Boosting Productivity With Social Apps

By Jon Menager, Social Media Director

Being the social media director here at Tehama Group, I felt it was only right to do my videoblog about three of my favorite social media iOS apps that I’ve got on my Apple devices right now. Not only do I have an iPhone, but I also use an iPad and my Macbook Pro to do my work, so having applications that run cross-device is a big deal for me.

Check out this brief video about the three apps I currently love the most, all which have a social media aspect to them! All are free, and two out the the three are available for Android as well as iOS! Rockmelt, Hootsuite and Wunderlist 2 have not only helped me to increase my productivity this semester, but are absolutely awesome to use and gorgeously designed. Check them out!

April Showers? More like April Sunshine!

By Kellie Sones, Account Executive

Well, it’s officially warm in Chico. After a seemingly endless winter and nonexistent spring, summer seems to have arrived early. No one seems to mind this change in weather because when Chico heats up, we all look for ways to chill out and cool down.

If you’re like me, you’re always seeking new outdoor activities to enjoy during the summer. Well, look no further! Here are my top five Chico faves:

1. Bear Hole: A common favorite, Bear Hole is located in Upper Bidwell Park, a short drive, or a long hike away. I love Bear Hole for its scenic views and cool waters. The underwater tunnels are incredible too!

2. Thursday Night Market: I am a huge fan of two things: shopping and food. The Thursday Night Market is a great way to combine these two loves of mine in the company of great friends-and it’s just a short walk from home! Meander around downtown Chico and sample fresh goods and produce from local farmers.

3. River Road Bike Loop: The orchards are in bloom! If that isn’t reason enough to try this 20-mile bike loop, I don’t know what is. In just a few hours, you can escape reality and dive right into a world of serenity and natural beauty. I love to “stop and smell the roses,” or the cherry blossoms on this gorgeous ride.

4. One Mile: Chico’s beach, One Mile is a great place to enjoy time with family and friends, host a barbecue or simply sun yourself near this pool-converted river.

5. The WREC: Since the weather is getting warmer, it’s important to keep that summer bod in shape! For those especially sweltering days, cool off in the air-conditioned Wildcat Recreation Center. Work out on state-of-the-art exercise equipment or splash around in the enormous wade pool.

Happy hiking, biking, swimming and shopping!

Greek Life at Chico State Back Stronger Than Before

By Amanda Papapietro, Graphic Designer

As a lot of people may know, last semester Chico State’s Greek system came to a screeching halt. With recent deaths and situations getting out of hand, President Zingg suspended all Greek life in Dec. 2012. Everyone was put on a probation period but luckily all five Panhellenic sororities came back on campus.

With being newly reinstated, a lot of privileges were taken away. It was hard having all of this happen my senior year of college and my last semester in the sorority. I felt like I have worked so hard to become the leader and person I wanted to be for my chapter. Among many other events that we got back, we were still allowed to have recruitment or as a lot of people know it as, “rushing a sorority”.

Going into recruitment, many chapters including my own, thought that the suspension would be a major setback. I thought to myself, “why would anyone want to join a sorority in a time like this? We don’t look good in the eyes of the school with being suspended, and having majority of the main events taken away. What’s the point?”

As it turned out, every week leading up to recruitment more and more girls signed up. Breaking recruitment records, there was a total of 400 girls that signed up. That’s the largest group that we have had in a long time. Despite all the negativity going around, we pulled through and gained 63 great new members to each of our chapters.

There were many doubts regarding the success of the newly reinstated chapters. With restrictions and limitations on old events, it was hard to envision how Greek life would be. But with having such a great recruitment and huge turnout, we were all able to prove that our chapters are not based on the social aspect but the true bond of sisterhood and how it can benefit and enrich your life.

Adopting a Second Language for Success

By Miguel Rocha, Editorial Assistant 

What does it mean to be a native Spanish-speaking student with an English writing major? Well, for starters, at least for me, it means that I like to take on a challenge. There are really not a lot of students out there whose native language is Spanish (or other) and venture in a field predominated by the English language. It is hard.

But being bilingual only means that I am smart and have less chances of having dementia when I’m old, as described in this New York Times article.

However, it wasn’t easy. When I started, I felt that most of the time I was trying to catch up with my peers on assignments. As I progressed, it became easier. And today, I am totally rocking it!

