Exactly one week after we had our last car crash into a building, we were probably overdue for another one, don’t you think?
A Sacramento family got a rude and violent jolt out of bed overnight when a stolen car being chased by deputies slammed into their Oak Park home.
Rude and violent? Since when? This is Sacramento, and that’s just how we roll (our cars into someone else’s living room).
Two interesting articles on the Sacramento Business Journal’s Web site today.
There is not much to the former that hasn’t been hashed out here many times already. My only comment would be what does foreclosing on a house have to do with a slowing housing market? Seems to be tied to either folks losing their jobs or their 5 year interest only loans surfacing and folks can’t make the new refinanced loan payments.
I am thinking that sac-eats can comment on the latter link. Has anyone taken this tour? Seems like a decent idea. But then again, I’ve lived here ten years and have only been to Old Sacramento 2 or 3 times.
Cbs13.com reports the passing of Zelda’s Original Gourmet Pizza owner Zelda Breslin.
Friends remember she ran a tight ship, riding herd on restless customers waiting in line, discouraging patrons from lingering after meals and insisting on cash-only payments.
Wow, I had no idea. I have only been a handful of times and have enjoyed the pie. I’ve never had the opportunity to experience Zelda herself, however. How disappointing. I’d love to hear from you down/mid townies on your experiences there and with Zelda.
Any way you slice it (waa waa waa), she’s a part of Sacramento history and deserves recognition on this here web log.
The President of the United States of America has spoken many times about our need to become less dependent on foreign oil by reducing consumption and using alternative energy sources. In a true show of defiance, Sacramentans said “No way, dude!” and increased their demand for the popular gas guzzling Hummer sport/war utility vehicle/tank.
According to news10.net:
“People are still wanting them,” Hummer of Sacramento spokesman Andy Mullins said. “People are still buying them.” In fact, Mullins said Hummer sales at the dealership quadrupled in April 2006 over the same period last year.
That’s right, what does the President know anyway?
“People definitely mention (fuel economy),” Mullins said. “It’s not like they’re oblivious to what’s going on with the market, but it definitely doesn’t seem to get in the way of their purchase decision.”
Booya! Take that, Powers That Be!
Some may argue that the folks that can afford a Hummer can also afford the gas to put in it. While I agree, I find it odd that those in that tax bracket see no need to lead by example and do right by their President. But that’s just me, I could be wrong.
Popular travel site frommers.com recently published an article about Sacramento naming it “the most attractive big-city state capital in the Western 48.
“By “attractive,” I don’t mean just in physical appearance, but in amenities, ambiance and attitude. I was surprised by the magnificent rows of trees (they call Sacramento a “city of trees”), the well-scrubbed downtown and government area, and the careful waterfront development. But I was equally impressed by the wide variety of cultural attractions available, from all kinds of music to plenty of art displays, from outdoor sports activities to ballet, opera and theater.
It’s always fun to hear the opinions of our out of town visitors. I especially enjoyed the dining recommendations (Esquire Grill? really?) and the fun facts (California is one of 5 states which do not have official residences for their governors…).
Now then, who has a snarky take on this?
Employees of E*TRADE Financial were told yesterday that the company’s Rancho Cordova location, home to several hundred employees will cease operations this August. The company, headquartered in New York (ne Palo Alto), has been slowly scaling down the employee base in their White Rock Rd offices for the last 12 months.
For those of us that worked at E*TRADE, we’re going to miss the place. Many of us agree that it was one of the worst working environments around. We hated the ceaseless 50-60 hr weeks, the subtle intimidation by incompetent managers, the break of dawn or late night shifts and the turnover rate that made the position of drummer for the band Spinal Tap seem like a steady gig. Nevertheless, for most of us, it was our first real job out of college and taught us a lot about getting along in the business world.
So, if your business is looking for about 400 college educated workers with a financial services experience and a high tolerance for poor working conditions, just wait a few months. The market is about to be flooded.
Fifteen days since our last report, we hammered out another one :
A argument inside a moving car escalated to a hammer fight and ended with the car htting [sic] a power pole in South Sacramento…Officers say the accident was caused by an arguing couple. Police say tempers got so heated inside the car one of the people pulled out a hammer to use as a weapon.
Granted, this is not about a car crashing into a building, but I’m still impressed. Poles are harder to hit when someone is striking you on the temple with a hammer. Check out the video at CBS13, the pole actually didn’t fair too badly!
I’m sure you’ll hear back from me again within 2 or so weeks with another episode.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, “For Car Thieves, the West is Best” :
For 2005 the ten metropolitan statistical areas with the highest vehicle theft rates are:
1. Modesto, CA
2. Las Vegas/Paradise, NV
3. Stockton, CA
4. Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale, AZ
5. Visalia/Porterville, CA
6. Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue, WA
7. Sacramento/Arden-Arcade/Roseville, CA
8. San Diego/Carlsbad/San Marcos, CA
9. Fresno, CA
10. Yakima, WA
Read it and weep, San Diego and Fresno. You got nothing on us when it comes to car thefts. Now, while Sacramento ranked #7 in the country, we’re actually #4 among California cities, which means we moved up one position on the list compared to last year.
We done good Sacramento. Give yourselves a hand. We’ll catch those Stockton suckaz yet.
Gas prices are sky high. The housing market is declining, bursting, or whatever it is that means bad. Global politics are as unstable as ever. We got mudslides, floods, West Nile, and coming soon, Bird Flu! At least we’ve hit rock bottom right? Wait just one minute, friends. That’s right, cbs13.com reports that a local mail carrier has admitted to stealing 200 debit cards.
Viengkeo Vicky Pathammavong filled in on various Sacramento-area routes. The 28 fraud counts in her federal indictment accused her of making purchases ranging from $1,000 to more than $16,000 on the stolen cards.
As someone that has suffered through the failed delivery of mail by “fill ins” in my neighborhood, let me say that this just sucks.
I think it is time to investigate the hiring practices of the USPS. I’ve been told that the reason the “fill ins” wear civilian clothes (and by “civilian” I mean baggy jeans, baggy nfl jersey, ball cap turned to the side, and chin strap beard) is due to a probationary period where they must prove themselves for 90 days before being supplied with the familiar uniform and pepper spray (and I guess by “prove themselves” they mean not steal mail). So I’m expected to just let anyone onto my property and into my mailbox as long a they are carrying a bag with envelopes in it? Because if you’re wearing the short shorts, black socks, and pith helmet, you’re good with me!
Yesterday, RonTopofIt and I joked that an alternate “evil” version of The Sac Rag might lament the fact that the Rag’s favorite taqueria, La Fiesta, would be closed in deference to the massive protest/walk-out. Well, if any of you enjoyed yourselves some “24” last night and stuck around for the Fox 40 newscast, you may have caught Joe Orlando’s reporting on the day’s events, which included as a jokey closing remark that the protests had hit too close to home because his own favorite taqueria, La Favorita was closed for the day. 😦
On a side note, CoolDMZ would like to give a big thumbs up to El Novillero on Franklin Blvd for making their own way in the world. Owner Jose Davalos decided to stay open yesterday against the wishes of nameless thugs who tried to intimidate his staff over the phone:
“The callers were trying to intimidate us into closing. When my son and other employees said that yes, we would be open, the callers said that was bad.”
El Novillero’s employees, most of Mexican descent, didn’t want Monday off, Davalos said.
“They wanted to work,” he said. “That’s why they came to this country.”
The Sac Rag 