After lawmakers left their dinner Tuesday at the Stanford Mansion, Gov. Jerry Brown lingered behind in a private office with Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, then went with his wife to the Torch Club, an old favorite of his.
They shared a bourbon alone at the end of the bar. The Lew Fratis Trio was playing, and Fratis called out, "Don't raise my taxes, governor."
Brown asked him to play Merle Haggard's "Okie from Muskogee."
He declined, said Anne Gust Brown.
Brown frequented the legendary bar when he was first governor, from 1975 to 1983, before it moved to its current place on 15th Street. There are fewer lawmakers and lobbyists there now, Brown said, but it is closer to his loft.
"Not bad," he said.
Gust Brown, who had not been in before, pointed to an item on the wall resembling a California flag. On it was printed "Californicate Republic." On another wall was a photograph of Brown with Prince Charles.
The Browns finished their bourbon and ordered another. The bartender was generous - Brown put his hand up mid-pour - and they took the drink with ice.
A former state employee came over whom Brown didn't know.
"Welcome back to the Torch Club," he said.
Brown shook his hand.
He said, "This is our neighborhood bar."
PHOTO CREDIT: The Torch Club is a local blues bar located at 904 15th St. Photo taken July 30, 2004. Sacramento Bee file photo / Florence Low
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