Over The Fence with Greg Brown

Come-N-Go Market Gets a Makeover

The Come-n-Go is back! It even has that new convenience store smell. The convenience store on the corner of Meer and Freeport had fallen on hard times the past several years. The outside of the store looked almost abandoned. Dry weeds and litter encircled the parking lot. The unsightly gas pumps have been Out Of Order for years. The flickering, intermittently working, fluorescent lights gave the front of the building a creepy horror movie vibe. The Come-n-Go was a neighborhood eyesore.

A convenience store that wasn’t very convenient.

Inside the store was much worse. Expired everything! Don’t even bother picking out some ketchup. The Icee machine was Out Of Order. The list of bad things goes on and on. The only thing safe to buy there were the Tic Tacs.

The former owner, Daniel Sun, got in trouble with the law a few times last year for selling alcohol to minors. He was arrested and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and selling alcoholic beverages to a minor according to a story last October in the Sacramento Bee.

Notice Of Suspension for the old Come-n-Go market.

The State department of Alcohol Control suspended his license indefinitely. He wasn’t selling gas or alcohol at the Come-n-Go.

That’s when he came and went.

New Come-n-Go Market owner Pat Mulhall stands outside the new market on Freeport.

Pat Mulhall is the new owner and he’s come to the rescue. He’s really spruced up the place. They’ve installed a clean crisp new sign out front. The previous sign was yellowy and worn. It also had the 24 hours sign cut to say 21 hours.

It definitely brought janky to Freeport Blvd in Land Park. And we don’t want janky in Land Park.

The one thing I noticed above all else is the big windows. Lots of natural light filtering into the store. Most liquor or convenient stores have all the cheap advertising covering up the windows. Tacky.

No pricing on the front of the building windows, nothing above the rail. It’s a very clean look. “We don’t want it to look like an average convenience store, we also want to be more of a neighborhood market.”

The interior of the store has been cleaned up too. Where it used to have red disintigrating Formica above the register is now wood interior with neon beer signs of craft and import beers. Sorry Budweiser and Coors.

“I want to tell people more about our imports and craft beers.” Pat said.

They installed granite countertops, a marble backsplash, and brand new flooring. It’s really an impressive transformation. Convenience store crashers…On HGTV!

Pat’s already heard positive things from the neighbors. They’re “very happy to have the store back,” Pat said. A place they can walk to and buy milk, bread, or Doritos.

They’re going to have coffee and donut specials every morning. Pat said they’re going to offer Yum Yum donuts along with the Boyd’s coffee.

The new Come-n-Go will also be a good place to grab local craft beer bombers. Knee Deep Brewing, Drake’s Brewery, and Sacramento favorites, The Rubicon and Track 7.

And a convenience store staple…they will have a roller grill for hot dogs! Along with corn dogs, taquitos, egg rolls and food items like that.

They’ll also offer some healthy options like sandwiches and high end fruit drinks.

Bigger brighter and less dreary liquor store feel. “Everything we’ve done with this building is energy efficient” Pat said.

Come-n-Go was like “that dilapidated house on your street everybody hates”. Now it’s the shiny new convenience store the neighborhood can enjoy.

Ford’s Hamburger Stand Gets Renovated

Another building that was a bit dilapidated and in desperate need of TLC was the old Ford’s Hamburgers building on Sutterville behind the former blockbuster video store.

The former Ford’s hamburger building has been beautifully renovated by Adair Construction and is ready for a new tenant.

One of the men working on restoring the building said, “It used to look like a Jailhouse Café.” He was right. With the spiked metal fence to the scabbed on plastic yellowy awnings this place was another black eye for the neighborhood.

The old Ford’s building before renovation. One of the workers quipped, “It looks like a jailhouse café!

Somebody had literally screwed sliding glass doors side by side and made a wall out of it.

All that spiked fencing and sliding glass door walls were not up to code. The tiny 3×5 bathroom was not ADA compliant. It actually wasn’t suitable for anybody to use. The building had been sitting there vacant waiting for somebody to give it some renovation love.

A worker from Adair Construction works on re-invigorating the brick along the renovated building at 1949 Sutterville Road.

Adair Construction was hired to bring the building back to life. They did a masterful job. Once they tore away all the unsightly scabbed-on additions you could tell there was a cool retro-looking building.

I spoke with the Contractor, Ryan Adair, of Adair Construction, on the final day of the restoration and he said, “Nobody would design and build this today, but look at it, it’s fantastic!”

It’s also nice to see a cool little building NOT torn down.

The original 1970’s rock veneer and inverted roofline give the building character. Adair said, “The original rock veneer? We decided to keep it. Why pull that away it looks good”.

On the day the building restoration project was complete a woman I saw a woman drove by, glanced over, and did a double take, like, “Oh wow, what a cool little building!”

There’s also plenty of space for outdoor dining. Lots of curb appeal to the space, too.

While I was at the site Ryan Adair was busy pulling the last bit of stray Bermuda grass from the property when he said, “There’s a huge benefit to re-using an existing structure. It pulls a little bit of the past into the future”

Now that the building restoration is complete what will be going into that spot? Another burger place? Ice cream shop? BBQ joint? Whatever it becomes, I hope it’s not another Goodwill Express.

Summer of Service At Cal Middle School

There was a bake sale outside Cal Middle School courtesy of the kids from Summer of Service, a summer school program at Cal Middle School. They were doing a project to serve the neighborhood of Land Park.

The kids of Cal Middle School in Land Park put on a bake sale as part of their “summer of service”.

The bake sale was to fund an idea from 8th graders at the school.

The 8^th graders have been having difficulties at PE due to the dog waste scattered all over the field. It’s an ongoing problem for the children. Soccer and dog poop do not mix!

