Fair Oaks Happenings
MARCH Full Mar 3rd
Fair Oaks Farmers Market
3�3|10|17|24|31
9am–2pm / Fair Oaks Park / forpd.org
Drawing Class
3�3|10|17|24|31
4:30pm–5:45pm / Arts & Craft Room / forpd.org
Line Dancing
Shangri-la St� Patrick’s Day
5-8pm / Shangri-La / @shangrilafairoaks
3�18
Open Mic Comedy Night - Host Ellis Rodriguez 3�19
8:30pm / FOPAC Black Box Theatre / fairoaksarts.org
Equinox Paint Night
3�5|12|19|26
1:30pm–3pm / Community Clubhouse / forpd.org
Brahma Trivia Night 3 5|12|19|26
6:30-8:30pm / Brahma Bar & Grill brahmabarandgrill.com
2 Chambers, 2 Communities, 1 Big Event! �
� � 3�5 5-7pm / OV/FO Food Bank / fairoakschamber.com
Rotary of Fair Oaks Crab Feed
5:30-9pm / Citrus Heights Community Center rotaryfairoaks.org
3�7
Sacramento Waldorf School Open House 3 7
9am-1pm / Sac. Waldorf School / sacwaldorf.org
An Evening with Peter Petty
3�7
7pm / FOPAC Black Box Theatre / fairoaksarts.org
An Evening with Dr� Temple Grandin
5:30-9pm / Sac. Waldorf School / meristem.pro
Acoustic Open Mic Night
6–8:30pm / Fair Oaks Coffee House & Deli facebook.com/madridmusicgroup
3�9
3�10
Fair Oaks Comedy Series with Nick Guerra � � � �3�13 8:30pm / FOPAC Black Box Theatre / fairoaksarts.org
Jessica Malone Quintet 3 14
7pm / FOPAC Black Box Theatre / fairoaksarts.org
March Open Garden
3�14
9am-12pm / Fair Oaks Horticulture Center / @ ucanr
The Stockman Club St� Patty’s Day Party
� 3�14
11am-2am / Stockman Club / @stockmanfairoaks
Oscar’s Watch Party
4-7pm / Shangri-La / @shangrilafairoaks
St� Patrick’s Day
3�20
6-8pm / The Crafted Canvas / thecraftedcanvas.com
The Treasured Home Grand Re-Opening
� 3�21 10am / 9910 Fair Oaks Blvd. thetreasuredhome.com
Fair Oaks Permaculture Meeting 3 25
6:30-8:30pm / The Shabby Showroom permaculturefairoaks.org
Cesar Chavez Day�
3�31
1:30pm–3pm / Community Clubhouse / forpd.org
6:30-8:30pm / Brahma Bar & Grill brahmabarandgrill.com
Breakfast with the Bunny
8:30-11:30am / 7997 California Ave. / forpd.org
Food Truck Mania & Women in Business Expo
5-8pm / Fair Oaks Park / forpd.org
Watercolor
/ Arts & Craft Room / forpd.org
Hand Building Ceramics
6-7:30pm / Arts & Craft Room / forpd.org
Fair Oaks Eggstravaganza
/ Fair Oaks Park / forpd.org
STAY IN THE LOOP! Spring for sellouts or find your fun free!
Permaculture Fair Oaks Monthly Meeting �
6:30–8:30pm / The Shabby Showroom permaculturefairoaks.org
� 4�22
American River Parkway Half Marathon 4 24 7am / William Pond Park / parkwayhalf.com
Kid’s Art Festival
11am–3pm / Fair Oaks Park / forpd.org
Sip & Shop Spring Edition �
10am-2pm / The Crafted Canvas thecraftedcanvas.com
4�25
4�25
�3�15
3�17
Acoustic Open Mic Night
6–8:30pm / Fair Oaks Coffee House & Deli facebook.com/madridmusicgroup
6:30–8:30pm / The Shabby Showroom permaculturefairoaks.org
Simply a Belief
IS AT THE HEART OF OUR POTENTIAL
To Be Well.
