Steve Martarano was a reporter at the Sacramento Union for 10 years during the 1980s and worked as a sportswriter, on the daytime crime beat, and reviewing concerts. He retired after working in government public affairs for almost 30 years for several state and federal agencies, most recently for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Bay-Delta office. Steve has lived in Sacramento’s Curtis Park neighborhood with wife Sharon for more than 30 years. Read more at www.stevemartarano.com. On Twitter @MartArchives.
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What’s Next for Hornet Stadium?
UC Davis Causeway Classic win over Sacramento State comes on the heels of new Hornet Stadium announcement
It was a year that started with much promise for Sacramento State with a Top-10 preseason ranking, talk of a new stadium and the hope that Sacramento could use a new facility to position a move from the FCS’ Big Sky Conference to an upper division conference such as the Pac-12.
Experience the Danger (and Opulence) of the Gold Rush
Empire Mine in Grass Valley was the richest in California history
It’s a bucket-list destination for Gold Rush-era history buffs — a park in Grass Valley where visitors can get a first-hand, interactive look at one of the largest and oldest mining operations that defined California’s 19th-century obsession with gold.
Bar of America in Truckee Is a Drinking Institution
Former bank location is no longer cash-only
Truckee’s Bar of America sports a name that sounds like it would be shared with establishments across the country. Not so. Situated in a brick building that dates back to the late 1800s, the former Bank of America location is a one and only, with a name that was trademarked shortly after new ownership took over in 2012, according to principal owner Tom Turner.
California Agriculture Museum Curates Groundbreaking History of Farm Technology
From horse-drawn to engine-powered, it’s a tractor lover’s paradise
Tractor heaven is in Woodland. Those who enter the Heidrick family’s California Agriculture Museum are greeted by aisles lined with rare antique trucks and tractors of all colors, shapes and eras, along with other artifacts depicting the country’s rich agricultural machinery history.
A Chapter Ends in Oakland While Another Begins in Sacramento
The Oakland Athletics play an emotional final game at the Coliseum before moving to Sutter Health Park
The Athletics’ final game at the Oakland Coliseum after a championship run of 57 years would be a significant event under any circumstance. But the bittersweet day on Sept. 26 took on an extra dimension for the Capital Region with the A’s scheduled move to West Sacramento.
A Splendid Small-Town Getaway
Visitors can brunch, taste wine and spend the night in a pastoral paradise
The 10-acre Placer County business off Horseshoe Bar and Auburn-Folsom Road in Loomis may officially be called The Flower Farm, but it’s much more than that — historic inn, gourmet cafe, wine tasting room, gift shop, wedding and events center, nursery and citrus orchard.
Missing Ski Season? Roll With the Pros at Woodward Tahoe
Boreal Mountain’s action sports complex offers fun for all ages and skill levels
There’s not a snowflake in sight at Boreal Mountain along Interstate 80 in Soda Springs the week before the July 4 holiday weekend, but the ski resort is still buzzing with activity.
A Cool Retreat 100 Feet Below Ground
2 million-year-old Black Chasm Cavern thrills day trippers
The unassuming entrance barely hints at the secret treasures that await below. In order to access them, visitors must navigate 162 stairs in an otherworldly descent.
On a Dark Delta Highway, Ryde Hotel’s Party Legacy Endures
With all the food, fun and spirits, guests may never want to leave
The four-story Ryde Hotel, considered one of the most haunted hotels in Northern California, has been a Highway 160 art deco beacon for almost 100 years.
Stop and Smell the Daylilies at Amador Flower Farm
Take a break from wine tasting in the Shenandoah Valley to picnic in a garden
Nestled squarely in the midst of dozens of award-winning wineries that make Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley so unique, Amador Flower Farm in Plymouth is home to something different — an eye-popping 1,300 varieties of daylily.
The A’s Are Coming to Sacramento
The Oakland team will have a 3-year residence at Sutter Health Park
The stunner of an announcement was made official Thursday morning at a blustery and rainy Sutter Health Park.
