With humor, chutzpah and a piece of vinyl siding firmly in hand, Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Judith Helfand and co-director and award-winning cinematographer Daniel B. Gold set out in search of the truth about polyvinyl chloride (PVC), America's most popular plastic. From Long Island to Louisiana to Italy, they unearth the facts about PVC and its effects on human health and the environment.

Back at the starter ranch, Helfand coaxes her terribly patient parents into replacing their vinyl siding on the condition that she can find a healthy, affordable alternative (and it has to look good!). A detective story, an eco-activism doc, and a rollicking comedy, BLUE VINYL puts a human face on the dangers posed by PVC at every stage of its life cycle, from factory to incinerator. Consumer consciousness and the "precautionary principle" have never been this much fun.

The University Film Series, part of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, features a different film sponsored by various programs each Tuesday night at 7:30 pm in Ayres 106.

Tonight’s showing is Blue Vinyl sponsored by the Environmental Studies Program.

For information, visit www.csuchico.edu/hfa/hc/gallery.html or call 530-898-4642.

Sponsored by Friends of the Arts and organized by Chico teacher Cathy Small, Thrill The World is a worldwide attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Simultaneous Dance with Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Thousands of people in cities around the world will learn the Thriller dance and perform it together on the day that Thrill The World takes place. Come connect with the world through the art of dance! 

Saturday, October 24
Downtown City Plaza
Registration: 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Event is at 6:20 p.m.
thrilltheworld.com for more information.

Gerard Ungerman (right) on location

Recently relocated to Chico, veteran French documentary filmmaker Gerard Ungerman will present some of his work as part of Chico’s Artoberfest 2009 celebration. He will answer questions and speak about both his latest film “BELONGING”, narrated by Dustin Hoffman, and about his current sustainability project focused on Chico.

Local farmers will host a weekend of wine tasting and farm-fresh food sampling at the 4th Annual Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend October 10-11, 2009 in Butte County.

The Passport Weekend showcases the wineries and farms currently on the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Map for the price of one ticket.

$500 cash makes up the Chico Project's horse's mane

"Palio" is an Italian word that means a horse competition between neighborhoods and communities.

Chico Palio is modeled after Italy's Siena Palio horse race, which is centuries old and undoubtedly the most famous in Europe. Instead of racing horses, however, we race humans carrying horse sculptures. Instead of intense physical interaction between man and beast, we will feature competition in the form of pageantry, creativity and, of course, a physical race.