C-2012-12-06 by News & Review

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GOOD See CHOW, page 27

FAREWELL, JIM, BOB & ANDY SEE NEWSLINES, page 8

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A MUSICAL TWIST

O T U A W E N A Y U B O HOW T UT GETTING WITHO ERED SNOOK PAGE 18 R BY WALTE

See ARTS FEATURE, page 24

ONE BIRD, TWO BIRD

IRISH

Chico’s News & Entertainment Weekly

Volume 36, Issue 15

See GREENWAYS, page 12

Thursday, December 6, 2012

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CN&R

Vol. 36, Issue 15 • December 6, 2012

OPINION Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Guest Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 From This Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Streetalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

kids at the

NEWSLINES Downstroke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Sifter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

GREENWAYS EarthWatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The GreenHouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Eco Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 UnCommon Sense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

HEALTHLINES The Pulse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Weekly Dose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

COVER STORY

ARTS & CULTURE Arts Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 This Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Fine Arts listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Chow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Music. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Reel World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 In The Mix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Nightlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Arts DEVO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

REAL ESTATE

CLASSIFIEDS

BACKSTOP From The Edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Fifteen Minutes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Brezsny’s Astrology . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 ON THE COVER: ILLUSTRATION FROM GETTY IMAGES DESIGN BY TINA FLYNN

Our Mission To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages employees to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live. Editor Robert Speer Managing Editor Melissa Daugherty Arts Editor Jason Cassidy Calendar/Special Projects Editor Howard Hardee News Editor Tom Gascoyne Greenways/Healthlines Editor Christine G.K. LaPado-Breglia Staff Writer Ken Smith Contributors Catherine Beeghly, Craig Blamer, Alastair Bland, Henri Bourride, Rachel Bush, Vic Cantu, Matthew Craggs, Kyle Delmar, Meredith J. Graham, JoVan Johnson, Miles Jordan, Leslie Layton, Mark Lore, MaryRose Lovgren, Mazi Noble, Jaime O’Neill, Anthony Peyton Porter, Shannon Rooney, Claire Hutkins Seda, Juan-Carlos Selznick, Willow Sharkey, Alan Sheckter, Evan Tuchinsky Interns Kyle Emery, Stephanie Geske, Melanie MacTavish, Kjerstin Wood Managing Art Director Tina Flynn Editorial Designer Sandra Peters Design Manager Kate Murphy Design Melissa Arendt, Priscilla Garcia, Mary Key, Marianne Mancina, Skyler Smith Advertising Services Manager Jennifer Osa Advertising Consultants Brian Corbit, Jamie DeGarmo, Laura Golino, Robert Rhody Senior Classified Advertising Consultant Olla Ubay

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Where was the campaign? Somebody blew it on Measure J. Big time.

When Chico voters went to the polls on Nov. 6 and saw “Chico telephone users’ tax,” it’s likely most of them didn’t know what was at stake. They may not have known that, assuming they owned any kind of phone, they already had been paying the tax to the city. They probably didn’t know that Measure J would have reduced the tax from 5 percent to 4.5 percent. They very likely didn’t know that defeat of the measure could siphon as much as $600,000 from this year’s general fund and close to $1 million each year thereafter, making it more difficult for the city to provide essential services such as police and fire protection. That’s because nobody took ownership of Measure J and explained it to the voters. Sure, a majority of the council members supported the measure from the council dais. But we didn’t see any Yes on J signs or public workshops. What we did see were several No on J signs on neighborhood lawns, courtesy of the Chico Taxpayers Association and happily distributed by members of the Chico Tea Party. And what we heard was the usual, predictable “no new taxes” rhetoric, even from Councilmen Mark Sorensen and Bob Evans. It worked. The measure failed. We’re curious what Sorensen is going to say to his constituents now that the city is in the hole for funds that could pay for seven or eight police officers, as City Manager Brian Nakamura pointed out last week during a meeting of the Finance Committee. Sorensen said next to nothing during a discussion on the outcome of Measure J. What now? According to law, the city can’t put another tax measure on the ballot for two full years. Between now and then, it may have to refund a portion of previously collected revenues. Let’s hope not many cell-phone users ask for their money back. If they do, staffing cuts will be made, and cops and firefighters make up 80 percent of the city’s payroll. Ω

Nobody took ownership of Measure J and explained it to the voters.

Protect artists from Big Tech B speaking out and organizing—and use the legal system to take what’s not theirs, for profit. ig Tech wants to gag artists, punish them for

Big Tech (Google/YouTube, Clear Channel, Sirius XM, the NAB and the DiMA, et al.) has flourished as a result of consumers’ demand for free information, news, audiovisual content and music online. And, with its newfound power, Big Tech has become a serious threat to the rights of citizens, in particular our First Amendment rights. Earlier this year, organized blackouts, successful misinformation campaigns and online attacks by “hackers” by on the proponents of the Stop Online Anita Rivas Piracy Act (SOPA) resulted in its failure. Fake consumer groups, red herrings, The author is a dissemination of misinformation and the graduate of Chico bullying of opponents through the legal State and the UCLA system are standard practice for Big School of Law. She Tech. It operates in much the same way teaches music law and a clinical course Monsanto does (i.e., interference with on artist development GMO labeling, threatening to sue the state and event production of Vermont, suing non-GMO farmers). in Chico State’s Music Big Tech has already filed suit against and Theatre SAG/AFTRA, ASCAP, Sound Department. Exchange and the AFM. Presently Pandora, a music webcaster (backed by Big Tech and $222-billion superpower Google), is using a misinformation campaign on its website to gain

4 CN&R December 6, 2012

support for the “Internet Radio Fairness Act” (IRFA). This legislation would silence artists, make the judges political appointees and slash artists’ already reduced royalties by 85 percent. Maybe Big Tech should take its own advice and “create a new business model.” Without creative people, much of the Internet economy would die. Google and Big Tech’s real agenda is to diminish the rights and eliminate the voices of all creators (and objectors)—and relegate all creative works to free content. Until Big Tech respects our legal rights as owners of our persons and our works, Big Tech is no different than an accomplice in any other crime—only Big Tech doesn’t go to jail, it changes the laws, and profits from its participation in the destruction of the livelihood of millions. Broadcasters still pay zero to recording artists for the use of their recordings. If there is to be true fairness, Congress must make Big Tech and all broadcasters and Internet services pay their fair share and meaningfully regulate these industries. Anita Rivas’ students are producing a Q&A on Artists’ Rights with East Bay Ray (of the Dead Kennedys) today (Thursday, Dec. 6) at 5 p.m. in Chico State’s RowlandTaylor Recital Hall (PAC 134). Ω

Obama must lead on climate The latest round of U.N. climate talks is wrapping up this

week, in Doha, Qatar. Pardon us for not being optimistic. These international gabfests have been going on for 20 years now, and carbon emissions continue to increase. As the World Bank recently reported, even if the world’s nations meet the pledges they’ve made so far to reduce carbon emissions, average annual temperatures will rise by more than 3 degrees Celsius—5.4 degrees Fahrenheit—by the end of the century. If they’re not met, the temperature could rise 4 degrees Celsius. “There is no certainty that adaptation to a 4˚C world is possible,” the report bluntly states. We know President Obama understands how dangerous climate change is, but so far he’s done little about it. Now that he’s been re-elected—and Hurricane Sandy has reminded him just how overwhelming extreme weather can be—he is free to take action. He should begin by giving a big speech on the subject, laying out the science and explaining why confronting global warming is absolutely essential. Then he should find a way to put a price on carbon. Right now, we aren’t paying an honest price for fossil fuels, one that reflects their true cost to society and the planet. James Hansen, the NASA scientist who first brought climate change to our attention, recommends setting a carbon fee, collected from fossil-fuel companies, that is then distributed to the public. Yes, it would increase fuel costs, but that’s the point. It would also stimulate the economy, foster innovation and move us away from fossil fuels. Mr. President, are you listening? Ω

