New Listing! 34 Via Verona Circle, Chico, CA

Talk about your unique home! This Chuck Priddy-designed home has the feel of a Frank Lloyd Wright beauty, wrapped around an ultra-contemporary inground gunite pool. Located on an extra-large lot at the end of a culdesac in North Chico, it has TOO many features to list here. So you'll just have to check out the VIRTUAL TOUR and the ChicoLaura WEB SITE to view the many photos and get more info. Offered at $412,000, this one is truly special!

Kinetic Sculpture Race

One misty day (weren't they all?) in the mid-70s when we lived on the North Coast, we were driving on one of the back roads between Eureka and Ferndale when what to our wondering eyes should appear out of the fog, but a strange pedal-powered contraption that resembled a large, yellow pencil! Shortly thereafter we passed another equally-intriguing "vehicle." Now, how we could have been living in the Arcata/Eureka/Ferndale area for a year and not have heard of the Great Arcata-to-Ferndale Kinetic Sculpture Race is beyond me. But we became fans of the annual event and have traveled back to the North Coast several times over the years to witness the festvities. Our favorite viewing spot has always been at the Humboldt Bay ramp, where racers must pass a sobriety check before plunging in. (One would *think* they would have tested the sea-worthiness of their vehicles prior to this time, but apparently not all do!)

The three-day cross country race is also called the "Triathlon of the Art World" because art and engineering are combined with physical endurance during a race that includes sand, mud, pavement, a bay crossing, a river crossing and major hills. The concept of kinetic sculpture racing originated in Ferndale, California when local sculptor Hobart Brown "improved" the appearance of his son's tricycle by welding on two additional wheels and other embellishments. Seeing this "Pentacycle," Jack Mays challenged him to a race, and others joined in so twelve machines inaugurated the first race, down Ferndale's Main Street during the annual art festival. Neither Hobart nor Jack won; instead, the first winner was Bob Brown of Eureka, California whose sculpture was a smoke-emitting Turtle that laid eggs.

Now in its 40th year, the race, as always, is being held over Memorial Day weekend. Despite the passing of the "Glorious Founder," Hobart Brown, last year from pneumonia, it appears the event was as popular as ever, judging by the articles I've read online. While family events kept me from attending this year, I've got it on my calendar for next year and will plan to take plenty of photos to share!

New Listing at 20 Fairgate Lane in Chico!

"Sweet!" "Adorable!" "Charming!" These were just a few of the adjectives showered on my new listing during our MLS tour yesterday. This move-in ready two-bedroom, two-bath home is perfect for the first-time buyer or anyone wanting to live in a wonderful neighborhood close to our Chico downtown area and just one mile to CSUC. Offered at just $258,000. Check out the virtual tour here, or go to my ChicoLaura web site to view photos and read about the special features of this cutie! (Update 6-11-08: this sweet home had multiple offers and is now in escrow!)

Shubert's - Best Scoop in America?

Have you heard about the contest on the Good Morning America TV show for the "best scoop" in America? Believe it or not, our own little Shubert's Ice Cream and Candy Shop is among the four finalists! The winner will be announced on May 25th--which happens to be Shubert's 70th birthday! Sounds like a good luck omen to ME. Click here to cast your vote. Come May 25th--win or lose--Shubert's is celebrating their 70th anniversary with $1.00 cones from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Who doesn't love strolling around downtown while indulging in their favorite Shubert's flavor? What's YOUR favorite?

(Update 5/25/08: Shubert's took 2nd place in the contest...but it's still #1 in the hearts of Chico's citizens!)

Fun with Picasa

Photography has always been a fun hobby for me, and digital cameras (I have a Sony) and software programs like Picasa (a free download from Google) make it all the more interesting. I noticed the first bloom on my newly-planted Passionflower yesterday and took a few moments to capture the image. Had fun experimenting with Picasa later in the evening. Son Gabe taught me the basics of Adobe Photoshop, but Picasa seems more user friendly (although also more limited) and is FREE! Hope you enjoy the results! Check out the ChicoLaura website at www.ChicoLaura.com

GOATS?

Verbena Fields Forever! Been down E. 1st Ave. near Verbena lately? In addition to the "hungry hungry" goats who are volunteering to "mow" the area, there is an impressive group of folks working to transform this 21-acre former gravel quarry into a " Mechoopda Interpretive Place," complete with native plantings, a loop walking trail, a 20-foot pre-fabricated footbridge and an arched culvert. The partners in this interesting project are the City of Chico, Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance, Mechoopda Indian Tribe, Streaminders, and California State University, Chico Research Foundation. The estimated cost ($907,000) is being provided by a California State Water Resources Control Board grant, with a projected completion date of June 2009. Next time you're looking for something "different" to do, why not go Goat Watching? ; ) (Update 5/30/08: goats have moved on to greener pastures, but development of this interesting nature retreat will continue!)
Check out the ChicoLaura website at www.ChicoLaura.com