Newest articles and comments on The Sacramento Press written by Raoul Kleven

Raoul Kleven on "Tea Party Protest at the Capitol"

2009-08-31T01:14:35Z

I'd wager that most of the people attending the Tea Parties aren't plants. Sure, some probably are, but there are enough people who sincerely hold Tea Party beliefs to make up a fair-sized crowd without any kind of dishonesty in that respect. I agree with the basic idea of the Tea Party rallies, fiscal responsibility and that, but frankly some of the rhetoric displayed there is a little off-putting and scary. It seems like a lot of the people holding signs about socialism, communism, and fascism don't quite know the definitions of each. For example, I saw one sign which said 'It's worse than socialism, it's Marxism.' I'm not quite sure what message that one is supposed to be getting across. If you were to ask a real, doctrinaire communist, they would probably disagree almost as vehemently with Obama's policies as any attendee of the Tea Party rallies. For different reasons, but the point is still worth making. And while anger at political leaders is perfectly normal and probably deserved, the level of what I have to call hatred and vitriol at these events has been scary. On several occasions while I was in the crowd I heard people talking loudly about killing democratic politicians and other 'communists.' No one even batted an eyelash, and I doubt they were speaking ironically or making jokes. So I guess what I'm saying is that the basic idea of the Tea Parties is a good one, but there does seem to be a lot of unpleasantness collecting around them. PS: I've just been talking to an acquaintance who used to work on a farm, and he is of the opinion that the whole water problem could have been solved by the farms in the valley adopting more efficient irrigation methods ten or fifteen years ago. Hindsight is 20/20, but perhaps some similar changes should be made now? I don't claim to know much about agriculture, though.

Raoul Kleven on "Tea Party Protest at the Capitol"

2009-08-31T01:04:32Z

Yeah, I talked to the public info officer for the CHP. He gave me that number around 1:30 in the afternoon. I can contact the tech guy for the sacpress and see if he'll change it to a different figure. It does seem like 1500 wasn't accurate, based on all the other reports I've been seeing.

Raoul Kleven on "Tea Party Protest at the Capitol"

2009-08-29T10:52:58Z

The 1500 number came from Police estimates. This protest did seem smaller than the first, but it's always possible mistakes were made.

Tea Party Protest at the Capitol

2009-08-29T03:12:59Z

About 1,500 people gathered on the west steps of the State Capitol Friday afternoon to express their anger with state environmental regulations, which they said were responsible for increased unemployment in the state.

Present at the event were talk radio hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty, Congressman Tom McClintock and Mark Meckler, head of the Sacramento Tea Party Patriots and the event's organizer, as well as several business owners and a representative from the National Tea Party Patriots organization.

In addition to the protesters on the west steps, many tractors, big rigs and other trucks carrying signs and honking in support of the protest were on the streets around the Capitol.

Speakers at the event condemned state laws designed to protect threatened species of fish by reserving portions of the water supply, saying that the laws would ruin productive farmland and put farmers in the San Joaquin valley out of business. They also spoke against government regulation in general, with Meckler leading the crowd in chants of "Government is the problem," and "No more government." Speakers also cited the impact that environmental regulation has had on the timber and mining industries as evidence in favor of deregulation. Environmentalists were characterized as radicals who did not speak for the population, with one speaker saying, "Today's environmentalists were yesterday's communists."

Environmental regulation was not the only topic addressed – several speakers also inveighed against health care reform, calling it socialism, and congratulating the protesters and attendees of town hall meetings for slowing down any changes.

Members of the crowd carried signs reading "Farm water = jobs," and "If you like foreign oil, you'll love foreign food." Others carried posters calling the Obama administration communist, describing the United States as a Christian nation and advocating the deportation of illegal immigrants.

Also present at the event were representatives of the American Independent Party, the John Birch society and many other causes, including tort reform, tax relief and the legalization of marijuana.

The Tea Party Patriots organization also organized national protests on April 14, calling them 'Tax Day Tea Parties.' Many of Friday's speakers were also present at Sacramento's Tax Day Tea Party protest. While Friday's demonstration was not national, the group is planning another round of nationwide protests on Sept. 12, with a march on Washington, D.C., as the day's centerpiece.

The California Republican and Democratic parties were contacted, but as of press time neither had responded with a statement on the protest.

Photos courtesy of Ed Fogle, Maverick Photography www.maverickphotography.us.

Topical Thursday: Local artists offer weekly work

2009-04-27T02:42:39Z

Sacramento artists of all sorts have been asked by Richard St. Ofle and Jesse Vasquez to contribute to a weekly "participatory art project" on their new blog, "Topical Thursday."

On "Topical Thursday," Sacramento's most creative are asked to consider a topic and contribute their interpretation, in whatever form they choose, to the blog. According to St. Ofle, the contributors will be "mostly artists, but also writers as well . . . we wanted to limit it to people who do something creative, but not just visual art."

St. Ofle and Vasquez, themselves artists, reveal a new topic every Thursday, as the blog's name implies.

Past topics have included "guilty pleasures" and "secrets." Upcoming topics are: the American way, color, and the Mark Twain quote referencing "Lies, damn lies, and statistics." Says St. Ofle about the topics, "we want to keep them loose enough to be interpreted, or misinterpreted, but also thought-stimulating . . . we would never have a topic about grocery stores, we try to keep in the abstract."

“It was important for us,” says St. Ofle, “to create a format that kind of showcases a lot of our friends’ work on a week-to-week basis — we have friends that put together these incredible art shows, and then you don’t see anything from them again for six months, and this is a way of breaking that feast/famine cycle of good art.”

The blog is designed both to promote local artists and to serve as a creative exercise to produce ideas. Contributions have been made in written stories, drawings, photography, and links to websites, videos, and articles online.

St. Ofle said the artists' responses to his requests have been overwhelmingly positive. "I think people like that kind of brain exercise, doing something you wouldn't have picked for yourself."

For interested readers, Topical Thursday can be found here.

Raoul Kleven on "Saving the Oak Park Starbucks"

2009-04-22T19:46:52Z

I go to Starbucks all the time, but the idea of a city government going out of its way to beg the company not to close a location seems bizarre to me. Isn't there another Starbucks just a few blocks down the street anyway?

Asha Yoga: Alive and Well

2009-04-21T02:11:23Z

20th Street's Mars Complex has been the location for a lot of recent development, with restaurants, bars, yogurt shops, and now Sacramento's newest yoga studio, Asha Yoga.

Asha Yoga is owned and operated by Cori Martinez and Maureen Guildersleeve, two relatively newcomers to the area and longtime yoga practitioners who say they plan to make Asha Yoga into a public space and center for community, not just a yoga studio.

Before moving to Sacramento three years ago, Martinez lived in Hawaii, where she established and taught at her first yoga studio, Yoga Centered. She says that she saw the space Asha Yoga now occupies four months ago, shortly before meeting her business partner Guildersleeve, and immediately began preparing to open the studio. "It's easier to go faster when you've done it before, and you know all the steps," says Martinez about the speed with which Asha has been established.

Not just a studio, Asha is also a boutique store carrying a variety of clothes and yoga accessories, all of which are produced in "environmentally and socially conscious" fashions. Martinez jokes that the boutique is a way to "justify" keeping the space open all day, allowing for people to wander in and out and chat with the teachers or other students.

"We're pretty confident that we're creating something here that people want to be a part of,” Martinez says. “Even if you're not coming to yoga you can stop in and remind yourself about your yoga practice, ask questions, look around."

The space, designed by architect Catherine Reon of CRCW studio, was designed to create a sense of tranquility and richness through the use of materials like raw pine and dark bamboo. Much of the original concrete has been left in its natural state, and large lanterns illuminate the studio. The result is welcoming, grounding, and light.

Martinez says that Asha's motto, "Ancient wisdom, modern practice," is emblematic of the "blending" of knowledge and practices from classical yoga with the realities of modern life. "Most of us can't spend 10 hours a day meditating in a cave."

The classes offered at Asha are geared toward all skill levels, but are designed to be accessible to newcomers. The classes are divided between dynamic, balanced, and mellow yogi, names that are designed to be descriptive without using Sanskrit words that might discourage beginners.

Despite having opened only three weeks ago, classes at Asha are already attracting students, with most class sizes falling between five and 20 people. Martinez attributes the quick growth to a combination of extensive word-of-mouth advertising and the publicity generated by hosting several Second Saturday open houses in the months before the studio's official opening.

Martinez says that Asha will continue to host Second Saturday events, as part of their efforts to be a visible part of the Sacramento community.

Readers interested in class schedules and other information about Asha Yoga can visit ashayoga.com to learn more. Asha Yoga is located at 1050 20th Street, suite #110.

Creek Week

2009-04-18T05:05:56Z

As pleasant springtime weather becomes more and more common, many Sacramento residents head outside for relaxation and fun, especially to city waterways. This Friday, April 17, marks the begining of Creek Week, an event intended to make sure those waterways are still serviceable.

Creek Week is an event sponsored and organized by the Sacramento Area Creeks Council, to draw attention to the condition of Sacramento's creeks. A week of activities, including tours of the Mather Field vernal pools and a "river-friendly" landscaping workshop, culminates in a day of volunteer cleanup work on Saturday, April 25.

The Creeks Council emphasizes the benefits of well-maintained creeks, citing their usefulness as a source of drinking water, flood control and relaxation spots.

Alta Tura, President of the Creeks Council, said that the primary goal of Creek Week was "to give everybody in the community the opportunity to do some service work, to clean up man-made garbage out of our urban creeks."

