New Neighbor

I just met Matthew, the new owner of long-vacant The Mart building on 5th and W Streets. This week is a good time to stop by and meet him as he sells off all the computer supplies and office furniture left behind by the old owners. Once that is done he will open a home furniture store, CW Furniture.

It will be good to have some positive activity in that little corner of Southside Park.

The Holy Land?

Someday I am going to calculate the ratio of houses of worship to residents in Southside Park. We seem to have most religions covered in our small neighborhood. And someday I am going to tell you about all of them. But today I feel inspired to tell you about this one, Tenrikyo High Sacramento Church.

When we first moved here my husband told me that back in the day his band used to play in a union hall on 6th and W Streets, which is now this church.

            

Surrounded by chain link and barbed wire, I thought it was a very unwelcoming place and basically ignored it. Then one day I saw an open gate in the chain link fence and this sign so I decided to pop in.

I am so glad I did. The feeling inside the fence was the polar opposite of the vibe outside the fence.  I could not have been more welcomed. Even though they were busy with their fundraiser,

the pastor's daughter-in-law and others took them time to show me inside their church.

When I said I was curious about what was behind the curtains, they opened them for me.

After we discussed their beliefs I confessed my feelings about the fence. After I heard about the crimes and violence the pastor and her family had witnessed on their corner in the past I understood the reason for the compound look. 

Southside Park has come a long way since "back in the day." I hope they can someday feel safe enough to not be so fenced in. Corny as it sounds, our neighborhood association is working hard to make Southside Park a little holy land, as it were, where all are welcome and safe.

Lofty Plans

I recently got to tour the jump-started Capitol Lofts project on R street just east of the the Fox and Goose. With the recent restoration of the historic R Street corridor its desolate shell is an eyesore.

And 11th Street doesn't look too good, either.

So it was really fun to learn of the plans - both for restoration and new construction - for this section of the stretch.

Plans are for artists' live-work lofts above with both non-profit and retail art space at street level.

Our tour group got a hazy view of the interior,

peeked out damaged windows,

and imagined the new energy on R Street with even more art in our hood. Lucky us!

The Hippest New Corners in Town

I've been watching a couple of corners for awhile, anticipating the transformations they were about to undergo. Here is a January photo of the one on 3rd and V, leveled and cleared for new housing.

And here is the first new home on the corner.

 It's a Net Zero Electrical Energy Home with a pretty cool website.

The other corner I am excited about is at 9th and T Streets.

The transformation to a dog/car wash is progressing. 

If you want to move to the new hippest place in town, you'd better buy that house on 3rd & V fast!

Forewarned is Forearmed

It appears there will be a water fight in our park this Saturday. Here are the details. Plan accordingly.

Over 600 people have responded on FaceBook that they are coming.  Too bad they are not coming early to help with the park clean up.

Park Budget Cuts?

I took a walk around our park this morning and boy o boy was it ever busy. Grass watering and street work on 8th and V...

... and major shore work on the east and south of the lake.

When I first glimpsed the construction site I assumed it was the promised replacement for the trees the city removed - the ones that blocked the park view of the freeway. But this is much more than trees. A worker on the scene said the improved shore line will include more elevated fishing spots and better walkways.

Hard to believe all this is being done when the city cannot afford park maintenance. The funds must be from some previously awarded grant. Anyhow, this coming weekend volunteers will have only part of the shoreline to weed.

Better Late Than Never

I just came across these photos of the June 16th Pi nata Festival in Southside Park. It was 105 degrees that day and I was amazed that anyone attended. In case you were there and want a happy memory or in case you were not and want to see what you missed, here it is...two months later. 

There was something for everyone...     

 ... henna tattoos...

 ...pinata workshops..

 ...sugar skulls

Here are some of my favorite pinatas:

Being a Mini Cooper owner this one is my absolute fav.

Strip Garden

Aren't the gardeners in Southside Park clever? Look at the way this one used an unlikely available space - the 4" wide strip between the driveway tire tracks.

Mural in Progress

I promise that this is the last piece about Insight Coffee for awhile but there is just too much juicy stuff going on at 8th and S that I can't resist. Today there is a mural painting in progress. Artist Andrew Terrell, who has the exhibit inside Insight couldn't stop there. His work is now outside, as well. 

He's had some helpers in this hot weather. Hope they go to Southside Park Pool to cool off after their stint on the scaffolding.

The Caffeine Must Be Working

The guys at Insight Coffee at 8th and S Streets must be drinking their own product. They have been very productive! First I noticed this great new outdoor seating area.

And inside they hung the best exhibit I've seen there yet. Artist Andrew Terrell grew up in the area but he's not staying here long. When you see his work I am sure you will agree that he is going places. And he is, actually, to Portland, Oregon. So go see this show before it comes down on August 8th. There is a lot to engage your eye and your imagination. Take a friend and go sit at the new outdoor tables to discuss.

ART: Alive and Well

Southside Park certainly did not suspend activity when I was out of town for three weeks!

When I left I was sad that we had recently lost not one, but THREE art galleries in our neighborhood. One that folded was downstairs from the working artist's studios at ARTHOUSE, 1021 R Street.  When I came home imagine my happy surprise to see that 1021 R Street not only had this new awning...

...but also a NEW gallery inside! Adamson Gallery shares this cool space with... 

...photographer Robin Hagy.

Add these places to your monthly art walk and see for yourself that the art energy in Southside Park is indefatigable! 

Positively 4th Street

Google "Positively 4th Street" and it won't take you to Southside Park. But it should.

Dylan wrote it back in 1965 when 4th Street was as grim as his lyrics. With a community garden, Baptist Church, Mosque and Vallejo's Mexican restaurant in the four short blocks 4th traverses Southside Park, today it is just what the title says: positive.

Our Neighborhood is Growing

The old saying is true, "They're not making land anymore." So folks in Southside Park appear to making the most of what land the neighborhood has.

Here are some brand new alley houses.

1/2 block from the park is a great location for our new neighbors. It's just a short walk for them to cool off in the pool, opening Saturday!

Pool Party Preparation

At last! Our pool is getting ready to see some action tomorrow night.

Anthony, the new pool manager, is doing a thorough job of cleaning and getting rid of wasps!

Bring your friends tomorrow night for the first swim since 2010.

Street-side Secret Garden

It's quite a trick to have a secret garden right next to a public sidewalk. Walking past the hedge that shelters this house from the street you'd never know that their entire front yard is a robust vegetable garden.

Later in the summer it will be fun to see how their garden grows.

Animal Art

Saturday was a big day for animal art at 12th and S. It was the unveiling of Cabron's mural at Born Free USA's headquarters...

... while across the street was a sale of primate art at Patris' art studio.

The primates got the last showing at this space. Sadly for Southside Park, it looks like our loss will be Oak Park's gain.