Visitors, a guide of things to do in Chico!  Bookmark this or print it.  I'll add as things come to mind.

Downtown -- all in walking distance of each other
Downtown's pretty cute.  You'll feel like you're in Stars Hollow.  Lots to eat, drink, see and do but it just stretches about five blocks North-South and three blocks East-West.

• The yo-yo Museum.  It's exactly how it sounds. Viewing it takes 5-10 minutes but it's pretty fun. http://nationalyoyo.org/  320 Broadway.  Open 10-6  M-7 and 10-5 on Sunday.
• Chico Museum.  141 Salem.  Local history and more.  https://www.chicomuseum.org/.  Open Thurs - Sun 11-4.
•  Just barely outside of downtown but totally walkable (parking lot if you want to drive): Bidwell Mansion.  It's a fun Victorian mansion built by the founder of Chico, Mr. Bidwell, and later his wife, Annie.  It's a state park as well.  525 Esplanade -- check out the website for tour times and prices.  It's fun just to walk around the mansion and it backs up to the CSU campus.  http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=460
•  Right new to Bidwell Mansion is the Gateway Science Center.  It's great for kids.  Open noon - 5 on the weekends.  $7 for adults and $5 for kids. http://www.csuchico.edu/gateway/index.shtml
• Lots of coffee shops and restaurants.  Locals love to eat at Madison Bear Garden for a great burger.  (Under no circumstances drink beer from the tap.  It's gross).  http://www.madisonbeargarden.com/ 

Katy's Favorite Coffee Shop
This is where I wrote at least half of my dissertation.  Bidwell Perk -- corner of 1st Ave. and Mangrove (tucked away behind the little shopping center, directly across the street from Faith Lutheran).  Good breakfast/lunch, too (limited options, but good food).  Good coffee and tea selection.

Campus
The CSU campus is very pretty with a stream running through it and beautiful gardens and statues scattered around.  On campus are several art and anthropology museums: check out this visitor guide for more information  http://www.csuchico.edu/visit-chico-state/index.shtml  I'm always pleased by the exhibits.

Beer and Wine Lovers

• Sierra Brewing Company   1075 E. 20th St.  http://www.sierranevada.com/  It's family friendly and welcomes visitors to eat and/or taste beer.  It's very comfortable for non-drinkers.  Atmosphere is fun.  In Katy and Joe's opinions the beer is good but food is hit or miss -- but you can't beat the pleasantness of the place. 
• Even further away for those with several days to spend is Feather Falls Brewing Company in Oroville (35-50 minute drive).  It's an excellent atmosphere and great food and beer.  Attached to a casino.  Kids are welcome in the restaurant part but honestly, it's not the best place for them -- they'll get bored.  Use your map program to get there.  #3 Alverda Dr., Oroville, CA.  
• New Clairvaux Winery.  I's a lovely vineyard owned by the Cistercian Order (Roman Catholic).  You can't beat the ambience and they have a late medieval church that is being reconstructed stone by stone.  It's....unusual to see it in the middle of California and well worth your time.  Check the websites for hours/directions.  It's about 30-35 minutes from Chico.  http://www.newclairvauxvineyard.com/ 

If you're feeling outdoorsy (both by car and by foot)

• Lower Bidwell -- miles of walking trails, and a Robin Hood movie was filmed there in the 1920s.  You can park lots of different places and get out and explore.  At the "One Mile Recreation Area" is a great outdoor pool fed by the cold water of the local stream.  Here is a link to the park maps.  http://bidwellpark.org/landing-page/bidwell-park-home/lower-park/
• Upper Bidwell.  It's an amazing park that goes straight into the foothills of the Sierras.  You drive the rustic road up through the Park and stop and explore at any of the lots.  If the gate is open, you can drive the very very gravely road to "Bear Hole" and get out and explore.  It's well worth your time.  (Don't swim unless you're a great swimmer -- undercurrents are strong here).  The scenery is beautiful, and you'll never believe that this hidden gem is just ten minutes from the city.  Here's a map of the park.  http://bidwellpark.org/upper-park/