Tura said that the volunteers would be working mainly on Steelhead Creek, Arcade Creek and the American River, but efforts would also be made in various other local streams. Cleanup work will entail the removal of garbage and recyclable materials, in addition to targeting Red Sesbania, an invasive plant, for removal, and planting native flora.

After their work, volunteers are encouraged to gather at American River College for a celebration of clean creeks. Free food and drink will be provided, and attendees can participate in a number of activities, from interactive exhibits about creek health to a "junk and gunk" sculpture contest where contestants will be judged on art made from garbage and recyclables pulled from creeks. Prizes will be awarded by a panel of judges to the best sculpture.

Readers looking for more information on events, or on how to sign up for volunteer work, should visit creekweek.net.

Raoul Kleven on "Sacramento's Tea Party protest"

2009-04-16T23:45:41Z

It was actually Jon Mendick who took the pictures. He did a good job.

Raoul Kleven on "Sacramento's Tea Party protest"

2009-04-16T23:43:25Z

Personally, I found that there were both sorts of people at the event, and at different times one person could be both. I was harassed and accused of being a traitor and a disgrace to the US by one guy (this was without having spoken to him at all, he just kept accusing journalists in general) and then I turned around and talked to a woman who owned a business in Lodi, and she was quite polite. But I tend to be suspicious of any crowd that chants nationalistic slogans, just on general principals. Also, there were caricatures, yes, but none of them were offensive, that I saw. Some were pretty harsh, others were cartoonish, and some were just poorly drawn, but there was nothing like the "Barack the magic negro" things that were publicized during the election.

Sacramento's Tea Party protest

2009-04-16T04:47:51Z

Approximately 5,000 people gathered at the State Capitol Wednesday in a "Tax Day Tea Party" protest organizers said was aimed at fiscal irresponsibility in the form of Bailouts, the stimulus bill, increased taxation, and government waste. Speaking at the event were a mixture of media figures, politicians, and organizers, including State Representative Tom McClintock, talk radio hosts Mark Williams and Armstrong & Getty and others.

The protest officially started at noon, but the crowd began gathering long before that. Many of the protesters were not Sacramento residents, traveling from Roseville, Grass Valley and other surrounding towns to be heard. The size of the crowd necessitated a giant-screen television to let more people see the speakers.

While a few protesters dressed in costumes of Revolutionary War soldiers or carried boxes full of tea bags, many expressed their displeasure with government policy through handheld signs, with messages ranging from, "Don't Tax Me, Bro" to "I Am not your ATM" to "Liberalism=Communism." Many of those in the crowd carried signs decrying what they viewed as a government slide into either socialism, fascism, or both.

One woman present, who gave her name as Diane, said that the protests were "an opportunity to bring some information to people that don't follow the news, don't follow politics, show them what sort of state we're getting into." She went on to say that she favored less spending and lower taxes on smaller businesses.

Another protester who did not give a name said that the protests were for the generations of Americans who would have to pay off the deficit. "I don't want taxpayers paying for my grandkids, I want to take care of my own family," she said. "I'll be long dead, and you'll still be paying for these spending programs."

The protest was one of many across the country, and one of several attended by Fox News personalities. Neil Cavuto, host of the business news program Your World, hosted his show from the West Lawn of the State Capitol, in the midst of the crowd.

The Sacramento protest was organized by Mark Meckler, a local attorney and consultant. In addition to organizing, Meckler spoke at the event, calling those present patriots and stressing the importance of the Tea Party protests, calling them the "greatest citizens’ grass-roots movement in the history of the country."

Radio hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty of the Armstrong and Getty show made numerous appearances at the podium over the course of the protest. They said attendees of the protests had been represented as wealthy "fat-cats," rather than average people. Getty described the crowd as being honest and hard-working, in contrast with the corporate recipients of government bailout funds.

While the speakers remained mostly focused on the theme of fiscal irresponsibility, many of those in the crowd promoted other messages, carrying signs or wearing T-shirts with anti-abortion slogans or religious messages. A small group of protesters were supporters of former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, while others handed out leaflets for causes as diverse as immigration reform, gun ownership and the abolition of the Federal Reserve.

Rep. Tom McClintock (R-4th District) remained on-message, saying, "You can't tax your way to prosperity," and, "The Obama budget relies on the biggest federal tax increase in our history."

McClintock cited California as an example of the failure of these policies, calling the state "a basket case." During his speech, the crowd frequently interrupted McClintock with chants of, "We've had enough."

An Autumn Sky in springtime

2009-04-13T04:55:25Z

Luigi's Fungarden on 20th Street will be playing host to an album release party for one of Sacramento's homegrown songstresses, Autumn Sky, Friday, April 24. Also on the bill are The Early States and Adrian Bourgeois.

Autumn Sky (whose lyrical name is, amazingly, not a pseudonym) has been working on her first album, entitled All Which Isn't Singing, since 2007, and its release on the 24th will be the latest milestone in a lifelong musical journey. Sky can boast of having danced with Santa Barbara alt-rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket while still a toddler, proficiency with 14 instruments, and an appearance on NPR Sacramento's Insight program.

It would be easy to describe Sky's music as folk-pop and leave it at that, and indeed the melodic guitars and Sky's almost-warbled vocals are reminiscent of a host of acts painted with that brush, but there is a wry sense of humor and self-awareness in many of her songs that warrant a second, or even third, look.

In a live performance this humor is even more visible – in Sky's banter with the audience and in her self-deprecating introductions to her songs.

"I have a really big John Denver fetish," she confesses before launching into a cover of Leaving On A Jet Plane.

In addition to her album release show at Luigi's, Sky will be appearing on KDVS radio's Cool as Folk program on the 17th, and on the 22nd, she will appear at both CSUS, for a music video fundraiser, and return to NPR's Insight for a performance/interview.

Her MySpace page features several of her songs, as well as more information about show times.

Raoul Kleven on "Sacramento’s Progressive Newspaper Turns to Volunteers for Survival"

2009-04-09T20:47:50Z

I sense sarcasm...

Lane closures

2009-04-07T03:18:45Z

A lane closure will be in effect on Q street between 6th and 7th streets beginning April 7 and lasting until April 26, according to a press release from the Sacramento Department of Transportation.

The closures will remain in effect 24 hours a day until work is completed on street and sidewalk improvements. The press release stated that the improvements were related to an unnamed state construction project.

According to the press release, the traffic patterns of morning commutes in the area may be affected by the closures.

Inquiries were made to the City in the hopes of identifying the project, but as of press time no calls were returned.

Hidden in plain sight: my favorite lunch spot

2009-04-07T00:20:15Z

Bon Air is right on the corner of 26th and J Streets. You might miss it, because it looks just like a teeny little corner market where you would go to buy a pack of cigarettes or Brillo pads or candy bars – not the location of a deli so good I moved down the street to be closer to it. On the side of the building there's a giant mural of a really parched guy chugging what looks like a bottle of Snapple, which is pretty cool. If you or your friends like to take pictures and be photographers, you can't really beat a thirsty giant leering behind you while you pose.

Inside this unassuming building, some of the best sandwiches in downtown Sacramento await you.

Maybe you like your sandwiches with a dab of mayonnaise or with mustard applied sparingly. Maybe you only put one slice of turkey and one pickle in between the bread. Maybe you don't even need napkins to clean up once you've finished.

If this sounds like you, beware of Bon Air Market's sandwiches. Their sandwiches are loaded with toppings - so much so that you will probably need to shower afterwards, because, well, stuff will spill out. And after it spills out, you'll pick it up with your fingers and eat it anyway. Because if you're into sandwiches so filled with toppings and other stuff so that 'oozing' is an apt description, you've pretty much found your lunch spot.

There are a few tables set up inside, but I generally use the streetside tables when I indulge in one of their sandwiches.

There are more than 40 different varieties to choose from, 36 of which have illustrated placards bearing their name with a really neat picture. The faces of Marilyn Monroe, Richard Nixon and Homer Simpson stare back at you as you read the menu, advertising the sandwiches named Some Like it Hot, Watergate, and the Ding-A-Ling. There are several vegetarian choices on the menu as well, so if you don't want to have a pile of turkey or roast beef you can choose from avocados, sunflower seeds, and other green options.

Once you've ordered your sandwich, you pick out the bread and the cheese, make other customizations, it’s just a few seconds and "Bam!" – there's your sandwich. The workers are pretty quick, which comes in handy during the lunch rush, when the line extends out of the market and onto J Street.

Speaking of lunch, Bon Air is pretty strictly a lunchtime establishment. The deli closes at 4:00 on weekdays, and 3:00 on Saturdays, which rules it out unless you work downtown

Prices are pretty reasonable for the sheer amount of food you get, with most sandwiches running around $4. There is a special, which changes daily, if you want to save 75 cents. It's actually kind of bad, because I get full about halfway through the sandwich, but I keep eating because it just tastes so good. So I end up spending the next few hours feeling unpleasantly full and kind of dizzy.

Bon Air is not haute cuisine. If you're into simple sandwich fare and a ton of condiments slathered on your toppings however, Bon Air is definitely the way to go.

Sacramento: Energy-efficient light bulb capitol of the nation

2009-04-01T02:12:29Z

According to a study conducted by the plastics manufacturer Nalgene, Sacramento leads the nation in the use of energy-efficient light bulbs.

The study, called America's Least Wasteful Cities, questioned 3,750 people living in America's 25 largest cities. Participants were asked about how much garbage their households generated, their shopping and transportation habits, and other sustainable behaviors.

Mayor Kevin Johnson said, "I'm proud that Sacramento tops the list in using energy-efficient light bulbs but there's still plenty more work to be done to move us up the list in other categories. Particularly with the challenging economic conditions we're in, we should not reduce our efforts to reuse and recycle."

