Every Week . April ~ September . 6:00pm ~ 9:00pm . Downtown Chico     Spring in to the Season!!! Thursday Night Market Kicks Off April 1st   Explore Downtown Chico's Thursday Night Market - farm-fresh produce, delicious food, arts and crafts, and live entertainment. Kicking off its 14th season on April 1st, the market is held weekly from 6-9pm through September. Located on Broadway from 2nd to 5th Streets, the area is closed to vehicle traffic to allow for the festivities.   Browse a wide variety of unique Downtown shops with extended hours on Thursday nights or dine at one of the wonderful restaurants or quaint cafes. Streets are lined with more than 100 popular vendors. Certified growers offer the season's freshest assortment of fruits and vegetables, bouquets of garden-grown flowers, nuts and honeys, houseplants and more. Plus you'll find authentic crafts and artwork, handmade clothing and jewelry, mouth-watering foods, personal services and community organizations.   A variety of local musicians and entertainers showcase their talents each week. Performances range from jugglers to African dancers and from classic jazz to bluegrass. The whole family will enjoy an evening at the market - with clowns, face painters, bounce houses and special children's activities the market is a great outing for young and old alike.   New to the market this season, the Chico Velo Cycling Club will offer a free bicycle valet service keeping patrons bike safe and secure while they stroll the event. After much consideration, this season the DCBA has implemented a new "rain or shine" policy for the Thursday Night Market.  Patrons can now enjoy the market even when the sun is not shining.  At the urging of the American Lung Association, the City of Chico has deemed City Plaza a "Smoke-Free Zone" - this policy will be enforced during the TNM. Per Health Dept. code specifications no animals are permitted within market boundaries and for the safety of market patrons, no bicycle riding, skateboarding or rollerskating is allowed. The Thursday Night Market is produced by the Downtown Chico Business Association (DCBA) and is sponsored in part by major sponsors, Comcast and Recology.  Media partners include KHSL TV 12, KNVN TV 24, CW10, 93.9 KFM, 95.7 KALF, 96.7 KPIG, 107 The Point, Mix 95.1, News Talk 1290 KPAY, The Blaze 103.5, 97.7 La Gran X, ESPN  101.7 FM & 1340 AM, Bob 92.7, Thunder 100.7, Oldies 102.1, Z Rock 106.7. # # #   For more information contact the DCBA at (530)345-6500 or email Becky Watner or Stephanie Yunker     TNM@DOWNTOWNCHICO.COM ·   WWW.DOWNTOWNCHICO.COM

 

 

 

Canyon Oaks Art Salon     10% of all sales go to support Chico & PV High School Art Programs This event is FREE to the public. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine on Friday evening Please join us. DATE: Friday, Feb. 19, 5-7 p.m. & Saturday, Feb. 20, 10-4 p.m. LOCATION: Canyon Oaks Country Club, 999 Yosemite Dr. CONTACT: Ray Laager, 530-520-4742

 

CHICO'S "HOOKED ON FISHING" EVENT MAY 22, 2010

               To kick off National Fishing Week, the city of Chico will be welcoming kids to an outstanding free "Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs"** event. It is one of the largest single-day children's fishing events in the entire United States!

               Kids 14 and under are invited to come to Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 22, for a chance at the 8,000 pounds of channel catfish that will be planted for the event. Admission is FREE, along with all tackle, bait and instruction [limit 1 fish per child]. Kids can even have their catfish cleaned for free.

               Since this is a "kids only" lake, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. Expert local anglers will be on hand as coaches. There will be a separate area for the littlest anglers, age 1 to 5.

               There will be plenty of rods and reels available to use free, but all are encouraged to bring their own. Bring your favorite "secret" catfish bait, but please, no lead sinkers at Horseshoe Lake.

With all that help and all those fish, it will be the closest thing to a guaranteed "first fish" for the little ones. To donate, volunteer, or for more information, call 530-891-4757. A great time is sure to be had by all!

** "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" is a program of the American Sportfishing Association

 

 

 

Stretch your dollar

Lean how to stretch your dollar at OPT for Fit Kids' budgeting class on January 21ist at 6pm. This class emphasizes healthy options and is offered free of charge to those families who currently receive food stamps, are enrolled in the free and reduced school lunch programs, are WIC participants, or receive commodities. At the end of the class, participating families will receive a free food basket of wholesome foods. A recipe, Quinoa Salad, will be demonstrated along with a sample of locally grown produce. Classes on how to Eat Right When Money is Tight are held once a month from 6-7pm at OPT for Fit Kids located at 1311 Mangrove Ave, Ste. B. For more information call 345-0678. Child care is available with reservations.

