The 19th annual event, hosted by the Quota Club of Oroville, Youth for Change and the Oroville YMCA, provides high school students and eighth grade graduates in need with free dresses, suits, jackets, dress shirts, slacks, ties, shoes jewelry and hygiene products donated by businesses and community members.

“We reach out to every high school from here to Sacramento and Redding and as many social workers and foster organizations as we have contacts for to let them know the kids can come and shop for free clothing for prom and graduation,” said Kiki Silva, Quota Club Prom Project chair.

This year’s event will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. April 8 through 12 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 13 at the Oroville YMCA  and Convention Center at 1200 Myers St. Income verification is not required to shop the pop-up boutique. Students may come alone to shop but parents must bring their students with them to take advantage of the giveaway.

All clothing, including the more than 2,000 dresses, are on clothing racks or arranged on tables by size. Dresses are available in sizes zero to 28 and shoes are available in sizes six to 12. Silva said they are still in need of plus-size dresses as well as men’s dress wear. Donations of gently used and new items are accepted.

“We would also really like to have donations of gift certificates for manicures and tuxedo rentals,” said Silva.

High school seniors are invited to shop for prom, graduation and  job interview outfits while high school juniors may select prom and job interview clothing. Eighth-grade graduates are also welcome to shop for graduation ensembles.

“When students come in, they are assigned a personal shopper who finds out what their needs are and stays with them through the whole experience helping them find what they need and make selections,” said Silva. “When they are finished shopping, the students come to the front where we wrap their items nicely in tissue and put them in a bag, giving them the complete boutique experience.”

About 50 volunteers work to make the Prom Project a success including those who serve as personal shoppers. These volunteers are specially trained to work with students including with young people who may have “image problems” so that all students leave “feeling good about themselves and their choices,” said Silva.

“So many of the kids come in expecting just used clothing or think we won’t have anything in their size,” said Silva. “They are always surprised to see how much of the clothing like the dresses donated by Lulus.com and Macy’s are new and how many sizes we have. We see so many smiles and the kids and parents are so grateful when we tell them we can absolutely find them something they need.”

More than 200 students from as far south as Olivehurst to as far north as Quincy enjoyed shopping at the Prom Project in 2023. This was an increase of 25% over the previous year. Silva said she expects the number will increase again this year as there are more families in “greater need at this point in time.”

“There are so many wonderful moments during Prom Project,” said Silva. “It just makes our hearts happy.”

Donations for the projects are being accepted through April 8 and may be dropped off in Oroville at the YMCA or in Chico at Youth for Change, 260 Cohasset Road. For more information about the Prom Project or to make special arrangements for gift certificate or other donations call Silva at 530-534-3387.

The events start April 5 with First Friday downtown, followed by the Wildflower and Nature Festival on April 6 and culminating in the Paws For A Cause fundraiser for the Northwest SPCA on April 7.

First Friday

Downtown Oroville changed April’s First Friday event on April 5 from its traditional Spring Fling theme to Wags and Wildflowers to tie the other two events together to make it a “full weekend of delightful activities for the community” said Robin Zanon, the business association’s vice president.

“The Wildflower and Nature festival and Paws For A Cause are two great annual events,” said Zanon. “We wanted to support both of them so we decided to change our annual April First Friday theme to help promote both events and give the community a head start on the fun.”

During First Friday, which starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m., participating downtown businesses will be open late and welcoming human as well as well-behaved canine on leashes into their stores. Some will even have treats for people’s pups. The business association will also have a booth located at the corner of Bird and Meyers streets where they will be accepting donations of non-perishable dog and cat food for the Northwest SPCA. Folks who bring a donation will have a chance to win gift cards from Union and Provisions restaurants. Those who spend $20 or more at any participating business may also bring their receipts to the booth to receive a free wildflower and a raffle ticket.

The Feather River Recreation and Park District will be joining the event this year with a booth where they will be handing out flyers with a map and information on the vendors, activities and entertainment at the following day’s festival.

Wildflower and Nature Festival

The 16th annual Feather River Recreation and Park District’s Wildflower and Nature Festival kicks off at 10 a.m. at Riverbend Park, 50 Montgomery St. and runs until 4 p.m. April 6.

