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!

Lou Mars: Drummer or Bionic Man?

I keep feeling compelled to check the livestream of local Chico drummer Lou Mars to watch his progress in his attempt to beat the Guinness World Record for marathan drumming.  He's amazing!  According to the web site, as I write he's on Day 5, Hour 104 in his effort to break the current record of 120 hours.  It's all to raise awareness of the importance of keeping music in our schools.

The exercise in endurance began at 7:30 a.m., Jan. 14th, at NorCal Strength & Conditioning training warehouse. Throughout the ordeal folks have been supporting Lou, both in person (dancing encouraged!) as well as online viewers posting comments on Facebook and on the livestream.


Ok, gotta run; I hear Lou rockin' out to the BeeGees "Stayin' Alive."  (How appropriate!)


Update 1/18/10:  Lou completed 109 hours of straight drumming--not long enough to beat the 120 hour record.  Kudos to him, though, for raising awareness of the plight of the arts in our public schools!

Home Buyer's Tax Credit

The Extended Home Buyers Tax Credit offers current homeowners and first-time home buyers alike an incredible tax-saving opportunity when they buy a home through April 30, 2010 (and close on the home by June 30, 2010). First time buyers, who haven't owned a primary residence in the past three years, are eligible for a tax credit of 10 percent of a home's purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000.  



Current homeowners, who are vacating a principle residence that they have lived in for 5 consecutive years of the past 8 are eligible for a tax credit of 10% of a home's purchase price, up to maximum of $6,500. 


The following conditions apply:

• The tax credit is only awarded on homes purchased for $800,000, or less
• Full tax credit is available to buyers earning up to $125,000 a year, or $225,000 for married couples filing jointly
• Partial tax credit is available to buyers earning between $125,000 to $145,000, or for married couples earning between $225,000 to $245,000.

The tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the buyers tax liability, and does not have to be paid back as long as the buyer remains in their home for three years or more. (See "Secrets of the Home Buyer Tax Credit" for more info.) This is a once-in-a-lifetime offer to have Uncle Sam help you buy a house. Don't let this opportunity pass you by!

Click here for more information on whether you qualify for either of these amazing tax credits, and here for information on required forms. And, as always, feel free to contact me for more information or assistance: Laura@ChicoLaura.com

Fun at Farmer's Market

How lucky are we in Chico to have our fabulous YEAR-ROUND Farmer's Market?!  

I love strolling down the aisles, chatting with friends and asking vendors for ideas about how to cook a particular kind of squash or greens.  Long-time friend Sarah Adams (or one of her equally beautiful sisters, Molly and Emily) is always there with a smile and sample of her Chico Chai (the BEST! A perfect blend of sweetness and spiciness--I heat mine up with vanilla Almond Milk).   I used to babysit those wonderful girls in my previous life as a canyon mama.  It's fun to see them "all growed up" and enjoying life.

With movements like "Think Local, Chico" and "10% Shift" gaining momentum, it's obvious that people are becoming more aware of the importance (both for our local economy AND for the planet) of making more of their purchases closer to home.  So get your fresh fruits & veggies (maybe pick up a new Chico Bag to haul them in) this Saturday morning, then reward yourself with a nice, steamy cuppa chai or coffee, either there or at one of our great locally-owned coffee shops or eateries!

The Saturday Market is located in the parking lot at Second St. and Wall, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. (Thursday Market runs April - September in downtown Chico, and Wed. Market runs June - Oct. at the North Valley Plaza Mall, Corner of East Ave. & Pillsbury, near Tinseltown movie theater.)

Check out my Flickr page for a few more fun photos.

Do the Closet Purge!

         Before                                            After                                    

I'm hearing a lot of "decluttering" and "simplifying" themes from my friends in discussions of New Year's resolutions for the new decade.  Finally did the "Closet Purge" myself recently: 1) Take every item OUT of the closet; 2) ONLY put back what a) fits, b) feels good, c) you think you'll actually wear; 3) Donate the rest; 4) Hang the "keep" items BACKWARDS (facing the opposite direction you normally hang them). Grand Finale:  Any items still hanging backwards at the end of the year (meaning you haven't worn them) get donated.

You may even find some long-forgotten things stuffed in the back of your closet that have come back in style (or be a trendsetter, and bring the style BACK yourself!).  Maybe even save some $$ this year, and reduce your clothing shopping.  Happy purging!

(Note:  Here are a few links to Chico organizations to consider taking your "purged" items to:  ARC, Salvation Army, The Shop (American Cancer Society), The Jesus Center)

Polar Bear Swim 2010!

HERE IT IS, the long-awaited 2010 ChicoLaura VIDEO of the 2010 Chico Polar Bear Swim!   The bone-chilling fun began at 1:00 p.m. at One Mile in Chico's Bidwell Park.  (yes, I was JUST a spectator; well someone had to record the event!).  The Chico E-R reported the water temp at 40 degrees (the air felt MUCH warmer this year!) and that over 500 people took the icy plunge.

Speaking of last year, here's a link to my YouTube video of the 2009 swim.  Local news crew from KNVN filmed this segment at the event.

As we all take the plunge into the New Decade, wishing you a wonderful and amazing 2010!

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.

The Chico Grid

I stumbled upon The Chico Grid on Facebook; what a great site for keeping up with the "happs" in Chico!  I was out of town for the annual "Tree Lighting" ceremony in the downtown plaza, but thanks to this site I was able to watch a two-minute video of the event.  Billed as "Chico's Premier Entertainment and Information Site," it provides info on local music, art, sports, nightlife, and special events.  There are even blogs by some of our local characters to read.  Pretty flashy photos and graphics too!  Here's an interesting Sierra Nevada video they did of a tour of Sierra Nevada, complete with an interview with a rare interview with owner Ken Grossman.  Check it out when you have a minute, and become a member (easy and free) if you'd like Chico "happenings" updates.

Things a Burglar Won't Tell You

Ever mentioned on Facebook that you are (or will be) out of town? Ever wonder whether burglars use Facebook?  Read these tips from actual burglars (from Reader'sDigest.com) to help protect your home and possessions, especially during the holiday season.  Many of us have used a timer to turn lights on automatically while we're gone, but here's a product that takes it a step further:  FakeTV.  Sells for $35 and, according to the company, uses 50 times less energy than a real TV.  Check out this YouTube video:

Virtual Staging

Maybe 15 years ago, I attended a workshop by "Staging Guru" Barb Swartz, who coined the term "staging" and has been teaching Realtors how to enhance their listings since 1972.  I wonder what Barb thinks about the new trend of "virtual staging"?  Literally "photoshopping" furnishings into a vacant room is certainly less costly than actually hiring a staging professional.  With more and more (estimated 85%) folks beginning their home search online, it is one option.

I wonder, however, how a buyer feels when walking into a vacant house after seeing those enticing "picture perfect" views online?  Even with full online disclosure ("This is how the home could look"), I can't help but feel it would be a bit of a letdown.  Many of my clients have had professional staging done over the years, and I feel the investment (usually less than $2,000 here in Chico) usually helps to sell (especially a vacant home) more quickly and at a higher price.

You can click here to read a Realtor Magazine article about Virtual Staging,  and click here to see some interesting "before and after" photos by a company called Virtual Staging Solutions.com.

What do you think about this new marketing technique?