Fall and Halloween Celebrations
October is one of the most vibrant and festive months, and there are many celebrations underway in the upcoming months.
If you thought that carving a pumpkin or two for your front porch was fun, then how about a thousand pumpkins? This year, on October 28, downtown Historic Sutter Street in Folsom (about a two hour drive) will be lit with a thousand pumpkins, all of them brought by and lit by the attendees of the event.
Why It’s Awesome:
There is a raffle prize for all jack-o-lanterns entered into the contest (anybody want an Apple iPod?). Drop them off at a local participating elementary school, and you’ll receive your raffle ticket. (Don’t worry; you can get your pumpkin back after 9 p.m.). There are movies for the kiddos playing throughout the event. Costumes! You’re never too old to wear a costume, so why would you not wear one to a night of 1000 pumpkins?
Want more info? Check it out on Facebook.
Lake Natoma Four Bridges Half Marathon & Three Person Relay & Kids Scary Scamper
Featured in Runner’s World Magazine, this festive Halloween-themed events takes place at one of California’s most scenic courses and has a Haunted House Health & Fitness Expo. A good way to work off your candy binge in advance or practice for the California International Marathon in December.
On October 28th, 29th, and 30th, at the Lake Concow Campground in Oroville, CA, there will be days of music, including over fourteen bands, costume parties, workshops, food vendors, and crafts. Get your tickets here.
Who doesn’t love a great deal? Beginning at 9 a.m. on October 15, Downtown Chico merchants are going to be having great seasonal sales that you don’t want to miss. Stock up on early Christmas presents, or just stash up on cool-weather must-haves for yourself. If you’re a freakazoid shopper, then hit the sales early on Friday night.
4th Annual Ride and Dine at the Camelot Equestrian Park
The Camelot Equestrian Park in Butte Valley is hosting “trail rides, vendors, Halloween costume parade, live music by Inside Strait, trick riding performance by the amazing Daredevil Sweethearts and Dances with Hooves Drill Team, Beer and Wine Garden sponsored by Sierra Nevada Brewery and Monks Wine Lounge, Silent Auction, Donkey Plop Bingo and dinner by Outback Steakhouse.” Can we say yum and awesome? The proceeds go to the Camelot Equestrian Park Foundation, and you can get your tickets at www.camelotequestrianpark.com, Horse Store and More and Wilbur’s in Chico, Pony Tracks in Durham, and Sullivan’s Saddlery in Marysville.
On Monday, October 31, from 2 to 5 p.m., children ages twelve and under can visit over 60 downtown boutiques and get free candy. They need a parent to go, so why not offer to babysit for a day? Get a costume, dress up your charge, and snag a few treats for yourself! Enter the costume contest for only $5 bucks for some pretty awesome prizes!
Now, brush out your wig, cook up some pumpkin pie, and get ready to celebrate fall in true NorCal style!
Where They Are Now: 1970s Chico State Graduate
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be either a ballerina or a bakery lady … I took dance lessons and made mud pies in the back yard. Then I baked all sorts of goodies in my Mom’s kitchen (and washed the dishes)!
What was your major?
Math
What was your minor?
Business Education and French
What made you decide to pursue that field of study?
I loved that math “had an answer”—that it was logical and it all fit together. It explained so much. I minored in French because I loved the language, its sound and its rhythms, and also the breadth of understanding it gave to English. By knowing the French words, it gave depth to our language and also explained the French nuances in literature. Business Ed was chosen to be a good teaching minor in high school. It also was practical.
Describe your most memorable college experience.
I think my most memorable college experience was participating in (yes) Pioneer Week in Chico. Not the partying or drinking, but the collaborating and the across the board support when we put the quad projects together. Starting at about 3 in the afternoon, each group had to built (or put together) a complete project. Some of the frats made steamboats, windmills, forts or houses. This endeavor would take all night. Although there was competition to see whose was the voted the best, during the construction I remember borrowing nails from frats, sharing cookies with the sororities, and cheering each other on to completion as the night turned to morning. I will never forget the feeling of working together that I experienced on those nights.
What was your favorite class?
