Enablers, apologists and accomplices Sacramento’S newS & entertainment weekly
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CONTENTS
DECEMBER 26, 2019 | VOL. 31, ISSUE 37
SN&R
When the weather outside is frightful ... there’s whiskey!
put your favorite bands and musicians on the ballot! Nominations end
EDITOR’S NOTE LETTERS ESSAY + STREETALK GREENLIGHT 15 MINUTES NEWS FEATURE ARTS + CULTURE STAGE
04 05 06 08 09 10 14 20 23
01.08.20
27 DISH PLACE CALENDAR CAPITAL CANNABIS GUIDE ASK JOEY
26 28 30 35 42
DJ Lady Char SAMMIES 2019 Nominee Deejay
sammies.com
COVER DESIGN BY MARIA RATINOVA
N&R Publications Editor Debbie Arrington Associate Publications Editors Derek McDow, Thea Rood
N&R Publications Staff Writers/Photographers
Anne Stokes, Allen Pierleoni
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. Editor Foon Rhee News Editor Raheem F. Hosseini 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, Illyanna Maisonet, Tessa Marguerite Outland, Lindsay Oxford, James Raia, Patti Roberts, Dylan Svoboda, Bev Sykes, Jeremy Winslow, Graham Womack Creative Services Manager Elisabeth Bayard-Arthur Art Directors Sarah Hansel, Maria Ratinova Art of Information Director Serene Lusano Publications Designer Katelynn Mitrano Publications and Advertising Designer Nikki Exerjian Ad Designers Naisi Thomas, Cathy Arnold
Sales & Production Coordinator Skyler Morris Senior Advertising Consultants Rosemarie Messina, Kelsi White
Advertising Consultants Sam Almaguer, Michael Nero, Vincent Marchese, Amy Yang Director of First Impressions/Sweetdeals Coordinator Laura Anthony
Distribution Director Greg Erwin Distribution Assistant Lob Dunnica Distribution Drivers Mansour Aghdam, Rosemarie Beseler, Kimberly Bordenkircher, Mike Cleary, Tom Downing, Marty Fetterley, Chris Fong, Ron Forsberg, Michael Jackson, Sylvia London, Calvin Maxwell, Greg Meyers, Jeremy Meier, Jenny Plummer, Lloyd Rongley, Lolu Sholotan, Viv Tiqui
N&R Publications Editorial Coordinator Nisa Smith Marketing & Publications Lead Consultant Elizabeth Morabito
Development Consultant Greta Beekhuis Marketing & Publications Consultants Julia Ballantyne, Chris Cohen, Joseph Engle, Laura Golino, Sherri Heller, Rod Malloy
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
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12.26.19
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editor’s note
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Driving while high How will California spot stoned motorists? by Foon Rhee
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Law enforcement agencies in California are relying on roadside tests to spot drivers impaired by cannabis use.
Two years into legal recreational cannabis in California, the headlines keep coming about this problem or that: vaping deaths, risky piles of cash, high taxes driving the black market, etc. Here’s another one that could be coming down the road, literally: Drivers stoned on cannabis. In 2018 and so far in 2019, cannabis is the third most common drug in crashes when California Highway Patrol officers suspected drugs were involved. In 2018, cannabis was suspected in 537 crashes and so far in 2019 in 539 crashes; only stimulants and depressants were suspected more often. (The CHP cautions that the numbers were not confirmed by toxicology tests and that more than one drug could be involved.) There are also troubling numbers from the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana: Fatal crashes involving cannabis increased in both Colorado and Washington, which became the first states with legal adult-use cannabis in 2012, according to an October 2018 report from the Governors Highway Safety Association. In Colorado, pot-related traffic deaths jumped by 66% in the four-year average for 2013-16, compared to 2009-12 before legalization. In Washington, the percentage of drivers in fatal crashes with detectable THC doubled to 17% in 2014, compared to 2010-13. Surveys in the two states also showed that many regular cannabis users don’t believe it affects their driving and will drive high. Since legalization in California, the CHP has ramped up training for its officers to be able to spot buzzed drivers. “It’s been a big push,” said Lt. Eric Jones of CHP’s impaired driving section.
Nearly 750 CHP officers—about 10% of its uniformed officers—and a total of 1,900 law enforcement officers statewide have gone through the most advanced training for recognizing drug impairment. It includes 72 hours in the classroom and 30 hours of certification and goes into different categories of drugs and signs and symptoms of impairment. Roadside sobriety tests and observations of driving behavior are what determine DUI arrests involving cannabis. Unlike driving while drunk—when a bloodalcohol level of 0.08% or higher is proof of impairment under state law—there is no similar limit for cannabis and other drugs, in part because they affect people so differently. Still, CHP plans to start a test in the Bakersfield area in the next few months of a roadside saliva screening device, Jones said. And CHP would look at a drug-detecting version of a Breathalyzer if scientifically valid technology comes to market, he said. That may not happen quickly. As a New York Times investigation recently revealed, there are some serious questions about the reliability of Breathalyzer-type tests being used across the country to arrest and convict drunk drivers. The Times reports that judges in Massachusetts and New Jersey have thrown out more than 30,000 tests in the past year due to human error, improper oversight, lax maintenance and shoddy science. On Oct. 1, CHP and the Office of Traffic Safety launched a year-long, beefed-up campaign to reduce impaired driving, including more patrols, checkpoints and education. In 2017, CHP tallied 594 deaths and more than 11,000 injuries in DUI crashes on roads it patrols. The holidays are typically among the busiest—and deadliest— travel times. A DUI means hefty fines and court fees that can total $13,500; repeat offenses can lead to prison. Taking impaired drivers off the highways keeps the rest of us safe, but only if they’re spotted. Ω Photo courtesy of california highway Patrol
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Full representation Re: “The monarchs of masculinity” by Ashley Hayes-Stone (Arts & Culture, Dec. 12): Love seeing this kind of representation of our local culture! And maybe readers will learn that the drag royalty is a lot bigger than you might think. Drag can mean so much, and I wonder if people realize how much effort goes into it.
Mike Murray S acr am en t o / v i a F a c e b o o k
Family recipes Re: “The Comfort Food issue” by Steph Rodriguez (Feature, Dec. 12): Just picked up the newest issue. I haven’t read SN&R in years. I’m not into pot or porn. But the cover really intrigued me. Lots of cool recipes and family stories. Finally some cool reflections of our communities.
SaM J. Pena Sac rame n to / via F aceb ook
covering prenatal care for expectant mothers, rather than being anti-motherhood and shaming them. Both liberals and conservatives ought to agree to help poor mothers by supporting both private and public funding to help empower them to raise their children up in culture that would otherwise be hateful and unfavorable toward them.
More tax hikes?
Re: “A dusty destination?” by Scott Thomas Anderson (News, Dec. 5): Long before desalination is attempted, we will need to build more dams and more groundwater recharge in order to store more rain water, especially if the snow season really is shortening. This is a simple fact.
Re: “Sacramento is no Portland” by Jeff Doll (Essay, Nov. 28): Sacramento leaders will justify tax increases with this livability goal. Portland does more with a much lower overall tax burden on its residents. Waste, fraud and abuse make it highly unlikely Sacramento would ever catch Portland in livability rating.
Prenatal care Re: “Soldiering on” by Scott Thomas Anderson (News, Dec. 12): I looked up online Her Heath First which is only briefly mentioned in the article. Being Christian and pro-life, I wish you would mention more about such privately funded organizations that help lowincome pregnant women with prenatal care. Poor mothers of unborn children, including AfricanAmerican expectant mothers, are often pressured to abort their unborn child. I also sincerely wish this state had pro-life elected leaders who would make sure our tax dollars went to help support low-income mothers, including
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Re: “Sacramento is no Portland” by Jeff Doll (Essay, Nov. 28): I have to disagree when it comes to our parks. Land Park is an absolute gem that the writer fails to mention and in terms of “nature area, preserve and water feature” did we forget about the river?
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12.26.19
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essay
by kula koeniG
streetalk
by Graham Womack
Asked At dOCO:
Who’s your 2019 Grinch?
Reminders of injustice
JOe PiMentel wind energy worker
Donald Trump. I just think he’s the worst thing that we’ve ever had in the U.S. as president. Just a terrible representative.
Here’s what I—a cisgender, able-bodied black woman—was reminded of while partying the Friday after Thanksgiving at Mango’s nightclub in Sacramento:
AdAM Ozsuer accountant
[Recep] Tayyip Erdogan, dictator from Turkey … If he gets money from you, he’ll get from you whatever he wants. If not, you are just enemy.
Reminder #1: Don’t you dare bring up gender-neutral bathrooms! I go to the women’s restroom, and of course there’s a line. Nature was ringing hard so I darted into the men’s restroom (which per usual had no line) and did my business in an unoccupied stall. As I came out, a male and female bouncer hastily approached me. The male bouncer issued a warning and said I was not allowed to go into the men’s restroom, for my protection. As they walked me back to my VIP booth, he continued on about how it was only “fair” and “equal” for me to wait in line. As someone who works for equity and social justice, I began to talk to the bouncer about how having gender-neutral restrooms would be equal and how having more stalls in the women’s restrooms would be more equitable. The female bouncer apparently didn’t like that and said I had to leave the club. I was summarily ordered out of the side door and not allowed to retrieve my belongings or alert my friends.
Reminder #2: The most disrespected person in America is the black woman Unbeknownst to me, while I was outside, the same female bouncer told my friend, another black woman, that she, too, had to leave the club after an incident where my friend was pushed by another club patron. Instead of the bouncer investigating what happened, there was an assumption that my friend was somehow at fault. I contacted the promoter with whom I booked the VIP table and was told the owner would call me and my friend regarding the incident. The owner spoke with my friend’s husband, who happens to be white, and was very apologetic and deferential. I did not have that experience.
Reminder #3: Misogyny is real When the owner called me, it was evident by his behavior that he had already formed an opinion. He did not let me speak and told me I should be 6 | sN&r | 12.26.19
Kula Koenig is a Sacramento nonprofit director with experience in community organizing.
sAdir AH evAns student
grateful that I received a refund. (It’s not about money!) He said that gender-neutral restrooms were impractical and that “nobody does that except gay clubs.” After toggling between asking me to come back to the club and saying that I should be grateful for his refund, he began to talk about how this was “not a race thing” and that he, too, grew up in the projects. (Because if you didn’t know, all black people grew up in the projects—side eye). End of conversation.
It’ll be Miss Kecia, my professor from esthetics school. She says it all the time. You can see. She has the same characteristics.
CAM Myers freight and operations
Maybe Fox News. Just always bringing people down, all the time.
Reminder #4: Mango’s messed with the right black woman A few things come to mind as I reflect: Why is it OK for women to stand in long lines in clubs while men get to go in and out. It’s 2020! What about our transgender brothers and sisters? Which restroom should they be allowed to enter without having a bouncer ask them to leave? When will clubs address the hyper-vigilance on black patrons? When will they learn how to deescalate situations? And where can grown black folks go in Sacramento to dance and have a good twostepping time? Interested in investing in such a club/lounge in Sacramento, where men gotta wait in line if women do? Send an email to: blackinsactown@gmail.com. Editor’s note: Mango’s owner Joe Gomez was given an opportunity to provide a statement about gender-neutral restrooms, but declined. Ω
HAile y swindell baker
Probably my grandparents. ... They have the Christmas spirit but they’re very exclusive to most of the family.
JOrdAn MAdigAn health-care worker
My Grinch is Cardi B and … [her husband] Offset. ’Cause she gave him $500,000 ... that’s jacked up, and then posted it on social media and was like, “Hey everybody’s struggling. Here’s $500,000 for my babe.”
Time for reflection and
connection Take a few moments during this busy season to look at yourself By yvOnnE R. WALkER P r e s i d e n t, s e i U L o c a L 1 0 0 0
You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise. The preceding words come from of one of my favorite poems, “Still I Rise,” by the late Maya Angelou. The poem is primarily about confidence, self-respect, resiliency, and the ability to overcome and rise to the occasion by not letting anything hold you back — not your skin color, your ethnicity, your sex — or anything else. All of which speak very personally to all that I once was and all that I am now. Ms. Angelou’s words continue to speak to me today because at Local 1000 we always rise to the occasion to meet challenges and opportunities alike. And because we do, and because we do it so well, we build leaders at Local 1000. Leaders help themselves – and others – do the right thing, even when no one is looking. Leaders do this neither because it’s easy nor because they have to, and certainly not because there are no barriers to surmount. Quite the contrary. Leaders persevere in the face of adversity and draw inspiration from their own resiliency. And that resiliency in turn makes us not only better leaders, but better people. It’s easy if you’re wealthy and have all the tools to succeed handed to you. But there are many people
who are struggling just to get by and don’t have that same access to resources and opportunities. In order for that to change, we — the leaders and those who strive to lead — need to rewrite our destiny and become the change we want to see in this world.
“Learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine within yourself, so that you can hear it in others.” Marian Wright EdElMan
Among the four habits of leadership we practice, the first is reflection. Another is building relationships, both of which seem very appropriate during the holidays, the perfect time of year to connect with others and yourself. Thinking back on the past 12 months, I ask myself: Is there anyone I have wronged throughout the year? If so, how can I get into the right space with that person for the coming year? In maintaining our connections, we can do what we can to make amends and strengthen relationships. And realize not
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all relationships will last. Some people are in your life for only a season or brief time. Friends, partners, groups — we align with some for a moment, others for a lifetime. And that’s perfectly natural. After all, this isn’t a competition to see who can accumulate the most friends. It’s about how we make the most of the time with those we spend our time with. As we reflect, also remember that our primary relationship is with ourselves. As such, practice compassion and empathy for yourself as you would others. Can you make amends to yourself? Can you forgive yourself? Work to do so. I invite you to celebrate all that we accomplished in 2019 and to use this time to prepare ourselves for 2020. There’s so much still to be done. Merry Christmas! Happy holidays! Yvonne R. Walker President SEIU Local 1000
SEIU LOCAL 1000 1808 14th Street Sacramento, CA 95811 | (866) 471-7348 12.26.19 | SN&R | 7
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SPEC 2018 IAL IS SU elec tion E: prim er
A d v e r t i s e i n C h i Co, r eno , An d s A C r A me nt o!
8 | Sn&r | 12.26.19
by Jeff vonKaenel
CHIC NEW O’S FR S EE WEE& ENTERTA VOLUME KLY INMENT 42, ISSU THURSD E8 OCTOBE AY, R WWW.N 18, 2018 EWS REVIEW .COM
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Given the massive amounts of information coming at us, and the many things we could or should do, it is easy to be overwhelmed. New Year’s resolutions are a way to take stock of our lives, set priorities and develop a plan of action. It is true in our personal lives, and for our community as well. The following are my political resolutions for 2020, as I try to think globally and act locally. 1. We need to house our homeless. Our community has the resources and the compassion necessary to help our neighbors living without shelter. If a fire or a flood left thousands in our community homeless, we would move heaven and earth to help them. We need to act. We may not have the ideal solution, but we can do practical, immediate things to make a difference. Tents are better than sidewalks. Small houses are better than tents. Housing with supportive services are even better. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg has been taking the lead on this. We should give him more support and particularly help him overcome neighborhood objections. 2. We must elect a progressive Sacramento County supervisor to replace Susan Peters. Our fivemember Board of Supervisors has two progressive, smart and capable supervisors in Patrick Kennedy and Phil Serna, two very conservative supervisors in Peters and Sue Frost and one very experienced, middle-of-the road supervisor, Don Nottoli. While knowledgeable, Nottoli is not a man of action. So we have had constant gridlock at the county—on housing as well as health and human services and county administrative issues. Current SMUD Board member Gregg Fishman, who has received the endorsement of both the Sacramento Democratic Party and Sacramento Central Labor Council, would make an excellent supervisor. It is important that we unite around a candidate who can win.
3. We need to improve county roads and public transit by passing a half-cent sales tax increase. If approved in November, this measure would raise $8 billion over the next 40 years. There is currently a healthy debate on how much should go for roads and how much should go for public transportation. Both are needed. We must work hard to get the two-thirds vote necessary. Just think how much better things would be if the voters in 1980 had approved a similar measure. You’ll have time to think about it, while sitting in your car stuck in traffic or while waiting for the bus. 4. To reduce ever-increasing income inequality, it is important that we build a political coalition between Sacramento’s progressives and labor unions. Labor has been leading the way, fighting for an increased California minimum wage, working to provide effective worker protections against sexual harassment and supporting housing and tax reform. I have been impressed by the work of Yvonne Walker from SEIU Local 1000, Dean Murakami from American Federation of Teachers Local 2279, Fabrizio Sasso from Sacramento Central Labor Council and others. Progressives and labor leaders should work together to pass a legislative agenda. 5. And we must elect a new president. Although I am the CEO of News & Review, these views are not necessarily the views of SN&R’s editorial department, which may have different positions than me in its endorsements in 2020. These are my political resolutions. I would be interested to hear yours. Email me at jeffv@newsreview.com. Ω Jeff vonKaenel is the president, CEO and majority owner of the News & Review.
