Magazine: March 2010 Issue
Music In The Air
Published: 01-Mar-2010
What a joy to be down here in the core of our city. Just as we’re enjoying a fresh view and new neighbors, we’re looking forward to sharing some new places and faces with you this month.
Looking for an action-packed day trip? We had a blast in Butte County, from waterfalls off the beaten path to Chico’s hip downtown, where eclectic restaurants, funky shops and original art abound.
Closer to home, we hope you’ll join us at the Second Annual Sundial Film Festival, the Redding Rotary Club’s celebration of local film and photography. After earning rave reviews last year, the festival is back to showcase the work of some of the North State’s most creative minds.
Speaking of creative minds, we’d like you to meet Dennis Holmes, an athletically inclined dentist with a fondness for Redding’s history, who put a twist on the sport of adventure racing. In “urban adventure racing,” participants run, bike and skate their way to checkpoints scattered throughout Redding. “I wanted to combine learning about Redding’s history, getting some exercise and doing some orienting,” Holmes says.
Then discover the power of a determined and visionary group of women who have created The Women’s Fund, a grant-making organization that is designed to mobilize the power of women through philanthropy. They’ve already made a splash in the community with thought-provoking forums that have drawn standing-room-only crowds.
Another guy that draws appreciative crowds is Bruce Calin, who has become the go-to guy for musical gigs that demand a pro on bass. The lifelong musician was once a member of the house band for Garrison Keillor’s nationally syndicated radio program “A Prairie Home Companion.” “He’s just the all-around consummate professional, no matter if he’s playing symphonic music, jazz or just jamming on some blues or bluegrass,” said jazz guitarist Charles Valona, who regularly performs with Calin.
But people aren’t the only fascinating residents of the North State. Meet Viza, a dog who has saved many ailing canines’ lives by donating blood. And if you’re looking for a feathered friend to call your own, perhaps a chicken would be the perfect pet – we’ll tell you about some of the ups and downs.
Wishing you the luck o’ the Irish. Enjoy!
Featured Articles in This Issue
Interest: Ace Of Bass
Published in March 2010 - story: Jim Dyar photos: KaraStewartPhotography BRUCE CALIN, LOCAL BASS GO-TO GUY If you’ve attended a high-end North State jazz concert over the past several years, you may have noticed the same guy continually behind a well-worn standup bass. And those paying really close attention may have also noticed this fellow performing with the North State and Shasta symphonies, and in orchestra pits for a..
Interest: Connecting Women
Published in March 2010 - story: Kalle Markle photo: James Mazzotta The Women’s Fund’s Philanthropic Efforts To speak with Anne Peterson about the Women’s Fund is to be ignited by her earnestness. She is so passionate about making systemic changes in the community that in moments, pessimism and discouragement seem absurd. Really, any member of the cabinet could communicate the spirit of the effort as effectivel..
Interest: Dress Unscripted
Published in March 2010 - story: Kerri Regan WEDDING DRESSES GET AN ENCORE PRESENTATION The three brides are picture perfect, but there’s not a cake, a guest or even a groom in sight. Rather than walking down the aisle, they jump right into Whiskeytown Lake together – and the resulting photographs are a collection of unscripted, creative, nontraditional art. Many couples are embracing “trash-the-dress” ..
Recreation: Gettin' Dirty
Published in March 2010 - story: Joshua Corbelli photos: Brent Van Auken BOOMTOWN BMX TRACK IN SHASTA LAKE CITY It started in the early 1970s. Children in Southern California took to racing their Schwinns and such on dirt tracks in a fashionable attempt to emulate their motocross icons of the time, so the story goes. By the middle of the decade, bicycle motocross (BMX) was a fast-growing phenomenon – the intrigue of which ..
Interest: If You Build It They Will Come
Published in March 2010 - story: Kerri Regan Redding Community Baseball Field project Ball players? Check. Fans? Check. Land? Check. Now the Redding Community Baseball Field project just needs folks to step up to the plate and write a check. An alliance of local businesspeople, baseball enthusiasts, Simpson University and the nonprofit organization Add Some Color is working to build a regulation baseball field and stadium a..
Top 10: North State Sound
Published in March 2010 - Top 10 Bands or Musicians The North State’s music scene is growing, and most weekends you can find a great venue where a local band is playing some fantastic tunes. Our online votes have been tallied and below are our Top 10 bands/musicians in the North State. 1. Clearcut Alternative, Acoustic, Rock www.myspace.com/clearcutmusicredding 2. The Billies Classic Rock, Country, Blues www.mysp..
Interest: On The Spot
Published in March 2010 - story: Joshua Corbelli photo: KaraStewartPhotography.com FUN 'N’ GAMES WITH REDDING IMPROV PLAYERS It would be a stretch to say that everybody on Earth likes to laugh. It might not, however, be such a reach to suggest that laughing is a universal language – something that transcends barriers of race, religious affiliation and countless other social barriers. Oftentimes, the funniest moments ..
Profile: Perfect Illusion
Published in March 2010 - story: Sandie Tillery photo: Brent Van Auken Roby Baer, PSA— Picture–Perfect Pastelist Among wildlife and conservation groups, one local artist’s work stands out among the throng. She has earned accolades from such groups as Quail Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited and the Dove Sportsman’s Society. More than 100 of her works have been donated to fundraising efforts including Upland Game,..
Spotlight: Red Carpet Affair
Published in March 2010 - story: Kallie Markle photos: Courtesy Of Jesse Rosten Second Annual Sundial Film Festival You’ve purchased your ticket, picked out the best plush red seat and have already started nibbling popcorn when the theatre lights dim and the projector behind you starts up. There’s something different about this film, though: instead of a Hollywood soundstage, it’s set in your neighborhood, and ..
Interest: Spring Chicken
Published in March 2010 - story: Gwen Lawler-Tough Important Lessons For Raising Chicks In 1996, I thought it would be cute to get some spring chicks from the local feed store for my two young sons. My half-baked idea was to give the chicks to a nearby farmer when they started getting big. I knew nothing about chickens then, and figured there wasn’t much to know, anyway. I figured wrong. We all fell in love with our chick..