Hard to place THE favorite class, but one that I really enjoyed was Advanced French conversation. It was an upper division class, before the days of budget crunch. I think there were about five enrolled in the upper division class, yet it seemed that I was the only one who ever showed up. As intimidating as it was, I had a one-to-one with my French instructor. I would show up in a big room in Butte Hall, third floor, and wait until Madame Mezzenc arrived. Yes, the two of us again. Fortunately I caught on, and did the reading and the homework so I was prepared (hopefully) to discuss what she had in mind. The other class that comes to mind was Honors Freshman English. Thanks to the old equivalent of AP classes, I was exempt from taking any English at all, but as I was invited to take part in an honors class, I did so. I was slightly disappointed as I am an avid reader because this class was movie based. We saw a movie every week, and wrote on it every other week. I like movies where the good guy wins, the guy gets the girl, etc … so watching flicks like Dr. Strangelove quite stretched my comfort zone! Plus the instructor was not bad, either!
What’s the best piece of advice you ever got in college?
I really don’t remember getting a whole lot of advice in college! Perhaps I liked what I read in an old Herb Caen column … quoting from Shakespeare, “This above all: to thine own self be true, / And it must follow, as the night the day, / Thou canst not then be false to any man. / Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!”
What do you do now?
I teach math at Butte College. For years I taught part time at both Butte and Chico State … so I could be more flexible in being a mom … could choose my hours, but now that the kids are grown, I have more time available to work.
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of my job is when students realize that they CAN do math. when that light bulb goes off, or that magic switch when they realize that with work, they can figure it out! I love interacting with the students.
Worst part of the job?
Grading poor exams.
How did your major help you in your job now?
My major is what I teach.
Can you use it in everyday life?
Oh, yes, I use it in everyday life all the time. You want me to go shopping with you … I will make sure you get the proper discounts, that your grocery bill adds up correctly, that you order the right amount of carpet, lawn, gravel, paint, that your budget is realistic, that your recipes make enough, etc. You name it, I will make math a part of it.
Can You Write a Novel in 30 Days?
Question: Are you one of those aspiring writers who always says you’re going to write a novel or a book? Are you the guy who writes down future book titles on paper napkins or the girl who carries an extra notebook around all the time “in case the muse hits”?
Answer: Not anymore. All those what ifs and shoulda-coulda-wouldas are about to end. I hereby challenge to participate in the next annual National Novel Writing Month. Beginning November 1, you will have exactly thirty days to write 50,000 words, or approximately 175 pages of your very own novel.
Are you intrigued? Well, you should be! Here is a chance to put your all your ideas – good, bad, or in between – on paper. Here’s how it works, directly from the website:
What: Writing one 50,000-word novel from scratch in a month’s time.
Who: You! We can’t do this unless we have some other people trying it as well. Let’s write laughably awful yet lengthy prose together.
Why: The reasons are endless! To actively participate in one of our era’s most enchanting art forms! To give yourself permission to write without obsessing over quality. To be able to make obscure references to passages from our novels at parties. To stop being one of those people who say, “I’ve always wanted to write a novel,” and become one of those people who can say, “Oh, a novel? It’s such a funny story–I’ve written three.”
When: You can sign up anytime to add your name to the roster and browse the forums. Writing begins 12:00:01 November 1. To be added to the official list of winners, you must reach the 50,000-word mark by November 30 at 11:59:59. Once your novel has been verified by our web-based team of robotic word counters, the partying begins.
The best part of this whole contest is that it doesn’t have to be fantastic writing. It doesn’t even have to be good. But it’s going to make you write, and it’s going to take precious time away from the TV. Good!
Here are the rules from the website:
* Write a 50,000-word (or longer!) novel, between November 1 and November 30.
* Start from scratch. None of your own previously written prose can be included in your NaNoWriMo draft (though outlines, character sketches, and research are all fine, as are citations from other people’s works).
* Write a novel. We define a novel as a lengthy work of fiction. If you consider the book you’re writing a novel, we consider it a novel too!
* Be the sole author of your novel. Apart from those citations mentioned two bullet-points up.
* Write more than one word repeated 50,000 times.
* Upload your novel for word-count validation to the site between November 25 and November 30.