Besides being number one in the use of energy-efficient light bulbs, Sacramento also received high marks in the purchase of bulk foods to avoid extra packaging, and choosing not to drive for short trips.

Sacramento received its lowest scores in the amounts of garbage its homes generated and the reuse of Ziploc bags and tinfoil.

Out of the 25 cities, Sacramento was ranked 17th overall, after Cleveland but before Miami. San Francisco captured the number one spot, while Atlanta was ranked last.

The study concluded that while many Americans were making small changes, like turning off lights and saving food to make their routines less wasteful, larger steps were generally not being adopted. The study recommended that more Americans air-dry their clothes instead of using electric dryers, take public transportation, and use rain barrels to conserve water.

The full study can be found here.

What do Sacramento Press readers do to conserve?

Sacramento Bike Games

2009-03-30T04:56:51Z

Bikes, beer and beards - all were in abundant supply this weekend at the second annual Sacramento Bike Games, which lasted all of Saturday evening.

A select group of people received phone calls Saturday morning from the event's organizers telling them where to meet up for the first event, a skid-stop competition held on the American River Bike Trail at noon.

After that, the action moved to Discovery Park, where the Pick Up, Footdown and Trackstand events were held. While Footdown and Trackstands have been explained in previous articles in this storyline, Pick Up is probably unfamiliar to readers. In Pick Up, objects of successively diminishing size have to be picked up by players riding past them, without dismounting from their bicycles. Saturday's game started with two-liter soda bottles and ended with dimes.

Julio Villa, winner of Saturday's Footdown event, said the games “were a lot of fun. It was pretty tiring but totally worth it. I'm looking forward to next year's games, when I will totally crush the competition."

The Games were informal, with anyone who had paid the $6 entry fee and received a spoke-card 'ticket' allowed to participate in any event. Many people attending brought their own supplies of food and beer. Organizers, who were mostly regular participants of Sacramento's semi-illicit games of Bike Polo, kept track of wins and scores on notebooks and pieces of cardboard.

Besides the games, there was a barbeque of vegan hot dogs at Discovery Park. However, the meal was sadly marred by a shortage of buns. "It was totally weak, all that competition made me so hungry and I was fittin' to eat, even though the dogs were vegan," Villa said.

Around 3 p.m., the games moved again, this time to downtown Sacramento for the Bike Polo tournament. Teams were picked by shuffling the spoke cards. Held in a parking lot at an 'undisclosed location,' Polo lasted for about three hours before the games moved for the last time to a house in the Mansion Flats neighborhood for the final event - Bike Jousting.

The competitors arrayed themselves at opposite ends of a driveway lined with spectators. Their lances were made of three-foot lengths of PVC pipe tipped with pillows secured in place with copious amounts of tape.

"Everyone was drunk," said one spectator of the chivalrous cycling. "People were up on balconies, cheering like Caesar at gladiators."

No word yet has come from the event organizers about next year, but a continuation of the games seems likely.

Raoul Kleven on "City to use stimulus funds for street repaving"

2009-03-27T21:01:02Z

Says Linda Tucker, Media and Commnications Specialist for the City, responded to my inquiries by saying "Truxel, Arena, and Calvine have never been overlaid, and Florin Rd. received a slurry seal in 2001 which is a minor preventative pavement maintenance treatment." She said that once a street was overlayed, the street would be good for "another 10 to 15 years."

City to use stimulus funds for street repaving

2009-03-26T04:15:07Z

Five Sacramento streets will be resurfaced with money provided by the federal economic stimulus package, according to a press release from the Department of Transportation.

The streets to receive the overlays will be:

Truxel Road, from Del Paso Road to Gateway Park Boulevard
Arena Boulevard, from East Commerce Way to Gateway Park Boulevard
Arden Way, from Del Paso Boulevard to Evergreen Street
Florin Road, from 24th Street to Franklin Boulevard
Calvine Road, from Franklin Boulevard to Bruceville Road

Bids for the project, which is expected to cost $8.1 million, will be posted in late May. Work is anticipated to start in late June.

Additionally, the following streets will also be resurfaced should the city be awarded additional stimulus funds:

San Juan Road, from Azevedo Drive to Zenobia Way
T Street, from 16th Street to 30th Street
14th Avenue, from 65th Street to Power Inn Road
El Camino Avenue, from East Levee Road to Business Loop 80

In addition, the Department of Transportation has announced four streets targeted for the annual overlay program. This work will be paid for by the half-cent sales tax enacted by Measure A.

Arden Way, eastbound only, from Ethan Way to the railroad track bridge deck, just past Blumenfeld Drive
T Street, from 30th Street to 34th Street
Riverside Boulevard, from Park Riviera Way to Deer River Way
Intersection of Stockton Boulevard & Broadway, 600 feet in each direction

Further information can be found at the Department of Transportation's website.

Inquiries made by the Sacramento Press to the city about how long the roads had been waiting for resurfacing and the safety benefits provided by resurfacing roads were unanswered as of press time. Updates will be posted should any further information be received.

Raoul Kleven on "Fixed gear festivities"

2009-03-25T23:25:30Z

Well, partially, yeah. I was actually going to make a beard joke/reference in the article, but I thought it might have been impolitic. But it's not just hipsters (aghhhh, that word!) who ride them. Lately, I've been seeing a lot of professional-looking business types riding fixed.

Raoul Kleven on "Crime reporting at the touch of a button"

2009-03-23T19:17:41Z

Well, it wouldn't. Except, I suppose, for eliminating the remote possibility that someone might recognize the voice of someone who used the telephone to make their tip. The point of the program isn't that it's somehow more anonymous, it's that it adds another avenue for people who want to report crimes. Especially young people who are constantly texting anyway.

Raoul Kleven on "Fixed gear festivities"

2009-03-23T19:12:18Z

If anyone is unfamiliar with exactly what a fixed gear bike is, they might refer to previous entries in this storyline. I don't ride one myself, but I do find them kind of interesting.

Fixed gear festivities

2009-03-23T06:22:10Z

A few days ago, while I was eating a gigantic hamburger at Nationwide Freezer Meats, I noticed a flier advertising for the second annual Sacramento Bike Games. This upcoming Saturday, March 28, was given as a date, but no location was revealed.

My interest was piqued, so I checked the MySpace address listed on the flier, only to find the games’ location listed as "TBA." Viewers of the page were encouraged to check back regularly for information on where the games are to be held.

However, other pertinent information was revealed. The games focus on fixed-gear bikes, with events like Bike Polo, Footdown (essentially chicken played on bikes), Jousting, and several other bike maneuvers. Spectators can expect to see an impressive array of gravity- and traffic-law-defying tricks, bike frames both flashy and minimalist, and some of Sacramento's most bike-knowledgeable citizens.

The entry fee is six dollars, with food and drink available for contestants and spectators.

Fixed gear aficionados will enjoy watching their favorite kind of bike do the things only it can do, and more casual spectators might be interested in the novelty of bike polo or bike jousting, in addition to the barbecue and brew provided.

Any readers with knowledge of the location are encouraged to post it and enlighten the rest of us. My inquiries will continue, and an update will be posted when all the facts are in.

Crime reporting at the touch of a button

2009-03-22T01:14:58Z

The Sacramento Police Department is urging citizens to use their cell phones to text information about crimes to the Sacramento Crime Alert program.

Citizens who see a crime and wish to inform police are instructed to text SACTIP and the details of their information to 274637, or CRIMES. Two-way conversation with an officer is possible, although it can be ended whenever the informer wants. Sacramento Police Sergeant Norm Leong said that no phone numbers were stored by the police department, and guaranteed privacy to anyone using the system.

The program is a way for people to anonymously inform law enforcement of illegal activity that they would otherwise be hesitant to reveal due to the fear of retribution. Rewards of up to $1,000 are offered to provide an incentive. In addition to texting, the Crime Alert program can be reached by calling either 443-HELP or 1-800-AA-CRIME, and by using the Webtips program to submit information online.

Sergeant Leong said that extending the Crime Alert system to include texting would hopefully encourage young people and others distrustful of police to become more involved with the process of keeping their neighborhoods safe.

The Sacramento Crime Alert website can be found here.

Community organizers demand oversight of stimulus funds

2009-03-20T04:24:32Z

Community Organizers called for increased oversight of the spending of national stimulus funds in Sacramento this Wednesday at the Green Living Center in Sacramento's Boulevard Park neighborhood. The organizers were a small group of real estate developers, members of nonprofit organizations, and others who had gathered to discuss the formation of the Economic Opportunity Commission, a group devoted to using funds provided by the stimulus to develop Sacramento's poorer neighborhoods.

Jim Knapp, a longtime community organizer and Director of Development at the nonprofit organization Build America, said that such an organization was necessary to combat corruption in the city's handling of stimulus funds. Knapp inveighed against the close connections large developers have with city government, saying that it allowed graft and criminal circumvention of regulation on a large scale. He said that a small group of developers, including David Taylor and Angelo Tsakopoulos, had become billionaires over the past two decades by exploiting their connections to city government.

Knapp called a recent city council decision to give David Taylor $10 million dollars for the construction of three bars on K street "obscene." He went on to say, "We can't get them (the city council) to allocate money for homeless services, for transitional housing, for neighborhood job programs, for youth, but they will give $10 million dollars of redevelopment money away for bars."

Cline Moore, a local businessman and Executive Director of Build America, also commented on this decision, saying that it "takes normal market forces out of the picture and says, this person gets a hand up, a favor, because he's the city's golden boy." He described the city council as a "rubber stamp" that ignored the opposition from local business owners to the subsidy of Taylor's developments.

