Month: August 2007

Besides, what’s wrong with Sacramento?

Sacramento based editorial writer for the LA Times, Bill Stall, writes an interesting article about Sacramento’s failure to make any “best places to” list. He does make you wonder, after listing all of the usual attributes, why we continue to get a bad rap.

I happen to live in Sacramento, which rarely makes any list of best places. My wife and I have talked of moving some place with lower housing costs as we both approach retirement, but have yet to find the perfect place.

I do find it curious that when the Internet boom was in full swing several years ago (approaching a decade, huh? wow.) the River City looked mighty appealing with its affordable housing, tree lined streets, and proximity to all things cool. And now folks talk of moving to areas with lower housing costs and populations. See a pattern forming here? Sacramento has been wined and dined until it put out and now is being kicked to the curb. Was Sacramento too easy? Should she have played hard to get? Most of our loyal readers can answer these questions as they’ve been through the bad, the good, and the bad again.

What does Sacramento have to do to get back on the “best places to” lists?

Approaching Graswich critical mass

When longtime Bee columnist R.E. Graswich left his post, you assume it was for greener pastures. And now I realize it was for a greener pasture, a verdant meadow, and a lilac-filled prarie as well… First it was Sac Mag, and SacMag.com, and then more recently it was The Scoop on CBS13. And then on Friday afternoon I heard him doing the afternoon news on KFBK with Kitty O’Neal. Will you soon be able to order up Graswich in any fashion that suits you? A Graswich flavor at Vic’s perhaps? A Graswich roll at Kru? Graswich On Demand?

Maybe R.E. can comment here about what would be in his scoop at Vic’s…

No more Cobbler for you

Out walking the neighborhood, my wife and I noticed that soul/BBQ restaurant The Cobbler was gone, replaced by a new Mexican joint called “Cantina el 7 Copas.” Does that mean “Seven of Cups” restaurant? Like it’s Tarot-themed?

We never got around to eating at The Cobbler, but with that and the bad news (for me) about Sidewalk, it’s almost time to ask: Are tacos becoming the next crepes?

Fare-thee-well to Willemina’s

The scuttlebutt on the street says that Willemina’s in Old Sac will be closing in the next 60 days. For those of you whom have not had the pleasure, this young venue has recently been the epicenter of Sacramento’s rockabilly, hotrod and tattoo loving community. It is also one of the few spots in town to feature quality German beers on draught.

Will the new owners of the property be the proprietors of Davis’ G Street Pub? If so, let’s hope they keep bringing the same high quality acts and events as the current owners. Cheers, and good luck!

Local bands On Demand

If you have Comcast On Demand, you can see two of the Sacramento area’s best bands featured in the Music Video section.

The new video by !!! for the single “Must Be The Moon” from their latest album Myth Takes (name stolen from Robert Aspirin?) is sexy, anxious and just plain wacky. Filmed in Willemina’s in Old Sac and someone’s Victorian house, this hard-driving dance number perfectly represents the hedonistic nature of the band, with make-up design stolen from Adam Ant. Lots of chickens, too!

There is also a 14 minute video from The Mother Hips, who (thank god) did not spend long on their brief hiatus. The video is a behind the scenes look at the recording of their new album Kiss the Crystal Flake and features a few different songs.

Vote Early, Vote Often

Yes, it’s that time of year again.  No, not Big Fun time.  No, not triple digit weather time.  No, not time to change your Brita filter.  It’s time to vote in the Sacramento News & Review’s “Best of Sacramento.”  Now normally, we’d stop there and let you all vote away to your heart’s content, but we’d like to make one quick request of you.  You see, there’s this website called The Sac Rag, and it would be really cool if you voted for it for “Best Local Website” and “Best Local Blog.”  It’s not much that we ask of you, just a little click on your little mouse.  Just think of it as checking “Yes” on a note that we slipped you that read: “Do you like me, check ‘yes’ or ‘no’?” 

Thank you for your support.

Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?

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

Big News in Bay Area Baseball!

That’s right, the nation as a whole reached a new milestone last night.  It was months, nay years, in the making, but it’s about time that I admit what I’ve known for while:  The A’s aren’t making the playoffs this year.

Yes, that’s right, I, the biggest Oakland Athletics stooge in the Sacramento area, have given up hope.  After last night’s dismal loss to the Texas Rangers, I hold out no hope that the A’s will pull their late season heroics and push their way into the the post-season via the wild card.  Hopefully, this isn’t a trend and things can get back on track next year, and maybe every player won’t get injured, but we’ll just have to wait and see.  My tears are real and salty at this moment.

…Oh yeah, and some giant-headed dude in San Francisco  launched a home run for like the 40 zillionth time or something, but I don’t follow the National League so I’m a little fuzzy on the details.

J Street Sidewalk Pizza gone

UPDATE: 7:12 pm – My wife informs me that I misinterpreted her IM earlier, and that the change is official at the location formerly known as Sidewalk Pizza. It’s a taqueria. Sniff. Mmmm, tacos…

I had recently seen what I assumed was a facelift in process at Sidewalk Pizza on Jay street. My wife passed by the spot earlier today and reports that actually what’s going on is that the location is changing over to a Mexican restaurant. Pizza is one of those things — like burgers — that one person can be in love with, and the next guy absolutely hates. Sidewalk on Jay was one of my absolute favorite pies. I’m sad to see it go.

Interesting discussion about this at Yelp… speculation that it was going to be part of the La Fiesta/La Favorita enterprise, accusations of blindsiding the staff. It never seemed like business was very good at Sidewalk but it always seemed like a good location for eats. Plus as my wife just pointed out, it’s hard to complain about another Mexican joint.