This is a once a year opportunity that you really don’t want to pass up. I mean, this is an opportunity for late night snack binging, terrible sci-fi sessions, and taking out your ex with an imaginary piñata of death. What’s not to try!? Plus, it’s for charity! There is a local chapter of the organization, so you can even meet up with fellow novelers when writer’s block hits!
Head over to NaNoWiMo now and get writing!
Shrinkage: An Art Exhibition by Trevor Lalaguna
Tired of the bar scene? Looking for something a little more interesting to do this weekend? Then why not grab your roommates and head on over to the opening of Shrinkage, the newest art exhibition from Shasta College art professor Trevor Lalaguna.
Shrinkage? What on earth is that about? A title like that certainly makes the mind wonder, so before things get too out of hand, let’s go straight to the artist himself:
Shrinkage, an entirely new body of work, is mixed media consisting of my signature body-based sculptures as well as paintings and drawings. The show examines the struggle of the human body in motion focusing particularly on the breakdown of the body’s physical structure. The show investigates tools and products used to preserve the body—to make it comfortable and functional—in the aging process. (via 1078 Gallery)
Check out some sneak peeks from the show:
We asked Trevor to give us a little insight on the creation of this show and the inspiration behind it. Here’s what he said:
“My artistic practice challenges the physical body both in the process of creating as well as in the resulting work. I live for the challenge of promoting questions and developing puzzles through objects and drawings; I aim to lure an audience into an investigative decoding process. Though the creation of this challenge is my underlying motivation in developing ideas, the work of Shrinkage developed from a very open idea: Life, Death, and the struggle in between.
“In the last six months of my life, I have witnessed many shifts that have inspired much of my thinking. I finished graduate school, I got married, I lost my Grandfather, and I travelled to the island of Iceland and the great city of New York. Oh, yeah, and I gained weight, lost hair, and often found myself aching for no reason.
“Trying to get by is a common goal for all of us, and we develop tools and tricks in order to make that process easier and more enjoyable. The amount of materials, ideas, information, and influences to which we as a society are constantly exposed is incredible and will forever influence me; half an hour of watching infomercials is enough information to keep my ideas brewing for months!
“With this in mind, it’s really important to be conscious and aware of our methods of existence. How are the developed systems for survival going to influence the generations to come? What do we really need? What’s next? This of course begs the question: does he who dies with the most toys really win? The body is destined to fall apart; we develop, mature, and slowly start to decay. This fact is inevitable; now what do we do with it?”
By no means a stranger to Chico’s thriving art scene, Trevor received both his B.A. and his M.F.A. from Chico State and has displayed numerous shows both on campus and at the 1078 Gallery. This year, he was also awarded the International Sculpture Center’s (ISC) Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award for 2011.
Intrigued? Head on over to the 1078 Gallery at 820 Broadway between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. this Friday, October 28, to check out this awesome exhibition. The show runs until November 19th, but this Friday Trevor will be giving a talk at 7 p.m., so stick around for that and the snacks. It will be worth it, we promise J
Where They Are Now: Chico State Graduate Julie Fish
Wondering what life after college looks like? Not sure what you’re going to do with your major? Don’t despair! The beautiful Julie Fish, who graduated in May of 2010, talks about her experience.
1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A famous movie star who could play dress-up and meet tons of cool people everyday
2. What was your major?
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, emphasis on Human Resource Management
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, emphasis on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
Bachelor of Arts in French
3. What was your minor?
No need for a minor. I had enough majors!
4. What made you decide to pursue that field of study?
Growing up, my family was incredibly creative and always allowed me to express myself and encouraged me to reach for the stars. From the beginning, they embedded some strong morals, work ethic, and passion for humanity into me. I idolized my youngest uncle, Scott, who drove a cool mustang convertible, had cool girlfriends who would teach me cheerleading, and he eventually traveled around Europe while taking a year to study abroad in France.
After I graduated high school, he directly took me under his wing to make sure I had a vision and a plan for the future. Originally, I wanted to be a Marketing major, but it seemed that marketing people were a dime a dozen and I would be forever poor. So, then I became an Accounting major, but I see the world in a lot of color and accounting didn’t allow me to express myself. I knew I enjoyed business, so Human Resource Management seemed like a good fit for a natural “people person” like myself!
