Readers' corner: July 23, 2008

Far from home, close to friends

What was the chairman of the Nepali Congress doing in Grass Valley?

Visiting expatriates from Nepal, of course.

Sushil Koirala, head of the Nepali Congress, stopped for lunch at Daju Bhai, a Nepali restaurant on Rough and Ready Highway, on his way to Lake Tahoe on July 10.

Buddhiman Tamang, co-owner of the restaurant, sent us the photos.

"Mr. Koirala came to Grass Valley because I happen to know some local Nepali people who have political connections," Tamang explains.



Bring france home

If high gas prices are stopping you from indulging your love for traveling, invite the world in and host an exchange student.

World Exchange, a New York-based student exchange program, is seeking local families to host 13 French high school students for three weeks this summer, from Aug. 1 through 20.

The students are fairly fluent in English. They have their health insurance and money to spend. Host families provide students with food and lodging only.

In addition, the program director will take the students to San Francisco and Squaw Valley.

World Exchange provides host families with complete background information and opportunities to communicate with the students prior to their arrival.

And you don't need teenage children at home to be a great host. (They might even help around the house, program supporter Dick Phillips says!)

For more information, call Rosalie Plummer at 268-7343 or Linda Turner at 477-7706.



Volunteer for Sierra Storytelling festival

How do you like the idea of having a professional storyteller entertain you with stories while you volunteer?

The Sierra Storytelling Festival is seeking volunteers to work at the event this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center on the San Juan Ridge.

You also may help with the setup on Thursday.

"Volunteers sell drinks, work at the information booth and the box office or help with the parking," says Catherine Janicke, registration coordinator for the festival. "Every volunteer shift earns an admission to one storytelling session Friday evening, Saturday morning and evening, and Sunday morning and afternoon."

It starts at 1:30 p.m. Friday. To volunteer, call Kristen at 292-3703 or Angie at 263-7338. For information about the festival, visit www.sierrastorytellingfestival.org or call 265-8141.

Readers' Corner is compiled by The Union staff. To submit items, e-mail them to readers@theunion.com, and put "RC" and your topic in the subject line, or call 477-4230.