Thursday, June 26, 2008

Fire!



Several Chico Rotarians who work for the local newspaper put together a video of the recent Humboldt Fire. Northern California is on fire again from lightning strikes, with a reported 27 fires burning in Butte County alone, and many more throughout California. (Click here to view a map of fire locations.) Everyone is talking about burning eyes, throats, and pounding headaches from breathing smoke 24/7. I keep reminding myself how fortunate I am to still have my sweet little home, in spite of the normally-clear skies looking like San Bernardino on a BAD smog day. Just last weekend I was enjoying a rare few days away at Lake Madrone with friends. As we basked lakeside, enjoying the perfect temperature, we were surprised to see dark clouds rapidly moving in. That evening at sunset we took the short hike up to Bald Rock. Never having been there, I was amazed at the surrealistic beauty of the place, with its gigantic boulders overlooking the Sacramento valley, coastal range, and Sutter Buttes. There we watched as the distant lightning started fire after fire, with plumes of black smoke rising ominously like cobras from their baskets...

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Friday, June 6, 2008

Gardener's Swap Meet

Too many tomatoes? Up to your chin in cherries? Are you and your zuchinni being avoided by friends and family? Now you can SWAP THAT SURPLUS every Wednesday through October 8th! Sponsored by the Chico Food Network, the Veggie Swap Meet takes place every Wed. evening at various locations (see schedule for time/place).

Nothing to swap but still want to put fresh, wholesome food on the table? We're so lucky here in Chico to have not one, not two, but THREE DAYS of wonderful local Farmer's Market! Saturday morning downtown (parking lot at 2nd St. and Wall St.), Wednesday morning (North Valley Plaza--Mervyn's parking lot) and Thursday evening (downtown on Broadway). With all of this access to enchanting edibles (much of it organic), you have NO excuse for not eating healthful, nutritious and tasty meals. (As my friend Marcia Zimmerman--another Chico treasure--says, "Eat your Colors!) So get that big salad bowl, grill and wok out and eat your veggies!