Do You Leave the AC on for Your Pet?

Pets are like family, and for a lot of people, pets ARE family.

When we can’t be home with our animals, we want them to be safe, cool, comfortable. Summertime pet safety is an important issue during the dog days of summer. When the temperature outside reaches 100 degrees it can have a real effect on your beloved cat or dog.

A dog or cat can’t take off their shirt and wear boxer shorts around the house to cool off like dad. Some dogs and cats have a big shaggy coat that keeps them warm in the winter but come summertime, that fur coat can’t be shed. The furrier the dog or cat, the hotter they’re gonna get.

So, should you leave the air conditioner on for your pet when you’re gone or at work?

Most pet owners and veterinarians say “yes” you should leave your air conditioner on for your pet. It gives your dog or cat a sense of relief.

The Department of Energy’s website recommends keeping your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re at home and 85 degrees when the house is empty during the summer. If you’re leaving a furry friend inside, stick to 78-80 degrees. You will save money, but will also keep your pets comfortable. Keep in mind that regular body temperature for cats and dogs is 3-4 degrees higher than for humans, so if it’s comfortable for you it’s likely comfortable for your pet.

According to the Humane Society, a dog’s temperature should not reach above 104 degrees. But what is more important is how a dog cools down. Dogs pant, evaporating moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. Cats like dogs, pant to cool themselves off. Cats are also good at finding the coolest place in the house to lie down. That’s why you’ll find the cat curled up in the porcelain sink and the dog sprawled out on the cool tile floor. Both cats and dogs know where to go when they’re hot, but they cool themselves more efficiently in an air-conditioned home.

Our dog Buddy likes to plop down right on top of the AC vent!

Older animals as well as cats and dogs with “smushed” or pushed-in faces—like pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats – may have a harder time controlling their internal body temperature. Many breeds share this physical trait and since it makes it harder for them to breathe, they should always be considered non-heat tolerant and kept comfortably cool.

Always have a bowl of fresh water for your animals to keep them hydrated and use the same techniques you would if you were home and trying to keep the house cool. Close the blinds, shades or drapes, and keep the heat generating lights and appliances turned off.

It may cost a little extra to run the air conditioner to keep the dog or cat cool, but in the long run it’s worth it for the health and safety of your pet.

 

Gem Auto Wash Neon Sign Returns

The neon Gem Auto Wash sign has made a triumphant return and is once again lighting up the night sky along Freeport Boulevard. Back in January of 2015 a huge crane was removing the beloved classic neon sign and replacing it with an updated run-of-the-mill one at the car wash. The removal of the sign was part of a “re-branding of the business” from Gem Auto Wash to Gem Car Wash and Detail Center.
When I saw it happening I pulled the car over immediately and started asking questions. I spoke with Reed Hollingshead, the owner of Gem Auto Wash, and he alleviated my concerns back then about the iconic neon sign. He assured me that he would preserve the sign that has been lighting up Freeport Boulevard, and the Hollywood Park area, since 1962. The plan was to strip, paint, and repair the old Gem Auto Wash sign and mount it in the middle of the façade above the car wash tunnel. True to his word, that’s exactly what Mr. Hollingshead, did.

Over The Fence: Grocery Outlet Comes To The CPV

The Safeway with the MEGA gas station and kiosk got voted down by the Sacramento City Council 7-2. The SCNA won, Petrovich lost.

A few days later Paul Petrovich posted a sign saying discount grocer Grocery Outlet was coming to the CPV along with Joe’s BBQ, Cali-Clips, and Pet Supplies. Sounds rather generic.

It’s like Paul Petrovich is taunting the neighborhood.

Petrovich vs SCNA is not over. Stay tuned.

 

 

Over The Fence: Spencer’s Frameworks Says Solong

It’s the holiday season and for Terry Spencer, owner of Spencer’s Frameworks on Freeport Blvd, it’s a special one. This year will be her last as owner of the frame shop that has been a fixture on Freeport Boulevard for 30 years.

“It’s time to hang up the apron and put the hammer down”,  she said.

