Greg’s Happenings by Greg Kristapovich
Yeah, I’m stuck in the 60s. But it’s a nice place and time to be stuck in. Ya know, it was 40 years ago this August that the Woodstock Music Festival made history! Also, 40 years ago, Elvis Presley returned to Memphis to record there – for the first time since his historic Sun Records days (1954-1955); and in a total of only 16 days, “The King” recorded a half dozen million-selling singles – including “In the Ghetto,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Don’t Cry Daddy,” and “Rubberneckin’”! And he recorded what Rolling Stone calls “one of the finest studio albums of his career, “From Elvis in Memphis”! ‘69 was a good year for Elvis! It was a good year for music! At the Grammys, The 5th Dimension won the award for Record of the Year for “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In”; BS&T had the Album of the Year, simply titled “Blood, Sweat and Tears”; Joe South scored Song of The Year with “Games People Play”; Best Contemporary Vocal Performance (female) went to “Is That All There Is” performed by Peggy Lee; Best Male Performance went to “Everybody’s Talkin’” by Harry Nilsson; Best Group Performance: “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” by the 5th Dimension; Best New Artist of the Year: CROSBY, STILLS & NASH!!!! In fact, CS&N debuted on the singles charts in ‘69 with “Marrakesh Express.” It’s all comin’ back now, huh? (Don’t forget to get YOUR tickets for CS&N – performing at Ironstone Vineyards, Saturday, September 19th!!!!!!) Also at the ’69 Grammys: Bill Cosby’s record album, “Bill Cosby” won for Best Comedy Performance, and Burt Bacharach took honors for Best Soundtrack Album: “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid”. Yes, the ‘60s were totally groovy! There were so many outta sight record albums released in that era! What’s a record album? Look it up in the dictionary – or ask your parents! (And you know what? I just bought a brand new Craig RECORD PLAYER at Rite Aid in Angels Camp! It’s an awesome compact, combination two-speed turntable with AM/FM radio and stereo speakers. Shelf price: $49.99; but I stopped into the store at just the right time, as all the Craig products were 40% off! This is absolutely my find of the week!!! Now you dudes can just keep throwing your collectable LPs into the donation bins at the thrift shops, and I’ll keep snatching them up – and playing them on my brand new record player! Dig it!
I was heart-broken when I heard that Columbia was included in the State Parks closure list. I just ? Columbia. The people in that town are so friendly and compassionate. If I ever trudge into an establishment with my SMT delivery on a hot day, I’ll usually be offered a cold drink; be it ice tea, soda pop or Sarsaparilla. Ya know, it’s not easy delivering to 150-plus stops on a triple-digit day. And I guess the Columbians want to take good care of their SMT paperboy. But there’s just something magical about Columbia. So in gratitude, I will wear a green ribbon on my shirt. Actually, this ribbon – which I received FREE at the Columbia Umpqua Bank, stands for “Save Our State Parks!” And I will wear this ribbon in honor of all of our State Parks – but especially Columbia State Historic Park! (You can also get your ribbon at the Columbia Historic Museum!)
We’re saddened by the recent passing away of one of our distribution assistants, Larry Cordova. Together, he and Harriet Turman faithfully delivered the downtown Sonora/Jamestown route for four years. He also was the love of Harriet’s life for seven years. On Sunday, June 14th, a memorial golf tournament in Larry’s memory was held at Twain Harte Golf Course; along with a Celebration of Life. Many people stood up and offered heartwarming stories about Larry. We will all miss him.
OH, NO! I’ve been suckered into being one of the people to get wet in the Twain Harte Dunk Tank during their Fourth of July Celebration! Now I’ve got to go shopping for something appropriate to wear. It’ll probably be a Speedo; though I don’t know yet what color. It might be florescent green; it might be multi-color tie-dye. You’ll have to wait and see.