Whether our intention begins with a belief that we can renew ourselves and find a healthier way to live, or our energy is directed outward — locally or globally — toward building a healthier community, it seems this belief itself, and the energy it carries, may be at the heart of well-being. All other steps flow from there.
As we learned more about the unique sanctuary in town that is Violet Wellness Spa, we became even more aware of the connections between personal intention, renewal, and beliefs in healing rooted in knowledge passed down by those who have long explored what it takes — and what it means — to be well.
A belief in the possibility of a healthier home and a stronger local and global community is also what drives Permaculture Fair Oaks to show people how acting intentionally in small ways, right in their own yards, can be fulfilling and restorative — and can grow into an impact that reaches far beyond our homes.
That same spirit of intention and renewal is behind this spring’s mural project at The Fair Oaks Art Wall. The middle spread of this issue invites artists of all ages to share ideas, and local students will help shape and paint the final design — reminding us that creativity itself can be a form of health for both individuals and the community.
So this spring, let’s return to the well at the heart of wellness: a belief that we can heal, renew, create, and find wonder in ourselves and in everything — and everyone — around us. Arts, Events & Entertainment
Beauty & Personal Care
Education & Training
Feature Story: Violet Wellness Spa
Food & Beverage
Coloring Contest Winners
LadyBird Tea House & Events
Spill the Tea. Share the Moment.
As we welcome spring, come Spill the Tea with Ladybird. Kick off your Friday with connection, creativity, and a warm cup of something magical. Spill the Tea Fridays is LadyBird’s weekly drop-in social hour where community members gather to chat, decompress, share ideas, and sip delicious teas in a cozy, come-as-you-are space. Whether you’re here to tell stories, celebrate a win, brainstorm a project, vent or enjoy good company, this is your little pocket of calm and camaraderie before the weekend. No agenda, no pressure. Just real conversations, open hearts, and a table that’s always ready for you. Come sip, spill, laugh, craft a little if you feel inspired, and leave feeling lighter than when you arrived. It’s time to gather! As Ladybird says, “You Belong Here!” Ask us about Membership! ladybirdteahouse.com/membership
UPCOMING SHOWS
Fair Oaks Recreation Foundation
Promoting Fair Oaks Recreation & the Arts
The Fair Oaks Recreation Foundation was established to promote quality and innovation in our community by empowering the Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District through financial support and active community involvement. As a nonprofit public benefit corporation, the Foundation serves as the primary fundraising partner for the District, supporting high-quality recreation, arts, and entertainment programs while helping maintain parks and facilities for the benefit of Fair Oaks residents. Join us May 16 for the annual Garden Gala for the Arts. Attend, sponsor, or donate to support live performance, arts education, and creative spaces in Fair Oaks. For sponsorship or in-kind opportunities, contact Cassie Blank at cblank@forpd.org
A Donation Makes a Difference in the Community!
The Crafted Canvas
Your
New Local Creative Hub
The Crafted Canvas is a stylish new art studio and artisan shop in Fair Oaks, featuring art supplies, unique gifts, open studio hours, classes and workshops such as paint & sip, watercolor, fiber arts, mixed media, specialty crafts, youth classes, teen art nights, and private events. Come join us at the big table and see what all the fuss is about!
10% Off Next Class or Workshop w/Code WKND126
916.250.0654 9906 Fair Oaks Blvd. thecraftedcanvas.com
916.966.1036
4150 Temescal St. foundation@forpd.org
THE AWAKENING ON TEMESCAL STREET
A SANCTUAR Y OF SEASONAL RENEWAL
By Dottie Bates
If you have ever wandered through Old Fair Oaks, you know the feeling of stepping into a different time. The village, with its charming free-roaming chickens and winding roads, has long been a haven for those seeking a slower pace. At the top of the hill on Temescal Street, a new kind of energy is stirring. It is a philosophy that promises to bridge the gap between ancient tradition and modern vitality.
For 25 years, Norman Plotkin lived a life measured by legislative sessions and political strategy. As a medical industry lobbyist in Sacramento, he was a master of the external world. That life came to a grinding halt in 2011 with a cancer diagnosis.
