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” »

For the love of all that is holy!  There are so many things going on this weekend.  Where to start?  There’s the Lincoln Rib Festival, the American River Salmon Festival, the Armenian Food Festival, the Spookomotive, the Auburn Wine Festival, The Northern California Experimental Music Festival, the usual Second Saturday shenanigans, the Sacramento International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, and about 13,000 other things.  But what will we be doing this weekend?

FRIDAY & SATURDAY- Sacramento Comedy Fest: Featuring sketch, improv and stand-up from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.  Shows start at 8pm, $10.  All shows after 10pm, FREE.  1716 Broadway.  I’ll be there, you should too. Continue reading “Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?” »

In writing about restaurants, one tends to put himself in the work. It’s inevitable, really. Food, restaurants, people, likes, dislikes, cannot be written about with the cold, impartial pen that so many professional journalists carry. There are certain things I like, certain things I love, others I can’t stand, and some I simply tolerate. This makes me human, makes you human, makes all of us human (except for that Chris Matthews guy, who I swear is a muppet). So, this means, every now and then, you may disagree with a review. I’m totally cool with that.

I’ve come to conclusion that there is no way that my expectations, prejudices, leanings, and passions can be superimposed on some faceless recommendee. My opinion is not universal, but I think it’s a good divining rod for a large portion of the eating public. Nevertheless, there will be those that have an entirely different idea as to what the average dining experience should be and to them, I wish nothing but good tidings. In order to be a mature and thoughtful writer, one needs to not only acknowledge that others are entitled to their opinions (a premise on which we can all probably agree), but to understand how those others can actually form opinions different from one’s own. So, to help you figure out where I (and subsequently you) stand, I offer you this list of my favorite places in the Sacramento area. If you’ve gone to these spots and totally disagree with me, then odds are you’re not going to do well by following any advice I dish out. But, far be it from me to stop you from trying: Continue reading “The Favorites List: Proceed at Your Own Risk” »

In our ever-diligent pursuit to keep you well informed about the stuff that we, The Sac Rag board of directors, are planning to do with our down time, and consequently what you, The Sac Rag Readers, should think about doing with your down time since we, The Sac Rag board of directors, are screwed in to the local scene like a CFL bulb (since we respect a flex alert too), we bring you another edition of “Watcha’ Doing This Weekend?” In this edition we talk about college football, comedy, outdoor sports, the parting of a local celebrity, and cheese. Continue reading “Watcha’ Doing This Weekend?” »

The Mrs. and I haven’t been riding our bikes much this summer. Ok, to be honest we haven’t ridden our bikes at all this summer. Mainly because they’ve been stuck in the back of the garage since the move and all the tires were flat. So, any thought of a bike ride first started with the concept of attacking a Jenga-like mound of garage detritus, then pumping up the tires (only to find that the tires had leaks, in all probability), and then giving up out of sheer desperation. This was, until last week. With a free weekend day, we attacked the garage, pulled out the dormant velos and piled them onto the car so they could be examined by professionals.

For no other reason than proximity, we schlepped the units over to Carmichael Cycle on the corner of Arden and Fair Oaks Blvd. Contrary to previous raggers’ general cyclery experiences, our transaction at this bike shop was great. The staff was extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and didn’t look down on us at all for not wearing tight shorts with gel inserts. By the time our repair jobs were finished on our three separate bikes the bill came to a only a modest amount. On the way out, the staff helped us load the bikes back onto the car and told us in parting, that we had the “coolest bikes ever.” Sure, he says that to all the people not wearing gel shorts, but it gave us the warm fuzzies anyway.

Carmichael Cycle, 5141 Arden Way, Carmichael- Highly Recommended

Leatherby’s Family Creamery is celebrating 25 years of iced goodness by offering it’s original menu items at their original menu prices today from 11AM to 11PM.

From the Sac Bee article:

 The price cuts apply to all items that were on the original menu, such as the company’s monster-size banana split, which uses a half-gallon of ice cream. It’s on the menu today for $10.49. On Aug. 14, it’ll cost only $3.80.

The hot fudge sundaes that today are $7.29 will be rung up at $2.50. The shops’ crab sandwiches will go for $3.99, compared to the current $11.99.

Yet another reason Sacramento should be on a Best Places To… list.

FRIDAY- Improv at the Sacramento Comedy Spot, 8pm.  Come check out Sacramento’s best Broadway theater, 1716 Broadway, that is.  It’s only $6 for a hilarious night of improv comedy.  You might also catch a glimpse of fromer local hero Ty Johnson, that’s right, THE Ty Johnson.

SATURDAY- 12 Hours at Cool Night Run, timed to coincide with the Perseids meteor shower .  The race is a nine mile loop, and the more serious of the runners will see who can complete the most laps between 7pm Saturday until 7am Sunday.  Runnergirl will be hitting the trails for this neat event, while I will sit at basecamp, strummin’ on the old banjo. 

Others will be going to the “Coexist Comedy” show featuring none other than Keith Lowell Jensen.  Check website for details.

SUNDAY- If the ultra-sexy Patty Souza is correct, temps should be in the mid 80’s on Sunday, a great day for gardening, outdoor recreation or just sitting in those new lawn chairs you bought at the August closeout patio furniture sale.  In the evening, check out the Sacramento International Film and Music Festival’s “10X10″ show, ten short films by ten local directors.  7:00pm.  $10

Sorry for the lapse in entertainment recommendations last weekend.  We hope to make it up to you with a prime time, Sacramento-sized deep fried bucket of weekend entertainment:

FRIDAY- Perhaps the greatest musician to come out of Berkeley High School, and a former Sacramento resident, Charlie Hunter and his ultra funky 8-string guitar (that’s 3 strings of bass and 5 strings of guitar for those keeping score at home) will be performing with his trio tonight at Marilyn’s on K St.  I’ve personally seen Charlie dozens of times, from his formative gigs in Bay Area clubs to his more polished later group outings.  He is one of the most popular figures on the jazz scene and only comes to Sacramento once every two or three years.  Check him out.  Buy tix here.

SATURDAY- (from Runnergirl) If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run up what people ski down, here’s your chance this Saturday.  It’s the Squaw Mountain Run and it’s a 3.6 mile jaunt up from the valley floor to the Escarpment. At the top, participants will enjoy music, food, beer, and raffles.  The less energetic can take the cable car to the top of the mountain and take part in a three mile “flower walk.” This is also the first few miles of the Western States course, and the views of Lake Tahoe are amazing. Continue reading “Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?” »

Ah, Second Saturday.  A good time had by all, that is if all knows where to go, which can be a little bit tough sometimes.  So, why don’t you let me tell you where to go.  I’m going to check out a good friend’s exhibition in a gallery that is having a grand opening.  Saturday from 6-9pm, Ianna Nova Frisby is showing her drawings and ceramics at the new Tangent Gallery at Franklin & 24th Ave.  My good buddies the Tip Top Trio will be performing to really spice things up.  Add to that the usuall shenanigans at the Sacramento Comedy Spot and you’ve got a pretty darn good weekend.

Improv at the Sacramento Comedy Spot:  Friday, 8pm  1716 Broadway.  $6

Second Saturday Opening:  Tangent Gallery 6-9pm 2900 Franklin Blvd, 95818, Free