 

 

 

Ready, Set, Bag

 

"Ready, Set, Bag!", an entertaining, family friendly documentary about the folks who train for and compete in the National Grocery Bagging Competition, is coming to Chico on Thursday nights in January.  Screenings are 5:30pm on Jan 7, Jan 14, Jan 21, and Jan 28 at the Pageant Theater.  All screenings benefit the CAA Butte County Food Bank with $1 going to the foodbank for every ticket sold thanks to ChicoBag.  And everyone also gets $1 off of the ticket price if they donate two or more cans of food or other nonperishable food items, also thanks to ChicoBag.  Q/A session with Director and Producer follow all screenings.  More info about the film can be found at http://www.readysetbag.com .

 

 

Annual Snow Goose Festival

Celebrating the Winter Waterfowl Migration at the 11^th Annual Snow Goose Festival in Chico, January 28 – 31. 2010

The 11^th Annual Snow Goose Festival in Chico, January 28 – 31, 2010, will again celebrate the spectacular winter waterfowl migration in the North Sacramento Valley.  Millions of geese, ducks, swans and other birds arrive here from as far away as the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, and Siberia, making the Sacramento Valley the most important wintering area along the great Pacific Flyway.  The Festival tells the story in live action with over 50 field trips and workshops that range out into six counties.  The field trips spread out from the Chico Masonic Family Center in Chico into the rice fields, wildlife refuges and river walks where mild winter weather, abundant food and lots of water draw the avian arrivals.

This waterfowl story is an old one.  Geese, swans, ducks and sandhill cranes have been spending their winters in the Sacramento Valley for thousands of years.  Waterfowl and shorebirds migrate south on all the U.S. flyways, but on other routes cold weather keeps them on the move.  Here in the Sacramento Valley mild winters allow the birds to stay in one area, creating a viewing opportunity nowhere else available.

And the Snow Goose Festival is the perfect way to explore this natural wonder.  Many local wildlife naturalists will be leading field trips to educate participants about our winter neighbors. In rice fields and on refuges, birding experts will explain how to pick out a swan from a goose from a duck.  Other field trip leaders will track sand hill cranes, the largest of our waterfowl visitors who are famous for their territorial dance.  Some trips are scheduled around fly-offs when thousands of snow geese take off in unison as they move to a new feeding.   Observers are thrilled to the overhead sounds of a million honking ducks and geese.  Festival trip leaders have scouted out the very best sites to see all the action.

The Festival also takes this opportunity to build a complete picture of the rich diversity of plant and animal life in the North Sacramento Valley. There are an amazing variety of programs on wildlife and habitats in addition to rice fields and refuges. Festival field trips also go to vernal pools, the seasonal home of rare plants and animals, a grassland savannah searching for raptors, a nature preserve to band saw-whet owls and even the scenic Sutter Buttes to hike in search of resident wildlife.  Some of the new Field trips offered this year include “Kayaking on the Thermalito Afterbay”, Digiscoping”, “Cranes, Swans and Egrets” and Beginning Birding By Ear”

The Snow Goose Spectacle may be the Festival drawing card but the depth and breadth of nature experiences provide a rich and diverse program.  Workshops teach about nature photography, beginning birding, birds of your backyard, watchable wildlife, wood ducks, decoy duck carving and much more.  There are many free nature activities for children, and armchair adventures for the less hardy.  Free wildlife art exhibits and fascinating nature displays offer something for everyone.  

Other highlights of the Festival include a Friday night Wildlife Art Exhibit and Uptown/Downtown Reception with free trolley ride between the two hosting galleries.   The “Gathering of Wings Banquet” on Saturday night will feature keynote speaker Stephen Shunk – well-know birder and woodpecker specialist, talking on “Birding Through the Veil of Winter.”

All Festival events are affordably priced and for out-of-towners, local hotels are offering special rates.

For more detailed information, a schedule or to make reservations call 530 345-1865 or visit the Festival’s website at www.snowgoosefestival.org.

