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BRIEFLY NOTED

KCHO moving up

KCHO is moving up—literally! The radio station has long outgrown its facility in the basement of the Meriam Library, where it has broadcast since 1977. The University Foundation has purchased a building at 35 Main Street which, after renovation, will double KCHO’s space. KCHO will also upgrade their broadcast equipment from analog to digital. Renovation and new equipment will cost $870,000. Stephen W. King, co-chair of KCHO’s fund-raising campaign, says approximately $350,000 has been raised to date. Renovation will begin this spring and the station hopes to broadcast from their new offices this summer.

Lazzarini on leave again

On Jan. 16, Mary Ann Lazzarini, women’s basketball coach, informed her team that the cancer she battled last season has returned and that she will take time off to review her options. Two days later, the Wildcats snapped a four-game losing streak with an emotional win over UC San Diego. During the game, Wildcat players, coaches, and trainers expressed their concern for Lazzarini by wearing “M.A.” on their clothing. “It was all heart,” interim co-coach Rich Simpton said. “This game was for Mary Ann.” The Wildcats went on to win their next game.

Agriculture dean named to state board

Dr. Charlie Crabb, dean of the college of agriculture, has been appointed by Governor Davis as a member of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. Crabb joined CSU, Chico in 1999. He received his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in ecology from the University of California, Davis and his master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. He is an author and expert in the field of crop damage and pest management. The Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and director on matters concerning the state’s agriculture industry and how the department can best serve those needs.

Yolo ‘topped out’ with tree

With a nod to ancient Viking tradition, a “topping out” ceremony was held in December to mark construction on Yolo Hall, located just west of Shurmer Gym. The $13 million building is the future home of the departments of physical education and recreation. The Vikings believed that the logs used to build their great halls were inhabited by their ancestors’ spirits. To placate these spirits, the Vikings would mount an evergreen tree on top of their buildings. On Dec. 19, a small potted evergreen was lifted to the second floor of what will be Yolo Hall. Ultimately, the tree will be planted adjacent to the building (in an American tradition known as recycling).

Rose garden donor dies

George Petersen, one of Chico’s horticultural pioneers, died Dec. 9, 2001, at the age of 98. Petersen donated rose bushes for the university rose garden, which was planted in 1957 and named after Petersen for his generosity. Petersen was born and raised in Chico. He was the son of John Bidwell’s gardener (Frederick G. Petersen) and worked in his father’s Lindo Nursery, eventually taking over the business. Petersen developed more than 600 varieties of camellias; Lindo Nursery was the largest distributor of camellias on the West Coast. Camellia Way, where the nursery was located, was named in recognition of Petersen’s camellias. Petersen sold the nursery to Christian and Johnson in the 1940s and went into farming.