In addition to the sights and sounds of nature including spring’s new green foliage and the rushing Feather River at this free event, attendees can also enjoy shopping, education, free activities and food at 70 different vendor booths and food trucks. The Native Sons of the Golden West Argonaut Parlor No. 8 will be hosting a beer garden for those 21 and older. Smokey Bear will be hanging out in the special area just for kids were youngsters may enjoy playing in a bounce house, having their faces painted and visiting with animals from Kirshner Wildlife Foundation.

Live music performances are scheduled in the amphitheater throughout the day with the Feather River Gypsies performing at 10 a.m., the Stringtown Band at 12:15 p.m. and, at 2:15, the Ragtop Rockers will wrap up the day’s live entertainment.

The Wildflower and Nature Festival has grown in popularity through the years with an average of 3,500 people from throughout the county and attending annually.

“The Wildflower and Nature Festival continues to be a favorite among Oroville and Butte County residents,” said Kendyle Lowe, FRRPD executive administrator. “We’re proud to continue to host this family-friendly event that showcases Butte County’s natural resources and homemade products. We’re also excited to see its growth over the past years and are looking forward to seeing it continue to grow this year and in future years.”

Lowe also said FRRPD was also “happy to partner with Downtown Oroville to promote all the weekend’s events” and appreciated Oroville Chamber of Commerce, California Department of Water Resources and Explore Butte County sponsorship of this year’s festival.

Paws for a Cause

Rounding out the weekend festivities, the Union Patio Bar and Grill, 2053 Montgomery St., is hosting the second annual Paws For A Cause benefit for the Northwest SPCA from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 7.

The funds collected from the event’s $5 cover charge plus 10 percent of all proceeds during the five-hour event will be donated to the local animal shelter. The event also includes a “ton of raffles with really big prizes,” said Jordan Vogel, general manager.

“The money from the raffles will also be donated to the Northwest SPCA,” said Vogel. “Last year we raised over $8,000. Our goal this year is $10,000.”

The event, which will be emceed by a DJ playing music throughout the day, features food and beverage specials and vendors including beer and alcohol merchants giving away swag. The Northwest SPCA will also be on hand with dogs looking for forever homes and the winner of the Butte County Pooch Playoffs, an annual bracket-style dog portrait competition that benefits the Northwest SPCA, will be announced.

“We host this event because we’re all animal lovers here at Union. Union is a big part of the community and we want to do our part to help support our furry friends,” said Vogel. “There will be great music, food and drinks in a really fun atmosphere and it’s just a great way to spend a Sunday.”

For more information on the weekend’s events visit www.downtownoroville.com, www.frrdp.com and www.unionfork.com.

In the seven weeks the 7,500-square-foot family-fun center — featuring arcade games, axe throwing, virtual reality games and party rooms — has been open, the owners have donated the use of the facility’s party rooms to local youth sports teams for board meetings and team events. They’ve donated all the proceeds from one day of business and raffles to a Paradise police officer in need of financial support to help pay medical bills; served as the site for team-building events for local government and school staffs; partnered with Paradise Stronger; and are “in negotiations” with the Boys and Girls Club about offering summer programs.

“We’re here to support the community in any way we can,” said Hastain. “We’re going to say yes to just about everything that supports the community.”

Both Clark and Hastain lost their family homes in the Camp Fire, and both chose to stay because “Paradise is our home” and because they want to see the community thrive again.

The two first connected through a community Facebook page and discovered a common interest: creating more things for kids and families to do on the Paradise ridge. They met for the first time in September of 2021 at the Starbucks and began brainstorming. They continued to meet, texted constantly and created shared spreadsheets until they had both a business plan and a plan of action — and then, they set about doing everything it would take to get their business venture up and running including establishing a corporation, securing a location and purchasing all the games and equipment for Paradise Playdium.

“One of our goals is also to kick start the economy,” said Clark. “We want to bring people from all around to Paradise to have fun at Playdium and enjoy our shops and restaurants.”

Playdium, located in the True Value Hardware Shopping Center at 6848 Skyway, is open Thursdays through Sundays and staffed by nine part-time employee as well as Hastain and Clark. The fun center is also open on days when schools are closed during the regular school year. These non-regular business day openings as well as special events, last minute specials, updates and information about new things in the works are posted on the Playdium Facebook page.