15 MINUTES
BY MAXFIELD MORRIS
m a x fi e l d m @ne w s re v i e w . c o m
Amelia Chew stands by the Downtown Ice Rink. PHOTO BY MAXFIELD MORRIS
Downtown on ice If you’re looking for a socially acceptable locale to strap blades to your feet, the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink is as good a place as any. From November to January, Amelia Chew works as the general manager of the seasonal rink, in addition to year-round event coordination work with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. Chew got started on the ice in 2016, after working as event staff at Concerts in the Park. Throughout the year, Chew coordinates the farmers market, Concerts in the Park, the State of Downtown breakfast, Old Sacramento events and more. SN&R chatted with Chew about life on the ice, and what it’s like seeing so many Sacramentans get skating.
What’s your history with the ice rink? So I started as a skateguard—which is basically like a lifeguard on ice, monitoring the safety and mobility of the ice skaters.
Had you ice skated much before? I had ice skated a few times as a kid ... but then working at the ice rink as just the event staff skateguard, I got a lot of ice time. And so my skills on the ice definitely flourished, and I definitely have a love of ice because of that one season as a skateguard.
What’s your typical day like? My typical day is, I take on a manager shift. So that basically means opening with staff, scheduling them for breaks, making sure that everyone is in the correct position.
Is this a seasonal role for you? So I’m mainly in the office here with Downtown Partnership full-time—but in the winter I transition
to the general manager position for ice rink only. It’s unique because someone has to be there at all times, so it takes someone who’s known the ice rink and worked the ice rink before to be able to manage staff and on-site logistics.
Do you get to run the Zamboni ever? I do, yes.
Oh, man. Just talk about that. It’s pretty intense. It’s a big piece of machinery, and it doesn’t operate the way you would expect it to—it’s not just a car. And it’s a lot of levers, I mean, you have this big blade, first of all, that just cleans the ice, but you’re also in charge of rotating these augers that cut up the snow once it’s cut. You have some water that you have to lay down for the ice to be nice and smooth. It’s a lot.
Have you seen a lot of people fall? Fall? I mean, it’s definitely common. You get the occasional slip or so, but nothing too bad, and we’re all trained in first aid and CPR and everything. … You can recognize a bad fall from a good fall just hearing it.
How do you like the ice skating time of year? I love it. Especially with this event in particular, I’ve grown to love it both as a staff member and as a manager as well, and be able to see it create itself from the month of October, being there November, December, January, kind of serving the public as a fun family getaway. And then closing it down at the end of January, you get to know the ice rink from the ins, the outs, the good, the bad. For me, I take it on kind of like my own little baby. I want to be able to have it grow and be here for a long, long time. Ω
Take a few turns around the Downtown Ice Rink at 7th and K Streets before the final session on Jan. 20. Tickets are $6-$15, visit godowntownsac.com/icerink for more info.
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Photo illustration using istock images
The future reloaded As authorities track a new generation of 3D-printed ghost guns, a new technology attempts to meet the threat by Scott thomaS anderSon
The shooting happened so fast that three off-duty officers rushing toward it couldn’t make a difference. Last month at Saugus High School, California’s 21st mass shooting since 1982 left two victims dead and three wounded among the brushy hills of Santa Clarita. With a trio of officers heading straight into that chaos, the causalities were a jarring reminder of how fast tragedy comes once a gun starts firing. The campus has high fences and security cameras, but it’s not one of the 3% of American schools that currently use metal detectors. But even if it had taken 10
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that precaution, it may not have been enough. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the student shooter used a self-manufactured handgun, also known as a “ghost gun.” Not only do ghost guns exist outside conventional safety measures—background checks, restraining orders, general traceability—a new customized breed can now be made almost entirely of plastic. Some are forged by advanced computer numerical control milling machines, while other versions have been made with 3D printers. At least some of
sc o tta @ ne wsr e v ie w.c o m
them have already slipped through metal detectors. In fact, investigative journalists report having been able to sneak a 3D-printed gun through the security system for the Israeli parliament—twice. Hand-assembled ghost guns have been used in three mass shootings in California so far. But as more commercial machinists obtain CNC mills—and as 3D-printers become more advanced, affordable and accessible—untraceable plastic firearms may become the dominant threat to public safety. “The 3D-printed guns are part of the larger ghost guns phenomena, which is
an escalating and increasingly alarming issue in California, specifically because of our strong gun laws,” said Amanda Wilcox, legislative and policy chairperson for the California chapter of Brady United Against Gun Violence. “The more there are people who want guns but can’t meet our standards, the more there’s people just trying to make their own guns. “With the 3D printers, it seems like the technology will improve and become a bigger problem,” she added. In response, a start-up in Vancouver is testing a new technology that uses low-frequency radio waves and artificial intelligence to detect hidden guns in real time via advanced 3D imaging. According to the company’s CEO, Bill Riker, these devices use deep learning to locate all kinds of concealed weapons—including plastic ghost guns. Riker describes his team as using one type of three-dimensional technology to neutralize another. “Our mission is to improve the safety and security of communities,” Riker said.
HealtH subsidies explained see neWs
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2019 GrincHes: enablers edition see coVer
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small toWn, biG Hack
tHreats and frontiers Sacramento County probation officers were checking on George Vang, previously convicted of illegally possessing firearms, when they discovered he was trying to create a gun with a 3D printer in August 2018. In a statement, the Probation Department noted that the 3D-printed gun didn’t work. It was too hard to make, Vang reportedly admitted, so he’d finally given up. The previous summer, police in Grand Prairie, Tex., experienced a closer call. Responding to shots fired near a roadway, officers discovered Eric McGinnis with a working AR-15 rifle that he’d partly constructed with a 3D printer. McGinnis was also carrying a list of addresses for federal lawmakers. He had previously been convicted of carrying an illegal short-barrel rifle with no serial number while being restricted from possessing any firearms due to a restraining order. Evidence presented at his trial for the latest incident showed he’d circumvented that restriction by using a 3D printer to make a lower receiver—a major component in assault rifles—and then fixing it on a traditional upper receiver he’d acquired through other means. Computer files for printing 3D guns began leaking online in 2013. Simple schematics were widely released by Texas-based Libertarian activist Cody Wilson, while more sophisticated designs were sold to the public by the company Solid Concepts. By the following November, a machinist from Pennsylvania was sharing plans online for a fully functioning 3D-printed gun made of plastic, one that reportedly could fire multiple rounds. Several firearm experts told SN&R it’s still widely believed that plastic guns can only fire one to four rounds before their barrel cracks or deforms. But it’s also believed this design flaw could be temporary as more 3D printing enthusiasts experiment with different hard plastics and polymers. In the last few years, 3D printers have become ubiquitous on college campuses, used in architecture labs and fashion design classes, among other
Knowing that the threat could settings. But they’re not miracle machines, accelerate as the technology becomes cautions Nile Mittow, who has been using cheaper, Liberty Defense is focused on 3D printers for six years while working at developing Hexwave. Sacramento’s Hacker Lab. First created by Massachusetts Mittow says he’s met plenty of Institute of Technology’s Lincoln people who mistake 3D printers for Laboratory, Hexwave is designed to use “Star Trek replicators,” meaning a low-powered, 3D-imaging signals machine that can manufacture to scan and classify every any requested object out of moving object within thin air. a given area, and “These are not differentiate weapons consumer-idiotfrom benign objects proof,” he said. in real time. CEO “If you want to Riker says that 3D-print someHexwave’s A.I. thing [plastic] constantly scans that’s going to for the shapes of contain a small guns, knives and explosion, you Bill Riker explosives. have a better CEO, Liberty Defense Technologies “It can tell the chance of hurting difference between yourself with it than those and a set of keys,” somebody else.” Riker explained. “We’ve Mittow explained also been refining it to see what’s so complicated about plastic guns and 3D-printed guns.” using 3D printing technology: “There’s Hexwave is being honed to work at two main parameters with this—the public events, school campuses, places temperature of the nozzle and the speed of worship and secured buildings. Riker at which you’re printing—but there’s a says that when the technology detects lot of weird parameters with it, too. It’s a concealed weapon, it can instantly easy to print a simple piece of plastic notify law enforcement or security that looks like something, but it’s a personnel in the vicinity, or work in lot harder to get something dialed in tandem with a facility’s alarms and to where you can hit tolerances, and automatic lockdown systems. Liberty get actual mechanically reacting parts Defense is currently beta-testing within it.” Hexwave in Utah, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland and parts of Canada. If that future meets goes smoothly, the company expects to go to market in 2021. tHe future Some schools or municipalities While making 3D plastic guns requires could face privacy concerns over using sophistication, experience and money— a technology like Hexwave. Yet the advanced 3D printers can cost upwards of Utah Attorney General’s Office has $15,000, and CNC mills $27,000—recent told reporters that it’s allowing Liberty history shows lone wolves and terrorists Defense to test its scanners at public will go to extravagant lengths to carry out events because law enforcement is their attacks. looking for innovations that can keep The deadly assault on Saugus High large crowds safe in a way metal School marked the Golden State’s eighth detectors simply can’t. campus shooting in three decades and Riker says that’s what makes his fourth since 2012. company’s tech so promising. Those figures don’t include the four “The United States has now had people shot, one fatally, at San Diego’s hundreds of mass shootings,” he pointed Chabad of Poway Synagogue in April. out. “There has to be a way to take Nor do they reflect the three people killed quicker, more proactive action.” Ω and 17 wounded at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in July. The bloodshed has left many wondering if any place is safe.
“There has to be a way to take quicker, more proactive action.”
An early morning ransomware ambush last week plunged the small city of Galt into confusion, disrupting online communications and phone lines. According to a Dec. 17 press release from the city, hackers placed the malware on Galt’s computer systems the day before. Forensic experts were brought it to determine the extent of the damage, but the city said last week that while hackers encrypted access to certain city servers, it didn’t believe personal data had been exposed. Interim city manager Thomas Haglund wasn’t immediately available for an update on Dec. 23, including whether a ransom amount had been determined or paid. The city established temporary phone numbers that were still in use this week, suggesting the systems had yet to be fixed. The city noted that its Police Department’s 911 phone lines were not affected by the cyberattack. In a statement, state Assemblyman Jim Cooper said his office was working to provide assistance to the south county municipality, which sits in his district, and had recently presented a $500,000 check to the city of Lodi to upgrade its computer systems against hackers. “Cyberwarfare is a big issue facing cities throughout the country,” the Elk Grove Democrat added. According to SonicWall Capture Labs, there were 7.2 billion malware attacks in the first three quarters of 2019, 15% more than during the same period in 2018. The cybersecurity company’s research arm also counted 151.9 million ransomware attacks over this same period, representing a 5% increase over the first three quarters of 2018. (Raheem F. Hosseini)
fiGHtinG to leaVe a clue Guofang Wang, a 59-year-old South Sacramento man, may have lost the fight for his life, but his ferocity ultimately sealed the fate of his attackers. This month, Lai Saechao and his nephew David Saechao, were each convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances for the 2018 slaying of Wang. According to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Wang operated an indoor marijuana grow operation inside his home on Burns Way. On June 24, 2018, Lai and David Saechao broke into Wang’s home with the intention of stealing his harvesting equipment. But Wang was home—and a desperate struggle ensued. Wang didn’t survive it. Sacramento County sheriff’s detectives determined he was beaten and strangled to death. But they also discovered evidence that Wang had bitten and scratched his assailants. After analyzing blood at the crime scene and scrapings under Wang’s fingernails, DNA showed that the victim had sunk his teeth into David Saecho and clawed at Lai Saechao. On Dec. 10, a jury convicted uncle and nephew of Wang’s murder. According to the DA’s office, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of life without parole. Their sentencing is scheduled for the end of the month. (Scott Thomas Anderson)
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help pay for them, the state is imposing a tax penalty starting next year on people who don’t have health insurance—similar to the federal penalty the Republicancontrolled Congress eliminated effective this year.
1 million could benefit
Sign-ups for Covered California coverage in 2020 end Jan. 31. Photo by AnA b. IbArrA for CAlIfornIA heAlthlIne
covering more of california
Some rejoice over new health insurance subsidies, others get shut out by AnA B. IBArrA
California healthline is a service of the California health Care foundation produced by Kaiser health news, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser family foundation. the full story is available at californiahealthline.org. Sign-ups for Covered
Syd Winlock bought one of the cheapest health insurance policies he could find for himself and his wife, Lisa, this year: a high-deductible plan with lousy coverage and a $1,500-per-month price tag. For coverage next year, the Elk Grove resident qualifies for new state-funded health insurance subsidies totaling about $870 per month. This aid allows him to buy a better plan with a lower deductible for about $1,200 per month. That’s still high, he said, but any help is welcome. “It made a huge difference,” said Winlock, 61, a small-business owner who provides accounting and point-ofsales systems to other businesses. “We were thinking that in 2020 we wouldn’t be able to keep our plan,” let alone afford an upgrade, he said. Heather Altman, an independent environmental consultant in Long Beach, also hoped to qualify for the new state financial
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aid. But after checking with a health insurance agent, she learned she won’t get anything. “At first I thought it might be a mistake,” she said. “It was disappointing.” Starting Jan. 1, California will offer financial aid to some consumers who buy health coverage through Covered California, the state’s Affordable Care Act insurance exchange. Some of the subsidies will go to people who already qualify for the federal tax credits available to some Covered California consumers, primarily those with low incomes. But the assistance will also be extended to middle-income people such as Winlock who make too much money to qualify for the federal tax credits and have had to bear the entire cost of their premiums. California will be the first state to offer such help to middle-class consumers. With open enrollment for Covered California going full steam—sign-ups for
Ca lifo r nia H e a lth line
2020 coverage end Jan. 31—consumers are eagerly trying to determine whether they might qualify for the new aid and, if so, how much. More than 486,000 people have already qualified for the new state subsidies, with more expected as open enrollment continues, Covered California announced Dec. 12. This includes about 23,000 middleincome enrollees who make too much to qualify for federal tax credits, said Covered California executive director Peter Lee. Lee added that new enrollment is up by 16% compared with this time last year, largely due to the new state financial aid and insurance requirement. “We’re optimistic there will be many, many more people covered by these state subsidies for the middle class.” Earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a 2019-20 state budget that includes nearly $429 million for the subsidies. To
Covered California has estimated that nearly 1 million Californians could benefit from the new state money. Some of the aid will go to low- and moderate-income people who earn between 200% and 400% of the federal poverty level, or roughly $25,000 to $50,000 for an individual and $51,500 to $103,000 for a family of four, based on 2019 figures. This group also qualifies for federal tax credits. The average household state subsidy in this category would be $21 a month, Covered California estimates. The majority of the state assistance, however, will go to people whose incomes are between 400% and 600% of the poverty level—too high for federal aid but still low enough to make health care financially challenging. That’s between about $50,000 and $75,000 a year for an individual and $103,000 to $154,500 for a family of four. The average state assistance for this group will be about $460 a month, according to Covered California. But falling into this income bracket doesn’t guarantee subsidies. Besides income, household size, location and age play a role in eligibility for the subsidies, Covered California’s Lee explained. For example, older people who live in areas with high health care costs have a higher chance of getting help, he said. Altman, 47, who has severe asthma and is on multiple medications, said she can’t go without coverage, so she will pay $640 every month for a health plan next year, up $70 from this year. “I was just glad that it was only an 11% increase,” she said. “In previous years, I’ve seen a 20-something percent increase.” Evette Tsang, an insurance agent in Sacramento, said that while news of financial aid is driving some customers to her office, the new insurance requirement— and the accompanying tax penalty—are ultimately motivating most people to sign up. People who don’t have insurance in 2020 will have to pay the penalty when they file their state tax returns in 2021. The penalty will amount to $695 for an adult and half that much for dependent children. Some people with higher incomes instead will have to pay 2.5% of their income, which could make their penalty quite a bit heftier. Ω
Living by the dump Placer County OKs major residential development, college campuses near landfill by Graham Womack
