Fare lads and lasses won’t want to miss their lucky chance to celebrate all things Irish at today’s St. Patty’s Day parade in Ol’ Sac. Bag pipes, kilts, and green beer abound! This FREE event begins with a parade at 1:00 PM at 2^nd and L Streets.

But beware of parking leprechauns! All Ol’ Sac streets will be closed, so make plans to slide in on a rainbow or use your feet.

The event is hosted by the Old Sacramento Business Association. For more details, visit their website: http://www.oldsacramento.com/events-and-activities-detail.php?id=127.

Batten down the hatches! We’re in for record cold in Sacramento tonight. The evil weathermen have teamed with Mother Nature in a wretched plot to suffer the force of frost upon us. You can just feel it in the graying clouds corroding our skies.

You can’t save yourself, but for god sake, save your garden! Throw some old sheets over those tender greens tonight.

May the lord save your soul—and your cilantro!

If you spent any time at all on the corner of 10^th and O Streets today, you probably spotted someone famous. There was no shortage of celebrities at The California Museum, turning Sacramento citizens into quintessential paparazzi. Some Sacramentans even waited in line for an hour and a half to see it all.

And who could blame them? An all-star line-up of female celebrities turned out to support their pal and our First Lady, Maria Shriver for her big Day at the Museum, a free event sponsored by The Governor and First Lady’s Women’s Conference in honor of Women’s History Month. Everyone from Iron Chef Cat Cora and Lisa Ling to Erin Brockovich and Rita Moreno were on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of California’s women (including their own).

If the renowned company alone wasn’t enough to spark your enthusiasm, all the inspiration in the room surely did. Poems were recited. Meals were cooked. Books were read. Photos were displayed. Artists painted. Tears were shed. Proud voices were raised in praise. There were also men speedily taking notes, trying to soak up every wise word that was uttered. Short of singing “Kumbaya,” this was one emotional-filled day!

Does all this mean that Sacramento has become the new L.A.? Continue reading “Sacramento is the New L.A.” »

This Thursday, March 4, First Lady Maria Shriver partners with The California Museum for a FREE “Day at the Museum,” a celebration of California’s leading ladies. Prepare to be inspired! The all-star line-up includes Iron Chef Cat Cora and Sacramento’s own Biba Caggiano (owner of Biba Restaurant), Sacramento-native Lisa Ling, the original founders of Sacramento nonprofit WEAVE, California’s top female elected officials, astronaut Sally Ride, environmental activist Erin Brockovich, and many more!

Festivities also include yoga, chef demonstrations, basket weaving, Indian drumming, exhibits, music, you name it! You’ll be kicking yourself if you miss this grand affair. And you’ve gotta admit the price is right. Here are the details: Continue reading “All-Star Line-Up Celebrates California Women” »

Fancy-dancy 3-bin compost bin

You know you want to. Don’t hesitate any longer! Start making that dirty, dirty dirt! You know what I’m talking about. That’s right, baby. That thing that makes every girl smile: COMPOSTING!

Making dirt ain’t easy. You can’t just throw your scraps in a pile out your back door (unless you love rats). Indeed, there’s a science to the madness. It’s not rocket science, but an art nonetheless. 

Never fear! Help is near. Attend one of the following seminars, brought to you by the sexy City of Sacramento Department of Utilities Solid Waste Services, and you, too, will be making sweet dirt in no time.

You will also have the opportunity Continue reading “Dirty Talk” »

Girl Scout Cookies have officially arrived! You’ll pay $4 for a 7 oz. package this year. I spotted these hard-working sales-girls outside Corti Brothers today. They told me the troops will be selling here through March 15. You’ll also find them outside Safeway, CVS Pharmacy on Folsom Blvd., Compton’s on McKinley Blvd., and Starbucks on 39th and J Streets.

Even though the price has changed, you’ll still find the same yummy, classic flavor that only the Girl Scouts know how to make. Get ‘em while they last!

Old Soul Co. is officially open in Oak Park! The company opened this, their third Sacramento location, in the former Starbucks space at 35th Street and Broadway in Kevin Johnson’s 40 Acres complex. Their grand opening took place last Saturday.

The new cafe offers many Old Soul standards: custom roasted coffees, house-made chai (spicy and delish!), homemade soups, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and even breakfast quiches. Their hours are 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day. Head on over to support one of Sacramento’s brightest local businesses.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day Sacramento-style with these uniquely delicious ideas:

Chocolate Decadence: The most direct path to your sweetie’s heart is through the stomach. Sacramento has no shortage of phenomenal bakers to treat your honey right. Place your order today to ensure your treats are ready in time!

• Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates offers sinfully elegant options including their V-day specialty Palet D’Or Entrement Cake for $32 featuring “Maracaibo Venezuelan Chocolate Mousse, layered with Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache, Chocolate Dacquois, and Crunchy Chocolate Shortbread.” They also offer melt-your-heart chocolates starting at 6 pieces for $12. If you’re going to buy chocolates, you won’t find any better than these!
• Freeport Bakery exceeds all expectations for perfectionist pastries. Their Valentine’s options will make you weak in the knees. They’ve got Continue reading “Local Love” »

Dead Kennedys, Rancid, NOFX, and more recently, Green Day: The Northern California punk scene has just as much to celebrate as Seattle or New York. Tonight, you can reminisce with author Jack Boulware of the new punk historical book Gimme Something Better. He speaks at Time Tested Books (1114 21st Street in Midtown) at 7:00 p.m.

The book documents the colorful history of the underground Bay Area punk music scene. According to the author, “outside of New York and London, California’s Bay Area claims the oldest continuous punk-rock scene in the world.” Gimme Somthing Better is the first exclusive look inside the scene from a strictly San Francisco perspective. The San Francisco Chronicle calls the book “…a sweeping oral history likely to remain the definitive tome on the topic.”

Pick up a copy of the book and hear the author speak tonight. And rock on!

Stripes are all the rage right now. These stripes only cost me $6.

If you haven’t already visited the new Article Consignment Boutique at 5704 Elvas Avenue, I suggest you get a move on. Starting tomorrow, January 29 through February 6, you’ll get an extra 10% off items dated 12/30.

That means 60% savings, folks! This consignment store operates on the 30-day system. If an item hasn’t sold after 30 days, it gets marked down to half its original selling price. Bargains await!

This cute little shop gets all sorts of fab pieces from East Sac’s elite. I found Prada, Banana Republic, and Lucky, to name but a few. Continue reading “Consignment Sale Alert!” »