So they’re raising money to build a doggie cleanup station at the school hoping it will be utilized by nearby dog owners who don’t feel the need to clean up after their pooch.

They had some homemade cookies, cupcakes, apple turnovers, and all sorts of goodies at the one day bake sale. They actually raised over $200 in a few hours. Sounds like a summer of success.

New Ride Named

And the new ride at Funderland has been named. Drum roll, please….They’re calling it the Squirrelly Whirl! Catchy. I like it. The ride is now open.

Got an item for Over The Fence? Greg@valcomnews.com or message me at my SacramentoLand blog.

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

Over The Fence with Greg Brown

Iconic Hollywood Park Hardware Store Has Sold

Hollywood Hardware, which has been a fixture in Sacramento for 48 years, has been sold. I was getting my car washed over at Gem Auto Wash when I heard the news. The blood rushed from my face and I felt a bit clammy when I heard it. First thing I thought was, “What about the neon hammer atop the building?” I was worried a giant international conglomerate would be taking over the store.

I sped over to Hollywood Hardware to ask Susan, the manager, about the sale and she was a bit tight-lipped. I could tell something had happened.

I think Susan knows I LIKE TO SPILL THE BEANS.

I was able to track down longtime Hollywood Hardware owner Denny Messner by phone and he told me, “It’s time. The guy who bought it is a really good friend of mine.”

It happened between two friends and it happened very quickly. My lawyer told me that’s the quickest negotiation I’ve ever been a part of”.

I joked, Oh so did it on a cocktail napkin, huh?”

Denny added, ‘I really think he’s gonna take us from a great hardware store to a super store.”

I am so proud of my employees and I really think Tom is going to do as good or better job as I’ve been doing. He’s got some really good ideas and he knows the kind of store that we are.” That’s why Denny agreed to go with him.

The new owner of Hollywood Hardware is Tom Tognetti. He has a few successful stores in the bay area including Pagano’s in Alameda and Fredrickson’s in San Francisco. He knows the nuts and bolts of running a successful hardware store.

Hollywood Hardware has been a part of Denny Messner for most of his life. The Messner’s are the only family that have ever owned the store. Denny’s mother and father opened it in 1948 when he was 7 years old. “I swept the floor and learned how to cut keys”, he said.

He also grudgingly filled paint thinner cans at the store. “I probably quit every day because I was mad I had to fill paint thinner cans” Messner told me.

He took over the family business in 1964 when his father moved to Placerville. Denny eventually bought the hardware store in 1975 from his dad. “I was actually my dad’s landlord!”

I did sense that what Denny will miss most about Hollywood Hardware are the customers. He likes standing around the store and talking to customers. He said, “I could do that forever”.

“Our customers…..I love ‘em. I’ve been around there for so long and people know that I’ve been there so if they want to find me they usually come there. It’s like old home week every week. You see somebody you haven’t seen for awhile. It’s a nice existence”.

He added, “The part I don’t like is all the paperwork stuff”.

I asked Denny what’s he gonna do now that he’s retired from the Hardware store biz and he said, “I don’t know what the heck I’m gonna do between 9 and 1 in the afternoon. I’ll figure something out but, that‘s the only thing I’m a little worried about. I feel like I’m 25”.

I’m sure Denny will find plenty to do. He likes to stay active. Not only does he like to play a weekly round of golf, he’s also a six-degree black-belt.

Denny said, “I still work the martial arts, and spar and kickbox, and all that stuff”.

He’s also an avid skier. He had a place up in Truckee for 30 years and he’d take January and February off and be a ski bum.

I doubt Denny will be sitting in a Lazy-boy recliner in his living room watching MeTV all day. He’s got slopes to explore!

Denny also has a special fondness for his employees. He told me, “I got Susan and Jeff and Barbara together and took them over to Marie Callenders and told them about selling the store. They all cried”.

Denny was touched by the outpouring of emotion. “It felt very special.”

New Carnival Ride At Funderland

There’s a new ride at the Funderland Amusement Park. It’s the park’s first new ride in 25 years! It’s a Whirlwind type of carnival ride with a big tree in the middle and log-like seats for kids to spin around in.

The new ride is made in America. It comes from the same ride manufacturer that made the popular Flying Dragon roller coaster that was added to Funderland in 1992.

Funderland is even having a contest to name the new ride. Funderland Manager John Edds said, “We want to be part of Sacramento’s fabric.” That’s why they wanted to get the local community involved with the naming of the ride. Sacramentans have been flooding their Facebook page with numerous catchy suggestions including The Squirrel Twirl. The Enchanted Oak. . Rain Forest Log Swing and simply, Flying Logs.

Funderland manager John Edds proudly stands in front of the new unnamed carnival ride at the park.

The park will narrow it down to 3 names and then put it up to a vote on their Facebook page. Social media sized Democracy at Funderland!

They ditched the popular Log Run for various reasons including the long wait times, the heavy maintenance required, as well as the 4^th year of drought in California. Manager John Edds said, “We’re trying to be a better business operator”. Although he did mention they may have space for a new water ride once this drought finally lets up.

The new swing ride is not in operation yet, they still have to get the green light from the Dept Of Occupational Safety and Health who will inspect the ride. Once they pass the inspection there should be a whirlwind of activity at Funderland.

The new, as of yet named, carnival ride should be ready for screaming kids in July.

I like the name Swinging Logs. Lets hope I win!

Big BBQ Bash At Eskaton

They really know how to throw a party at the Eskaton Monroe Lodge in Land Park. They had their annual BBQ Bash with classic cars, live music, and lots of good eats and refreshments.

