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AROUND TOWN – There’s a lot happening in our area, so let’s get to the good stuff. Margareta Swann was practically doing backflips when she told me Kevin Cohen, a big wig of Swarovski crystal, was slated to pay a visit to Golden Swann (which was recently named a top retailer of the high-end crystal) on Wednesday (Sept. 19). The visit came as a complete surprise. ... The American River area near Auburn was the staging ground for a film crew as they worked on a commercial for Kawasaki ATVs last week. ...
Kimberly Worley, of Pasquale T’s, is happy to report that the
restaurant will have a new home come January 2008. The popular Italian
eatery will be moving to 905 Lincoln Way, sharing the building that
also houses Citizens Bank in Downtown Auburn. The plan all along was to
turn the old Post Office into a mixed-use endeavor, according to
building owner Billy Prior when he showed me the blueprints months ago.
With all the rumors flying around regarding possible tenants, it’s good
to know that the renovated building will benefit a locally owned
restaurant. Pasquale T’s will remain open at their current location on
Grass Valley Highway through December. ... Jacob Roper, of the
well-known Auburn family that owns Roper’s Jewelers, is now the deputy
press secretary for the State Controller’s Office. Congratulations,
Jacob. ... I must be mistaken regarding this next item. Did the City of
Auburn bill the Old Town Business Association $30,000 for maintenance
to the public restrooms? That’s a lot of dough the association will be
flushing down the drain so snowboarders can relieve their bladders on
the way to Tahoe. Whew! We’ll keep you posted. ... Pete Aroz was busy
on Sunday painting the exterior of the Liquor Outlet and was quick to
talk about the plans he brought before the Downtown Business
Association last week seeking their input on a new sign he’d like to
place on his property (near the water wheel). Some questioned the sign
and whether it properly conveyed Auburn’s historic look. Mr. Aroz told
the group he would donate 20 percent of the “scrolling sign” to promote
Downtown events. Under current signage rules, it’s doubtful the
proposed sign would pass muster with the Historic Design Review
Commission. ... The Old Town building that housed Tsuda Market is being
converted into retail and restaurant space which should be available
spring 2008. ... The Auburn Chamber of Commerce President Steve
Galyardt is no longer employed by Union Bank of California. The
enigmatic Mr. Galyardt will be setting up shop with Community 1st Bank
as of Sept. 17. The Auburn branch, located on Grass Valley Highway
across from Chevy’s, also recently landed longtime Placer Sierra Bank
(which is now Wells Fargo) employee Kelly Fulfer. Steve will be
handling “business development.” ... Auburn Journal shutterbug Ben
Furtado will be teaching a class on how to buy digital cameras for
Placer School of Adults. And speaking of other media folk, the lovely
Kristine Coman, managing editor for the AJ, recently returned from a
vacation to Hawaii. ... Winemakers, located near the intersection of
High Street and Lincoln Way in Downtown Auburn, is up for sale again.
If you’re interest in the business, give them a call at 530-885-4650.
... Cindee Digolia tells me that a group of local Soroptimists is
heading to Africa in October. This is the same group who earlier
donated thousands of pairs of panties to impoverished villagers in
Africa (which was matched with a donation by underwear spokesman
Michael Jordan). They are going to the compound run by Auburn-based
H.E.A.R.T. (Health Education Africa Resource Team). I’ll keep you
posted.
GETTING A HEAD START – I hear the folks at the Placer Community Action
Council, also known as KidZKount, are coming under fire. Suzanne
Roberts, human resource specialist for the organization and a member of
the Colfax City Council, is at the center of the firestorm in which
multiple cases (I’m told four) have been filed against the agency
alleging everything from discrimination and harrassment to “unfair
business practices.” The agency last drew heavy criticism when they
fired their top two people – Margie Machado (human resources director)
and Dolores Garcia, who founded the organization. Those two alleged
that they were wrongfully terminated, but the lawsuit went nowhere when
Garcia passed away. A federal Head Start review last year found the
agency wasn’t compliant in numerous areas and the group was forced to
pay back $10,000. The Sentinel ran a series of investigative pieces on
the organization that is tasked with administering federal funds
through Head Start and state funds through California’s preschool
program in Placer and Nevada Counties. As I learn more on the latest
developments, I’ll keep you posted.
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT – An enthusiastic Sentinel reader gave
major kudos to District 5 Placer County Supervisor Bruce Kranz for his
efforts in helping get the new stop signs at Mt. Vernon and Joe(r)ger
roads with a “cheer” in a recent edition of our weeky fish-wrapper.
But, did you know that since the area is in a “gray zone” with District
3, Supervisor Jim Holmes did a lot of work on the project also? So, to
set the record straight, Jim and Bruce worked collaboratively on
improving the intersection and both deserve the credit. The duo also
worked together on the methamphetamine awareness DVD and they still
have plenty available for those who are interested.
