I’ve been to many Convention Center Redding State of the City addresses. Last night I attended the city’s first encore presentation of its address at the Cascade Theatre.
Hands down, my vote goes to the Cascade Theatre location, for many reasons.
1. The atmosphere. Come on. One of these things is not like the other: The cavernous Convention Center, with all that cold concrete, vs. the Cascade, that Art Deco architectural wonder. Cascade wins this beauty contest. Easy.
2. Seating. No plastic chairs. Instead, we sat up in my favorite section, the normally expensive balcony seats. We listened to Mayor Mary Stegall’s address from our red upholstered seats beneath that gorgeous painted ceiling.
3. Music. Oh. My. Gosh. Dan Neece directed his Enterprise High School instrumental jazz band in the most incredible collection of music. Those students were amazing, truly amazing. (Note to self: Next time we’re considering hiring a band, call Enterprise High School. Those kids can play!) Maybe they performed at the Convention Center’s lunch, too. If so, I heap double praise upon Neece and his students.
4. Free vs. not. The Cascade encore event offered free admission, with snacks and beverages (water, coffee, tea, no booze), in the evening, convenienetly after work. The Convention Center’s State of the City luncheon cost each person $30, smack in the middle of the day.
5. Last, but not least was the main event, the message, delivered by Redding Mayor Mary Stegall. I’m sure she was equally articulate in both the afternoon and evening presentations, but I especially appreciated it at the Cascade since this was her idea. It also meant she repeated this pressure-cooker speaking engagement a second time, a daunting task that nobody but a masochist would suggest.
She started with Redding’s before picture: a natural beauty, but suffering from low self-esteem. Then she moved onto its present picture: growing; justifiably proud, because of its many recent accomplishments (Sundial Bridge, new library, etc.).
Stegall wears no rose-colored glasses. She’s a practical thinker who added words of caution: develop wisely, retain open spaces when possible, and plan growth with the surrounding region in mind, after all, Redding is just one piece of a larger picture.
She mentioned challenges ahead, such as increased retirement costs and decreased sales taxes. She showed convincing video clips of the cramped and worn Redding Police Department, that looked like a Third World storage unit.
She shared her observations of how far Redding has come since she first fell in love with it 16 years ago; along the river trail, under a full moon in the middle of spring.
Stegall ended with a dream: that someday Redding would be called the best place to live in the United States.
It’s a great goal. With sensible leadership, it’s entirely possible.
About 250 to 300 people heard Stegall’s address at the Cascade Theatre last night; lucky ones who accepted her bold invitation for this first-time event, an encore state-of-the-city presentation for everyone.
Not just businesspeople. Not just movers and shakers. Not just service club members. Not just powerful people and organizations.
Everyone.
I – like everyone else – received a free, energy-saving light bulb, compliments of Redding Electric Utility, as I left the Cascade.
A light bulb. Perfect.
Stegall brings Redding’s good things to light.