While the facility doesn’t offer food or drinks, families are encouraged to bring their own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. To help make event planning easier for folks renting one of the party rooms, which are already booked out to May, Playdium’s website offers the opportunity to order and have delivered specialty cupcakes from Stepanoff Sweet Treats, an “amazing gourmet baker in Magalia,” and balloon creations, arches, gifts and party decor from local business Poptastic.

“We don’t mark up any of the products from Stepanoff or Poptastic when people order through our website,” said Clark. “It’s just another service we offer to our customers and another way we can support other local businesses.”

The owners say that since its opened, Playdium has stayed consistently busy on the weekends, and the community has been “extremely supportive” of the new business.

“In the last month, we’ve taken on a lot, more than most new businesses would take on in a year,” said Hastain. “We plan to continue to accelerate that pace as we move forward.”

Moving forward includes changing out arcade games fairly regularly to keep things new and exciting for customers and expanding the facility within the next two months to add bumper cars and laser tag. Hastain and Clark are also applying for a license to serve beer.

“Ultimately, we’re planning to keep on being a positive force in the community,” said Hastain. “We’re going to keep supporting every one in every way we can and keep doing that for as long as we’re around.”

Reach Kyra Gottesman at kgottesman@chicoer.com.

“The Homeless, Drug Addiction, Retail Theft Reduction Act would take out the bad efforts of Prop. 47 that made all drug possessions misdemeanors,” said Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey. “It decriminalized drugs which drives addition which impacts mental health issues and homelessness. Particularly since 2015, we’ve seen homelessness increase 51% in California while homelessness in the nation has gone down 11%. Does this tie in to Prop. 47? I believe so. This is not a red or blue issue, it’s a California issue.”

Under Prop. 47, passed by voters on Nov. 5, 2014, some non-violent property crimes including commercial burglary, possession of stolen property and grand theft crimes, where the value does not exceed $950, were reduced from felonies to misdemeanors. It also made some drug possession offenses, including possession of a controlled substance, into misdemeanors. Prop. 47 also provides that past convictions for these charges may be reduced to a misdemeanor by a court.

“We have got to stop the madness,” said Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea. “I and other public safety officials warned of the damaging effects of Prop. 47. And, now we’re seeing those effects with increased theft and skyrocketing overdoses. This reform act is a chance to change that and I hope people will get behind it.”

The Homeless, Drug Addiction, Retail Theft Reduction Act seeks to reverse significant parts of Prop 47 by allowing felony charges to be brought against those with two or more drug or theft convictions for possessing certain drugs, including fentanyl and for thefts under $950. It would also provide addiction and mental health services for treatment-mandated felony charges but also increase sentences for some other drug and theft crimes.

Oroville Police Chief Bill LaGrone said the reform act would “benefit the community by allowing us, law enforcement, to better do our job.”

“It would reduce retail theft and hold those who choose not to follow the law accountable,” he said.

Oroville City Councilors Tracy Johnstone and Shawn Webber as well as Assistant Police Chief Jess Darnell were among those staffing the table at the 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
signature collection pop-up event. About 140 signatures had been collected during the first hour and half, according to Webber.

“It’s been busy,” said Webber. “I think Prop. 47 was written with the best intentions but the criminal element will do what they do and find loop holes in the law so they think ‘we can do anything we want’ because the drug offenses and thefts under $950 are just misdemeanors.”

Smith and Johnstone concurred with Webber. Smith said Prop. 47 had “unintended negative consequences that have caused suffering for individuals, families and businesses. Reforming Prop. 47 is long overdue.” Johnstone echoed the sentiments saying it was “time to make a change and hold people accountable.”

Among those who signed the petition Friday was Mayor Dave Pittman who said conditions under Prop. 47 are “not sustainable. Things have to change, period.”

State organizations that support the Homeless, Drug Addiction, Retail Theft Reduction Act include the California District Attorneys Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, Crime Victims United and the California Sheriffs Association among others.

The bartender, looking upon this pathetic pair of lagomorphs, asks, “Rough day, gentlemen?”

“What? I can’t hear you,” replies one bunny.