university-related, non-residential use,” as well as In recent decades, Placer Ranch sat largely roughly 5,600 homes. undeveloped as nearby cities Roseville, Rocklin Michele Kingsbury, a management analyst for and Lincoln more than tripled in population. Placer County, said the concepts for Placer Ranch While regional housing shortages have continued and the Sunset Area have both been around for to fuel explosive growth in southwestern Placer more than 20 years. County, there has been a good reason the 2,213“It’s just a natural growth and extension of acre area stayed vacant: development in this area,” Kingsbury told SN&R. It sits adjacent to the Western Regional AEL chairperson Leslie Warren said her Sanitary Landfill. group spent $11,000 on its plan, which proposed No matter. The Placer County Board of dwelling units for all 60,000 people who would Supervisors voted 5-0 on Dec. 10 to approve be working in the Sunset Area “so people won’t the Placer Ranch Specific Plan and to update have to commute out of the area to find housing.” a development plan for the parent 8,497-acre Warren said she believes the county gave short Sunset Area plan. shrift to its plan, while prioritizing its own. The board’s actions could bring 8,000 “It’s a 1980s plan that they’re approving residents and campuses for Sacramento State in 2020, and it’s not going to be built out University and Sierra College to the land. until 2050,” Warren told SN&R. But even supporters of the plan “People aren’t going to want housacknowledge that the smell could be ing from 1980.” unavoidable in the new develop“There will Steve Pedretti, director for ment, where the closest houses be odors.” the Placer County Community will sit just 2,000 feet from the Development Resource Agency, landfill. Bonnie Gore defended looking past the alli“There will be odors,” Placer County ance’s plan. Supervisor Bonnie Gore told supervisor “With the AEL proposal, it was SN&R. “But they can be mitigated essentially some private citizens, to a good amount and we feel like a small group of private citizens, we’ve done enough to make sure that who were planning other private citizens’ that landfill—which is a huge priority to our properties without talking to them,” Pedretti community—is protected.” told SN&R. County records show that Placer Ranch The land for Placer Ranch is owned by a contributed $1,000 in 2019 to Gore as well as company connected to Eli Broad, who Forbes $200 to another Placer supervisor, Jim Holmes. estimates as the 84th-richest person in the world The board’s meeting in Auburn lasted with a net worth of $6.8 billion as of Dec. 13. more than eight hours with testimony from the Meanwhile, the alliance has taken to Alliance for Environmental Leadership, or AEL, a coalition of 14 groups that submitted an alterna- GoFundMe to finance a possible lawsuit under the California Environmental Quality Act. As tive plan for the land. of Dec. 19, the group had gathered $3,740 in “Obviously, I’m a little sad and discouraged,” donations. said Annie Bowler, a member of the group. “But Warren said her group was looking at taking we’re not giving up. There’s lots and lots of some of its key issues to the state legislature people that are not in favor of this development and state agencies including the California State as it’s currently going through.” Transportation Agency, Air Pollution Control A Dec. 11 press release from the county noted District and Solid Waste Management Board. She that the goal of the Sunset Area plan update was also said she had contacted her attorney and was “to create a unique employment, entertainment strategizing about next steps. and education center that would provide regional “It’s determined that we have grounds for a benefit and create high-wage jobs for residents lawsuit,” Warren said. Ω of nearby cities and unincorporated areas.” The release also noted that the Placer Ranch Specific Plan would add “approximately 8.5 million square feet of commercial, employment and
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e h T s r e l b a n e o h w c he d n i r g us The Grinch’s little helpers made 2019 a lot harder for everyone
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the bad guy. o one likes to think of themselves as t are you gonna wha but , tana Well, maybe Tony Mon Guy was just destined do with a nickname like “Scarface”? to die in a coke-fueled cartel shootout. see ourselves in the The point is we’re all predisposed to with this mindset— most sympathetic light. The problem les fortified their bubb l especially in 2019, where our triba e calling Reflective we’r ition cond a to lead walls—is that it can Douchebag Blindness. admit that the person As in, sometimes we’re not willing to this year’s Grinches share in the mirror isn’t so hot. If many of ction mixed with a refle a common theme, it’s a lack of selfabetted and enabled d, aide They ion. surplus of self-justificat from the conclusion that bad behavior while working backward their side was right. to not take after them. And we need to try harder than ever It’s going to be tough. re scoring savage burns We live in a point-based society whe al hamster pellets, where on social media is rewarded with digit e than being nuanced mor being loud and outraged are valued to show humility or safe feels er long no and reflective, where it vulnerability. nder our principles If we give ourselves permission to surre use that’s how beca dirty t figh to , first it because “they” did because “they” truth ter “they” fight, to lie in service of a grea justify the ends the that ve traffic in dishonesty, if we belie these from us g ratin sepa thing only the meanness, then oppressors is power. looking yourself in the And when victory finally comes, try mirror then. (Raheem F. Hosseini)
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The ugliest American It’s been a breakout year for senior White House adviser Stephen Miller. After spending the first few years of the Trump presidency conniving to put little kids in cages, slender man emerged from his shadow realm and broke the internet with news he has a girlfriend! Oh to be a fly on the wall of Miller’s crypt before his prehensile tongue snaps out to release its Arby’s-scented neurotoxin! But lest anyone wonders if Miller has a gentler side, the Southern Poverty Law Center unearthed a trove of Miller’s private emails to Breitbart editors revealing his enduring fascination with all things pro-whitey and anti-everyone else. If anyone is a walking advertisement against the asinine notion of “white supremacy,” it’s Miller. We all know President Donald Trump is a junkfood fiend. Now we know why: He contracted a sentient tapeworm named Stephen Miller. (RFH)
Mad cow puhleeze During the impeachment hearings, a certain Central Valley congressman proved again that he’s a stooge for President Donald Trump. As the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes read statements to attack Democrats, create Republican talking points and echo discredited conspiracy theories. In 2019, he also revealed himself to be an enemy of free speech. He sued McClatchy for $150 million over a Fresno Bee story about his financial interest in a winery sued by an employee who alleged sexual harassment on a charity cruise. The congressman sued Esquire magazine for $75 million for reporting that his family moved its farm to Iowa. He filed a $435 million defamation suit against CNN for its report on an alleged meeting between Nunes and a former Ukranian prosecutor to dig up dirt on Joe Biden. Nunes even went to court to shut down a parody Twitter account, @DevinCow. With all these lawsuits, he may be defending his image. But is he actually representing his constituents? (Foon Rhee)
Nolite te bastardes carborundorum
Two sellouts named Sue
New laws to protect California rente rs from sky-high gouging and no-cause evictions didn’t go into effect until Nov . 1, allowing some Sacramento County landlords to jack up rents and throw people onto the streets right before the loophole closed. An emergency ordinance coul d have stopped the Scroogey conduct, but it needed a supermajority of county supe rvisors to pass. Cue the two Sues—Susa n Peters and Sue Frost—who killed the ordinance right before the holidays and then sneaked out of board chambers whil e their constituents were reeling. Whe n the vote went down, Frost revealed just how out of touch she was, telling struggling and stressed-out tenants, “You could be homeowners, too.” Sure they can, Sue, sure they can. (Scott Thomas Anderson)
Shelter skelter
Trump’s Interior man
point No matter how many editorial boards e he sinc ests inter of lict out his brazen conf y etar Secr U.S. ary, Janu in job his slid into to s inue cont t of the Interior David Bernhard ral clear-cut a path through America’s natu Water s tland Wes ing leav e Sinc s. urce reso District to work for President Trump, sive Bernhardt has advocated funneling mas ia’s amounts of fresh water out of Californ ect, Delta through the federal water proj the at ess usin agrib state h sout fit to bene se cost of endangered fish species. Wor atic dram a seen over has yet, Bernhardt ies gutting of the federal Endangered Spec rd towa ring teete Act, a landmark law now ) (STA irrelevance.
To curb homelessness, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg challenged each City Council member to pick a spot in their districts for a shelter. If you listened closely, you could hear the scuffing: That would be the sound of Angelique Ashby and Larry Carr dragging their feet. “I do not answer to the mayor,” Carr said at a local community meeting in August. “I answer to you and my job is to protect you and protect our kids.” While a new triage shelter in Meadowview was approved that same month (despite opposition from Carr), it doesn’t bode well that some local reps seem to have more excuses than solutions for our most vulnerable. A council member should represent everyone in their district, not just people who are afraid their neighborhood values will tank when a homeless shelter pops up in an empty lot. (Rachel Mayfield)
Good riddance to a grumpy walrus John Bolton, Mike Pompeo and Trump’s hawkiest
advisers sometimes looked like competent, reasonable men simply by virtue of not being the president, but let’s not forget they allowed America’s Kurdish allies to be abandoned and slaughtered, and fomented the unrest that led to a brutal government crackdown on Iranian citizens. Bolton may not want to be “part of whatever drug deal” Trump and his shadow advisers cooked up on Ukraine, but that doesn’t mean his hands are anywhere near clean—or that he’s made this country remotely safer. (RFH)
Remember when The Handmaid’s Tale seemed like a fictional dystopian nightmare instead of a clear and present danger? Since Trump’s election, emboldened radical conservatives have been working overtime to strip reproductive rights in a state-by-state showdown that will likely end up at the U.S. Supreme Court with a direct challenge of the landmark 1973 case, Roe v. Wade. Among the most egregious, Alabama tried to ban most abortions. A judge blocked the bill in October, but that hasn’t stopped Republican lawmakers in other states from trying to force similar laws. In November, Ohio legislators introduced the most restrictive—and hands-down stupidest—bill yet. If passed as written, House Bill 413 would create a new felony: “abortion murder.” The law would make those “who purposely perform or have an abortion” guilty of a first- or second-degree violent felony and subject to life in prison. Now, for the stupid part: The bill would also require doctors to re-implant the fertilized egg back into a woman’s uterus if she suffers an ectopic pregnancy or else face criminal charges. Uh, that’s not how pregnancy works. Ohio’s bill likely won’t pass as written, but that’s not the point. Conservative lawmakers are so hell-bent on dismantling a woman’s bodily autonomy that it’s clear they’ll explore every possible option to put a red-hooded cloak in every closet. (Rachel Leibrock)
Slipper-pee slope Two pivotal cases on LGBTQ workplace rights were heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in October, including one where Aimee Stephens, a former funeral home employee, was fired after she announced she was transitioning. Attorney David Cole laid out a pretty simple opening argument: Firing someone for being transgender is discrimination. Though Cole’s reasoning was solid, it didn’t take long for Chief Justice John Roberts to bring up the hot topic on everyone’s mind: bathrooms. Things took a turn when Justice Sonia Sotomayor raised her own concerns.
“Mr. Cole, let’s not avoid the difficult issue, OK?” she started. “You have a transgender person who rightly is identifying as a woman and wants to use the women’s [bathroom]. … But there are other women … who would feel intruded upon if someone who still had male characteristics walked into their bathroom. That’s why we have different bathrooms.” In framing the discomfort of cisgender women as the most urgent question, Sotomayor led the court down a slippery slope of hypotheticals with no connection to Stephens’ actual case. Cole did his best to steer things back on track, but it’s troubling that the justices seemed more concerned with how upholding civil rights may or may not inconvenience cis-women who use closed-off stalls. (R.M.)
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“The enablers who grinched us” continued from page 15
Super (sick) greens
In the Trump era, foodborne illne sses are now on the menu year-round. Thi s year alone: E. coli outbreaks were linked to salad mix and romaine lettuce (again), as wel l as milling flour. Fresh-cut fruit mixes, veg gie trays and tahini, among other seemin gly healthy choices, were all recalled for salmonella contamination. According to Politifact, the federal Centers for Diseas e Control and Prevention’s 2019 fiscal budget was cut by about 20%. That include d slashing “$138 million from the progra m dedicated to chronic disease prevention and health promotion,” while cutting $60 million from programs studying emerging and zoonotic infectious diseases, which are linked to viruses, bacteria, fungi and par asites. Perhaps we should all just gro w our own food in 2020. (Steph Rodriguez)
Tracks of our fears Union Pacific sure knows how to play hardball. When the city of Sacramento needed a railway crossing on Ramona Avenue by Power Inn Road in 2016, “North America’s premier railroad franchise” said sure, as long as it got to take away three other crossings. UP got talked down to one, and so it was that the fate of the C Street railroad crossing was determined. With the obfuscating headline, “Portion of C Street to close for bike and pedestrian safety improvements,” the city’s press release put a nice spin on the truth. It looks better to say you’re improving something instead of admitting that you got railroaded into closing a much-used crossing. (Maxfield Morris)
Inner circle jerks
Blame it on the wninisdout to
nso PG&E CEO Bill Joh lavish executive protect his company’s er profits, even bonuses and sharehold plunging ly ed if that means repeat and one of s— an rni lifo millions of Ca mi no es—into the world’s largest eco g people’s nin da rkness. But in rui their ng ati lic mp co , Halloween g vin their Thanksgiving and lea just before d she ini paychecks dim st have known mu n nso Joh as, Christm excuse to an he’d need one hell of y’s neglect. an mp co his distract from turns out, this Enter The Wind. As it here the en be sinister force has this whistling e tim ery Ev e. whole tim town, o ne’er-do-well blew int er, declaring cri n tow d Johnson playe ess to combat unprecedented darkn l agree with e’l this shifty drifter. W —there sure is ng thi e on t Johnson abou und. (STA) aro ng a lot of hot air blowi
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A familiar thing happened after SN&R published its November cover story on former Mayor Kevin Johnson’s foray into a restaurant scene predominantly staffed by the young female demo he’s accused of sexually harassing over the past two decades: His loyalists returned to form, defending the former NBA star while slamming the young women who stood up to share strikingly similar stories. A hit piece, they cried. Unproven allegations, they complained. Shouldn’t K.J. be able to earn a living, they demanded. Doesn’t he deserve forgiveness? Being a devout Christian, Johnson probably knows that forgiveness only follows true atonement. As for the sycophants who insulate and profit off K.J., they have just as much—if not more—for which to atone. At some point, Sacramento needs to confront its weird obsession with fame culture, where even faded celebs rate more loyalty than our own children. We sincerely hope it happens before another girl stands up and tells us what we already know. (RFH)
Jesus, Mary and Kanye? Google “Christian Genius Billionaire,” and one of the world’s wealthiest rappers and onetime protégé of Jay-Z quickly pops up: Kanye West. Though he’s not a billionaire quite yet like Jay, West is cashing in on that Yeezus money. With his latest album Jesus is King solely dedicated to gospel; his Easter Sunday performance at Coachella alongside Chance the Rapper, DMX and a gospel choir—not to mention his exclusive Sunday church-like services held in Southern California attended by celebrities—West’s collection plate overfloweth. There’s something to be said about false prophets making bank off of oversized (and overpriced) “Jesus is Lord” sweatshirts. Is this the new normal? Jesus Christ. (S.R.)
Bad shot Taxation without foundation The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration announced in November that the cannabis industry will see an 80% increase in the mark-up rate that’s used to determine the excise tax in arms-length transactions next year. Hefty and confusing! What’s more confusing is the formula CDTFA uses as an example for businesses to follow. One chart lists the current market rate of flower per dry-weight ounce at $9.25. On Jan. 1, that amount would increase to $9.65. However the CDTFA is crunching the numbers, it’s a real blow to licensed operators already struggling with the exorbitant taxes and fees that come with running a cannabusiness in California. And with fallout from the national vaping crisis, local jurisdictional bans and industry layoffs across the board, it’s a formula for disaster—one that will continue to fuel the thriving illicit market. Consumers who can’t afford the taxes at the register will continue to buy untested products from hush-hush marketplaces that come with risks of dangerous pesticides, molds and other harmful chemicals. (S.R.)
Czar from perfect Figuring out the new world of legal cannabis was always going to be complicated. In Sacramento, it became far more difficult than it needed to be. And that, at least partly, lands at the feet of Joe Devlin, the city’s first cannabis czar, who was supposed to oversee and regulate recreational marijuana. Before he cashed in by quitting and joining a private start-up, significant problems sprouted on his watch. As The Sacramento Bee first reported, a Ukranian-born businessman—who has been indicted in a campaign finance scheme along with two associates of Rudy Giuliani, President Trump’s personal attorney—is a partner with Sacramento’s pot king, who has managed to secure eight dispensary permits, is investing in three pot cultivation facilities and owns a big chunk of the local industry. Now, the FBI is investigating and City Hall is trying to clean up the mess that Devlin left
behind. There’s an audit underway, and the City Council imposed a moratorium on any sales or transfers of ownership. There’s also a proposal to increase the number of dispensaries from 30 to 35, with the new ones reserved for people in the city’s equity program to help those victimized by the war on drugs. Though Devlin says he made that program a priority, it didn’t get very far. (F.R.)
Ride-sharing, but where’s the caring? Worried about ride-share drivers and other independent contractors being exploited, California passed a law based on a state Supreme Court ruling that forbids many aspects of the gig economy. But when Assembly Bill 5 takes effect Jan. 1, it will rope in all sorts of industries—at least the ones that didn’t have high-priced lobbyists to secure exemptions. Those covered by AB 5 include freelancers, among them contributors to SN&R, who in most cases will be limited to 35 submissions a year. What’s the response from Uber and Lyft, which are to blame for much of this mess? Instead of more fairly compensating their drivers, they’re partnering with DoorDash and ramping up to spend $90 million or more to exempt themselves in a November 2020 referendum. (F.R.)
Operation: B.S. Well, this has become a disappointing tradition. For the third straight year, Sacramento County’s law enforcement establishment told the public it cracked down on human sex trafficking—but instead arrested mostly poor sex workers of color. This annual smokescreen is known as Operation: Hot Spots. Spearheaded by District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert and carried out by a half-dozen local agencies, the effort once again resulted in more arrests of women (17) for loitering and solicitation than men (13), according to booking logs reviewed by SN&R. Authorities did apprehend one man for allegedly pimping a minor, but that’s as close as this coalition got to meeting its mission statement. Sadly, Sacramento has shown it’s fine with padding its stats with mostly black and brown women as long as the federal grant money still spends. (RFH)
The ongoing gentrification of various Sacramento neighborhoods has sparked countless debates over the last decade. And for good reason: For every worthy new restaurant or shop, there’s also a pretty dumb idea that panders to the lowest common denominator. Case in point: Bad Ax Throwing Co., an international bar chain set to open next year in Midtown with, yes, an axe-throwing theme. Does Sacramento really need such a gimmicky joint? Probably worth asking the folks who frequent Costanza’s Sports Bar, the Seinfeldthemed joint that opened at 21st and L streets (in the old Distillery location, RIP) earlier this year. What’s next, a cuddle lounge where the now-demolished Dimple/Tower records used to be? Or high-priced micro-studios to replace Blue Lamp and the for-sale Old Ironsides? We could only be so unlucky. (R.L.)
