Tag: Midtown

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks Tonight!

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks will be performing tonight at Harlow’s. Malkmus was the primary songwriter for Sac-Joaquin Valley 90’s legends Pavement, and has fronted the Portland-based Jicks since 2000. The band will be supporting their new release Real Emotional Trash, his 4th album post-Pavement, and is the first major tour for the act in several years as Malkmus is a recent parent.

Attendees can expect hipsters enjoying butt-bouncingly infectious tunes accompanied by witty lyrical poetry and blistering psychedelic guitar solos. Don’t miss out on a great band that happens to include two indie-rock luminaries, SM and former Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss.

Rubicon Loves Women!

Today, Rubicon Brewing shows their love for the ladies by featuring 11 beers brewed by women to raise funds for WEAVE. If you did not know, women brewers in the industry are rare, but are increasing in both numbers and prominence (just take a look at the trophy case for Denise Jones, head brewer at Moylan’s in Novato). Come show your support by lifting a glass (or 11 small samples), purchasing raffle tickets for great prizes or picking up a limited edition Women in Brewing T-shirt which is available in any color as long as it is black.

Celebrity Freakout!

And you thought LA had all of the fun? No, folks, Sacramento is home to our own Maury-worthy celebrity tantrums.

According to witnesses at Mason’s, local b-lister Ola Ray had a rough time the other night. For those of you who are unfamiliar with her, Ola Ray is most well known as “the girl in the Thriller video”, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary. She was also Playboy’s PotM in June, 1980.

Ola Ray and her companion were entering the restaurant when a fan recognized her and asked for a photo. Ola posed for a picture. Then, for unknown reasons, Ola went ballistic on the photographer, screaming the b-list celebrity catch phrase “Don’t you know who I am!?!?!”

When the police arrived, things reportedly got even worse. One officer attempted an arrest on Ola and received a punch square in the face. Her companion reportedly assaulted another officer and was taken down while attempting to pull the officer’s firearm from his holster.

Good to know that Mason’s/The Park continues to be Sacramento’s celebrity central.

Peet’s is hiring

You may have noticed that there is a new Peet’s Coffee & Tea going in at 37th and J Street. We “Peetniks” couldn’t be more thrilled with this news. For those of you looking for some additional cash this holiday season, they are currently hiring. While we missed the job fairs dates, you may still submit your resume to jobs@peets.com.

UPDATE: I clearly do not get around much anymore as I’ve been informed that there is another new Peet’s on 20th & J Street (also hiring). I’ll do some more research as it can’t be just a coincidence that both new J street locations are conveniently located right next to a Starbucks. Coffee Wars?

UPDATE II: Ok, so it’s official, Peet’s is moving forward with their attempt at world (er, Sacramento) coffee domination.  Another store is going up on Howe & Hallmark.  Anyone notice the timing with the increase in new stores and the death of Alfred Peet?

Sacramento’s Urban Winery

I was pleased to find a winery two blocks from my house, and hope that I continue to find new wineries throughout Midtown, but that seems unlikely. Too bad, as I can imagine an urban wine country running through Downtown and Midtown, up to the North Sacramento Wineries in Del Paso Heights. Call them microwineries. Sacramento can become California’s Urban Microwinery Country. Say it aloud, and feel it just roll off the tongue!

But, enough of my dreams. Revolution Wines is tucked behind a hair salon on P and 21st. You may have already enjoyed the 2004 vintages that were poured at various Sacramento area charity events during the past year. With a tasting room that opened in July, Revolution is pouring three of Winemaker Jason Fernandez’s 2005 vintages: The Pinot Grigio, that is grown in Clarksburg, an Amador Zinfandel, and Renzo, a red blend. All three are excellent, and I look forward to the December release of a Clarksburg Syrah. Four more vintages will be introduced over the next year.

Revolution Wines
2114 P Street
Thursday 4 PM – 7 PM
Friday & Saturday 11 AM – 9 PM
Sunday 11 AM – 5 PM

Mid-town Taqueria: 1 out of 2 ain’t bad

I’m not the only one who doesn’t think Mid-town Taqueria, the aforementioned taco joint recently risen out of the ashes of Sidewalk Pizza on 38th and Jay, is actually located in midtown, right? By most people’s reckoning midtown is bordered on the East by either biz 80 or Alhambra, and maybe even by 28th, putting Mid-town Taqueria and Sidewalk before it in East Sacramento. Anyway, it is definitely a taqueria so at least they got it half right.

Continue reading “Mid-town Taqueria: 1 out of 2 ain’t bad”

Updates on the Refabbed SSW Midtown

I don’t really know what to call the area southeast of the Capital, but let’s not quibble. I’m here to let you know what’s going on in that unnamed corridor:
1) Paesano’s new venture, “Pronto,” (“Real Italian, Real Fast”) is getting ready to open any day, improper grammar or not. A quick conversation with the manager of the enterprise (a fellow JHS alumn by the way) says that they’ll be open by next Monday for sure. So drop by the 16th and O St location for a quick meal. The menu on the wall looks like a sandwich and salad heavy mix with only a few pasta dishes and full entrees. One of those entrees, however, is bacon wrapped meatloaf. SCORE!
2) The old Icon on 15th and R is slowly coming together as a combo locale akin to Monkey Bar/Cafe Bernardo. From the signage on the windows it looks like it will be a Bar15/Cafe Bernardo combo. (Hey, if it ain’t broke…) Let’s see if this incarnation can coexist with Empire, since no other restaurant entity has made it so far in that spot. Good luck, Randy.

Urban construction projects

My Urban Vista blogs about major construction projects in downtown/midtown. I’d like to springboard off this helpful list and ask my readers, preferably (like me) completely uneducated about urban planning to comment on this post with more suggestions for major construction projects.

I’ll get the ball rolling: slash and burn J Street from 9th to 11th and replace it with a Borders.

J Street Meanderings

Some random thoughts while walking back from lunch on J Street with RonTopofIt:

Were there “beach people” in Midtown *before* the Beach Hut Deli opened on J Street?

People don’t seem to come to the Beach Hut Deli for the free WiFi, but people do seem to come to the Starbucks just down the block for the pay WiFi.

There are more art supply stores on J Street than Starbucks locations. Now that’s impressive.

Asking the barista for an unwhipped MFer is apparently not the appropriate way to order a mocha frappuccino with no whipped cream at Starbucks.

Great lunch at the Beach Hut, nonetheless!