Coloma landmark hits magazine road-song list

It's not on Dan Fogelberg's hit list, but the singer-songwriter's "Sutter's Mill" gets a nod in True West magazine's inspired list of Western U.S. towns worthy of a road song.Citing the auctioneer-like ramble "I've Been Everywhere" sung by Hank Snow, Johnny Cash and others as a key inspiration, True West includes Coloma in its list on the strength of Fogelberg's bluegrass-tinged "Sutter's Mill." The number appears on his "High Country Snows" CD of 1990.Members of the history police may want to avoid the "Sutter's Mill" lyrics and concentrate on the music for this one. Fogelberg -- more known for his 1970s and 1980s pop hits like "Part of the Plan" and "Leader of the Band" -- sings about mill owner John Sutter finding the gold in the spring of 1847. In sympathy, he's a Peoria, Ill. product and probably wasn't schooled in fourth grade like California schoolchildren are on mill builder James Marshall's discovery. It was on Jan. 24, 1848. The find on the south fork of the American River, touched off the California Gold Rush -- and plenty more songs.Despite the opening faux pas, Fogelberg's heart remains in the right place as he walks listeners through a condensed version of the subsequent rush for gold, followed by the coming of the railroad and the eventual more sedate settlement of the West.Closer to Auburn, you may think Lake Clementine -- "in a cavern, in a canyon" would be a legitimate nominee for the list. But the truth is, while the lake alludes to "My Darling Clementine," it wasn't created until the late 1930s, after completion of the North Fork Dam.Misheard lyrics could put another song on the list - Robert Johnson's "Crossroads," which has been covered most famously by Cream. But if you listen closely, it's not "Roseville," it's "Rosedale," when Eric Clapton sings about "going down to" in an attempt to "beg a ride."And of course, we can only imagine Don Henley sipping a cup of free-trade coffee at the Sunset Grille as he gazes off into "an Auburn sky" in the cut from his mid-1980s "Building the Perfect Beast." But he's referring to the color, making a telling thematic bridge between the name of the eatery and the sunset of the dwindling day.There's hope, though, across the American River canyon. It would be a stretch, but Cool could be on the list next year on the strength of not one but four notable songs that have had some success on the pop charts - 1972's "Long, Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)" from The Hollies, "Cool Jerk" by The Capitols from 1966, Gwen Stefani's "Cool" from last year, and the disco dance-floor relic "Daddy Cool" from Boney M.The "I've Been Everywhere, Man" article is part of True West's annual April travel issue. The songs and towns were selected by True West editors, using numerous music titles and lyrics as their roadmaps.JUREK FOR JUNIORSLittle-known outside the ultra-distance running world, multiple-Western States 100 runner Scott Jurek could soon be developing a fan base among the grade-school set. Mitchell Lane Publishers -- a Delaware-based publisher of books for children who aren't necessarily into reading -- is working with writer Jim Whiting on a book about Jurek's life and development into arguably the best in the world at long, long distances. Whiting, who has written similar books for the grades one through eight students on subjects as diverse as Edgar Allen Poe and Charles Schulz, is considering a Journal photo or two in the book, which he anticipates will include plenty of mention of the Western States 100 run. Jurek finished first for an astounding seventh straight time during the trail race from Truckee to Auburn last June. Whiting knows his running. He spent many years publishing the highly regarded Northwest Runner magazine.SHANGHAI SURPRISEWhile skiers and boarders who hail from nearby ski hills haven't been lighting up the Winter Olympics leader board this time around, TV viewers have been able to catch a glimpse of a former Auburn landmark the Shanghai Bar & Restaurant on a Choice Hotels commercial. Auburn's Kristal Rupert pointed out the Auburn presence, noting that it's an opportunity to revisit the once vibrant piece of local lore and pride -- even if it's only for a second. The Shanghai closed in June last year and remains closed.CELEBRITY MAGNETThe death this week at age 95 of Frances La Bonte ends one of the longest chapters in Auburn restaurant history.But don't close the book on the Foresthill exit dining spot she and her husband Lou gave their names to. For the last 33 years, it's been owned and operated by their daughter Judi. She's keeping up the eatery's long tradition of fare that brings in not only locals and out-of-towners but also a few celebrities. Don't take my word for it. Acoustic guitar legend Jorma Kaukonen, the bluesy anchor of so many Jefferson Airplane hits in the 1960s, can vouch for the La Bonte steaks. Writing on his Web site, Kaukonen described an over-night stay in Auburn on Jan. 30 precipitated by some heavy snow over Donner Summit."We slid back down the mountain and put into Auburn for the night," Kaukonen wrote. "Right around the corner from the hotel was Lou La Bonte's steak house. My dad always used to say, 'They've got pretty good steaks, son, you should try it some time.' Well Dad, you were right, I tried it and ate too much. What else is new?"Add Kaukonen's name to a list of La Bonte's customers since 1946 that includes "Yankee Clipper" Joe DiMaggio, Don Larson (pitcher of the only perfect game in World Series history), actor and Rat Pack lieutenant Peter Lawford, and, on another snowy night many moons ago, Frank Sinatra and comedian Shecky Green. The Journal's Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com or (530) 852-0232.