Things to do in Sacramento

From left, L'Bel Paris' Katie Smithson, Valerie Haas and Maria Montoya.

We love it when the French import their skin-care knowledge to our fair city. And that's what happened Thursday night, when L'Bel Paris brought its skin-care collection and makeup line to Mason's Restaurant at 15th and L streets.

The L'Bel Paris entourage (which actually drove up from the San Francisco headquarters) brought samples of fragrance (for men and women), tons of lipstick and eye shadow, blushers and powders, and much-needed sunscreen products.

The star attraction, however, was the company's latest skin-care launch - a product called Collagenesse. Inspired by "collagen injections," which some of us would just as soon take a pass on, Collagenesse purports to fill in our fine lines with something called hyaluronic acid - apparently all the rage among French women. Attendees got to pump the Collagenesse testers, then make a beeline for the restroom to see the results.

The new Collagenesse line is $44 for for the Facial Corrector Lotion and $44 for the 14-day Intensive Facial Treatment program.

By the way, John Krites, L'Bel Paris' corporate training manager, was at the event. And this guy smelled really, REALLY good. He sold me on, of all things, a men's fragrance that I'm giving a test drive. It's already gotten rave sniffs. It's called Energetique; check it and other L'Bel Paris products out at www.lbel.com.

-- Leigh Grogan

DJ AM made his Sacramento debut at The Park Downtown in March, and I was totally sad to have missed it. But fate and promoters have been kind, and it looks like my second chance is nigh. AM, nee Adam Goldstein, is spinning at The Park Ultra Lounge on July 6. Pre-sale tickets are $25, a fee I might just be willing to pay given that I've always been curious about the skills of the sometime-fiance of Nicole Richie.

-- Lisa Heyamoto

Check it out: The Rage nightclub is trading in its admittedly dated decor for a fresh new look and a new name, to boot.

As one of Sac's longest-running clubs, the Rage has been slowly changing over the last few months, and starting the week of July 12, it will be reborn as Barcode.

The concept is sort of a mini version of The Park Downtown, but with a more modern, red and silver lounge-y feel and a more open layout. That's according to Mason Wong, owner of both The Park and the soon-to-come Barcode.

And, don't worry, kids - it'll still be all-ages on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, although Saturdays will be 21-and-over only.

Sounds cool to me. I'm heading out to check it out, and you can read all about it in my nightlife column in an upcoming issue of Friday Ticket.

See how I did the tie-in thing? Not just a hat rack, my friends.

-- Lisa Heyamoto

“Some things do manage to penetrate all the false heroics, all the flimsy ideology. We’re suddenly stung by our duty to a higher purpose. Our natural loyalties fall in line and we’re amazed how simple it is to honor our true heritage.”

So says Welch, the uber-American operative in Sam Shepard’s play “The God of Hell.” The speech comes near the end, when Welch has ostensibly taken control of a modest Wisconsin dairy farm and begun molding it to his own super-patriotic devices. Shepard’s play is a surreal political satire suggesting the current political administration has forced a kind of fascism on the populace.

The play is currently running at the B Street Theatre until July 16. (Read the review).

There appear to be some in our community who are less than tolerant of Mr. Shepard’s message and the B Street production, alhough it's also possible they're just not happy with the play's title and what they think it references.

Twice in the last two weeks, in the early morning hours, windows have been smashed in the front lobby of the theater where “The God of Hell” poster hangs.
“We’re debating whether the vandalism is in response to the show. But twice since the show opened...does raise questions,” says Buck Busfield, B Street's artistic director.

Busfield says this particular show has generated the most audience response in the form of letters and messages of any show he’s produced in over a decade of producing over a hundred shows. With letters, the communication is fairly straightforward. “We don’t like this play” or “We’re glad you’re doing this kind of work.”

But what does a brick through the window mean besides steady work for the glass repair man? Don’t do plays criticizing the government?

To use the character Welch's verbage - does brick/rock throwing fall under false heroics or natural heritage?

I’m not a political scientist, but it seems to me that one of the points of our country’s origin was to have a system that is open to question and criticism.
Art and artists, whether we agree or disagree with them, are necessary elements of that process.

The most intersting reponse to me is the patron who wrote Busfield saying he didn't want to see the play but included a check with his letter because he wants the theater to keep doing what it does.

-- Marcus Crowder

Just found out that the St. Louis pop band, the Hatch, is making not one but two stops in the area this week. Tonight they play the G Street pub (228 G St.) in Davis and, on Friday night, they'll high-tail it to the Roadhouse (1556 Bell Ave.) in Sacramento.