Terry is a longtime Hollywood Park resident who walks to her shop every day. “Our neighborhood is truly a little gem of Sacramento” she told me. When I visited Spencer’s Terry was framing and matting a beautiful vintage family heirloom for a customer just in time for the holidays.

Terry boasted that she’s “enjoyed the most incredible and rewarding career” at Spencer’s Frameworks and added, “If I was 30 years younger, I’d do it all over again”.

If you want a special photograph or art piece framed by a real professional, I suggest heading over to Spencer’s Framing before Terry “puts the hammer down”.

Spencer’s Frameworks is at 5101 Freeport Blvd. They are open 10-5 Tuesday-Saturday  Phone: 916-456-0282

Over The Fence with Greg Brown

Good Eats Inside The Swiss Buda

One thing that really excites me is good old fashioned comfort food. I’m a chicken and ribs kind of guy. So when I heard “Good Eats Southern BBQ” was taking over the kitchen inside the Swiss Buda on Fruitridge Boulevard my taste buds started to tingle.

Locals in South Land Park and beyond flocked to Good Eats when it was inside the Vic’s IGA in South Land Park. When Vic’s IGA closed without warning Eric McFadden and Good Eats were left out in the cold.

Good Eats Southern BBQ is now located in the warm confines of the iconic Swiss Buda Lounge.

Ribs, fried chicken, tri-tip, poor boy sandwiches with tasty sides like mac-n-cheese, fries, or potato salad are just some of the items on the menu for dinner. Eric let me sample the rib plate and I was in hog heaven. It was moist and delicious. I needed a wetnap…stat!

The Swiss Buda will also offer traditional breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Eggs benedict, corned beef hash, pancakes, and something called loco moco, which consists of white rice, topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and brown gravy. It’s a Hawaiian thing!

Chef Eric McFadden brings Good Eats to the Swiss Buda

Bull Ah-Yun, the owner of the Swiss Buda told me, “after my dad passed I tried to get the kitchen going again. We had a hard time finding the right fit.” After some management restructuring Ah-Yun put the word out about looking for a chef at the Swiss Buda. “That’s when Eric’s McFadden’s name kept popping up”, he told me. Eric stopped by, introduced himself, and got the gig. Bull added, “Eric is full of energy, ideas, and boy can that man cook!”

 

The Swiss Buda, which has been family owned for 47 years, still has their famous karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights. They also have the NFL game package on Sundays.  Happy Hour drink specials too. The Good Eats kitchen hours are: Mon-Thu 4-9, Fri. 12-9, Sat 9-9, Sun 9-5.  21 and older and takeout is available. They are located at 2342 Fruitridge Road.

Moore Karaoke is at the Swiss Buda Friday and Saturday night. Kicks off at 9pm

Darrell Steinberg Runs For Mayor of Sacramento

Darrell Steinberg running for Mayor was being called the “worst kept secret in Sacramento”. There was a “Run, Darrell, Run” Facebook page and a lot of open speculation the former State Senator Pro Tem would indeed get into the race.

The rain started to fall a few minutes before the big announcement but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd, or the throng of local politicos and developers onstage, as Darrell Steinberg prepared to announce his candidacy for Mayor of Sacramento.

The rain stopped, the clouds parted, and the sun came out as Darrell Steinberg, with his wife Julie by his side, stepped up to the microphone. Seemed like perfect timing.

Former State Senator Darrell Steinberg announces mayoral run with wife Julie by his side and his parents to his left.

Steinberg made his mayoral announcement at The Mill on Broadway, the new Land Park development infill project.

In his speech he referred to The Mill and projects like it by saying, “They represent the kind of millennial energy that we must continue to foster in our city.”

He touted that before he ever ran for public office he was the President of the Tahoe Park Neighborhood Association.

He added, “Maybe my highest title, actually.”

That’s when he mentioned the importance of Sacramento neighborhoods. “Our existing neighborhoods are the history and the heartbeat of our city. I will always pay them the attention that they need and deserve.”

Then he declared, “Today, for the future of the city I love, I announce proudly that I am a candidate for the office of Mayor of Sacramento!” And the crowd roared…and then started chanting. “Darrell!” “Darrell!” “Darrell!”

