Stop touching yourself

It’s almost summertime, and those long, lazy Sundays are already creeping in. What better way to enjoy the warm afternoon than to visit a friend’s shady lawn, share some good food and music and have dozens of strangers rubbing your body.

It’s time again for KZFR’s annual fundraiser, A Touch of Chico, and from noon to sundown this Sunday, June 12, a wide array of musicians, body workers, food vendors and the folks from Chico’s community radio station will congregate outside the lovely home of Charles and Sally Withuhn, on the corner of West Sixth Avenue and Warner Street, for the fourth-annual edition of the fundraiser.

The friendly and engaging Weezie Campbell has been the driving force behind this successful fundraiser for its four-year history. You may have seen her or felt the pleasure of 10 minutes of sheer bliss in her massage chair at the downtown Thursday night market.

“Four years ago, I had the idea to put together a fundraising event to create an opportunity for the body workers in Chico to touch and be touched, through massage, energy and music,” says Campbell.

On hand to massage away all aches and pains are some of Chico’s finest body workers, specializing in techniques such as Swedish massage, acupuncture, shiatsu, Rolfing, reflexology, chair massage, healing touch and energy work.

“We ask for a minimum donation of $10; this will get you tickets that you may exchange for 10 minutes of body work or for food or beverages. After you’ve had a sample, you may find yourself going back for seconds,” Campbell adds, with a mellow laugh.

Last year’s A Touch of Chico drew about 200 people and raised $4,000 for the Zephyr, reports Jill Paydon, the station’s general manager. The goal this year is to exceed that number to help offset an annual operating budget of $200,000 needed to run the nonprofit, listener-supported station.