Where there’s a Goodwill, there’s got to be a better way The experience of secondhand shopping is second-tier at Goodwill, yet the national chain is increasingly the only vintage option in town. Goodwill International Industries Inc. recently added locations on the graves of two charming Thrift Town spots—on Fair Oaks Boulevard and Stockton Boulevard. Add to that the company’s grossly overcompensated executives plus a questionable response to an employee’s death in 2017—and the discount math just doesn’t pencil out. Goodwill may soon be the only option for thrifting, but we hope not. (M.M.)
The last word
Oh Bee-have
We like The Sacramento Bee . We support the Bee. We hope the Bee sticks around, despite demora lizing reports of impending bankruptcy . That said, it was baffling whe n the Bee’s editorial board went afte r a parttime housing advocate for refu sing to withdraw a rent control ball ot measure after the Sacramento City Council approved moderate— and very temporary—protections for local renters. Instead of defend ing the underdog against City Hal l, the Bee decided to punch dow n while standing up against a pub lic election. What’s that old saying , “speak power to truth”? Guess we heard it different. (RFH)
The last decade has been unkind to print journalism, but 2019 was particularly cruel to alternative weeklies. Earlier this year, the East Bay Express laid off most of its editorial staff after a former employee filed a lawsuit claiming that he was wrongfully denied overtime pay. Worse, publisher Stephen Buel—who stepped down last year after staff complained that he’d used racial epithets in the newsroom—returned to helm the paper. This, along with the paper’s decision to rely almost exclusively on freelancers, is a major blow for a diverse and complex community that demands thoughtful and comprehensive coverage. At least they still have a paper, though. Further down the state, OC Weekly abruptly shuttered, which the Orange County paper’s staff announced via a Twitter post. Long known as a progressive voice in one of California’s more conservative enclaves, the OC Weekly’s closure will soon prove a major loss. (R.L.) Ω For bonus Grinches, visit newsreview.com/sacramento for an extended version.
12.26.19 | SN&R | 17
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Danyelle Petersen and Gary Schiff offer thousands of treasures in their estate sale building on Del Paso Boulevard. Photo by Anne StokeS
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Uptown EntErtainmEnt prEsEnts:
Cosmic Family’s “Capricorn Astro-Party” featuring
The CosmiC Wanderers T.a.J. & Kriss Walas December 28, 2019 • 5:30pm-10pm
The aTrium @ WoodlaKe Tavern 1431 del Paso Blvd
Call (916) 541-0405 or email uptownent916@gmail.com for rsvP information. Get your tickets at Cosmic Family Production’s Facebook or eventbrite page. space is limited. 18 | SN&R | 12.26.19
Thrill of discovery fills this building Schiff Estate Services offers help as well as finds By Allen Pierleoni
S
tepping inside the Schiff’s Estate Sale Building is a retro trip into a garage sale multiplied by 1,000; a random yet indicative glimpse into the private lives of people you never knew. The sort-of organized showroom is an expedition into stuff – Fiestaware, original paintings, chairs, cabinets, model trains, wine glasses, Asian screens and sculptures, antique spoons, lamps, Native American drums and pottery, carpets, jewelry, pairs of boots, cameras, toys. Over here is a 1950s hand-painted lampshade depicting a Hopi Indian ceremony, topping a burlwood base ($850). Over there is a box of vinyl LP records (anyone up for some Young Rascals?). Name it and it’s likely somewhere among the trove of delightful discoveries.
Like the trio of imposing hand-made dirigible-looking “flying machines” hanging from the ceiling, three of 50 crafted by a local artist ($1,800, $1,500 and $1,200). Proprietors Gary Schiff and Danyelle Petersen, both certified appraisers, share a profession that regularly takes them into strangers’ homes at the most stressful of times. They’re hired to organize and run estate sales, liquidating the contents of homes by inviting the public in for open houses. The reason for an estate sale might involve a death, divorce, bankruptcy, downsizing or change of residence. “We will come in to the home, find out from family members what’s for sale, price it at fair market value, and ask the family to remove what’s not for sale,” Petersen explained. “We ask that they not be there during the estate sale because it can be extremely emotional for them.” Schiff Estate Services sets up the sale, staffs it, promotes it via email,
Come discover the Boulevard or visit us online at delpasoboulevard.com
and advertises on estate sale-specific web sites, all with photos of sample merchandise. “You’ll find things at a fraction of the cost of what you would purchase new,” Petersen said. The company is paid a percentage of the sales. Schiff Estate Services has a second model as well, at its sprawling site on Del Paso Boulevard. “This building meets the needs of people who can’t have a sale in their homes,” Petersen said, which may be in a gated community or an apartment building. “We want to bring in fun, eclectic items. We sell on consignment or we purchase outright. The very first sale we brought in was from a mobile home, with some really great Victorian furniture.” Petersen and Schiff “never know where an estate sale will be or what we’ll find,” she said. What about discovering hidden treasures? There’s that, too. In 2011, for instance, “we had a fantastic find that was a major piece of history.” She and Schiff went to the home formerly occupied by two women who had no family or heirs, to gather merchandise, and discovered a sword in a closet. It turned out to be an Ames goldand ruby-accented piece that had been presented to a hero from the MexicanAmerican War. They sent it to an auction specializing in historic items, where it sold for more than $100,000. The women’s estate was bequeathed to the SPCA. At another estate sale, they rummaged through a pile of trash in the garage and found three camera-ready “Peanuts” strips, 36 inches by 12 inches, used in the photo offset printing process in the 1960s, for the Charles Schulz comic strip’s reproduction in newspapers. “We sent those to a historic auction and they brought $44,000,” Petersen said. Beyond that, though, Petersen looks at the day-to-day business as “a service that helps families in need get through (a trauma),” she said. “Helping people is the part I really like.”
Schiff’S ESTaTE SalE Building 1309 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento 916-206-4458, 916-923-1443 www.schiffestateservices.com
We’re ringing in the neW Year With 20/20
upComing EvEnts SaturDay DEc. 28 Adult Painting 11 a.m. | Fr EE Explore your inner artist! Participants are provided with the paint and canvas, as well as tea and coffee. Adults only. Registration is required.
With the addition of North Sacramento Optometry, our vision for the future is “perfect”!
North SacramentoHagginwood Library 2109 Del Paso Blvd. Sacramento
tuESDay, DEc. 31 Stoney’s New Year’s Eve 2020 5 p.m. | $15 - $350 Round out 2019 at Stoney’s Rockin Rodeo. The country dance club and restaurant is offering a night of hearty food, karaoke, country dancing, a midnight champagne toast and a balloon drop with prizes. Table reservations and VIP tickets are available.
Thank You All for these past 4 successful years!
n
North Sacramento Optometry
That Guy Eyewear Look good. See well. Pay wholesale.
2203 del paso blvd • 916.226.0257 • thatguyeyewear.com
Stoney’s Rockin Rodeo 1320 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento
tuESDay, DEc. 31 Woodlake Tavern New Year’s Eve Dinner 4 p.m. | $85 Indulge in a four-course prix fixe menu and after party with live music by Big Sticky Mess on New Year’s Eve! Free valet parking and one bottle of Brut Rose per two people are included. Call (916) 514-0405 for reservations. Woodlake Tavern 1431 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento
WEDnESDay, Jan. 1 12th Annual Customer Appreciation Party 11 a.m. | F rEE Enjoy small bites, libations, free games and some New Year’s cheer at this annual customer appreciation event! Schiff’s Estate Sale Building 1309 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento
12.26.19 | SN&R | 19
t s e B and worst movies in 20 1 9 Wide release by Daniel Barnes
Best
Uncut Gems Directors Benny and Josh Safdie double down on the pure rush of their 2017 success Good Time with this adrenalinesoaked thriller. Adam Sandler gives the performance of the year as Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler and danger addict barreling through the halls of power in search of the ultimate win. It’s great to get such a powerful reminder of Sandler’s remarkable talent before he wastes the next five to 10 years sleepwalking through made-for-Netflix comedies. The relentlessness energy of the protagonist in Uncut Gems is matched only by the Safdie brothers’ direction. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood It’s so easy to luxuriate in the sights and sounds of Quentin Tarantino’s historical fantasy that you could overlook the richness of the text. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is Tarantino’s most personal film, a career-encapsulating look at the ways that violence shapes our lives, both onscreen and off. As soon-to-be has-beens navigating the shifting tides of 1969 Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt deliver the most emotionally vulnerable performances of their careers.
20 | SN&R | 12.26.19
Midsommar This sun-drenched, psychedelia-tinged horror film from Hereditary director Ari Aster haunted me like nothing else released in 2019. Florence Pugh gives a gut-wrenching turn as a grieving student who follows her turd of a boyfriend to a festival in Sweden, only to find terrors beyond comprehension. Filled to the brim with beautifully disturbing images and ideas, Midsommar largely unfurls in broad daylight, with nowhere to hide. Toy Story 4 Nobody except the suits at Disney clamored for a fourth Toy Story movie, and yet Pixar somehow made an unnecessary sequel that feels indispensable. The central plot gets recycled from pieces of the previous two entries, while the Buzz and Woody dynamic seems dramatically pointless. Toy Story 4 instead finds its soul and meaning in a collection of new and engaging toys, especially the semi-suicidal Forky (Tony Hale) and the dorky daredevil Duke Kaboom (Keanu Reeves). Little Women A sixth film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel might seem even less necessary than a fourth Toy Story. However, writer-director Greta Gerwig makes the material feel vital and modern, delivering an equally challenging and crowd-pleasing movie. Rather than a straightforward adaptation, Gerwig takes a nonlinear approach to the story, focusing on the relationships between the March sisters. Saorise Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson and Laura Dern lead an excellent ensemble cast.
HOT NEW ARTISTS ON THE VERGE See ARTS & CulTuRE
22
TOP PlAYS OF 2019 See STAGE
Worst
Glass Like Tarantino in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, M. Night Shyamalan reexamines his cinematic past with Glass. Instead of the culmination to a grand career, though, Shyamalan reaches his rock bottom of hacky gimmicks and clueless storytelling. James McAvoy gives a game effort, but Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson seem thoroughly defeated by the dreadful script. Aladdin Just as swollen and garish and painfully unnecessary as the four other Disney live-action remakes of animated films released in 2019. So why single out Aladdin for scorn? Because you can never unsee the horror of a dance sequence directed by Guy Ritchie. Yesterday Given full access to The Beatles songbook and an irresistible story idea, director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Richard Curtis manage to make a film more disastrous than 1978’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Absent of any recognizable human emotions, Yesterday misunderstands The Beatles, but also all music, all art, fame, love, death and so much more. Avengers: Endgame Captain Marvel was more of the same Marvel Cinematic Universe tripe, but Avengers: Endgame was the most of the same MCU tripe. There were 21 of these movies released this decade, with the anti-climactic Endgame functioning only as slavering fan service. Avengers: Infinity War at least had the good taste to abstain from Jeremy Renner. No such luck in Endgame. Where’d You Go, Bernadette Frozen 2 and Hobbs & Shaw were louder and dumber, but neither film disheartened me more than this lifeless scribble from director Richard Linklater. Even Cate Blanchett can’t breathe life into the role of the title character, an increasingly reclusive and antisocial genius. Where’d You Go Bernadette is Linklater’s 19th feature film, and it’s also his worst. Ω
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GET YOuR WHISKEY ON See DISH
27
CORNEl WEST IS COMING TO TOWN See CAlENDAR
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by Rachel Mayfield
Indie and streaming
Best
Fyre Fraud An engaging deep dive into the psychology of con-artist Billy McFarland and the events surrounding the Fyre Festival. Unlike the Jerry Media-produced Netflix documentary, this one also examines the level of involvement that Instagram meme account @fuckjerry had with the festival and its questionable marketing tactics. I lost My Body Director Jérémy Clapin takes an imaginative and grisly approach to visual storytelling in this coming-of-age tale. It ticks all the thematic boxes: love, loss, our relationship to the corporeal. There’s a pretty charismatic severed hand, too. The Irishman In this sprawling Mafia epic, Martin Scorsese explores toxic masculinity and the failure of patriarchs, both big and small. Despite the mildly distracting de-aging CGI, Robert De Niro gives an excellent performance, capturing the essence of a regretful man seeking forgiveness too little, too late. The King Timothée Chalamet plays another brooding teen—this time it’s King Edward V in a sweeping adaptation of Shakespeare’s histories. Director David Michôd builds tension through a delicate balance of political intrigue, medieval war strategy and strained family dynamics.
r a c h e lm@ ne wsr e v ie w.c o m
Worst
The last laugh After talent agent Al Hart (Chevy Chase) rediscovers stand-up comedian Buddy Green (Richard Dreyfuss) in a retirement home, the two hit the clubs for one last tour. This movie would’ve been decent if it relied less on star power and more on things like writing and basic shot composition. Malibu Rescue Troubled valley kid Tyler is sent off to an elitist Malibu Beach lifeguard training camp to shape up. While the tone is grating and gives off a “rejected Disney Channel pilot” vibe, it’s got heart. It’s still pretty bad though. Velvet Buzzsaw Nightcrawler director Dan Gilroy swings his critical gaze toward the art world, in which Jake Gyllenhaal is haunted by some paintings. Sadly, neither Gyllenhaal nor the rest of the cast are worth rooting for, resulting in a horror movie completely devoid of tension. Wounds Armie Hammer plays a sweaty bartender who cheats on Dakota Johnson. When it comes to horror films that use extended metaphors for decaying relationships, this is—at best—a discount Midsommar. The most engaging characters are the cockroaches scuttling around the bar. Wine Country Oh look, it’s wine o’ clock—time to turn off this movie, uncork a bottle and forget the last 90 minutes of your life. Like most modern comedies featuring talented SNL alumni, it feels like most of the script was replaced with improvised dialogue, all of which falls flat. Ω
Parasite A struggling family attempts to climb the economic ladder by tricking an upper-class family into hiring them. Through the smallest of sensory details, director Bong Joon-ho provides cutting commentary on the horrors that rise up out of social hierarchy and wealth inequality.
12.26.19 | SN&R | 21
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trying to do things in a way that should be done experienced major drama, throwing it into chaos correctly.” and uncertainty over whether it can even survive. Burt and Lenahan, who didn’t immediately DPMWD provides drinking water in the respond to messages seeking comment, and Arden-Arcade area to houses built largely between Harrington campaigned on a number of promises, the 1940s and ’60s. Two wells are currently down including that they could cut operational expenses and the district has an estimated $20 million to by 25%. $30 million in deferred work, according to interim “I can tell you there isn’t 25% fat in there, so I general manager Leo Havener. “It’s an extremely aging infrastructure,” Havener don’t see them being able to do that one,” Sedwick said. told SN&R. “It’s pretty much outlived almost its Another board member, Bob Matteoli, objected entire lifespan.” in a Nov. 5 written statement to the new board’s The district has attempted to finance infrastrucfrequent use of ad hoc committees and requested ture work in recent years with an approximately they all be dissolved. One of these committees $5 million bond issue in 2010 and a series of authorized removal of files from the district’s old subsequent rate increases. This hasn’t sat well with office in July, with some files going to the new Marissa Burt, John Lenahan and Trish Harrington, office and the rest being sent to a landfill. who campaigned against the increases, were elected Sedwick said personnel files at the new office to the board in November 2018 and have clashed were also broken into. Asked if a board member with staff since. was responsible, Havener replied, “I can neither At the district’s Nov. 5 board meeting, former confirm nor deny that. This is one of those areas I general manager Debra Sedwick—who resigned wish I could tell you because I am hell-bent by the May 31 along with two of DPMWD’s three staff Brown Act.” members—told the board that personnel files she’d According to a letter obtained by SN&R from left in a locked filing cabinet at the district’s Maryal Sacramento County Supervisor Susan Peters, who Drive office wound up in an unsecured box. Artist Judi exploresAttorney’s changing California represents the area, bothConnelly the District Sedwick told SN&R the files contained copies landscapes. Photo by Patrick hyun Wilson Office and Sacramento Local Agency Formation of marriage and birth certificates, Social Security Commission are now paying attention. numbers and other sensitive information—“what Carol Rose, who lives across the street from is needed for somebody to steal your identity. And the district’s old are offices, acknowledged there’s that’s what makes me nervous.” in Northern California non-native or invasive been talk of a recall election, though it’s unlikely Sedwick, who has requested an independent species, I was hooked.” to happen. “Of course we’ve talked about it,” Rose investigation, isn’t the only person to reach their Connelly worked with the McLaughlin Natural toldspending SN&R. “But No. 1, it’s aexpensive breaking point with the board. Chief legal counselReserve, days removing 600-foot and line No. of 2, I don’t think we’re going to be able to save this Adam Brown resigned Nov. 27 after unsuccessfully non-native grass and replacing it with native grasses. by PAtriCk of Hyun Wilson district.” advocating for an investigation the file breach. The work resulted in a time-lapse video documentHavenerlandscape, sees the district Harrington quit three days later. ing the changing which ultimately is screenedhaving in front to merge with another. “It’s not matter ofgrass. if,” Havener himself briefly during the Nov. 5of a bench As a developer and humanitarian, Ali quit Youssefi drove set up next to bushels of thea removed Havener said. the “It’sbench, truly asunrise matterand of when.” Ω meetingofbefore Brown persuaded him to the development the Warehouse Artists Lofts onstay R on Projected high over sunset the condition he notatbeVerge required to attend Street, served as a boardthat member Center for anyrapidly speed by as a thin path cuts through an expanthe Arts and was a key figure in the redevelopment of sive landscape of golden brown. The image evokes a Sacramento’s K Street. strong sense of the massive amount of labor that the Youssefi lost his battle with cancer and passed project required. away on Mar. 10, 2018, but his legacy continues to Michael Pribich’s exhibition Backstitch explores influence and guide the arts in Sacramento. Ali’s sister local agricultural labor, the shift from hand to machine Ladi and wife Azzie formed the Ali Youssefi Project, and Sacramento’s colonial history. and with the help of Verge, put together its first “The idea that I developed—a process called initiative last spring. de-weaving where I started taking the bags apart—is “Ladi and Azzie asked that in lieu of flowers, kind of a metaphor for de-weaving history,” Pribich donations be made in his name,” says Liv Moe, explains. founding director at Verge. “Then they decided like, Unraveled bulk bags, restitched into tapestries ‘What are we going to do with this and how are we adorned with orange and black trim, hang from the going to use that fund to make a difference doing walls. On it, printed words such as “rice” or “walnuts” something that he cared about?’” take on abstract forms divorced from their original They announced a three-to-six month-long artists in meaning. residency program, which would provide studio space “I have a physical process that I’m doing, but at Verge and a $500 monthly stipend, and culminate in I’m thinking about the history of the Valley and how an exhibition at Verge. histories were changed, language was changed, people The inaugural recipients, local artist Jodi Connelly were moved and the place was colonized.” Pribich and New York artist Michael Pribich, were chosen says. “My art is trying to look at the possibility of a by a panel of judges including Ladi Youssefi. Their decolonized setting.” exhibitions opened on Dec. 14. Ladi hopes that the initiative is the first of many to “They both have a lot of confidence in their bear Ali Youssefi’s name and carry on his legacy in work and in the message that their work sends,” Sacramento’s arts community Ladi says. “I thought that they were using art as “I just hope that we can keep growing and be able way to convey a message, and to me that’s the to reach more creatives and innovators and artists in most powerful kind of art.” Sacramento and beyond,” she said, “and develop the Connelly’s show—titled Before You Were This artists in residency program, but create other initiatives Place, You Were Another Place— encapsulates her that add to our community to continue to keep Ali’s search for transformation in her art and the connection name going.” □ she has to the environment. “I moved here from the East coast, so when I got here, I was really interested in how different the land check out two new shows by artists Jodi connelly and Michael Pribich at Verge is and how brown everything is most of the year,” Connelly said. “When I learned that 90% of the grasses center for the arts, 625 s st., vergeart.com. through February 16.
