Author: Stickie

The War on PBS

Ken Burns and his team swore that they would never do another war documentary, but were inspired to tackle WWII after learning that more than 1000 veterans of this war die every day. Faced with a disappearing history, he and co-director Lynn Novick set out to document these soldiers’ and their families’ stories and to learn more about the home front in The War.

Interviews were conducted in four US cities: Sacramento, Luverne, MN, Mobile, AL, and Waterbury, CT. Those who viewed the first night learned of the experiences of several Sacramentans.

Read more about Sacramento during the War and the featured locals at the following links:

Earl Burke
Barbara Covington
Jeroline Green
Robert Kashiwagi
Burnett Miller
William Perkins
Susumu Satow
Harry Schmid
Dolores Silva
Walter Thompson
Asako Tokuno
Tim Tokuno
Sascha Weinzheimer
Burt Wilson

The War continues tonight with Part 2 of 7 on PBS at 8 and 10pm, and will be shown a total of four nights this week and three nights next week.

Tastes from across Mexico

I had the good fortune to catch the last night of Presenting Mexico, a three-day tasting from Chef Ramiro Alarcon at El Patron Bar and Grill.

For $20, we had a brief culinary discussion and a hearty sampling of dishes from 8 different Mexican states. My favorite was the Michoacan Pescado Blanco de Pasquero, a white fish baked in egg, served with a smoky red pepper sauce with Sopa de Melon, cold melon soup. Everything that I tried, from the Guerrero inspired Chiles Campanos, marinated green chiles stuffed with queso fresco, to the Sinaloa Sopa Verde, a traditional green soup with fish and clam, was a reminder that Sacramento is sorely lacking for high quality, adventurous Mexican dining that offers atypical dishes and new flavors.

Tequila tastings were also provided by Trago tequila. Unfortunately, they ran out of the Reposado, but their Plata has a fruity aftertaste with little raw alcohol burn. Their Anejo is aged a year in bourbon barrels, imparting a deep, sweet carmel flavor on top of the fruit. Both were excellent and presented in tall rectangular bottles with great angles, sure to stand out at a bar and scream “Taste me and look classy, I’m expensive but worth it!.” The bar featured at least 30 other 100% agave tequilas, including great brands such as Chinaco, Don Julio (including the 1942 reserve!) and Centenario.

El Patron Bar and Grill
6601 Folsom Blvd
(916) 455-8945

California State Fair 2007 – Closing Week

This year, the Fair was a week shorter, so it was harder to cram in every ounce of fun that I usually derive from my season pass. The last week always brings out the heavy hitters on the Golden 1 Stage, and we’ve got some good music coming up.

Tonight – KC and the Sunshine Band (Who among us can resist putting on the boogie shoes?)
Thursday – All American Rejects (You know… for kids. Kids that like to pretend that they have problems)
Friday – The Commodores (No Lionel, but I am willing to bet that they will bring it. And by it, I mean the funk)
Saturday – Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom (Possibly the #1 performer of Hawaiian music in the world and, reportedly, an amazing vocalist)
Sunday – Chicago (Who really kick ass, ask someone who remembers)
Monday – Weird Al (Do I even need to print his last name? You know who I mean. An amazing show, you won’t be disappointed)

Here are a few quick recommendations to check out:

Continue reading “California State Fair 2007 – Closing Week”

California State Fair 2007

Friday is opening day for State Fair 2007. While most people only think of rides and fried food, I am a fan of the Fair for the million and one ways that it represents and honors the great people and State of California. To find out what is happening on a day-to-day basis, check out www.bigfun.org for the daily schedule.

One of my favorite activities is tucking a flask of whiskey in my boot and checking out the bands on the Golden 1 Stage. Here are the next few offerings. Remember that these shows are free with admission, but seating is first come-first served. Reserved seats are available for some extra cash.

Friday 8/17 Tesla
Tuesday 8/21 Huey Lewis and the News
Wednesday 8/22 Daughtry
Thursday 8/23 The Temptations Review

Stay tuned to the SacRag for more reports from the California State Fair.

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.

Chainman

Has anyone else around Midtown encountered Chainman? A.K.A. Chainguy? A.K.A. Chaindude (I hear he is called that around the Beach Hut Deli)?

For those of you whom have not had the pleasure, Chainman is a fairly normal looking guy, although his style is a little Venice Beach for Sacto. Normal, except for the two chains wrapped around his fists. He prefers chains with thin torus-shaped links and a stainless-steel veneer. They each appear to be 6 feet in length. I wonder what his deal is with those chains.

He jangles as he walks. Usually, before seeing Chainman, you hear him. Down the street. Around the corner. Tonight, it was a few aisles over at Safeway. I was getting some Kefir and heard the distinctive chink-chink-chink somewhere near the “lunch” aisle. Spooky. (Sidenote – Is anyone else bugged by the crappy reorganize of the S Street Safeway?)

I was a little spooked. Then I giggled. Then, I hoped I didn’t have an encounter with Chainman while giggling, for that would be tough to explain, so I got spooked again.

Keep an ear out for Chainman.

‘Tis the Season…

for beer festivals! I will be keeping you up to date on all the beer happenings in the area this summer.

Beer festivals are always a good excuse to drink in the name of charity. Also, did you ever notice that almost all of the charities that these fests support are children’s charities? Do you know why we need so many children’s charities? They are too young to drink beer, so people feel sorry for them.

Raley Field Beerfest is being put on for the first time this year as the annual beer fest for the Northern California Brewer’s Guild, which is headed up by Rubicon owner Glynn Phillips. The event is tomorrow, Saturday the 12th. I have no idea what time this event starts as the organizers have done a “less-than-stellar” job at promoting it. Admission includes 10 complementary tastings, more can be purchased. One small suggestion to the NorCal Brewers… You have a web site. Maybe you would, oh, I don’t know, promote your event on your web site?!?!!?!? Promote it somewhere? One more note – No one in their right mind is going to pay almost $9 in Ticketmaster fees for a $25 ticket when we can buy one onsite for $30. Beer patrons, arrive early and anticipate a long line. Expect between 30 and 40 breweries from across Northern California.

The 8th Annual West Coast Brew Fest is the following Saturday, May 19th, from 1-5pm at Miller Park. Notice the handy link to a web site where you can get maps, information, and purchase a ticket with no service charge that is actually $5 cheaper than onsite the day of the event. No tokens, admission gives you unlimited tastes. Expect almost 50 breweries from across the West Coast and beyond.

Drink safely, my friends, and drink only the best.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BREWERIES
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BREW-FESTS

And, for the love of all that is holy, drink beer to save a child.