Category: Family

“I left my heart in the old CompUSA building”

Has anyone checked out Bodies: Revealed over on Alta Arden?

I saw this exhibit earlier this year in a different city, and it’s a must for anyone in the medical field (or for those of us who feel we’ve missed our calling.  Any other fans of the Mutter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia out there?)

The bodies are presented respectfully, and they give a close-up view of muscles, nerves, organs, bones, the circulatory system, what certain diseases look like, and a multitude of other fascinating facets of anatomy.  It’s amazing how well engineered we are. I was with a fellow runner, so she and I were pointing out the different things that have ailed us over the years, most notably the piriformis muscle, patellar tendon, and iliotibial band.

The Sacramento exhibit is just one of many exhibitions of actual cadavers that have been preserved and dissected — all bodies used were donated to science.  Check it out, 10am-10pm daily, through March 2008.

Group discounts are available, so here’s a chance for sacrag meet-up, and we can truly see that we’re really all the same inside.

Davis Ranch: the best tree bargain around

The Cool family are early Christmas tree people. We are also heavily into Thanksgiving, so care is taken to not go full-bore until Black Friday. But basically as soon as the dishwasher is loaded on Thanksgiving it is Christmas in my house (not that it was my dishwasher).

We are enjoy slaying our own tree, and this year we set our sights on Apple Hill. We missed peak apple season this year so we were excited to make the drive. While there are plenty of lots and a nice website to help you find them, once we got up there we realized the prices are considerably higher up there. Continue reading “Davis Ranch: the best tree bargain around”

The Pumpkin Farm


The Pumpkin Farm

Reviewing pumpkin patches is a hard racket. Unless the pumpkins are visibly rotting or parking costs more than Arco, you’re pretty much dealing with a numbers game, balancing cost versus amenties until the cows come home. (If they actually have cows though, that’s a definite plus.)

The Pumpkin Farm is located in scenic Citrus Heights, California, otherwise known as that big area out there beyond the mall. But seriously, you find yourself “way out there” in what seems to be Kentucky before you know it.

Continue reading “The Pumpkin Farm”

Your Unofficial Apple Hill Guide: New, Updated, Now With More Apple Flavor

It’s that time of year again when the leaves start turning, the kids go back to school and the Eats household celebrates anotherNo, the other kind of apple. birthday.  In what is becoming an annual tradition, the Mrs. and I played hooky and headed up the hill midweek to sup full of apple flavored delights.  In the process, we found some new delights, and wound up finding out a few new things about our old favorites.  Follow me, won’t you, as we trip the apple fantastic to find the best of the ‘Hill for 2007.

Rainbow Orchards– There are few reason to hang around Rainbow Orchards other than to consume the finest doughnuts you will ever have, apple cider doughnuts, that is.  Freshly made, piping hot, covered with sugar, and crisp yet chewy, these doughriffic bites of heaven are the main attraction in the cavernous barn that makes up the whole of Rainbow Orchards commercial enterprise.  They sometimes have bluegrass music in the orchard, which is a nice offering, and the Mrs. and I found a beautiful selection of decorative pumpkins in a kaleidoscope of shades (including blue) but really, we’re all just going there for the doughnuts.  Did I mention the doughnuts?  And yes, I still refuse to spell it “donuts.”  Caution:  Mill View Farms produces and sells a similar apple cider doughnut, but be warned, this is an inferior product and not worth your doughnut calories.  The proprietor is very sweet though, bless her heart.    Continue reading “Your Unofficial Apple Hill Guide: New, Updated, Now With More Apple Flavor”

Raging Bulls

OK, I don’t want to turn this into a discussion on whether rodeos are form of animal cruelty — I just want to point your attention to this story from the Bee’s website.

A couple bulls got loose at the fair and trampled an officer who was protecting fair-goers from said bulls. A rodeo clown also saved a young child from certain harm by scooping up the tot and hopping over a fence. The police officer suffered broken ribs, some abrasions, and a minor concussion. The clown remained unscathed (and I presume he piled into a Volkswagen with the rest of the clowns afterwards.)

While all of this had to be truly frightful for those involved and for those who witnessed the incident, I can’t help but smile when reading this quote, “Fair spokesman May said he was not aware of the child’s rescue and did not know the clown’s name.” Jingles? Sunshine? Patches?

It’s not quite as good as a quote about cleaning a chimichanga off a chandelier, but it does come close.

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.

Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?

Friday– Dinner with the Sacramento Epicureans at Oz, a wonderful Korean eatery on Bradshaw Road.  No reservations necessary, come on by and join the fun, $25 a head (alcohol not included).  Paulie over at Sac-Eps does a great job organizing these events.  If you’d like to try some adventurous foods and do it in a group setting, come on out and join the Sacramento Epicureans at any of there upcoming events.  www.sacramento-epicureans.com  Oz, 3343 Bradshaw Rd, Sacramento

Saturday– Hitting up my local farmers market at Watt and El Camino.  And later, heading out to TFO (see comments).

Sunday– The sac-eats/Runnergirl braintrust will make its triumphant return to the Streets of London for Sunday Night Trivia.  Come join us as we sip on English ales and do our best to top the top minds in Sacramento at this weekly test of pointless and not so pointless facts.  Trivia starts at 9pm but get there early unless you like standing.  (Or you can be like Runnergirl and bring your own chairs.)  Streets of London, 1804 J St, Sacramento

Free family movies at Regal Theaters

Wallace & GromitLooking for fun and free stuff to do with the kids on a hot day? Free family movies are back at Regal Cinemas through August. Looks like we missed “Curious George” and “Charlotte’s Web” but there’s still “March of the Penguins” next week and “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit” the week after. And a few others I don’t care about. Why is “Happy Feet” rated PG? Don’t get me started…

Seating is first-come-first-served and the shows start at 10 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?

I don’t know about you, but I’ll be hanging out in a grocery store parking lot.  As reported by Cakegirl:

Eve’s Market is finally having their GRAND OPENING CELEBRATRION!

Eve’s Market is having a grand opening party tomorrow, Saturday, from 11am-4pm. There will be food, games, face painting, music, raffles, and a $500 giveaway drawing.

They are located at 5025 Marconi Avenue (at Walnut), Carmichael. Their phone is 916.974.7300.

Whatcha doin’ this weekend?

I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’m playing in this show:

Sacramento’s newest and most revolutionary folk band will have their first public concert on Friday, June 29 at 8pm.

The “Dutch Elm Trio” featuring Greg Sabin on banjo, Chris Olsen on guitar and Pat Skiffington on bass will
make its debut at the Sacramento Comedy Spot studio at 1716 Broadway in Sacramento.  The trio’s
interpretation of classic folk has been hailed by themselves as “groundbreaking,” “jaw-dropping” and
“somewhat better than we’d intended.”

Special guests, “The Tip Top Trio,” Sacramento’s favorite rockabilly band, will be following the Dutch
Elm boys and rounding out an evening of musical entertainment.

Tickets are just $5 at the door, and they’ll be going fast, so make sure to get there early.  See you
Friday!

What:  Dutch Elm Trio: World Debut
When:  Friday, June 29, 8pm
Where: Sacramento Comedy Spot, 1716 Broadway
How much: $5