The music of Art and Ron and the Riverbend Folk Band was perfect for the occasion. The folk duo played everything from Marty Robbins to Bob Dylan. They had a nice rendition of the classic Dylan tune “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright”. The folks gathered on the patio had the best seats in the house. One of the residents of the facility, Marjorie LeDonne told me, “I was watching the show from above on the 4^th floor looking for misbehavior…there wasn’t any”.

She decided to come down for the food and festivities anyway. “Ringside seats!” she exclaimed.

Everybody was so friendly at the BBQ. I spoke with Winnie Hertzen. She’s a longtime resident who was out front waiting for family to join her. Winnie said, “The food is wonderful, the workers are great, and we’re fortunate to live here”. She added, “the classic cars are so nice, too.”

She boasted how she runs the Bingo at Eskaton and is also President of the Residents Association. That’s when a friend of hers came up and was greeted with, “Well look who’s here, darling girl!” hugs ensued.

Sounds like Winnie is a mover and a shaker over at the Eskaton!

Winnie Hertzen and her friends at Eskaton Monroe Lodge.

The BBQ Bash was a great way for fellow residents, friends, and family to get to know each other better. There were lots of good-natured wisecracks at one of the tables on the patio. It was like the Golden Girls got together for a reunion.

There were plenty of classic cars at the BBQ Bash too. Lots of commeraderie between the guys who brought their cars to show off. They were part of a group called Challengers Sascramento. They had a 1952 Plymouth Station wagon, a 57’ Chevy Bel-Air, even a 134 Ford Coupe with a rumble seat. The blue Balshour-Mobile made an appearance, too!

Old cars equals a good time.

Everybody seemed to be having a good time at the Eskaton BBQ Bash. That’s what it’s all about.

Carl’s Jr. Gets The Wrecking Ball.

Demolition crews using heavy equipment were busy tearing down the Carl’s Jr. on Freeport Blvd. The terra cotta roof is gone. Torn down. In fact, 90% of the building has been torn down.

What’s left of the Carl’s Jr. on Freeport Blvd.

What’s happening over there? It’s more than just a makeover.

I went to the restaurant location and spoke with site superintendant , Carl Miller, no relation to Carl’s Jr., he told me they’re “keeping the slab but it will be an all-new building”.

A worker demolishes the Carl’s Jr.

The restaurant with the sexy, err sexist, commercials is getting a whole new décor scheme and a modern looking building that will include three towers.

The new Carl’s Jr. should be ready to serve the Mile High Bacon Cheeseburger in 9 weeks according to Carl Miller of RC Pacific, no relation to Carl’s Jr.

http://www.valcomnews.com

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

Over The Fence with Greg Brown

 

Manning The Grill At Dooley Field

Life as a Little League Dad. The Land Park Pacific Little League is winding down and my son’s tee-ball team needed volunteers for the Snack Shack at Dooley Field.

It ain’t no dinky shack. It’s more like a small restaurant. With help from other parental volunteers on the Royals I pitched in to help. I don’t have a lot of food service experience, although I did work at Round Table Pizza in my youth. I made pizzas and worked the salad bar.

Luckily there is no kale, salad, or sneezeguard at the Dooley Field Snack Shack. It’s all about the hot dogs and hamburgers.

Since I’m the backyard barbeque grill-master at home, I volunteered to start off grilling on the Dooley Field Gas Grill. It’s a behemoth.

I even donned an apron to catch the juicy splatters of the meat. It would have been cool to wear one of those big white chef hats the carvers at Sam’s wear. Make me look more official.

The best part of grilling hot dogs and hamburgers at Dooley Field is the picturesque view of the ballpark. While the hot dogs got plump and the hamburgers sizzled I watched the Cubs take on the Phillies. There was a crack of the bat and I looked up to see the Cubs center fielder make a one-handed grab deep in center field. He got an appreciate cheer from the crowd in the bleachers. Nice catch!

Besides hot dogs, hamburgers and candy galore, the snack shack also offers deep fried tater tots and French fries. One of the parents was in charge of the fryer that was cooking up the tots and fries. The Crunch Bars and Big League Chew were also big sellers.

Surprisingly, one of the most popular food items was Taco in a bag.

We rang up quite a few orders for Taco In A Bag. Not sure where the idea for taco in a bag came from but, it’s got Little League Dad written all over it.

They’re really quite simple to prepare. You open up the Doritos chip or Fritos bag. Then you pour chili, cheese, lettuce and salsa on top and that’s what they call taco in a bag. An easy on the go snack for the kids. Or for Dad!

I’m waiting for the Taco In A Bag Food Truck.

Once the two ballgames were over the Little Leaguers came running to the snack shack. That’s when the action really heated up. Tater tots, hot dogs, hamburgers, and yes, the taco in a bag were flying out the snack bar window.

Once the deluge of hungry little leaguers was over it was time for the cleanup crew.

Love For Georgia Fundraiser

It was a special night of giving at New Helvetia Brewing Company. Friends, family, and the local community showed up in force for a fundraiser for Georgia Kukowski, a woman they love

Pedro Tiago Ferrer was spinning cool tunes, the Culinerdy Cruzer was serving up the grub, and there was face painting for the kids. Not to mention a slew of awesome raffles prizes.

Parents were sipping a pint and socializing with each other while children weaved and snaked their way through the crowd.

The night was celebratory but had a serious purpose. To raise a pint and some funds for Georgia.

Georgia has been fighting stage 4 breast Cancer for 2 ½ years. She recently found out the cancer has spread to her liver.

Shannon Tarter, a close friend and organizer of the fundraiser, said “Georgia is a very caring woman. She has a lot of courage”. She added, “She feels great, she looks great. Which is not reflective of her battle.”