Both Knapp and Moore stressed the importance of keeping political pressure on the city government, saying that the EOC would be committed to "keeping their feet to the fire," to prevent further abuse of power by the council and others.

Moore said that the EOC would be an inclusionary group that would include green building firms, youth groups, homeless programs, elder care, and other interests. By combining these interests to lobby together, Moore says said they would be more effective at creating sustainable urban development guided by "a policy-driven, research-based plan."

According to Moore, "Sacramento is one of the regions hardest -hit by the housing crisis." He cited the hundreds of foreclosed and vacant properties in the Oak Park, Del Paso Heights, and South Natomas neighborhoods and went on to say, "These areas have been targeted for rehabilitation by SHRA." However, Moore then said that the SHRA plan neglected several vital issues related to what he called "neighborhood stabilization," a key phrase at the meeting.

Moore said "Neighborhood stabilization is not just about building houses, not just about putting up frames and selling them to speculators. Neighborhood stabilization is about lowering crime rates, increasing property values," and creating a close-knit business friendly community with a solid infrastructure.

The meeting was also addressed by former California Secretary of Health and Human Development Grantland Johnson. Johnson cautioned against focusing too much on one issue, saying, "if you're focused on one issue, that's OK, but it's hard to sustain, it's hard to make other people see what your common, underlying interests are." He also said that the overriding issue in Sacramento politics today was "a lack of transparency and forthrightness when it comes to public policy," an opinion shared by many of the meeting's other attendants.

At the meeting's conclusion, Moore reiterated the importance of quick action, saying "We are never going to get an opportunity like this again. We are never going to get these gifts from the government again, free money to do the right thing, and if we let these developers come in and build another martini bar, we'll just be scraping by with whatever crumbs are left."

Responses were solicited from the offices of Angelo Tsakopoulos and David Taylor, however as of press time no comments have been received. Maurice Chaney, Public Information Officer for the City, did release a response to the comments made by Moore and Knapp about Taylor's K street developments, saying "It’s important to remember that the City of Sacramento did its due diligence as part of this project proposal. It met with many stakeholders and other interested parties, including the midtown businesses, over several months to ensure that full participation and outreach was conducted to understand the issues and concerns." The full text of Chaney's response can be found here.

City's response to 10th and K development project comments

2009-03-20T04:19:17Z

Maurice Chaney, Public Information Officer for the City of Sacramento, had this to say in response to comments made by Cline Moore and Jim Knapp of the Build America nonprofit organization.

"In terms of the money that will be used to fund the 10th and K development, I think it's important to clarify that the Sheraton Hotel proceeds are legally obligated to David S. Taylor Interests and the CIM Group, and can only be used for downtown development projects.

"The City believes that this project builds on the momentum and number of investments made downtown, including the Citizen Hotel, the Crest, Ella’s, the Cosmopolitan, and Marilyn’s. The development of 1012-1022 K Street not only reinforces these investments, but will compliment business activity in Midtown.

With regard to the cost, the City of Sacramento is providing $5.7 million in assistance for the project; not $10 million as mentioned.

"It’s important to remember that the City of Sacramento did its due diligence as part of this project proposal. It met with many stakeholders and other interested parties, including the midtown businesses, over several months to ensure that full participation and outreach was conducted to understand the issues and concerns. Prior to the council meeting, an accord was made, whereby the Mayor, Councilmember Tretheway and several midtown businesses and restaurateurs agreed to move ahead with this project.

"As part of the provision of the agreement, it was agreed that a marketing campaign between the Midtown Business Association, the Downtown Sacramento Partnership and the Convention and Visitors Bureau be developed and implemented to effectively market Midtown and central city businesses. Additionally, the city has agreed to match the private dollars generated towards this effort."

Raoul Kleven on "Air Jordans"

2009-03-17T19:59:43Z

I notice that the first picture you used seems to be in England. I also notice that there's about 9000 pairs of shoes on the wire. They just don't quite get it, poor guys.

Nag, nag, nag

2009-03-17T06:26:33Z

Monday evening, a group of business owners, politicians and concerned citizens gathered at the Hart Senior Center for the March meeting of the Sacramento Neighborhood Advisory Group.

The Neighborhood Advisory Group is a monthly meeting for residents of Sacramento's Area 1 to discuss issues pertinent to residents and business owners in the area. It is a partnership between neighborhood leaders and the city's Neighborhood Services Department.

Monday’s meeting began with a brief speech from Mayor Kevin Johnson, followed by a question-and-answer period. Light on specifics, Johnson's speech focused on the idea of Sacramento as a city of neighborhoods, Johnson's commitment to making Sacramento a "world-class destination city," and his assertion that his administration would be responsive, transparent and accessible to citizens. Johnson committed himself to maintaining each neighborhood's distinct and unique character, saying that Sacramento's diversity was "a strength."

In the Q&A session following his speech, Johnson was asked about the centralization of homeless services in the Alkalai Flats neighborhoods, and the problems that it causes. He admitted that "there's a general consensus that there is an overconcentration of our homeless population in one area," and called for a regional approach to tackle the problem. Johnson also discussed the need to develop Sacramento's riverfront areas, mentioning the Railyards and Cal Expo as well, calling them "two of the biggest in-fill projects that could be developed anywhere in the country," and a tremendous opportunity for sustainable growth. He concluded the Q&A by calling for increased volunteerism among Sacramento citizens, encouraging them to use handsonsacto.org to coordinate their work.

Following Mayor Johnson, Lt. Mike Bray of the Sacramento Police Department presented the Area 1 Police Department activity report. He reported that the incidence of robberies had fallen by 10%. Bray announced "some great arrests" of several minors who had stolen cell phones, backpacks and laptops in the Downtown area, as well as the identification of a suspect in five burglaries also in the Downtown area. Bray urged residents to lock their doors and windows to "harden the target" against potential criminality.

After the police report, the meeting was opened to announcements from attendees. Residents were urged to attend a City Council meeting on the subject of a proposed streetcar system to connect West Sacramento and Downtown taking place next week. City Councilman Steve Cohn weighed in on the subject, saying the current plans would serve West Sacramento far more than Sacramento, and that they should be changed to be more useful for residents of the Midtown and Downtown neighborhoods.

The staff of the Finance Department spent much of the meeting presenting an update of the budget. They projected a 50 million dollar deficit, but Councilman Cohn said that half of the deficit could be managed by obtaining labor concessions, citing the decision by the Police Officer's Association to defer a five percent raise, which Cohn said allowed the Police Department to abstain from firing any officers. He went on to say that similar measures should be applied to other departments.

Director of Finance Leyne Milstein stated that "we are in the middle of a multi-year economic downturn," and that the city's capacity to generate revenue was limited by circumstances, with sales and property taxes both in decline. She proposed a "reduction-only budget," saying that Sacramento needed to "plan for the worst," hoping for concessions from unions to alleviate budget problems. She did note that city management was taking a one-day-a-month furlough.

Concerns were raised over the city's lack of adequate reserve funds to cope with crises, to which Milstein replied, "hindsight is 20/20," and "two years ago, no one saw [the housing crisis] coming." Sacramento had set up a reserve fund of 50 million, of which 10.5 million remains. Councilman Cohn commented that Sacramento was "prepared for a stormy day, even for a stormy year... but what we were not prepared for was a stormy decade." Despite the comments of Director Milstein and Councilman Cohn, one woman present said that "we were like a bunch of drunken sailors, spending every dime we had, and we overspent."

One suggestion Cohn had to ease budget troubles was the institution of a tax on parking in garages and pay-to park lots to generate revenue from visitors to the city, including those who work downtown but live elsewhere. Councilman Cohn said a tax of 10 percent would generate 15 to 20 million dollars, and suggested that it be presented to voters as a way to offset other taxes on city residents. Response to this suggestion was generally positive from those in attendance.

The March Neighborhood Advisory Group adjourned following the suggestion of the parking tax. Meetings are held on the third Monday of every month, with the next taking place on April 20 from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. Meetings take place at the Hart Senior Center, 915 27th Street.

Reviewed: As Bees in Honey Drown

2009-03-15T23:36:03Z

If you had to sleep with one of the Three Stooges, which would it be? And what would your answer reveal about you? Sacramento's own Lambda Players graciously provide the answer in their production of Douglas Carter Beane's As Bees in Honey Drown.

Alexa Vere de Vere (played here by Kristen Wagner), a glamorous and mysterious woman with a seemingly inexhaustible Rolodex, poses the aforementioned Larry-Curly-Moe conundrum early in the play to Evan Wyler (Matthew Abergel), a writer newly “discovered” by New York's literary elite. Vere de Vere contracts Wyler to write a screenplay based on her terribly exciting and exotic life, and drama ensues.

Wagner's Vere de Vere is an affected, just-barely-over-the-top amalgam of Holly Golightly, Sally Bowles, and nearly every other leading lady of Hollywood's Golden Age. She tosses “darling” and “lamb” about as if she had just stepped out of a prohibition-era speakeasy — and it works perfectly here. Even her haircut evokes a certain “Liza with a Z” feel that will cause some patrons to go home and dig up copies of Cabaret and New York, New York.

Aside from Vere de Vere, much of the play has references, both subtle and obvious, to campy movies, plays, and other cultural touchstones. However, audience members do not need knowledge of this background to enjoy the play, so feel free to bring the straightest man you know — Bees doesn't restrict itself to a tiny niche audience.

The space in which Bees is performed is rather small, but manages to avoid feeling cramped. The sets are spare and minimal, keeping attention focused on the actors and forgoing gaudy detail. Director Bob Cooner choreographs his actors proficiently, and the end result is a performance space which feels bigger than it is.

