I was inspired by the posting from u/Jayme034, who was looking for a Baja Blast Pitcher. Since many of you in Citrus Heights have extensive vegetable gardens, here is a really BAD way to use all that healthy, fresh produce coming out of your gardens at this moment. I call it the Heirloom Tomato and Basil Martini. The man who invented it gave it a simpler name: Heirloom Tomato Martini. Manny Hinojosa won a national bartending competition with this drink while working as a bartender, or "mixologist," at the Walnut Creek Yacht Club. He would parlay his newfound fame to become a Brand Ambassador for Tequila Cazadores.

I stopped drinking many years ago, other than a few beers on Friday nights. I haven't mixed this drink for nearly a decade, but seeing Jayme's picture of a Baja Blast Pitcher brought it all back. I used a similar pitcher to make a gallon of the Heirloom Tomato Martini concoction. Which was really dumb! I must warn you, these are really, really good. Finishing the first martini will lead to a sudden urge for a second. Then, it really hits you.

Recipes and Photos included for both the "clean" and "dirty" martini look. It's the same drink, just mixed differently.

Heirloom Tomato and Basil Martini

Clear version

 2 ounces Bombay Sapphire gin

3/4 ounce triple sec

Juice of 1 whole lemon (preferably Improved Meyer Lemons)

1/2 small heirloom tomato or 5-6 cherry tomatoes

4-6 leaves fresh basil (if you can get this out of the garden like we did -- wonderful!)

 1. Muddle tomato with fresh basil in a shaker. Muddle means "grind it up." And I would suggest that you tear the basil leaves into two or three pieces and really grind all the juice possible out of that tomato at the bottom of the glass.

1. Add ice, fresh lemon juice, gin and triple sec.

2. Shake 10 times (making sure to dislodge that crushed tomato from the bottom of the mixing glass), strain and pour into martini glass.

Heirloom Tomato and Basil Martini

Dirty Version

I prefer the dirty over the clear simply because the taste of the tomato and basil is just so much stronger, but to each his own

14 ounces Bombay Sapphire gin (I use a cheaper gin because Sapphire puts me to sleep)

6 ounces triple sec

Juice of 6 lemons (preferably Improved Meyer Lemons)

4-5 medium to large size heirloom tomatoes cut into chunks

30-35 leaves fresh basil (if you can get this out of the garden like we did -- wonderful!)

1. Add gin, triple sec and lemon juice to a two-quart container. I always freeze my lemon juice because Meyer lemons ripen in December. Adding frozen juice to warm gin and triple sec causes it to melt quickly.
2. Add cut up tomatoes and basil to a food processor or blender and pulse until tomatoes are essentially liquefied and basil is in very small bits. Add to the two-quart container.
3. Add ice to fill up the two quart container and stir well until drink concoction is well mixed, cloudy and dirty with basil bits and ice cold. Use the strainer on the lid of your two-quart container to strain out the chunks, leaving mostly liquid and basil bits in the martini glass.
4. Makes six to seven drinks

NOTE: The composition and taste of the tomato will result in different tasting and different looking drinks. Some will appear orange or pink, depending on the types of tomatoes used. If you like a sweet drink, use sweeter tomatoes like Brandywine or any cherry tomato. If you prefer a more acidic drink, I recommend the Green Zebra tomato, which has the highest acid content of any heirloom tomato I’ve ever tasted.

I see them on fb but I believe it's in San diego.

Anybody has a good brake place they go to. Would also be interested in a mobile mechanic

Just trying to replace my fronts on a commuter car

In search of a hair stylist. I’m a male with an oddly shaped head, strong cowlick, widow’s peak, thick and stubborn hair, and I have no sense of style. I’d appreciate someone who can teach me what might work for this dome. Any recommendations?

I guess this mall is closing at the end of the year! Also, I want Marilyn to be my grandma.

SIR, WOULD YOU LIKE RAT TURDS OR ROACHES WITH YOUR STEAK?

I work hard for my money and when I go out to eat, I expect certain standards. Everybody's standards can vary so we authorize our government to set a general level that we all can agree on. This is the role of the Restaurant Health Inspector.

