Adorable Baby Hats

Just had to brag about and share the web site of my niece Kelly, who makes these ADORABLE and unique baby hats. Check out Kelly's web site, "Tiny Tangerines" if you'd like to order one for that special little one in your life. Of course, it helps to have such a charming young model to display her creations! That would be her sweet baby Clementine. Being a long-time arts-and-crafts lover, I'm really getting a kick out of seeing each of Kelly's creations. Next time you're invited to a baby shower and want one of those "ooooh & ahhhh" type gifts, let your fingers do the ordering (while saving time AND gas!).

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.

PEACHES! U-PICK!

GET YOUR FRESH, JUICY PEACHES! I don't know about you, but early tomorrow morning I'm heading out (with my mom--it's an annual tradition) to the Chico State Farm to picket a few buckets full of fresh, sweet, juicy, delectable PEACHES! $1 per pound; cash or check only. There are several varieties and plenty of low-hanging fruit, but ladders are also provided for those just-out-of-reach beauties. May not have time to make peach jam like last year (besides, there are still a couple of jars in the freezer), but I can hardly wait to get my fill of fresh ones!

The U-pick station is open from 7 a.m. to noon Mon. through Fri. while supplies last. Click here or call the University Farm at 898-6343 for more info. Click here for directions to the Farm, off Hegan Lane in South Chico. Enjoy!

Pond Tour

Last weekend I had the pleasure of visiting several "water garden" sites with long-time bud Merryl. The 15th annual Pond Tour offered 6 sites this year, three of which I was able to get to. (Begun in 1995 by the Congregational Church of Chico, the proceeds benefit such local projects as The Chico Boys & Girls Club and the Butte College Horticultural Scholarship fund.)

At Friendly Farm Alpacas we had the extra treat of hobnobbing with a throng of furry four-legged critters. I couldn't resist coming away with a bag of unbelievably soft stuff to spin up at home. Seems like a very well-run operation with happy mammals (including the very friendly owner, Kathleen Friend!).

The back yard pond at Lucy Way (in north Chico) is a good example of what can be accomplished in a small area. Local pond builder Jeremy Wilson of Ponds and Patios created this delightful koi pond "serenity garden" for lucky homeowner Kathleen Merrill.

The Goddess Temple on Autumn Lane (near Forest Ranch) was intriguing, to say the least. "Meditation paths" meander around several ponds and waterfalls. The temple is a large, open-air space featuring several large sculptures. The roof of the structure boasts a vegetable garden and yoga area. Several smaller buildings on the property act as sites for processes such as acupuncture and "sound healing." Solar and wind power are used exclusively at this interesting retreat.

Please CLICK HERE to enjoy a photo tour of these three interesting water feature sites. (Click "View Album" and then "Play Slideshow"--no password needed.) Hopefully next year I'll get an earlier start and make it to all of them.

Aggy's Sweet New Puppy

Aggy (Marketing Director/Transaction Coordinator for The ChicoLauraTeam) has a new family member and is THRILLED! She adopted a sweet pup from Butte Humane Society. I'm wondering, Aggy, how are you sleeping at night these days? : )

Shop for the Animals

My friend Barb (a good pal to me and all of our four-legged friends) has collaborated with Chico's Clothing Store (Chico Mall on E. 20th St. next to See's Candy Shop) on a "Shop for the Animals" fundraiser to benefit our fine furry friends at the Butte Humane Society. Simply shop at Chico's on Fri., Sat., or Sun., July 24, 25, & 26, mention the Butte Humane Society, and 10% of your purchase price will be donated to the shelter. Cool new duds and an act of kindness for the dogs & kitties...now THAT'S a good deal!

Chico's hours: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri./Sat., Noon - 6 p.m. Sun.

1960 E. 20th St., Chico, CA

Click here to view some short videos created by Chico State students of some of the precious pups & kitties at the shelter.

