Upgraded Living January 2012 by Clark Miller

FROM THE EDITOR JANUARY 2011 It’s no secret that each and every one of us at Upgraded Living has a bit of a sick obsession with Chico. We’re not ashamed to admit it... we were either born with it or it slowly crept on us after we arrived here. They say there’s something in the water that brings people back to this town, but honestly, who cares about the water when there’s so much else. There is a certain something about this city though and we’d be hard pressed to put our finger on exactly what that something is... believe us, we’ve tried. Heck, we put an entire issue together in our best attempt to figure it out! This issue turned into a bit of a heart and soul piece for each of us. We heard some incredible stories over the past month, many of which, we are honored to be able to share with you within these sixty-four pages. Those that did not make it, will undoubtedly find their way into future issues where they fit more appropriately. We met some amazing people, a number of which are profiled throughout the magazine and in our “New Year, New You” makeover section. Perhaps most importantly though, each and every one of us learned something new about this town of ours and how strongly we are connected to it. This issue profiles all that we love about Chico and the people that love it just the same: the founders, the residents, the visitors, the business people, and a special reverence for those that came before us. We hope that you have as much fun reading this issue as we did putting it together, and that you learn something about this town that you may not have known before. With the number of Chico tidbits we have throughout this issue, we think you’ll find it hard not to.

. Christmas Lights

. Last Minute Shopping

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. Design Q. & A.

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. DIY Furniture Rejuvenation

COMMUNITY 12

. Local GRUB

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. Almond Blossom Senior Care 14 . Wondrous Women 13

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. The Granite Guys

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17 A modern space in time for the Holidays 18

. Chico’s Oasis

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FEATURES

. Stuff We Love About Chico 33 . New Year New You 22

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. Medical Section 52 . The Taco Man 48 . Johnnie’s Home Grown Chef 49 . Beef, it’s what’s for dinner 50

Aveed Khaki

Publisher and EditorinChief

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CORRECTION: A few months ago, we printed a piece on the Art of Dining event run by the ButteGlenn Medical Society Alliance. Unfortunately at that time we did not have all of the information on the event and had to publish the information as partially incomplete. We wanted to take a moment to congratulate ALL of the winning designers from the event: “Favorite Booth” was awarded to The Address For Stylish Living, “Best Theme” was awarded to Essential Interiors, and “Most Creative” was awarded to Dolce Home. The event raised over $30,000, and provided donations to nine deserving charities.

For advertising or editorial inquiries, please contact Upgraded Living at (530) 8948091 or sales@upgradedliving.com

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

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CONTRIBUTORS

Aveed Khaki Publisher & EditorinChief Clark Miller Art Director Briana Lindstrom !"#$%&'(')*+,-'./0/1-& Emily Spesert Senior Writer Melissa Snow 20$-&#%&'3-4#10'5&#$-& Renee Michel 6#0/0,-'5&#$-& Debra Lucero '7/88-&9',:&/$%& Desireé DeLattre Intern Writer Erin Wenham Photo Intern Michelle Camy Photo Intern Tessa Daugherty './&;-$#01'#0$-&0

UPGRADED LIVING LIFE IN CHICO

Christmas Lights Chico residents are never too shy to roll up their sleeves and get to work laying out a fantastic Christmas wonderland for young and old to behold. This year was no different and the tour of lights was, by no exaggeration of the word, magical.

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

UPGRADED LIVING LIFE IN CHICO

Last Minute Shoppers Last minute shopping downtown was in full swing on Christmas Eve this year, and we would be lying if we said we werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shopping amongst it. We were lucky enough to have grabbed a few fellow last-minute shoppers for a quick photo op downtown.

HOME

With interior design pro, Melissa Snow

Dear Melissa, I was hoping for some inexpensive ways to dress up my home. I’ve once again gone a little overboard shopping for Christmas, and now that it’s over, I would still love for my place to look and feel great...

- JONI

Dear Joni, It seems like the dark, cold nights just get earlier and we spend the majority of our time indoors. Your house now seems like it’s missing something, especially after putting away the holiday décor. Get rid of those dark winter blahs, and breathe some new life into your abode with some easy decorating ideas. These tips take very little time and will add brightness to your home for several months to come. Use your imagination and be inspired. Don’t be afraid to try something new after all, it is the start of a new year!!!

3 4

8 9

Change or remove your couch throw and toss on pillows of a lighter or different color. Rearrange your living room furniture and try swapping pieces from other rooms. Clean your windows and open your curtains. Rearrange family pictures. Perhaps replace some old ones and group your collections together. Pull out any beautiful vases or bowls you have tucked away and fill them with seasonal produce like lemons and persimmons. Grow herbs on your kitchen windowsill, most are very resilient, just remember to water and make sure they have enough light (something I’m guilty of forgetting). Consider getting friends together for an accessory swap night. What better excuse to get your bffs together for some vino- remember one person’s junk in another person’s score!! Get rid of clutter and have a yard sale or post on craigslist. Buy a new doormat for your front door – it is the first impression to the rest of your home.

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Have a design question of your own? Email home@upgradedliving.com for your chance to have it answered by local Interior Design Pro, Melissa Snow

Saving for Retirement Should be a Goal Not a Resolution Financial advice from Renee Michel, MBA, Financial Advisor

he ball has dropped on Times Square, which means the season of New Year’s resolutions has begun. Now don’t hate me, but I am pretty much anti-resolutions. I wasn’t always like this, I used to make a list of goals and “to dos” each year and would tell myself that this was going to be the year of change! But, I’m human and the reality of giving up chocolate for a whole year, competing in a triathlon, and only having one glass of wine a week is…forgive me… just ridiculous. However, I do sort of play

the game. I come up with a list of realistic (not idealistic) goals. 2012’s list is very similar to those of the past… slow down, save more, spend less and eat better. Each goal will have its own reward(s): slowing down…a greater appreciation for today; eating better… potentially a smaller dress size; spending less…no sticker shock when I open my credit card statement; and saving more… living comfortably in retirement. Out of all of these, saving for retirement is the most important and is the easiest to

start. Regardless of what you want to do in retirement…saving for your retirement is something you can and should be doing today. It is never too early or too late to start saving. If you have a retirement plan at work, contribute as much as possible. If you don’t, talk to your CPA or financial advisor about opening up an individual retirement account (IRA). The vehicle you use to start saving makes no difference as long as you start putting money away. Make 2012 the new year of a new you and invest in your future today!

WHERE THE FARMER IS THE STAR PIZZA ! SALAD ! DESSERT

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HOME

Furniture Rejuvenation With Restoration Company’s Royce Peterson YOU KNOW THE LOOK OF GRADUAL DECLINE. Your home’s furniture and cabinets are showing wear from impacts caused by the destructive nature of men and beasts. You have run the vacuum into the same area of the legs of chairs and toe kicks of cabinets for far too long. The living room carpet is clean, but the legs of the dining room chairs are scratched. The picture frames are dusted, but the water rings on the coffee table leave you with the feeling that there is still more work to be done. The point is that your wood furnishings are showing age while the rest of the unaffected areas are looking fine. What to do to bring back some balance? We know that when these wood pieces are created, the base is always bare wood which appears nearly white. Stain is applied to create a darker, more pleasing hue. Then finish is applied to, well, finish up the process. The idea is to seal

in the stain and create a layer of protection that should last many years. Lets make a distinction here. If you have some damage that reveals bare wood and the rest of the finish is failing on a particular piece, it is probably a candidate for a total restoration. This is a messy proposition best left to the pros. We can help with that. If your surrounding finish is in good shape, then you can help yourself, and here is the how-to. Go to a store such as Collier in downtown Chico or Knight’s Paints on Hwy 32. They have products and know how to guide you in this process. You will find tools to help you such as color sticks, stain markers and scratch cover products. My favorite products are Minn Wax stain markers which have to be matched to your wood color. Buy a few and keep them handy, they last for years. Simply run the felt tip into the damaged area and the stain will hide the damage. Use a clean cloth to clean up overflow. Scratch covers such as Olde English will prove to be a good friend to have on hand. Match the dark version with dark woods and light with light. You can apply this product all over your piece with a clean cloth and you will be amazed by its effectiveness. These are good short term remedies and will require some reapplication over time but they work and will look good. That is the point after all.

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

BEFORE

AFTER

COMMUNITY

Local Grub by Emily Spesert Photography by Michelle Camy

(Above) Ron on his Big Kid Bicycle, made completely from recycled materials. (Lower Left) Chickens help care for the fruit orchard. (Lower Right) Stephanie Elliott and Michael Shaw give a fun tour of the GRUB property.

arming is essential in Chico. The soil is some of the most fertile to be found anywhere in the world. From John Bidwell’s founding of Chico, to the time when he donated part of his cherry orchard to create what is now Chico State, and still today as we are surrounded by beautiful orchards, and expansive rice fields, Chicoans know that farming has been a main focus of our community. Recently, the Chico Certified Farmers’ Market brought me an eavesdropping moment when I overheard a college student declare to her friends, “You know, most people don’t even know that Chico State has a farm.” It’s true. We have a lot of other farms too, with overabundant harvests that we benefit from on those bright market mornings. Just one street away from the University Farm, over on Dayton Road, is the GRUB CSA Farm. Since 2007, a small group of people has resided there, choosing to consume locally, avoid making garbage, recycle waste, and build community. “Everyone in the [GRUB] community is connected to the land somehow,” says Stephanie Elliott, general correspondent for the GRUB CSA Farm, educational programs, and community gardens. You may have noticed that GRUB sells produce at the Farmers’ Market. It also supplies Eat Chico juice to Chico Natural Foods, made from a combination of fruit from the GRUB orchard and the fruit from trees of local homeowners that would otherwise fall and rot on the ground. Some food scraps from downtown restaurants and cafes have gone to the GRUB compost pile, used for fertilizing the soil. The community gardens, which are sprouting up around town need donations of time, land and funding - regardless of gardening experience - to benefit regular citizens, the Jesus Center, ARC, and other organizations who thrive on GRUB food. The GRUB CSA Farm also offers Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares for purchase so that you can take home a portion of the harvest. Pick-up day is unique; unlike other CSA sources that deliver pre-selected boxes, you actually visit the farm with your own container to pick up your share, so you can choose your vegetables while talking to the people who grow them. This winter, about 15 different vegetables will be available - freshly picked from a field that you can see. There are also plant seedlings available from the farm’s nursery, called GRUB Grown. If you want to “Buy Local,” get to know your farmers, and support local organic farming, then visit GRUB. They’ll walk you through it.

Contact GRUB: grubchico.org | (530) 680-4543 12

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

COMMUNITY

Almond Blossom Senior Care by Aveed Khaki

(left) Cory and Robin Williams. (above) The backyard at Almond Blossom. (near left) A resident gardening. (right) A resident shares time with a family member during a regular visit.

he holiday season is a time for coming together, a time for families to reconnect and reunite, and a time for sharing in all that we are blessed with. For many, the holiday season is also one of the only times each year where we are able to spend enough time with family members to truly take notice of the changes that are developing or have already developed in their lives. In fact, for many, these seasonal gatherings bring about the first experience with a family member’s apparent lack of mobility, depletion of senses or loss of mental acuity. Understandably, this realization can be disheartening and ]deciding on a necessary action can be incredibly difficult. However, it doesn’t have to be. Over the years assisted living facilities have come a long way. From large facilities with nearly one hundred residents and often times fifteen residents to one caregiver, a recent shift has found smaller residential communities providing one caregiver to as few as three residents. This significant change in caregiver to resident ratio has allowed for a more focused care than ever before and the building of assisted living communities that mimic those of living at home with family or friends. Almond Blossom Senior Care in Chico is one such community. Opened in 2008 by Cory and Robin Williams, Almond Blossom Senior Care specializes in Connected Care, a method

in which health conscious, professional relationships are formed between the administration, caregivers, residents, their families and their personal physician. By surrounding residents with this type of support and clear communication, they are better able to maximize both their physical and mental health. Each resident has an individual care plan developed to meet their specific needs, whether those be physical, mental, emotional, social, personal preference or otherwise. This revolutionary take on individualized health care decreases stress and anxiety, allowing healing and growth to occur. Maybe the most notable feature of their assisted living community though, is that it actually exists within a small community. Unlike most assisted living facilities that are sectioned off at one end of town or the other, Almond Blossom Senior Care is located in a cul-de-sac off of West Sacramento Avenue in Chico. Surrounded by other homes in a private setting, this location encourages residents to live their lives as they normally would, as independently as possible while being cared for by an experienced staff of caregivers. Neighbors often stop by to visit residents and provide a helping hand, and residents even visit neighbors for lunch on occasion. This new approach has actually been so successful that their first location has a registration waiting list, and as a result they are looking to open a second location

Contact Almond Blossom at 1036 Blackmuir Court Chico, CA 95926 | (530) 342-1813 AlmondBlossomSeniorCare.com

in 2012. Over the years, Cory and Robin’s dream to create a residential community different from the standard assisted living facilities available has turned into a full continuum of support for residents which now includes Assisted Living, Memory Care and hospice services. Their assisted living community provides residents with an ideal living environment in which they can thrive while their privacy, independence and individuality is fully respected. They were recently awarded a zero deficiency rating by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division further denoting their elite level of service. Twenty Five combined years of knowledge assist every resident and recent integration of state-ofthe-art technology allows residents to remain connected with their families no matter how near or far they may be. Helping a family member with assisted living is nearly inevitable; visit Almond Blossom Senior Care online at AlmondBlossomSeniorCare.com for more information as well as a checklist that will help take the confusion out of helping care for a loved one in their elder years. If you have a family member that could benefit from assisted living, call Almond Blossom today and set up a personal tour of the facility. If the reviews on Angie’s List or Yelp have anything to say about it, you’ll be glad you did.

