Week O' Chico

Guess I was the last to know.
It appears that now within the new administration, Congress has decided to join the New Generation and 'advertise' on YouTube.
Wow. What a clever and innovative idea.
NOT.

Even satirist commentator, Lewis Black on "The Daily Show" gave his editorial essay on the state of the Union going cyber. I laughed when he showed a clip from one of the rather flat presentations from a Congressman and then showed a very lively clip from a young man in junior high. Black made a comment about the difference being that at least the youth know how to use a Mac to good advantage.

This week, we have been expanding our Chico-ness.

We went to see a production of "Fiddler on the Roof" here at the Chico Threatre Company. We went to see and cheer on one of our practitioner members, Diana Leadbeatter who was playing the part of Yente, the Matchmaker.

It was a smallish size theatre with maybe seats for a little over a hundred people and not a very large stage. From what I could tell reading the program, it is a non-Equity, community theatre. But the production values were far above just community theatre. The actors and singers were a mixed level of talent and experience but all were very good--especially, our Diana who almost stole the show. The set was pretty amazing for a tiny stage with 30+ actors singing and dancing on it. And I was impressed that each lead and supporting actor had a wireless mic so that everyone could be easily heard and understood in their dialogue or when singing to the pre-recorded music track.

This company has a auspicious musical season lined up (and one that stirred my thespian leanings--can you spell Adelaide?) and enormous audience support. I also liked that after the play, the entire cast stayed in costume and positioned themselves at the various exits to say hello and thank us for attending.

I have seen three theatrical productions in my five months here in Chico and I am very pleased. The theatrical community has talent, passion and commitment and that gladdens my heart.

Taking advantage of the gorgeous weather, Don and I have begun walking in different parts of Bidwell Park. For those outside of Chico, Bidwell Park is a national park that is the second largest West of the Mississippi. Creeks, streams, hiking & biking trails and trees galore. And we would be out there again today if it hadn't been such a long day at church and the temperature rapidly dropping.

Today at church, was the annual membership meeting--my first here. It was an exciting day and the energy was high. I was admittedly a bit nervous or anxious about this meeting because I know how important these meetings are and I also know how boring or challenging they can be.
Slightly restless night with my mind racing of things I wanted to say or do today to be sure to cover all the proverbial bases.

The sanctuary was arranged with 12-14 round tables with seats of eight facing the pulpit area now serving as the aegis for the Board of Trustees. Cabaret church if you will. We had a modified Sunday service in order to streamline things and allow for more focused time and attention to the meeting. Our teens presented a song for us and I did a brief sermon.

The actual meeting was informative, communicative and creative. Our treasurer, Dr. Joni Samples created a very user-friendly PowerPoint presentation for the financials and the 2009 budget. And Don put together for me, a similar presentation for my State of the Union report.
We elected our two new board trustees, passed the budget and distributed the first Dunbar Family Scholarships to two of our teens.

In January, we ran a campaign to name our newly re-modeled bookstore and the six names (out of 50 submissions) were posted on the windows so that each member could cast one vote to select the winner. No one knew who submitted what names and the winner will be announced on Sunday and receive their present. Because the names were so creative, it was hard to even narrow down to six but here are the finalists in no particular order:

Spirit Bound
Library of Consciousness
The Inner Light
I Openers
Whispering Leaves
Room for Thought

There were two clear leaders by the end of the day and it was close. By the next blog post, I will have counted the dots and happily announce our winner.

The general consensus was that the meeting was a success. No one left early. That is wonderful. And... I have to mention that we had 111 attendees.
All of the folks on my Oneness team 'got it' and smiled broadly when that was announced.
We are one(s).

After the meeting, our now former Board vice-president, Julia Bryant and her kitchen crew prepared some renown homemade vegetarian tortellini soup. It was soooo good. I had heard about this famous soup when I was candidating for this job but didn't realize just how good it was going to be. Seasoned with gourmet conscioiusness and love. Mmmmmmmm.

By the time, Don and I left we were both in need of a lift and stopped at our neighborhood Starbucks. Even here in Chico they know how to make a good Dirty Chai Soy Latte. Although, when I ordered it for the first time, I looked around to make sure there weren't any congregants in line listening to their pastor order a Dirty Chai...

Once we had our second wind, we stopped at Safeway to get a few things for dinner. We planned a quiet evening at home to celebrate the day with a special meal together. While in the produce aisle, I stopped to get some zucchinni and commented to the produce guy who was putting them out at how beautiful the selection was. For some reason, he and I struck up a conversation. Don walked over to join us and Beau began to tell us about the artichokes in stock and on sale. He gave us a private lesson on how to select, prepare, cook and eat artichokes. When I said I would now have investigate the nutritional value, he walked us over to a reference book in the store and we looked it up together. Without the sauce that one might prepare in which to dip the artichokes, the vegetable itself is very nutritious with high fiber and no fat.

We spent probably a 1/2 hour talking to Beau who clearly loves his job and Chico. When we shared that we had only been here six months from San Diego we talked about weather and communities, etc. He has been in Chico most of his life and returned because he loves it so. "It's very special here" he said. And we agreed. Primarily, because of people like him and the wonderful community at our church.

Life is good....
...all the time.