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March 03, 2008
Are They Amunds or Almonds?
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| Image: An strong indicator of a breaking
news story.
The sign above was pointed out to me by a friend. There are any number of things that it could represent. It's located at the S&S produce store on Mangrove. When I saw it I thought of a few headlines the image could be used for. Since staff writer Laura Kleinlittle is on vacation I thought I'd scribble down my ideas so she could do a little more investigative research. 1. Police Chief Takes Budget Issue Seriously: Chico Police Chief Bruce Hagerty has suggested a number of low cost ways to increase security at City Hall. Some of the methods could be described as stingy security subterfuge. Installing scarecrows at the Council podium was a first step. But it turned out that crowds of "trustafarians" could be found streaming through the council chamber at all hours. Apparently it didn't matter that the councilors were actually not responding to comments or even present. They still lined up to complain about whatever issue caught their fancy this week. The chief has now located a number of low cost signs around Chico encouraging more outspoken citizens to gather elsewhere. It seems to be working, as the Council Chamber is now empty during off hours. Like a moth to a flame the crazies have gone elsewhere all because of good signage. 2. Secret Hideout Finally Located: The secret hideout of the anti-disc golf crowd has finally been located. For years it was assumed they met in dark robes amongst the oaks of Bidwell Park. But after long expeditions into the wilds of Upper Park, via 10' wide fire roads, it was determined that they likely meet elsewhere. Additional research showed that if they tread on actual park property they could be breaking one of their most powerful religious beliefs. It was determined that they must gather on less sacred ground, and now the location has been identified. 3. Schism Develops at Local Produce Firm: Personal feelings of anger and distrust have boiled over at a local produce shop. Vegans and global warming-concerned employees have demanded that the profitable outdoor BBQ be removed. The consumption of animal flesh (slathered with spicy cajun sauce and grilled to perfection) along with the increased carbon footprint caused by the BBQ pit have resulted in the demand for its removal. Employee Chad McMannster suddenly found himself the only employee that supported the BBQ. Quietly, and in the dead of night, he took his first step into local politics by hanging a sign expressing his concerns related to the BBQ issue. Give it a try: If you're feeling creative feel free to summarize your own story as it relates to the image above. Creative writing projects are the meat and potatoes of this blog. |
| Spotlight: Interim Fire Chief Appointed: 24 year Chico Fire Department employee Keith Carter has been named as replacement to Chief Brown. All top city positions filled recently came from within the city ranks. Perhaps it's time for city officials to recognize that we're not really competing with cities like San Rafael for employees. There are a few positions that are hard to fill but extensive recruitment has been avoided for the top positions in local government. Bollards Poll The E-R's weekly poll asked whether bollards should be replaced. As of Sunday night it was 18% for removal, 17% for modification, and 65% for leave them alone. 518 votes total. The link goes to the discussion forum. Commission to discuss water transfers: The Butte County Water Commission will discuss water transfers and a study of the Tuscan Aquifer tomorrow. See also this story on the construction of dams in the Northwest U.S. |
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CI Challenge: Can you guess what it is? Winner: Nobody. The answer is posted in the comments below. |
Posted by Lon at March 3, 2008 06:10 AM
Comments
Looks like the barbecue sauce I put on my S&S portobello vegie burger. mmmmm
Posted by: Gregg Payne at March 3, 2008 06:31 AM
Looks like the inside of a California Poppy, the state flower. I got springtime on my mind...
Posted by: L.A. Simpson at March 3, 2008 01:57 PM
Both are good guesses. Neither are correct. It looks like when I take a weekend off all of the blog readers take at least a 3-day vacation. Or this blog just sucked. But that's what you get for trying to write around a funny picture.
Maybe I'll take the rest of the week off, and look around town for more funny signs.
Lon
Posted by: Lon at March 3, 2008 07:57 PM
You are one screwed up cat. I dig it.
Posted by: Jim - Just a Guy at March 3, 2008 11:02 PM
Well even though the bollards poll says 65% in favor of no change, and even though the bike accident of Ed McLaughlin, while tragic and sad, still rests on personal responsibility and not a safety issue, you can bet the Schwabbinator will work feverishly to remove this scourge of nasty posts from our fair city.
Next target: removal of telephone poles because people driving cars hit them.
Oh wait I forgot, the Schwabbinator sees cars as a global warming threat. Never mind.
Posted by: Anthony at March 4, 2008 06:04 AM
CIC Looks like a tomato. You say tomayto and I say tomaato. You say amunds and I say almonds.
Posted by: Steve B at March 4, 2008 10:46 AM
As an FYI, Lon, I unapologetically "borrowed" that photo for my own nefarious uses on my blog - giving you credit and a link, of course.
Posted by: Robert LaHue at March 4, 2008 10:47 AM
Robert,
I think web content is pretty much free game. But I do appreciate the link back.
Lon
Posted by: Lon at March 4, 2008 10:54 AM
The challenge was a portion of a picture of a moth approaching a candle flame.
Lon
Posted by: Lon at March 4, 2008 04:08 PM
Winner: Nobody. The answer is posted in the comments below.
Where?
I back in town now with reverse jet lag so can't get to sleep, figured reading old CI challenges would help.
Posted by: Anthony at March 5, 2008 12:45 AM
Geez, writing a comment with the answer and sumbitting it is not enough. You want me to actually publish it too.
Now it's been posted, which makes it look you didn't read the comment. Ha ha, victory is mine.
Welcome back, I hope your national news interviews and meeting with weather big wigs has all gone well. You're still the only person I know who has managed to lower the average temperature in the US for a given year.
Lon
Posted by: Lon at March 5, 2008 06:28 AM
"...lower the average temperature in the US for a given year."
Another adjustment is coming.
Posted by: Anthony at March 5, 2008 01:18 PM
http://kashmiri.typepad.com/kashmirs_shak/images/flame.jpg
Dang, No one would have got this even if you posted the whole image.
Posted by: Gregg Payne at March 6, 2008 09:12 AM