COMMUNITY

Wondrous Women featuring

Jillian Ruddell by Aveed Khaki

illian Ruddell is 21 years old, a previous director of the CSUC Women’s Center and is, by no lack of qualifications, an incredibly wondrous woman. Born and raised in Atascadero, California, Jillian moved to Chico at the age of eighteen to attend California State University Chico with the intent to major in business administration, but quickly realized 14

after orientation that the program was not for her. Known by those around her to be an outspoken activist for women’s rights, Jillian walked into the Women’s Center on CSU Chico’s campus during her first week, asked what she could do to help and quickly found this group to be her home away from home. Her experiences in the first year at the Women’s Center shaped her decision

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

to ultimately change her major that year to Multicultural & Gender Studies with a minor in Women’s Studies and Sexual Diversity. Jillian’s sophomore year at Chico State was no less eventful than her first. The experience and relationships created during her freshman internship with the Women’s Center opened the door to being hired as the youngest ever director of the Women’s Center at just nineteen years old. In her new position, she quickly went to work expanding the offerings of the Women’s Center, opening new programs on sexual assault prevention education and promoting the celebration of gender equality and awareness. In her third year she expanded the scope of the Women’s Center to become the Gender and Equity Center which not only allowed the organization to serve a much larger group of students, but also allowed the center to move into a space over twice the size of the previous one. Through all of her tireless work fighting for equality amongst students, she was recognized as Chico State’s Hearst Scholar in 2010, the most prestigious award given to any CSU Student and shortly thereafter was awarded the position of Student Trustee for the entire California State University system, representing over 400,000 students at the Board of Trustees meetings. This new position allows her to directly influence policy making at the highest level of the California State University system and requires her involvement in the approval process for any change that takes place in the CSU system. Jillian’s time at Chico State has been riddled with accomplishments, from successfully producing the Vagina Monologues twice, presiding as the copresident of PRIDE on campus and helping to run both Taking Back the Night and Women’s Bodies Week on campus. Jillian has done more in her three years at Chico State than most students could do in twelve. She is looking to the future where she plans on pursuing a PhD in Sociology. She hopes to see others continue her work, expanding the program she helped build, establishing a male advocacy group on campus and seeing more collaboration between organizations to create a more unified campus. With so much success and devotion to her causes, it is no surprise that we consider Jillian Ruddell to be our first Wondrous Woman for 2012.

Photograph by Erin Wenham

COMMUNITY

The Granite Guys

(left) Zaher Murad and Don Thomas stand in front of one of their kitchen transformation masterpieces at their showroom at 629 Entler Avenue in Chico. (right) The 5’ x 3’ custom Italian mosaic rendering commissioned by Zaher and Don of the Bidwell Mansion

by Aveed Khaki photograph by Erin Wenham pened in November of 2004 by Zaher Murad and Don Thomas, Granite Transformations in Chico has been making over local homes (and more specifically kitchens) in one of the most sustainable ways possible. Since opening their doors they have turned into not only one of the more successful businesses in Chico, but have also since expanded to service the entire territory north of Sacramento to the Oregon border and as far east as the Reno and Tahoe area. They attribute this rapid expansion to their company’s penchant for quality that remains affordable and sustainability that extends into the field of charity; once they show you the numbers, it’s no surprise why. A standard tile kitchen counter top remodel tends to produce an extraordinary amount of landfill waste. In fact, approximately sixty pounds of excess landfill waste per square foot of kitchen is trucked to the Neal Road Landfill with each kitchen remodel locally, and with the average kitchen remodel encompassing some sixty square feet, the waste numbers add up pretty quickly. Currently, Granite

Transformations of Chico remodels an average of four hundred kitchens per year in the area without needing to make a trip to the Neal Road Landfill at all. That’s approximately 1.14 million pounds of landfill saved each and every year on counter top remodels alone. The secret to their sustainable approach exists in their ability to utilize the preexisting counter as a foundation for their granite. The result is a beautiful, significantly more affordable, zero-demolition counter top that is so safe due to its non-porous surface that it is recommended for food prep where ordinary granite cannot be allowed and even by the American Dental Association for dental offices, where a sterile environment is paramount. Over the years, Don and Zaher have pushed their counter-top-remodel company to new heights, expanding their product line to include the ability to masterfully complete full kitchen remodels. From cabinetry, to floors and now even plumbing, the team at Granite Transformations can deliver full kitchen remodels with the same focus on sustainability that Don and Zaher built their company on from day one. Recently, Granite Transformations

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

has revamped Red Tavern, Upper Crust and perhaps most notably Chico State’s Whitney Hall where they were able to remove and recycle 80 cast iron sinks during the remodel process and donate them to Habitat for Humanity, the local charity of choice that receives any cabinets, doors, sinks or fixtures that can be reused from any of their remodels. Perhaps most fun though, are the custom project requests that past clientele have brought in. From RVs to boats and custom backyard barbecues to full dining tables, each project has a great story behind it, and they’ll be glad to tell you all about them when you walk in. In the future, the two entrepreneurs have decided to set their sights even higher, incorporating even more green products like recycled, custom wallpaper mosaics, an example of which is currently on display in the window at our downtown office at 301 Broadway Street. This 5’ x 3’ custom artistic Italian mosaic rendering of the Bidwell Mansion is an absolute showstopper. Stop by their shop today and see why customers throughout northern California have been hailing Granite Transformations of Chico as their one-stop shop for complete kitchen remodels.

Contact Granite Transformations: 629 Entler Ave Chico, CA 95928 (530) 892-1600 | granitetransformations.com/chico

COMMUNITY

A modern space in time for the holidays by Aveed Khaki

hat does it take to build the modern space above in just two weeks? Three pairs of hands, an incredible work ethic and a mind owned only by Eric

(top) The front view of Eric Enn’s most recent modern space masterpiece. (right) The side view of Eric’s new modern space reveals a hidden loft and an over-sized potted tree that fits in perfectly with the overall motif.

Enns, our favorite local builder. You may remember our coverage of the start of this modern space in the last issue, and to be quite honest, we loved the finished product so much, that we simply had to share it with you. The build-out took two weeks from foundation to completion and left enough time to spare to allow the new owners to utilize it to its fullest extent over the holiday season. With over 120 square feet of usable space including the loft, this modern space was just the right addition to allow for an extended family gathering in the most comfortable way possible. Built from corrugated tin and wood siding, this space sits perfectly angled amongst the trees. The Douglas-fir deck and awning made out of steel and corrugated metal set the stage for perfect evening get-togethers and perhaps best of all, the space sits completely independent of the rest of the house. The beauty of these spaces is how cost effective they are. With price tags as low as 50% of the price of a standard 120 square foot addition to a preexisting home, these spaces offer a quality expansion at an unbeatable price. It’s no wonder we have so many readers write into us after seeing these architectural beauties on display in the magazine, and even less wonder as to why these modern spaces are one of the things we love most in Chico.

Contact Modern Spaces: (530) 518-3742 | modernspacesandsheds.com 17

COMMUNITY

Chico’s Mediterranean Oasis by Aveed Khaki

ocated at the tail end of north Chico, and tucked away in the privacy of Philadelphia Square, lies a Mediterranean day spa unlike any other you’ll find in the area. Opened on June 4, 2007 by Lawrence and Shari Miller, Agua Azul Oasis was created to offer northern California residents the means to escape the stress of day-to-day life through a local “daycation”, without having to travel three-or-more hours to experience something similar out of town. Over the years, this resort-style getaway has become a destination for locals and visitors alike, welcoming individuals as well as groups both large and small with open arms in true Mediterranean fashion. It is no wonder, with a demeanor such as theirs, that this has become one of the most highly recommended and sought-after spas in the north valley. Focusing on whole-body wellness and preventative care for both men and women, the staff at Agua Azul Oasis utilize the most recent advances in modern technology alongside well-known and highly-regarded naturopathic techniques to produce dynamic changes in both body composition and mental health. From the calming sounds to the aromatic scents that fill the halls and rooms throughout this spa, there isn’t a single step taken that doesn’t fully engage the body in completely relinquishing its stresses and finding a peaceful and harmonious center. Agua Azul is comprised of a series of locationspecific rooms, each providing visitors with a different destination of choice in what amounts to a sensory-driven tour of the Mediterranean. Whether you prefer the calming whites and blues of the Greek isle of Santorini or the vibrant colors of Seville, Spain, each and every room harnesses a flavor all its own, while many of these rooms boast a number of unique features that are simply too exquisite to leave out of discussion. Beginning with the Grecian Isles room, visitors are treated to Cutera laser treatments, providing laser hair removal, sun spot removal, non-invasive surgical skin tightening, spider and varicose vein treatment as well as skin rejuvenation therapy. The 18

Grotto Azulla, undoubtedly a signature room at the spa, treats visitors to an A2O water massage courtesy of the Vichy shower system, currently exclusive to Agua Azul in northern California. A quick hop across the hall presents the Grotto Blanca and its aromatherapy steam sauna which utilizes essential oils to aid in respiratory system recovery, enhanced relaxation or even enhancing energy. Four body jets assist in providing the Grotto Blanca’s visitor with a steam shower prior to a massage, ensuring that the full benefits of the massage can later be experienced. Perhaps one of the most notable features of Agua Azul Oasis though, is actually not of the treatment variety itself, but of its welcoming nature to both men and women alike, providing separate experiences and separate areas for both to relax in a space that has been carefully designed to fit each gender’s specific proclivities. The men’s lounge portrays a more stone-built, roman style while the women’s lounge presents a softer french style; each meticulously crafted, but no less so than the other. The privacy offered by each allows both groups to bask in all that the spa has to offer without any feeling of discomfort or awkwardness. Finally, one of the crown jewels of Agua Azul’s offerings is their body wrap and detox program by Milis, a well-known weight-loss company that has continuously provided effective results for over 35 years worldwide. This program is absolutely perfect for those looking to shed a few (and often even more) inches after the holiday season by ridding the body of unwanted toxins. It also happens to be a perfect fit for the upcoming wedding season when fitting perfectly into the dress of your dreams is of the utmost importance. Whether you’re a business owner looking to pamper his or her employees, planning a wedding party, looking to get away with a group of friends, spoiling that special someone or just in sole need of some “me” time, Agua Azul comes through in spades. One visit, and we think you’ll agree, there’s something special to be found here. www.a2oasis.com 40 Declaration Dr #100 Chico, CA (530) 345-0226

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

(above) One of Agua Azul’s signature rooms. Each room provides multiple health and wellness options, allowing for total body relaxation. (below) Agua Azul’s exclusive Vichy shower system provides a decadent A2O water massage for visiting customers.

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UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

LOTS & LAND!

Intoxicating View! Located in one of the most precious gated community. This beautiful Tuscan style home offers; soaring ceilings walls of windows, spacious living room with fireplace, library, formal dining room, beautiful kitchen, bamboo and slate flooringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, full house speaker system, fine slate surface counter tops, Jack & Jill bedrooms, Kohler visl sinks, 400 sq. ft. covered lanai with wet bar, 30x15 Pebble Tec Pool with hydraulic cover, fire pit, fountain, 2 car garage plus 30x15 shop for boat or recreational vehicle.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.5 SqFt: 3,053 Price: $625,000

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! Located in one of chicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest neighborhoods and has a beautiful hill-top view. Owner finnancing possible, subject to sellers approval of buyers credit report.

Acreage: 1.66ac Price: $99,000

FOR LEASE! Brand new building! Two offices in a great location with high visibility! Each comes with its own bathroom; offices can be rented together or separately.

Wonderful Home in A Great Locaton! offering formal living and dining room, family room, breakfast nook, beautiful tile floors, indoor laundry, large yard with mature trees and inground gunite pool, 2 car garage and more.

Sq. Ft.: 936 Lease Price: $800/month

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,705 Price: $299,000 21

Bidwell Mansion: Life-Changer by Emily Spesert

ately, there has been a focus on keeping Bidwell Mansion open to the public. What is it about this place that pulls so strongly at the heartstrings of the people living in Chico and its surrounding communities? Well, we all have a story.

