Sacramento Subsidizes Nightclub

This can't be an April fool's joke. It isn't April and in this economy a nightclub would not receive a subsidy? No, it is up for debate by the city - the same city that has curtailed services, reduced library hours, 'browned out' fire stations, and almost fired 67 cops. "...sorry about your house burning down, but ya can catch a cocktail till 3AM on 10th & K, you should see the mermaids…"

What about all the other clubs, bars, and restaurants that are making it under their own steam ? Will they get a retroactive grant, will they get a break on their taxes for a few years? I like a beer in midtown, and over the course of the last few months I have noticed quite a bit more elbow room in many of these places.

Some of the establishments are laying off staff and seem to be behind by 10-15% this year. Does Sacramento really need more capacity right now?Mayor Johnson, Council members - keep police on the streets, libraries open, and fire engines ready. I'll handle the drinks.

Mayor Johnson - you want a destination city. We all do - but concentrate on the big ticket items - waterfront, railywards, and the Kings stadium. Leave the nightlife to itself.

Flood Insurance Sacramento

For those that don't know - there is a FEMA flood insurance program for lower lying areas in Sacramento. Most insurance agents sell it and it costs the same regardless of where you go and buy it. It is loosely based on ZIP code as I know.

Check this out:

http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/

De Vere's Pub Sacramento

At long last there is a proper city pub in Sacramento - a proper city pub - an Irish one at that. This is long overdue and thank goodness there is now a place to go for lunch, after work drinks, and a place to stay until late if you feel like it. De Vere's is a good place and they have a crowd of regulars by day and night which makes things easy on all concerned. I like the staff, and they have a built a nice feel. There are all those little nooks and crannies where you can try and make a business deal, try your luck with someone or hide from the 'guv' during lunch.

So let me define this term by way of comparison:

• Village/ Country Pub. Old and quaint, small, low ceiling, has room for around 30 punters (customers). The Landlord opens and shuts the place. Normally in rural areas very nice, fast service, but a little too local at times.

• Local Pub. Newer, mid-size, bad carpet, has an old bloke that sits in the corner with his dog 'Mikey' and reads 'Best Bets' over his half-pint of warm beer. The place warms up in the afternoon and into the evening. Not a bad place to start the night, or for the Tuesday quiz night.

• Neighbourhood Pub. Decent size pub, they'd have a happy hour on Friday and serve cod and chips on the weekends, maybe with a little salad . Two decent looking barmaids on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and a great place to meet the local lads and ladies on the weekends. They'd probably sponsor a football team and have a darts league.

• City Pub. Big, around 200 people, four or more barmaids, that know how to make a decent drink, they have all sorts of beer on tap and you can get decent meals there. Normally within walking distance of a train station, tube station or the like. Has an older business crowd that transitions in the evening to a younger professional crowd. Good place to meet other folks and best of all you wont get blasted out by bad music of an evening.

New Baby

So on Feb 9 my son was born and all is well. Children are great, but quite the handful at times. Our daughter is doing it a little tough right now though. I am off work for a few weeks and will go back some time in late March.