FROM THIS CORNER by Robert Speer roberts@newsreview.com

Sweeping up a mess No sooner had last week’s issue of the CN&R hit the stands Thursday morning than I got a call from Jim Walker. Chico’s vice mayor was mystified. Did you forget about me and Andy? he asked. He was referring to an editorial in that issue, titled “New faces, new council,” about the post-election changes on the City Council set to take place Tuesday (Dec. 4). As a final note, the editorial had praised departing Councilman Bob Evans for “serv[ing] the people of Chico with intelligence and great good will,” adding that he would be missed. The editorial said nothing about Walker, who chose not to run for re-election, after four years on the council (twice as long as Evans) and, before that, 10 years on the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission and eight years on the Chico Area Recreation and Park District board. Nor did it mention Councilman Andy Holcombe, who also chose not to run again, after eight years on the council, two of them as mayor. Both of them were to be honored at the Dec. 4 meeting, along with Evans. And, as Walker pointed out, the editorial also wrongly stated that Andrew Coolidge was one of the three new faces on the council. Oops. That would be Sean Morgan. (How many mistakes can one little editorial have?) Walker wasn’t angry, just a little hurt, I sensed. I didn’t blame him. He and Holcombe deserved better. I apologized, saying that it was an oversight, the product of momentary mental sloppiness and a failure to vet the copy well. Walker wasn’t the only person who noticed the lapse. My predecessor, Evan Tuchinsky, weighed in from Hot Springs, Ark., where he and his wife, Amy Dolinar, now live. Even from that distance he knew Morgan had been elected, not Coolidge. And Pastor Jim Peck, of the First Congregational Church, sent in the letter you see to the right of this column. He asks how we could have confused Morgan and Coolidge. It’s a good question. We’re still trying to answer it. Needless to say, we’re being more careful now. There’s nothing like a major screw-up to focus the mind. In the meantime: When Jim Walker and Andy Holcombe announced they weren’t running for re-election, I was saddened. They have been extraordinary public servants. Both men have wide and deep knowledge of how things work in Chico, and each in his own way has articulated a vision of what the community can be and successfully advocated for it. Holcombe came to Chico as a VISTA volunteer, and he’s held on to his deep compassion for the poor, especially the homeless. Walker, with his background as a park commissioner and CARD director, has always had a keen desire to preserve the town’s natural treasures. Their styles differ—Walker is a listener and synthesizer, Holcombe a talker and idea generator—but they are motivated by the same thing: the desire to be of service to Chico. They too will be missed.

Robert Speer is editor of the CN&R.

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Editorial is a mess Re “New faces, new council” (Editorial, Nov. 29): I was truly startled by your editorial because it contained far more factual and substantive errors than readers expect from the News & Review. Bob Evans is not the only councilmember who will be honored upon leaving the City Council. Andy Holcombe is also leaving, as is Jim Walker. Both have served for more years than Mr. Evans. Mr. Holcombe has been mayor and Mr. Walker vice-mayor. How could you have omitted any mention of their names? Tami Ritter and Randall Stone are joining the council, but not Andrew Coolidge. Sean Morgan is the third new council member. I know you know the outcome of the election. How could you have gotten this information wrong? Finally, I am hopeful Ann Schwab is reelected mayor. She has performed admirably in this role, and there is no need for a change in that position. Why would having three new council members be the reason to make a change in the mayor’s position? Frankly, it is an argument for keeping an experienced leader in the role, and that person is Ann Schwab. The editorial was simply beneath the standards of the News & Review. How it passed muster is beyond me. JIM PECK Chico

Editor’s note: How it passed muster is beyond us, too. Election fatigue, maybe? Editor Robert Speer discusses Mr. Peck’s criticisms in his From This Corner column next door.

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Missed opportunities Re “How special it is” (Newslines, by Tom Gascoyne, Nov. 29): Had [Tehama County] District Attorney Gregg Cohen allowed the 2009-10 and 201011 grand juries to investigate my complaints and the presiding judges not managed the authority and the duty of these grand juries, allegations that Jim Nielsen had committed perjury would have been settled. Other elected Tehama County public servants including the following failed to obey their oath of office: Sheriff Clay Parker, Sheriff Dave Hencratt, and Election Registrar Beverly Ross. We need to include Doug LaMalfa in the equation. He is the No. 1 culprit who orchestrated the musical chairs to keep Jimmy Nielsen in the game. Tehama County residents will now eat an estimated cost of $100,000 for this special election. I hope this time the voters will send Nielsen home to Woodland. Oops! I mean Gerber.

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Re “Déjà vu” (Newslines, by Ken Smith, Nov. 21): Paul Zingg, Chico State’s president, and Drew Calandrella, a vice president, might benefit from taking a basic logic and critical-thinking class at Chico State. A 21-year-old student goes out to the bars on his 21st birthday, drinks 21 shots, dies, and somehow the fraternity he belongs to is responsible for his death. Zingg and Calandrella then decide that all like student organizations are equally at fault. From your article: “He [Dr. Zingg] gave an analogy of airlines having to ground all planes if even one is suspect.” That is like stating that Ford Mustangs may have defective brakes, thus all cars must be recalled. This is a fallacy, an argument based on incorrect demonstration. Calandrella states, “Many of you are exemplars of what Greek life and Greek organizations are supposed to be.” But even those of you who are exemplars are hereby suspended, as the university finds that other, like organizations may have violated university rules. Again, an example of a fallacy, an argument based on incorrect demonstration. As an alumnus of Chico State, I find the lack of intellectual vigor displayed by President Zingg and Vice President Calandrella to be disturbing at best. CHARLIE PREUSSER Chico

Who’s the ‘taker’ here? Re “He’s not a real ‘taker’ ” (Letters, by Tom Dowd, Nov. 21): Imagine my sense of relief to learn that Tom Dowd of Durham does not consider me one of the “takers” in the Republican world view that sees our populace divided between those who take and those who make. According to Mr. Dowd, the real takers are only those who “have never contributed and yet have been able to live off government programs their whole lives.” I wonder if that definition would include the Walton family heirs who are so heavily subsidized by the government as it picks up the difference between what they pay and what working families need in order to live. And I wonder if [Goldman Sachs CEO] Lloyd Blankfein is a “maker” or a “taker,” as he cashes big bonuses for pushing paper, then pays less than half of what wage earners pay in taxes on that money he’s “earned.”

