Sneak attack planting in unlikely places!

Ever heard the term “Guerrilla Gardening“?  

--Guerrilla Gardeners--

This morning I experienced one of those “synchronicity” moments. I was admiring the photos of a most talented young man, Mathieu Young (from Chico originally but now of L.A. and the world) and came across a “Guerrilla Gardening” video he shot.

Interestingly, I had a related discussion over the weekend with a CSUC student who came to help with our W. Lindo GRUB Community Garden (we built compost bins).

So just what is it?  According to Wikipedia, “Guerrilla gardening” is gardening on another person’s land without permission.”  It’s not a brand new concept; witness Johnny Appleseed way back in 1800.  The earliest recorded use of the term guerrilla gardening was by Liz Christy and her Green Guerrilla group in 1973 in the Bowery Houston area of New York, who transformed a derelict private lot into a garden.

There are plenty of vacant lots in Chico that could stand a little beautifying (as there are in any town).  I happen to think edible plants and fruit-bearing trees are  as lovely as ornamental, with the added benefit of being, well, edible!

An Entire Median Guerrilla Gardened!

 

 

 

“Guerrilla Gardening” in L.A.-Mathieu Young

 

 

 

A short video on Guerrilla Gardening, Directed by  Mathieu Youngon

pursuit of a better lifestyle and to fulfill John’s longtime vision of opening a comedy club/teaching venue.

After many long months of beating the bushes for the right location and dealing with all of the red tape that accompanies such an undertaking, John will be greeting customers at The Last Stand Comedy Venue this weekend! (February 3 and 4) with shows at 7:00 and 8:30.

Located at 167 E. 3rd Street in one of those cozy old brick downtown “Chico-chic” buildings, the intimate setting  is sure to be crackling with excitement as the featured comedians prepare to share their shtick.

In addition to live comedy, John will be offering standup classes for all you aspiring comedians out there.

Tickets for opening weekend can be purchased by clicking here and are just $10 each…such a deal for LIVE entertainment.  Help welcome John and his talented troupe to Chico!

The Last Stand Comedy Venue, 167 E. 3rd St., Chico, CA

Check out (and “like”)

The Last Stand Comedy page on Facebook.

                           Watch a one minute video with John Ross

Are you interested in art, history, shopping, and exploring Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco? This Saturday, 1/28/12, CARD (Chico Area Recreation & Park District) is offering “A Day in San Francisco,”  a guided tour of many Frescoes throughout the city.

FRESCO ART: Peacetime Activities of the War

by Victor Arnautoff

Local Chico author/photographer, Karen Sinell, will share her passion and insight of the Fresco art and artists.  She has photographed and written a wonderful book about the Frescoes, including the stories behind them.  **Click here, for a brief video**.  Karen has a tremendous admiration for both the art and the skill required in creating a fresco mural.

                                       Karen Sinell and her book “Frescoes by the Bay”

You may be asking, “what is Fresco art?”  Karen (who has studied art) writes,

“Fresco, meaning “fresh” in Italian, is the painstaking process of applying powdered pigments to a freshly laid, wet, lime plaster surface.”   Murals in general are an open display of public art, describing many facets of history.  The San Francisco murals reflect both dominant cultures and sub-cultures, from Native American traditions, to the escalation of industrial values.”

The tour will include visiting Coit Tower, San Francisco Art Institute, The Presidio, and the historic Beach Chalet.  You will see work from Diego Rivera and Victor Arnautoff among others .  Before leaving the city, the bus will make it’s final stop in the Fisherman’s Wharf area.  Here you can dive into a bowl of hot clam chowder, or get in a little shopping.

For more information and registration, **click here** or contact CARD at 530-895-4711 ext 122.  If you can’t make it this time, Karen says she is planning future similar tours.

Chico, CA, is an art-loving town, no doubt about it.  From private galleries and coffee shops to public art to offerings at Chico State, art abounds!  I recently came across this KCHO News YouTube video interview with James Snidle (2011-12 Turner Prize recipient)

wherein he discusses how he came to own art galleries in both San Francisco and our little Chicotown.  He also talks about his early years as an artist and his relationship with the renowned Janet Turner (who bequeathed her prints and beloved collected works of art to Chico State) and Ken Morrow (view a lovely 3 minute video of several of his ethereal works here).

Current buzz in the local art world is “monCA” (Museum of Northern California Art), which boasts over 350 works of art by over 96 Northern California artists.  (Read the E-R article here and the CN&R article here.)

While the dedicated volunteers at monCA search for a permanent home for this amazing collection (which was donated to the museum by collector and monCA board member Reed Applegate), they are helping to put art education back into local schools with their “mobile museum.”  Kudos to them!  (Check out the monCA web site for more info or to become a member or make a donation.)

Peggy Jane Murray, artist

Christopher Trian, artist

Charles Barth, artist

This is a super charming 3 bedroom 2 bath home! Some of the features this home has to offer are hardwood flooring, fireplace in the family room, bright open remodeled kitchen with center island and a detached 1 car garage.

Why rent an apartment when you can OWN a condo!  This move-in ready condo is  a upstairs unit with single-use stairwell and two private balconies!  Light and lovely upstairs unit with single-use stairwell, two private balconies.  Contemporary kitchen with Corion countertops, black appliances, double integrated sink, cherry cabinets. Gleaming wood laminate flooring plus new bedroom carpeting. Fridge, washer, dryer, and ceiling fans stay. Sawgrass Estates is centrally located near Bidwell Park, schools, shopping, In Motion Fitness and public library.  Complex has mature landscaping, security lighting, gym and pool and is very nicely maintained.

12►

A client recently sent a Sacramento Bee article to me about an amazing program called “Homes 4 Wounded Heroes” aimed at placing injured veterans in foreclosed properties.  Military Warriors Support Foundation awards mortgage-free homes to wounded heroes injured during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In addition to the home, the soldiers and their families receive 3 years of family and financial mentoring.

Since being launched in 2010, nearly 100 homes have been awarded.  A spokesperson for Chase Bank (one of the financial institutions involved in the program) stated, “These are houses in our inventory, and we plan to donate 1,000 of them in the next five years to these heroes.”

To qualify, the veteran must have suffered combat-related injuries, can no longer be serving in the military and cannot own another home.  After three years, if they maintain regular contact with the financial and family mentors, the program turns over the home’s mortgage-free deed to them.

The Foundation also offers a program called “Skills 4 Life,” which provides recreational outings and family mentoring, as well as educational scholarships and employment assistance.

Check out the article here for more information.  Wow…a bright, shiney “silver lining” in the dark cloud of distressed properties these past few years!

Unique fiber-optic wallpaper

Looking for a novel gift idea? How about this high-tech “fiber-optic” wallpaper for that person on your list who has everything?

I came across a web site called “Home Tone” which features unusual homes and gadgets.  Kinda fun to see what people think up.

How about a USB doorbell that will sing your favorite song?  Or the “Burglar Blaster” with an infrared beam that senses the presence of an intruder and then produces a cloud of pepper spray? (NOT a great gift for that sleepwalker in your life!)

Have you seen/bought any unusual home gadgets this year?  I’d love to hear about them!

This homes has a contemporary feel to it.  Decorator colors, tile in kitchen, wood floor & fireplace.  Nice big yard!