If you’re looking for a way to melt away your hunger and have fun doing it you need to check out the Melting Pot, 814 15th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.  “Fondue is fun”, that’s the motto at the Melting Pot and after our unique dining experience this evening I agree. 

Rumor has it that they are a little pricey, but timing is everything.  My friend and I decided to meet there directly after work and since we were both coming from opposite sides of Sacramento we arrived at 5:30PM, which is in the middle of “Happy Hour”.  That definitely made us happy because they have a 2 for $22 deal from 4:30PM to 6:30PM.  This means fondue for two and two glasses of their featured wine or cocktail for $22.  We upped the price a little be staying for dessert, but how could we leave when there was a dozen different kinds of chocolate waiting to cover all sorts of tasty tidbits from fresh strawberries and bananas to chocolate covered marshmallows and pieces of pound cake and even mini rice krispy treats.

The Melting Pot is a chain with 142 restaurants in 37 states, but it still had that homey feel with individual fondue pots for each table with a built-in warmer in the middle of the table.  The friendly waiter gave us a mini fondue cooking lesson when he mixed two kinds of cheese with a little wine, some herbs and of course garlic for that savory smell that made us eager to dunk all the tasty tidbits they brought for our dipping pleasure; there was herbal bread, veggies, chunks of crunchy apples.

So if you want to please your taste buds and get rid of you problems for a while try dipping them in a little cheese or maybe covering them with chocolate would do the trick………it worked for me.

Melting Pot

On Saturday, May 2, 2009, 8:30AM to 2:30PM come to American River Ranch, 2140 Chase Dr., Rancho Cordova, CA, for “A Day On The Farm“.  The day’s events include: Outdoor Cooking Classes, Children’s Garden Activities, Storytelling, Farm Tours, Education Tables, Workshops & Demonstrations, Local Arts & Crafts, Morning Food and Organic Lunch.  $5 is the suggested donation for a day of learning, eating and celebration. 

The annual plant sale is also Saturday and begins at 8:30AM.  Come early for a good selection.  Soil Born Farms is also teaming up with the California Native Plant Society to raise money for the restoration and green development of the American River Ranch.  Choose from varieties of peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, spinach, arugula, cucumber, melon, collards, kale, summer Squash, Winter Squash and pumpkins, herbs, and many flowers.  Plus the California Native Plant Society will offer plants that are all native to the Parkway area.

Soil Born Farm

Summer officially begins Downtown on May 1 with the return of the Friday Night Concerts in the Park. This free 15-week concert series will rock Cesar Chavez Plaza, 10^th Street (between I & J Streets), Sacramento, CA 95814 every Friday night from 5 pm to 9 pm through August 7 with the sounds of live, local music.

Even in its 18th season, the Concerts in the Park series remains true to its roots and continues to provide a free, all ages venue to showcase Sacramento’s local music scene. This season’s lineup features a total of 51 local bands including 27 new acts to the park series. The bands reflect a broad spectrum of musical acts including blues, punk, country, rock, indie, soul, pop, reggae and hip hop.  Click on this link for a tentative list of the performing bands.

Concerts in the Park 2009

We were just talking about cultural diversity and that is just what California Celebration is all about.  It’s a fun-filled day all about the rich cultural diversity in our state.   Saturday, May 2, 2009, from 9:00AM to 4:00PM animal talks, cultural groups, live performances and activity stations will fill the Sacramento Zoo! 

All this fun and culture are included with Zoo Admission.  The Sacramento Zoo is located at Land Park Drive and 16^th Avenue 95822.  For more information about all the entertainment and activities click on this link to California Celebration at the Zoo.

California Celebration at Sacramento Zoo

Just a “Manic Monday” observation. Even though it was purely accidental, I’m sure Sacramento Scoop proved that Sacramento has cultural diversity, and I know you will agree with me if you read the last two posts.  In the last post I told you that the Sacramento Opera will perform La Boheme and the post before that told you that the Sac City Rollers were having tryouts to find new players for the Roller Derby.  Now how much more cultural diversity can you find than that?

Courtesy of YouTube listen to the Bangles and see if they inspire you with any “Manic Monday” observations to share:

Sacramento Opera La Boheme

• WHO: Sacramento Opera
• WHAT: La Boheme
• WHEN:
•  Friday, May 8, 2009 at 8 pm
• Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 2 pm, Tuesday
• May 12, 2009 at 7:30 pm
• WHERE:
• Sacramento Community Center Theater
  1301 L Street, Sacramento, CA

La Boheme is set in Paris, about 1830, and follows the story of young bohemians living in Paris; a poet, a painter, a musician, and a philosopher who long for a deeper connection to society, to one another, and in the case of the poet Rodolfo, to the beautiful but frail seamstress, Mimi.

Courtesy of YouTube you can view a scene from the first act of La Boheme performed by Jose Carreras and Teresa Stratas.

Think you might be a “Roller Derby Girl”?  Well now’s your chance to find out.  The Sac City Rollers are having tryouts tomorrow, Sunday, April 26, 2009, from 9:00AM to 11:00AM at Foothill Skate Inn, 4700 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95841.

To get more information about the tryouts or just find information about the league click on this link to Sac City Rollers.

If your dream is to join the Roller Derby but just can’t get to the tryout you can get information about how to watch a practice or join at a later date by emailing them at recruitment@saccityrollers.com.

Come on, you know you want to, strap on those skates and hit the boards with the Sac City Rollers!

Sac City Rollers

No, Kentucky Fried Chicken has not invented some new sushi chicken wrap; they have become grill masters and they want to share with you.  On Monday, April 27, 2009, KFC is giving a piece of their new grilled chicken to anyone who comes in to one of their stores.  So check it out for free!  

KFC Grilled Chicken

The Festa di Vino is tomorrow, April 25, 2009, from 7:00PM to 10:00PM at the Aerospace Museum of California, 3200 Freedom Park Drive, McClellan, CA 95652.

There will be winemakers from all over Northern California and an array of restaurants from all around the Sacramento area.  Ticket sales and auction will benefit a number of charitable and non-profit causes.

Click on this link to Festa di Vino website for more info.

Festa di Vino

Global Youth Service Day - Teens Go Green is happening in both north (Natomas) and south (Meadowview), tomorrow, April 25, 2009, from 9:00AM to 2:30PM hundreds of Sacramento area teens are invited to canvas neighborhoods and educate our neighbors on ways to be “Green” at home and in the community. Participants will have a chance to compete and win prizes based on how many neighbors are committed to conservation. You must register to participate as space is limited. Jump off points are located in South Sacramento and Natomas, visit registration website for details: www.sacvolunteers.org Participants receive lunch and a community service certificate. Contacts: Meadowview - Christina DeMoss-Giffin (916) 808-6111 or Natomas - Randi Kay Stephens (916)808-7001.  Click on this to register online for Teens Go Green.

Global Youth Service Day