What do we think of Analeigh?

The latest iteration of America’s Next Top Model premiered last night with another local product, St. Francis High School grad Analeigh Tipton (the Bee’s Leigh Grogan has been tracking this, of course). As you can see by the photo, Analeigh is 17 feet tall and is a proponent of peace.

In her audition she shared a creepy, funny-scary story about almost being sold to a Saudi prince. One wonders whether that hookup was brought to you by a modeling ad on Craigslist…

Did you see? What did you all think? Personally I think she might be a contender. Also watch out for the awkward Frenchie. Seriously, she looks like if they pick on her she might snap and kill a bitch.

Railyards project receives cash

As reported by the Biz Journal, the city has received an additional $17.9 million in funds tied to the almost $24 billion transportation and infrastructure money approved by us voters in 2006. Construction on the railyards is supposed to begin next year.

The money approved in prop 1B is for “creating infrastructure and affordable housing near transit.” Somewhat ironically, $18 million is exactly the amount Regional Transit expects to lose when the budget is passed. (although by the time the budget is passed we’ll all be tooling around in jet-packs.) Perhaps some of that money can be redirected toward transit near which to build more affordable housing?

Mati’s Indian Express

I was doubtful. It’s true. I typically don’t doubt Paul, but this time I thought he had to be a little off. Paul runs the Sacramento Epicureans dining group and tends to have very reliable opinions, and he swore that this little stripmall Indian joint in Natomas was great.

Strip mall? Natomas? Are you kidding me?

Turns out that Paul was right. Mati’s Indian Express is wonderful–fast, inexpensive, and delicious. This is not to say that it’s the best Indian dining in Sacramento, or that it doesn’t have its drawbacks (lack of a restroom comes to mind). But when viewed as a whole package, Mati’s is about three million times better than it should be. Continue reading “Mati’s Indian Express”

Reminder – Save…err Celebrate Corti’s rally today

corti'sAs reported in Mike Dunne’s column a while back and on various ad hoc blogs, today at 3:00 PM a gaggle of local restaurant celebrities including Biba Caggiano, Randall Selland, Wendi Mentink, Rick Mahan and Kurt Spataro, will gather in support of a petition to celebrate Good Eats backing off the Corti Bros site.
According to Dunne, the effort to save Corti Brothers is/was being led by California Strategies LLC, a massive public relations firm with interests all across California.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens next; Corti still has to negotiate a new lease. Here is Darrel Corti in Mike Dunne’s column today:

“If they are backing away, I guess we have to meet with the landlord, but I’ve heard nothing from the landlord. All I’m hearing is what you are telling me, and I don’t know how to respond to what you are telling me,” Corti said.

The one thing that comes to mind is “sweet, I can keep my business open.” But that’s just off the top of my head.

Our first sponsor

synergyToday I’m pleased to announce our first sponsor, SactoClassifieds.com! It’s a new free classifieds service targeting the Greater Sacto area. Please click on over and make it worth their while to sponsor the snark.

And if you know of any local businesses who are looking to attach their brand to a rising star of the Sacramento blogosphere, send them our way. Competitive rates and loyal customers await.

State Fair – Closing Weekend!

Ah, how time flies. This year, the California State Fair had a shorter run than in past years, so we’ve had to pack in our allotment of free concerts, fried food and big fun into only two weeks. As usual, the Fair closes after Labor Day, so make the most of the weekend if you are in town!

There are a few more attractions that I wanted to point out in case you have not had a chance to catch them.

Arial plants a wet one on TracyThe Sea Lion Encounter gives you the chance to play with, take a photo with, and get kissed by a California Sea Lion. All proceeds are for charity, so go take the rare opportunity to smell a little fishy, but in a good way. This exhibit is next to the track, where thoroughbred racing continues all weekend.

The Stars of the Peking Acrobats show is just damn cool. Don’t miss their breathtaking stunts.

Continue reading “State Fair – Closing Weekend!”

Corporate Carnies

It appears to the casual observer that the carnies at this year’s State Fair are a little cleaner than in past years. To the sharp-eyed snark hound, however, it is an obvious sea change in the modern carnival solutions industry.

That’s right. The midway has gone corporate.

All games, rides, and straight-toothed carnies are now provided for the California State Fair by the Ray Cammack Shows corporation or RCS. Take a look around the midway and you’ll see the RCS logo emblazoned on every skee-ball, pop-a-shot, and shoot-the-water-in-the-clown’s-mouth game. Continue reading “Corporate Carnies”

Our picks for 2008 News & Review Readers’ Choice

As promised, our collective picks for some of the categories in this year’s Readers Choice awards. Make sure to vote online today or tomorrow. I had the date wrong last week, voting ends tomorrow. In addition to the below, we would appreciate your votes for Best blog, Best blogger (pick your favorite), and Best Sacramento Web site.

Food & Drink
Best restaurant: Maritime Seafood & Grill
Best soups: la bonne soupe
Best Thai: Thai Cottage
Best Wine Bar: 58 degrees & Holding
Best small plates: Formoli’s Bistro
Best BBQ: Big Joe’s BBQ (if you dolts vote for Texas West I’m going to come over to your house and give you a spice rub where the sun don’t shine (if you know what I mean))

Continue reading “Our picks for 2008 News & Review Readers’ Choice”

Frequent Caller Bassil Works Out The Kinks

RunnerGirl is in training for both her “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” taping in New York AND a 100 miler (within days of each other — which gives her an iron-clad excuse if the 100 miler doesn’t work out as planned.) Throw in a demanding career and a nice dose of volunteer work, and RunnerGirl can get a little tense.

She is currently hooked on this season’s “Project Runway” and has taken on contestant Suede’s affectation of speaking in the third person. OK, it has already gotten old — I will stop. Someone tell Suede to do the same thing, please. And don’t think we’re NOT going to Mood fabrics while we’re in NYC. Holla at your boy. Make it work. Continue reading “Frequent Caller Bassil Works Out The Kinks”