My own story involves my dad's greatgrandfather, Peter Skelly, who was a sheep foreman for John Bidwell himself. Because of John Bidwell, Peter Skelly had a home and something productive to do with his life, and most of his descendants have stayed in the area. It is a rite of passage to take the children in my family to the Mansion, telling them about how John Bidwell was Peter Skelly's boss, stopping at the desk to imagine the two men looking at maps together and discussing business. Bidwell Mansion shows the people in my family that we have much in common with the people who lived here one hundred years ago: indoor plumbing, Chico's downtown buildings, a love for fashion, a fascination with the latest inventions, and political values like women's suffrage and sustainability. On a recent visit to Bidwell Mansion, I was blessed to accompany a class of third graders from Rosedale Elementary School on their field trip. They learned that John Bidwell helped those in need: if they didn't get rich in the Gold Rush, he gave them a job on his land and a place to live. The kids learned that Annie Bidwell had a piano like they play at home, she had a high chair for visiting children, and she collected baskets that her friends gave to her. And Annie Bidwell loved charity work. They learned that John Bidwell loved innovation, politics, and Annie. The school children looked through the library shelves and got excited to see books that they read today! It was fascinating to watch the kids walk from one end of the entrance hall to the other as they discovered how paintings can be just as accurate as a photograph. And, when the group gathered on the upstairs landing to talk about which resources were used to make the home and children's toys, they learned that silk comes from worms and cotton grows on plants. On average, two groups of children tour the Mansion per day, two or three days per week. According to the Bidwell Mansion Community Project, these groups come from all over the North State: from Redding to Nevada City, Orland to Chester and all the elementary schools in Chico, which added up to 1,110 students plus 300 adult chaperones in 2010. More than 1,000 college-age students and 37,491 other visitors also toured the Mansion last 24

The view from the balcony outside the kids’ bedroom on the second floor called the Alexander Room, with the iconic corbels in the forground and the beautiful, orange Ginko tree in the distance.

year. That's almost 40,000 people who are discovering a Bidwell Mansion experience each year. The people of Chico have some stories in common, such as the Mansion being named “Bidwell Hall” when it was a part of Chico State, and many female alumni have lived in the Mansion when it was a girl's dormitory. The most commonly shared experience has been attending college

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

classes in the Mansion. A fascinating urban legend is the story of a cow appearing in the observatory with no one knowing how or why it got there (maybe a local fraternity had something to do with it)! On the next pages, you will find a couple of unique stories, revealing how Bidwell Mansion has taken on the character of Annie Bidwell herself to nourish and renew the lives of two local women.

Aby Janice New Evans Beginning

Aby Janyce SafeL.Haven White Silva

n 2003, I had been a widow for four years and didn't have anything to do at the loneliest time of the week: Sunday after church. I wanted to fill those hours with something interesting, out where I could meet people. Since I love visiting historical sites, I became a volunteer tour guide at the most historical place in town: Bidwell Mansion. I also signed up with a dating website. Not only am I over 60 years old, but I'm also tall, which eliminated half of the eligible men. Plus, I was only interested in finding a widower. The profile that caught my eye was from “Ray of Sunshine” in Yuba City, a retired English teacher. He doesn't smoke or drink, was married 37 years before his wife died, and likes to do all the things that I like to do - a perfect match! Between us, we have 77 years of married life; we should be experts at getting along with a spouse. I sent Ray an email, promising a photo if he replied. He did. The photo that I sent was one of me in a funny hat, but I am no computer whiz, so this photo was scanned upside down. I figured that either he cold turn it right side up, or one of his sons would know how. Let me tell you, this is a real attention getter - send an upside down photo to your love interest! They were standing on their heads, trying to see the photo. Ray emailed again, so I told him, “I give the 2pm tour at Bidwell Mansion on Sundays. If you want to meet me, you can come to the tour.” This was a safe way to look each other over without committing to even a cup of coffee. The next Sunday, there he was! We were both very self-conscious, and I didn't look at him while I gave the tour. Afterward, we spoke for a few minutes and arranged to go for coffee an hour later. We talked at a local coffee shop for two hours! I got an “A” for presentation, and he has told me many times that it was “love at first sight.” It has been eight years now, and we have been married for six of them. I gave up my docent position once my weekend social calendar became full, but I will always cherish my time spent at Bidwell Mansion.

idwell Mansion became my home away from home when I was 7 years old. My mother had started drinking heavily again and was always very abusive sober, but drunk she was much worse. In 1945, this sort of thing wasn’t reported, so children weren’t protected from their parents. I ran away in tears one day and found myself at Bidwell Mansion. It was unlocked because of college classes. I very quietly went up the stairs to the 3rd floor where I found a door that led to stairs that went up to the top that is all windows. I was once told by my grandfather that the General would look through his telescope at the town of Chico from here. The town looked so pretty. I fell asleep on the floor and when I woke up, I felt so safe that I wanted to stay, but was afraid of getting caught. It was as though Annie was looking out for me; I managed to slip out without being noticed. It was almost too easy, so I started planning on staying during weekends when my parents had parties with lots of drinking. I would pack a book, some sandwiches, fruit and a cup - I knew that I could get water from the kitchen, or even the bathroom. I continued my stays with Annie for about a year. I stopped when my sister was 2 years old because she needed me to stay home to protect her, to take her to the library on Saturdays and church on Sundays, to keep her from being spanked black and blue. As a college student in 1956, I had classes at the Mansion: Child Growth and Development in the dining room and Nutrition in the kitchen. At the end of the semester, the Nutrition class prepared a meal for our Nursing instructors and President Kendall. Today, I’ve come full-circle with Bidwell Mansion. Now it’s my turn to help save her.

If you’d like to help save Bidwell Mansion, donations, letters and inquiries can be directed to the Bidwell Mansion Community Project at P.O. Box 496, Chico, CA 95927. visit www.savebidwellmansion.org

Pullins Cyclery Downtown Started in 1918, Pullins Cyclery is easily the oldest bike store in Chico and one of the oldest in northern California. It still holds true to the customer service one would expect from nearly a century in business and is widely considered the most reputable and respected bike store around.

One Mile Pool Lazy Sundays... Mondays... any days! Summers in Chico wouldn’t be quite the same without One Mile Pool in lower Bidwell Park. A favorite hangout for locals and visitors alike, One Mile Pool has provided summer sunners with everything from a refreshing dip to a much needed tan.

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Enloe Hospital Founded in 1913 by Newton Thomas Enloe, M.D., Enloe Hospital has been a staple of Chico’s health care and employment community for nearly one hundred years. Originally opened on Flume Street, the hospital relocated and opened its doors in 1937 on West Fifth Avenue and has remained there ever since. The definitive answer and instant trust guarantor to any Chicoan’s question of, “where were you born,” Enloe Hospital is as synonymous with Chico as Bidwell Park.

Pageant Theater

Esplanade in the fall !"#$%&'()$*+,(%-(*-'(%.',/0-"(12"'-3(-$"( Esplanade in the fall is a wondrous sight -,(."$,/45(6"4'3(,#%27"'3(8"//,9'3(7#""2'( and browns come together to paint Chico’s longest thoroughfare in nature’s very own palette of colors unmatched by any painter foreign or domestic.

Home to our favorite !"#$%$"#$"&'()*+',"#' a few of our favorite +-.,+'!"'&-/"0'&1$' 2,3$,"&'41$,&$5'!+'-65' 3-7&-'3$&,/,8'/1$"' 9!3'9-:$#'*-;!$+',"#' +&$5$-&8%!<,)'$"#!"3+' 1,;$')-+&'-65',&&$"&!-"=' 2)6+0'>$5$*8'?-)#$"@+' A6!$&'16*-5'!+'/-5&1' &1$'<-+&'-.',#*!++!-"' !"7,"#7-.'!&+$).=

Chico State Founded in 1887, California State University Chico is the second oldest university in the CSU system. Home to over 15,000 students, it has guaranteed the area a steady economy, culture, arts and a rose garden and free speech area that we simply can’t get enough of. The library is open to everyone, and often makes for an excellent reprieve from the hustle and bustle of life outside.

Duffy’s on Main The definitive bar for locals, Duffy’s is Chico’s version of Cheers... just with dimmer lighting.

“There’s something in the water”

It’s the most commonly used reason !"#$%&%'#()%$*%%+*$,($-).$,"%/'$ way back here. From the picturesque views, to its abundance of amazing food, this town has something for everyone, and anyone here will agree: it’s a great place to raise a family.

Chico in Bloom

Upper Park

Natural swimming holes, rock climbing, hiking and arguably some of the best mountain bike trails in the nation, Upper Park is recreation incarnate. Whether you’re looking to get away for the day and relax in Chico’s nature sanctuary or test your skills against some of the rougher terrain this area has to offer, Upper Park is sure to come through in spades. As a special side note, the observatory here is absolutely to-die-for. Stop by in the evening to grab a romantic look at the stars with that special someone.

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Chico’s trade-off for its lack of snowy groundcover in the winter are the apparent snow-flocked trees during the spring. Even amidst Chico’s rapid expansion, we’re still lucky enough to find pockets of almond orchards in full bloom during the spring, transforming the area as if it had been painted by Van Gogh’s hand itself.

Saturday Farmers’ market Senator Theater For those of us old enough to remember, the Senator Theater used to be home to some of Chico’s largest movie openings, and for many of us, standing in line underneath the glow of the Senator Tower was our first experience with movies growing up. Thanks to the tireless efforts of a number of Chico restorationphiles, including the Maximov family, the Senator Theater has been restored to its former glory after a brief closing and is now home to some of Chico’s favorite concerts.

Farm fresh produce on early Saturday mornings have been a year-round tradition in downtown Chico for decades. Priced far lower than competing '0&"#:%#;"-'3(-$*'(,%'*'( ,<(('*7$-'3(':"//'(%24( tastes is a must-visit. Get here early for the best '"/"+-*,23(%24("="2("%#/*"#( for nearby parking. It starts each Saturday at >?@A(%:3(#%*2(,#('$*2"5

Small Town Feel When you consider the cities surrounding Chico, it’s hard to call Chico a “small town,” but the fact that everyone seems to know everyone else speaks to the truth of the matter. We remember things based on what they used to be. Farm Star Pizza? Yeah, it’s where Gashouse Pizza used to be! People just seem to be friendlier here, and whether it’s due to the ample number of pleasantly sunny days almost year-round or something else entirely, everyone seems to have a smile on their face and a hello to share as they pass by. 29

We’re all about local There’s something to be said about Chico’s local shopping culture. We all believe strongly in shopping locally whenever possible, which is likely one of the reasons that Chico does such a great job sheltering any economic storm. In a town full of innovators and entrepreneurs, shopping local is everything, and as a town we’re proud to have helped support the launching of brands like Sierra Nevada, Kleen Kanteen, Chico Bag and so many others that have reached national and even international acclaim.

People consider local deforestation a massacre Tree hugger or not, we love and respect our trees here as if they were old friends. Each and every tree is sacred, and nothing short of an act of legislation will bring them down.

Collier Hardware The original Chico hardware store, Collier Hardware has been helping local do-it-yourselfers and contractors since 1935. The offerings here are endless, and somehow they always seem to have just what you’re looking for, whether it be a rare screw or a Kitchenaid mixer. Having trouble with a hard-to-duplicate key in town? Collier Hardware can take care of it. In fact, as we’ve often found, they may be the only place that can.

Lower Park Home to One Mile Pool, the Vita Course, Caper Acres and a host of other hotspots, Lower Park has been a Chico favorite for generations. Take Spot for an afternoon walk through the shaded, meandering walkways, grab your cruiser bike and pedal “chicostyle” through the park with some friends or take the kids to relive fairy tales at Caper Acres. There’s something here for everyone, and judging by the daily turnout, we’re right on point with that one.

El Rey Fairies immortalized The fairy murals adorning the walls of the El Rey Theater downtown haven’t had the easiest time remaining visible over !"#$%&'!$()!##*$+#&,'-$."&*/'$!0$,#'!0,&!10*$23))'4$!"#'#$)&1,1#'$ have been made visible once again at the theater and forever immortalized by a local artist whose renderings are now available )0,$53,6"&'#$&!$7,!$8!6-$90:*!0:*30

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S&S on Mangrove Anyone who knows Chico knows we love our food as close to straight fromthefarm as possible; it’s why we love our farmers’ markets, Thursday night markets and food coops like GRUB. But when a market isn’t up and running, it’s nice to have a local food store that connects us directly with our local farmers. Whether you’re looking for the freshest fruits and veggies or that perfectly marinated rack of ribs, S&S Produce and Butcher Shop on Mangrove Avenue will make sure you don’t go home empty handed.

Thankful Tree The newest in a growing trend of local grassroots monuments, the Thankful Tree outside of downtown Chico’s US Bank reminds us that we all have much to be thankful for. A quick read-through of the tree’s hanging thankful cards will bring tears to your eyes, joy to your heart and a smile to your face. Our addition? We’re thankful everyone has shown respect to this wonderful addition to downtown Chico.

