Submissions for ‘Why we (still) love Chico’

Most wonderful time in a most wonderful town

So many things, but this time of year I love Christmas in Chico.

Missed last year, I’m looking forward to the Christmas Preview which will take place on Sunday Nov. 21. Stores all decorated and lit up into the evening, music coming from every direction, happy children’s faces glowing… what a wonderful time to visit downtown! My Sweet Adelines chorus Sounds of the Valley has been rehearsing songs since the summertime and just found out that we will once again don our red coats and be able to sing… music is good for our souls and one of the things I love about Chico!

— Susan Ramage

Enjoying great food and a tasty craft beer

You’re walking through Farmer’s Market downtown on a Thursday night. The air is perfect, with a cool breeze blowing. Fall is nearly here. The smell of Memphis BBQ wafts through the air from Smokin Moe’s. You pause and look around. Wherever you turn the street is full — kids are laughing, couples are holding hands and a musician is filling the air with music from the 70s. You smile and are filled with gratitude that this is your normal.

You stroll to a new restaurant that opened just before the pandemic and is still standing, the Allies Pub. The owner Steve, an Englishman, has been brewing his own beer for years and he and his family took a monumental risk for the good of Chico. They poured all they have into a new restaurant downtown that makes Chico just a little bit better. And I love that our city is filled with people who still believe in her future, who are serving and loving instead of complaining.

Spending a night at Farmer’s Market and the Allies Pub reminds me of why I love Chico. This town is about relationships, people being together, being outdoors, enjoying great food, not taking life too seriously, making the spaces around you better, and always thankful for a refreshing craft beer at days’ end.

— Devin Tarr

Veterans center shows the best of Chico

There are a lot of nice things to say about Chico but one thing that stands out is the relatively new Department of Veterans Affairs Center off Bruce Road. This facility and the people working there are a true bright spot to the many veterans and their families of our area.

The new and expansive building houses the nicest people who are always ready and willing to help and assist veterans with a wide variety of health and other services. They are professional, pleasant, customer service oriented and a treat to work with, especially during this COVID-19 event. (COVID-19 booster shots are now available for veterans and spouses.)

If you are a veteran I encourage you to make use of the many services available. If you know of a veteran let he or she know that they are missing out if they are not taking advantage of all the services provided. The more the facility is used the more likely services will be expanded. That too will be of great help to our local veterans.

The VA center is more than just a good thing in

Chico it’s a wonderful addition to Chico and another reason Chico is a special place.

— Larry Wahl

A town of art, smiles and a good newspaper

There are so many reasons why I love Chico and want to spend the rest of my life here. I love the change of seasons, particularly the fall and all the trees displaying brilliant color. I love the trees in the spring when they decorate our town with blossoms. I love that Chico is an art community, full of wonderful murals and other public art. I love that people greet each other with smiles. I love that we have a local newspaper that will take on controversial subjects. I love that we have organizations like CHAT and Habitat for Humanity who are actively working to help those who need a helping hand up.

I especially love my neighborhood where my younger neighbors take care of me, including putting out my garbage cans every week, are available to help carry in heavy items, surprise me with unexpected goodies, even put my newspaper up on my porch. My late husband and I have traveled to many places and he often would ask me, “Do you want to move here?” My immediate and emphatic answer was “Absolutely not! It’s fun to see other places, but I love exactly where we live — Chico!”

— Lucille Wanee

Humboldt Road again nice for bicyclists

I love that the old Humboldt Road was closed to cars. Now it’s my favorite bike ride because it’s free of trash and usually quiet.

Thanks City of Chico!

— Valerie Wells

Vibrance, and a willingness to bare it all

After having lived in Chico for most of my life, I recently gained a fresh perspective on my home by spending three months living in the rocky mountain west.

Folks residing in the sometimes harsh conditions of the middle of the continent are by necessity rugged, reserved, and self-sufficient. Outsiders remain such until they demonstrate their worth. While the tourist centers shout “Welcome!” among the locals there is an undercurrent of resentment towards migrants from other parts of the country.

On my return to Chico the contrast was immediately clear. The term that best sums up what makes Chico different, and what I STILL love about Chico is: vibrance.

Go out to breakfast on a weekend morning at any restaurant in Chico. There are no hushed tones, no reserved behavior, people are lively, energized and vibrant.

In the middle of the country it is said that folks will give you “theshirt-off-their-back”. Chicoans don’t just stop at the shirt, they’ll take off all their clothes: at college parties, on the Sacramento River and at biker bars. I’ve seen it! Now that’s vibrant!

Chico people would never think to judge you by your license plate, I’ve never heard a Chicoan grumble “Damned Texans!” or say anything like “Don’t Oregonicate California”. We are welcoming and, for the most part, non-judgmental about a person’s place of origin. We judge people by which beer they drink, not by where they are from.

Vibrance, it’s what beckoned me to Chico as a college student, it’s what I still love about Chico.

— Dutch Williamson

Worth the visit just to hug the trees

I am a tree hugger and an avid walker/hiker/bike rider as well as a long-time Paradise resident.

I have always loved Bidwell Park-Upper and Lower sections. The beauty of it far outweighs the trouble spots.

Also, since our fire up here, Chico now has more trees than we do, and such a variety of types of big beautiful trees! I sometimes go down there just to be around them.

— June Winberg

Just saying the name should make us smile

Chico has been and still is a great place to live and raise a family because the people here have the same values as the founding family the Bidwells had: hard work, education, recreation, civil discourse, safety, religion and a healthy lifestyle. Since 1971, my family and I have attended Chico’s excellent schools, farmed its fertile fields, worshiped in a variety of its friendly churches, enjoyed its museums and many parks, cheered with the exuberant crowds at sports events, eaten the delicious freshly-grown products at the farmer’s markets, participated in the many events sponsored by the downtown businesses and the university, attended plays at its theaters, eaten at its restaurants, shopped in its stores and enjoyed incredible art and musical talents of its people, all the while feeling safe and protected by our first responders and health care professional who have dedicated themselves to taking care of us.

Sure, Chico has and never will be “perfect” but that’s what I love about civil discourse. That’s what a democracy is all about. People need to talk to solve the problems of a community, and that’s what people did back in the Bidwells’ time, and that’s what Chicoans do now. Our generous founding parents, John and Annie Bidwell donated their land and passed down their outstanding values to their beloved Chico citizens, and my family and I have gratefully benefited by that. I can’t think of a better place to have lived, worked and raised my children and grandchildren these past 50 years. Just saying the word Chico makes me smile.

— Jeanne Woodbury

Putting a face to so many special things

Facial recognition. When in public spaces, odds are high that someone will recognize me or I will recognize them. We may just wave or perhaps make small talk. This high level of visual personal familiarity with random people in a City is quite rare.

Eye contact. Chico residents are inclined to make eye contact, even with strangers, as they pass each other while walking, seated at a restaurant or even in a car while waiting for a traffic light to turn green.

Heat after sundown. It may sound odd, but it is a wonderful feeling; warmth from the re-radiation of heat from the earth, asphalt and concrete. The heat gathered during the day from solar radiation.

— Matt York