Monday, September 28, 2009

Mozart Mile


Here's a great way to enjoy music and a stroll in the park this weekend AND make much-needed donations to our North State Symphony and the Butte Humane Society!  BHS is partnering with NSS in the much-anticipated MOZART MILE this Sunday, October 4th.  The fun starts at 8:30 a.m. at One Mile in Bidwell Park.  Walk, run, stroll, saunter or stride with your dog, friends or family along a level course on a beautiful autumn morning. Musicians from the North State Symphony and local youth music groups will entertain you along the way.  Advance tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for children (16 and under).  The day of the walk:  $20/adult, $15/child.  Click here to buy tickets in advance and help the our little four-legged friends at the shelter!

For more info on this event, check out the web site for the North State Symphony.  I'd highly recommend attending one of the concerts during their 2009-2010 season as well; what an amazing treasure for the Chico area!

Friday, September 25, 2009

BEST OF!


THANKS, Chico, for honoring The ChicoLaura Team with #1 Best Real Estate Agent in the Chico News & Review 2009 "Best Of Chico" issue!  What a delightful surprise.

Congrats, too, to my friend and associate Becky Prater and to W. M. Campbell Real Estate, for placing 2nd in Best Real Estate Agent and Best Real Estate Office, respectively.  For an office that has only been in existence for 3 years (but with MANY decades of combined experience!), I think that's pretty awesome recognition by our Chico community!

Just want to congratulate some other local businesses I truly admire for earning their special places in "Best Of":  Bidwell Perk (coffee shop), Karen Escott (chiropractor), Pullins Cyclery (bike shop), Lyon Books (book store), Aqua Azul (day spa), Christian & Johnson (florist), Collier Hardware (hardware store), Little Red Hen (nursery), Nantucket (Home Furnishings), Arc Thrift Store (thrift store), 5th Street Steakhouse (local restaurant), Upper Crust (bakery), Priya (International cuisine), Grilla Bites (vegetarian), Shubert's (ice cream), Blue Room (performing arts), Sierra Nevada Big Room (live music), Christian Michael's (happy hour), and Ken Grossman (Leader in Sustainability--what an incredible attribute to Chico!).

Congrats to ALL!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Jesus Center - SI/Chico Field Trip


About 30 members of our local Soroptimist International of Chico club had the privilege of touring the Jesus Center facilities recently (1297 Park Ave., Chico, CA). What an impressive and dedicated group of people! According to Executive Director Bill Such (who is a dynamic and entertaining public speaker, by the way), over 93,000 meals were served to those in need in 2008. Dedicated to feeding (and now housing and clothing) Chico's hungry and homeless, The Jesus Center opened its doors in the early 1980s. Through the commitment of its staff and many, many volunteers (including members of our S/I Chico club along with other community service organizations), the Center expanded to include the shelter, Sabbath House, in 2002 (which houses an average of 18 women and children a month), and "The Free Store," where folks in need are given credit each month to "shop" for clothing and shoes.
My family and I have joined other S/I Chico members in helping to serve meals over the years, and I have to say, it's a very rewarding experience (and such a simple thing to do; just an hour and a half!). Many of these folks have come on hard times and are so grateful for a hot meal and the friendly, non-judgmental atmosphere provided by the Center.
One time I was serving, and a weary-looking woman came through the food line with her young son (about my son's age at the time, 12 or 13). They had just arrived from somewhere up north and were inquiring about shelter for the night. I have no idea what their story was, but I'll never forget the anxious look on the boy's face as his mom was advised the Center may not be able to accommodate them that night. Talk about heart breaking!
To find out more about volunteering at The Jesus Center, click here or email Volunteer Coordinator Debra Howell at dhowell@jesuscenter.org . Donations of money, food and clothing can be made delivered to The Jesus Center 8:30 to 4:00, Mon. through Fri. (1297 Park Ave.)
Click here to view a few photos from our S/I Chico tour. (Once in Flickr, click on "Slide Show" in upper right to start.)