Both shows are 21-and-over only and start at 9 p.m. For more info on the band, visit its MySpace page.

Oh, and the sound? Think '70s-era piano pop - very Elton John or Joe Jackson - nice retro but not kitschy feel.

Need a jolt of caffeine? No, we're not talking about that afternoon pick-me-up you drink. Our favorite stimulant is finding its way into a variety of body-firming products, including L'Oreal's Sublime Slim Patches Targeted Body Firming Treatment. Say that 10 times, click your heels together and dimpling will disappear.

Well, not really. But if you've got a special occasion coming up this holiday weekend and a special dress to wear that bares certain areas those dumbells haven't finished fixing, these nifty patches could be your quick fix.

Here's how they work: The patches, which look sort of like a deck of cards, contain caffeine, which is absorbed into the skin and acts as a dieretic, flushing out excess water. The patches should be worn for about eight hours, and can be worn under clothing. And no, it doesn't hurt when you remove them - it's easier than a Band-Aid because there's gel-like moisturizer in 'em.

A box goes for about $14. You can't buy the patches at Starbucks, but wouldn't that be a hoot? You can find them, however, at most drugstores. Which begs a trip to the recently opened Rite Aid at 21st and S streets. Nothing like that new drugstore smell. While you're there, be sure to check out the bath and body aisle, which is adorned with what looks more like department-store shelves than those in a drugstore. Very chi-chi.

-- Leigh Grogan

I want my MTV...er, make that The Tube.

On Saturday, Fox 40 will begin airing programming from The Tube - a 24-hour music network - on one of its digital “multicasting” channels. That would be Channel 40.2.

40.2?

Yeah. And here’s the catch: You have to be a digital TV owner to get The Tube. If you don’t have a digital tuner, you’re out of luck - at least for a while. Fox 40 says in a news release that, by late summer, The Tube is expected to be available on several Sacramento cable systems. But, you’ll have to pay for it, folks. We’re not talking basic cable subscription, you know.

What will you get on The Tube? According to the press materials, the channel will feature clips from live performances by “classic” artists such as Bob Marley, U2, Prince and the Eagles as well as videos from contemporary acts such as James Blunt and Coldplay. And unlike MTV and VH-1, The Tube is promising 50 minutes of music per hour. In other words, no reality shows, game shows or fashion programs to muck up things.

We’ll see how it goes - providing we can find it on digital TV.

-- Sam McManis

What is this odd obsession with hair on Channel 31's "Good Day Sacramento?"

In May, "Good Day Sac" reaped a ratings bonanza by giving co-host Mark S. Allen a follicle makeover. (Alas, Allen has mostly returned to his old look).

Then today, it was reporter/weekend anchor Taryn Winter Brill's turn. Winter Brill - a newcomer who, by the way, is the best thing the show has added in years - has naturally curly hair. But, for some reason, it was decided that she should have straight hair.

So the dreaded flatiron, Allen's best friend, came out.

Our humble suggestion: Keep it curly, Taryn. And keep doing lively reports that don't involve your hair.

-- Sam McManis

Yee-haw!

For two years, Sacramento has been a one-country-music-station town - the modern equivalent, some would say, of being a one-horse town.

That'll change on July 4 when KCCL (101.9 FM) changes formats from “Boss Radio” – oldies rock from the 1970s and '80s – to “The Wolf,” which will feature a contemporary country playlist.

That will put the station in competition with “New Country” KNCI (105.1 FM).

“Competition is always good for the marketplace,” says Larry Lemanski, general manager of Sacramento's Entravision stations, which includes KCCL. “The opportunity is a good one, and we just figured, ‘Why not now?’”

Still, challenging KNCI might be an uphill task. KNCI was the market’s top FM station in the latest Arbitron ratings in May and was second overall behind only KFBK (1530 AM).

Late last summer, KCCL dropped its “traditional oldies” (songs from the 1950s and '60s) format for the not-as-old “Boss Radio” oldies. But it failed to make a ratings dent, finishing 18th overall.

"The competition is fierce in adult contemporary radio," says a seemingly wistful Lemanski.

"We liked Boss."

-- Sam McManis

So, as you may have read in today's Scene section, WB 58 has signed on with fledgling mini-network My Network TV and will begin airing prime-time soap operas starting Sept. 5.

Read our story for the full scoop - all that pesky who, what, where, when and how stuff. For now, we'd just like to riff on the soaps you'll be watching come fall.