“Yeah, my butt hurts,” says the other.

OK, go ahead, roll your eyes. My family does every year when I tell this silly joke.

Speaking of chocolate bunnies with missing parts, every Easter there is an alarming surge of rabbit auricular amputations. Sounds horrifyingly deranged but in the common vernacular all it means is biting off the ears of the 90 million chocolate bunnies manufactured every year which is what 78% of Americans do after unwrapping the holiday treat. It’s feet-first for 16% of the imbibing population with  6% bringing up the rear, so to speak, eating the tail end first. That leaves 2% who don’t seem to care which part of the anatomy they start with so long as the chocolate gets into their mouth. I’m a 6 percenter.

An unquestionable majority of Americans, 86% in fact, prefer having a chocolatey delicious coney instead of a live one. Well duuuuuuuh these are the true believers in the goodness to be found nestled in the plastic grass of Easter baskets. I have to question the judgement and tastebuds of the remaining 14%. I mean seriously who can live without chocolate? Is life even worth living without chocolate? I think not.

Perhaps these folks prefer Peeps. Heaven only knows why but someone must as 700 million of these dyed egg white and sugar crimes against the tongue are stuffed into Easter baskets every year. How they gained popularity is a mystery to me. But despite their grossness factor people seem to love them.

My grandmother bought them by the basket load every year when they went on sale for half-price the Monday after Easter. I would accompany her to the various grocery stores to stock up and when we got home it was my job, which I gleefully undertook, to punch holes into their plastic wrapping. Once my task was complete, grandma would stack the boxes on top of the refrigerator so they could properly “cure” until the perfect state of staleness for eating was reached.

My darling daughter, who has refused to eat Peeps since she took her first, last and only bite of one when she was 3 years old, thoroughly enjoys “super sizing” them by putting them into the microwave and watching them swell and balloon up to enormous proportions into what she calls “Godzilla Peeps.” The delight, the sheer glee she gets out of this hasn’t diminished in the 25 years we’ve been doing it and, I must admit, it has become one of my favorite holiday traditions, second only to eating bunny tails.

The number of Peeps that come hopping down the bunny trail every year pales in comparison to the 16 billion jelly beans that roll off the assembly line to take their place in baskets. Although jelly beans may be a more holiday appropriate treat than chocolate bunnies or marshmallow chicks since it’s believed their center is a variation (an abberation?) of the Middle Eastern confection known as Turkish delight which dates back to biblical times, I don’t like them, never have never will, especially the licorice ones which my mother used to put by the pound full in my basket. Took me years to realize she put them in there because she knew I didn’t like them and would give them all to her. Sneaky, very sneaky.

While Americans commemorate the holiday with various confections held in baskets hidden by giant, mutant rabbits, in Bermuda, the holiday is marked with kite flying; in Corfu, Easter is a smashing holiday as resident celebrate by throwing ceramic objects — plates, jugs, casserole dishes, etc. — out their windows; and, in Norway it’s all about Påskekrimmen, the tradition of reading, watching and listening to crime stories and detective thrillers.

In addition to symbolizing the whole spring fertility re-birth stuff; Easter eggs dyed and inscribed with a person’s name and birthdate were honored as birth certificates in 19th Century German courts of law. They switched to paper certificates after several judges stamped the evidence with such vigor that it was smashed to smithereens and made the courtrooms stink of sulfur. Pee-you, or in this case, no more you.

In Czechoslovakia during Easter week it’s supposedly good luck to beat your wife or your girlfriend with a “pomlázka,” a braided whip. This tradition originated with Orthodox Christians’ spring blessing of the house observed by using a whip or a single branch to lightly hit livestock or family members. While the morphed Czech tradition may sound either abusive or kinky, depending on your perspective, apparently, it’s not. In fact pomlázka, means “make young” and the idea behind the tradition is that anyone hit with the whip will be healthy and happy during the upcoming year. Sure they will, right after they’ve healed from their Easter whooping.

While I enjoy learning about and participating in others’ customs, when it comes to Easter, I’m a traditionalist, perfectly happy to stick to chocolate bunny butts and exploding Peeps, thank you very much

A tea-lover since childhood who also knew she wanted to open her own business one day, Blau combined her passion for and knowledge about the ancient brew and the business acumen she acquired working in health care consulting for many years to launch her home-based enterprise in Chico a year ago.

