A News Cafe dot com » Paul Shigley

The Sun Is Shining - Time To Get Active

Paul Shigley — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:43:16 +0000

I declare winter officially over!

OK, OK, that sort of decision is above my pay grade, and I’ve lived around here long enough to know that the cold rain could return at least until the Kool April Nights car show ends. But…

Caltrans Puts Redding On The (Policy) Map

Paul Shigley — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:00:53 +0000

Redding gets scant attention in the world of California public policy development. But that changes, at least momentarily, on Wednesday, when representatives of the Caltrans home office in Sacramento come to Redding for a big transportation planning workshop.

The California Interregional…

No Butts About Smoke-Free Beaches

Paul Shigley — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:00:09 +0000

It can be smoking hot at the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area beaches during the summertime. But when the next beach season arrives, there may not be any actual smoking.

National Park Service officials are considering banning smoking at Whiskeytown’s four recreation…

The Good Ol’ Days At Shasta Speedway

Paul Shigley — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:08:40 +0000

Last Sunday’s sunny weather reminded me that, back in the good ol’ days, Shasta Speedway began its season on the first full weekend in March with an open competition stock car race. The feature event was run on Sunday afternoon,…

And The Oscar Goes To … The Cascade!

Paul Shigley — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:52:30 +0000

Over the top. That’s the only way to describe the Academy Awards party scheduled this Sunday, March 7, at Redding’s Cascade Theatre.

We’re talking limousines and red carpet, outlandish outfits, flowing champagne, a big-screen simulcast and awards for just about anything.…

40 Years Old And Running Stronger Than Ever

Paul Shigley — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:14:44 +0000

You think nothing lasts anymore? If you’re talking about electric appliances, I agree. But some things seem to keep ticking. For example, the NorCal John Frank Memorial footrace celebrates its 40th anniversary on Saturday, March 6, at Lake Redding Park.

All…

Igo Rallies For One Of Its Own

Paul Shigley — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:06:35 +0000

Igo Store owner Tom Schlenker has been at the center of the Igo community for many years. His one-stop shop IS the middle of town, and he personally is right there for every fundraiser and good cause. Now he could…

At Your Service

Paul Shigley — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:45:02 +0000

Thanks for stepping up to the Take-Out Window, where I’ll be dishing out big portions of local news, community event previews and useful information, spiced with the occasional thought-provoking comment.

As some of you diehard visitors to A News Café might…

You Can Do This: Whiskeytown Relays

Paul Shigley — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:55:16 +0000

The annual Whiskeytown Relays is both a competitive event and a big outdoor party. The serious runners race very hard, while other folks don goofy costumes, go for a leisurely jaunt and catch up with friends.

About 80 four-person teams are…

You Can Do This: Marathons

Paul Shigley — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:02:40 +0000

There is nothing like signing up for a marathon to motivate a runner.

That’s what I concluded while about a dozen of us carpooled to Shasta Dam on a recent Saturday morning. Other than the pull of a marathon, would could…

Whiskeytown Trail Day - Hooray!

Paul Shigley — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:00:28 +0000

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area has the most extensive nonmotorized trail system in our region, and it’s about to get even better. First, though, the National Park Service needs your assistance.

Saturday, August 8, is “volunteer trail day” at Whiskeytown. Hardy individuals…

You Can Do This: Sunset Through the Trees

Paul Shigley — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:11:19 +0000

The Sunset Through the Trees running series is one of my favorite annual outdoor events. This year’s version kicks off on Tuesday, July 28, with 4.3-mile and 2-mile runs on the Sacramento River bike path.

Runners in the series hit the…

You Can Do This: Fall River Century

Paul Shigley — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:00:47 +0000

A little more than 14 years ago, five dedicated bicycle riders gathered at the historic Fall River Hotel. They knew the area’s lightly traveled and extremely scenic highways and country road were ideally suited to cyclists, and they wanted to…

How Can They Close California’s Parks?

Paul Shigley — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:00:03 +0000

Nearly every state park in our region may close this fall. This development both confuses and saddens me.

Before I go further, I’ll detail exactly which of the region’s parks are on the hit list:

• Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park

• Bidwell…

You Can Do This: All Around Whiskeytown Lake

Paul Shigley — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:00:03 +0000

The Saturday morning group was pretty strung out by the time runners reached the roving aid station that Butch Stratton had established on the summit of South Shore Drive at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

By this point, most conversation had ceased,…

You Can Do This: Blazing Saddles Mountain Bike Race

Paul Shigley — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:00:17 +0000

One of the finest recent additions to the Redding area’s trail inventory is the 16-mile trail system developed during the last few years at the Swasey Recreation Area. Located on Bureau of Land Management holdings roughly 4 miles west of…

You Can Do This: Whiskeytown Duathlon

Paul Shigley — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:21:42 +0000

About 100 people who love dirt and sweat and who don’t mind the occasional knee scrape will gather at the Shasta Mine Trail Head on Saturday, May 16, for the Whiskeytown Off-Road Duathlon.

What’s a duathlon? It’s an event in which…

You Can Do This: Cycling for Sport, Fun, Exercise

Paul Shigley — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:15:25 +0000

Is there a better time and place than right now in Shasta County to ride a bicycle? If you own a bike, you know the answer.

Granted, commuting or running errands on a bike around here isn’t always a delight. That’s…

The Lowdown on Downtowns

Paul Shigley — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:02:51 +0000

Market Street - looking north from Placer Street - in downtown Redding.
Photo courtesy of the Shasta Historical Society

The best downtowns are 16/6 districts — they are lively places at least 16 hours a day, 6 days a week. The worst…