Sierra Nevada Brewery Known far and wide for its delicious brews, Sierra Nevada Brewery is undoubtedly a Chico classic. Started in 1979 by Ken Grossman, the Sierra Nevada brand has brought considerable visibility to Chico and arguably some of the best designed hoodies in town. 31

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

e are given one body, two eyes, and about a hundred thousand strands of hair. As life weathers us, we find ourselves losing the connection between how we feel and the person staring back at us in the mirror. With the start of every new year, we promise ourselves that we’ll do things differently; we’ll eat healthier, we’ll exercise more and maybe we’ll even start saving some money. This year, we decided to help jumpstart those new year’s resolutions for five deserving readers. Over the next ten pages, you’ll see a number of downtown Chico’s finest stores and salons do what they do best, showing just how easy it is to make the transition from before to after. As a bonus, Kathy Hankins from Alpha Strong Gym helped us with some solid fitness tips to help push these participants towards their fitness goals in the new year. We hope that these five transformations will inspire you to seek out the new you this new year.

BY BRIANA LINDSTROM & DESIREÉ DELATTRE PHOTOGRAPHS BY CLARK MILLER 39 37 19

Outfit available at For Elyse 228 Broadway St - Chico (530) 893-0106 Lush: Lauren Fringe Cardigan in Black $39.99 Solemio: Basic Tank in Nutmeg $19.99 Miss Me: Paisley Stud Swirl Straight Leg Jean in Denim $96.00 Joia Rose Handbag $32.99 Delicious Vert boot in Black $36.99 Gold leaf and red gem necklace $16.99 Rhinestone Studs $9.99 Gold Sparkle Flower ring $14.99

BEFORE

MAKEUP TIPS

JENNIFER 37 YEARS OLD ennifer is a busy mother of three, whose youngest just turned one. Over the past year she has been too busy with her family to do anything nice for herself. She grew up in Chico and is proud to claim it as her home town, as well as a perfect place to raise her three kids. She needed a new look to wear for her everyday life, and also to look and feel gorgeous as her musician husband’s number one fan! She hadn’t done anything with her hair in three years, and was open to a change, but needed to keep it long enough to pull back into a ponytail, away from her baby’s grasp. Born as a blond haired, blue eyed babe, she was ready to bring some of that fresh look back into her appearance. She is busty with a petite frame, and needed a style that could emphasize the right parts of her body for some balance, while keeping in tune with her sassy, rock-star-wife personality. She was so low maintenance with her makeup routine, she admitted to using a smear of mascara from her eyelashes to rub into her eyebrows for definition. Even when she put on more makeup, she felt like nobody could see a difference and was ready to learn some tricks to pump up the drama! With new hair color, cut and style from Soleena at Che Divina, a makeover and makeup tutorial from Hillary at Beauty Squared, and new head to toe fashion and accessories from Amber and the girls at For Elyse, Jennifer shed her no-maintenance boring mom look and emerged from her day of beauty looking like one hot mama!

STYLE ADVICE For a bustier top and thin legs, balance out with a boot or boot-cut pant to add some weight to the bottom half of your body. Don’t be afraid to flaunt what you’ve got, but do it tastefully with neutral colors and shrugs or jackets for when you feel like covering up a bit more. If you are a shorter woman, consider yourself lucky! Tall women are jealous of the heels you can wear while remaining shorter than most guys, so take advantage of this blessing and expand your heel collection.

from Hilary at Beauty Squared 240 Main Street #140 - Chico (530) 892-0312

FACE: Start with a primer, then use a tinted moisturizer, then a concealer for problem areas, and under-eye circles. When applying makeup to the delicate under-eye area, be sure to use your smaller fingers and pat lightly. Top with a pressed powder for more coverage, and a blush to highlight the cheeks. EYES: The eyebrows frame the face, so be sure they are shaped nicely and use a color a little lighter than your natural color to fill them in. Eyeshadow primer is key to a longlasting look with no creasing. Use your darker eye shadows first, and apply thin layers rather than one thick stroke to achieve the desired shade. Use darker colors in the crease, and along the lash line, lighter colors in your inner corner, and a light, matte color on your brow. LIPS: Lip stain is great for a longlasting lip without having to constantly reapply. You can top it off with a gloss to make your lips shine.

HAIR TIPS from Soleena at Che Divina 124 West 2nd Street - Chico (530) 891-0477

Face-framing layers compliment the angles and shape of your face. Layers for thick hair are very important for taking some of the bulk out. When adding color, opt for 2 or 3 colors so you can have highlights and low-lights, adding more dimension to your hair for any style. Straight is in style. To get the look, use a thermal iron and protector to keep humidity out. Babyliss flat iron, used with Sebastian thermal protection spray is a great combo to maintain a silky, smooth look all day.

FITNESS TIPS from Kathy Hankins at Alpha Strong Gym 252 East Avenue, Suite F - Chico (530) 899-8900

Strength and endurance training with a proper meal plan would be key to helping Jennifer get back in prime shape. Coming back from the weight put on after a pregnancy is no easy task, much less three! But with proper planning, there’s nothing she can’t accomplish. Shocking her body into action will yield the most immediate results and sustained training will allow those results to last.

BEFORE 36

Outfit available at Diamond W Western Wear 181 E 2nd St - Chico, CA (530) 891-1650 Adiktd Denim: Dresden $89.99 Rivercrest button-up top in blue and green $29.99 Boulet square-toed boot in red and black with Summumtex insoles $225.99

RICHARD 45 YEARS OLD husband, father of three, musician and instrument builder, Rich spends more time with the people and things he loves, and less time caring about how he looks. Without his knowing, his wife, Jennifer nominated him for this makeover telling us that he wears the same over-sized jeans and t-shirts every day, and that his hair “needs some love.” Rich’s hair has gradually gone from grey to blond, but he is happy with the natural color and likes to keep his hair as low maintenance as possible, explaining that when he performs on stage, any product in his hair seems to just melt in the heat. He likes to keep it short, but with a bit of “rock ‘n’ roll.” A lot of men don’t realize that their jeans don’t fit! Rich was no exception, but it’s not always easy to convince a man to try on a more fitted cut of denim. Although a bit overwhelmed at the beginning of this makeover process, he began to embrace the opportunity and we could all see Jennifer’s eyes light up when she caught a glimpse of her husband in jeans that instantly made him look 20 pounds lighter. Newly fitted in denim, a shirt, and boots from Diamond W, polished with skincare and moisturizing tips from Hillary at Beauty Squared, and a modern lift to his hair from Dani at Che Divina, Rich left his over-sized, outdated look in the dust and let his rock star side take the lead!

STYLE ADVICE Men should not shy away from jeans with a slimmer fit. Shirts should also fit correctly so the shoulders look straight and not slumped, and the proportions are correct with the pants. A boot can be a good secret for a guy, because the small heel adds height, and corrects posture.

MAKEUP TIPS from Hilary at Beauty Squared 240 Main Street #140 - Chico (530) 892-0312

Men can use a tinted moisturizer to even out skin tone, keep moisture in the skin, and as an SPF

HAIR TIPS from Dani at Che Divina 124 West 2nd Street - Chico (530) 891-0477

For a light look and feel that won’t “melt” with the heat, Sebastian Texturizer gives a flexible hold that doesn’t look wet or flaky.

FITNESS TIPS from Kathy Hankins at Alpha Strong Gym 252 East Avenue, Suite F - Chico (530) 899-8900

Thankfully for Rich, he has a wonderful support partner in Jennifer. Each will push the other to do better and workout harder. I think warrior training would be perfect for these two. Three days of intense strength training per week will quickly change their bodies and allow them to accomplish more in a shorter period of time than any regular fitness training regimen.

Outfit available at Katie’s Corner 247 Main Street Chico (530) 892-2228 Vintage Rose Beaded Jacket red $175 Alberto Makali Woven Cami black $66.75 Caribe (Made in America) PolySpandex black pant $46 CV Jewelry Designs Red and Silver Necklace $235 Shoes available at Robyn Marie’s Shoe Closet 215 Main Street Chico (530) 566-1825 Aerosoles Faximize Dark Grey (Also available in black) $64.99 Nail Schellac by Poison Apple 240 Main Street #290 (530) 899-7875

BEFORE

MAKEUP TIPS

JAMIE 34 YEARS OLD amie is a gentle, yet strong woman with a smile that could turn a night sky into daylight. After a series of life events that shook her spirit, Jamie told us she wasn’t “feeling pretty” anymore and wanted to embrace life’s changes by changing her look. Jamie’s loving boyfriend of 12 years also wanted to give her the ultimate gift of confidence by entering her into the Upgraded Living Makeover contest, without her knowledge. A few days later, Jamie sat in a posh, black chair at the Poison Apple salon under the care of Chico’s top stylists who were armed and ready to give her the change she had been dreaming of. Jamie was ready for a new look, and a new attitude about her look. Her long, grown out hair was thick and healthy, but in need of some amped up color, shape and shine. She was not afraid to go short, and proved it with a smile as the Poison Apple girls put her hair in a ponytail, and lovingly, chopped it off! Usually a low-maintenance girl, concerned with raising her 3 adorable dogs and enjoying her life with her boyfriend, Jamie was not big on makeup. She likes to keep it natural, and subtle to match with her sweet, loving demeanor. But that’s not to say she wasn’t open to learning some new tricks to play on her best features. The team at Poison Apple made sure she was given the ultimate diva treatment, spending nearly 5 hours on her hair and nails. Ashley worked her magic in the Powder Room to give Jamie a new glow. Katie’s Corner draped her with a vintage inspired jacket to top of an outfit that was truly glamorous. Robyn Marie’s Shoe Closet twinkled her toes with a strappy heeled sandal, and, wow! What a transformation. As soon as the camera was on this doted on darling, Jamie was “smizing” to become Chico’s next top model!

STYLE ADVICE When shopping for a coat: Find a coat that flatters your curves. Look for necklines, seaming and belted styles to bring out your best body features. Fuller figured women need to be careful to keep the layers more on the flowing side and not clinging to the curves in the wrong places. A looser fitting cardigan, blouse or sweater looks fantastic and flattering with a sexy camisole top peeking out at the neckline

from Ashley at Powder Room 239 Broadway Street - Chico (530) 899-9350

Ashley, the owner of Powder Room wanted to give Jamie a natural look that would bring out her bright-green eyes, even up her skin tone, and provide a glow to last throughout the bitter, winter weather. Bare Minerals foundation powder and pressed eye shadows in purple tones were used along with Cargo liquid foundation to create a photo-ready, yet functional look that made Jamie’s eyes pop with their natural emerald color.

HAIR TIPS from the girls at Poison Apple 240 Main St # 290 - Chico (530) 899-7875

Donna, who specializes in coloring at the Poison Apple, gave Jamie’s hair a rich, mahogany brown base color which gave her face dimension. Kim spread highlights throughout her hair and around her face to create a softer look. The highlights and ends were then stained with a high-gloss toner

to add shine and a hint of copper. The cut that emphasizes Jamie’s eyes and extraordinary face-shape. Kim decided to take away a significant amount of length, but created a slight A-line shape to allow easy maintenance with sophisticated style. To complete the look, Rocio heated things up by using a 1-inch curling iron to create playful waves that could be worn during the day or after hours.

FITNESS TIPS from Kathy Hankins at Alpha Strong Gym 252 East Avenue, Suite F - Chico (530) 899-8900

One word: Discipline. With her recent challenges in life, discipline will be everything here. A proper eating plan coupled with constant movement will make drastic changes in a short period of time, and the quick results will be a good amount of the motivation she’ll need to continue. We’ll focus on strength training and intense cardio for the second half of the workout. Three days a week with sixty minute sessions; consistency will be key.

Stay ’s Jamie tuned for hallenge fitness c Hankins in y with Kath ing issue of an upcomded Living Upgra ine Magaz

Outfit available at Kreations 218 Main Street - Chico (530) 892-8116 Citizens of Humanity Dita fit (for petites) $196 Stretch Cami made from lycra and nylon, wont shrink or fade and smooths out the torso $19.99 M. Rena Princess Cut Sweater black with teal thread $56.99 Feather and Heart long necklace $15 Small Silver hoops $5 Pack of Bangles $5 Shoes available at Robyn Marieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shoe Closet 215 Main Street - Chico (530) 566-1825 MIA Parisian Natural Multi (Also available in black) $59.99 Nail Schellac by Poison Apple 240 Main Street #290 (530) 899-7875

BEFORE 40

DEANNA 50 YEARS OLD eanna is a free-spirited woman who brings a whole new meaning to being 50 years old. We caught Deanna in the middle of her self-journey to falling in love with herself all over again. After a fallen relationship that turned the page in her life to a new chapter, Deanna decided it was time to do some soul searching. “On the inside, I’ve reached my goal. I feel good, I am exactly where I want to be. The only thing I have left to do is match my uplifted inside to my outside. I want to learn how to put on make up, do my hair, and dress- without feeling awkward. I am ready to embrace my femininity and maybe even find love again!” We took the challenge to give Deanna the last piece to her puzzle. Full of life and life experiences, this world traveler was ready to wrap herself in some style that would show off her amazing figure, compliment her color, and fit her petite frame in all the right places. A 2 hour consultation with Kreations’ Annemarie was an enlightening experience, and a bit of a makeover for Deanna’s wardrobe as well. She was tutored in how to wear leggings, shop for denim, and even found some cute travel ready looks for her frequent overseas plane trips. Dressed by Kreations, she headed to Robyn Marie’s Shoe Closet for a toe touch of glamour. The Poison Apple girls went all out with a 4 hour pamper session for hair and nails and at Powder Room, Ashley gave Deanna a dramatic look to turn up the volume, and turn some heads too! “I feel like I can go out, and feel completely confident,” she said as she smiled at her own reflection. By the end of the day, this earthy beauty was shining like a new star.