Community theatre is often the subject of jokes and scorn, but the Lambda players have definitely put together a solid production. An evening spent at the Studio Theatre watching As Bees in Honey Drown is not a wasted one

As Bees in Honey Drown is playing at the Studio Theatre, 1028 R Street, from March 13 to April 18. For tickets and reservations, visit lambdaplayers.com. In recognition of the recession, the Lambda Players are reducing the price of all tickets to $13.

Raoul Kleven on "City (Finally) Gets Tough on Bin Scavengers"

2009-03-15T18:57:25Z

Personally, I've never had a problem with people picking through my trash and recycling. It's always old Chinese ladies in colorful sweaters who smile and wave nervously when they notice that I can see them. And while I do see the problems that can and do arise from scavenging, it really doesn't seem like a new law is necessary - all the crimes committed in the act would seem to be covered by current laws. Also, I think the 'scavenging robs the city of a potential source of income' line is a spurious argument. Yes, if someone removes the recycling from a bin, the city doesn't get that money. But every time someone parks properly without the risk of ticketing, that's also potential money the city will never see. What right does the city have to my recyclables that it can claim them as its own before they're even on the trucks?

Sacramento Union stops publication

2009-03-10T22:07:21Z

After two and a half years in its latest incarnation as a weekly news magazine, the Sacramento Union has ceased publication once again.

In a statement to Union readers, editor-in-chief James Dutra blamed the closure on "the difficulties so many local businesses are encountering," likely a reference to the economic hardships imposed by the global recession.

The closure of the Union comes amidst news of further cuts and layoffs at the Sacramento Bee, fueling concern among newspaper employees over the industry's future.

The Union, which was originally founded in 1851, was published as a daily newspaper until its closure in 1994. When it resumed operations in 2006, it was a changed publication. Eschewing the traditional daily paper format that had proven uncompetitive against the Bee, the new Union was published as a free weekly news magazine, much like the Sacramento News & Review.

For much of its history, the Union was regarded as a conservative news source. From 1977 to 1989 it was owned by billionaire publisher Richard Mellon Scaife, a member and financier for many conservative organizations, like the Heritage Foundation and the Hoover Institute. More recently, the Union was edited by Joseph Farah, who would later found World Net Daily, a rightward-leaning news and commentary website.

Raoul Kleven on "Thunderhorse Vintage: as cool as it sounds"

2009-03-08T02:55:53Z

Yeah, they have a ton of dresses, skirts, and other stuff. Plus they are seriously well-stocked when it comes to leathuh jackets. I found a great one today.

Thunderhorse Vintage: as cool as it sounds

2009-03-07T20:37:14Z

Have you ever just been living your life, like you do every day, when, out of nowhere, someone living her dreams just rockets past you at the speed of a blistering, heavy-metal guitar riff? Yesterday I talked to Jen Ayres, co-owner of Thunderhorse Vintage, and that was exactly how it felt.

There are a lot of little clothing boutiques around Sacramento, so you'd be right to ask what makes this one more worth visiting than any other. Thunderhorse has serious quantities of vintage for women and men, tons of belts, boots and bags, and enough toys and kitsch to satisfy the most nostalgic child of the 80s. But so do a lot of other stores. So why should you visit Thunderhorse? Two words: the help.

When I walked in, the first thing I saw was a giant painting of two unicorns hanging behind the counter, which normally would feel kind of contrived and irritating to me, so I was already getting into self-righteous judging mode. The wide variety of men's western shirts mollified me somewhat while I looked through them, but it wasn't until I started to talk to Ayres that my opinions were dramatically reversed and I felt like a jerk for ever judging a book by its cover.

First, she has a tattoo of a cat on her bicep. Secondly, she used the words "anything awesome" to describe both her store's wares.

Her enthusiasm for what she does is really palpable, and while she was talking about how she loves to get involved with her customers, saying, "I feel what we do is sharing mostly. I mean we get to hold onto this stuff, and wait for the right person to come in, and that person does come, and we're like, ‘I have the perfect garment for you,’" I started feeling like the unicorns behind her were totally perfect and appropriate for how sincerely excited she seemed about helping people find clothes.

Ayres doesn't want Thunderhorse to be a caricature of a boutique store, with uninterested clerks who only deign to notice you when they look down their noses at your hopeless lack of fashion. "[In places like that] you can't make any friends, and for a vintage market, I want to make friends. I want to go to the boutiques and be like, ‘Oh my God, you have these suede over the knee boots that are amazing!’ And I want them to respond and tell me, ‘Oh yeah they are amazing and they're really rare!’"

In the middle of the worst recession in years, Ayres and her sister Marilyn decided to give Thunderhorse, which had previously operated out of the Bows and Arrows building, its own storefront on J Street, and in a big slap in the face to pessimists like me, they have actually been pretty successful. Business, according to Ayres, is really good, although she did say, "It's not like we've been able to write each other fat checks for a thousand dollars yet."

When I brought up the economy, she laughed and said, "We hope that we can just do what we do and what we love and be successful at it, and not have to compromise anything to make it."

In honor of Women's History Month, Thunderhorse will be hosting silk-screening of revolutionary feminists in history this Second Saturday, so if you want to get seriously excited about a billion pairs of boots and some other cool stuff, take a look at it.

Raoul Kleven on "New lights at 20th and K "

2009-03-06T19:01:07Z

now that sounds like a good idea

Second Saturday boutique bazaar

2009-03-04T00:56:02Z

Hot, fashionable, and crowded - no, Thomas Friedman isn't debuting a clothing line.

Sacramento boutique Bows and Arrows is holding the first Sellout Buyout of the year, and it's sure to be packed with people, clothes, and an array of whimsical and crafty art items.

Sellout Buyout is a lively and loud fashion/art market that gives relatively unknown designers the chance to show their wares alongside established local names.

"It's a different line up every single time," says event organizer and Bows and Arrows co-owner Olivia Coelho. "You never know what you're going to get, but I try to make a balanced event."

Regardless of the specifics of the line up, visitors to Sellout Buyout can expect to find a ton of hand-made clothing, vintage outfits, and great accessories, as well as music provided by local DJs and musicians.

Coelho described the art at Sellout Buyout as utilitarian, saying "The art is the apparel and the accessories. Everything has to be usable."

Anyone looking for a huge variety of interesting and crafty things and stuff could do much worse than checking out Sellout Buyout.

Since it was started in October 2003, Sellout Buyout has been held at a number of Sacramento businesses and galleries, including Bodytribe, Lotus Gallery, and the now-defunct Fools Foundation. It has become a midtown institution, with many well-known members of Sacramento's music, arts, and crafts scenes attending regularly.

Artists and designers looking to show their wares at Sellout Buyout don't have an arduous application process. "Basically they just contact us," said Coelho. "We have it in Bows and Arrows now, so they can come by the store and sign up, or they can use the internet or myspace."

Sellout Buyout takes place four times a year, on the Second Saturdays of March, June, and September and December. Entrance to the event is free. All the vendors are cash-only.

This Second Saturday it will be open from three to ten p.m. Bows and Arrows is located at 1712 L street. There is a small parking lot, and limited on-street parking, but given the traffic on Second Saturday, walking or riding from a less congested area is recommended. Further information can be found on the Sellout Buyout and Bows and Arrows websites.

Raoul Kleven on "A brush with friendship, Hilton-style"

2009-03-03T20:32:39Z

Doubtless you would have been far too 'real' for the Hilton.

Folk musicians grace Marilyn's on K

2009-02-24T07:05:34Z

"Girl meets girl. Girl becomes boy. Girl and boy become a band," and this Wednesday, that band will play in Sacramento, at Marilyn's on K street. Sacramento native Joe Stevens and his partner Ingrid Elizabeth are two halves of the folk/routes duo Coyote Grace.

Stevens and Elizabeth formed Coyote Grace after spending several years playing music together in Seattle, where Stevens attended Cornish College of the Arts. They released their first album, Boxes and Bags, in 2006, and soon after embarked on an 11-month, 37-state tour to promote it.

The pair traveled in a 1978 Chevy RV, affectionately named "Harvey the RV," playing music wherever they could and living the lives of modern-day troubadours, with all the advantages and disadvantages that entails.

"We didn't know too many people out there(in the south),” Stevens said, “so we spent a lot of time just rolling around, looking for places to stop and pee, and played music on the side of the road when we could."

Coyote Grace's appearance at Marilyn's is part of a larger tour to promote their new album, Ear to the Ground. The group will be touring California and the Southwest over the next few months, with a larger loop across the United States planned for the summer.

"That's just sort of what we've been doing for the last couple years," Steven said of the album's title, "we've been with our ear to the ground, looking for our next place is to lay down some roots. We've since settled a little bit, put down some roots in Sonoma County and Santa Rosa, but we're still on the road a lot of the time, so the title of the album sort of speaks to that."

Stevens' own roots are deeply musical. His father and grandfather were both studio singers, while his mother taught children's choir for most of Stevens' his life. "There's been music all over my life, and I'm appreciative of that," he said.

Although he grew up in Sacramento's Greenhaven neighborhood, Stevens has not lived in Sacramento since the age of 15.

"I actually haven't spent too much time out in the scene or anything. We've done some shows in town, but mostly if we're here it means we're resting after a long tour, so we haven't been around too much," he said. He went on to say that it was nice to return to Sacramento as a new person, and reacquaint himself with the town.

When asked about the group's "Girl becomes Boy" history, Stevens explained: "It's definitely part of our story. I am trans, and that means that I was born female, and when Ingrid and I first met, I was still female.

"When we started playing music together then, it was a little bit of a different setup - two sopranos. About six months in, I realized that there was something I had to take care of, and I transitioned to male. And we continued to play music together, and we recorded a CD, and that's the story."