They are based on the telenovas that are so popular on Spanish-language TV. But, don't even use the T-word around Elliott Troshinsky, the president of Channel 3 (KCRA) and My58TV (the new name for WB 58). He prefers the term nighttime soaps.

"What we don't want to do," Troshinsky says, "is confuse this with the Spanish model."

Why, Elliott? Are you afraid that potential viewers will read the Spanish word telenovas and immediately turn to rival Univision (KUVS)? After all, on Comcast and other cable carriers, My58TV's channel position is 4 and Univision's 5.

Even Troshinsky admits that the concept of telenovas - oops, nighttime soaps - works. "Worldwide, this format has been incredibly successful," he says.

Still, the content of the English-language versions sounds kind of cheesy to us. Two words, folks: Bo Derek. Yup, she'll be starring in a My Network TV show -“Fashion House” involves “greed, lust and blind ambition” in the fashion industry, and Derek will be making her long-awaited (OK, short-awaited) screen comeback as a powerful fashion maven.

The other soap, “Desire,” “chronicles the destruction of a family and the bonds of brotherhood...when two brothers on the run from the mafia find themselves in a heated battle of passion. betrayal, deceit and murder over the woman they both love,” according to press materials released by Fox. It's based on a telenovela that was a hit in Colombia.

At the end of 13 weeks, My Network TV will replace the two shows with others in a similar vein. Examples include “Dangerous Love,” an updating of “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Watch Over Me,” a takeoff on the Whitney Houston-Kevin Costner movie, “The Bodyguard.”

And, because this is a Fox-produced effort, there's the obligatory reality show in development (meaning, no air date yet). It will be called “Celebrity Love Island,” in which six celebrities and non-celebrities are “thrown together in a Fantasy Island setting.”

Hilarity ensues, we're sure.

-- Sam McManis

Not being a dog owner myself, I can't attest to this, but I hear that dogs and fireworks don't generally mix. However, what I can attest to is: There are at least two dogs out there who have mixed with fireworks and lived to tell the tale. Or tail. Ha!

Anyway, as part of The Bee's annual fireworks review, hosted by yours truly, a bunch of people and the aforementioned pair of canines went out to a fire station in Rancho Cordova recently to set off and judge this year's lot. (Check out the video).

You can see the human opinions on the cover of Wednesday's Scene section and in a special video at sacbee.com. But for those of you just dying to know what the doggies thought, their three favorites - based on the bark-o-meter - were TNT's Laugh Out Loud, Phantom's New York Harbor Fountain, and TNT's Pink Diamonds.

As for my cats, they could care less about fireworks. But the box they came in is quite popular.

-- Lisa Heyamoto

We gave the men of Sacramento some tips to stay cool. Now, it's time for the ladies....

"If (women) would just wear a sleeveless tank or camisole under their jackets, that would make things more comfortable immediately," notes Robin Lyle, owner of the Robin Lyle boutique downtown. "Of course, they wear their jackets on the floor of the Senate or in the courtroom - or just because the air-conditioned offices are freezing."

Other tips to help avoid the summer swoon?

Wear longer skirts with a lightweight jacket or cardigan. And why suffer in those pantyhose? UGH! There are self-tanners, even sprays, that simulate the "look" of hosiery. They wash off in the shower.

And wear skirts and trousers "just below the belly button," Lyle says. "It's flattering because it flattens the tummy. And who wants something belted and tucked in?"

-- Leigh Grogan

Just got word that the highly anticipated Kathy Griffin stand-up show at the Crest (1013 K St.) has been postponed. The show, originally slated for Sept. 15, has been moved into the future - way into the future: Friday, Dec. 1, to be exact.

The reason? A rather vague "scheduling conflict." Hmm. Wonder if Griffin's reality-TV stint in Bravo's "My Life on the D-List" is finally going to her head?

Whatever. Any tickets that you bought, for either the 7 p.m. or 10 p.m. shows, are still good. And you can still get seats (at $35 a pop in advance or $40 day of) via Tickets.com. Call (916) 44-CREST for more info.

If you can't make the December date, refunds are available at the point of purchase.

One of my favorite Nevada City bands, Golden Shoulders, has officially entered the, er, golden age of the Internet. The sweet-sounding pop band, fronted by Adam Kline, just released a few albums to iTunes. Now you can find 2004's "Friendship is Deep" and the ultra-rare 2005 EP "Seventeen Bees." The tunes are 99 cents each. Oh yeah, and you can also download their new album "Kin" as well. I'm opening up my wallet right now....