In memoriam
4-essays can be 550-600 words and must not be previously published. 5- email your letters and essays to foonr@newsreview.com
14 | SN&R | 12.19.19
12/26 • 7:00 PM scrooged 12/27 • 8:30 PM Howl’s moving castle 12/28 • 2:00 & 7:30 PM selena 12/29 • 2:00 PM aladdin IndIana Jones &
1/2 • 7:00 PM the teMPle of dooM 1/3 • 7:30 PM grease 1/4 • 6:30 PM tHe Big leBowsKi 1/7 • 7:30 PM conan tHe BarBarian 1/8 • 7:00 PM Blue Hawaii 1/12 • 2:00 PM toy story douBle Feature 1013 K street downtown sacramento • (916) 476-3356 • crestsacramento.com
22 | SN&R | 12.26.19
now playing
Reviews
5
A Christmas Carol
Standing ovation Photo courtesy of charr crail PhotograPhy
Sacramento Theatre Company’s A Christmas Carol is a longstanding holiday favorite and this 32nd anniversary production does it proud. It’s the Christmas show that everyone should see at least once. Fri 8pm, Sat
2pm & 8pm, Sun 2pm; Through 12/29; $30-$45; Sacramento
These are refugees who have lost country, family and identity, who see the Vietnam War through a different lens, and who must rebuild lives and loves in a brand new world. (P.R., 3/21)
When We Were Colored
When We Were Colored was one of several 5-Willies plays to hit Sacramento theatre this year.
Sacramento playwright and former journalist Ginger Rutland brings the story of her mother, Eva Rutland to Sacramento Theatre Company. Shifting in time and place from 1950s Sacramento to the 1940s in the South, family photos projected onto the back of the stage. They add a journalistic integrity to the story, at the same time illustrating the family’s life journey. (J.C., 3/28)
Theatre Company, 1419 H St.; (916) 443-6722; sactheatre. org. B.S.
4
On an Open Fire
Writer-director Buck Busfield’s latest holiday play is a humorous, off-kilter look at a perennial problem: What and when to tell a kid the truth about Santa Claus. The acting is delightfully wacky, but the play goes on too long, missing a
4
The Wizard of Oz
couple of good potential endings in favor of a sweet, conventional conclusion. Thu
The land of Oz has gone high tech in B Street’s production of The Wizard of Oz, adapted by Lyndsay Burch. Thanks to the Los Angeles-based scenic and video designer Kamyi Lee, an exciting digital world has been created, complete with a digital Toto. Thu 2pm, Fri
8pm, Fri 8pm, Sat 5pm & 9pm, Sun 2pm; Through 12/29; $25$47; B Street Theatre, 2700 Capitol Ave.; (916) 443-5300; bstreettheatre.org. J.C.
4
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley
6:30pm, Sat 1pm; Through 12/28; $19-$24; B Street
Admirers of Jane Austen will find this delightful production charming and, dare I say, an essential accompaniment to Pride and Prejudice. With its focus primarily on the servant’s of Pemberley, the play could accurately be described as Jane Austen’s Downton Abbey. Thu 2pm
Theatre, 2700 Capitol Ave.; (916) 443-5300; bstreettheatre.org. B.S.
& 7pm, Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm & 8pm, Sun 2pm & 7pm; Through 1/5; $30-$42; Capital Stage,
short reviews by bev sykes, Jim carnes and tessa Marguerite outland.
2215 J St.; (916) 995-5464; capstage.org. TMO
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subliMe Don’t Miss
Yeomen of the Guard The past 12 months were chock full of great theater—take it from our reviewers. Before heading into the new decade, we took one last look at some of the best shows Sacramento theaters had to offer in 2019.
Abolition Martin Luther King Jr. weekend was a most appropriate time for Celebration Arts to debut its outstanding production of Rick Foster’s Abolition. Foster directs this excellent production, which stars newcomer Levi Lowe as Frederick Douglass. (Jim Carnes, 1/24)
A Doll’s House, Part 2 The curtain goes up again in Lucas Hnath’s Tony nominated play A Doll’s House, Part 2, which imagines the story years later as Nora drops by the family she left behind. B Street Theatre director Dave Pierini keeps the cast on task—a challenge when a play calls for each character to show their weaknesses and faults along with their non-apologetic strengths and stubbornness. (Patti Roberts, 3/7)
We Won’t Pay! Nunca! In a refreshing political satire, director Manuel José Pickett leads a cast of five brilliant actors into Teatro Espejo’s 44th season with We Won’t Pay! Nunca! at California Stage Theatre. It’s a wonderfully light and comical production with a passionate and talented cast. (Tessa Marguerite Outland, 3/21.)
Vietgone For the Sacramento debut of Vietgone, Capital Stage has gathered a vibrant, cohesive cast and top-notch director Jeffrey Lo, all from the Bay Area. What makes Vietgone so powerful is Playwright Qui Nguyen’s way of inviting the audience to witness American culture through the eyes of immigrants.
There’s a lot of funny stuff in Yeomen of the Guard, now produced by Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento, but its primary theme is death and sadness. But the music is fantastic, and under the direction of Anne-Marie Endres, the opera’s 30-piece orchestra plays it gloriously. (Bev Sykes, 8/22)
Photo courtesy of stéPhane Juban
Between Riverside and Crazy Capital Stage launches its 15th anniversary season with one of its best productions ever. Between Riverside and Crazy, the 2015 Pulitzer Prizewinning drama by Stephen Adly Guirgis, boasts perfect casting, an exquisite set and fierce dedication to a script that is as challenging as it is entertaining. (J.C., 9/12)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, by Simon Stephens, based on the novel by Mark Haddon, takes an entirely sympathetic and worthy hero on a voyage of discovery of self and the world at large. Staged at Sacramento City College’s Art Court Theatre, Lori Ann DeLappe-Grondin directs this swirl of action and emotions with authority and understanding. (J.C., 10/17)
’Night, Mother ’Night, Mother is the type of play that could easily scare off an audience. An intense—sometimes alltoo-real—family drama about depression, loneliness and the ideation of suicide, it can be crushing. At Errant Phoenix Productions, director Steve Buri gives the characters the same respect as playwright Marsha Norman does. He moves the actors skillfully around the small, tidy set and elicits two powerful performances in service to the script that won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. (J.C., 11/14) Ω
scReen pick Time to get your log on—the right way.
Log on for log If you have a fireplace capable of a handling a hearty holiday flame, good for you—but don’t worry, there are still plenty of options to set the mood without creating a fire. The tradition of putting a video of wood flambé on television began in 1966 with a dream and some footage of a New York fireplace. Now, the ubiquitous tradition can be streamed on your platform of choice. YouTube has a number of acceptable options, including some backed with holiday tunes—not advisable. Simply search “yule log,” “log fire 10 hours” or “fire burning”—ignore the Sean Kingston result, or indulge for a new holiday tradition. Netflix also offers three episodes of logs burning in its hit show, Fireplace for Your Home. If you’re a purist though, you can catch two early-morning broadcasts of The Yule Log on your local Fox station. The Yule Log, Wed, 12/25, 4:30am & 8am; Channel 40.
—Maxfield Morris
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Photo by Melissa Uroff
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ew Year resolutions start out with the best of intentions: Exercise, eat healthy, live better! At Fleet Feet, you can find the support and guidance to keep at least some of your resolutions on track. Start off on the right foot with a free 3D scan. Fleet Feet’s Fit ID scans measure your foot down to the smallest detail, ensuring just the right fit. Fleet Feet staff are also well-versed in getting you into the right type of shoe for whatever activity you’re interested in, whether it’s running, walking or staying on your feet through your next shift. “We’ve got people who are running marathon after marathon and folks who have never run a day in their life; they’re just looking for comfortable shoes for work,” says Marketing Director Annalisa
Romero. “We have quite a wealth of knowledge here for athletes of all levels and folks who aren’t even athletic; they’re just looking to be comfortable and minimize pain.” Once you have the right shoes, the next step is using them. Fleet Feet offers group training programs at its Sacramento, Davis and Elk Grove store locations. “It’s great for people who are just getting into the sport and would like more guidance and we have people who are setting really impressive marathon [goals],” says Romero. “There are resources and training plans for all fitness levels.” Whether they’re a seasoned marathoner or a newbie, Fleet Feet has something for every runner. Gift cards are available to spend on shoes, apparel, a GPS watch or training session. With Fleet Feet’s help, hit the ground running in 2020.
Visit Fleet Feet in Midtown at 2311 J St. For more information, call 916-442-3338 or visit www.fleetfeet.com for training program registration.
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tueSday, dec. 31 New Year’s Eve with Kasbah Ring in the New Year at the swanky Kasbah Lounge. Dive into vibrant Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors, admire effortless belly dance performances, enjoy live music from Element Brass Band and Flowers of the Nile and raise a glass during the cheerful champagne toast. 9:30 p.m.
Visit Sacramento’s first gluten-free cider taphouse. The establishment features a completely gluten-free kitchen, so everyone can sip and nibble in peace. cider house 1111 24th St., Sacramento
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tueSday, dec. 31 Crawl Til the Ball Falls: Sacramento NYE 2020 Bar Crawl Barcrawlerz is a Sacramento Bar Crawl like no other. It features the best bars and drink specials in town. Participating venues include Costanza’s, Tropics Ale House Midtown and more to come. Pre-purchase your bar crawl wristband, and check in at the announced venue to receive your wristband and map of participating bars between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Purchase wristband at eventbrite.com. $15-$45. Sacramento
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12.26.19 | SN&R | 25
IlluSTRaTION BY KaTe MITRaNO
Ride the gravy train loco moco, mac daddy island Grill
The Fiery Glazed Drumsticks’ crunchy, blackened skin and tender meat packs big flavor with lime and pickled onions that balance a welcome smokiness. PHOTO BY KIM BROWN
Not quite a slam dunk
by Kimberly brown
Tiger 722 K St.; (916) 382-9610 Good for: Pre- or post-game bites, small plates, nightlife Notable dishes: Totchos, Fiery Glazed Drumsticks
$$$
Cali-Mex, downtown
It’s Friday night in downtown Sacramento and the hostess is surprisingly preoccupied with quickly finding my friends and me a table to sit and eat. The attention feels slightly antithetical to the vibe of the place—loud, crowded, dimly lit. Our timing fortuitous, a line forms at the door just as we are seated. The wait for the bartender seems a little more in keeping with the indifference I’d initially anticipated from the bustling space, but my well-made “surprise me” cocktail—a whiskey sour with bright lemon, frothy egg white and its namesake spirit—assuages my impatience. Tiger is situated on K Street just across Seventh Street from the shiny, polyhedronic Golden 1 Center, making it a prime spot for pre-game or post-concert food and libations. With no Kings game or show of note on this particular evening, it’s still filled with hungry and thirsty patrons—but your dad’s sports bar this is not. Being in such close proximity to the arena, Tiger’s name recalls the lion royalty of our beloved basketball team, and its dishes the team’s character. The absolute MVP of Tiger’s starting lineup are the Fiery Glazed Drumsticks ($7) with crunchy blackened skin and tender meat packed with flavor. The hot sauce and jalapeños brought enough heat to satisfy, but not scare, while the lime and pickled onions had plenty of zip for the tangy-tongued, with a side of noticeable 26 | SN&R | 12.26.19
but not overpowering smoke. The drizzle of lime mayonnaise and healthy sprinkling of cotija made for the creamy, cool finish to drag your drum through. A total crowdpleaser—this was Mike Bibby at the buzzer with a three-pointer. Another small plate worth ordering are the Totchos ($8). Exactly as it sounds, every kid’s favorite crunchy potato pellet take the place of corn chips for a spin on traditional nachos. The tater tots are topped with a gooey, mild queso sauce, crumbly chorizo, pickled onions, jalapeños and sour cream. It’s a little messy, but a satisfying blend of two of America’s favorite comfort foods—and one that delivers equally well again the next day with a fried egg over easy. The Prickly Ribs ($10), a plate of half a dozen baby backs covered in a prickly pear mezcal barbecue sauce, was a particularly exciting moment of the menu game. Prickly pear seems so rarely featured in California cuisine despite its abundance. Yet, while the ribs were well cooked, pulling easily off the bone with the sauce tangy and smoky, a hit of that fruity, bubble-gum sweetness I so eagerly sought felt like an air ball. The Baby Wonton Tostadas ($9)—small crunchy corn discs topped with fresh poke, salsa bruja, avocado, onion, cucumber, mint and roasted red bells—got lost in a sea of ambiguity. The breakout star was salt, and too much of it, perhaps from the salsa. The potential is there: the fish was fresh and buttery, but a little editing and balancing would allow the individual players to shine and complement one another as a team. All in all, Tiger holds court with some tasty moves, but is not a total slam dunk—yet. Call it a rebuilding year. Ω
One recent evening at a holiday tree lighting, I treated myself to Loco Moco ($12) from Mac Daddy Island Grill food truck, a decadent Hawaiian beast of a dish with scoops of sticky rice topped with a juicy burger patty and runny fried egg and smothered in salty, homemade brown gravy. Food trucks provide the perfect opportunity to try unfamiliar cuisines. They’re also an excellent excuse to enjoy fun, over-indulgent comfort dishes usually relegated to holidays or after-party binges. Enter Loco Moco: It’s a pure guilty pleasure, and the impossibly savory plate was quickly devoured. I only wish I had grabbed extra napkins. Various locations, facebook.com/Mdislandgrill —amy bee
Not your nana’s hot cocoa The PePPerminT PaTTy, bisTro 33 davis It’s a cold December day at Bistro 33 Davis, and I can’t decide whether I want a throwback to grandma’s peppermint hot chocolate, or a cocktail to spice up the height of the holiday season. Why not both? The Peppermint Patty ($9) offers a boozy twist on the nostalgic comfort of winter’s most popular drink. The first sip of the hot chocolate might not taste like booze at all, with the peppermint schnapps and crème de cacao using the chocolate as a mask, although they are ever-so-slightly amplified with each sip. They even top it off with whip cream to let you know that you are special. 226 F St., Davis, bistro33davis.com. —bradley Geiser
pLaNet V
Vegan inspiration for 2020 January is a time of new resolutions and if your 2020 goals include eating less meat or learning how to cook, Nicole Williams of Vegan Lady Soul, a chef and caterer specializing in vegan food for diabetics, has you covered. On Jan. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. Williams will teach a vegan soul food cooking class at Dubplate Kitchen on El Camino Avenue. The class is $25 and samples of the featured dishes will be provided. One of the creations Williams will demonstrate is a plantain casserole with Jamaicaninfused sauce. “My inspiration is to infuse Carribbean and Jamaican flavors into diabetic-friendly vegan soul food and make it accessible for everyone,” Williams told SN&R. Dubplate Kitchen has a variety of authentic Jamaican vegan food such as vegan fish and ital stew and is constantly learning new plant-based recipes. Vegan Lady Soul cookbooks will also be available for purchase. For more information, email veganladysoul@yahoo.com; or call (916) 284-9497. —caroline soTo
illustration by Mark stivers
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Winter whiskey nights
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Four sippers to get through the season
Winter temperatures may rarely dip to snow-tempting levels here, nonetheless ’tis the season to enjoy soul-warming drinks. For some, that’s hot teas or cocoas. For the rest of us, it means whiskey, sipped slowly in front of the fire and yet another British crime show binge-fest. Here are four whiskeys perfect for such cold-ish nights, some for enjoying straight, others as a lovely addition to those teas and cocoas.
