Best of Chico 2022: Community

Charitable Cause

FIRST Place: Butte Humane Society
13391 Garner Lane, 343-7917
Butte Humane Society has focused on providing humanitarian care to dogs, cats and other animals since 1911. The nonprofit offers a wide variety of services, including a veterinary clinic, pet re-homing, behavior and training resources, animal-assisted wellness visits and an animal fostering program. Butte Humane also assists low-income pet owners by providing a spay and neuter clinic with low-cost options and a pantry with pet food and supplies.
SECOND Place: Chico Housing Action Team (CHAT)
399-3965
THIRD Place: Jesus Center
2255 Fair St., 345-2640

Community Event

FIRST Place: Saturday Farmers Market
Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Second & Wall streets, 893-3276
There’s no shortage of delicious, locally grown produce and eclectic, handmade goods offered at the Saturday Farmers Market, a Chico tradition and family-friendly event that draws crowds weekly.
SECOND Place: Thursday Night Market
Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. May through September, downtown, 345-6500
THIRD Place: Woofstock
June, Butte Humane Society, 343-7917

Farmer’s Market Vendor

FIRST Place: GRUB CSA Farm
11630 Dairy Road, 680-4543
GRUB Community Supported Agriculture is motivated to provide local, healthy food to the community. In addition to its appearance at multiple farmers markets, the farm delivers fresh produce to local restaurants, offers a CSA membership program and regularly donates produce to nonprofit organizations that serve seniors, people with disabilities and the unhoused.
SECOND Place: Live Life Juice Co.
Two locations: 220 Broadway St., 566-3346; 2279 Springfield Dr., Ste.150, 809-2635, 636-4693 (deliveries, both locations)
THIRD Place: Camina Bakery
321-8417

Golf Course – Regional

FIRST Place: Bidwell Park Golf Course
3199 Golf Course Road, 891-8417
The Bidwell Park Golf Course celebrated its 100th year in 2020 and is known for its sprawling, varied layout amid the stunning wilderness views of Upper Park. No membership is required for country club amenities, including the 18-hole course, pro shop and Bidwell Bar & Grill.
SECOND Place: Butte Creek Country Club
175 Estates Dr., 343-7979
THIRD Place: Canyon Oaks Country Club
999 Yosemite Dr., 343-2582

Instructor/Professor

FIRST Place: Lindsay Briggs – Chico State
Lindsay Briggs, a former winner in this category, is a tenured professor in the department of Public Health and Human Services acclaimed for her dedication to her students. She is also well-known for her outspoken, unapologetic activism in areas such as public health, social and racial justice, diversity and inclusion, and LGBTQ rights. She consistently receives high ratings from students for her passion, the quality of her engaging lectures and her feedback.
SECOND Place: Janet Lombardi Blixt – Chico Art School
THIRD Place: Sanjay Dev – Butte College

Local Personality

FIRST Place: Mike “G-Ride” Griffith
G-Ride Pedi-Cab & Trolley
It’s impossible to miss Mike “G-Ride” Griffith and his rockin’ pedi-cab when venturing into downtown Chico. This Best of Chico Living Legend is known for his friendly demeanor, festive outfits and dedication to the community, often volunteering at local events.
SECOND Place: Linda Watkins-Bennett
Action News Now anchor and producer
THIRD Place: Dillon Collins
Host of Comedy Thursday (Bella’s Sports Pub)

Place For Family Fun

FIRST Place: Bidwell Park
chico.ca.us/bidwell-park
Bidwell Park—with its array of hiking, running and mountain-biking trails, picnic areas and swimming holes—is considered the crown jewel of Chico. The 3,670-acre park offers the whimsical playground Caper Acres, fishing at Horseshoe Lake, horseback riding opportunities, stargazing at the Chico Community Observatory, swimming at Sycamore Pool, many picnic and barbecue spots perfect for birthdays and other get-togethers, and settings beneath shady trees nurturing quiet contemplation.
SECOND Place: FunLand/Cal Skate Chico
2465 Carmichael Dr., 343-1601
THIRD Place: Rare Air Trampoline Park
1090 E. 20th St., 433-5557

Place To Pray/Meditate

FIRST Place: Bidwell Park
chico.ca.us/bidwell-park
See Place For Family Fun.
SECOND Place: Center for Spiritual Living Chico
14 Hillary Lane, 895-8395
THIRD Place: Bidwell Presbyterian Church
208 W. First St., 343-1484

Radio Station

FIRST Place: KZFR
90.1 FM, kzfr.org
KZFR has been a community platform for Butte County for 32 years with a variety of shows covering topics such as local news, public affairs, peace and social justice, environmental issues, local music and an eclectic range of themed music programs, including jazz, reggae, Native American, folk, Zydeco, Celtic and more. KZFR is also a nonprofit and active participant in its community.
SECOND Place: The Blaze
103.5 FM, 1035theblaze.com
THIRD Place: Z-Rock
106.7 FM, zrockfm.com

Teacher (K-12)

FIRST Place: Jennifer Rossovich – Hooker Oak Elementary School
Jennifer Rossovich has been a teacher in the Chico Unified School District for more than 30 years. A previous winner in this category, she is known for being a kind and gentle leader while also holding her students to high academic standards.
SECOND Place: Linda Holm – Wildflower Open Classroom
THIRD Place: Anne Chik – Chico Country Day School

Volunteer

FIRST Place: Farshad Azad
Thanksgiving Basket Brigade, Gimme-Some-Sole shoe drive
Farshad Azad, founder of Azad’s Martial Arts Center, is not only known in the Chico community for his expertise in martial arts, he has made an incredible impact with his philanthropic endeavors. For 30 years, he has spearheaded distributing Thanksgiving meals to families in need, and he also hosts the Gimme-Some-Sole drive, collecting shoes and school supplies for low-income children.
SECOND Place: Shelly Rogers

Animal activist, Neighborhood Cat Advocates, Friends of the Chico Animal Shelter and Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation
THIRD Place: Charles Withuhn
North State Shelter Team, Chico Housing Action Team, Chico Tree Advocates

Youth Organization

FIRST Place: Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Valley
601 Wall St., 899-0335
The nonprofit Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Valley was founded in 1995 to “inspire and enable all young people to reach their full potential as responsible, productive and caring citizens.” Today, the organization serves more than 2,000 children and teens, ages 6-18, across 10 locations in Butte and Glenn counties—offering a variety of educational and mentorship programs in areas such as academics, health and wellness, character and leadership.
SECOND Place: Youth for Change
260 Cohasset Road, Ste. 120, 877-1965, 877-8187
THIRD Place: Chico Area Recreation & Park District (CARD)
545 Vallombrosa Ave., 895-4711

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