I Love Fair Oaks

Lifestyle & Events in Fair Oaks, CA Spotlight on local businesses, recreation, and activities in Fair Oaks, California

Chrysti Tovani

Your Porch Portraits Support the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival & Chamber of Commerce

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I was inspired by watching videos like this to do porch portraits in my community of Fair Oaks, Carmichael, and Orangevale.

This is a time to capture moments that you’ll be able to look back on for years to come. While we’re at home with our families or with our pets or if we live alone, this is a time in our history to document and I would love to do this for you.

I am currently running for Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce Honorary Mayor and I’m raising money for the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival and Chamber of Commerce. With all of the events canceled, they are in need of our support. I’m am doing a limited edition of porch portraits for a $25 donation. Your donation will help offset the loss that both the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival and the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce are experiencing due to the Covid-19.

You will have a beautiful portrait as a keepsake and your donation is tax-deductible.

To get on the schedule for a porch portrait session visit https://www.facebook.com/chrystitovaniforfairoaks/ and send me a message. It’s a minimum donation of $25 per household.

How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Fair Oaks

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Now that Christmas is over you’re taking down the decorations and need to recycle your tree. So how do you get rid of your Christmas tree in Fair Oaks, California? Well, the Boy Scout Troop 215 will pick up your trees and recycle them for you.

Here are the dates that Christmas Tree pick will happen in Fair Oaks:

December 29 & 30 (Saturday and Sunday)
January 4, 5, and 6 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
January 12 & 13 (Saturday and Sunday)
January 19 (Saturday)

You need to schedule to have your tree picked up on a specific date.

Call 916-332-1664 and leave a message with your name, address, phone number, and the date you would like your tree picked up.

The suggested donation is $10 per tree. (Additional donations welcome.)

Make checks (preferred) to BSA Troop 215.

Please call or email early to make your reservation. 916-332-1664

Leave your tree at the curb or edge of street by 9 AM.

A Christmas Story Comes to Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

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This is a favorite holiday movie classic made into a Broadway Musical. It’s about a young boy, Ralphie, who is trying to figure out a way to convince the adults that the “Red Ryder air rifle” would make a wonderful Christmas gift. Every time he brings it up, he’s told, “You’ll put your eye out!”

Christopher Swan as The Old Man and the company of A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL presented by Broadway On Tour at Memorial Auditorium Nov. 8-17, 2019. Photo by Gary Emord Netzley.

I Love Fair Oaks was invited along with a group of Sacramento bloggers and social media influencers by Broadway on Tour to see A Christmas Story. We are part of a group headed by Julie Gallaher and Sacramento Top Ten, called Instayelpatweetasnap and dubbed Broadway Sacramento Ambassadors by Broadway Sacramento.

This is one of my favorite holiday stories of an era long gone. Kids even walked to school in the snow. I can’t even imagine kids today having a bb gun unsupervised.

We follow Ralphie through his outrageous antics leading up to Christmas.

The scenery was a fabulous snowy town decorated for Christmas. I enjoy the simplistic stage with the house set up like a dollhouse. Very cute!

What was really impressive about the show was how well the actors danced. They were hoofing it up on stage with the clickety-clack of the tap shoes. It was energetic and very entertaining. I’m surprised at how big the cast of child actors there were. All gave a superb performance.

Towards the end, there’s a scene where the audience is bathed in soft flowing lights, and you just can’t help feeling overwhelmed with joy. This is a beautiful show to kick off the holidays. Get your tickets!

A Christmas Story is playing at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium through November 17th, 2019.

The Community Center Theater is being renovated. It will open again in the fall of 2020, so all of the 2019 Broadway on Tour shows will be playing at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium.

Puttin on the Dog for Yappy Hour at Shangrila Fair Oaks

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Bring the whole family to enjoy the child and dog-friendly patio paradise with bocce ball and fire pits. Shangrila Fair Oaks is the neighborhood hotspot in Fair Oaks Village.