STYLE ADVICE Many people don’t know their sizes. See a stylist to help with a reality check! Advice for petites: Stay away from black shoes, they end your leg in a stump. Use color to keep the eye moving. Wear long pants as opposed to cropped pants in order to extend the line of the leg. Wear a colored shirt under your sweater, and pull it down so it shows around your hips. This will elongate the torso. Wear an open neckline to create a longer neck. Don’t go higher than just below your collar bone.

MAKEUP TIPS from Ashley at Powder Room 239 Broadway Street - Chico (530) 899-9350

Makeup was the most dramatic change that Deanna experienced, being that she had barely worn makeup since high school. They started with 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream to lift and tighten Deanna’s eye area. Cargo Blu-Ray concealer was used sparingly to cover up a few age spots and hyper-pigmentation. Bare Minerals powder foundation and eye shadows, accompanied by Smashbox Limitless Eye Liner gave Deanna a sexy look to match her vivacious personality.

HAIR TIPS from Kim at Poison Apple 240 Main St #290 - Chico (530) 899-7875

The Poison Apple team wanted to play-up Deanna’s “earthy girl” vibe by sweeping panels of a delicious chocolatey-brown color through her silver strands, adding contour and dimension. An all-over toner was set in her locks to give a healthy shine. Next, long layers were added to create soft movement and a youthful bounce to Deanna’s hair followed by a round-brush blowout.

Outfit available at A Bit Unruly 222 W 3rd St. - Chico (530) 809-2620 Lavan Patch Dress in Sage Dream $350 Streets Ahead Belts: Laser Cut Floral Hip Belt $218 Jewelry- All by Vanessa Mooney $35-$240

BEFORE

Shoes available at Robyn Marieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shoe Closet 215 Main Street - Chico (530) 566-1825 Reef Sandals Ah-sy-ee in Brown (Also available in Green) $40

SUZANNE 41 YEARS OLD uzanne is a naturally beautiful, quickwitted woman with an athletic lifestyle and look. She is a loyal client of noted makeup artist and hair stylist, Michael Burke of Burke’s on Broadway. He wanted to give her a makeover because she always has such great energy. She is a fitness instructor at 3 gyms, and teaches an array of classes. Michael claims, “She’ll make you lose four pounds in an hour!” But she doesn’t put much effort into her everyday style. Because of her constant work and work-outs, she is usually in gym clothes. With two sons and five brothers, Suzanne has always been surrounded by boys which contributes to her sporty style. When we asked her what she thought about being selected for this process, she responded “Who wouldn’t want a makeover?!” Being a client of Michael’s already, she trusted him to make her look her best, letting him do whatever he had in mind for her hair and makeup. With his eye for beauty and artist’s touch with a makeup brush, he went to work on her transformation. Michael gave her sandy-blond hair highlights and low-lights, and square layers with facial fringe dropped below the jawline to compliment her face shape. He used his bag o’ MAC products, with some other favorite brands thrown in to make her eyes pop, her lips shine, and her skin glow. With some casual, flirty sandals from Robyn Marie’s Shoe closet, and a gorgeous dress and accessories from A Bit Unruly to complete the look, this team of stylists certainly knocked some diva into this work-out wonder woman!

STYLE ADVICE Don’t be afraid of dresses, you can find something that goes along with your sporty style by emphasizing different parts of your personality. Whether earthy, urban, glamorous, or simply chic, take some time to embrace the girl inside and let her dance around in a pretty dress every once in awhile. Don’t be fooled into heels if they’re not for you! Flats, sandals, and casual shoes can be paired with a dressier look, as long as you find the right balance.

MAKEUP TIPS from Michael Burke Burke’s on Broadway 341 Broadway Ste. 318 - Chico (530) 680-6002

FACE: Michael used concealer for under the eyes, and over blemishes, foundation by MAC, and MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder to matte the skin and set the foundation. Nars Hungry Heart Highlighter is great to touch on the high planes of the face, and it is anodized, not frosted, so it is good for skin of all ages. EYES: This smokey eye look is achieved with a black eyeliner pencil by Benefit and Maybelline Turbo Boost Mascara. Michael’s secret to lashes is using blond lashes for everyone. You can always coat them with black mascara after they are applied, and the blond seam is nearly invisible. LIPS: Michael did a “3-D lip” using a liner close to her natural color, a

slightly darker liner on the corners of her lips, filled in with Gaga’s Viva Glam by MAC lipstick, and topped with Dazzle Gloss by MAC.

HAIR TIPS from Michael Burke Burke’s on Broadway 341 Broadway Ste. 318 - Chico (530) 680-6002

Use a product like Mousse Forte by Sebastian for strong, lasting, de-frizzed waves and curls, plus UV protection.

FITNESS TIPS Suzanne gave us some fitness tips that she follows herself: “I balance my weekly routines with cardio, strength training and mind-body workouts. My diet is healthy but balanced with the occasional splurge. All and all I try to remain consistent with my workouts & diet, which has proven to give me the results I seek.”

Khaki

By Aveed

ith so many fitness options in town, it’s undoubtedly difficult to choose exactly which is the right fit. From multi-level gyms to garage-run bootcamps, there’s a bit of something for everyone here and more importantly, for every level of experience. When it comes to getting in shape though, experience sits backseat to commitment, and where commitment is concerned, there are few places in town that will provide as much return on your commitment investment as Alpha Strong Gym in Chico. A fitness buff since early on in her retail career, Kathy Hankins opened Chico’s Alpha Company fitness in 2007 with the intent to train others in the workout ethic that allowed her body to deal with the stresses of a grueling job working front seat for a fortune 500 company. Two years later she opened a second facility, Alpha Body Fitness, giving a home to her new group training techniques, covering high-end military-style bootcamps, kettle bell training and women’s fitness classes. It was while

training in this environment that she came to realize the inadequacies in sandbag fitness equipment and worked closely with two other local Chicoans to found Alpha Strong LLC, their first fitness equipment company, which set a new bar for sandbag design and durability in the exercise equipment industry. Since then, Alpha Strong sandbags have become a bit of a worldwide phenomenon, scoring permanent positions in some of the world’s largest gyms and on highly watched and regarded television shows. Best of all, the products were designed right here in Chico and are utilized each and every day in her training programs. Most recently, Kathy decided to take her fitness training to the next level, partnering with Seth Weil of Progressive Fighting Systems of Northern California to open Alpha Strong Gym. Seth, one of the most accomplished martial artists in California, brings nearly twenty-four years of martial arts training in Taekwon-Do, “Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, judo, hapkido, aikido, wrestling, Krav Maga, escrima, boxing and Muay Thai to the table. Together, the two are bringing a new style of training to the

area that is unmatched throughout northern California. Beginning on January 2nd, Kathy and Seth are launching a new style of fitness challenge called “Warrior Training.” This new offering from Alpha Strong Gym is a 6-week training class that takes discipline to an entirely new level and guarantees incredible results for anyone who makes the commitment to invest their time and energy to making a change in their life. The program includes one-on-one coaching, a customized eating plan, one of the most challenging fitness routines you’ll find in Chico, discipline instruction and the camaraderie and support you’ll need to succeed. Whether you’re interested in burning away extra holiday flab, developing strength, building muscle, increasing speed or simply getting back into shape after some time away from it, Alpha Strong’s Warrior Training is the fastest and most effective way to reach your goal. At their introductory price of just $150 for six weeks of training, this may also be your most affordable option this year. Stop on in, chances are you’ll see one of us there.

Contact Alpha Strong: 252 East Avenue, Suite F, Chico, CA 95926 530-899-8900 | bealphastrong.com 44

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

About Face by Dr. Randy Landis, DDS, OMS started my practice in 1988 here in Chico and have had a special interest in facial cosmetic surgery since the beginning of my training and throughout my time in oral and maxillofacial surgical residency and fellowship. In the early 1990's I began using lasers to make my patients’ eyelid and face-lift incisions and dissections. I was fortunate to have contacts with the innovators of many of our modern techniques and was the first surgeon to bring laser skin resurfacing to northern California in 1996. I am also proud to have introduced the endoscopic forehead and face-lift procedures in northern California in the mid 1990's. My philosophy has always been to listen to the patient and try to offer procedures that address the needs of the individual. Smaller and less invasive procedures completed earlier in a patient’s life can keep them looking youthful and vibrant. Procedures such as an endoscopic brow lift (forehead lift), and mini-open brow lift in conjunction with upper and lower eyelid procedures can restore a bright and beautiful appearance to the face and avoid showing some of the early signs of aging. It can be as simple as removing a mole or acne scarring, or as dramatic as repositioning the upper and lower jaws and reshaping the nose and chin. Often, patients are unaware of procedures that can address their concerns and always enjoy hearing exclamations of, "I didn't know I could do that!" The neck can be an area that begins to show tissue laxity early even in patients in their thirties. Excess skin or fatty tissue can cause

(above left) Dr. Landis and his staff. (above) Three recent facial makeovers completed at Landis Facial Surgery

the face to lose that youthful look of smooth facial contours and elastic tissue. Modern facial rejuvenations use small incisions, and are usually performed earlier. Mini face-lift procedures are tailored to give significant results with little down time and avoid many of the prolonged recoveries associated with larger traditional face lift procedures. The 21st century has made use of injectable tissue fillers like Restylane and neurotoxins like Botox to complete the most common cosmetic procedures in the world, giving patients an almost endless list of options to look their best throughout the aging process. We offer a full line of injectable tissue fillers and surgical fillers to enhance or restore the face. We have several special procedures to address the changes that occur to the lips and areas around the eyes and mouth. I believe that these areas are the windows into our feelings and personality. Droopy upper eyelids or a frown line can give an incorrect message to the world around us and the resulting energy we project is less positive than we intend. We in-turn receive similar energy from those around us. A heavy brow, a sagging jowl line or loose skin under our chin can lessen our self confidence and be misinterpreted by others. Comments like, "You look tired" or "are you working too hard?" are not just driven by our personality and words, but can also be driven by how people perceive us from our appearance. In just the same way a new hairstyle or stylish clothing can give us a personal boost of self-confidence and self-acceptance, so too can facial cosmetic procedures. Note the little spark of energy that fills the room with your circle of friends when you sport your new do, or a new article of clothing. Even men are

Contact Landis Facial Surgery: 80 Declaration Drive Chico, CA 95973 (530) 893-7900 | dr4face.com

aware of our droopy lids or sagging brow. Fatty tissue under our jaw line and chin can rob us of the Robert Redford jaw line that we once enjoyed. At Landis Facial Surgery we offer three dimensional (CT) imaging and digital computer treatment simulations for many of the facial cosmetic and reconstructive procedures we perform. We specialize in procedures that reposition facial bones or augment and reshape the nose, cheek and chin to balance the face to enhance our patients’ natural features. In some cases actual reproductions of our patients’ skeleton are made and used to perform surgical simulations or to make custom implants or reconstructive aids. Reconstruction of defects from congenital deformities, accidents, or tumor surgery are evaluated and planned using this same advanced technology. Although one of my main areas of interest is facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, Landis Facial Surgery also specializes in surgical management of tumors, facial trauma and pathologic conditions of the face jaws and mouth. I have spent my professional and personal life studying art, balance, form and beauty and love the opportunity to practice it in a surgical speciality that allows me to help my patients realize the best they can be. I believe in the whole person. We all need to take steps to be the best we can be. Eat healthy, exercise, recreate ourselves, have balance in our daily routines, avoid excess, self-destructive behaviors and bad habits. Take a look at what can be done to get that face of yours looking its best. After all don't we all want to be proud and happy with the part of our body that we show to the world all day, every day?