Farmer's Markets

• If you're here on Thursday night, a lively Farmer's market takes up most of downtown.  Live music, fresh food and market goods.
• If you're here on Saturday morning, a smaller but bustling Farmer's market is at the corner of 2nd and wall (walkable from any downtown hotel).  Rico's Tamales get A+ ratings from Katy and Joe -- and as you know we are picky about food that originates from the Southern part of the country or hemisphere.  They're authentic and great.  You'll think "really, that's in a tamale?"  Trust Rico and get it.  The market opens early at 7:30 and starts to wind up by noonish.

Other Spiritual things to do 
You're here for an ordination, so that may be spirituality over the top! But just in case, here are a few others:

• Chinese Temple in Oroville. It's one of my favorite places.  1500 Broderick, Oroville (use your navigation app).  This dates from the late 19th century when many Chinese people were living in California doing manual labor.  This temple honors multiple Chinese religious traditions and is gorgeously restored as well as a living temple for today.  $3 entry fee.  Open 12 - 4 every day. http://www.cityoforoville.org/index.aspx?page=129  
• Drive up to Paradise and see the gorge.  Chico lies at the very base of the Sierra Nevada foothills and within 15 minutes you can rise 1500 ft.  There's a lookout on the way back down.  Just take highway 99 to the Skyway exit and drive east toward the hills.
• Labyrinth in Children's Park.  There's a sweet labyrinth right by Bidwell Presbyterian Church at the edge of downtown.  It's for the public located to the right of the church if you're standing in front of the church facing it.  Walk to the far right of the park in the corner by the stream.  

Off the Beaten Track

• The Gold Nugget Museum -- from the old wild west days.  It's charming and low key.  Open 12-4 Wed-Sunday.  Free admission.  About 20-25 minutes from Chico.  http://www.goldnuggetmuseum.com/

Online Blessing at 6 p.m. PST on Wednesday, May 25

For all those near and far who can't attend the ordination in person, we will host an online pre-ordination blessing.  The wonderful Rev. Joellynn Monahan will lead us in the blessing.  It is at 6 p.m. PST, 8:00 p.m. CST and 9:00 p.m. EST.  Thank you in advance to everyone for making this possible.

You'll need the "Zoom" software to attend via webcam, or you can simply call in from a telephone.  Both options work well.

Give yourself a little time to download the software (on computer, phone, ipad, etc.) and get it set up.  It take about ten minutes or so.  

Basically click this link and then download the software that it guides you to download. https://zoom.us/j/809364701

To phone in, dial: +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll) or +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll) and keep the Meeting ID handy: 809 364 701

A few updated details for those involved in the ordination ceremony AND for those visiting from out of town.

Rehearsal for all participants at 11:00 a.m. at First Christian Church of Chico on Saturday June 4, 2016.  Service begins at 1:00.  Lunch will be provided (with vegetarian and paleo options).

Out of town guests and friends: We will gather for dinner at Pete's Restaurant at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 4. The restaurant is located at 2495 Carmichael Dr., Chico, CA  95928.  We will provide pizza, appetizers, beer/wine and soft drinks.  Love to have you there!  This is a come and go dinner, so please just arrive when you are available.  Kid-friendly atmosphere.

Announcing the Ordination of 

Dr. Katy E. Valentine

(soon to be Rev. Dr. Katy E. Valentine)

The ordination of Katy E. Valentine will take place at 1:00 p.m. on June 4, 2016 at First Christian Church of Chico (295 E. Washington Ave., Chico, CA).  

You are warmly invited. 

The theme for the day is "Celebrating Unconditional Love" that God has for us and invites us to share with the world. The service will be full of joy, laughter, music and prayers. The Rev. Dr. LaTaunya "Toni" Bynum will be preaching. Diana Rowan will be present on solo harp and the Chico Harp Circle will also be providing service music. 

