Gardeners, cavemen and racing fans
By Jeff Ackerman, jeffa@theunion.com
» More from Jeff Ackerman
12:01 a.m. PT Apr 29, 2008
It's been a busy week at the pulp factory. The weather has been spectacular and there has been no shortage of doings in and around our fair community.
I'll start with our fair community's fairgrounds, where The Union put on its 23rd annual Home and Garden Show. I was out there both days and the parking lot was packed, which indicates we had great attendance both days, thanks in large part to Mother Nature.
The other way we measure attendance Đ and I learned this trick last week Đ is to count the number of toilet paper rolls we go through. I know... sounds rather crude... but it's pretty accurate. And, for the record... we went through a LOT of it.
On our end, we always have a handful of employees who put in some heroic work on the show. They include Tara Walters, Terrilyn Chance (she coordinated the "green" aspects of the show), Carolyn Gibson (and her dog Mini Me), Alisa Johnson, Craig Underwood, John Gates, Kevin Garrity and his bulldog Handsome (Mini Me's opposite). And... of course... we couldn't do any of it without the tremendous support from the great people who operate the best fairgrounds in the state. Thanks to all the vendors who put in so many long hours and to all of you who took part of your valuable weekend to participate. We hope to see you next year.
Caveman with a cause
Last week I attended the annual celebrity waiter fund-raiser at the senior center (they changed the name, but it's still the senior center to me because I don't like change) out at the fairgrounds. It's a terrific fundraiser and it's a lot of fun.
The idea is for each waiter to rack up the tips, which are donated to the center. This year's theme was the Stone Age and they called it a Bedrock Bash, which meant the waiters were supposed to dress as cavemen and cavewomen. I went over there straight from work and forgot my caveman suit, which essentially consists of several skunk hides I plucked along Pleasant Valley Road where I jog.
I've never been one for costume parties, mostly because I'm not much fun at parties. I like to hang on the sidelines, over by the food, incognito. But the other waiters were decked out, so I rented a pair of sunglasses for two bucks and another waiter loaned me her leopard-skin coat for free. I was actually quite striking in leopard skin, so I added it to my Christmas wish list.
The event seemed to be a success and I hope it helps that center continue its history of significant service to our many "older" citizens, whose ranks I will join in a week or two. Did I tell you I played in a "senior" softball league?
Hospice benefit
Speaking of "older" citizens, this past Saturday night I was over at the Quail Ridge retirement facility (I know... how much fun can one guy handle?) on Sutton Way for a Hospice benefit. That place is beautiful and I can't wait to live there one day soon, when my wife and kids kick me out of the house for not putting the toilet seat down one too many times.
The event featured a "human" auction, where several high-profile human beings agreed to have lunch with the high bidders. And there were some GREAT human beings being auctioned off. One of them was Noah Bailey, who lost both legs to a roadside bomb in Iraq. He looked terrific and it was wonderful seeing him smile after all he's been through.
Others who volunteered for the auction block included Nevada City Elementary School teacher Nancy Broz; Dan Castles from Telestream; Susan Barry, principal at Deer Creek School; Dr. Brad Miller, from Hospice; Dr. Holger Rasmussen, who is semi-retired, but still very active in the community; Hospice's Dennis Fournier; Julie Lukela, from the Girl Scouts; Ken Hardin, who works with the Twin Cities Concert Association; and Kathy Eldredge from Sierra College. I knew there weren't going to be many bidders for lunch with Ackerman, so I upped the ante, offering to pay for the lunch.
Recognizing my suffering, one woman was kind enough to raise her paddle and the deal was sealed. I'm looking forward to the lunch, even if her bid was out of pure sympathy. I think they raised $3,000 on a goal of $1,000. Next year promises to be even better. A special thanks to my good friend (and senior softball teammate) Gil Dominguez from Touchdown Productions, who served as emcee for the event, and to our auctioneer Mike Merchant, who is just a great guy.
It doesn't get any better than this
If you are a racing enthusiast and entered to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Laguna Seca Raceway next month, you want to MAKE SURE you show up Wednesday evening at BP Landscape's beautiful facility, located at 420 Sierra College Blvd.
For the past month or so, The Union has been promoting the chance to win an ultimate racing experience with Alexander Rossi (of Team Rossi), a local teen who is fast becoming one of the best young drivers in the world. He's currently driving formula cars for BMW and the series heads for Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey May 14-19.
Here's what's in store for Wednesday night's winner (who must be present for the drawing): Five nights at the exclusive Monterey Resort; limo service to and from all Team Rossi/BMW private engagements and events; three-day VIP Festival of Speed credentials for two and customer Team Rossi/BMW apparel.
Read that one again... FIVE NIGHTS at a beautiful resort in MONTEREY (in May)... LIMO SERVICE to and from the resort to the track... VIP treatment the entire trip... and... you get to spend time with one of Nevada County's GREAT young stars. Does it get any better?
If you entered and your name is pulled and you weren't there, you'll be kicking yourself for a month (or more). The drawing will be at 6 p.m. SHARP, so be there, or ...
Jeff Ackerman is the publisher of The Union. His column appears on Tuesdays. Contact him at 477-4299, jeffa@theunion.com, or 464 Sutton Way, Grass Valley 95945.