“In the last three years more than 4 million private-sector jobs have been created. Imagine what might have happened had the Republicans supported the president’s jobs bill.” —Roger S. Beadle Or how about former VP Dick Cheney, who got wealthy peddling government influence as he shuttled back and forth between the private and the public sector, and busily “made” a phony war that cost lots of lives, or ruined other lives of those who now “take” from the government because they’ve been disabled and can no longer “make” stuff. Thank God Mr. Dowd has given me the dispensation that keeps me from being among those “takers” who don’t contribute much while costing the noble “makers” so much money. JAIME O’NEILL Magalia

Taking money from kids Re “Child support” (Newslines, by Tom Gascoyne, Nov. 22, about newly elected Councilman Sean Morgan’s accepting campaign donations from children): Anyone taking money from children must be a real creep! I think he must only care about his family. Anyone in their right mind wouldn’t take money from kids. Really? CAP MILLER Chico

Why Obama won Re “Why Romney lost” (Editorial, Nov. 21): It’s not why Romney lost, but why Obama won. The months leading up to and after Obama’s inauguration [in 2009], our country was hemorrhaging 750,000 jobs a month. This was not only due to the Bush administration’s destructive economic policies, but also the result of the tidal wave of corporate and private-equity firms outsourcing jobs. In the last three years more than 4 million private-sector jobs have been created. Imagine what might have happened had the Republicans supported the president’s jobs bill, rather than declare their intent to make him a one-term president, filibustering

every bill that would have helped America’s economic recovery. To the critics of Obamacare: It will prevent millions of Americans from unduly suffering illness and injury without proper medical care, family savings being depleted following prohibitive medical costs, and saving many who would have been left with no option but to declare personal bankruptcy. Additionally, President Obama took action to see that the present budget included two wars, the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, and the Bush tax cuts. These previously unfunded remnants of the Bush era will account for almost half of the $20 trillion debt that is projected for 2019. As for the right-wing code words, “wealth distribution,” the fact that the 400 richest families have the same combined wealth as the bottom 150 million Americans speaks volumes to the problem our nation faces. The irony to those who pay attention is that 150 million Americans represents a little over 47 percent of our population. ROGER S. BEADLE Chico

Congress needs compromise House Republicans seem determined to sabotage our government even if it means destroying our nation. Don’t they realize that if we all go down, it includes themselves, their families and friends? How many of them have the wealth of the 2 percent to save themselves? Most Americans, of any political persuasion, are in the 98 percent. It’s time for Congress to put “compromise” back into its vocabulary. BARBARA ORTIZ Magalia

Correction The credit was missing for the photo of author Carson Medley and his family that accompanied his cover story last week, “To catch a thief.” It was by Kristen Privett Photography.—ed.

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CARJACKING GONE WRONG

Berry Creek resident Alex Swain was arrested in Chico last Friday (Nov. 30) after allegedly bungling three attempts to steal cars, including an unsuccessful carjacking of an elderly woman’s vehicle. The series of failed thefts started with that 86-year-old woman in the parking lot of McDonald’s on Conners Avenue. The 22year-old Swain was pulled out of the woman’s car by a friend of hers and ran away, according to a Chico Police Department press release. He ended up at a nearby intersection, where he allegedly tried to take another driver’s car but was thwarted again, as the 24-year-old woman’s friends came to her aid. Swain, who showed signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance, was arrested on Cohasset Road, following yet another attempt to steal a car, this time a parked vehicle he broke into on Rio Lindo Avenue. He required medical aid and faces elder-abuse and attempted-carjacking charges.

STATUE DEDICATION

On Saturday, Dec. 8, a statue of Gen. Vang Pao will be dedicated in downtown Chico during an all-day ceremony honoring the man who helped the CIA wage a secret war in Southeast Asia in the 1960s and who today is a hero for many Hmong in America. The statue is set to stand next to the stairs on the west side of the City Council chambers building on Main Street between Fourth and Fifth streets. In November 2011 the City Council voted unanimously to accept the sculpture as a donation and approved its location. The effort was supported by Butte County Supervisor Larry Wahl, who served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War. Main Street between Fourth and Fifth streets and Fourth Street between Main and Wall streets will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the statue dedication by the Butte County Hmong Association.

WHAT A BOOT!

A former Chico State and Chico Rooks soccer player has taken home Major League Soccer’s MVP award as a forward for the San Jose Earthquakes. Chris Wondolowski, who played for Chico State from 2001 to 2004 and the Chico Rooks (formerly of the Men’s Premier Soccer League) during the 2004 season, led all of the MLS in scoring for the third straight year with a record-tying 27 goals, according to a Chico State Athletics Department press release. Wondolowski (pictured) became the fifth U.S.-born player to win the MVP award in the 17-year history of the MLS. Wondolowski entered the league in 2005, receiving limited playing time with the first incarnation of the San Jose Earthquakes and then with Houston Dynamo until his breakout in 2010, when he scored 18 goals in 26 matches. 8 CN&R December 6, 2012

At his final City Council meeting Tuesday (Dec. 4), Councilman Andy Holcombe (center) talks about the joys and challenges of serving on the council as his fellow departing councilmen, Jim Walker (left) and Bob Evans, look on. PHOTO BY ROBERT SPEER

Exit left, center and right Three Chico City Council members bid adieu

TChico City Council members, two by choice and one by defeat on Election Day. Andy

uesday, Dec. 4, saw the exit of three

Holcombe served two four-year terms, including two years as mayor. Jim Walker goes out as the sitting vice by mayor after a single four-year Tom term. Bob Evans was appointed Gascoyne to his seat in January 2010 to tomg@ replace Larry Wahl, who’d won newsreview.com a seat on the Butte County Board of Supervisors. The three men sat next to each other on the council, with Evans flanked by Holcombe to his left and Walker to his right. Politically speaking, Holcombe, an attorney, was a progressive, Walker, a physician’s assistant, was a moderate, and Evans, a retired businessman, was a conservative. Holcombe, however, helped Evans gain his seat by breaking a 3-3 council standoff to replace Wahl. They each agreed to an exit interview that asked about lessons learned, proudest achieveCome on down: ments, possible regrets and The Chico City advice for the newest members Council meets on the first and of the council. Holcombe said he discovered third Tuesdays of the month, a number of things during his beginning at tenure. 6:30 p.m. “Be polite, always listen, be The council chambers are respectful and never assume you located at know everything,” he said. “I 421 Main St. guess one of the surprises for me

was how many people I encountered that from my perspective weren’t particularly respectful, didn’t listen well and did think they knew everything or how things should be done.” He said he is proud of the fact that, in his run for re-election in 2008, he received the most votes. “To me it signified people were appreciating my approach and how I went about doing my job,” he said. “In terms of the city as a whole, I think it was being a part of a team that weathered a very difficult economic storm and that has helped position the city to move forward in a truly positive way.” Regrets? “I honestly can’t say there are things I would have done differently, even though I undoubtedly made mistakes,” he said. “I truly believe I always made a strong effort to get all the facts, to understand the policy and make the best decision I could at the time based upon city policy. Sometimes you get it wrong, but I did the best I could.” As for advice to the new council members, Holcombe kept it simple. “Be humble and listen well,” he said. Evans said he learned a couple of

things about serving on the council that he didn’t expect. “I’m amazed at the slowness that it takes to get anything done in the public sector,” he said. “Coming from a business world, I was surprised to find that it takes months to a year to get simple