While in school, the chosen Book of Common for the year was The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman, which was the assigned reading in multiple classes. The story of the Hmong culture and the intercultural travel stories by my brilliant professor, Tom Grothe, encouraged me to opt-out of a summer part time job, and instead grab a backpack and see the world for myself. It wasn’t long until I realized I wear a huge heart on my sleeve for humanitarian causes. I hoped that someday I could work for the UN, but I knew I would need to speak French fluently as it is the second international language. Of course, I didn’t see this as a problem because I could just study abroad in France as my Uncle Scott did! While aboard, I met many people with very limited recourse that had a vision and a dream to start a business. I knew that if they could do it with nearly nothing, then I could do it too! When I got back to the states, I gave accounting one last try until I swapped it out for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. It took me awhile, but I finally found three degrees that felt like a good fit and would challenge me!
5. Describe your most memorable college experience.
Through a series of serendipitous events, I found myself in a situation to take on a large leadership position for a small College of Business organization. It was my last semester of my senior year and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I was able to create, manage, and execute a very large scale event which brought together the university with the local community. After being inspired by an incredibly strong local business woman, Georgie Bellin (pictured below with Julie), who was a guest speaker in my Entrepreneurial Marketing class taught by Bill McGowan, I wanted to create an opportunity for other students to hear inspirational stories by local leaders who could show them the road to success.
By working with my team (who didn’t always see my vision), we created multiple subcommittees and utilized the universities recourses as a corporation to create Chico Spotlight. Bringing together the various university departments and organizations, Chico Spotlight connected students with CEOs and influential community members who shared provided a real insight to reaching goals and managing life challenges. Additionally, this event provided an opportunity for students to show their appreciation to local business for creating jobs to help them through school. Chico Spotlight was the largest challenge I had ever created for myself at that point. It took a lot of planning, reaching across boundaries, massive levels of collaboration, team work, passion, vision, ability to come up with creative solutions that would work on the spot, drive, and an absolute obsession to make the event a success.
When I arrived to the event location and saw that everything was going exactly as planned and all of those committees were working their butts off to make my vision a reality, it was completely surreal. It was everything I had dreamed it would be. It was beautiful! I was thankful for everything I was taught in school and blessed to be mentored by the incredible professors who took the time to personally challenge me to reach for the stars. I don’t think I was meant to be a famous movie star, but I still get to play dress up and meet really cool people!
6. What was your favorite class?
Once I found my niche, I really loved all of the classes I took, but there were two particular classes that really changed my life and I LOVED going to those classes: Entrepreneurial Marketing and Intercultural Communications.
7. What’s the best piece of advice you ever got in college?
“Learning is what happens outside the classroom.” -Tom Grothe
8. What do you do now?
I’m an entrepreneur! I love the thrill and adrenalin of starting new businesses by analyzing underutilized recourses from a unique perspective to help better people’s lives and bring new products/services to the market.
9. What is your favorite part of the job?
I love coming across challenges and being able to implement creative solutions. I meet cool people everyday who are full of ideas and dreams! I’m consistently coming up with new business ideas to make the world a better place!
10. Worst part of the job?
I don’t sleep very much because I’m constantly coming up with new ideas. I live and breathe my businesses.
11. How did your major help you in your job now?
The courses I took in my major provided a good foundation of theory which apply to each new startup.
12. Can you use it in everyday life?
I use the experiences from traveling and the business perspective I learned in school to help me through the challenges of everyday life.
Common Cold Remedies and Relief
With the advent of all this cold weather and rain (yay for fall!), the cold season is now upon us. Colds, I think, are quite possibly the most annoying sickness you can get because there is really no cure. With all this modern medicine, it seems like they would be able to come up with a magical solution, but until then, I have made a list of some remedies to help make the suffering a little bit more comfortable.
Chicken soup. This magical broth has been recommended since day one for its mucus-thinning and possible anti-inflammatory powers. Plus, it feels really good on sore throats, and you can gum the noodles if need be.
Humidifiers. Yeah, they’re annoying, but yeah, they work. Dry air causes mucus membranes to dry out, so humidifiers can put more moisture back into the air and help you breathe. You can also DIY by doing the following: fill up the bathroom sink with hot water and add three to five drops of essential eucalyptus oil. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the sink, breathing in the vapors for about five minutes.
