Franchise Opportunities in Sacramento, CA

Your eyes aren’t playing tricks. That honking blob that looked like a sea lion near Tower Bridge — it probably was one.

Sightings of the marine animals often make their rounds on Sacramento social media, and can send the average user down a rabbit hole (if you’re new, or younger than, say, 35 you may also be excited to learn about Humphrey, the vagabond humpback whale).

But why are these creatures — who typically spend their time on the coast — appearing so far from the ocean? The answer’s rather simple: There are more of them, and they’re hungry.

The sea lions spotted in Sacramento are usually adult males who have left their home in the Channel Islands, off the coast of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, according to National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration spokesman Michael Milstein.

According to past reports, sea lions have been spotted on both the Sacramento and American rivers.

During much of winter to early spring, California sea lions travel the West Coast all the way up to parts of southern Alasksa on the hunt for food.

But with breeding season approaching, many male sea lions will be heading back down to their native southern California island soon.

Female sea lions and their babies, known as pups, are another story: They stay close to home year round.

“Female sea lions and pups stay around the island because the pups can’t fend for themselves,” Milstein, a NOAA official for the West Coast office, said. “They gather prey and feed them to the pups.”

Breeding season typically lasts until early August, and most sea lions are back home to reproduce in late June and July.

According to marine life experts, these male sea lions are primarily looking to put on weight and bulk up before breeding season begins.

Many of them are on the hunt for reliable sources of food such as salmon and other types of fish. The Sacramento River system is home to plenty of salmon, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“They typically like salmon because they’re big and have a lot of fat and energy in them when they catch them,” Milstein said.

There are also more sea lions now.

Before the Marine Mammal Protection Act was passed in 1972, sea lions were widely hunted, which resulted in population decline, NOAA spokeswoman Sharon Melin said. After the act was passed, their numbers started climbing back up, and sea lions now represent a “healthy and robust” population.

The sociable animals usually rest and sleep on docks until their next meal. They make honking or barking noises to communicate with each other.

While they may look docile, sea lions can act aggressively and deliver substantial bites to people if provoked, said sea lion expert Melin, who has spent time researching and studying the animal.

While female lions can weigh around 250 pounds, male sea lions can weigh anywhere from 600 to 800 pounds and are territorial creatures.

“They won’t react much if you’re not threatening, until you get too close to them,” Melin said. “Once you do ... they can move incredibly fast and cover quite a lot of ground, and you want to stay away from them.”

In addition, the 1972 act makes it illegal for people to disturb these animals. Harassment includes causing any disruptions in behavior as minor as sea lions raising their head in response to human disturbances, experts said.

Melin said people should keep a wide berth around the sea lions out of abundance of caution. The NOAA recommends maintaining a distance of 50 yards from them and other marine animals including dolphins and seals.

This story was originally published May 12, 2022 5:00 AM.

This weekend, you can toast to your mom for Mother’s Day, have a belated Cinco de Mayo bash — or celebrate that it’s finally the weekend.

Here are the top five events in the Sacramento area where you can take your celebrations,whatever they may be.

Doors open noon, Saturday at Heart Health Park, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento

Get in the mosh pits this weekend for the Punk in Drublic Festival. The event includes up to three hours of craft beer tastings and live punk rock performances from headliners NOFX, Pennywise, Face to Face and The Bouncing Souls. The Bombpops and Bay area band Get Dead will also be performing.

General admission starts at $55 on Ticketmaster.

6:30 p.m., Saturday at Benvenuti Performing Arts Center, 4600 Blackrock Dr., Sacramento

Celebrate Mexican traditions and music with ballet folklorico dance, live mariachi music and a performance by Luis Fernando. Ticket proceeds go to Heroes to the Rescue and Natomas Charter School’s music department, according to the Eventbrite page.