A couple of Steinberg For Mayor supporters look on above the crowd.

Steinberg concluded his speech mentioning civic leaders and local developers onstage, people in the crowd, and those who are “sometimes not heard often enough.”

“Let us seize the moment. Let’s lock arms together. Let’s get going for Sacramento!”

That’s when “A Beautiful Day” by U2 blared over the loud speaker as the crowd applauded.

Steinberg waves to the crowd of supporters gathered at The Mill On Broadway in Land Park

 

Over The Fence with Greg Brown

Eclectic Yard Sale in the HP

The annual Hollywood Park Neighborhood Mega Yard Sale is Saturday October 3rd. This fun neighborhood event has been going on since 2003. HP residents Kathy Spitzer and Debbie Keller, with help from Dwight Coleman and Mona Royster, launched it back when they were Hollywood Park Neighborhood Association board members.

Bargain shoppers will be trolling the neighborhood looking for deals and treasures at the MegaYard sale. Over 50 residents will be participating, hence the Mega.

Hollywood Park is an eclectic neighborhood, which means the yard sale will probably be a bit eclectic, too.

I toured the Mega Yard Sale last year and got to know some neighbors and also sift through all their memories up for sale. You get to know a person by the items they have at their yard sale; “Oh, I didn’t know Kevin was such a big Gnome collector.” I love the yard sale stories on the news where a guy buys a Jackson Pollack masterpiece for a dollar or the painting of JFK that was worth thousands.

Who knows? Maybe you’ll get lucky and find a rare art piece for a dollar.

Simple tips for yard sale shoppers: Don’t dress like you’re headed to the yacht club, get there early, and bring small bills. Oh yeah, and don’t forget your haggling hat!

Second Saturday at Panama Pottery

Panama Pottery and the Panama Artists Collective on 24^th street had a steady stream of neighbors, patrons, and customers visit on Second Saturday.

Panama Pottery owner Maria Vargas poses with friends and customers on Second Saturday.

Maria Vargas over at Panama Pottery was having a fall pottery sale to coincide with the 2015 Sacramento Open Studios. She was floating around the yard speaking with customers and friends who came to visit and shop. There were also some cool tunes and a Burgess Brothers Food Truck serving the art admirers. Good que!

Once I left the Panama Pottery retail yard I wandered into the Panama Factory where the artist’s studios are located. They have added new artists and new studios to the Panama Factory.

The art in Studio 800 was visually stimulating. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of it. Unusual artistic ceramic creations by Clarissa Pezone and Marsha Schindler.

I’m not an art critic or an art collector…I just like to look at these cool creations at the Panama Artists Collective. One of my favorite little pieces was Clarissa’s blue ceramic mugs with teeth on the lip of the mug.

She did tell me a dentist purchased several of the tooth laden ceramic mugs at a previous art show. A drooling mug, instead of a drooling cup.

The location off the beaten path makes the Panama Artists Collective more artsy, relaxed and stimulating. There isn’t the chaotic Second Saturday mob scene that sometimes occurs in Midtown. There’s time and space to actually consume the art.

They’ll be having another artist open house next Second Saturday in October. Like the sign said, “Welcome to the Factory”.

Ice Cream and a Movie Under The Stars

There were quite a few things happening over in Hollywood Park over the weekend. The HPNA had their ice cream social and outdoor movie night at Hollywood Park Elementary. Gunther’s ice cream, Nathan’s hot dogs and Disney’s Big Hero 6 were the main attractions at this yearly Hollywood Park event. Some folks even brought side dishes. How neighborly.

There was also a raffle of local prizes that were donated by local businesses including Hollywood Hardware, Spenser’s Framing, Panama Pottery and Phono Select Records.

After the hot dogs, side dishes and ice cream were consumed, folks wandered over to the large pop-up movie screen on the Hollywood Park Elementary Field. Sitting on blankets and lounge chairs people munched on free popcorn while enjoying a family movie under the stars.

