Public Access Show impresses

“The Public Access Show,” a YouTube and terrestrial TV series created by local musician and comedian Arjun Singh, is inspired by the everyday lo-fi madness of terrestrial public access television. The show features absurd comedy without the confrontational, “theater of discomfort” feel we’ve come to expect from art that touches on the hilarity of amateurism. Basically, it’s a “Tim And Eric” that doesn’t kind of make you want to kill yourself.

The use of original music and “open source” video art in a collaborative spirit really plays on the use of the name. The second installment features more of Singh’s winning “Advanced Drum Techniques,” as well as a cameo by Singh’s WALLPAPER bandmate Ricky Reed, among other sketches.

Much like WALLPAPER., the line between spoof and celebration is blurry. You’ll end up wanting more than the 12 minutes you’ll get. Check out the first two installments and wait by your computer for the requisite “Episode 3D“!

Blog Writer Stirs up S*!t Unnecessarily

Yesterday I posted a story with (mostly) third-hand knowledge about the Sacramento Comedy Spot and their possibly getting pushed out of the MARRS building. Turns out I took what was just a few innocent “business-as-usual” conversations between the parties involved and made a big deal out of nothing. Spot owner Brian Crall set me straight with this statement:

When the Comedy Spot moved from Broadway to the MARRS building it took us to an entirely new level.  Mike Heller, the owner of the MARRS Building, gave us an opportunity to show a wider audience our hilarious unique brand of comedy.  The business climate over the  last 2 years has been difficult for everyone.  Through hard work from everyone at the Comedy Spot, and shear determination the we were able to grow despite rough economic times.  We continue to be blown away by our community support.  The owners of the Comedy Spot are passionate about our product and we are extremely thankful that our fans and supporters are just as passionate.  Continue reading “Blog Writer Stirs up S*!t Unnecessarily”

Diggin’ the ‘Wich

On a recent trip to Track 7 Brewing last weekend, I had my fist experience with the Wicked ‘Wich food truck. Despite having vehicle graphics that remind me simultaneously of my distaste for anime and eSruance, they serve up mighty tasty sandwiches.

Their towering beauties typically include Italian bread, sliced tomatoes, vinegar slaw, meats, provolone, and crispy fries. It’s a magical combination that would satisfy even those of Kobayashian appetites. It’s a recipe, however, that a knowledgeable drinker/diner at Track 7 informed me comes from the Great Lakes region, Pittsburgh specifically (even more specifically a joint called Primanti Bros. (click the link to see the similarities)). No matter where it comes from though, it’s a treat. And truthfully, it’s great to share these regional American delicacies. What might be boiler plate in Buffalo, or commonplace in Canton is a novel treat out here in the West. Long story short, if you see the ‘Wich roaming the streets, and you have a hole in your stomach the size of Lake Erie, sidle on up and get yourself some grub. Continue reading “Diggin’ the ‘Wich”

Batman illegal in Sac County?

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My county lawyer contact clued me in to a real corker of a legal drama. According to the Sacramento County Code, sales of “crime comic books” to children under 18 is a misdemeanor. It dates from 1959 and there is no way to read it that doesn’t make it a crime to sell kids almost any comic book in which superheroes fight crime.

The Board of Supervisors specifically finds that the prohibition against the sale to or circulation of crime “comic” books to children is a reasonable measure to meet the clear and present danger hereinabove found. (Ord. 652 § 1, 1959.)

Among the findings that caused the “clear and present danger” was the finding that “Many children have been incited to commit crimes as a consequence of looking at crime ‘comic’ books.”

Continue reading “Batman illegal in Sac County?”

Thornton out 1-2 weeks

The Kings are playing played Denver last night without guard and All Star candidate Marcus Thornton, who is out 1-2 weeks with a leg bruise. (Hi, Ziller!) Kinda makes me wish I hadn’t dropped Fredette from my fantasy squad.

This comes the same week that Kings fans got good news of a personnel loss, badda-bing!