things done, things that should take no more than a matter of a week. It just seems to be a pace that everybody is used to.” As for successes, Evans said he believes he helped shape current council policy. “Obviously, when you are in a fiveto-two [political] disadvantage on votes, you can’t expect many clear victories,” he said. “But I think I influenced the other council members on a variety of subjects, from how we name our replacements to the desire it seems the liberals have taken up to make our [budget] reserves a high priority and get them back up to a decent level. I can take credit for part of that by continually raising the issue.” As for possible regrets, he pointed to his failed campaign for election. “I don’t know what went wrong there,” he said, sounding somewhat dumbfounded. “As far as actually serving, I can’t think of any that jumps out at me right now. Obviously there is a learning curve that makes you less effective when you start. But then you start to learn more background about the city and why we are where we are and how to be effective on the council. I think everybody goes through that same process.” As for advice, Evans said he hopes the liberal majority pays attention to finances and understands the state is no longer there to help. “If we want to grow we need to help

our local businesses,” he said. “I think there are strides being made in that direction, and that is one of the things I was proud of. The council has to realize, until we get some growth business-wise and get people employed, all these city programs just aren’t going to be funded.” Before getting elected to the

council Walker served 10 years on the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission and eight on the Chico Area Recreation and Park District board of directors. He said that experience helped prepare him for the council. “To me it’s not about politics, it’s about public service,” he said “You have to be somewhat of a political animal to get involved, but it’s a public-service thing. I learned that it’s harder to forge compromise and get people to give up things in hard times. I was a little surprised at how hard it was to get unions to realize that they need to be part of the solution.” Walker said he’s proud to have helped the city navigate tough economic times and continue to provide services. “We didn’t have to lay off a whole lot of people, although there are 70 fewer city employees now than there were four years ago,” said Walker, who pointed out the downsizing came mostly via attrition. “But it’s been really challenging with the lack of revenue and the loss of the [redevelopment agency funding] and now with Measure J, it really puts us in a bind.” Measure J was the attempt to protect the city’s phone-tax revenue by updating the Utility Users Tax ordinance to include cell phones, though the city had been collecting the tax on cell phones all along. The measure failed and as a result could cost the city in excess of $900,000 a year in revenue. “That is my biggest regret,” Walker said. “I feel as though I should have gone out in front of Measure J as an outgoing council person who has a reputation of being pretty moderate. I didn’t get out and say, ‘This is something we need; it’s not going to increase taxes. It’s a change in the verbiage, and we need this revenue.’ “So the anti-tax people got what they wanted, and now we have to deal with that. I feel like I’m leaving this council in a much more precarious situation. That is the one that is going to linger with me because you think it is going to win, you think the logic is there.” His advice to the new council members reflects his experience on the job. “Consider it as public service instead of politics, and ask one another questions without being politically pointed or making an accusation,” he said. “Listen to what other people have to say. When you read the agenda, if you have questions ask the staff members before the meeting. That gives you time to let that clarification sink into your brain and makes it easier to change your mind if that’s what you need to do.” Ω

Man on fire

TV host Franklin Barazarte reacts after setting Wayne Houchin on fire. Inset: Houchin suffered burns to his head, face, neck and hand.

TV host says he set Chico magician ablaze by accident

PHOTOS COURTESY WAYNE HOUCHIN

CHouchin received international attention recently, but not for pulling a rabbit out of a hico-based magician Wayne

hat. On Nov. 26 the host of a television show in the Dominican Republic set Houchin’s hair afire and put him in the hospital with first- and second-degree burns to his scalp, face, neck and hand. It occurred on the set of a show called Get Closer to the Cosmos. The bizarre video showing Houchin’s hair bursting into flames after host Franklin Barazarte places a flaming liquid onto his head was shown nationally on ABC News, CNN, FOX News and of course made it to YouTube. An arrest warrant has been issued for Barazarte, who spoke from New York this week with the Chico News & Review, saying the incident was a tragic accident. Barazarte said he is an alternative-healing practitioner and that the flaming liquid, Agua de Florida, was meant to be a blessing thrown over Houchin’s head. “I never wanted to hurt anyone and pray to God for Wayne’s speedy recovery,” he said in Spanish. Two days after the tragedy Houchin had not spoken with Barazarte. He writes on his Facebook site, “This was not a stunt or part of an act—this was a criminal attack.” The shocking incident seemed even crueler because Barazarte enlisted the help of Houchin’s wife, Frania Houchin, and fellow traveling magician BJ Bueno in conducting it. Houchin travels the world performing and teaching magic (see “A magical life,” 15 Minutes, Jan. 12). He was doing tricks on the show with Bueno, using his wife, who speaks English and Spanish, as a translator. Some of the incident is recounted by Houchin in an email from the Dominican Republic.

Barazarte surprised the troupe after their televised magic show, Houchin writes, saying he wanted to perform a blessing. He asked Bueno to hand him the bottle of Agua de Florida, which supposedly is often used for spiritual healing and cleansing. Barazarte gave the bottle to Frania Houchin and asked her to fill his cupped hands with the contents. He then had Bueno ignite the fluid with a lighter. Whatever Barazarte’s intentions were, the video shows him gesturing wildly around Houchin’s head immediately after the magician’s hair caught on fire. Houchin backs away and drops to the ground, where bystanders help put out the fire. The video then shows Houchin face down with several people, including Barazarte and Frania, trying to comfort him. Frania admonishes Barazarte, saying, “His face is burnt!” The video ends with Houchin calmly saying, “It’s OK. I need to go to a hospital.” Barazarte insists he is a spiritual

shaman who heals people using blue crystals, Hindu chants and, infrequently, the “agua” as a benediction. “I’m very sorry. This is the biggest pain of my life,” he said. “To think I would harm

SIFT|ER Outlook on the rise Americans shelled out enough for a record-breaking day in the history of Internet sales last Monday (Nov. 26), spending a whopping $1.47 billion during Cyber Monday, a 17 percent increase over 2011. Black Friday shopping during the previous week (Nov. 23) was up, too, by 15 percent, from $1.03 billion to $1.19 billion. The numbers seem to back up the results of a recent Gallup poll, showing that U.S. economic confidence is at its highest point in four years. The pollster began tracking daily results back in January 2008, following the economic collapse. It began at -32 and tracked this week at -13. 20

Gallup economic confidence index, monthly averages Economic confidence index

0 -20

-13 -30

-32

-40 -60 Jan 2008

-24 -45

-55 Jan 2009

Source: www.gallup.com

someone on national TV is craziness.” In his email Houchin writes that he is in too much pain to speak and that he is overwhelmed by public support from both the United States and the Dominican Republic. “The outrage here and outpouring of support has been incredible,” he said on Facebook. Houchin has been released from the hospital but remains in the country for extended medical treatments. He said his doctors are cautiously optimistic that he will heal without scars. More than 1,000 messages of encouragement have been posted to his Facebook page. World-renowned magician David Copperfield offered his sympathy on ABC News. Barazarte said he was afraid of the public backlash. He is not hiding, he said, but rather taking care of family responsibilities. He remains confident that the truth will come out in the legal process. Houchin said he is determined to bring Barazarte to justice, but writes that the process is very slow. “As you can imagine, the legal system here in the Dominican Republic is very different from the U.S.,” Houchin says in a press release. “We have a legal team working hard to navigate the system.” Houchin, 30, has toured the world for the past six years, performing and teaching magic. His career recently took a major upswing when he was named host of this season’s Breaking Magic show on the Discovery Channel. He writes that he is deeply concerned about the feelings of his wife and fellow magician Bueno, who he said were duped by Barazarte. “I can honestly say that BJ & Frania are more emotionally traumatized over the event than I am,” he writes. “They are angry and devastated that they unknowingly participated in the attack.” Yet Houchin remains positive: “Despite all that has happened over the past couple of days—our team has not forgotten why we’re here: to spread Joy, Wonder & Love through the performance of magic & illusion.” On Dec. 4 a judge ordered the arrest of Barazarte. —VIC CANTU

