Dog-day afternoon
The time-honored tradition of a boy playing with his dog took an unexpectedly dark turn in the north Sacramento neighborhood of Westlake on Sunday afternoon. That’s where a witness reportedly saw a male juvenile stab his dog in the head with a knife. A Sacramento Police Department log says the dog was transported to a local veterinary clinic for treatment. There was no word on how serious the injury was. Officers arrested the minor on charges of animal cruelty and took him to juvenile hall.
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Shutdown, shut up
Google “federal shutdown,” and you get options for the current year as well as 1995, 2011 and 2014. So, no, it’s not just you that’s feeling a sense of déjà vu. We’d complain about sharply divided representatives, political brinksmanship, Republican hostage-taking and partisan bickering, but you’ve heard all that before, too. So why don’t we just all expel a collective groan? Feel better? Neither do we.
Sir(reptitious) Charles
Remember back in March, when former NBA star Charles Barkley won more than $67,000 on The Price Is Right and donated it to the Mustard Seed School for homeless children? Well, he paid the campus a secret visit last Friday, giving a heartfelt talk to the students.
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Bear-ly escaped
Roseville police were on the lookout for a brown bear ambling through residential backyards last Sunday, but were unable to corner the hirsute trespasser. Honestly, bear: Of all the towns in the Sacramento region, why Roseville?
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Bye-bye, Blackbird
First, chef Kevin O’Conner flew the coop, leaving popular new restaurant Blackbird Kitchen & Bar on Ninth and 10th streets. And, now, according its general manager, the spot “has decided to close.” Owner Carina Lampkin was a big part of bringing new energy to downtown and K Street. But staff was informed—via email!—that they wouldn’t have a job this week. (And no more $5 happy-hour tacos for you, either.) Boo.
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Farmer party
Big green thumbs-up to the powers that be in charge of Saturday’s Farm-to-Fork Festival on Capitol Mall. It’s not easy to innovate, execute, produce and knock out a brand-new event—but last weekend’s party was pretty darn cool. Pro tip: Next year, more food!
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