The Sacramento Google Technology User Group, SacGTUG, is meeting every month. SacGTUG was founded in April of 2010. The group discusses Google related technologies such as Android, App Engine, GWT, and Google APIs.  Anybody is welcome to attend our free meetings. For more information, please visit: http://www.sacgtug.org I hope to see you at our next meeting. Thomas Amsler SacGTUG Organizer 

The Sacramento State Hornets were outmatched in their non-conference home opener on Wednesday, falling to the Santa Clara Broncos in a three-set sweep (25-20, 26-24, 30-28) at Colberg Court. The Hornets played without the services of two probable starters (middle hitter Maddison Thivierge and setter Hannh Hettings) and were bested by a tough Santa Clara offense in kills (50-38), hitting percentage (.197-.164), assists (42-37) and digs (70-63).   Strong performances by Sacramento State sophomore Janelle Currey (15 kills, 10 digs, career-high 5 blocks) and junior Kelsey Elston (8 kills, four blocks, and a .421 hitting percentage) were not enough to give the Hornets the edge. Sacramento St

Good Eats has finally opened, and after a whole lotta hoopla I was raring to get over there and try what had caused so much excitement for over two years in developments. Good Eats is attempting to be a coffee shop, prepared foods outlet, and restaurant dining experience. A lot to take on right? That's what I thought too. “Our Good Eats Kitchen is going to be a celebration of good food,” stated Michael Ashker, co-founder and CEO of Good Eats. About two years ago when the location for Good Eats was up in the air, they were looking at the Corti Brothers spot on Folsom Bvld. This was met with public outcry, and a debate over whether the right to keep a Sacramento institution should be overt

Sacramento County has made about 340 fewer layoffs than it had predicted it would make as a result of June budget cuts. County officials in June estimated that at least 725 employees could be laid off. The county resolved a $181 million budget gap in June when it passed a first draft of its budget. But County Budget Officer Tom Burkart said in an interview Wednesday that the county ended up laying off about 380 people, instead of 725. “The 725 actually was an estimate,” Burkart said. “And we did cut 700-plus positions, but they weren’t laid off.” Retirements, demotions and vacant positions kept the number of out-the-door layoffs down, according to Burkart. The county’s layoff process

More than $30,000 was recently awarded to six local arts organizations for their innovative ways of staying afloat in the wake of reduced funding and and audiences as the economy took its toll. The grants were awarded as part of a public/private partnership through the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission and the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. “When the economic crisis hit, we had these organizations calling us and saying their doors were going to shut, but they survived,” said Priscilla Enriquez, chief giving officer for the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. “We wanted to acknowledge that fact and learn how they survived.” The six organizations receiving the grants we

An air of sadness hung about Le Petit Paris Wednesday after the owners announced they will close late this month. The boutique and Parisian cafe has brought a bit of France to Midtown for the last five years, but it's been struggling for at least two. Owners Tassina Placencia and her husband Ruben plan to close the family business at 1221 19th St. on Sept. 26. The economy and fewer customers — including state workers making less money because they're furloughed many Fridays — have contributed to the problem, Tassina Placencia said Wednesday afternoon. "It's not what it was," she said during a break from serving customers who lined up at the counter. "No one's buying coffee anymore. You

For the first six innings of Tuesday night’s ballgame, the Sacramento River Cats managed just one hit. As it turned out, all they needed to get their offense going was to face a different pitcher. A crowd of nearly 10,600 watched as Las Vegas 51s starting pitcher Scott Richmond had a strong outing, striking out seven River Cats batters. His only blemish was a base hit by Travis Buck in the third inning. Hits were difficult to come by all night, and both teams left 10 runners on base. The River Cats did get on the scoreboard, but their four-game winning streak was halted by a 4-2 loss to the 51s in the second game of the four game series. River Cats starter Bobby Cramer did well in his f

It was a sea of cut-off shorts, cowboy hats, and overalls at Capitol Mall on Sunday afternoon for Country in the Park 2010. KNCI 105.1 managed to turn the intersection on Capitol Mall and Fifth Streets into a country music venue for the day. The gated-off intersection was filled with an estimated 11,000-12,000 country music fans, making this year one of the biggest in it’s 11-year existence, according to Mark Evans, program director at KHTK and KNCI Sacramento. Due to budget cuts Gibson Ranch, where the concert is normally held, was unable to rent out the park to KNCI this year. The singing of the national anthem and “God Bless America” with help from the crowd kicked off the day on a h

Audiences will be puzzled and amazed by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s presentation of “Barnum’s FUNundrum!” coming to Arco Arena Sept. 9-12. The event celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of legendary showman P.T. Barnum. The 130 performers hail from 15 different countries. Acts include body benders, a two-level trapeze arrangement, stilt walkers, high-wire motorcycle balancing, trampoline acrobats and, of course, plenty of clowns. A menagerie of exotic animals, including 100,000 pounds’ worth of elephants, will be incorporated into the various acts performed throughout the show. Ticket holders are allowed access to to an “Animal Open House” 90 minutes before show time,

 OK guys and gals, get out your favorite college team colors and jerseys or an old lettermen insignia as this is the time of year that has those of us who are passionate about college football ready for the start of a new season. The 2010 season officially kicks off with an opening round of games starting on Thursday night. Whether or not if you enjoy big time college football or cheering for one of the smaller schools, if you are like me you will enjoy a host of games to choose from. Since I am a fan and blogger of college football I intend to be glued to my TV for most of Saturday afternoon. For local teams Sac St. and U.C. Davis they will look to impress more people other than their d