So much to do this weekend, so little time! The sun is shining and it looks like spring in Sacramento. Turn off the TV and get out of your house and enjoy a little excitement around town.
*Things to do with kids*
Dr. Seuss Read-a-thon at Fairytale town, Saturday from 11am to 3pm. See Francie Dillon, play games, make crafts and read lots and lots of stories.
Arden Fair Kids Club Science Wizard, Saturday at 10am. Hit the mall and entertain the kids, then have lunch or sneak in some shopping for yourself.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, B Street Theatre, Saturday and Sunday, 1pm and 4pm. Introduce the kids to theatre the easy way- at B Street! The show is intended for kids 6 and up.
*Great Dates this weekend*
Food for Thought, Sacramento Public Library Foundation Authors on the Move series, Saturday at 5pm. A fundraiser, silent auction and dinner to benefit the library. Dave Bender will MC andnearly 40 popular authors from the area will be in attendance.
Blue Line Gallery Grand Opening Exibition, Roseville, through May 3rd. See the latest and greatest art gallery in Roseville. Showing Art and Illusion: Selections from the Frederick R. Weisman Foundation.
Picnic in a Park, anytime. The weather is perfect for a late afternoon picnic. Pack it at home or visit one of our favorite picnic-packing spots like Sellands, Corti Bros, Trader Joes, or just get cupcakes from Babycakes!
*Getting ready for spring*
Sacramento Home and Garden show, through Sunday. Do something about that mess of a backyard, plan a gorgeous outdoor kitchen, learn about sunrooms, SMUD energy conservation programs and much more. Plus your spouse will think you are making an effort and stop yelling at you to do something!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Natomas lightrail DNA line is back on?
It appears from the Bee and RT that RT has decided to fast-track the Downtown-Natomas-Airport (DNA) line, with a target completion date of 2017. This is three years faster than we reported last April. I know, it's 2008, so we're still looking at nearly 10 years of construction so I'm not holding my breath. But it's a step in the right direction. The RT board will hear public comments tonight at 6pm and the public comment period ends tomorrow.
There has been volumes of debate about the cost, the time, the location and probably even the paint color they use on the trains. But the reality of the situation is, a big city needs alternate modes of transportation and a way to get to the airport. If Sacramento wants to truly be a "green city" we must have a light rail system that is functional, quick and reliable. It makes no sense to me that the original light rail line didn't include an airport stop.
I've heard the comments about putting the tracks on Truxel and the dangers. That's just more bad planning on the city's part and a lack of foresight. I don't agree with the RT plan of where to run the line, but that doesn't mean the entire plan is bad. Running the line down Truxel increases transportation to the high school, the South Natomas library, Arco and to shopping areas. It's not the best idea, but it will work. RT can increase safety by monitoring the area, particularly around the high school, where traffic tends to be a younger, less safe group of drivers and pedestrians.
I also think the prediction of lowering car traffic from Natomas by 1% is simply shortsighted. As traffic increases to downtown, parking costs and gas rise and the economy bounces around, RT has no idea what will happen. If the schedule is convenient, passengers are safe and trains are clean, people will ride.
Also not factored into this 1% is out of town travelers. It would be a huge bonus for the Sac CVB to be able to sell conventions with light rail to the airport. As it currently stands, convention visitors have to rent cars or use buses (RT or private) to get downtown. I'm already envisioning a huge green living and sustainability convention that requires no cars or buses to get around. The tax dollars spent will be worth the return when the convention center, downtown hotels and shopping, restaurants and other tourist locations start to fill up.
On to the most hysterical part of this entire debate. As we have commented before, bus service to Natomas is nonexistent on the weekends. RT had to supplement their own bus service for public open houses because people couldn't use RT to get there:
"RT will offer supplemental bus service on Route 11 from downtown Sacramento to the open house at Inderkum High School on Saturday, February 9. Buses will depart from 3rd and J streets every 30 minutes from 9:07 a.m. to 11:07 a.m. The last return trip from Inderkum High School to downtown Sacramento will depart at 12:10 p.m." (from the RT press release here)
There has been volumes of debate about the cost, the time, the location and probably even the paint color they use on the trains. But the reality of the situation is, a big city needs alternate modes of transportation and a way to get to the airport. If Sacramento wants to truly be a "green city" we must have a light rail system that is functional, quick and reliable. It makes no sense to me that the original light rail line didn't include an airport stop.
I've heard the comments about putting the tracks on Truxel and the dangers. That's just more bad planning on the city's part and a lack of foresight. I don't agree with the RT plan of where to run the line, but that doesn't mean the entire plan is bad. Running the line down Truxel increases transportation to the high school, the South Natomas library, Arco and to shopping areas. It's not the best idea, but it will work. RT can increase safety by monitoring the area, particularly around the high school, where traffic tends to be a younger, less safe group of drivers and pedestrians.
I also think the prediction of lowering car traffic from Natomas by 1% is simply shortsighted. As traffic increases to downtown, parking costs and gas rise and the economy bounces around, RT has no idea what will happen. If the schedule is convenient, passengers are safe and trains are clean, people will ride.
Also not factored into this 1% is out of town travelers. It would be a huge bonus for the Sac CVB to be able to sell conventions with light rail to the airport. As it currently stands, convention visitors have to rent cars or use buses (RT or private) to get downtown. I'm already envisioning a huge green living and sustainability convention that requires no cars or buses to get around. The tax dollars spent will be worth the return when the convention center, downtown hotels and shopping, restaurants and other tourist locations start to fill up.