Nothing like trudging around Sacramento during the summer while decked out in a coat and tie - not to mention a long-sleeve dress shirt, trousers and leather shoes. We feel for the men who get layered up every morning, only to face 5 o'clock and 105 degrees. So, out of the goodness of our hearts - some tips to help you lighten the load, while still keeping you dressed for success.

Joe Pardini, manager of Patrick James men's clothing store in Pavilions, offered these ideas:

"The key to at least feeling a little cooler is all in the fit and the fabric," he says. "Make sure your shirt collar isn't too tight and that you wear looser-fitting garments in general."

And guess what? If you thought a silk-blend suit would do the trick, it's time to change your fabric. Silk actually is not as breathable as, say, a jacket in a tropical wool or linen blend. That's right: Wool can be cool in the summer.

"Natural fibers (i.e, cotton) is definitely the way to go," Pardini says.

One other trick? Check the lining of your jacket. An unlined version, or one that's less constructed, will keep the heat from building up.

By the way - keep a pair of flip-flops at your disposal. Your dawgs will thank you later.

Ladies, we've got tips for you Tuesday.

-- Leigh Grogan

If we've learned one thing, it's not to mess with avid (rabid?) soccer fans during World Cup play. News10 did so two weeks ago, when it opted to air a Monarchs game live instead of the U.S.-Italy game - before Bee sports columnist Marcos Breton mobilized futbol fanatics to get the station to change its mind.

But last Saturday, it seems, News10 ran into more problems. It didn't air the Germany-Sweden second-round game, instead showing children's cartoons. According to News10 general manager Russell Postell, Comcast customers could watch the match on ESPN 2. But Direct TV subscribers were out of luck, apparently. Which is why the station - and The Bee's crack team of TV writers - received many e-mails of complaint.

As soccer fan David Silva of Elk Grove so eloquently put it in an e-mail to 21Q: "To someone as suspicious as I am, it would appear that there is a muckity muck at News10 who has a bug up their yahoo about soccer and is eager to preempt it at any and every opportunity. What is going on?"

Clearly, Postell had some explaining to do, and it's not an easy explanation, so pay attention.

"We are in an (FCC) license renewal year and there's a number of hours being preempted by World Cup soccer that are kids programming," he says. "We were trying to limit the preemption of kids programming and give people the soccer. In the cases where we were not covering the World Cup, we worked with ABC to get ESPN 2 to run the games in our market. This weekend, somehow, Direct TV didn't get it. Comcast had it."

Apparently, the FCC's mandate that stations run a certain amount of children's programming on weekend mornings causes problems for affiliates. Channel 3 has long received complaints for delaying "Meet the Press" - which airs Sunday mornings in most markets - until 4 p.m. The reason, according to Elliott Troshinsky, KCRA's president: FCC rules on children's programming.

There is a happy ending to the story, Postell says.

"The rest of the World Cup schedule is going to run on News10 as ABC had it," he says. "There will be no more preemptions."

-- Sam McManis

If there's one thing that this town lacks (and yes, I have a running list), it's cupcakes. Sure, you can buy dry, crumbly ones at the supermarket or those icky-sweet "vanilla sunshine" ones at Starbucks. But I want tiny, frosted cakes, worthy of the world-famous Magnolia Bakery (NYC) or the super-chic Citizen Cupcake (SF)...Well, imagine how thrilled I was to hear that Midtown may be getting its own cupcake bakery. I'm deliriously happy at the thought - and more than willing to go up a jean size to prove it...No firm details yet, but I'm hunting down the whens and wheres of it all....

What good is a blog if you can’t use it to rag on other bloggers?

As much as we’d like to believe that 21Q is the only entertainment and media news blog in Sacramento, the truth is that the Viacom-owned stations Channel 13 (KOVR) and Channel 31 (KMAX) got there first with a combined blog on the web.

But – and here comes the petty sniping – the media talent at channels 13 and 31 aren’t exactly putting in much effort. Let’s go down the list, shall we?

“Good Day Sacramento” anchor Marianne McClary’s last blog entry: May 17. Same for broadcast partner Mark S. Allen. Channel 13’s Lisa Gonzales last updated her blog on June 7. Same for “Good Day Sac” weekend anchor Chris Burrous. In fact, the most recent blog item was on June 20 - last Tuesday - from Channel 31 news anchor Stefanie Cruz about visiting her in-laws in Iowa.

Gee, don’t they know that the first lesson of Blogging 101 is to keep feedling the beast with items?

Here’s hoping this posting will prod McClary, et al., to get off their duffs and start typing.