Stock Up on Kleenex. It’s really important to blow your nose when you have a cold, because sucking back in the yuck can carry germs back into your ear passages and cause infection. Gross.
Gargle:
For a ticklish throat: Drink tea with tannins (a plant polyphenol that act as astringents), like green tea and white tea to tighten the membranes.
For a dry, scratchy throat: Mix1/2 teaspoon in 8 oz of warm salt water and gargle four times per day. This adds moisture and can bring at least temporary relief.
Another more tasty option: Mix a teaspoon of honey with a brew of raspberry leaves or lemon juice and let it cool to room temperature before gargling.
Echinacea & Goldenseal: Both of these herbal remedies have no medical proof of efficacy, but thousands of users claim that they can shorten the length of a cold, cut it off before it starts, and/or reduce the symptoms. Plus, most doctors say there should be no side effects as long as a person isn’t allergic to these herbs.
Ginseng: Studies have shown that taking this herb every day can not only help prevent colds but can also decrease the length and severity of colds if you do get them.
Garlic: In addition to warding off vampires, garlic is also a cold preventative and can reduce recovery time. You can eat it raw, mash it up, swirl it in a soup, or take it in a pill. Just make sure to brush your teeth afterwards or you can kiss a makeout sesh with your sweetie goodbye!
Cough drops: If you get the eucalyptus kind, they can help open up your sinuses and relieve sore throats. Plus, some of them taste *almost* like candy!
Sleep! Give your body a chance to fight off all the bad guys by resting and keeping warm. this is a good excuse to catch up on your Zs!
Do you have any magic cold remedies of your own? If so, all of us here at Pomona West Apartments would be extremely grateful if you posted them in the comments!
Pics and info courtesy of foxnews.com, webmd.com, mayoclinic.com, health.com, altmedicine.about.com, natural-pain-relief-guide.com, joyerickson.files.wordpress.com and homerepairandimprovement.files.wordpress.com
Jake Early & Other Chico Artwork
Whether you’re handy with the paintbrush or just a lover of the arts, Chico has an incredible collection of amazing artists whose prints you can proudly display on your apartment walls…or at least drool over in the galleries. One of the most popular artists in town is Jake Early, who specializes in California themes – especially Chico landmarks – and vibrant colors.
This talented California native earned his B.A. in Graphic Design from our very own Chico State and perfected his craft at the School of Fine Arts in Seville, Spain (which, on a side note, has the most delicious paella in the entire world). His most recognized pieces are serigraphs, which are produced on his own custom-built printing press in his Chico studio.
Most of these serigraphs feature Early’s signature metallic ink, a distinctive illustrative style, and either landmark or event themes, many of which are based around his split hometowns of Chico and Santa Barbara. Most of the rest of his work revolves around scenes from around California, including the north and central coast. Each piece created by hand, so the designs are all unique.
One of the greatest aspects of Early’s work is that he has completed an artist’s “panorama” of Chico, with prints that range from Bidwell Mansion to the Farmer’s Market to the Sierra Nevada Brewery. Check out some of our favorites below:
Wanna check out some of his work in print? Head downtown to the Chico Paper Company, where many of his works are on display. Once you get your fill of Mr. Early, then take the time to explore some of the many other art galleries Chico has to offer. When these cooler autumn days begin to hit, it’s the perfect weekend pastime; get a coffee to go and some warm boots and head out to experience the natural talent walking among us.
Below are some of the art galleries available for your viewing pleasure:
Avenue 9 Gallery - This cute little gallery was voted “The Best Place to See Art” by Chico News and Review in 2010. Stop by and vote for yourself if it will keep the title for 2011. It’s located at 180 E. 9th Avenue, Suite 3 and open Wednesday-Saturday from 12 noon to 5 p.m.
University Art Gallery – Located at 111 Taylor Hall at First St. and Normal St., this gallery features the artwork of students, faculty, and staff. Go support your fellow students from Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12 noon - 4 p.m.