Group photograph by Erin Wenham

Kyle Forrest Burns by Briana Lindstrom

In the middle of the woods that we call Magalia, lived a dark room. This is where Kyle’s mom developed her photographs and instilled within her son an interest and comfort in photography. Inspired by all forms of film, and guided by his teachers, Kyle’s interest in photography grew into a passion and natural ability to see things through a uniquely artistic lens. After high school, Kyle left Butte County and wandered into the fog of the Mendocino coast where he lived for five years as a young hermit in an old barn. This period of solitude has given his photographs a lonely, nostalgic feel, while the moisture of the coast has left him with a thirst for the fog that is captured in much of his work. He is inspired by landscapes and focuses in on particular scenes within a landscape. Sometimes human items left behind in nature such as broken down cars add a rustic, desolate emotion to his compositions, jump-starting your imagination into storytelling mode. Kyle explains, “They say a picture is worth a thousand words, I try to evoke at least five.” Kyle’s photography gives us a glimpse at the world the way he sees it, and once you enter his world, it is easy to see that this local artist has a truly beautiful mind. http://forrestburns.tumblr.com/

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Lucas Rodriguez

by Briana Lindstrom Living by the philosophy that life inspires art, and art constitutes a higher quality of life, Luke believes that art should be created and displayed inside, outside, and frequently. With his murals, paintings and prints, this color fiend finds beauty in all his surroundings and loves to share it with the public. From drawing to video production to painting and print-making, Luke has been interested and involved in all types of art for as long as he can remember. Out of high school, he worked at a screen printing shop and learned how to incorporate that process into his artwork. As an Art Education major with an emphasis in print, he also learned monotype and lithography techniques. Once he graduated, he lost access to the expensive equipment required to produce prints, and began making his own stencils. His style has grown into a rich combination of using photography to make stencils, and his love of color to create a dynamic juxtaposition of clean lines against organic splashes of color. He explains that some of his collections may not seem cohesive in their immediate appearance, but they are all inspired by wonder that he finds in the world and are related by their appearance in his life. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interpretations of his surroundings come out full of depth, simplicity, and new life, brightening the dullness of everyday sights and breathing color into the world. lucasrod.com

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

How Healthy is Your Pancreas? By Dr. Michelle L. Anderson, D.C., B.S. & Vincent Commendatore, D.C., B.S.N., R.N.

years ago Socrates said, “Let food be our medicine and let our medicine be our food.” Most Americans are aware that there is a growing obesity epidemic in our country. Rather than trying to treat obesity with medications that have many negative side effects and limited success, consider what might happen if people had a way to lose weight by targeting fat reserves and sparing muscle…just by making some simple modifications to the food they eat. In America, there is a lot of energy and focus around losing weight, especially after the holidays with New Year’s resolutions. Why does it seem that losing weight – and keeping it off – is so hard for so many? The answer lies disguised behind the over abundance of sugars and carbohydrates in our diet. This causes over-production and over-stimulation of insulin. Insulin is a powerful hormone secreted by our pancreas and has many critical functions. In the presence of too much sugar and carbohydrate, insulin causes these ingested molecules to be stored as fat. The constant barrage of sugars, and secretion of insulin, eventually

leads to insulin resistance in our cells, and a worn out pancreas. Insulin resistance causes the development of Syndrome X which has four major components: obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar (type II diabetes), and high cholesterol and lipids. Sound familiar? Just about every popular drug sold today is trying to deal with the issues seen in Syndrome X. Instead of taking drugs and dealing with symptoms, there is a significantly healthier way to actually heal from these disorders. The key to addressing the symptoms of Syndrome X is healing the pancreas. To do this, losing weight is often a critical factor, and you can do that following Socrates’ advice. Most Americans need to send their pancreas on a vacation by reducing carbohydrates and sugar to a minimal level. This turns on the fat-burning mechanism, a process in our bodies called Ketosis. Ketosis is a natural metabolic state that our bodies have used for thousands of years in times of scarcity. When we burn fat, we actually get twice as much energy than when we burn an equal amount of sugar. To effectively do this, you need to increase

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

protein consumption to prevent muscle breakdown while limiting your intake of saturated fats, trans-fats and cholesterol. This protocol would allow the majority of overweight Americans to shred away the 10, 40, or 130 pounds of fat that is literally killing them. With a plan as simple as low carb, low fat, and high protein, why shouldn’t everyone be successful? The keys to successful weight loss are 1. Having an easy, affordable plan, 2. One-on-one professional coaching, and 3. High quality, low fat, tasty protein meals. At Chico Spine & Wellness, we offer all the keys to success as part of our Ideal Protein protocol. Ideal Protein is an individualized four phase diet that has a beginning and an end. We help guide you, motivate you, and coach you through the process of losing the weight you want to lose and teach you how to keep it off once you finish the Ideal Protein protocol. To see if you qualify to begin losing 3 to 7 pounds a week without exercising, call our office at 530.456.1457 to schedule a consultation.

Enough with Glasses! By Dr. David Woods MD

FLOSSING AT NIGHT By Dr. John Nelsen, DDS It’s that time of year again; the clock strikes twelve, we throw our hats in the air, share that exciting first kiss of the new year and swear up and down that we resolve to do things differently this year. The list of resolutions is usually riddled with promises to get fit quick and hold strong to financial goals that will actually take much longer to accomplish than we normally allot time for. However, there is one resolution that takes just two weeks to fulfill and, if research has anything to say about it, it’ll add up to 6 years to your life while also making life better from this point forward. Resolve to make flossing a daily habit! You’ve heard it before, you’ll hear it again, and if you’re still reading this, chances are you’ve probably failed at making it stick in the past. You’re not alone! Approximately fifty-one percent of Americans have lost the battle in making flossing a staple of their daily routine, and yet, there are no support groups to speak of. So why is this simple 3-minute activity so hard to add to our list of daily habits? Because we’ve been trained to treat it like an extra. How many commercials have you seen on TV or in magazines for floss? Quickly compare that with how many ads you’ve seen for various toothbrushes and toothpastes. The more we see

something, the greater the value we place on incorporating it into our daily lives. So how do we make the conscious decision to floss our teeth as obvious as brushing our teeth this new year? Simple: pair the two and change the standard order. On the first morning of your new resolution place your floss on top of your toothpaste when you’re done brushing your teeth. When you return in the evening to brush your teeth, you’ll have to pick up your floss to get to your toothpaste, and just like that you’ve created your first reminder. Floss your teeth first then brush them! Again place your floss on top of your toothpaste when you’re done. Day one is complete! Continue this for the next two weeks and you will have completed what experts regard as the appropriate number of repetitions to turn an activity into a habit. It doesn’t take much to succeed at flossing and the benefits are numerous: it decreases your risk for heart disease, protects against gum disease, cures most causes of bad breath, helps prevent cavities, and makes your smile shine brighter than you ever thought imaginable. Plus, with the extra six years it’ll add to your life, you might finally have time to conquer all those other lingering new year’s resolutions you’ve made over the last few years.

magine you couldn’t see up close anymore. Your near vision is gone seemingly overnight, and you can only see things at a distance. No more easily threading needles, reading fine print, or doing small detailed work. Argh! This is the universal condition occurring to 45 year olds throughout the world, as they enter the age of presbyopia. During eye consultations, I break the news as kindly as possible, explaining that the human lens loses the ability to change its shape, causing a loss of near focus. We all hit the magic age of 45 years old when our ability to change our focus from far to near diminishes. People who are naturally near-sighted find themselves sneaking a peek under their distance glasses to read fine print. People who don’t wear glasses at all soon find their “arms get longer” and they hold print further away so it falls into their now diminishing near focal range. A solution exists, and it’s called Monovision. With monovision, a person uses one eye for distance, and the other eye for near vision. To determine which eye should be used for distance, I usually ask, “What is your shooting eye?” This tells me which eye the brain prefers for distance. About 75% of people are right eye dominant, so the left eye is set up for near vision, restoring a range. Once it is determined how the monovision works best for a patient, it’s time to test it out using contact lenses. A contact lens focused for distance vision is prescribed for the dominant eye. The other eye is left nearsighted. Most brains ignore the change until it’s time to go to work reading menus, labels, Upgraded Living or whatever they want to read without glasses, then they automatically adjust. Beautiful! Patients are back to feeling 30 years old again, glasses-free for the majority of their activities. Today’s customized eye surgery requires a better understanding of our patients’ preferences, hobbies and lifestyles. My hunters and truck drivers usually prefer both eyes for distance as they want un-compromised distance vision. Teachers, preachers, physical trainers, outdoors people who do less night time activities- love having a distance and near eye (monovision). Usually those who are academic and read or write continuously I encourage to use bifocals or dedicated reading glasses, as this fits their primary near-sight lifestyle the best. Being able to help patients as individuals become glasses-free makes it a pleasure for me to go to work every day. Once a patient knows whether blended vision is best for them, we set them up for many years to come using contact lenses. Many patients having eye surgery with LASIK or a lens implant procedure for cataracts choose to keep monovision after their procedure. They just get rid of the contacts and we set their focus surgically the way they liked it. If you’re ready to ditch your glasses, give monovision a try! David Woods MD Reeve-Woods Eye Center, 460 W. East Avenue, Chico CA 95926 Eye surgery or exam consultations with Dr. Woods can be scheduled in Chico at 899-2244.

The Taco Man t Upgraded Living, we all love a good underdog story; we can’t help but love one even more if the story ends in the success of one of our favorite restaurants and one of the most genuine and kind human beings we’ve ever met. José Uriarte is about as calm and collected as they come. From his relaxed demeanor to his soft-spoken nature, there’s little about his personality that screams entrepreneur, but take a few minutes to speak to him and you’ll find that he’s one of the hardest working and most committed business people in town. Born and raised in Sinaloa, Mexico, José moved to Escondido California in 1989 with the intent to create a better life for his family. A short period later he found himself in Crescent City and when work began to dry up he phoned his sister, who lived in Corning at the time, for help. It was right before the annual olive harvest, and she guaranteed him a job in Corning on one condition: he had to move his entire family and belongings to Corning in just two days. Committed to providing for his family, he gathered them and all of his belongings and quickly

made his way to Corning. After working various jobs he went to work for Nunzio Femino of Femino’s Catering in Orland as a butcher. Nunzio realized that José was meant for something more and asked him to go out and search for a job that was more his caliber. He promised to help however possible and again José went out in search of his perfect fit. In November 2011, José relocated his family one final time to Chico where he opened his first taco truck. The $12,000 truck which he purchased for an inflated $20,000 with a $5,000 loan, was his first venture into the restaurant business in Chico. “The Taco Man”, as he called it, mimicked the taco trucks he had seen in Corning that fed everyone during the olive harvest, with one exception, it served seafood. With $125 left in his pocket he purchased all the ingredients he could and whatever meats his old friend would give him and set up shop on Park Avenue. Three years later he had paid off the truck, and with a successful business in full swing, moved his taco truck to 8th and Pine Streets. By 2007, “The Taco Man” was running on its own and José set out to open his first sit-down restaurant. He named it La Cocina Economica. After being

by Aveed Khaki photographs by Aveed Khaki

approached by two local businessmen in 2009, he decided to sell the business and open two new locations with the profits. He opened one as a taco truck at 20th Street and Park Avenue, and the other as a sit down restaurant at 1295 E. 8th Street; he named them both Gordo Burrito. Now, nearly three years later, he owns and operates two of the most successful taco trucks in town and one high-traffic restaurant whose food, dare we say, can’t be beat. His longstanding commitment to incorporating his native seafood into dishes has won him praise across town and plenty of wide-eyes from those who try it for the first time. Our favorite dishes? The tostadas, both vegetarian and camarón (shrimp), are absolutely to die for. At just four dollars each, cost is far from an issue. If you’re looking for something a bit more fusion, try the Bidwell Burrito for a crunch that’ll keep you coming back for more. When it comes to underdog stories there are few we love as much as José’s, and when it comes to Chico, there are few things we love more than this town’s support of entrepreneurship. Stop by Gordo Burrito when you get the chance, and believe us, you’ll be glad you did.

(Upper left) José and his family outside Gordo Burrito. (Above center) Mural on the back of the original Taco Man Truck. (Above right) The famous Sinaloa Sopes. (Left) The inner workings of the Bidwell Burrito. (Right) The delightful tostada camarón, which also comes in a vegetarian offering

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Contact Gordo Burrito: 1295 East 8th Street Chico, CA 95928 (530) 809-1211 | gordoburrito.com

Comfort in Tradition Johnnie’s Home-Grown Chef By Emily Spesert

eal world experience is priceless and Chef Joseph Symmes will testify that hard work has manifested his dream career. He started out washing dishes at The Graduate at age sixteen and soon advanced to working as kitchen staff in various restaurants around the North State. Often, taking on two jobs was necessary to support his family, but the experience was perfect training for these past seven years as Executive Chef at Johnnie's Restaurant, where he typically spends about seventy hours each week. “It's like a big family,” he says of spending time with the thirty people in the kitchen and Johnnie's guests. Since being a chef tends to run in his family, Chef Symmes emphasizes the old-fashioned comfort food that we grow up with in America. “You have to give people what they love, not something they don't understand,” he says. Therefore, his style focuses on what you might find in grandma's country kitchen. A taste of Asia, France, and Italy is thrown in for good flavor, but not enough to seem foreign. A fun fact about Chef Symmes is that his own home Contact Johnnie’s: 220 West 4th Street Chico, CA 95928-5315 (530) 895-1515 | johnniesrestaurant.com

is the test-kitchen for new recipes. The staff joins him to create new dishes that are truly home-cooked before getting officially added to the Johnnie's repertoire. It is this creative, high-intensity love for the culinary arts that has given Chef Symmes the ability to win the Sacramento Platinum Chefs Award and to serve on the California Walnut Commission and the California Rice Commission. This winter, Johnnie's will be open during some remodeling, with live jazz and a revised menu featuring more locally-sourced ingredients. The seafood will still be sushi-grade and flown in mostly from Hawaii, but local sources will be utilized as much as possible. Tin Roof Bakery will be supplying baked goods. La Rocca Winery, California Olive Ranch, and various produce growers will continue to provide food through the Chico Certified Farmer's Market. Lundberg Farms will continue to supply the rice, which happens to be the base for a new glutenfree pizza the chef will be showcasing. It's definitely worth tasting what Chef Symmes is cooking up this winter!

