Author: RonTopofIt

RonTopofIt is a complex personality, as are most of the small breed of modern day renaissance millionaires. He wishes more people were like him and yet believes that it takes all kinds. You've met RonTopofIt many times, you just don't remember him.

Postcards from Sacramento

No, I’m not referencing Maya’s always engaging web log of the same name, although I’m sure she’s done this before. I’m speaking of a search on eBay for postcards from Sacramento. Have you done this? If not, give it a shot. What a nice little stroll down Sacramentocana Lane it is.

For example, check out this 1950’s shot of Sutter’s Fort. Or this great 1932 shot of the lake at McKinley Park. Look closely, no toxic green stuff to be found! Ah, the good ole’ days. How about Sacramento’s “busy” K Street postcard from the 40’s? I could go on and on.

I am no Sacramento historian, but the more I learn about this town the more I’m glad I live here.

Midnight snacks

George Bush hates pork buns

I do not get out much. I really don’t get out much after dark. So when I found myself out and about yesterday in the wee small hours of the night AND hungry, I was at a loss for an all night eatery (other than Del Taco that is.) Luckily my handsome companion suggested that we visit the Plum Blossom for some pork buns. Man o’ man was that a great call. And at .75 per bun, you really can’t go wrong. They are open till 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and have also applied for a liquor license. Mmmm, beer and buns…

In case losing your money and having zero fun wasn’t enough

Let’s see, you got your ATM ID theft ring, you got your missing persons and/or murders (allegedly), and you got your overnight daycare services. But that’s just not enough for you to pass on visiting the Thunder Valley Casino, right?

Well, word comes out now that the casino has been illegally polluting our streams with sewage. Never fear though, “…Consultants for the casino said they have added workers to better monitor the sewage treatment plant.”

Better monitor? Doesn’t exactly sound like a “we’ll never let it happen again” now does it?

Weekend Observation

Arby's Roast Beef is Yummy?

I had occasion to drive by the same Arby’s on Walnut and Marconi yesterday no fewer than 3 times. As you can tell from the blurry photo the parking lot was empty…every time! I’ve sort of paid attention to this observation recently and I’ve found that yesterday was no anomaly. So I ask, who eats at Arby’s?

I know the Simpsons have taken several shots at the restaurant over the years. I used to frequent a RAX roast beef restaurant in Arizona, but they seem to have moved east.

Mather Airport Hosts Airshow

Mather Airport is hosting the 2006 California Capital Airshow, featuring the Blue Angels this weekend.

Here are some tips from SacAirports.org:

  • Buy tickets online or from any Heritage Community Credit Union branch.
  • Avoid parking hassles and traffic! Ride Regional Transit (RT) to the California Capital Airshow Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19. Route 75 will depart from the Mather/Mills Station every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.each day of the show. Complimentary RT daily passes will be available to riders after boarding Route 75
  • Admission tickets for the California Capital Air Show are $10 for advance purchase or $15 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the show ends at 4 p.m.

Update: The Web site is back up. You can purchase tickets in advance at all Heritage Community Credit Unions & at the Sacramento International, Mather, & Executive airports.

For those who need an excuse to drink

SacTicket.com offers up 9 places to visit tonight to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The Mikuni one was pretty good:

OK, so Mikuni isn’t really doing anything big for St. Patrick’s Day (hello, it’s a sushi place), but we thought the one thing they are doing was so cute, it deserved a mention. Apparently, people are always thinking it is an Irish pub when they hear the name out of context, so the folks at Mikuni have made up T-shirts that spell the name as if it were a Celtic watering hole, selling a McCooney’s tee for $20; the staff will be sporting them today.

If I were to enjoy this sort of tomfoolery, I’d be stopping by the Bonn Lair. I have reason to believe that the corned beef and cabbage will be second to none.

Now I ain’t sayin’ she a gold digger…

Ok, so I’ve been sitting on this one for a few months, but something happened this morning at the gym that really sent me over the edge. I haven’t heard back from the Sac Rag Legal Department yet regarding what I can and can not say so I’ll try to be vague.

A few months ago I was shopping at my local Raley’s Supermarket when I noticed a large, (are there any other kind?) tricked out Hummer H2 parked in a handicapped parking spot (she had a placard). Hey, no judging, right? Well, as I continued on to my car to unload the groceries I saw a woman in her late 40’s, early 50’s lightly jog to said SUV and literally jump in and drive off.
Continue reading “Now I ain’t sayin’ she a gold digger…”

What happens in Boise…

Sacramento got some bad news recently thanks to bankrate.com (and frequent Sac Rag reader/commenter adamant.) Our fair city ranked #2 (woohoo!) on their “10 bubble busters — values expected to decline” (no woohoo!) list.

Sacramento, Calif. We’re not quite sure what Sacramento ever did to anyone, but it showed up on just about everyone’s list of has-been markets. Winzer’s Local Home Value Ratings rates the market as 59 percent overvalued and Burns Housing Cycle Barometer also lists it as overpriced.

“Sacramento, we think, has topped out,” says Gollis of The Concord Group. “There is just so much (housing construction) in the pipeline. It’s a steady-as-she goes market and has always had consistent growth, but we think the land market has gotten ahead of itself.”

While I see their point I do wonder if the City of Sacramento is being thrown out with the bath water here.
Continue reading “What happens in Boise…”

The future of law enforcement?

News10.net reports that the Manteca Police Department has for the first time used an automated telephone calling system to alert a neighborhood of a violent crime in their area.

I’m wondering if this is the future of law enforcement? How effective do you think a pre-recorded message can be in informing the public of criminal activity given our constant barrage of telephonic spam (this would totally be the name of my band if I had, like, musical talent and ambition and stuff) we experience everyday. Don’t get me wrong, I see the intent behind this system, I just worry that law enforcement is one of those areas where automation like this is not really needed.

The computer program is a reverse of the 911 emergency system. “It sends out a recorded message for a emergency situation,” said the department’s crime analyst Linda Silva. “I can pick out a certain area, and it brings up those numbers and just calls that area.”

Reverse of 911? How so? When you call 911 do you speak with an automated voice response system? I don’t think that you do, although that would be great and would really make my point.

911 IVR System: Hello, you’ve reached the 911 emergency system automated call center. Your emergency is very important to us. Your call will be answered in the order in which it was received. If your emergency involves an assault, press 1 now. If your emergency involves a…

Continue reading “The future of law enforcement?”

I’ll bet you $20 you didn’t know

That March 6th – 12th is California Problem Gambling Awareness Week.

That’s right, according to the Office of Problem Gambling:

For most people, gambling is recreational. However, for some people, gambling leads to debilitating problems resulting in harm. Problem gambler means participation in any form of gambling to the extent that it creates a negative consequence to the gambler, the gambler’s family, place of employment, or community.

This reminds me of my favorite gambling joke.

Why did the problem gambler quit Gambler’s Anonymous? It was full of losers.

Continue reading “I’ll bet you $20 you didn’t know”