We are happy to announce that Jacob Dotson is the winner of a $400 gift certificate from The Music Connection for his winning essay on the contest theme “Why playing […]
A free monthly publication
All Articles
Ten Ideas For Hosting A Birthday Party For The Pre-Teen And Teenager
Sitting on the front porch of her new house, a little girl turning 3 began inviting all the children passing by to her birthday party. Overhearing, her startled mother quickly […]
New Chico Business Offers Kids And Grownups A Rockin’ Good Time
As a parent, I’m always on the lookout for interesting birthday party ideas for my kids. We don’t do anything too over-the-top (no TLC reality show parties for me) but […]
Be the Change – Steve Main, Anderson
After teaching for 38 years, Steve Main doesn’t plan on retiring any time soon. He’s having too much fun, he says. For the past eight years, Main has taught at […]
Be the Change – Eileen Reese, Shasta & Tehama Counties
As a young child, a painting of a red barn, a white horse and a mysterious figure mesmerized Eileen Reese. She would place herself inside the scene, imagining the horse […]
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics – Empowering Consumers to Make Healthy Choices
Last March celebrity tabloids were abuzz when toddler Vivienne Jolie-Pitt was spotted wearing lipstick in public. Observers were decidedly focused on the appropriateness of the 3-year-old’s “dress up” demeanor. Noticeably […]
Learning Is Not Just About The ABC’s
Parents of school-aged children in California know all too well that the budget crisis has pushed schools to increasingly difficult choices about educational priorities. Each of these four North State […]
Be The Change – Joan Schreiner, Chico
When Joan Schreiner, of Chico, registered for college, her goal was to become a pediatric nurse. The many hours of babysitting experience she’d incurred at a young age helped her […]
Again! Again! How to Make Reading Irresistible for Preschool Boys
I want my son to love books – so I began reading to him when he was tiny. Despair descended when, at six months old, he was more interested in eating […]
Bippittee, Boppittee Boo, Storytime is for Babies, Too.
On a recent Monday at the Redding Library, a group of parents sit together with their babies on their laps and bounce them to “The Wheels on the Bus.” “Up […]
Eight Benefits of Doula Support During Labor
Labor and delivery is a lot like free-fall parachuting. You can take classes to prepare. You may file a detailed plan for the (blessed) event. Still, jumping into the action […]
Families That Grow Cooperatively – Building A Better Community … One Neighborhood And School At A Time
Sharing … involvement … community building … these are just some of the concepts that come to mind when describing a cooperative enterprise. Cooperative living arrangements and cooperative schooling are […]
Water is Vital for Healthy Pregnancy
Drink Up and Be Hydrated! The Importance of Drinking Water While You’re Pregnant If you’re pregnant this summer, or any time of the year for that matter, remember to drink […]
