in Auburn.

movieS on tHe verGe ‘tHe ProPoSAL’: This installment of Movies on the Verge features the film The Proposal. It’s a 2019 documentary exploring the life and legacy of architect Luis Barragán through the explorations of the director. 7:30pm, $7$9. Verge Center for the Arts, 625 S St.

Friday, 7/19 2019 SACrAmento JAPAneSe FiLm FeStivAL: Catch some Japanese films in the newest installment of the Japanese Film Festival.

There are seven different movies for your perusing and choosing, including High and Low, Miko Girl, What a Wonderful Family! 2 and more. 7:30pm, $38. Crest Theatre, 1013 K St.

saTurday, 7/20 LunAFeSt FiLm FeStivAL And FundrAiSer: Watch some films from women directors at this festival of education, awareness and more. There’s a silent auction, refreshments, a mixer and plenty of movies for you to take in and appreciate from all over the world. 2pm, $35. The Guild Theater, 2828 35th St.

tHe Love Horror SHort FiLm FeStivAL: Catch this festival of short horror films. They’re independent, they’re wild, funny, scary and other adjectives. Show up and watch them, and also meet Greg Sestero, star of The Room, who will be in attendance.

There will be performances, like-minded horror aficionados and much more. 6pm, $20. Colonial Theatre, 3522 Stockton Blvd.

comedy bLACKtoP Comedy: What Up Placer with Host Joey C. Join Joey C and three other comedians for some music, comedy and more.

See what’s up, Placer, at this show with two showings and two age groupings. Friday

Tuesday, July 23

Sacramento SPCA Auction Witherell’s, 1pm, no cover

Do you like art and the prevention of cruelty to animals? You’ll love the ongoing online auction at Witherell’s website. It Art benefits the Sacramento SPCA and features valuable and antique items that were donated to the SPCA thrift store— including a rare Buffalo Brewing calendar.

The historic Sacramento brewing company is just one piece of history featured in the online auction—and you can get a feel for the rest of the lot at a free viewing on Tuesday. Check it out and bid before July 31.

300 20th Street, witherells.com/auctions.

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7/19, 7pm & 9pm. $20. 3101 Sunset Blvd., Suite 6A in Rocklin.

LAuGHS unLimited: JR De Guzman and G King.

Catch this show from JR De Guzman and G King. They’ll be making comedy, playing some comedic music and having you rioting for comedy in short order. Friday 7/19, 8pm. $20. 1207 Front St.

PunCH Line: Andrew Santino. This is one Chicagoan who won’t be in Chicago this week—instead, the actor and comedian will be in Sacramento, playing the Punch Line and telling punchy comments. Catch him while you can. through 7/20. $23.50. 2100 Arden Way, Ste 225.

StAb! Comedy tHeAter: Must Love Digimon.

If you like Digimon, you’re going to love this show discussing episodes of the classic show. If you are a digimon, you’re a digital monster that exists in a digital world and can evolve into a stronger version of yourself. Join in the fun with Cameron Betts, Emma Haney and Cory Barringer Saturday 7/20, 8pm. $7. 1710 Broadway.

SACrAmento Comedy SPot: How Are You Doing, Really? Join Amy Estes, Drew Absher and Emma Haney as they look into the inner workings of stand-up comedians’ lives— asking them how they’re really doing and potentially touching on some really intimate emotions. Friday 7/19, 10:30pm. $5. 1050 20th St., Suite 130.

on sTaGe weLLS FArGo PAviLion: Guys and Dolls. If you see a guy paying all kinds of dough for a ticket to this musical—you can bet that he’s doing it for the love of the theater. Catch this classic comedy musical set in New York and with music from Frank Loesser. tues 7/23, 7:30pm. through 7/28. $45-$83. 1419 H St.

arT 2710 r St: Light.wav 2019-Tech Art Showcase.

Catch this technologically advanced art showcase that mixes light with sound and space. Enjoy the show and take in the wild

Sunday, 7/21

Sacramento Zine Symposium Central library, noon, no Cover

In case you missed May’s Sacramento Zine Fest, it’s now time for the much classier named Sacramento Art Zine Symposium. Engage in the symposia of local zines, meeting the creators and getting a chance to talk with them. You can buy their work, learn about the process of making zines and distribution and much more. There’s even a space for folks to start creating their very own zines. 828 I Street, saclibrary.org/events/special-events.

time that is this exhibit. through 7/20. $10$25. 2710 R St.