“I realized normal was what made me sick,” Norman says, reflecting on his high-stress past from his command center overlooking the village. “I wanted to get back to normal, then I realized I needed to redefine what normal meant.” This realization led him to leave politics and immerse himself in the study of the mind-body connection. He eventually clocked over 12,000 hours as a certified hypnotherapist.
It was during this journey that he met Tian Li, a licensed herbalist and acupuncturist (with an incredible dual degree background in Chinese Medicine from both China and Oakland, CA), who had been practicing in Midtown for almost three decades. Together, they envisioned a space where the rigorous science of Western wellness could meet the profound wisdom of
A Sanctuary Designed for Flow
The building itself is a testament to renewal. Once a “tired, older building,” it has been completely reimagined and optimized through Feng Shui to ensure that the moment a client walks through the door, their nervous system drops from fight-or-flight into a state of rest and reset.
The layout is intentional. The upper level serves as the clinical heart of the operation, focusing on the 5,000-year-old practices of TCM, acupuncture, and herbalism. Downstairs, the space shifts toward modern rejuvenation. It offers meridian massage, cryo-sculpting, mindful-movement classes, and more.
“We focus on the 12 main meridians, which are the rivers of energy that flow through the body,” Norman explains. “Whether we are using needles, herbal tinctures, or subconscious reframing, the goal is the same. We are removing the blocks to your own self-healing.”
Spring-Cleaning the Subconscious
As this issue focuses on the theme of renewal, Norman’s work with hypnotherapy offers a fascinating parallel to the spring cleaning we perform in our homes. According to Norman, the subconscious mind rules the autonomic nervous system. It keeps your heart beating and your breath steady, but it also archives coping mechanisms that may no longer serve you.
“The subconscious mind loves the known and fears the unknown,” Norman says. “You might have developed a behavior years ago to address a problem that is now gone, but the behavior persists.” By mastering the internal world, Norman helps clients reframe these outdated loops. This provides a path for renewal in areas ranging from smoking cessation to chronic pain management, or even autoimmune disorder management.
The centerpiece of the Violet Wellness philosophy this spring is the upcoming release of their book, “Stay Healthy with the Seasons.” The text argues that much of our modern malaise comes from living out of sync with the clock of nature.
“In the summer, we should be drinking hot water. In the spring, we should be eating pungent, green vegetables,” Norman advises. According to the TCM calendar, Spring is the season of the Liver and new beginnings. It is time to unleash the energy we preserved during the winter months.
The book offers a roadmap for this rejuvenation. It encourages readers to eat breakfast before 9:00 AM to align with the natural meridian rhythm of the body and to be kind to themselves during the transitions of the year.
Navigating The Troubles
The timing of the growth of Violet Wellness is no accident. Norman refers to the recent years of 2020 through 2023 as “The Troubles.” This was a period of collective stasis and stress that left many feeling disconnected from Western medical systems.
“There’s a lot of people who don’t trust Western medicine anymore,” Norman observes. “If TCM didn’t work, it would have been ditched 5,000 years ago. We are here to share that wisdom.”
The Pulse of the Village
Beyond the needles and the tinctures, Violet Wellness is striving to be the pulse of Fair Oaks. Their all-purpose room downstairs is truly a community hub. It hosts everything from Tai Chi, Yoga, and Qi Gong classes to sound baths and seasonal meditations.
As the Year of the Fire Horse gallops forward, the team at Violet Wellness is looking toward potential expansion, with goals for new clinics in Folsom and Granite Bay. Yet, their heart remains in the Tudor-style sanctuary on the hill. The scent of herbs and the promise of a reset offer a permanent invitation to renewal.
“This is a belief system,” Norman concludes. “We want people to experience harmony, balance, and natural solutions.”
The Violet Wellness Reading List
Looking to deepen your internal world?
These are the texts Norman and the team may recommend for your spring renewal:
“Meditation and the Meridians” by Tian Li & Norman Plotkin
Blending Traditional Chinese Medicine and Meditations, the book outlines the subtle energies of the body with mindfulness meditations to create a unique understanding of health and wellness.
“Stay Healthy
with the Seasons”
The upcoming release from Norman Plotkin and Tian Li focuses on the chronobiology of the meridian clock.
