Everybody’s business

From the ashes
Those wondering what’s been happening with JP’s Fish, Chops and Fine Wines Restaurant since it was damaged by fire on Nov. 12 can rest assured. According to owner Jeff Page, repairs to the kitchen, offices and storage area are going smoothly and he and his wife Kristen are shooting for a grand re-opening in early January.

Page said they are thankful for all the community support they’ve received and that gift certificates are available by calling 342-3390.

Full of craps
Tracy Falbe, a former craps dealer in Las Vegas and current Chico resident, has just published her first book, titled, Get Dicey: Play Craps and Have Fun. Falbe, who graduated from Chico State with a degree in journalism, decided to write the book because she found herself answering craps questions at parties. Tracy and her husband Scott used the book as an excuse to start Falbe Publishing as well. Tracy said her new book will be the first of many projects.

The 128-page book contains all the rules, bets, odds and advantage percentages and pretty much anything you need to master the game of craps. The book is available at ABC Books in Chico or at the Falbes’ Web site, www.falbepublishing.com.

It pays to be opinionated
It’s not enough that Chico State’s newspaper The Orion wins awards year after year—now two of its writers have brought home individual trophies.

Sarah Schaale and Travis Souders placed second and tied for 15th, respectively, in the 45th annual William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Journalism Awards Program in the category of Editorial/Columns of Opinion Writing Competition. Schaale received a $1,500 scholarship and Souders will receive a certificate of merit.

This year’s competition involved 86 students from 51 universities. Congrats, guys.

Keeping rods real
For those hoping to catch that mother of all trout this winter, Chico’s Raptor Rod Works has just launched a new Web site that assists in creating a fishing rod that meets all your specifications.

The site features a downloadable order form where you can choose from a number of options, including grips and hook keepers, to create “the rod of your dreams.”

The business promises a 48-hour turnaround on all requests, and prices range from $80 to $115 for labor, with optional upgrades starting at $8.

Every little bit helps
Chico State received an early Christmas gift this year: $10,000.

Every year Mervyn’s department store awards grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to universities from which they hire. And this year, Chico State was one of 12 schools to receive a piece of the $70,000 pie

Chico State students Megan Odom and Jodi Rettinhouse accepted the grant at a ceremony at Mervyn’s headquarters in Hayward, Calif.

The money will go to the university’s Career Service Center, which assists students with resume building, mock interviews and training classes.

Happy holidays
Well, it’s that time of the year already. Whichever holiday you celebrate, I hope it’s a good one.