JAYJAY: HOT FUN. New work by Kristin Hough, Jeff Mayry & David Mohr. Catch this threeperson show featuring the three titular people: Kristin Hough, Jeff Mayry and David Mohr. through 8/10. No cover. 5524 B Elvas Ave.

SACrAMENtO PUBLIC LIBrArY: Sacramento Zine Symposium. While other folks are out there reading books, you’re in the zine scene.

Check out this symposium held in a library, highlighted above. Sunday 7/21, Noon. No cover. 828 I St.

MuSEuMS CrOCKEr Art MUSEUM: Sketch Night Obata Edition. If your idea of sketches involves more pencils and paper than microphones and madcap humor, this is your night. Show up and get some sketch instruction in honor of the Chiura Obata exhibit. thursday 7/18, 6pm. $6-$12. 216 O St.

AErOSPACE MUSEUM: Apollopalooza 50th Anniversary Celebration. Grab a copy of this paper and turn to page 28 to learn about this celebration of the moon landing. Saturday 7/20, 10am. $10. 3200 Freedom Park Drive.

BOOKS THuRSday, 7/18 CAPrADIO rEADS AMErICA IS NOt tHE HEArt BY ELAINE CAStILLO: Join CapRadio for an evening with Elaine Castillo, a Q&A session with complimentary refreshments. Join Donna Apidone for the live interview and be a part of literary history. 6pm, $15. Capital Public Radio, 7055 Folsom Blvd.

GIANt SACrAMENtO StAtE BOOK SALE: Join Sacramento State for a book sale featuring half-off books. There will be all kinds of books to thumb through and purchase, and if you’re one of those weirdos with a book scanning device for reselling, you probably already know about this event. 10am, no cover. Sacramento State, 6000 J St.

rEAD tO A rABBIt: Read to Bentley the rabbit.

He’s a good listener and appreciates the attention. 2pm, no cover. Colonial Heights Library, 4799 Stockton Blvd.

SPORTS & OuTdOORS THuRSday, 7/18 FLOUrISH FArM U-PICK FLOWEr SALES: Pick some flowers at this you-pick urban farm.

You pay based on the size of your container and you no longer have to feel limited by the selection of flowers at stores—only by the selection of flowers at this farm. 9am, no cover. Flourish Farm, 317 5th Street in West Sacramento.

GrEAt AMErICAN trIAtHLON 2019: Catch the zombified version of the Eppie’s Great Race at this Great American Triathlon that follows the exact same route as the Great Race. Proceeds benefit the American River Parkway Foundation and the Child Advocates of El Dorado County and Placer County. 7:45am, no cover. William B Pond Recreation Area, 5700 Arden Way.

Sunday, 7/21 1St ANNUAL SUMMEr SLAM DOMINO tOUrNAMENt: Get playing some dominoes at this domino tournament. You’re vying for $500 cash and you’ll be having a good old time while you do it. With music and food, you’re sure to have a good time while you win, win, win. 5pm, $20-$50. Pins N Strikes, 3443 Laguna Blvd. in Elk Grove.

CLaSSES THuRSday, 7/18 CrEAtIVItY+PLAY: Learn about creativity and play from two local playful folks: Grace Loescher and Nick Brunner. They’re sharing their takes on the theme at this discussion. 5:30pm, no cover, donations accepted. Warehouse Artist Lofts, 1108 R St.

SaTuRday, 7/20 PINtS AND PAINt LEt’S PAINt tHE WOrLD WItH CArA EMILIA At tOWEr BrEWING: Join Cara Gregor for an afternoon of painting a world map. You’ll have a canvas, paint, and you can buy some brews in a fun, creative lesson. 1pm, $25. Tower Brewing.

WEdnESday, 7/24 OBSErVING tHE SUN: It’s time to catch the sun in your sights. Catch it with professor Rodolfo Barniol Duran as you learn about astronomy. 2pm, no cover. Colonial Heights Library, 4799 Stockton Blvd.

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THURSDAY 7/18

FRIDAY 7/19

SATURDAY 7/20

ArmAdillo music

Hellgrimm, 7pm, no cover

Tanglers, 8pm, no cover

Colourshop, 1pm, no cover

BAdlAnds

Poprockz 90s Night, 9pm, no cover

Fierce Fridays, 7pm, call for cover

Spectacular Saturdays, 6pm, call for cover

Cold Shot and Hannah Judson, 9:30pm, no cover

Live Music, 9:30pm, no cover

Open-Mic, 7:30pm, W, no cover; Trivia, 6:30pm, M, no cover

MDC, Verbal Abuse, Round Eye and Bootlegs, 8pm, $10-$15

Xzani’s Record Release Party, 9pm, call for cover

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Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, 7pm, $20-$25

The Winehouse Experience, Christin Leonna and the Jungle, 9pm, $20-$35

Ward Davis and Clint Park, 9pm, $20

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The Appleseed Cast and Young Jesus, 8pm, T, $13-$15

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For more cannabis news, deals & updates visit capitalcannabisguide.com

do dispensaries sell shake? see ask 420

compassionate use Homeless Sacramentans use cannabis, too.

