Sacramento Restaurants, Nightlife and Entertainment

[goldcntry]

Originally Posted by otnemarcaS

I still suggest they break this into 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month so that those that'd like to attend won't feel that if they miss one month then it's a two month wait from the last event they attended. This will also spread out the crowds on both days. Or maybe make the 2nd event a different day like 4th Sunday. This will also help drive people into midtown/downtown on normally slow quiet Sundays.

You may have a point. However, I look at the crowds at the 2nd Saturdays and remember the crowds at the Thursday Night Market and I'm struck with the conviction that Sacramento is thirsting for street venues/faires/events like this. These events that are loosely planned within general guidelines seem to be more popular than structured events like the Jubilee that are ridgedly planned and executed. Our 2nd Sat and similar events remind me of the vibrancy I've seen in Minneapolis, San Francisco, South Beach, and other cities with successful outdoor events.

So basically, in a long-winded way, I'm saying that in the short-term, there may be an evening-out of the attendance over a 2nd and 4th Saturday, but eventually I believe that they would build back up to identical critical levels of attendance.

I still miss the Thursday Night markets. Yes, I know that there were a lot of crime problems there at the end, but you know? All large events get them. It's all in how you deal with the problem. Rather than addressing the concerns or coming up with proactive solutions, Mayor Far-go-away and her cronies washed their hands of the projects and closed them down. I fear that if Fargo-away is reelected, we may see the same thing happend to 2nd Saturday.

Okay, I'm exhausted now... time for a nap...

[wburg]

goldcntry: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Fargo was mayor when Thursday Night Market was shut down.

Read the article again. What they're talking about isn't shutting down Second Saturday, but taking proactive steps to keep things safe and prevent the same sort of problems--and the same sort of solution (shutting down the event.) I've seen this sort of thing happen before at individual venues: if you just let people do their thing, some of them will misbehave. That scares off the people who don't like misbehavior, and attracts those who do like it, and problems escalate. Proactive solutions discourage the misbehavers and make the folks who behave (and that's most people) more comfortable--and you definitely want them to stick around!

[TowerDistrict]

Originally Posted by wburg

Read the article again. What they're talking about isn't shutting down Second Saturday, but taking proactive steps to keep things safe and prevent the same sort of problems

It's tough to read a SN&R article without thinking they are accusing the city of some wrongdoing. There's always that same tone of vilification.

[innov8]

Friday, June 6, 2008
Startup pairs bikes, eateries to lure out-of-towners to midtown
Sacramento Business Journal - by Mark Anderson

Little is starting Bikes and Bites to rent bicycles to downtown hotel guests so they can explore restaurants, cafes and bars of nearby midtown. To make sure they don't get lost, the bikes come with a handlebar basket with a map of midtown restaurants mounted on the side of the basket facing the rider.

The restaurants earn a spot on the map by sponsoring a bike. Sponsors also get a plaque in front of the bike basket.

The shop will open in about two weeks in the storefront at 1013 12th St., what had for years been Jerry Sham Footwear.

"The best thing we can do to show off Sacramento is put people from out of town on bikes and let them see and experience midtown," Little said.

He expects to have 30 bikes by this summer, and much of the shop's income will be given to charities, including the Sacramento Food Bank and the Sacramento Sheriff's Toy Project.

Cycling isn't everyone's cup of tea, Little admits, but with more than 2,000 hotel rooms downtown, he only has to get a small percentage to be busy. The rentals could also attract office workers during the day and other visitors to downtown.

The bikes will rent for $10 for the first hour, with $2 for each additional hour.

One of the first bike sponsors is Ink Eats and Drinks, a restaurant and bar at 28th and N streets. It's about 20 blocks from the main downtown hotels, a pretty long walk -- or a five-minute bike ride.

Because of Bikes and Bites and the fact that some of his customers tend to come by bicycle, Ink owner Chris Nestor is getting permits now to install a bike rack in front of the restaurant

"That's a great idea. It's creative and it's different. It's a fun thing for the people who work in the hotels to recommend," said Mike Testa, spokesman with the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau. "It plays to our advantages and gets people into midtown."