To celebrate Halloween, Shangrila Fair Oaks teamed up with Sacramento’s Front Street Animal Shelter for “Yappy Hour!”

Sacramento Front Street Animal Shelter – Adoptable Dogs

People brought their dogs dressed in costumes for happy hour. There were games and face painting along with tables where you could purchase items for your pets and donate money to Sacramento’s Front Street Animal Shelter.

There were dogs and kittens available for adoption. I hope they found good homes. The little dog who was blind was so sweet and just loved being held.

Kitten from Sacramento’s Front Street Animal Shelter

This Standard Poodle dressed in prison stripes was the sure winner of the costume contest. I have a confession. I was drawn over to the bar and ordered a hamburger and socialized. So I didn’t take pictures of all the activities. I didn’t even take a picture of my food. It was so delicious and I was having good conversations. Shangrila Fair Oaks is a fun place! They have signature cocktails that are refreshing. Ask the bartender.

The dogs were social and seemed to have fun too!

Sommer Peterson has done a wonderful job transforming the old mortuary into a beautiful place to hang out. It was featured on KCRA’s Word of Mouth. Watch the video here. https://www.kcra.com/article/word-of-mouth-shangri-la-sacramento/29864287# My friends, Jessica Briggs, from Blog About it All, and Ashley Newell were guest stars. It was exciting to see them on TV.

Sommer Peterson, Owner of Shangri-la Fair Oaks

Visit the website to see the menu and be sure to follow Shangrila Fair Oaks on Facebook. Are you interested in hosting an event? Check out their event page.

Local Artist in Fair Oaks Neddy

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I love hearing Fair Oakians talk about growing up in Fair Oaks because people take pride in living in Fair Oaks.

One day when I was in the village I met an interesting fellow, Neddy, a local artist who was with some people at the Fair Oaks Coffee House and Deli and happened to be showing one of his works to them. We started talking and I learned that he’s lived in Fair Oaks since 1957. He moved here at 13 years old. He reminisced about riding bikes down to the river and even jumping off the old bridge.

We made plans to meet later that week and he brought some of his paintings to show me. He paints every day. “Easel time,” he calls it. Some of his best work happens by accident, he says. He’s not crazy about realism. “You’ve always got to be looking for something in the subject. You can’t try to make it look exactly like you see it, or you’ll try to be perfect, and that’s not going to happen. Just let it develop.”

Neddy loves hanging out in the Village. He sells some of his paintings at the Village Decor & Antique shop located in Fair Oaks Village directly across the street from the Fair Oaks Village Coffee House & Deli.

If you or someone you know wants to share some stories and photos of Fair Oaks, please get in touch with me at chrysti@ilovefairoaks dot com.

Paperback Writer Concert in Fair Oaks

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The Beatles tribute band, Paperback Writer, was a hit at the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival. The concert began with songs from the early 1960s. The band dressed in dark suits with the Beatle hair cut, also known as the mop-top as they wore on the Ed Sullivan show.

A large audience came out to watch the concert. It was amazing! Many happy faces enjoying the show. Under the stars with a half-moon shining so bright. A gorgeous night! Perfect weather and great music! I think many of us are lost in nostalgia when we hear the Beatles songs. It brings me back to my childhood.

The second half of the Beatles experience took us on a journey through the Sgt. Pepper’s years. “When I’m 64, and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”, and my favorite, “Hey Jude.”

Instead of lighters, people in the audience swayed to the music with their cell phones being used as lights. It was beautiful! I wished I had captured it. Thanks to the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival and Fair Oaks Brew Pub for bringing us another spectacular evening of entertainment.

Fair Oaks Theatre Festival – Steelin’ Dan in Concert 2019

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Steelin Dan performing at Fair Oaks Theatre Festival in Fair Oaks, CA
Steelin Dan performing at Fair Oaks Theatre Festival in Fair Oaks, CA

The summer of 2019 season of the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival has begun! Kicking off with a sophisticated rock and funky jazz sounds of Steelin’ Dan – the Music of Steely Dan. I enjoyed them so much last summer when they played at the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre in Fair Oaks, CA.

