The Sacramento City Council voted unanimously in support of a program that will permanently allow al fresco dining Tuesday afternoon. It goes into effect Fri., July 1.
City officials have been preparing to set the table (or patio) with the Al Fresco Dining Program since June 15, 2021 — when the council extended the temporary program for outdoor dining brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic until June 30, 2022.
The formalized program recognizes that these spaces, which were crucial to keeping many of our local restaurants open while residents were asked to mask up and social distance, have added to the vibrancyof our communities + are worth investing in.
This design features a large dining area with a walkway in the street. | Graphic via the City of Sacramento
Here are some of the program’s staple features:
Offering five patio designs that are free-of-charge, customizable + durable enough to weather the Sacramento seasons
A simplified permitting process with hands-on support from the city
Increasing outdoor dining capacity for restaurants
Improve patio designs that both elevate the dining experience + are more pedestrian friendly
Funding for the program — $200,000 to be exact — comes from the city’s American Rescue Plan Act Small Business Support Project budget.
However, in fall of 2022, the City Council will reconvene to approve a monthly fee schedule for patio operators, as well as a grant program that will help offset costs incurred from the transition.
Each of the five layouts are free to use + customizable. | Graphic via the City of Sacramento
Following effusive praise for the project from the public and councilmembers, Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby said that this whole development is “one of the great things to have come from the past few years.”
Do you currently operate a patio space in Sac, but aren’t sure about this new program? Don’t put a fork in it just yet — the current allowance for outdoor dining has been approved for another year.
Use the buttons below to share this with someone who’d love to hear the city has permanently approved outdoor dining.
Trivia Night | Wednesdays | 7 p.m. | Bike Dog Brewery, 915 Broadway | Free | Assemble your trivia crew for this weekly test of wits and locally brewed suds. 🍻
Bend + Blaze Yoga | Wednesdays | 6-7:30 p.m. | Antiquité Midtown, 2114 P St. | $25 | BYOC — that’s bring your own cannabis — to this all-levels yoga course that’s elevated by “eclectic music with high vibes.” 🌳
Thursday
Corner House Comedy | Thurs., June 23 | 7:30-9 p.m. | 3501 59th St. | $10 | This standup showcase features local + visiting comedians in a private backyard setting.
Friday
SAR YPN Tacos & Trivia | Fri., June 24 | 5-8 p.m. | 2003 Howe Avenue | $30+ | Test your knowledge + load up on tacos at this trivia event supporting a scholarship program for students. 🌮
Bubba Sparxxx | Fri., June 24 | 6-8 p.m. | Savvy House Coffee Bar, 9630 Bruceville Rd. | $20+ | The Georgia rapper makes a stop at the Elk Grove coffee shop for a meet + greet performance featuring several local artists. 🎤
Saturday
Amelia Bearhart’s Storytime and Crafts | Sat., June 25 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Aerospace Museum of California | Prices vary | Let your mind take flight with a reading + create your very own aerospace-inspired craft to bring home.
DOCO Makers Market | Sat., June 25 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | 405 K St. | Free | The outdoor pop-up is back with arts + crafts vendors in the main plaza. 🛍️
Eraserhead | Sat., June 25 | 1 p.m. + 7 p.m. | Dreamland Cinema, 1901 P St. | $10 | The beguiling, bemusing + beautiful debut film from David Lynch, which he filmed on a shoestring budget. ✏️
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
The city has openedthree cooling centers in the area to help residents stay safe during the 100º+ weather today. For more information on these locations — and other air-conditioned spaces like libraries that are open to the public — check out 211 Sacramento. (Sacramento City Express)
State
The State of California is issuing$500+ million in grants as part of the CARE Court program to support services and housing options for those suffering from mental health issues, like those on the schizophrenia spectrum. Sacramento County will receive $30.5 million, with $12.5 million going to Yolo County. 💰
Civic
East Sac’s V. Miller Meatshad to delay the unveiling of its vending machine — which would have dispensed grass-fed cold cuts from a touch-screen kiosk — at 4801 Folsom Blvd. last week. The Sacramento County Environmental Council said it will need to review the machine for safety + merchandising standards. 🥩 (SacramentoInno)
Eat
David English of the Press Bistro — the upscale dinner house that closed over two years ago — has opened a new restaurant near the State Capitol at 1501 L St. Called Juju Kitchen & Cocktails, its menu focuses on small, shareable plates, like grilled shrimp in creole bbq sauce + patatas bravas. 🍤 (Sac Mag)
Open
A family-owned frozen yogurt shop called Sprinkles on Top Elk Grovehas opened at 9630 Bruceville Rd. Flavors include mango tart, sweet coconut + more, with toppings like rainbow mochi, Oreos, carob nibs, and fresh fruit. 🍨
Coming Soon
Fowler Nurseries Inc. — a tree nursery that has operated in Placer County for 110 years — is expanding to include a brewery + taproom at its 6-acre farm at 3111 Lincoln-Newcastle Hwy. Local brewer Dan Rafferty, who previously worked at Track 7 and Big Sexy Brewing Co., will oversee the beer making. 🍻 (Sac Biz Journal)
Active
Looking to play a game of pickleball, but don’t know where to start? The City of Sacramento haseight parks — from Curtis Park to Valley Oak Park — with official striping for the fast-growing sport. Need more friends to play with?Schedule a game with someone in the area. 🏓 (Sacramento City Express)
Outdoors
Ready to take a trip on the wild side? We’ve compiled a list of five campgrounds in the region — all within a 2-hour drive of the River City — that are suitable for pets + the family. 🏕️
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Lumen large. Following two years of development, the Old Sacramento Waterfront willlight up anew with this custom-made neon sign for the very first time tonight.
Designed by the locally-based Pacific Neon Company, the luminous logo can befound above the California State Railroad Museum at 125 I St.,and will be easily visible from I-5.
Want to be there the moment it’s flipped on? Project leaders expect to do so at ~8:15 p.m.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Editor’s Pick: I’m excited for the new Old Sac sign to turn on tonight, and it’s made me think about what my favorite neon signs are in the city.
My vote goes for Mercury Cleaners, as I love the Roman mythology + outer space theming (and maybe because it’s basically my last name). What’s your favorite after dark art around Sac?
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We were frank + rounded up six hot dog spots in Sacramento.
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