Sierra Mountain Times

Well, I told Santa what I wanted for Christmas. I told him I wanted a brand new Beta-max videocassette recorder, a brand new 8-track tape player, a brand new projection TV and a new electric typewriter…and a vintage (even if ‘used’) Ford Pinto. I thought I’d think big this year, since Santa granted all my wishes last year: a new lava lamp, a new bean bag chair and new pair of bell-bottom blue jeans! Some people say I’m living in the past. But ya know, the past wasn’t so bad. Man, I had fun asking the “question of the week” (as Man on the Street), last issue. It’s intriguing what people consider the “greatest” invention. Interestingly, no one mentioned the wood burning stove, 4-wheel drive, the DVR or the printing press! I would die without these four things!!!! 

I sympathize with all the parents trying to keep their kids entertained during the Christmas vacation. Think movies!  Carrie Ray of Books and More (in Angels Camp) has a nice little movie to recommend, now out on DVD: It’s called “Imagine That”, starring Eddie Murphy! Carrie describes the movie thusly: “A father who works all the time and has never bonded with his daughter gets the chance to be a part of her imaginary world! This imaginary world tells him about stock trading! Eventually, Dad realizes the bond he was making with his daughter helps him become even more successful! It’s a heartwarming movie!” Carrie exclaims, as she gives the flick a solid rating of 3 out of 5 movie reels! Definitely a movie worth watching! Books and More has incredible video rental rates! Also, Video Scene of Twain Harte realizing that it’s been hard times for all of us the last couple of years, has set new, lower prices on many of their movie rentals! Right on, dudes!  So, rent a movie! It’ll make you feel good! Trust me. Ya know, it’s also a lot of fun to take a child to the video store and let him or her pick out the movie! It is totally entertaining to watch them do it! 

One man who’s glad it’s snowing ‘early’ is Art Delgado, owner of La Morenita Restaurant in Cold Springs (on Hwy 108 in Tuolumne County)! But Art does have a little bone to pick with the media: “A couple years ago, a news crew (from the Valley) was in here doing a review” Art recalls. “They asked, ‘Now that it’s snowing, how does it make you feel?’ And I said, ‘around these parts, we call this snow “white gold”!! Then, for the next couple of years, they used that same phase when they talked about the snow coming down! They’d say ‘That’s “white gold” coming down’! Every time I would hear that I’d go ‘That was ME! That’s MY saying!!’” One thing’s for sure: Art – along with Dodge Ridge Ski Resort (up Hwy 108), and Bear Valley Ski Resort, (on Hwy 4 in Calaveras County) are totally stoked now that snow is falling!

You know what gets me really stoked? Sitting comfortably inside a nice warm saloon, like the Nugget Bar (in Murphys), styling and profiling in one of my favorite Aloha shirts, while sipping a delicious Mai Tai – while it’s snowing outside!! People call the Nugget many things: a ‘biker bar’; a ‘red-neck bar’; ‘a dive’; but it’s definitely a cool bar! It’s full of many interesting characters and at any given moment, ANY THING CAN HAPPEN in there! Recently, a regular named “Chris” came back from a fishing expedition off the Baja Coast, with tons of tuna. Next thing ya know, Chris is bringing in a tray of ‘oishi’ (Japanese for delicious) sushi, that he made with the fish he caught. So for a couple incredible hours, The Nugget became an awesome little sushi bar! Dig it!!! And the Nugget continues to have THE hottest Karaoke show (Wednesday nights) on either side of Melone’s!!!

It’s been an usual week, you might say. I adopted a skunk and I ate a Christmas tree. I’ll explain. While I was doing my SMT deliveries, I made my usual stop at Hwy 108’s Mi-Wuk Ranger Station. While there, Lisa introduced me to their menagerie of skunks, and I fell in love with one of the little critters. He’s measures approx. six inches long; he’s cute and I call him ‘Stan’. I named him after the Stanislaus National Forest! Anyway, my skunk actually is a little stuffed, “finger puppet” that the ranger station sells. I’ve also got a large stuffed skunk that you can stick your entire hand into, and move so it looks like a real skunk! Whenever a small child comes into the SMT offices, I like to put my skunk hand puppet on and try to scare the beegeebeez out of the little rugrat! I was even considering using my fake skunk to scare people off at movie lines, so I could get to the head of the line. It’s just a thought. Now, here’s a helpful hint I heard on Good Day Sacramento (aired every morning on KMAX/CW 31): If you get sprayed, take those clothes and bury them about a foot deep in the soil and leave them there for about a week. The enzymes in the soil with absorb the smell! Cool!  Lisa and the gals back at the ranger station also note that skunk hunting season lasts ALL year long and there’s NO limit! For complete info on hunting other animals, contact the Mi-Wuk Ranger Station at (209)586-3234!      

 …And then, later that day, I ate a Christmas tree! It was actually a little Christmas tree decorated onto a little chocolate confection (at Murphy’s Nelson’s Candy Kitchen). It’s called “Nelson’s Holiday Marshmellow Treat”, and man, are they tasty! While in the shop, Lorna the manager related a story: “In Murphys, Santa told me (Lorna) that he’s always had a ‘wish’; and that was to come into the candy store and bring us girls candy! So he brought us all a piece of candy! Santa was very excited, and it was quite comical,” Lorna admitted. Awesome!  

Was walking down South Washington Street in Sonora, when something caught my eye. Outside Legends Books, Antiques and Old Fashioned Soda Fountain, I spotted a box of 45’s (‘singles’) as they are called. Only a buck a piece! Groovy!! So I start flickin’ through ‘em, and guess what I found: The Beatles “If I Fell” b/w “And I Love Her”! I also found their single “I’m Happy Just to Dance With You” b/w “I’ll Cry Instead”!!! I actually bought nine singles (for $9), which also included Starship’s single “Sara” (off their album, “Knee Deep in the Hoopla”), pressed in translucent blue vinyl! These were some outtasight finds, indeed!! 

GROOVY HAPPENINGS: Last chance to talk to Santa at his Official “Workshop” annex (in Courthouse Park, downtown Sonora): Thursday, Christmas Eve, (noon to 2:30 p.m.!) Then, it’s all about opening your presents this Christmas morning! I hope Santa gives you everything you asked for. If he doesn’t, take solace in the fact that the stores should be having some awesome After-Christmas sales! In a ‘down’ economy, you can kinda EXPECT it! Then, we all need to contemplate our 2010 New Year’s Resolutions! Here are mine: In 2010 I resolve to learn skiing and acoustic guitar; and to not gorge myself so much at buffets. (I’ve been known to scarf up as many as 22 slices of pizza at a buffet). But I digress. Don’t forget to make plans to ride the famous “New Year’s Eve Party Bus” that shuttles up and down Hwy 108 to some of the hottest spots in Tuolumne County! (See the ad on page 3)!!!

Enjoy the holidays, but remember: The Man on the Street will be out and about asking people what their New Year’s resolutions are! Be on guard: He can pop up anywhere! Till then, peace, love and (realistic) resolutions!