“The Body Keeps the Score”
By Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
A seminal text on how emotions and traumas are somatized into the physical body.
“Four Noble Truths & The Eightfold Path”
Ancient Buddhist principles that Norman describes as a timeless “recipe for living.”
Sacramento Waldorf School
Here, You Matter, Are Known, and Belong
Located in Fair Oaks, our spectacular 22-acre campus overlooks the American River and includes a 3.5-acre working farm as part of the curriculum. Established in 1959, we serve students from Preschool through Twelfth Grade, offering a developmentally appropriate curriculum that includes a biodynamic farm, music, arts, STEM, and an inclusive athletics program. Teachers pay close attention to the emotional and academic needs of every student as they learn to engage with the world with integrity.
Now enrolling! Join an Admissions Event!
916.961.3900
3750 Bannister Road sacwaldorf.org/welcome
Good Bird Bakery
Online Cottage Bakery Based in Fair Oaks
Providing monthly offerings of delectable baked goods including cookies, muffins, scones, cake, and more! Perfect for sharing... or having all to yourself! Get notified when baked goods go on sale by following us on Instagram or subscribing on our website. When a sale goes live, order online before the deadline or stock runs out! You’ll be able to choose when and where to pick up your order around Fair Oaks. All products are made in a home kitchen. Sacramento County CFO #PR158343-A
Use code “WEEKENDER” for 10% off your first order!
@good.bird.bakery goodbirdbakery.com
Meristem Cafe
Seed-To-Table Cafe & Catering
Meristem is dedicated to preparing young adults with autism and other neurodiversities for a life of greater independence and fulfillment. Our three to five year transitional program serves students ages 18–26 from all over the United States. Support our job training program by visiting our on-campus seed-to-table cafe, just steps from the American River. Open Thursday and Friday, 11:30am–1:30pm. Check our website for holiday closures. To reserve your table, email: reservations@meristem.pro.
Check Our Website for Free Community Events
916.963.1000 9200 Fair Oaks Blvd. meristem.pro
A Dear Thank You to Our Deer Coloring Entrants!
Fair Oaks, you really ran with this one and let your creativity roam wild. If you see a gold star by your masterpiece(s), send us an IG DM with your T-shirt size, or let us know if you’d prefer a tote. Fair Oaks, keep Finding Your Fun!
Good Night Deer
Three
Three Daughters
Deer,
Ages 7, 8, and 12. Keep up the winning work!
Deer Fair Oaks
Follow the Project
Go Big, Fair Oaks — The Next Art Wall Starts With Your Vision!
This spring, we’re inviting artists of all ages to submit their mural ideas! Students from local Fair Oaks schools are also contributing and helping curate ideas as we work together to finalize the design. In late spring, local students — guided by muralist Tim Lindsay and using paint supplied by Miller’s Ace Hardware — will paint the mural on canvas before it’s installed for the community to enjoy.
Spring
By the Fair Oaks Permaculture Community
Rebirth from the Soil Up
Each spring, something ancient stirs beneath our feet. Buds swell, birds return, and the soil — quietly, invisibly — comes back to life. In Fair Oaks, this season of rebirth is more than a change in weather. It is an invitation to renew our health, our neighborhoods, and our shared future.
We often think of spring as a time to refresh our routines, but true rejuvenation begins in the soil. Healthy soil is not dirt; it is a living community of microbes, fungi, insects, and organic matter working in balance. This underground ecosystem transforms sunlight, water, and minerals into nutrient-dense food. When we nourish soil with compost, cover crops, and thoughtful planting, we cultivate far more than vegetables — we cultivate vitality.
Science increasingly confirms what traditional cultures long understood: the health of the soil mirrors the health of our gut. Diverse soil microbiology supports resilient plants, just as a diverse gut microbiome supports immunity, balanced mood, and sustained energy. When we eat food grown in living soil—fresh, local, and chemical-free—we strengthen our internal ecosystem. Soil health becomes human health.
The connection does not stop at the individual. Healthy soil retains water, reduces erosion, supports pollinators and wildlife, and helps neighborhoods become more self-reliant. When we grow food locally and gather to plant and harvest together, we build both resilience and trust.
