Readers’ Picks: Community
![Matt York](/media/images/articles/featured/2020/07/15223420-01.jpg)
Matt York
Architectural treasure
1ST PLACE: Bidwell Mansion
525 Esplanade, 895-6144
Chicoans' favorite architectural treasure is also its most well-known landmark. The home built by our city's founder, Gen. John Bidwell, was home to the family until his wife, Annie, died in 1918. The Italian villa-style home is three stories and features 26 rooms. Now a state historic park, the home is a museum worth visiting to get a glimpse at life as the Bidwells knew it.
2ND PLACE: Senator Theatre
517 Main St., 891-1809
3RD PLACE: Stansbury Home
307 W. Fifth St., 895-3848
Teacher (K-12)
1ST PLACE: Nicole Nye
Chico Country Day School, 102 W. 11th St., 895-2651
A kindergarten teacher at Chico Country Day School, “Miss Nye” is well-loved by her students, as well as the teachers, parents and staff. Her students are referred to as “Miss Nye's Butterflies,” and most school days Miss Nye wears something with a butterfly on it. She reportedly has butterfly necklaces, purses, shirts and more—many gifts from former students. Part of what sets Miss Nye apart is she takes time to meet with students outside of class. She is known for her soft-spoken manner in achieving complete classroom management.
2ND PLACE: Linda Holm
Wildflower Open Classroom, 2414 Cohasset Road, Ste. 3, 892-1676
3RD PLACE: Renai Barney
Sierra View Elementary School, 1598 Hooker Oak Ave., 891-3117
Local do-gooder
1ST PLACE: Matt York
One Mobile Projector Per Trainer, ompt.org, 343-7868
Lots of longtime locals remember Matt York and his days as a pioneer at the Chico-based Videomaker Magazine. He is now executive director at One Mobile Projector Per Trainer (check it out on Facebook), a nonprofit that's helping people around the world enjoy the empowerment of making videos in their communities. The organization supplies camcorders and projectors to international organizations.
2ND PLACE: Nicholas Mertz
Stonewall Alliance Center, 358 E. Sixth St., 893-3336
3RD PLACE: Farshad Azad
Azad's Martial Arts, 313 Walnut St., Ste. 150, 892-2923
Farmers’ market vendor
1ST PLACE: GRUB CSA Farm
3197 W. Sacramento Ave., 680-4543
Over the years, “Growing Resourcefully Uniting Bellies” has provided education and resources, as well as established community gardens designed to improve our quality of life. The nonprofit is an active proponent of socially and environmentally sustainable agriculture, and the produce offered at local farmers' markets is, according to Chico voters, second to none. The folks at GRUB also have taught hundreds of local children how to grow their own food, paving the way with invaluable lessons for a healthy generation ahead.
2ND PLACE: Chico Chai
1919 Park Ave., 897-0822
3RD PLACE: Guzzetti’s Indian Food & Catering
117 W. 14th St., 896-1467
Instructor/ professor
1ST PLACE: Janet Lombardi Blixt
![](/media/images/articles/c/2014-10-16/15223420-02.jpg)
Butte Humane Society
Chico Art School, 336 Broadway, Ste. 20, 570-3895
For a town with a state university and several colleges, being named Best Instructor/Professor is an accomplishment in itself. But Janet Lombardi Blixt also manages to pull in lots of votes each year for Best Local Visual Artist. She is the owner at Chico Art School, where she instructs artists of all ages—with or without prior experience. Students report Blixt is also an encouraging mentor.
2ND PLACE: Rebecca Brunelli
Chico State, biological sciences
3RD PLACE: Jodi Rives Meier
Butte and Yuba colleges, communication
Place to tie the knot
1ST PLACE: White Ranch
214 Hagenridge Road, 342-6530
Wedding photos to treasure are among the reasons couples love the picturesque White Ranch. The venue boasts tremendous scenery and natural features, including flowers, vegetation, fountains, open fields and more. It's a breath of fresh air in more ways than one, just outside the bustle of Chico off Keefer Road on the north end of town. There's plenty of room to spread your gathering out, as well as privacy to celebrate in.
