Hank (the friend) lives in a part of Vacaville called “Leisuretown.” It’s probably my favorite place name ever. The streets were lined with pastel houses, elaborate rock gardens, cacti, and palm trees.

We pulled up to an aqua colored home that had an abundance of lawn decorations, planters, and even a vintage adult-sized rocking horse from the defunct Nut Tree in the front yard. The first thing we heard was laughter as we walked up the sidewalk.

Hank and Hank came out on the steps to greet us and I was immediately mesmerized by this shortish man with a thicket of white hair tucked under a ball cap. His smile was wide and welcoming and his sparkling blue eyes crinkled in the corners when he laughed, which was often.

The aqua theme carried on in the carpet, couch, gingham table cloth, and window trim.

His home was filled with collections of every kind, including padlocks and keys, egg beaters, toasters, and something he called an “invalid cup”. Every corner was packing with unique objects and Hank had story to tell about them.

There was a big bookshelf along one wall that held at least six accordions and a pictures of Hank’s polka band. When Kris and I admired his collection, he picked up the closest accordion and started to play “It’s a Small World”. Then he began to sing and we all hummed and clapped along.

After the applause, Hank led us to his backyard where two full trees covered in glossy leaves stood right outside his sliding glass door. He walked around one tree and came back with the biggest and brightest orange I have seen.

With a twinkle in his eye, he handed it to me. Our time was up and we said goodbye with promises to see each other soon.

I don’t know that I’ll be back to Leisuretown again, but I was changed by my visit there. I have never met someone who is so filled with joy and finds wonder in sharing his home with others. He kept saying, “it’s just fun” and that was a reminder I needed to hear.

As we left Hank’s house and went out into the Vacaville sunshine, I felt like we had been through a version of the popular Disney ride, dazzled by the bright colors and song lyrics, yet content with the message that “there is just one moon and a golden sun and a smile means friendship for everyone.”

“The vast designated OHV areas and trails throughout our county have continuously seen increased OHV usage. Lassen County attracts many OHV enthusiasts from outside of our state and county. The Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to ensuring safe operations and protection of our OHV use areas for years to come.”

Brian and Avery Baker are father and son motivational speakers who have a passion for building positive relationships. Their story is an example that no matter what happens in your relationship if you are willing to examine, adapt, and maintain a positive outlook, things can always get better. Brian and Avery are also co-authors of the book “Love Wins: 5 Key Strengths to Strengthening Your relationships – A Parent Perspective.”

This day is designed for participants to walk away feeling refreshed, inspired and with some new tools to add to their toolbox.

Attendees can expect food, conversation and great information and according to organizers, parents, childcare providers and educators will all greatly benefit from this event.

Light morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. Deli sandwiches will be served for lunch. Vegetarian sandwiches will be available.

Advance registration is highly preferred so that accurate seating, food and materials can be prepared. However, walk-ins will not be turned away.

The Family Connections Conference is a collaborative effort among many community organizations including; Sierra Cascade Family Opportunities, Lassen County Child and Family Services, Lassen County Office of Education, Lassen Childcare Planning Council, Lassen HEART and Lassen Family Services.

Register for the conference now by clicking here and heading over to Eventbrite. For questions or more information contact Jessica Stading at jstading@headstart4u.org or call 1.530.253.1040.

Regular performances are scheduled for March 4th, at 7:00p.m., March 5th at 2:00 and 7:00p.m., March 9th, at 6:00p.m., March 11th, at 7:00p.m., March 12th, at 2:00 and 7:00p.m.

Tickets are available now at Margie’s Book Nook, Zaengles Floor and Home and the Lassen County Chamber office.

For more information call 530-310-4302 or visit Best of Broadway online.

Click here and head on over to SusanvilleStuff to enter to win a pair of tickets to one of this year’s Susanville Best of Broadway performances. You can enter once per day, per email, and the deadline to enter is March 10th at midnight. We will announce the winners right here this Friday, March 11th. Good luck!

The box factory formerly owned by the Lassen Lumber & Box Inc., is being sold to A. I. Lucero and Walter Wirth of the T &M Carpenter Shop, by the Fruit Growers Supply Co.

Lucero and Wirth plan to operate the factory as a sash and door cup-up plant, employing 25 to 30 men at the present time. The Fruit Growers Co. is making lumber available to support this new enterprise.

Property involved in the sale is the box factory, office and machine shop building, and an area including about 30 acres of land. The Fruit Growers announced that the sawmill machinery at the Lassen Lumber and Box site has been sold to the Goff Machinery Co. of Stockton, who are now in the process of removing the machinery. It is understood that the Stockton company has sold the machinery to a Red Bluff concern, and that the machinery will be taken to Red Bluff.

Also announced was the sale of the former Lassen Lumber & Box properties to A. I. Lucero and Supervisor Lester Coffin, involving about 50 residential units, several of them duplexes.

Messrs. Lucero and Coffin had no statement to make at the present time regarding plans for the residential properties.