Downstroke

On the map: Locally grown wine, peaches and almonds are a few of the tasty products travelers will find as they travel along the newest farm trail in Butte County.

The Sierra Oro Farm Trail map, created by Jamie Johansson, owner of Lodestar Olive Oil, and Heather Quilici, whose in-laws own Quilici Vineyards in Oroville, offers tidbits of historical information and a variety of scenic places to visit, as well as activities for families, such as Bidwell Park, farmers’ markets and bike trails.

Farmers in Butte County said they are excited about being on the map because their products complement each other and help bring more tourists to the region. “It’s nice to be able to provide the customer with something that’s directly off the tree and tastes the way it’s supposed to taste,” said Carol Albrecht of Chaffin Orchards.

In the future, Quilici wants to plan coordinated events, such as a “passport weekend,” during which customers can purchase a ticket to taste samples at the shops and vineyards on the map. She also wants to do an event in August for the new students and their parents.

Quilici said, “This is just the first step in something that we hope will be a legacy.”

Biz bytes: Entrepreneurs and small-business owners might want to check out a new Web portal launched this week that its creators are touting as a “one-stop” tool for finding a host of economic-development services. Paid for by a grant procured by the county and developed by The Chico Project, the site is supposed to help growing businesses link up with local providers of loans, grants, consultants and other services. The URL is http://www.advantagebuttecounty.com.

Chillin’ with the chancellor: Thirty years after becoming student body president at Chico State University, Bob Linscheid (pictured) has won a seat on the Board of Trustees overseeing the entire CSU system.

Linscheid, a Chico economic developer and general manger of the Chico Outlaws, will attend his first meeting as trustee on July 19.

He’s only the second Chicoan to serve on the 25-member board. The late former Chico Mayor Ted Meriam was on it from 1961 to 1971.

Linscheid was elected to the post by the CSU Alumni Council, of which he had been president. In that capacity, he met with Chancellor Charles Reed before each board meeting.

The new trustee anticipates many tough decisions but said he’ll make them “based on what’s best for the system.” On the Alumni Council, Linscheid already voted twice for fee increases because, “I felt it was the only choice.” He also said he trusts Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to honor the deal he brokered assuring the CSU funding.

Linscheid, who has visited each of the CSU’s 23 campuses, plans to do so again as part of his trustee role. “It will be both time-consuming and fun,” he said of the post. “I frankly feel that the [budget] tide is turning a little bit. The system is better off than it was 12 to 18 months ago.”