Author: CoolDMZ

"X-ray vision to see in between / Where's my kimono and my time machine?"

So scary: “Sneeze causes stroke for Natomas woman”

This is not a cause for snark, just a quick Monday morning post to get the week started with the freakiest health news article that has a local angle that I have seen in a while: “Sneeze causes stroke for Natomas woman“:

The sneeze had caused a massive stroke, and [Suzanne] Aymeric spent the next five weeks in Mercy General Hospital, paralyzed on her right side and unable to speak.

When Aymeric sneezed, the sudden movement tore the major artery in her neck, the carotid.

So scary! I wish Ms Aymeric well.

State Parks tax measure closer to ballot


at Marshall Gold Discovery Park

Environmental groups were successful in gathering the required signatures to place a new measure on the November ballot which would add an $18 charge to most DMV registrations in order to keep the state parks open.

If approved by a simple majority of state voters on Nov. 2, the measure would increase annual vehicle registration fees for California motorists by $18 a year, and allow any car with California license plates free admission to the state’s 278 parks, which currently charge fees that range from about $6 to $15 per visit.

Of course, tax groups and the Governator will fight such a measure. But though I am no tax lover, to me this actually sounds like a great deal and a major boost to state park attendance, I would think. Of course, that’s because I know that I would really get my money’s worth.

Continue reading “State Parks tax measure closer to ballot”

“Little House” musical to pitch in with Habitat for Humanity


Photo Credit: © Michal Daniel, 2008

The stage musical version of Little House on the Prairie opens this week at the Community Center Theater. The show stars Melissa Gilbert, who made a name for herself playing Laura in the 1970s TV series based on the books. And over the weekend, the cast will be tackling a Habitat for Humanity house in Del Paso Heights:

Throughout its 34-week, 26 city tour, Little House on the Prairie will make a minimum donation of $1,500 per market to the work of Habitat for Humanity through June 2010. In addition, the cast and crew will help local Habitat for Humanity affiliates build homes in each location.

Neat idea! But what I want to know is: Will the house come with a hollowed out log for smoking venison? Will there be a big iron stove for making pancake men?

Library offers live chat with Cory Doctorow!

Portrait, home, Hackney, London
Portrait, home, Hackney, London (by Paula Mariel Salischiker, pausal.co.uk, CC-BY) Uploaded by gruntzooki on 25 Aug 09, 2.15AM PDT.

Tech activist, blogger, and novelist Cory Doctorow, of BoingBoing.net, one of my favorite sites on the entire interweb, will be appearing live via Skype to chat directly with Sacramento Library patrons. Doctorow is the author of several young adult science fiction novels including Little Brother:

When he ditches school one Friday morning, 17-year-old Marcus is hoping to get a head start on the Harajuku Fun Madness clue. But after a terrorist attack in San Francisco, he and his friends are swept up in the extralegal world of the Department of Homeland Security. After questioning that includes physical torture and psychological stress, Marcus is released, a marked man in a much darker San Francisco: a city of constant surveillance and civil-liberty forfeiture. Encouraging hackers from around the city, Marcus fights against the system while falling for one hacker in particular.

The webcast will be presented at 8:00AM on Wednesday, April 21, at the North Natomas Library. This is a very cool and special event. I hope enough people show up!

More info: Live Chat with Cory Doctorow

Pinkberry VIP grand opening

Benji Madden Jason Evigan and Joe Manganiello
Hope we get this kind of star studded affair.
Creative Commons License photo credit: @Photo .

By now you know that the LA frozen yogurt chain Pinkberry is moving into the Sacramento fro-yo market, with several stores “swirling soon” around the area, including Howe ’bout Arden and Loehmann’s Plaza, Elk Grove, Sunrise and Davis.

I’m not the fro-yo aficionado that some of my compatriots are, so I’m sure this will get adequate coverage here on this Web log. I merely want to highlight the fact that for the grand opening at Howe ’bout Arden on Thursday, the PR folks behind the Pinkberry entree into Nor Cal are setting up a “VIP tent” and inviting all the movers and shakers in the area including top bloggers and Yelpers as well as politicians. For their sake, they better make sure they don’t snub the Deputy Secretary on Dry Toppings or the Assistant to the Commissioner on Parfait Regulation, or their kiwi processing bill is going to stall in committee, that’s for damn sure.

J Greenberg joins us, performs at Luna’s Saturday

My friend and local TV producer J Greenberg is also a rock ‘n’ roll singer, and he is performing Saturday at Luna’s Cafe in a solo show. He opens for Family Bandits.

In addition, I am pleased to announce that J Greenberg will be joining us here at The Sac Rag as a contributor! He should provide a great dose of Midtown flavor and hopefully will be able to report on the music scene. Look for J’s take on our fair city starting soon.

Family Bandits, J Greenberg, Steve Yerkes
Luna’s Cafe and Juice Bar
8PM – $6