Jan 2010

Jan 2011

Jan 2012

NEWSLINES continued on page 10 December 6, 2012

CN&R 9

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71-year-old farm manager from Gridley on charges of felony hitand-run and felony insurance fraud for a Nov. 14 collision on the Midway south of Chico that left a bicyclist dead. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey announced Dec. 4 that Anton “Tony” Mardesich, who is a manager for the Mariani Nut Company, had confessed to being at the wheel of the SUV that struck 61-year-old cyclist Rick Magee as he rode north on the Midway with his longtime friend, Boswell Jones, according to a press release. Magee was struck on a section of the Midway that deviates from the bike path between Chico and Jones Avenue, about halfway to Durham. The collision launched Magee past Jones, who rode slightly ahead, and onto the pavement. According to an eyewitness account, the SUV continued northbound over the railroad overpass near Roble Road. Magee sustained severe head and internal injuries; he was pronounced dead shortly afterward at Enloe Medical Center. Steve Centanni, a friend of Magee’s for nearly 40 years, described him as a “kind and loving person who was devoted to his friends and family. He was a big bicycle enthusiast and rode his bicycle every day somewhere around the countryside.” Magee also carefully tended to a large vegetable garden and trees on his acre of land in Durham. “He loved to nurture plants and trees, and friendships as well,” Centanni said. “He was just a sweet person.” In a phone interview, Ramsey

said Mardesich’s decision to flee the scene demonstrated “extraordinary irresponsibility and callousness.” The California Highway Patrol investigation leading to the charges holds that Mardesich, who previously had a clean criminal history, also made significant efforts to conceal his involvement in the collision. When he took the SUV

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(a 2007 Ford Edge registered to his employer) to a Gridley auto body shop the day after the hit-and-run, he claimed damage to the right front headlight assembly, right corner panel and passenger side windshield were caused by a falling tree limb. He also filed an insurance claim using the same story, according to the report. On Nov. 16, a mobile windshield repairman alerted the auto body shop’s secretary to what he believed was a human hair on the SUV’s windshield. On Nov. 19, an auto painter working in the shop told the same secretary he witnessed Mardesich smearing mud on the SUV’s right headlight and windshield in the shop’s yard. That night, the secretary saw a local television report about the hit-and-run that ran a description of the suspect’s vehicle that matched Mardesich’s SUV. On Nov. 20, the secretary reported her suspicions to the CHP. CHP investigators contacted Mardesich on Nov. 21 to inform him of his suspected involvement in the Nov. 14 hit-and-run. His presence was requested at the CHP headquarters in Chico following the Thanksgiving holiday. According to his attorney and family, Mardesich was hospitalized twice for “cardiac events” in the following week. Mardesich confessed to CHP

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investigators on Nov. 27, saying “he could no longer live” with his crime. He related veering into the right shoulder after momentarily glancing at his vehicle’s center console, seeing Magee riding ahead of him and unsuccessfully attempting to avoid him. Mardesich said he continued driving for several hundred yards, pulled over and “panicked,” deciding to flee the scene. He also admitted to lying to his family and insurance company. However, Ramsey noted that “according to his attorney and to the officers who took his confession, [Mardesich] is extremely remorseful.” There was no indication Mardesich was under the influence of drugs or alcohol or was traveling at an excessive speed. As of press time, he was expected to plead guilty in Butte County Superior Court on Wednesday afternoon. He faces up to six years in prison for the two charges. A statement prepared by Magee’s friends and family said, “We urge the maximum possible penalty be imposed on both counts … in order to send a message that this kind of behavior is unacceptable and to help ensure safety and security in our neighborhoods.” —HOWARD HARDEE howardh@newsreview.com

Chico’s new mayor, Mary Goloff (left), hands an honorary gavel to outgoing two-term Mayor Ann Schwab for her service to the city. PHOTO BY ROBERT SPEER

Changing of the guard

SHORT-TERM PROGRAMS, LIFELONG CAREER

City Council gets new mayor, three new members t was all pomp, circumstance and sentiment I(Dec. at the Chico City Council meeting Tuesday 4), as it was devoted to ceremonies

honoring three departing council members, welcoming three new ones and selecting a new mayor and vice mayor. Council chambers were filled with friends, family and political supporters of the council members. By the time it was over, outgoing Vice Mayor Jim Walker and Councilmen Andy Holcombe and Bob Evans had been fêted and bade farewell, new Councilmembers Tami Ritter, Randall Stone and Sean Morgan had been seated, Councilwoman Mary Goloff had been selected to be mayor and Councilman Scott Gruendl to be vice mayor for the next two years, and audience members had gotten some exercise from standing for so many ovations. Actually, it was two meetings in one. The first was held by the outgoing council, the second by the new one. Mayor Ann Schwab presided over the first meeting, which was devoted to honoring Walker, Evans and Holcombe. Evans, who was appointed in 2010 to fill the two remaining years of former Councilman Larry Wahl’s term, failed in his election bid on Nov. 6. Walker and Holcombe were retiring from the council after four and eight years, respectively. Schwab praised Evans’ leadership in analyzing budgets, in selecting a new city manager and in working with the business community. She spoke of Walkers’ “real sense of teamwork” and his “huge impact on the general plan,” as well as his “words of wisdom,” such as “Don’t just stand there; do nothing”— meaning that sometimes taking no action is better than taking the wrong action. And she praised Holcombe for his idealism and commitment to helping the unfortunate, as well as his ability to articulate the issues. “Andy always has the right thing to say,” she said. For their part, the councilmen agreed that one of the joys of serving on the council was being able to disagree without disliking each other. Walker reminisced about going out for drinks after a meeting and watching Holcombe and Evans, who are miles apart philosophically, enjoying each other’s company, and what a pleasure that was. Speaking to the new council members, he said, “If you can share Andy’s idealism and

humanity and Bob’s pragmatism and faith in the individual, the city will be well served.” Evans spoke of the “pluses and challenges” of serving, including having to read through “thick volumes” before meetings, but emphasized how much he’d enjoyed the job. His only complaint: For the first time in his life he has a closet full of expensive suits, and now he has nowhere to wear them. Like Walker and Evans, Holcombe praised and thanked city staff and had kind words for his fellow council members. But he saved his greatest appreciation for the “engaged public” that kept the council on its collective toes. “We’re not always going to have a satisfied public,” he said, “but that’s OK. It’s better to have an engaged public.” Then City Clerk Debbie Presson

swore in the new council members and Schwab, who was re-elected to her third term on Nov. 6. In its first actions, the new panel unanimously selected Goloff and Gruendl as mayor and vice mayor, respectively. It was then Goloff’s turn to recognize Schwab for her four years as mayor and present her with an honorary gavel carved from the historic Hooker Oak tree. Schwab was clearly touched and had to collect herself a couple of times as she spoke of how much “fun” it was to be mayor and told of attending a children’s Christmas event and hearing the kids say of her, “Look, it’s Mrs. Claus!” She said she was proud of her work on the updated general plan and the Climate Action Plan, and she also cited the Diversity Action Plan and the memorial to Gen. Vang Pao as significant achievements. “I have learned how challenging it is,” she said, “how humbling, how much time it takes to be mayor, how character building it is, and what an honor it is.” Following the ceremonies, City Manager Brian Nakamura told the new council that he wanted to hold a couple of “goal setting” meetings in January and asked them to think of possible dates. How long will the meetings last? Schwab asked. Four to six hours each, Nakamura replied. Maybe it was his way of saying welcome. —ROBERT SPEER roberts@newsreview.com