Tickets for students are $17, adults $20 and seniors $12.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday at Amador County Fair & Event Center, 18621 Sherwood St., Plymouth

Take a trip to Amador Wine Country, for the Amador Four Fires Food and Wine Festival. The event celebrates the notable wine regions of Spain, Italy, South of France and “Heritage California.”

There will be tastings of more than 100 award-winning wines, local chefs and live music.

Tickets for designated drivers start at $40 and general admission starts at $105. You can grab your tickets online.

1:05 p.m., Sunday at Sutter Health Park, 400 Ballpark Dr., West Sacramento

The Sacramento River Cats will be playing against the Las Vegas Aviators Sunday afternoon in their limited edition Mother’s Day jerseys. Attendees can also purchase a Mother’s Day Brunch Package at the Sactown Smokehouse, located in the venue near Bogle Winery and the Sutter Health Gardens.

You can get your tickets to the game, starting at $14, on Ticketmaster.

Noon to 2 p.m., Sunday at Track 7 Taproom, 3747 W Pacific Ave. F, Sacramento

Learn how to assemble a charcuterie board with salami roses and artfully carved fruit. At the workshop, you’ll learn about pairing suggestions, cheese selection, board layout and cutting techniques.

Tickets are $75 for singles and $100 for pairs.

Have an interesting event coming up next weekend? Let us know below.

The month of April brought a slew of new restaurants throughout the Sacramento region — particularly in the city to the south.

At least 22 new restaurants opened in the area, including five in Elk Grove. Two new restaurants also opened in Folsom, West Sacramento and Rocklin, plus one each in Colfax, Davis, Lincoln and Cameron Park.

Anar Persian Kitchen (1259 Merkley Ave., West Sacramento): This halal restaurant is still in its soft-opening phase, but customers can already get skewered meats, Uzbekistan-style pilaf and chainaki (Afghan chicken stew served in a teapot).

Bambu (8139 Elk Grove Blvd., Suite 140, Elk Grove): This boba chain known for Vietnamese dessert drinks called chè debuted in South Sacramento before expanding to Elk Grove.

Burger Patch (4400 Freeport Blvd., Suite 160, Sacramento): Sacramento’s all-vegan fast food chain opened its biggest location to date across from William Land Park on April 9 and will use its central kitchen to power a coming “double-digit” Bay Area expansion.

Captain Crab (8471 Elk Grove Florin Rd., Elk Grove): After opening its first area location (and third overall) near Arden Fair Mall last August, this Cajun seafood concept replaced Sizzler in Elk Grove on April 19.

Curry Pizza House (4261 Truxel Rd., Suite A6, Sacramento): Franchisee Sukhchain Singh Bhangu introduced this Bay Area-based Indian pizza chain to the Sacramento region with his 1,200-square foot Natomas location, which replaced California Express Pizza.

Gaspachos (1600 Ethan Way, Suite 70, Sacramento): Gaspachos’ second location launched in Howe Bout Arden shopping center with burritos, sandwiches and the Michoacán-inspired seasoned fruit cups from which the business takes its name.

Hidden Dumpling House (9635 E. Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove): Dumplings are the thing to get at this Chinese restaurant that replaced S.E.A. Bowl near Highway 99, but look for established classics like mapo tofu, chow fun and sweet-and-sour chicken as well.

Hikari Sushi & Omakase (110 F St., Suite A, Davis): Former Mermaid Sushi owners Zin Khine and Sithu Tun have started serving sushi in downtown Davis and will soon debut Edomae-style omakase, where the chef tops nigiri with cured seafood.

Melting Grill (6700 Lonetree Blvd., Suite 700, Rocklin): Blue Oaks Town Center’s new restaurant from KoJa Kitchen’s ownership team busts out Korean fusion items like like kimchi fried rice omelets, yangyum chicken wings and dak-galbi.

Mi Ranchito Mexican Food (1 S. Main St., Colfax): Look for tacos, sopes and combo plates like green chicken enchiladas or carnitas at the newest eatery in this small foothill town.

