The Buzz

Having operated my own retail business for eight years, I lived the basic tenets for maintaining a successful business.   Location:  I enjoyed a superior location facing the street in Old Town Auburn and my show window--decorated brightly/colorfully--was always working for me.  A poor location will absolutely require massive advertising/promotion to compensate for lack of traffic.  Commitment:  I committed to a regular schedule of hours/days.  Customers are unhappy when they find the store closed earlier than posted hours.  Interesting Inventory:  I refreshed my inventory at regular intervals.   Merchandising:  I drew the eye with colorful displays which were changed regularly.  Competitive Prices:  I studied my competition and priced accordingly, offering sales regularly.  Attitude:  I attempted to provide good cutomer service and a friendly outlook.  Connections:  I made it a point to know the other merchants and was able to refer my customers for their specific needs.  Promotion:  A regular advertising program is a must and should focus on print ads.   Owning a small business is a challenge; so a plan before the business is opened should be made and adjusted as the picture changes.    Some of the small businesses that have been successful over the years include South West Silver; Roper's Jewelry; Sierra Moon Goldsmiths; OZ; Awful Annie's; Mary Belle's; Sunrise Natural Foods; The Footpath; The Chocolate Shoppe.  The aforementioned businesses all have good regular hours, good locations, good product and good customer service.   Did I mention:  It's always a plus when the business owner loves the business. 

Enjoyed the scene with friends Donna Arz and Syl Bruce while dining at Monkey Cat on Lincoln Way Downtown.  I partook of the piquant omelette while Arz experienced  the tasty fish tacos.   Syl was on a limited timetable and enjoyed her coffee and girl talk.  Arz and I topped off our meal with a devilishly tasty lemon concoction, split in half,  all served up by Server Sierra.  All that was missing from the experience was connecting with the hospitable owner Jim Bril.  After the dining experience,  Donna and I walked off a few cals by heading over to South West Silver where we dove into the trove of sterling treasures.  Finished up the shopping experience and headed over to Court House Coffee where I chatted with the friendly server Jennifer who trumped me by sharing with me the fact that her Conure voices the words "baby" and "potty".  Paco, my boy, speak to me.

Now in my sixth year of hosting on KAHI, I have at long last found my niche:  Hosting colorful peeps from the community and making the connection.  Was successful today, connecting with Andrew Downey as co-host, bringing his own brand of enthusiasm,  and musician David Liebergot.  Was pleased  on THE GOLF CONNECTION to host The Ridge golf pro/instructor Shawn Kelly who enjoys his work and has a solid rep as a good teacher.   Enjoyed playing nine holes by myself at The Ridge and am happy to be at a skill level which allows me to fly solo.   No applause.

It's that time when we can all sink into our nests and partake of comfort food.  I just enjoyed the home-style chicken-noodle soup dished out by the always-smiling Moe, owner of Locksley Lane Deli.  And then I must share my taste delight over Cook Bessie's Badass Beans, Bessie being the cook at Granny's Cafe on Palm Avenue.  Bessie never quits and whipped up a moistly succulent Sassy Spice Cake with mouthwatering, creamy white frosting.   Stairmaster here I come.

After playing a few holes in the soup at The Ridge, ended up at CHC and cruised The Buzz with Liz, enjoyed my cheese-cake syruped coffee, headed home where I picked up the 'phone and called The Big Man, he being Clint Walker of Cheyenne fame.  Clint regaled me with stories about his Hollywood and television experiences.  Did you know?  Walker was the first hour-long Western, lasting for eight years, holding up in quality since Walker stayed on top of the scripts and now those DVDs are popularly received.  You Go Big Man.  Reference www.clintwalker.com for information about Walker and his DVDs.

Authors abound, especially in the Roseville/Nevada City Area and I am pleased to land Nik Colyer, who writes books about the male/female relationship.  Nik tells me that his latest book "Channeling Biker Bob" is in the planning stages for a movie.  Nik guests November 29 on my KAHI CONNECTIONS program.  Tune in to 950AM Thursdays from 9am to 10am.

Oh, my:  What a gloriously splendid day we were gifted with this Sunday.  Met Bed 'n Biscuit Owner Cynthia McCoy at Raspberry Hill golf course for a round and how we basked in the glory of the day--taking under two hours to play nine holes, parring two holes, and working off calories to boot, as we walked the entire course and reveled in the beauty of nature at her very best.  

Bounced over to Court House Haven on a splendid Fall day,  partook of the Truman Chipolte sassy turkey sandwich, chatted with Gary, owner of Carpe Vino who was showcasing tasty goat-cheese pastry from his eatery along with a local winery for the Wine Fest.  Walked down Lincoln and found myself enjoying the variety of art/crafts/jewelry at the Old Town Gallery where a solid crowd gathered to taste the grape.  Headed out to The Ridge to swing big under a cloudless sky and a riot of chirping birds filling the tall oaks. 

Had a blast on KAHI 950 CONNECTIONS today:  Hosted Jumbo Jet 747 pilot/author Susan Grant who delighted us with her colorful happenings on land and in the big sky.  That golf gal who shot 66 at The Ridge Carol French talked golf and then after the program we all met at our favorite coffee spot, Court House Coffee for more  connections.  Adrenaline still pumping, I wandered down Lincoln Way into the Ale House where I said hello to big Clint Walker, he of Cheyenne fame, and wife Susan.    Headed home to let the animals out into the sunshine and  patted myself on the back. 

OK, I'm making the transition into Fall with appreciation of cooler weather.  Started off the morning  lazy, reacting to the wet weather and found myself being tweaked with free-flowing energies after a session with Reiki therapist Donna Arz.  A visit to Court House Coffee found me relishing the delicious roasted turkey with chilpotec sauce and melted cheese sandwich, connecting with therapist-intern Gina Walker, regular customer, and waited on by Catherine Kleinbach, former owner of Hilda's pastry.   Squeezed in a few words with the always energetic owner Linda Lareau, and drove Downtown to Southwest Silver to visit with owner Syl Bruce and catch up on the details of her recent buying trip to the Southwest.  Ended up the day practicing the swing at the Ridge under a smiling blue sky.  Ahhhhh.