The Buzz

Bouncing around Old Town Auburn today was pleased to learn about all the changes taking place starting with the Gold Rush Mall where I learned Mimi of  The Silver Store will soon take the best location in the front of the mall; congrats to Mimi who has waited well over a decade for this opp.  Mahogany Gail moves to Tea Thyme up Sacramento Street as TT is now out of business.  Roseanne has opened a boutique in the back of the mall next to the veteran Sharon Stanley of  South of  The Border.  The Brookside eatery appears to be holding its own while Stan of  The Gold store is suffering with a serious injury and the Indian store has folded their tent.  I was very impressed with the scintillating lustre of  The OT Gallery and enjoyed my connection with the always enthusiastic Doreen Kidd who waxed joyously about the success of the Gallery.  Congrats to Kidd and all the creative artists.  Enjoyed a cup with Courthouse Coffee Owner Linda Lareau and daughter Lisa with her fashion-grooved daughter sitting outside on the sunny patio.  Headed over for a visit with good pal Syl Bruce who had her staff re-inventorying at the new location at the end of  High Street where Syl says she is happy in her new digs and will soon advertise a grand opening.   Plan on eating at Pasquale Ts next week at their new location next to the Downtown clock tower.  As a consumer, I'm pleased with all the changes and look forward to my shopping/dining choices in our happy hamlet.

Very much enjoyed watching the movie Mandela and de Klerk, the story of  Nelson Mandela played by the wonderful Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine as F.W. de Klerk.  Of course the acting is excellent and the story is riveting and what a relief:  No profanity or nudity.  Unfortunately, because of the nature of apartheid/segregation, violence was depicted in a graphic manner--all offset by the stimulating conversations of Mandela and de Klerk in their attempts to end the violence and end segregation in South Africa.  This film inspires because it shows what one majestic man and his followers did to change the history of segregation in South Africa.  Poitier is a credit to his race and his profession and Caine certainly does a swell job in his role.  Four stars to this well-produced film set in Cape Town,  South Africa.

Enjoyed an absolutely incredible meal at Giovanni's in Colfax where I dined in splendid excess with Hubby Jack--recuperating from knee surgery--and celebrated Stuart's Shurr's birthday with Wife Christina.  I enjoyed every stitch of my dining experience from the tangy Bloody Mary to my tasty salad to my linguini with blackened prawns.  And let me mention the crusty bread dipped in vinegar/oil.   Living in Auburn for 20 years this October, I confess that it was Stuart's suggestion to visit this pleasing restaurant which I had never experienced in two decades.   For shame.   The service here was prompt and friendly and I know I shall become a regular and wish Giovanni's continued success.  Yum.

Looking forward to Dakota Sid guesting tomorrow, Thursday, on KAHI CONNECTIONS.  Sid "grabs the audience in the gut" says Bill Varbie of the Medford Mail Tribune so we shall see.  At 9:30am Jim Linsdau, Publisher of the Foresthill Messenger and fellow golfer George Kazezski guest on THE GOLF CONNECTION; and at 10am I head over to Courthouse Coffee to enjoy the post-program connections where Barry Stigers, Liz Pope and Dina Farr usually drop in.  Should the weather clear up, I'll point the golfmobile in the direction of  The Ridge to practice the swing and putting so I can be on point Friday when I join up with pal Donna Arz for an enjoyable experience out on the green carpet.  Home Sweet Home

So enjoyed the experience today:  Hosted Zoo-Keeper/musician Gary Bowman at KAHI where we cranked up the mirth meter by playing Bowman's new CD with animal sounds/theme.  Bowman also shared his interesting background and talked about meeting Jane Goodall.  On the golf program I chatted with Shawn Kelly, pro/instruction at The Ridge, about the short game and Kelly gave his opinions on golf etiquette.  After the programs, we all headed over to Courthouse Coffee and joined The Ridge Sales Manager Diana Farr, golfers Liz Pope and Spencer Strand and were also joined by KAHI programmers Barry Stigers and Stewart Schurr.  No dues/rules/structure--just good community connections at our Round Table group.   Picked up my newly fitted clubs at The Ridge and headed home and look forward to a joyous time on the links tomorrow with good friend Donna Arz.  And now you know why I NEVER LEAVE HOME to travel.

It is being said that 2008 is the beginning of a major shift in growth/change/upheaval and one can certainly appreciate the economic reality with higher gas prices, etc; but life does, hopefully, go on.  Ran into good pal Syl Bruce as she headed over to Depoe Bay on High Street where I joined her and bumped into fellow golfer Donna Arz who was with Jack Bangs.  While waiting for our order at this very busy coffee house, chatted with AJ columnist Susan Rushton whom Bruce brought up to speed regarding her new location for Southwest Silver:  Just a stone's thrown away on High adjacent to Sundance Computer (recently moved to Palm Avenue).  Although the new location is smaller in size, the richly painted walls create a trading post atmosphere which will contribute to an alluring look for Southwest Silver when the place is put together.  Good luck to Syl in her new digs and congrats to Depoe Bay for spreading their wings with more menu selections and tables to nosh/network/connect.

Being a non-joiner, I am pleased with the turn-out at our Round Table group at Courthouse Coffee in Old Town, meeting Thursdays at 10am after the CONNECTIONS program on 950AM KAHI.  On Thursday I will host entertaining musician/singer Clod Headgate at 9am followed at 9:30am by local Golf Vixen Cirbie Sheppard who will talk about her media ties with the Golf Channel.  Terry Love, instructor at Dark Horse in Nevada County will co-guest and, hopefully, all will join in at The Round Table gathering where the public is invited to add to the casual conversation about the community.  Welcome back to girl golfer Liz Pope on her return from Reno, Nevada.  Liz and CHC owner Linda Lareau are top fans of  KAHI CONNECTIONS and can always be counted on for their call-ins to the programs.  

Post-program at Courthouse Coffee I was joined by the returning Liz Pope, golfer Spencer Strand and Diana Farr from The Ridge.  It was good to see Liz and share golf stories with Spencer as we all talked about our golf experiences and ties with the community.  No golf today or tomorrow but I am grateful for the rain and the quenching of the thirsty earth so will look forward to some play next week.  Stopped by the Assistant League Thrift Shop on Hwy 49 in Auburn and was asked to spread the word regarding the shop's need for volunteers.  Monies received go toward a variety of good causes and I always enjoy my treasures from this shop.   Feeling good after a great session of  Reiki with Donna Arz and looking forward to working out the kinks tomorrow with Body Mechanic Gabrielle, she of the nimble fingers and intuitive manner.  

Met KAHI Sales Manager Bob Ripley today for a pleasant lunch at The Monkey Cat in Downtown Auburn where we were told by owner Trish that husband Jim Bril is recovering from knee surgery and will return in a month.  Bob and I enjoyed our fish tacos and appreciated the attentive service by the dark-haired waitress with the easy smile.  Bob and I enjoyed our radio/community connections and agreed to connect again very soon.  Best wishes, Jim, for a speedy recovery.

Just finished watching a magical movie The Rainmaker starring Burt Lancaster, Kate Hepburn and Wendell Corey.  Directed by Joseph Andrew, this movie makes you smile, big and wide, all the while being highly entertained by the wonderful performances--a film the individual and/or the family can watch without flinching.  I'd give five stars to this wonderfully magic film and am grateful for these fine films that will live on and triumph over those films which have been produced with no regard for the audience.  This film will entertain and renew your faith in movies.