. . . . check out Metroblogging Mumbai.  Local bloggers give a more intimate, reliable account of Mumbai after last week’s deadly attacks, including a look at how India’s 26/11 might come to be that country’s 9/11 - and what that means in terms of India’s response.

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While making an infrequent bulk-supply run at Costco the other day, I was surprised to see for sale gift cards for the Paragary Restaurant Group - that’s places like Paragary’s, Spataro, Esquire, and R15.  The cards, sold in packs of two $50 cards for around $75, give you a discount on a night out and give you a chance to support a more-or-less local business. (I say more-or-less not because there’s any question that it’s local, just because I think “local business” conjures up an image of a more struggling mom-and-pop operation than Randy Paragary’s Sacto restaurant mafia.)

I didn’t expect to find the local fare among the many gift cards Costco offers at a discount (stuff like movies, Starbucks, etc).  Good idea though.  And who doesn’t appreciate a discount - the Dow just fell below 8000! Ack. Be frugal. Happy Slim Holidays.

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So, the Citizen Hotel will open soon and in case you haven’t heard about it yet it is THE coolest thing to happen in Sacramento, potentially ever. It’s so cool the room number signs are cool. So are the lampshades. Seriously, this hotel will outcool you, skinny-jean wearing Midtowner, and you, suit-wearing Capitol staffer, in like 3.2 seconds after it opens on November 30th. In fact, since its first weekend is already booked solid, it’s probably already out-cooled you.

From what I read and hear, little remains of the old building’s interiors - which is probably good since when I went to my optometrists office there, it was overrun by crickets (good luck) and other crawly things (bad luck).

But there’s something about The Citizen Hotel that bothers me, just a little. Something more insidious than its ubercool (hey, I like ubercool), something with a bit more bite . . . . Read more

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“A historic day for a man who has seen a lot of history: Lelia LaRue shows her father, George Francis, a newspaper front page heralding the election of Barack Obama. At 112, Francis is believed to be the oldest man in America and the oldest to vote for Obama. (Sacramento, Calif.) ” (borrowed from the SF Chron’s day in pictures)

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Have we made ourselves clear?

Seriously - c’mon, be part of something. We don’t care how you vote - though we certainly have our own strong opinions. But Do Something Today or you just won’t have as much fun talking about the results tomorrow.

If you’re in Sac County and you don’t know where to vote - click here.  In another county? Find your county on this list.

The news talks about lines at polling places like it’s a “problem” for voters. What problem? It’s GREAT! Wait in those lines. Make it worth your time. Take photos. Take videos. Share with the world.

Remember - you have the right to cast a provisional ballot if there’s a problem finding your name on the list at what you believe is your polling place. Don’t leave without voting! Still have an absentee ballot in your hand? No worries - drop it in the box at your polling place or take it to your county registrar. DON’T MAIL IT TODAY though - it won’t be counted if it arrives tomorrow!

VOTE. Now. Do It.

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Today’s Bee had a feature on geography-as-destiny in the mayoral race.  The city looks like a donut - if you map areas that lean Johnson against areas that lean Fargo. The city center - old, established neighborhoods, went for Fargo in the primary.  The outer frontiers - North Natomas, the Pocket - went for Johnson.  Polls indicate the trend still exists heading into Tuesday’s final showdown.

Crime concerns are central to the Northern and Southern Sacramento outposts.  It’s worth noting, though, that both reaches experience little violent crime.  It’s the property crimes that keep people awake. I suppose in the grand scheme of things, I’d opt for property crime over violent crime. Or, you know, no crime would be best.

As a resident of both new and old Sacramento - and as someone who’s lived in higher-crime areas in other cities, I know how I’ll be voting on Tuesday. . . . Read more

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If you’re keeping track, at least two chains so far are offering freebies to customers who vote on Tuesday (or, I would assume, anytime between now and Tuesday - early or by mail - and retain their stubs).  You can get a cup of ‘bucks in the morning and then an ice cream on the way home.   Democracy is sweet. Vote!

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As residents in the Natomas area no doubt know by now, flood insurance is now required as the re-mapping is complete and - surprise - it’s a floodplane. Still.  If you want to learn more about the mandatory program and efforts to improve Natomas levees, you can attend a series of meetings over the next few weeks to learn more.

• Thursday, October 30 (tonight!) from 6:00-8:30pm at Two Rivers Elementary (3201 W. River Drive)
• Wednesday, November 5 from 6:00-8:30pm at Regency Park Elementary (5901 Bridgecross Drive)
• Wednesday, November 12 from 6:00-8:30pm at S. Natomas Community Center (2921 Truxel Road)
• Thursday, November 20 from 6:00-8:30pm at Inderkum High School (2500 New Market Drive)

We also suggest putting a sandbox in the backyard. Fun for the kids now, handy for the rainy season later.

