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AROUND TOWN – When looking over the attendance roster of Keith
Nesbitt’s swearing-in as Auburn’s mayor last Thursday, one may have
mistaken the gathering for a business mixer or Rotary meeting. Oh
sure, there were the usual politicos such as former Auburn Mayor
Annabel McCord (whom Joe Carroll refers to as the grand dame of city
politics), but there were also plenty of folks whose faces aren’t as
familiar at City Council meetings. For the record, I spotted Steve
Cavolt, Jerry Kopp, Nancie and Bill Radakovitz, Debi Lawrence, Sonja
Vargas, Steve Conklin, Gary Capps, Liz Briggs, Thomas “T.J.” Jackson,
Jeff Moore, city Planning Commission member Ray Merz, Auburn Chamber of
Commerce President Steve Galyardt, Leslie Maita, Rudy and Ann Rivero,
Stephanie Snyder, Monti Reynolds, Jim Fallbeck, E. Ken Tokutomi, Dick
and Jane Amick, Jim and Beckie King, Linda Robinson, Gary Moffat,
Auburn Fire Chief Mark D’Ambrogi, Alan Young, Auburn Fire Capt. Corey
Zander, Auburn Police Chief Valerie Harris, city Finance Director Andy
Heath, and many others. ... Craig Graham, founder of AuburnBuzz.com, is
turning 40 on Dec. 31 and will be celebrating with friends at the
Monkey Cat in Downtown Auburn.
CHRISTMAS CHEER – Old Town Auburn’s second Country Christmas was a hit
last Saturday as nice weather brought people out of their warm homes.
The Auburn Concert Band played traditional Christmas tunes as I ate my
clam chowder in a bread bowl, prepared by the Auburn Fire Department.
Others enjoying the festivities included Casey Conway, Caryl Barnes,
Don Baker, Gary and Jan Lord, George Coe, Scott Holbrook, Beth Leydon,
Cathy Bianchi and Jeanette Bullock (I didn’t see her hubby Carl, but he
was probably nearby). Who played Santa? I'm told it was Chris Whitehead, but under the suit and beard, I didn't recognize him.
WATERING HOLE MUSINGS – I can only take so much holiday cheer before
needing a break. With the Auburn Alehouse and Carpe Vino looking packed
during Country Christmas (crowds are not my thing), I strolled into the
California Club, the last “real” bar in Old Town. A young lady was
behind the bar, ably serving up suds (or something stonger) to those in
need. That’s when Bob Rogers strolled in. A Placer High grad, he
reminisced about the Shanghai Bar (which is now the Alehouse), the old
Auburn Hotel and Bill Wilson’s old “Man About Town” column in the
Sentinel. Here’s to you, Bob. Thanks for the pleasant conversation over
a beer. ... A Monday night meeting at the Club Car in Auburn found the
lovely Becky Martin and Roberta Lopez discussing the marketing needs of
the Leadership Auburn program. FOR THE PLANNER – I hear the Sugar Plump Fairies are planning a prom on
April 5 to celebrate their acquisition of official nonprofit status.
The group of lovely ladies (and a few gents) have been doing good works
in the Auburn community for years, from ringing bells for the Salvation
Army to raising funds for cancer research with their team at the annual
Relay for Life. So, be sure to attend the prom to show the Sugar Plump
Fairies that you appreciate all their hard work. BUSINESS BEAT – The Wine Rack, Placer County’s first multi-winery
tasting room, is now open at 13464 Lincoln Way (next to Lou La Bonte’s
Restaurant). The business is jointly operated, and features wines by
Dono Dal Cielo, Green Family, Mt. Vernon and Viña Castellano. Stop in
and say hi. ... There were some recent changes withing the Auburn
Downtown Business Association’s Board of Directors. Sharon Gannon is
replacing the very pregnant Kristina Hodge on the board and Teri Gibson
is replacing Ann Rivero as the Promotions Committee chairperson. Ann
had to step down due to her duties on the Chamber the Commerce board
and Rotary. WISHING WELL – My warm wishes and get well thoughts go out to Auburn’s
Nancey Holland, the lovely lady whom I’ve come to know so well over the
last few years. She underwent spinal surgery on Monday and will be
recuperating for many weeks to come. Get well soon, Nancey. We miss
you. ... Ralph Roper, the man who started Roper’s Jewelers in 1956, is
recovering from surgery in a hospital down the hill. Ralph is also a
past president of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and a member of that
organization’s Ambassadors team. 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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