Now, my peers are catching up to me. That is probably not true, but we are definitely at the same level.

Now that I am approaching the end of my era here at Chico State, I have started to reminisce about everything that I have learned, and I sometimes question if I have indeed, learned anything. But then when I write, it is then that I understand I have indeed learned a lot. I feel privileged to have received the best education from the best professors. Yup, Chico State has amazing, incredibly genius and dedicated professors that want and expect nothing less than perfection from students. For example, the professors of the Journalism and Public Relations Department.

English as my second language has only made me unique. And then that accent of mine, it just adds a plus to my uniqueness.

I would not change anything I have done even if it were possible because if I did, I wouldn’t be at this moment writing my blog. Because no matter how difficult college was, it has made me into the person that I am today, and I like who I am.

It is also about the experience of what it is like to succeed and make it through college. I knew as alluring as I might be (just kidding) it wasn’t going to be enough, so I worked very hard to be better, to be unique. And I think I am.

Sizzlin' Summer Beauty Products

By Lauren Fusco, PR Director

Summer is coming soon! Yay! In honor of the weather changing and our lives becoming a little more laid back (for students that is), I wanted to share all of my favorite summer beauty products! These aren't new products, but can be found in stores year around. Let me know if you want more information about any of the products I mentioned by commenting below!

One Border to Another

By Louis Correa, Social Media Assistant

It is 4 a.m. on the first Friday of spring break, but I am wide awake anxiously waiting to begin my road trip. Over the break my two friends and I decided to head north instead of south for an adventure none of us will ever forget.

On our way to Portland, we spoke of many things including our past, present and future; conversations that will keep the driver from falling asleep. After eight long hours on the road, we had reached our destination but little did we know a surprise was awaiting us in the great city of Portland. We were surprised when the hotel manager at the place we were staying told us our reservation was never confirmed, we turned to each other and said, “S%#t!, now what?” realizing we had to pay more now.

Once we got the whole room situation figured out, we headed out to catch a glimpse of the sunset in downtown Portland. Walking up and down the city, I couldn’t help but be amazed by everything I saw including the buildings, people and food trucks. The place immediately won me over. The trip continued the next day as we headed to Seattle in search of the first Starbucks and Space Needle.

Seattle is a city filled with popular buildings and great food all around, but the one thing I wanted to see above all else was the Kurt Cobain bench. Nirvana was a huge influence for me growing up as I went through my grunge phase, so I thought it would be appropriate to pay my respects to the man who started it all. My friends and I were tired from two days straight on the road, yet we couldn’t rest until we had reached Canada.

On St. Patrick’s Day, we had finally made it. The Canadian border indicated our mission was accomplished; all we had to do now was just enjoy it.

This whole experience taught me two things: if possible travel often and enjoy the company of friends. I believe Jack Kerouac said it best. “Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry.”-Jack Kerouac.  

De-stress with Nature

By Amber Whiteside, Online Communications Director

With finals approaching and soon-to-be-graduates sending out applications at a frantic, rapid rate, stress levels are skyrocketing. Luckily, the TGC staff lives in the beautiful town of Chico. The nickname City of the Trees paints a green picture in your mind, but some of us are so caught up in our own world, we rarely take a moment to stop and smell the roses. This video highlights the importance of nature. Being outdoors helps relieve stress and people who embrace nature will live happier and healthier lives.

Sources:

http://www.naturalwellnesscare.com/stress-statistics.html

http://www.prevention.com/health/emotional-health/spending-time-outside-relieves-stress

How to Deal with Post-Potter Depression

By Rebecca Seylar, General Manager

For my first video blog, I wanted to have more of a heart-to-heart with some of my fellow peers. Not a bunch of special effects or shots of inanimate objects, just me talking to a camera about something that I’ve dealt with for a few years now.

Urban Dictionary calls it Post-Potter Depression, and it’s something I know a lot of us feel. If you’re not a Potter-nerd, you can still benefit from these tips if you just can’t shake that feeling of sadness after something truly epic has ended. Enjoy!

Eat Great on a Budget

By Christopher Tavolazzi, Account Executive

Nothing we all do is more important to our health, or more ignored in American culture, than the simple act of eating.

I understand that we are college students; we are not in any way wealthy. Eating healthy is expensive…right?