The sponsoring churches are First Christian Church of Chico and The Table of Berkeley.  

Some details you may want to know!

• Your prayers, meditations, good thoughts and warm wishes are desired in preparation for this day. Katy thanks you in advance.
• Interfaith guests welcome! No doctrinal statements required by participants -- just support and love.
• Participants in the service will meet earlier with Rev. Mary Kearns to go over the order of service (exact time TBA).
• Reception provided afterward at the church (and believe me, Chico does it right!!).
• An all gender bathroom will be available.
• Clergy are invited to robe in Pentecost or other suitable colors (your choice!)
• Offering will be taken -- the recipients will be announced shortly.
• No Gifts please! Your presence IS the gift, and I am delighted that you can attend. Please save any gifts and make an offering on the day instead -- it will go to worthy ministries. 
• Infants and Children are welcome in the service.  If they make noise...so what?!  It's fine.  A nursing room is available.
• If you're wondering if you can come, then yes, you can!  See you there. 

What to expect in the service

• It will be upbeat and joyful
• Lot of music!
• Some readings of poetry and Scripture
• Words from people who have been instrumental in Katy's journey
• Preaching by The Rev. Dr. LaTaunya Bynum
• A Laying on of Hands will be the cornerstone of the service

About the Art

Above, you'll see a beautiful piece of art designed especially for this day. The art has two important companions on this ordination journey: A St. Brigid's cross and a Celtic Harp.  St. Brigid's feast day and Katy's birthday are on the same date; she is the patron saint of poets and healers, and her cross emblem is made of grass or wheat every year on Feb. 1.  The harp occupies a special place in Katy's life and is an instrument found in nearly every culture in the world.  Its healing music will be usher in the worship service on June 4.  The circle surrounding the two is representative of the Divine -- and the enduring, unconditional love that surrounds us all the time. (Artwork done by Sinziana Romanescu at sparklingshoesgirl.com.  Thank you, Sinziana!)

Nuts and Bolts

• Chico is about three hours from the Bay area (depending on where in the Bay area you're coming from). GIve yourself three and a half to be comfortable or more if you want to stop and eat beforehand.
• Some church people will be opening their doors to guests in need.  If you need a place to stay, please contact Katy (katyvalentine@me.com) and she will put you in touch with someone who can house you.
• If you prefer a hotel, here are a few recommendations.  (No matter where you stay, you're 10-15 minutes from anywhere, including the church. They're all good choices.) 
• Oxford Suites (http://www.oxfordsuiteschico.com/) -- Clean, serviceable, free breakfast, across the street from an IHOP and In & Out
• Hotel Diamond (https://hoteldiamondchico.com/) -- the fancier, schmancier hotel downtown. Super cute and surrounded by the quaint and lovely downtown Chico (lots to eat, walk around, see, etc.)
• Ramada Plaza (http://www.ramada.com/hotels/california/chico/ramada-plaza-chico/hotel-overview) -- no personal recommendations but it's a standard Ramada with a 3.0 out of 5.0 on hotels.com 

Travel Suggestions
The nearest airport is Sacramento (90 minutes or so away).  San Francisco and Oakland are about three hours away --- but do not, under any circumstances, attempt to drive from either of these airports during rush hour (4 - 6:30 or so).  Just find a cafe and sit tight until it's easy to drive.

Recommended Airline -- Southwest.  If you're coming from the Shreveport area, drive to Love Field for Southwest. It's easy.

Special Note for Family and out of town Friends Visiting

On Saturday after the service, we'll all take a rest!  Then gather together for dinner (Location TBD) and to relax and enjoy each other.  On Sunday, everyone is invited to attend services at First Christian Church at 11.  On Sunday afternoon (Time TBD) everyone is invited to the New Clairvaux winery (kid friendly). See details at http://www.newclairvauxvineyard.com/visit 

More details forthcoming as they are available.