Now the tea specialist creates small-batch black, green, oolong, white and puerh traditional tea and tea blends as well as maté and tisane, both of which are herbal blends that do not include tea leaves. Each of Lagom Infusion’s offerings — from Serene Green, which combines sweet peppermint, vegetal sencha and chamomile, to Hippy Hibiscus, a combination of hibiscus, lemon grass and mint — are blended to achieve a “wholistic flavor and feeling” by maximizing flavors and scents. Blau’s unique sense of equipoise is reflected in the business’s name.

“Lagom Infusions derives its name from the Swedish term lagom,” said Blau. “There is no direct translation into English but it roughly means not too much or not too little. To me, lagom is about finding one’s own balance of what feels right at any given time since balance is not a static state.”

This is why each of Blau’s more than 25 teas, tisanes and mates are created to affect, enhance or create different feelings and satisfy physical needs.

“Instead of drinking just one tea or having a single favorite tea, I choose what I feel my body needs at the time,” said Blau. “One morning it might be a soothing white tea and the next a bold black tea. On a relaxing afternoon I may choose jasmine pearl or lemon lavender. Different teas fit different moments and moods.”

Blau said it’s the multifaceted nature of tea that fascinates her. She learns something new about tea every day as she researches and reads about teas and tisanes looking for new ideas and pulling from different sources to inspire her creations because there is “endless knowledge to found with tea. It is so much more than just black or green, so much more than putting a bag in hot water.”

“I’m constantly creating and continuously tweaking the blending process especially when there’s a particular new blend I want to make,” said Blau. “I go through many rounds of testing combinations, proportions, adding and deleting. It takes a lot of trials to find the right balance and get a tea with a nice flavor ready.”

While Blau enjoys the creation process of her business what really excites her is sharing her knowledge with others, introducing them to the many varieties, blends and brewing methods.

To this end, the tea aficionado may be found brewing it up at the Thursday night farmers market where she is a regular vendor. Blau also offers monthly tea tastings hosted by Allie’s Pub downtown. Each of the tea tastings focuses on a different tea and includes tastings of five different blends, brewing methods and blending as well as fresh baked scones with clotted cream and jam. Blau is also available for private, custom tea tasting events.

“My goal is to introduce people to the wide ranging world of tea so they can enjoy it and experiment with their own blending,” said Blau. “It is my hope that Lagom Infusions can show people a glimpse of all that tea offers, inspiring a lifelong journey with tea.”

In addition to teaching people about varieties, blends and brewing, Blau also enjoys sharing the different ways teas may be enjoyed outside of the cup like in soup broth or baked goods. Here’s one of her favorite tea cookie recipes.

Jasmine Tea Infused Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 and 3/4 cups flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 cup and 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 and 1/2 cups white sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 tablespoons Jasmine Pearl Green Tea

Instructions: Heat butter in a saucepan over high heat until bubbles start to form. Remove from heat and add Jasmine Pearl Green Tea. Let sit for 15 minutes. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar together. Use a strainer to remove tea leaves from infused butter. Squeeze leaves to extract as much of the butter as possible. Combine 1 cup of infused butter into the dry mixture (discarding any remaining butter). Stir in egg and vanilla extract. Roll cookie dough into small balls (2 tablespoons each). Push down to flatten into disks. Cook at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Enjoy with a warm cup of tea!

To find out more about Lagom Infusion products, upcoming tea tasting events and to order tea visit www.lagominfusions.com

I mean even computers give you second pop-up-are-you-sure chances before you make a final decision. You’d think the universe would show the same courtesy but nooooo it just lets you make questionable choices willy nilly and then, suffer the consequences leaving you to exclaim, like my daughter when she was little, “cheese crisis!”

Honestly, free will should come with a warning label like: “Caution! Exercising Free Will won’t automatically result in toned thighs but may result in making stupid choices.” Bummer or, again, as my daughter used to say when she was little, “bammit!” Yeah, my thighs could use a cosmic assist that doesn’t involve squats or lunges.

