Lovin’ summer

As much as I hate to sweat, I absolutely love summer. There’s something about throwing on a pair of shorts and flip-flops and stepping out into the warm sunshine that just makes me feel free. Maybe it stems from the promises of summer vacation from school, when responsibilities were few and days spent by the pool with a good book many. Regardless, I look forward to a couple months of river floatin’, barbecuin’, readin’-in-the sun fun. May you all have some of the same.

To the grads: Congrats! Whether your future keeps you in Chico or takes you elsewhere, I wish you a wonderful new adventure. And for those journalism students who’ve yet to plan their summers, the CN&R is hiring interns! For consideration, send me a few samples of your writing (or photography), with your résumé and a short cover letter explaining what you hope to gain from an internship.

Aging populace It’s no surprise that our population, particularly of baby boomers, is getting older. So, naturally, businesses that cater to seniors are on the rise. Turns out Chico could soon be the newest location for Right at Home, an international franchise company with headquarters in Omaha. Much like Chico’s own Happy at Home, it provides care for seniors in their own homes—everything from grocery shopping to companionship to round-the-clock caregiving. A Chico expansion could add up to 50 local jobs, many of which would be for local folks. Expect updates as the company gets closer to finding a home base in Chico and hiring.

Coffee coming I’m pleased to announce that a new business is moving in to the old Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies spot at the corner of Mangrove and Vallombrosa avenues. That beverage spot was pretty tasty, but was in a bit of a strange location for a niche business. But the owners had lobbied long and hard for a drive-thru, which added some (much-needed) traffic to that little strip mall. A new sign recently went up for Brave Coffee. As I learn more, so shall you.

Beer and a movie? Apparently that’s the plan at Chico’s Cinemark 14 theater. I’d heard a rumor about the place converting its arcade into a bar, so when I was driving by last weekend, I decided to pop in. I asked an employee, who said, yes, that’s on the horizon potentially as soon as July.

Cooped up Tractor Supply regularly holds fundraisers that benefit local communities, and its most recent effort, which raised almost $50,000 across California for Future Farmers of America programs, is no different. The Chico FFA was awarded a $2,960 grant to fund its chicken coop project. Not bad!

More local love The Enloe Foundation was recently given a hefty donation from Courtesy Subaru of America’s Love Promise program, which “believes in making the world a better place and is a pledge to do right by the communities in which we all live and work,” according to a release. Last month, Subaru Love Promise presented the Enloe Foundation with $7,147.22, bringing its total donations over time to the not-for-profit organization, which supports the local hospital, to $52,472.