It doesn’t have to be. You can eat healthier for less than $50 a week. That's right, you can eat better all week  for less than a night out at The Bear, and have meals like this:

Looks good, huh? Here's how to do it:

The List

I made the commitment to eat healthy and took a trip to the store. I was drawn to the tortilla chips, Oreos, and canned chilli that have so far been the staples of my diet, but I refrained. What I bought was almost enough to require two trips:

• 2 Avocados– $1.16
• 1 Bunch of Bananas– $1.40
• 1 Broccoli Crown– $.26
• 5 Carrots– $.46
• 1 Head of Lettuce– $.99
• 4 Apples– $2.29
• 1 Bunch of Asparagus– $1.44
• 1 Red Onion– $1.06
• 4 Oranges– $.89
• 4 Red Potatoes– $.94
• 3 Roma Tomatoes– $.70
• 1 Bag of Brown Rice – $1.16
• 1 Bag of Lentils– $.86
• 2 Cans of Tomato Sauce– $.50
• 1 Package of Pasta Sauce Seasoning– $1.29
• 1 Package Pasta (Vermicelli)– $1.79
• 1 Tub of Yogurt– $2.48
• 1 Dozen Organic Eggs– $3.48
• 1 Package of Chicken Breasts– $9.91
• 1 Package of Steaks– $9.71

Grand total: $42.76

Not bad, and it got the cat intrigued:

There is a lot you can do with this list. You could grill up a few chicken breasts with some steamed veggies for dinner. Then, for breakfast the next day, you could throw in a few leftover veggies into an omelet with some salt and pepper, and use the leftover chicken in a salad.

As a snack, take a banana and an apple with you to school. When you’re ready for lunch, bust out the chicken caesar salad you made with the leftover chicken and veggies. Then for dinner, make a beef stew with potatoes, onions, carrots, and lentils and start the whole cycle over again.

It's actually kind of fun to cook your own meals and taking the time to plan your meals will make you happier and healthier. Check out Epicurious--which has a fantastic iPad app that allows you to search by ingredient--and Gojee’s food section for solid recipe ideas.

Here's a few tips I've learned:

1. Shop at FoodMaxx

FoodMaxx has a great selection of produce for cheap, and their meat is not that bad. If you're broke like most of us, this is the place to shop.

2. Buy just what you need

You don't need a whole flat of strawberries. While wholesale shopping might seem like a good way to save money, for a college student it could end up costing when food starts to go bad. Instead, try to plan your meals and buy just what you need for that week.

Except nuts. Always buy nuts in bulk.

3. Keep it simple

Shop for things that hit all the major food groups, but don't get carried away. Limit what you buy to what you actually plan to eat. Sure, that sack of grapes looks good, but are you really going to eat all of them? Put them back.

4. Cook with leftovers

This goes without saying, but a lot of people forget that you can use last night's extras in today's meals. Throw some of that leftover chicken in some pasta and diced tomatoes to create a great dinner dish that's done in eight minutes.

I hope this helps get you started. Look up some recipes online and go to town, I promise you won't regret it.

Social Media Painted Red for Same-sex Marriage Equality

By Camille Lorenzana, Account Executive and Photographer

The current focus on same-sex marriage and social media’s solidarity campaign challenges people to stand up for their beliefs and show their support. This heightened focus on the issue expands the discussion. It helps same-sex couples feel supported, which enables them to voice their views, exposing the public to the reality of same-sex marriage. This increased awareness can only lead to increased acceptance, and eventually to full inclusion.

Marriage equality has been a popular topic in recent years. There has been much debate aimed at swaying minds of those on the fence and raising awareness among those that are mildly informed. While still an extremely controversial topic, same-sex marriage has sparked public interest and has created an ongoing conversation, especially through social media sites.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week or have completely avoided every aspect of social media, you have probably noticed at least one of your Facebook or Twitter followers has changed their standard profile picture to one of a red and pink equality symbol in support of same-sex marriage.




Last week, nine Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in two cases regarding same-sex marriage.  The first was Hollingsworth v. Perry, which questions the constitutionality of Proposition 8, which eliminated recognition of same-sex marriage. The second was United States v. Windsor and challenges the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and unfair treatment of same-sex couples.

Meanwhile, Monday, March 25 marked the beginning of social media sites being painted in shades of red. The Human Rights Campaign posted a photo asking followers to change their photos to show their support for marriage equality.

