Are You That Woman

Relax Sacramento Spaaaaahs

Day spas and resorts promise to set you free to release and relax from daily hassles. In our hurried world, close your eyes, breathe, soak, massage and meditate your cares away. Here are some of Sacramento’s best, newest and trending spa escapes. An hour, afternoon, overnight - you deserve it!

My Sacramento – Cori Martinez, Owner
Asha Urban Baths
Bathhouses are a rich part of many cultures throughout the world. A place to gather and socialize or peacefully retreat, the Greeks thought tidal waters were blessed by gods for healing. Asha Urban Baths, Sacramento’s first and only bathhouse has created a sanctuary to sooth your cares away and, yes, heal body and spirit. Therapeutic steam or sauna, cold plunge and sea salt waters are healing and invigorating. On a quiet alley off Broadway, the baths and yoga studio raised the bar on relax Sacramento. Cori Martinez, owner, had a dream 20 years in the making. Close your eyes and say, “SPaaaaah!”

After college, we moved to Hawaii and opened a yoga studio. Seven years later, my husband and I returned to Sacramento to be near family. Within a year we opened Asha Yoga. Now there are so many yoga studios, I became interested in creating inspired fresh spaces for community and so Asha Urban Baths was born. It took a lot of years of entrepreneur to build up the courage to do a project this big. It took six months to find the right space.  This building was perfect and gave me a clear indicator to make that leap of faith. My vision was to create the new happy hour. Do something that’s healthy, a place to socialize and have quality time with friends and feel great the next day. This is not a spa, but another option for self-care. You can get a massage and make a whole day of it. I hope this area stays a little funky, but additional urban and cultural blends would be nice. 

We’re really happy here – the health and food scene has grown and both are things we enjoy.  However, it’s really the gigantic family and friends community that we love best.
2415 – 27^th Street, Sacramento, CA
(916) 837-3290
Tuesday-Sunday 10am to 10pm

Spa at Thunder Valley
AAA four-diamond rated hotel and spa, no detail has been overlooked. Every spa guest is a VIP at this suburban oasis. Wrap yourself in a yummy Boca Terry robe and unwind in the Meditation Room.  Not just traditional luxury treatments, they embrace holistic practices. Aromatherapy, a wellness therapy, is added to all treatments at no charge. Wine-inspired grape seed-crush body scrub restores and leaves skin baby soft. Chocolate is trending in the spa world; ask about decadent Esthechoc – blessed by gods. Spa guests lounge at the resort pool and can reserve cabanas and cabeds. Skip Las Vegas and make Spa at Thunder Valley a weekend escape.
1200 Athens Ave, Lincoln, CA
(916) 408-7777
Open daily 10am to 7pm

Emperia Wellness & Spa
This intimate boutique spa provides the perfect retreat for weary travelers. Just steps from Sacramento’s AAA 4-diamond Hyatt Regency Sacramento in the heart of downtown, peace and tranquility reigns at Emperia Wellness & Spa. Don’t be deterred by the fitness center entrance. Swedish massage spoken here – 5-star on the Yelp meter! Experienced therapists tranquilize tight muscles and reduce stress.  Grapeseed oil, aromatherapy and customized massages available. Room service? In-suite massages offered, too!
1109 – 12^th Street, Sacramento, CA
(916) 321-3718
By appointment only: Tuesday-Thursday 10am to 7pm
Friday-Saturday 9am to 6pm
Sunday 9am to 1pm
Monday, closed.

Spa LaLe
Located inside the Westin Sacramento, this inspired haven embraces an unwind and recharge mantra. Say “Spaaaa,” at your next corporate event! Go all out with LaLe’s Golden Tao Body Treatment, 110 minutes of bliss. Wellness and hot stone massages or customized spa experiences practiced here. Spa guests access hotel pool and saltwater Jacuzzi to create a full-day of ahhh.  A local’s member discount includes monthly and weekday wellness specials. Enjoy a little retail therapy at Spa LaLe’s boutique and dining at Scott’s Seafood Bar & Grill overlooking the Sacramento River.

4800 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento, CA
(916) 379-5980
Monday-Thursday 10am to 7pm
Friday-Saturday 10am to 8pm
Sunday 9am to 5pm

The Spa at Arden Hills
A suburban retreat, there are many options to relax at award-winning Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa. Sacramento’s only full-service spa is the play-cation for lovers, friends, bachelorette parties or just some personal pampering. Unwind in the sun-drenched Serenity Room. Savor a detoxifying steam or distress in the hydrotherapy whirlpool. Indulge in signature facial and mani-pedi to make this a daylong affair or extend your stay with an overnight at The Villas.
1220 Arden Hills Lane, Sacramento, CA
(916) 480-1150
Tues – Thurs 11am to 7pm
Fri – Sun 9am to 6pm

Happy Day Spa
Chinese foot massage is a centuries-old tradition. Reflexology focused, massages include pressure points in your head and feet. Not a traditional massage by any means, this clothed experience leaves guests stress-free and begging for more. In a communal setting, foot massages are a price you can’t resist.  Located in Little Saigon since 2008, Happy Day Spa has three locations – Little Saigon, Natomas Crossing and Folsom – to keep your feet smiling.
6911 Stockton Boulevard, #500, Sacramento, CA
3890 Truxel Road, #100, Sacramento
1004 Riley Street, Suite 3 & 4, Folsom
10am to 10pm

Originally published in the Visit Sacramento Visitors Guide Summer 2017
Digital version linked above

Sacramento best mani-pedi at The Nails Stop

Rating: Star! Star! Star! Star! Star!
Yes, 5! Count 'em! Five stars! I'm in love with my (new to me) mani-pedi local The Nails Stop! Thank you Van for the wonderful treatments -- especially the foot massage!  I had been looking for a new manicure-pedicure location for a long time. Something closer to home. So lucky to find you less than two miles away on Stockton Boulevard. My hands and feet are so happy. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Everyone was incredibly friendly. The shop is small but that's how I like it. Definitely call for an appointment. Walk ins probably not a good idea but i'm okay with that.

