Issue: December 15, 2016
The cover story this week: Sure, it feels like 2016 was the year that laughter died, but, it's just not so! Our writers explore the deep, inclusive and booming local comedy scene to insure you get your funny bone the exercise it needs.
Elsewhere in the issue: There have been several dozen homeless citizen deaths this year on the streets of Sacramento, some criticize a narrow political focus that offers a limited scope to a larger issue, Matt Kramer and Raheem F. Hosseini report; Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova are seeing green at the expense of driver's propensity for turning on red, but is this just a traffic cam cash cow? John Flynn has the story; Elsewhere, in 2011 it was revealed that the results of a 20-year analysis by the Sacramento County Child Death Review Team yielded that black children die at twice the rate of their white peers, Matt Kramer reports on what is being done to remedy this. Also in the book, while you're on your way to the comedy club, why not listen to the STAB! podcast? What is STAB! ? Read Janelle Bitker's interview with its creators, John Ross and Jesse Jones, to find out.
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The comedy issue
SN&R dives into Sacramento’s deeply funny scene.
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How to be funny, according to Lance Woods
The Sacramento comic shares the do’s and don’ts of stand-up comedy.
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Where else to watch comedy
Under-the-radar venues means more and cheaper laughs.
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Alfonso Portela on race, burritos and jokes
How the Sacramento comic balances cultural observations and characters in one of the city’s funniest acts.
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The dark side of comedy
Local comics Mike Cella, Becky Lynn and Melissa McGillicuddy share the wounds that inform their acts.
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Keith Lowell Jensen and Johnny Taylor Jr.: A duo for the ages
How the Sacramento pair’s friendship drives their comedy to the big leagues.
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Jaime Fernandez and Ta’Vi Watkins are funny women
Two comics dish on Sacramento stand-up through a female gaze.
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The cult of improv
Finding freedom, community and a charismatic leader at the Sacramento Comedy Spot.
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Shelter in winter, death year-round: Advocates criticize seasonal political focus as Sacramento homeless deaths remain high
County officials acknowledge program failings, promise to get serious about housing-first model.
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Red light, greenbacks
Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova rake in revenues from minor traffic infractions caught on camera.
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Slow saviors: Sacramento’s efforts to curb African-American child deaths take shape at the community level
Progress unclear as stakeholders continue responding to 5-year-old crisis.
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A lethal decision: Will California resume executions under Gov. Jerry Brown?
With Prop 62’s defeat, Brown’s longstanding anti-death penalty stance may shift.
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Kamala Harris upstaged by Backpage: Sacramento judge dismisses attorney general’s case against online classified portal
Defendants claim Sen.-elect Harris got what she wanted—a political victory.
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The next breast thing: Sacramento women donate breast milk for a good cause
Annual drive collects approximately 3,000 ounces for newborns.
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Letters for December 15, 2016
Readers continue to express concern over politicians on the local and national level.
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Compulsory giving
An employee doesn’t feel that she should be pressured into paying for a gift for her well-off boss.
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Speaking out together against hate, discrimination and violence
Interfaith Council of Greater Sacramento and Sacramento Area League of Muslims event: “Our Diverse Community Coming Together.”
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John Ross and Jesse Jones, comedians behind Stab!
The local comedians set up their guests with outlandish prompts and see how well they roll with the punches.
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Review: The Santaland Diaries
SN&R reviews a new production from Capital Stage.
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Preview: $!@* Christmas (But Gently and With Love)!
SN&R previews a new production from Capital Stage.
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Holiday rewind
Channel that childlike sense of wonder this week and actually take time to enjoy the holidays.
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Holidays and beyond
The Camellia Symphony Orchestra performs classical selections on December 17, including some holiday classics.
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Cinderella
SN&R reviews a new production from the Sacramento Theatre Company.
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Not your typical bar grub
Highwater takes over Pour House with much-improved bar food.
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New Americana
The owners of Lucca open a restaurant at the original Sloughhouse Inn; Sacramento gets two more Mexican spots; Folsom gets a Japanese crepe place; and Localis adds happy hour.
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Rock me like …
Nervous about a sugar overload in tiki drinks? The Jungle Bird’s Bourb-icane will soothe with a clean, strong flavor profile.
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New lunch spot
Skool on K serves lunch now, and even though the place is known for seafood, our writer recommends the turkey burger.
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Get your orange on
Taste mandarin-flavored everything at Mountain Mandarin Orchard Days.
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Like guavas, sort of
Commonly known as pineapple guavas, feijoas are popping up at area farmers markets.
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Healthy Taste of Sacramento promotes vegan lifestyles
The Healthy Taste of Sacramento daylong seminar features doctors, including John A. McDougall, who use integrative medicine to show that plant-based diets reduce disease and improve health. There will also be food.
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JR De Guzman chases laughs through song
The Sacramento comic sets sights on television and an international fanbase.
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Eight Gigs: Xasthur
Catch this heavy show to match the heavy winds in the forecast.
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Eight Gigs: Cam’ron
Harlem’s finest Diplomat brings his rose-colored caravan to Sacramento.
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Eight Gigs: Herschel Roy
Dance to the ‘80s-loving synth-pop sounds of Herschel Roy like your life depends on it.
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Eight Gigs: Larisa Bryski
Catch three homegrown pop-rock acts in one night.
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Eight Gigs: Rock for Tots 12
For more than a decade, the annual Rock for Tots event has been gathering toy donations for the Sacramento Salvation Army.
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Eight Gigs: Defecrator
Sacramento’s most blasphemous band celebrates the release of a new EP, Satanic Martyrdom.
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Eight Gigs: Charlie Hunter Quartet
The Charlie Hunter Quartet show off some serious jazz flair.
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Eight gigs: Lil Debbie
Catch the white female rapper who has serious beef with Miley Cyrus.
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Electronic days
Trophii releases its debut; First Festival announces its 2017 headliners; and Sacramento native Tycho snags a Grammy nomination.
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Resistible force
For the faithful, it’ll do. For the unfaithful, it’s routine and unimportant.
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La La Land
A wistful look at love and what could have been that sags when the music goes away.
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Collateral Beauty
This tearjerker is too smooth and calculated to truly get at your heartstrings.
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Miss Sloane
Glib caricatures and overly zealous writing reveal the writer’s clearly late-stage Aaron Sorkin Disease.
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Office Christmas Party
It’s a party movie and it took two directors and six writers to make it. What are you expecting?
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The Eagle Huntress
This documentary fits together a bit too well to feel sincere.
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Passing judgment
Ngaio shares his experience judging strains for the Emerald Cup.
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Santa Crawl
SN&R showcases its third annual charity pub crawl where we invite our readers to drink it up for charity.
This article was published on 12.15.16