In and Around Sacramento

Midtown Cocktail Week is Back

2009-08-05T23:01:55Z

It's back: Midtown Cocktail Week, slated for August 10-16, 2009.

As its website notes http://midtowncocktailweek.org/, "Midtown Cocktail Week Sacramento launched in 2008 as the brainchild of mixologist Erick Castro, President of the San Francisco chapter of the USB, and restaurant maven Joe Anthony Savala from Zocalo. These two friends and colleagues noticed what was happening in San Francisco with an entire city celebrating the cocktail and the people who create them. Now, MCW has grown into a collaboration that will provide a wonderful experience to everyone that attends."

The event kicks off at L Street Lounge at 6 on August 10th, with the night wrapping up at a penthouse party across the street at the L Street lofts. The next night things move to the Lounge at 20 for a cocktail contest. On Wednesday, Mulvaney's will feature a pig roast with "harvest drinks." Events the next night move around the corner to Zocalos for tequilas and more. Friday night will be time for a "punch party," which is described as a "communal drinking experience."

Then it's double the pleasure on Saturday night. There's a cocktail class (limit 25 participants) from 4 to 6 p.m. at Dragonfly. And then the party moves to Ink at 6 p.m. for a combo drinks/chow extravaganza.

There will be no resting on Sunday: the closing party will be at Mix downtown. Bartenders and who is ever left standing from a week of cocktailing will gather for food, drink, and dance.

(As an added incentive to get there early, the first 200 at each event get a free bottle opener.)

If this all sounds too much, Yellow Cab has signed on as the official cab company of the event. And better yet: proceeds go to Sacramento anti-drunk driving efforts.

The Sacramento Press is listed as a media partner for the event.

Sacramento Makes LA Times "Underrated" Vacation Spot List

2009-04-22T17:57:18Z

Singapore. Kailua, Hawaii. And Sacramento?

Yes, our hometown has made the Los Angeles Times' "most underrated places of the world" list.

Compiled by the newspaper's travel staff, the list includes spots around the world as great places to visit that usually don't make the covers of the glossy travel magazines. But why Sacramento?

The Times says it's a great day trip, full of history and beauty. And the newspaper is right:

Here's an excerpt from the Times http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-underrated19-2009apr19:

Why people ignore it: Just 80 miles from the breezy, self-consciously quaint tourist magnet of San Francisco, Sacramento is anything but. Saddled with hot summers, a dysfunctional legislature and, earlier this year, a Depression-style tent camp, California's capital hardly seems like a weekend getaway.

Why you shouldn't: History, history, history. Sacramento is the real deal: a living museum of 19th-century architecture.

Old Sacramento, a 28-acre state park along the riverfront, is said to contain the greatest concentration of historic buildings in California.

Not far away, the Capitol, a splendid 19th-century edifice replete with elaborate mosaics, has been lovingly restored and can be toured for free.

More than a dozen museums, historic parks and memorials dot the city. They include Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, with a reconstruction of John Sutter's 1839 adobe; the incomparable California State Railroad Museum, housing 20 locomotives dating as far back as the 1860s; the eclectic Crocker Art Museum; the old Governor's Mansion; and the new California Hall of Fame.

Fans of vintage riverboats shouldn't miss the Delta King, a restored 1920s stern wheeler that has been converted into a hotel, lounge and restaurant. The King, a twin to the Delta Queen, which recently suspended overnight excursions, is moored along the Sacramento River.

In this manageable city, which has less than 500,000 residents, everything is so close you can see lots on a day trip, flying round trip and walking or taking buses once you arrive. It's a whirlwind, but fun.

Is the Sacramento Press Fostering Civil Debate -- Or Encouraging Hate Speech?

2009-10-23T19:51:23Z

Since the Sacramento Press made its splash on our city's media scene, I've contributed a dozen or so articles and made somewhere in the neighborhood of 125+ comments. I've written about the best burger in town, the arts, and, of course, politics. I've worn my Sacpress.com T-shirt proudly (thanks guys!) and patronized advertisers. But you won't see my contributions here for awhile because of the Sacramento Press' "terms of use" policy regarding comments. Let me explain.

The Sacramento Press allows comments to be made by the site's visitors with screen names, not their real names (though some, like me, use their real names).

