Chico Kite Day

The incredibly powerful, gusty wind last Sunday couldn't keep kite enthusiasts away from Chico Kite Day in Martin Luther King Park (also known as "20th Street Park" or simply "Community Park" to locals).

I just happened to have my trusty Flip Video with me and shot this fun little short film of the festivities. (click here to view)

On a recent jaunt to upper park, I happened to notice a few large, beautiful kites being flown at Wildwood Park. My son Gabe and I struck up a conversation with the flyer of a huge, gorgeous red beauty. Turns out he is the owner of a local biz, Gone with the Wind Kites. We visited his place of biz. In addition to getting my "vintage" kite repaired, we purchased a few new ones. While I didn't launch mine on the official Kite Day, I've marked my calendar for the first Sunday of each month, when the "kite people" commune in Wildwood Park to fly their colorful dragons, frogs, and parafoils. Come check it out!

One Amazing Climber--a MUST READ!

Ever since hearing Erik Weihenmayer speak at a CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) conference about five years ago, I've had a photo of him crossing an icey crevasse on a bowed ladder high up on Mt. Everest. I keep the photo there to remind me that, no matter how challenging life may be, we can accomplish nearly anything we put our minds to if we maintain a positive attitude, work hard, and support each other in our dreams and goals.

As if climbing Mt. Everest wasn't enough of a challenge, Erik's story is all the more powerful because he has been blind since the age of 13! That climb was funded by the National Federation of the Blind with the hope that Erik would inspire today's visually impaired as Helen Keller did during her lifetime.

I recently came across an article about Erik's successful summit on February 12th of Colorado's Bridal Veil Falls, an epic 365-foot ice climb that "ranks among the most classic lines in North America," according to the National Geographic article (CLICK HERE to read the article). Eric was joined on that climb by Iraq war veteran Chad Jukes, who lost his right leg to an explosive device in 2007.

Thinking back to Erik's presentation Eva (daughter-in-law) and I attended five years ago (you could have heard a pin drop in that room of 1,000+ people!), I feel the same sense of amazement and inspiration now, reading about his recent accomplishments. In these difficult times, isn't it awe-inspiring to know that there are people like him to show us how courage and commitment can overcome just about any adversity we may face?

( To read one of Erik's inspiring books, check out his web site: www.TouchtheTop.com )

Home, Garden & Antique Show!

Sure hope to see you at the Annual Soroptimist of Chico Home, Garden & Antique Show this weekend! (March 21st and 22nd) I took photos at last year's show (click here to view) just to show folks how much fun it is. In addition to lots of items and ideas for the home and garden, there is a huge building devoted to antiques and another building with floral displays.

Lots of fun activities for the kids too! And the best part is that 100% of the gate proceeds support local community service projects. Click here to see a list of some of the good work this great group has done here in Chico (in addition to other parts of the country and world).

S/I Chico started up in 1931 and has been going strong ever since. (Emma Wilson and Hester Patrick were early members.) Soroptimist International was founded in Oakland, CA, in 1921. Currently there are over 90,000 members in more than 3,000 clubs in 124 countries/territories. Needless to say, this is one thriving organization!

ahhhhhhhhh

Next time you get the urge to get a puppy, tune in to the Puppycam! Maybe it will cure the urge...or maybe fuel the flame! (In which case, check your local shelter or, here in Chico, the Butte Humane Society first, for the pups and kitties most in need of loving homes.) If you decide the puppycam fulfills your needs for now, you can always donate your time or items (blankets, towels, food etc.) to a shelter near you.

Dog Cat Rat

Click here to watch this amazing video. Apparently the Mayor of Santa Barbara filmed this clip and sent it out as a holiday card.

As the man says in the video, "Now can't we all just get along?"

Had to share this. : )

Artfull Bras

Members of Quilters of South Carolina have been busy creating pieces for The Artfull Bras exhibit (click here to see more photos of the entries) for Breast Cancer Awareness The exhibit consists of "fifty original works of art which are unique, entertaining, humorous, and beautiful to make the public aware of breast cancer, to memorialize those lost to the disease, and to honor survivors."

The exhibit will tour South Carolina until Oct. '09 (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), at which time the pieces will be be auctioned off, with proceeds going to Best Chance Network, a South Carolina agency that provides cancer screening at no or low cost.

When I started quilting wayyyy back in about 1975, my sister Barb said, "Now Laura, you know that's just for old ladies!" Begging to differ, I informed her that I considered quilting to be an art form. Little did I know how the art of quilting would evolve in the coming years! With amazing pieces being displayed and judged in such places as Paduka, Kentucky and at Pacific International in Santa Clara, CA, quilts have come a long way from the log cabin pattern women pieced together on the prairie! (A personal favorite of mine the first 10 years or so of my quilting career.)