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EARTH WATCH

GREENWAYS

RENEWABLE ENERGY, CONTESTED

A group skeptical of climate change is working on legislation to overturn state renewableenergy mandates throughout the nation. The Heartland Institute, a libertarian think tank, has collaborated with the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) to produce the Electricity Freedom Act, which would repeal requirements for utilities to purchase some of their energy from renewable sources, according to The Washington Post. ALEC is a group of legislators from 50 states that has long maintained a stance against climate-change regulation. James Taylor, the Heartland Institute’s senior fellow for environmental policy, said the real issue is “that alternative energy, renewable energy, is more expensive than conventional energy.” However, the Heartland Institute’s motivations have come into question—the think tank received $736,000 from Exxon Mobil between 1998 and 2006 and an unspecified amount from brothers Charles and David Koch— whose Koch Industries has significant energy and oil holdings—prior to 2001.

Local birders Mary Muchowski and Gaylord Grams are looking forward to the upcoming Christmas Bird Count. BIRD PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARY MUCHOWSKI

SEA-LEVEL RISE ON RISE

Though global temperatures are rising as predicted, sea-level rise is outpacing projections released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In 2011, the IPCC predicted the world’s oceans would rise by 2 millimeters a year, but research from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Tempo Analytics and Laboratoire d’Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales has shown sea levels are actually rising at a rate of 3.2 millimeters a year, according to the Environmental News Network. “This study shows once again that the IPCC is far from alarmist, but in fact has underestimated the problem of climate change,” said Stefan Rahmstorf, the study’s lead author. “That applies not just for sea-level rise, but also to extreme events and the Arctic sea-ice loss.”

NOT SO WILD ANYMORE

Urban sprawl, hunting and resource extraction have changed the behavioral patterns of California’s wildlife, such as deer, bears, ducks and bass, due in part to human activity. Deer have become suburbanized, often spending their entire lives within a five- or sixmile radius and gravitating to parks, golf courses and large private yards. Bears go where the mooching is easy—typically drive-in campgrounds and summer cabins where people leave pet food, chicken feed or garbage outside, according to SFGate.com. Ducks have become largely nocturnal in the Sacramento Valley, feeding at night and returning to protected nohunting zones to avoid shooting time. And striped bass (which once spawned in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta) have moved 125 miles north, near Colusa, to avoid the massive pumps diverting water south. 12 CN&R December 6, 2012

Counting birds, rain or shine Altacal Audubon Society gets ready for its annual Christmas Bird Count story and photo by

Claire Hutkins Seda cmh.seda@yahoo.com

Mabout her addiction. For at least one day a year around Christmastime, she joins ary Muchowski is open

tens of thousands of other similarly addicted people to sit outside, binoculars in hand, from 7:30 a.m. until dark, rain or shine. Muchowski is addicted to birdwatching. Every year, birders across the United States, like Muchowski, meet up with their local chapter of the National Audubon Society (NAS), a nonprofit bird-conservation organization, and count each and every robin, hawk and grosbeak and so on that they see. Here in Chico, the Altacal Audubon Society has been conducting a Christmas Bird Count (CBC) every year since the chapter’s formation in 1955. The first-ever CBC occurred on Christmas Day 1900, when an East Coast ornithologist named Frank Chapman, an officer of the nascent Audubon Society, organized the bird census as a conservationminded alternative to the typical Christmas

bird hunt. Now, 113 bird counts later, the CBC is arguably the biggest example of “citizen science”—research conducted by non-scientists—and is the “longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations,” according to the NAS. “We do the Christmas Bird Count no matter what [the weather],” said Muchowski, who works as education and outreach coordinator for the Butte Environmental Council. “We’re pretty lucky to be here in California!” In other parts of the country, it’s not uncommon for CBC participants to be bundled up for heavy snow. Even in above-freezing weather, it is still a long day outside. “Yeah, we just get the hardcore birders out there,” Muchowski said, laughing, and added, “You can warm up when you get back in your car.” Here in Chico, Muchowski and her

birder friends will join together at the Chico Creek Nature Center at 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 15 for the day-long event. Altacal has already mapped out its counting region—a 15-mile-diameter circle around Chico where CBC participants will count as many birds as possible. The area includes birding hotspots like

Upper Bidwell Park, Chico Oxidation Ponds Wildlife Sanctuary, a “teeny stretch” of the Sacramento River and the Butte GREENWAYS continued on page 14

Local Christmas Bird Counts: Chico: Saturday, Dec. 15 Meet at Chico Creek Nature Center (1968 East Eighth St.) at 7:30 a.m. Contact: Mary Muchowski at 228-0625 or mmuchowski@earthlink.net Red Bluff: Saturday, Dec. 22 Meet at the Holiday Market parking lot (460 Antelope Blvd.) Contact: Karen Scheurermann at 347-1687 or karens2020@gmail.com Oroville: Sunday, Dec. 30 Meet in the parking lot of the office of the Butte County Agricultural Commissioner (316 Nelson Ave.) Contact: Gaylord Grams at 533-1624 Audubon online: National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count page: http://birds.audubon.org/christmasbird-count Altacal Audubon Society’s page: www.altacal.org

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WHAT CAN YOU DO? (THINK ABOUT IT) I hate to bum anyone out during the Christmas season, but Chris Hedges’ recent Truthdig column, “Stand Still for the Apocalypse,” addresses some issues that only the most hard-headed shopper and/or anti-environmentalist would choose to ignore. Referring to the recently published 84-page document, “Turn Down the Heat: Why a 4°C Warmer World Must Be Avoided,” prepared by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Climate Analytics for the World Bank, Hedges writes that “a planetwide temperature rise of 4 degrees C— and the report notes that the tepidness of the emission pledges and commitments of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will make such an increase almost inevitable—will cause a precipitous drop in crop yields, along with the loss of many fish species, resulting in widespread hunger and starvation. Hundreds of millions of people will be forced to abandon their homes in coastal areas and on islands that will be submerged as the sea rises. “There will be an explosion in diseases such as malaria, cholera and dengue fever. Devastating heat waves and droughts, as well as floods, especially in the tropics, will render parts of the Earth uninhabitable. The rain forest covering the Amazon basin will disappear. Coral reefs will vanish. Numerous animal and plant species, many of which are vital to sustaining human populations, will become extinct. Monstrous storms will eradicate biodiversity, along with whole cities and communities. “And as these extreme events begin to occur simultaneously in different regions of the world, the report finds, there will be ‘unprecedented stresses on human systems.’ Global agricultural production will eventually not be able to compensate. Health and emergency systems, as well as institutions designed to maintain social cohesion and law and order, will crumble. “The world’s poor, at first, will suffer the most. But we all will succumb in the end to the folly and hubris of the Industrial Age. And yet, we do nothing.” Go to http://tinyurl.com/climatepow to read the entire piece.

