UFO story brings us back

Remember when things were going so well in this country that we cared about space exploration and whether or not we were alone in the universe? This UFO story in Sacramento should help you recall those memories of old.

Plus, this story is one of the few examples of the comments feature being used less annoyingly by “news” organizations. They read like a story. A real page turner…

So, please to enjoy. And, if you’re like me, you can’t help but remember that episode of The Brady Bunch where Greg plays a joke on the gang by fabricating his own UFO.

Sac Food Bank turkeys get big turnout

I think this qualifies as heartening news. Mrs Cool reports that the line outside the Sacramento Food Bank for the thousands of free turkeys being given away today — courtesy of a food drive last week sponsored by KCRA — was around the block. As sac-eats pointed out, this is a great week to do some good.

Continue reading “Sac Food Bank turkeys get big turnout”

Worst parent of the week award UPDATED

Davis mom drives to Nebraska to abandon her 14-year old son. Nebraska’s safe-haven law passed in July had no age limit. I’m sure there will be plenty of time to post feel good stories this week so we have something to be thankful for, but this law and some of the stories are just terrible. Happy Monday!

UPDATE 11/25/08 10:02 am It looks like the boy will be returned to Yolo County.

How to find a job

“Nobody is indispensable” is what my mom has always said when the economy has started to look bleak, encouraging me to work harder and diversify my skills.

The downturn affected me (and also sac-eats, as he is married to me, and my layoff also greatly affected him) in early October as I was laid off.  I had the feeling that it was coming — namely, I had been involved in closed-door meetings in the previous two cycles of layoffs, yet I was not included in these meetings this time around — so I had at least mentally prepared myself a bit.

Here is how I got into an even better position in five weeks flat: Continue reading “How to find a job”

Three Rather Off-putting Meals

I’m on a roll lately.  Unfortunately, it’s a roll of shitty meals.  We’re not talking average, moderate, unremarkable meals, but ranging instead from rotten to atrocious.  And it’s not like I’ve been eating at shady unlicensed joints hoping to find a gem in amongst the filth.  We’re talking about long-standing, reputable places here that have failed, and failed huge.

Meal #1- 33rd Street Bistro– Last week I attended a private event at 33rd Street and couldn’t have been more ticked off at the food situation.  There were six tables at the event, and only food enough for three or four of them. And what food there was was sad, limp, underseasoned chicken parts, a green salad, and roasted vegetables. It was depressing and tasteless. I had to go to Del Taco after I left just to have something for my bile to work on other than my continued rage at the Haines brothers. Continue reading “Three Rather Off-putting Meals”

et tu, Santa?

Not only does Roseville have the better mall, but they’ve now even taken Santa from Sacramento:

The jolly old one will attend holiday events in Roseville on Saturday – including that city’s annual parade – but Sacramento’s annual Santa Parade has been canceled.

The event, always run on the Thanksgiving weekend, has been called off for the first time in the event’s 26-year history, said parade organizer Laurie Hensley.

The decision to cancel the privately organized event was prompted when organizers came up $15,000 short for stages, sound equipment and cash prizes for parade participants, Hensley said.

Sorry Sacto kids, but it looks like your Christmas Eve milk and cookies will go uneaten this year. Santa is off to more lucrative pastures.

In Roseville, however, the Sylvia Besana Annual Holiday Parade is ready to roll at 10 a.m. Saturday.

It will begin at Riverside Avenue and Douglas Boulevard and Vernon Street, proceed along Vernon Street and end behind the Roseville Square shopping center.

Really, Roseville, have you no shame?

UPDATE 11-24-2008: Sac-Eats called it, the Sacto parade is back on after a hefty donation from Mayor-elect KJ. One wonders if Santa was being held as an innocent hostage in some kind of parade-financing dispute.

“WTF did you put down your disposal??” PHOTO

I saw this van yesterday on 50 but was unable to snap a good photo. Luckily, Flickr user timballas was!

WTF Plumbing

It looks like this photo was popular on the internets a few years ago but I wouldn’t be CoolDMZ if I wasn’t 3 years late to an internets phenomenon. I actually can’t find any references to this company other than this photo and people using the acronym for its literal usage in relation to plumbing problems. Is this for real?

Have you seen this man?

If so, Mercy San Juan Medical Center and law enforcement want to hear from you.

From cbs13.com:

The patient is described as a Caucasian male in his 40s. He’s approximately 5-foot-10 and 275 pounds with dark, shoulder-length hair. He has a pierced left ear and a tattoo of a lion’s head on his left shoulder.

Remember, it’s his left shoulder. So if you run into a 5-foot-10, 275 pound dude with dark, shoulder-length hair with a pierced left ear and a tattoo of a lion’s head on his *right* shoulder…keep looking, that’s not him.

Drexel University Accepting Applications

During economic downswings, folks sometimes find themselves returning to school to increase their learning and earning potential. Sacramento now has one more option for those looking for a Master’s Degree.

Drexel University, founded in Philadelphia in 1891, will open their Center for Graduate Studies in January. To sweeten the pot, Drexel is waiving the $70 enrollment fee and has established a $10 million Sacramento Leadership Fellowship Fund to steer the best and the brightest toward their doors. Get more info at one of their Open Houses.

Master’s Programs that begin in January are MBA, Engineering Management, Higher Education, Information Systems, and Library & Information Science. In September, they will add Master’s programs in Human Resource Development, Science of Instruction, Nursing Management and Nursing Education.

Thanks for Giving 2009

With all the national attention focused on the worldwide economic meltdown, it’s easy to forget the local effect. Now, more than ever, there are hungry families, struggling citizens, and unfortunate folks in our community that could use a hand.

Check out last year’s post for information on how you can help at local food banks, local athletic fund raisers, and volunteer organizations throughout the city. Be thankful for what you have, and help give others something to be thankful for.