Archive for October, 2011

Farmer’s Market Cooking

Occupy Sacramento took a break for the Farmer's Market at Cesar Chavez Plaza

 

Let’s get one thing straight: I am not one of those people who only buys locally grown produce and makes things from scratch. I typically eat frozen foods and maybe a vegetable if it’s prepackaged and microwaveable. But since I recently moved to Midtown, and farmer’s market season is almost over, I decided to check out the farmer’s market in Cesar Chavez Plaza and challenge myself to make a meal entirely from things I bought there.

I’d decided to make baked butternut squash since my culinary overachiever sister recently made it and, judging by her facebook photos, it looked good. It was somewhat eye-opening when I arrived at the market and realized I had no idea what a butternut squash looked like. I asked the vendors and found a squash, along with lettuce, golden delicious apples, baby carrots, and a huge bouquet of flowers that I didn’t need but made me very happy.

Word of advice: take into account the weight and overall awkwardness of the things you buy, especially if you’re walking. I walked the four blocks home with the huge bouquet under one arm, cradling my squash like a newborn child and attracting all sorts of stares.

huge bouquet and a butternut squash

 

Then it was cooking time. Here were my recipes:

 

Baked Butternut Squash

Ingredients:

1 Butternut Squash

1 tbsp butter

Nutmeg

Salt and Pepper

Chili Powder

 

— Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

— Cut the squash in half lengthwise (it helps to have a good knife for this. Mine is incredibly crappy and I’m surprised I still have ten fingers, let alone managed to cut the squash). Then cut the lower “bulge” part in half width-wise.

— Scoop out the “guts” (seeds, pulp, etc.)

— Place 1 tbsp of butter in each squash half. I also spread a bit of butter around the sides, because I love butter. I probably used more than 1 tbsp, to be honest.

— Shake some salt and pepper, nutmeg, and chili powder over the halves. I didn’t even measure this, I just put enough to make it look pretty/appetizing.

— Put the halves in the oven, covered, for approximately one hour. They should be about the consistency of a baked potato when done.

 

Balsamic Honey Glazed Baby Carrots

Ingredients:

Baby carrots (I used about a pound)

Balsamic Vinegar

Honey

Olive Oil

Nutmeg

Salt and Pepper

— Cut up the carrots into small slivers and peel them (if you buy baby carrots from the store, you won’t have to do this, but mine were legit carrots with hairs and roots and dirt and everything)

— Put them on a cookie sheet or pyrex dish and drizzle with olive oil. Shake a little salt and pepper and nutmeg on as well.

— Put them in the oven (400 degrees) for about 20 minutes

— Take them out and drizzle with about 1 tbsp honey and 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

— Put them back in the oven for about 5 more minutes. If you like softer carrots, leave them in longer.

I also made a salad of lettuce and chopped up apples to go on the side, so the meal wasn’t entirely orange. It was delicious, and except for the seasonings and the Alleycat Amber Ale I paired it with, entirely local! I won’t be doing this every day, but I am going to try to go back to the Farmer’s Market before it goes on its seasonal hiatus at the end of October. You all should too!

Phono Select “My Record and Me” Contest

Phono Select (a record store on K street, for all you non-vinyl enthusiasts)  is having a fun contest this week!

All you have to do is become a fan of theirs on Facebook, take a photo of yourself with a record you bought at Phono Select, and post it on their Facebook wall. Keep it appropriate, but use your imagination! Personally, I think it would be fun to have the photo be relevant to the rec0rd itself, but that’s not necessary. The person whose photo gets the most “likes” by Sunday the 23rd will win a $25 gift certificate to Phono Select, and another random winner will get a $10 gift certificate.

Good luck!

GIRLS GOT KICKS! Amanda Lopez booksigning tonight!

We’ve been fans of photographer Amanda Lopez‘ work since her gangbusters Vans shoe series show at Artifacts a few years back.  Since then she’s been working on a ton of projects, the latest of which is the book Girls Got Kicks, which published last month.  Today, Wednesday October 19, Lopez and author Lori Lobenstine will be signing copies of the book at Heart Boutique from
5 – 8PM.  Stop by and check it out!

Heart Boutique, 1903 Capitol Avenue

For more info about the book, please visit: www.girlsgotkicks.com

University Art One Day Sale

University Art is having a one day only sale Thursday! (the 20th)

Everything in the store is apparently going to be at least 20% off, with certain items marked down even more. This includes custom framing orders placed tomorrow. So if you’re like me and have a project you’ve been procrastinating on (I’m supposed to paint a friend’s bike helmet), now is the time to do it! This is also a great opportunity to start your holiday shopping, though it pains me to even say that because it’s October and 82 degrees.

The sale goes from 8 AM to 7 PM at University Art, 2601 J Street.

CONTEST: Win tickets for Disney on Ice, Treasure Trove

Do you and yours want to see Disney on Ice, Treasure Trove in Sacramento? Email your name and phone number to: contest@midtownmonthly.net to be entered into a drawing to win vouchers for FOUR tickets to see this popular show!   Enter by 5PM on Tuesday, October 18 – we’ll pick two winners who will receive vouchers for four tickets each. We’ll notify the winners on Wednesday October 19.  One entry per person, employees of Midtown Monthly are not eligible.  Good Luck!