This is what we mean by true wealth: clean air and water, nourishing food, sensible housing, warmth, friendship, and community — wealth measured not only in dollars, but in resilience.
Our permaculture community group here in Fair Oaks works to make that vision tangible through demonstrations, workshops, and collaborative projects. Gardens overflow, rainwater is reused, neighbors connect, and children learn where their food comes from. We are not simply growing plants; we are growing capacity.
This spring, as nature renews itself, we invite you to take part. Come get your hands in the soil. Learn to grow food that nourishes your body and your family. Meet neighbors who share a vision of resilience and real prosperity.
In Fair Oaks, rebirth begins from the ground up. When we heal the soil, we heal ourselves — and together, we cultivate a community rich in the truest sense of the word.
We are skilled roasters, artisans and neighbors. We are a platform for local and global farmers, brewers and purveyors. We are a community space and eatery that connects and celebrates its patrons.
Save Mart Liquor & Food
One-Stop Neighborhood Liquor Shop
Serving Fair Oaks with the largest and most unique selection of whiskey, wine, craft beer and other spirits at prices you can raise your glass to. Whether you’re searching for that hard-to-find bourbon, need a special gift bottle or have a BYOB outdoor fall outing, we have what you need to celebrate any occasion. If it’s not here? Let us find it for you. Local delivery available!
8066 Sunset Ave., #203 @savemartliquor2
Shangri-la Fair Oaks
Enjoy Resort-Style Dining at Shangri-la!
Welcome to Shangri-la! Our Palm Springs resort inspired restaurant is more than a dining destination. Come to us for our fresh farm-tofork menu, seasonal craft cocktails, unparalleled craft beer list and specialty boutique wines. We also offer an indoor/outdoor bar, two bocce ball courts and three fire pits on our dog-friendly patio. Inside we have two beautiful indoor dining rooms and a private events space for all types of celebrations. Open for dinner Wed-Sun.
A longtime Fair Oaks favorite, The Stockman Club is a welcoming neighborhood bar known for its laid-back vibe, friendly pours, and no-nonsense charm. Whether you’re stopping in for a cold beer after work, catching up with friends, or just enjoying the simple comfort of a true local spot, you’ll feel right at home at The Stockman.
The Shabby Showroom
An Industrial Event Space with Good Vibes Only
Host your next business workshop or social gathering at Weekender Magazine’s new small event space. The Shabby Showroom is a beautifully styled, 600 sq ft creative showroom venue with curated décor, beautiful light, and a warm, vintage-meets-modern aesthetic. Designed for intimate gatherings and high-impact presentations. Call or Email for Hourly, Half and Full-Day Rates
Botanica Village Apothecary
Locally Handcrafted Herbal Products
As a lifelong Fair Oaks resident and bioregional herbalist, creating Botanica is my dream come true. I love to create remedies with what is living all around us. My specialties are tea blends, oil extracts for massage, and facial oils, salves, balms and creams for health optimization. Also offered are specialty teas, books, mushroom extract supplements, essential oils, and olive oil soaps. Please follow my Instagram/FB for news, events and classes. Can’t wait to have you in!
Mention This ‘WEEKENDER’ Listing for a Free Tote!
916.709.2280 10112 Fair Oaks Blvd., #5 botanicadeb.com
707.208.5481
11300 Coloma Rd., #A6, Gold River showroom@weekendermag.com
Fair Oaks Chiropractic & Wellness Center
A Sanctuary for Healing & Rejuvenation
At the Center, massage therapist Madonna Polley and chiropractor Dr. Polley are dedicated to creating a sanctuary for healing and rejuvenation. Our therapists specialize in a variety of techniques designed to support cleansing and overall wellness — including breath work, sound healing, lymphatic drainage, pre- and postsurgery massage, and cranial sacral therapy. We are accepting other wellness practitioners to join our team and fill available rooms, providing an opportunity to expand our holistic approach to health and well-being.
