Tag: Recommendations

Customer service sighting in Sacramento

I had a rough experience the other day at my local gymnasium. I needed to drop an add-on feature from my account. I wasn’t using this feature and therefore felt my money was being thrown away each month. A simple request, right? You would think. I was told by the front desk employee that this wasn’t a simple request and I would have to meet with a sales representative at their convenience (they work from, uh, 9 to 6, fancy that, so do I!). I am sure you see where this is going so suffice it to say that when I finally sat down with the sales rep I was none to pleased to find out I was going to be charged $10 to make a simple notation on my account via a keyboard stroke.

I wanted to go home and rant about this on the Sac Rag, but alas the customer service Gods saw my dismay from up above and threw me a celestial bone. A few days later I visited the Jack’s Urban Eats restaurant at Loehmann’s Plaza as I do enjoy me a Jack’s salad. It was a crowded evening (I know, shocker) and we were dining with another couple so finding a table was imperative. As such, I sent Mrs. TopofIt to scout out the scene. She left me with specific instructions as to the type of salad she prefers. The list of ingredients is a simple one, but it all hinges on the salad dressing. Short story long, I finished up my order, paid, and sat down with my party salad in hand. My wife took one bite and quickly realized that I had chosen the wrong dressing.

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Do you have to let it linger?

When referencing this year’s cold and flu season, the answer is a resounding “YES!”

This is truly the affliction that will not go away, and I’ve heard horror stories of people whose nasty cold has turned into pneumonia. It’s an insidious bug going around, one that will knock you out for days, have you hack up a lung every quarter hour, make your chest scream in pain, run a fever, make you dizzy — and once you start feeling better and resuming a fraction of your normal activities, it will come back in the ring to take another swing.

Bottom line? Rest up, my friends. If you’re sidelined by this, DO NOTHING or as little as possible. Clear your calendar. Fire up the electric blanket and settle down with your pet of choice and remote control. Keep hydrated, and stay classy.

Here’s a tip

I had occasion the other night to order food for pick up. It was a basic transaction. The bag of food was sitting on the counter with my name on the receipt. I waited for someone to greet me and when they did I pointed to my bag and said I was here to pick up a to go order. I handed over exact change (Runnergirl, wink wink) and said “Thank you.” As I got into my car I realized that I was “supposed” to tip in that situation…or was I?

So I ask you, whether it’s Domino’s pizza or California Pizza Kitchen, what’s the general rule on tipping with “to go” orders for pick up?  And, yes, Reservoir Dogs quotes are highly encouraged.

Josh holds court

Coffee!Have anyone else noticed the SacRag crew seems to spend a lot of time in coffee houses?

My favorite — when I can get a parking space — is Tupelo, on Elvas. Free Wi-Fi, clever coffee drinks I never order (espresso and Jolt cola? Argh!) and great morning roast, which I do order. Plus, most mornings you can see the same people, which really gives the place a nice neighborly feel. So far, Tupelo is holding its own against the Starbucks next door, and I think it’s the funky, arty ambience that helps.

One of the regulars is a true East Sac fixture, former city councilman Josh Pane. He’s there most mornings, a little grayer than I remember, but friendly as always. Doesn’t work the room much, but happy to strike up a conversation.

Tupelo also attracts the serious bikers and runners post-workout (Runnergirl, where are you?) and, on the patio, the dog-walkers. Friendly dogs, friendly people, great coffee … what’s not to like?

Also on the coffee front, anyone else tried Pacific Roasting on Fulton/Hurley? Liked the fireplace, the free Wi-Fi and the smattering of nice leather club chairs. It’s a chain, apparently, but a small one. The coffee was good and the counter staff friendly. I’ll have to go back for further evaluation.

The Bee clicks with history

The Crocker Art Museum has a special exhibition starting tomorrow, “Without Words: The Sacramento Bee’s Most Powerful Photographs.” From the catalog:

Protests. Tragedy. Disaster. Despair.  Each day in the pages of The Sacramento Bee are photos that tell a story few words can. Since the first photographic image appeared in 1898, The Bee’s photojournalists have taken our readers to the frontlines of the most important events that have shaped our history.

Commemorating the 150th anniversary of The Sacramento Bee, The Crocker Art Museum presents the photography that brings to life events seen through the lenses of The Bee’s award-winning photographers.

A collection of nearly 20 images will be on display in the Crocker Art Museum’s Ballroom. A highlight of the exhibition is Assassination Foiled taken by longtime Bee photojournalist Dick Schmidt, who captured the image of Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme after her failed 1975 assassination attempt on President Gerald Ford in Capitol Park.

You can hear Dick Schmidt (long-time friend of mine, by the way) being interviewed today at 2 p.m. on CPR’s show “Insight” (KXPR; FM 90.9). He’s a low-key, charming and funny man, so I’m guessing the interview will be a great one. The Crocker exhbition runs through March 21.

Get your huntin’ gear here

Get wet! SplashDogs at Cal ExpoAs one of a really small subset of political animal — an urban liberal with guns, an account at Cabela’s and a freezer full of ducks — I find myself both delighted and appalled by the International Sportsmen’s Expo, which wraps up today at CalExpo.

Delighted because I love my huntin’ retrievers, and I love being outdoors with my huntin’ retrievers. And I love looking at gear for huntin’ retrievers. The ISE is a great place to do that, better than the biggest Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shop combined. For me it’s all about the dogs, the celebration of the bond between a working dog and handler, and a retriever doing what he was bred to do, with enthusiasm and style. I have come to accept rather grudgingly that what my dogs do involves the occasional demise of some very pretty waterfowl. Sacramento, by the way, is smack dab in the middle of some of the best waterfowl huntin’ areas in the nation.

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Tuck away the snark for an afternoon

Sacramentans have the rare opportunity tomorrow to learn firsthand about one of the most horrific experiences in world history.  Polish-born Holocaust survivor David Faber will be speaking at Sac State on Wednesday from 1pm-2:30pm in the University Union Ballroom III.  He is here all week telling his story to businesses and students, urging tolerance.

The 80-year-old spent six years in nine concentration camps and witnessed the murders of his parents, brother, and five of his six sisters.  He accepts no speaker fee, and the proceeds from his book sales benefit funds that help disabled U.S. veterans. 

How do you beat the heat?

Let’s not beat around the bush here, Sacramento: it’s hot. But life goes on. If you aren’t a shut-in, chances are you can’t spend 24/7 laying on your kitchen floor or in an ice bath. So let’s hear it; how are you beating the heat, Sacramento? Here are some of our favorites, but we’d love to hear more. Read on.
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PAT VOGELI: A cure for housing woes?

The slew of articles and rumors on a declining housing market had my husband and I pretty uptight when it came time to sell our house for something slightly larger. We worried that whatever profit the market did provide could be devoured by realtor’s fees and repair costs, so we weren’t even sure if we should hire a realtor. It didn’t ease our confusion any when one realtor told us flat out that the market was dead (not exactly inspiring our confidence) and another submitted a proposed selling price that was so inflated and greedy even we could tell it would leave us sitting on the market forever. Luckily, we met realtor Pat Vogeli while helping a friend shop for houses. Simply put, Pat was AWESOME.
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