1078 Gallery – The 1078 Gallery is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that seeks to promote more experimental artwork, in the forms of artwork, music, writing, movies, and performance. Formed in 1986, it is now at its third location on 820 Broadway and is open Thursday –Saturday from 12:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Chico Art Center – Founded in 1956, the Chico Art Center focuses on both promoting and teaching art in the Chico community. They offer a full schedule of art instruction classes four times per year for students of all ages and skill levels. The center is located at 450 Orange Street, Suite 6 and you can contact them for schedules at (530) 895-8726 and for gallery hours at (530) 891-5945.
Info on Jake Early courtesy of http://www.jakeearly.com/.
Chico Experience Week
Ahhhhhhh, October. Leaves begin to drop, the weather starts to cool down, and fall is officially here in full force. This is the time for Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Salted Carmel Mochas at Starbucks, thick wedges of pumpkin pie, and smoky fireplaces filling the air with seasonal nostalgia. On top of all that, there are suddenly about a billion awesome things to do, like fall fests, corn mazes, and harvest parties.
In Chico in particular, there is one especially awesome event that lasts ten days long, the Chico Experience Week. Lasting from October 7 to October 16, the Chico Experience “aims to bring Chico State students, alumni, parents, and friends together for 10 days of fun, education, and reconnection with friends, the campus, and the wonderful City of Chico.” By bringing together the Chico State campus and local businesses and organizations, the Chico State Alumni Association has created an incredible lineup of events for the next week.
Check out some of these highlights for the upcoming weeks:
October 7
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Oktoberfest
Sierra Nevada Hop Field, 1075 East 20th Street, Chico. 4:00—10:00 p.m.
Tickets available September 1, 2011.
http://www.sierranevada.com/oktoberfest.html
Jake Early Reception and Unveiling of Second Chico Experience Print
Chico Paper Co, 345 Broadway, 5–7:00 p.m.
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
Contact the alumni office to RSVP at 530-898-6472
Meet the artist and see the unveiling of the second Chico Experience Week print.
October 8
Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend
Visit more than 25 Farms and Wineries in Butte County, 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Passports are $25 per person and include a free wine glass and free tasting at all stops on the map. Passport are available online atwww.sierraoro.org, at all stops on the Trail; at the Chico, Paradise and Oroville Chambers of Commerce; Bacio Catering and Carryout in Chico; and local Tri Counties Bank locations. All proceeds benefit the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Association to further develop agri-tourism in Butte County. Contact: Mandy Johnston, info@sierraoro.org or 530-680-4041.http://www.sierraoro.org.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Oktoberfest
Sierra Nevada Hop Field, 1075 East 20th Street, Chico.
4:00—10:00 p.m. Tickets available September 1, 2011.
http://www.sierranevada.com/oktoberfest.html.
Parade of Lights
3rd and Salem Streets, Chico. 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Marcie Tevis, mjtevis@csuchico.edu
October 9
The 2nd Annual Chico Velo Fallflower Century Bike Ride
Manzanita Place, 1705 Manzanita Ave., Chico
500 rider limit; register here.
Starts and ends at Manzanita Place, 1705 Manzanita Avenue, Chico, CA 95926. Start time between 7–9:00 a.m., check-in is required. The Chico Velo Fallflower Century will showcase some of the most beautiful bike routes in Butte County during an extraordinarily beautiful time of year and includes 100-mile, 75-mile, 50-mile, and 10-mile options. Pre-registration entry fee is $45 which includes light breakfast, rest stops, and dinner. Helmets are mandatory. More information at www.ChicoVelo.org
The H.O.T. Half Marathon & Quarter Marathon
Half Marathon starts at 8:00 a.m.
Quarter Marathon starts at 8:15 a.m.
Run starts and finishes at the Hooker Oak Recreation Area. Terrain includes single track dirt & rock trails as well as gravel & rocky roads. Trail shoes highly recommended.
Fall in for a challenging trail run in historic Bidwell Park, one of the most diverse and pristine parks in America. This 3,618 acre preserve encompasses both sides of Big Chico Creek Canyon.
October 10
Greek Week: Blood Drive
BMU Auditorium, noon—7:00 p.m.
Open to the public.
