Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "downtownsacpartnership"

Farmers Markets now in Season | Photos

2011-05-03T23:20:25Z

Fremont and Roosevelt Parks Farmers Markets had good crowds and good food on hand for opening day.

Here's some snapshots:

For more info, go HERE.

Get your groove on at downtown Ice Rink

2010-12-24T04:39:32Z

It's the night before Christmas Eve, my spirits needed a little lift, so I swang by the Ice Rink across from the Westfield Downtown Plaza. It was Hawaiian Night, advertised by the Downtown Sac Partnership as "Ice Rink Luau (Bust out the grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts for a free skate rental between 4-8 pm)".

I hung around about an hour and I didn't spot anyone dressed for a luau. I guess getting a free skate rental didn't matter much. Lots of kids and adults were having a grand time.

I've been taking photos at the Ice Rink since I arrived in Sacramento in 2006. It's always a light, fun moment being an observer ( I never was good at rollerskating or ice skating - weak ankles).

And there is always the challenge of capturing it photographically. I guess I'll never grow bored with it!

Here's some shots:

After a tasty meal, and a beer of course, at River City Brewing, here was the scene around 6:30 - folks lined up to get in (and I still didn't see anyone dressed for a luau!)

A lightshow of snowflakes plays on the First Northern Bank next to the Ice Rink.

For more information and hours of the Ice Rink CLICK HERE>>>

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Downtown Ice Rink under Construction

2010-10-25T00:06:48Z

With the stormy weather happening, it's feeling like fall. And what comes after fall?

WINTER! Which means ice skating.

Construction is happening now on the new Westfield Downtown Plaza Ice Rink – Sacramento’s original outdoor ice rink.

A worker holds a section of the plastic pipes ~~which will carry the freon~~ that keeps the ice fozen as, ...well, ice!

“We’re thrilled to welcome back the ice rink to the heart of Downtown and celebrate 19 years of holiday magic,” said DSP Executive Director Michael Ault. “It’s amazing how quickly we can transform a public park into an icy wonderland. We should be making ice by this coming weekend.”

Crews position the ~~freon-carrying~~ tubes so they line up correctly under the 7,000 square foot rink (above and below).

The rink re-opens Nov. 5 at noon with a ribbon cutting ceremony and free admission for skaters. A dazzling light display will create a winter wonderland feel. According to Lisa Martinez, Downtown Sac Partnership, "every Tuesday the rink will host a family skate night where kids skate free with a paid adult admission. Downtown employees receive a free skate rental every Wednesday courtesy of the Westfield Downtown Plaza. The rink is also offering Saturday ice skating lessons on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m."

The rink will be open daily through January 17. Regular admission to the ice rink is $8 for a two-hour session and $2 for skate rental. It is located at located at 7th & K streets in Downtown Sacramento near Westfield Shopping Plaza.

Folks can follow the ice rink action and find deals at http://www.downtownsac.org/icerink

Find the rink on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/downtownsac.org

Follow on Twitter: http://@DowntownIceRInk

Catch video clips of the rink under construction: http://www.youtube.com/DowntownSac95814

The event is sponsored by the Westfield Downtown Plaza as well as The Hines Company, CIM Group, Trane, Made in the Shade and CBS 13 and CW 31.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Chalk it Up Sacramento!

2010-06-14T21:39:21Z

Chalk artists Stephanie Olivera and Jen Cimeglio transformed the façade of 1018 J Street by painting a temporary chalk mural as part of a live Second Saturday show. The two-panel mural features a Japanese theme and spans approximately 320 square feet. A new mural will be painted live every Second Saturday throughout the summer to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Chalk It Up! on Labor Day weekend.

Jen Cimeglio and Stephanie Olivera, the chalk artists.

The mural marks the beginning of West of 16th Street and East of the River – a series of downtown arts-related events and programs that showcase Downtown’s public art, cultural history and architecture through temporary art exhibits, walking tours and artists-in-action events. The series is produced by DSP, the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC), Center for Contemporary Art, Crocker Art Museum and Chalk it Up!, and was inspired by the Mayor’s For Art Sake Initiative.

“We wanted to provide a way to support our identity as an arts-friendly city and affect change with a minimal budget. Using vacant spaces seemed like a natural match,” said DSP Programming Manager Julia Beckner. “Downtown is home to our region’s best public art, museums, theaters and arts groups. We reached out to local arts organizations to develop programs that connect Downtown’s history and cultural amenities.”