While Coyote Grace is associated with several LGBT organizations and events, Stevens said he is happy to play music across cultural lines. "I don't mind being associated at all with my roots or where they come from. But I'm finding myself much more now a musician first, and a transguy second."

Coyote Grace's music and tour schedule can be found on their website. Fans can also find them on Facebook and MySpace. Their first album, Boxes and Bags, can be purchased on iTunes. Their Sacramento show is on Wednesday, Feb. 25th, at Marilyn's on K. The show starts at 8:00.

Raoul Kleven on "Two-Way Conversion Project"

2009-02-20T14:48:36Z

This will make my daily commute a lot simpler. I can go up 10th street in the morning, and then in the evening I can go back down it.

Armstrong's Stolen Bike Returned

2009-02-19T03:14:45Z

At a press conference held at the Public Safety Center on Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento Police confirmed that cyclist Lance Armstrong's bicycle, stolen on Sunday, February 15, has been returned by an anonymous citizen as of 10:30 this morning.

The bike, which was identified by serial number, was described by the spokesman as being '"in good condition," despite being delivered with the wheels detached from the frame. Police do not believe that the bicycles were specifically targeted by thieves. A police spokesman said, "Our one concern was that the bike would be discarded," once the thieves realized the identity of the bike's owner.

Police declined to comment on the identity of the citizen who returned the bicycle, saying that the while the "Good Samaritan" who returned the bike did provide details, the police department would not be discussing the particulars of the case due to the ongoing investigation. It was confirmed that the citizen who returned the bicycle is not a suspect.

As of this writing, police are still searching for two additional bicycles from Team Astana, which were stolen along with Armstrong's. Initial reports that three additional bikes were stolen proved to be incorrect, as one of Team Astana's missing bikes was discovered to have been misplaced and had been sitting in hotel storage.

Police allowed that they did have multiple suspects, but refused to go into further detail, again citing the ongoing investigation. A police spokesman described the department's attitude as hopeful, saying "We are actively following leads," but cautioned against early speculation.

Sacramento Police were flooded with calls from media outlets and cycling enthusiasts from all around the world, and officers patrolling downtown were stopped and advised by concerned citizens actively looking for the stolen bike.

That the high-profile theft took place in downtown Sacramento was described as an 'unfortunate circumstance' by police.

Armstrong is expected to receive his bicycle in 24 to 48 hours, although at the press conference police stated that they had not been in direct contact with Armstrong's Team Astana.

Bollywood at the Crest

2009-02-18T05:15:12Z

Valentine's Day conjures images of roses, chocolate, and flowers... but elaborately choreographed song-and-dance numbers? Absolutely -- if you spent the evening at the Crest Theatre's Valentines Day Mega Bollywood Show.

The show featured Jeffrey Iqbal and Darshana Menon, winners of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2008, a musical talent competition popular in India and broadcast around the world on satellite TV. Iqbal and Menon performed songs both together and separately. They encouraged audience participation, at one point leaving the stage briefly to dance with the audience.

The songs were sung in Hindi, but between songs the performers and announcers talked to the audience in a mixture of Hindi and English. Menon also performed a brief song in French, as well. The language barrier was negligible, however, with the energetic and infectiously fun atmosphere needing no translation.

Audience members sang along, clapped their hands, and danced in the aisles and in front of the stage.

"We're going to start off with a song about the flavor of love," said Menon, as she took the stage. It's a safe bet that she wasn't talking about VH1's reality dating show - Bollywood, like any art form, has been changing and evolving for all of its history, but it has kept true to its roots in traditional Indian drama and literature.

Much of the audience was composed of families, with young children sitting next to their parents and grandparents.

According to Crest Theatre staff, the audience, which filled approximately three-fourths of the Crest's main theater, was "smaller than expected, probably because of Valentine's day, and the Amgen race."

The evening's mood was mostly upbeat and happy, but at one point the ongoing economic recession did have an influence. A young girl in the audience repeatedly admonished her father against buying refreshments from the Crest's concession stand, saying "Dad! We can't afford that! The economy is too bad!" Despite this singular case of terribly adorable worry, the show went on.

Recession swamps small shops - Sacramento's boutiques and the economic downturn

2009-02-16T05:11:41Z

Over the past fall, the nationwide economic downturn has definitely been felt in Sacramento's small boutiques. While some have gone out of business completely, and others have been forced to close some locations, many shops are adapting to leaner economic times by diversifying and changing their businesses. Recently, the Sacramento Press talked to Liz Liles, owner of 21st street's Buffcastle boutique, asking her about the recession's effect on her business and others.

Was it hard opening in this economic climate?

Well, we opened in about July, during the summer, so all the kids were out and about. It wasn't bad when we opened at all, actually suprisingly good. So we were excited about it, but the past three months have been not that great, and this month in particular has been really bad. So yeah, we're feeling the economy.

You say that there's been a lot of difficulty lately - is that just the fact that there's not as many customers?

Yeah, it's pretty much just the streets have been dead. I've talked with a lot of other business owenrs and they're all feeling the economy. My parents actually own their own business in Sacramento, and they're having a really bad time as well.

Dara Denim has closed its Granite Bay location, Blush Boutique is shifting to an internet-based business plan, are there any changes you'll be making with Buffcastle?

We're going to be doing a lot more intenet based work, because that's where more of a profit is. We're still going to keep the shop open, but also try to do more online. We also put an advertisement in midtown monthly - People could get 20% off when they brought in the ad, which is a lot. We're just trying to make people come and buy stuff. Since we don't have that much money right now, we havent' been able to advertise as much as we want.

Have you heard anything from other boutiques around town?

Yeah, I've talked with the owners from the other boutiques that are similar to me, the vintage clothing stores, and they all have been experiencing really slow business as well. I think we're feeling it the more than others because we're still so new, and there's a lot of people who don't even know we exist. I'm pretty sure everyone is feeling it, but retail shops have definitely been feeling. And there's actually been robberies in boutiques because people are desperate. You know United State, on 24th street? They just got robbed like, really badly by these two women.

So given all these unpleasant things and the general downturn, what do you think your business will be doing in the near future?

Well, like I said, we'll be focusing on internet sales. We're going to try to host more events at the store. Second Saturday is when we make the most money, because we have bands come from out of town, and they play, and we have fun. A bunch of kids come from all over, they see the store, and they buy stuff. We always count on Second Saturday. Last Second Saturday we had about three hundred people here, it was crazy.

Buffcastle is located at 1115 21st street, in between K and L streets.

Raoul Kleven on "Bad news from state for Sacramento Regional Transit"

2009-02-14T00:06:12Z

This is making me shake with rage. I would gladly go and shout myself hoarse at the capitol if I thought it would change anything.

Love on the cheap

2009-02-13T00:45:56Z

Buffcastle, one of midtown's newest boutiques, is hosting an evening of speed dating, live music and unlimited wine for everyone who finds themselves sans sweetheart this Valentine's day. Says owner Liz Liles, "everyone's gonna be in love."

Festivities will take place in the courtyard behind the Buffcastle shop. The normally empty courtyard will be filled with tables, and the dates will be timed and limited to three minutes each. Liles has also dedicated an unused area of her shop as a "kissing corner." New couples can take advantage of a photobooth to document their first date.

Dating will commence at six in the evening, this saturday. Live music will begin at eight. Buffcastle is located at 1115 21st street, in between K and L streets. Admission is two dollars per person.

Raoul Kleven on "Roller derby lives! "

2009-02-06T01:00:04Z

I've always wanted to go to one of these. Is it anything like 'Rollerball'?

Short Shorts at the Crest Theater

2009-02-06T00:57:26Z

Looking for octopi, out-of-body experiences, and a romance that takes place entirely in a public restroom? You'll find them in some of 2009's Oscar-nominated short films, which will be showing at the Crest Theater from the sixth to the twelfth of February.

Ten animated and five live-action short films are being presented, with entries from all around the world. The live-action and animated films are being shown on different programs, with each program requiring a separate ticket for admission. In addition to the five Oscar-nominated animated films, five "Commendable" films are also being shown on the animated program.

Many of the films have already gotten critical acclaim, among them "Oktapodi," an animated short by the French Director Julien Bocabeille, which follows two octopi as they attempt to escape from a restauranteur, and "New Boy," a live-action short by Irish Director Steph Green, an adaptation of a short story about a nine year old African refugee named Joseph experiencing his first day of school in Ireland.

The Crest Theater is located at 1013 K street, with parking available in the garage on 10th and L streets. Movie times and other information on the Crest's upcoming events can be found by calling (916) 442-7378 or by visiting the Theater's website.

Will any readers be attending? Does anyone have a story or opinion about the Crest or any of the short films playing?

Raoul Kleven on "Editorial: Facebook and community"

2009-02-04T01:06:38Z

I would like to point out that print media is not any more trustworthy than electronic media, but slightly harder to alter after the fact. There are many examples of news articles going up on the CNN, MSNBC, NY Times, and others, and then being removed without comment several hours later. And I think my point about electronic media depending on the whim of electric and telecommunications companies is still valid.

Raoul Kleven on "Editorial: Facebook and community"

2009-02-04T00:25:17Z

I'd like to mention that I think print media is still valuable, and that I am foursquare against an absolutely electronic media. The fact is, anything on the internet is very mutable, and to a certain degree, untrustworthy. Having a hard copy provides a valuable record that is not dependent on the whims of electric and telephone companies.