The idea is to start with a few bikes this month, and work up to 30 bikes, Little said, adding he expects the rental season to run April to October. At the end of the season, he plans to refurbish the bikes and auction them off as a fundraiser for the Sacramento Sheriff's Toy Project. The project gives toys to underprivileged kids for the holidays.

Bikes and Bites will rent only simple one-speed Schwinn cruiser bikes with coaster brakes. They will have lights front and back, and the rental includes a helmet and combination lock. The lock can be set so each renter can pick the combination.

"I liked the idea the first time I heard about it. It is something I would use. It's something fun for the community," said Blake Young, president of the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

Bike rentals are popular in tourist destinations ranging from San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf and Venice Beach to Lake Tahoe and even Folsom Lake at the east end of the American River bike trail.

Bike rentals in Folsom tend to be aluminum-frame hybrid bikes or road bikes, rented by people who want to log some miles on the bike trail, said Keith Purser, owner of Bicycle Planet, a Folsom bike shop. He doesn't rent cruisers.

[innov8]

Double post

[ozone]

Originally Posted by wburg

goldcntry: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Fargo was mayor when Thursday Night Market was shut down.

Read the article again. What they're talking about isn't shutting down Second Saturday, but taking proactive steps to keep things safe and prevent the same sort of problems--and the same sort of solution (shutting down the event.) I've seen this sort of thing happen before at individual venues: if you just let people do their thing, some of them will misbehave. That scares off the people who don't like misbehavior, and attracts those who do like it, and problems escalate. Proactive solutions discourage the misbehavers and make the folks who behave (and that's most people) more comfortable--and you definitely want them to stick around!

While I would agree that the city should take some action to prevent a melt-down. But let's be honest. The city has not been very supportive compared to some cities. Too many Sacramentans still do not get it. This is what a city looks likes. All those people coming into Midtown means $$$ -not just on 2nd Saturday. The city's wanting to over regulate and nickel and dime the thing to death doesn't sit when with us. We know that if people are asked to pull a permit and pay a fee for every little thing (original plan) then one month a couple of people will say it’s not worth the hassle….then another month and couple of more people will say it’s too much of a hassle and sooner or later it dies out and the police will be happy. The police do not ever want be bothered with drunk knuckleheads, and I don't blame them, but they also seem not to want to be bothered keeping sober (or lightly buzzed) well-behaved pedestrians (including children) safe. I blame the police more than city hall.

As someone who participates in 2nd Saturdays I can tell you reason so many of us got upset at the city was that they did not ask us (Midtown business owners/participants/residents) how to make it a safer more enjoyable event. Instead we have a lot of people who do not regularly participate in 2nd Sats and who do not live in Midtown deciding how to do this. That’s wrong. Also the complaints by gallery owners do not move me much. 2nd Saturdays has evolved beyond the art walk -sorry but that’s the reality -get over it.

I have suggested that if the city wants to avoid a repeat of Thursday Night Market it should make an effort to 1. Keep the crowds safe by closing off some streets (which they were finally forced to do even though the police didn’t want to do it at first) and creating safe crosswalks. 2. Provide free shuttle buses to light-rail stations, Old Sacramento and the K Street Mall. (those mock trolley buses drive around empty all the time anyway). 3.Spread the crowds out by luring them to other areas of the Central City - say a night market on R Street, a concert series in Fremont Park, outdoor movies in Old Sacramento, etc..

The goal is to generate enough interest so that people are out in mass every weekend. but as far as doing a 2nd and 4th Saturday-- Remember it takes some people a lot to prepare for 2nd Saturdays. I suggested this before and most people said once a month was enough.

[otnemarcaS]

Originally Posted by wburg

goldcntry: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Fargo was mayor when Thursday Night Market was shut down.

Indeed, TNM shut down on Sept 28 1995. The late Joe Serna Jr was mayor of Sacramento at the time.

[wburg]

ozone: The city is already planning to do items 1 and 2. Item 3 is pretty much happening on its own: 19th Street has a string of galleries, but there are still a lot of residences so it's hard to connect them together.

There may not be that many city employees actually living in midtown, but it is city staff who set city policy. I'd agree that they should take some time to listen to the concerns of those who would be directly affected...but that would probably require some public meetings, or, God help us, a charrette!