October 11
Associated Students Fall Academic Fair
Trinity Commons, CSU, Chico. 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Fall Academic Fair will showcase the seven colleges of CSU, Chico and their various departments and programs. There will be music provided by KCSC and food served by AS Catering. For additional information contact Nikki MacDougall, AS Director of University Affairs at asunivaffairs@csuchico.edu.
October 12
Museumapolooza Freaky-Style
Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology, Meriam Library, Chico State campus. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Free.
Contact: Heather McCafferty or Adrienne Scott,anthromuseum@csuchico.edu or 530-898-5397.http://www.csuchico.edu/anthmuseum/
October 13
1965-1974 School of Nursing Reunion: Celebrating Travis Air Force Base Nursing Students
Alumni Reunion Luncheon
Colusa Hall, Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Free. Contact: Carol Huston, 530-898-5891 or
Register online here.
October 14
Chico Ragtime & Tin Pan Alley Open Mic
Sierra Sunrise Terrace, 2750 Sierra Sunrise Terrace, 6:30 p.m. Free.
Families, students, the curious, and performers join us for an evening of music from the mid-1800’s to the 1950’s and acoustic music that fits in with the sound of this era-singing and various instruments. For more information please call 530-894-6854 or emailb_lofaso@hotmail.com or RagtimeAndTinPanAlley@hotmail.com.
October 15
Butte Humane Society’s Furry Scurry— Fun Walk & Festival
Children’s Playground Park, 202 W. First Street. 7:30 a.m. registration, Fun Walk begins at 9 a.m.
- 1-Mile Walk for the Animals around historic Bidwell Mansion
- Bagel Breakfast with Fruit, Juice & Coffee
- Family-Friendly Live Music with The Phantom Hearts (‘50s & ‘60s Rock/Soul)
- Dog Costume Contest with prizes for Most Creative, Best Dog/Owner Combo, and more!
- Photo and Vendor Booths – check back for a full list soon!
- Games and Activities for Kids and Dogs
For more information, contact furryscurry@buttehumane.org or leave a voicemail at 530.343.7917 ext. 107. Register online here.
Downtown Chico Harvest Sidewalk Sale
Rake in the savings and celebrate the changing season at Downtown’s Annual Harvest Sidewalk Sale. Early birds shop on Friday too! On Saturday the sale begins at 9:00 a.m. It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up some incredible deals and even get a jump-start on holiday shopping. Contact the DCBA at 530-345-6500,dcba@downtownchico.comor
http://www.downtownchico.com/events/dcbaevents/hss
October 16
Creekside Cellars Annual Wine and Cheese Fest
Creekside Cellars, 250 Vallombrosa Ave., Suite 500. 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. $45 (includes a Creekside Cellars logo glass and plate)
Plan now to attend our annual Wine and Cheese Fest where you’ll spend the afternoon in our charming courtyard enjoying the Fall weather sipping wines from around the world! There will be over 70 wines to try, an artisan cheese table to nibble on and grilled tidbits to enhance the wines.
Plus there will be a raffle of outstanding gifts, wine and tour packages to entice you and all for the benefit of the North State Symphony who will be there to share their history, latest plans and upcoming performances. They will also honor us with the sweet sounds of some of the symphony members playing a little here and there occasionally throughout the afternoon. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 530-894-7696 or emailinfo@creeksidecellars.com
For more listings of events and more information on the Chico Experience Week, check out their page here!
Johnny Appleseed Days
Born as John Chapman on September 26, 1774, the legendary Johnny Appleseed is known throughout history as a planter of apple trees and a lover of animals. With a silver pot on his head and a bag of seeds at his waist, he is forever that quintessential frontiersman of American tales.
Chapman began his life-long love with apple trees when he was apprenticed at a young age to an orchardist. Using these skills, he began to plant nurseries on his path to the frontier, leaving them in the care of neighboring gardeners and checking back every few years or so to make sure that they were still in good shape. His travels introduced apple trees and orchards all throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois; and now, they have made their way to the humble little town of Paradise, California in the form of the 131st annual Johnny Appleseed Days.
