The Eighth Annual Submerge Holiday Gift Guide {Part 2}

By Submerge Staff

It’s your duty as an American to shop. That’s not an opinion, it’s right there in the Declaration of Independence. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. OK, so it doesn’t specifically mention “shopping,” but it’s clearly in the subtext. So, if it’s your duty to shop, why not do it locally? You’ll impress your family and friends with your awesome taste and knack for finding unique gifts, and you’ll also help grow your community’s economy. Double bonus! That’s what the season’s spirit is all about (again, subtext). Please enjoy the following compendium of (mostly) local holiday gift ideas and feel your heart cockles fill with patriotic pride!

Fanny Packs by Avenue Dee at Old Gold

Perfect for everything from music festivals, to hikes, to a night on the town, fanny packs are back, baby! Check out these fun, functional and stylish ones from Los Angeles-based company Avenue Dee, available locally at Old Gold (located inside WAL Public Market, 1104 R Street, Sacramento). Prices range from $30–$34, patterns and colors vary, see store for details.

Smart Balance Wheel from Back to the 80’s Store

The hottest gadget of the season this year is surprisingly not an Apple product, but instead the Smart Balance Wheel ($499) available locally in a variety of colors at the new Back to the 80’s Store (2131 K Street, Suite B, Sacramento). Combine a Segway with a skateboard and you’re somewhere in the realm of what these “hoverboards” are all about. Each one has speakers built in! Connect with your smartphone via Bluetooth and let the good times roll. Includes carrying case and one-year warranty.

Cold Bruer Iced Coffee Maker from Temple Coffee

For the coffee lover on your list: The Cold Bruer ($80) is a simple and transparent way to make delicious cafe-style slow drip cold brewed coffee right at home in as little as four hours. It’s sleek, simple, easy to use and a breeze to clean. Who cares if it’s cold outside? Any true coffee lover will always be down for properly brewed iced stuff! Pick one up locally at Temple Coffee locations (call ahead to make sure they have it in stock) or snag one online at Templecoffee.com.

Handmade Shoes by Benjamins

For the stylish gentlemen out there: These handmade shoes by Benjamins are produced in extremely limited runs and made right here in Sacramento inside the WAL Public Market (1104 R Street, Sacramento). Owner and maker Benjamin Schwartz uses the highest quality luxury fabrics and traditional shoemaking techniques, resulting in some seriously comfortable and visually appealing kicks. Prices start at $195 on up, and he’s currently got about a four-month waiting list (each pair is handmade, after all). All shoes include cedar shoe trees and linen shoe bags.

Adult Coloring Books from Blick Art Supplies

Obligations, stress, work, family, bills, emails, text messages, social media … Phew, life is complicated and sometimes exhausting. When it’s time to unwind, unplug and relax, these Color Me Calm and Color Me Happy adult coloring books ($16.99), available locally at Blick Art Supplies (905 Howe Avenue, Sacramento) or online at Dickblick.com, will help do the trick. Organized into therapeutically-themed chapters, these books were designed by art therapist Lacy Mucklow and artist Angela Porter to help you get coloring and get relaxed. Don’t forget Blick Essentials Colored Pencils ($3.99 on up).

High-Quality American-Made Glass Pipes from Exhale Smoke Shop

Sacramento’s newest smoke shop and glass gallery Exhale is now open on the corner of E and 29th Streets (under Pine Cove Tavern) in Sacramento. Owner Ryan Donnelly only carries glass that is high-quality and American-made, in addition to a huge selection of e-juices, rigs, papers, containers, grinders and more. HVY Glass 12” Bubble Bottom Waterpipe ($220), assorted dry glass pipes range from $10–$90.

Beautiful $10 Bouquets from Nice Stems Flower Shop

While perusing all of the fine local shops inside the WAL Public Market this holiday season (and beyond), you’ll notice an adorable flower stand tucked in the back called Nice Stems, offering a fabulous minimalist selection of flowers sourced from the highest quality locations. Flowers make great gifts! Perfect for one’s home or office. This grab-and-go pre-made bouquet was only $10, and they have $15 and $20 versions too. Individual stems go for around $4. They even deliver anywhere on the grid via bicycle! Nice stems, indeed, and cheap too.

***FOR MORE GIFT IDEAS, CLICK HERE TO SEE PART 1 OF OUR 2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE***

Nevada City’s Newest Secret

It’s no secret that small town Nevada City, Calif. is full of beauty and mystery. Home to just about 2,500, Nevada City is largely populated with tall pines, Victorian homes and boasts over 93 nationally historic buildings and landmarks. The town is also no stranger to talent, as it has been the hometown of many international and local musical acts (such as Drag City’s darling Joanna Newsom, folk artists Alela Diane and Mariee Sioux, and experimental band Hella, to name a few). Outsiders are intrigued by the town’s mystifying influence, as a rush of talented musicians and artists have emerged over the last few years. It would seem then, since the town has such an abundance of talent, that there would be an underground scene bursting with eager crowds and packed venues. Submerge recently spoke to Casual Fog’s frontman—and sole constant member—Ryan Donnelly, about his musical background and the lack of a scene in his hometown.

On your Myspace page, it lists the main band member as “Ryan Donnelly,” but also lists a variety of other names. Who is Casual Fog? Is it mainly just you or you and a number of other musicians? Does the lineup change consistently?
I’ve spent the last nine or 10 years or so writing and recording songs at home, arranging songs with the instruments I had access to at the time. I didn’t start playing shows consistently until three years ago. I first started playing shows by myself, and eventually with a band that consisted of friends I’ve had for years.
The first line-up that has become what the band is now was Thad Stoenner, Dan Elkan and Neal Morgan and we played our first show at After the Goldrush Records in Nevada City. Since then the band has also consisted of David Nicholson, Ben Milner, Jonathan Hichske and Pete Newsom. David B. Torch, Matt Gotchalk, Ryan Schwarz, and Brook Caballero have also played some shows. The lineup changes depending on who is around and has time to practice and play shows.

I know it’s a difficult question, but if you can, describe your music or at least what other people have used to possibly describe your sound?
I’d say my music reflects my own curiousity, and that curiousity sounds like the different kinds of music that have influenced me in my life, and sounds that have caught my attention.

You are based out of Nevada City, a prominent place known for creative talent. What makes the city so special? What do you think of the music scene in Nevada City?
I personally don’t think there is a scene really. I think anybody who lives here would agree with me that there is not really a scene. There are a lot of artists and musicians here but just not enough venues to play at or people who come out to shows. Nevada County has been one of those types of places where people have been making music and art for quite along time. I’m not really sure why.

You’d think it would be very different, being that there are so many artists who are from Nevada City.
Yeah, you would, but there are just not enough venues to play at here. I think that people have the wrong idea when it comes to this place. And I think that out of town bands get very disappointed when they come here, because they are expecting some huge crowd at their shows. It’s unfortunate but true. That is why many bands and artists from here go and play in either Sacramento or the Bay Area.

What are some of your favorite projects out of Nevada City or even in Sacramento?
Them Hills, Aaron Ross, The Full Cody Feiler Experience and You’re Welcome!

I’ve noticed that you have a few shows coming up in Nevada City, Sacramento and San Francisco. What are some of your favorite venues to play in all three cities?
The Chief Crazy Horse Inn and the Basement in Nevada City, Old Ironsides and Cafe du Nord and the Make-Out Room have all been fun.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Brian Eno, just to see what he would do and hopefully figure out how he did it.

What are some of your future plans for Casual Fog? Future shows you are looking forward to, an album, or tour coming up?
Right now I’m hoping to book more shows around the west coast. I’m also starting work on another record.