A Giant Game in Sacramento
New look Giants make rare Sacramento appearance in advance of 2024 season
The San Francisco Giants arrived at Sutter Health Park on March 24 as the official opening event of the River Cats’ 25th season in West Sacramento, and it was a welcome visit.
Grass Valley Museum Tells Untold History of Women During the Gold Rush
Industrious nuns, international stars and well-educated orphans
In a county known for its wealth of Gold Rush-era museums, undoubtedly some of the most compelling stories from that time reside at a former orphanage hidden within the 160-year-old walls of the Grass Valley Museum.
Lotus Pub Is a Low-Key Gourmet Hideaway
A place to take your time by the South Fork of the American River
It’s the first night back after Lotus Pub’s annual two-week holiday break, and at 5 p.m. when the doors swing open on this frigid Friday in January, a line has already formed.
Too Big for The Nest
After 69 years, Sacramento State has outgrown the hallowed sports facility
With a seating capacity for just over a thousand fans, it’s smaller than most Capital Region high school gyms. Despite its limitations, the cozy Hornet Gym — also known as The Nest — has been the main facility for NCAA indoor sports at Sacramento State since 1955.
Mokelumne Hill Is Authentic California Gold Country
The entire Gold Rush-era town is a designated historic landmark
Mokelumne Hill may not be the busiest tourist hub in the Amador-Calaveras Sierra Nevada foothills loop that includes Sutter Creek, Jackson, Angels Camp and Murphys. But that doesn’t mean the uniquely well-preserved 1850s Gold Rush-era settlement along the Mokelumne River, often called Moke Hill by the locals, is lacking in things to do and see.
Mountain House Bar & Grill is in the Middle of Gold Rush History
The remote waypoint has served travelers for more than 170 years
It’s a stop for nightly commuters, a biker bar and a family-oriented historical highway landmark, hosting everything from car shows, weddings and baby showers, to taco Thursdays and Wednesday trivia nights.
Mounted Animals Draw Visitors to Iconic Foster’s Bighorn for 90 Years
Rio Vista restaurant and bar features hunting trophies from around the world
Bud Milo enters the 90-year-old restaurant and bar on Main Street in Rio Vista for the first time, and his expression immediately changes after seeing 300 mounted hunting trophies and photos lining the walls. “There’s a whole lot of animals here,” says the incredulous Milo.
Sacramento Republic FC Celebrates 10 Years in the State Capital
The soccer club has captured the heart of the region with its successes
While other professional soccer teams have come to town with hype and promise, only to flicker briefly before disappearing — teams like the Gold, Spirits, Geckos, Scorpions, Senators and the Knights — the United Soccer League’s Sac Republic connected with the Capital Region in a major way.
Family Fun at Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland
Three generations have run the popular attraction for more than 50 years
Wayne Bishop of Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland claims the farm is the largest pick-your-own pumpkin patch in the world. It remains a true family-run business, with Wayne, his wife Ann, his sons Lee and Austin, and his daughter-in-law Courtney leading the farm his parents started more than 50 years ago.
Dutch Flat Is a Trip Into California’s Gold Rush
Visitors find historic charm in the mountain community of just 133 residents
The well-preserved, semi-ghost Placer County town of Dutch Flat, an hour drive east of Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada foothills, has earned the description of being “a step back in time,” as local hotelier Leif Lowery described it.
History Speeds on at the West’s Oldest Running Racetrack
Historic Stockton 99 Speedway keeps the racing dream alive in San Joaquin County
The roar of auto engines and the smell of gasoline, hot dogs,
barbecue and beer have marked summer Saturday nights at
the Stockton 99 Speedway since 1947 at the oldest
running racetrack west of the Mississippi.
Sacramento’s Sol Blume Music Fest Is Back in the Sun
A rescheduled Sol Blume sets new attendance record
After torrential rains hit the Capital Region early in 2023, flooding out Discovery Park, organizers of the upcoming Sol Blume festival planned there for April 29-30 had some decisions to make.