MF Gyros & Burgers (4419 Elkhorn Blvd., Sacramento): This fast-casual Middle Eastern joint in Foothill Farms can hook it up with fried chicken, lamb gyros, loaded fries and more.

Mochinut (4331A Elkhorn Blvd., Sacramento): This Korea-based chain’s mochi doughnuts and eclectic corn dogs landed in Antelope after downtown and South Sacramento.

Nara Sushi (1125 Riley St., Folsom): An Ok Yoon and Jung Mi Yoon opened their Japanese restaurant April 8 in Folsom Central shopping center, with baked lobster rolls, geoduck sashimi and teriyaki donburi.

Nick The Greek (7460 Elk Grove Blvd., Suite 110, Elk Grove): Grab relaxed Greek bites like souvlaki, pita wraps and avgolemono from this South Bay Area-based chain, which recently opened in Roseville and Davis as well.

Paris Banh Mi Cafe & Bakery (8403 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove): This Florida-based chain founded by Paris-raised Hien Tran and Vietnamese cafe owner Doan Nguyen opened its first California location in Elk Grove at the beginning of April, serving banh mi as well as burgers and sandwiches on fresh-baked croissants.

Pizza Twist (4400 Freeport Blvd., Suite 150, Sacramento): Butter chicken, garlic paneer and veggie tikka masala top pizza pies at this Land Park restaurant, which has sister locations in Elk Grove and Arden Arcade.

Represa Grill (97 Natoma St., Folsom): Former Brahma Bar & Grill chef William Hartzell’s new venture is making burgers, sandwiches and appetizers such as fried pickles inside Folsom Dam Bar.

Saladworks (820 Sterling Pkwy., Unit 3070, Lincoln): Pennsylvania-based Saladworks chose Lincoln for its second California location, greeting Sterling Pointe Center customers with soups, wraps and build-your-own bowls.

Sila Thai Cuisine (6815 Lonetree Blvd., Suite 105, Rocklin): Look for Thai dishes like rat na (flat rice noodles stir-fried with meat, broccoli and oyster gravy) or yum woon sen (glass noodle salad with prawns, ground beef and onions in a chili-lemon dressing) at this new Rocklin West shopping center restaurant.

Sister’s Cafe (3300 Coach Ln., Suite D8, Cameron Park): Beatriz Ramos Rodriguez’s new breakfast-and-lunch spot in Burke Junction Shopping Center mostly makes its money on diner staples but occasionally adds a Mexican American twist, as with a carnitas burger or Mahi Mahi tacos.

Smashburger (1600 Ethan Way, Suite 80, Sacramento): Denver-based Smashburger became the second Howe Bout Arden restaurant to open last month when it started serving flattened patties April 20.

Teriyaki Madness (289 3rd St., West Sacramento): A fast-casual Japanese concept also based out of Denver, Teriyaki Madness made its first Sacramento-area splash on April 7 through franchisee and local rice farmer Jeff Gallagher.

Sacramento has some of the filthiest air, according to a new air quality study.

The American Lung Association’s “State of the Air 2022” is based on the data of air quality throughout the United States, obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality System. The study focuses on the years 2018 to 2020.

According to the 155-page air quality report, the area ranked No. 7 out “25 Cites Most Polluted by Daily Particulate Matter.” The 11 other state cities ranked include: Fresno, No. 1, Bakersfield, No. 2, San Jose, No. 4, Redding, No. 5, Chico, No. 6, Los Angeles, No. 8, Visalia, No. 9, San Diego, No. 13, Salinas, No. 14 and San Luis Obispo, No. 22.

Fine particulate matter air pollution, also known as PM2.5, comes from wildfires, wood-burning stoves, coal-fired power plants, diesel engines and more, according to the American Lung Association. The particles can cause asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes and lung cancer.

According to the report, improvement in the nation’s air quality has been offset by climate change, noting wildfires in the western U.S. were responsible for a sharp rise in particle pollution spikes in several states.