It was a beautiful evening that began with a colorful sunset. Pinks & violets in the sky would later be an indicator of coming showers. There was this chicken so content with the crowd. Even sitting in laps and on shoulders. It walked through as people danced and also got up on stage and walked around the band as they played before finding a comfy spot to roost. It was the neatest thing.

It rained. There was a flash of lightning in the sky, and Sandford said that if it starts raining, you will see a bunch of musicians running off the stage. Well, it didn’t shower right away, but in the middle of a great set, we started to feel a drop, then another. Still dancing. Nobody wanted to acknowledge it, and the band played on as long as they could. When the drops starting coming down bigger and faster, we knew it was time to call it quits.

The band said that they would have loved being on Fair Oaks Live before the show. So, we did the next best thing. We walked over to Stockman’s in Fair Oaks Village. It was busy, but we found a booth and Sandford joined us. He’s one impressive dude. Wow!

I wish we had more time with the band members. All of them are wonderful and talented. I’m sure they are as exciting too. So often the lead singer gets the attention, and I think that’s why Sandford emphasizes that there are no prima donnas in the band.

Several of the band members also teach music.

Sanford teaches high school English and a culinary arts class to HS seniors. Both of his parents were college professors. He spent about 30 years working in the restaurant business and did well for himself, but he decided that he wanted to offer more by teaching.

The band enjoys playing together and feel like it’s a bonus that people want to pay them to do what they love.

I think you will enjoy listening to the interview and if you stick around to the end, you’ll see the chicken too.

It was a fantastic night! If you get a chance to see Steelin’ Dan perform, do it! Visit the Steelin’ Dan website and find out where they’re playing next. They have an interesting Facebook page with videos and an Instagram page for you to connect with.

What’s next at Fair Oaks Theatre Festival?

Gilligan’s Island! Opening June 14th – July 15th, 2019.

Mamma Mia! Opening August 9th – September 8th

HIGH TIDE
A Tribute to the Beach Boys and Surf Music
July 20,2019

SPECIAL EVENT
The New Christy Minstrels
JULY 28, 2019

CARAVANSERAI
The Santana Tribute
JULY 27, 2019

NIGHT MOVES
A Tribute to Bob Seger and Creedence Clearwater Revival
​SEPT 14, 2019

PAPERBACK WRITER
The Beatles Experience
OCTOBER 5, 2019

See showtimes and buy tickets at the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival.

Broadway Sacramento’s Aladdin Dazzles

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Inside the cave of wonders in the Broadway Musical production of Aladdin
Disney’s Aladdin ©Disney Photo by Deen van Meer

“You ain’t never had a friend like Meeeee!” This song has been dancing around in my head since we saw the live theatre production of Disney’s Aladdin on Thursday evening at the Sacramento Community Center Theatre. If you haven’t been to a Broadway Sacramento Musical, and this is your first, it is going to set the bar high on your expectations forever. I’ve heard that the Lion King is the best, but I haven’t seen it so for me, Aladdin is number one.

two people standing in front of the Aladdin backdrop at the Sacramento Community Center Theater
My son and me at the Sacramento Broadway Musical, Disney’s Aladdin.

The performance was breathtaking. I brought my son with me; he just turned 29 and had never been to a Broadway Musical. He expected it to be more about doing something thoughtful for his mom by coming out to a musical. But when it began, and the curtain opened, he gasped. “Oh my God! That’s a live orchestra!” I whispered back, “It’s a Broadway production.” As if he should know. But I run around with my group of blogger friends, and we do all sorts of fun things here in Sacramento and attend almost all of the Broadway Sacramento Musicals. My son is just discovering that his mom is cool!

I was tickled to see how much he was enjoying the show. Aladdin was his favorite Disney movie when he was a kid. He was beaming the whole time, clapping hard and whistling during the big applause. The entire audience was excited. The theatre was full too. When you are still as enthusiastic days later, it’s a pleasant experience.