2ND PLACE: The Palms
2947 Nord Ave., 894-8000
3RD PLACE: Gale Vineyards & Winery
9345 Stanford Lane, Durham, 891-1264
Place for eavesdropping
1ST PLACE: The Naked Lounge Tea & Coffeehouse
118 W. Second St., 895-0676
Considering the Naked Lounge has been named Best Local Coffeehouse, and its location downtown, it should be no surprise that this locals hangout is also the Best Place for Eavesdropping. Stop by for a killer cup of Joe and lean in to hear about your neighbor's most recent love saga or your chem professor's late-night shenanigans. Aint' nothin' wrong with that.
2ND PLACE: Starbucks
Various locations
3RD PLACE: Saturday farmers’ market
Youth organization
1ST PLACE: Boys & Girls Club of North Valley
628 Wall St., 879-5653
When it comes to youth, the Boys & Girls Club of North Valley is a great place to be. With opportunities to play games, get help with homework and socialize outside of school, the club is an ideal spot for kids to just be kids. Its mission is, “To inspire and enable all young people to reach their full potential as responsible, productive and caring citizens.” That's clearly something the nonprofit takes seriously and the community appreciates.
2ND PLACE: Chico Area Recreation and Park District
545 Vallombrosa Ave., 895-4711
3RD PLACE: 6th Street Center for Youth
130 W. Sixth St., 894-8008
Place to pray
1ST PLACE: Bidwell Park
Whether nestled on a blanket under the shade at One-Mile Recreation Area or sitting contentedly, feet dangling into a secluded swimming area along Big Chico Creek, Bidwell Park offers many a serene spot perfect for blocking out the rest of the world. Most often referred to as the “jewel of Chico,” it seems appropriate that in a nature-loving town like ours the locals consider the park the best Place to Pray.
2ND PLACE: Bidwell Presbyterian Church
208 W. First St., 343-1484
3RD PLACE: Chico New Thought Center for Spiritual Living
![](/media/images/articles/c/2014-10-16/15223420-03.jpg)
Linda Watkins Bennett
14 Hillary Lane, 895-8395
Place to volunteer
1ST PLACE: Butte Humane Society
2580 Fair St. 343-7917
Chicoans love their pets—that's for darn sure. They also love the lost and abandoned furry friends among them—that's evidenced by their picking Butte Humane Society as the Best Place to Volunteer. Whether you're walking and socializing the dogs and cats, working in the adoptions area or doing dishes and laundry, there are many opportunities to help make the animals' stay at the shelter as comfy—and short—as possible.
2ND PLACE: Enloe Medical Center
1531 Esplanade, 332-7300
3RD PLACE: Jesus Center
1297 Park Ave., 345-2640
Local personality
1ST PLACE: Linda Watkins Bennett
CBS 12 and NBC 24
Action News Now producer and anchor Linda Watkins Bennett has been delivering our local news for more than a quarter century. In May, the Chico native was named an “Official Chico Icon” by the group You Know You're From Chico When …. How many of us can boast that? Watkins Bennett has patiently judged more than her share of parades and contests, she's a friendly volunteer and mom around town who feels like a friend on the TV screen, or your neighbor in the newsroom.
2ND PLACE: Megan McMann
CBS 12 and NBC 24
3RD PLACE: Super Elf at the Plant Barn
406 Entler Ave., 345-3121
Customer service
1ST PLACE (tie): Dutch Bros. Coffee
Various locations
1ST PLACE (tie): Trader Joe’s
801 East Ave., Ste. 110, 343-9920
Who hasn't gone to Dutch Bros. for an Annihilator and been blown away by the upbeat, excited baristas who deliver killer coffee with killer smiles? And when was the last time you went to Trader Joe's and were greeted with anything but friendly staff ready to help you find that delicious Mediterranean Hummus and recommend a wine to go with it? We thought so.
3RD PLACE: Christian & Johnson
250 Vallombrosa Ave., Ste. 100, 891-1881
Community event
1ST PLACE: Chico Certified Farmers’ Market
Chico is nestled in prime farm country, so it should come as no surprise that our farmers' markets are a fresh, local food lover's paradise. The year-round Saturday morning downtown market is the go-to place for produce and goodies as well as to socialize. Don't forget the smaller market, either, on Wednesday, for our shopping pleasure.
2ND PLACE: Taste of Chico
3RD PLACE: Thursday Night Market
Charitable cause
1ST PLACE: Butte Humane Society
2580 Fair St. 343-7917
2ND PLACE: Torres Community Shelter
101 Silver Dollar Way, 891-9048
3RD PLACE: Jesus Center
1297 Park Ave., 345-2640