KDV’s Chico
I’ve had a lot of conversations lately around the recent “We (still) love Chico” article in the Enterprise-Record, in which we newspaper readers were invited to send in answers to two questions: 1. Why do you still love Chico? and 2. What things do you enjoy doing here that you can’t do anywhere else?
The idea is to switch from the constant negative dialogue about our area and hear some good news and positive dialogue for a change.
While considering my answers to those two questions, the memory of my good old Real Estate mentor, KDV, loomed large in my mind. KDV, born and raised in Hollywood and Los Angeles, moved to Chico in the ‘70’s, and was a constant ambassador for Chico and the North Valley, because of his deep love for this area. I wish he were still around to deliver his answers now. I evoked a memory of KDV, holding aloft his chili dog at Big Al’s Drive-In, the go-to spot for a bite after the Multiple
Listing tour, for a bunch of us Realtor pals. KDV waved his chili dog slowly, like a wand, toward the scenery there on The Esplanade. We were sitting outside on the Big-Al’s patio, enjoying the burgers, fries, shakes
(Triple-Thick!), and of course, hot dogs. It was a sunny fall morning. “Listen, babe,” said KDV, “where else will you find a thoroughfare such as The Esplanade with all these giant trees and fall colors?” Colorful leaves floated down on a breeze. “In L.A., it’s so smoggy, it’s the birds that change colors and fall from the trees.” KDV was introduced to Chico when he came to Paradise on the weekends from L.A. to sell the newly developed lots in the Paradise Pines project, from 1973 to 1976, then moved here permanently.
“Chico looked to me like Norman Rockwell country,” said KDV, “a true Saturday Evening Post magazine cover, real-life fantasy. Now here we are thirty years later, and the place has grown, but I still feel exactly the same way.”
KDV took a bite out of his chili dog.
“And listen, my friends,” he said, “there is no place on earth with a dog
as good as a Big Al’s dog.”
He licked his lips and said, “As a matter of fact, this hot dog and I have a very frank relationship.”
We chuckled at that one.
“No bun intended,” said KDV.
We groaned.
“Seriously, though,” he said, “I don’t just enjoy this hot dog, I relish it!” “Stop!” we yelled.
“To be seriously-serious, my dear friends,” said KDV, “we’ve seen some growing pains around here, but we still live in the friendliest and most beautiful small town around. People still smile and wave at each other. Have you been to
the Big City lately? If you wave at somebody, you’re seen as crazy or threatening or both. No sudden moves, babe.” Again, KDV waved the chili dog. “Sitting right here, we are
five or ten minutes from top-notch Chico State University; Bidwell Park, which is the biggest park in any city; two topnotch hospitals; creeks and rivers; top-flight restaurants, and beautiful old downtown.”
KDV dug into his French fries. “In L.A.,” he said, “it’s four hours on the freeway to buy a pair of socks.”
He chomped the last of his chili dog and pointed across The Esplanade. “Right over there is Enloe Hospital, and in that building right down the street is my own doctor.”
“That’s a good thing,” said one of us, most likely our buddy Bill, as we
headed out to our cars. “Because judging by the number of dogs and fries you eat you should stay close to your doctor.”
“Touche’,” said KDV as he started his car. “First one back to the office is the weiner!”
Doug Love is Sales Manager at Century 21 in Chico. Email dougwlove@gmail.com. Call or text 530-680-0817. See an archive of columns at lovesrealstories.com.