Over the next 24 hours, The Facebook Data Science Team notes that Facebook saw a 2.7 million user or 120 percent increase in profile photo updates compared to the previous Tuesday, showcasing one aspect of the campaigns impact. While the campaign spread nationally, it spread demographically as well, with Facebook users in their 30s participating the most in the campaign.

Throughout the week, many people had fun with their icons by creating various versions of the image to reflect their own personalities.

While social media can sometimes be a source for the world’s nonsense and misinformation, it has proved to be a powerful tool to focus attention on worthwhile causes and engage people in conversation about topics that may have an effect on political decision makers and legislation.

The reason I believe this campaign is so important is because it clearly points to a shift in public opinion. As social media users were exposed to the campaign, it seemed that one of two things happened with each user:

1. People who were already in support of same-sex marriage saw the equality symbol and shared the image or post a status in support, showing acceptance and influencing others to do the same.

2. Someone who is opposed to same-sex marriage is exposed to the campaign, wirnesses friends, family members, colleagues, etc. in support, and as a result, may reevaluate their stance, especially if the people they love are supporting the cause.

Quick Tips for New Parents

By Megan Katz, Assistant Account Executive

Being a first-time parent can be a stressful and challenging experience for even the most

prepared person. You worry if they’re happy, eating the right foods and haven’t peed on the

carpet in the middle of the night… I did mention I’m talking about my dog, right?

Two weeks ago, I adopted a dog from the Butte Humane Society. After looking for a pet for

months and months, I found Indigo and the rest is history. She is a 10-month-old, 55-pound

lap dog and quite a handful.

When you’re thinking about adding a new member to your family, it’s hard to imagine all

the new and bizarre challenges you will face. Here are my top tips for dealing with a new

dog (or maybe just mine):

1. When your dog won’t go to the bathroom, it might need some privacy.

I share this technique at the risk of sounding like a crazy dog lady, but believe me it works! If

your dog doesn’t seem comfortable using the bathroom outside and prefers the carpet in your home, try this. Take your pet where there aren’t many distractions, let the leash hang loosely and look the opposite direction.

2. Buy dog wipes for between baths.

They look like a giant baby wipe and come in a variety of scents. They are extremely useful for combating a greasy coat or a smelly dog. Indigo actually enjoys it when she isn’t busy trying to eat them. I bought my lavender scented wipes at Petsmart.

3. If you don’t want your pet to sit on the furniture when you’re not there, don’t invite

them to sit on the couch, ever.

I’ve learned this lesson the hard way and now Indigo wouldn’t dream of using the lovely dog bed I bought for her--that’s $40 I’ll never see.

4. For a high-energy pup, buy them a bone.

Unfortunately, Indigo doesn’t understand when I explain that I can’t play because I have homework, so I give her a bone to keep her entertained while I lovingly ignore her. Most bones are cheap and good for oral hygiene. This will keep your dog distracted and allow you to get some work done.

5. Consistency is key.

Try using the same phrases for a specific action. Every time we are going outside I tell Indigo, “We are going OUTSIDE.” After a while your pup will catch on, and if they still need help, patience and positive reinforcement should do the trick!

Everything’s Coming Up 90s

By Sharon Martin, Account Executive

Take a look around, doesn't it seem like something's familiar? One thing I've noticed about 2013 is that it feels like America was thrown in a time warp back into the 1990s. Despite extremely low gas prices and entertaining Saturday morning cartoons, the nation has taken on a 90s feel.

First off, if you're looking to see a movie, you can go watch Jurassic Park 3D. The film that originally came out in theaters in 1993 is back in 3D. It's great for those who were too young to see it in theaters when it first came out.

Another nostalgic trend I've noticed is the return of grunge fashion and throwback sports clothing. Nirvana T-shirts and classic band shirts are scattered throughout stores like Forever 21. Acid wash jeans, combat style boots and studded accessories are popular again for young women. For men, snapback styled hats with reissued classic designs are popular and sold in many stores.

Other nostalgic trends I've noticed today are the boy-band revival and the return of classic television shows. If you haven't heard already, a Boy Meets World spin-off called Girl Meets World is currently being filmed and even features the original Cory and Topanga.

There also are so many boy-bands in the pop music world again, that it reminds me of the days when just about every pre-teen girl was crazy about N'sync.

Last but not least, seems like the world also has a new Vanilla Ice.

Check out this page to see more nostalgia themed articles.