Greg’s Happenings by Greg Kristapovich
Man, what an election! Yeah, some of the voters are disappointed by the results; even some of my close friends, who were members of a group called Hippies for McCain. For years, even many Democrats recognized McCain as “not your normal Republican…someone who can cross the isle and act in a bi-partisan manner… a ”Maverick”. But, as they say, the voters have spoken, and Barack Obama is our 44th president. Now, it’s time for everyone to kiss and make up; and for us all to come together as a nation. No one can deny that this was a HISTORIC election. I hope you had the foresight to go out and buy ten copies of Wednesday’s USA Today. My personal guru/investments consultant, Mahat guarantees me that this edition – if kept in mint condition – could be worth literally hundreds of dollars on eBay, down the road!!
Maryann of the Morning Show on Star 92.7 made Election Day fun, by involving listeners in a little presidential trivia. And it’s apparent that Maryann has been bitten by the trivia “bee”! Anyway, I learned that President John Tyler had fifteen children; that Eleanor Roosevelt, in 1939, served a regal meal of hotdogs to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth! I learned that President Warren G. Harding, short of funds, offered White House china as ante in poker games! Man, you sure can learn a lot (or at least a lot of trivia) on the Star 92.7 Morning Show!
Hey, check out the photo on this page! That’s me, posing with BOTH presidential candidates* (on Sunday, November 2nd, at Chatom Vineyards, on Hwy 4 in Douglas Flat)! I found them BOTH in the tasting room, sampling lots of wine. I don’t know if that was the wisest thing to do, in the final hours of the campaign – at least in McCain’s case. Perhaps McCain’s campaign manager should have told John to resist the lure of the Calaveras wineries this fall and keep stumping in Ohio and Florida. But, like they say, hindsight is 20/20. I did have an opportunity to “speak” with each of them. I told them of some of the important needs up here in the Mother Lode, like, federal funding for pot hole repair, more sidewalks and street lights, perhaps an authentic Hawaiian restaurant; as well as more money for the arts, so that we can get bigger acts like KISS or AC/DC up here! Both John and Barack essentially told me, “We’ll do what we can.”
You know, I may be a hippie, but I am very thankful that this country gives me the FREEDOM to be a hippie! In many countries, if I drove around, blasting Steppenwolf or Metallica out my speakers; long hair blowing in the wind, with political bumper stickers on the back of the truck – I’d probably be persecuted, or even thrown in prison. But in America, we’re free! So I dedicate this week’s column to all U.S. veterans – who, over the years, have fought to keep us free! (Remember, Tuesday, November 11th is Veterans’ Day).
Was kickin’ back at Micki and Larry’s (M&L’s) Sports Pub (in Copperopolis) Sunday afternoon, watching football, reading Rolling Stone (R.S) during commercials and enjoying some delicious – and complimentary split pea soup! The soup, by the way, was prepared by M&L bartender Andrea Winchell – who also is part owner of Salon Rouge (on S. Main Street in Angels Camp)! Andrea says she sets out a scrumptious dish about every other Sunday, and her specialties include corned beef and cabbage, Mexican soup and chili. So, I’m slurping up her delectable split pea soup and reading R.S. I discover that among the acts that have re-emerged and are either releasing albums, or touring are: James Taylor, Jackson Brown, The Pretenders, Queen, New Kids on the Block, Phish, Neil Diamond, Tina Turner, AC/DC, Guns and Roses, Journey, Alice Cooper – and Cheech and Chong! Life is good!!
Speaking of music, The Charlie Brechtel Band played at the Nugget’s Halloween Party in Murphys! I missed the show, and I’m kicking myself. A few days earlier, I had picked up a copy of the band’s CD titled “Freedom” Man, this band can rock; as well as belt out some intense blues! I was so captivated by their music, I accessed their webpage (www.charliebrechtel.com) and I discovered that Charlie has played with Gregg Allman, John Lee Hooker, B.B King, Deacon Jones, Dr. John, Buddy Miles, Aaron Neville, Freddy Fender, Steppenwolf, and other legends! “Charlie is a product of New Orleans (his hometown),” the site reveals, “so he knows his blues.” Interestingly, the album was recorded at JCOMM studios in Stockton – and mixed down at the Dam Ranch Studios – in Angels Camp! Anyway, I’m groovin’ on the CD, and I won’t miss Charlie Brechtel the next time he appears!
COUNTDOWN: Only 21 more days (as of publication date) – until the famous Sonora Christmas Festival – which has been called one of the Top 10 Christmas Festivals on the West Coast!!
Now, reggae is spreading like wildfire through the Mother Lode! Reggae Dance Hall is scheduled at the “Growler” Craft Brewery (on Hwy 4 in Murphys), on Saturday night, November 22nd! On the same date, reggae will reverberate at the Lumberyard Brewing Company on Standard Road, off of Hwy 108! Whiich ever side of Melones you live on, support your local reggae; and bring your good vibes and dancing feet – unless you’re “T LAZY T”, As one license plate reads (seen in Twain Harte). Also, a plate seen in Sonora: “TH BG” on a volkswagon beetle!
You know, as I watched the election results on TV that night, I was once again reminded that free elections, such as ours are possible only because of veterans, and those who gave their lives in the name of freedom. So, I leave you with some quotes to ponder. Jim Brisco is a water truck driver from Sonora. He was stationed in South Korea in 1964 and ’65. Says Jim, “I respect ALL G.I.s who have been in; and who are in, now. These young men, they’re in a difficult situation. I’ve got tons of respect for G.I.s and ‘G.I.-ettes’! They’re the backbone of this nation!” Then, there’s Al Cepeda of Sonora, a well respected bar owner. He served two years in Viet Nam: “I think about those 58,000 names on that black wall in D.C., and to me, it’s just a waste of youth. How many of these people could have done great things? War should be our last resort.” Still, Al celebrates Veterans’ Day: “It’s a day to pay homage to our warriors.” So, on Tuesday, November 11th, remember: peace and love. Pray for peace, and if you can, hug a vet!
*(Actually, Obama and McCain in the photo are really cardboard cutouts).
