Susan Rushton commentary: Thrift shop, library, music, FAM, community, veterans

Jody Brady, a member of Gold Country Writers, writes that she "happened to pop in My Li'l Thrift Shop across from Ace Hardware on Nevada Street ... and met the new owner, Ana Medina. She's very sweet and a mother of five – running a business. I thought you might want to give her a shout out. I'm sure she would appreciate it (they've doubled the size of the shop)!" Thanks, Jody. ... I thought I'd share with you what Don shared with me. He saw a license plate with "AH MEN" on it – and he added the message on the license plate frame: "Car is unlocked. Keys under German Shepherd." Pretty funny. ... I stopped into the Colfax Library this past week. I said hi to Glenn Schell and Sue Siefert – he once worked at the Auburn Library, and so did she – and she once was the librarian at the now-closed Meadow Vista Library. And I saw a kicky message on the wall: The image of a dinosaur, legs up in the air. The warning: "DINOSAURS DIDN'T READ. NOW THEY ARE EXTINCT." ... It's usually impossible to leave a library without checking out at least one book, even though I'm often in the middle of a couple of others. So of course three books and a DVD leaped into my hands. And because I had several to check out, Joanne Hoefler asked if she could go ahead of me. Of course, I said – and then learned that not only did she recognize me, but she belongs to the Colfax Library Book Club that meets every second Wednesday. Joanne urged me to join the group ... at least to sit with them. Sorry, I couldn't, but it was a pleasure to be invited. And to be recognized! ... If I've seen this information, I assume you have, too: the poster promoting Auburn Arts Commission's "Make Music Day," set for 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, "anywhere" in Auburn. The poster says, "Anyone and everyone is invited to join and play music or host performances on the summer solstice." If you're interested, investigate makemusicday.org/auburn. I love this idea. I loved it last year, too. Thanks, Auburn Arts Commission. ... I had a good time at FAM last Saturday at the Auburn Library Theatre. I promoted Silver Screen (auburnsilverscreen.com) at this event that raised funds for Auburn's Senior Center, the restoration of the historic DeWitt Theatre multi-use community center and the Auburn Winds Concert and jazz big band. FAM stands for Family, Art and Music, and we had all three all the time. I started setting up around 10, even though the event started at 3. Eric Chun and Lindsay Arfsten, among many others – like Charlene Daniels and Mike Wells; several Sugar Plump Fairies, most in their fairy outfits; artist Patty Pieropan Dong; and Loyce Smallwood – arrived much earlier. Good for them. I know they were exhausted at the end of the day after arranging, organizing, setting up, marking stuff ... making it clear who and what was supposed to be where. I've been there. Getting things ready way before people come, making it seem as if the space has always been perfect, ready, elegant ... long before the first car arrives. Oh my. Good job, everyone. ... And I eagerly share what Loyce said to me: "I identify myself as the Susan Rushton of North Auburn," she grinned. My goodness. By which she meant she works to make North Auburn a good place, she's "ambassador for the Senior Center, and I'm grateful to have the best of both worlds – Auburn and North Auburn." ... Mayor Alice Dowdin Calvillo strolled around and said hi; so did Sophie Fox, Supervisor Cindy Gustafson's Chief of Staff. I also found Peggy Seitzinger, Chamber of Commerce president, opening wine at the drinks section. And toward the end of the day, I met a newcomer to Auburn, Kimberly Maker. She's lived here for almost a year. I told her about the Auburn Symphony and Silver Screen (of course), and shared what a wonderful town this is, what a great community. She shared she had attended Cruise Nite the night before – you know, all up and down Lincoln Way. As she stood in front of the Auburn Promenade listening – with many others – to the Auburn Winds, she overheard a conversation. A guy with his friends pointed out the crowd packing the street – everyone having a pleasant time. " 'Look at this,' " she quoted him. " 'You don't get this kind of behavior anywhere else. This is a wonderful place.' " She said she agreed with me – "I love it here." ... Finally: From 5:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24, the Forgotten Soldier Program holds its fundraising event to benefit first responders and veterans. This event will fill the Armed Forces Pavilion and Community Garden, 995 Lincoln Way. It will be an evening of music, dinner, raffle and silent auction. Tickets are $75 in advance or $85 at the door. Investigate: forgottensoldierprogram.com/forget-me-not. That's my town. Got any items for me? Email me at goldcountrydenizens@gmail.com.