Yame Eight Goddesses 10-Year Whiskey This Japanese blend ($49.99 a bottle and up) is made from whiskies matured in oak for as long as 12 years and distilled in low-pressure, single distillation pot stills. The resulting profile is a delight. Pale—almost to the point of translucence—this 100% whiskey exhibits a complex and nuanced flavor that’s at once infused with notes of vanilla and caramel as well as citrus. According to its maker, it’s inspired by the mythical Yametsu Hime goddess, said to protect Japan’s gorgeous Yame mountain region. Best enjoyed straight-up, no mixers, at room temperature.
Hayes Parker Reserve Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey This South Carolina-crafted bourbon whiskey ($10.99 a bottle and up) is aged six months using the TerrePURE Technology, a process meant to mimic
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the aging of whiskey in barrels, while reducing the time needed from years to mere months. It’s a controversial method among some whiskey aficionados, but if you’re feeling adventurous it’s worth a try for its budget-friendly price point and smooth, slightly sweet and spicy taste. Try it blended with ice-cold distilled water to give its profile more depth.
Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whisky Reportedly the first Texas-made whiskey on the market after prohibition ($39.99 a bottle and up), you’ll want to (generously) pour this into a cup of hot chocolate or the like. With notes of vanilla, toffee, cinnamon and even baking chocolate, it’s a satisfyingly warming drink that will lend a touch of adult-appropriate sugar to hot toddies and holiday drinks. Don’t tell the kids.
Ellington Reserve 8-Year Canadian Whiskey Aged in charred oak barrels, this Canadian-distilled whiskey ($15.99 a bottle and up) is mellow and smooth with just a hint of caramel sweetness. While it’s enjoyable neat or on the rocks, it would also make a lovely, subtle addition to hot tea with honey. Think of it as a Grandma-approved cold or flu-fighter—that’s if you were lucky enough to have a cool, whiskey-swilling Grandma, of course. Ω
Happy Hour
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GARDEN
PLACE
Seed money Perennial plant club grows gardening with grants
new categories this year: • Revival/back from the dead band, • Spoken word (with music)
Nominations end
01.08.20 Levi Mozes SAMMIES 2019 Nominee R&B/Soul
Nominate your favorites now at
sammies.com
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BY DEBBIE ARRINGTON
and letting it sit, I said, ‘Let’s do something worthwhile.’ We’re still doing that.” From an annual grants’ budget of usually $2,500, the club funds four to five new projects each year. Grants in 2019 went towards a new butterfly garden in Natomas, plus school gardens in Carmichael, Sacramento and Rancho Cordova. “I go to see all the gardens and projects that receive grants,” Wiseman said. “We’ve had Bret Harte School in Sacramento got community gardens, schools, church groups, a new fortified fence and irrigation all sorts of gardeners. The elementary schools system for its school garden with the help of a 2019 grant from the are my favorites. It’s interesting to see how Sacramento Perennial Plant Club. they use the money.” The projects pay dividends far beyond fresh vegetables. “The school gardens, in particular; the Think of this as seed money for the future of parents are so enthused about what’s happening on Sacramento gardening. their campus,” Thompson said. “They’re excited— Each January, the Sacramento Perennial Plant somebody invested in us!” Club offers grants to local nonprofits and schools for Grants usually go towards projects that are, or gardening-related projects in Sacramento County. will be, ongoing and educational in nature, “not Named for the club’s longtime former president, one-time landscaping,” she said. the Saul Wiseman Grants promote garden and Many grant recipients are focused on edible horticultural education, service and enhancement in gardening such as vegetables or herbs, but grants our community. “It’s easy to get excited about projects like these,” have also gone to projects focused on helping wildlife and other educational themes. One grant said Jane Thompson, who leads the club’s grants went to a garden specialized in natural dyes. committee. “It’s not a lot of money—up to $600 per What they all had in common: Hands-on learning. project—but it gives them encouragement.” “We’re an education-focused club,” Thompson And it’s not just the money. said. “We’re people who like to get their hands dirty. “We go visit the projects,” Thompson added. We like to see things grow. With these grants, we’re “We have a number of master gardeners and encouraging others to grow things, too, and to learn people with a great deal of knowledge in our more about gardening. We just want to invest and club. They welcome that help, too.” see what happens.” Ω From a little funding, the club has seen all PHOTO COURTESY OF SACRAMENTO PERENNIAL PLANT CLUB
put your favorite bands and musicians on the ballot!
sorts of gardens grow: Community co-ops, educational demonstration beds, wildlife habitats WANT A GRANT? and more. “It has been a lot of fun,” Thompson said. “What really strikes us from the applications is Visit the Sacramento Perennial Plant Club website (sacramento how much gardening activity there is here.” perennialplantclub.org) for a Saul The deadline for grant applications is Jan. 15, Wiseman Grant application and with the money distributed in February, “just in photos of grant-funded projects time for spring,” Thompson noted. “That’s when from previous years. For further most people want to get started planting.” information, contact Jane Thompson The grants program started five years at sppcgrants@gmail.com. ago when the Perennial Plant Club, one of Sacramento’s largest gardening groups, decided to invest in tomorrow’s gardeners. “We have spring and fall plant sales,” Debbie Arrington, an award-winning garden writer and lifelong explained Wiseman. “We’d make some money. gardener, is co-creator of the Sacramento Digs Gardening blog Instead of just putting that into our general fund and website.
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foR the week of decembeR 26
by maxfield morris
POst eveNts ONLINe FOr Free at newsreview.com/sacramento
MUSIC THURSDAY, 12/26 CItY OF trees tHe HOLIDaY HaNGOver sHOw Part 2: City of Trees is doing it again, Sacramento. Come start your post holiday recovery with the band on the day after Dec. 25 at The Torch Club. 9pm, $7. Torch Club, 904 15th St.
sHaDIa: Shadia’s big band brings the music to
Shady Lady this week. 9pm, no cover. Shady Lady, 1409 R St.
tHe weeKeND a PreQueL: It’s DJ night at Old
tue
NYe sky spectacular
FRIDAY, 12/27 Dave BaDILLa: The musician, music teacher and music purveyor will present some of his signature sounds for your amusement. 6pm, no cover. Strikes Unlimited, 5681 Lonetree Blvd., Rocklin.
arDeN ParK rOOts: The surf-rock-reggae
band will be performing. 7pm, $12. Holy Diver, 1517 21st St.
tHe MOtHer HIPs: Catch The Mother Hips for their first night of performance in Sacramento. They’re a Bay Area-based rock band with a serious case of being classic. 8pm, $31-$33. Harlow’s, 2708 J St.
Old SacramentO WaterfrOnt, 6pm, nO cOver 2019 is very nearly over. We did our best, and while your business idea to sell trained goats to schools to clean up the playgrounds after New Year’s eve recess didn’t pan out, there’s always next year. Until then, come celebrate New Year’s Eve in Old Sacramento with all the other people who attend the event. Starting at 6 p.m., there
PHOTO BY KEVIN CORTOPASSI/CC BY-ND 2.0
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Catch the fireworks and festivities in Old Sacramento.
Ironsides, so show up and catch some of the jockeys jockeying for your attention and amusement. 9pm, no cover. Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St.
vIsta KICKs: The formerly-from-Sacramento
will be bands, activities and plenty more excitement. The entire evening builds toward the fireworks show, taking place at 9 p.m. and blowing your mind. There will, of course, be plenty of food and drinks for sale, lots of festivities and enough going on to easily distract you from your year of failed business ventures. Old Sacramento, nyesacramento.com.
band brings the ruckus to Ace of Spades for some rocking good times. 7pm, $16. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St.
YOu! tHe MusICaL: YOU! The Musical is a completely improvised musical inspired by YOUR suggestion of a title. Everything in the show is made up on the spot— lyrics, music, dancing … everything. 9pm, $12. Sacramento Comedy Spot, 1050 20th St., Suite 130.
SATURDAY, 12/28 sMOKeY reD: Smokey Red plays a variety of
tICKet wINDOw ITzHAK PERLMAN The violin artist
will be sharing some stories, lessons and more with the audience, plus there will be support from longtime pianist Rohan De Silva. 1/11, 8pm, $27.50-$150, on sale now. Mondavi Center, tickets.mondaviarts.org.
HUNNY The rock band from Newbury
Park, California, will be performing in town. Catch them on tour in 2020 before it becomes 2021 and you can’t see them in 2020 anymore. 2/1, 7pm, $15, on sale now. Holy Diver, eventbrite.com.
HORRORPOPS The punk band from
Denmark will be headed to town to perform. They’ve got a diverse swath of influences, so don’t miss them unless you don’t like them. 2/12, 7:30pm, $25, on sale now. Goldfield Trading Post, eventbrite. com.
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rock, blues, funk, and original americana. The O’Mally Sisters, Kally and Ally, specialize in Americana-pop fun times and will also be performing. 9pm, $5. Fox & Goose, 1001 R St.
Tix? They’re right here!
DAN DEACON The
composer-electronic musician will be performing performing along with some special special guests in town. 3/16, 8pm, $16-$18, on sale now now. Harlow’s, showclix.com. showclix.com.
MICHELLE OBAMA BAMA Don’t Don’t
miss the former First Lady as Lady as she comes to town to talk and talk and participate in a Q&A session session with the audience. 4/1, 8pm, $59.50-$2,000, on sale now now. Golden 1 Center, ticketmaster. ticketmaster. com.
CHER The star who has hit No. has hit No.
1 on the Billboard charts every charts every decade since the 1960s will be 1960s will be coming to town to play some play some
5/6, ABBA songs. Don’t miss it! ABBA songs.
7:30pm, $55.95-$315, on sale now now. Golden 1 Center, Golden 1 Center, ticketmaster. com.
WORLD BUTCHER’S CHALLEN CHALLENgE The World
Butcher’s Butcher’s Challenge is is bringing the most bringing competitive competitive butchers in the the whole wide world to whole little little old Sacramento to old show show their chops. 8/3-
9/6, various times, apply Golden now Golden 1 Center, now.
worldbutcherchallenge. com.
Believe in us, Cher.
tOO sHOrt: The West Coast hip-hop icon is headed to town to perform. 7pm, $29.50. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St.
SUNDAY, 12/29 CON BrIO: The name means they play with spirit, so come catch the unforgettable vocals of lead singer Con Brio, Ziek McCarter. 7pm, $17. Harlow’s, 2708 J St.
stOrYteLLers eveNING wItH tODD MOrGaN: Join Todd Morgan for some sounds, some
music and some stories told thereof. 6pm, $25. Citizen Vine Folsom, 609 Sutter St., Folsom.
tHe LOst waYNe: The Lost Wayne is the recording alias for actor/singer-songwriter Hunter Hoffman. 6:30pm, $5. B Street Theatre, 2700 Capitol Ave.
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.
TUESDAY, 12/31 straNGeLOve: The Depeche Mode experience will be experienced by countless in Sacramento with this band, Strangelove. 6:30pm, $20. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St.
FESTIVALS THURSDAY, 12/26 CHaNuKaH MeNOraH LIGHtING: Come join the Chabad Community Jewish Center at their 4th annual Menorah Lighting at Town Center. Participate in the lighting of the Menorah, enjoy delicious Chanukah treats and music. 6:30pm, no cover. El Dorado Hills Town Center, 4364 Town Center Blvd., El Dorado Hills.
saCraMeNtO KwaNZaa uNItY CeLeBratION: 2019 Sacramento Kwanzaa Unity Celebration welcomes everyone to experience their “First Fruits of the Harvest” for an uniquely “California Grown” holiday. 2:30pm, no cover. Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd.
SATURDAY, 12/28 HOLIDaY PartY-COMMuNItY POP uPs: 2019 is coming to an end! Come by and celebrate the end of a decade and beginning of a new year, a new era. Dance, make some art, eat some food and, most of all, have a good time. 5pm, no cover. Sol Collective, 2574 21st St.
SUNDAY, 12/29 sILeNt DIsCO ONesIe PartY: Get a jump-start on ringing in the New Year, throw on your onesie and hit the dance floor. Featuring three local DJs and festive libations. 8pm, $12. Shangri-la Fair Oaks, 7960 Winding Way, Fair Oaks.
FOOD & DRINK FRIDAY, 12/27 DIstILLerY tOurs aND sPIrIt tastINGs: Get a much-needed tour of a distillery to help distill some knowledge in yourself about the process of distilling. 4pm, $5. J.J. Pfister Distilling Co, 9819 Business Park Drive
SATURDAY, 12/28 traCK 7’s 8tH aNNIversarY DINNer: You are invited to celebrate Track 7 Brewing’s 8th anniversary with dinner at The Other Side. It’s an evening of Mexican food and special release beers. At the end of the night, each guest will take home an anniversary glass. 6pm, $40. The Other Side by Track 7 Brewing Company, 5090 Folsom Blvd.
SUNDAY, 12/29 New PLaY BruNCH PreseNts tHese CHILDIsH tHINGs BY JerrY MONtOYa: Join B Street for brunch, drinks and a play reading. Food will be provided. In These Childish Things by Jerry Montoya, Anna is getting married and her bachelorette party includes her father,
TUESDAY, 12/31
Jackie Greene Crest theatre, 9pm, $55
Are the traditional New Year’s Eve haunts not doing it for you? Perhaps you’d be better served ringing in MUSIC January by spending a little chunk of time with hometown performer Jackie Greene. Greene has returned to Sacramento to share some Americana music with the folks here in town. The singer-songwriter should bring you into 2020 with a mellow, yet soulfully sweet evening of sounds and sweetness. 1013 K St., crestsacramento.com.
cover. Harley-Davidson of Sacramento, 1000 Arden Way.
TUESDAY, 12/31 2019’S LAST LAUGHS: Join Stephen Furey, Kris Tinkle, Nick Aragon, Chazz Hawkins, Wendy Lewis and host Robert Omoto for some “last laughs” of the year we’re in, 2019. 7:30pm, $25. Punch Line, 2100 Arden Way, Suite 225.
BANDHOPPERS NEW YEARS ROCK-N-METAL EVE: Don’t just celebrate the New Year— PHOTO COURTESY OF IVPR
her two best friends and an unexpected guest. 10:30am, $15. B Street Theatre, 2700 Capitol Ave.
FILM THURSDAY, 12/26 SCROOGED: A selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve. 7pm, $10$22. Crest Theatre, 1013 K St.
FRIDAY, 12/27 HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE: When a woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a wizard and his companions. 8:30pm, $10. Crest Theatre, 1013 K St.
SATURDAY, 12/28 SELENA: The true story of Selena QuintanillaPerez, a Texas-born, chart topping singer who rose from cult status to performing at arenas. 2pm, $10-$22. Crest Theatre, 1013 K St.
COMEDY PUNCH LINE: Kevin Camia and Louis Katz. Kevin Camia is a standup comic from San Francisco now living in Los Angeles. Louis Katz is also performing. Through 12/28. $18.50-$24.50. 2100 Arden Way, Suite 225.
STAB! COMEDY THEATER: The Amazing Wonders of Comedy. The Stephen Ferris Comedy Hour presents The Amazing Wonders of Comedy, featuring the most incredible acts in the land: Stephen Ferris, Parker Newman, Skip Bacon, Jason Mack and more people we cut for space. Friday 12/27, 9pm. $7. Oliver Graves. The Nightmare After Christmas— Oliver Graves returns to STAB! Friday 12/27, 7:30pm. $8-$12. 1710 Broadway.
SACRAMENTO COMEDY SPOT: Short Cuts. Short Cuts is a fast-paced, game-based improv show similar to “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Friday 12/27, 8pm. $8. 1050 20th St., Suite 130.
ON STAGE CELEBRATION ARTS: In The Holiday Mood. A premier holiday stage production by Moodment Dance, follow the main character as he experiences love, loss and the joy of dance. Through 12/28. $15-$25. 4469 D St.
SACRAMENTO THEATRE: A Christmas Carol. This audience-favorite adaptation of Charles Dickens’ time-honored tale returns to STC’s stages. Through 12/29. $45. 1419 H St.
