A New Chapter
Our Foundation
In June 2018, Norton Buffalo Hall Foundation was registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the State of California.
Our mission is to “foster community by nurturing creativity, practicing stewardship of Nature, and promoting values of sustainability.”
In pragmatic terms, we have two main aims:
To rebuild Norton Buffalo Hall; and
To support community organizations that align with our mission through grants.
Board Members
Susan Dobra, Secretary
Susan Dobra, PhD, is a writer, editor, and educator who has taught at the university level for over 40 years; served as editorial director of the magazine Magical Blend; and worked as a grant writer and nonprofit consultant. A published writer, she currently teaches in the Philosophy Department at California State University, Chico. Until the Camp Fire, she lived with her partner of 20 years in Paradise, California, where they sang together, grew organic vegetables, hosted a weekly open mic, and participated in a range of community service organizations.
Pam Hartley, Treasurer
Pam Bio
Verna Myers, Member
Verna bio
Karen Quattlander, Member
Karen Bio
“Pyramid” Michael Walden, Member
Pyramid bio
David Leon Zink, President
David Leon Zink has an ear for music, business and community. He consults in the areas of management, marketing and federal grant seeking for firms serving both nonprofits and a few select for profits – organizations that heal people, educate people, house people, create jobs for people, and feed people. As a performing songwriter, David has recorded several albums and toured internationally. He serves on the boards of several local orgs active in weaving together community relationships through arts and culture, organic gardening and regenerative practices. A Butte County native, David and his soulmate of 41 years live in Magalia, California.
A New Norton Buffalo Hall
The Camp Fire left the Ridge with two facilities dedicated to the performing arts:
Paradise Performing Arts Center (PPAC) is a premier, 760-seat facility best suited to relatively large local entertainment events. PPAC is located more-or-less within the downtown area.
Theatre on the Ridge (TOTR) is the oldest California nonprofit community theatre north of Sacramento, with a small stage and dedicated, cozy audience seating for up to 110. TOTR is on Neal Road, southwest of town. The group would love access to a performance space closer to the downtown area.
As Paradise rebounds, we will need a mid-sized facility large enough to seat 200-300, able to provide a sense of intimacy for small audiences, and flexible enough to use for other community purposes — meetings, banquets, celebrations, dances, etc.
Did you know?
The potential partnership of Norton Buffalo Hall and Gold Nugget Museum was recognized in the Long-Term Community Recovery Plan (page 72) adopted by the Paradise Town Council in June 2019. We are designated as a Tier 3 Recovery Priority, and listed as a key Recovery Partner in achieving the goal of making Paradise Better (page 32). Our aim to build together is mentioned as a Recommended Partner-Led Project (page 53).
All of this means that while it’s up to us to make things happen, we can count on the Town for vital encouragement and support as we attract grant funding and other resources with which to build.
Partner, Leverage, Build, & Give
The “new pioneers” of the Ridge are eager to build our community in a way that preserves and supports the best of the small town spirit we experienced before the fire.
Not only are we blessed with a high concentration of arts-participating residents (who need more space to let art happen!), we understand that investments in supporting local arts and culture have a strong relationship to bolstering the economic well-being of a community.
To these ends, the NBHF Board has entered into a mutually beneficial partnership with strong local organizations also looking to rebuild in or near downtown Paradise — among them:
This new venture is called PATCH — Paradise Arts, Theatre & Culture Hub, now established as a 501(c)(3).
Working together, we can leverage financial and social resources to create a compelling destination that measurably contributes to our economy and quality of life on the Ridge — carrying forward what we do well, while collaborating with partners to help do what they do well.
For more current information visit the PATCH website.