So scary: “Sneeze causes stroke for Natomas woman”

This is not a cause for snark, just a quick Monday morning post to get the week started with the freakiest health news article that has a local angle that I have seen in a while: “Sneeze causes stroke for Natomas woman“:

The sneeze had caused a massive stroke, and [Suzanne] Aymeric spent the next five weeks in Mercy General Hospital, paralyzed on her right side and unable to speak.

When Aymeric sneezed, the sudden movement tore the major artery in her neck, the carotid.

So scary! I wish Ms Aymeric well.

HGTV Design Star Appears in Sac. You Can Win Tickets!

Kitchen design by Matt Locke.

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of those reality TV interior design shows? The fast flash of a bedroom makeover sketch usually plays second-fiddle to the high drama that ensues to complete the project on budget and on time. Well, here’s your chance to take an up-close look at those design sketches, and even meet one of the designers who appeared on HGTV’s “Design Star,” Matt Locke.

Locke will be keynote speaker for an event this Thursday, April 29 at 6:00 P.M. to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California. Located at the California Auto Museum, the event is hosted by TV star power Branden Rickman, winner of Bravo Network’s “Make Me a Supermodel,”and is presented by the International Academy of Design & Technology. The night features design plans from the academy’s top interior design students, fashion designers, and graphic designers. These are your future TV designers in the making.

If you can’t tear yourself away from the HGTV network, here’s your chance to get a real-life taste of the action. One lucky winner will get a set of two tickets here! Continue reading “HGTV Design Star Appears in Sac. You Can Win Tickets!”

Great beer, great causes on Saturday

Sacramento area beer folks are constantly donating product and raising money for local charities. Two great events on Saturday invite you to enjoy great craft beer while giving back to your community.

Rubicon hosts the 4th annual celebration of Women in Brewing all day Saturday, starting at 11AM. This year, they feature 13 beers from 7 breweries, all brewed by women. Selections will include a nitro choco-mint, a red IPA and a double IPA from Rubicon, Summerfest and a scotch ale from Sierra Nevada, Scarlet Harlot Red IPA from Auburn Alehouse, scotch ale from Lost Coast, Hell’s Export Lager from Moylan’s, a ginger/meyer lemon beer from Blue Frog, Witches Wit from Santa Cruz Mountain, Red Rocket from Bear Republic and two Belgian imports from Urthel, their Samaranth and Hop-It. Local businesses have donated prizes for a silent auction. This event benefits WEAVE.
Continue reading “Great beer, great causes on Saturday”

Sudwerk Imperial Pilsner Release

Spring is the beginning of beer season, warming us up for May and the weekly regional beer festivals. There are several great local events before May to wet your whistle. Here’s the next.

Tonight, The Davis Graduate hosts Sudwerk Brewery for the release of their Signature Series Imperial Pilsner. This is the second of several Sudwerk beers released to celebrate their 20th Anniversary. Their standard pilsner is one of the best on the market, so I am really looking forward to trying a mega version of it.

The Grad has been throwing great parties on almost a weekly basis (Last week was a giant tasting of Lost Abbey and Port Brewing), make sure you check them out if you are a craft beer fan.

Win Tickets to Festa di Vino! They have Fudge!

Next Saturday, May 1, celebrate the area’s best in food and wine at Festa di Vino, an event held at the Aerospace Museum. The entire museum will be transformed to host more than 20 local restaurants and 20 area wineries, each serving up samples for you to feast all night long.

Restaurants include 33rd Street Bistro, Il Forno Classico, Iron Steaks, Mamma Susanna’s, PF Chang’s, and more. Wineries include (my favorite) Rail Bridge Cellars, Madrona Vineyards, Todd Taylor, Scribner Bend, and others. Last year’s famous fudge made by nonprofit Women’s Empowerment will also make a guest appearance this year. Trust me, you don’t want to miss that fudge! (I helped make it last year. And helped eat it. By the pound.)

Best of all? You can attend FREE! I’ve got one ticket each for the first two people… Continue reading “Win Tickets to Festa di Vino! They have Fudge!”

State Parks tax measure closer to ballot


at Marshall Gold Discovery Park

Environmental groups were successful in gathering the required signatures to place a new measure on the November ballot which would add an $18 charge to most DMV registrations in order to keep the state parks open.

If approved by a simple majority of state voters on Nov. 2, the measure would increase annual vehicle registration fees for California motorists by $18 a year, and allow any car with California license plates free admission to the state’s 278 parks, which currently charge fees that range from about $6 to $15 per visit.

Of course, tax groups and the Governator will fight such a measure. But though I am no tax lover, to me this actually sounds like a great deal and a major boost to state park attendance, I would think. Of course, that’s because I know that I would really get my money’s worth.

Continue reading “State Parks tax measure closer to ballot”

UFL Mountain Lions seek Director

Bring it on!
You think this is hard?

I was browsing one of my favorite sites recently, ultimatecheerleaders.com, when I came across this post advertising an open position with the new UFL Sacramento Mountain Lions.

The search is now on for a Cheerleader Director for the new Sacramento Mountain Lions…The season will run from September through November and there will be approximately 5 home games…Interested candidates should have a bio/resume and head shot, two letters of recommendation and a video reel of their choreography.

I’d love to read one of these letters of recommendation.

Do You Have the Right Stuff?

Four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris is coming to Sacramento next Friday, April 30. YOU could be there to meet him… If you’re lucky…

Harris stars in the new film Touching Home, based on the bestselling memoir Either You’re In or You’re in the Way written by Northern Cali twin brothers Logan and Noah Miller. The story follows the brothers’ efforts to save their homeless father (played by Harris) by pursuing professional baseball careers–despite their working class background. The publicity folks call it “a coming-of-age drama, an account of overcoming enormous odds and a tale about family and the bonds that matter.”

The movie premiers red-carpet-style with a VIP event next Friday that’s selling for $100 per ticket (proceeds benefit the B Street Theatre). The ticket price gets you into a pre-party with the stars where they’ll be serving up free apps, wine, and Lagunitas beer, followed by a red carpet walk with the stars (and local dignitaries), the movie premier followed by a Q & A with Harris and the twins (who also star in the film), and finally, an after-party at Social Nightclub. The best part? Your favorite SacRag writer (that’s me, GreenBeet, right?) will be there, too. Now that’s what I call a party!

But wait… There’s more! If you have the right stuff, YOU can win a free ticket to join the fanfare. Continue reading “Do You Have the Right Stuff?”

Earth Day Parade & Seed Demo with GreenBeet

Backyard Farmer GreenBeet teaching kids about seeds.

The sun is shining. The birds are twirping. What a great day for an Earth Day parade! Join me at the Capitol Heights Academy, where K-5th graders,their families and friends will enjoy an event filled with live music, crafts, and green-living tips. This includes a seed demo by yours truly, Backyard Farmer GreenBeet. I’ll be making seed kits for kids to take home and plant. Your kid is going to want one, too!

The event is being hosted by the Leadership class of the Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. The leadership team adopted the Capitol Heights Academy’s afterschool program as their ongoing community project, calling it the Green Monster project. So far, the kids have learned about recycling, composting, gardening, nutrition, and living a green life. This is my kind of project! I hope you will join us for the fun.

Event details:
What: Green Monsters Earth Day Festival
When: 11am – 1pm TODAY, Saturday, April 17
Where: Capitol Heights Academy, 2520 33rd Ave (just off Broadway behind Immaculate Conception Church)
Who: YOU!