Lisa Heyamoto: Hymn of praise for Sacramento found in thrift shop

Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco. Sinatra loved New York so much he had to tell us twice. And while our fair city has inspired fewer and, perhaps, slightly less-ubiquitous songs about its storied glory, Karen Pardieck has discovered an ode of our own.

Pardieck was rummaging through a thrift shop a few years back when she found a yellowed piece of sheet music for a song called "Sacramento, the Beautiful." Written by one Louise Bartlett, it was heralded as the official song of the city in 1935.

Working for Councilman Ray Tretheway at the time, Pardieck was in a perfect position to learn the song's story. But after asking around, she found her efforts turned up little.

"It was a surprise to everyone," she said. "I haven't found anyone who has seen it before."

Though the lyrics laud our trees and our people, a good portion of the song praises – what else? – how close we are to other things.

But "Sacramento, the Proximal," doesn't sound nearly as nice.

* * *

It's a very uncool day for the Sacramento arts scene. CoolCat Gallery, the multifarious art center just off J Street, has temporarily closed its doors.

Opened more than a year ago as a way for artists to show their work while getting insight into the business side of their enterprise, CoolCat was something of a one-stop shop of commerce and community for the creatively inclined.

The closure was a quick decision brought on by complications with the gallery site, said co-owner Jennifer Keller. Meanwhile, her counterpart is scouting the city for other locations while Keller attends to the newly displaced artists.

"We're in scramble mode," she said.

Keller said it's still unclear exactly how things will shake out, but updates will be coming soon to www.myspace.com/coolcatgallery. Here's hoping the CoolCat gets another life.

* * *

Speaking of getting a life, Gina Swankie was witness to the D'oh heard round the world while celebrating a successful California Capital Airshow.

Swankie was relaxing at a hotel bar this weekend when a man informed her that he was a pilot for the Blue Angels, a fact he'd been freely sharing with her fellow female patrons all night.

There was only one problem. Swankie, a spokeswoman for the air show, is familiar with the actual team members They were standing right behind her.

"I just said, 'OK, I gotta blow it for this guy,' " she recalled. "He just had very poor timing."

The fallen angel took the news reasonably well, and even signed an autograph for one of the pilots. But of course, pulling gracefully out of what looks like certain calamity is a Blue Angel hallmark.

* * *

Curious as to where mayoral candidate/basketball star/man of mystery Kevin Johnson really stands on city issues? Look no further than his namesake character on ABC's "Lost."

Like the local KJ, we're used to seeing the show's Kevin Johnson in another context. We're not totally sure what either one is all about, and both have built something from nothing on sheer will.

So far, "Lost" producers have given no hints about the new/old character, and the well-oiled machine behind Johnson's campaign is similarly tight-lipped. But hey, we're talking about politics and a cult TV show, and it doesn't get more revelatory than that.

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Lisa Heyamoto, (916) 321-1261.