This hides the identity of comment posters, and, as a result, gives them virtual carte blanche to post virtually anything they want. There are some limits, as their should be. And, by and large, most commenters -- with screen names or their actual names -- are respectful.

For example, I have had significant disagreements with commenters when I respond to articles and comments on the strong mayor initiative. There's some good back-and-forth, and we agree to disagree without name-calling or insults or questions about our motivation. It's free speech -- the kind of debate that is good for this website and good for our city.

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.

It's not that I have a thin skin -- in my role as a spokesperson for elected officials I've been vilified by the best of them, and actually hung in effigy -- but I believe this website needs to have a policy that promotes civil discourse instead of publishing rants, expletives, and comments not based in truth.

That's the way it usually is in print. When you write a letter to the editor, your real name is used and your identity is confirmed. (That's the way it continues to be in our local newspaper of record, The Sacramento Bee, as well as our alternative newspaper, The Sacramento News& Review.)

Yet when it comes to commenting online, the rules change. No name required. No verification required. And you can write whatever you damn well please for the most part.

Of course, readers can "flag" comments for abuse. But what's abuse in print online, and what's abuse on paper, appear to be two completely things.

And that's a shame.

I don't think it's appropriate for a comment like "don't let the ass hit you on the way out the door" to be published or to be called an endless string of insulting names. But apparently the Sacramento Press (and the Bee) does. "It's free speech," they argue -- especially when it comes to public figures.

There certainly is some truth to that argument. But is this "free speech" appropriate? Should it be "censored"? Should a news-based website "let it all hang out" in the spirit of discussion, hoping that most readers will recognize that juvenile name-calling and inappropriate language is just that, making the comments less effective?

It's my sense that insults, name-calling, and hate speech don't contribute to civil dialogue, much like the ranting of right-wing radio hosts. Sure, it's great entertainment (for some) and boosts the page clicks for advertisers. But is it a good thing for our community? I think not.

I believe the Sacramento Press should find a balance between pure "free speech" and what's appropriate for publication. So far it hasn't.

Managing editor David Watts Barton wrote about this subject not too long ago (sorry, can't find the link!). And it's a tough job to find that appropriate balance. But it has to be done.

I love this site, but if contributors and those who comment have permission to insult and heckle, it's not the kind of forum I want to contribute to. I am hopeful the editors of this site develop a policy that demands respect of all of us who read, write, and contribute. And I can't wait to read the comments -- unless, of course, there's insults and name calling involved :).

Will the City Council Block the "Strong Mayor/Council" Initiative?

2009-07-31T00:08:14Z

It's official: the initiative to change Sacramento's city charter and modernize its city government has qualified for an upcoming ballot. http://www.capradio.org/articles/articledetail.aspx?articleid=6927. More than 50,000 qualified signatures of Sacramento voters were verified by election officials.

But now what?

With citizen initiatives at the state level, once a petition qualifies, it appears on the next ballot. Which makes perfect sense: since voters are trying to go around the Legislature, the Legislature is powerless to stop a citizen initiative from appearing on the ballot

But not here in Sacramento. The City Council gets to decide when it appears on the ballot. So it could be during the next scheduled election (next June). Or the Council could defer it until who knows when.

So despite 50,000 voters wanting the opportunity to put a measure on the ballot, the City Council can block it from appearing anytime soon.

That might just happen.

The initiative has few friends on the City Council.

Earlier this year, the Council members made their own political appointments of a charter commission, which has mulling various revisions of city government. That commission is expected to report to the Council later this year, and will likely have some charter changes for voters to decide upon.

So if the Council allows the voter-backed "Strong Mayor/Council" initiative to move forward on the June 2010 ballot, it could also put the charter commission's recommendation on the ballot. That would give voters a choice between the two, and likely foster a lively debate about Sacramento's governmental structure.

But there's more to the story. There clearly is a behind-the-scenes struggle between political forces on the Council. The majority on the Council opposed Kevin Johnson's mayoral bid; most remain hostile to his agenda -- even though the initiative gives the Council far more powers than it currently has.

Which makes it interesting to see if City Council members opposed to the strong mayor/council initiative will thwart the will of the voters to even have it considered on the next ballot.

The City Clerk is slated to put it up for discussion at a city council meeting as early as next week. Stay tuned.

Lots at Stake for Sacramento in May 19th Election

2009-04-29T22:49:35Z

It may be the best kept secret in politics: there's a statewide special election on May 19th that could have a greater impact on Sacramento's schools, fire stations, and budget than anything they're doing down at City Hall.