Crosswalk on Freeport to Be Removed

Some crosswalks make life easier for pedestrians and some crosswalks seem to be a danger to public safety. There’s a crosswalk on Freeport and Virginia Way that is being eliminated.

I call it, “The Crosswalk of Death”. Luckily, no fatalities have been reported.

The crosswalk on Freeport and Virginia is being removed by the City of Sacramento for public safety reasons. It’s an uncontrolled crosswalk. Which means there are no traffic signals or stop signs. Hector Barren, a city traffic engineer told me “We want to make sure that Freeport remains a safe area. What we find, and what studies show, is that having a crosswalk by itself with no treatments, like a hybrid beacon, under certain roadway conditions is not sufficient enough.”It’s the type of crosswalk somebody who goes sky-diving might enjoy. There’s definitely an adrenaline rush to using it. There are four lanes and two additional lanes coming from the side streets. A stressful situation for a pedestrian trying to get across the street to go to Raley’s or the Rite-Aid shopping center. Nearby residents called the crosswalk “dangerous” and “sketch”.  One area resident likened it to the video game Frogger, where a player must successfully guide a frog between opposing lanes of trucks, cars, and other vehicles to avoid being roadkill.

I think that explains the problem perfectly.

A good idea by the City Of Sacramento to remove the crosswalk that was a real life Frogger for pedestrians.

Got an item for Over The Fence? Greg@valcomnews.com

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Over The Fence with Greg Brown

Mahoroba Bakery Featured On Public Television

Locals know all about Mahoroba Bakery in Land Park. But now, the secret is out.

Mahar­­oba Japanese Bakery was recently featured on Public Television’s A Few Great Bakeries. I caught it the other night on KVIE. Yes, I’m a supporter of public television and local businesses.

Mahoroba in Sacramento was prominently featured along with some of the finest ba­­­keries in the United States. From the Columbus Baking Company in Syracuse, New York to the Minerva Bakery in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania.

We now have a bona fide star along Freeport Blvd!

I paid a visit to Mahoroba Bakery on a Thursday morning and they had a steady stream of customers in the cool octagon shaped building.

In fact, the bakery has been busy non-stop since the TV show aired on Public Television. They have been flooded with customers.

When I dropped by the owner/baker Naruske Monguchi was furiously rolling dough to bake the famous kobe creams. He does it all with a smile.

Owner/baker Naruske Monguchi prepares the smiley faces on the Anpanman pastries.

Lauren Okamoto, who has worked at Mahoroba for 6 years, said, “He’s a one man army. It’s hard for him to stop moving”.

The bakery has been getting a lot of first timers ever since “A Few Great Bakeries” aired. Tim Burns was driving through town from Lake Tahoe on his way to Walnut Creek when he decided to stop by. He saw A Few Great Bakeries on KQED in the bay area and decided to try almost everything in the bakery. He had two big pink boxes of Japanese baked goodies to take home. He said, “If I don’t try it all my wife and kids will say, ‘You didn’t get the Chocolate Hat?’ ”

His wife will be thrilled!

Last Saturday at 6am there were actually quite a few people waiting in the parking lot for the bakery to open. It opens at 7.

Lauren Okamoto, who’s worked at Mahoroba for 6 years, told me the bakery has been getting calls from all over the country including New York, Texas, Pennsyvania and Vermont. They want the baked goods shipped cross country overnight express. Lauren said, “The quality control would be hard”.

People gotta have the kobe creams!

A lot of people must have seen the program, because, the weekend after the show aired there were lines out the door and a long wait for kobe creams and chocolate hats, which are among two of their specialties.

What food tourists don’t know is Mahoroba has an outdoor patio with a great view of Freeport Blvd. A great place to watch the weird that occurs along Freeport.

New Dining At Old Crepe Escape Location

Last October I wrote about the new restaurant that will be taking over the Crepe Escape building that shut down after a devastating fire.

Rafi Rozbahani, The owner of Café Dantorels in Curtis Park, is busy completing construction on the new spot on Freeport Blvd in Land Park.