WEST SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY CENTER BLACK BOX THEATRE: Little Women, the Panto. You’ve seen the film! You’ve seen the television series! You’ve seen the anime! Played the game! Pretended to read the book in ninth grade! Now, you can experience Little Women, the Panto! Through 1/5. $5-$15. 1075 W. Capitol Ave., West Sacramento.
FRIDAY, 12/27 ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS IN 2019! INTRODUCTION TO HYPNOSIS: Bring your enthusiasm, a list of your goals for 2019, and maybe a friend! 6pm, no cover. Arden-Dimick Library, 891 Watt Ave.
CHADASH CONTEMPORARY DANCE MOVEMENT WINTER INTENSIVE: Train with Chadash Contemporary Dance Movement Company members, who are leading professional dancers in their field, from all over the country. 9am, $125-$200. Northern California Dance Conservatory, 920 Reserve Drive, Roseville.
SATURDAY, 12/28 GLOW-IN-THE-DARK CRAFTS: Come celebrate
ART KENNEDY GALLERY: Confectioner’s Delights Exhibit. Experience the love and joy of the holiday season at Kennedy Gallery as local artists showcase works with the theme of “baking love into our holidays.” Through 1/5. No cover. 1931 L St.
MUSEUMS
the darkest part of the year by making glow-in-the-dark slime, bracelets, butterflies, constellations and more. 2pm, no cover. Arcade Library, 2443 Marconi Ave.
NEW YEAR’S EVE SATURDAY, 12/28 2020 NEW YEAR PARTY: Celebrate the New Year with Harley-Davidson, have some food and beverages while at it. 11am, no
EMO NIGHT SAC NYE PARTY: Celebrate the New Year with you fellow emos at this party just for you and yours, plus them and theirs. 7pm, $25. Holy Diver, 1517 21st St.
FRYED BROTHERS BAND NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY: Join the Fryed Brothers Band as they rock in the New Year. Special guests are Second Sight. Free coffee and desserts, too, plus a balloon drop and prizes. 8pm, $20. Country Club Lanes-Skyroom, 2600 Watt Ave.
JACKIE GREENE: The Sacramento absentee musician is back for a New Year’s Eve show that will knock your socks off. 9pm, $55. Crest Theatre, 1013 K St.
NEW YEAR’S EVE-MASQUERADE ON THE MEZZANINE: Join The Bank on the Mezzanine this NYE for a fun-filled masquerade party. 8pm, $40. The Bank, 629 J St.
NEW YEAR’S EVE 2020: The Hyatt may be your ideal stop for a New Year’s Eve party. Show up for the hotel party of a lifetime. 9pm, $75-$125. Hyatt Regency, 1209 L St.
NEW YEARS EVE 2020 MASQUERADE PARTY WITH THE VINO BANDITOS: Join the Vino Banditos as they provide the soundtrack to your masquerade evening of New Year. 5pm, $60$70. Cante Ao Vinho Tasting Room and Wine Bar, 5250 Front St., Rocklin.
NEW YEARS EVE AT REV: This New Year’s Eve, join the Rev family to toast the changing season. 5pm, call for cover. Revolution Wines, 2831 S St.
Toast at East Coast New Year’s. A great way to begin 2020 at Laughs Unlimited. Lance Woods will be there, and the celebration will be heavy. 7pm, $30. Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club, 1207 Front St.
NEW YEAR’S EVE SKY SPECTACULAR: Get down to the Old Sacramento Waterfront for an evening of spectacular sights, sounds and experiences. 6pm, no cover. Old Sacramento Waterfront.
NYE 2020: Sacramento’s #1 nightclub experience is getting ready for its biggest night of the year. 7pm, $35. Faces, 2000 K St.
ROARING 2020S EXTRAVAGANZA NEW YEARS EVE PARTY: The ’20s have rolled around again, so come celebrate with Old Sugar Mill, who made the connection and planned the party. 8pm, $34.75-$95. Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg.
SACRAMENTO KINGS VS. LA CLIPPERS: You could also spend your New Year’s Eve with the Sacramento Kings, watching them lose to the L.A. Clippers. 2pm, $38-$237. Golden 1 Center, 500 David J. Stern Walk.
SACTOWN SWINGS’ NYE PARTY 2019: Do not miss Sactown Swings’ 4th annual New Year’s Eve Party at the VFW Hall in West Sacramento. The VFW hall has a great ballroom dance floor, live band, DJ and all the friends you enjoy dancing with. 8pm, $30. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8762, 905 Drever St., West Sacramento.
STONEY’S NEW YEAR’S EVE 2020: Midnight champagne toast and balloon drop with cash and prizes, fabulous decorations, free late night spicy biscuits and gravy, karaoke and more. 5pm, $15-$350. Stoney’s Rockin Rodeo, 1320 Del Paso Blvd.
SURF ROCK NEW YEAR’S WITH PHROGG: This year, skip the late-night crowd and get the party started early at Two Rivers Cider. Surf rocker Phrogg will be here to get you ready for the New Year—Plus MacDaddy’s Island Grill will be here serving some home-style Hawaiian eats. 4pm, no cover. Two Rivers Cider, 4311 Attawa Ave.
CALIFORNIA STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM: “White Out!” Exhibit at Railroad Museum. For a limited time, visitors to the California State Railroad Museum have a special opportunity to see a 251,000-pound rotary snowplow from the museum’s collection. Through 4/1. $6-$12. 111 I St.
CROCKER ART MUSEUM: Sketch-A-Movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Still waiting on that letter from Hogwarts? Sorry to break it to you, but you might be a muggle. But that’s okay! Muggles, witches, and wizards alike are invited to Sketch-A-Movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Come before the screening for sketching lessons, a scavenger hunt and tours inspired by the film. Thursday 12/26, 1pm. $10-$18. 216 O St.
THE THISTLE DEW THEATER: Tell Me About It! by Unrehearsed Improvised Comedy-Improv. “Tell Me About It” will interview audience members about things that are bothering them and then the group will take your gripes as inspiration to create a hilarious scene. 8pm. Through 12/28. $12. 1901 P St.
CLASSES
celebrate the metallic sounds that will propel you into it with bands Toy Called God, The Ellusive Furs, Cardboard Ringo and more. 6:30pm, $15-$35. The Boardwalk, 9426 Greenback Lane, Orangevale.
NEW YEARS EVE COMEDY: Laughter. Champagne
SPORTS & OUTDOORS THURSDAY, 12/26
THURSDAY, 12/26
Cornel West Central library, 6pm, no Cover
Last week, it was announced that Cornel West would be coming to Sacramento to speak and engage in a Socratic dialogue at the Central Library. Join the Sacramento native as he discusses the path forward ON STAGE into the next decade, how to move forward from the previous 10 years and more. The hour-long seminar will ask questions, promote discussion and work to explore an issue with thoughts and ideas. Don’t miss it. 828 I St., saclibrary.org/west.
DOWNTOWN ICE RINK: Sharpen your skates and get ready to perfect your triple axel! The 28th season of the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink is bigger and better than ever. 10am, $6-$15. Ali Youssefi Square, 701 K St.
PHOTO BY GAGE SKIDMORE/CC BY-SA 3.0
12.26.19 | SN&R | 31
THURSDAY 12/26
FRIDAY 12/27
SATURDAY 12/28
SUNDAY 12/29
MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 12/30-1/1
Fierce Fridays, 7pm, call for cover
Spectacular Saturdays, 6pm, call for cover
Industry Sundays, 9pm, no cover
After Hours with Apple, 9pm, M, no cover; Trapicana, 11pm, W, no cover
thE BoArdwAlk
Volrahven, Nail the Casket, Tomb of Minerva and more, 7:30pm, $10
The Austin Mo Experience, Footube and Doris, 7:30pm, $10
Bandhoppers Annual New Years Rock ‘N Metal Eve, 6:30pm, T, $15-$35
CApitol gArAgE
Capitol Fridays, 10pm, no cover before 10:30pm
Dinner and a Drag Show, 7:30pm, $5-$25
Geeks Who Drink, 8:30pm, W, no cover
Howl’s Moving Castle, 8:30pm, $10-$22
Selena, 2pm & 7:30pm, $10-$22
At EAsE BrEwing Co. 1825 I ST., (916) 431-7940
Plant-based Junk Food, 4pm, call for cover
BAdlAnds
Poprockz 90s Night, 10pm, no cover
2003 k ST., (916) 448-8790 9426 GREENbAck LN., ORANGEvALE, (916) 358-9116 1500 k ST., (916) 444-3633
CrEst thEAtrE
Scrooged, 7pm, $10-$22
drAkE’s: thE BArn
S’mores & Stouts, 5pm, call for cover
FACEs
Karaoke Night, 9pm, call for cover
Absolut Fridays, 9pm, call for cover
Sequin Saturdays, 9:30pm, call for cover
Fox & goosE
Justis & McLane, 8pm, no cover
Güero and Be Brave Bold Robot, 9pm, $10
Smokey Red and The O’Mally Sisters, 9pm, $5
Open-Mic Night, 7:30pm, M, no cover; Pub Quiz, 7pm, T, no cover
Suns vs Kings, 4:30pm, $20-$369
Clippers vs Kings, 2pm, T, $38-$589
1013 k ST., (916) 476-3356
PHOTO cOURTESY OF JAY bLAkESbERG
Mother Hips
985 RIvERFRONT ST., WEST SAc, (510) 423-0971 2000 k ST., (916) 448-7798
with The Coffis Brothers 8pm Saturday, $31-$33 Harlow’s Rock
1001 R ST., (916) 443-8825
goldEn 1 CEntEr
500 DAvID J STERN WALk, (888) 915-4647
Comedy Night at the Guild, 8pm, call for cover
2828 35TH ST., (916) 905-7024
hAlFtimE BAr & grill
5681 LONETREE bLvD., ROckLIN, (916) 626-3600
Mother Hips and Pacific Range, 8pm, $31-$33
holY diVEr 1517 21ST ST.
Arden Park Roots, Thrive, The Stoneberries and more, 7pm, $12
The Gold Souls
JACkrABBit BrEwing Co.
Three:48, 6pm, call for cover
with Ten Foot Tiger 8:30pm Tuesday, $15-$30 Palms Playhouse Blues
kupros
1323 TERMINAL ST., WEST SAc (916) 873-8659 Live music with Josh Haines, 7pm, no cover
old ironsidEs
Sacramento’S #1 UndergroUnd metal VenUe iS Back!
HappY Hour
12Pm - 7Pm
live MuSic 12/27
todd morgan
12/28
part robot
1/10
thu 8Pm - 10Pm
Visit for eVent updates & booking information
670 Fulton avenue, Sacramento, ca open daily 12Pm – 2am | (916) 487-3731 32
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Trivia Factory, 4pm, T, call for cover;
Fonty, Citizen Snips, Divine Blend and more, 6:30pm, $10
Local $5 Showcase, 6:30pm, $5
Emo Nite Sac NYE Party, 7pm, T, $25 Trivia, 6:30pm, W, $5-$10
The O’Mulligans, Rebel Punk and The Brodys, 8:30pm, $10
Triviology 101, 7:30pm, no cover Live Music with Heath Williamson, 5:30pm, M, no cover
1/29
todd morgan
americana showcase w/banJo bones
101 Main Street, roSeville 916-774-0505 · lunch/dinner 7 days a week fri & sat 9:30pm - close 21+
stoneYs rocKin nYe bash country dancing in back with dJ patrick karaoke up front $10 Before 9pm $15 after 9pm
vip pacKages available at stoneYinn.com
nite kats
tue 9Pm - 2am, thu 10Pm - 2am ComedY open miC
Night Swim with Joseph One, 7pm, call for cover
best dance club 2017/2018
1/28
karaoke
New Year’s Eve with Pop Rocks, 9pm, T, $25-$45
voted sacramento’s
upComing sHows January 31st emBryonic deVoUrment cUrSed | SeVer all Short FUSe february 1st hellway Patrol (Brazil) more tBa
Con Brio and Ideateam, 7pm, $17-$20
Moday Moday, 7pm, call for cover
DJ Shaun Slaughter, 9pm, no cover The Mindful and Refract, 9pm, $10
1901 10TH ST., (916) 442-3504
$10 coVer | doorS at 7Pm | 21+
Mother Hips and The Coffis Brothers, 8pm, $31-$33
Shitshow Karaoke, 8pm, M, no cover; Twisted Trivia, 8pm, W, no cover
1910 Q ST., (916) 706-2465
1217 21ST ST., (916) 440-0401
Poetry Showcase, 8pm, call for cover
Bill Mylar & Friends Live, 5pm, call for cover
highwAtEr PHOTO cOURTESY OF THE GOLD SOULS
Every Damn Monday, 8pm, M, no cover;
Let’s Get Quizzical, 7pm, T, no cover; Cornhole, 6pm, W, $10
2708 J ST., (916) 441-4693 2565 FRANkLIN bLvD., (916) 455-1331
Sunday Funday, 3pm, no cover
Paint Nite, 6:30pm, call for cover
hArlow’s
hidEAwAY BAr & grill
Jackie Greene Band, 8pm, T, $55 New Year’s Eve Bash, 6:30pm, T, $10-$70
Timberwolves vs Kings, 5:30pm, $10-$296
guild thEAtrE
Aladdin, 2pm, $10
/bar101roseville
Balloon drop at midnight champagne toast free late night biscuits n gravy included check out stoneys new remodel and parking lot coming soon in January
Eat. Drink. Be Merry. Repeat.
1320 Del paso blvD in olD north sac
1217 21st St • 916.440.0401 www.KuprosCrafthouse.com
2 steps from downtown | 916.402.2407 stoneyinn.com for nightly drink specials & events
SubmiT your caLendar LiSTingS for free aT newSreView.com/SacramenTo/caLendar thursday 12/26
Friday 12/27
saturday 12/28
sunday 12/29
On the y
Monday-Wednesday 12/30-1/1 Embryonic Devourment, Cursed, Sever All and more, 8pm, T, $10
670 Fulton ave., (916) 487-3731
Opera hOuse salOOn
Unlicensed Therapy, 9:30pm, $7-$12
411 lincoln st., roseville (916) 970-9777
Ariel Jean New Year Bash, 9:30pm, T, $20-$30
Rock With You: The Michael Jackson Tribute, 9:30pm, $10-$15
palms playhOuse
The Gold Souls and Ten Foot Tiger, 8:30pm, T, $15-$30
13 Main st., Winters, (530) 795-1825
placerville public hOuse
Gene Barnett, 8pm, call for cover
Drytown Smugglers, 8pm, call for cover
pOwerhOuse pub
Thunder Cover, 10pm, call for cover
Spazmatics, 10:15pm, call for cover
Jeremy Norris, 3pm, call for cover; Industry Night, 6pm, call for cover
New Years Eve Bash, 10pm, T, call for cover
Pop 40 Dance with DJ Larry, 9pm, $5
DJ Larry’s Sunday Night Dance Party, 9pm, no cover
High Fidelity, 9pm, M, call for cover; New Year’s F#@%ing Eve, 9pm, T, $5
414 Main st., Placerville, (530) 303-3792 614 sutter st., FolsoM, (916) 355-8586
the press club
2030 P st., (916) 444-7914
Throwback Thursday, 9pm, $5
rOOt Of happiness
shady lady salOOn 2030 P st., (916) 231-9121
Shadia, 9pm, call for cover
sOcial niGhtclub
1409 r st., (916) 947-0434
Nagual, 9pm, call for cover
Kyle Rowland, 9pm, call for cover
Prince Harry, 10pm, $0-$5
Socialite, 10pm, $0-$5
the starlet rOOm
Th’ Losin Streaks, Midnite Snaxx and The Cavemen, 8pm, $13-$16
2708 J st., (916) 441-4693
the tOrch club
904 15th st., (916) 443-2797
with Midnite Snaxx 8pm Friday, $13-$16 The Starlet Room Rock
The Lost Wayne, 6:30pm, $5
2700 caPitol ave., (916) 443-5300
1320 del Paso Blvd., (916) 927-6023
Th’ Losin Streaks Year End Review, 9pm, call for cover New Year’s Eve, 10pm, T, $25-$40
the sOfia
stOney’s rOckin rOdeO
Photo courtesy oF slovenly recordings
DJ Night feat. Cassacious & Locksy, 9pm, call for cover
211 F st. davis, (530) 212-8039
Irie Nights NYE 2020, T, 10pm, $25-$30
West Coast Swing, 7pm, $5
Hot Country Fridays, 7pm, $5-$10
Stoney’s Saturday, 7pm, $5
Stoney’s Employee Holiday Party, 8pm, no cover 18+
City of Trees Holiday Hangover Party, 9pm, $7
Tropicali Flames, 9pm, $8
Daniel Castro, 9pm, $10
You Front the Band, 8pm, call for cover
NYE Party with Niki J Crawford and more, 9pm, T, $30
Free Yoga at Yolo, 11am, no cover
Skip the Grid NYE Party, 6pm, T, $15; TTodd Trivia, 7pm, T, no cover
yOlO brewinG cO.