[goldcntry]

Originally Posted by otnemarcaS

Indeed, TNM shut down on Sept 28 1995. The late Joe Serna Jr was mayor of Sacramento at the time.

Originally Posted by wburg

goldcntry: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Fargo was mayor when Thursday Night Market was shut down.

Maya Copa, Maya Copa (or however the heck it's spelled!)

Yes indeedy, It was our beloved departed Joe Serna at the time... but wasn't Fargo-away on the Council? [evil giggles - yes, all our woes can be traced back to Heather ]

I blame it on my sleepy tomato...

[wburg]

The term you are looking for is "mea culpa" (my fault.) Yes, Fargo was on the council, but you're kind of reaching to blame her for Thursday Night Market--unless you're suggesting that Joe Serna was an ineffective puppet and Fargo secretly controlled the City Council. Not what I saw, at least from the handful of city council meetings I attended back then.

[Cynikal]

If I remember correctly Serna was very dominant over council up unitl his death.

[travis bickle]

Just a quick note to those of you whom I had the pleasure of meeting Saturday night. I was great to be in Sacramento again on a gloriously warm evening and discuss, and experience, how much my hometown has changed for the better. It was my distinct pleasure to buy you all a drink and share your insight into where Sacramento is heading.

I really had a good time and look forward to doing it again soon.

Thanks again to all!

Travis

[Grimnebulin]

Originally Posted by travis bickle

Just a quick note to those of you whom I had the pleasure of meeting Saturday night. I was great to be in Sacramento again on a gloriously warm evening and discuss, and experience, how much my hometown has changed for the better. It was my distinct pleasure to buy you all a drink and share your insight into where Sacramento is heading.

I really had a good time and look forward to doing it again soon.

Thanks again to all!

Travis

Yes! I'm talking to you! Nice meeting you too "travis"! I had a great time talking and hanging out with everyone.

Only thing missing was Majin!!!

Next up - maybe a 2nd Sat Pre-Party (July) at my place or Dim Sum at New Canton or South Sac?

[innov8]

Originally Posted by travis bickle

Just a quick note to those of you whom I had the pleasure of meeting Saturday night. I was great to be in Sacramento again on a gloriously warm evening and discuss, and experience, how much my hometown has changed for the better. It was my distinct pleasure to buy you all a drink and share your insight into where Sacramento is heading.

I really had a good time and look forward to doing it again soon.

Thanks again to all!

Travis

That was an fun and entertaining evening meets are always fun with this bunch

Good to meet ya TB

[creamcityleo79]

Originally Posted by innov8

That was an fun and entertaining evening meets are always fun with this bunch

Good to meet ya TB

Unfortunately, I couldn't make it! Maybe next time!

[goldcntry]

Yah, I got too busy preparing for this business trip I'm on right now to make it out ... couldn't get away from the spousal unit either...

And Wburg - thanks for the correct spelling of mea culpa! And yes, my tounge was stuck firmly in my cheek on the secret Fargo conspiracy cabal.

[TowerDistrict]

Good to meet you Travis, and great to see the rest of you again.

Downtown was still rockin at 2:00 am!

[urban_encounter]

Originally Posted by travis bickle

Just a quick note to those of you whom I had the pleasure of meeting Saturday night. I was great to be in Sacramento again on a gloriously warm evening and discuss, and experience, how much my hometown has changed for the better. It was my distinct pleasure to buy you all a drink and share your insight into where Sacramento is heading.

I really had a good time and look forward to doing it again soon.

Thanks again to all!

Travis

Travis sorry I wasn't able to come down and finally meet you.

I look forward to meeting you at some point in the future (hopefully).

Let me know the next time you're in town.

[Grimnebulin]

I keep forgetting to post this.

The Squeeze Inn is opening up a second branch....and Majin's going to love this ....in Galt. Doh! ETA 3-6 months.

And an update on the Japanese place going into the Firestone Building. It's not going to be sushi focused, but instead it'll be have 6-10 teppanyaki tables along with a premium sake bar and a few private booths.

[Majin]

Originally Posted by Grimnebulin

...in Galt.

Galt? Whos that?