Coming&going

Health care

WindChime, Chico’s newest assisted-living community, set to open this fall, has announced the hiring of a director of resident services. Janet Thresher, a registered nurse, will be in charge of all resident services for those under assisted living and Alzheimer’s care.

Thresher has 33 years of experience in nursing and management.

Agriculture

Lundberg Family Farms is being honored for its innovative pest control measures. Lundberg produces 65 percent of the organic rice grown in the United States and uses no chemical pesticides in the process.

Lundberg is one of eight environmentally friendly businesses being given the award by the state Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Two representatives from the Almond Board of California were appointed Sept. 17 to important USDA advisory committees. Chief Executive Officer Rodger Wasson was appointed to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade (APAC), while International Committee Chairmen Joe MacIlvaine was named to the Fruits and Vegetables Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade (ATAC).

“It is an honor to be appointed to such a prestigious committee,” Wasson stated in a press release. “It is important that the almond industry be represented within this group since almonds are the No. 1 United States horticultural export and California agricultural export.”

Music

Chico State University’s chapter of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) took home awards at state and national conferences this year. The school got the Collegiate Chapter Award for “Honor, excellence, innovation, and growth promoting music teacher training.”

Chapter adviser Prof. Lloyd Roby stated, “The students work very hard and are going to be terrific additions to public school music programs throughout the state.”

Charity

The BIG Event, held Sept. 29 to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butte County, was a success, with more than $50,000 raised for the program that matches mentors with children who need them.

Recognized as BIG Contributors for 2001 for their part in helping to raise money were KSHL news anchor Linda Watkins-Bennett (BIG Celebrity), Realtor Scott Huber (BIG Professional), Chico Vice Mayor Maureen Kirk (BIG Citizen, pictured) and Wade and Shelley Overson, owners of the local Great Harvest Bread Company.