Many of our local residents were able to enjoy one of our local gems this past weekend when Beale AFB hosted their Open House and Air Show. If you were one of those who took advantage of going you were truly treated to a great show and experienced the vastness of the base. Our community is very blessed to have this asset in our own backyard. In fact, many of us don't realize how the personnel stationed at Beale make a positive difference in our local economy.

This year I am able to be a part of a new bi-monthly program that connects spouses new to Beale with their new community called "Happy Landings." Because of the tremendous support of our business community I am able to present an hour-long slide presentation of "My Favorite Things" in Yuba-Sutter during the lunch sponsored by some of our local businesses and organizations. My slide show includes local places for dining, shopping and fun things for their families to do as well as services that are available for them locally. I also give away prizes, gift certificates and coupons from our local merchants.

Marcia Riley, Community Readiness Consultant for the Beale Airman & Family Readiness Center wrote this comment, "We have received the most favorable feedback from the spouses who have attended. Your presentation of "my favorite things" has been overwhelmingly the highlight of the day for them. I think it is a "win-win" for everyone involved - we are able to help the entire military family unit acclimate to the community and the local community is afforded the opportunity to welcome new families with open arms who in turn will become their friends and customers."

Beth Cichowski, Air Force spouse and attendee wrote these comments, "Arriving at Beale Air Force Base during the heat of last summer was a daunting experience. We seemed to be miles away from life and the surrounding area appeared vast and empty - a far cry from the bustling city we'd lived in before.

Encouraged by my husband to visit the Airman & Family Readiness Center on the base, I was warmly invited to attend the Happy Landings workshop for newly arrived spouses.

The workshop turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. Not only did we receive orientation to the base itself, but Mandy (Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce) came in for a few hours to help acquaint us with what is out there in the surrounding areas.

After a fantastic lunch of sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit, brownies and soda (all donated by local businesses) Mandy gave us the perfect insight into what this community has to offer. From shopping and eating, to days out and things to entertain the kids; Mandy covered it all. She highlighted a plethora of businesses from the local area, giving anecdotes about the places or owners to keep us captivated.

Of course one ultra-effective way to ensure people remember a good business is marketing and Mandy came armed with boxes of freebies to give away as part of her presentation. Every single attendee was a winner (some more than once!), with favorite prizes being Pampered Chef goodie-bags, bread baskets, vouchers to dine out at some of the local restaurants, boxes of cookies and of course baskets put together by Sunsweet!

The surrounding area no longer felt empty but rather full of possibilities and exciting things to do and see. Since the workshop my husband and I head out to different places at any chance we get, and have taken full advantage of the savings coupons for use in local businesses, as handed out by Mandy; not to mention the $25 voucher I won in the prize drawing for the Happy Viking - it's now one of our favorite places to go out for some good food and good beer!"

Many thanks to all of the businesses who have contributed to this program so far. It is because of you that Yuba-Sutter is such a great place to work, play and live. If you would be interested in finding out more about Happy Landings and how you can be involved please contact me at 743-3497 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it