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WALKING THE STREETS – Muggy heat didn’t slow down a group of business and civic leaders last week as they strolled the streets of Auburn with the folks behind the city’s "Streetscape" beautification plan. Chalking out areas where the sidewalks are to be widened and small entry way monument signs are to go was one way to get more of Auburn’s movers and shakers on board and get their "buy in," but more than one on the walk expressed concerns over making Auburn appear too "touristy." When concerns were voiced regarding improving drainage in Old Town Auburn, Auburn Mayor Bob Snyder said the Streetscape plan doesn’t involve storm drains because the cost would skyrocket. Streetscape tour guide Paul Weller (the senior landscape architect for Rocklin-based Foothill Associates) said, "We can leave it just the way it is or we can look at this as an opportunity and investigate."
(I’ve sat through enough presentations on the Streetscape that I could
probably step in and take over City Manager Bob Richardson’s traveling
road show in a pinch.) The beautification effort’s main goal is to
provide an attractive walkable corridor between Old Town and Downtown,
enticing visitors to "stop, shop and stroll" (according to City
Councilman Keith Nesbitt). Essentially, some of the streets with loads
of dead space (such as Lincoln Way across from City Hall) will get
revamped and the sidewalks widened. Information kiosks, better signage
and lighting will let visitors know there is more to Auburn than just
one business district. Out-of-towners attending a conference at the
Power’s Mansion Event Center, for example, could theoretically stroll
the widened sidewalks in a well-lit area, and know they are getting
somewhere. Who was on the walk? I spotted "Rowdy" Randy Hicks, J.
Randall Smith, Bud Richardson, Sarah and Marcello Nolivo, Gary and
Kevin Capps, Ty Rowe (Old Town Business Association president), Harvey
Roper (Downtown Business Association president), Betty and Everett
Jensen, Corrine Lee, Jim Bril, City Council member Bridget Powers,
attorney Monti Reynolds, city Planning Director Wil Wong, Pete Aroz,
Sentinel publisher Janice Forbes, and Margareta Swann (as well as a few
others). I believe this project will be resisted by some of the
old-timers but overall will make some of the streets more attractive
(thereby increasing business and foot traffic to those areas) and
easier to walk. As a regular walker (even though one would be unable to
tell by my waistline), I’m all for improving our city’s sidewalks.
MEA CULPA – I wrote that I spotted Gordon Hinkle, of Rep. John T.
Doolittle’s office, at the Granite Community Bank quarterly forum at
The Ridge a few weeks back. As I was also writing about another former
aide of Doolittle, I mistakenly wrote that Hinkle would be jumping ship
in the near future. "I have no plans to leave," he confirmed when I
called to apologize. With changes at the Doolittle office recently, I
confused Hinkle with someone else. Sorry about the "slip of the pen,"
Gordon.
AROUND TOWN – The recent 2007 graduates of Leadership Auburn met at
MaryBelle’s for breakfast last Wednesday to discuss their contribution
to the Auburn Chamber’s 100th anniversary bash on Aug. 4 (as well as
brainstorm recommendations regarding the Leadership program) thanks to
organizer and chief Leadership Auburn cheerleader Peggy Seitzinger.
Others at the breakfast meeting included Christine Rydell, Kahl Muscott
(the likable Auburn Recreation District administrator is heading out on
a vacation to one of those Midwest states that start with an "i"), Bob
and Eileen Ferber (who were celebrating their 43rd wedding anniversary
the same day and are involved in organizing the restaurants for the
upcoming Black and White Ball), Tony Hazarian, Barbara Van Felix, Ralph
Laird, Bill Wharton, Gail Remington and Karen Hancock. ... Rob
Patterson is the new minister at Bell Road Baptist Church. Patterson
and his wife Cathy are new to the area, so be sure to stop in and give
them a warm welcome. ... Preparations for the Tevis Ride found me at
the home of Cynci and Tim Calvin. (See the first in a three-part series
on the Tevis Ride on page A15 in the print edition.) Maps, photographs and beer were in
abundance. In fact, Tim offered me a pint from the first keg sold by
the Auburn Alehouse. Brian Ford, who co-owns the joint, has kicked his
brewing skills into high gear to fulfill demand for his tasty brews and
as far as I know, he isn’t selling kegs to the general public just yet.
The American River Pale Ale I tried was crisp and fresh. Nicely done,
Brian! Others at the get-together included Michael Kent Murphy, the
lovely Kathleen Sailor, Brenda and Harvey Roper, Bob Richardson, Monti
Reynolds and many others. For more on the Tevis Cup Ride, see the
Sports page or visit www.foothill.net/tevis. ... Dave Rosenthal is back
on the air, at least part time. He’s doing the afternoon show from 3 to
6 p.m. on KAHI AM 950. The local radio personality suffered a heart
attack a few weeks ago and he appears to be recovering nicely.
BUSINESS BEAT – My friend, the comely Karen Grunwald, should have
reason to celebrate. One of her favorite eateries has finally moved
into its new digs on Grass Valley Highway (on the Lake of the Pines
side of Dry Creek Road). The new Taco Tree features a drive through,
easy on and off access to the highway, and the same tasty menu. ...
Cheryl Kranich has moved her Tea Thyme Treasures store a few doors down
to the former spot of Li’l Miss M in Old Town Auburn. This places her
closer to her other store, Martha’s Vineyard. Good luck in the new
location, Cheryl! ... The Auburn Chamber is sporting a new cupola,
thanks to the hard work of Nick Willick and his 15-year-old son, Blake.
Nick is the retired police chief and a former city manager for Auburn.
While there to snap some photos of the installation early Tuesday
morning, the lovely Leslie Maita and her beau, Auburn Chamber President
Steve Galyardt, stopped by to witness the historic occasion. Forrest
Eklund, a former chamber president, was also on hand.
WISHING WELL – Wish a happy birthday to , Tom Brenner (Aug. 5) and
Scott Bentley (Aug. 6). Happy anniversary to Alan and Lindy Young (Aug.
7) and Ralph and Linda Hammer (Aug. 8).
Don Chaddock is the executive editor of the Sentinel. His column,
"Biscuits and Gravy," publishes every Friday. He may be reached at
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