OUT & ABOUT – The kick-off for the Gold Country Fair was a swell
affair, with a parade, live music and plenty of food. Brian Ford and
Luis Gomez, of the Auburn Alehouse, along with Reese Browning and his
family from Old Town Pizza, served up some great pizza and brew to the
volunteers and the fair’s Board of Directors during opening night. I
spotted Mike Holmes (Auburn City Councilman and former mayor) at his
Holmes for Congress booth, Hank Gonzales announcing the parade, Ty and
Catherine Rowe, the KAHI crew (Dave Rosenthal, Barry Stigers, Mary Jane
Popp, Victoria Beninga and plenty of others), Kelly Richardson,
District 3 Placer County Supervisor Jim Holmes, Bonnie Amaro, Nan
Lange, Dorothy Wall and her son Jimmy, Ken Campbell, Connie from Echo
Valley Ranch, speed demon Dave Joiner, Bill and Nancie Radakovitz, and
Carl and Jeanette Bullock. While at the Club Car Wednesday night (after
a few fierce rounds of shuffleboard at Bob and Betty’s 160 Club), it
was great to see my friends Kevin Capps, Jack Arns, John Rompala,
Bertie Rau, Steve Brown and Steve Conklin. Club Car owners Marcello and
Sarah Sanders Nolivo have been hard at work remodeling the ladies
restroom, which is welcome news to regulars. The men’s room will
probably undergo a makeover when they complete the first project. ...
The monthly Auburn Chamber Networking Luncheon last Wednesday was well
attended. I spotted Dina Hoffman of Centurion Mortgage, Sharon
“QuickBooks Guru” Gannon, local Realtor Susan Teixeira, Debbie Perrault
of Boys and Girls Club of Auburn, Kerry Gould of Kerry Terese Hair
Salon, Shari Smith of Casablanca Salon, Tony Allinger, Ruth Griffith of
ServPro, Adrian Pell of PellCreations.com, Chris Spurrell of A-Town
Photo, Michelle Strange of Citizens Bank, Boy Scouts of America’s Dan
Garvin, Ralph Smith of State Farm Insurance, Cindy Eklund of Eklund
Insurance, Leilani Vierra of Placer SPCA, Terry Fahrina of Holiday Inn
and plenty of others. One surprise was the attendance of District 3
state Assemblyman Rick Keene’s field rep Natalie Sablan. She gave a
brief overview of the recently passed state budget. The luncheon is
always held the first Wednesday of the month at Sizzler in Auburn.
WHAT’S HAPPENING – Hollywood will visit Auburn on Friday, Sept. 14,
with a performance by Ronny Cox (best known for his roles as Lt. Andrew
Bogomil in “Beverly Hills Cop,” Drew Ballinger in “Deliverance” and
Dick Jones in “RoboCop”) and friend Jack Williams, but they won’t be
acting. The duo will be performing music at Unity of Auburn, 1212 High
Street, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person. Williams is rated as one
of the top guitarists in the U.S. while Cox, when not making guest
appearances on “Desperate Housewives” or other TV shows, is becoming
known for his smooth vocals and songwriting skills. For more info, call
530-888-6489. ... With all the hoopla surrounding Sept. 15th’s Black
and White Ball in Auburn, we should remind our readers that there are
other events happening at the same time. On Saturday and Sunday, Sept.
15 and 16, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Royer Park in Roseville, the ninth
annual One Root Festival will feature music, food and more, all for
free. My friend Anita Lowe, who is a familiar face in the Old Town
Gallery, tells me they have booked world-class performers Canela,
Cheryl Lockett and Barius Babazadeh, Rump Shakers, Malika, Ken Koenig
Band, Bonfire, J Ross-Parrelli and Mumbo Gumbo. Between sets, the
entertainment continues with belly dancers, an African drum dance
troupe and cloggers. For more information, visit www.oneroot.org or
call 916-772-2557. ... Remember to mark Oct. 5th in your calendar as
the date for the next Gold Country Rotary Club Oktoberfest. Tickets are
$22 in advance (some are available at the Sentinel office at 1226 High
Street) or for $25 at the door. The festivities are held at the Gold
Country Fairgrounds in Auburn from 5 to 10 p.m.
WISHING WELL – We are all wishing Sharon Seitzinger a speedy recovery.
She suffered a stroke last week but I’m told she’s doing great and is
expected to make a full recovery. ... I hear that Cathy’s Catering
owner Cathy Bianchi (celebrating a birthday on Sept. 27) was cooking
for a big birthday bash on Saturday for Karen Grunwald (co-owner of
PowerWashPros ). ... Congratulations to Doug and Roberta Hoskins. Their
new daughter, Mary Helen, was born Sept. 5.
Don Chaddock is the executive editor of the Sentinel. His column,
“Biscuits and Gravy,” publishes every Friday. He may be reached at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or by calling 530-823-2463.
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