-- Sam McManis

OK, we get it - it's hot. And in the never-ending quest to find ways to make the heat more bearable, I joined Pets, the local noise pop duo, at the Pyramid Alehouse (1029 K St.) a few nights ago.

On the agenda: a chat about their new CD - and lots of beer. Only, the Pets - Allison Jones and Derek Fieth - were tragically shut out of their drink of choice, the pear cider.

"It's always this way," Jones said, with a good-natured sigh. "They're always out of what we like."

Instead, we all settled for the no-frills Hefeweizen and, ultimately, it seemed like the perfect pick. Because what says "Sacramento in the summer" better than a refreshingly ice-cold wheat beer (with plenty of lemon) paired with good people-watching and the late-day sun?

And luckily, Pyramid had that beer, the patio had the people-watching, and Sac -as always - has the sun. Oh, and Pets has a CD-release party on July 14 at Old Ironsides (1901 10th St.) Look for a story in The Bee's Ticket section that same day. For more info before then, visit the Old Ironsides site.

Billy Preston’s passing on June 6 and his funeral on Monday reminds me of a concert of his at Memorial Auditorium in the mid-70s. Preston and his band were headlining a show that included Tower of Power; the Buddy Miles Express opened.

Preston was riding the crest of his radio hits “Outa-Space” and the not-so-complex pop ditty “Will It Go Round in Circles.” His band included the teenage guitar/bass tandem of George and Louis Johnson (later known as the Brothers Johnson). What I remember most was the exuberance Preston and his fellow keyboardist (whose name I don’t recall) showed as they crossed the stage between the acoustic piano on one side and the Hammond B-3 on the other, always slapping hands as they passed each other.

I saw numerous shows at the Memorial Auditorium during the early '70s - pretty much anything that came there - because I had figured a way to sneak in. The method wasn’t particularly complicated - just wait around near the backstage door on I Street. At some point, when bands or entourages were coming or going, or both, one could simply blend into the scenery and scoot inside. From there, it was just about 10 feet or three long strides to another door, which leads out to the main floor. I worked it for more shows than I can remember and became so accomplished I even brought a couple of friends.

On this night, there hadn’t been any openings, and all the musicians for all the bands had arrived. All except one: The lead singer for Tower of Power, the ill-fated Rick Stevens. Their manager occasionally came out, casting frantic looks up and down the block. TOP was working their first national hit, “You’re Still a Young Man,” from their “Bump City” album, and Stevens’ vocal on that tune remains memorable.

The street was now deserted because the Buddy Miles band (still playing “Them Changes”) was already on. Suddenly, an old sedan came careening down the street and skidded to a stop in front of me.

"Is this Memorial Auditorium?” the driver asked, and I nodded. Stevens, in a tank top and creased straw hat, popped out with a couple of friends and they rushed up the steps and knocked on the door.

I naturally followed and we were all hustled inside, and I made my accustomed dash for the next door - melting into to the crowd to watch Mr. Preston do his thing.

-- Marcus Crowder

Anyone who has ever tried to make their own mojito at home can testify to their inexplicable grossness. I mean, I had the lime, the sugar, the fresh mint - I followed the Internet recipe to the hilt. OK, so maybe my muddling stick was the back end of a hammer, but a blunt object is a blunt object.

Anyway, after choking down a pitcher of my homemade swill recently, I felt a call to the experts was in order. And Cristian Lara, bartender at Zocalo, had a few tips that I feel confident will turn my life around. Instead of using sugar, he recommends triple sec, which is pretty ingenious if you think about it. And don't squeeze the lime, he adds. Crush it when you're going to town with that ice. Now where'd I put that hammer?

-- Lisa Heyamoto

What's a weekend without some serious shopping? So, attention outlet lovers! The Vacaville and Folsom premium outlets are welcoming a variety of new stores to both locations. Some of the stores already are open; some are to come. A rundown:

Folsom: Calvin Klein, BCBG Max Azria, Gap Kids and Lane Bryant (opening next month); Vacaville: Movado Company Store (luxury watches), BCBG Max Azria, Zales Fine Jewelry, Timberland, J.Crew and Lane Bryant (also opening next month).

One newcomer that especially caught my eye - and wallet - is J.Crew at Vacaville. There already is an outlet version at the Napa Premium Outlets, but who wants to drive all the way there, unless you're making a day - or weekend -of shopping AND eating?

J.Crew is a great source for summer essentials, such as polos for men, Bermuda shorts for women, tank tops, flip flops, shorts, tees and lots of cute sundresses.

