The Greens Hotel was the spot for a Summertime Mixer  hosted by The Temp (Sacramento Temporary Contemporary Gallery) for an evening of socializing and networking, as well as a Fish Fry and a Preview of "Gone Fishing" - a group show featuring Ken Waterstreet's Water Series in the long, long Gallery.

A woman walks in front of art in the Temp Gallery during the mixer.

Icky TheUgly Dog, (right) voted The Ugliest Dog online was there!

Nearby businesses had samples such as  Sweet Expressions Desserts and Fine Baked Goods.

Cupcakes available for sampling were Orange Creamsicle, Smore's, Strawberrry Lemonade and Root Beer Float (below). At the Mixer, they were getting opinions of their cupcakes so they will know which ones will compete on Cupcake Wars on TV in the near future.

Top Dawg, a family-friendly Hot Dog Restaurant on The Boulevard, served HAGEN’S The Original Orange Freeze.

In the past year I've found myself pleasantly surprised with Del Paso Blvd several times. When I moved to Sacramento four years ago I dared not walk the streets of the boulevard alone. Nine months ago, with camera in tow, I roamed around The Boulevard, by myself, snapping photos of the revitalized buildings and median.

Last Saturday night, the Artisan held The Launch 2010 - (see: www.sacramentopress.com/headline/33969/The_LAUNCH_2010_took_off).

It was a great space, inside and out.

And at the Summertime Mixer, I found myself gawking in amazement. The exterior of The Greens Hotel along Del Paso Blvd. in no way prepared me for what lay on the otherside.

This arched opening leads from the lobby into the parking lot of the hotel which has a great touch of art deco with the big red planter, fabric sections suspended as a sunblock and the rooms are designated by letters not numbers.

Neighboring business essentially under the same roof include a restaurant, art gallery, and a live performance theatre.

Commons area for The Supper Club, Big Idea Theatre and The Temp art gallery.

The Temp Art Gallery is the brainchild of Limn Furniture owner Dan Friedlander, who grew up in Sacramento. The gallery is modeled after the innovative space in Los Angeles that eventually became the Museum of Contemporary Art.  Friedlander believes that Sacramento is due for such an art space that would complement rather than challenge the Crocker Art Museum and the Center for Contemporary Art.(stcgallery.webs.com)

Visitors gaze at art depicting fish, part of the group show entitled "Gone Fishing," an exhibition honoring the fine art of fishing (above and below, in the long, long gallery).

Second Saturday Reception is Aug 14, 7-9 p.m. Gallery hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon until 4pm.

Larry Groves, Communications Director • Del Paso Boulevard Partnership, oversees events like the Mixers, inviting folks to visit and enjoy Del Paso Boulevard's new look and businesses.

The Del Paso Boulevard Partnership serves as a steward of this unique business corridor by improving its image, cleanliness, and safety, representing and assisting its business and property owners and promoting and marketing Del Paso Boulevard.

The next mixer will be September 9th with the book signing of a new publication about North Sacramento!

 See a recent article about The Greens Hotel: www.sacramentopress.com/headline/32788/Greens_Hotel_for_sale

Visit: stcgallery.webs.com/,  thegreenshotel.com/, www.dpbpartnership.com/

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner