In a vague, “could mean something whichever way you lean politically” manner, I think it’s safe to say freedom is a delicate thing in the America these days. The Sacramento Public Library would like to hear what you have to say about that with its 6-word Micro Essay Contest on the subject “What does freedom mean to you?” The contest runs until October 18. And we’re all eagerly awaiting Dolph’s answer. (That was the best clip I could find.)
Author: CoolDMZ
"X-ray vision to see in between / Where's my kimono and my time machine?"
The Harvest is in at Colonial Heights Library – Photos
I visited Colonial Heights Library with my family on Saturday, and we and several other families were treated to a hands-on visit to the library’s Demonstration Garden, which in the rear of the property. Though the garden is not typically open to the public, staff do regularly open the back doors to allow patrons to enjoy the garden. In addition, the garden is part of a “Read & Feed” program to highlight planting and nurturing of crops as well as nutrition and literacy.
On this particular visit we got to help harvest some cherry tomatoes! I have posted a few photos after the break… Continue reading “The Harvest is in at Colonial Heights Library – Photos”
New website for ex-Sacto record label Mt. St. Mtn.
Mt. St. Mtn., the vinyl-only record label of Sacramento lo-fi/garage bands like G. Green and Standard Tribesmen, as well as other SF/Nor Cal bands, has launched a new website at mtstmtn.com. Taking a big step up from the label’s 90s-era band site, the new hotness has improved navigation to showcase the label’s limited-edition vinyl releases and print zines, including integration with a PayPal store to purchase vinyl and zines.
The label is set to distribute a debut LP by Sacramento fuzz-rock supergroup Fine Steps, but Mark Kaiser (of Mayyors and Omnibus Records fame) tells me the initial run is almost completely sold out. The Fine Steps (featuring Sacramento rock scene stalwarts Chris Woodhouse and Julian Elorduy) play an infectious jangly surf-rock that could be one of Sac’s next big music exports. Here’s “Tomorrow for All Today”:
KJ’s Think Big funded by Kings, Bee reports
The Bee’s Ryan Lillis reported today that Mayor Johnson’s “Think Big” arena task force received funds from the Sacramento Kings, with whom of course the Mayor has negotiated on a proposed arena.
Apparently Johnson missed a 30-days deadline for reporting many of the donations; in fact donations made last summer were reported in August. This is a major scandal that in a fair world would keep Johnson from getting reelected or even finishing his term. Continue reading “KJ’s Think Big funded by Kings, Bee reports”
Sac’s kids today
I know a few of us bloggers like to joke about how we are grumpy old men trapped in svelte, exquisitely toned younger men’s bodies. But I’d like us to take a moment to make fun of this awesome op-ed that takes it to a professional level. It’s a “Special to The Bee” from Bruce Maiman, a former radio show host living in Rocklin:
With Labor Day weekend behind us and the unofficial end of summer upon us, I’m reminded of something I rarely see anymore: kids playing outside. Have you noticed? Over the years, there’s less and less of it. Why?
Feel free to tell me your favorite part. I think my favorite is where he completely discounts skateboarding, a great outdoor activity, but cites playing with army guys as an example of acceptable “outdoor play.” Or maybe when he laments that kids here in Sacramento, on the West Coast of the United States, are rarely found bottling fireflies. Or when he blames the 24 hour news cycle for scaring parents into keeping their kids indoors, paragraphs after raising the specter of rising obesity as a scare tactic to get kids outside playing stickball.
BREAKING: Kings may move to Virginia Beach, Virginia UPDATED
UPDATED: Cowbell Kingdom.com outlines the update to this, which is that the Kings say it is not a real thing. WTMalooF?
I heard it first from RansackedMedia.com.
A report out of the Hampton Roads Business Journal says that the Sacramento Kings will relocate to Virginia Beach and play in a new arena to be built by Comcast.
The Biz Journal report is here. I almost want this to happen by tomorrow just to get this topic put to bed for good. I am 100% ready to root for my first NBA love, the Golden State Warriors, who I think have an exciting roster and are poised for good things. And I don’t even care if I’m jinxing things by jumping ship at this point. It seems pretty clear that between the Maloofs being checked out and Kevin Johnson and the city’s inept attempt at keeping the Kings, we should just prepare for the inevitable.
Last chance to enjoy City pools this summer
The City pools are gearing up to close for the season but there is still time to enjoy them before then. From the City Aquatics page:
- Bertha Henschel Play Pool, Clunie & Pannell Meadowview Pools are open through Labor Day weekend.
- Tahoe Pool is open through Sat. 8/25.
- McClatchy Park and Sim Pools are open through Aug. 26.
My family and I have quite enjoyed being able to go to Tahoe Pool this year again. The staff is awesome, the facility is great and the vibe is always really nice even though there are always swarms of unsupervised tweens.
Let’s hope that this gem is open again next year!
Book Swap Sunday at Shine
by Orin Zebest. FlickrNeed a place to beat the apocalyptic beatdown we are getting from the weather? (I guess Father Sky’s furious anger has subsided a bit from earlier in the week when I started writing this post, but still.) One of Sacramento’s best alternative library blogs, alt+library, is putting on a book swap and meet & greet Sunday at Shine, a unique coffee house/restaurant/arts venue in Downtown that is just about to celebrate its 2nd anniversary.
If you’re the kind of person who would want to attend a book swap, it seems like a gathering of alt+library devotees and Shine patrons would be your ideal combination of people. If you don’t know all these people already, what better way to get to know them. Continue reading “Book Swap Sunday at Shine”
Blogger reaction to Amtrak changes
Strong words of disapproval for the Amtrak station changes from Heckasac, a frequent Capital Corridor rider. Sounds like a massive fail at least for some riders.
I too was struck by spokespeople comparing the size of the new tunnel to the size of much larger stations. It’s a small train station with 2 platforms. Though it is apparently one of the busiest Amtrak stations. Seems like further expansion might be called for.
Some food trucks just want to watch the world burn
By Robert Couse-BakerUPDATE: It has come to my attention that I should probably try harder to not suck at writing. Updates below for clarity.
I had never really gotten too fired up about the food truck controversy here until I read the Bee article this weekend about the So Cal group throwing a wrench in things by holding up a piece of paper called the US Constitution and pointing at it. Matt Geller, a “food truck advocate” from LA and head of the Southern California Mobile Food Vendors Association wants the California Mobile Food Association, the advocacy group here in Sac, to stop trying to work with the Legislature to cooperate with “brick and mortar” restaurant owners on laws allowing cities to slap new regulations on food trucks. Continue reading “Some food trucks just want to watch the world burn”
The Sac Rag 