I’ll admit, I’ve never seen Brent Weinbach perform. But I’ll totally pimp him anyway. Why? Because a lot of comedians I know say that this guy is hilarious. If you get that kind of praise by other comedians, it means that you’ve got a funny act that is something special, something different, and something probably fairly offensive. Sounds good to me. Performing with Brent will be a few of Sacramento’s best comics, so come out Saturday at 8pm to the new Sacramento Comedy Spot at 20th and J streets. (That’s correct, right on the midtown ice rink.) Tix are only $10.
Check out http://www.saccomedyspot.com for details.
Funk and flow at Harlow’s
One of the best hip-hop lineups to come through town in some time is tonight, so get your shoes on and get to Harlow’s for The Deadliest Catch Tour at 9pm. Chali 2na, from Jurassic 5, is touring on his release Welcome to the Fish Market, a teaser for his frequently delayed first solo album Fish Outa Water. He is performing with his band, so expect high-intensity funk jams and psychedelic looping to get the crowd dancing.
The three accompanying acts are equally stellar MCs: Gift of Gab from Blackalicious, Mr Lif and Lyrics Born. Mr Lif just released I Heard it Today which is even more politically hardcore and confrontational than his usual work. Gift of Gab and Lyrics Born both have local roots through UC Davis and their early work with the Quannum MCs. They have deep fan bases in Sacramento, so get to the show early if you are buying tickets at the door. Tickets can also be bought online or at The Beat.
Art Savage, RIP
Art Savage, the owner of our beloved River Cats, died today at age 58. His death was sudden and shocking; he had recently beat lung cancer. A family member of mine who had a personal and professional relationship with Mr. Savage writes:
Would you please let the Sac Rag readership know that their community has lost a truly good and decent man.
Most will know that he was a hugely successful in professional sports and that he brought that success to Sacramento. Those who knew him know that he could have been successful at anything and that he shared his success with those who worked with him. Those who knew him the best know that none of his success, though, was anything at all compared to his love for his wife and family and his loyalty to his friends.
What a legacy he has built in the River Cats. He will be sorely missed and my heart goes out to his family. RIP
Revolutionary reds

The release of St. Rey Port also signifies the launch of Revolution’s new port program. Winemaker Craig Haarmeyer will continue to make porto that is Iberian influenced and locally sourced. Vintages will also held back for aging and blending with future vintages.
Seventy-Five years of Old Ironsides
One of the great Sacramento cultural institutions is celebrating its (her?) 75th birthday this weekend. Midtown Monthly did a great salute to the history of The Old I in their November issue. With the same owners for these 75 years, it is also a celebration of Billie Jean Kanelos and her family. I particularly enjoyed the piece from Kim Kanelos, who began booking music there in the early 90s. Kim is also asking that people post their favorite Old I memories on their Facebook page.
MM hasn’t posted the issue to their website, so you’ll have to keep an eye out for printed material distributed for free throughout Sacramento. The Bee also did a brief interview with Billie Jean and her husband Sam.
Their November festivities culminate this Sunday from 1-6pm with DJ Larry Rodriguez and plenty of celebratory food and drink specials.
Old Ironsides
1901 10th Street
The Monarchs are dead, long live the Monarchs
Sad news for women’s pro sports today as Maloof Sports & Entertainment folds the Sacramento Monarchs:
“Our focus is to turn the Kings around, and to do that, we have to put all our efforts and good salespeople on the Kings.”
The recently-turned-around, .500-for-the-first-time-since-forever Kings could not be reached for comment.
Maybe the Monarchs will end up in S.F.?
City touts “win” in Railyards environmental case
The City of Sacramento and Thomas Enterprises are proudly bragging of a “win” in the suit against them brought by the Downtown Plaza and three individuals who challenged the environmental impact reports prepared for the Railyards site. The Sacramento Superior Court today ruled that the City and Thomas Enterprises complied with the law under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
- Press release: CITY OF SACRAMENTO AND THOMAS ENTERPRISES WIN RAILYARDS CEQA CHALLENGE (PDF)
Blame It On The Rain.
The County H1N1 clinics have been canceled.
Won’t somebody please think about the Santas!?
Hilarious front-page story today in The Onion The Bee about the H1N1 virus and its effect on mall Santas: Mall Santas say H1N1 flu risks warrant early vaccinations
Santas everywhere are saying they should be first in line to get the H1N1 vaccine – even though many don’t fit the priority groups getting the shots.
The story, by the Bee’s Anna Tong, goes on to quote several national mall Santa organizations (there are several!) who are lobbying to get mall Santas their shots.
For the record, I am not looking to spin this as a story about government-run healthcare. To me this is a just a simple story about mall Santas wanting to steal important vaccines away from babies.
No Impact Week: I Join a Global Experiment in Sustainable Living
Inspired by best-selling No Impact Man, on Sunday I joined other world citizens to commit to a week of no-impact living. Over the course of eight days, my husband and I will attempt to follow the project’s guided steps and 1) consume less, 2) create less trash, 3) use less transportation, 4) eat locally, 5) reduce energy use, 6) use less water, 7) get involved with an environmental group, and 8) reflect on it all.
You can get involved, too! I signed up online. After that, the project provided me with an online guide containing detailed instructions for the week—with strict orders that it not be printed, of course. According to the helpful tips, as we progress through the week, we’re supposed to gradually decrease our environmental footprint, eliminating as we go.
Continue reading “No Impact Week: I Join a Global Experiment in Sustainable Living”