In addition to the art exhibit, pedestrians can experience Downtown’s impressive collection of public art and historic architecture on free public art tours presented by the Crocker Art Museum and SMAC. Tours are offered throughout the summer and fall, with special lunchtime chats and Second Saturday tours on topics ranging from the Crocker family legacy to Downtown’s collection of Chicano art.

For full details on all West of 16th Street and East of the River events, visit www.downtownsac.org/secondsaturday.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Spend holiday time in Old Sac

2009-11-26T06:48:28Z

New this year, event-goers will be introduced to the Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights.

The Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights will run two 10-minute light shows throughout the holiday season Thursdays through Sundays at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

November 25 - January 3

6:30 and 8:00pm shows

Front and K Street, meet at the tree!

Mayor Kevin Johnson kicked off the Tree Lighting and the inaugural Theatre of Lights tonight.

Everyone gathered around the big Christmas tree at K and Front Street.

Lights and sound!

And, yes, it's Santa Claus.

Tour a railroad car

Take a ride on the steam engine train from Old Sac

For more information, call (916) 442-8575.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Sac Sunrise

2009-11-24T18:04:36Z

From the quiet streets of Old Sac, the sun begins its arrival on a chilly morning two days before Thanksgiving.

Watch SacPress for upcoming holiday events happening in Downtown and Old Sacramento. SacPress photo | Kati Garner

Downtown Sac welcomes the holidays

2009-11-20T21:06:53Z

A worker uses a plumb line to make sure Westfield Downtown Plaza's Christmas tree stands straight. It was delivered by crane early this morning.

The tall tree was lowered into a hole in the concrete in front of the plaza.

Huge planks of wood are used as shims to straighten the trunk.

This worker walked the circumference of the tree, using his plumb line from all angles, to ensure the tree stands upright.

This year will be a brighter holiday for Sacramento. The first-ever Carnival of Lights will delight visitors with a dazzling display of lights throughout the Central City from the waterfront through Midtown starting the week of Thanksgiving through January 3.

The Carnival of Lights will kick off in Old Sacramento the night before Thanksgiving with the annual Old Sacramento Tree Lighting and the Theatre of Lights, produced by the Old Sacramento Business Association.

The Theatre of Lights will bring history to life through a narrated show of lights, sounds and visual effects. The light show will take visitors back to a time when the beloved poem The Night Before Christmas was first introduced in Sacramento in 1857.

The first Tree Lighting of the season and Theatre of Lights inaugural night will take place on November 25 at 6 pm in Old Sacramento at Front and K streets. Two 10-minute light shows will run every Thursday through Sunday at 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm through January 3.

For more information, visit www.oldsactheatreoflights.com.

The Carnival at St. Rose is a 5-week holiday event that will transform 7th and K streets into a festive winter carnival. The event will take place in lieu of the ice rink this holiday season due to conflicts in construction schedules with the K Street Streetscape project and renovation of St. Rose of Lima Park.

Open daily November 27 through January 3 from noon until 8:00 pm, the Carnival at St. Rose will feature a ferris wheel, classic carnival and arcade games, and food vendors.

First 100 in line get in free November 27th.

In the spirit of the season, the carnival will also incorporate live entertainment, a gingerbread house chef challenge, a craft fair, and charity events. Admission to the event for a two-hour session is $6 for children and seniors and $7 for adults. Private parties and group discounts are available with advance reservations.

The Carnival at St. Rose is produced by the DSP and is expected to draw visitors from all over the region. The event is presented by the Westfield Downtown Plaza and sponsored by the University of San Francisco – Sacramento Campus, UC Davis Children’s Hospital, KCRA 3, My58, Johnny Rockets and the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza.

For more information, visit www.downtownsac.org/carnival.

SacPress photos | Kati Garner

Kids week

2009-07-18T02:01:50Z

Matteo Amato makes his own pizza at Il Fornaio restaurant in downtown Sac.

The Italian Restaurant and Bakery participated in the first annual Downtown Kid's Week. Sponsored by the Downtown Sac Partnership, families from around the region are invited to join in the fun by exploring the cultural treasures in their own backyard and taking advantage of special and activities at participating Downtown Kid's Week businesses.

This year's event ran from July 11 through 18.

Photo | Kati Garner