The Prodigal Daughters Return

Hi kiddos,

If, like me, you lamented Agent Ribbons’ move to Austin, TX…rejoice!  Deck the halls, in fact.  You’ve got not one but two chances to see them before we ring in the new year.

This Saturday: Luigi’s Fun Garden at 20th and J.  All ages — and Dog Party opens, so it sounds fairly kid-friendly.  Can’t decide if I should tell my daughters and let them get all agog for the rest of the week, or if we should just drag them there as a surprise.

Already have plans for Saturday night?  Well, you’re in luck: the Ribbonses are playing again on Wednesday the 22nd at The Shady Lady, 1409 R Street.  Never been there myself, but I’m looking forward to checking it out…

Oh, and just a reminder: while it’s a shame The Crocker 2.0 is no longer free Sunday mornings (understandable, given what the incredible new wing must have cost) the third Sunday of the month is “pay-what-you-can.”  Since the weather is turning inclement, it’s a great way to spend the day.

Take care!

More festive and stuff

Robbers and Burglars and Assaults, oh my!
Robbers and Burglars and Assaults, oh my!

At least four Midtown businesses have had their Christmas decorations stolen.

“It’s kind of annoying. We are putting them out there just to make our place look more festive and stuff, but people come in and try to ruin it,” said Jared Agee, manager of Buckhorn Grill.

KCRA’s Crime Tracker informs me that 278 crimes have been committed from 12/01 to 12/07 (as reported by the Sacramento County Sheriff).

I do enjoy the crime icons they use on their map. Tracking the decay of civilization has never been so much fun!

Michael Jackson’s carnival rides for rent

Photo of the Dragon Wagon.
This is the “Dragon Wagon”
(uh, uh, huh, I said Dragon Wagon)

Back in 2009, the California State Fair had a promotion that fairgoers couldn’t beat (waka waka).

On Fridays, Butler Amusements will give the first 5,000 people through the gates a golden ticket good for one free ride on one of the four Neverland Ranch rides debuting at the State Fair.

Now these rides are available for rent.

A total of six attractions from the late singer’s Neverland ranch amusement park are available via Butler Amusements, although one of them now has a permanent home at the California State Fair and Exposition in Sacramento.

The cheapest ride will run you $5,000! Would someone really rent these *because* they were once ridden by the King of Pop?

Bistro Michel: The happiest of happy hours

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Sacramento’s Downtown, Bistro Michel doles out French-inspired yumminess and one heck of a happy hour. To call it a happy hour would actually be a misnomer as the allotted period of discounted drinks and affordable small plates runs the usual pre-dinner hours during the week and all day on Fridays.

Other than the reasonably priced martinis, beers, and wines that one can acquire, the real highlight of the extended happy hour is the small-plate menu. Start with duck confit cigars – phyllo-wrapped tubes of anatine goodness with a tart plum dipping sauce alongside. The dish combines some of my favorite things: duck, phyllo, and deep-frying. I nearly broke into song a la Julie Andrews the first time I tried them. Continue reading “Bistro Michel: The happiest of happy hours”

Kings assistant coach arrested on DUI charges

OK, what’s the deal? Kings assistant coach, Mario Elie, was arrested for driving under the influence early this morning. Granted, you’d celebrate, too, if your team won a game after sporting the league’s worst record.

“We are very concerned and disappointed in regard to Mario’s arrest for DUI. This is an ugly form of history repeating itself. We expect better, knowing at the same time there are limits to how far you can go to protect people from themselves. In spite of all of this, we still respect Mario’s right to due process,” said Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

Man, Geoff must be simply swapping out the names each time with these statements. I did enjoy the line about protecting people from themselves. That’s good stuff.

The last few Kings players/coaches who have been arrested are no longer with the team. If the phone rings, Mario, don’t answer it!

Is it Sacramento? Is it professional sports? Is it professional sports in Sacramento?

RT to add electronic message signs

DSC08859
Creative Commons License photo credit: freya.gefn

Regional Transit announced via their “Next Stop News” brochure that they have begun installing electronic billboards at “key light rail stations.”

Initially, scheduled train arrival times will be displayed on the signs, as well as service disruption information and other RT news. Real-time train arrival times will be displayed starting in spring 2011 using GPS to track the movements of RT vehicles.

This is a pretty nice addition to the light rail commute. If the trains could only serve more people it would make up for the thrice annual cuts to bus service. Continue reading “RT to add electronic message signs”

Slow News Day?

Today's breaking news: holiday parking sucks!

I actually own a newspaper subscription. This morning, I paid for the privilege of reading the following “news,” which appeared on the FRONT page of the Bee:

“OH, FOR A PARKING SPACE”

The story came complete with “parking tactics for holiday shoppers.”

In an effort to help our friends at the Bee with some additional news items, I have created the following list of future stories:

  • Shocking Discovery on Sacramento Streets: Cars Stopping at Stop Signs
  • Scientific Research Shows: American River Water is “Wet”
  • Sacramento Holiday Shoppers Set Trend by Paying in U.S. Dollars
  • Sacramento Mother Tells 20-Year-Old Son: “Santa Not Real”
  • Area Nonprofits Make Radical Announcement: “We Need Money”

American Idol contestant to perform at tree lighting

David Archuleta in bed with David Cook
Creative Commons License photo credit: Raptor_Jesus_LongLongCat_2

According to snarkyarchies.com (I smell a snark-off in the making), David Archuleta will be performing at the State Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony tomorrow evening.

Who’s going? Tweet us at @snarkyarchies to be added to our Twitter list, and don’t forget to bring along some non-perishable food items for the WE Can Food Drive!

State Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
5 p.m. Holiday Celebration begins
West Lawn of the State Capitol

Hitt leaves CBS 13

Screenshot of Brandi Hitt from CBS 13
More questions than answers.
Given that this short post about Julie Durda is still our most viewed post (really?), I thought I’d share the status of another local departure from the Sacramento Business Journal (from November 30, 2011).

Brandi Hitt, an anchor at KOVR-TV Channel 13, has not renewed her contract with CBS 13. Her last day with the station was Friday.

While I am sharing old news, Rick Kushman has left the Sacramento Bee.

Open thread: Local holiday shopping

I was inspired by Stickie’s post about giftable local eats, so I’m starting an open thread for ideas, tips, rants/raves, reviews on local holiday gift shopping. I know that this is sort of a strange topic since we’re an online blog (as opposed to an offline blog which is just standing on a corner and shouting) but we’re also all about local, and there is a certain charm to picking out gifts in person.

We’re a bit behind on ours this year but we love TrailMix.net, University Art, and Gifted Gardener.