The Love For Georgia fundraiser started on Mother’s Day. Georgia has two school age children that attend Alice Burney Elemetary and she hopes to begin treatment once the school year is over. aising effort started on Sunday, Mother’s Day,

Nicole Oehmke, a friend of Georgia’s, said, “When my children needed extra nurturing, she’s been there. She is who I can’t be for my kids. She loves them as they are. She loves them for who they are”.

In 10 days they’ve already raised an astounding $60,000 for Georgia. And they’re not done yet. All of the funds will go for Georgia’s medical fund covering, and there’s a lot of it. The immunotherapy treatment she would like to undergo next is not covered by her insurance.

On Georgia’s Youcaring website she says,

“Cancer college is teaching me that some people are ashamed of their cancer. Some people try to hide it or isolate themselves. That is not me. I am not ashamed. I don’t know why I have cancer, but I don’t think it was something I did…or didn’t do. It just is. And I will find my way through this. And so many of you are right by my side. My army of love and light. Thank you. Thank you. And one more time THANK YOU!”

If you want to donate, or learn more about Georgia and her fight:

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/love-for-georgia-kukowski-help-give-this-mother-more-time-/351320

Land Park Farmer’s Market Makes A Move

The Land Park Farmers Market is moving from William Land Park to Sac City College. It will now be located at the corner of Sutterville Road and 21^st in the Sac City parking lot

I spoke with Emily Lipson over the phone and she told me, “We’ll be more visible and also we’ll be able to add more vendors and beef up the market for the summer months. It’s an easier and better location for us.”

Summertime means more farmers and a bigger market for the Land Park neighborhood every Sunday between 9 and 1pm.

Over The Fence appears bi-weekly in the Land Park News. http://www.valcomnews.com

If you have a news nugget email me at McGregorradio@Comcast.net

Sacto Chicken Co. Shuts Down

The Sacramento Chicken Company, which took over the iconic, orange Merlino’s Freeze building on Stockton Blvd two years ago, has served its last chicken wing.

They closed down in March.

It’s a darn shame too. The chicken was tender, juicy, and delicious. It was a cool little spot to have lunch and take in the scene along Stockton Blvd across from UCD hospital.

Life on that corner was becoming as colorful as the building and the reggae music they piped out of the little orange food stand.

On the Sacto Chicken Co. Facebook page somebody wrote, “Why are you guys closed? So many broken hearts at UCD”.

I spoke with the affable owner Zak Rever over the phone and he said, “We’re evaluating our options moving forward and hope to have something up and going in that location very soon. We’ll leave that a mystery as to what they may be”.

“Quality of product was never our challenge. People loved our food”. Zak told me.

He added, “I don’t want to go into editorial mode with the difficulties of running a successful restaurant but it’s hard and we’re just gonna see what we can do next”.

He wouldn’t throw me a chicken bone and tell me what might be next for the old Merlino’s Freeze location.

Lets hope it’s something as equally delicious.

 

 

 

Land Park Man’s Best Friend: Rosie The Bulldog

Land Park Man’s Best Friend Is Rosebud The Bulldog

If you’ve spent any amount of time in William Land Park you’ve probably come across Jack Peyton and his loveable 9 year old English bulldog, Rosebud. Rosie for short. They spend three to five hours a day in the park walking, sitting, and meeting other park goers.

Jack and Rosebud take a break on a park bench in William Land Park.

Jack and Rosebud are regulars at William Land Park. They cover every inch of the park. Even the golfers know Rosie. Folks walk right up to Jack and Rosebud, say hello, and pet the top of Rosebud’s wrinkled little head. Her smushed up nose sniffs for a treat from a familiar face. Rosebud is all about the kibbles and dog biscuits. “You have to pay to pet” Jack joked.

Mornings and afternoons are their go times. Unless it’s one of those scorching hot Sacramento afternoons. That’s when they stay home in the air-conditioned confines of the home. Bulldogs are very sensitive to heat. Jack parks his Ford Ranger pickup on 11^th avenue and Land Park Drive and walks toward the zoo. They have their regular stops. Sometimes they walk towards the duck pond, or the WPA Rock Garden. But make no mistake, Rosebud is the boss. She’s leading Jack around by the leash. She’d drive the Ranger if she had a license. “She’s in charge”. Jack said. Wherever Rosebud wants to go, Jack follows.

Rosebud takes Jack for a walk through the park.

If he hasn’t walked her that day Rosebud starts pacing the room to hint, “Hey, lets hit Land Park, Jack”. That’s when Jack packs up the kibble and heads on over to the Park.

Jack joked to me over the phone that Rosebud is better than a wife. “That’s unconditional love, he chuckled. “No questions. No feedback”. And no unexpected bills from Nordstrom’s.

Jack lives off Riverside Blvd and told me, occasionally, Rosebud makes a beeline down the street to Land Bark pet store. That’s HER Nordstrom’s! “It’s just nonstop, like swoosh”. Jack explained. I guess Rosebud gets strong cravings for their kibbles.

Jack and Rosebud used to walk over to Ford’s Hamburgers when it was still open. Every Tuesday morning before they’d open for business they would give Rosebud a load of bacon strips. Rosebud loved the bacon from Ford’s. Sounds a lot better than Snausages, doesn’t it? “She does get cranked up about food”. Jack said.

Rosebud isn’t all about kibbles and bacon. She also eats vegetables. Rosebud is getting her fiber. She eats carrots, apples and tomatoes. Jack learned about her penchant for tomatoes one day when there was a tomato on the ground at the park. On the first day he told Rosebud to “get away from that”. On the next day, bam! She engulfed it without hesitation.

