Deep, random thoughts

The current issue of CN&R holds the first of our two “Back to School” sections, with a handful of features relating to campuses across Butte County. If you are a parent, student or someone who knows parents or students, you’ll find some items of interest.

But there’s a secondary theme running through this issue, one not highlighted with a fancy cover illustration, yet, in many ways, potentially more impactful to everyone.

It’s about making a difference.

Jaime O’Neill wrote a compelling essay (click here) questioning whether anything we do here at home can influence events overseas. Not really, he says—but if you flip to Meredith J. Cooper’s lead story in Newslines (click here), you’ll see that a number of Chicoans disagree.

Then there’s Rory Rottschalk’s Guest Comment (click here), in which he hopes to coax the hero out of all of us.

Whether you’re a peace activist, war supporter or somewhere in between, you can make the community a better place with a nominal outlay of time and effort. I won’t steal Rory’s thunder; read the piece and see what you think.

Reaching out: After talking to Rory, I wrote about—and volunteered with—Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butte County. Other programs are worth championing … such as CHAMP.

The Chico High Academic Mentor Program matches professionals with students hoping to enter those professions. Careers of particular interest this year are financial planning, sound engineering/music production, architecture, farming, landscape design, dance, small businesses, event planning and pediatrics. For more details, call 895-4137.

Waving goodbye, hello: This week marks the changing of the guard for our interns. Chelsey Shoop is leaving us to take a job at the Paradise Post, while Matt McFarland and Monica Unhold head back to Chico State and The Orion.

Marisol Salgado is staying with CN&R for another term, and she’ll be joined by two Chico State collegemates: Kelsey Kittle and Leslie Williams. Kelsey will focus on copy editing, while Leslie will contribute stories across the paper.

Help wanted: We have room for a fourth intern, if a fourth intern has room for us. If you are a college journalism student or a college student with media experience, please contact me at evant@newsreview.com or 894-2300, ext. 2240.

Help granted: I’m pleased to announce the recipients of CN&R scholarships, courtesy of funds raised at our annual night of Shakespeare in the Park. Getting some financial aid to further their career preparations are Simona Gallegos, who returns to Chico State after a summer internship at the Ventura County Star; Alicia Parsons, a Butte College student out of Pleasant Valley High; and Kelli Tate, a June graduate of Pleasant Valley who is headed to Butte College.

And finally…: Our readership survey continues through the month. If you have not shared your thoughts about CN&R with us, please check online at www.newsreview.com/chico/survey, come by the office for a back issue or wait until next week when we’ll reprint the form. Don’t judge In My Eyes by this installment; it’s usually a lot better focused …