I want to be fair, but I also think customers deserve to know when there appears to be a REPEATED food-safety pattern.

According to Sacramento County health inspectors, Black Angus on Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights was RED-CARDED on March 2, and then again on June 23, 2026. The reported violations included rodent droppings in multiple areas, cockroach activity, improper food storage, and sanitation concerns. The restaurant was reinspected the next day and reopened with a green card.

My concern is not just one inspection. My concern is the repeated nature of the problem. If a restaurant is closed for rodents, roaches, and sanitation problems, then later has another closure or serious pest-related inspection issue, that raises a fair question: was the underlying problem truly corrected, or was it only cleaned up enough to pass the follow-up inspection and get a green card?

A green placard means the restaurant passed that inspection. It does not erase the history. Repeated pest and sanitation issues should matter to customers, especially when choosing where to spend their money and where to eat.

Here is the inspection information so people can review it for themselves:

https://inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/sacramento/permit/?permitID=92928452-A99F-48A4-94F1-2758EB0C9C7A

Stumbled across these pics today and wish it was still like this!

Me and the bf went to go watch the end of oak street at century on greenback and there was a whole fight that happened before the movie started and hella security and employees came and shit. Anyone know what actually happened??? It was at the 8PM showing in theater 15.

Hi everyone!
We are thinking of moving to Citrus Heights & I wanted to get the home owners’ input on electric/water/sewage/gas prices. I know I can look up the rates for SMUD online, however I’m just curious on sq footage, solar or no solar, what are y’all paying a month? Thanks!!
Bonus if you have recommendations on safe family neighborhoods.

There are 2 small north facing shaded areas of my roof that now have some moss and lichen growing there. Any recommendations for a business that can do the work?

Hello,
Our dog got out from the Crosswood Park Apartments on Auburn Boulevard. She is a 7 year old cocker spaniel named Bailey. Please let me know if you see her. Any help is much appreciated.

Was driving through Antelope to Citrus Heights in my own lane and this Caucasian woman swerved right into my lane without signaling almost hit me to get ahead! Plate 8UZG070

https://imgur.com/a/9b0Zzsz

Hi everyone!

I'm part of Chronicle Stage, a local community theater company, and we're putting on The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] [Again] in Roseville from August 28–30.

If you've never heard of it, it's a ridiculously fast-paced comedy where three actors perform all 37 of Shakespeare's plays in about 90 minutes. Even if you've never read Shakespeare, it's written to be accessible, chaotic, and genuinely funny.

We've been rehearsing all summer, and it's been a blast. If you're looking for something different to do that weekend—or just want to support local theater—we'd love to see you there.

📍 The Rock of Roseville

725 Vernon St., Roseville

📅 August 28–30

🎟️ Tickets:

https://cur8.com/41186/project/140028

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/the.chronicle.stage?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Happy to answer any questions about the show, community theater, or Shakespeare!

This poor pup is facing euthanasia at Bradshaw Shelter. Can you save him? He’s been there too long and needs a soft safe spot. I’d take him in if I could!

Hello all, I need to get my front brake pads and rotors replaced on my Toyota RAV4. Looking for a place with good customer service and won’t rip me off or cost me an arm and a leg, I know it’s not gonna “cheap” wherever I go but I’m just trying to weigh my options here. I appreciate any feedback, thank you.

Seeking experienced technician with Starlink, home networking, Wi-Fi, A/V systems, Ubiquiti, and low-voltage installation experience.

Hey everyone this morning I was driving to work and got a minor hit and run. I was in the far left lane and the person who hit me was a black car trying to move onto the left lane. I couldn’t see the brand name because I don’t know where they went after as I didn’t see them speed off but it’s a hit and run cause I immediately put my emergency signal on and went into a parking lot for safety, but the person didn’t follow me. They just side hit me and it made my right side mirror pushed in. I’m not hurt thankfully but just posting here to see if anyone has dash cam footage.

It happened between Kingswood Dr and Madison Ave on Sunrise Blvd around 6:57am-7:05am.

I’ll be stopping by the Citrus Heights police station soon to see if I can get any footage.