Rosebud has the typical Bulldog appearance. Thick folds of skin, round black wide-set eyes, drooling lips and pointed teeth. She has an extreme underbite no orthodontist could fix. The crooked teeth give the dog character and charm. “She’s the ultimate cartoon dog” Jack bragged.

It’s difficult to imagine but Bulldogs were bred to fight bulls. Jack told me they called it “bullbaiting”. They would bite on the bulls lower lip and hang on. Maybe that explains the pointed teeth.

Evenings are low key for Rosebud. I asked Jack once the day is done, “How does Rosebud unwind?” After dinner, which is usually between 4 and 6, she just curls up and goes to sleep until the next day. Dog tired! I assumed Rosebud slept on a plush pink dog bed with a blanket that had “Rosebud” emblazoned on it. A pampered pooch. But, no. She actually has three bed spots. Two of them are just crate liners with a ridge of fake sheepskin. She also has a towel she likes to sleep on. Nothing fancy for Rosebud. Jack added, “The best part about a bulldog is they snore”.

So if you’re walking, running, or just enjoying beautiful William Land Park. Look for Jack and Rosebud taking a stroll. They’ll be near the dog treats.

-Greg Brown

OVER THE FENCE with Greg Brown

 Irish Eyes Were Smilin’ At Brownie’s Lounge

They really know how to throw a St. Patrick’s Day party at Brownie’s Lounge. Bagpipers playing traditional Irish tunes, patrons decked out in green were tipping back pints, and over 800 lbs of corned beef were cooked and ready to be served to the hungry St. Patrick’s Day revelers.

Claire Brownie, the colorful longtime owner of Brownie’s Lounge, was all decked out in a St. Patrick’s Day outfit…kilt and all. I asked Brownie, “Are you Irish?” He said, “well, hell yeah I am”.

Brownie’s Lounge owner Clair Brownie poses with patrons at the annual St. Patrick’s Day party.

Tim Taormina came to Brownie’s with his wife because Marie Calendars on Freeport sold out of corned beef. “That’s why we’re here”. He said. He just had to have corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day! An Italian tradition, I guess. There was some question whether or not Tim would actually get to fulfill his mission of corned beef on St. Patrick’s Day. At first Brownie’s told him they were sold out. Tim said, “I’m Italian/Sicilian, I forcefully demanded I get the last two dinners”. It worked because they relented and Mr. Taormina got his corned beef and cabbage dinner.

Tony Soprano would have been proud.

The City Of Sacramento pipe band, led by music director Liz Tubbs, was playing Garyowen while weaving through the packed house with the other bagpipers at Brownie’s Lounge. Garyowen is known to have been used by Irish regiments as a drinking song, which is really what most folks were doing;

“Instead of spa we drink brown ale

And pay the reckoning on the nail

For debt no man should go to jail

From Garyowen to glory”

Liz and her husband Bill were wearing “his and her” kilts while Brownie’s grand-daughter, Jessica Bach, was following behind with the big tip jar full of cash.

Jessica told me, “I grew up here at Brownie’s Lounge. I actually see more of my family on St. Patrick’s Day than I do at Christmas”.

Just then the bagpipers started another traditional Irish tune, “Wearin’ Of The Green”, and Jessica was on her way to get more tips from the crowd inside the bar.

The bagpipes weren’t the only music at Brownie’s Lounge on St. Patrick’s Day.

Doug Meredith belts out some Irish tunes at Brownie’s Lounge.

As soon as the bagpipers left, Doug Meredith and his one man band started up on the tiny Brownie’s Lounge stage. Doug strummed the guitar and played a wide variety of music from country, R&B, rock, and of course some good ole’ traditional Irish tunes. The bar was definitely heating up with a packed house and the corned beef cooking. Doug Meredith was feeling the heat as he sang “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” with a trickle of sweat pouring down from his brow. The backdrop was a giant cardboard cut-out of Clair Brownie in a kilt surrounded by flashing green lights. The evening had a surreal feel to it.

The crowd loved it. Corned beef, cabbage, kilts and a little bit of kitsch at Brownie’s Lounge.

Shopping Cart Retrieval Service

Sometimes I drive down the road and notice an abandoned shopping cart. What happens to it once somebody removes it from the store?

Who you gonna call? David Fisher’s Cart Retrieval Service, of course.

I actually stumbled upon David while he was returning abandoned shopping carts to Vic’s IGA from parts unknown.

It all started back in the 90’s when David worked for a grocery store in North Sacramento. He picked up the carts for the store. One day he was running some errands out in North Highlands and he saw a recycling center that had numerous abandoned shopping carts. He stopped by to see if any of them belonged to the store he worked at.

There were quite a few that belonged to the 98 cent store. Then a light went off in his head.

David decided to talk to Gary Cino, the owner of the 98 Cent Clearance Centers, and ask if he was interested in having him pick them up and return them to the stores.

Cino agreed and offered a dollar a cart.

April 1^st of 1998 David got his business license and made it legal. He’s been returning shopping carts to their original owners ever since.

David, who is a South Land Park resident, usually gets between 50 to 100 carts a day. He also covers the Woodland and Davis area, too.

‘I just put ‘em in there and strap ‘em down”. He said.

He’s also helping out the community. He gets calls and texts about shopping carts abandoned on the side of the road, down an embankment, or abandoned in an apartment complex. Several Neighborhood Associations have put his contact information in their newsletters.

I asked David if he feels bad about taking a shopping cart from a homeless person. He said, “I used to, but you have to remember they’re in possession of stolen property.”

And the shopping carts aren’t cheap. According to David, the smaller ones that Rite-aid or Walgreens have are about $80 each. The carts Winco, Food Co and Raley’s use can run as high as $200-$250 a piece.

