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?

Extremely sad news (to me, at least) in Bob Shallit’s column today: the last remaining Wishing Well stores will be closing forever on Saturday. This is really depressing news. There are probably other imminent closings in the area that will hit harder, but Wishing Well was just such an entertaining and essential spot for decorations and craft supplies.

Shallit also mentions the store’s former “no kids” policy. The way I remember it as a kid (mid ’80s) was that you could enter the store, but they had a way of making you feel like they were watching you. Of course this made it an even more attractive spot. It was as if they really did sell M-80s and butterfly knives instead of paper hats and wedding decor.

You need somebody watching your back at all times.

Patrons inside a Roseville Taco Bell got much more than they bargained for Thursday night when a karate instructor walked inside and tried to place one of his employees under citizen’s arrest…”I walked in the front door and I said Riley Lockett, I said you’re under arrest for theiving from me, right now, citizen’s arrest, right now,” Marinoble said.

Boy, sounds like a real tussle. The story continues to get curiouser…

“I did do something really dumb. I went in there and I was stealing money from him because I wasn’t making enough money to pay for my speeding tickets,” Lockett said.

Well, why didn’t you say so? We all know those dang speeding tickets can get pricey. Especially when you’re 17! Man.

As witnessed by the comments at News10.net, folks are split on this one. It is a tough call.

What do you think? Should Marinoble have called the police and asked for their assistance in apprehending this youngster? What should happen to the teen? He did confess to the crime and was caught on video.

The City of Sacramento has the cleanest drinking water of any city in California! It’s time to celebrate by protecting this high-quality resource instead of wasting it needlessly. Let’s all party green together with these helpful tips:

• Write to the City and tell them to install your water meter today. Water meters have been called the “most effective way to encourage sensible water use” by The Guardian newspaper. We can’t wait till 2025 (the lengthy timeline set for the actual installation throughout the city). We need to start conserving today. Think of this way: if you’re a family of three, and you’re doing your part to save a little water here and there, you’re paying the same amount on your water bill as your neighbor who has a family of five and runs their sprinklers in the rain. Do it for the planet, and do it for your own water bill!

Continue reading “Sacramento’s Drinking Water Rated Highest in the State” »

Looking for a good holiday movie? Stick to the classics. Whatever you do, skip A Christmas Tale by Arnaud Desplechin. This newly released DVD can be found tucked alongside The Grinch that Stole Christmas, Elf, Home Alone, and dozens of other feel-good standards. But don’t be duped. This film doesn’t deserve such good company. The DVD jacket is dressed with quality quotes of positive film reviews, one going so far as to name it “#1 film of the year.” Let’s be honest. This is the #1 yawn of the year.

The movie takes place in France, so you’ll need to read subtitles. It’s about a dysfunctional family: the sister banishes a brother from her life; the mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness; and the grandson is sent to a mental institution. Then the whole family comes together for the holiday, and the viewer must endure their puffy speeches and trying interactions. The only likeable moments are those shared between the outcast son and his mother, whose constant banter about hating one another is clearly their distant manner of sharing affection.

Despite the jacket’s description of the film as a “black comedy,” Continue reading “A Christmas Tale: DVD Review” »

Prepare to be moved! Spring Awakening, which opened at the Community Center Theater on Wednesday and runs through November 15, brings rare vitality to the Sacramento stage. The play offers originality from set, cast, music, and story alike. Make no advanced presumptions. Whatever you imagine the play to be like, you’ll probably be surprised.

The story takes place in Germany in the 1800s, yet you could easily be watching a modern drama. The themes are utterly timeless: teenage rebellion against strict parents and stern teachers; new love; curiosity about the body; heartache and hope.

Continue reading “Spring Awakening: Theater Review” »

What, me controvershulz?
photo credit: Qiao-Da-Ye賽門譙大爺

I’m skeptical about Kevin McCarty’s plan to draft an emergency ordinance to require special permits for water bottlers. My views pretty much jive with what the Sac Bee editorialized today. I think most people should be wary of government being able to change the rules and apply them retroactively. And I am wary of government changing the rules every time somebody follows the rules and it leads to an outcome they don’t like. When you do that, it should come with an acknowledgment of failure on the part of the government. Instead, this Nestle deal is spun by folks opposing it, including McCarty, as an attack on our resources by the evil Swiss. (I always knew that neutrality thing was a smokescreen.)

Continue reading “Skeptical about the water bottling ordinance” »

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Fox 40 follows up on its report last week about the new Arden Mall dress code.

Arden Mall officials came out with surveillance video on Monday, that shows an alleged robber wearing a hood – the reason they’re banning hoods from being worn inside the mall, because they they said it has everything to do with protecting their customers.

Apparently they have a robber on camera but his identity is completely hidden because his face is covered. Which raises a question: is a camera feed the only means of security in use at the mall? Don’t they have a report of a robbery shortly after the robber has fled the store? Wouldn’t he be able to be described as “the guy running down the mall right now wearing a hoodie?” Are they Tivo’ing the security tapes and watching them on the weekend when there’s no good TV on?

Again, I do sympathize with law enforcement trying to stay ahead of the bad guys. I also sympathize with mall employees who must be afraid of this kind of thing happening. But that’s no excuse to go La Fours-crazy at Arden Fair.

Rachel, a native of Woodland, CA, made the cut on the 13th season (I just can’t type “cycle,” I can’t do it!) of “America’s Next Top Model” last night, continuing Norcal’s dominance of the show. (We can also claim blonde-turned brunette Brittany, who hails from from Livermore.) Doe-eyed 19-year old Rachel is one of 13 finalists all under 5′ 7″ ready to claw their way into the industry. Apparently, if you wish to be a model but you are under 67″ tall you may as well also have scaly skin or a prehensile tail.

Continue reading “Woodland’s Top Model candidate makes doe eyes at Tyra” »

David Cook, in a photo that has been approved for publication by his corporate overlords

Why? RELEVANCE! Most bands that play The Fair are either blasts from the past or up and comers. Cook is NOW, baby. The vibe from the audience was amazing as Fairgoers had the rare privilege to see someone playing Cal Expo whom they are listening to, today. And, as icing on the cake, he and his band met expectations and rocked the house.
Continue reading “David Cook gives The Fair what it needs” »