Speaking of Twain Harte, I was recently chowing down on some biscuits and gravy at The Sportsman Coffee Shop, served by the very pleasant and accommodating Ashley. I usually like to read some important literature while I’m dining; in this case, it was a copy of the National Examiner. The tabloid had caught my eye at the newsstand with its headline, “Free drugs for the unemployed!” I’m not unemployed, but you never know with this economy. So you advertisers out there: Keep advertising and Save Our Economy! Ya hear? Anyway, this article says you can get a wide range of drugs – FREE, including treatments for high cholesterol, impotence, pain and fibromyalgia, as well as antibiotics, antidepressants, heart medicines, contraceptives and anti-smoking remedies; more than 70 drugs available – FREE, courtesy of Pfizer Inc.! You DO have to prove that you were unemployed since January 1st and that you were taking the drug for at least three months. To apply, call 1-866-706-2400. After July 1st, you can register online at www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com! Who says tabloids don’t have any socially redeeming value? (And by the way, the biscuits and gravy at the Sportsman are VERY delicious!)
UPCOMING HAPPENINGS: URGENT LAST MINUTE REMINDER: Friday, June 19th, Crazy Ivan will rock Lake Tulloch’s Outcast Bar, starting at 9 p.m. No cover! Then, June 20th, it’s Vallecito Ranch Days/Family Fun Day – presented by The Ghiglieri Ranch/Vallecito Vineyards! “Chase a frog, skip a rock, hike to a volcanic lava cap…explore nature and enjoy a day with your family in the rolling foothills of Calaveras County,” the organizers beckon! There’ll be kid’s activities, art, fishing, farm equipment, horseback rides, gold panning, vendors, viticulture, scenic hikes and more! Music provided by Calaveras County’s Favorite Local Band, Plan B! For more info, call 736-9285, or log on to www.gocalaveras.com! The Crimson Lily (1262 S. Main Street, Angels Camp) will have a special performance by Heath McNease on June 26! He’s a hip hop/acoustic/experimental musician/composer and he’ll be performing his hits like “Nintendo Thumb”, “Down to the River”, “Won’t Be Back Tonight”! Cover is only $3! Hey, want me to mention your groovy happening?! Then call my hippy dippy hotline: 559-8368!
Well, since this is National Candy Month, I decided to grab some while I delivered SMTs at Nelson’s Candies in Murphys. I kinda like their Hot Cinnamon Lava Balls, (they remind me of volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii); but manager Lorna has her favorites, like the Hot Chili Chocolate candies. I chewed one and, wow! Spicy! Lorna also recommends the Sea Salt Caramels. They’re dipped in dark chocolate, with Sicilian sea salt! I tried one. Mmmmm, most delectable! Then she offered me a Danish Cream Pine Nut Roll. It’s a Danish vanilla cream, dipped in dark chocolate and rolled in pine nuts. “A very healthy chocolate! (Here’s to healthy candy!)They’re fabulous and nobody else makes them!” Lorna proclaims.
License plate seen in Twain Harte: WEKOOLU. I thought it was some kind of Hawaiian word. I approached the vehicle’s owner and inquired. Turns out he owns 4 Seasons Heating and Cooling. He noted that the letter “C” wasn’t available, so they used “K”. (Man, I’m having a senior moment and can’t remember what town they were from.) But I told the gentleman that his license plate was cute. He said his daughter has a plate that reads, WEHEATU!
I’m still relishing that incredible Sarsaparilla Roundup (festival) in Columbia a couple weeks ago. I need to acknowledge the winners in their cook off: In 3rd place was Kathleen Thayson (from Copperopolis) with her caramel sarsaparilla sauce over ice cream! Yum! In 2nd, was Robert Meyer (the chef at Columbia’s Gold Street Café) with his Sarsaparilla pulled pork with Johnny cakes! And first place went to young (10-ish) Kathleen Baker (from Columbia) with her delectable Sarsaparilla cookies! You can also get DVDs of the Sarsaparilla Roundup from the videographer, Mother Lode Media, P.O. Box 741, Columbia, CA 95310. Their phone # is (209) 532-8067, and their E-mail is martinblake@att.net.
Hey, tune in next week and we’ll talk about the upcoming Ironstone Summer Concert Series! Also I’ll have some groovy Crosby, Stills & Nash (and other rock & roll) trivia!!! Till then, keep on truckin’!
