Video game nostalgia open thread

As promised I’d like to open this post up as an open thread for your Sacramento 80s video game memories. That short-lived arcade at Arden Fair near the elevator above Johnny Rockets, different places where you held the high score, your favorite place to game it up, places you were ejected from and why, etc.

RygarI’ll kick it off with my memory of Rygar at Round Table on 51st. Rygar was that side-scrolling game where your weapon of choice was a spinning axe blade on a chain. It wasn’t a very exciting game but I became pretty OK at it and played every chance I got at the Round Table on 51st.

And of course the best of all: free gaming at that home store in Howe ‘Bout Arden where the Rack stands now.

Discuss. (Please)

Public hearing tonight on RT changes

Even though the state budget is not yet complete, Regional Transit is planning to reduce its operations due to the probable inclusion in that budget of $1.3 billion in public transit cuts. In addition to internal cost-saving measures it looks like RT is set to make changes to 20 or more routes. Sac RT has released an announcement with a list of routes slated for trimming (PDF). RT Rider blog has more documents to peruse. RT Driver had some pretty tough words for the RT leadership when the announcement of Arnold’s cuts came out.

There is a public hearing about the proposed cuts tonight at 6 p.m. at the 29th and N RT office.

In honor of the 50E, my line of choice and one of the doomed routes, check out “Stockton Boulevard” by Stars & Garters on Chris Macias’ Sunday Single…

Besides, what’s wrong with Sacramento?

Sacramento based editorial writer for the LA Times, Bill Stall, writes an interesting article about Sacramento’s failure to make any “best places to” list. He does make you wonder, after listing all of the usual attributes, why we continue to get a bad rap.

I happen to live in Sacramento, which rarely makes any list of best places. My wife and I have talked of moving some place with lower housing costs as we both approach retirement, but have yet to find the perfect place.

I do find it curious that when the Internet boom was in full swing several years ago (approaching a decade, huh? wow.) the River City looked mighty appealing with its affordable housing, tree lined streets, and proximity to all things cool. And now folks talk of moving to areas with lower housing costs and populations. See a pattern forming here? Sacramento has been wined and dined until it put out and now is being kicked to the curb. Was Sacramento too easy? Should she have played hard to get? Most of our loyal readers can answer these questions as they’ve been through the bad, the good, and the bad again.

What does Sacramento have to do to get back on the “best places to” lists?

Approaching Graswich critical mass

When longtime Bee columnist R.E. Graswich left his post, you assume it was for greener pastures. And now I realize it was for a greener pasture, a verdant meadow, and a lilac-filled prarie as well… First it was Sac Mag, and SacMag.com, and then more recently it was The Scoop on CBS13. And then on Friday afternoon I heard him doing the afternoon news on KFBK with Kitty O’Neal. Will you soon be able to order up Graswich in any fashion that suits you? A Graswich flavor at Vic’s perhaps? A Graswich roll at Kru? Graswich On Demand?

Maybe R.E. can comment here about what would be in his scoop at Vic’s…

No more Cobbler for you

Out walking the neighborhood, my wife and I noticed that soul/BBQ restaurant The Cobbler was gone, replaced by a new Mexican joint called “Cantina el 7 Copas.” Does that mean “Seven of Cups” restaurant? Like it’s Tarot-themed?

We never got around to eating at The Cobbler, but with that and the bad news (for me) about Sidewalk, it’s almost time to ask: Are tacos becoming the next crepes?

Fare-thee-well to Willemina’s

The scuttlebutt on the street says that Willemina’s in Old Sac will be closing in the next 60 days. For those of you whom have not had the pleasure, this young venue has recently been the epicenter of Sacramento’s rockabilly, hotrod and tattoo loving community. It is also one of the few spots in town to feature quality German beers on draught.

Will the new owners of the property be the proprietors of Davis’ G Street Pub? If so, let’s hope they keep bringing the same high quality acts and events as the current owners. Cheers, and good luck!

Local bands On Demand

If you have Comcast On Demand, you can see two of the Sacramento area’s best bands featured in the Music Video section.

The new video by !!! for the single “Must Be The Moon” from their latest album Myth Takes (name stolen from Robert Aspirin?) is sexy, anxious and just plain wacky. Filmed in Willemina’s in Old Sac and someone’s Victorian house, this hard-driving dance number perfectly represents the hedonistic nature of the band, with make-up design stolen from Adam Ant. Lots of chickens, too!

There is also a 14 minute video from The Mother Hips, who (thank god) did not spend long on their brief hiatus. The video is a behind the scenes look at the recording of their new album Kiss the Crystal Flake and features a few different songs.

Vote Early, Vote Often

Yes, it’s that time of year again.  No, not Big Fun time.  No, not triple digit weather time.  No, not time to change your Brita filter.  It’s time to vote in the Sacramento News & Review’s “Best of Sacramento.”  Now normally, we’d stop there and let you all vote away to your heart’s content, but we’d like to make one quick request of you.  You see, there’s this website called The Sac Rag, and it would be really cool if you voted for it for “Best Local Website” and “Best Local Blog.”  It’s not much that we ask of you, just a little click on your little mouse.  Just think of it as checking “Yes” on a note that we slipped you that read: “Do you like me, check ‘yes’ or ‘no’?” 

Thank you for your support.

Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?

FRIDAY– Improv at the Sacramento Comedy Spot, 8pm.  Come check out Sacramento’s best Broadway theater, 1716 Broadway, that is.  It’s only $6 for a hilarious night of improv comedy.  You might also catch a glimpse of fromer local hero Ty Johnson, that’s right, THE Ty Johnson.

SATURDAY– 12 Hours at Cool Night Run, timed to coincide with the Perseids meteor shower .  The race is a nine mile loop, and the more serious of the runners will see who can complete the most laps between 7pm Saturday until 7am Sunday.  Runnergirl will be hitting the trails for this neat event, while I will sit at basecamp, strummin’ on the old banjo. 

Others will be going to the “Coexist Comedy” show featuring none other than Keith Lowell Jensen.  Check website for details.

SUNDAY– If the ultra-sexy Patty Souza is correct, temps should be in the mid 80’s on Sunday, a great day for gardening, outdoor recreation or just sitting in those new lawn chairs you bought at the August closeout patio furniture sale.  In the evening, check out the Sacramento International Film and Music Festival’s “10X10” show, ten short films by ten local directors.  7:00pm.  $10