After the last week’s hectic Rodeo Week and before next weekend’s Memorial Day activities, this weekend has a certain lull about it.
Sure, there’s still stuff to do this weekend, including the “Senior Idol” show at the Cascade Theatre tonight, May 21, and the fundraiser for the Riverfront Playhouse’s capital campaign on Saturday afternoon and evening in downtown Redding.
Still, this feels like the last moment of calm before Memorial Day, graduation ceremonies and summer vacations. Or maybe it’s just one last chance to get all of the sprinklers working right. Those of us who have lived around here a while know that our mild, damp spring could end any day now. One of these mornings, we’ll all roll out of bed to find it 78 degrees already and – bam – summer will be here.
If you’re looking to get outside, I suggest a hike or ride at Whiskeytown, where the ceanothus is in full bloom and the waterfalls are roaring.
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• Aspiring musicians at Junction Elementary School will get a boost from today’s grand opening of Riverview Chiropractic at 2515 Park Marina Drive in Redding. For a $20 donation – which will go to the school’s fund to buy instruments – you’ll get a consultation, an exam, an X-ray if necessary, and a 30-minute massage. There will also be food, games for kids and other fun stuff during the event, which is set for 1 to 6 p.m. today, May 21.
• The independent documentary “Babies” opens a one-week run at Prime 11 Cinemas in Anderson today. My friends who have babies tell me this is a can’t-miss movie. The trailer is definitely compelling.
• It’s not often that there are big doings in Whitmore, but there will be this Saturday, when the rural community about 30 miles east of Redding hosts the Whitmore Mountain Fair & Car Show. Sounds like a full day and evening of small town fun.
• Best headline I’ve read in a while: “County No Longer Ranked No. 1 In Auto Thefts.” The story comes from Stanislaus County, which is now only the second most likely place to have your car stolen. Topping this year’s car theft list is Laredo, Texas.
• The state’s rebate program for buyers of energy-efficient refrigerators, washing machines and room air conditioners is going slowly, so the May 23 deadline to buy a new appliance has been eliminated. Instead, the program, which began April 22, will continue until the $31.6 million available for rebates has been exhausted. At this point, more than $25 million remains unclaimed.
Paul Shigley is senior editor of California Planning & Development Report, a frequent contributor to Planning magazine and plans to have the weed whacker running nonstop this weekend. He lives in Centerville. Paul Shigley may be reached at pauls.anewscafe@gmail.com.