I ran into Rafi a couple weeks ago at Dantorels and he told me the name of the new restaurant will be “Meet & Eat”. His wife even showed me the new logo on her smart phone.

And no, it’s not Meat and Eat. It’s Meet and Eat. Like friends meeting up to eat.

When I spoke with Rafi last October he told me the new restaurant will offer casual, healthy food like salads and sandwiches. They’ll have burgers, too. A variety of different foods will lean more towards a healthy direction like a signature salmon burger. They will also offer a variety of local craft beer.

They also spent some money on the building to make it look nicer. It’s basically a whole new building. The patio will be used year round for outdoor dining and…meeting and eating.

Look for the new casual dining spot to open in October.

Land Park Porch Swing Locked Up

There’s nothing like a good porch sittin’, right? In William Land Park they have a metal porch bench swing that is near the WPA rock garden. It has a great view of the park. It’s also a good place to sit back, relax, and swing.

I went to sit and swing and…what? I didn’t notice until I started to swing that the bench swing had been chained up and locked.

William Land Park swing chained up.

According to the Land Park Volunteer Corp’s  Forrest Neff  “Some city employee ground off the safety stop which made it very unsafe. I am in the process of getting it fixed.”

Lets hope the cool bench swing near the WPA rock garden is back in business, soon.

Land Park Trees On The Chopping Block

Another thing I noticed while enjoying Wm Land Park is all the trees that were marked for death with a big orange flat line across the trunk. I thought an orange frowny face would be more appropriate.

There were quite a few marked for death. Seemed to be an astounding number of them.

Pictured here are just some of the 66 trees that are scheduled to be removed from the park by the Department Of Urban Forestry.

City spokesperson Marycon C. Razo sent a press release stating 66 trees were scheduled for the Department of Urban Forestry wood chipper.

She added, “The trees slated to be removed are in poor health and structural conditions. Due to the drought, trees are more predisposed to disease, and are more susceptible to problems.  Trees that are dead or dying, in poor structural condition, poorly placed, or are otherwise unsustainable are being removed. Of course, public safety is a primary concern.”

This big oak tree was showing signs of rot and was removed by the Dept. Of Urban Forestry.

Last week there was a big plein tree NOT scheduled for removal that had a giant limb smash the roof of a car. An enormous eucyliptus tree near Funderland also lost a big limb that crushed the roof of a car. Nobody was injured. That tree was actually removed.

It is unfortunate to see trees marked for removal and ultimately taken down, but it’s something that needs to be done for the health and safety of the remaining trees in Land Park and the people who enjoy it.

Land Park Raley’s Officially Announces Move to Capital Nursery Site

The Land Park Raley’s has finally, officially, declared they are moving over to the Old Capital Nursery location on Freeport Boulevard. It’s the worst kept secret in the neighborhood! I kid Raley’s, but it’s true.

They filed paperwork with the city to start the process of building a new store. No word on how long that will take, but the neighborhood should be excited about a new modern-day Raley’s Supermarket.

A rendering of the new Land Park Raley’s set to finally replace the shuttered Capital Nursery.

I first found out about it through the Raley’s Land Park Facebook page. They posted a message along with a new store design using the hashtag #LandParkRising

According to Raley’s Chelsea Minor the new Raley’s will be expected to have “ abundant outdoor seating areas, pedestrian and bicycle friendly access, and a mix of retailers catered to serve the neighborhood”.

Oh yeah. And no gas station. Which means no controversy.

Some people have asked, why build a new Raley’s a few blocks away? Chelsea told me “That location has its limitations and we’ve made some improvements to the store, but we’ve kinda hit our peak there and are looking forward to bringing a whole new fresh feel to the neighborhood.”

When I spoke to Chelsea over the phone I told her Raley’s is my family’s neighborhood grocery store and we’ve “spent quite a bundle over there”. She was a good sport and said, “Well we appreciate the support! That store has been an integral part of the community. “

And she was right. The Land Park Raley’s has been serving customers for 57 years. Raley’s is an old school Sacramento institution.

The press release stated, “Raley’s is collaborating with MO Capital to develop a facility with design elements and landscape plans that tie the project to the unique feel of the Land Park residential community”.