Liz Gardner

Snow Goose Festival

P.O. 1063

Chico, CA 95927

530-345-1865

liz@sacrivertrust.org

info@snowgoosefestival.org

www.snowgoostfestival.org

 

 

 

 

Sid the Science Kid Workshop

 

 

An innovative hands-on Workshop teaching all about this unique new show & how to integrate Science into your child’s everyday life!

Have you ever wondered how many legs a Rolly Polly has?

Or why incline planes can be a great tool?

 

This show teaches children ages 3-6 how to explore their world while learning how to become a scientist like Sid!

 

Participants will receive a free Sid the Scientist Kit complete with DVD of the show, and other Science Tools.

 

Workshop Date: Tuesday, Oct. 6th, 2009

Time: 6:30-8:30pm

Location: Hearthstone School

2491 Carmichael Drive, Suite 500 , Chico

 

There is no cost to attend this workshop

 

 

COME 'N' GET IT!!!

Taste of Chico 2009 Served Up on September 13th
 

The Downtown Chico Business Association (DCBA) invites you to enjoy the 24th Annual Taste of Chico. This highly acclaimed food, beverage, music and fine-art festival is scheduled for Sunday, September 13th from Noon until to 4:00 P.M. The event takes place in the heart of Downtown Chico and satisfies the appetites of more than 12,000 locals and visitors.

Over 125 restaurants, breweries, wineries and beverage distributors treat event participants to fabulous fare while they stroll Downtown streets brimming with culture.  Four main stages host continuous, live music and performances while the "Open Air Art Gallery" previews fine artists from the Chico Art Center's Open Studios Art Tour.

Tickets are for sale now at Tri-Counties Bank locations and at Diamond W Western Wear.  Tickets can also be purchased at Thursday Night Market and Friday Night Concerts.  Advance ticket prices are: $28 for a "Wine & Dine" ticket (with alcohol tasting), $20 for a "Full Course" ticket (without alcohol) and $15 for a "Mini Taste".  Tickets are available at the event for an additional $4 each.

Generous community sponsors of Taste of Chico are Tri-Counties Bank, Coors Light, Diamond W Western Wear, and LRT Graphics.  Media partners include:  Chico News & Review, Chico Enterprise Record, Paradise Post, Synthesis, Inside Out, Upgraded Living Magazine, Stott Outdoor, FOX 20 TV, MY TV, KHSL TV 12, KNVN TV 24, CW 10, 103.5 The Blaze, Mix 95.1, News Talk 1290 KPAY, ESPN 101.7 FM & 1340 AM, 97.7 La Gran X, 93.9 KFM, 95.7 KALF, 107 The Point, KPIG 96.7, Oldies 102.1, 106.7 Z Rock, Thunder 100.7, and BOB 92.7.

Eat your heart out!!!

 

 

Bookstore hosts choir fundraiser

 

 

 
Barnes & Noble Booksellers is hosting a fundraiser to benefit Children’s Choir of Chico ensembles August 29 and 30.    Barnes & Noble will contribute a percentage of every sale made in the store or online, when the purchaser presents a special book fair voucher or mentions Children’s Choir of Chico.
 
Vouchers are available on the Children’s Choir of Chico web site at childrenschoirofchico.org, and in hard copy or via email from the CCOC Office, located at 295 E. Washington Avenue.  Or call 342-2775 to request vouchers.
 
The Barnes & Noble proceeds will help the choirs by providing funds for tuition scholarships for singers needing assistance, to purchase choral music, and to underwrite other expenses of the choirs.
 
Fair hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. both days at the store or online.

Bigfoot

 

Bigfoot Expert reveals incredible evidence at

Superstition Saturday

October 10, 2009

 

Regional expert Dr. Ronald Brown will present evidence of Bigfoot, also known by the names Sasquatch and Yeti, on Saturday, October 10 at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center (above the dam) at 917 Kelly Ridge Road in Oroville from 6-8pm.

 

Dr. Brown is a contributing author on the subject of Bigfoot and has participated in numerous field studies and investigations.  His presentation includes footage of the Patterson and Redwood videotapes, a display of actual castings, visual representations and historic documented information to show how far back sightings of Bigfoot exist.

 

After the Bigfoot presentation, explore your superstitions on the Haunted Trail (weather permitting).  As the moon peeks through the oak trees, costumed docents will explain ancient meanings and share mystical practices as they guide visitors along the 1/8 mile trail.  Expect to see evidence of the supernatural all around you, from above and beyond!  Bring a flashlight, sturdy shoes and dress for the weather.

