Issue: January 19, 2012
It's been 40 years since the outset of the "war
on cancer." What do we really know about the
enemy? In this week's SN&R, writer Bill
O'Driscoll, recently diagnosed with melanoma,
asks the question: How much might our exposure to
an ever-increasing number of untested chemicals
be increasing our risk for this dreaded disease?
His answer: We really don't know. And that's the
experiment, in which we've all become human test subjects.
In this week's Frontlines, education historian
Diane Ravitch worked under President George H.W.
Bush and implemented the seeds for today's No
Child Left Behind, Race To The Top school-testing
craze. Today, she's perhaps the leader when it
comes to advocating for new ways to evaluate
students and teachers. Some even call her the
anti-Michelle Rhee; read Cosmo Garvin's Q-and-A
this week. Also: The grid gets more independent
coffeehouses than Starbucks, Met High School gets
new, green-friendly digs, and scientist concoct a scary super-flu.
In Arts & Culture, we ask: Do you remember The
Blair Witch Project? Of course you do-and
especially Heather Donahue, the female lead
famous for the "I'm so scared" cry-fest scene.
Anyway, years after the film, Donahue moved to
the Sacramento foothills, decided to start
growing pot-and now has a book about it. Rachel
Leibrock interviews her. Also this week: Five
stars for Ambiance, Sleeprockers awaken to
success, and Nick Miller gives his take on the state of the music scene.
Like us on Facebook and get news updates and
exclusive discount offers on our Sweetdeals site:
http://www.facebook.com/SacNewsReview.
-
The Human Experiment
Forty years into the “war on cancer,” and we still don’t know what motivates the enemy.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Cure vs. cause
Popular culture prefers “beating” cancer to sussing its source: For every Erin Brockovich there are 10 Brian’s Songs celebrating cancer’s noble victims.We celebrate those who beat cancer … but ignore efforts to prevent it.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Teachers, Superman and the ‘anti-Michelle Rhee’
Education historian Diane Ravitch says education reformers are killing the American school system.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
The big squeeze
Some banks, credit unions surcharge poor Californians.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Cool beans
There are finally more independent coffeehouses on the grid than Starbucks.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Chopped liver
Auntie Ruth looks at media coverage of climate change.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Green gutters
Rocklin inventor designs an eco-friendly gutter guard.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Nuclear-power shake-up
Judge rules that PG&E cannot pass on to ratepayers the costs of relicensing Diablo Canyon.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
What would Ronald Reagan do?
What should the government’s role be in caring for the needy?
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Reclaiming design
Steven Tiller of Reclamation Art and Furniture builds his pieces out of Sacramento’s deconstructed buildings and urban forests.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Mormon flashback
As Mitt Romney leads the GOP field, the Mexican takes a trip in the wayback machine.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Mixed signals for Sacramento public radio
Capital Public Radio can do better than another big slab of BBC news.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
No to ‘defeatists’
Here’s to Gov. Jerry Brown’s continued push for high-speed rail vision.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Government pensions, Pharma patents
Here’s one way to lower health-care costs: Eliminate monopoly patents for Big Pharma.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Cheap and easy
This is what we talk about when we talk about money.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
One to Grow On
Blair Witch Project star Heather Donahue discusses country life, tending to her “girls,” and the difference between growing pot and becoming a pot wife.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Twelfth Night, with a twist
The B Street Theatre’s latest show, Aliens With Extraordinary Skills, keeps the comedy intact despite some serious topics.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
‘Et in Arcadia ego’
Big Idea Theatre’s Arcadia is really smart theater done sublimely.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Blame it on the movies
Runaway Stage Productions opens The Wedding Singer.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
All camp, all the time
Sacramento Theatre Company opens Ruthless! The Musical on the Pollock Stage.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Bacon Fest
Sacramento Bacon Festival is a three-day celebration of a certain special meat.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
The future is here
Verge Center for the Arts parties hard to celebrate success.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Middle class rutting
Alan Bennet’s Smut: Stories drips with gentle irony.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
The Illusion of Blue
A poem by Bonnie Antonini of Sacramento.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Soup is good food
Nevada City serves up hot pots of community soup.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Uncle Sam gets serious
Federal government targets Sacramento dispensary landlord for property seizure—and confirms that more warning letters, and suits, could be on the way.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
For the fences
At Ambience, it’s chef Morgan Song’s way or the highway.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Gung hay fat choy!
It’s time to plan your celebratory feast for the Year of the Dragon.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Popping with perfection
The most savory and vegan popcorn in town just may be at Fat Face at Bows & Arrows.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Rock it in their sleep
Hip-hop deejay and production crew Sleeprockers wake up to the big time.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Puzzling emotions
Stephen Daldry has a great cast that still can’t make a good movie out of an intriguing book.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Contraband
Baltazar Kormákur directs a decent American remake of the Icelandic film in which he starred.
This article was published on 01.19.12
-
Joyful Noise
Director Todd Graff manages to make two of the most interesting women in Hollywood seem boring.
This article was published on 01.19.12