A downtown holiday tradition kicks off Friday as the Sacramento Downtown Plaza Ice Rink opens for its 21st year with free skating and skate rentals from 2 - 10 p.m. “Our crew has been really hustling all month over at Seventh and K streets to set up our outdoor rink,” said Annie Stuckert, senior events manager for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “Last week’s winter storm really put us all in the mood for these fun holiday activities, and we’re excited to kick off the season.” Last year, the ice rink set a record with more than 30,000 visitors – a 20 percent increase over the previous year. Tuesdays this year will be devoted to family skate nights, and there will be theme nights eve

Thomas Robinson has had his first YouTube moment in a Kings jersey, and better yet, it came at the expense of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Sacramento Kings rookie power forward had what the Bleacher Report referred to as a "nasty" putback dunk over Dwight Howard, who debuted for the Lakers in their 99-92 preseason loss to the Kings.  For an analysis of the game and the latest on Coach Keith Smart's roster moves, go to Cowbell Kingdom.

It was one of the ugliest starts I’ve ever seen in a Kings’ game—regular or preseason. Less than five minutes into the game, the Kings’ starting center and point guard, DeMarcus Cousins and Aaron Brooks, had picked up two early fouls each that took the team completely out of their up-tempo game. The Sacramento Kings never could recover from—at one point—a 15-point deficit, and lost to its rivals the Golden State Warriors 98-88 at Sleep Train Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 17, in front of 10,708 fans. After closely watching the position battle at the small forward spot during the Monday, Oct. 15, contest against the Trailblazers, I thought I’d focus my attention toward what is quickly becoming

In the second preseason game of the 2012-13 year, the Sacramento Kings beat the visiting Portland Trailblazers 117-100. Behind 23 points from Marcus Thornton, DeMarcus Cousins putting up 20 along with seven boards and three assists and 16 from Aaron Brooks, the Kings beat up on the Blazers for most of three and a half quarters and won a game that means nothing in the standings. What really matters in these next six or seven games for the men in purple and black? As the Kings get a few preseason games under their collective belt, the battle for a couple of starting spots seems open for the first time in quite a while. There is a great competition going on for the starting point guard sp

The Sacramento Mountain Lions lost their third game of the season Wednesday night at Raley Field. The 20-9 loss to the first place Las Vegas Locomotives leaves Sacramento winless in the season.

There is no shortage of Oakland Athletics fans in Sacamento, and they took over the local Twittersphere Monday night, erupting in joy after the A's clinched a playoff spot for the first time in six years by beating the first-place Texas Rangers 4-3. Here's a snapshot of some of the best reactions on Twitter:

Buckle up, ladies and gents, as it’s that time of the year again! The time to cheer like madmen and madwomen for your purple-and-black court warriors is just around the corner. The Kings kicked off their 27th season in Sacramento with their annual Media Day on Monday afternoon. The event saw many new faces in the royal purple, black and white, along with the returning core from last year, as they get ready for their second season under the leadership of head coach Keith Smart. With the influx of several new players — Thomas Robinson (first-round draft pick), along with Aaron Brooks and James Johnson (free-agent signees) — comes the chance to change up the starting rotation, or find a pu

Name: Sarah Pollo Hometown: Roseville Current Neighborhood: Sacramento (Elmhurst) Occupation: Senior Account Executive/Part-time Grad Student Relationship Status: Single as a slice of bread! Kicking Foot: Right Age: 28 Kickball Seasons: Fall 2011 - GRID-unit – Maroon - Founding Season Spring 2012 - GRID-unit Fall 2012 – GRID-unit Interesting Fact: "I LOVE macaroni and cheese so much that I have created a blog about my adventures with the creamy noodle goodness that was recently featured by Dad's Kitchen." Fun Fact: "I sang Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby” acapella in the 6th grade in a pink frilly dress with matching white frilly socks." Random Fact: "When you type my name i

The Sacramento Mountain Lions are bringing professional football back to Sacramento on Friday as they host the Omaha Nighthawks at Raley Field for their home opener. It's the first of four games the Mountain Lions will play at home this year, and the team now has former NFL coach Turk Schonert at the helm, bringing his experience at Tampa Bay and Buffalo to the team in its fourth season. Tickets for the game range from $15 - $45. Raley Field is a new venue for the team, which formerly played at Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium. Though Raley Field is smaller than Hornet Stadium with around 6,000 fewer seats, team officials have said the staff and amenities at Raley Field make it attract

Sacramento reacts to the 'worst call ever' on Monday Night Football The Seattle Seahawks beat the Green Bay Packers in Monday Night Football when Golden Tate caught a 20-yard pass from Russell Wilson. The problem: In the eyes of most viewers and nearly everyone with a Twitter account in Sacramento, the pass was intercepted by Packers defensive back M.D. Jennings. Storified by Jared Goyette · Tue, Sep 25 2012 07:48:45 Let's start off by reviewing the tape: Another view of the touchdown. http://bit.ly/PCo4mVSB Nation GIF What a joke!!!“@joelklatt: Here you go...doesn't get any more clear than this http://pic.twitter.com/4HUDruVv”mark schlereth Most viewers reacted initially with a m

