Tony Orlando brings half-century of showbiz, music experience to Thunder Valley

BY JANA SAASTAD

When people think of Tony Orlando, images of the 1970s icon belting out his popular songs “Tie a Yellow Ribbon,” “Knock Three Times,” and “Candida” immediately come to mind. After all, these songs topped the charts for weeks and sold millions of copies, with “Yellow Ribbon” named #37 on Billboard’s All-time Hot 100 Songs.

But before the hits, Orlando was a successful music executive for nearly a decade. And before that he was a young kid (16 years old, to be exact) writing and performing songs for Don Kirshner’s record label for $50 a week on the 6th floor of the famed Brill Building in Manhattan along with Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Neil Sedaka and a group called Tom & Jerry who would later become known as Simon and Garfunkel.

“We were all teenagers with a dream,” Orlando told Placer County Online in an exclusive interview to promote his Dec. 21 performance at Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln. 
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Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

BY JANA SAASTAD

Here’s our Christmas wish: We’d like Congress and the U.S. Senate to repeal don’t ask, don’t tell.

This gift doesn’t need to be wrapped in pretty paper and tied with a shiny bow; it just needs to happen.

Here are three reasons:

If our federal elected leaders don’t move on this matter, it will be settled by the court – and that's an action frowned upon by Defense Secretary Robert Gates who says a court ruling will make the integration process frenetic and rushed rather than methodical and organized.

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Raiders vs. Chiefs = Old School Rivalry

One of the oldest, and most bitter, rivalries in the NFL has some merit today.

The Oakland Raiders at 4 – 4 have a chance to come within one half game of the division leader if they win today.

The Kansas City Chiefs, who just happen to be the division leader, have a chance to set themselves apart from the rest of the AFC West and make it hard for anyone to catch up.

The rivalry goes back to 1960 and hasn’t slowed down for 50 years. The Chiefs lead the regular season series 54–46–2 and the playoff match-ups with a record of 2-1.
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Blues diva performs tonight at Constable Jack's in Newcastle

Kaye Bohler performs tonight at Constable Jack's in Newcastle. Tickets are $10. The show starts at 9:30.

Learn more about 'Petroglyphs of the Middle Fork of the American River'

Learn more about Petroglyphs of the Middle Fork of the American River tomorrow at the Bernhard Museum Winery. Tahoe National Forest Archaeologist Nolan Smith will show images of petroglyphs recorded by archaeologists working near the American River.


What are petroglyphs? They are the patterns of lines and images carved into stone. Unlike pictographs, which are images drawn or painted onto a rock’s surface, petroglyphs are created by removing part of the rock itself.

The event is free. The Bernhard Museum Winery is located at 291 Auburn Folsom Road in Auburn. Please call 530.889.6500 for more information.

Democrats continue to dump buckets of cash into Pan's campaign

As if nearly $1 million weren't enough, California Democrats poured another $67,000 into 5th Assembly District candidate Richard Pan's campaign coffers yesterday. We reported here earlier this week that Pan was expected to be an underdog in this district, which historically has been held by a Republican, but a generous infusion of cash has made this race a toss up.


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Is Placer County public transit serving your needs?

Got something to say about public transit in Placer County? You'll have your chance to express your thoughts at one of the many workshops and public hearings hosted next week by the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency.
 
 
AUBURN CITY HALL
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.
1225 Lincoln Way, Room 10
Auburn, CA 95603


LINCOLN CITY HALL
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, 1:30 p.m.
600 Sixth Street
1st Floor Community Mtg. Room
Lincoln, CA 95648


ROSEVILLE CIVIC CENTER
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 4 p.m.
311 Vernon St, Mtg. Rooms 1 & 2
Roseville, CA 95678

LOOMIS TRAIN DEPOT
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.
5775 Horseshoe Bar Road
Loomis, CA 95650


ROCKLIN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1:30 p.m.
3970 Rocklin Road
Rocklin, CA 95677


NORTH LAKE TAHOE CONFERENCE CENTER
Thursday, Nov. 4, 1:30 p.m.
8318 North Lake Blvd.
Kings Beach, CA 96143