the Sac Rag

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.” »

I am sure a billboard for Chili's is coming soon

When Sacramentans are faced with adversity (like the recent economic downturn) they often times know how to make the most of a bad situation. The would-be TGIF restaurant on Truxel Road has been an eye-sore for quite some time. The smart folks at Beach Hut Deli and Sport Clips saw this as an opportunity to promote their business in a high traffic area. Nice work.

I still can’t believe this location hasn’t been torched yet. Er, I mean, something horrible like an accidental fire.

Kicking the music scene up a notch since 1979

A new player entered the crowded field of crappy music on the radio dial today as RADIO 94.7 launched at noon on the air and online.

RADIO 94.7 features music from artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, Green Day, U2, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Sublime, Nirvana, Linkin Park, Weezer and Stone Temple Pilots along with music from new bands like Muse, The Killers, Train, Kings of Leon and many, many others.

Many others, you say?

Radio947.net

The LA institution affectionately known as Crack-berry is coming to our small hamlet. Soon to open at Howe ’bout Arden, with additional locations in the usual suburban enclaves of Roseville, Folsom, and Elk Grove, the SoCal institution will bring its tangy yogurt and fresh fruit toppings and naive Japanese schoolgirl attitude and creepy trance music to town and nothing will be the same again. Mostly my waistline, which will expand exponentially with the consumption of original yogurt with kiwi.

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” »

It's worth watching again.

Of course, we all know that the announcement is that the San Francisco football Redwoods will be moving to Sacramento. I know, I know. Crazy, huh?

Coached by Dennis Green (of “…they are who we thought they were! And we let ‘em off the hook!” fame) and owned by Paul Pelosi (yes, that name does sound familiar) the Redwoods are one of four teams mixing it up in the semi-almost-better-than-arena-football league entering its second season.

“To fulfill the needs of football fans in major markets currently under-served by professional football by providing a high quality traditional football league comprised of world class professional football players. The UFL will serve its communities with pride, dedication and passion, and uphold a leadership role in the development of football worldwide. The UFL will provide every fan with an affordable, accessible, exciting and entertaining game experience.”

Hey, you never know, right? Will you go?

Apropos of nothing save the topic of it being Friday, I liked this lone and rather shapely evergreen (redwood, I believe?) standing strong in the rear of a business complex, competing with a satellite dish. Kicking its non-coniferous ass, I would say. Okay, this was also apropos of endowing non-bipedal things with the ability to “kick ass” twice this week.

(Forgive the crappy cellphone camera.)

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” »

No reports of douchebaggery at Sacramento Beer Week

Independent of the great beer, food and fun, do you know what my favorite part has been?

No douchebags.

Continue reading “SBW – Now douchebag free” »

via myspace

Local band Ganglians have a session up today on Datrotter.com, one of my favorite sources for discovering new bands. The sessions on Daytrotter come with cool artwork (which shows up on your i-Whatever) and a spacey/poetic writeup.

The Ganglians, who rocked last year’s SXSW, have an intriguing and unique garage pop sound. The heavily reverbed vocals and hard, sometimes darker, psychedelic sounds will kick your ears’ ass. The ass of your ears. “Hair,” which I wrote about previously, is an amazing track from their self-titled debut, which is available for purchase…somehow…from Woodsist.

Ganglians: Heads Spinning Into Loops on Daytrotter.com