Sacramento’s Hidden Gems

Old Sacramento Underground from www.historicoldsac.org
Old Sacramento Underground
My son came home recently with information about a tour of “Old Sacramento Underground” which “will provide visitors with a unique glimpse into the massive and dramatic undertaking that took place when the streets were painstakingly raised in the 1860s through the 1870s to protect the city from devastating flooding.”

How have I not done this yet? Perhaps I haven’t lived here long enough, but it sounds very interesting. Has anyone taken this tour? Your thoughts?

Underground tour visitors will have the opportunity to view disappearing windows and doors, dipping alleyways, exposed retaining walls, walk into underground hollow sidewalks and tour historic buildings all while being entertained and educated by tour guides and docents who portray characters true to the period.

Man, sign me up. I enjoy docents any way I can get them.

In addition to this tour, we were asked to come up with other “hidden Sacramento gems” as part of a local history project. Well, who better to answer this question than our very own Sac Rag readers? Comment with your suggestions and I’ll pass them along.

LL Cool B!

Ladies love cool beer! If you are one of these ladies, our friends at Brew It Up! are forming a club just for you. Currently named Sacramento Women Who Love Beer (but looking for a catchier name), they are planning several ladies only events, including brewery tours, brewing parties and lessons, philanthropy and good old fashioned drinking fun.

Their first event will be a basic tasting to get your toes wet if you are new to beer appreciation. For $10, you’ll get to try four beers paired with four appetizers. Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 7 from 6-8pm and come meet the girls!

When one door closes…

Interesting positioning of headlines recently on Google News…

William Glen Articles on Google

On sacbee.com and news10.net, we learn that William Glen is closing its doors at the end of the year. Then, over at sacramentopress.com (at sacbee.com, too), we find out that “the children of one of William Glen’s founders will soon open housewares and holiday stores in Old Sacramento.”

The stores are expected to open by early October or sooner. Late Thursday afternoon, Snyder and Guthrie were caught off guard by the news that the William Glen store will close after Christmas.

At any rate, it is always tough to see another Sacramento business shut own. At the same time, it’s great to hear that a business is opening in Sacramento. Remember when grand openings were an everyday occurrence? Sigh.

The commenters at sacbee.com, of course, are all over the place with this one. Lots of blaming of the President, which has become the norm for ANY article, and random shots at Sacramento.

Oh, and Sacramento’s second largest law firm called it quits last week.

Have a great weekend, y’all!

SF Mime Troupe this weekend

September brings us the annual visit from political provocateurs, the San Francisco Mime Troupe. Their shows are always poignant, professional, hilarious and free.

This year’s production is an original musical titled Posibilidad, or Death of the Worker. As a factory shuts down and robs the workers of their pay and pension to fulfill promised dividends, a pregnant worker accidentally instigates a strike. Bring a picnic, lowback chairs and a few bucks for when they pass the hat.
Continue reading “SF Mime Troupe this weekend”

I believe I ordered the *large* yogurt

Tutti Frutti Yogurt in West Sacramento, CA
Mmm, bloating

I visited the Tutti Frutti Yogurt shop today after lunch in West Sacramento. I’ve been to many of these places as they have popped up all over Sacramento, but this one really goes for the jugular in the portions department. The photo here is their smallest cup. I may use it as my dog’s water bowl.

I was given a coupon which informed me that by eating their yogurt I will strengthen my immune system, improve my mineral absorption, reduce my blood pressure & cholesterol, and, most importantly, will prevent me from having diarrhea and bloating! Man, eating healthy has never been so much fun.

Joking aside, the yogurt was pretty good, the toppings fresh, and the environment clean and inviting. I’ll go back.

Tutti Frutti West Sacramento
779 Ikea Ct. Ste 130
West Sacramento, CA 95605
(916) 376-0557

Five Guys Burgers & Fries

I figured after eating at Five Guys Burgers & Fries several times in one week, I would give them a review on this here web log. Finding a good burger joint is not incredibly difficult in the Sacramento area. Not to mention the fact that defining a good burger joint is like trying to describe the taste of a banana. That is, it’s subjective. For example, many of the folks on Yelp are lukewarm about this place.

The Good

  • The toppings: Mayo, Relish, Onions, Lettuce, Pickles, Tomatoes, Grilled Onions, Grilled Mushrooms, Ketchup, Mustard, Jalapeno Peppers, Green Peppers, A-1 Sauce, Bar-B-Q Sauce, and Hot Sauce are all included at no additional charge. Mmm, mushrooms.
  • The fries: Regular or Cajun Style, these fries are hearty and crispy, great for ketchup dipping
  • The peanuts: Help yourself peanuts while you wait for your food. Think that’s lame? Don’t have them, but stop judging me already!
  • The soda: It’s a Coke shop and they have Coke Zero. Done and done.

Continue reading “Five Guys Burgers & Fries”

Who threw it?

Join the SacRag’s crack investigative team as we crack the case and reveal….WHICH SACRAMENTAN TOSSED SOMETHING AT JUSTIN BIEBER’S CABEZA?

The latest viral video mystery.

The place: Sacramento

When? Last December

Join the SacRag’s investigative team as we crack the case and reveal….

WHICH SACRAMENTAN TOSSED SOMETHING AT JUSTIN BIEBER’S CABEZA?
Continue reading “Who threw it?”

Local Bands Play Beach Boys

The original B Boys, yo
Some of my favorite local shows in recent years are part of the “tribute” series Jerry Perry has been putting on at Old Ironsides. Not only do you get to see classic acts such as David Bowie and The Clash reinterpreted by local artists, but the scene is always a who’s who of Sacramento musicians, largely because half of them are playing that night. On Saturday, you can join in the madness at the Beach Boys Tribute Show. Acts will include Aaron King, Adrian Bourgeois, Baby Grand, David Houston, Dog Party, The Free Badge Serenaders, I Scream On Sundae, Jackson Griffith, Jem & Scout, Justin Davis, Ol’ Cotton Dreary, On Display, The Only Men and SAUCER. Be on the lookout for crazy harmonies and some seriously punked out surf tunes. I hope someone brings a theremin!
Continue reading “Local Bands Play Beach Boys”

Wine, Cheese and Bread Faire

Why do people sometimes put an “e” at the end of “faire”? For me, it conjures up images of Renaissance Faire, artificially sized smoked turkey legs (and other body parts) and overuse of the phrase “ye olde”. Alas, I shouldn’t unnecessarily grouse about it, as it seems appropriate in this context. You can’t get much more olde schoole than wine, cheese and bread. Archaeological evidence indicates that all three predate any known archeological evidence and were among the first staples of both ancient diets and religious ceremonies. Enjoying this trinity of basic foods is at the heart of the modern slowe foode movement, subconsciously awakening palates to flavors of times passed.
Continue reading “Wine, Cheese and Bread Faire”

Roseville: Confidential

Screenshot of roseville.ca.us salary information
Do not click on this link, it's confidential!
My favorite part of this mess with the salaries of city officials is the way each city is posting their salary information online. My favorite? The City of Roseville. The first link under “Salary Schedules” is titled “Confidential.” That’s just awesome.

I am sure the Bee is working on their own version for this for their “the gym locker combinations of every gym member in Northern California” database collection.