1520 terMinal st., (916) 379-7585
NYE 2020, 7pm, T, $10-$15; College Night Wednesdays, 9pm, W, $5-$10
all ages, all the time ace Of spades
Vista Kicks, 7pm, sold out
1417 r st., (916) 930-0220
cafe cOlOnial
Fake It, Sad Girlz Club, Oh Lonesome Ana JC Meyers, Killer Couture, Corroded and more, 8pm, $10 Master, 8pm, $10
3520 stocKton Blvd., (916) 475-1600
shine
1400 e st., (916) 551-1400
Photo courtesy oF vista KicKs
Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience, 6:30pm, T, $25-$49
Too $hort, 7pm, $61
The Shine Jazz Jam, 8pm, no cover
Juliet Company, Streetlight Fire, and Vinnie Guidera, 8pm, $8
HEY! yes, you !
Globs, Sarchasm, Danger Inc. and more, 7pm, $10
7pm Friday, sold out Ace of Spades Rock
Patrick Nehoda and Acharya, 8pm, $8
is having a
COMIC are you a comic artist ?
Vista Kicks
contest!
how to en ter create a funny comic about some aspect of sacramento life
comics can be single panel, strip or grid style. color or b&w
winners will be published in our
comics issue 1/30/20 email submissions to comics @newsreview.com
deadline:
1/16/20 @ 5 p.m.
file size maximum: 2,000 x 2,000 pixels file size minimum: 1,000 x 1,000 pixels 12.26.19
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And they told me I couldn’t learn to ski after learning to speak German. I sure showed them!
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For more cannabis news, deals & updates, visit capitalcannabisguide.com.
still relying on other people to do it for me (as well as a newfound quality pre-roll habit I’ve acquired). There are many ways to consume cannabis, but joints remain a throwback favorite among consumers. It’s a ritual that harkens back to a simpler time, so let’s not lose that skill.
6. Support sociallyconscious companies
Actively elevated in the new year Eight cannabis-friendly goals to set for 2020 by Jackie Bryant
Does a new year have to mean a new cannabis consumer? In an industry with seemingly unlimited upside potential but a lot of bumps in the road, yes, it does. California’s cannabis industry is constantly changing, which means that any dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast should be open to innovating, trying new things and growing alongside the scene. For 2020, let’s all resolve to push ourselves. Here are eight cannabis-related resolutions to consider that can help those of us who enjoy cannabis make better and more informed choices—and maybe learn something new.
another at the same time, and there’s a lot to learn from the successes and failures of each. Rather than focusing on other destinations, make sure that your travels are exceptionally canna-friendly.
1. Visit more cannabis states
3. Be diligent about quality
One of my greatest joys of the past year has been visiting Barcelona, Vancouver, Washington and Alaska to see what their local cannabis markets are cooking up, literally and figuratively. In the new year, make it a point to visit more places with legalized cannabis: Oregon, Colorado, Massachusetts … maybe Uruguay? It’s fascinating how so many concurrent industries are growing alongside one
2. Be actively elevated Like many cannabis enthusiasts, I, too, have a bit of a habit of hunkering down with a fat joint, ordering food and not doing much else. The truth is, weed is great for so many other things, including exercise. If you’re a fellow hiker, in 2020 make more of an effort to get off the couch and onto the trail while consuming.
Walking into a new dispensary for the first time is so exciting that being mindful about research sometimes flies out the window. For the legal market to succeed, and even soar, it first needs to tackle its issues of quality control, which have been hampered by the misconduct of various companies and the serious and ongoing vape crisis. When shopping for cannabis during the new year, make it a priority to ensure that all companies have good quality control
standards in place, such as independent testing and certificates of analysis.
4. Buy local In a state as large as California, cannabis users are truly spoiled. One of the best things about visiting full-recreational dispensaries throughout the state in the last two years has been getting to sample local brands that aren’t as easy to find outside of the cities where the products are made. While it’s cool to buy different edibles and topicals from all over the Golden State, in 2020 make an effort to buy more local products—whether at home or on vacation—to help ensure mom-and-pop companies survive the battle with larger corporations.
5. Learn how to roll better joints It’s easy to become lazy with the abundance of pre-roll options found in local dispensaries, or the added convenience of ordering products through delivery services. And though I think my joint-rolling prowess has markedly improved in the last year, the truth is, I’m
There are wide-ranging discrepancies in the cannabis industry, such as how many people are still in jail while California’s luxury cannabis scene takes off and myriad environmental issues. Still, some companies are doing a better job than others righting the wrongs caused by prohibition; everyone who purchases cannabis should prioritize shopping from those companies. Lowell Herb Co. in Santa Barbara, for example, claims it prioritizes those with cannabis convictions during its hiring process, while Ocean Cannabis Company, from Los Angeles, flexes its sociallyconscious muscle by making its required child-resistant tubes out of 100% plastic harvested from trash found in the ocean.
7. Ditch the indica/ sativa dichotomy It’s becoming more and more widely accepted that the indica/sativa binary is nothing more than a gut feeling based on just that—feelings. The difference between the plants are mainly physical, which doesn’t result in any difference in physical or mental feelings when metabolized in humans. Look forward to more conversations about cannabinoids and terpenes rather than discussing indica versus sativa versus hybrid.
8. Grow your own I’m one of those people who can easily kill a succulent, which is a big reason why I’ve tricked myself into thinking that I don’t need to grow my own bud. But growing decent enough sun-grown weed isn’t that hard to experiment with, so I think if someone is ingesting it, it behooves them to learn about the plant inside and out. In 2020, let’s all finally commit to growing our first cannabis plants. Leafly.com is a good resource to start. Ω
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Well, this is it, the last hurrah for these little black strips at the top of the page.
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By Ngaio Bealum
as k 420 @ne w s re v i e w . c o m
In the beginning, there was only Tupperware. And a little leftover chili, too.
New Year’s weed Hey can you do one of those “looking back at the last year” sort of things?
Yes I can! 2019 was a wild year for cannabis. First, I would like to wish all of my readers a Happy ChrisHannuKwanzaa and a prosperous new year! May your troubles be few and your weed be full of good terpenes and nice effects. 2019 international high: Cannabis legalization goes global! Trinidad and Tobago just announced a plan to decriminalize cannabis, expunge some criminal records and let people out of jail. It’s a Christmas miracle. Of course, the law won’t take effect until 2020, but still. T&T joins Mexico (legalization should happen any minute now), Thailand (brand new medical cannabis program, complete with “Dr. Ganja” dolls) and a bunch of other countries that have relaxed their cannabis prohibitions. Aw yeah! Lows: Weed is still illegal in most parts of the world. In Dubai, you can get four years in prison just for having THC in your bloodstream. So no edibles before heading to Saudi Arabia, OK? 2019 high state: More states are legalizing! Illinois is gonna start selling weed in about a week. Michigan is now a legal cannabis state. And 18 other states will most likely have some form of cannabis legalization on the ballot in 2020. Just about every state has some form of medical cannabis law on the books except for Idaho and the Dakotas. However, cannabis legalization is unstoppable. Lows: Progress in New York and New Jersey has ground to a halt.
And hemp farmers keep getting their shipments seized and their drivers arrested because the police apparently can’t tell the difference between hemp (below 0.3% THC) and cannabis. I’m sure someone will figure out a way to solve this problem. It will probably cost millions of dollars. 2019 hella high: California raked in more than $200 million in cannabis taxes in the first half of 2019. And that’s just the state taxes. Add that to the amount of money saved in court and prison costs, and legal weed is already making a profit, although the state seems to think that weed should be even more profitable. Which leads us to:
California raked in more than $200 million in cannabis taxes in the first half of 2019.
2019 hella low:
High taxes, lack of access and high barriers to entry are keeping the California cannabis market from being great. Listen: High taxes at the clubs keep the black and gray markets in business, so why would the Bureau of Cannabis Control want to raise taxes in 2020? I have no idea. Lower taxes and increased access (75% of California cities and counties still prohibit cannabis businesses) would create more revenue—and keep the black market in check. Hopefully, the state will figure out that fast nickels are often more profitable than slow dimes. All in all, 2019 has been a great year for weed, and this decade has seen cannabis legalization grow to unprecedented heights. May the next decade be even more successful. □
Ngaio Bealum is a Sacramento comedian, activist and marijuana expert. Email him questions at ask420@newsreview.com.
@Ngaio420
12.26.19 | SN&R | 37
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Free will astrology
ask joey
For the week oF December 26, 2019
the sound of silence
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Nazi Germany invaded
by JOey GARCIA
@AskJoeyGarcia
If we did, we would have them. What my sister overdosed. I’m now her 11-year-old son’s legal guardian. he’s all children need are caregivers who been shuffled between living in her consistently love, guide and support them. broken-down car, various shelters, You are already succeeding in these motels, friends and abandoned buildings. skills. Just keep going. he’s behind academically but bright and my girlfriend has been sneaking out at polite, despite his crappy life. he’s also night to meet up with me. her parents very quiet. I can’t figure out what he’s caught her and threatened to put a thinking or what he needs and he doesn’t lock on her door and window. they also tell me. when I ask questions he doesn’t took away her phone (we go to the same answer, not even about what he wants to school so we talk at school anyway). Is eat for dinner. he just shakes his head or this is legal? goes to his bedroom and shuts the door. Yes, her parents have the right to take he refuses to go to therapy. Do you have away her phone. But if they make good any suggestions for me on how to handle on their threat to lock her into his silences? her bedroom at night, Child Yes. Don’t ask questions. Protective Services should Instead, reassure him. Notice be notified. While I While it may feel right can understand their whether you’re to give your nephew frustration with your the power of making the kind of person girlfriend’s behavior, his own decisions, it’s who needs a lot of this is a situation ripe likely overwhelming. for family counseling, conversation in order Give him time to adjust not a 19th century to a stable new life full to feel close to punishment. One last of amazing possibilities. someone. thing: What sort of friend Instead of asking quesare you to encourage your tions, make statements: girlfriend to sneak out when “This is our home. I’m grateful you know the trouble it causes? If that you’re here.” And: “I’m available you care about her, find a way to enjoy anytime you want someone to listen or if your relationship without creating chaos you need help. Together, we can find a for her and her family. Ω solution.” Notice whether you’re the kind of person who needs a lot of conversation in order to feel close to someone. Trust that emotional intimacy can develop over time by allowing your nephew to be himself, meDItatIon oF the week a quiet boy who is slowly healing. Until then, find comfort in his silence. It “We live in a world where there gives you an opportunity to understand is more and more information, that sometimes silence is an acceptable and less and less meaning,” response. said French philosopher Jean When you’re cooking, say something Baudrillard. What is your that guides him to trust abundance: “I’m purpose? trying a new recipe. Take a bite. If you don’t like it, help yourself to something else in the fridge.” Coach him to understand how the household works, too: “Let’s place dirty dishes right into the Write, email or leave a message for dishwasher instead of the sink. That way, Joey at the News & Review. Give your name, telephone number we don’t have to clean up twice.” (for verification purposes only) and question—all Be someone that champions your correspondence will be kept strictly confidential. nephew’s presence and progress. You’re Write Joey, 1124 Del Paso Boulevard, Sacramento, CA not his mother and don’t have to be. 95815; call (916) 498-1234, ext. 1360; or email The truth is, we don’t all need parents. askjoey@newsreview.com. 42
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by ROb bRezsny
and occupied Denmark during World War II. In 1943, Hitler ordered all Danish Jews to be arrested—a first step in his plan to send them to concentration camps. But the Danish resistance movement leapt into action and smuggled virtually all of them to safety via fishing boats bound for Sweden. As a result, 8,000-plus Danish Jews survived the Holocaust. You may not have the opportunity to do anything quite as heroic in 2020. But I expect you will have chances to express a high order of practical idealism that could be among your noblest and most valiant efforts ever. Draw inspiration from the Danish resistance. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When she was 31, Taurus writer Charlotte Brontë finished writing her novel Jane Eyre. She guessed it would have a better chance of getting published if its author was thought to be a man. So she adopted the masculine pen name of Currer Bell and sent the manuscript unsolicited to a London publisher. Less than eight weeks later, her new book was in print. It quickly became a commercial success. I propose that we make Brontë one of your role models for 2020. May she inspire you to be audacious in expressing yourself and confident in seeking the help you need to reach your goals. May she embolden you, too, to use ingenious stratagems to support your righteous cause. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): 2020 can and should be a lyrically healing year for you. Here’s what I mean: Beauty and grace will be curative. The “medicine” you need will come to you via poetic and mellifluous experiences. With this in mind, I encourage you to seek out encounters with the following remedies. 1. Truth Whimsies 2. Curiosity Breakthroughs 3. Delight Gambles 4. Sacred Amusements 4. Redemptive Synchronicities 5. Surprise Ripenings 6. Gleeful Discoveries 7. Epiphany Adventures 8. Enchantment Games 9. Elegance Eruptions 10. Intimacy Angels 11. Playful Salvation 12. Luminosity Spells CANCER (June 21-July 22): “There are years that ask questions and years that answer,” wrote author Zora Neale Hurston. According to my astrological analysis, 2020 is likely to be one of those years that asks questions, while 2021 will be a time when you’ll get rich and meaningful answers to the queries you’ll pose in 2020. To ensure that this plan works out for your maximum benefit, it’s essential that you formulate provocative questions in the coming months. At first, it’s fine if you generate too many. As the year progresses, you can whittle them down to the most ultimate and important questions. Get started! LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The Roman Emperor Vespasian (9-79 A.D.) supervised the restoration of the Temple of Peace, the Temple of Claudius and the Theater of Marcellus. He also built a huge statue of Apollo and the amphitheater now known as the Colosseum, whose magnificent ruins are still a major tourist attraction. Vespasian also created a less majestic but quite practical wonder: Rome’s first public urinals. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to be stimulated by his example in 2020. Be your usual magnificent self as you generate both inspiring beauty and earthy, pragmatic improvements. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): When Virgo author Mary Shelley was 18 years old, she had a disconcerting dream-like vision about a mad chemist who created a weird human-like creature out of non-living matter. She set about to write a book based on her mirage. At age 20, she published Frankenstein, a novel that would ultimately wield a huge cultural influence and become a seminal work in the “science fiction” genre. I propose we make Shelley one of your role models for 2020. Why? Because I suspect that you, too, will have the power to transform a challenging event or influence into an important asset. You’ll be able to generate or attract a new source of energy by responding creatively to experiences that initially provoke anxiety.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libra-born mystic poet
Rumi (1207-1273) wrote that he searched for holy sustenance and divine inspiration in temples, churches and mosques—but couldn’t find them there. The good news? Because of his disappointment, he was motivated to go on an inner quest—and ultimately found holy sustenance and divine inspiration in his own heart. I’ve got a strong feeling that you’ll have similar experiences in 2020. Not on every occasion, but much of the time, you will discover the treasure you need and long for not in the outside world but rather in your own depths. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Among his many accomplishments, Scorpio rapper Drake is an inventive rhymer. In his song “Diplomatic Immunity,” he rhymes “sacred temple” with “stencil.” Brilliant! Other rhymes: “statistics” with “ballistics;” “Treaty of Versailles” with “no cease and desist in I;” and—my favorite—“Al Jazeera” (the Qatar-based news source) with “Shakira” (the Colombian singer). According to my analysis of the astrological omens in 2020, many of you will have Drake-style skill at mixing and blending seemingly disparate elements. I bet you’ll also be good at connecting influences that belong together but have never been able to combine before. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) embodied a trait that many astrology textbooks suggest is common to the Sagittarian tribe: wanderlust. He was born in Prague but traveled widely throughout Europe and Russia. If there were a Guinness World Records category for “Time Spent as a Houseguest,” Rilke might hold it. There was a four-year period when he lived at 50 different addresses. I’m going to be bold here and hypothesize that 2020 will not be one of those years when you would benefit from being like Rilke. In fact, I hope you’ll seek out more stability and security than usual. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Fifteenth-century Italian metalworker Lorenzo Ghiberti worked for 28 years to turn the doors of the Florence Baptistry into a massive work of art. He used bronze to create numerous scenes from the Bible. His fellow artist Michelangelo was so impressed that he said Ghiberti’s doors could have served as “The Gates of Paradise.” I offer Ghiberti as inspiration for your life in 2020. I think you’ll be capable of beginning a masterwork that could take quite some time to complete and serve as your very own “gate to paradise:” in other words, an engaging project and delightful accomplishment that will make you feel your life is eminently meaningful and worthwhile. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’re wise to cultivate a degree of skepticism and even contrariness. Like all of us, your abilities to say “no” to detrimental influences and to criticize bad things are key to your mental health. On the other hand, it’s a smart idea to keep checking yourself for irrelevant, gratuitous skepticism and contrariness. You have a sacred duty to maintain just the amount you need, but no more—even as you foster a vigorous reservoir of receptivity, optimism and generosity. And guess what? 2020 will be an excellent time to make this one of your cornerstone habits. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Dante Alighieri (12651321) finished writing The Divine Comedy in 1320. Today it’s considered one of the supreme literary accomplishments in the Italian language and a classic of world literature. But no one ever read the entire work in the English language until 1802, when it was translated for the first time. Let’s invoke this as a metaphor for your life in the coming months. According to my visions, a resource or influence that has previously been inaccessible to you will finally arrive in a form you can understand and use. Some wisdom that has been untranslatable or unreadable will at last be available.
All the world is a plane, and we are but its middle seat passengers.
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