Raoul Kleven on "Editorial: Facebook and community"

2009-02-03T08:58:08Z

I was listening to NPR the other day, and there was a segment about social networking sites. The main thrust of the segment was that they, by themselves, are not adequate substitutes for human contact, and it had some research behind it. This is something that I can totally agree with. However, sites like facebook are excellent (and I hate to belabor the word) tools to arrange actual social contact. That said, I do think that periods of disconnectedness are as important as community, and when you are constantly available by cell phone or internet, that kind of solitude can be lacking.

Lance Armstrong comes to Sacramento

2009-02-03T03:58:35Z

Come Valentine's Day, Sacramento will be home to America's largest cycling event, the Amgen Tour of California. Lance Armstrong, the seven-time winner of the Tour de France, will be participating as a member of the Astana Cycling Team. Sixteen other teams from around the world will also be competing.

The Tour of California is a Tour de France-style road race. The Sacramento stage of the race will take place on the Capitol Mall and begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, with an estimated end time of 4:00 p.m. Since the 2009 race begins in Sacramento, this stage is called the 'prologue' and will consist of riders completing the course one at a time, racing against each other's time. "Thousands of spectators are expected" to attend, said Julio Villa, a Tour course marshall and part-time bike mechanic.

Two days before the race, Thursday, Feb. 12, the Memorial Auditorium will host a black-tie optional Team Presentation and Gala, providing an opportunity for enthusiasts and supporters to meet with the world-class cyclists participating in the tour.

"Not only will this event bring a substantial economic boost to this community, it allows us to foster community pride by showcasing Sacramento on a world stage and bringing some of the world’s best athletes to our city,” said Steve Hammond, president and CEO of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, in a press release on the Tour website.

Tickets start at $300 and can be bought by calling 808-8984.

The first Tour of California was held in 1971 and was organized by Peter Rich, a Berkeley bicycle shop owner. Due to a lack of funds, it was not followed by another until 2006, but since then it has been an annual occurrence, drawing the attention and money of the international cycling community to California. 2009 is the first year the Tour will be covered by Eurosport, a European satellite and cable TV company.

The Tour is being sponsored by Amgen, a biotechnology company focused on disease research and treatment. In 2005 it founded Breakaway from Cancer as a complement to its sponsorship of the Tour. Amgen is also partnered with the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Armstrong has said that he chose to race in the Amgen Tour of California because of "the race's record of supporting cancer awareness and research." Armstrong is a survivor of testicular cancer.

Who in our readership is planning to attend? Does anyone have stories from previous Tours?

Raoul Kleven on "Girls in chiffon dresses: The fashions of Michael Lopez"

2009-02-02T22:10:51Z

Well, you know, go on down to Atelier!

Girls in chiffon dresses: The fashions of Michael Lopez

2009-01-30T00:27:38Z

The fashion capitols of the world: Paris, Milan, New York, Sacramento? Maybe not yet. Sacramento does produce its share of talented designers however, like Amy Hemmens of Naik Fur and Trisha Rhomberg of Pretty Trashy, and Sacramento brands can be seen in boutiques across the country. Recently, Sacramento Press sat down with Michael Lopez, one of a number of promising young designers, to talk about his fall collection, fashion in Sacramento, and his decision to decamp to Los Angeles.

Tell me about your most recent collections.

Oh, it's all party things. Things I thought could be worn on New Year's eve, or parties after. Right now it's just see-thru chiffon ruffle dress that, I don't know, you could wear while hanging out in a wheat field with daisies. That's just what's been on my mind lately, wheat fields and daisies. I'm inspired by nature and the natural world. In the fall I did themes. I did Russian, plaid, farmland type dresses. They're like ankle length ruffle plaid dresses.

What are you working on for spring?

Right now I'm working on see-through chiffon dresses for spring and summer. I just like see-through clothes. They're one of a kind. I don't know, some of the things I've made are totally unique - I just make whatever comes to mind.

Where do you shop for clothes in Sacramento?

Well, Atelier, of course. Also, I've been told Freestyles is a good place to go. It's pretty cheap. Cheaper than Crossroads, and a wider selection too.

For those of us not familiar with the name, what is Atelier?

It's a fashion co-op. There's a bunch of local designers coming in and selling their clothes. They can sell old vintage clothes, and there's a little sewing machine in the back they can use. If you make arrangements, I'm sure anyone could use it. Amy and Melissa Hemmens run it, and it has lots of local designers' stuff.

How did you get started?

I dont know, I just started spraying stencils on shirts, and then one day I asked my mom if we had a sewing machine and she was like yeah, why, and I was like can I use it, and she was like sure why not, because she got it as a wedding gift in the 80's and she hadn't seen it since. Ever since I was a kid I've been obsessed with fashion, it's just been my life. I've pretty much just taught myself.

No formal training at all?

Well, I'm taking the begining sewing class at city, to just brush up on the basics, buttons, zippers, and that.

What are your long term plans?

I'm planning on moving in six months. To continue school in Southern California. It's sad really, I grew up here, I was born here, I should feel some attachment to it, but there's more opportunities down there when it comes to fashion. I've already started selling my clothes in LA. But I'm not going down there for schooling in design, because I don't think a degree in fashion is that marketable right now with our economy, so I'm just going to try and get my clothes into stores and see where that takes me.

Is there anything you want to add?

No, I'm so bad at this.

Michael Lopez designs can be found at Atelier in Sacramento, and Show Pony in Los Angeles.

Raoul Kleven on "Recycling Rush: Is he relevant?"

2009-01-29T21:31:09Z

Speaking as someone with a decidedly leftist viewpoint, I didn't like Air America all that much. Trapper is right- they didn't really offer compelling programming. I used to listen to Bernie Ward on KGO - he had a good program. It's a little disappointing that there aren't any liberal talk radio hosts locally.

Raoul Kleven on "Recycling Rush: Is he relevant?"

2009-01-29T07:53:02Z

It seems reasonable to ask if Rush was making such a big deal about the bailout when a Republican administration was implementing it. I ask the question honestly not knowing what he said - does anyone else? As an aside, why is it that no one ever decries the socialism that pays for the police department, or the fire department, or the military?

Science Comedy: It's Infectious!

2009-01-22T02:12:42Z

"I'm not a doctor, although I do play one in the broken dreams of my parents." So says Brian Malow, a Bay Area-based comic and "day shift astronomer". Combining a sharp but down-to-earth sense of humor with a subject matter that ranges from the bottom of the ocean to the farthest reaches of the universe, Malow is "Earth's premier science comedian," and this Thursday he can be seen at Sacramento's very own Punch Line comedy club.

Although he has performed many times before in Sacramento as part of a standard three or four person bill, January 22nd marks the first time Malow will bring his full show, "Rational Comedy For An Irrational World." While local comedian Kieth Lowell Jensen will provide an opening act, the show is mostly Malow, and will be followed by a Q&A session, where Malow takes questions from the audience on "anything they want to ask... and I do my best to answer them and be funny."

While his material covers topics like quantum physics and time travel, a doctorate is not necessary to enjoy Malow's shows. He describes himself as an "enthusiast" and an "educated amateur," and says that most of his audiences are people just like him: Average people who happen to have a passion for science. Malow does perform for all-scientist groups however, and says that on those occasions "I can speak exactly the way I want to speak. Make the geeky references I naturally make and the crowd is in perfect sync with me. We're on the same wavelength."

Malow has been a stand up comedian for years, and says "the science was always there in my regular club act. But I always had a few bits that I knew were too obscure for typical comedy club audiences." As his act progressed, he realized that the bits he regularly omitted were his favorite jokes, and decided to begin billing himself as a science comedian and started seeking out performances for science organizations.

Malow has performed for a diverse cross-section of groups, ranging from colleges like Stanford University and Modesto Junior College, to corporate events with Apple, Microsoft, and Texaco. He has also appeared on TechTV, the Discovery Channel, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Several Science-Advocacy groups count Brian Malow among their members. He is on the advisory board of the San Diego Science Festival, and he is also currently working with the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS) which is making a massive nationwide effort this year to promote science this year, involving over 500 organizations.

Clips of Malow's comedy can be found here, and his website and blog can be found here.

Malow will be appearing at the Punch Line comedy club on January 22nd, at 8:30.

Raoul Kleven on "Discussion: nightlife during hard times"

2009-01-15T23:21:57Z

As far as my own (admittedly narrow) nightlife interests go, I just wish there were more under-21 places to dance. Alcohol is not strictly necessary for it to be 'nightlife' in my book. Doesn't hurt, though.

Raoul Kleven on "Alley Cat Racing in Sacramento"

2009-01-15T21:52:37Z

This is a pretty good articulation of my feelings on the subject as well. Thanks for commenting. Edit: Let me clarify that I have no problem at all with being cool for cool's sake. That's, well, cool.

Raoul Kleven on "State of the People"

2009-01-15T19:11:58Z

This kind of thing is important to cover- a lot of people depend on those programs to make their lives livable. Those cuts affect me as a student, they affect the older members of my family, plus they offend my sense of decency. Also: There's currently a protest going on in front of the capitol. It seemed to be about the budget, but there was also a big van that said 'Sodomy is Sin' so I don't know for sure.

Raoul Kleven on "Alley Cat Racing in Sacramento"

2009-01-15T18:53:07Z

Well, when I was at Lucky Lefty's looking at the map and talking to people, I got some names thrown my way ("what asshole brought a road bike?") but on the whole, people are friendly.

Raoul Kleven on "What are fixed gear bikes?"

2009-01-15T18:48:17Z

A few of my friends use clip-ins on their fixed gears. It usually doesn't pose a problem, but once I saw someone fall down at a stop light while trying to track-stand (balance the bike without moving forward or backward) and since he was clipped in, he fell with the bike and just kind of squirmed around on the road for a minute before he managed to unclip.

