Chico Kids

Carnivals, festivals and other events put on by public and private elementary schools are such a cute and fun way to raise funds and build community. From experience, I know you don’t need to be affiliated with the school in any way to show up and have a great time. On Friday, Oct. 3, Sierra View Elementary School host its Fall Festival from 5-8:30 p.m. at the school at 1598 Hooker Oak Ave. Admission is free, and game tickets are 25 cents apiece. There are scarecrow and cake decorating contests along with food and a silent auction. Two days later, Oct. 5, is the Fall Festival at Notre Dame School. It’s an old-fashioned festival with game tokens sold for 25 cents and prizes awarded. Admission is free. The private Catholic school is at 5th and Hazel streets.

I’m pretty sure the Coldstone Creamery in downtown Chico is participating in a special event tonight, Sept. 25, from 5-8 p.m. The 3-ounce ice cream is free, but it’s hoped that guests will donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. (You can buy a “wall star.”) It’s the 7th Annual “World’s Largest Ice Cream Social.”

Circus Gatti will hold two shows in Chico on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 4:15 and 7:30 p.m. at the Silver Dollar Fair Grounds. There are free kids’ tickets at supermarkets around town, but they’re only good with a paid adult admission, which runs $22. (Youths 13 to 17 and senior citizens are $18). There is a $3 discount coupon online at the circus Web site, and the kids’ ticket could also be used for $2 off adult admission. For about 20 years, Circus Gatti has been the fundraiser of choice for the Chico Police Officers Association. The event generates thousands of dollars donated to a variety of community organizations. If you are concerned about animal treatment and other issues related to circuses, there are plenty of resources online where you can learn more.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 20, the Butte County Public Health Department is hosting a free car seat check day at Toys R Us at 1919 E. 20th St. Come on down and make sure your child’s seat is installed correctly thanks to nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

OK, it’s not in Chico but it’s only a few minutes away. We go every year to the Durham Harvest Festival put on by the town’s Rotary Club. Car show, steam engines, food, crafts and more. It’s this Sunday, Sept. 14, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. More info is at: www.durhamrotary.org

Tickets are on sale now for the annual Sierra Oro Farm Trail, which on Oct. 11-12 offers a peek into Butte County agriculture, from nuts to wine. This year, the popular event will feature 19 farms and 8 wineries. Kids are welcome, and in fact kids 12 and under are free. Adult tickets are $20 in advance and $25 during Passport Weekend. You can buy tickets via www.sierraoro.org or visit the Chico, Oroville or Paradise chambers of commerce. Families can even go online and pre-plan a route and interactive tour using Google Maps. Way cool..

The Chico Area Recreation District has been hosting a cool series of events called Neighborhood Night Out. There’s one this Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Oakway Park, on West 8th Avenue off Nord Avenue, from 6-9 p.m. There are games and crafts as well as live music and a low-cost dinner. It sounds fun. I wonder if it’s OK to “crash” another neighborhood’s night out?

It’s no use strapping your child in a car seat if the seat is installed incorrectly, as many are. Fortunately, there are certified car seat checkers available. The California Highway Patrol at 995 Fir St. is the official Child Safety Seat Inspection Station in Chico. However, not everyone on staff is certified to check car seats, so call first (879-1999) and don’t wait till the last minute. I remember before Alec was born it took us a few tries and trips to the CHP to get his seat checked. There’s a special car seat inspection day at the CHP from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 28. That’s a great idea. One time, before a trip, we were worried we hadn’t installed the seat correctly in the rental car, and the CHP checker wasn’t available. We found out there was a certified checker at Northern Valley Indian Health at 845 West East Avenue and she did a great job with no notice. Sometimes, the Butte County Public Health Department hosts car seat fitting events at Toys R Us, and some car seat retailers (such as Silver Sandbox) have certified technicians on staff. However you get it done, just get it done!