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| Image: The applicants for the new
Chico Police Chief position? In the last week or so I've written 5 blogs. And then I deleted them. Someday those blogs will come to be known as the "lost blogs". They were masterpieces of self-perception and represented a complete and nuanced understanding of the universe. I would not be surprised if they form the foundations of a new religion. They were good. Damn good. 4 were about Jessica Alba, the 5th was a reprint of a Chico Beaver story with updated Flash animation. But today I'm faced with the reality that I must blog, and post, about local events of momentous importance. I know, you're thinking I'm going to delve into the fact that Chico Unified's adopted budget leaves a $4.7 million sink-hole followed by nearly double that in the following year. I don't have time for minor concerns like the education of our children. Here's their budget web page if you feel a need to learn more. That budget shortfall is only $316 per student. To do my part I'm going to direct the state of California to forward my child tax credit to the local school district in its entirety. But that's not the story I want to write today. Neither will I jump on the celebrity media bland wagon and it's never ending reporting on the passing of talented yet creepy Michael Jackson or the lovely Farah Fawcett. On a slightly Fawcett related tangent I would like to direct all readers to this Youtube video of Lee Majors fighting Sasquatch in a titanic 6 Million Dollar Man episode. And you thought 300 had gripping scenes of violence. Nope. I must write today in fond pre-remembrance of the soon-to-be former editor of the CNR, Evan Tuchinsky. Tuchinsky writes in yesterday's In My Eyes column that he will be leaving that organization after next week. I had an exclusive interview with Evan to find out what was next for him. Tuchinsky informed me of a number of career opportunities that have presented themselves. He felt he owed his family and future an honest attempt to reach beyond mere editor-of-weekly-paper status. First, he has applied for the city position of Police Chief. Being a solid golfer, and having shot several bears while living in Paradise, pads his resume for this position. He also looks smashing in his commemorative Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band uniform, which is identical to the new Chico Police outfits being prepared for 2010 (these new uniforms were Chief Hagerty's last policy change). Second, as an accomplished paint-by-the-numbers artist Evan has considered opening a paint-by-the-number art studio. As a grand master of paint-by-the-numbers art he once completed a Thomas Kinkade piece that had more than 35 different colors. Truly astounding. The studio will be called Cafe Burnt Sienna harkening back to Chico's deep past. Lastly, I've heard that Tuchinsky is considering starting his own weekly paper called the Paradise Beat. It'll include hard hitting news pieces and not be all cluttered up with paid advertisements. This is something nobody's tried before... in Paradise. Now that you've got the back story I'll provide you all with a moment of splendid and glorious candor. I'm sorry to see Evan go. He was a fair minded and accessible editor for the News and Review. I don't know the nature of his exit, other than to say that he told me he planned on staying in the area. Chico (and Paradise) have a lot to offer for families, but employment opportunities are not in abundance. So I'm sure he moves out of the CNR with some real financial concerns during a time where everyone has real financial concerns. Let's wish him the best in the coming months. At times Tuchinsky, Speer, and Ek represented a moderate version of Chico's dominant left politics. The center-left appeals to many quiet citizens and offered a contrast to the green-hype that tends to promote unrealistic living requirements and permeates California's media. It provided balance and actual news to the local weekly. With the passing of Richard, and Evan moving on, I'm left wondering where the CNR is headed. One thing is certain. Since Evan Tuchinsky is likely to have a lot of spare time there's one activity that must be calling to him. You can make friends (not those friends), get some exercise, and enjoy the splendor of the outdoors. So here's my advice to Evan, and he's already half-way there. |
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Movin' On
Lon
About Me: Fasten your seatbelts for an exhilarating trip through Chico's public policy; I guarantee it's marginally better than public access TV.
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