More handouts for the big big screen

This thing about the IMAX theater subsidy from the student… err, city council is just one more example of Sacramento making it a priority to bring features into the city that residents just don’t want. Has anyone heard of a subsidy for the Crest? It seems unlikely that this has ever happened. Well, it’s only the latest detail in a history of public infatuation with IMAX.

In 1998, the city gave $6 million to the Esquire Plaza’s previous
owners – led by developer David Taylor. That project included office
space and the 450-seat IMAX theater.
The city gave the money on the condition that IMAX remain open for at
least five years. When it became clear that IMAX was struggling,
Taylor’s group reduced the theater’s rent in its second year.

I’m not saying there isn’t a place for the giant screen at IMAX and the … also giant screen down the way at The Crest. I’m not saying people should not eat at Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden. All I’m saying is, if the IMAX is failing, couldn’t that be because it is not competetive? Couldn’t it be because K Street has become a terrible location for any business? If the Crest is thriving, which I assume it is since it’s still in business, couldn’t that be because it is giving the people something they want?

Bowling for Sactobine

A few months ago, RonTopofIt reported on the state of bowling in Sacramento. He was right, it’s not your pop’s bowling alley anymore.

Last weekend, I partook of a little three-hole roundball over at AMF’s Landpark Lanes – the closest bowling alley we could find near Elk Grove (a town that seems only good for big box shopping and big box eating). Our group spent the better part of an hour in a post Macaroni Grill-induced haze trying to find the place.
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I’ll bet you $20 you didn’t know

That March 6th – 12th is California Problem Gambling Awareness Week.

That’s right, according to the Office of Problem Gambling:

For most people, gambling is recreational. However, for some people, gambling leads to debilitating problems resulting in harm. Problem gambler means participation in any form of gambling to the extent that it creates a negative consequence to the gambler, the gambler’s family, place of employment, or community.

This reminds me of my favorite gambling joke.

Why did the problem gambler quit Gambler’s Anonymous? It was full of losers.

Continue reading “I’ll bet you $20 you didn’t know”

Tiny Buddhas make me warm all over

I submit to you that this morning’s front page story about an art hoax in Colfax involving tiny Buddha’s head statues found floating in the American River, first mentioned here by SinghCity yesterday, is one of the finest encapsulations of the spirit of Sacramento. Go read it, it’s rewarding.

There is that particular feeling you get about Sacramento–the propensity to drive into buildings, the mobbing at local openings of giant chain stores, the tendency to seem incapable of maintaining the species that gives you pause, and yet you can’t quite articulate it in a full sentence. I believe (this theory is actually my wife’s, but I subscribe to it whole-heartedly) that it can be attributed to the theory that Sacramento is still a gold mining outpost, a lawless frontier fort, with all the paranoid grasping at civilization that you imagine the original ’49ers embodied. This story is a good example.
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A purrrfect lazy Sunday activity

When you shutter yourself in from Sunday’s storms, be sure to tune into UPN Channel 31 between 3pm-5pm to catch the Sacramento SPCA’s 2nd Annual Pet Telethon.

I was at the shelter earlier this week, and they were setting up to film segments that will be shown on Sunday, including a red carpet walk with some of the animals (going for that whole OscarsTM theme.) There will be heartwarming tales of people who have adopted furry friends from the SPCA, and of course a plea to the public to donate funds to this extremely worthy cause.

My beloved fluffy kitty spent some time at the shelter before I adopted him, and it was obvious that he was very well cared for during his stay. For more info on the telethon, about the SPCA in general, and to view adoptable pets, please visit their website. Until there are none, adopt one!

Nothing to do in Sac? Pffft

People always tell me there’s nothing to do in Sacramento. Ha! I say. I seem to keep myself busy so what’s your problem? Well it looks like some folks out there seem to agree with my friends. So I thought I’d help ya’ll out again this weekend. It looks like rain for most of the weekend so you’ll have to stay in if you want to stay dry. What’s always been my favorite activity for rainy days? Coloring! Yup, I’m a dood and I like to color. Say what you will. Here’s a bunch of coloring books online ready to be filled with your imagination. And for those of you who haven’t gotten enough of the Chroni-(what?!)-cles of Narnia here’s one for you.

If you actually want to leave the house on Saturday the zoo is having a Bloomin’ Crazy Plant Fest. This is the first year it’s happening so I don’t know what to expect but those botanists are a crazy bunch so it should be a rip-roaring good time.

And what better a way to finish off God’s day then SUPREME PRO WRESTLING!!! Speaking of rasslin… This guy has a ton of info on Nor Cal wrestling in case your bored this friday afternoon. Actually if you’re a chick you could always drive out to Roller King (889 Riverside Ave.) to practice with the newly forming River City Roller Girls. Ahh nothing ends a nice full weekend like busted noses and blood on your roller skates.

OK, so if that isn’t something to do I don’t know what is.

The New Corner Store

For those of you Arden/Arcaders, I know you can’t wait for the newly built retail location on the corner of Fulton and Munroe to fill out. A Unocal station was abandoned years ago at the same spot and was torn down last year so that a basic stucco 4-business strip could be erected. Already, we have two storefronts moving in, one is La Bocca coffee and tea. I, for one, and ecstatic that we’re finally getting some coffee in the neighborhood. The Peet’s and Java City across the street and the two Starbucks less than 1/8th of a mile away are just taking up space. Good planning, La Bocca, the only area more saurated with coffee is Juan Valdez’s outhouse.

Oh yeah, the other store soon moving in, a Verizon cell phone store. Thank god! The three cell phone stores also within 1/8th of a mile were far too inconvenient for us. Is this just bad planning, or is this our new version of the “Corner Store?” Do we need coffee, cell phones and nail salons on every corner? Is each so geographically different and neighborhood specific that we need these services on every corner? I posit that in our suburban, car-centric culture, we are supersaturated with these types of services while we are totally deficient in the following: delis, bar/lounges (open for lunch/dinner, pub-style), men’s clothiers, parking, social clubs and a place where you can buy cards, flowers, gift cards and have a gift wrapped in under 10 minutes. What do you think?

Right Awn! Friday: Can you hear me… NOW?

rightawn.jpg

After a brief hiatus last week, Right Awn! Friday is back, jack. The Right Awn! steering commitee was hard pressed to find any thing to write awn last week, and we were worried that maybe we were losing steam.

But fear not, because Sacramento never disappoints, and came up big this week. We had the old prospector who removed little Buddha heads from the American River, and then got himself arrested. Then, we had little Josephine Kao, who took first in the California Central Valley Spelling Bee competition, and now is going to the nationals in DC. Good on both of them!

While they were certainly Right Awn! worthy, another candidate emerged and took the props, just on sheer dollar value. Please set your phones on vibrate, and find out who takes the honor this week…
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