That’s why stores want to hire somebody like David to go pick them up. Dollars and cents. “If a store losses 20 carts a month that could be $5,000 a month they’ve lost in revenue”. David said.

At the Wal-Mart in Woodland David told me he “picks up at least 40 carts a week. These carts run about $150 so if I didn’t bring these back and Wal-Mart had to replace them they’re looking at 6,000 dollars a week to replace shopping carts”.

David told me Wal-Mart has the most shopping cart theft of any other store in Sacramento.

So if you see a lonely shopping cart on the side of the road give David Fisher a call or text. He’ll be glad to pick it up and return it to its rightful store owner. Call 916-812-3885 for David’s cart retrieval service.

The spots the abandoned shopping carts end up are recycling centers, apartment complexes, and certain neighborhoods. “You learn the hot spots”.

He also gets calls from the City of Sacramento, Sac PD, ‘They all have my phone number.

He’s the go-to-guy for abandoned shopping carts.

I find carts for Raley’s Bel-air, Winco, all those stores.

He rarely gets into confrontations with the people who are stealing the shopping carts. Although, one time a guy was throwing stuff at David because he didn’t want to give up the cart. The guy tried to sick his dog on him. “I played it smart, I had some of my lunch left so I took part of my hamburger and gave it to his dog. The dog and I became friends”.

David Fisher’s Cart Retrieval Service can be reached at 916-812-3885.

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Over The Fence

Longtime Land Park Raley’s Clerk Retires

Land Park Raley’s won’t be the same without the affable Tom Tisdale, better known as Tom T. by his customers and fellow employees. After 33 years at the Raley’s Supermarket on Freeport Boulevard, Tom decided to hang up his plumb-colored apron.

“After 33 years it was time,” Tom decided.

I heard about it by accident, really. I was in the check-out line and I asked, “Where’s Tommy T?” The clerk told me, “He retired.” What? Without saying goodbye? After a vacation, he came back just to leave a note saying he was retiring.

When I spoke with Tom over the phone, he told me he didn’t want the hoopla of a long drawn-out farewell or party. “There’s a small-knit group of people that have been there the whole time, and those are the people I feel obligated to.” He mentioned that there may be a little party at the Swiss Buda when “things die down a little.”

Then Tom admitted, “I’ll miss a lot of the customers and I miss seeing some of the workers and management.”

Loved by customers as well as fellow employees, Tom T. was a Land Park Institution. You can’t teach his kind of customer service. You either have it or you don’t, and Tom T. had it. He was always friendly, helpful, and easy to talk with. Just a natural at small talk when you’re buying a week’s worth of groceries for your family.

Customers could occasionally hear him over the speaker system talking about the “Great stuff on sale this week at Raley’s.” He had a folksy way of telling guests about the beef tri-tip or watermelon that was on sale that day at Raley’s. He did it just as good as any commercial voice-over announcer.

I asked Tom T., since he’s such a local legend, what he did with his Raley’s gear…auction it off on e-Bay or what? He said, “Oh jeez.” Then he added, “I left my apron with the girls over at the floral department. It’s hanging up in the back room so they can think about me when they walk by.”

Land Park Raley’s on Freeport just won’t be the same without Tom T. They really ought to hang his apron up in the rafters for all to see. A little salute to our favorite neighborhood grocery clerk.

Townhomes Proposed For Upper Land Park

There’s a brand new development plan in the works on 500 Swanston Dr. in upper Land Park. It’s a 20-townhouse infill project at the end of the road on an empty plot of land. The plan is to rezone the property and build 20 townhouses similar to Tapestri Square on 21st and T, as Russ Patton, who represents Michael Moser Development, told residents at the last LPCA meeting at Eskaton.

Currently the parcel is only zoned for one house. Russ called it the “Full Meal Deal of the planning process.” Lots of rezoning, remapping, and a whole lot of hearings.

Empty parcel on Swanston Drive in Upper Land Park.

The only access to the townhouses will be Swanston or Santa Buena Way. There will be no roads leading to the back of the proposed development. There was mention of perhaps an emergency road for emergency vehicle traffic.

Patton encouraged people attending the meeting to take a look at the lot, which I did. The first thing I noticed was the loud traffic buzzing by on Interstate 5, especially the big rigs. After a while I guess you’d get used to it. I also noticed plenty of trash, discarded clothing, and graffiti all over the sound wall with a lot of empty spray paint cans strewn all over the property.

One resident expressed concern about the townhouses being entry-level and ending up as rentals. Others expressed concern about traffic going in and out of the project since there would be no back street.

The good thing about the Moser Development team sharing their preliminary plans with the neighborhood is the transparency and feedback from residents. The discussion was a good give-and-take, and the development team will listen to neighborhood concerns about the design process and also take guidance from the city.

I spoke with Randy Gillum, a neighbor across the street from the property, he told me they had a lot of trouble with the empty grass field. “That’s already drug central over there. They just popped three guys about a week ago.”

Randy characterized the empty lot and space along the sound wall as a magnet for drug dealing, illegal dumping, graffiti, sexual activity, along with a giant fecal field full of dog poop.

Wouldn’t a townhouse development, or even a few single-family homes, be a good way to rid the neighborhood of that sort of activity?

Randy said, “I’d like to see something in there just to slow that kind of traffic down. As soon as we see somebody with a backpack, boom!, we have problems.”

“We’re fed up with it.”

Randy isn’t opposed to townhouses, but he doesn’t like the idea of one entrance going in and out of the development. He said if there’s only one entry and exit, “I’ll fight it tooth and nail. We have more traffic than a residential neighborhood needs.”

