Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Curry in a Hurry?

Ok, so I'm driving back to Chico yesterday (after attending an all-day advanced course in beautiful downtown Stockton on short sales and foreclosures--it's a sign of the times), intentionally timing my trip so that the hunger pangs would start right about Yuba City, home of one of my favorite eateries, "Taste of India."  Imagine my surprise when I rolled into the parking lot (where it's nestled in a strip mall next to the The Dollar Store) only to enter a Twilight-Zone-Meets-Highlights-What's-Wrong-With-This-Picture scene.  The sign on the door still read "Taste of India," but below it was a new little tag line, "Curry in a Hurry!"  Below THAT was a cartoon figure of a Texas Longhorn (or what I'm guessing is a Longhorn anyway) emblazoned on a "Big JOHN'S Grill" sign!  Huh.  I would never have thought of combining those two cuisines.

Now, I guess Yuba City may not have caught on to the "Slow Food" movement yet (or maybe the proprietor just couldn't think of another catchy word to rhyme with "curry").  I used to love stopping in at the quaint little place and taking my time enjoying their Vegetarian Feast to the strains of sitar music emanating from the TV where videos of silkily-clad East Indian beauties cavorted.  No more.  Now I was feeling rushed before I even entered the premises. Curry in a Hurry!  Perhaps not surprisingly, the dining section was entirely bereft of customers.  All of the patrons were sitting in the new "saloon" section of Big John's Grill, while some sport or other blared away on the TV.  I ordered cafeteria style, hurriedly consumed my meal (still tasty) and beat a hasty (ha! rhymes with tasty!) retreat.  Next time I think I'll just do take out...only 45 minutes to Chico.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Gorgeous Butte Creek Canyon Estate for Sale in Chico, CA

Gorgeous Butte Creek Canyon estate for sale in Chico, CA! Enjoy contemporary creekside (app. 800' of creek frontage) elegance at this secluded canyon retreat just 12 miles from town. Beautifully designed “Smart Home” features open floorplan with gleaming hickory flooring, 10 ft. ceilings, two master suites, 3 HVAC systems, oversized Westgate Hardwoods doors, and quality Loewen windows. Custom kitchen features stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, dual fuel six-burner stove, slate backsplash, and a large island/eating bar. Romantic lighting throughout and stained glass transoms create an elegant aura of comfort. The 45 x 50 ft. heated/insulated shop offers extra parking plus ½ bath and RV hookups (separate septic). The grounds feature a pond with island, large pergola for outdoor entertaining, lush walking trails, and easy access to Little Butte Creek, all with breathtaking views of Lookout Point and Castle Rock. This is truly an exceptional home with a rare creek setting!


Click here for a Virtual Tour of 2283 Honey Run Road!

For more information visit: http://www.chicolaura.com/

If you are intersted in seeing this home or similar homes in Chico, CA please give Laura Burghardt a call. (530) 864-6632, or e-mail Laura@ChicoLaura.com

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Come to the Home, Garden & Antique Show!

Hope you're planning an outing to the Home, Garden & Antique Show THIS weekend, March 20th and 21st!  This is the largest fundraiser held by our local Soroptimist International of Chico club each year.  And every year 100% of the gate proceeds get poured back into the Chico community for local charities, scholarships and organizations such as The Salvation Army, the Butte County Public Library, Catalyst Women's Shelter, and others.

Click here to see what the show has to offer, or view photos here from a previous show, and then mark your calendar to come out to the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico this Saturday or Sunday, 10 to 5.  See you there!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Building Lot for Sale in Forest Ranch

Wonderful building site for your dream home on Woodland Park Drive in scenic Forest Ranch! Located in a gated community (Humboldt Woodlands) on .61 acres, this lot features privace and incredible views.  The subdivision has a pool, and each lot has a storage shed.  HOA owns approximately 160 acres as open space. Partial house plans available (included in price with accepted offer).  Call Laura at 530-864-6632 for more info!

For pricing, photos and more information click on the visual tour link.


Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Chico in Top 10 Again!

Once again, our little town of Chico is in a nationwide "Top 10" list of best places to live!  This time it's the April 2010 issue of Men's Journal.  I haven't seen the actual magazine yet (hopefully it's not sold out here in Chico), but I did catch the local Chico E-R newspaper article.  According to staff writer Laura Urseny, "How the university provides a plus to the community was mentioned, as well as the cultural and arts amenities that Chico provides."

 Chico's legacy of "Best Of" ratings includes: 

 Go Chico!

