Talk about a VIEW!

Just one of the many fabulous sunsets you'll see if you build your dream home on this lovely .61 ac. lot in the exclusive Humboldt Woodlands subdivision! Located just minutes up Hwy 32 from Chico, in the sweet retreat of Forest Ranch, this gated community features an inground pool and a storage unit for each lot. Partial buiding plans for a gorgeous home are available with acceptable offer. Priced at just $189,000. More information and photos at www.ChicoLaura.com !

Overland Equipment

I don't own stock in this local Chico company (promise!), but I kinda wish I did, I like the products so much. Overland Equipment was started in 1981 here in Chico (another great Chico company!) by a fellow Soroptimist International of Chico member (who has since sold the company to another local family). Check out the reviews of the bags on Zappos.com if you don't believe me; these are simply wonderfully constructed, well-thought-out, versatile bags. You can either order on their web site at OverlandEquipment.com or use the USA Store locater on their site to find outlets. There are several stores in Chico that usually carry them: Made in Chico, North Rim Adventures (where I got my great bike--hi, Mike!), Chico Mountain Sports, Chico Sports Ltd., and the CSUC Associated Students Bookstore.

Gymnastics is like Real Estate

I hadn't thought about this in a while, but every time the Olympics roll around, I'm reminded of the semester in college when I took a gymnastics class. (I can still feel those hip bruises from my fledgling attempts at learning the basics of the uneven bars!) It amazes me now that I even had the nerve to try my hand at the various bars and balance beam, not having been particularly athletic as a child, but there you have it. Anyway, it occurred to me (while watching those spandex-clad, woodnymph-like creatures defy gravity) that performing gymnastics is kind of like working in real estate (ok, THAT'S a stretch, right?!). Even after years of practice, each escrow is like a challenging balancing act, and no two are alike. There may be unforeseeable/unavoidable bumps along the way, maybe even a slip-up here or there on the part of one of the many "players," but it's my job to see the "routine" through--to the best of my ability--to a successful "dismount" (close of escrow). While it's always our goal to have a perfect "10" experience for our clients, a real estate transaction is rarely without an occasional "balance check." But, as we in the biz say, "If there were never any problems, they wouldn't need us!"

Now here's something you don't see often: click here to see a MALE uneven bars gymnast! And if you enjoyed that one, here's one more: an amazing balance beam routine by the same Olympic hopeful. Enjoy! ; )

Peaches!

Mmmmm...fresh, juicy Chico State Farm peaches cut up and smothered with blueberry yogurt; what could be better than that? Mom and I got up early this morning and were at the farm (off Hegan Lane, South Chico; click here for directions) just after they opened (i.e. a little table with tent staffed by two sweet young CSUC coeds) at 7 a.m. Take your own bags or buckets, and pick to your heart's content (or your vehicle's capacity). At 75 cents a pound, such a bargain! So here I sit, savoring peach perfection (the Fay Elbertas taste better than the reds this year), watching the stiff competition between Team USA and China in Olympic men's gymnastics, and giving the whole house fan a workout (100+ temps slated for the entire week). Heck, I'll just set my peach cobbler out on the patio and let it bake!

411

Still lugging out that fat old phone book to look up numbers? Here's a little time-saving tip if you happen to be at your computer and need a number fast: www.411.com This site offers white pages, yellow pages, reverse phone search, reverse address (although I didn't have any luck when I tried my own address to test it), area code and zip code assistance with a handy mapping feature. I did have to click a button to skip a Comcast ad, but that only took a sec. Save the site as a favorite to save even more time. With all the time you'll save, you can A) Veg in front of the tube watching more Olympics coverage; B) Spend a few minutes browsing my web site at www.ChicoLaura.com or C) Read some of my old posts on this blog. (Just remember to toss that phone book in the recycle bin rather than the trash!)

Monterey

Anyone out there recognize this location? It's the patio dining area of Nepenthe, the beautiful restaurant (nearly 60 years old now) overlooking the ocean in Big Sur, one of my favorite spots. (Trivia note: Nepenthe was featured in the 1965 movie "The Sandpiper" with Liz Taylor. As I recall, I felt she didn't make a very convincing "beatnik.") My quarterly CRS meeting is always held in Monterey in August, and I had the good fortune to be accompanied this year by my lovely Mom, who has a childhood friend in the area. While I was in my conference last Friday (the topic was blogging, incidentally), Mom and her friend took the drive to Big Sur. I was sorry to miss out on that opportunity (always a gorgeous drive!), but I enjoyed networking with other CRS agents from our Northern California region and getting the latest techno tips. As an added bonus, it was great to be breathing fresh ocean air after a month of smoke from the ongoing fires. Now back in Chico, and the air has cleared quite a bit--in spite of the "new" fire that broke out in the Berry Creek area just as we returned. My heart goes out to all of the people who have lost their homes.

Bell Estates Beauty!

This gracious Mediterranean-style manor is nestled in 5 acres of Hartley walnut and fruit trees in the ever-popular NW Chico. Built in 1995 by Michael Watts, the spectacular 5 bdr, 4.5 bath main house is (per builder's plans) 5271 s.f., including a lower level that has the potential of being converted to separate living quarters. Guests will enjoy privacy and comfort in the detached 1164 s.f. cottage, and the sparkling gunite pool is perfect for entertaining. This beauty is offered at $1,399,000. See photos at the ChicoLaura web site, or Click here to view the Virtual Tour!

Air Quality

A friend just emailed me this link to the Butte County Air Quality Management District site, which has a daily air quality update and other helpful information for us during these terrible fires...

Fire!

Several Chico Rotarians who work for the local newspaper put together a video of the recent Humboldt Fire. Northern California is on fire again from lightning strikes, with a reported 27 fires burning in Butte County alone, and many more throughout California. (Click here to view a map of fire locations.) Everyone is talking about burning eyes, throats, and pounding headaches from breathing smoke 24/7. I keep reminding myself how fortunate I am to still have my sweet little home, in spite of the normally-clear skies looking like San Bernardino on a BAD smog day. Just last weekend I was enjoying a rare few days away at Lake Madrone with friends. As we basked lakeside, enjoying the perfect temperature, we were surprised to see dark clouds rapidly moving in. That evening at sunset we took the short hike up to Bald Rock. Never having been there, I was amazed at the surrealistic beauty of the place, with its gigantic boulders overlooking the Sacramento valley, coastal range, and Sutter Buttes. There we watched as the distant lightning started fire after fire, with plumes of black smoke rising ominously like cobras from their baskets...

Check out the ChicoLaura website at www.ChicoLaura.com

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!