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 A Second Saturday or so ago, my friends and I, tired yet energized from dealing with the mobs on 20th, decided that lounging on 20th sounded pretty good to us, so we put in for a table at Lounge on 20.

The wait was so long, we popped into the bar-formerly-known-as-Headhunters for a pre-drink drink. Finally, however, we made it to a table.

Lounge definitely aims to bring more hip to midtown. Cavernous, furnished in a communal, Scandanavian chic manner, the place is designed simultaneously for and against catching up with your nearest and dearest. Seating options range from low-slung couches, to long, family-style gathering-height tables you might share with several other parties. That’s the for. The against comes thanks to the sleek, hard-surfaced walls and floors. The place gets l.o.u.d. Don’t expect to whisper secrets to your gal pals here - you’ll need to speak from the diaphram to beat the din.

The bar menu is both edge and by-gone-bar-era-chic, while at the same time working in local flavors and fresh sources to capitalize on current cocktail trends.  Sadly, two kinds of cocktails and my preferred bubbly were out (at 7pm), which led to some disappointing substitutions surprisingly early in the evening.

The food menu is similarly hep-cat: you’ll find the requisite Dish With Truffle Oil listed above Poutine (who’s been to Montreal? Any Québécois in the hizzouse?), yuppie stapple fried Mac ‘N Cheese, and if-you-have-to-ask-you-can’t-afford-it caviar.  We opted for the cheese palte and the charcuterie plate to share among 4 people. They probably share better with two.

The cheese plate over at 58 degrees spanks Loung on 20’s in both quality and quantity and, on our visit, the crostini were covered in enough oil to interfere with the more delicate sheep’s cheese offering. Read more

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You should be registered to vote by now - but if you aren’t sure - or if you aren’t sure where to vote or what you’ll be able to vote for - click here to look up your registration status with the Sacramento County Registrar.  You’ll need the address of where you think you’re registered, the zip, and your birthdate.

And don’t forget - you always have the right to cast a provisional ballot if you show up day-of and your name isn’t on the rolls.  More questions? Check out the Secretary of State’s website.

Love numbers? Like to cringe over voter participation levels since 1910? SOS has that too.

Lastly: can’t figure out who’s more full of sh*t today? Check your facts here.

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While browsing craigslist sacramento a few months age, I noted an ad for a Sacramento Meetup that included a link. The link was for a local Travel club. I attended a few meetings and discovered a group of interesting, active people as well as storehouses of travel information.

Having had so much good fortune with the Travel group, I branched out and discovered there’s a (very active) Sacramento Hiking group. There’s also a lot of health-oriented groups, such as exercise groups. The interesting thing about these groups is that one or two passionate people start them, and then when the membership runs out (Meetup charges an organizer fee), they disband. Most often they disband because there aren’t enough attendees at the scheduled meetings.

If you’re looking for something to lift the winter blues or just to get you out of the house now and then, I recommend checking some of these groups out. Who knows, you might make a few new friends.

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The state of things here in Sactown: brace yourselves for winter.

A few weeks ago, a shop on my downtown walk was desparately fighting to stay open. The name of the place: Tenacity Gifts. But even with a name like that, there wasn’t enough. Tenacity, that is. So, one day they closed. The day after they closed, there was a woman sleeping under the glass store window. She didn’t appear to be the “typical” homeless person, as she had a clean, new sleeping bag, and her hair appeared to be clean. The thought occurred to me that she might have been the owner, saying goodbye. But probably not.

Even though the store didn’t make it, I hope we all have the tenacity needed to hang on in the weeks ahead!

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No really. I know, hardly hugely breaking news, but for those of you who like driving east on H Street, you’ll soon be able to turn  - wait for it - left on 21st Street! So sayeth the KCRA camera man I saw capturing B-roll this morning.

So, slow news day, kids?

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As you’ve probably heard. However, I was suprised to learn just how far Corti’s reach went: all the way to the Bay Area and beyond and into the hearts, minds, and kitchens of some of California’s leading epicureans.  Didn’t know what we had until it was (almost) gone.

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It’s like Miller Time, but so much more: California Brewer’s Festival at Discovery Park this Saturday!  Weather should be good. Beer should be better. Add in live music, food, and shady trees and you’ve got a great second chance for anyone who misssed Second Saturday last weekend.  See you there!

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