I mean we put warning labels on just about everything else but free will. In fact, we’re obsessive about it.

Our clothes dryer came with a warning label advising not run it with a person inside. Ya think? And the dishwasher had a large yellow and black notice stuck to it advising not to allow children to play inside of it. I added the post script “unless they are very bad.” My daughter and her friends were not amused.

My husband bought a new drill and the warning label stated it was “not intended for dental work.” Open wide, bwahahahaha.

Irons come with a label that cautions the user not to iron clothes while wearing them. The label on toilet bowl brushes clearly states “do not use for personal hygiene.” I assume this has to do with some people’s willingness to go to any length to get to those hard-to-reach spots. Yeow!

The label on an over-the-counter medication for relief of menstrual cramps, bloating, fatigue, backache and headache instructs the user to “consult a doctor before use if you are having difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostrate.” Yeah, I’m thinking if you are buying this product to alleviate menstrual symptoms and you have a prostate there’s other things you should be talking to your doctor about.

Strollers caution you to remove the child before folding the product for storage or transport; hair dryers clearly instruct you not use while you are sleeping; and, vanishing ink fabric pens warn you not use to sign legal documents. I really have no idea how you’d even get a stroller to fold with a child still in it, but I guess someone tried with detrimental results. And, how could you possibly fall asleep with a hair dryer whirring away and blasting hot air at your head? As to the last, well, there are times when funds are low so signing a check with vanishing ink may be the best option.

Stickers on fishing hooks really state the obvious: Warning! Harmful if swallowed.

Baffling to me though are the warning labels on printer cartridges and letter openers. The first tells you not to eat the toner. The second recommends wearing safety goggles while using. Maybe someone got so frustrated trying to fix their printer the only thing they could think to do was eat its parts? And somehow keeping a pair of safety goggles handy when opening the mail strikes me as excessive, but what the heck do I know — my free will once led me to use the tip of a knife as a screw driver. Again, no pop up from the universe and the result was less than successful.

Opening a box of common bar soap once I happened to read the fine print which instructed me to use the product as “regular soap.” How the heck else would I use it? As irregular bar soap? Is there such a thing as irregular bar soap? And if there is, why? And, what would you use it for? Yeah, that kept me awake for several nights.

Of all the warning labels I’ve ever read, the most disappointing one came on the Wonder Woman costume I purchased one year for Halloween. It clearly stated: “This costume dose not enable flight or super strength.” I read it. I understood it. And, it still did not prevent me from testing both. Again, the results fell (literally) short of success.

I don’t know, but maybe warning labels are, in fact, the universe’s pop ups, its attempt at protecting us from the really dumb things we do of our own free will. Unfortunately free will is the supreme override button for the human brain and so we bumble our way through life often in complete disregard of what’s good for us. It amazes me we live past the age of 12.

The first project, a joint effort between the city and Caltrans, is slated for the corridor of Highway 162 and Oroville Dam Boulevard starting at Highway 70 and continuing on Highway 162 and Olive Highway to Foothill Boulevard. The work, scheduled to begin in May, will include the installation of sidewalks where there currently aren’t any; new driveway approaches; new conduit for street lighting; and a high-visibility crosswalk at Spencer Street. Then, in early 2025, new street surfacing, traffic and street lights, curbs and gutters will be added. The majority of the work will be on the south side of Highway 162 and will “be very nice,” said Fred Mayo, director of public works.

The next two street improvement projects along Washington Avenue and Table Mountain Boulevard are in the planning, financing and engineering stage and the city is looking for community input on the projects.

The first opportunity for the public to see the conceptual plans and drawings for the street improvements is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday when the city hosts a public workshop in the Oroville City Council Chambers at 1735 Montgomery St. Those who wish to participate but cannot attend the workshop will have access via Zoom using meeting ID 867 7864 5568 and passcode 03212024. The next workshop, also taking place in the council chambers at 5:30 p.m., will be April 18.

“The main point of the workshop is community outreach, to make the community aware of what we’re looking at doing,” said Mayo. “We want to engage with the community; hear their ideas, hopes and concerns about the conceptual drawings and plans for the improvements.”