Okay, I shouldn't give away all these fabulous places. Next thing you know, I can't get an appointment. Shop local. 

The Nails Stop
5671 Stockton Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95824
 Get Directions
(916) 452-6986

Every dog should have a girl

Mr. Peabody (and his boy, Sherman) wouldn't mind that I rewrote this famous quote, "Every dog should have a boy!" 

So why am I thinking about this now? Well, tucked away in a small metal box are scraps and scribbles from my life. Some more than 50 years old. It's no exaggeration to confess I saved every thought, every possible poem or insight -- well, nearly every one. Today, I scavenged through the weathered pages, faded pen and pencil, and set aside some things I want to share. Maybe more will come.

When I was nine years old, my father brought home a six-week old standard poodle puppy. A chocolate brown bundle of love. My mother asked, "Is this a small dog?" To which my father replied, "Just look how small he is!" One only had to check the dog's "shoe size" to realize he wouldn't be small for long. From the very beginning, he was my dog. Sleeping in the corner of my room as a puppy and, eventually, sharing twin beds. For 16 years he was a devoted companion. His name was Seymour.

The prose - Seymour, July 1981:

Where's that little girl
And the puppy she loved so well?
She worried if he stayed out too late.
He would lie by the front door until she was safely home.
So faithfully he slept at the foot of her bed.
Sleeping for her was easier.
Nights felt more secure.

Barbera Festival Highlights California's Celebrated Varietal Wine

Courtesy of Balzac Communications & Marketing

More than 70 California wineries will present their wines at the 7th Annual Barbera Festival, taking place on September 16, 2017 at Terra d’Oro Winery in the Amador Foothills. New this year, wineries will not only showcase Barbera varietal wines, but also a limited selection of other Italian varietals, such as Sangiovese, Vermentino, Montepulciano, Fiano, and Nebbiolo.

The Barbera Festival is an outdoor wine and food festival highlighting Barbera varietal wines from more than 70 wineries from throughout California and beyond, including the Sierra Foothills, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Paso Robles, Livermore, Ventura County, Lodi and the Bay Area. In addition, noted area restaurants and chefs will again offer prepared gourmet food for sale, and more than 60 vendors of art and artisan crafts will be showcasing their wares.

“While Barbera becomes more and more popular in California, these wines still remain fairly obscure,” says Brian Miller, founder of the festival. “We started the festival several years ago to draw focus to this delicious varietal wine, and it’s grown into a huge success. Each year is a sell-out and we constantly get feedback from wine enthusiasts how much they love it.”

Barbera originated in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. John Doyle (Cupertino Wine Company, and later Las Palmas Winery) first imported Barbera into California and produced his first Barbera vintage in 1884. Post-prohibition, Louis Martini was the first to produce a varietal Barbera (a wine labeled as Barbera) in 1954. Today, about 7,000 acres are planted in California and nearly 200 California wineries produce Barbera wines. Barbera can also be found from Washington State, Australia, Argentina, and South Africa.

The 2017 Barbera Festival will again be held at Terra d’Oro/Montevina Winery, from 11:00am to 4:00pm on September 16, 2017. Tickets are $50 and must be purchased online in advance at http://barberafestival.com. Tickets include admittance, wine tasting, and commemorative wine glass. Food is sold separately. Free parking is available on-site. Attendees must be 21 or older to taste or purchase wine, and will be required to show photo I.D. as proof of age.

Check here for lists of participating wineries, artists, restaurants, and musicians.

All proceeds from the festival benefit the Amador Community Foundation.

Terra d'Oro Winery
20680 Shenandoah School Road
Plymouth, California 

Farm to Table: Heal The Ecosystem Through Regenerative Farming

This summer, retreat from the heat at peaceful Soul Food Farm at a series of dinner parties focused on regenerative farming. In the open, warm summer evening air, share a locally grown and produced, regenerative meal with others passionate about living well. The event series is  hosted by Alexis Koefoed, owner of Soul Food Farm, Spencer and Abbey Smith, leaders of the Jefferson Center for Holistic Management. Engage in deep conversation about how we can change our behavior, farming and consumption habits in order to improve the future of our world. Each event focuses on a different topic within regenerative living. 

This event is a Savory Global Network worldwide field day. Savory Global Network Hubs across the globe will be hosting similar events in their region. Together, they will regenerate our world. Join them at this very special event.  

The menu, designed and created by  Chef Anne Goffin and Alexis Koefoed, features locally sourced meats, produce and wines.  

Schedule:
5:00 pm - Arrive, appetizers and drink
5:45 pm to 6:30 pm - Short presentation before dinner
6:30 pm to 7:30 pm - Dinner and film
7:30 pm to 8:30 pm - After dinner walk to ask questions and look at pasture
8:30 pm to 9 pm (ish) - Coffee and continued conversation
Date: June 24. 2017
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm|
Location: Soul Food Farm
6046 Pleasants Valley Road
Vacaville, Calif. 95688 

Part of a three-part farm-to-table dinner series focused on the impact of regenerative farming on the ecosystem, community and economy, the following events are also at Soul Food Farm:

• July 15, 2017: Regenerative Farming Builds Community
• August 19, 2017: Creating Resilient Economies Based on Regenerative Agriculture