I've been a member of Annie's Star Quilt Guild here in Chico since about 1990. What a great group of quilters! We meet monthly (1st Thurs.) at 6:30 at the Masonic Family Center. We have over 200 members of every age and skill level. In addition to educating members on new techniques, most meetings showcase a nationally-known quilter. Also, the club has made and donated hundreds of quilts of all sizes to such organizations as Catalyst Women's Shelter, Meals on Wheels, Feather River Hospice, and many others. Feel free to contact me if you'd like more information or to attend a meeting. And mark your calendar for the big QUILT SHOW Oct. 24 & 25, 2009!

Fruit Salad Anyone?

I was out hanging sheets to dry today on my "solar clothes dryer" (don't you love the smell of line-dried sheets?) when a tiny flash of white caught my eye. Wow! The little bare root "fruit salad" tree planted just a few weeks before (by my handy friend Evan) already had a few blossoms! (Of course, I insisted he shovel a few scoops of my great homegrown compost into the soil, which I'm sure helped nurture this little beauty.)

I had called around to the various nurseries here in Chico to find mine and ended up going to Hodge's Nursery (9681 Midway, Durham), where I received great service and helpful information. (Dangerour places, those nurseries...it's like walking into a Ben & Jerry's after fasting for three days!) But I limited my purchase that day to the fruit salad tree. (The blossoms are popping out on the Santa Rosa plum and Independence nectarine branches; the other two branches are Elberta peach and bleinheim apricot.)

I noticed plenty of bee activity on my nearby rosemary, so let's hope for some fresh-from-the-garden fruit salad this year!

Orion Does it Again!

Three cheers for Chico State journalism students! It seems The Orion (the Chico State newspaper) once again won several top awards at the Associated Collegiate Press national journalism convention last weekend. This is the largest and oldest national membership organization for college student media in the U.S.

According to today's Sacramento Bee article, the Orion was awarded first place for general excellence and overall design in the "Best of Show" for 4-year colleges and universities. Additionally, video editor Rodolfo Vazquez of Woodland won first place for interactive multimedia content for his video on the band Ozomatli.

These awards are generally considered to be the highest national honors in their field, and are unofficially known as the "Pulitzer Prize" of student journalism.

One of my proudest moments in high school came when the principal announced over the loudspeaker that I had won 1st place in a statewide high school newspaper competition for an editorial I had written. So I can imagine the excitement our Chico State students must be feeling. Congrats!!!

(Click here to check out The Orion online.)

Facebook Fun

Are you a fan of Facebook yet? I've been a member of this "online social network" for the past few months and have enjoyed staying in touch this way, especially with friends and family I don't get to see as often as I'd like. It's really pretty easy once you get the hang of it. (I was going to say "Even my mom is on FB," but SHE'S the one who got the rest of us on email when it was new!) If you have a digital camera (and know how to use it), you can post photos of your kids, pets, travels, activities etc. for your friends to enjoy.

Stay in touch with a particular group on FB by creating a page for that group. I've put together the "Burghardt Family Clan" as a way of allowing my family members to easily connect, share photos, videos, information etc. (Still trying to get the fam on board with that one!) I also belong to the Facebook-Live Chico, Northern California CRS Chapter and Soroptimist International of Chico groups, among others. (What is a Soroptimist, you ask? Click here for a clip from an incredible video my friend, fellow Soroptimist member, and Emmy award-winning documentarian Jeanne Rawlings filmed recently!)

FB is fun, it's free, and it's spreading like wildfire (not just for the teeny-boppers any more--how's that word for dating myself?)! Check it out for yourself. If you're already on, "friend" me if you'd like. If you sign up and have questions, feel free to email me. It takes a village to keep up with technology these days!

Yelp!

Whether you're new to town or a 4th generation Chicoan, you may find the Yelp web site an interesting place to check out reviews of area restaurants and shops. (Or if you are planning a trip out of town, check into venues of your destination.) You'll see real reviews by actual customers. Can you guess to which local restaurant this review refers? "Could this town get any cooler? They even have their own brewery and it rocks! I love that its filled with locals who come after work or for lunch for a burger and some beer...this brewery is classy in a really comfortable kind of way serving some really good food if you know what to order." You guessed it, the world-renowned Sierra Nevada Brewery and Restaurant! (My son Kiel worked in the restaurant for a couple of years, and it was a great place for a young person to be employed.)

Next time you're trying to figure out where to go for some good eats, try Yelping. You may just expand your culinary horizons!

First-Time Buyer Tax Credit

What's this about a first-time buyer tax credit? (Part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a.k.a. the Stimulus Bill.) Well, if you haven't owned a home in the past 3 years, and if you qualify under the income and various other guidelines, you may be eligible for an $8000 tax credit if you purchase a home to use as your primary residence before 12/1/09. Click here to view a simple graph outlining the details (courtesy of Diana Sanford of Stanford Mortgage; thanks, Diana!). How do you know whether you qualify for the tax credit? Click here for a brief article detailing the requirements.

This tax credit, combined with bargain-basement prices and low interest rates, create a true window of opportunity for first-time home buyers. If you know of anyone who may qualify, please pass this blog post along. They will thank you for years to come!