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HELPING LOCAL FARMERS BECOME GREENER Jerry Morano, recycling

director at Fair Street Recycling (2300 Fair St., 343-8641), advised me that the business’ Oroville branch (1245 Oro Dam Blvd. East) has begun accepting agricultural plastic—such as drip pipe and tape, plastic pots and trays, and plastic film—for recycling. Call 343-4394 for more details.

FRUIT-TREE EXTRAVAGANZA Laurie Niles, of Cultivating Community NV, told me

about an upcoming free workshop on pruning fruit trees at Hodge’s Nursery & Gifts (9681 Midway, Durham) on Dec. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. “Ken Hodge welcomes new fruit-tree stewards to Hodge’s Nursery demonstration orchard where we will see and learn the why, when & how-tos of fruit-tree pruning,” wrote Niles in a recent email. “Learn Ken’s technique for keeping fruit trees under 6 feet tall & still producing bushels of fruit.” Pre-registration required: Go to www.cultivatingcommunitynv.org or call 588-0585. EMAIL YOUR GREEN HOME, GARDEN AND COMMUNITY TIPS TO CHRISTINE AT CHRISTINEL@NEWSREVIEW.COM

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CN&R 13

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Creek Country Club (“It’s hard to do it with all the golfers,” Muchowski related. “If the weather is bad, it’s actually easier because there are fewer golfers!”). In some locations, participants can drive right to their spot, but in others, such as Upper Park, the bird-counters may have a long hike. Each bird counter will get a packet with a map and a bird list to assist in tallying. Beginning birders are invited, too. “We want to pair people who are good birders with people who are less experienced, so the less experienced can get more experience and have someone who knows [more] so they can be more confident,” said Muchowski. The local count attracts at least 20 people every year, regardless of the weather. The only requirement for participation is binoculars. “Dress for the weather, for sure, because we do it in all weather. If it’s raining, bring your rain gear,” Muchowski advised. Partial-day participants can also be accommodated. Muchowski requests that all parties contact her to RSVP. At the end of the day, the birders regroup at a dry, warm locale, to tally the data. Muchowski, as Altacal’s “compiler,” the NAS term for a local CBC organizer, must then “tally up all the bird

WINTER WONDER WORKSHOP The Chico Creek Nature Center’s ongoing preschool programs continue with Wild for Winter!, an hourlong workshop on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m., for children ages 3 to 5 that will explain how animals adapt for the winter. The class will include a walk through Bidwell Park, craft-making and a visit from one of the nature center’s resident animals. A parent or guardian must attend; cost is $12. Space limited. Go to www.bidwell park.org or call 891-4671 to register or for more info. The Chico Creek Nature Center is located at 1968 East Eighth St.

species we got and put it up in the gigantic Audubon database.” Last year, 29 volunteers tallied 31,908 birds across the Chico counting circle—126 different species of birds overall. The American Robin was the most common, with more than 5,000 of them spotted or heard around Chico, followed by the Brewer’s Blackbird, the European Starling, and the Northern Shoveler, a common duck with a shovel-shaped bill. The gathered group goes through the provided bird list, listing the common birds first. Many of them wait until the end to share the rarer sightings. “The best birds aren’t on the main list, and everyone will try to

UNCOMMON SENSE Waste fruitcake, not energy During the holidays, the kitchen is the most happenin’ room in the house. It’s where the egg nog chills and the turkey roasts, and where everyone gravitates to when the party begins. All that cheer takes a lot of energy to produce, so the California Energy Commission has provided some basic tips for conserving while entertaining: Cooking/baking: Keep stovetop burners clean and use the correctsized pan for the size of the burners. Preheat the oven only for bread and pastries, don’t open the oven too much, and bake multiple items at the same time if possible. Cooling: Don’t open the refrigerator too much. Try to make each trip inside the fridge count by pulling out all the items you need at the same time. And, while a packed fridge will cool down more quickly than a sparse one after the door closes, an overly packed refrigerator won’t allow enough space for cold air to circulate. Cleaning: Washing dishes by hand is more efficient than using the dishwasher—just don’t leave the water running constantly. If you opt for the machine, run it only once you have a full load.

Source: www.consumerenergycenter.org 14 CN&R December 6, 2012

top each other on what [was] the best bird,” Muchowski said. Last year, a California Thrasher, a medium-sized songbird with a long, down-curved beak, an American Bittern, a large brown bird related to the heron, and a Western Screech Owl were a few of the “interesting” species sighted. Perhaps it’s the possibility of a rare-bird sighting that drives people to join in. Or, it may be just a chance to gather with other birding addicts. “In an online CBC survey last year, most participants said they participated in CBCs for five to 20 years—the number of respondents for this category was over 1,000. The next highest category was 21 to 49 years—with over 800 respondents!” Muchowski offered. She noted that CBC participants are not only typically multi-year participants, but oftentimes attend more than one count per year. “We try and schedule it so it’s not competing with other bird counts locally,” Muchowski said. “I’ve done seven counts in one year, one time. I’m going to try to do three this year.” Information collected during CBCs can prove crucial to determining how an avian species is faring. “The data collected by observers over the past century allow researchers, conservation biologists, and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America,” states the NAS website. In the 1980s, CBC data documented the decline of the American Black Duck, which consequently led to conservation measures. More recently, the data has provided a large-scale understanding of the effects of climate change on winter migrations. It also helps local chapters understand their own region’s changes. “Over the years, you can see the pattern, regardless of what the weather was. It’s that big of a data set,” Muchowski said. Ω

THE PULSE

HEALTHLINES

A-TEAM VERSUS BLOOD CLOTS

Yuba City-based Ampla Health—which operates health-care centers in Chico, Oroville, Hamilton City and Gridley—is now offering a service to help patients manage their anticoagulation medication. Ampla’s Anticoagulation Clinic—staffed with a chief medical officer, nurse practitioners and specially trained nurses—assists patients and their physicians in monitoring and adjusting the medication doses of anticoagulants, which are prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clotting in patients who have suffered strokes or heart attacks, according to an Ampla Health press release. Managing dosage is critical because too much anticoagulation medication can increase bleeding. The clinic’s team also educates patients on diet, medicines and other variables that can interact with anticoagulation medication. Contact Ampla Health Yuba City Medical (1000 Sutter St., Yuba City) at 673-9420 or go to www.amplahealth.org for more information.

Healthinsurance lowdown

Shopping for the insurance plan that best suits your health-care (and budgetary) needs

COAL POLLUTION WORST FOR POOR

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has called for the nation’s coal-fired power plants to be shut down. A study led by the NAACP ranked the United States’ 378 coal-fired plants according to each plant’s effect on the health, economics and environment of local communities, concluding the plants are placing a disproportionate health burden on poor (and mostly minority) communities across the country, according to the Daily Climate. Of the 6 million individuals living within three miles of one of the plants, the average percapita income was $18,400 and 39 percent were people of color. Further, of the 4 million people living near the 75 heaviest polluters, 53 percent were minorities. Coal-plant emissions contain large amounts of mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide—linked to climate change, asthma attacks, heart problems and chronic diseases.

