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.

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!

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!"

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day, Mother Earth! I'm sure anyone driving (or better yet, walking or biking) down the Esplanade here in Chico has noticed the "Earth Day" flags these past few weeks. The Earth Day flag was designed in 1970 by Earth Day founder John McConnell, inspired by the first photos taken during America's Apollo 10 space missions in 1969.

The "Earth Flags of Chico" project was passed unanimously by the City Council in March of 2007 in support of "green initiatives and ecological responsibility." I think they are a good reminder to us all to do whatever we can to take care of this amazing planet we call home.

(Click here for a list of Earth Day activities occurring this month.)

Fair Trade Chico!

On Valentine's Day Chico, CA officially became a "Fair Trade" town! A hard-working group of folks celebrated their accomplishment at the "Hands" near the municipal building. What is Fair Trade? According to one web site, "At its most fundamental level, Fair Trade is the practice of insuring that farmers and workers receive a fair and stable price for their products and labor." (Click here for a more complete definition of "Fair Trade.")

The first fair trade town in the U.S. was Media, PA (25 minutes west of Philadelphia), which acquired the status in 2006. Their web site states, "If buying a Fair Trade chocolate bar here means that somewhere children are going to school instead of working in the fields, we're taking a small step towards a better world with every bite. In a nutshell, that's what it means to be a Fair Trade town!" Sounds good to me. (Click here to view video.)

Local businesses like Bidwell Perk, Grilla Bites, and Chico Natural Foods (click here for complete list) have pledged to put "People before Profits" and have committed to offer at least two fair trade product lines in their businesses. I'd love to see more local businesses follow suit.

In a related topic, I just watched "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" via a Netflix DVD. Pretty interesting documentary about an individual (and rather eccentric) farmer but also about the plight of the farming industry in general over the past few decades. Obviously, this subject should be a concern to anyone who eats!

Klean Kanteen

Another wonderful locally-owned Chico company, Klean Kanteen, is thriving even in this challenging economy. I'm still using several Klean Kanteens I purchased several years ago and recently became a "fan" of the company on Facebook, just because I think it's such a great product--and a healthier, more ecological alternative to the Personal Hydration Plastic Bottle Syndrome. (Did you know 8 out of 10 of those bottles end up in the landfill, even though they are recyclable?)

My dear friend Robin emailed to say she had just been thinking about looking for just such a thing when she saw the link on my Facebook page. So I dutifully pulled up the Klean Kanteen web site to email to her and noticed they have now branched out to meet the needs of BOTH ends of the generational spectrum, with the new 12 oz. "Sippy" as well as wine carafes for the 21+ crowd. All now offered in a rainbow of colors. (P.S. They make great gifts!)

Gardener's Swap Meet

Too many tomatoes? Up to your chin in cherries? Are you and your zuchinni being avoided by friends and family? Now you can SWAP THAT SURPLUS every Wednesday through October 8th! Sponsored by the Chico Food Network, the Veggie Swap Meet takes place every Wed. evening at various locations (see schedule for time/place).

Nothing to swap but still want to put fresh, wholesome food on the table? We're so lucky here in Chico to have not one, not two, but THREE DAYS of wonderful local Farmer's Market! Saturday morning downtown (parking lot at 2nd St. and Wall St.), Wednesday morning (North Valley Plaza--Mervyn's parking lot) and Thursday evening (downtown on Broadway). With all of this access to enchanting edibles (much of it organic), you have NO excuse for not eating healthful, nutritious and tasty meals. (As my friend Marcia Zimmerman--another Chico treasure--says, "Eat your Colors!) So get that big salad bowl, grill and wok out and eat your veggies!

Sierra Nevada Brewery Shines!