This special election is all about the state budget: the gaping $58 billion hole, and how the Governor and Legislature will go about fixing it. It includes new taxes, shifting of funds, the payback of funds to schools, and "modernizing" the state lottery so that it brings in more cash.

Led by Sacramento's own State Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, the California Teachers Association (CTA), and the California Professional Firefighters Association, the pro-reform forces http://www.cabudgetreformnow.com/splash.php?_c=xxzcw3j20w5zgp say these initiatives are a test of bipartisanship -- a compromise of both the left and the right that will keep the state afloat through tough times. Liberals won revenue increases, conservatives won a soft budget cap to prevent sharp rises in state spending, with the result being a balanced package that nobody seems to love but everyone can live with.

But there's plenty of opposition. On the right, the California Republican Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association say any tax increases are acceptable. On the ultra-left, the California Faculty Association and some other labor unions say any cuts and a spending cap are unacceptable.

Meanwhile, the voting public is caught in the cross fire. According to some Field Poll numbers out today, all the initiatives except one are trailing in the polls. But these numbers might well be skewed because of what is expected to be a record low turnout.

Pundits say the main reason voters aren't getting excited about this election is because the ballot initiatives are complex and confusing.

But this much we know: if the initiatives fail to pass, there will be some immediate dire consequences.

As the newly-minted State Senate Republican leader told the Bee today, he will advocate for sharp reductions in state spending across-the-board. The CTA estimates that 75,000 teachers will lose their jobs in August. The California Professional Firefighters Association says it will lead to fire station closures. And health care providers would also be expected to see major cuts in services.

Sacramento's pols are near-unanimous in backing the initiatives. Mayor Kevin Johnson is expected to lead a press conference next week where he'll endorse the initiatives. Supervisor Roger Dickinson was at the California Democratic Party convention in Sacramento where he joined the overwhelming majority of delegates in supporting the propositions. Assemblymember Dave Jones supported the plan when it came to a vote earlier this year.

The Secretary of State's website features a guide to each of the initiatives -- well worth reading if you need to catch up with what's on the ballot. /www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/title-sum/prop1a-title-sum.htm

(Full disclosure: I'm doing some work for the Yes! campaign)

Sacramento's Next Assembly Member: The Battle Begins

2009-04-04T06:11:47Z

Talk about election fatigue.

The last general election was just a few months ago. And though most voters aren't even aware of it yet, our tv's and mailboxes will be full of campaign propaganda for a statewide special election scheduled for May 19th.

Beyond that, however, the 2010 campaigns for governor and legislature are already underway, particularly here in Sacramento, where an all-out battle for the California State Assembly seat being vacated by termed-out Assemblymember Dave Jones has begun to heat up.

First, a bit of background. The District 9 Assembly seat, which encompasses the City of Sacramento and some Sacramento County turf, is safely Democratic. The winner of the June 2010 Democratic primary is a slam dunk to win the November election and, unless there is a political earthquake, hold the seat for the maximum six years allowed in the Assembly. That presumably will give the winner of the Assembly seat in 2010 a leg up to inherit the State Senate seat held by Senate President pro Tem Darryl Steinberg, who presumably will win re-election in two years and go on to hold the seat until his second term runs out.

So needless to say, this Assembly seat is a major prize. And that's why the competition will be intense.

Three main contenders already have emerged.

County Supervisor Roger Dickinson, who hasn't officially declared for the seat, is considered the front-runner. According to a recent poll, he holds a double-digit lead over his opponents. That's due largely to his name recognition; Dickinson has held office at the county level since 1994. He's known as a friendly, dedicated, dorky supervisor who is a liberal's liberal. He ran for the seat both in 1996 and in 2004, but fell short the last time around to then-City Council Member Dave Jones. Jones enjoyed strong labor support, and pummeled Dickenson for showing support for taxpayer funding of a new Kings arena. It wasn't a state issue, but Jones rode it to victory. Dickinson will need to run a more strategic effort this time around, and appeal to the hard-core Democratic voters who will make up the largest chunk of the electorate in this election. Dickinson's campaign will be run by local veteran Democratic consultant Paul Kinney, aided by long-time Sacramento consultant Richie Ross (whose most recent city client was Mayor Heather Fargo).