Raoul Kleven on "What are fixed gear bikes?"

2009-01-15T08:35:39Z

Yeah, that is a rather common sentiment, and one that isn't without a grain of truth. However, more and more non-hipsters (as an aside, the word hipster and its misuses deserves an entire article to themselves, but maybe not on the Press) are riding them. As I was biking to the press today (on a single speed road bike) I saw a state worker looking guy riding one down O street. PS: Hey look, we are the same person! I really ought to get a picture up. Edit: Oh, you got a picture.

Alley Cat Racing in Sacramento

2009-01-15T00:39:40Z

Friday evening, you may have run into a crowd of cyclists pedaling their way downtown, uptown, and back again. The racing term for this group is a peloton. These rather enthusiastic riders were in the midst of the Sacramento Alley Cat bike race.

The Alley Cat is an unsanctioned bike race, checkpoint-to-checkpoint, where the emphasis is placed not on speed, but on knowing the layout of the city. Races are always open course, taking place in street traffic.

40 riders took off for the five checkpoints of the race which stretched from Lucky Lefty's on 16th Street all the way to West Sacramento and back.

Many others who came chose not to race, but remained at Lucky Lefty's, watching a bike-trick exhibition in the parking lot next door. Most people attending planned to go to the Sacramento premier of Macaframa, a feature-length film of track bike riding and tricks, being held at the Crest Theatre.

Alley Cat racing originated in the bike messenger community of Toronto in 1986, but it has since spread all over the world, with races being held from Atlanta to Australia, and of course, Sacramento.

While bike messengers are the driving force behind the production and organization of these races, non-messengers are free to enter and participate. Most participants ride fixed gear track bikes, and while most are welcoming to newcomers, some look down on people riding geared or single speed bikes.

The Alley Cat was largely organized by Lucky Lefty's, a streetwear boutique that recently opened up in the space formerly occupied by the Kehlet Typewriter company.

Are any of our readers bicycle racing enthusiasts? What do they think of this sort of bike race? Did anyone see the race or stumble into the midst of it?

Photos courtesy of Timothy Mar.

What are fixed gear bikes?

2009-01-15T00:05:55Z

Recently, fixed-gear biking has become rather popular among young urbanites. Some readers might be asking, 'what exactly is a fixed gear?' To answer their questions, I put together a brief FAQ on the subject.

So what makes a fixed gear bike different from any other bike?

The most distinguishing and easily identifiable characteristic of a fixed gear bike is that it cannot coast like other bikes, because the bike's single gear is directly connected to both the chain and wheel. Whenever the wheels of the bike are moving, the pedals are moving. Because of this, it is possible to slow and stop the bike by applying rearward pressure to the bike pedals. Most fixed gear bikes are track bikes, originally meant for cycling in velodromes, oval-shaped track arenas, but any type of bicycle can be converted to a fixed gear.

Why Fixed Gear?

Fixed gear bikes, having only one gear, are considerably lighter and easier to maintain than other bikes. They only get lighter and simpler when the brakes are removed, as they often are. Avid cyclists say that the constant use of leg muscles in pedaling and stopping increases muscle suppleness and pedaling rhythm.

No brakes?

That's right. The rationale behind removing brakes is to remove weight and potential maintenance trouble. Stopping the bike can be done by pushing back against the pedals, as noted previously, or by executing a bike trick known as a 'skid,' where the rear wheel is removed from the ground briefly by the rider leaning forward, and locking the pedals in place, which causes the bike to skid to a halt. The lack of brakes has led to accidents and at least one death. While some fixed gear riders chose to keep the front brake, most discard them entirely, citing either performance or stylistic reasons.

Do any readers ride on of these fixed gear bikes? What do they think of this FAQ? Has anyone had an experience in traffic with one?

Photos courtesy of users gromgull and veganstraightedge on flickr.com.

Raoul Kleven on "Heat Wave!"

2009-01-14T22:49:51Z

Yeah, quite apart from the terrible, civilization-destroying consequences of global warming, I really just don't like hot weather. I sweat. It seems like my entire life (spent in Sacramento) summers have been getting longer and winters shorter, and I don't like it.

Raoul Kleven on "Q & A with DJ and Artist Parker Scott"

2009-01-11T04:19:24Z

Good job on the article, Jonathan. I'm just about to go out for the Second Saturday of the month, and I think I'll stop by this exhibition.

Raoul Kleven on "Pro-Gaza Protests At Robert T. Matsui Courthouse"

2009-01-10T18:56:40Z

By which I meant to illustrate that in terms of the violence they can cause, the sides are rather mismatched. The Israelis, by virtue of their large military, can commit much larger acts of violence than the Palestinians, who, since they don't possess a modern military, are limited to asymmetrical forms of warfare. Not to imply that all Palestinians are just about to blow themselves up, nor that all Israelis spend their lunch breaks shooting Palestinians.

Raoul Kleven on "Pro-Gaza Protests At Robert T. Matsui Courthouse"

2009-01-10T00:48:10Z

Speaking as the writer of this article, I'd like to point out that no point of view is endorsed. I only reported the opinions of the people there. I'm not reporting on what's happening in Gaza, but what's happening in Sacramento. Speaking personally, I think it's ridiculous to talk of nations having rights. Nations do what they want, to the extent that they have the power to do it. The Israelis have had enough power to conquer and expel the natives from the regions they've chosen to settle. The Palestinians have had the power to blow themselves up in cafes and on buses, and to launch shoddily made rockets at Israel.

Pro-Gaza Protests At Robert T. Matsui Courthouse

2009-01-09T19:55:28Z

Approximately 100 Protesters chanting "Free Free Palestine" and holding large Palestinian, American, and UN flags assembled outside the Robert Matsui courthouse on the corner of 5th and I Streets yesterday, in the latest of a series of gatherings to protest the ongoing Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip.

Protesters said they were there to raise awareness of the aggressive actions of Israel, and the US policy of support for Israel in the form of arms shipments. Naseer Abboushi, of the Palestinian - American Congress, said "We want a diplomatic solution to end the fighting and get a long- term solution. We believe that this can be achieved diplomatically."

Not all protesters were Palestinian or Muslim. Kimberly Wenz, who described herself as "a true Christian American," said that the situation in Gaza was "unacceptable," that "true Israelis care about Palestine," and pointed out the large disparity between the modern military of Israel and the "starving and homeless" population of Palestine. She was accompanied by James Gregory, a Native American who said he saw many similarities between the history of Palestine and that of the American Indians.

Other protesters, when asked, said that the protest was organized by word of mouth, and many of the protesters did seem to know each other. About half of those present looked to be under the age of 18 (much like the population of the Gaza strip, incidentally), and several were wearing sweatshirts from Al Arqam College Prep, a South Sacramento Islamic private school.

One man, who declined to be named, compared the situation in Gaza to that of the Jewish ghettoes in Poland during the Second World War.

Did any readers see the protest? Was anyone involved? What do you think about these demonstrations?

Raoul Kleven on "Time Tested Books launches 2009 Poetry Series"

2009-01-08T23:34:18Z

I absolutely love Time Tested. Their selection of political science and theory books has no rival in the city. Also a big fan of the dollar rack. I've seen B.L. Kennedy at Luna's and been impressed. This looks good!

Raoul Kleven on "No Outlet"

2009-01-08T22:19:01Z

Oftentimes, when I'm biking around town, cars will forget that bikes have a right to the street as valid as their own, and so I'm often forced to take (rather sudden) detours onto sidewalks or down alleyways. Running into a No Outlet sign at 25 mph or so would be unpleasant.

Raoul Kleven on "Strong mayor initiative and petition"

2009-01-08T22:10:03Z

Looking over the list of supporters on the 'Sacramentans for Accountability' website, I saw mostly business owners. Also the VP of the Sacramento Police Officers association, the president of the California AARP, a former member of the state legislature, and the co-chair of Sacramento for Obama. While there isn't anything wrong with this, it just seemed like there wasn't the voice of an average citizen anywhere on the list. I'd like to know more about who's organizing Sacramentans for Accountability.

Raoul Kleven on "Michael Phelps receives a key to the city"

2009-01-07T23:48:20Z

I'd like to take issue with the statement that Sacramento deserves to be a world class city. Personally, I like that Sacramento is not San Francisco, and I'm satisfied with the fact that things are maybe a little slower paced here. I'd like to see a city government that focused on making a more safe, livable city, not one that spends its time chasing glamor and some ephemeral idea of being a 'world city.'

Raoul Kleven on "Slow death of the Record Store?"

2009-01-07T22:30:02Z

As much as my sympathies are with small record stores, I can't deny how terribly convenient itunes is. True, there's no interaction with a music clerk (of course, that isn't always a benign sort of meeting. Usually, but not always) but having the flexibility to pick three or four songs out of an album is pretty seductive. Is only buying songs as singles necessarily a good thing, though? What happens to the idea of a cohesive album of songs that are designed to be appreciated together?

Raoul Kleven on "A stronger mayor for a stronger Sacramento?"

2009-01-07T22:19:38Z

In theory, I'm very in favor of increasing the accountability of city officials, but I'm also a little wary about overly centralizing authority in one person. I'd like to see specifics on the changes, as well.

Raoul Kleven on "Next New Year's Eve?"

2009-01-07T22:16:29Z

I dropped by K street just before the ball was dropped, and I have to confess, I was a little underwhelmed. It was a little, well, little, like Jonathan Mendick mentioned. The crowd was great though, even though I had stupidly decided to bring my bike with me into the crowd. It was a little exhilarating to see so many people out on the streets - it wasn't anything I'd really seen before in Sacramento.