BEEF BOURGUIGNON STEW WITH MASHED POTATOES from Cafe Coda’s Eric Danielli & Adam Scarborough

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Beef Bourguignon Stew 2.5 lbs. cubed chuck roast or stew meat 6 oz. diced bacon 1 large yellow onion, medium diced 15-18 yellow pearl onions 6 cloves garlic, minced 2 large carrots 12 crimini mushrooms 1 bottle of full-bodied red wine 1 quart beef stock 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1 stick butter 2 oz tomato paste 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 bouquet garni (8 sprig fresh thyme, 8 sprigs of Italian parsley, 2 bay leafs, 1 sprig of rosemary) Italian parsley (garnish) salt and pepper

Mashed Potatoes If y o u tr y one o re c ip e s f th e m o n th , fe a tu re d th is p o st a your cu p lin a ry m h o to o f a st to o u r fa c e b o e rp ie c e o k w a ll, fa c e b o ok u p g ra d .c o m / e d liv in g

Plus 1 loaf of rustic bread On medium heat, in a large cast iron skillet, fully cook the bacon. While it is cooking, place the cubed beef on a large clean surface. Pat dry with a clean towel and season with salt and pepper. Once fully cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet. Turn up the heat to med-high and add about a third of the cubed beef to the hot bacon grease. Continue browning the meat until all surfaces are somewhat charred. Remove the cooked beef from the skillet and repeat this process twice, until all the beef has been nicely browned. Now add the diced onions and minced garlic to the hot skillet. Season with salt and pepper and add two tablespoons of butter. Let it cook 10 minutes or so until fully browned. Add the flour and stir until fully incorporated. Add the Bouquet garni (I usually tie up the thyme, parsley and bay leaf using a sprig of rosemary, but you can also use twine or cheesecloth) to the skillet as well as all of the reserved meat. By now you should have drunk about half of the first bottle of wine! Pour the remainder into the skillet, and add all of the beef

stock. Bring the liquids to a boil, then turn down to a steady simmer. Bring a medium sized saucepan and about a qt of water to a boil. Cut the ends of each pearl onion and add them to the boiling water. Boil the onions for 3 or 4 minutes, then remove from water and set aside to cool. Once cooled, the onion skins should peel quickly and easily. Set aside. The carrots should be peeled and chopped into large segments and added to the stew after about an hour of simmering. The sliced mushrooms and pearl onions can be added after 2 hours. Stir every 20 minutes, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom and sides. Keep the beef and the vegetables submerged under the reducing liquids as much as possible. If your stew reduces too much or too soon, turn down the heat a little and add more beef stock (or water), not more wine. There are some things that more wine won’t fix!

5 1 ¾ 3 ½ 10

large russet potatoes stick butter cup nonfat milk drops Tabasco bunch minced chives cloves minced garlic salt and white pepper

Peel and dice the russet potatoes and bring to a boil in a large stock pot. Once fully cooked, drain and return potatoes to the pot. Add milk, butter and Tabasco sauce. Use a small hand mixer or similar device to mix potatoes to desired consistency, adding more milk if necessary. Season with salt and white pepper and add the minced chives. Stir by hand to incorporate. If the stew is not yet ready (try to time it so the potatoes finish at the same time as the stew) you may keep the potatoes in the oven on a very low heat with a lid. Completing the Dish Continue simmering the beef for a total of about 3 and ½ hours, until it is fall-apart tender. The last steps are to add the tomato paste, Worcestershire, mustard and the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter to the stew and stir gently until fully incorporated. Remove and discard of what is left of the boquet garni. Serve over mashed potatoes with your favorite crusty bread and red wine. Serves 6.

265 Humboldt Avenue Chico, CA 95928-5764 (530) 566-9476

cafecoda.com

Dennis Deromedi (530) 899-2313

dennis@deromedirealestate.com www.deromedirealestate.com CA-DRE lic# 00757576

)FBUIFS $PPQFS

Jan Piacentine

heathercolleen@att.net www.heathersellschico.com CA-DRE lic# 01843577

KBOQDIJDP!IPUNBJM DPN

(530) 521-2606

(530) 591-3611

CA-DRE lic# 01047018

SOLD!!! Commercial Opportunity! Across from Bidwell Park, these two buildings have great upside. 2 year old front building has 6,460 sq. ft. of office space and 6 rented residential units. Back building with 7,200 sq. ft. is rented as daycare unit at $6,000/month. Call Dennis (530) 899-2313 SqFt: 17,780 Price: $950,000

Commercial Development Land! 3.98 acres of bare land in area of extensive development along Hwy 32 corridor in west Chico. 100 feet of road frontage but amount of frontage could be changed. 1.25 acre parcel with small home available next door. Call Dennis (530) 899-2313 Price: $400,000

Move-In Ready! Cute 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in a desirable California Park. Home has brand new carpet, dual-pane windows, and large master suite with double door entry. House also features indoor laundry, living room, family room, and eating nook in kitchen. Call Heather (530) 521-2606 Bed: 4.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,800 Price: $282,000

MOTIVATED Super Price! Wonderful 4 bedroom 3 bath with separate family room and living room in desirable Canyon Oaks. The many upgrades include extensive tile floors, granite counters in kitchen and new carpet. It has a spacious indoor laundry room and oversized garage. Call Dennis (530) 899-2313 Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,895 Price: $369,000

REDUCED!

SOLD!!

New Canyon Oaks Custom! Wonderful new 4 bedroom 3 bath with fabulous views nearly completed. Great lot for pool with easy access from house. Granite counters, extensive tile floors, 3 car garage and more. Call Dennis (530) 899-2313

Bank Owned! This like new 4 year old home shows like a model with laminate wood flooring throughout and granite counters. Near the end of street, it is private with no neighbors in front and a nature preserve behind. Great value at this price-submit offers. Call Dennis (530) 899-2313

Cute and Clean! Home has newer a/c, roof, carpet, and interior paint. Remodeled bath. Brick fireplace in living room and indoor laundry. Lot next door is .20 acres and is included in price-has APN #029-151002-000 Call Heather (530) 521-2606

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,633 Price: $489,500

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.5 SqFt: 1,942 Price: $278,000

Bed: 3.0

Bath: 1.0

SqFt: 1,488 Price: $145,000 11

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Dan Bosch (530) 896-9330 EBOCPTDI!TCDHMPCBM OFU XXX EBOCPTDI DPN

OWNER MUST SELL! Owner must sell this property! 6 unit apartment just around the corner from Chico State, with gross monthly income of ovr $5,400 per month, the return on investment is incredible with this one! Call Dan (530) 896-9330 Price: $399,900

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CA-DRE lic# 1236305

IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED HOME in a highly desirable area. Watch the sunsets and city lights, enjoy backyard barbeques in your professionally landscaped backyard or relax by the fireplace. This home has it ALL! Call Dan (530) 896-9330 Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,506 Price: $299,900

BUY THIS ONE NOW and reap the rewards for years to come. 5 units close to downtown Chico bringing in over $2,800 per month income and will cash flow nicely from day one. Priced at only $229,000 Call Dan (530) 896-9330

TWO HOMES ON ONE LOT just blocks to Chico State University. Each unit offers 1 bedroom and 1 bath plus private yards and off-street parking. This property is always rented and would make a fantastic investment. List Price $120,000 Call Dan (530) 896-9330

Price: $229,000

Price: $120,000

Tim Marble (530) 864-5552 UJNBUSFNBY!BPM DPN CA-DRE lic# 1047637

Charmer plus in a great neighborhood! Beautiful wood floors, tile kitchen, ceiling fans, forced air heating, FULL basement with extra cabinets, storage, rooms etc. Upstairs features hugh bedroom area with decorative knotty-pine walls, ceilings & closet doors! Bed: 4.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,929 Price: $185,000 10

Spacious Older Home in popular northeast location. Wide, well treed area with good curb appeal. Located on a little over a quarter of an acre with a garden shed in the backyard. Plenty of offstreet parking with a large driveway. Kitchen features a range and a separate cooktop as well. Bed: 4.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,792 Price: $174,000

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Large, 1.36 acre lot! Spacious home features large deck, woodstove and fireplace, detached 2 car garage, shed, very secluded location. Cosmetic fixup is needed. Bed: 2.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,887 Price: $149,900

Centrally Located building lot in Paradise just west of Pearson Road. Close to downtown shopping and transportation.

Price: $12,500

CA-DRE lic# 00784476

SUBMIT ALL OFFERS!! SELLERS VERY MOTIVATED!! Built in 2005, this 3 br two bath home has vaulted ceilings, beautiful cabinetry in kitchen with abundant counter space, extra large master and walk-in closet, oversized two-car garage, and a full acre to roam! Located west of Corning. Worth the drive! Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,520 Price: $120,000

.BSZ "OO 4DPUU (530) 521-0297

madoremus@aol.com www.maryannscott.com

FOUR GREAT MOBILES FOR SALE!

Very Affordable, nicely renovated mobile in excellent seniors park. Newer dual pane windows, newer carpet and vinyl, newer kitchen counters, and newer evap. cooler. Freshley painted exterior. Nice club house and pool. New stairs and deck. Bed: 2.0 Bath: 1.0 Price: $7,500

SqFt: 840

Amazing Open Floorplan on newer double wide mobile in nice Seniors park. Built in 2004, this home has high vaulted ceilings, open floor plan, 2 bedrooms, two baths PLUS an office. The beautiful deck spans the entire length of the home. Close to shopping and medical facilities. Bed: 2.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,248 Price: $65,000

JUST REDUCED TO $17,950!! Extra Large 2 Bedroom, 2 bath mobile in very nice, smaller senior park. Features include storm windows, seperate Living Room and Family Room, built-in hutch, indoor laundry, large bedrooms, master bedroom vanity, nice covered porch and storage shed. Bed: 2.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,440 Price: $17,950

JUST REDUCED TO $23,950!!! This spacious mobile home shows very light, neat and clean. Excellent placement in park, next to pool and clubhouse. Nice bonus room (not heated or cooled) is extra large. Bathrooms have been updated. A treat to show! Bed: 2.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,248 Price: $23,950 CA-DRE lic# 00666632

Very Nice Home and great floor plan with fireplace in the living room, seperate family room, and spacious master bedroom and bath. Vaulted ceiling and ceiling fan in living room. Near Emma Wilson School and Oak Way Park. Price: $185,000

Don Camy

(530) 520-1889 dcamy@sunset.net www.doncamy.com

You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find a better location in Chico - Bidwell Park is practically your neighbor! This custom built home features 2x6 construction, architecturally pleasing design with cathedral ceilings, skylights, spacious kitchen with island, nook, and eating bar; wood floors in the dining room, great room with fireplace, skylight, and ceiling fan; 4 bedrooms plus office; upstairs den/media room; jetted tub in master bath; spacious .32 acre lot with mature landscaping and side yard access for RV/boat, and more! Bed: 4.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 2,343 Price: $420,000 9

CA-DRE lic# 01119659

Mary McGowan Anderson (530) 518-8888

mary@marymchico.com www.marymchico.com

Amazing Bidwell Park Property! Nicely remodeled down to the studs! New wiring, plumbing, walls, windows, roof, etc! Inside laundry, gourmet kitchen w/granite, gas range, oven + microwave, spacious island, gorgeous cork floors, designer light fixtures, open kitchen/family rooms, .41 ac & tandem 4 car garage! Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.5 SqFt: 2,500 Price: $489,000

Just Waiting For You! Great neighborhood, end of cul-desac, large yard, mature landscaping, newer tile and laminate floors, beautiful brick fireplace plumbed for gas, 2 car garage, neat and clean, well maintained, but could use some cosmetic updating. Wonderful opportunity for a large home, large lot, great location and LOW price! Bring offers!

College Investment Property! Just blocks from CSU Chico. Sellers did extensive remodel 2 yrs ago– tile kitchen, new cabinets, new appliances including washer, dryer and refrigerator, tile baths, new roof, new HVAC, new dual pane windows, and so much more! Gross rents currently at $27,000/yr ($2,250/mo). Don’t miss out!

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,618 Price: $209,000

Bed: 5.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,869 Price: $249,000

Charm and Location! Located in a quiet neighborhood just minutes from everything you will need! Open kitchen w/ painted cabinets, tile counters and floors, gas range, electric oven, microwave, and eating bar. Large dining area w/slider to back patio and well treed spacious yard w/dog run & so much more!

