Public advocates present independent SCUSD budget analysis

At the April 2 SCUSD board meeting, a group of local advocates presented a well-researched and ambitious plan for the SCUSD budget that avoids layoffs and school closures. At least I think that’s what the plan does, there are lots of charts and graphs and financial stuff, and I didn’t have time before the meeting to dig through it. It does look well researched. Could make for an interesting presentation!

(Hat tip: SCUSD Observer blog)

Casting call: “Up All Nite”

nitelifBob Shallit reports that a local film company is holding auditions Saturday for a new local entertainment and nightlife show called “Up All Nite” that will be debuting on April 23.

“It’s ‘Entertainment Tonight’ meets ‘TMZ,’ ” says executive producer Roxanne Avent.

Isn’t that just called “TMZ”? Producers are seeking a female lead to co-host with Sac native Craig Jackson, host of VH1’s “I Love Money,” which I haven’t seen and which I kind of wish I didn’t know existed. Or it is genius, I can’t tell. They are also seeking a score of “reporters” to cover Sacto nightlife. Anybody trying out?

Continue reading “Casting call: “Up All Nite””

Sac City open enrollment back on

SCUSD announced today that open enrollment for SCUSD is being conducted this week, and parents will be notified next week.

Previously: Via the SCUSD Observer blog we learned that the SCUSD Board of Education held an emergency special meeting on 3/26, but sent the announcement about the meeting and distributed the agenda at 3 p.m. that day, in violation of the board’s own policy requiring 24 hours public notice of a special meeting. Nothing gets CoolDMZ fired up like not giving proper notice about meetings. The board posts video of its meetings “the next business day,” but go figure, the video of this meeting has yet to be posted (as of 3/31).

Totally Awesome Comedy Weekend

Something told me that it was going to be a great comedy weekend coming up.  No, really.  I had a dream that George Carlin was performing on Crondall Drive and had a really crappy turnout, so he gave everyone in the audience free CDs, then we played the piano together and I made spaghetti. If that’s not a harbinger of comedy gold, I don’t know what is.

Friday-Saturday: Bobcat Goldthwait @ Laughs Unlimited, 8 and 10:30pm

If you haven’t checked out Goldthwait’s seminal 1987 album “Meat Bob” lately, then it’s time for a refresher.  No matter how manic and absolutely nutso the guy seems, his stand-up was actually insightful and witty. Don’t let all the Police Academy movies fool you, Bobcat’s got chops. Don’t expect the screaming freak-out routine however, he’s calmed a bit with age.

Saturday: Louis C. K. @ the Crest, 8pm

My favorite comedian working today, Louis C.K. is appropriately blunt yet fantastically absurd, a perfect recipe for the times we live in. Yeah, his short-lived sitcom didn’t exactly win any awards, but that puts the former Conan O’Brien writer in good company. Anyone remember the George Carlin show? At $32.50 a seat, even in a recession, the price is well worth it.

Friday: Special Guests @ The Sacramento Comedy Spot, 9pm Continue reading “Totally Awesome Comedy Weekend”

Give a little, take a little for NCAC

Tough economic times have led to record declines in charitable giving across the nation, and Sacramento is no exception. Many of us with lighter-than-usual pocketbooks are holding out for good deals; we want to support worthwhile organizations, but the “bonus prizes” can put an event over the top in our decision to attend or not

Which brings us to this event. Two Rivers Cider Company, our local cider-maker with an unmatchable reputation for quality and a trophy case to match, is holding a fundraiser for the Northern California AIDS Challenge this Thursday.

For a $25 donation at the door, you’ll enjoy a selection of great food and drinks, raffles, games and prizes. The Bathtub Gins and DJ Crescendo will provide the entertainment.

For more info on the NCAC, check http://www.norcalaidschallenge.net/

Thursday, March 26th
6-9 pm
4311 Attawa Avenue

It’s OK to be Judgmental When We’re Talking beer

Judging a beer contest is a surprisingly solemn event. It turns out that it involves a lot more sitting and thinking than drinking and shouting. One spends most of his time writing thoughtful criticism or simply staring at the brew in front of him trying to figure out whether the beverage’s color is more copper-amber or reddish-auburn.

Last weekend, at the Gold Country Brewers Association annual Celebrewtion, I was lucky enough to serve as a judge for their homebrew competition. Over 70 beers by dozens of proud Sacramento-area homebrewers were turned over to be judged by a panel of almost 30 judges. The range of beers went from palest light golden lagers to  syrupy thick meads to ink black imperial stouts.

Each panel of three judges was given a flight of beers, typically about eight beers in total, to judge on aroma, appearance, flavor, and overall execution. Being a first-timer, I was grouped together with a more experienced judge who could show me the ropes. We started by looking over our list of beers and going through the general rules.  We were in the stouts and strong ales category which included barleywine, old ale, and Russian Imperial Stout. Continue reading “It’s OK to be Judgmental When We’re Talking beer”

KCRA’s Bienick chases down the story

Bienick doing his best
Sasquatch impersonation

I know this is old news, but I couldn’t help but chuckle while watching the video of KCRA’s Dave Bienick chasing down Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson’s SUV yesterday.

A few minutes later, the SUV pulled away and went to the back of the building. KCRA 3 also went to the back of the building to wait.

At that point, the SUV drove away and went back to the front of the building. KCRA 3 followed, arriving just in time to see Johnson hop into the vehicle and ride away.

Bienick called for Johnson to stop, but he did not.

By the way, I’d love to “Watch live coverage of Mayor Kevin Johnson’s weekly news conference at City Hall, during which he will discuss a possible obstacle to Sacramento receiving federal stimulus money.” but how many flippin’ Firefox plugins do I need to get this stuff to work? Here’s the follow up story.

At any rate, well done, Dave.

Update on Chi Cheng’s condition

Chi Cheng, bass player for Sacramento’s Deftones, remains hospitalized since a traffic accident left him in a coma early last November.

In her most comprehensive statement since the accident occurred, Cheng’s mother updates us on her son’s condition and their fight to pay for his care. If you would like to help, visit http://www.oneloveforchi.com/. Deftones also report that they are beginning to book shows with Sergio Vega on bass. Fans may remember when Sergio briefly filled in for Chi in 1999.

I have included her entire note after the page jump, and please remember to keep Chi and his family in your prayers.

Continue reading “Update on Chi Cheng’s condition”

More fun from Sac City open enrollment

Since the public were waiting for a follow up to my uproarious earlier post… The timeline for Sac City USD open enrollment just got 100% more confusing with this recent update to the SCUSD website:

This notice is to inform all families that applied during the Open Enrollment period for the fall of 2009-2010, the anticipated timeline for Open Enrollment notification letters for families will be mailed during the week of Monday, March 23, 2009. If any additional changes in timelines are to be made, an update will appear on the website. [Emphasis mine]

The timeline will be mailed out on Monday? Maybe they should announce on the website that they will be mailing out fliers that say to go to the website to find out when they are going to mail the announcement.

(I’m sure they meant that the timeline is that the announcements will be mailed on the 23rd…)