Waxing nostalgic

In the early days of this here web log, I wrote about former Grant High football star Onterrio Smith’s infamous run-in with the “Whizzinator” which is used to beat drug tests.

Well, it’s more than four years later and I came across this article on news10.net earlier today and I had to share (yes, I know Fox40 covered it before it happened, and yet I still press on, crazy, huh?)…

Former NFL player and Grant High School star Onterrio Smith was arrested Wednesday night in Truckee on an outstanding drug possession warrant, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Department.

Just when you think you’re out, they PULL you back in.

Truckee?

Steve Maviglio quits blogging, citing comments

Spokesperson-for-hire Steve Maviglio, who for the last few months had been blogging on Sacramento Press, announced there today he will be leaving the Sac Press “for a while.” Why? Comment flaming. Don’t get him wrong, there are many good commenters, he says…

However, there are some, who typically hide behind screen names, that think name-calling and obscenities are effective ways to make their point. Unfortunately, Sacramento Press, in most instances, allows these comments.

He actually cites the Sac Bee as an example of moderation in the area of public comment. Read the whole thing here.

Have a Low Brau October

If you haven’t had your fill of all things German yet this October, stop on by Sam’s Hof Brau for some true Teutonic fare. I love Sam’s; I love everything it stands for; I love the the AARP crowd that hangs there; I love the velvet wallpaper; I love the pictures of fat women on antique bicycles, I love the giant turkey legs smothered in gravy. For more than 50 years, Sam’s has been serving ridiculously hearty foods from its Watt and El Camino location, and this month you can sample some of their best German specials. Friday through Sunday, enjoy German style short ribs, bratwurst and braised red cabbage, German pot roast, knockwurst, Bavarian style chicken, and kielbasa. Make a special trip on Saturdays for Sam’s arousingly good German potato salad and wash it down with a mug of Warfsteiner from the cozy bar. The best news is that every dish is under $10. So get your oom-pa on and celebrate Oktoberfest by eating wurst until you burst.

Nevada City to host AMGEN prologue – UPDATED


cc by Trefethen

As I predicted, Nevada City will be involved in the 2010 AMGEN tour. In fact, the prologue to the 2010 race might start in the wonderful foothill town, News10 reports. The prologue would end here in Sacramento which means lots of two-wheeled action for our fair city as well.

In addition the race has been moved to May. The announcement about the race layout will be made official tomorrow, and it looks like it is still uncertain whether Lance will compete since the Tour of Italy also takes place in May.

UPDATE (Thursday 10/22): It’s official, Nevada City will start the 2010 tour. Also official is Lance Armstrong’s participation in the event. Big news for our neighbors up the hill!

Sacramento Brewing Company RIP

Patrons of Sacramento Brewing Company were met today by a simple note on the door thanking them for their patronage and informing them that SacBrew has closed due to the economy. Let’s hope that someone wishes to re-open the doors to Sacramento’s most award winning brewery and the best selection of tap beer in town, but that is likely nothing more than a pipe dream.

Good luck to the former employees and please know that we will miss you.

Bastiao Farms Goblin Gardens (photos)

This year’s family destination for autumn revelry and pumpkin harvesting was Bastiao Farms Goblin Gardens, which is located on a family farm in North Natomas.

Goblin Gardens has a large pumpkin patch with some great looking pumpkins; a nice hay bale maze (super fun to run through in a crouch, so that it looks to you the way it does to a youngster); a big hay bale pyramid; a mini racetrack for toddler riding toys, which was a great touch; an inflatable giant slide; and lots of farm implements to climb on. They appeared to have a BBQ going and some sort of basic snack bar items, but we brought a picnic and ate out in the blazingly unseasonable midday sun.

Continue reading “Bastiao Farms Goblin Gardens (photos)”

Coming someday: Discovery Museum 2.0

Powerhouse Scince Center 2I was thinking about how badly Sacramento needs a first class science museum, and I was thinking how great the old PG&E building by the river would be for a site. Lo and behold, the Powerhouse Science Center, otherwise known as Discovery Museum 2.0, coming someday to the old PG&E building:

The Powerhouse Science Center will be the premier science & space learning center serving Northern California. It will serve as a model for 21st-century experiential education in science, math, technology, engineering, and space — and an exemplary “green” building that serves as an environmental teaching lab.

Continue reading “Coming someday: Discovery Museum 2.0”

The End contest sponsored by … water

Frequent fun guy Radio Matthew emails to point out that 107.9 The End’s new star search contest to find a local singer who’ll open this year’s Jingle Ball concert is sponsored by Vitamin Water Glaceau. From the press release:

107.9 The End is teaming up with Vitamin Water 10 and the Westfield Galleria at Roseville to host an event to see who will open the show! Sacramento has a ton of talented singers, and we’ll find out who will open the upcoming Jingleball concert!

Might want to avoid having people think of “water” and “107.9 The End” in the same sentence. (BTW, Vitamin Water is a product put out by Glaceau, who is a subsidiary of the Coca-Cola Company.)

You can sign up on The End’s Web site to get preauthorized to audition on Sunday, October 25 at noon. I’ll let the peanut gallery suggest other things you might want to think about before you enter a contest with The End 107.9…