And a plus for the Vacaville store is there's always that In 'N Out Burger. According to the J.Crew store manager, folks from New York have even discovered it. "They shop and then make a beeline for the In 'N Out," she says.

So yes, the East Coast might have its Hardees and Biscuitville, but we'll always have our In 'N Out. And yes, it's best to nosh after shopping.

Outlet hours (for both locations): 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Extended hours will be observed for the upcoming holiday sale, which runs June 30 through July 4.

For more info, visit www.premiumoutlets.com. It lists all the venues, with maps you can download.

-- Leigh Grogan

Broadcast legend (we think that's his official title) Dick Cable turns 70 today. Cable, who retired from Channel 10 in 1998, puts all of us youngsters to shame.

In a missive to Bee TV columnist Rick Kushman, Cable says: "I run 2 1/2 miles every day with my two dogs (actually I run with them one at a time about a mile and a third each). Every day I can continue to do that is obviously a good one."

-- Sam McManis

Been hearing that Fort Minor single "Where'd You Go" on the radio, but it wasn't until I caught the video on Fuse that I realized it was hometown boy Jonah Matranga singing back-ups (along with Holly Brook). Fort Minor is the new-ish project via Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda. And Matranga, of course, used to front Far and, in more recent years, has made a national name for himself with various solo projects. He doesn't live in Sac anymore, but visits often and it was definitely cool to catch him on TV.

An update on our Wednesday post about La Raza Galeria Posada.

We had told you that we'd heard it was set to shut its doors - and a call to the gallery's executive director didn't do much to set the record straight. Now, we've got a slightly more definitive answer: yes and no. It's like this: The Bee's art correspondent Victoria Dalkey talked to two of the board members. Are they in the process of reorganzing? Yes.

Looking for a new space? Yes.

Taking a short hiatus? Maybe.

Closing? Definitely not.

So, there you have it. It seems the gallery/cultural center might be looking to leave its current location on R Street, but not the Sacramento community. We'll continue to keep you, er, posted.

I've been so busy listening to the new Sonic Youth and Joan Jett CDs (prepping for some upcoming stories) that I almost (tragically) missed this disc that just landed on my desk: a brand-spanking new offering from the Loud Family and Anton Barbeau, "What If It Works?"

If you don't know, the Loud Family features Sacto expat Scott Miller, and Barbeau, of course, is a local legend in the making. The disc, on the 125 Records label, won't hit shelves until July 11 (there'll be a CD release party at the Fox & Goose on July 15), but you should put a note on your calendar now.
The record is a mixture of sweet pop and jangly rock - sorta like if the Beatles were covered by the Replacements. Good stuff.

I’m no movie critic, but after seeing a sneak preview Wednesday night of the upcoming “The Devil Wears Prada” and offering my fashion impressions afterward to The Bee’s Press Club audience, I feel the need to set the record straight:

Folks, I’m OK with my decision to stick with newspapers. Heck, I’ll go as far as to say I bleed ink, not the red stuff!

Here’s what happened:

I mentioned to the group that the movie made me a little - stress here, a little - melancholy that I hadn't pursued my own dream (a billion years ago) of going to the Big Apple and working at a fashion magazine.

Certainly, after seeing how “tough” a fashion editor was being portrayed in the upcoming film (in Sacramento theaters on June 30), attendees probably wondered why on earth I would have wanted to work in such a cutthroat world for such a nasty - albeit well-dressed - boss.

Well, if the Prada shoe had fit, I would have worn it. But, Cinderella I wasn’t. In the end, I settled for the sure thing - a newspaper job. Lest anyone think there aren’t some nicks on my neck from 27 years at it, though, that’s what concealer is for.

As for you fashionistas out there, definitely check out this fashion-filled flick. I'll leave it to The Bee's movie critic, Carla Meyer, to give the review (in the Friday Ticket of June 30.) But, this much I will say now: The shoes and handbags are to die for.

-- Leigh Grogan

Fox 40 - that's Channel 8 to you and me - has named a new news director: Tom Burke, who most recently was the executive producer of a four-hour morning show at a Fox station in Fresno. The local position had been open for several weeks, after Steve Kraycik left to become news director at the Fox affiliate in Seattle.

OK, enough of the dry-as-dust facts.

How does Burke (who has been a news director at stations in Pittsburgh,
Columbus, Ohio, and Fresno) plan to improve the news product at Fox 40, which lags behind Channel 13 at 10 p.m. and barely draws any viewers in the morning (a 0.3 rating at 7 a.m., compared to 4.0 for Channel 31's "Good Day Sacramento" in the May sweeps)?

