PICTURE THIS – Dolores M. Garcia, the lady credited with founding the Placer Community Action Council which oversees the Head Start program in Placer and Nevada counties, will long be remembered for her work with children in the community. This week’s snapshot comes courtesy of her daughter, Trisha Pickerel, and shows Dolores with local students. It was a year ago that I attended Dolores’ funeral and Trisha tells me she is starting a scholarship fund to help continue her mother’s work.

“Dolores often said, ‘Believe in yourself or no one will. Life is what you make it,’” Trisha recalled.  “This scholarship is a way to continue giving in her honor, as she did her whole career. We call it the ‘I Believe in You Scholarship.’ It is open to anyone starting or continuing their education. It will be offered this spring though local colleges and high schools.” Donations can be made payable to The Dolores M. Garcia Memorial, 5693 Sparas Street, Loomis, CA 95650. For more information, contact Trisha via e-mail at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (916) 849-6229. 

MANDARIN FESTIVAL UPDATE – Plans for the Mountain Mandarin Festival are coming along nicely, according to Karen Spencer. Slated for November 17th and 18th at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, festival organizers are seeking more vendors and growers. And, according to Karen, local growers don’t need to be members of the Mandarin Growers Association to participate. For details, call 916-663-1918.

AROUND TOWN– On Saturday I could be found at the DeWitt Theater watching the Miss and Teen Miss Auburn pageants, an evening of glamour the likes of which my country boy eyes are unaccustomed. My 9-year-old son Cian, impressed by last year’s Miss Teen Auburn Ashley Abba when he met her in July, wanted to tag along and he wasn’t disappointed. Among the packed house I spotted Barbara Van Felix and Cindee DiGolia while Auburn Chamber of Commerce President Steve Galyardt (who was recently stolen away from Union Bank to join the crew at Community 1st Bank) was one of the judges (tough job there, buddy!). Miss California 2008 Jan Humphrey also spoke to the audience. The young ladies danced, gave speeches, answered on-the-spot questions and as a grand finale, presented themselves in evening gowns while on the arm of one of three U.S. Marines. Kudos to Toni Foster-Fossum for organizing such a well-produced pageant. ... Eureka Lodge 16 (those are the Masons) donated $5,000 to the Auburn Police Department for the purchase of four taser guns and eight holsters (so the guns could be traded between day and night shift). On Monday night this week, some of Auburn’s finest showed up for an appreciation dinner and presentation at the lodge in Downtown Auburn. Rocklin Police Captain Ron Lawrence, who is also a Mason, helped organize the taser purchase and donation and, after a few brief words about the history of the lodge (their first meeting was held July 12, 1851 and the building they currently occupy was built in 1917), the group presented a check to Auburn Police Chief Valerie Harris. Not to be outdone, the chief presented two plaques – one to the lodge as an appreciation of thanks and the other to Robert Van Wine for his efforts running the lodge’s child identification program. More than 70 persons attended the swell affair that included Auburn City Manager Bob Richardson, City Councilman Kevin Hanley (and his wife Hattie), Auburn Police Lt. Scott Burns, Sgt. Dave Lawicka, Placer County District 3 Supervisor Jim Holmes, Placer County Law Enforcement Chaplain Terry Morgan, Roy Vermes, Ron Montana and plenty of others. ... I hear that Don and Jai Baker are enjoying themselves in Italy. The couple owns Awful Annie’s restaurant in Lincoln and Old Town Auburn. ... The Multipurpose Senior Center in Auburn will host a Halloween potluck and costume contest on Oct. 11. For more info, call 530-823-8172. ... Don’t forget to enter your recipes in the Oct. 20th Auburn Community Festival recipe contest (being run by my lovely wife Rachel with assistance from Peggy Seitzinger). For details and downloadable entry forms, visit www.auburncommunityfestival.com. ... The Downtown Grill, located on Nevada Street in Auburn, is featuring drink specials during Monday Night Football. They are also a new live entertainment venue. This Friday, Oct. 5th, The Krates will be performing at 9 p.m.

HELPING THE NEEDY – The Advisory Board for the Salvation Army of Auburn met last week and heard that this year’s “Feed the Hungry” program was the most successful since its inception. At the Gold Country Fair livestock auction, the organization purchased hogs, steers, chickens and other animals so they could stock their freezers to help feed the area’s needy. They also discussed the upcoming bell-ringer program and are seeking local service clubs who can don a red apron and man kettles throughout the season. I wonder if the Leadership Auburn Alumni Association can man a few kettles this year? It would probably make a great competition between classes. Michelle Talbott, social services manager for the Salvation Army of Auburn, also reported the results of the most recent homeless count for Auburn and Roseville. It shows 587 people are without homes while 136 of those are children.

BUSINESS BEAT – Last Thursday, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors paid a visit to the new medical office in town, Summit Family Medicine, on High Street. The ambassadors are volunteers who take time out of their day every Thursday so they can welcome new businesses (and Chamber members) or showcase longtime members. Attending the ribbon cutting were Cathy Bianchi, Kelly Fulfer, Cindy Eklund, Ralph Roper, Tony Ferrari, Rodney Spangler, Rachel Chaddock, Bill Royan, Debi Lawrence, Kathy Sands, Sharon Gannon, Cindy Burris, Michelle Strange and a few others. After the ribbon cutting or showcase, the group heads to a nearby restaurant (last week they went to the Auburn Alehouse) for lunch. They put a good face on the local business community and should be commended.

WISHING WELL – Eileen Ferber is home recuperating from knee surgery. We hope you’re doing the two-step again soon, Eileen! ... While riding his bicycle, Gilbert Ortega, one of the town’s colorful characters, ran into a car on Maple Street. He’s on the mend and we wish him a speedy recovery.

WHAT’S HAPPENING – Some important local events to remember and jot down in your calendars are the Gold Country Rotary Club’s Oktoberfest (Oct. 5), St. Joseph’s Festival in Auburn (Oct. 6), Loomis Eggplant Festival (Oct. 6), Auburn Bluegrass Fest II (Oct. 6), 7TH annual Blue Jean Ball in Auburn (Oct. 7), Auburn Art Walk (Oct. 11), Auburn Wine Festival (Oct. 13), Placer County Farm & Barn Tour (Oct. 14), Lincoln Rib Fest & Classic Car Show (Oct. 13), All-Class Leadership Auburn Alumni Reunion (Oct. 19), Auburn Chamber of Commerce Planning Conference and Retreat (Oct. 20), Auburn Community Festival (Oct. 20), the Endurance Capital of the World Party at the Gold Country Fairgrounds (Oct. 20) and Auburn’s Fall Old Town Antique Street Fair (Oct. 21). For details, check out the Sentinel’s Community Calendar or A&E Calendar, or visit www.AuburnBuzz.com.

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