HIGH QUALITY ENTERTAINMENT

I have never seen such an elaborate stage set. Swarovski Crystal beads and gold sparkling so bright. The scene where Aladdin and Jasmin sing, “A Whole New World,” while flying under the moon and stars on the magic carpet was beautiful. Yes, the carpet does fly.

Disney’s Aladdin ©Disney Photo by Deen van Meer

The genie is hilarious and even throws in some modern-day references and banters a bit with the audience. There are no dull moments in this show.

This traveling Broadway musical is one of the largest productions. It takes 20 trucks to carry the stage sets, lighting, equipment, and costumes. Almost 200 people are involved in delivering each performance of Aladdin, and this includes the actors, stage crew, musicians, hair stylists, makeup artists. And guess who gave me that information. My son! He was talking with some of the crew during intermission.

Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway

I’m hoping this will inspire him to see more plays. It meant a lot to me to have this experience with him, and hopefully, he’ll get to take his future son or daughter to see it one day.

BEFORE THE SHOW

young man at the Amourath 1819 located inside the Hyatt Regency Sacramento
Enjoying a cocktail at Amourtath 1819 before the show.

Before seeing a Broadway Musical, we like to meet for a drink at the Amourath 1819 located inside the Hyatt Regency Sacramento or Downtown & Wine. Both are classy and offer excellent service.

I AM GIVING AWAY SOME SWAG! ENTER TO WIN @ILOVEFAIROAKS INSTAGRAM

Thank you to SacramentoTop10 and Broadway Sacramento for inviting me to review the show and providing the prizes for me to give my audience. I’ll be doing a giveaway on the I Love Fair Oaks Instagram page. Enter to win some great Disney’s Aladdin swag. Contest ends June 3rd, 2019.

ALADDIN PLAYS THROUGH JUN 2, 2019

Get showtimes and ticket information at the Broadway Sacramento website. See what’s coming in 2020. Don’t forget to check out Music Circus at the Wells Fargo Pavillion.

Fair Oaks Fiesta 2019

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If you’re from the Sacramento region, you’re probably familiar with the local festivals. Now that we have a large number of people moving to Sacramento from San Francisco, San Jose, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and well, escaping the bay so to speak. I’ll give you the scoop like you’re new in town.

In the spring we have the Fair Oaks Fiesta, It’s organized by the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce each year and is solely supported 100% by our community and business members that are all volunteers. It literally takes a village to put this put this event together. And a village we are.

The day is filled with fun activities and vendors with cool stuff to purchase. Food trucks too! The street in the village is lined on both sides by Classic cars. It starts off with a pancake breakfast at the community clubhouse. And you ain’t seen nothin’ if you miss the toilet bowl races!

The Governor of California lives in Fair Oaks. I heard a rumor that the Gavin Newsom was walking among us incognito. Wouldn’t that be something? I don’t know if he really did that or not. What a bummer to live here in beautiful Fair Oaks and not be able to walk around the park and enjoy the festivities. I would slap on a baseball cap and sunglasses too.

It was a fantastic! Music from the ’50s and ’60s could be heard all over. The weather was cool and breezy with clear blue skies. A perfect day!

I arrived just as Assemblyman Kevin Kiley was giving the opening remarks and started taking pictures of the Chamber of Commerce Leaders.

Toilet Bowl Race 2019

The toilet bowl races were hilarious. How do they stay on so well? It’s crazy to watch.

There were so many great booths to visit.

The Housewives of Fair Oaks Glasses are a must-have! I’m going to stop by the Mail House and pick some up for myself and maybe for housewarming presents for my Fair Oaks homebuyers. (My sister worked as a casting producer on BRAVO. She helped cast the Housewives. I’m not kidding.)

Do you have a baby shower coming up soon? You must visit Nana’s Gone Loopy. Her stuffed animals, bags, and blankets are made for comforting little ones. Easy to keep clean and ready to be drooled on. This will be your baby’s security blanket.