Sounds like Raley’s is open to feedback from the neighborhood about the feel and design of the project. Listening to neighbors/customers who have supported the Land Park Raley’s all these years is probably a good thing.

The neighborhood was greatly affected by the closure of Capital Nursery. It was a local gem. It left a gaping hole in the community.

A new Raley’s will fill the empty gap and make that spot bustle again along Freeport Blvd.

Got an item for Over The Fence? Send me an e-mail. Greg@valcomnews.com

Over The Fence with Greg Brown

New Restaurant Coming to Former Blockbuster Location

Long gone are the blue shirts, khaki pants, and nametags employees wore at the Blockbuster Video on Freeport and Sutterville in Land Park. The space on the corner of the retail center that houses Starbucks, Papa Murphy’s and Robeks hasn’t been occupied since Blockbuster went out of business several years ago.

Well. Get ready for something new on the block.

A lease has been signed for an Asian style restaurant with a “hot pot” concept. It’s definitely a crowded field when it comes to Asian style restaurants on Freeport Blvd. There’s a restaurant off Broadway on 18th street called Heat Shabu Bara that is similar to the concept the new restaurant will offer. A name has been picked out, but it’s not official yet.

Look for Land Park locals to flock to this new Asian style “hot pot” restaurant at the beginning of 2016.

Awesome Video Makes A Move

A local video store that has outlasted Blockbuster and Hollywood Video on Freeport Blvd is Awesome Video. It’s one of the last movie rental stores of its kind anywhere, really. Last year it was even a site location for an indie college short film.

Awesome Video has moved to a new location up the street in the former Collected Works spot at 4524 Freeport Blvd. I asked owner Maitu Bai, who was busy placing the movie rentals on the shelves so they could open, “What was the reason for the move?” she said simply, “I like the building better, don’t you?”

It’s definitely cozier.

The building is 2,000 sq ft which is only one tenth smaller than the previous Awesome Video building.  I joked she’s probably going to be miss the karaoke music from Blue Moon Café rattling the walls next door and she said, “Absolutely, you said it”. I think she had a hint of sarcasm.

The move was more work than Maitu expected. “Right now movie set-up is my main thing so I can get the store ready and the rest will come later. All the elements, all the decorations, all the plans”.

So forget Redbox, Netflix and Comcast on-demand. Head on over to the new Awesome Video store location for new releases, classics, foreign, and Independent films. Support a local business. You may even run into a friendly neighbor and get a good movie recommendation.

Florez Bar & Grill Moving Rumors

Another business that has been the subject of moving rumors is Florez Mexican restaurant in the South Hills shopping center in South Land Park.  There has been some speculation about Florez moving to the corner of the shopping center to occupy the spot that was best known as  Neptune’s Table.  Sac Mod’s Gretchen Steinberg described it on her Echlerific blog as a “once  well known, old-school surf-and-turf in the 1960’s to 80’s. In its heyday, Hank and Tim Stroh ran this traditional white cloth establishment. Lobster dishes and Cornish hens were specialties.”

The space changed hands and then became The Highlander Scottish Pub and Restaurant for a couple of years. The Highlander went out of business. The spot at the end of the shopping center has sat empty for 10 years.

I spoke with Gustavo, who is a server at Florez Bar & Grill, and he said, “It’s a fact, we’re gonna be there”. I was also able to speak with owner Roger Florez at the restaurant and he expressed to me that they’d really like a bigger space and better visibility in the shopping center. Florez Bar & Grill is a bit tucked away in their current location. No deal has been struck at this point, but it would be an excellent new location for the popular Mexican Bar & Grill.

Camelia Waldorf School On The Move, Too

And in another local move, Camelia Waldorf School, which is located at 5701 Freeport Blvd, is moving over to the former Merryhill School campus at 7450 Pocket Road. The new location is almost three acres and has access to the levee and the Sacramento River. Lots of nature opportunities for the Waldorf kids!  The private Waldorf school purchased the property and will begin the new school year at that location in September.