Rare Find on the Park! Large .36 ac. Lot on a wonderful cul-de-sac of newer custom home right across the street from Bidwell Park. Beautifully landscaped street with guest parking area.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,282 Price: $229,900

Acreage: .36 Price: $235,000

Look NO Further! Great California Park location. Open and spacious living room w/vaulted ceilings, gas fireplace, and slider to rear yard, huge bright kitchen w/eating nook and loads of storage, formal dining area, large master suite w/slider to rear yard, separate tub and shower and dual sinks. Great buy! Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,713 Price: $299,000

THE HOUSE PREVIOUSLY IN THIS SPOT HAS SOLD!

Wonderful Custom-Built Home on 10 acres not far from town. Recent updates include new hardwood floor, quartz countertops, tile floors, plumbing hardware, and outside paint, large bedrooms with a master bedroom upstairs and downstairs, downstairs den, and an open floor plan, a beautiful inground pebbletec pool with Baja shelf and rock waterfall.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 4.0 SqFt: 3,750 Price: $825,000

WE CAN DO THE SAME FOR YOUR HOME! Golf course living at its best can be yours in this delightful Butte Creek Country Club home! Bamboo flooring and many other fine details throughout - just waiting for you to make it your own. Step out of the master suite shower (w/dual shower heads!) onto the heated slate tile floor and over to your huge walk in closet with built-ins. Recessed lights and coffered ceilings in the master bedroom make for a quiet retreat. The kitchen features granite counter tops, custom cabinets, GE Profile appliances (microwave, 2 ovens), KitchenAid refrigerator and ample storage in two pantries. There’s so much to say about this wonderful property and not enough space to say it all! Call today! Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.5 SqFt: 2,925 Price: $625,000

CALL TODAY TO LIST YOUR HOME AND SEE IT IN THIS MAGAZINE RIGHT AWAY!

CA-DRE lic# 1095047

Barbara Weibel (530) 624-6350 bjweibel@aol.com

www.barbaraweibel.com 8

CA-DRE lic# 01724028

This architecturally designed very spacious custom home, built in 1980, is one of the finest custom homes in the area encompassing a marvelous open design and numerous amenities. The homes’ unique beauty and attention to detail shine throughout the entire property. Window views of the natural wooded foothills and landscape are beautiful and serene. Situated on 16.23 secluded acres! Call today!

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.5 SqFt: 4,873 Price: $597,500

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Brent McCarthy (530) 228-1232

brent.mccarthy@comcast.net

www.northvalleyforeclosures.com

Alice Zeissler (530) 518-1872 CA-DRE lic# 1312354

Century21 Jeffries/Lydon

(530) 345-6618

(530) 570-1944

Joyce Turner

(530) 924-4097

Leslie Moller

Kiersten Morgan (530) 895-3063

CA-DRE lic# 1516350

CA-DRE lic# 01109119

CA-DRE lic# 01808835

Century21 Jeffries/Lydon

One of a kind custom home with newer 40 comp. roof, newer heat/air and builtin through out the house. . This home has a relaxing large yard with garden and RV potential with cover and uncovered patios. Call Alice (530) 518-1872 Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,693 Price: $440,000

Moller Realty Group

NorCal Chapter

Crane Realty

(530) 899-5360

Butte Meadows Home! You could live here year round or use it as a retreat. The home and grounds are immaculate, with room for all your toys in the four car garage. Home also includes central air and heat for year round comfort and a propane backup generator! Call Alice (530) 518-1872

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,725 Price: $399,000

Wonderfully maintained & centrally located on a large, nicely landscaped lot on paved street. Features include; large bonus room, master bedroom fireplace, granite countertops, upgraded finishes, front porch, back patio, metal roof, and more! Call Kiersten (530) 895-3063 Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.5 SqFt: 2,374 Price: $298,000

Remodeled Cabin on 2 parcels in Butte Meadows. Newer metal roofs and Cedar siding on main house, 12x16 workshop, pumphouse and garden shed. 20x8x8 cargo storage unit included. All inclusive pkg.; hand-made pine livingrm & bedrm furniture, stackable W/D, portable dishwasher, newer Frig & stove and owner will carry! Call Leslie (530) 924-4097

Price: $209,000

Forest Ranch Acreage:

Great Home Across from Lindo Channel! Nice central location close to schools. Ready to more into!! New roof put on just a few months ago, dual pane widows, newer heat/air refurbished Kitchen, bath and refinished oak floor. Call Alice (530) 518-1872

This lovely mobile home is 4 mobiles put together to make one large home, with lots of room and in very good condition. So many nice features; large living room, wet bar for entertaining which adjoins the family room. So much to see here! Call today! Call Joyce (530) 570-1944

Overlooking Little Chico Creek, this privately situated home on 1 ac. boasts lovely views. Goldmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2002 remodel, showcases views & natural light. Wrap-around deck, office, spa, wood finishes, end of cul-de-sac, & HOA w/pool & 80 acres of open space. Call Kiersten (530) 895-3063

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 1.5 SqFt: 1,560 Price: $239,000

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,920 Price: $26,500

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 2,182 Price: $395,000

** 5 acre view property! Deep well, power & septic. $85,000 ** Ready for your Dream Home! 2.79 acres w/ septic, power & well $109,000 ** Outstanding view acreage w/ deep well. $149,000 Call Kiersten (530)895-3063

WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COUNCIL OF REALTORS

Owner financing available! Fenced grassy yard. Large patio with double full length awnings. New HVAC. Nice open floorplan. Roomy kitchen w/newer appliances included. Separate large living & family rooms. Active 55yrs+ park. Call Leslie (530) 624-6111

3 Bedroom, 1990 Fleetwood! Spacious home with separate living and family rooms. Kitchen has been upgraded and remodeled with newer cabinetry and solid surface counters, tile flooring and fixtures. Refrigerator and W/D purchased in 2007. Energy efficient with dual pane windows, ceiling fans, and vaulted ceilings. Call Leslie (530) 924-4097

Looking for a family to RENT, BUY or LEASE OPTION on this 1995 home on quiet long term neighbors culdesac. Tile, fresh paint, & pellet stove. Oversized garage w/workbench area. 2 covered porches on a big lot room for pool and garden. Call Leslie (530) 624-6111

Bed: 2.0 Bath: 2.0 Price: $23,000

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,344 Price: $27,000

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 Price: $239,000

SqFt: 1,248

SqFt: 1,312

A professional approach and personalized service! - Kiersten Morgan 1MFBTF DBMM UPEBZ

(530) 895-3063

3 Bed, 2 Bath, clean condo, centrally located! private carport that lead into your own private court yard, indoor laundry, beautiful grounds park like setting, pool, tennis courts $99,000 Call Johnny Call Johnny (530) 864-3398

Mark Reaman (530) 228-2229

MarkReaman@gmail.com CA-DRE lic# 01265853

Sweet 7 acre ranchette. Newer 2100 sq ft home featuring 3 beds, 2 baths, separate living & family rooms with formal dining! Beautiful inground pool, Barnmaster with two stalls and loafing/feed area perfect for the 4H enthusiast, great house at a great price! Call Mark (530) 228-2229 Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 2,100 Price: $304,900

3 Bed, 2 Bath, Immaculate Eaton village home, Move in ready, Home boast vaulted ceiling, ceiling fans, tile counters, tile roof, 2 car garage, patio cover, great curb appeal, end of a cul-de-sac, mature landscaping, RV parking and much more. Call Johnny (530) 864-3398

Johnny Klinger (530) 864-3398

JohnnyKlinger47@gmail.com CA-DRE lic# 01251617

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 Price: $220,000

19.54 Acres of Walnut Trees on Garner Lane. Zoned for 1 acre parcels, (SR-1). The possibilities are to split into 1 acre parcels and make a real nice subdivision, or build your dream home and have a real nice private lot. $525,000 Call Johnny (530) 864-3398

Clean, newer home in a super neighborhood, 3 beds, 2 baths, seperate living and family rooms with formal dining. Back yard build for entertaining with a dark bottom inground pool, gazebo and sundeck. Priced to sell at $329,000 Call Mark (530) 228-2229

Mostly Level 12 ac parcel in Cohasset, OWC to a qualified buyer, lots of sunshine and power is on adjoining parcel, very motivated seller! Call Mark (530) 228-2229

Price: $525,000

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 Price: $329,000

Bed: 2.0 Bath: 1.0 Price: $95,000

www.ChicoHomeSearch.com

SqFt: 840

Looking for a home? Call me today!

+PBO )FDLFSTPO (530) 521-9248

CA-DRE lic# 01219323 Keller Williams Realty Chico

Ĺ&#x; 4IFSSJF0)FBSO!NTO DPN Ĺ&#x; 4IFSSJF0 DPN CA-DRE Lic# 01267210

Beautiful Home in Desirable Neighborhood! Open floor plan w/ formal living & family rms. Kitchen has tiled floors & counters, walk-in pantry & gas stove. 4th bedroom is separate with its own bath. 3-car garage with floor to ceiling cabinets. Manicured front & back yards. Immaculate!

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 Price: $358,000 4

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

SqFt: 2,172

Charming Dollhouse Improvements include dual pane windows, newer H/A, updated kitchen & baths w/granite counters, tile floors & tile showers. New fixtures, doors, carpet & fresh int/ext paint throughout. Good size backyard with deck & patio. Must see! Bed: 2.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt:1,034 Price: $199,500

A Top Ten Agent in 2011

Sherry Landis (530) 514-4855

landis4sale@aol.com www.SherryLandis.com CA-DRE lic# 01084946

DON’T MISS OUT ON THESE NEW YEAR’S DEALS! One Owner Custom A1 Vial Home with very open floor plan and a contemporary feel! Special faux painting, brand new carpeting throughout and upgraded features make this home a real find! Large kitchen with eating bar open to family room area with walls of windows. Inground gunite pool (fenced) with lush landscaping frame this beautiful home with 3 car attached garage. Other outbuildiings and shed with RV access on nearly 1 acre, cul-de-sac and close to town! Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,726 Price: $475,000

Beauty and architecture combine in this custom 4400sqft+ home on 4 acres. Features 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, office and 3 car garage. Master suite with dressing room perfect for workout space, walk-in closet and bath that transports you to the spa. The kitchen is a chef’s delight with commercial range, pantry, and formal dining room. Basement perfect for wine cellar. 2 staircases, 10 ft ceilings, custom built-ins and architectural features throughout the home. Backyard resort setting with gorgeous pool and patios perfect for entertaining. This dream home can become your reality. Bed: 5.0 Bath: 5.0 SqFt: 4,467 Price: $799,000

CA-DRE lic# 01257669

Vikki Reimer (530) 894-4515

vikkireimer@yahoo.com www.VikkiSellsChico.com

Very Nice Mobile Home in one of Chico’s nicest senior parks!! Featuring an open floor plan, spacious kitchen, appliances included. Seperate living & dining room. Big lot with mature trees and landscaping, nice fenced yard and extra parking. Please call for a private showing. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0

SqFt: 1,128 Price: $25,000

Opportunity Awaits! Great home in a great location! Well maintained one owner home. New interior paint and new flooring. Huge Barn and Shed. Approved map for a 4 parcel split on file with the county. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.5 SqFt: 1,601 Price: $365,000

CA-DRE lic# 01297683

Katherine Ossokine Cell: (530) 591-3837

kossokine@century21chico.com www.KatherineSellsChicoHomes.com

Located in one of Chico’s most desirable neighborhoods. Upper Filbert Ave. is a well established and very desirable area. Close to Bidwell Park and Sierra View Ele. School. If you’re looking for a spacious and charming home, this lovely 5 bedroom 3 bath offers you what you’ll need. Beautiful front entrance rich in color and beauty plus a private courtyard. Immaculate hardwood flooring through out most of home. Galley kitchen with newer appliances that features a very light and bright dining area.

Drive Up To This Beautifully Appointed Tudor Style Home! The views are incredible! This 3 bed, 3 bath, custom built home on 4.75 acres was designed to bring the outdoors in. Includes an office/study off the master bedroom. Sewing/art rm. upstairs. The 3rd. bedroom has a redwood deck and stairs going down to the backyard. Walk-in closets in 2 bedrooms. A very cozy family rm. with a vaulted knotty cedar ceiling & a wood stove(alcove) that invites you in with a “Tahoe feeling”. Unique indoor garden/ spa room set w/a watering system. Call today to see more of this great home! Bed: 3.0 2

Bath: 3.0

SqFt: 2,541

Acreage: 4.75 Price: $549,900

UPGRADED LIVING | JANUARY 2011 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Bed: 5.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,697 Price: $350,000

DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS WONDERFUL HOME! Located in one of Chico’s most desirable areas. Close to Bidwell Park and shopping. This home boasts an open floor plan, high ceilings, & a formal dining room. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths with split floor plan. Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,230 Price: $385,000

Chico Charmer! Great investment opportunity! Extremely well maintained 3 bedroom/2 bath home. Shows pride of ownership! Located near CSUC. Central heat and air. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,117 Price: $235,000