First Mother Farms

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Rubie Simonsen doesn’t fit the traditional paradigm of a farmer. She’s in her 20s and wears a Frida Kalho t-shirt and has a leather portrait of Kalho on her keychain. She is part of a growing number of millennials intent on making something of the world that surrounds them.

Last year Simonsen went through a seven-month intensive program for first time farmers run by Center for Land-Based Learning based out of Winters, California.

The urban farm on the corner of 5th and C Street in West Sacramento owned by CLBL. Simonsen uses it to grow her crop of specialty herbs that will be the basis for her business, First Mother Farms.

Lemon Balm takes up an entire long row, sage and lavender varietals a couple others. There’s even a row of artichoke planted previously that will be used as a dye. Her favorite crop so far? Marigolds. She touches a plant from each row in turn with a slightly blistered hand.

”I was at my last job,” She says “Sitting at my desk, looking out the window and all I could think about was my farm.” She continues, "I needed to start this farm, to have dirt under my nails and see something grow.”

What is your motivation for the work you have chosen?

Mother - Sacramento

I had the opportunity to eat lunch at Mother in downtown Sacramento, a recently opened vegetarian/ vegan fare only restaurant on K near the Crest Theatre, this last week. Mother opened to much fanfare a couple of months ago.

Michael Thiemann, formerly of Ella and a few other places, is the culinary force behind this place. I remember enjoying an Italian-inspired meal he made during Dine Downtown last year while he was still at Ella.

With high marks from the News & Review, Bee and Yelp, I now know what I was missing. Breaded, crispy mushrooms with palette cleansing cucumbers in a bun never tasted so good. The freshly made strawberry lemonade was also a hit.

Check them out. Even if you aren't a vegetarian, you won't miss the meat.

Lotus Thai

I work in Chinatown square in downtown Sacramento. One great hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the three block radius to partake lunch at is Lotus Thai. Recently reopened, this place offers curry and noodle dishes that make my mouth water as I write this. Fresh pumpkin and mango curry have hints of spicy, sweet and savory are current specials. Pad Thai or Drunken noodles are both really good dishes depending on how spicy you want your food. Tofu can be substituted for meat on any of their dishes.

Street parking is best if you plan on going for dinner. If you're in the area for lunch, park at Downtown Plaza and walk toward the Amtrak station. You'll find Lotus Thai down in the courtyard between I Street and J Street. The newly remodeled decor is soothing and worth the dining experience.