Are You That Woman

TRAVEL SCAMS COME IN VARIOUS FORMS

So. Another learning moment in our world of scams and con artists.

Trying to confirm some flight and baggage information on an upcoming flight. I Googled “United Airlines Customer Service”. The number that appeared was 800-864-8331. A young woman, Glory, answered the call. Long story….it was a scam number and not United Airlines. In the process of our call, she told me my return flight had been cancelled. You can imagine the anxiety I felt to hear this since I hadn’t been notified by my travel agent or the airline. I don’t remember the rest of the call, but told Glory I would contact my travel agent and ended the call.

I immediately reached out to my travel agent, Neil Thakur, at Fare Buzz. He was able to check the information and confirm that, in fact, the flight hadn’t been cancelled. The scammed call, Glory, came from somewhere in Cuba. What other information they might have gleaned from me, I don’t know – luckily I didn’t stay on the call or provide any additional personal information.

If you’re traveling and you get a call from the airline telling you your flight has been cancelled – HANG UP! Words of advice from Neil. The airline will never call you. They will either text or email you. This world is full of scumbags looking to take advantage of everyone and everything. They have more time than any of us can imagine. We must be on the alert at all times. And, of course, elderly people are often the easy victims of these scams. You can always check the airline’s website My Trips page to confirm status of future flights. It’s been so long since I’ve traveled by air, this had never occurred to me.

I’ve been working in the travel and tourism industry for most of my professional career. It’s exhausting trying to navigate systems – air travel in particular. It used to be so easy and comfortable. They continue to blame everything on COVID, but the service was starting to decline even before that was an issue. For the first time in many, many years, I used a travel agent. I am so grateful that I did and that they – I should say HE/Neil – have provided the most outstanding customer service and given me valuable information to keep us safe on our journey.

Thank you Neil and Fare Buzz!

Nobby's Burger Cheese Skirt alive and well in Chico

After passing this Chico landmark many times, we finally made the decision to try Nobby's.

Actually my husband announced this morning that he wanted a cheeseburger for lunch. We looked online to find "Chico's best" recommendation. Locals and others had shown lots of love for Nobby's burger superstar. We decided it was time to taste for ourselves.

The near postage-sized building started life as a gas station. It's fair to call it a joint; that's not a bad thing. When we arrived around 1:30 on a Friday, they were serving just a handful of diners. Figuring this would beat the lunch rush. First timers, staff at the counter patiently answered all our questions about the menu. How to get the cheese skirt, all the extras, the most popular. After much consideration, we opted for the classic Nobby's cheeseburger and cheese skirt. I was off bread that day and so was offered my Nobby's cheeseburger with a lettuce wrap - perfect option. To cover all the bases, side orders of onion rings, fries, and a chocolate shake.

We soon learned that Gary Noblett, Nobby's original owner, is related to the original owner of Sacramento's once famous Squeeze Inn where gigantic burgers with cheese skirts were a burger lovers dream. That dream destroyed years ago by a litigious ADA attorney (a long story that doesn't need to be retold). Happy to discover the joy continues in Chico. I do miss the Squeeze Inn's fresh-cut fries. The frozen fries at Nobby's were surprisingly good and had a "fresh-cut" look. The side order was ample!

Gary Noblett came to Chico and Nobby's continued the cheese skirt history. Big burgers and crispy cheese. The Nobby's signature burger continued onto a second owner, and now, a third-generation of owners is at the helm. Philip and Jessica Brun took the burger reigns in early 2023. The young couple, married in 2021, are Butte natives, and both worked at Nobby's before taking ownership. They have kept the regular menu but have added some personal touches since taking over.

"We want to keep the celebrated menu," the Bruns said, "But we'd also like to contribute and create new menu items. We've added a Western Bacon Cheeseburger and a California Burger."

With my Omni-Local heart, there's so much to embrace at Nobby's. I love that all the meat comes from Chico's own S&S Organic Produce and Natural Foods. Avocados for the California Burger also coming from S&S. And buns, locally made by D'Emilo's Italian Deli & Bakery on Main Street, "are specifically crafted to fit Nobby's burgers," said D'Emilo's owner, Kaelen Davis.

While placing our order, we met Jessica's mom and grandmother who shared their fried cheese curds with us. Thank you grandma for that tasty treat! And for Philip and Jessica wishing you continued success on a burger road well traveled.

 

Renewal at Blue Sage Ayurveda

The long and winding road was just the beginning. A chance to breathe in and out. To embrace my inner self and reset the internal clock, being nudged to do so. To find that quiet voice. For the first time, in too long, a pen in hand. The sun is warming. A hummingbird greets me every morning drinking from sweet rosemary blossoms. A honeybee buzzing nearby. The joyful sound of water. How blessed to be surrounded by so much beauty. Mountains distant. Manzanitas growing robustly. The many gifts of Buddha. The voice of the wind and a tiny lizard suns itself on a garden temple.

Let me share the journey.