It’s hard to get to know everyone who is lacing up their cleats, pulling up their tube socks, and gearing up for their kickball games with hundreds of players doing so on a weekly basis! So our local World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA) league is shining the spotlight on a different player each week so you can get to know the fun-loving people in your community who re-live the playground glory days of recess on a weekly basis here in Sacramento. This week: Matt Phillips Do not be confused by the back to back "Matt's" -unlike last week's seasoned veteran, this week's Hall of Famer is fairly new to the league. Stats and Mini-Bio: Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA Current Neighborhood: Sacrame

It’s hard to get to know everyone who is lacing up their cleats, pulling up their tube socks, and gearing up for their kickball games with hundreds of players doing so on a weekly basis! So our local World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA) league is shining the spotlight on a different player each week so you can get to know the fun-loving people in your community who re-live the playground glory days of recess on a weekly basis here in Sacramento. This week: Matthew Heintz Stats and Mini-Bio: Name: Matthew Heintz Hometown: Winters, CA Current City: Sacramento, CA (Natomas) Occupation: Reporting Analyst (a.k.a. full-time nerd) Relationship Status: Engaged Kicking Foot: Right Age: 30 Kic

There were no racing bibs, countdown clocks or jittery pre-event warmups at the Sacramento Walking Sticks 5K/10K walk on Saturday. Instead, there were happy clusters of walkers strolling along the bubbling American River, optional forays into the Soil Born Farms farm stand and plenty of time to stop for a picnic lunch. Starting at the William B. Pond Recreation area, walkers were able to choose a 5K, 10K or any distance in between, and could start at any time between 8 a.m. and noon. Or, if you’re an “obsessive walker,” you might do two walks in a day, as one club member is known to do. The new club walking route, designed by President Heidi Foster, primarily followed equestrian trails

The last time professional soccer was played at Raley Field was June 12, 2010. The game two years ago featured the San Jose Earthquakes playing Chivas USA. On Saturday, Sept. 8, two of Mexico’s premier soccer teams played a friendly match. Club Atlético Monarcas from Morelia, who appeared to have more fans at the match, faced off against San Luis FC. Gates opened four hours before the game, and tailgate parties attracted many fans. One of the fans was Ivan Zhukov, whom I met while he was walking toward the main gate with several children. I asked him about attending the match and about his companions. Zhukov said, “Yes, these are my kids. They all play football (soccer), and I used t

It’s hard to get to know everyone who is lacing up their cleats, pulling up their tube socks, and gearing up for their kickball games with hundreds of players doing so on a weekly basis! So our local World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA) league is shining the spotlight on a different player each week so you can get to know the fun-loving people in your community who re-live the playground glory days of recess on a weekly basis here in Sacramento. This week: Cassi Heale Cassi’s Kickball Stats and Mini-Bio: Name: Cassi Heale Hometown: Sacramento, CA Current City: Sacramento, CA Occupation: Operations Logistics Coordinator, SSA Marine Relationship Status: Dating Kicking Foot: Right Age:

The California Capital Airshow will take to the skies this Saturday and Sunday at Mather Airport. The airshow features live aerial performances, static air vehicle displays, along with food vendors and other local organizations. The live aerial acts include a number of stunt aerobatic performances, fly-overs, and a Heritage Tribute flight. In addition to the performances in the air, attendees can also get up close to the dozens of static displays on the grounds. The public will be able to walk through some of the larger aircraft. The featured aerial performance on both days will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Jet Demonstration Team. On Thursday, the USAF Thunderbird pilots were av

The Sacramento River Cats lost their first game of the post-season against the Reno Aces, 3-1. The best-of-five series opened at Raley Field on Wednesday evening. The River Cats launched an early threat by loading the bases in the first inning with two outs. Reno's right-hander, Trevor Bauer, was able to strike out Sacramento's Shane Peterson to end the inning. Reno posted two runs on the scoreboard in the third inning. Wladimir Sutil reached first base on a fielding error by third baseman Grant Green. Sutil sprinted around to third base on A. J. Pollock's line drive and slid hard into Green, breaking up the play to stay safely on the bag. Sutil advanced to home on Tyler Kuhn's double. P

It’s hard to get to know everyone who is lacing up their cleats, pulling up their tube socks, and gearing up for their kickball games with hundreds of players doing so on a weekly basis! So our local WAKA league is shining the spotlight on a different player each week so you can get to know the fun-loving people in your community who re-live the playground glory days of recess on a weekly basis here in Sacramento. This week: Danielle Vaticano! Danielle Vaticano joined WAKA Sacramento a year ago and has brought tons of fun, vibrant energy to the league. This season will be no different, kicking off on Thursday September 6th with players donning their favorite football fan gear for NFL them

Media reports were buzzing from coast to coast about a plan being pitched in Virginia Beach to build a new arena and possibly make it the new home of the Sacramento Kings – but when the proposal was unveiled to the Virginia Beach City Council Tuesday, no mention was made of the Kings, leaving fans to breathe a sigh of relief. “They didn't present a financing plan, provided only a cost estimate and – most importantly to Sacramento basketball fans – didn't mention any potential sports teams as tenants,” Ryan Lillis reported in The Sacramento Bee Tuesday. Although the rumors remained unsubstantiated after the weeklong worry-fest leading up to the City Council presentation, questions linger