Ok, maybe it’s not just Grass Valley, then.
But, I’m surprised by this story:
A Citrus Heights man was under arrest Tuesday after he allegedly traveled to the Bay Area and attacked his sister and brother-in-law with a sword, slashing one to death and severely injuring the other while the couple’s teenage children slept in the family’s El Cerrito home.
Yikes. Somehow, I never saw this area as the sword wielding type.
At what point does a crime become a hate crime?
This is the question I find myself asking, after hearing the story of the attack at the mosque on Fourth and V streets by one Ms. Cynthia Sunshine:
Police responded to the mosque at Fourth and V streets Monday, and found a copy of the Koran tossed on floor. A fire extinguisher had also been sprayed inside the building, creating a smoky haze. Neighboring homes and businesses had to be evacuated while hazmat crews determined what was causing the haze… Sunshine was booked into the Sacramento County Jail on charges of burglary and vandalism.
The target for Ms. Sunshine’s attack as well as the disrespect she exhibited with the Koran indicates something much more than simply burglary and vandalism. This is a hate crime, plain and simple, and her charges and punishment should reflect her actions. It’s unacceptable that the Islamic community be targeted in the way that they have been. Perhaps in the eyes of the law, this incident at the mosque will qualify, as it should. It’ll be interesting to see what actually happens, and if the law will actually stand up for justice.
It’s that time again, kinda.
On the heels of the wildly successful inauguration of “Kudos of the Week” last week, I thought it was time for a change. It was getting stale and predictable. And so, like government wire tapping scandals, I’m changing the name and making what’s old, new again!
Welcome to Right Awn Friday! This is the one time during the week where I like to pause and reflect on a story that just makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over (which coincidentally and in actuality, I am).
So who gets the big ups this week? Get your fists ready and find out after the jump…
Continue reading “Right Awn Friday!: Blowing smoke”
It seems as though 2006 is treating the Sacramento area quite well. The city of Davis has just been named the best “Small Town” for cycling by Bicycling Magazine’s Rankings of America’s Best Cycling Cities.
Naturally this makes sense. It’s too bad though, that given how good Davis is for cycling, that we’re so bad at driving.
So, it turns out, that not only is Sac one of the fittest cities in the US, but also one of the best cities in which to have a baby, according to the most recent issue of Fit Pregnancy magazine:
Fit Pregnancy set out to determine what makes a city great for pregnant women, new parents and babies, and to commend cities that provide a safe and healthy environment to have a baby. The magazine examined 47 criteria, including fertility services, maternal and infant health risk, access to hospitals and doctors, safety, affordability, stroller friendliness and birthing options.
Did Fit Pregnancy survey the Chernenko’s, per chance?
More and more, I’m starting to become convinced of the evil that is oil.
Did you know that when you use your debit card to buy gas at Arco gas stations, they put a hold on your account for an amount between $70 to $100, for a week?
Most people don’t realize this because most of us have more than $70-100 in available cash in our accounts at any one time. But a friend, who is a branch manager at a local bank, recently described to me several instances where people who had less than $100 available in their accounts were not able to withdraw money. The crime perpetrated by these people? They bought $20 worth of gas using a debit card at Arco, and Arco put a $70-100 hold on the account attached to that card.
Why this gas station would do this, and how they could get away with it, no one knows for sure. But, not to mention the debit card fees that Arco charges that negate any savings you get from buying their gas, this further goes to show that the savings you think you’re getting at Arco doesn’t come without a price.
UPDATE: Turns out that this behavior isn’t specific to Arco, but to most gas stations in varying degrees. Thanks RonTopofIt, for digging up this link.
California is the place to be, apparently. The Wharton School of Business over at the University of Pennsylvania (home of the Trump, don’t ya know) has released its idiot’s guide to Northern California, Southern California, and California in general. What would you add to their list?
No mention of CoolDMZ’s birthday, though. Obviously they didn’t do their research.
The Sac Bee printed an interesting article today, matching up local population demographics with areas vulnerable to flooding. And guess what? The places that are most vulnerable to flooding also house our most vulnerable residents. Check out the article, and ups to the Bee for keeping an eye on this.
As a Sac Ragger, sometimes it just seems too easy to poke fun at Sacramento. It’s too easy, because well, many times this town is just asking for it. But every once in a while we come across stories that just make you want to throw your fist in the air and give a shout out in approval. This is what we at the Rag like to call giving up a “Right On!” (pronounced right-awn!).
I’ve decided to start a new weekly feature here on the Rag, called Kudos of the Week. Every Friday, I’m going to pick a feel-good story from the past week that I feel is worthy to acknowledge, with the hopes that, you know, I can find something every week to appreciate. If I can’t, I’m hoping one of the legions of Sac Rag faithful can, and if so, feel free to send me your tips at singhcity-at-sacrag-dot-com.
So, in this first and inaugural edition, this week’s Kudos of the Week goes to…
Continue reading “Kudos of the Week: CCR-bustin’”
We all know about MTV’s TV show, Pimp My Ride, and we all know pimpin’ ain’t easy. But, pimpin’ is what’s cool, even more than snarkin’. So kudos to Rocklin’s Kristine Stone and Shaun Baland and the five kids between them, who are pimpin’ out their wedding to the highest bidders:
They’re offering to allow the highest bidders to write vows for the bride and groom, the best man’s toast and to choose the first song they will dance to as husband and wife. Bids for each offer start at $99. Winners will get a DVD of the ceremony.
If they really want to make some money, they should pimp out their honeymoon.
The Sac Rag 