City Council Member Lauren Hammond also has thrown her hat into the ring. Hammond ran in 2004 as well, finishing third with 18 percent of the vote. She says she learned her lesson in the last go round, and will run a more aggressive campaign. Hammond, who represents Oak Park and Curtis Park on the city council, will be forced to give up her council seat to run. She is likely to be the most moderate of the Democratic candidates in the race, though her record on the city council is definitely progressive. As the only woman and African-American in the race, she will need to rally those constituencies to win. Her campaign will be guided by long-time Sacramento political consultant Jeff Raimundo.

Another city council member, Kevin McCarty, also will be running, though he won't have to give up his council seat. McCarty, who represents Elmhurst, Tahoe Park, and a swath of neighborhoods in southeast Sacramento, won re-election to the council in 2008 without opposition. He first won election in 2004 with a strong door-to-door campaign, and had Ross as his consultant. This time, he's employing the Sacramento-based firm of Acosta/Salazar. McCarty has worked his district well, and will no doubt run a strong ground campaign for Assembly. Positioning himself as the most progressive candidate in the race, McCarty is already seeking to lock up key Democratic constituencies in his run. For example, he recently named the head of the Stonewall Democratic Club to the city's charter commission -- even though he didn't even reside in his district. McCarty is trying to mold himself in the image of Jones, Steinberg and previous progressive city council members who made the move up to the legislature from city hall. He has the most in the bank of any of the candidates. And he'll need it: a recent poll showed his name ID far below the other two candidates in the race.

Others are said to be considering a run for the seat as well. More moderate interests continue to search for a candidate they can back, and several Sacramento business leaders apparently are testing the waters. Whether they take the plunge against this trio of long-time politicians remains to be seen.

Also a factor: will Mayor Kevin Johnson endorse any of the candidates and, if so, will his coalition that swamped the party machine last year hold up and show up in an off-year primary?

It's too early to know the answer to that question, and many others.

However, In any case, this election will likely be the marque local battle in 2010. Keep your eyes on future developments, and a campaign that is likely to get rough as it heads down the stretch.

The Democrats Are Coming to Town

2009-04-23T06:36:44Z

It won't be anything like the coronation of now-President Barack Obama at last year's Democratic National Convention in Denver, but this weekend's California Democratic Party jamboree here in Sacramento will provide a huge fix for the Golden State's political junkies.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will lead the cast of Blue State superstars that will be on hand. She'll be joined by Mayor Kevin Johnson, who will kick off the convention with a welcoming speech, no doubt noting that the convention and its 3,000 delegates are expected to inject about $1 million into our local economy (hey, Democrats are big spenders, right?!). State Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg also will be addressing the delegates. Local Assemblymember Dave Jones, who is running for State Insurance Commissioner, also will be wooing the crowd.

But apart from our local heroes, the convention marks the kickoff of the 2010 gubernatorial race. While San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is the only announced candidate (he tweeted, Facebooked, and YouTube'd his entry earlier this week), all of the other contenders will be making their pitch. Attorney General Jerry Brown, Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, and other possible candidates will be seen and heard from, as well as politicos looking to fill other seats on the 2010 ballot.

And then there are the hospitality suites. Just about every bar and public space within a five-block radius of the convention center has been booked by candidates, unions, and others who will whoop it up (except the non-union Hyatt, which is boycotted by Dems).

Topping it off will be the closure of 20th street between J and K streets from 7-10 p.m. on Saturday for a party sponsored by the California College Democrats and headlined by Grammy-winner Wyclef Jean. (Rumor has it that some tickets are available thru handsonsacramento.org for Sacramento residents that sign up to volunteer for public service projects in the city.)

Here's the convention agenda. http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.4955555/k.68F/2009_State_Convention.htm. You can sign up to be an "observer" at the convention (which doesn't give you voting rights, but does allow you to listen to speeches) on-site.

A Good Deal at the Food Co-op

2009-04-03T04:27:56Z

Attention Bargain Shoppers: the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op is launching "Anti-Depression Fridays" where shoppers (including non-members) can get 10 percent off everything in the store.

This Friday, April 2nd, is the first of what the Co-op hopes will be an effort to help families on a budget. And they're having a little fun with the promotion: "The all natural stimulant for your economic blues!," says its flyer. "Possible side effects may include: healthier diet, tastier meals, more money in your pocket, fewer chemicals in your body."

The Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op has, according to Yelp! comments, the best natural foods selection in the city, as well as the best local produce. After some difficult financial times associated with a failed opening of another store in Elk Grove, the Co-op is back on its feet and able to offer discounts such as this.

Disclosure: I'm on the Co-op's Board of Directors. And yeah, I shop there all the time too.

Saving the Oak Park Starbucks

2009-04-22T17:41:53Z

When the Seattle-based Starbucks Corporation decided to shutter its Oak Park store on Stockton Boulevard, it sent shock waves throughout the neighborhood.

The Oak Park coffee shop is more than just a place to grab a cup of Joe; it's a community hang out. Civic groups meet there, art lovers visiting the 40 Acres gallery next door linger during Second Saturday, and it's one of the few places in North Oak Park where neighbors can get together.

Vice Mayor Lauren Hammond, Mayor Johnson, and community activists have been in touch with Starbucks to ask the company to reverse its decision. So far, the corporation isn't budging, saying it needed to close the store (along with more than 400 nationwide) to help its bottom line.

But neighbors aren't giving up. A new effort is being launched today to convince Starbucks to change its mind. Neighbors are hoping to gather 1,000 signatures in the next 24 hours.

Here's the link: http://www.inmycommunity.com/imc_joomla/.

Sac's Best Burger at a Special Bargain Price

2009-09-01T19:01:05Z

First, the bad news: Nationwide Freezer Meats, which wins kudos for being Sac's best burger www.yelp.com/biz/nationwide-freezer-meats-sacramento, is closing for the first 10 days of September.

The good news: Beginning on Friday, September 11th, you can get its famous "French burger" (the standard) for $3.99. That's three bucks off the normal price.

I'm not too passionate about my burgers (trying to wean myself off meat, which isn't easy in the summer), but when I do indulge, this is the place to do it.

And here's another bargain: the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op will have another "Anti-Depression Friday" this Friday. Everything in the store is 10 percent off all day long. And you don't have to be an owner/member to get the discount.

NBC's "Dateline" to Feature Mayor Johnson on Sunday

2009-05-08T19:33:18Z

NBC's prime time news show, "Dateline," http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/, will feature a profile on Mayor Kevin Johnson on Sunday. It will air locally on KCRA, Channel 3, beginning at 7 p.m.

The show's crew was here two weeks ago, filming Johnson during his daily routine at City Hall and in community meetings. They also interviewed him at the Forty Acres Gallery in Oak Park. His mother, known as "Mother Rose" was interviewed, and film crews also spent some time with neighbors in the area.

"Dateline" is the latest television crew to film the Mayor. He says the national exposure will help boost the city's visibility on the national scene and hopefully attract additional economic development.

"Slow Money" Charitable Effort Gets Boost in Sacramento

2009-10-07T04:50:06Z

The Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op www.sacfoodcoop.com/ is helping the "slow money" movement -- a grassroots effort modeled on the Obama campaign's effort to get small donations ($5 in this case) to help seed a new economy.

SNFC General Manager Paul Cultera told the Co-op's Board of Directors at its meeting Tuesday night that he recently spoke at the first Slow Money conference, which attracted more than 450 attendees from 34 states and six countries. The Slow Money effort, he said, is modeled on the "Slow Food" movement, which promotes local farms and keeping money in the local economy. Its goal, he explained, is to link Americans together to fund local food systems, improve health, reduce environmental impact, support tens of thousands of small food enterprises across the country and take control of our money in radical new ways.

TIME recently featured the Slow Money movement www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1921889,00.html. According to the magazine, "Slow Money differs from traditional socially responsible investing in that the partnerships are deeper, as the Alliance works to build not just a firm's profitability but also supportive structures. For example, rather than just lending money for, say, a farmer's barn, they would look at the farmer's other infrastructure needs, such as storage, retail outlets, transport to markets, etc. Also, inherent to the model is the notion that part of the 'return' is the social and environmental benefit a company represents."

Cultera noted that there's a drive this week to get 5,000 people nationwide to chip in $5. Those contributions will be matched by an additional $1 by friendsofslowmoney.com/.

Can your five bucks make a difference? The Slow Money folks seem to think so. For more information (and to watch a video), click www.slowmoneyalliance.org/

(Full disclosure: I serve on the Co-op's Board of Directors).