Does it seem like there are car shows and cruising hot rods all over the Redding area? It should, because this is Kool April Nites week. About 1,800 cars are expected for the event, which includes a cruise this Friday evening, April 15, and the official car show the next day.
I love the car show, but I’ve heard that not everyone gets goose bumps over a cherry ’63 Impala or tears up at the sight of a restored Packard. Yes, the world goes on outside of Kool April Nites. Here’s proof:
• Saddle sores … A documentary movie about the world’s most difficult mountain bike race, Ride the Divide, is set for a one-time showing at 7 o’clock tonight, April 11, at Prime 11 Cinemas in Anderson. Ride the Divide is a 2,700-mile race on mountainous trails and dirt roads from Banff, Alberta, Canada to the U.S.-Mexico border. Just watching the trailer is inspiring.
• More inspiration … The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour makes a stop at Redding’s Cascade Theatre at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 14. This is a collection of award-winning submissions and audience favorites from the annual festival, which is the largest outdoors and exploration film festival in the world. Catalyst – Redding Young Professionals is bringing the world tour to town as a fundraiser for Foundation for Promoting Arts Education, Shane’s Way and Shasta Women’s Refuge. Details and tickets on the Cascade website.
• Go native … Tickets remain available for a Shasta Land Trust wildflower hike and picnic this Saturday, April 16, at Cow Creek Ranch near Millville. Native plant expert David Fritchle will lead the discussion of native, exotic and invasive plants, and explain how Native Americans and early settlers used various plants. Tickets for the fundraising event cost $25 for land trust members and $30 for nonmembers. Details of this and other land trust events throughout the year are available on the SLT website.
• Go wild … Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve and the Bureau of Land Management will host a walking tour of Clear Creek area wildflowers and wild plants beginning at 10 a.m. this Sunday, April 17. David Ledger of the California Native Plant Society’s Shasta Chapter will lead the way and explain what you’re seeing. There is no cost. For details, call (530) 241-2026.
• Shoe the homeless … Anderson-Cottonwood Christian Assistance is seeking donations of shoes and socks at its office, 2979 East Center Street, Anderson, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. The group is especially looking for sturdy shoes, such as athletic shoes and work boots. Donated items are scheduled to be distributed to homeless people on May 18. For details, contact Tom Bryant at Anderson Church of Christ, (530) 262-7273.
• Anyone have scissors? … The official ribbon-cutting for Redding’s new Cypress Avenue bridge has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, right under the bridge on Park Marina Drive. The event was postponed last month when high flows in the Sacramento River flooded Park Marina Drive. Thankfully, the bridge itself was completed two months ago.
Paul Shigley is senior editor of California Planning & Development Report, a frequent contributor to Planning magazine and will not be riding the divide anytime soon. He lives in Centerville. Paul Shigley may be reached at pauls.anewscafe@gmail.com.
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