A’s on the Move
The last major league team in Oakland finalizing move to Las Vegas, leaving Capital Region fans bereft
Fans filed into the RingCentral Coliseum for a late June day game, less than 15 hours after New York Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán no-hit the A’s to become the 24th pitcher in MLB history to toss a perfect game.
Homeless World Cup Comes to Sacramento for First U.S. Appearance
Weeklong tournament brought together homeless and formerly homeless players from Ukraine, Chile, Finland and more
Sacramento was in the international spotlight July 8-15, when the 18th Homeless World Cup, a compelling weeklong soccer tournament that spotlights the plight of worldwide homelessness, was held on the campus of California State University, Sacramento.
Up, Up and Away With Yolo Ballooning Adventures
Enjoy a thrilling ride in the sky
As the crew with Yolo Ballooning Adventures prepares the aircraft for its scheduled 90-minute trip, general manager Mike Veliz looks out over the launch site dotted with half a dozen other balloons from various Northern California companies readying for takeoff. “The best part of this job,” says Veliz, a Woodland native, “is getting to watch the sunrise every day.”
A Crayfish Craze in the Delta
Isleton Crawdad Festival returns for the first time in more than a decade
Isleton’s Crawdad Festival — a defining event from the mid-1980s to the late 2000s for the tiny city along the Sacramento River — returned to Main Street for the first time in 14 years on June 17-18, swelling the city of less than 800 residents to an estimated 60,000 over the two-day event.
A Place of Peace
Awe-inspiring flowers and vistas await visitors at Nevada County’s Crystal Hermitage Gardens
Even when the tulips aren’t blooming during the April-May window, Crystal Hermitage is a destination experience that has received accolades by AAA Magazine as a top garden to visit in the West.
Hometown High School Sweethearts Bring Cajun Cooking to Benicia
Lines often form for their homemade cooking
The story of The Workshop, the popular 600-square foot Cajun-Creole walk-up restaurant in Benicia, starts with a teen romance between Danny Glassmaker and Naomi Buskirk more than 30 years ago.
Bok Kai Temple in Marysville Preserves Centuries of Culture
The temple is one of the oldest Taoist places of worship in the country
The temple and museum is usually a quiet respite for visitors, open by appointment only. But during one weekend, the serenity is replaced by bursts of firecrackers and thousands of visitors attending the Bok Kai Festival weekend, honoring Bok Eye.
Sacramento on the National Stage
NCAA March Madness returns to Golden 1 Center after 2020 COVID cancellation
Eight schools and their fans landed in Sacramento to play in the NCAA tournament’s first and second round games, bringing in an estimated $10 million in economic impact.
Off the Beaten Track: A Retreat in the Forest
Sugar Pine Lodge much more than just a B&B to isolated Placer County communities
Inspired by its proprietor Brynn Wooden — known to all as Miss B — and Woody, her husband of 40 years, the lodge is a beacon in the tight-knit Gold Rush communities of Colfax, Iowa Hill and Foresthill.
The Venue Makes Its Debut
Thunder Valley Casino Resort’s $100 million entertainment showcase opens with blockbuster President’s Day Weekend
The 4,500-seat facility held a ribbon cutting celebration on Feb.
14 and then opened three days later with a sold-out, three-day
President’s Day weekend run of the Eagles, Bruno Mars and
Santana.
It’s All About the Mead
New Penn Valley establishment fills a niche
Nevada County Mead Company is one of the few places in the Capital Region that produces and serves mead, which the ancient Greeks called “nectar of the gods.”
Museum Tells Unusual Stories of Almost Two Centuries in Benicia
Historic building used to house camels during the 1850s
The Benicia Historical Museum houses tens of thousands of artifacts related to multiple wars and the Gold Rush era, providing a place for visitors to learn something new and appreciate the story of California.
