North State Parent magazine

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

Be The Change

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Be the Change – Bikes & Bright Futures: Ted Blankenheim

President John F. Kennedy once said, “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike.” Redding’s Ted Blankenheim agrees. A retired paramedic, registered nurse and firefighter, Ted believes that […]

Be the Change: Center for Healthy Communities Fosters Love – Benefits of Fresh, Healthful Foods

Chico residents Cindy Wolff and Sheila McQuaid work together to bring fresh, locally grown produce to the North State through their work at the Center for Healthy Communities (CHC). Inspired […]

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Be the Change: Joy Murphy – Bringing “Joy” To The Community

The children who live at Rancho De Soto Apartments in Orland eagerly look forward to Thursday art classes with “Grandma Joy,” better known to the community as Joy Murphy. In […]

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Be the Change: Pam Thomason

After returning to college in 1999, Redding’s Pam Thomason landed a career she loves at the Disability Action Center (DAC). Born legally blind herself, Pam helps senior citizens who are […]

Be the Change: Victoria Stewart – Saving Animals Without A Voice

From as early as she can remember, Victoria Stewart has fostered a deep love for animals. Today, she rescues German shepherds and huskies who might otherwise be euthanized and houses […]

Be the Change: Regina Weston – A Busy Mom Helping Her Community

Regina Weston often jokes that like Michael Keaton’s character in the movie “Multiplicity,” she needs a clone. The program director of the Family & Community Resource Center of Weed (FCRCW), […]

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Be the Change – Cooking Up Healthy Lifestyles: Chef Richie

Enthusiasm oozes from Chef Richie Hirshen’s every pore as he talks about the many pots he’s stirring. As garden and kitchen program leader at Sherwood Montessori in Chico, he’s passionate […]

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Turning Tragedy Into A Helping Hand: Georgia Alvarez

In 1991, Butte County’s Georgia Alvarez lived through every parent’s worst nightmare when her 9-year-old son, Joseph, died of leukemia. Two years later, Georgia turned that tragedy into a lifeline […]

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Be the Change: Beth Geise – Teacher Extraordinaire

Known as a teacher who goes above and beyond for her students, Hooker Oak Elementary School’s Beth Geise enjoys planning spectacular field trips for her 4th and 5th grade students. […]

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Be the Change: Cathy Taylor – Unlocking Futures

Cathy Taylor believes in second chances. As principal of the Redding-based California Heritage YouthBuild Academy (CHYBA ) and executive director of the school’s YouthBuild program, she opens doors for young […]

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Be the Change – Teresa Wolk Hayes

Teresa Wolk Hayes’ life changed forever on the day that her son was diagnosed with full-spectrum autism more than 20 years ago. Much like the Little Red Hen in the […]

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Be the Change: Dr. Richard Allen Fiske – Maestro of Music

It’s Wednesday afternoon at Shasta College, and students are filing into the music building lugging their thick black instrument cases. The violins and cellos get tuned and horns warm up […]