Susan Rushton commentary: Bumper sticker, gala, music, plastic, State, invader, movies

Suzy McMinn shared this bumper sticker: "Private Sign – Do Not Read." A kick. She added that she saw it in the parking lot behind City Hall. Thanks, Suzy. If you see a bumper sticker or license plate that amuses or intrigues you, please share it with me. ... Don and I went to the Placer Community Theater's 20th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser last Saturday at Gomez Arts. It was a lovely, packed celebration. Byron Pipkin and Tim O'Leary shared our table. Byron and his wife came to the area four years ago, and Tim has been here about that long. Tim shared that, "Even before we moved here, we got on the mailing list of Placer Community Theater." That's an enthusiastic theatergoer. I said hi to Jerry Hamilton and Sharon Watson-Hamilton, Kurt and Karen Bleuel, and Hannan Antonet. Also, Christine Ubbink, former president of Old Town Business Association, poured my wine for me; and Mike Holmes sat at our table for a while, and we chatted. And I told director Philip Jacques to break a leg. The big event: "War of the Worlds," a fictional Halloween radio program that horrified listeners (presented by Orson Welles, 1938). Saturday's show wasn't only a radio program. The actors' costumes included a variety of stuff, from nothing out of the ordinary to helmets, gas masks and spectacles to see at night. It was a good job. I'm glad the organization is keeping on. ... Stephanie and Bob Snyder emailed me – Stephanie was the recent president of the Auburn Symphony's Board of Directors. Now she's the treasurer. They announced the symphony is honoring the organization's founder, the late Monroe DeJarnette. "We are establishing the Founder's Farewell Club to pay tribute to his vision and its ever-increasing presence in the Sierra Foothills. Members will be recognized and included throughout the season in special ways that will remind us of Monroe – always with fun, fellowship and focus on excellent musicality!" Interested? Investigate auburnsymphony.com. Click on Donate. Look for the photo of Monroe and his clarinet – and learn what you receive when you donate. Even better: You help the symphony. ... In Denizens on July 16, I protested the plastic in our lives and asked for your ideas of cutting back plastic use. Kurt Barton responded: "I have been using recyclable plastic in my art for a number of years. Most recently, my entry in this year's California Fine Arts Competition at the State Fair." His entry, "Wake Up and Smell the Plastic," presents flowers "created from used plastic containers. We applaud your efforts to get the 'reduce plastic use' message out to the public." Please let me know your ideas. ... Don and I see "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" at the Odd Fellows Hall, 1225 1/2 Lincoln Way – presented by the State Theatre at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3. I know, this isn't "Oppenheimer." Not even "Barbie." But just because a movie isn't overpoweringly new and overwhelmingly talked about, if it's good, it's always good. I love that Indy movie. Investigate at statetheatre.org. I'm thrilled the Odd Fellows and Crooked Lane Brewing Company, 536 Grass Valley Highway, are supporting the State. And the First Congregational Church continues to host the State Theatre Acting Company's Golden Age of Radio series. The next free presentation is at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at 710 Auburn Ravine Road. It's heartwarming that organizations are helping. What a great community. ... Placer County's Senior Resource Fair happens from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive in Roseville. It's for you if you're a senior, or you have senior relatives or friends. The focus: senior scams, healthy living and protecting yourself as you age. There's lots more – investigate at placer.ca.gov/protectresourcefairs. ... Auburn Grace Community Church presents its second annual Chef Event: Hot August Night – Cool Chefs, 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, 3126 Olympic Way in North Auburn. Local chefs present their tasty stuff and you wander from table to table – for $20. An auction is included. All proceeds go toward Auburn Grace Missions Projects. Investigate events at auburngrace.com – tickets are available online and at the church. ... Loyce Smallwood shares that a foxtail got stuck in her ear. Yow – wherever they find themselves, foxtails persist and stick and move in (ear, nose, wherever) and move some more. They're perfect if they want to catch a ride on an animal, a shoe ... or, like we said, an ear. She thanks the emergency room at Sutter Auburn Faith. "It was a journey," she told me. Glad you're OK, Loyce. ... Silver Screen Classic Movie Series continues Saturday, Aug. 5, with a comedy starring newlyweds Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. They're on their honeymoon, pulling an unmanageable trailer. This comedy is shown at noon, 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 in the Beecher Room of the Auburn Library, 350 Nevada St. Presented by the library, the movie is free. For information, visit auburnsilverscreen.com. That's my town. Got any items for me? Email me at goldcountrydenizens@gmail.com.