Should organizations help them gain access?

on any given night in sacramento County, an estimated 5,570 individuals are homeless. It represents a 19% increase over last year’s count, conducted by Sacramento Steps Forward. Although the number was expected to be higher this year, due to improved data-gathering methods, 5,570 is a lot of people, and 70% of them sleep without shelter.

Like other Sacramentans, homeless people use cannabis, too. It begs a series of questions, however, about why they use it, how they afford it and whether it could help curb addictions to stronger drugs. To find out, SN&R sought out homeless people in several locations and spoke with them.

Sacramento native Josh Morris said he has been homeless in the suburbs for 12 years, since he was 19. A

skateboarder then, he was sponsored

by DC Shoes. Asked how he fell into homelessness, Morris laughed and said, “It’s a long story.”

Morris smokes cannabis daily. “In the morning, when I hit a bowl, it helps me automatically to focus on my routine, with hygiene and all,” he said.

Cannabis also helps him with knee pain from an old skateboarding injury and back pain that comes with sleeping on the ground.

“After 12 years out here, without marijuana I would go insane,” Morris said. “It’s hard to get to sleep some nights. I catch myself walking around like a doughnut. So, when I smoke, it helps me with my nerves.”

Morris said he recycles cans and bottles for cannabis money. Although he has been inside a dispensary, he

39

39

the jig economy see goatkidd

By experimenting, Donaldson learned how to make cannabis edibles that were effective. “It helped me to eat and keep things down,” she said.

“It helped me to put on weight, and it helped me to move more.”

But the edibles didn’t get her “high, or out-of-sorts,” as she puts it. “I didn’t feel giggly. I just felt like everything was doable,” she said. “Once you’re able to get up and walk around, it gets Cannabis advocate Tracey Lola your mind off things.” hands out pre-rolls to homeless While homeless, Donaldson has folks at Cesar Chavez Plaza. found cannabis plants inside people’s garbage cans, leftovers from backyard Photo by Ken Magri harvests.

Could medicinal cannabis actually be helpful to homeless people?

“Living on the street without safe shelter is a constant stressor on the central nervous system, body and psyche,” said Amy Farah Weiss, who ran for San Francisco mayor in 2015 and is director of the St. Francis Challenge, which offers homeless

by Ken Magri services. “Cannabis can be an effective ‘exit drug,’ as opposed to a ‘gateway’ to harmful substances,” Weiss told SN&R. She explained that meth, heroin and buys cannabis on the black market alcohol are often used by homeless “because you can get more for people as “coping mechacheaper.” nisms” for physical and Jennifer Donaldson emotional distress. But said she has been over the years, these “After 12 years homeless since her drugs take their toll. car broke down in out here, without “Cannabis, on Sacramento five marijuana I would go the other hand, is a years ago. She said medicinal therapy insane.” she smokes cannathat can provide bis infrequently Josh Morris temporary relief for because it makes her Sacramento homeless person a stressed nervous paranoid. system, won’t cause But she has regularly fatalities or physical used edibles, especially dependencies,” Weiss said. when she was diagnosed “I bring a dozen high-CBD with cervical cancer six years ago, cannabis mini-cones with me and offer just before becoming homeless. “My husband noticed I was in pain all the time, and nothing seemed to help. The opioids wouldn’t help,” she said.

“compassionate use” continued on page 37

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NOTICE TO CONSUMERS: The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 ensures that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use cannabis for medical purposes where medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the person’s health would benefit from the use of medical cannabis. Recommendations must come from an attending physician as defined in Section 11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code. Cannabis is a Schedule I drug according to the federal Controlled Substances Act. Activity related to cannabis use is subject to federal prosecution, regardless of the protections provided by state law.

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“compassionate use” continued from page 35

c r e c r e at i o n a l & m e d i Jennifer Donaldson became homeless five years ago after her car broke down. She says she used edibles to cope with the pains associated with cervical cancer.

