Greg’s Happenings by Greg Kristapovich
I’m innocent and I bear no responsibility for what has happened. In fact, I have refrained from performing any and all of my hippy dippy rain dances. I swear! And to totally vindicate myself, I’m presenting a photo of the dude who’s actually responsible for all this rain – and consequently, the snow and ice, too! Check him out in the photo. His name is Mike Hoffman, of the Murphys area. He’s posing (outside The Nugget Bar) by his truck, which is carrying his “magic rain canoe”! But now, after the Mother Lode experienced a monster storm, complete with heavy rain, heavy snow and ice, Mikey’s seriously considering taking his magic rain canoe off his truck rack! Mikey explains: “Recently, I thought ‘We haven’t gotten any rain or any snow, so I’ll put it (the magic rain canoe) on my truck rack! Then it rained and snowed! Everybody knows the magic rain canoe – world-wide, now!’” (SMT’s posted weekly on the internet; and previous rain episodes caused by his magic rain canoe have been publicized around the world). “Now, everybody’s chewing me out for putting that canoe back on the truck! People got mad at me! They saw the magic rain/snow canoe on again; and it rained and snowed so much they couldn’t go to work, or make any money! I gotta keep my friends, so I’m gonna have to take it off.” Mikey then pondered some possibilities. “I might just sell my magic canoe and let somebody else haul it around!”
Ya know, when there’s rain or snow in the forecast, it’s also a good idea to go to your local video store and pick out a good movie. Geri Graham at Books and More in Angels Camp can always recommend a good flick! Recently, she’s viewed “Up”, and loved it! “It’s about an older man who is being sent to a convalescent hospital. He doesn’t want to go and tricks the two people who came out go get him: He goes back into his house and cuts a rope and all these balloons pop up – and it floats him (and his house) away! And he has this little boy on his doorstep and they have quite an adventure together! I did not think the little kids would like this movie, because it’s about an old man; but they love it!! It’s a wonderful film!” Geri rates “Up” 5 out of 5 movie reels! Kathy Wilhite (an adult customer from West Point agrees). “’Up’ is one of the best animation movies I’ve seen!” she exclaimed. “It was awesome, and I enjoyed the movie immensely!”
Truckin’ with my “special event poster hanging assignment” list in hand, I was feeling hunger pangs on a recent Sunday morn. So I decided to sample breakfast at Murphy’s Historic Hotel. Brian, the bartender/waiter served me their outtasight “breakfast special” of eggs/bacon/sausage/hash browns & toast – all for only $5.99!! I could’ve had my breakfast in their regular dining room; but I, being a manly type of hippy dude, chose to dine in the saloon, They had a Raider’s game on the big screen in there. Making good use of my time, I used the commercials to peruse my favorite hardback, currently: Guinness World Records 2010, (purchased at Sustenance Books a block away). Hey, check this out: The Largest Santa Gathering: In Derry City, Northern Ireland, 13,000 people dressed as Santa gathered in Guildhall Square, on December 9th, 2007! Unreal, huh? By the way, my breakfast special at Murphy’s Historic Hotel was cooked to perfection (my bacon was tender-just the way I like it) – and very delicious!! I give their breakfast special/and service five forks out of five!
While delivering SMTs in the Columbia State Historic Park, I made my regular stop into Hidden Treasures and Gold Panning (near the stagecoach pickup/drop off area) and checked out their fascinating collectibles and gifts. They’ve even got the Official Kenny Rogers-“The Gambler” playing cards there!! Next stop: Brown’s Coffee House. While there, I started whining to the gals about how cold and nasty it was outside. And they, realizing I was delivering my SMTs under severe, adverse weather conditions, graciously offered me some nice, hot tea. Actually, I think they had some extra stock on hand, anyway, since Columbia was having their famous weekend event called Merry Merchants/and a Miner’s Christmas. Nonetheless, Ruby and Becky caringly prepared me some “Sleigh Ride” tea (a pure Ceylon tea, packed in Sri Lanka for Timothy’s teas). Now, with a nice little tea buzz, I thanked the gals and continued on with my deliveries. Ya know, tea is good. No, tea is great! I Y tea! It’s very healthful! I’ll be consuming a LOT of it this season to build up my immune system, and I’ll be checking out ALL the tea shops in the Mother Lode! Stay tuned and turned on!
CORRECTION: Last week, I mistakenly referred to our local talk station, KVML as 1140 on the dial. (Perhaps I was having a flashback to when I used to listen to a Sports Talk station back in Sacramento). I want to sincerely apologize to Clarke Broadcasting. The radio frequency for KVML is 1450. That’s 1450 AM, on the dial! I also want to acknowledge the superb and stellar job Clarke Broadcasting did covering both the Sonora Wildcats and Summerville Bears football games!! Right now, I’m groovin’ on (Christmas) Star 92.7 FM! If you dig Christmas music, they’re playing all the incredible Christmas classics, sung by everyone from Bing Crosby and Brenda Lee, to Kenny Loggins and Faith Hill – and many more, until 3 p.m., Christmas Day! Dig it!!
Groovy Happenings: Christmas with Sonora’s Black Irish Band (and many special Celtic guests) will take place at The Sonora Opera Hall, Saturday, December 19th! Get your advance tickets at Mountain Bookshop or Sonora Music – before they sell out! The Gallo Center for the Arts, (Modesto) will stage a world-class performance of The Nutcracker on December 18th, 19th and 20th, at 2 and 7 p.m.! For more info, log on to www.galloarts.org! IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Rose Wolf Wildlife Rescue benefit has been rescheduled for Friday/Saturday, December 18th and 19th, 6 ‘til 10 p.m., at The Kutch Family Farm Christmas Lights Display and Tour at 10833 Golf Links Road in Jamestown. The rescheduling is due to the powerful rain storm that hit on the 11th and 12th. Santa’s hanging out in Courthouse Park lately (in downtown Sonora)! He’ll cheerfully listen to your kid(s) requests on Friday and Saturday, December 18th-19th, from 4 ‘till 6:30 p.m.; on Sunday, December 20th, from 3 ‘til 6:30 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, December 21st through the 23rd, from 4 ‘til 6:30 p.m.; and even on Christmas Eve, from noon ‘til 2:30 p.m.!!! If your kid(s) would like to hear Santa do some humorous story-telling, log on to www.smalltowncheer.com, for times and locations! Your kids will love it! Stop by The historic Gunn House Hotel (286 S. Washington Street) for FREE hot chocolate and cookies – through the holidays!! Also, keep reading the SMT Calendar (page 4) for even more Christmas events!! Looks like it’s all about Santa! But then, the only calls I got on my hippy dippy hotline (559-8368) this week were from elves! Breaking news! Terry Ogletree will be performing with his incredible keyboard at the Twain Harte Market on Tuesday, December 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Drive careful, and let’s all hope El Nino can bring a White Christmas! That would be so groovy! Peace.
