Archive for the 'Around Town' Category
Chico Association of Realtors: Bowling for Fire Victims
August 18th, 2008 categories: Around Town
Supporting two Paradise Realtors and their families who lost their homes in the recent Northern California wildfires…
the Chico Association of Realtors will put on a bowling tournament to be held August 19th at Orchard Lanes in Chico. Teams of four will seek donations from the community to support these two families as they rebuild from their losses. Proceeds will go directly to the families. So, if you would like to help, please contact me or, Peggy Mead at the Chico Association office.
It promises to be a fun and most worthwhile event!
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Cowboy Junkies Woo Chico Fans at Laxon Auditorium
May 5th, 2008 categories: Around Town, Events
This past Saturday we were treated to the sweet sounds of the Cowboy Junkies at Laxon Auditorium, one of Chico’s premiere venues for music and a variety of performing arts. Promoted and sponsored by Chico Performances California State University, the Cowboy Junkies are just one of many terrific shows available throughout the year right here in Chico, CA.
Where’s Jane?
Enthusiastic about hearing a few of their new songs, we missed hearing the classic cover, Sweet Jane, one of the Junkies most popular songs. But, just in case you want a listen, I have included it here.
I have to give props to Austin Texas’ Monahans, who opened up for the headliners with only two members of the band playing guitar, percussion and vocals. They put out a lot of sound for only two musicians.
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Chico, CA Wildflower Century Ride
April 28th, 2008 categories: Around Town, Events
About 3,500 cyclists came to Chico to ride the 27th annual Wildflower Century this year, which
has become recognized as one of the premier distance rides around.
Although, as its name implies, the Wildflower Century does offer a 100 mile loop, the event also offers shorter options for folks looking to spin their wheels a few less revolutions. The 65 mile loop, known as the Mildflower, the 30 to 60 mile loop called the Flatflower, and the 15 mile pedal-the Childflower.
The “Big Daddy” ride begins in Chico, travels through beautiful Butte Creek Canyon on Honey Run Rd., to Paradise, south to Table Mountain, and back on the flats through Durham and back to Chico. The ride does have its share of climbs, especially the short, but steep climb up Honey Run. That baby should definitely make the average rider “feel the burn”. The biggest speed shot is down Clark Rd. on the backside of Paradise, where it is not difficult to experience the “speed wobbles” at 45 miles per. Fun stuff.
Unfortunately, I did not make the ride this year as I recently dusted off the old “roadie” and lent it to a friend to use in a triathlon taking place next weekend. I did, however, plan to ride my townie -through a portion of the ride anyway- but, ended up spending the morning with visiting family. Oh well… There is always next year!
Photo: Historical Honey Run Covered Bridge in Butte Creek Canyon.
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Tennis Anyone?
April 16th, 2008 categories: Around Town, Events
Here in Chico, California, we are lucky to have so many great resources for fun and leisure. One of the best resources to learn or to develop a new skill or hobie, is the Chico Area Recreation and Parks District (C.A.R.D).
Their motto is, “Helping People Play”. And, that is just what they do.
This week will be the last of a 3 week (6 session) class for learning the basics of tennis I have enjoyed with my wife, mother-in-law, and about 10 other folks. We have really enjoyed the classes taught by, patient and entertaining, tennis instructor, Jerry Brayton.
But, the best part could very well be the free use of the ball machine that cranks out ball after ball.
Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 to about 7:30pm at the Community Park Tennis Courts… check their website for future classes.
In addition to tennis, CARD offers many other activities and events for people of all ages and interests. Things like; soccer, dance, kung fu, computer classes, Movies in the Park, various trips and tours, and so much more…
It is really a terrific local resource that offers something for just about everyone. So, if your looking for something recreational and fun to do this Spring, check out CARD.
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Gone to the Dogs
March 24th, 2008 categories: Around Town
This beautiful Chico weekend had me… and most everyone else… outdoors and enjoying the sun with friends, family, and dogs. On Friday my wife and I took our mini-wiener to one of Chico’s “best kept secrets”, the Tree Farm (aka, Chico Tree Improvement Center and, most formally, Genetic Resource and Conservation Center) to let the dog run and to take a break from the hustle and bustle. It was a visit that I haven’t made for quite a while and what I discovered is that this place is no longer the “secret spot” I remembered. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. I had heard that it had become a popular place for people to take their dogs for off-leash walks. But, seeing just how popular it has become was a real eye-opener.
Back in the day (am I really saying that?), I spent many, many days during the Spring, Summer and Fall months stationed at the “Tree Farm” doing all sorts of odd jobs in between fire calls. Yep. In a previous life, I was a firefighter. At that time, I worked on a crew called, Chico Max (a Hotshot or, wanna be Hotshot hand crew-depending who you asked). I had some of the best times of my life back then, starting in 1988, and much of it was spent at the Tree Farm, which was like a second home to many of us. We ran its’ trails, swam in its’ creek, worked, slept, complained a lot, and had lots of fun. And, apart from the folks who worked for the Forest Service full time, working the orchards and seeding trees, hardly anyone used the 209 acres of various plants, trees, and fields.
But, for better or worse, it seems like everyone and their dog knows about this special place now. Cramer Ln., once a quiet country lane, is now lined with cars belonging to dogs and their people using the Tree Farm. Dogs run free as people cruise the grounds. And, I suppose, that this is a good thing (it certainly speaks to the need for a dog park in Chico). People should be able to use and enjoy their local resources.
The problem is that the use and enjoyment of those resources has to be fitting the purpose of the resource and not damaging to it. I suppose that it’s not my place to decide if that is the reality for the Tree Farm, but some others who are more closely connected to it, are expressing concern that it is. In fact, a friend and past co-worker, currently employed at the Center, explained that he had just “repaired 50 sprinklers” that had been damaged by people and dogs, barely scratching the surface of those still in need of repair. He also said that vandalism and theft, in a variety forms, has been a problem recently.
So, my suggestion is, visit the Tree Farm. Enjoy its’ beauty and quiet. But, be respectful and tread lightly. You never know, if we don’t take care if it, it may not be available to us forever.
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