Browsing through the March issue of Vegetarian Times, I was pleased to see a "carrot" (kudos) given to our local Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for being a leader in "green" industry. The brewery recently added solar panels to existing fuel cells that will provide about 75% of its power. Sierra Nevada is also a model of sustainability with its innovative programs in recycling and carbon dioxide recovery. Not only is founder/owner Ken Grossman dedicated to operating the award-winning brewery in as ecologically clean and efficient a manner as possible, he consistently supports our community in everything from small fundraisers for education to our local NPR radio station. And added bonus is the lovely outdoor patio dining and the gorgeous "Big Room," offering fabulous live music from such world-renowned performers as Elvin Bishop, Dave Brubeck and the Brubeck Brothers, and Tommy Emmanuel, to name just a few. Thanks for all you do and for helping put Chico on the map, Ken! (Check out the ChicoLaura web site: www.ChicoLaura.com )

"Grounding" your plants

Don't have the space to compost but love healthy plants? Instead of adding those coffee grounds or used tea leaves to the landfill, just spread them around your acid-loving plants (roses, azaleas, blueberries etc.). Not only do the plants thrive on this nitrogen-rich stuff, it can help deter slugs and snails. (Many coffee shops have bins where they offer free coffee grounds to patrons.) Especially here in California, where the soils are typically highly alkaline, coffee grounds can improve both the quality and texture of the soil. If you DO have an area where you can create compost, all the better! I simply picked an out-of-the way spot, dug three holes, and started throwing all my kitchen waste (no animal products other than smashed eggshells), coffee/tea grounds, grass clippings, and garden waste into the first hole (occasionally supplemented with horse manure from a friend), turning it occasionally with a pitchfork and sprinkling it with the hose during the dry season. When that hole got full, I rotated the compost to the next hole and started a fresh batch in the first hole. But the time the first batch got rotated to the third hole and ripened there for a while, it was ready to use: rich, dark, and crumbly. My plants (including houseplants) LOVE the stuff! And I feel better about reducing the amount of household/yard waste going to the landfill. Try it; you and your plants will like it! (Check out the ChicoLaura web site: www.ChicoLaura.com )

Home, Garden & Antique Show!

Don't miss the 22nd Annual Home, Garden & Antique Show
March 15 & 16, 2008, 10am–5pm
Silver Dollar Fair Grounds in Chico!

Produced each year by Soroptimist International of Chico, this fundraiser allows the club to continue providing community service in many areas. (Please check out the SI Chico website for more information about this great show and the services provided by this wonderful organization.) This year's show is "going GREEN" and will be better than ever, featuring food demonstrations (with delectable samples!) by some of Chico's best eateries, creative ideas for landscaping, outdoor living, home improvement, decor, a fun "Kidz Corner," antiques, and a fabulous art and wine tasting area. All this AND a classic car and hot rod expo! See you there!

The Bike King

Today in Chico the First Annual "Tour de Ed" fundraiser was held to help raise money for the Chico Cyclist Care Fund (recently created to help cyclists who sustain injuries while bicycling). This fundraising bike ride is named for Ed McLaughlin (pictured), local bicyling legend, who suffered a severe spinal injury on Dec. 21, 2007, while riding through our beautiful Bidwell Park. A man who "walks his talk," Ed hasn't owned an automobile since 1982 (the year my younger son was born and, interestingly, the year the Greenline was established in Chico, protecting farm land on Chico's west side by separating urban and agricultural areas.), and has been a tireless advocate of bicycling (founder of Chico Velo Cycling Club) throughout his years in Chico. Largely through Ed's efforts, The League of American Bicyclists recognized Chico in 2004 with its prestigious Bicycle Friendly Community designation. And in 1997, Chico was listed in Bicycling Magazine as the nation's #1 bicycling community.

I met Ed about 20 years ago (one of those "Chico" things--can't remember where or exactly when) and, even though our paths have only occasionally crossed over the years, those moments have always been graced with that big, sparkling "Ed" grin and cheerful hello. I firmly believe that Ed McLaughlin is one of those unsung heroes who breeze through life touching so many lives, working selflessly to leave the planet a better place. No wonder everyone loves the guy. Here's to your health and ultimate recovery, Ed. As the Chico Velo motto declares:

Eat, Breathe, Drink, Pedal

and hopefully you'll be back pedaling again in the not-too-distant future.

(Donations can be made payable to: "Chico Cyclist Care Fund," c/o Pullins Cyclery, 801 Main St.,Chico, CA 95928)