Community Briefs: Jan. 26, 2013

Firefighters dinner set tonight

The Kenny Frye Band will entertain the crowd at the annual Colusa Firefighters Steak, Crab Feed Dinner & Auction today in the Main Exhibit Hall on the Colusa County Fairgrounds.

The social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m., the auction at 7:30 p.m. and the dance at 9:30 p.m..

The cost is $45. Tickets are available at the city fire station at 750 Market St., or from any of the firefighters. They will be sold at the door as well. You must be at least 21 to attend. For more information, call 458-7721.

Taste of Italy in Arbuckle today

The Taste of Italy, featuring Jack Pesola's famous cioppino dinner, will be held from 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. today at the Arbuckle fire hall, 506 Lucas St.

The event, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus John Paul II Council No. 14112, includes door prizes, a raffle and a silent auction. There also will be entertainment.

A donation of $25 in advance and $30 at the door is requested. Tickets are $5 for children 6-12, and children 5 and younger are free.

For tickets or more information, call Frank Nobriga, 476-2872; Jack Pesola, 476-3397; or Jim Miranda, 458-7889.

Food distributions scheduled

The Community Action Agency of Butte County Inc. Surplus Government Commodities distribution will take place at the following locations:

9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, George E. Cain Children's Center, 185 N. St., Maxwell. 438-2389.

8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Colusa Senior Center/Boy Scout Cabin, 901 Parkhill St. 458-0494.

9 a.m.-11 a.m., Thursday, Williams Baptist Church, 251 Eighth St. 473-5722.

11 a.m.-noon, Feb. 1, Grimes Boy Scout Building. 476-0822.

9 a.m.-11 a.m., Feb. 4, Arbuckle Family Action Center, Hall Street. 476-0822.

For more information, contact Carol S. Pearson at 458-0494.

Mobile mural project organized

The Colusa County Arts Council is organizing a Mobile Mural Project aimed toward participation from adults and high school students in Colusa County.

Applications will be available at each school; adults may pick applications up at the Arts Council, 430 Market St., Suite C, Colusa. The application deadline is Thursday.

The theme is "Create — inspire, Create — vision, Create — Love, Create — Unity."

For more information, call 458-2222.

Consevation funding available

The US Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications for special conservation initiatives funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help producers conserve energy, address resource concerns on certified organic operations or those transitioning to organic production, and achieve a number of other environmental benefits.

The NRCS if offering EQIP funding for three special initiatives, including: On-Farm Energy Initiative, which helps producers conserve energy on their operations; Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative; which helps producers install high tunnels designed to extend the growing season into the cold months, improving plant and soil quality and reducing nutrient and pesticide transport; and Organic Initiative, which helps producers to install conservation practices on certified organic operations or those working toward organic certification.

Applications received by Feb. 15 will be evaluated for funding priority for the pending 2013 funding. Applications received after Feb. 15 may be considered for future funding.

For more information, visit www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov.