Friday, April 18, 2008

Things to do around town this weekend

The weather looks sunny and mild for the weekend, a perfect Sacramento spring. The pollen counts are still a little off the charts for me to imagine a weekend outside but if you're one of the few Sacramentans who is allergy free, we've got outside ideas for you too!

*UC Davis Picnic Day- Saturday. The parade ceremony begins at 9am. Kids events, cooking demonstrations, animal shows and so much more follow. If you've never been to Picnic Day, with or without kids, you really have to check it out. Parking can be difficult so plan ahead. Most events are free of charge and parking on campus is free for the day.

*Farm, Friends and Fairytales- Sunday. Take the kids to Fairytale town and celebrate California's agricultural history. Kids will make ice cream and see the process of food from the farm to your table.

*Meet Kevin Johnson- Land Park Block Party- Saturday, 2pm. Go find out for yourself if the hype is for real.

*Bodies Revealed- You've got two weeks to see the all the gore and strangeness before the exhibit moves on.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Mayorial Debate- set for May 7th at California Museum

May 7th we will get an opportunity to see what the city plans are from our mayoral candidates. The Bee, News 10 and the California Museum will host the debate with an hour broadcast live on News 10 from 6 to 7pm, followed by a 30-min online discussion.

People have complained that Kevin Johnson would not agree to a debate. Perhaps those complaining should have waited a few weeks to give Johnson a chance to get his campaign up and running, to develop policy and position statements and to form a campaign team before whining.

I find it entirely reassuring that Johnson wanted to take time to have details before entering a debate. It's not interesting or informational for anyone for a candidate to debate by saying "I will have a policy on that." We want to see and hear actual information. In recent weeks, Johnson has issued a crime plan that lead to the endorsement of the Sacramento Police Officers Association. These are the kinds of details that I want to see.

Fargo's own website (which is new) does not talk about the future. She takes credit for many accomplishments of the past, most of which were team efforts or efforts of the city manager that she rubber stamped. We all know what's happened in the past, we were here. I want to know what her plans are for the future.

So Mayor Fargo and all the candidates running for office, since you've agreed to debate, I challenge you to lay out a 5 and 10 year plan for the city. I want to see your vision. I want you to specifically address:
  • Plans for Railyard Development
  • Plans for downtown and K street redevelopment, including what to do with the big holes left in the ground from failed projects
  • Flood control and how you will work with SAFCA, the feds and environmental groups
  • Crime control and fire control plans
  • North Natomas development
  • Lightrail and DNA line development
If we're going to be a world-class city, we need a world-class visionary to follow through.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

What did you do with my radio?

My very favorite TalkCity 1240Am has vanished into thin air. Last week we were on a road trip and I turned on the radio at 9am to hear Ed Schultz, only to be blasted with gospel music. What? Where did my Air America go?

According to this post on Sacramento for Democracy, the radio station was having trouble supporting the format. Despite very strong ratings and a large listening community, ad sales just weren't making the profits required to keep it up and running. So while not too long ago Sacramento had two progressive talk radio stations, we're down to none. You can still get conservative talk on two stations here in town but progressives have been sent scouring the net for podcasts and live broadcasts.

Pathetic. In an election year where we have to make major decisions to guide the direction of our country, we can only hear one side of the talk. Don't give up- the information is available you just have to find a different outlet. Air America has listen live broadcasts for most shows including Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartmann and Rachel Maddow.

While you're listening live, send an email to Air America and let them know we're here and still wishing to listen. Even if you're a conservative and you never turned on the station once, part of free speech means opportunity. If you can't find it and you can't hear it, it's not free... the Chinese also have free speech... as long as they say what the government wants.
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