Earth, Earth, everywhere

If you haven’t seen the Earth Flags flying from light standards, chances are you’re living a pretty hermetic life. The flags debuted in Chico a few weeks ago, just in time for Earth Month and the better-known and longstanding Earth Day (April 22).

The community has been abuzz with environmental events and activities (most of them free), which will continue through the next few weeks. Here are just a few of the upcoming happenings:

• April 17 (today!): Pat Furr from Computers for Classrooms talks about how the local program that refurbishes electronic devices helps the environment and low-income families. It starts at 4 p.m. in room 21 of Chico State’s Bell Memorial Union.

• April 19: Not Earth Day officially, but an earthy day, indeed. Start off in Bidwell Park, joining others who’ll help clean up and repair trails, picnic sites, creekways and other areas of our beloved park. For info, call 896-7831. Then head to Eco-Fest (11 a.m.-6 p.m.) at Chico State’s Kendall Hall lawn for music, food, workshops, kids’ events and environmental info. When that ends, walk over to City Plaza for the Chico Music for Peace Festival (6-9 p.m.), whose performers include the Jeff Pershing Band, TerraKarma, and Alli Battaglia & the Musical Brewing Company. For film lovers, Friends of Butte Creek will host the traveling Patagonia Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival at Paradise Performing Arts Center, featuring a selection of the fest’s best films, including the Best of Fest feature, The Edge of Eden: Living With Grizzlies. Two shows this year, a children’s matinee at (2 p.m.) and an evening program (6 p.m.). For ticket prices and more information, visit www.buttecreek.org.

• April 20: Interested in composting or worm bins? Head to Chico State to learn how easy it is to turn yard waste and food scraps into a commodity. The workshop will be 11 a.m. at the Associated Students compost display area; check www.aschico.com/compost for more info.

• April 22 (Earth Day!): Take a deep breath during the Will Breath for Peace/Zazen Meditation Workshop. Arizona-based author and lecturer M.L. Cerpok teaches an ancient practice that soothes the mind while enhancing physical health. Learn, grasshopper—1-3 p.m. in BMU Room 210; check www.mobilemonk.org for more info. You’ll be glad you relaxed for what comes next: part three of Spike Lee’s documentary on Hurricane Katrina, When the Levees Broke, at 4 p.m. in BMU Room 312.

• April 23: Architect Warren Jacobs from the CSU Chancellor’s Office will talk about environmental initiatives in the 23-campus system at 7 p.m. in BMU Room 303.

For a full list of Chico State’s Earth Month activities, go to www.aschico.com/earthmonth.