Monday, March 8, 2010

CASH FOR CAULKERS

Heard of the new "CASH FOR CAULKERS" program the Obama administration is proposing?  Also known as The Home Star Program, if approved by Congress it will offer rebates of $1,000 to $1,500, or 50% of the cost, for simple upgrades, such as windows and insulation, duct sealing, and energy-efficient water heaters, for a maximum of $3,000 per home.

Job creation could be a big selling point with Congress. It's been estimated the program could create 168,000 jobs in construction and related industries. (Andersen Windows refilled 600 positions because of increased demand last year driven by a $1,500 energy tax credit, says Jim Humphrey, CEO of Andersen, which currently employs 10,000 people.)

The concept is based on the popular "Cash for Clunkers" program, which helped spur auto sales last year.  While we're awaiting word on congressional approval, you might want to check out sites like Flex Your Power or EnergySavvy.com for current rebates available.  This may be the year to get some of those home upgrades done for greater energy efficiency.  As President Obama says, "Insulation is sexy!"

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Invisible People (A Blogger Helps the Homeless)

Heard this NPR story (on my beloved local KCHO station) this morning about formerly-homeless Mark Horvath, a blogger who is helping the homeless by recording their stories on video (known as a "vlog") on his site Invisible People.tv.

Take a listen:



In 2009 Mark traveled across the country, handing out clean socks and interviewing the homeless as well as community leaders regarding the plight of the homeless during these challenging times. This week he traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, to capture the stories of the homeless there.  By raising awareness through modern technology (blog, vlog, twitter etc.), he's generating funds to assist those in need.  Pretty remarkable guy.

Here in Chico you can help by donating (time, food, clothing or money) to The Jesus Center, Catalyst Domestic Violence Services, the Torres Shelter, or the Salvation Army. Even something as simple as cleaning out your closet and donating unused items can help.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Running From Camera

Eva (daughter-in-law extraordinaire) found this blog Running From Camera while she was helping me update the "look" of my blog, and we both thought it was pretty interesting.  The blogger says, "The rules are simple: I put the self-timer on 2 seconds, push the button and try to get as far from the camera as I can."   For some reason, this reminds me of a man I heard of  (a friend of a friend...true story) who would go home every night and hit the "1" key on his adding machine until bedtime...apparently just to see how far he could get each night.  Went through several calculators...and wives! Just goes to show you there is no limit to what the human mind can conjure up to do with the hours allotted.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Starry Starry Night in Bidwell Park

What could possibly be more romantic than a full moon stroll in Chico's Upper Bidwell Park on a summer's eve?  Maybe a "starry starry" journey on a clear, cold, moonless night to the Chico Community Observatory!


Built in 2001* the Observatory currently has two 14" Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes which have their own "go to" computer systems, allowing volunteers to "order up" various celestial bodies.  From the Shoemaker Open-Sky Planetarium** one can enjoy Jupiter and its Galilean moons, sparkling star clusters, far-out galaxies, and the ever-popular Great Orion nebula.  The last time I visited the Observatory I was amazed to see Saturn's rings so clearly--what an astronomical treat!  The volunteers are unfailingly helpful and enthusiastic (including long-time stargazer and docent Anita Berkow); kudos to them for keeping this Chico treasure available for our viewing pleasure.

Open Thursday through Sunday from 6 - 9 p.m. (on clear nights only), the Observatory is located near Horseshoe Lake.  The web site features a weather forecast box which is updated hourly. Be sure to dress warmly during fall/winter/spring visits!

* With donations by:  Greater Chico Kiwanis, Slater & Sons Construction, Eagle Security, the Geosciences department from California State University at Chico, the Chico Unified School District, North Valley Astronomers, Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society, and the Greater Chico Chamber of Commerce.

** The brainchild of local astonomy educator Kris Koenig, director of the Observatory.  The "Open-Sky Planetarium" was named for famed comet hunter (and CSUC grad) Carolyn Spellman Shoemaker, a research scientist at Lowell Observatory and wife of the late great planetary scientist Eugene Shoemaker, tragically killed in a car accident in 1997 on the Tanami Road northwest of Alice Springs, Australia while searching for previously undiscovered meteor craters. On July 31, 1999, some of his cremains were carried to the moon by the Lunar Prospector space probe. To date, he is the only person to have the distinction of being interred on the moon.  The memorial capsule (designed by American planetary scientist Carolyn Porco) is inscribed with images of Comet Hale-Bopp, the Barringer Crater, and a quotation from Romeo and Juliet:
"And, when he shall die Take him and cut him out in little stars And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night And pay no worship to the garish sun."


Talk about a romantic tragedy...

Quiz:  Can you name the eight planets of our solar system in order from the Sun out?  Click here for the answer.  (Sadly, Pluto is not among them, having been "downsized" to "Dwarf Planet" status in 2006.)