The Washington Avenue project covers just over half a mile from Highway 162 north ending just short of the railroad bridge crossing. This includes the high-pedestrian traffic section of the street that runs in front of Oroville High School and the Oroville City Elementary School District administrative offices.

The proposed project includes improving the sidewalks by widening them to accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, strollers and wheelchairs as well as the installation of ADA corners and high-visibility crosswalks. Improvements to curbs, gutters and storm water conveyance are also included in the project as are street resurfacing and striping.

“The existing sidewalks are very narrow, about 4-feet wide, with utilities in them,” said Mayo. “The conceptual plan calls for widening the sidewalk on one side to 6 feet and on the other side to 8 feet.”

The Table Mountain Boulevard project will start just north of the Montgomery Street roundabout and end at County Center Drive. This project will include enhanced pedestrian and bike lane facilities in conjunction with eliminating sidewalk gaps and improved storm water conveyance.

“These will be amazing improvements, giving us our first north south corridor for pedestrians and bikes into the downtown,” said Mayo. “It’s a chance to reimagine that entire corridor, beautifying it and bringing a modern look for people as they safely move about. It’s a very exciting project that will bring the community closer together.”

The estimated cost of the Washington Avenue and Table Mountain Boulevard projects in $15 million. The city is seeking funding through a grant application to the California Transportation Commission in partnership with the Butte County Association of Governments.

“It will be at least two years before the work starts,” said Mayo. “Securing the grant is one piece but the engineering is the bigger piece. There’s a lot of work to be done before the construction starts.”

When the facility opens it will also have a separate 3,696-square-foot green house.

The Think Better Group with financial support from the ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund is joining forces with Michelle Kalberer and Jeff Cresswell, sibling owners of Klean Kanteen, to increase the local company’s market share globally and expand business operations locally.

Klean Kanteen products are sold in 52 countries but face “massive competition from big conglomerates” — this, combined with setbacks from the COVID pandemic as well as wars and inflation had Kalberer and Cresswell taking a serious look at the future.

“We’ve done so many great things in the first 20 years, but we never fully recovered from COVID internationally,” said Kalberer. “We just have not been able to bounce back from what we were pre-COVID.”

Kalberer said that she and her brother took a “hard look at how to continue to grow and do amazing things for the next 20 years,” and a partnership seemed the best way to move forward. When they found the Think Better Group, they found the perfect partner, said Kalberer.

“We were attracted to them because they only invest in sustainable businesses that are comitted to bettering the planet and grow those businesses under their umbrella,” said Kalberer. “They are a family- and employee-owned business, not a big conglomerate, so they invest in other like-minded small businesses.”

Funding for the Think Better Group’s partnership investment with Klean Kanteen came from the ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund, one of the largest private impact funds in the Netherlands that invests in companies that have a positive impact on climate and society.

Kalberer said that Klean Kanteen, Think Better and the other businesses under its purview have “an amazing synergy” when it comes to mitigating plastic pollution.

“They have a lot of connections internationally,” said Kalberer. “And a global reputation for excellence in bringing sustainable brands to into the international and U.S. markets.”

Under the new partnership, the Chico-based company will have the opportunity to be a “catalyst” for bringing other Think Better business brands into the United States.

Klean Kanteen’s 50,000 square foot warehouse will serve as a “mini third-party logistics facility” from which other Think Better brands will be distributed. The initial products that will be dispersed from the local facility include wetsuits made from recycled plastic water bottles and two brands of eco-friendly diapers.

Currently, Klean Kanteen employs 54 people, but with the addition of other products to house and ship, Kalberer said more staff will be needed.

“Jeff and I make all our decisions around the people, brand and community,” said Kalberer. “I am really excited about what the partnership can do for all three. With our facility serving as hub for other brands, it will bring new jobs to the community. We’re so excited about that.”

Right now, Kalberer said, Klean Kanteen is focused on getting the warehouse in its “most efficient state and assessing how much space we have for bringing in the other brands,” which she said could be by the end of this year.

“The biggest question we keep getting about this new partnership is ‘will things change?’” she said. “We are the same; we just have a new partner. Jeff and I are still here, and the culture and brand will stay the same. We are just using the partnership to improve our global distribution and our facility to enhance the community.”

Reach Kyra Gottesman at kgottesman@chicoer.com.