Adoption application can be found here

Volunteer application can be found here

Maxfield Parrish at Crocker Museum

I had the great good fortune to see over 80 original Maxfield Parrish works at the Reno Museum of Art a few years back. Just found out the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento has a Parrish show going on through July 19th. Click here to view prints of some of his wonderful works. If you have a chance to check out the exhibit (and the beautiful Crocker Museum if you haven't been!), I'd highly recommend it.

The Green Gate

Pictured: Laura, Kelly & Doug Guererro, John & Andy Burghardt...

Wow! What a great hike we had this morning! Discovering some of the great trails around Chico is becoming a pre-4th-of-July-family-reunion tradition. This year we decided to do the Upper Bidwell Park "Green Gate" hike, which begins off Hwy 32 about half way to Forest Ranch. The good news: it's mostly downhill and shady during early morning hours (we started at 6:30 a.m.). The bad news: POISON OAK! Gobs of it. Watch for it on both sides of the trail, ranging from dark green to vibrant red. (Stay tuned for the itch update...hopefully we all avoided contact.)

The views were gorgeous, and the total time was 3 1/2 hours, with several rest breaks. The trail ends in a level trail along a rock wall overlooking the creek, exiting next to the Falcon's Point gated community on Chico Canyon Rd.

This is truly one of the nicest hikes I've taken. Just watch out for that treacherous 3-leafed devil plant!

Chico Performances

The new schedule for Chico Performances is out, and it's looking good, as usual! A highlight of this year's lineup at CSUC is BB King (see photo at left) on November 17th. You may wonder what the "BB" stands for. According to the Wikipedia posting, Riley B. King (STILL doesn't say what THAT "B" stands for!) was born 9/16/25 in Itta Bena, Mississippi. In 1946 he worked at the R&B radio station WDIA under the nickname "Beale Street Blues Boy," which became simply "BB." So now you know.

I had the pleasure of seeing BB King last time he performed at CSUC's Laxson Auditorium, and it was memorable! What a great performer. This show is likely to sell out, so try to get your tickets early on.

Early "Series Ticket" purchasing begins Wed., July 1st. Just buy a ticket to 6 or more shows, and you'll get a 10% discount (some exceptions) and GREAT seats. There's always a line the first day these tickets go on sale, and my wonderful sis-in-law Jamie usually volunteers to take our orders and get tickets (THANKS Jamie!). Single tickets go on sale Mon. Aug. 23rd.

Other notable 2009-10 Chico Performances include physician/spiritual leader Deepak Chopra, trumpet master Wynton Marsalis, country music legend Merle Haggard, "Prairie Home Companion's" wordsmith/storyteller Garrison Keillor, controversial comedian Paula Poundstone, Vienna Boys Choir (dating back to 1498, but surely not the same boys), and world-class guitarist, Australian Tommy Emmanuel (a Chico- and personal-favorite of mine).

So get your tickets, mark your calendars, and plan to hit downtown Chico early to have dinner at one of the great little eateries before the show!

Don't miss the PATRICK RANCH COUNTRY FAIRE AND THRESHING BEE this weekend, Sat. & Sun., June 13 & 14 happening at (naturally) the Patrick Ranch, located at 10381 Midway, between Chico and Durham. (Click here to view details on their web site). In addition to the Threshing Bee, there will be an Artisan Faire, food courts, live music, childrens activities, pony rides, "working dog" exhibits and lots, lots more. Admission is FREE to children 12 and under, and adults are just $5! I'll be out there volunteering in one of the booths from noon to 2:30 on Sat. Hope to see you there!

Note: This is a great opportunity to check out one of the most historic homes in the Chico Area. The Patrick Ranch was bequeathed to the Chico Museum Association (now the Far West Heritage Association) by Hester Patrick in 2001. Hester was a charter member of our local Soroptimist International of Chico club and a fascinating and accomplished woman--a real "maverick" for her time. Check out some of the photos and documents while you're out there.)