In other Kings news I see from the team’s site that one of my old childhood sports pals, Devin Blankenship, is their longtime Media Relations guy! Maybe he can get me into box seats so we can reminisce about hopping the levee to play home run derby at Ciavarella Field in River Park…

SN&R on Concerts fiasco

News & Review’s Nick Miller posted another great roundup today on the recent firing of Jerry Perry as promoter of Concerts In The Park. Apparently people’s Facebooking has made the firing of a Sacramento legend even more controversial. Go figure.

I know I’m weeks late to the party on this but Perry’s firing really bums me out. This is one of maybe five people that come to mind when you think of the local music world. (I admit that this is mostly nostalgic, but I temper that by not being offended at his replacements.) I don’t know how the lineups in recent years could be any more local. It seems like the bookings have led to themed lineups, and maybe people want more eclectic slates? I don’t see that working; If a band I like is playing after a bunch of say, hardcore bands, I will either skip the hardcore bands or just not go at all. Who wouldn’t? Is that really what people are saying they want?

Continue reading “SN&R on Concerts fiasco”

Know Bacon, Know God, No Bacon…

But it seems like a good idea

Is there such a thing as too much bacon? I thought it a valid question after this weekend’s inaugural Bacon Fest. And while I didn’t have a chance to try every bacon offering throughout town, I did sample a few memorable dishes.

I love bacon. Honestly I do. Almost everyone I know (including vegetarians and PETA members) loves bacon. It’s a magical meat. It’s nearly perfect. But can you make a cocktail with it?

The folks at The Porch, K Street‘s new Southern-style eatery, would say yes. Emphatically yes. After all, doesn’t bacon make everything better?

The Porch’s stab at a bacon cocktail is called the “Southern Sunday.” It’s a mixture of bacon-infused bourbon, maple syrup, and fresh egg whites, shaken hard and served over ice. It’s definitely a curiosity, a novel attempt to create, what, a breakfast cocktail? After all it is made with eggs and bacon, and maple syrup to boot.

But would you want to drink it? Probably not. It’s a strange, salty glass of cheer better left to the imagination, and far inferior to the rest of The Porch’s cocktail menu which is overflowing with fresh ingredients and delicious combinations. Continue reading “Know Bacon, Know God, No Bacon…”

Here’s a tip: Eat at El Forastero

Tip jar at El Forastero's drive-through on Fair Oaks Blvd.
Not sure this is the best idea the folks at El Forastero have had.

The RonTopofIt family hit the drive-through at El Forastero Mexican Restaurant on Fair Oaks Blvd. at Walnut Ave. this afternoon for a quick bite. I had been meaning to give it a go since they took over the space previously occupied by Taco Ball back in October (a large chain being replaced by a smaller chain, go figure). Shocker, Yelp is all over the place with reviews. I went in with little research, however, and had never been to the other locations in Sacrament and Stockton (it’s been a few months, guys, time to update the website) so I was ready.

Highlight #1: Open 24 hours

Of course I’ll never utilize this feature, but it is nice to know it is there. If I was young and single, I’m sure this would be awesome after a late night of hanging out by myself watching Seinfeld reruns.

Highlight #2: Breakfast is served all day

I love me a breakfast burrito. Simple to make, but not always easy to make, especially at 2 in the afternoon when only bacon and scrambled eggs wrapped in a tortilla will do. Continue reading “Here’s a tip: Eat at El Forastero”

Red-placard smackdowns holding steady

Don't be alarmed, this is only a sample.
Don't be alarmed, this is only a sample.
The Sacramento Bee published this story about food safety violations being down in Sacramento County today.

Under the new system, restaurants in the county get three inspections a year, while markets and produce stands each get two. Sacramento conducted 5,600 food inspections in 2004, before the red-yellow-green program started. Last year, it conducted more than 16,000. To carry out all that enforcement, the county has doubled the number of inspectors it employs, from 15 nearly a decade ago to 31 today.

I first wrote about this back in 2006, and I can’t think I’ve ever seen a yellow or red card around town.

The county handed out 680 yellow placards in 2010, compared with more than 1,100 three years earlier. Red-placard smackdowns have held steady at just over 110 annually.

With this information, I decided to test out the Sac Food mobile app that CoolDMZ wrote about in September. Continue reading “Red-placard smackdowns holding steady”