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A Fair to Remember

Steve Brewer — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:43:06 +0000

Events, products and speakers of interest to women will be featured this Saturday at the Shasta County Fairgrounds in Anderson.

“All About Women” focuses on women’s health, homes and hobbies. Displays will feature massage, exercise, diet, financial planning, gardening, home decorating…

Lose the Chew for Health

Steve Brewer — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:59:15 +0000

It’s “Lose the Chew” week, and the Shasta County Tobacco Education Coalition offers ”Quit Kits” for those who are trying to kick the habit.

Tobacco chewers might believe that it’s safer than smoking, but chewing tobacco has been linked to oral cancer,…

Focus on Diversity at Shasta College

Steve Brewer — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:05:16 +0000

February is Black History Month, and a big event to mark the month is planned for this week at Shasta College.

The 6 p.m. Wednesday event will include a film, poetry readings, media presentations, music and speeches by students and community leaders.…

Movies From All Over

Steve Brewer — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:18:41 +0000

Movie-going in Redding is getting more interesting.

Two programs — one at the Redding Library and one at Shasta College – bring foreign and independent films to the area. And both are FREE.

An international film class at Shasta College, taught by Leo Fong, is open…

Tickets Up, Collisions Down in Redding

Steve Brewer — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:07:13 +0000

Those dreaded red-light cameras at Redding intersections appear to be working.

Redding Police Chief Peter Hansen says in his annual report that the automated cameras are responsible, at least in part, for a 5.49 percent decrease in traffic collisions throughout the city. More…

It’s Best in the West

Steve Brewer — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:35:01 +0000

A new poll has found that people in the Western United States tend to be happier and healthier than those in other regions.

The annual Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, based on interviews with more than 350,000 people nationwide, found that Western states typically…

Bite Your Tongue, Dick

Steve Brewer — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:03:41 +0000

A message to former Vice President Dick Cheney: Would you please, please shut up now?

Cheney is on the offensive (in both senses of the word) again, slamming the Obama administration for not doing enough to protect the nation from terrorism.…

Busy Weekend With My Valentine

Steve Brewer — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:41:49 +0000

What a party Friday at Maritime Seafood and Grill! Our pals James Fossen and Lisa Redden were the guest bartenders, and the place was packed with familiar faces.

Our own Jim Dyar (and other musicians, including James) sat in with Michael Powell,…

Even Illegal Immigrants Can’t Find Jobs

Steve Brewer — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:36:51 +0000

The number of illegal immigrants in the United States plunged by nearly a million last year, partly because the troubled economy made it harder to find jobs.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says beefed-up enforcement efforts, especially along the Mexican border, also…

A Riot of Writers

Steve Brewer — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:04:34 +0000

Redding’s burgeoning literary scene gets a double-dose of activity on Saturday. In the morning, Writers Forum hosts a panel on literature for children and young adults. In the evening, our pals from Hot Air Quarterly give readings as part of ArtHop.

Starting this…

I’m a Lumberjack and I’m OK

Steve Brewer — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:38:15 +0000

Now that Sarah Palin has come and gone, and it’s safe to go outdoors again, I find myself strangely drawn to the exposition that sponsored her two speeches in Redding.

The annual Forest Products and Construction Equipment Exposition at the Redding…

Isn’t It Romantic?

Steve Brewer — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:23:36 +0000

Valentine’s Day is coming up on Sunday, and a new art showing at Vintage Wine Bar & Restaurant is perfect for setting a romantic mood. A reception is scheduled for TONIGHT to meet some of the 30 artists in the “Conditions…

Super Bowl Mardi Gras

Steve Brewer — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:24:43 +0000

What an exciting Super Bowl! The New Orleans Saints finished their stellar season by upsetting the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, in a come-from-behind win.

Drew Brees tied the Super Bowl record for completed passes (32), but the biggest play came on defense:…

Go Red for Heart Health

Steve Brewer — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:02:28 +0000

February is National Go Red for Women Month, part of a movement to encourage women (and men, too) to embrace heart-healthy lifestyles. Mercy Medical Center in Redding marked the event on Friday by inflating a big red dress on top of its…

Another Quake Rocks Northern California

Steve Brewer — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:09:40 +0000

An earthquake that registered 6.0 on the Richter scale struck just off the Pacific Coast at 12:20 p.m. Thursday. Some folks in Redding felt the quake, but no reports of damage so far.