Wellness, Spin Classes & Personal Training
Let’s Go Through It! Call or visit our website to book a class and reserve your spot. We specialize in one-on-one personal training as well. We’re equipped with spin bikes for non-impact cardio, TRX for body weight strength training and dumbbells for traditional strength training. Safety is a main priority, so we follow a crawlwalk-run philosophy based on your fitness and skill level. We lay the foundation and build upon that. Let us help you “Live better, longer.”
$5 Off Any Treatment - Call For Appointments
916.955.4125 4136 Pennsylvania Ave. fairoaksmassageschool.com
Violet Wellness Spa
Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Wellness
Violet Wellness Spa is a temple with the intention of providing traditional Chinese medicine-based practices for awakening and self-healing. We are a calm and luxurious destination to learn ancient wisdom for holistic wellness that enhances mind, body and spirit. A team-driven, highly professional sanctuary approachable by all who seek natural healing and restorative remedies in a community of gathering, connection and transformation. Awaken this spring with exclusive workshops and specialized TCM. Find natural allergy relief through curated treatments designed to harmonize your system and restore clear-breathing vitality. To Win Gifts & Service Discounts — Refer a Friend!
Angela Gitt
Fair Oaks Real Estate Expert
As a dedicated REALTOR® serving the Sacramento area and specializing in Fair Oaks since 1992, I bring over three decades of experience, local market knowledge, and a passion for delivering exceptional results. I am committed to providing my clients with the highest level of professionalism, personalized attention, and outstanding service throughout every step of their real estate journey.
Personalized exercise has the greatest power to shape how long and well you live. Customized nutrition guidance feeds lean muscle growth, improves metabolic and brain health. Essential lifestyle habits either help or hinder your fitness and wellness. With 20 years of experience, Coach Peggy designs comprehensive and holistic programs that produce measurable results for active agers, healthy adults, busy professionals, post-surgery, illness survivors and GLP-1 users - in a private space!
Maloof Law Group, APC
Business and Real Estate Transactions
The office may not be in Fair Oaks, but Nick Maloof, owner of the law firm and the Maloof Properties brokerage company has lived in Fair Oaks for most of his life, and still does. Let him and his team lead you across the bridge from challenge to solution. Maloof Law Group helps with all things business and real estate related, whether it’s the set-up of a new business, or organization of an old one, the exit or sale of a business, buying or selling a home, commercial property, or business, or even the creation of an estate plan, we can help! Cal. DRE No.: 01866647
Old-Fashioned House Calls in Fair Oaks!
Victoria Morales & Katie Simpson
Fair Oaks Real Estate Specialists
We’re proud to share the successful closing of two recent home sales in Fair Oaks Village — a testament to strong local demand and thoughtful representation. Fair Oaks isn’t just where we work — it’s home. Victoria lives in the Village and brings true hyper-local expertise, understanding the character, lifestyle, and market of each neighborhood.
Sweet Fellers Tree Care
Tree Care So Tender, It’s Almost Sappy
Sweet Fellers Tree Care is your premier choice for professional tree services in Fair Oaks and beyond. With a dedication to quality and customer satisfaction, we offer a full range of services to meet your tree care needs. At Sweet Fellers Tree Care, we are passionate about trees and committed to providing top-notch care for both residential and commercial customers. Our experts are skilled in tree removal, pruning, stump grinding, planting, cabling, and bracing. Trust us for all your tree service needs.
Mention ‘WEEKENDER’ for a Free Tree Consultation!
916.616.5345
Fair Oaks & Beyond sweetfellers.com
We’d be honored to be your local Fair Oaks Agents
Victoria Morales Katie Simpson
916.955.4744 707.246.0018
DRE #01701450 DRE #01911445
House Real Estate victoriasproperties.com
Bob’s Cycle Center
Fair Oaks Full Service Bicycle Shop
Bob’s Cycle Center has been serving the Fair Oaks community since 1955. We have been a staple in the community and this year we celebrate 70 years in business. We could not have done this without the support of our loyal Fair Oaks customers. We go the extra mile to deliver the best customer service, selection, and experiences. The largest local cycling shop with bikes, e-bikes, components, car racks, helmets and much more. We also offer a full-service department with highly trained technicians. Mention This Ad for