PhoTo by Ken Magri

them to people when they are visibly recently asked people while circling the agitated or ask me for something,” Weiss sidewalks of Cesar Chavez Park with an said. “Generally, people are very appreciaoutstretched pre-roll. tive and become visibly more relaxed just A few turned down her offer, but most by being offered cannabis.” accepted it with gratitude.

Although there have been previous “You made my day!” said Nicole, a attempts, there are currently no organized homeless woman who only wanted to give efforts in California to give free cannabis to her first name. She credits cannabis with the homeless. keeping her away from alcohol. “You Senate Bill 34 was introduced last know, it works pretty well.”

December by Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Lola takes the time to speak with each Francisco Democrat. It would allow cannaperson she encounters. David Bridgeman, bis businesses to donate to patients for a homeless man camping on the east side compassionate use, without paying excise of City Hall, told her that cannabis helps taxes on that donation. The bill is currently with his nerves, his shoulder pain and stuck in committee in the Assembly. sleep. David Bledsoe, who said he has But individual donation of been homeless for 11 years and cannabis is perfectly legal, also stays near City Hall, and some Sacramentans agreed that it takes some have taken to the streets of the edge off of living to do just that. on the streets.

“Cannabis can be an Dan Bernick, Lola, who credits effective ‘exit drug,’ as a retired teacher, cannabis with helping opposed to a ‘gateway’ to gives out joints at her own depression Christmas time. Two as a youth, said harmful substances.” years ago, on a cold that people are not Amy Farah Weiss December morning, he apprehensive when she director, St. Francis Challenge said he was approached approaches them. by a man leaving the “Homeless people are Denny’s restaurant on the best at reading your Richards Boulevard. energy,” she said. “I get a lot “I see what you’re doing, and of people’s smiles. Just a ‘thank that is so cool! I would help you, but I you’ and a smile.” have to go to work,” Bernick recalls the And that seems to be enough for Lola, man as saying.

Bernick, Weiss and others like them. Ω Tracey Lola, a 43-year old cannabis advocate, regularly passes out pre-rolls To learn more about homeless advocacy visit to the homeless. “Happy Cannabis saintfrancischallenge.org.

Day. Would you like a joint?” she

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By Ngaio Bealum

as k 420 @ne w s re v i e w . c o m

Like more money with your weed? See online-only discounts at: capitalcannabisguide.com.

The echo chamber I feel like cannabis lovers hail from across the political spectrum, and sometimes this means I see content I find offensive in the cannabis social sphere.

Do you encounter this breaking down of echo chambers in the cannabis world?

Do you know if there are any dispensaries that sell shake? Or anywhere else where I can get shake? Looking to do some baking.

Yes. Most dispensaries sell shake.

Shake is super versatile. (It’s the little leaves and stuff left over after trimming the buds.)

It’s good for making somewhat under-flavored but still enjoyable joints. I like to sprinkle it into the joint with a strong-flavored weed as a Yeah, it’s weird. I was devastated to sort of “weedburger helper.” see how many racist people exist in the It’s also excellent for cooking. cannabis community. And before you When I say cooking, I mean making start, let me break it down for you: If infused oils and butters. Dumping a you support someone who advocates bunch of shake into a salad would racist policies, you support racism. If taste bad and probably not get you as you support racism, you are a racist. high as you would like. You have to It’s a simple equation. decarboxylate it before you eat it.

Even if the Trump There was a time when administration manages clubs and growers would to legalize weed (and give away shake for don’t hold your free because no Cannabis culture is breath; too many one wanted it.

Republicans But now with all supposed to be about make too much the extraction freedom, liberty and money from the companies, equality, so racism, sexism private prison pre-roll industry), many manufacturers, and inequality should officials will bakeries and have no place in the still be racist. whatnot, the price Cannabis culture has risen. It’s still movement. is supposed to cheap compared to be about freedom, whole buds. And while liberty and equality, so most clubs do indeed carry racism, sexism and inequality shake, it tends to go fast, so you should have no place in the movement. should probably call the club ahead Smoking weed can be enlightening and of time and ask them about what they should remind you that we are all one, have on hand. Bong appetit! Ω but it doesn’t always work that way.

But just because the world is the way it is doesn’t mean that we are just going to give in. If you catch your weed-smoking homie doing or saying something racist, you should speak up. Speak up gently and with love, but Ngaio Bealum is a Sacramento comedian, activist and marijuana speak up. Small actions often lead to expert. Email him questions at big changes. ask420@newsreview.com.