 

This event is a fundraiser for the Bidwell Bar Association (BBA).  Cost is $5.  There will be a bake sale, featuring seasonal treats such as brownies, cookies and caramel apples.  There will also be a raffle. 

 

10TH ANNUAL TOMATO DAY

 

 

A celebration of fresh produce and healthy living

 

 

The Saturday Chico Certified Farmers’ Market and the Network for a Healthy California—Children’s Power Play! Campaign are coming together to celebrate Butte County’s tomato season with the 10^th Annual Tomato Saturday. This event, which is August 8^th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., provides an opportunity for the community to come together at the farmers’ market and have a fun-filled day with the family while enjoying eating healthy and buying local.

 

Community members can come by the Saturday Farmers’ Market, located on Wall and 2^nd street, with tomatoes from their garden that are the heaviest, cutest, best tasting, best dressed, Mr. & Mrs. Tomato Head, most unusual and has the best costume for a chance to win prizes. Everyone is welcome to enter the salsa recipe contest where cash prizes will be given for the best red salsa, green salsa and best presentation. People can also sign up to be a judge. All interested Salsa Recipe contestants will need to come by one of the certified farmers’ markets in Chico, Oroville or Paradise or e-mail Terri Givens at karrottalk@aol.com for more information.

 

Activities for the day will also include tomato tasting, kids games and a poster contest. The poster contest theme is “Be a Healthy Hero: Buy Locally Grown Fruits and Veggies” and will allow kids to be creative with the chance of winning many prizes. For details on the poster contest contact Emily Ruffner at 345-2483 x 210 or eruffner@healthcollaborative.org.

 

Spring Bike Ride & Picnic

 

ARC Store Helps Kids Discover the Joy of Reading

 

 

The Arc of Butte County is excited to announce it’s new “Discover Reading!” Children’s Literacy Program in Oroville.

 

During the months of April and May any child, grades K thru 8, who brings an Arc “Discover Reading!” Book Voucher to the ARC Store in Oroville,

2745 Oro Dam Blvd., will receive one free children’s book of their choice.

 

“The ARC Store receives book donations from the community every day,”

says Brenda Easter, ARC Store manager, “As a grandmother, I thought why not share them with the children in town and hopefully spark their imaginations.”

 

The Arc distributed approx 1,000 vouchers to four Oroville Elementary Schools and the Boys & Girls Club on Lower Wyandotte. We hope this new program will inspire children to read, explore and expand their horizons.

Miles For Moms 5K Trail Run/Walk

On Saturday, May 9th, the first "Miles For Moms 5K Trail Run/Walk" will be held near Challenge, CA on a Young Life property called Woodleaf.  Money raised from this event will benefit YoungLives, an organization that reaches out to teen moms and their babies.  Teen moms from around the country (including Chico, CA) will attend a week of camp at Woodleaf in July. 

 

You can find out more about YoungLives in Chico by going to their website at www.chicoyounglives.youglife.org.  Also, if you are interested in participating in the 5K, you can go to www.active.com to register.  Or for more info about the race, please email woodleaf5K@yahoo.com. 

 

 

 

The Enloe Community Heart Fair

 

One of Enloe's largest free community events is taking place Feb. 21: The Enloe Community Heart Fair, at the Chico Mall. 

 

 

EVENT DETAILS

The public is invited to attend Enloe’s 2009 Community Heart Fair this Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chico Mall.

 

Enloe employees will provide several FREE screenings and tests:

• Blood pressure screening
• Pulmonary function screening
• Pulse Ox screening (how much oxygen in blood stream)
• Cardiac Activity Step Testing
• Stroke Assessment
• Medication review by Enloe pharmacists
• Diabetes Screening
• CPR demonstrations and instruction

Among the FREE activities offered by Enloe employees:

• Help in understanding food labels
• Cooking demonstration & healthy recipes
• Opportunity to meet members of Enloe’s Heart Team
• Demonstrations of catheterization procedure
• Surgical displays provided by the Enloe Heart Team

 

 

Get to know H20!

Coming this winter….

 

Please join us at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center

Every Sunday afternoon

From 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

 

Starting

January 11, 2009 through March 1, 2009

 

Each week we will feature a new activity, craft or scientific water experiment.

