Gateway Science Museum Opening!

Don't miss the GRAND OPENING of the Gateway Science Museum!  Opening ceremony starts at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 27, at 625 Esplanade here in Chico, CA.  The museum will be open that day from 10:30 to 5 p.m.  Admission:  $5 for adults, $3 for children.  Featuring "The World of Insects" and a hands-on "discovery room" for the kidlets.  Right next to Bidwell Mansion.  It's a Chico Happening!

(Note:  parking may be limited at the museum and Mansion; you may want to walk or bike to the museum, or park downtown and walk over...maybe hit the Farmer's Market before or after the opening!)

Haunting of Bidwell Mansion*

It's surprising how many people have lived in Chico for years (or their entire lives) without taking the tour of Bidwell Mansion.  On a recent flight from San Francisco to Chico, my mom befriended a young woman from China.  It was Song Shuai's first visit to our fair city, so we decided to give her the "Chico Tour."  Now, a proper Chico tour must include Bidwell Mansion, the magnificent, romantic 10,000 s.f., three-story Italianate style home built by Chico founder John Bidwell in 1868 at a cost of $56,600.

Some of the more interesting artifacts in the mansion are the framed "hair wreaths" displayed in the parlor. "Hairwork" was a popular craft during the Victorian era, using human hair (usually from family members) to create jewelry and other objects.  Wreaths were often made as memorials to deceased relatives (known as "Mourning Wreaths") and were usually mounted on silk and framed behind glass in shadow boxes.  (We have a brooch in our family supposedly made from the hair of my great-great grandmother.  When I first saw it, I was surprised to see it was nearly an exact match of my hair color!)

*The "Haunting of" blog title was inspired by a photo I took during our tour inside the mansion. Click here to view the Flickr photo album and see whether you can find the "ghost."

If you've never taken the tour (or even if you have), I highly recommend it.  It takes less than an hour and only costs a few bucks.  The Visitor Center also has actual letters, photos and journals on display.  I've taken the tour at least six times and learn new things about the Bidwells and Chico every time I go.


Trivia note:  Some of the interior scenes from The Thin Man were shot inside the mansion.

I ♥ Chico! (and photos of Chico)

Just discovered another Facebook photo site, Chico Illustrated, featuring "over a decade of photos capturing the colorful charm and tranquility that each season brings to this lovely town and beautiful Bidwell Park." I never tire of seeing photos of our beautiful Northern California Shangri-La.  (Bidwell Mansion photo above by Aimee Proel, originator of Chico Illustrated.)

Bidwell Park Arts is another Facebook site with great local photos.  Says photographer John Peters, "I wanted to give the nature of Bidwell Park its own voice through this 3 yr, 15,000 shot photographic study. To celebrate its wonders and hopefully inspire a renewed thoughtfulness in regards to it's future stewardship." Check out the "VodPod" video of some of John's wonderful photography as well.  (Sunset in Bidwell Park photo above by John Peters.)
 


Cruising around Chico a few years, ago, daughter-in-law Eva and I did a little "Chico Photo Shoot" of our own.  Click here and then hit "View Album" to view some of Chico's buildings, homes, murals etc.  Enjoy!

Rare Opportunity to own an Amazing Mansion Park Bungalow!

Stately, sophisticated California bungalow located at 315 Legion Avenue, Chico, CA.  Lovingly restored with artist's eye while maintaining historic integrity. This is truly one of the finest vintage homes I have had the pleasure of marketing in Chico!  Located near historic Bidwell Mansion and downtown Chico.  Exquisite attention to every detail, from the top of the 3-yr-new roof to the beautiful designer kitchen and spacious, immaculate basement/wine cellar. Coved ceilings, formal living room with cozy fireplace/insert. Separate 360 s.f. artist's studio/office  overlooks formal gardens.  (House is app. 2283 s.f. for total s.f.--house and studio--of app. 2643.) Three charming porches and extensive brick patio offer year-round outdoor living. Peruse an extensive history of home here--a delightful read! You won't want to miss this rare vintage beauty! Click here to see fabulous photos by professional photographer Ron Schwager and here for a list of items included in the sale of this gorgeous historic home.

Professionally photographed by Ron Schwager.

Gateway Science Museum

Perhaps you've seen the interesting new building going up on The Esplanade just north of Bidwell Mansion here in Chico these past few months. That would be the new "Gateway Science Museum" being constructed. According to the museum web site, the facility "will be a state-of-the-art natural history museum celebrating the region's natural beauty and resources. Permanent and traveling exhibits, as well as education programs for Northern California's schoolchildren, will further the museum's mission." Click here to view more photos, including interior shots, and here for a description of some of the interesting features and exhibits. Legacy paving stones are available to the public and will help fund the construction of this unique building.

Is Chico an "Amenity Town"?

Have you heard the term "amenity buyer" yet? According to a recent story on NPR, "More Americans are living where they want to, not where they have to. They're making new lives for themselves by the beach, in the mountains, in college towns." Towns like Flagstaff, AZ, Aspen, CO, and "super-trendy" amenity towns like Jackson Hole, Wyo., and Park City, Utah are attracting baby boomers by the thousands, with no end in sight. (Having lived in the more densely-populated areas of the S.F. Bay Area and San Diego County, I can totally understand the desire to "get outta Dodge" and head for the hills!)

So is our little haven of Chico likely to become (or indeed already becoming) a draw for "amenity migrants"? Well, we do have: 1) The amazingly beautiful Bidwell Park (where my brother and I rode our bicycles just this morning), over 3600 acres of predominantly raw, natural beauty; 2) The gorgeous Chico State campus, conveniently located in downtown Chico, its stately elegance enhanced by Big Chico Creek which runs right through it; 3) The historic Bidwell Mansion, built beginning in 1865 by Chico's founder John Bidwell (Note: certain scenes in the film The Thin Man were shot inside the mansion--a little known piece of trivia I just now found out by reading the Wikipedia entry! I highly recommend taking the app. 50-min. tour of Bidwell Mansion, held daily except Mon.; just $4/adult, $2/children; click here for info); 4) A thriving and energetic arts community (with the upcoming highlight of the year: Artoberfest, a celebration of the arts, complete with the well-attended Open Studios Tour); 5) Proximity to the mountains, coast, and several major cities, but with a decidedly "small town" atmosphere, etc. etc.

I could go on and on, but those of you fortunate to live here, as well as past visitors & grads know what I'm talking about. While Chico has certainly had its share of Bay Area and SoCal "transplants" (my family and me among them!), the notoriously hot summers may keep some of those boomers away, despite amenities galore. It will be interesting to see what the next few decades bring in terms of growth and how it's managed...