OK, one more post about AMGEN and Nevada City, this video gem from News 10 about how off the hook Nevada City was getting in advance of the tour. As evidenced by there being 4 drunk people willing to talk on camera.
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/35146384001?isVid=1
AMGEN Tour photos
My in-laws live up in beautiful Nevada City, CA and are big cycling fans, so this year’s AMGEN Tour is a pretty big event. Though I didn’t make it up the hill to enjoy the festivities with them, here are some photos they sent along of the day:
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Orphan: Hipper Than Thou, and Tastier Too
About five months ago, you may have been one of the hundred or so people that told me to read Blair Robertson’s Bee review of this new breakfast joint in town. The place was called Orphan and apparently “Robo,” as his friends call him (ok, I’m not really sure if his friends call him that, but they should, because “Robo” is a badass nickname, almost as badass as “Badass” being your nickname, which is pretty badass) tore the place a new muddy starfish and ripped it up and down for serving tasteless muck and for having an owner who is a bit of a jackass. Well, today I had my own Orphan experience, and at least they’ve improved the food.
It seems like they’ve improved the food quite a lot actually. The food was wonderful, flavorful, comforting. My flank steak hash was packed like a clown car with onions, peppers, herbs, beatifully cooked potatoes, and lovingly seared steak. My lovely companion’s dish was equally well spiced, and served with a beautiful side of fruit and ridiculously good rosemary bread that did a fine job soaking up the yolk from the spot-on over-medium eggs and the sinus-clearing horseradish cream that came on the side. Continue reading “Orphan: Hipper Than Thou, and Tastier Too”
Mountain Lions Hold Fund Rais, err, Open Tryout
Break out the ibuprofen, the Sacramento Mountain Lions are holding an open tryout tomorrow at Natomas High School from 7:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. (3301 Fong Ranch Rd, Sacramento, CA 95834).
Sounds like fun, huh? I used to be able to throw the ball around in my day. Maybe I’ll stop by and see what’s doin’…
Date: Saturday, May 15th, 2010
Location: Natomas High School
Address: 3301 Fong Ranch Rd, Sacramento, CA 95834
Cost: $60 Online Registration (Spots Limited)
Ah, there it is. Doesn’t specify if there is a cost to register in person ($60 *Online* Registration).
What passes for science these days?
Thousands of intermediate grade elementary school students will be at the Capitol building on May 19 for “State Scientist Day.” The event is sponsored by the California Association of Professional Scientists, a group that one assumes knows a thing or two about science. The kids who attend this event, however, will probably still only know literally a thing or two about science when it is over, as some of the topics covered are “Fishing in the City” and “Reduce-Reuse-Recycle.”
I’m stretching a bit, as the other topics on State Scientist Day agenda do sound like hard science — chemistry, wildlife tracking and earthquakes for example. This event is my hook into discussing something I’ve been bugged by lately: the sorry state of science education in California.
Three beer fests this weekend
Craft beer lovers rejoice, as you have several opportunities to try great beers ranging from local favorites, NorCal stalwarts and examples from around the world at the Raley Field Brewfest on Friday evening, the West Coast Brew Fest on Saturday and the Shriners Hospital Cyclebration Saturday evening.
The Raley Field Brewfest is hosted by the Northern California Brewers Guild and benefits the California Small Brewers Association. Almost 40 brewers from across Northern California will serve up their best beers in their annual celebration of California’s brewing history. I am particularly excited to see how an evening brewfest will do as the weather promises to be perfect. Music from Utz and the Shuttlecocks and Private Criminals. VIPs enter at 6pm, general public at 7pm. If you want to avoid the Ticketbastard charges for advance tickets, click here and enter code “RB”.
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RIP, wandering emu
Slow blog week, so let’s go ahead and talk about the poor “dispatched” emu. News10 (which is one of several news organizations which may or may not have run this same story at different times some of which may have been earlier than the posted time on the article on News10) reports:
SACRAMENTO, CA – CHP officials said despite attempts to chase, trap — even use a Taser — to subdue a stubborn loose emu, officers were ultimately forced to kill the wayward bird when the animal seemed determined to run into traffic on Interstate 5 near Sacramento International Airport Tuesday afternoon.
An important tidbit for would-be criminals is found further down on the page:
[T]he emu’s thick layer of feathers left the bird feeling little to no effect from the Tasers despite three separate jolts
Make us laugh, Sac Raggers…
Opa! Opa! all-you-can eat celebration May 18
Had a big family meal at Opa! Opa! on Saturday night, where a good time and a great deal of food was had by all, as per usual. Afterward, I was talking to owner Phil Courey outside the restaurant and he mentioned that May 18 they will be presenting their annual all-you-can-eat celebration! Twelve bucks for your fill of dolmas, gyros, falafel, spanakopita, and the rest of Opa’s delicacies.
He promises that the spread will run the length of the front window, and one assumes the line of customers will run the length of Jay Street to get in on that action.
Opa! Opa!
5644 J St.
All-you-can-eat buffet – $12
May 18, 2010, 5-9:30 PM
Sunday Farmers’ Market a Real Catch
You can always catch a deal at the Sunday farmers’ market. Now, you can catch your own fish.
Last week marked the arrival of Passmore Ranch, a sustainable fish farm from Sloughhouse. Crowds gathered to watch as owner Michael Passmore and ranch manager David Kunce gave “fresh” food new meaning. Instead of recently-caught, neatly filleted cuts of fish, the Passmore Ranch stall featured live fish, swimming happily in large tubs of water.
How does it work? Customers can step up to the booth, request a fish, and watch as the farmers make their catch with the mere scoop of a net. Your fish is weighed, tossed in a bag, and handed over to you, still flopping. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!
The fish selection last Sunday included fresh white surgeon, silver carp, catfish, and black bass. The price is reasonable at about $3 per pound. What a catch!
May is Bike Month in Sacramento
Two-wheeled locomotion is all the rage this month in the Sacramento area. May Is Bike Month, sponsored by various local municipalities, public transit agencies, and government groups, is basically a massive jog-a-thon for cycling nuts, only instead of the marching band getting new uniforms, we all just get more time to enjoy cycling. The program’s goal for the area is to log one MEELLION miles, and they already have close to 1.25 million pledged.
The Sac Rag 