Service and the Budget

California’s budget jeopardizes more than just state workers income; it affects the income of customer service workers as well.

In the past few months the big story in California has been the state budget and how it has affected state workers, annuitants and, student workers.

The state workers however are not the only people affected by the executive order and the budget.

Keursten Jordan a front desk clerk at the double tree hotel says. “My job is actually affected by the state budget, we have seen a downward trend in business our occupancy rate is down six percent and that means that we aren’t making enough money to keep paying the employees.”

The hotel industry is not the only service industry affected by the state budget, restaurants in the area are also being affected.

Jolene from Chilies Howe bout Arden mentioned that her tips have taken a substantial down turn in the past few months.
Jolene says. “Well on a good night I would usually get about one hundred dollars in tips but lately I am only getting about fifty a night.”

Will the signing of the proposed budget turn the situation in California around?

The Rise of Graffiti

Urban artwork better known as graffiti is becoming more accepted by business in the Sacramento community.

In the case of local business in the midtown area not only does graffiti bring a more “youthful- vibe”, but it is also good advertisement.

At the corner of Broadway and 16th the local record store R5 has recently commissioned an artist by the name of Wolf-man Dan to put a mural on the side of the store to depict the many different types of music sold within.

Katie King a shopper at R5 records mentions “The mural is just fun to look at the colors are awesome and vibrant, and murals like this just seem to make the city less dull.”

While on the side of Bon Air Sandwiches there is a depiction of people enjoying sandwiches in a backdrop of Sacramento.

Mike Tull a patron of Bon Air Sandwiches says “The mural on the side of the sandwich shop brings the area at the corner of 26th and J to life.”

In the August issue of Full Circle magazine an article by Daniel Moore explained that urban art is becoming more popular than ever before.

“Not only is it becoming more marketable and socially accepted it also brightens up an otherwise drab cityscape.”

Benefit brings fun to mid-town

A crowd formed on Saturday September 13 the Boys and Girls club of Sacramento held a live benefit on the block of 20th and Capitol to help support an after school art program.

In attendance were the Atomic Kings a local band who specializes in cover songs by artist such as Aerosmith.

The Atomic Kings were the headlining attraction at the event and drew the largest crowd.

Also in attendance was the local band Grenade Jumper they drew the second largest crowd with their heavy metal and punk rock style they proceeded to entertain a very receptive crowd.

According to Alan Barber an auto-body shop owner and a vendor at the event “These events go over very well and I expect we will raise the funds needed.”

Alan also said “these types of events are wonderful it brings the community together and makes them more aware of not only the boys and girls club, but of the other local businesses in the midtown area of Sacramento.”


The Atomic Kings were the headlining attraction at the event and drew the largest crowd.

Parking Blues

Parking at CSUS becomes a problem the first week so school.

Stephan Jairal a Criminal Justice major at Sac State said.

"I had to get to school about an hour and a half early just to make sure I found a spot so I could get to class on time."

Stephan also said “Parking has gotten so much worse in the past year what with the number of new students

It was estimated that in November 2005 when parking structure 3 was under construction that, by spring of 2006 the campus would need an additional 12,135 parking spaces.

Now that it is 2008 the campus is again short the amount of spaces needed to accommodate students.

With an increase of over 6,000 students in the past two years, the student population is well over 29,000 students, says the academic affairs.

There are ways to work around the issue of parking, such as forms of public transit that stop at CSUS.

There is also a light rail station within walking distance of campus, and if a student decides to park in one of the further away.

The furthest most lots offer luxury shuttle service by Universal limousine to get the students where they need to be.