Safeway Gas Station Faces Vocal Opposition in Curtis Park

There was a big meeting at the Sierra 2 Center about the Safeway Supermarket and fueling station being proposed for Curtis Park Village. Council member Jay Schenirer even brought “clickers” by Meridia Audience Response for residents to take a poll after the meeting. Like he needed to take a poll on how those in attendance felt about the proposed Safeway gas station. They were loud and clear with their voices and sarcastic laughter.

Exceeding Maximum Capacity at special SCNA meeting on Safeway fuel center in Curtis Park Village.

Petrovich Development has said, no Safeway fueling station, no Safeway grocery store and the high-end retail that would come with it. Steve Berndt, who’s in charge of Safeway real estate for the Northwestern United States, addressed the crowd and restated that fact during the Q & A portion of the meeting.

Berndt introduced himself by mentioning he worked with Petrovich on the Safeway at 19th and R streets and was also was instrumental in remodeling the Alhambra Safeway years ago…and that’s when the cat-calls came out. He interrupted the cat-calls with “I didn’t actually tear down the theater; that was my ex-boss Ray Oswald. He left the state. He’s in Carson City, now.”

A little black humor to kick things off, I guess.

Berndt went on to say that Safeway is up against a lot of competition and that’s why they need the gas station along with the grocery store. “In order for us to compete in Sacramento, we feel we do need fuel.”

He added, “Fuel can be a good quiet neighbor.” More cat-calls.

Safeway rep Steve Berndt speaks to the crowd while Petrovich Development PR rep Rob Fong looks on.

Patrick Soluri, representing the SCNA, discussed why the gas station is not a good neighbor and warned those in attendance about the “red herring of economic infeasibility.”

Soluri mentioned the city received a $10 million grant to construct a pedestrian over-crossing. Petrovich Development also received more than 10 million in grants in order to construct “one of the regions per-eminent transit-oriented developments.”

“Millions of public funds have been spent to facilitate transit-oriented development. What public policy is being promoted to allow a gas station where city policy specifically says they should be prohibited because they (gas stations) do not support transit?”

That’s when the crowd roared with applause.

Soluri also mentioned the SCNA found four instances of recent Safeway’s being opened without a gas station. One in Oakland, Los Altos, Cupertino, and Petaluma. So Safeway does open grocery stores without fueling stations.

It’s just not going to happen in Curtis Park Village.

The powerful neighborhood and its residents were very clear with their voices and with their clickers. Eighty percent of those in attendance were opposed to the Safeway gas station according to the audience survey.

What’s next?

The conditional use permit for the gas station will soon go to the planning commission. If they deny it, that’s the end of the story. If they approve it, it will most certainly be appealed, before reaching the city council for a vote.

Wally’s Holiday Fire Truck Ride

Wally’s Holiday Fire Truck Ride

It was a cold crisp evening in Hollywood Park, and longtime HP resident Wally Clark warmed the hearts of many parents and children with his antique 1921 Graham Brother red fire truck during the holidays.

Welcome to Wally’s World.

Wally’s in the driver’s seat.

Wally’s Christmas fire truck ride is good wholesome fun for the entire family. It spreads a lot of Christmas cheer. It also has a special small town feel to it, a cool nerdy Christmas thing. Wally puts the Ho Ho Ho in Hollywood Park.

I heard the bell ring faintly one night. Just like when a child hears Santa’s sleigh bells. A twinge of excitement. It was Wally’s red fire truck chugging down the streets of Hollywood Park. His trusty sidekick and neighbor for 42 years, Bill Dishman, at his side tugging a pulley that rings the bell on the old red fire truck. Bill is also in charge of the horn blowing. “Ayyyuggga” the classic horn echoes down the streets of the neighborhood. Neighbors look out their windows to catch a glimpse of the shiny red truck outside of their house. Some give a friendly wave, others dart out of their homes and shout , “Merry Christmas!”

Wally’s Christmas fire truck is all decked out in blinky lights, bundled up children, and traditional Christmas tunes from Wally’s special collection. “I don’t know what I have on there”. Wally said. What I heard was good xmas stuff. The Beach Boys, Darlene Love, and Dean Martin. It’s not just Wally’s World, It’s a Marshmallow World!

Wally Clark and Bill Dishman give Hollywood Park neighbors a holiday tour through the ‘Hood.

When I hitched a ride on the fire truck it was full of local folks enjoying Wally’s slow and steady Christmas ride through the neighborhood. There were a lot of festive lights to see and lots of candy canes to pass out. Kristina Rios, who’s lived in Hollywood Park all her life, likes to go out with her kids. She was sitting in the back of the truck on the comfy bench seats. She said, “It’s fun. It gives us something to look forward to.”

Nate Soloff, who’s lived in Hollywood Park for 8 years with his wife and kids, told me “it’s the perfect way to see all the Christmas lights in the neighborhood as well as a nice chance to meet neighbors”.

According to Wally and Bill the tradition will continue, they both added, “As long as it runs or as long as we run”. Wally and his neighbor Bill Dishman have been giving holiday rides on the fire truck for a couple of years. It all started when Wally started tooling around with his grandchildren a couple years ago.

Wally said, “Now we have some of the kids who grew up with my kids back in the neighborhood with their kids. There’s all these young families and the neatest thing about it is different families in the neighborhood meeting other different families who also live in the neighborhood.” He added, “This is a wonderful neighborhood to raise kids.

Wally’s fire truck was mentioned on the Hollywood Park Facebook group and word leaked out. On the second night neighbors were lining up to get a ride on Wally’s holiday fire truck. Wally told me on night two he had “about 44 people and three dogs”. He made seven rounds trips meandering through the neighborhood.

