The Newcomer

Now that the Salmon Festival has ended, and we have all experienced Oroville’s Bounty what’s next?   Keep it local? You bet.  There is so very much to see and do, every single day of the week.
The Birdcage Theatre is trying something new this season: Thrifty Thursdays.  If you love attending their local plays, then you can do so at half-price on Thursday nights.  Tickets will only be sold at the door, not in advance, so get there early. Curtain time is 7:30, as usual.
Kicking off the 29th season at the Birdcage Theatre is “Hay Fever,” a comedy by Noel Coward and directed by Bill Falcon, opening Thursday, September 27th and running until October 7th.  Funny, funny stuff!  Mark your calendar and get out to see it.
Most everyone knows Katy Ryan (a local actress), but do you know what she is up to this month?  Katy is starring in a one-woman play based on the life and letters of Ann Landers, the famous advice columnist! Written by David Rambo, with the cooperation of Maro Howard, and directed by Dennis Ashley, it’s sure to be a should-not-miss event! It’ll be performed at the Unity Church of Oroville, at 1321 Robinson Street.  Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 13th, at 7:30 pm or Sunday, October 14th, at 1 pm. This sounds like a lot of fun. The more people who attend this play, the more plays will be produced at Unity Church; so tell your friends!
Hey!  Have you heard about the Sock Hop at Oroville’s Historic Monday Club?  It is an old-fashioned, American Bandstand-style dance where you can rock-n-roll with the Jets (a Nat King Cole style band).  Grab your guy or gal and make a date for October 13th.  Doors open at 6:10 pm. Seating is limited, so buy your tickets in advance from Houser’s Music, Betty Jean’s, or Beauty Addictions.
While you’re downtown, why not get acquainted with some of the great places to eat in the area; I know you’re hungry!  Have you checked out the newly opened Bird Street Cafe?  It’s located next to the Kitchen Store (a great place for unique and practical gifts!), on the corner of Myers and Bird. What about Coffee Diem?  Did you know they make dogie biscuits that are healthy for our pets?  Then there’s Luceddies. I love them for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Last time I was at Luceddies Italian Restaurant, I bumped into Mike Williams, a wonderful artist who showed me some of his work. I must say, I found it truly spectacular.  Afterwards, I sometimes like to take my laptop to Mug Shots for a little “surfing”.  They also have Broken Arrow Art Studio original art on display.  It’s a real treat for me, talking to all of the interesting people and learning what’s new.
Another place I have become fond of is The Waffle Shop on Feather River Blvd., across from Applebee’s.  Brandy Poe, who has worked there for years, is the new manager, and she is doing a wonderful job!  I just love the portion size— food, food and more food!  I used to frequent a restaurant in Manteca called the Waffle Shop … lo and behold—it’s the same owners!  And let’s not forget the Hof Brau, on Table Mountain Blvd., where Checker’s used to be, across from the county offices. Tom and Debbie Brinton are great cooks and oh-so-much fun!  Why do I love the Brinton’s?  Oh, we go back a bit.  Tom’s kid brother, John Brinton, is Manteca’s City Attorney.  What a small world!
Speaking of a small world … I’ve just discovered Kusell’s Big Store on Montgomery Street. Are you the same Barbara Larson I knew years ago in San Joaquin Valley?  What are you doing in Oroville?  Hope you are receptive to my visiting you soon.  I was at your store this a.m., peeking in the window.
I’ve just had a wonderful conversation with Mary Berry, who lives in Sacramento, but was raised right here in Oroville. She’s a volunteer at the Oroville Police Department.  (Can you believe, she commutes to volunteer?!)  If you’ve never tried Bunco, now is the time to learn!  It’s Friday, October 5th at 6 pm at the Centennial Building. The cost is only $20, and it is so very much fun. (Bless Debbie Moore; she’s known as a caller.  She is also a great hair-dresser.)
Something else that’s fun … BINGO!  The Feather River Senior Center (FRSCA) is back to normal (for awhile).  Bingo is at 1:00 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  I recently learned that the first Saturday of each month is a birthday party.  They have a delicious sugar-free cake, supplied free of charge by Debbie Brinton.
Last week I dropped by Feather Falls Casino with my good friend Deana Solomon. Turns out that Deana knows Nittie, our waitress, and introduced us. She has a wonderful personality and seems to know everyone in town. Deana and Nittie hadn’t seen one another since Nittie was in pre-school. What a reunion!
The Miner’s Ranch Saloon (at the Oaks) has western dance lessons on Wednesday evenings. Then on Thursday the same group heads over to Gold Country Casino to dance. If you’re interested in learning a few line-dances, or how to two-step or swing, check it out. They are a fun group of happy people.
I woke up feeling great today, which hasn’t necessarily been the case this past year. Myself and several of my neighbors ended up in the hospital (all at the same time) with various problems. But it doesn’t matter how sick I am, when it’s time to get started on another column, my mind starts to race, and my heart swells with pride for this great community. So I’d like to just take a moment to thank all of the doctors, nurses, CNA’s, LVN’s, RN’s, technicians, and staff at Oroville Hospital for going beyond the call of duty.  Myself and most of my neighbors have returned home. You are all unsung heroes.
Robyn, a nurse at Oroville Hospital said: “I have learned people may forget what you say, and forget what you do, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”  Dear Robyn, I couldn’t agree more.  Also, I want to thank Dr. Skau and Carol Speer-Smith, RN, BSN of the Oroville Hospital for bending over backwards to help me recently.
Thank you to the readers who have continued to read this column for the past five years, and to the Newcomers who have moved to Oroville. Please drop me a line on Face Book, show me some pictures, or if you are so inclined send me a notice to The Digger.  If you write to me, (and I receive it), I will write to you. (Calling on the telephone doesn’t work.)  Are you going to dress for Halloween?  Let me know or send a picture.  It could be a fun month …