Rob Kerth Out as Head of Midtown Business Association

Ryan Lillis of The Sacramento Bee is reporting that MBA Executive Director was removed from his post on late Friday.  We don’t have details yet but we’ll follow the story…

Alicea Peet Benefit Show at Blue Lamp

A few weeks ago, a good friend of mine posted a panicked message online. I immediately contacted her to offer any help I could give. I found out one of her very good friends, Alicea Peet, had just been hospitalized with liver failure. One thing I’ve always loved about Sacramento is the spirit of community– and if you were ever in the hardcore community, you know this as much as anyone. Often at the center of that community is Mikey Hood (of the band Hoods, which has been playing shows since before I could drive the distance to West Coast Worldwide). Continue reading for Mikey’s experience over the past few weeks, as he has found a way to be positive after all he’s gone through this difficult time with his girlfriend Alicea and for ways you can help.

How would you describe Alicea as a person?

Alicea is a beautiful person inside and out. She is fun and can go with the flow and is down to try new things, whether it’s a different type of food, roaming around a new city, or a weird exercise class at the gym. She’s a hard worker and takes pride in her job, but remembers to take a break and relax with her friends. She is witty and has a great sense of humor, and her compassion for the world’s animal and plant life is immense.

When did you find out Alicea had been hospitalized? What was your first thought/reaction?

When I found out, I was on tour with HOODS in Texas. I had called Alicea on Friday and she had been feeling really lethargic the previous few days. I had Mama Hood roll over there and take her in to the ER. That Friday night was crucial to her health. We are very, very lucky she made it in. Any more time without proper medical care could have been fatal. I was on the next flight out back to California when we found out. I am very thankful she made it through everything.

Do they know the cause of her liver failure?

At this point the doctors have stated that it was from plant-based toxins from herbal supplements she had been taking, but they are unsure which herbs caused the damage and why it happened.

What were the factors that got her on the transplant list? How important was that to her recovery?

A few of the main factors were that her liver failure was not a chronic condition; she is young and very healthy; and she has a strong support network of friends and family at home who will help her adjust to her new life when she returns to Sacramento. The doctors and research team felt these issues were very important to her full recovery and for her to have a successful second chance at life.

What will the proceeds from the benefit show go towards?

Alicea is already incurring major medical bills and the amount is only going to go up, even after insurance kicks in, when all is said and done. All proceeds from the benefit show will go towards keeping up with her normal, monthly bills since she is unable to work, as well as her new medication expenses (there is a lot) and temporary high-cost living expenses (she has to live across the street from the hospital for a while in case she experiences any complications, and to go through daily tests and treatments).

What have you learned from this experience?

Patience; love; a restored faith in humanity; acceptance; commitment; loyalty; and most of all – to Never Give Up!

What is her current condition?

Right now she is stable and gaining strength by the hour. She is awake and is beginning to understand what has happened to her, and how her life is forever changed. She is extremely touched by the outpouring of support from everyone and can’t wait to come back home to Sacramento.

What can everyone do to help?

There a few things:

On October 7th, we are having a benefit show at the Blue Lamp with some of Alicea’s favorite local bands — Kill the Precedent, Black Mackerel, City of Vain, and Murderlicious. Show starts at 8pm, 21+, $10 with proceeds going to Alicea. Also, we have benefit t-shirts available for $20 minimum donations via Paypal.com (use the e-mail address Hoods916@hotmail.com to place your order). Tom at Motion Company made the shirts for us at no extra cost, and the heart image on the shirt was drawn by Alicea’s brother, Jeff. To view the shirts online you can either e-mail me directly at Hoods916@hotmail.com or go to facebook.com/mikeyhood. In addition, there is a website Jeff also set up for people to securely donate to Alicea at any time they wish (visit http://alicealoveslife.bbnow.org/). Lastly, don’t forget the importance of being a registered donor! We encourage you to view your options quick and easy online at https://register.donatelifecalifornia.org/register/. Check everything out and please spread the word! Feel free to contact me or our friend Kristin Drummond (facebook.com/missdrummond) if you have any questions about how to help or if you would like a shirt.

Incoming! Random Abiladeze w/ Bread Fam, DJ Professor K – Thurs, 10/6

I should be seeing a ton more hip-hop shows than I have, especially in this town where it’s so often thriving. I stumbled upon Random Abiladeze by accident a few years ago, and what a rewarding accident it’s been. This guy is a prophet – so down to earth, so articulate, so humble and cool and full of joy; an inspiration, to anyone smart enough to pay attention. He also SLAYS on the microphone! Come hear his hilariously scary “Walk Into My Office” and more, backed by a live band called Bread Fam, which he says “is a long inside joke from my alter ego, Mayne E. Savage…I’m ‘Raisin Bread’, Brian is ‘Wheat Bread’, Sam Phelps is ‘Rye Bread’, Matt Klee is ‘Sour Dough’, Cole Dutcher is ‘Wonder Bread’, and Tommy Garcia is ‘Pita Bread’.” Whatever the in-joke may be, this is the nutrition of a positive future – have yourself a slice.

Sophia’s Thai Kitchen, 129 E St, Davis, 8PM, $5, 21+

Incoming! Alak, French Quarter, No Babies, Whitman, MOM – Weds. 10/5

A spattering of the most unique, charming, and challenging folk-ish music, plus the annoying, angular, shove-this-party-up-your-ass No Babies, plus the frightening and wonderful antics of MOM, equal a damn good Wednesday night in Davis. ‘Nuff said.

Villanova House, Davis, 7PM

Editor’s Letter

I’m guest-editing this, MidMo’s “Rock-tober” issue, Read more »