It’s really a quick turnaround considering Camelia Waldorf School had spent the past two years working with the Sacramento Unified School District to move the school to the former C.P. Huntington campus. While that would have provided many benefits it would not have been owned by the school.

In a letter to parents, School administrator Ardyth Sokolor stated “It has long been the dream of our leadership to own a permanent home for Camellia Waldorf School.  The entire Faculty, Staff, and Board of Trustees recognize the value of this opportunity and are in full support of this move.”

There was some talk and speculation that once Camellia Waldorf left the space next to Sacramento Executive Airport, there might be a “safe ground type facility” moving into the former 6 acre city nursery located behind the school campus.

This idea was completely shot down recently by Councilmember Jay Shenirer’s office. An e-mail was sent to Over The Fence headquarters stating, “There is no plan to locate a safe ground facility at the site of the former city tree nursery. We are developing a plan to resume the site as a center for urban agriculture.”

Farm To Fork Off Freeport?

Now that’s a plan that could get the area excited! Sounds like an amazing idea and great use for the 6 acre parcel that is located in the Mangan Park neighborhood. Nobody really knows about the former city tree nursery. It’s sort of tucked away out of site behind chain linked fencing.  I wanted to learn more.

The 6 acre Sacramento City Nursery, which is tucked away in the Mangan Park neighborhood, could transform into an urban food center.

I spoke with Jay’s Chief of Staff, Joe Devlin, and he told me a bit more about the Urban Food Center. “We’ve been working on the concept of an urban food center for quite a while now”.

Devlin told me it would be occupied by a non-profit or a couple of non-profits doing work in food literacy. A place where, in addition to producing food for sale, it would also be a place of learning. A place to go and take classes on compost, gardening, and horticulture.

They have a couple grants out there to hopefully get some start-up capital to get the urban food center up and running sometime, soon.

It would also be a place that teaches food literacy to children in the school district. Devlin added, “It would be place where kids could take both field trips and also put that education piece back into the schools as well. A place for community learning”.

The 6 acre site is currently dormant but imagine the possibilities of an urban food center.

It would be a great resource for the community. A place to pick up compost for your yard or start-up trees and plants for the yard. Maybe even some fruit trees.

The place as a whole would have to be cost neutral to cover all of its overhead.

They are in the process of putting together a business plan. They have a couple of grants in that they hope to hear back on in the next couple of months. “If one or both of those grants pop, we’ll be able to start moving forward and implement a plan to activate the site”. Devlin said.

Got an item for Over The Fence? Greg@valcomnews.com

The Over The Fence column appears bi-weekly in The Land Park News which is available at local newsstands and store throughout Land Park, Hollywood Park, Curtis Park, and South Land Park. Also online at http://www.valcomnews.com

Got an item for Over The Fence? Greg@valcomnews.com

Over The Fence with Greg Brown

 

Track 7 Brewery Holds Annual Chili Cook-Off

Band leader and trumpeter Harry James once said, “Next to music there is nothing that lifts the spirit and strengthens the soul more than a good bowl of chili.”
I think Harry may have been onto something, because spirits were lifted and souls were strengthened at the Third Annual Track 7 chili-cook-off at the taproom in Curtis Park.
A lot of chili and beer was consumed too.
Local chili contestants were vying for the top spot and the golden chili spoon trophy. A colorful array of chili connoisseurs used a wide variety of chili ingredients. Spices and seasonings wafted through the air at the boisterous taproom.
One of the rules was contestants had to use Track 7 beer in the chili. Other than that, it was a free-wheelin’ chili cookoff.
I asked Track 7 brewer Geoff Scott what he looked for in a chili and he told me “It’s about consistency. A good base and good combo of meat and beans.” He added, “It’s gotta have spice!”

The folks of WOW WOW Chili are awarded People’s Choice at the Track 7 chili cook-off.

