Thrill the World - Chico

Can't believe I missed this Chico "Happening," (which was really a worldwide happening), but I was out of town that weekend.  Check out this link to "Thrill The World - Chico," which took place in our downtown plaza on 10/24/09.  Sponsored by Friends of the Arts, the event was part of a worldwide attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Simultaneous Dance. Thousands of people in cities around the world performed the late, great Michael Jackson's "Thriller zombie" dance, ushering in the Halloween holiday (which has always been big in Chico).

According to ThrillTheWorld.com, 22,923 people danced in 32 countries, breaking the world record.  If you've always wanted to learn the "Thriller" dance, here's the tutorial.  For an insider's view on participating in the event, check out this article by Michael Rosen-Molina, which appeared in a recent issue of The Synthesis.  Click here for more photos of participants.  Now tell me, if ZOMBIES can reach out to each other across the globe in unity, why can't the rest of us get along?

Note:  Saw a few zombies and ghouls myself at the Chico News & Review's "Best Of" costume party, held at the Chico Women's Center 10/30/09.  Click here to see pics of the great costumes! 

"ReWalk" -- Amazing Technology

Saw the "ReWalk" mentioned in the Chico News & Review and checked it out on YouTube (click here for a video demonstration). Truly amazing! Amit Goffer, the founder of Argo Medical Technologies, a small Israeli high-tech company, has developed a robotic "exoskeletal" apparatus designed to help paraplegics walk. Amidst all of the negativity we're bombarded with daily, it's great to hear such an inspiring and uplifting story.