Grass Valley’s Foothill Mercantile Changes With the Seasons
Store has more than 23,000 toys and gifts on display
The store has delighted visitors through several generations while also featuring a wide selection of greeting cards, puzzles, candy, gifts and houseware items. Having an internet presence has helped them return to pre-pandemic sales numbers.
A Knockout Night
After hiatus, pro boxing returns to Cache Creek Casino
The Oct. 29 Showdown at Cache Creek brought prominent boxers and
promoters to the Yolo County casino, which undertook a $200
million expansion during the pandemic.
Olive and Wine Tasting Go Hand-in-Hand at Calivirgin in Lodi
New facility helps longtime olive oil business expand into wine
Lodi-based, family-owned Calivirgin has reshaped its
business. Part of California’s rich olive oil landscape for
almost two decades, its new facility allows the owners to
showcase award-winning products, introduce a new wine
line and host tastings.
An Unforgettable Saturday for Sacramento Sports Fans
Three highly anticipated sports events take place in one night in the capital
The night of Oct. 22 — with three college and professional sporting events starting around the same time — was expected to be a memorable night for Sacramento sports fans.
As the chilly night unfolded, those expectations were undoubtedly
exceeded.
Rosebud’s Cafe in Jackson Is All About Family and a Welcoming Atmosphere
Owners give back and help the community
Rosebud’s is known for authenticity and acceptance as much
as for good food, and is a leader on several local issues
involving homelessness and LGBTQ rights.
Tahoe City’s Green Envy and Tahoe Tree Company Help Keep Tahoe Landscaped
Serving the Lake Tahoe region for almost 20 years, John Crus’ clients inhabit some of the most beautiful properties in California
Crus’ nursery and landscaping construction company help
shape the region’s image and produce plants that
withstand the rough high-elevation climate of the area.
Natural Leaders
Elliott's Natural Foods reaches 70-year milestone
Created in 1952, Elliott’s Natural Foods was the first in its area to offer many of its health food products. Since their approach to whole and organic food was considered a rarity in the early 1950s, they made dispensing wellness knowledge and advice a part of their business plan, which they carry through to today.
A Final Farewell to ARCO Arena
A look back on the beloved Sacramento arena as it crumbles into history
Reflecting on the many chapters of the building best known as
ARCO Arena, its farewell event and what’s next for the Natomas
site.
A Cooperative Spirit
Remembering 1972 and 50 years for Davis and Sacramento food co-ops
Both the Davis and Sacramento food co-ops have expanded
exponentially since their inception in the early 1970s, when they
primarily served ”the hippie population.” Fifty years
later, has the spirit of 1972 held up?
Panning for Gold Has Changed, but Pioneer Mining Supplies in Auburn Remains Timeless
Three generations teach gold mining
Frank Sullivan’s mining legacy is as rich as Auburn’s, and is
reflected in his timeless shop, Pioneer Mining Supplies.
Back to the Blues
Johnny “Guitar” Knox memorial finally gets its third encore at Sacramento’s Torch Club
Sacramento’s jazz community gathered at Torch Club recently to play their annual memorial jam to honor Johnny “Guitar” Knox. The fundraiser raised money for the Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame.
Penny Candy Store in Live Oak Dispenses Sweet Dose of Nostalgia
Store faces major changes after COVID-19 death of co-owner
Following tragic circumstances, Penny Candy has reopened,
continuing its decades-long status as a treasured destination in
Live Oak. Now, it’s up for sale.
Comstock’s Talks: The Return of Arts and Music Festivals
PODCAST: Capital Region music festivals attract tens of thousands of fans from nearby areas and from all around the country, shaping its identity and boosting the local economy.
The Return of Arts and Music Festivals
Big events boost local economies and shape our identity
Capital Region music festivals attract tens of thousands of fans
from nearby areas and from all around the country.
Rise of the Robot Umpire
Experimental automated strike zone now on tap at River Cats games
An electronic system that relays information almost instantaneously is helping umpires make their calls.