Commentary: Newcomers, State, Symphony, blood donation, climate

If you frequent Awful Annie's, surely you're familiar with server Liz Zapper. She's worked there for 30 years. And in my opinion, she's wonderful with customers, of all ages. Once, I watched her chatting with a young fan of "Frozen" – we knew this because of the title on her T-shirt. I didn't hear the conversation, but I knew Liz asked her customer how many times she'd seen the movie. I loved the way the girl's face changed – she knew she was talking to a woman who understood. The girl lifted her hand and grinned, showing Liz three fingers. ... Tom Crandall asks me to share information about Auburn Newcomers and Neighbors, A Social Club. The members enjoy social activities together, with no religious, political or commercial affiliation. These activities help acquaint members with the community and each other to build lasting relationships. Join if you've just arrived, or as a longtime resident. For information: auburncanewcomers.com or info@auburncanewcomers.com. ... About a month ago, Don and I had a good time at Cocktails and Cinema at the State Theatre. We sat at one of 31 tables out on the street in front, along with Dean Prigmore and Patrice Taylor, Barbara and Paul Ogden and Greta Skjelleruz. I love events like this – for one thing, I can fill up my paragraphs with the names of the people I saw: Steve and Leslie Galyardt, Bernie Schroeder and her husband Jay – and suddenly curly-haired Cheryl Maki, a la the 1970s. I saw David DeFevre, and his wife Kathy Sands introduced me to her son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Elizabeth Sands, parents of Brenden, who has been accepted at the University of Alabama. Three years ago, Kathy introduced me to her then-15-year-old grandson. I wrote that he knew what to do: He looked me in the eye, smiled and shook my hand firmly. Kathy wanted his parents to know I'd been impressed by both their son and those who brought him up. I also talked to Roy Kleger, incoming president of Auburn Host Lions. And Realtor Colleen Conley, Colleen Sands, Reese Browning with a startling (but not the most startling) black afro wig, Pat Enoch and Bobby Tudsbury, who was volunteering for the State that night. I know her from the CAC Gym, and she let me know she hadn't seen me for ... a while. Yeah, I said. And we were introduced to the theatre's new general manager, Kathie Goldie. This is her dream come true! And Lia Carotta stunned everyone with her over-the-top Christmas light shoes, which June Haugen, who volunteers at the State and the Assistance League Thrift Store, found at the store. Wow. ... My friend kW Rice, a fan of Silver Screen and the Auburn Symphony, shared some news about the Symphony. "They've just released the Orchestra's upcoming Season Program, under the guidance of the new Maestro, Ryan Murray … great stuff there, including Beethoven's Symphony No. 9! There's also a slew of recently uncovered music CDs. I am now listening to these amazing recordings, overwhelmed. "And this beautiful music comes from OUR orchestra. That is because everyone cares and everyone matters with our Symphony, including Music Recording Engineer Victor Pietrzak, the late Conductor Michael Goodwin and so-o-o many fantastic musicians giving their time and talents for all our pleasure. BRAVO!" My sentiments exactly. Of course you know this. Drop by the office, Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the State Theatre, 985 Lincoln Way, #102. And/or investigate auburnsymphony.com. ... Speaking of music: Symphony Executive Director Anne Brown urges everyone to participate somehow in Make Music Day, "a live, free musical celebration on Tuesday, June 21, the longest day of the year, with concerts on streets, sidewalks, and parks across the city." This is a worldwide celebration, sponsored here by the Auburn Arts Commission. Everyone's invited – to listen, watch or perform – and possible venues are unlimited. Investigate makemusicday.org/auburn, and if you're interested, email auburn@makemusicday.org. ... Our local blood donation center, Vitalant, urges us to donate blood to "alleviate critical blood shortage this summer." Every day, Vitalant needs to collect nearly 5,000 blood, platelet and plasma donations to help save lives. They're making it as easy as possible – you can make an appointment at vitalant.org or by calling 877-258-4825, or you can participate in the upcoming blood drive, 10:45 a.m.- 3 p.m. Friday, June 17, at Lincoln Veterans Hall, 541 5th St., Lincoln. Donating is a wonderful thing. Of course you've read this here before. ... PECA (Placer Earth Care Action group) shows a climate-related movie every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church's Parish Hall at 124 Orange St., Auburn. All movies are free. Donations are accepted. This Thursday, June 16, the movie is "The Human Element," which focuses on environmental photographer James Balog. For information about the film or PECA, email linda.franklin92@gmail.com. That's my town. Got any items for me? Email me at goldcountrydenizens@gmail.com.