October Updates

October 23 is a national day of service, Make a Difference Day. This is the second year that my students and I have spent the morning working in Bidwell Park. It is fun to work the students outside of the classroom and we all gain a sense of accomplishment at the end of our work period. This year we worked under the direction of Chico Mayor Ann Schwab (coincidentally, I am teaching American Government this semester, so it was extremely cool to pull weeds with the mayor.) This year, Ross was able to join the fun at picnic site 8, removing invasive fruitless blackberry (Really, who needs FRUITLESS blackberries???).

The following weekend, we enjoyed a Halloween Party on Saturday and a political rally on Sunday. I neglected to get pictures of Halloween this year, but Katya looked great in a gypsy-fortune teller costume.

Sunday, Jerry Brown and Dave Jones came to town to rally the Democrats. I the local paper had advertised the event earlier in the week. I encouraged my students to attend for the experience, which meant that I need to set a good example (none of them showed). I mentally pictured the small restaurant (where the rally was being held) to be filled with 20 or so people, allowing me to ask questions directly and maybe get a few family photos taken. Well, I was wrong! From the photo below you can see how crowded the event was. The three of us barely made it into the building and were downstairs out of sight, but in audio range of the "dignitaries." Katya and I were able to shake hands with Jerry as he made his way out. He made a joke about sticky hands because Katya was the cliche child with a sucker in hand:)

Jerry started his morning in Eureka (Scott and Jamie's neck of the woods), then flew to Chico, and after an hour in Chico, then he was off to Santa Rosa or Sacramento for another rally.