Got this in the inbox this morning:

Can anyone refer me to a certified arborist who doesn’t make their living cutting down or pruning trees? I live in University Park Homes, a gated community of 150 or so homes that is set in an urban forest. It is near the American River, between campus commons and sierra oaks. The area is known for its tall colorful trees. Without notification, the homeowners association voted (three people) to remove 22 trees, 10 of which are directly in my view. An arborist has recommended the removal of 144 trees over two years replacing large shady greenery with a shorter variety of trees that don’t provide shade. It appears they are going for the Southwest look?

If this was my hood I’d be pretty darn upset. Everybody knows Sacramento is all about the trees.

Continue reading “Help needed: University Park trees endangered UPDATED” »

RunnerGirl is in training for both her “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” taping in New York AND a 100 miler (within days of each other — which gives her an iron-clad excuse if the 100 miler doesn’t work out as planned.) Throw in a demanding career and a nice dose of volunteer work, and RunnerGirl can get a little tense.

She is currently hooked on this season’s “Project Runway” and has taken on contestant Suede’s affectation of speaking in the third person. OK, it has already gotten old — I will stop. Someone tell Suede to do the same thing, please. And don’t think we’re NOT going to Mood fabrics while we’re in NYC. Holla at your boy. Make it work. Continue reading “Frequent Caller Bassil Works Out The Kinks” »

Here’s a little quiz for our loyal readers.

What is the name of KCRA’s newest anchor? (Pictured at right)
A) Sleptan Drood
B) Gurgan Flep
C) Gulstan Dart
D) Lionel Twain

Click here to find out if you’re correct.

Looking for a weekend of comedy? Of course you are.

Tonight at 9pm, come check out long-form improvisation at the Sacramento Comedy Spot. 1716 Broadway, tickets are $8. It’s hilarious, it’s educational, it’s reasonably priced.

Saturday at 9pm, ComedySportz at the Geery theater. 22nd and L. Tix are $12. Discounted to $10 if you use the coupon code “grape.” See improv comedy played as a competitive sport. Funny, fast-paced and clean enough for all ages (we hope, it is improv after all, you never know what could happen).

Sunday at 8:30pm, check out Gabriel Iglesias at the Punchline (Howe & Arden). What happens when you morph Ralphie May and John Leguizamo? This guy. Tix are $25.

With the heat wave ushering in the summer ‘08 season, Sam McManis has a timely article on staying hydrated.*

Being an avid ultramarathoner on the trails, I have a lot of experience with two issues that can easily ruin a perfectly awesome day: blisters and poison oak. Here are some of my tips for making your outdoor adventures more comfortable, whether you’re a trail veteran or considering making your debut out on one of our region’s many recreational treasures.

Continue reading “RunnerGirl’s Quick Tips for Outdoor Adventures, Summer ‘08 Edition” »

Ah yes, the mellifluous sounds of that great American art form Jazz will be in the air this weekend. Whether you’re a neophyte or a whatever-the-opposite-of-neophyte-is, you can enjoy the world’s most perfect music.

FRIDAY- As reported by the intrepid Chris Macias in the Bee, Mat Marucci and his trio will be performing Thursdays through Saturdays at Three Monkeys. Read the piece to find out how important it is to have just one steady gig going on downtown. My favorite quote from the article is from Marucci, saying “This is great, because downtown is the hippest part of town.” Coming out of the mouth of anyone but a veteran musician, this would sound trite. Keep swingin’ man!

SATURDAY- We’re still more than three months away from the orgiastic wonderfulness that is the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. But don’t be too sad; you can get your Dixieland fix on Saturday night at Sac State’s Capistrano Hall where local star Bill Dendle will be performing with the legendary “Fast” Eddie Erickson on banjo and guitar, and the incomparable Bob Draga on clarinet (among others). This concert will help raise funds the Traditional Jazz Youth Band Festival, so go and have fun. Remember, it’s for the kids.

SUNDAY- Go support Sacramento’s favorite son, Russ Solomon, at his new enterprise R5 Records by picking up a copy of Miles Davis’s “Kind Of Blue.” If you already have it, then pick up the new Cyrus Chestnut album. C’mon, I know you want to. Hell, his name is Cyrus Chestnut, how could it be bad?

Unless you’re on a low-carb diet, or are a Kearneyite, odds are you like a nice serving of rice now and then. Rice is universal and ancient, a staple of some of the oldest cultures on this planet. What you may not know though, is that California, especially the Sacramento Valley, produces more rice than just about anywhere else on Earth.

This isn’t news to too many of you. If you’ve been calling Sacramento home for more than a few years you’ve caught on to the fact that rice grows here in more abundance than genital warts on Lindsey Lohan. What may be new to you, though, is the new, revolutionary, healthy, and tasty Sacramento product, Rice Expressions. Continue reading “Rice Rice Baby!” »

Has anyone checked out Bodies: Revealed over on Alta Arden?

I saw this exhibit earlier this year in a different city, and it’s a must for anyone in the medical field (or for those of us who feel we’ve missed our calling.  Any other fans of the Mutter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia out there?)

The bodies are presented respectfully, and they give a close-up view of muscles, nerves, organs, bones, the circulatory system, what certain diseases look like, and a multitude of other fascinating facets of anatomy.  It’s amazing how well engineered we are. I was with a fellow runner, so she and I were pointing out the different things that have ailed us over the years, most notably the piriformis muscle, patellar tendon, and iliotibial band.

The Sacramento exhibit is just one of many exhibitions of actual cadavers that have been preserved and dissected — all bodies used were donated to science.  Check it out, 10am-10pm daily, through March 2008.

Group discounts are available, so here’s a chance for sacrag meet-up, and we can truly see that we’re really all the same inside.

You may have noticed that there is a new Peet’s Coffee & Tea going in at 37th and J Street. We “Peetniks” couldn’t be more thrilled with this news. For those of you looking for some additional cash this holiday season, they are currently hiring. While we missed the job fairs dates, you may still submit your resume to jobs@peets.com.

UPDATE: I clearly do not get around much anymore as I’ve been informed that there is another new Peet’s on 20th & J Street (also hiring). I’ll do some more research as it can’t be just a coincidence that both new J street locations are conveniently located right next to a Starbucks. Coffee Wars?

UPDATE II: Ok, so it’s official, Peet’s is moving forward with their attempt at world (er, Sacramento) coffee domination.  Another store is going up on Howe & Hallmark.  Anyone notice the timing with the increase in new stores and the death of Alfred Peet?

The Cool family are early Christmas tree people. We are also heavily into Thanksgiving, so care is taken to not go full-bore until Black Friday. But basically as soon as the dishwasher is loaded on Thanksgiving it is Christmas in my house (not that it was my dishwasher).

We are enjoy slaying our own tree, and this year we set our sights on Apple Hill. We missed peak apple season this year so we were excited to make the drive. While there are plenty of lots and a nice website to help you find them, once we got up there we realized the prices are considerably higher up there. Continue reading “Davis Ranch: the best tree bargain around” »