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The Newcomer
(by Della Bacon - March 16, 2009)
“Laugh and the world laughs with you.” Cry? Then you most likely will cry alone. How sad. So many folks are just not doing well these days. My heart goes out to them. Just wish I could put my arms around a few and wave a magic wand to make life better. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t work that way. So, I gotta hang out with happy people. Or at least people who put on a smile before they start their day.
Firemen are happy people, even when they fight fires and save damsels in distress. I decided to start my day at El Medio Fire Department, on Lincoln Street in South Side. The Fire Chief, Rusty Ohlhausen, was hoeing weeds and working on a flower bed. I told him I was absent the day the Fire Department offered free rides in the fire truck to third graders (more than a few years ago).
Well, to make a long story short, the Chief took pity on me. He seemed to understand that my emotional development was seriously affected because I happened to miss school that day. You know what he did? He said he would make it up to me, and I could ride in one of his fire trucks! Wow! Watch for more information on this. Maybe I can share the date of the ride with you, and we can wave to one another.
Feeling my oats, I wandered off to the El Medio Vegetable Stand, located in front of the fire department. It was a clear, bright, sunny Thursday afternoon. I don’t want to embarass you by telling you how many fresh vegetables and fruit items I purchased for a mere $4.35. I am bragging, ‘cause it was a marvelous bargain. Don’t take my word for it! You really should try this organic food for yourself. By the way, certified instructors will be teaching Health, Healing and Hope when properly prepared plant-based foods are included in your diet. Classes start Tuesday, March 17th at 7 p.m. at Williams Hall, 1180 Robinson Street, Oroville. You can call Floyd Rogers at 992 2426 for more information. If plant-based diets reduce aging, build my immune system, help prevent colds, flu and other diseases; I’m for it! Teach me to improve my life-style right.
Oh! I almost forgot ... Congratulations to David Hipes and his charming wife, Kim (whom I met at El Medio Vegetable Stand). David has been activated for United Network Organ Transplant. Gosh! What a wonderful blessing! You should have seen them at the Veggie Stand—like two little kids who just found out the best news in the whole wide world. David, God Bless You, congratulations, and know my prayers are with you and Kim. Thanks for sharing. (See? Everywhere I go, I hear an uplifting story. That’s the benefit of being a free lance writer. The Digger Shopper & News just continues to open doors, and avenues for everyone, not just me).
Let’s face it, I can not go out on a nice, sunny day without a jaunt downtown. Why? It’s because of those delightful entrepreneurs, with energy and enthusiasm to spare. I told you before It is such a great feeling to walk into the shops in Oroville. I love those people. I adore their style, vim, vigor, and hip-hop-ideas. Those people who belong to ODBA, aka Oroville Downtown Business Association, just keep coming up with more and more ideas to make me want to go downtown more often. So far, the First Friday adventures have kept me on my toes. The prices are low, the entertainment and snacks are great, and the art work submitted by Artists of Rivertown, and placed in so many local businesses, is amazing. If you missed the exhibits for First Friday in March, you gotta make a point of checking stuff out on the First Friday in April. Take my word ... it is awesome.
Did you know? The Green Line is coming back, and more signs are going to be installed. I think that is being done for us older folks, who couldn’t find the green line last year. No, I’m wrong! They say it is for the tourists. Let’s all check it out.
Did you know? Our famous Traci Grant owner of Evolve is in the process of moving to larger quarters? That energetic gal is going to be on Montgomery Street soon. There will be two window displays and far more merchandise. Check her out! I am excited that she will be closer to Mary Lake Thompsons, Ltd., Red Fly; Special EFX, Roxy’s Golden Poppy; and Ruby’s. I am so excited for her. It’s going to be almost as big as Brown & Co., where she originally worked as a teenager.
Did you Know? La De Da is adding more merchandise and doing some special things for brides and grooms? In fact, rumor is they will be a Bridal Consultant Store with invitations and wedding gown rentals.
I Heard! Corkin’s Crossing has closed its doors. But he hasn’t left town. This soft-spoken, tall guy is going to help Mom at Gallery Interiors. Elegant Elouise of Day Dreams has enjoyed a wonderful vacation in Arizona and may open her doors on weekends. Roxy’s Golden Poppy features special items for picky eaters, like me. What-To-Wear and The Address have more inventory coming in on a daily basis. Galeria Mexicana is celebrating another birthday—that means big sales, and new merchandise. Of course, Betty Jeans’s on Bird Street is there doing great; having wonderful sales and opportunities for people like me. Pam, John, and Kathleen put a smile on their faces, before reporting to work. The new place on Bird and Myers is Coffee Diem next to Sierra Gem. Crown Jewelers is active in all downtown events, and Creative Imaging gets better every time I turn around. How can I forget my friend Andy at Gold City Mercantile—he is the answer to quality, gently used items, that I look for to decorate my home. Mug Shots Coffee House is the greatest place to meet other folks with the same interest. Housers Music features the Gypies at Copa de Oro and dancing on Thursday nights. I love to have lunch at Tong Fong Low, and can’t forget Feather River Senior Citizen Center—Bingo, Lunch, Good Conversation and happy folks who venture out especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Bill Kell and his wife at Scoops Cafe are a must stop, when I am in town. And I am still convinced Afternoon Delights would delight anyone with its great gifts. Some are homemade by Kay Saavedra, who is not only a full-time mom, but Registered Nurse at Oroville Hospital.
Want more? Tell me what you want more of by dropping me a line or two at della@diggernews.com. If and when my computer works, I will respond with bells on my toes and rings in my nose—maybe. I thank you for reading, writing to me, and letting me know you care. Keep reading and I will keep writing ...
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