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"DOGarmo" Park

Ok, corny play on the "Degarmo" Park name.  But I do think it's pretty cool that there is a nice little doggy park in Chico now where our furry four-legged friends (and their people) can congregate to run, play and socialize.  A collaborative effort between the City of Chico and CARD (Chico Area Recreation District), the recently-completed Degarmo Park is located on Leora Ct., off the Esplanade, just north of Eaton Rd.  (Click here for a map.)

I tagged along with son Gabe, the lovely Eva, and their newest family member Jasper recently, and it was a blast!  Watching the dogs racing around on the lawn, meeting/greeting new and old friends in that funny, sniffing doggy way (remember, talking about the DOGS here).  We even ran into Aggy and her "intendo" Brandon there with their cute, speedy little girl Harlow.  The dog park is fully fenced (with a two-gated entry for defense against Houdini-type pets) and has drinking fountains for the dogs and their humans.  If you have a friendly mutt, check it out!

Kids & Kitchen!

Kids & Kitchen!  I visited this fun new Chico shop the other day and found lots of great kitchen gadgets as well as unique gift items.  Artfully displayed tea towels, ceramics, oils and more nearly jump off the shelves, screaming to go home with you.  Best of all, 100% of the money generated at Kids & Kitchen benefits programs for those with developmental disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy and Down's Syndrome.

This shop is an offshoot of The Little Red Hen Nursery (corner of 8th & Wall Street downtown Chico; click here for a short video tour), the 1997 brainchild of indefatigable Executive Director Teresa Wolk Hayes, whose son had been diagnosed with autism (read the story of its inception here)

Visit Kids & Kitchen at 959 East Avenue (the former site of Cathy's Sew 'n Vac), just east of Cohasset Rd.  Mother's Day is right around the corner; check it out!

What a Buyer Wants

 What are today's home buyers looking for? According to a survey* of  22,000 recent home buyers, they plan to be “more practical” in their next purchase, focusing on livable space rather than "unnecessary upgrades."  Extras such as pools, media rooms and even dining rooms are considered unnecessary luxuries, with the focus being more on such things as:

• Efficient use of space (e.g. cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling)
• More workable kitchens (islands are still quite popular)
• "Greener" features (insulation, high-efficiency appliances)
• Nearby walking paths and playgrounds

In the master bath, whirlpool tubs are giving way to soaker tubs. But both are secondary to oversized showers.

Some features that are still important to buyers, however, include a home office, minimum two-car garage, and master suite on the ground floor (if it's a two-story home).

Of course, I think most buyers these days (40% of whom are first-timers) are also looking for a good deal.  With interest rates and prices at historic lows, and with a small window of opportunity to cash in on the tax credits now available, what better time to be a buyer?  Feel free to browse current Chico properties for sale at my web site:  www.ChicoLaura.com

 * As cited in the L.A. Times.  To read the whole article, click here.

Charming Vintage Home For Sale in Chico, CA!

Check out this charming, vintage home for sale in Chico, California!

Step into vintage "charm and character" on one of Chico's loveliest tree-lined avenues! Main house has 5 bedrooms, 2 baths, office, cozy fireplace, separate living and family rooms, cheery sunroom, wood floors, and coved ceilings.  French doors look out to a lovely patio and there is even a basement for extra storage/wine cellar. Roomy second dwelling has the sweetest kitchen, a bonus room downstairs, separate bedroom, living room, and bath upstairs. Cottage last rented at $635/mo. Centrally located near downtown. A truly special "Chico Charmer"!

 

Click here for a VIRTUAL TOUR!

Click here to see more photos and info!

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.

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

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!

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.

Click for VISUAL TOUR

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: 

• "Best Place to Retire" (2008 U.S. News & World Report, 2005 and 2006 CNN Money.com and 1998 Kiplinger's Personal Finance)
• "Best Green Places to Live" (2007 U.S. News Report)
• "Best Mid-Size Downtowns" (2007 California Planning & Development Report)
• "Fastest Commute Time" (2006 Money Magazine)
• "Best Small Art Town in America" (2003, Author John Villani)
• "Best Places in America" (2000 Forbes Magazine)
• "Best Bike Town in America" (1997 Bicycling Magazine--it rated Chico #1!)
• "10 Greenest Colleges in America" (2008 The Daily Green)

 Go Chico!