The 6.5-magnitude quake that hit the same area…

The Creeping Damp

Steve Brewer — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:28:10 +0000

I was driving down Highway 273 toward Anderson the other day, windshield wipers slapping, when I passed a familiar stand of palm trees. Big old palms, left from the days when a home or business occupied the now-vacant lot.

The gray trunks all…

Palin Robs Peter, Pays Paul

Steve Brewer — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:40:01 +0000

Why didn’t I (and thousands of other struggling authors) think of this? You can sell way more books if you form a political action committee. Take the money donated to the PAC and buy copies of your own book. Instant…

Several Nights at the Opera

Steve Brewer — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:45:52 +0000

The Shasta College Theatre presents opera performances this week, including Puccini’s comedy “Gianni Schicchi” and scenes from “Rigoletto” and “I Pagliacci.”

The operas are presented fully staged by Robert Waterbury, accompanied by Elizabeth Waterbury, and Ellen Southard on piano.

The performances will…

Bright Smiles for Children

Steve Brewer — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:39:34 +0000

Kids in Shasta County can get FREE dental care next Friday as Shasta College dental hygiene students, local dentists and other volunteers participate in national “Give Kids a Smile Day.”

From 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., kids 18 and under who have…

Cruising for Culture

Steve Brewer — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:27:20 +0000

Redding’s Cultural Cruise is TODAY, and great art will be on display at eight different venues around town. Go here for details and a map of locations.

Kelly and I are looking forward to the reception at City Hall, where members of…

Food Film to be Debated

Steve Brewer — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:07:25 +0000

The obesity epidemic behind so many of the nation’s health problems can be traced to the food we eat and the way we eat it. Processed foods, fast food, salt, corn syrup, trans fats: We’re making ourselves sick, bite after bite.

A…

Getting Credit for Doing Good

Steve Brewer — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:21:59 +0000

A new program allows Shasta College students to earn college credits by volunteering at Mercy Medical Center in Redding.

Mercy’s Volunteer Services Department has teamed up with Shasta’s Worksite Learning Program to start the program. Students can earn one hour of…

Buckets of Rain — UPDATE

Steve Brewer — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:10:47 +0000

No sooner do I post a column headlined “Buckets of Rain” than the sun emerged here in Redding for the first time in days, just to prove me wrong.

You’re welcome.

More clouds and showers will move through the area this afternoon/evening,…

Deep in the Heart of Stupid

Steve Brewer — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:07:57 +0000

Nothing they love down in Texas more than a good book-banning, but the state Board of Education got carried away.

In their haste to eliminate all pinko/commie/leftist leanings from the state’s social studies curriculum, board members banned the children’s classic “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,…

NFL Predictions — UPDATED

Steve Brewer — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:18:36 +0000

Wow, what a shootout between the Saints and the Vikings! Saints win in overtime, 31-28, and they’ll meet the Colts in the Super Bowl. Should be a good matchup.

I went 1-1 on today’s predictions, but enjoyed the games. Someone scrape…

Big Court Wins for Medical Marijuana

Steve Brewer — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:22:43 +0000

Users of medical marijuana in California scored a double victory this week in the state Supreme Court, which upheld a law that protects users from arrest if they show an official identification card and overturned limits on how much pot patients can…

Snow Cancels Turtle Bay Lecture

Steve Brewer — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:17:07 +0000

Bad weather has forced officials at Turtle Bay Exploration Park to cancel tonight’s lecture on climbing Mt. Shasta. The speaker, a veteran climbing guide, can’t get to Redding because of all the snow to the north.

As I reported the other…

Pass the Salt

Steve Brewer — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:26:05 +0000

Cutting even half a teaspoon of salt from your daily diet could extend your life, according to a new study.

Researchers examined the effects of salt on the American diet and found that it was responsible for much of the high…

Have a Heart, Help the Needy

Steve Brewer — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:03:11 +0000

Boy, today would be a bad day to rely on public transportation. Howling wind, driving rain, and you’re standing at a bus stop? Brrr. Even worse if you had to walk.

Those are the only options for lots of poor and…

Mystery Nominees Revealed

Steve Brewer — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:54:29 +0000

The Mystery Writers of America today announced the nominees for the 2010 Edgar Awards, honoring the best in mystery books, films and TV shows. I’ve got a lot of reading to do.

I’ve read only one of the five nominees for…