Thrill the World - Chico

Can't believe I missed this Chico "Happening," (which was really a worldwide happening), but I was out of town that weekend.  Check out this link to "Thrill The World - Chico," which took place in our downtown plaza on 10/24/09.  Sponsored by Friends of the Arts, the event was part of a worldwide attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Simultaneous Dance. Thousands of people in cities around the world performed the late, great Michael Jackson's "Thriller zombie" dance, ushering in the Halloween holiday (which has always been big in Chico).

According to ThrillTheWorld.com, 22,923 people danced in 32 countries, breaking the world record.  If you've always wanted to learn the "Thriller" dance, here's the tutorial.  For an insider's view on participating in the event, check out this article by Michael Rosen-Molina, which appeared in a recent issue of The Synthesis.  Click here for more photos of participants.  Now tell me, if ZOMBIES can reach out to each other across the globe in unity, why can't the rest of us get along?

Note:  Saw a few zombies and ghouls myself at the Chico News & Review's "Best Of" costume party, held at the Chico Women's Center 10/30/09.  Click here to see pics of the great costumes! 

Chico Gets in the Halloween Spirit!

Chico is ready for Halloween!  I have fond memories of strolling around downtown Chico with my boys, checking out all of the crazy costumes (and wearing a few ourselves!).  The CSUC students really went all out.  Then a few years ago it got a little TOO crazy.  These days the downtown stores welcome young "trick-or-treaters" during the afternoon, making it fun and safe.  And other folks around town are in the spirit too; check out the photos below!

Mosaic Tile Class - Cooie Grey-Lavin

What did you do last summer?  One of the more interesting things I did was take a mosaic tile class taught by the wonderful local mosaicist Cooie Grey-Lavin.  Six friends and I had practically unlimited access to her very cool studio (behind her home) during the several-week period to come in and work on our pieces.  I worked on the wooden plate pictured (that's son Kiel's photo, or pieces of a photo anyway, glued to the bottom of glass tiles) as well as stepping stones.  Others made mirror frames, plaques and even "memorial" stones for beloved pets.  Click here to see photos on Flickr of the various projects made in class as well as a few of the studio. (Click on "Slideshow" for closer view.)

Cooie will be holding another class in November.  Feel free to email me for the details.  It's an interesting and creative process that anyone can learn!  (Click here for a link to a series of Cooie's "how to" videos.)

(Click here to see my mosaic birdbath.) (Click to see a mosaic birdhouse I made for my friend Merryl's birthday.)

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Because I love my friend Jenny's butternut squash soup SO much (almost as much as I love Jenny!) and because she was nice enough to share it with our "BOB" book club), I thought I'd "pay it forward" and share it with y'all!  If you've never attempted squash soup from scratch, give it a try.  All types of squash are currently available at our Chico Farmer's Market, S&S Produce, Chico Natural Foods etc.  If you have a crockpot (aka "slow cooker"), you might try my trick of sticking the whole squash in it on "low" for 4 - 6 hours (depending on size of squash) with a tablespoon of water.  Much easier to scoop & peel! 

California Rocks the Harris Poll!

For the sixth year in a row, California tops the list of states that Americans would choose to live in if they did not live in the states where they currently reside, according to the 2009 Harris Poll.  Florida, which was the most popular state in 2001, retains second place on the list.  Following California and Florida are Hawaii (#3), Texas (#4), and Colorado (#5).  Three states tied for 6th place: Arizona, North Carolina and Washington state.

New York City tops the list of cities that people would most like to live in or near, followed by Denver and San Francisco. 

I guess I'm a little surprised by Denver placing second for most desirable city (even before S.F.).  I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has visited or lived there as to its attributes.  Feel free to comment below!

$8,000 First-Time Buyer Tax Credit

 Hurry, hurry, hurry!  The $8,000 First-Time Buyer Tax Credit is about to expire! (November 30, unless it is extended, which is currently being discussed in Congress.)  There hasn't been a better time in recent history to be a first-time home buyer.  Prices and interest rates are unbelievably low, and this tax credit is a rare and wonderful opportunity.

Please click here for more info on the Tax Credit and here for a handy FAQ to see whether you or someone you know qualifies.  (Or feel free to forward this blog.)  With a typical escrow taking 30 - 45 days (closer to the latter, with the challenges we've been experiencing with appraisals lately), there is no time to lose!

Feel free to email me at Laura@ChicoLaura.com with any questions.  We love working with first-time home buyers; their enthusiasm in always energizing!

Memory Walk 2009

What an amazingly gorgeous morning it was in Bidwell Park...perfect for the 2009 Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk.  My friend Karen Sinell and I were asked to record the event, and we were happy to oblige.  A complete album of my photos are posted on Flickr (click here to view them).  This worthwhile event continues to grow each year.  Once again, the remarkable duo, Holly Taylor and her husband Eric Peter entertained the crowd during registration (along with their ever-popular basset hound, Cooper), and a bagpiper helped launch the walk. 

In spite of the grief this devastating illness causes daily, everyone seemed glad to be there, sharing hugs and supporting the effort to find a cure.  To find out more about our local Alzheimer's Association, click here. 

(The photos I took this year are dedicated to our wonderful dad, Louis Burghardt.  We all miss you so much!)

Laura's "Art" Debut at Bird in Hand!

Next time you're in downtown Chico, swing by Bird in Hand at 320 Broadway (great toy/gift store!) and check out the newly-installed window display!  As a participant in this year's "Artoberfest" window art project, I have the pleasure of displaying a video I made last year entitled "Kahlas Visits Bird in Hand."  (Click here to view the original "talkie" version of the video; it's adorable!)  Kahlas was one of the students at Rose Scott Learning Community where I volunteered last year, and he was such an inspiration to me.  During a little outing I took with him to buy yo-yo string, I shot some Flip Video footage just for the fun of having Kahlas watch it later with his classmates (little knowing it would later evolve into a "visual art piece"!).  I'm very proud to share this video and to be part of this year's ultimate art "happening" in Chico, where art is being displayed in storefront windows throughout the downtown area during the month of October. (Click here for art-related events happening throughout the month.)

Special thanks to my friend Ginny Crawford (Chico Arts Commissioner) for recognizing the potential in this sweet little video, and to Jeanne Rawlings, Dustlight Productions, for her excellent post-production assistance.  Also to Kahlas for his friendship, never-ending curiosity and love of yo-yos, Cindy Carlson, Curriculum Director of Rose Scott Learning Community (K-12 Open-Structured School), for her dedication to the kids and overall sweet nature, and to Becky of Bird in Hand for being such a great sport and one of the most helpful, nicest shop folks in Chico!