“’State of the Air 2022’ shows that an unacceptable number of Americans are still living in areas with poor air quality that could impact their health,” said Harold Wimmer, CEO of the American Lung Association in a statement introducing the air quality study. “More than 137 million Americans live in counties that had unhealthy levels of particle pollution or ozone.”

The Fresno area (Fresno-Madera-Hanford) ranked No. 1 out of the “Top Five Cities Most Polluted by Short-Term Particle Pollution” and Bakersfield took the second spot, according to the air quality summary report. The Bay area (San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland) took the fourth spot, followed by Redding (Redding-Red Bluff) at No. 5.

Fairbanks, Alaska, took the No. 3 spot, the only non-California city in the top five list.

Bakersfield ranked No. 1 out of the “Top 5 Cities Most Polluted by Year-Round Particle Pollution.” The Fresno area (Fresno-Madera-Hanford) took the second spot, follwed by Visalia, No. 3, the bay area (San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland), No. 4 and Los Angles, No. 5.

This story was originally published April 21, 2022 3:04 PM.

Very low-income renters in the Sacramento metro area face a shortage of more than 78,000 affordable and available homes, according to a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Published Thursday, the report found that thousands of low-income residents spend well over the recommended 30% of their income on rent and utilities because of a dearth of affordable homes and apartments in Sacramento.

Only 41 affordable and available rentals exist in the Sacramento region for every 100 very low-income renter households, according to the coalition’s analysis.

In Sacramento County, very low income is defined by the federal government as a person who earns $31,750 — roughly minimum wage — or a household of four earning $45,300.

For people in extreme poverty, the shortage of available and affordable homes is even more severe. Only about one in five extremely low-income renter households would be able to find an affordable and available unit, the report found.

About four in five extremely low-income renters in the Sacramento metro area spend more than half of all their earnings paying rent, according to the report. That puts added strain on their wallets and budgets, forcing low-income renters to cut back on other basic necessities such as food and healthcare.

Out of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the country, the Sacramento area is among the top ten metros with the worst shortage of affordable rentals for extremely low-income households, the report found, ranking ninth overall.

“This report highlights a systemic shortage of affordable housing for extremely low-income renters that impacts nearly every community,” the coalition report stated.

Across the United States, extremely low-income renters face a shortage of roughly 7 million affordable and available rental homes, according to the report. Only 36 affordable and available homes exist for every 100 extremely low-income renter households.

No state has an adequate supply of affordable and available homes for extremely low-income renters — a group that accounts for 25% of all renter households in the United States.

The shortage is exacerbated by the fact that low-income renters find themselves competing against higher-income renters in the private market, which cannot sufficiently compensate for the deficit.

That’s because the rents affordable to extremely low-income renters will not cover the development and operating costs of new housing, and “often do not provide sufficient incentives for landlords to maintain older housing,” the report stated.

Instead, subsidized housing vouchers and public housing projects “can correct such failures of the market and tip the scales toward housing justice,” the report stated.

“The shortage can only be addressed through sufficiently long-term federal investments in affordable housing programs designed to serve households with the greatest needs,” the report stated.

Nationwide, nearly all extremely low-income renters work low-wage jobs or are unable to work, according to the report. About 37% are in the labor force, 27% are seniors, 19% include a householder with a disability, and another 7% are students or are single adults who work as a caregiver to a child or person with a disability.

The shortage of affordable homes for poor households disproportionately impacts people of color, who are more likely to be renters and have extremely low incomes.

The report found only 6% of white households are extremely low-income renters. In comparison, 20% of Black households, 18% of American Indian or Alaska Native households, 15% of Latino households, and 10% of Asian households are extremely low-income renters.

As of last month, 5.6 million renter households were behind on rent, according to the report, accounting for 14% of renter households.

This story was originally published April 21, 2022 7:00 AM.