Tag: holidays

Run for Food in Chico

It’s the season for giving and our team at Sweeney & Sweeney enjoys finding fun ways to combine charity and exercise. If you’re staying in town for Thanksgiving, we hope you’ll join us for the 9th annual Run for Food. This 5K run/walk will begin at Bidwell Park’s One Mile Recreation Area on Thanksgiving day, Thursday, November 27th at 9:00am.

What is now a Chico tradition, the Run for Food began in 2006 when community members and business owners came together to raise money for the Jesus Center. Funded entirely by community support, the Jesus Center helps those in need by providing daily meals, shelter for women and children, and assistance finding housing and work. All proceeds from the Run for Food are donated to the Jesus Center to support their mission.

The event will include both a timed 5K run and an untimed 5k run/walk. The course is paved and free of traffic, making it easily accesible for strollers, wheelchairs, and children. Registration for the event can be completed both online and in person depending on your preference. The cost for participating is as follows:

  • Untimed Adults – $30
  • Timed Adults – $35
  • Children 12 and under, untimed with bib & shirt – $25
  • Children 12 and under, timed with bib & shirt – $30
  • Children 12 and under, untimed, no bib or shirt – FREE

For more information, please visit www.runforfood.com.


Chico Christmas Preview

Ready or not, Christmas is coming! The Sweeney & Sweeny team couldn’t be more excited for the holidays. Whether you’re already feeling the holiday cheer or need a little boost to get you in the Christmas spirit, we invite you to join us for the 37th annual Christmas Preview in downtown Chico. Bring your family and stroll the streets on Sunday, November 23rd between 4:00pm and 8:00pm as the community comes together to welcome the holidays.

This free event offers something for everyone. Merchants show off their holiday décor inviting guests in for refreshments. Christmas carolers walk the streets filling the air with holiday jingles. Even Santa will be there! Stationed at the corner of 3rd and Broadway, Santa will stop by to visit and take pictures with the kids.

Business and organizations from all over town will flood the streets with holiday attractions including the following:

  • Free Train on Wheels rides via Max’s Miracle Ranch
  • A sneak preview of the play “Believe”
  • Fun photos on the Snapshots Photo Bus
  • Christmas Karaoke via Mix 95.1
  • Santa’s Sleigh Toy Drive sponsored by Mix 95.1 and The Chico Fire Department
  • Treats from Mary’s Gone Crackers
  • Holiday family photos at Nantucket Home
  • Bell-ringers for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign
  • Limited edition T-shirts designed by Jake Early
  • Runaway Prevention info provided by Sixth Street Center for Youth
  • And much more!

A guaranteed good time for all, this Chico tradition is sure to put a smile on your face and a jingle in your step as you greet the holiday season with cheer. Click here for more information. Hope to see you there!


Recipes to Make your Thanksgiving Easier

I know that, at least in my family, it can be a struggle to get everything put together and cooked on Thanksgiving day, with that darn turkey taking up oven space all day. Being able to make up a few awesome side dishes the night before could seriously come in handy. I scrounged up a few tasty recipes that can be ready-to-go come Turkey Day!

Green Beans with Almonds – Especially for the holidays, when everything is already stressful enough, simplicity is key. Just a little fresh garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, and chopped almonds to give his modest side dish some flare.

Bleu  Cheese and Pine Nut Puffs – This is an awesome alternative to tradition dinner rolls.

Herb- and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms – Who doesn’t love stuffed mushrooms? These sound extra delicious!

Mashed Potatoes with Savory Thyme Granola –  Personally, I think these would be better without the granola, but everything else about them sound incredible. I just don’t think crunch in my mashed ‘taters sounds very appealing.

Cheesy Garlic Rolls – I don’t know about you, but I don’t think there are two more wonderful things in the world than garlic and cheese. Another awesome twist on traditional dinner rolls.

Swiss Corn Bakes – These are like little quiches of cheesy deliciousness.

Butterhead Salad with Smoky Ranch – The real delight here is the recipe for the ranch. You could toss it with any of your favourite salad ingredients.

Hope these tasty, quick treats help to make your holidays a little less stressful. Pass the recipes around to your guests for some extra help!


Top Holiday-Related Accidents

The holidays are right around the corner! Along with all that merriness, cheer, and celebration can also come accidents. Around the holidays is one of the most accident-prone times as people are distracted and stressed. As I say over and over, knowledge is power, so here is a list of the most common accidents that occur around the holidays, so that you and your loved ones can be aware and prepare.

Did you know that poisonous plants are actually all around right now? Mistletoe, holly berries, poinsettias, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis are all dangerous when swallowed. Make sure to keep these away from where pets and children can get ahold of them. If they do get consumed, call poison control immediately.

Electrical fires are also common around this time of year as people try to over-use extension cords. You should use a Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) to prevent electrical shocks and don’t plug in more than 3 strands of lights into a single extension cord, as a good rule of thumb. Also, keep cords out from underneath rugs, as this is also a common cause of fires.

Open fireplaces can cause trouble if not properly taken care of. Always make sure to have your chimney inspected at the beginning of the season before use; make sure you have a grate or screen in front to keep stray embers inside the fireplace, where they belong; and remember that only one artificial log should be used at a time. And if things do get out of hand, always use a fire extinguisher or sand. NEVER water.

Home cooking fires are also prevalent as there tend to be many things going on at once during the holidays. Take extra care to make sure all things flammable are away from the stove.

Christmas tree fires are most commonly due to a tree being too close to a heat source (i.e. a space heater or fireplace). Also make sure that if you get your tree from a lot, they cut off at least a ¼ inch disk from the bottom of the tree so that your tree will absorb the water.

Home heating fires are one of the most common accidents, especially caused by space heaters. Make sure that they are kept far away from flammable material and always turn it off when you leave the house.

Over 5000 Americans went to the hospital in 2007 for holiday decorating related falls. Make sure you’re using a stable ladder on a level surface and that you have someone there to help spot you should anything go awry.

Here’s hoping you have now been well-armed with information and that your holiday season goes along safely and cheerfully. Happy pre-holidays from everyone here at Sweeney & Sweeney!