"I've seen a lot of good things with the evening newscast," Burke says. "I want to take a good thing and help them get better. They're clearly doing a good job (at 10 o'clock)."

As for the morning show....

"I see some interesting opportunities there," Burke says, not elaborating.

-- Sam McManis

In yet another example of how it takes me forever to notice things right under my nose, Hukilau - the Hawaiian-themed joint at 16th and O - has closed its doors and morphed overnight (in my mind, at least) into Pronto, a fast-service Italian eatery from the guys who brought us Paesanos.

In real time, Hukilau served its last meal in late April, and Pronto's public debut is scheduled for later this month. So maybe I'm not as unobservant as I thought. The new place will offer salads and panini on-the-run, but reportedly, no drinks. I guess wine just doesn't go well in a to-go cup.

-- Lisa Heyamoto

Well, it's the first week of summer, a time brimming with fresh ideas. But judging by the stories on “Good Day Sacramento,” we've already hit summer's dog days.

So bereft of new ideas - they did the overdone Mentos-in-the-Diet Coke test last week - producers sent reporter Doug Brauner to Lodi fast-food joints to see whether workers would fill his orders right. “It’s really the bane of a lot of our existences,” says Brauner, serious as Sam Shane.

And people say there’s no hard-hitting investigative reporting in the Sac TV market....

Anyway, earlier this week, at 8:45 a.m., Brauner pulls up to the drive-through window at Wendy’s and orders lunch. “I want a classic cheeseburger, no onion, extra pickle.”

Disembodied voice in speaker: “I’m sorry, sir. We’re only serving breakfast.”

Doh!

“This is the problem of working our shift,” Brauner tells anchor Nick Toma back in the studio. “At 4 a.m., I’m looking for filet mignon and scotch.”

Voice in speaker: “Sorry, sir. We have no scotch.”

Brilliant television. I smell an Emmy. No, wait. It’s just the greasy, cheesy odor of fast food.

Later, at a trip to Taco Bell, Brauner orders a quesadilla “with no cheese.” So that would be, what, a tortilla?

-- Sam McManis

Free tonight? Check out the Crocker Contemporaries lecture with photographer Nigel Poor. The Bay Area photographer will discuss her take on the medium - and all the new ways it's being pushed. There's a pre-lecture reception at 6 p.m. and Poor speaks at 7. Cost is free for members of the Crocker Art Museum (at 216 O St.) and $10 for non-members. If you're really feeling thrifty, check out the museum's Web site to download a two-for-one coupon.

If you're not already familiar with it, Crocker Contemporaries is part of the museum and a part of its efforts to bring more young people to art. It's got people like Olivia Coelho (Olipom clothing store and the utlra-cool quarterly Sellout/Buyout) on its board of directors - definitely worth checking out.

Just in time for the first day of summer - first day of the 21Q blog! So much to do and for once it'll feel like there's plenty of time on the longest day of the year.

One suggestion for your day/night - and we think this one is very appropriate since Sacramento is hotter-than-you-know-what during the summer months. If you haven't yet, check out "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" documentary at the Crest (1013 K St.) This is a look at underground singer-songwriter Johnston, his amazing music and his lifelong battles with mental illness. And, in case you didn't already know this, Johnston was born in Sacramento (Jan. 22, 1961). Of course, he lives in Texas now - but once a Sactowner, always a Sactowner....

Word is the film is ending its stay at the Crest this week, so catch it while you can.

Word is that La Raza Galeria Posada at 1421 R St. is closing. We called to get the scoop, but the only thing Executive Director Francisca Godinec would tell us is A) No comment, and B) Look for a press release in the next few days. It'd be a shame to see Sacramento lose this colorful gallery. We'll share more details as they emerge.

Our ethical alarms went off Tuesday when we learned that News10’s Marcey Brightwell was serving as a moderator for an “Ask the Governor” Webcast sponsored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s campaign.

After all, Brightwell is a political reporter, and it’s only natural that the questions on said Webcast would be screened by the guv’s handlers. Is this a blatant conflict, or what?

Absolutely not, says News10 honcho Stacy Owen. “We saw this as an opportunity to tap into what the voters wanted to hear this political season,” Owen writes in an e-mail to 21Q. “Marcey was selecting from numerous questions from constituents, ensuring that the governor was not being handed ‘softballs’ by his staff. She also asked her own follow-up questions, to make sure the voter question was in fact being properly addressed.