If you like doing crafts, or having fun doing experiments, you will love the things we have planned while learning about water’s importance and it’s many uses.

 

Jack Splash members will get credit for attending these events.

Not a Jack Splash member?  Sign up at any one of these dates and become a member.  More information about Jack Splash will be available when you attend.

 

These activities are designed for children

Ages 7 though 12.

 

Children must be supervised by an adult and participate in the activity.

 

Please be on time.  Some activities take longer to do and may be followed by a video related to the activity.

Space is limited so sign up early by contacting the Visitor Center at 538-2219.

 

2009-2010 OPEN ENROLLMENT AT FOREST RANCH CHARTER SCHOOL

 

OPEN ENROLLMENT FEBRUARY 16 - 27

 

* Free K-6 Public School

* Small Class Sizes

* Integrated Thematic Program

* Band Available for Grades 3 - 6

* Environmental Science

* Individualized Learning

* Transportation Options Available

* Before and After School Care Option

 

Come by for a tour of the campus or call us at 891-3154

Visit our web-site at www.forestranchcharter.org

 

A Festival for All Ages

 

 

Celebrating the winter waterfowl spectacle at the 10^th Annual Snow Goose Festival in Chico

 

No matter what your age or outdoor interest, there is something for everyone at the 10^th Annual Snow Goose Festival.   Headquartered in Chico but with field trips that spread over three counties, this four-day event, January 22 –25, 2009, serves up a rich offering of nature experiences.  The cast of wildlife characters are many but the main stars of the festival are the thousands of snow geese, swans, ducks and sand hill cranes that travel the great Pacific Flyway many hundreds of miles to their winter stop in the North Sacramento Valley.

 

From little ones to Grandpa, hardy adventurers to armchair enthusiasts, everyone can see the spectacular seasonal show of the majestic Snow Geese.  As they do from November to March, tens of thousands of snow geese will hold court in rice fields and wildlife refuges waiting for festival visitors.   How can visitors see the show?

 

The high adventure types have several day-long choices that will challenge their stamina as they travel high for sightings of Evening Grosbeaks and Varied Thrushes or low for the Eurasian Wigeon and Rough-legged hawks.  Another choice for the fit – a six-mile hike in the Sutter Buttes which is rarely open to the public or a walk along the Paradise Flume Trail.  To see Snow Geese galore, energetic visitors can travel from dawn to dusk and refuge to refuge with a dedicated birding expert.  Or they can learn about birds and other wildlife while snowshoeing in beautiful Lassen Volcanic National Park.

 

The many field trips that leave from the Center offer a range of outdoor experiences that are as varied as the species and habitats in the region.  Whether it’s birding by horseback or touring a rice farm, pursuing a Red-tail on the Raptor Run or finding the fairy shrimp in a vernal pool, there is an adventure awaiting everyone.

 

For kids of all ages, the Family Owl Prowl offers a unique glimpse into the amazing nocturnal world of owls.  Kids can also make Bird Tiles for a community project, have a lesson in beginning birding at the Chico Creek Nature Center  or learn to recycle food waste and grow worms through composting. 

 

Some families may never even leave the Festival Center.  The roomy Masonic Center in Chico will be bulging with exciting exhibits and activities for children and adults.  And it’s not just about birds, there are displays about all the best nature places in the area, the many agencies that contribute to the conservation of our land, workshops on Designing Gardens for Wildlife, How to Grow and Enjoy Slow Foods plus the original art of all the children who entered the State Junior Duck Stamp contest.  Speaking of art – special Festival shows of wildlife art will be open at two local galleries!

 

For those who like to take it easy, there are gentle trips to practice birding basics or workshops that will take you on armchair adventures.  At the Center, noted photographers will give shows on techniques; birding experts will give tips on identification and local authors will share their literary interpretations of the wonders of nature.   

 

Make It a Weekend:  With very affordable rates of $75 per room per night, the two Festival Hotels make it possible to come early and enjoy a Friday night Art Exhibit and Uptown/Downtown Reception or the “Gathering of Wings Banquet” on Saturday night.  The banquet will feature keynote speaker Ed Harper – well-know birder, world traveler and photographer.

 

 

 

Please help save the Barry R Kirshner Wildlife Foundation and Educational Programs!

