Mandy Jones, Membership Director

One of my absolute greatest joys of working for the Chamber of Commerce is having the privilege of visiting our Chamber members in the Yuba-Sutter community. In a recent article in the Sacramento Bee, Rick Kushman began writing a series of articles called "The Good Life." In these articles he tells his readers of all the really wonderful things about Sacramento that not everyone appreciates. These articles got me to thinking that he should see all the things about Yuba-Sutter that makes this "the REALLY Good Life"! Do our own residents appreciate all the great things about our area? One of the most watched and coveted ticket in all of television is when Oprah does her "favorite thing" shows. These are the shows where she unveils all her favorite things and then everyone in the audience goes home with them. Why couldn't I tell you about some of my "favorite things" in Yuba-Sutter that makes this "the REALLY Good Life"! Okay, I'm not Oprah so I'm not giving all these things away. I had to set some criteria in order to make the list. First, they must originate from a Chamber of Commerce member, second, it can't be expensive, and third, there must be choices for both men and women.

If you shop at Raley's or Bel Air there is something new sitting right by the front door called "The Big Red Box." With just a swipe of your debit card you can check out a video for $1.07 a day. So far there has never been a line, the DVDs are the latest releases and the price is right. After watching the video you can return the movie through a slot in the machine and you receive an email notifying you of how much your account has been debited. Quick, easy & inexpensive.

I have to admit this next favorite thing is pretty close to being heaven on earth. The Dancing Tomato Cafe has an item on the menu that simply must be declared to all of Yuba-Sutter. Chocolate Lasagna! Enough said. Go there, try it!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have always dreamed of a European vacation. How about saving thousands of bucks because the next best thing is right here in Yuba-Sutter. Dining al fresco on the patio of the Brick Coffee House Cafe is as close as you can get. You can enjoy your breakfast or lunch while enjoying the outdoors and people watching. You can even test your knowledge with trivia questions provided at the tables.

How many cities can boast of having a baseball team and stadium? Tom Lininger and staff have created a place where Yuba-Sutter residents can come for an evening of fun four nights a week during the summer without having to take out a loan from the bank. Every evening is something new going on at the ball park that will thrill the very young to the very old. If you haven't experienced a night with the "Gold Sox" then please don't delay. You'll be hooked!

This next favorite thing is somebody's really good idea. Every time a celebration is held on Plumas Street, Sutter Community Bank randomly puts $50 bills in the ATM machine. Some very lucky people who are asking for $20 are very pleasantly surprised to receive a $50 instead! Now wouldn't that just make your day!

Last month I had a chore that I had been putting off and putting off and little did I know how easy it was going to be. I had a very large and very heavy and very old computer monitor that was taking up space in my house and I was determined to get it out of there. I knew better than to put it in the toter or in a dumpster or I would have Jackie Sillman knocking on my door. I even went so far as to put it in my trunk and drove it around for several weeks. Out of sight out of mind. Finally, one Saturday I drove down to the end of Burns Drive in Yuba City to the Hazardous Waste Facility. Would you believe it is a drive through! In less than two minutes, they removed it from my trunk; I signed a form and drove off. This facility is open on Saturdays from 8 am to 4 pm.

How many times have you ever considered getting an oil change as one of your favorite things? Jiffy Lube has made getting an oil change almost like a day at the spa. After driving up I was treated to superb customer service. After flipping through about 20 pages of a magazine, they were finished. Not only did they change the oil, they vacuumed out the car and put something that smelled divine in the car. In about 15 minutes I was in and out.

One of Yuba-Sutter's newest businesses is Sopa Thai Charm. Soupy has recently visited Thailand and has come back with something that I just had to try! They are called "fisherman pants" and if you haven't tried them, you haven't found the real definition of comfort clothes. Your old sweat pants are going in the trash and fisherman pants are taking their place. At first look you would think that three large people could fit in one pair of pants but after a demonstration from Chanda on how to put them on; they really are one size for all. The pair I bought was just slightly less than $20 and I have already got my money's worth from wearing them. Go check them out!

I know I really dwell on chocolate but one last thing just must be mentioned and that is chocolate dipped apple slices at Edible Arrangements. The fruit is so fresh that you would swear they have a tree in the back. For $25 you can have a dozen.

Well, here is just a small sampling of the simplest things that are my favorites that make Yuba-Sutter "the Really, Good Life". I may not be Oprah but I know what's good! Let me know some of your favorite things so I can share them with the rest of the readers. Have a great day Yuba-Sutter and enjoy the good life!