On to the most hysterical part of this entire debate. As we have commented before, bus service to Natomas is nonexistent on the weekends. RT had to supplement their own bus service for public open houses because people couldn't use RT to get there:
"RT will offer supplemental bus service on Route 11 from downtown Sacramento to the open house at Inderkum High School on Saturday, February 9. Buses will depart from 3rd and J streets every 30 minutes from 9:07 a.m. to 11:07 a.m. The last return trip from Inderkum High School to downtown Sacramento will depart at 12:10 p.m." (from the RT press release here)
Friday, February 22, 2008
Great things to do around town this weekend
A big storm is coming late Saturday and early Sunday so what should you do? First tie down all the stuff in your backyard that is likely to hit the neighbor's house. Make sure you have candles and flashlights available. Then get ready to get out of the house and do something fun!
* Bodies Revealed *
If you haven't checked out Bodies Revealed yet, now is your chance. It's a bizarre assortment of over 200 bodies on display. Learn more about human anatomy then you ever wanted to know. Open through the end of April.
* California Museum for History, Women & The Arts *
Check out Maria Shriver's pet project this weekend. You can see the California Hall of Fame, including original prints by Ansel Adams, Tiger Woods' golf clubs and more. The museum also features several other exhibits about California history. Open Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm.
* Watch the Oscars *
Do something amazing and spend Sunday with the Capital City AIDS Fund in their Oscar Night party at the Hyatt. Enjoy a great party, check out the Oscar fashions and do something good for the city all at the same time.
* Visit a new Sacramento area restaurant (or new to you) *
Have you been to Ella Dining Room or Paul Martin's American Bistro? Perhaps a more casual joint serves you better like Suzie Burger, Hot Rod or Chicago Fire Pizza. Looking for dessert? Try Sweeties, Babycakes or for a more exotic flavor try Mochii.
Want to get out of town for the weekend? Copia is featuring Death by Chocolate: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting. Saturday from 1pm to 4pm. Tickets are $45 general admission, $35 Copia members.
* Bodies Revealed *
If you haven't checked out Bodies Revealed yet, now is your chance. It's a bizarre assortment of over 200 bodies on display. Learn more about human anatomy then you ever wanted to know. Open through the end of April.
* California Museum for History, Women & The Arts *
Check out Maria Shriver's pet project this weekend. You can see the California Hall of Fame, including original prints by Ansel Adams, Tiger Woods' golf clubs and more. The museum also features several other exhibits about California history. Open Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-5pm.
* Watch the Oscars *
Do something amazing and spend Sunday with the Capital City AIDS Fund in their Oscar Night party at the Hyatt. Enjoy a great party, check out the Oscar fashions and do something good for the city all at the same time.
* Visit a new Sacramento area restaurant (or new to you) *
Have you been to Ella Dining Room or Paul Martin's American Bistro? Perhaps a more casual joint serves you better like Suzie Burger, Hot Rod or Chicago Fire Pizza. Looking for dessert? Try Sweeties, Babycakes or for a more exotic flavor try Mochii.
Want to get out of town for the weekend? Copia is featuring Death by Chocolate: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting. Saturday from 1pm to 4pm. Tickets are $45 general admission, $35 Copia members.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Super Tuesday is coming- get out your sample ballots!
Super Tuesday is coming and California has a chance to actually participate and matter this time around. Candidates are all over the state (though we always get ignored up here!) and really making a push for California delegates.
My thoughts? I don't care if you're Republican, Democrat, Peace and Freedom or whatever. You HAVE to vote. It is your civic duty and responsibility as an American to vote. And frankly, if you don't vote, you can't bitch about it later. If you feel like there aren't any candidates you can support, at least write in someone you can.
If you're in Sacramento County- click on the following links if you need help election day:
Polling Place Lookup
Absentee Instructions
Election Day Info
Not sure who to vote for yet or need research? Visit Project Vote Smart for biographies, voting records and campaign finance information.
Just a reminder, in California, if you are a registered Independent or a Decline to State voter, you can ask for a Democratic ballot. If you don't, you can only vote on propositions this time around. The Republicans do not let others vote in their primaries so you're out of luck there. If you want to vote in the Democratic Primary, you have to ask when you check in for a Democratic ballot.
This year I feel really inspired and can't stop telling all my friends about Barack Obama. I worked for the Clintons in 1996 in their women's outreach office and on the inaugural committee in DC. But Hillary just isn't convincing me that she has Bill under control or that she is ready to take on the world. Plus the crying? Ugh. Yeah that'll work well in meeting with Musharraf. Obama has the power to inspire and motivate millions of Americans to make our country great again. He had it right on the war from the beginning. He knows what it takes to get things done and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. I'd be proud to have him as our President.
My thoughts? I don't care if you're Republican, Democrat, Peace and Freedom or whatever. You HAVE to vote. It is your civic duty and responsibility as an American to vote. And frankly, if you don't vote, you can't bitch about it later. If you feel like there aren't any candidates you can support, at least write in someone you can.
If you're in Sacramento County- click on the following links if you need help election day:
Polling Place Lookup
Absentee Instructions
Election Day Info
Not sure who to vote for yet or need research? Visit Project Vote Smart for biographies, voting records and campaign finance information.
Just a reminder, in California, if you are a registered Independent or a Decline to State voter, you can ask for a Democratic ballot. If you don't, you can only vote on propositions this time around. The Republicans do not let others vote in their primaries so you're out of luck there. If you want to vote in the Democratic Primary, you have to ask when you check in for a Democratic ballot.
This year I feel really inspired and can't stop telling all my friends about Barack Obama. I worked for the Clintons in 1996 in their women's outreach office and on the inaugural committee in DC. But Hillary just isn't convincing me that she has Bill under control or that she is ready to take on the world. Plus the crying? Ugh. Yeah that'll work well in meeting with Musharraf. Obama has the power to inspire and motivate millions of Americans to make our country great again. He had it right on the war from the beginning. He knows what it takes to get things done and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. I'd be proud to have him as our President.
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