This two day event, on October 1st and 2nd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. 4 p.m. on Sunday, is a wonderful tribute to that fruit fellow, with over 1200 apple pies, 125 craft and vendor booths, tons of tasty food, live entertainment including local musiciansand ballroom dancing exhibitions, and games for the kids. And Paradisians take this seriously! In order to make those 1200 pies, seventy or more local volunteers spend three days at the Senior Center cooking up apples from the local Noble Orchards them up so there will be enough deliciousness for everyone! Plus, there is an abundance of ice cream to go with the pies, as well as food vendors with something for even the pickiest eaters!
The whole tradition began in 1888, when the town celebrated a Harvest Festival with the transformation of a local saloon into a community hall. When the cast and crew of Robin Hood showed up in Butte County in 1937, the Paradise Chamber of Commerce decided to begin sponsoring the event, making it a family friendly outing that people could look forward to at the beginning of each fall. Over the years, there have been various apple-themed competitions and displays, including a pyramid of 15,000 apples in the middle of the Memorial Hall dance floor, as well as a 10-foot diameter apple pie, and a 1,000 lb. apple sauce cake standing 6 feet high. That’s a whole lot of apples!
In 1888, Paradise held its first “Harvest Festival” to celebrate the Temperance Society’s conversion of the local saloon into a community Hall. The foundationless building was rolled across Clark Road on logs, from what is now Napa Auto Parts to what is now the new Rite Aid. Now known as “Johnny Appleseed Days,” our harvest fair is the oldest in the state!
Located at the Paradise Intermediate School, the Johnny Appleseed Days are a great way to spend a day. So, go ahead, take the scenic 20 minute drive up the hill and get yourself a nice slice of apple pie! Better yet, get a whole pie to go and enjoy it all next week!
Info courtesy of ontheridge.com, paradiseridgecacoc.weblinkconnect.com, en.wikipedia.org, and paradisechamber.com.
18th Annual National Yo-Yo Contest
While Chico might not be as big scale as San Francisco or New York, it nevertheless has some big scale hype of its own every now and then. Today, our very own Bird in Hand, home of the World’s Biggest Yo-Yo, will host the 18th annual National Yo-Yo Contest. With hundreds of competitors coming from across the States and hundreds of viewers to cheer them on, this awesome display of skills is something that will appeal to everyone, whether an awestruck kid or simply a kid at heart.
Begun in 1993, the National Yo-Yo Contest is the longest-running National Contest in the world and is held every year on the first week of October at the Downtown Plaza in Chico. Competitions are broken into two levels, the competitive Championship Division and the more relaxed Sport Division. Each of these divisions is broken up into various levels of skill and technique and performed to an approved music. If you want to know more on how the divisions are broken up, check it out here.
The first mention of yo-yos ever recorded came around 500 B.C. and was described as two terra-cotta disks made of skin. These terra cotta discs were used as more of a ceremonial object, offered to the gods as a symbol of a child’s coming of age, whereas other materials like wood and metal were used for every day play. The name “yo-yo” is thought to derive from a Tagalog term for “return” or “come along,” and much of the yo-yo’s development is to due to the Filipino stringing design that resulted in greater stability and suspension.
The first patent for the yo-yo as we know it today was granted in 1866 to James L. Haven and Charles Hettrick of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, but it wasn’t until 1928 when Pedro Flores opened the Yo-Yo Manufacturing Company in Santa Barbara, California, that it began to take its place as a staple in American households as the “Number One Toy of the 20th Century.”
Resurgences of popularity throughout the decades kept the yo-yo tradition alive, including a post-war resurrection; but it was with the introduction of the first working yo-yo with a ball bearing in the 1990 by Tom Kuhn that yo-yo technology really took off, earning him the title “Father of the Modern Yo-Yo” and allowing for the sport to become (Not a bad title, I should say). In fact, all this talk about yo-yos has made us reconsider that old stocking-stuffer in a new light!
Whether you’re a yo-yoer yourself or just a lover of the game, the national Yo-Yo Competition is one that is not to be missed. There are vendors showing off their coolest new yo-yos, collectors displaying their favorite pieces, and pros giving tips on tricks and technique. The competition started at ten, but there is still time to head over to the plaza and check it out. The weather is perfect for being outside, so grab yourself a coffee and head downtown!
(Pics and info from Wikipedia.com and nationalyoyo.org.)
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