@Ngaio420

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Free will astrology

ask joey

by ROb bRezsny

For the week oF July 18, 2019

we can’t all be happy

ARIES (March 21-April 19): An Aries reader sent me

by JOey GARCIA

I want to be a successful writer, and by that I mean I want people to read my writing. I was a secretary, but now I’m unemployed so being paid for my writing would be nice, too. But I’m 45 years old and still don’t have a bachelor’s degree.

Is it too late for me to do what I want?

Should I just accept that life isn’t exciting or fulfilling for me? It’s not just work that isn’t exciting—it’s everything. I do plenty of yoga and meditation (without electronics). I go to therapy. Nothing changes.

Should I just accept unhappiness?

Accept unhappiness, but don’t let it cling to you. Unhappiness is one flavor that accompanies life experiences.

Sadness, anger, joy and serenity are among the others. Each emotion has something to teach us. So notice and name the feelings arising in you. Be curious about why you chose to respond with that particular emotional energy. Glean what you can. Tuck whatever you learn about yourself into your knowledge base.

Use it to take better care of yourself. Then allow the feeling you’re experiencing to move through you. When it does, it creates interior space for contentment or another feeling to arise. This is yoga off the mat, a way of living in meditation.

The process I just described of shifting from being at the mercy of emotions to witnessing your emotions is easier said than done. That’s especially true for anyone who is struggling with depression. It’s possible that depression is your underlying issue. Whether clinical or emotional, depression dampens our natural enthusiasm. So that might be why life feels dull sometimes and why yoga and meditation don’t seem to help anymore. It’s good that you are seeing a therapist. Be certain to speak honestly with her about everything.

Contentment is one emotional baseline to target daily. It’s linked to self-acceptance: If you’re a hot mess one day and a genius the next, be OK with that. Feeling like novelist Jodi Picoult’s greatest fan one minute and like you might break up with novels 42

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forever the next? No worries. Give yourself space to live your life as an artist, a person who thrives in the liminal space between belonging and never completely fitting in. Paradox is everyone’s true home but most people never figure that out.

Mary Anne Evans famously said: “It’s never too late to be who you might have been.” Evans is better known by the identity she created for herself as George Sand. She wanted her writing talent to be taken seriously so she did what was necessary to carve a place for herself in the literary world. For many writers literary achievement does not always include a university degree (or the debt that accompanies it). Writing is a craft.

Skill improves through practice, reading, classes and mentoring. The definition of a writer is someone who writes. A professional writer is one who understands the value of a commitment to the work. Read Steven Pressfield’s book, The War of Art. Study one chapter a day. When you finish the book, read it again. It will birth the writer you are and are becoming. Ω

MedItatIoN oF the week “You are confined only by the walls you build yourself,” said author Andrew Murphy. What does freedom mean to you?

Write, email or leave a message for Joey at the News & Review. Give your name, telephone number (for verification purposes only) and question—all correspondence will be kept strictly confidential.

Write Joey, 1124 Del Paso Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95815; call (916) 498-1234, ext. 1360; or email askjoey@newsreview.com.

a boisterous email. “I was afraid I was getting too bogged down by my duties,” he said, “too hypnotized by routine, too serious about my problems. So I took drastic action.” He then described the ways he broke out of his slump.

Here’s an excerpt: “I gave laughing lessons to a cat. I ate a spider. I conducted a sneezing contest. I smashed an alarm clock with a hammer. Whenever an elderly woman walked by, I called out ‘Hail to the Queen!’ and did a backflip.

I gave names to my spoon (Hortense), the table (Beatrice), a fly that was buzzing around (Fallon), and a toothpick (Arturo).” According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you’d be wise to stage a comparable uprising.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Welcome home, homegirls and homeboys. After observing all your homesteading in homes away from home, I’m pleased to see you getting curious about the real home brew again. I wonder how many times I’ll say the word “home” before you register the message that it’s high time for you to home in on some homemade, homegrown homework? Now here’s a special note to any of you who may be feeling psychologically homeless or exiled from your spiritual home: The coming weeks will be a favorable time to address that ache and remedy that problem.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The world is full of eternally restless people who seethe with confused desires they don’t understand. Fueled by such unfathomable urges, they are driven in unknown directions to accomplish fuzzy goals.

