The Rind, a new cheese bar in Midtown with a rustic-meets-modern look and a farm-to-fork inspired menu, opens today at at 18th and L streets next to Buckhorn Grill. The focus of Rind remains the same from when we interviewed her last summer, while the plans were still in development. “Our mission will be to pair wines, beers, ports and bubblies with the featured cheeses so you get to learn how to enjoy them together,” owner Sara Arbabian said at the time. “We’re looking to create a really comfortable and fun environment where you sit down at the bar and order a cheese plate and a glass of whatever you’re jonesing for.” At the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Arbabian said she was g

A ban on single-use plastic bans could be a step closer to becoming the law of the land in Sacramento next week. An ordinance to ban certain stores in Sacramento from distributing single bags has been drafted and will be considered by a City Council committee on Tuesday. The ordinance, which would also require a minimum $.10 fee on recycled paper bags and reusable bags, will go before the Law and Legislation Committee during their 3 p.m. meeting. Mayor Kevin Johnson supports the proposed ban. "The economic and environmental costs of single-use plastic bags simply outweigh any short term benefit," he wrote in a letter. "Phasing out single-use plastic bags will reduce pollution and the c

A plan to make it easier for big-box stores like WalMart to open in Sacramento will be considered by a city comission Thursday. The proposal to repeal the city's "Superstore Ordinance," ending the requirement that city study the economic impact of any big-box megastores planning to locate in Sacramento, will go before the Design and Planning Commission during their 5 p.m. meeting. Several business groups have written letters of support (Metro Chamber, The Natomas Chamber, Asian-Pacific Chamber, Regional Builders), but the idea has also drawn opposition from activists concerned that it could make it easier for a Walmart to open in the city. "We feel that the city council was visionary to

UPDATE The Sacramento Police Department is seeking information regarding a fatal hit-and-run vehicle collision. On Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at 1:28 a.m., a pedestrian was struck and fatally injured by a vehicle in the area of 19th and X Streets. The 51-year-old man was crossing the street in a wheelchair when he was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on X Street. Sacramento Police Major Collision Investigation Unit responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. It is believed at this time that an early model 2000 2-door white Honda or Acura was responsible for the hit-and-run. A witness last saw the vehicle travelling eastbound on X Street from 19th Street just after the

Update (5/22, 9:00 a.m.): The director of Public Works, Jerry Way, meet with Terry Preston of WalkSacramento and the West High School students after the City Council meeting on Tuesday, and directed them to seek funding for the crosswalk from the Sacramento Unified School District. Sacramento Councilmember Kevin Mccarty had arranged the meeting. Preston said he was encouraged by the conversation and would reach out to the school district soon. Sac Press will cover the efforts to get a crosswalk at 58th and Fruitridge as they develop.   -- A crosswalk in South Sacramento that activists and community members call dangerous won’t get a traffic light for another 25 years, but it could eith