Mark and Toni Groth are the team of Wow Wow Chili. Mark wears the big chef’s hat and both of them don colorful yellow aprons.
I call it the Wow Wow factor.
The first year of the chili cookoff the WOW WOW chili crew were told their chili needed “more heat”.
They kicked it up a notch last year and won People’s Choice. I guess people like it when you turn up the heat.
While Mark stirred the chili in the big pot he said with some confidence, “We’re here to defend our title today.”
I asked if he changed anything or “kicked it up another notch” and he told me “yes”. They smoked three kinds of meat and actually added a little bit more spice. He had nine lbs of tri-tip simmering in the big metal chili pot!
It worked. Wow Wow Chili won their second straight Track 7 chili spoon trophy in a row. Perhaps it was the added chorizo, or the crowd also liked their style.

The teachers of Backyard BBQ proudly pose with their chili concoction.

The school teacher team of Derek Perkins and Amy Baldini were on hand serving up chili to the crowd hoping for a win. They called themselves “Backyard Barbeque”. It’s their second year gunning for the big prize and chili spoon trophy. “We’re both teachers, and we have the summer off, so we spend the summer working on our recipe,” Derek said.
I bet it’s better than the school cafeteria food.
Perkins added, “For the past month we’ve been really focused on the life of chili”.
Backyard Barbeque poured a growler of Panic IPA in the sauce and a not so secret ingredient…tequila! They added a block of aged parmesian cheese to it, too. It smelled good! It had a lot of Track 7 in it.
Another chili cook-off contestant was Brian Guido, he was tucked away inside the taproom with his pickle red onion relish and Soulman stout chili. He called it “Guido’s lamb and stout chili”.

Guido’s Lamb And Stout Chili signage.

“You know the great thing? I had a group of kids keep coming back and back for the chili. And it was lamb. I’ve gone through four gallons of chili!” Guido said.
Apparently, kids love lamb.
Guido told me, he loves the chili cook-off because he loves Track 7. “They make great beer. The place is family friendly and pet friendly, too.” He likes just cooking and hanging out at the taproom. He added, “what else am I gonna do on a Sunday afternoon?”
The guys over at Das Chili were really enthusiastic about the chili cookoff. One of the chili makers, Shawn Peter, wore lederhosen while he stirred the chili and gave out samples. The lederhosen was a salute to his German heritage.

Shawn Peter and Chad Seaburg make up the team they call Das Chili

Shawn Peter and Chad Seaburg were the team that make up Das Chili.
Shawn told me, it’s a homemade recipe that he created for himself for the last 20 years. A tried and true recipe that his friends and family love.
All the vegetables were from his parent’s garden. The peppers, the tomatoes, the works.
Last year he got a bit exotic and used ground kangaroo sausage. I guess kangaroo gives it a real kick.
This year he went with ground lamb, pork, and a growler of Track 7’s Beeline Blonde.
He carmalized onions, garlic, along with the Beeline Blond for three hours. Organic kidney beans, freshly shucked corn, and finely chopped white raisins along with a little maple syrup were also in the chili. A creative mix of ingredients earned Das Chili third place in the People’s Choice category.
I’m sure they got a few extra votes for the lederhosen.
The Brewer’s Choice for the best bowl of red went to Underground Chef.
Underground Chef is Nathan Frank, Brian Miller, and Steven Rice. Three friends, plenty of beer, and delicious chili.

Underground Chef won Brewer’s Choice at the Track 7 Chili Cook-off. Here they are celebrating the win with brewers/owners Geof Scott and Ryan Graham.

“To go through five gallons of chili in one afternoon in little tiny cups….it’s insane!” Nathan said. It’s their first time entering the Track 7 Chili Cook-off and as a home chef Nathan thought, “I could do that”.
Beef brisket and fried pork belly were the key ingredient for Underground Chef. They also added three pints of Soulman Stout.
“It was cool to be able to use their product and make it taste good.” Nathan told me.
The team of Underground Chef had the right mix of consistency and spice because they won the top prize in the Brewers Choice category. They got a $200 gift certificate to use on craft beer, Track 7 gear, or rental use of the tap room. The Underground Chef guys have decided to throw a big party with friends at the Track 7 Tap Room.

Over The Fence is a bi-weekly column that appears in the Land Park News. http://www.valcomnews.com Got an item for Over The Fence? Greg@valcomnews.com