Greg’s Happenings by Greg Kristapovich
I’m still trying to formulate a sensible, reasonable, logical, attainable New Year’s Resolution. I had told my readers that my resolution was to finally learn to ski – though I’ve made that very same resolution, every January – for the last seven years! This all reminds me of my twelve years on O’ahu. Every January my New Year’s resolution was to learn to surf. Never did. Well, this year I resolve – once and for all, to learn to ski. And I WILL! I have mastered the plastic snow saucer (with the help of one book called Snow Saucers for Dummies). And now, I have a new book: “Skiing, Ski-Related injuries and Cashing in Your Accidental Death and Dismemberment Policy For Dummies”. I am confident that I am now well equipped to learn to ski. However, now with this dry spell, some of the snow will be starting to melt. We NEED snow in January, so I feel compelled, at this time, to do my most ambitious, intense and passionate hippy dippy rain dance yet. So, at this time, I am going to log off my laptop, and proceed with my rain dance. It should last about two hours, but please, don’t go away…
Whew! That was somewhat exhausting; yet, at the same time, I feel invigorated! And now, it’s Miller Time! You know, someone else has an interesting New Year’s Resolution (NY’s R). Mona Ely, who works at a popular chicken-based fast food eatery in Angels Camp reveals that her NY’s R is “to bottle break my grandbabies! They are sets of twins, one year and one week apart. And you don’t want to know about our diaper bill,” she admits. Regarding this whole “bottle-breaking” project, Mona says they’ve already started the process, and she explains why they are working on both sets of twins simultaneously. “You can’t take the bottles away from the two year-olds and let the one year-olds have theirs. There would be too much chaos!” Good luck, Mona, with your NY’s R! (One of the sets of twins, by the way, was fathered by one of Mona’s twin son’s! Obviously, twins run in that family!)
The San Diego Chargers lost their playoff game to the Pittsburg Steelers, 35-24. And that put me into a depressed state of mind. By Tuesday, following that game, I called my personal guru/therapist, Mahat. He told me over the phone, “I’m O.K., You’re O.K.” (I think he got this phrase from the title of that best-selling self-help book from the 70s. But Mahat agreed to see me. While lying on his bean bag-style couch, Mahat asked me, “So,what color is your parachute?” “What kind of question is that?” I asked him. “Just wondering, my son; as you look as if you were contemplating jumping out of a plane, “ he explained. “I know you wanted the Chargers to win,” he acknowledged, “but remember this: You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometime, you might find you get what you need!” Now I know for a fact, that Mahat got that line from that Rolling Stones hit song. But regardles, Mahat reminded me of some very simple, yet profound truths. And he assured me that the Chargers would be back next year, stronger than ever! And that there are still some good things to come out of this post-season period, such as: The Super Bowl Breakfast at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora; the Chili Cook-off at Murphys Historic Hotel; the incredible potluck at Micki and Larry’s Sports Pub in Copperopolis – and a lot more. So, stay tuned for updates and additional info!
License plate seen on a car parked in East Sonora: CME4LNZ. However, there was no advertising on the side of the vehicle. So, one might wonder: C who? I know in these time; there might be a LOT of people who might need a loan!
Was in the Valley recently, putting up posters for Trade Secrets, a Sonora-based company that puts on Party and Wedding Fairs. They just held one at Modesto’s Centre Plaza, (and they should have another one there soon!) They will have a Fair at the San Ramon Marriott, Sunday, January 25th. For complete info, log on to www.PartyandWedding.com! So, anyway, I’m down in the Valley, and I must say; as much as I love Sonora, sometimes a short get-away does wonders for the mind and soul! Made a few interesting discoveries, too! For example, both Stockton and Modesto have crosswalks, which have little blinking yellow lights embedded right in the street, and running along the crosswalk lines. And get this: a recorded voice booms out, “Please use caution when crossing the street! Vehicles may not stop!” How cool! In Modesto, there’s a new Wal-Mart on McHenry Boulevard that stays open 24hrs–and has a grocery department!! Also in Modesto, on Oakdale Road, I passed a restaurant called “The Guru Indian Cuisine” Next time I’m in that city, I must stop in and try their lunch! Up north, in Stockton, I stopped in a coffeehouse (which will remain nameless, for their protection) that has on their menu board: Starsucks Caramel Macchiato! Believe it – or not!
While I was in Stockton, stopped into Replay Records on Pacfic Avenue, near Hammer Lane. Said “Hi!” to Willie, the proprietor. He’s a pretty cool dude. He even remembers Mountain Aire, the legendary rock festivals held at the fairgrounds in Angels Camp in the 70s and 80s! Also, Willie’s got a lot of groovy vinyl (i.e., records) in his shop! You know, his Replay Records – and Twain Harte’s Village Tunes are among the very few independent record stores left in Northern California! Then, while putting up some posters in Salida (just north of Modesto), I felt a little dry in the mouth, and was craving a little beer break. Viola! I saw a place called Salida Inn. Peeked in, determined that it was a friendly bar, and sat down and ordered a Bud. Then the bartender tells me my drink is “on Allan! Allan’s buying everyone a round!’” “Cool!” I exclaimed. I held my glass up and shouted, “Thanks, Allan!” Looked like about two dozen people got a free drink! Dude must have a lot of bread!
Made it back to Tuolumne safely, and started delivering my SMT’s. Stepping into Ed’s Cocktail Lounge in Twain Harte, said a hearty “Hi!” to one of the regulars, and one of SMT’s avid readers, Mike, aka, “Mr. J”. Today, he had a (minor) bone to pick with me. He claimed I “focus too much on classic rock, and ignore the great and legendary soul and R&B artists of the 60s, 70s and 80s. For example, James Brown, Luther Vandross, Earth Wind & Fire, Bloodstone (whose big hit was “Natural High”), the Stylistics, Barry White, Con Funk Shun, the Four Tops, the Spinners, Funkadelic, Ohio Express, the Isley Brothers, the Ohio Players, Lou Rawls, Clarence Carter, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, et. al………” To which I replied, “Mr. J, you are right!” And to all my readers, I apologize. All those artists Mr. J mentioned were, and are a huge part of the American Pop scene, and Pop history! I assure you Mr. J, and all the rest of my readers, that I will no longer ignore the genre that is called soul/R&B! You have my guarantee! And, thanks for your valuable feedback!
CELTIC COUNTDOWN! Only 56 more days until the 23rd Annual Sonora Celtic Faire at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora! And Sir Patrick Michael Karnahan has booked a simply awesome lineup for the 3-day festival! Read more about it next week!
Like I say, No matter how much ya love Sonora, sometimes ya just gotta get away; even if it’s just for a few hours. I’ve got a recommendation: at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, there will be an awesome, highly-acclaimed musical on the weekend of January 23, 24 and 25th. It’s called ”Movin’ Out.” This show won the Tony Award for Best Choreography and features 24 Billy Joel classics! If you loved the music and times of the 70’s and 80s, and especially Billy Joel, you’ve got to make the 49 mile journey to the Gallo Center and see this show! For more info, log on to www.galloarts.org! or call (209) 338-3106!
Hey check out those tats! (short for tattoos.) There’s really no telling what fans of Crazy Ivan will do, or how far they’ll go! In this case, two sisters, Mariah Jo Hendrickson and Jessica Gibson who described themselves as Crazy Ivan groupies from Groveland! They told me, but I can’t remember whose ankle belongs to whom; but aren’t those little tattoos just too cute! Maybe I’ll get a tattoo. It might say, “You should be getting it once a week: the SMT! See ya next week!!!