“Marcey and News10 agreed to participate in this forum to encourage debate about the issues...Many people will never get the opportunity to ask the governor, or Mr. Angelides, questions directly. Part of our role is to serve as that connector. We have the access, and we want to use it to engage the public."
Owen adds: “We did contact Mr. Angelides’ campaign to give him the opportunity for equal time, and they decided not to respond to this specific event. We also suggested Marcey serve as moderator for a similar voter give- and-take for Mr. Angelides.”

OK then. In any event, the best soundbite was the final question Brightwell asked the Guv:
BRIGHTWELL: I'm sort of hesitant, because it kind of gives me a Barbara Walters flashback to it. But this comes from Mark from Fresno, who says: Governor, if you were a color, what would it be?

GOVERNOR: Probably red, even though this is not my political thinking. When you think of red in Europe, it means communism, socialism and all those things. But I like the color red because it is fire, and I see myself as always being on fire, being charged up, so to speak. So that's my favorite color.

BRIGHTWELL: And by coincidence, the color of News10.

GOVERNOR: There you have it. What a coincidence.

-- Sam McManis

There's nothing quite as dramatic as a real surprise. Theater people know that better than most so it's probably not a shock that two local actors pulled off some real live drama.

Friends and family of Katherine Pappa and Matt Miller knew the two planned to be married in Jamaica. They had planned a pre-wedding send-off party in the lobby of the Sacramento Theatre Company. The giddy fun of the Polynesian- themed party spun into a whole other level, however, when the two casually dressed hosts briefly disappeared.

Suddenly a rumor rippled throughout the room that Katherine and Matt would be getting married then and there. People quickly arranged themselves to watch the spectacle, all asking, "Is it really happening?"

There was now a feeling of emotional electricity in the room and when they re-appeared, dressed for the occasion (their wedding, that is), the reactions ranged from laughter to tears to applause.

Kim McCann officiated, Michael Stevenson and Cheantell Munn read sonnets, and the bride and groom both said "I do" to whoops and hollers. It was dramatic. It was real. It was a wonderful surprise.

-- Marcus Crowder

Every day on my way home from work, I experience a small heartbreak. There it is - my neighborhood bar, Joe Marty's, its windows boarded up, its ratty little canopy singed from the fire that closed its doors last summer. I feel I simply can't go on without the sound of dice being slapped on the cozy little bar, or the feel of a $2 can of Olympia in my hand. I have waited, yes, but hopefully for not much longer. Owner David Garibay told us that he's hoping to re-open the much-loved haunt by the end of this month. Until then, it's tears in the beers for me. And considering I have yet to see a single worker repairing my beloved bar, it's looking like I may be shedding quite a few before the month is done.

-- Lisa Heyamoto

OK Hawaiian-clothing fans - and you know who you are (R.E. Graswich) - if you haven’t heard the good word, Swanberg’s for Men has moved to J Street in midtown.

Aptly, the new store is called Swanberg’s on J.

Owner Lauren Lundsten picked up shop - surfboards, sandals and all - eight weeks ago from the store’s Curtis Park location, which he opened 10 years ago.
As for Michele Swanberg, the founder of the original store, she’s still in Curtis Park - for the time being - selling off remaining furniture. She will relocate the women’s and children’s collections to another midtown location.

When? She hopes by September.

Believe it or not, Swanberg’s has been at the same 2nd Avenue and 21st Street location for 22 years, but Swanberg says she’s wanted to be closer to downtown for some time. “It’s really sad because we’ve made a lot of friends in this neighborhood,” she says.

But, change is good.

Shop talk: Swanberg’s on J, 2316 J St. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Phone: (916) 447-MAUI (6284).

-- Leigh Grogan

Fans of the Sacramento Roller Girls - the River City's very own all-girl roller derby league - won't want to miss them on TV tonight. Check 'em at 6:30 on Channel 3.

This just in: Big changes at News10. Film at ... well, you get the idea.

Gloria Moraga, the managing editor of KXTV’s news operations for the last five years, is leaving the station to become the director for news services at California State University, Sacramento.

Moraga joined News10 in 1995 as a political reporter, and her boss, news director Stacy Owen, says her departure is a blow. “She has a lot of great qualities in a manager we’ll miss, and we’ll be actively looking for someone with similiar qualities to replace her,” Owen says.

So, does that mean News10 will no longer be as “committed and connected” as it claims, ad nauseum, on the air? “Absolutely not,” Owen says. “We’ll be even more so.”

-- Sam McManis