They may be obsessed in ways that make them appear to be highly focused, but the objects of their obsession are impossible to attain or unite with. Those objects don’t truly exist! I have described this phenomenon in detail because the coming months will offer you all the help and support you could ever need to make sure you’re forever free of any inclination to be like that.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): What would you say if I asked you to tell me who you truly are? I wouldn’t want to hear so much about your titles and awards. I’d be curious about your sacred mysteries, not your literal history. I’d want to know the treasured secrets you talk about with yourself before you fall asleep. I’d ask you to sing the songs you love and describe the allies who make you feel real. I’d urge you to riff on the future possibilities that both scare you and thrill you. What else? What are some other ways you might show me core truths about your irrepressible soul? Now is a good time to meditate on these riddles.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Isaac Asimov wrote a science fiction story about a physicist who masters time travel and summons William Shakespeare into the present time. The Bard enrolls in a night school class about his own plays—and proceeds to flunk the course.

Modern ideas and modes of discourse are simply too disorienting to him. He is unable to grasp the theories that centuries’ worth of critics have developed about his work. With this as a cautionary tale, I invite you to time-travel not four centuries into the future, but just 10 years.

From that vantage point, look back at the life you’re living now. How would you evaluate and understand it? Do you have any constructive criticism to offer? Any insights that could help you plan better for your long-term future?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to buy yourself toys, change your image for no rational reason, and indulge in an interesting pleasure that you have been denying yourself for no good reason. In addition, I hope you will engage in at least two heart-to-heart talks with yourself, preferably using funny voices and comical body language. You could also align yourself gracefully with cosmic rhythms by dancing more than usual, and by goofing off more than usual, and by wandering in the wilderness and seeking to recapture your lost innocence more than usual.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Although you’ll never find

an advertisement for Toyota or Coca-Cola or Apple within my horoscope column, you will find hype for spiritual commodities like creativity, love and freedom. Like everyone else, I’m a huckster. My flackery may be more ethical and uplifting than others’, but the fact is that I still try to persuade you to “buy” my ideas. The moral of the story: Everyone, even the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, is selling something. I hope that what I’m saying here purges any reluctance you might have about presenting yourself and your ideas in the most favorable light. It’s high time for you to hone your sales pitch; to explain why your approach to life is so wise; to be a forceful spokesperson and role model for the values you hold dear.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You are growing almost too fast, but that won’t necessarily be a problem—as long as you don’t expect everyone around you to grow as fast as you. I suspect that you also know almost too much—but I don’t anticipate that will spawn envy and resistance as long as you cultivate a bit of humility. I have an additional duty to report that you’re on the verge of being too attractive for your own good—although you have not yet actually reached the tipping point, so maybe your hyperattractiveness will serve you rather than undermine you. In conclusion, I invite you to celebrate your abundance, but don’t flaunt it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The snow leopards of Central Asia crave a lot of room to wander.

Zoologists say that each male prefers its territory to be about 84 square miles, and each female likes to have 44 square miles. I don’t think you’ll require quite that vast a turf in the coming weeks. But on the other hand, it will be important not to underestimate the spaciousness you’ll need in order to thrive. Give yourself permission to be expansive.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “I want to do things so wild with you that I don’t know how to say them.” Author Anaïs Nin wrote that in a letter to her Capricorn lover Henry Miller. Is there anyone you could or should or want to say something like that? If your answer is yes, now is a good time to be so candid and bold. If the answer is no, now would be a good time to scout around for a person to whom you could or should or want to say such a thing. And if you’d like to throw in a bit more enticement, here’s another seductive lyric from Nin: “Only the united beat of sex and heart together can create ecstasy.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Did you hear the story about the California mom who started a series of forest fires so as to boost her son’s career as a firefighter? She is an apt role model for behavior you should diligently avoid in the coming weeks. It’s unwise and unprofitable for you and yours to stir up a certain kind of trouble simply because it’s trouble that you and yours have become skilled at solving. So how should you use your problem-solving energy, which I suspect will be at a peak? I suggest you go hunting for some very interesting and potentially productive trouble that you haven’t wrangled with before— some rousing challenge that will make you even smarter than you already are.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The heroine of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass is curious, adventurous and brave. First she follows a well-dressed rabbit down a rabbit hole into an alternate universe. Later she slips through a mirror into yet another parallel reality. Both times, with great composure, she navigates her way through many odd, paranormal and unpredictable events. She enjoys herself immensely as she deals with a series of unusual characters and unfamiliar situations. I’m going to speculate that Alice is a Pisces. Are you ready for your very own Alice in Wonderland phase? Here it comes!

“Hello, I’m Colleen Crawdad, sorry I’m late!” “You’re outta luck, Colleen—too late. Pizza’s gone.”

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