 

The Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation is a 501(C-3) non-profit organization founded in 1994.  The mission of the Foundation is to educate the public about the care and preservation of wildlife and their habitats, both locally and globally.   Our mission includes providing quality care, non-invasive research and a loving home for abandoned, special needs and critically endangered animals.  The Foundation is supported completely by donations and is operated with a 100% volunteer staff.  There are no paid positions in the Foundation.

The Foundation is home to a variety of non-releasable, endangered, and exotic animals.  Over 80% of our 100 plus animals have special needs.  The Foundation houses a Mountain Lion with a degenerative hip disease, a Black Leopard with a heart valve problem,  a blind White Bengal Tiger, a 500 pound Bengal Tiger that is a cancer survivor, African Lions,  Servals,  a Caracal, Clouded Leopards, Lynxes and Ocelots. The Foundation is also home for Coatimundis, Fennec Foxes, a Wallaby, a blind deer, a river otter and coyote that was hit by a car and an assortment of exotic birds and reptiles.

The Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation provides the communities of Northern California with a valuable educational resource.  We offer both on-site and outreach educational programs lead by our trained volunteer animal handlers. The Foundation shares our animals with school classrooms, assemblies, churches, 4-H, scouts, senior citizens, at-risk youth, hospitals, special community functions and events. The foundation is truly a resource that is treasured by many.  The foundation has touched over 400,000 students and individuals over the last 14 years

Now the time has come to ask for your help to save this valued organization.  Due to the restrictions and location of the current animal sanctuary the foundation has been told to relocate or close.  The current sanctuary is in an agricultural area that has grown in population over the last 14 years and it has become necessary to move.   We are committed to continue our work caring for our animals, educating our schools and the public with our message of hope, care and love for animals, specifically animals with special needs and the habitats they live in.

The great news is we have found a new location that will allow us to continue our work and better serve the communities throughout Butte County, Northern California and visitors from around the country and the world. (We currently have a five year waiting list for schools due to the one bus per month restrictions)  We are now starting our biggest challenge ever and that is to raise the $250,000 to move.  This is the amount we must raise to build the enclosures, security fences, educational classroom and infrastructure for our new sanctuary.

To kick off this fund raising drive we are holding a major online auction in early March 2009.  We are hoping to raise over $25,000 from this event and this is where we need your help.  We are asking for donations of items for our auction.  We are looking for items that will get bidders to dig deep into their pockets for this wonderful cause.  All donations are tax deductable and receipts for your donations will be sent to you. Cash donations are always appreciated.

Please send your donations to the address below, for local pick-up, more information on additional ways you can help and to learn more about the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation please call Roberta Kirshner at 530.345.1700 or visit us online at www.kirshner.org.

Thank you for your support and please feel free to forward this to anyone you think might like to help.

The Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation

Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation P.O. Box 841 Durham, CA. 95938 Telephone # 530.345.1700

 

 

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

 

 

Downtown Chico “Previews” Holiday Cheer

 

Downtown Chico officially kicks off the holiday season this Sunday, November 23^rd from 4-8pm with the much-anticipated Christmas Preview.  This tradition in holiday hospitality celebrates the magic of the season – Downtown businesses debut their holiday cheer by inviting the community to delight in an evening filled with the sights, sounds and smells of the holidays.

Arriving in a horse-drawn carriage, Santa will visit children at his station on Third Street and Broadway from 4:30-7:30 pm. Youngsters can stop by for a visit, a special gift and a photo opportunity. Mix 95.1 FM radio will broadcast live from Broadway and host “Karaoke the Christmas Classics”, a popular Preview pastime. On Main Street, The Blaze 103.5 FM will kick off the annual “Coats for Kids” drive in partnership with City of Chico Fire Department.

Local musicians, carolers and performers add a special ambiance to the downtown streets.  Featured performing groups include:  Sound of the Foothills men’s chorus, The Yule Logs, Sounds of the Valley women’s chorus and the Children’s Choir of Chico.  Many businesses feature performers inside their stores or on display in their front windows -- ballerinas, Irish cloggers, and live mannequins delight on-lookers.

Christmas Preview is produced by the Downtown Chico Business Association and funded in part by the City of Chico.  Community sponsors include Comcast Cable, Tri Counties Bank, Mix 95.1, 103.5 The Blaze, News-Talk 1290 KPAY, KNVN TV 24, KHSL TV 12, Charter Media and Chico Enterprise Record.