North State Parent magazine

A MAGAZINE SERVING FAMILIES IN BUTTE, GLENN, SHASTA, SISKIYOU & TEHAMA COUNTIES SINCE 1993

Jenna Christophersen

Jenna Christophersen

Jenna Christophersen is a Chico native who loves her community and can never get quite enough of the arts. She supports fostering creativity in any venue, especially as a part of young people’s daily lives.

Author Archive

Boys & Girls Club Opening Doors for Siskiyou County Youth

“It’s about relating to kids with a lot of respect,” says Noam Zimin. “The people involved in Boys & Girls Clubs really, truly care about youth.” These values drew Zimin, […]

Cooperative Preschools Help Families Start School Together

For more than 50 years, parents in Redding and Paradise have formed two cooperative preschools, an arrangement in which parents collectively hire a trained teacher to provide their children with […]

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Be the Change: Shane Romain – Advocating for Chico’s Parks and People

“Children are the next stewards of our earth,” explains Chico Park Services Coordinator Shane Romain. “If they don’t know about nature, they won’t care about or protect it.” Shane works […]

Lori Gaines discussing literary devices with 7th grade student, Danielle Martin.

Be the Change: Lori Gaines – Advocating For Students And Parents Through Special Education

Sam was in fifth grade when she entered Lori Gaines’ classroom, glowing with what Lori calls an “unshakable positive spirit.” Lori had taught students of all shapes, sizes and specialties […]

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For the Love of Singing: Through the Musical Door

What’s a team activity that doesn’t occur on a court or field? Singing. Mt. Shasta Elementary School’s music program and the Children’s Choir of Chico, though two very different arenas, […]

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Technology With A Purpose: Teaching Kids How To Use Technology To Improve Our World

The term “technology” today often implies the constantly advancing devices at our fingertips: smartphones, laptops, smartwatches and tablets. For those who don’t keep up, technology can be a frightening phenomenon. […]

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Starting on the Right Note: Music lessons give children lifelong benefits

Recite the alphabet. Can you do it without mentally singing the tune you learned in preschool? The songs we learn as children influence how we think as adults, how we […]

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Mini Maker Faires Set To Inspire & Amaze in Redding & Ashland

More than a decade ago, Dale Dougherty and Sherry Huss noted that our increasingly consumer-focused society often disregards the fundamental human activity of creating. From this notion came the idea […]

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Your Local Library is a Hub of Activity

If a library isn’t your idea of the “happening place” in town, it’s time to walk back through the doors of your local branch. Gayle Harrington, Cottonwood’s director of library […]

Empowering Women: North State Resources for Women

Good news for female entrepreneurs: according to Jefferson Economic Development Institute Executive Director Nancy Swift, “Women-owned and small businesses are the fastest-growing part of our country’s economy.” And even better […]

Pumpkin Parlor Mystery

When Marvin Root and his family decorated their front yard with pumpkins in the fall of 2010, they never anticipated the mysterious occurrences that would follow or the whimsical tradition […]

Before Sunrise: Making Time for Fitness, Friends and Nature

Three days a week, Anne Ripke works as a veterinarian in Chico. As the wife of a physician and mother of 15-year-old twins, Anne’s day-to-day life is full and active, […]