I once described the Asphalt Cowboys’ annual pancake breakfast to someone from out of the area as “pancakes for 10,000 people in the middle of the street before sunrise.”
That poor description earned a quizzical look, and, no, not everyone shows up before the sun does. But the pancake breakfast is really something that needs to be experienced.
This is Rodeo Week, so that means Friday morning, May 14, from 5 to 10 a.m., is the date for the annual flapjack feed smack in the middle of Market Street, between Placer and South streets (in front of the Cascade Theatre). Tickets are only $3 in advance or $4 at the, uh, door. Trust me, everyone will be there.
• If you’re planning to attend the “Iron Chef” fundraiser for the North Valley Co-op this Saturday night, May 15, you’ve got to get your tickets in advance because there will be none sold at the event. The dinner is set for 6 to 8 p.m. at the co-op’s future home, 1701 Placer Street, behind the Dermstore, in downtown Redding. The co-op website has details.
• Possibly the biggest modified stock car race of the year at Shasta Raceway Park is scheduled for this Saturday night, May 15. Promoter Rick Faeth expects at least a dozen modifieds for the $1,000-to-win, 50-lap Craig Brown Memorial. This will be the third running of the race honoring Brown, a dedicated Shasta Raceway competitor who lost his life to cancer. Saturday night’s action will also include the first boat race of the year (you’ve got to see one of these) and the first high school challenge race. The green flag flies at 6:30 p.m. Unfortunately, the late model stock cars have been canceled from the bill.
• Hey mom and dad, it’s time to enroll junior in summer camp. Whiskeytown Environmental School (WES) is offering two outdoor adventure camps, an earth skills camp and a theatre arts camp, all for kindergarten through eighth grade students. For older kids, there are two four-night backpacking trips through Lassen Volcanic National Park. The WES website has all the details.
• Those who are a little older may want to sign up for summer school at Shasta College. Registration is now open for summer classes, which include administration of justice, early childhood education, math, English, Spanish and “college success.” Get the full rundown of classes starting on June 7 at the Shasta College website.
• I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention The Dance Project’s “X-Treme Dance Camp,” June 13 through 19 at U-Prep in Redding. Placement auditions are May 14 and 21, so hurry over to The Dance Project website for info.
• Organizers of a food drive and “ministry fair” will be accepting donations of food, personal care items, clean sleeping bags and tents, money and bibles from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday at Redding Loaves and Fishes, 1180 Industrial Street, and at Grocery Outlet, 2235 Churn Creek Road.
Paul Shigley is senior editor of California Planning & Development Report, a frequent contributor to Planning magazine and ready to eat pancakes anywhere, anytime. He lives in Centerville. Paul Shigley may be reached at pauls.anewscafe@gmail.com.
