Hello Friday.
April 18 2025 |
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Outdoor movies, weekends at the river + barbecues are all signs of a Sacramento summer well spent, but there’s something else in our opinion that really shines a light on what makes this season so great: stargazing.
There’s just something so special to us about huddling around a telescope in the pleasantly warm weather + underneath the bewilderingly expansive sky.
So to help you have an easy landing into a star-studded summer, we’re here to give you the full rundown of all things astronomy to mark on your calendar the next few months — like the Perseids meteor shower that runs Fri., Aug. 12-Sat., Aug. 13.
In fact, we've even constellated all the cosmically-aligned events you won’t want to miss for the rest of the year. |
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We're starstruck by this photo taken in Elk Grove. | Photo by Andrew McCarthy, @cosmic_background |
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But first, a look at some of the Sacramento region’s resources for budding astronomers:
⭐️ Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society | One of the oldest societies of its kind in the country (founded in 1945, it’s going on 80 years), this educational collective serves the entire Northern California region with outreach parties, scholarships + guidance on amateur telescope making. Its members range from elementary students to college professors, and even a “world-famous comet hunter.”
⭐️ UC Davis Astronomy Club | Despite taking place on UC Davis’ campus, this club hosts various activities throughout the year that are open to the public, such as sky viewings on Friday nights. Reach out to learn more.
⭐️ Community Observatory | Enjoy docent-led tours of the night sky Fridays + Saturdays from 9-11 p.m. at this Placerville-based observation-post for the cosmos.
Don’t forget, too, that SMUD hosts celestially-themed shows every day at its UC Davis Multiverse Theater, or that the planetarium at Sacramento State is currently showing “Unseen Universe” — a show exploring the mysteries of the night sky — until Sat., July 23.
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Friday -
Comedy Under the Stars | Fri., July 8 | 8-9:30 p.m. | 3020 Renwick Ave. | $15+ | Get ready to laugh out loud with comedians Emily Van Dyke, Justin Lucas + Marc Yaffee on the green in Elk Grove. 🎤
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The Room | Fri., July 8 | 8-10:30 p.m. | Tower Theatre | $11.50 | Experience the cult classic that will make you say, “What a story, Mark.”
Saturday -
Midtown Farmers Market Sat., July 9 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lavender Heights District | Free | Enjoy farm-fresh produce, prepared foods, and artisanal crafts from a rotating list of local vendors. 🥬
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Summer Art Fair | Sat., July 9 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | California Automobile Museum | Prices vary | Enjoy automotive art, watch live demos + participate in an auction to help the museum fundraise.
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Little Eco Art Market | Sat., July 9 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Atrium 916, 1020 Front St. | Free | Enjoy train rides, local vendors + activities for children at this weekly event. 🖼️
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Hack the Park | Sat., July 9 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Maple Park, 3200 37th Ave. | Free | From dozens of interactive booths to mural painting activities, this STEM-focused festival has been engineered for the whole family. 🤖
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Shy Baby | Sat., July 9 | 6-9 p.m. | Pressed 916, 1725 L St. | Free | Enjoy this special exhibition of the local artist’s work, who will also be spinning tunes throughout the show. 🎨
Sunday -
Boozy Book Fair | Sun., July 10 | 5-8 p.m. | Track 7, 5090 Folsom Blvd. | Free | Get alliterative (and maybe slur your words) at this school book fair-themed event for adults with classic children’s literature, stickers, bookmarks, beer + more. 📚
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We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends. |
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Weather - 95º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain ☀️
Region -
As of yesterday afternoon — just three days after it ignited on the Fourth of July — fire crews have managed to reach 40% containment on the Electra Fire in Amador + Calaveras counties. Additionally, CAL FIRE announced that it has relocated several roadblocks, and has lifted evacuation orders. 🚒 (CBS13)
Community -
The Sacramento Unified School District is providing groceries through a “curbside, grab-and-go mobile food pantry” on a first-come, first-serve basis Monday-Friday until Aug. 12. Open to all community members, food will be provided across five locations. Learn more. (KCRA3)
Environment -
In an annual report released Wednesday, UC Davis found that Lake Tahoe’s average water clarity was 61 ft in 2021 — a decline from 63 ft in 2020. Historically, the lake’s clarity has had a high of 97 ft. 💧 (Sac Bee)
Trending -
There’s a new artist making (color) waves in nearby Calaveras County, but the catch is that it’s a pig. Nicknamed “Pigcasso,” the paint swirling swine from Mokelumne Hill has recently placed first at both the Mother Lode and Calaveras County fairs + has paintings selling up to $25. 🐷 (CBS 13)
Civic -
The City of Sacramento is now offering rebates of up to $4,000 to help offset costs incurred from its updated cannabis security requirements for local dispensaries. The city has enough for ~250 rebates + the program will remain open until all funds have been doled out. Learn more. 💰 (Sacramento City Express)
Announced -
Sacramento-raised restaurateur Tove Nord is bringing Pazza Notte — her Manhattan-based, Italian-American eatery — to 1801 L St. in Midtown. The restaurant will feature dishes like penne carbonara, thin crust pizzas, and a daily two-for-one martini happy hour. Tove expects to open it by March 2023. 🍝 (Sac Biz Journal)
Woodlandian -
Rochelle Wu — a 16-year-old chess player from Woodland who earned the title of International Chess Federation Master earlier this year — is just one of ten players to qualify for the U.S. Girls’ Junior Chess Championship. The tournament runs until Sat., July 16. ♟️ (Sac Bee)
Ranked -
A new study by WalletHub ranked Sacramento the No. 15 best city in the US for recreation. Using factors such as number of attractions, walk scores + hiking trails, the only California cities able to outpace the River City were San Francisco + San Diego. (Sac Bee)
Plan Ahead -
Take it or leaf it. Family-owned Heirloom Acres Farm in Orangevale has revealed its next U-pick dates will be the final three weekends of July + August. Guests will have one hour to choose from ~40 varieties of flowers — such as strawflowers + rudbeckias — to bring home. 💐 (Sac Mag)
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Since we’ve been on the topic of stargazing, can we talk for a moment about how beautiful the sunsets are in Sacramento County? In fact, we’d argue that they're one of the area’s best hidden perks.
Just look at the gilded, sunburnt hues this local photographer was able to capture — without any filters or editing — right here in Folsom. Still not convinced? Consider checking out our regional guide.
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Editor’s Pick: How cool is it that we have one of the country’s oldest astronomical societies in the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society? Talk about an unexpected fun fact that builds some serious pride in place. I’m hoping I can make it out to the club’s monthly star party on Sat., July 30.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We made plans for a summer getaway to Napa County.
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