Wally also got rave enthusiastic reviews on the HP Facebook group. One poster wrote, “Glad I got to wave as you drove past! Very cool!” Another neighbor wrote,”Our kids are hunting the fire truck right now!”

One poster added, “Bummed we missed this! Do they do this every year, we are new to the neighborhood… Happening again tonight? My son would LOVE this!!!”

She got her chance to ride on the red holiday fire truck the next night. Another satisfied neighbor.

Most of the time Wally uses the fire truck to publicize the Shriner’s Hospital or his company, Associated Sound. His truck was a part of the big CAM car cruise and show along Fulton Blvd. I also saw Wally at the Downtown Christmas Parade driving his big red fire truck. He even leads the Independence Day Parade every year in Hollywood Park with the fire truck decked out in the red, white and blue.

Wally and Bill will be back next year tooting the horn and clanging the bell for Christmas. Wally added, “The whole thing is fun. It’s just another thing of being a crazy old Shriner”.

Over The Fence by Greg Brown

OVER THE FENCE by Greg Brown

Gem Auto Wash Removes Beloved Neon Sign

Some might say I’m obsessed with signs. It probably started when I was a young boy in the backseat of a blue Buick Skylark. I’d always look out the window at the cool business signs as we’d drive down the road.

I was driving down the road a couple weeks ago gazing out the window when I noticed Gem Auto Wash had a big crane taking down the cool neon 1960’s sign and replacing it with a new large run-of-the-mill sign. I panicked a little.

I made a quick u-turn, parked the car, and immediately started asking questions. I was able to speak to Reed Hollingshead, the owner of Gem Auto Wash, and he alleviated some of my panicky concerns about the iconic sign, although, my hands are still a little clammy about it.

Owner Reed Hollingshead poses with The iconic neon Gem Auto Wash sign.

He and his brother Peter have taken over the family business their dad Richard purchased in 1974. Reed said, “He left a great legacy”. Gem Auto Wash and the neon sign have been operating on Freeport Blvd. since 1962. In all that time the sign has never had to be repaired according to Peter. “The tubes have been taken care of nicely ”, he said.

I was assured by Mr. Hollingshead that they were going to preserve the sign. The plan is 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. It’s currently in storage at the business.

The removal of the neon sign is part of a “re-branding of the business”. Peter told me. He added, “Besides, nobody uses the term ‘auto’ anymore.” Gem Auto Wash is now Gem Car Wash And Detail Center.

Run-of-the-mill Gem Car Wash sign.

I posted a photo on Facebook of the vintage sign being taken down and nobody was happy about it. Comments included, “Oh no”. “Bummer” and “That’s terrible. Why would they do that? At least the old 50’s Raley’s sign is still there”.

One person drastically stated, “So sad, this destroys the character of the city & neighborhood”.

Lets hope Mr. Hollingshead is a man of his word and the classic neon Gem Auto Wash sign glowingly reappears on Freeport Blvd.

Fairytale Town Looking to Expand

Fairytale Town wants to expand. Executive Director Kathy Fleming and board member Brian Crilly presented to the Land Park Community Association Board an impressive renovation project idea. Brian, who’s an architect at Lionakis, gave the enthusiastic presentation to the Land Park Community Association as well as those in attendance at the monthly board meeting.

The proposal calls for an expansion to the east near the soccer field and to the south, adding approximately half an acre to the current grounds (of 2.5 acres).  The current cost  estimate for expansion and improvements is $5‐8 million. The funds will all come from private donations. I spoke with Kathy Fleming as she said, “We’re floating ideas out there and getting input from community members. We’ve talked conceptually about it with the Land Park soccer and the city parks department. This is a very long-term project if it goes forward and I think there will be a lot of conversations with the community, and the Land Park community in particular”.

She added, “It’s really embryonic right now.”

Some in attendance at the meeting expressed concerns about more open park space being gobbled up and fenced in diminishing the area available for free and open use. Others pointed out it would diminish views and vistas in the Park. Another attendee mentioned how the neighborhood resisted the expansion of the Zoo’s footprint when it proposed an expansion. It definitely sparked a spirited conversation at the meeting. The Land Park Community Association did not take a stance on the proposed expansion and will address the topic at upcoming board meetings.

Fountainhead Brewing Almost Ready To Brew

Hollywood Park residents who enjoy tipping back a pint of local craft beer were giddy with excitement when they heard a new brewery was replacing an old auto repair shop on 24^th street a few doors down from Panama Pottery. Fountainhead Brewing Company was movin’ in! That was last year. Local folks recently started asking me, “What’s the latest on Fountainhead?”

Fear not my lager-loving friends. I asked Fountainhead’s brewer and owner, Daniel Moffat, and he told me “Everything’s all set with ABC and Fed and we’ll be installing glycol next week”, which means they’ll be brewing soon. And for you brewing nerds, glycol, mixed with city water, enables them to operate their chiller systems in the 25-27 F temperature range that breweries require.

Fountainhead owners Daniel Moffat and Mark Bojecsu.

They still need to have some work done to the building, but they will have brew available in house and at a couple locations “within the next two months or so” according to Moffat.

So, stay giddy Hollywood Park. There will be something brewing soon on 24^th street.

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Happy New Year, Christmas Is Over!

We spend time and money picking out the most beautiful Christmas tree to decorate for the holiday season. We spend hours decorating it, watering it, and gazing upon it’s twinkly lights. Then…a day or two after New Year’s….”get that firetrap outta here!” We also throw our Halloween pumpkins off the porch til they explode on the ground! A Holiday Family Tradition.

Freddy gets ready for the Great Pumpkin Smash 2015!

Smashed.

The Glorious Family Christmas tree lays in the street for pickup.