Evan Tuchinsky ideacultivators@ aol.com

CPR TRAINING FOR YOUNG ’UNS

Students at Chico High School received hands-on CPR training on Nov. 26 and 27 from registered nurse Cindy Weaver, from Enloe’s Education Center, and from paramedics and emergency medical technicians from Butte County EMS. Roughly 250 ninth- through 12th-graders were instructed in CPR for all ages, how to relieve choking, how to use an automated external defibrillator, splinting, controlling bleeding, and treatment for head, neck and back injuries as part of Vallarie Jensen’s health class, according to an Enloe Medical Center press release. In October, the students underwent first-aid training; students who successfully completed both training sessions received CPR and First Aid cards. “I have always felt that health classes should be hands-on for our students to appreciate making the right choices for their own health,” Jensen said.

H health care—it’s full of acronyms and specialized terms, its costs vary, and ealth insurance is a lot like

one size doesn’t fit all. As a result, December can be a particularly tricky month, because this is when many employers hold open enrollments and individuals elect to get coverage for the coming year. How should Butte County residents ensure they’ll get the right insurance? The CN&R talked to some local experts to find out. The bottom line, expressed concisely by Michelle Niven, human-resources specialist at Allevity HR & Payroll in Chico: “It’s going to depend on your individual needs.” Some people need intensive medical care. Others hardly ever go to the doctor. Some can afford high premiums in exchange for low deductibles and co-pays. Others can afford only a high-deductible policy. It’s important to take an inventory of personal and family patterns before diving into

policy or plan information guides. “A lot of people take what the cheap thing is and forget to think, ‘Am I going to go to the doctor?’” said John Dahlmeier, president of the Dahlmeier Insurance Agency in Chico and Oroville. “A good example is if you have a family—the kids are going to get sick from going to school and being around everybody, and you’re going to take them to the doctor a lot more. “That’s where you look at what the deductibles and co-payments are. You may want to pay a little more up front [in premiums], which will save you in the long run.”

For individuals who don’t go to the doctor much, Niven highlights a type of policy known as an HSA—health savings account. It’s a low-premium, highdeductible plan in which the subscriber places pre-tax earnings into a savings account from which she or he can withdraw money to cover medical, dental and vision expenses. Unlike an FSA—flexible spending account—that also banks pre-tax money, an HSA balance doesn’t expire at the end HEALTHLINES continued on page 17

APPOINTMENTS CELEBRATE SURVIVING Cancer survivors and their caregivers all have unique stories—share yours at Feather River Cancer Center’s annual Cancer Survivor Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., at Paradise Seventh-Day Adventist Church (5720 Academy Drive in Paradise). The evening will include live music, story-sharing, refreshments and more. Go to www.frhosp.org or call 876-3157 to RSVP or for more info.

December 6, 2012

CN&R 15

A Man of the Heart Poets may muse upon the

A native of India, Dr. Khanna moved

incomprehensible depths of the human

to the United States in 1987 and

heart, but Dr. Deepak Khanna has a

received a bachelors’ degree from

pretty good grasp of it. Dr. Khanna

UC Davis and medical training at St.

is a cardiologist at Oroville Hospital

Georges University. He fine-tuned his

and operates the state-of-the-art trans-

education in various capacities at

esophogeal echocardiogram (TEE)

Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, West

imaging system used for advanced

Virginia University, and Mt. Sinai Hospital

analysis of patients’ hearts. The TEE has

in New York City.

taken Oroville Hospital’s heart-analyzing

Today, Dr. Khanna remains committed

prowess to the next and highest level.

to his field and has sub-specialized in

The TEE is essentially an imaging

interventional cardiology. His ability to

system inserted down one’s food pipe and into his or her stomach for the closest possible view of the heart without breaking skin. Its use generally follows an initial analysis with the simpler transthoracic echocardiogram and produces immediate results which can identify a range of maladies and conditions that may slip past other

Poets may muse upon the incomprehensible depths of the human heart, but Dr. Deepak Khanna has a pretty good grasp of it.

gadgetry. “The transesophageal echo-

use the TEE brings him one step closer to

cardiogram allows us to better visualize

the fixture of the human body that drew

the heart’s structures and better assess

him into medicine in the first place.

your heart valves and make sure that

“With state-of-the-art equipment like

they are healthy,” Dr. Khanna explains.

the TEE, we can provide better care to our

He adds that the TEE is a machine that

patients at risk of having infection of the

not all hospitals have and that it can also

heart valves as well as determining the

detect structural heart diseases like atrial

danger of a stroke,” Dr. Khanna says.

septal defect, ventricular septal defect, or

When Oroville Hospital’s lead

any other defects that the transthoracic

cardiologist takes pictures of your

echo imaging system may be unable to

body’s most poetically alluring and

identify.

physiologically complex muscular

“The TEE may also detect heart

organ, the images are crystal clear.

abnormalities that can cause strokes and can also diagnose infections of the heart, in which aggressive bacteria invade the heart valves and cause leaks and malfunctioning,” says Dr. Khanna.

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HEALTHLINES of the year, so the subscriber can build up a hefty reserve during healthy years in the event of a medical bill down the road. Plus, an HSA offers catastrophic coverage even if the account balance is low. “I describe a health savings account as more of a consumerdriven health plan,” Niven explained, “because you pay, dollar for dollar, whatever the negotiated rate is for prescriptions and office visits up until you hit the deductible—and at that point you are covered. … Because you’re responsible for those dollars, you are going to want to research your medical care much like buying a new car. “Most of us aren’t going to walk onto a lot and buy the first thing we see. We’re going to research who’s got the great financing, who’s got the great deals out there. I feel if you’re going to be a good user of the HSA, you need to approach your medical care similarly.” For instance, if your doctor recommends a hospital procedure, you may wish to check with Enloe Medical Center, Feather River Hospital in Paradise and Oroville Hospital—not just for their rates but for their successful outcomes. “I often joke that if you’re a hypochondriac, an HSA is not for you,” Niven said, “unless you can fully fund your HSA to the legal limit of that year and draw on it when you need it.” Besides your health history

and balance sheet, other considerations will determine what policy— or carrier—is right for you. A key criterion is the provider network; that is, the list of doctors who accept that particular insurance. “You could sign up with XYZ plan,” Dahlmeier said, “and find out they have only one doctor, and the doctor doesn’t have any appointments.” He continued: “Kaiser is a good plan, for example, but they’re not up this way [in the North State]— so you could join Kaiser, but you’re going to have to drive down to Sacramento to get health care.” Another consideration is timing. Even at a company with open enrollment, the start date of the policy rarely coincides with the day you sign the paperwork. The delay can be months, particularly for someone establishing an individual policy that requires underwriting. “Plan ahead,” Dahlmeier said. “You can’t really come to an insurance company and say, ‘My house

continued from page 15

You’ll Leave Relaxed Swedish • Relaxing• Deep Tissue

is on fire, so I need Glossary: insurance for my Some of the common terms and acronyms in health home.’” It’s the insurance include: same with health • Deductible—the amount up to which a insurance. subscriber is responsible for the total cost of his/her health care. Finally, look • FSA—flexible spending account, where pre-tax carefully at the money gets deposited to cover a year’s worth of plan’s coverage for health care and other allowed expenses. prescription drugs. • HMO—health-maintenance organization, a Some plans count managed health plan that typically empowers a main medicines as part of doctor to determine specialty care a subscriber the medical-care receives. deductible; others • HSA—health savings account, where pre-tax money accumulates to cover health expenses. have separate deductibles for • Out-of-pocket maximum—the most a subscriber can spend in a year before the insurance drugs and company covers 100 percent of the remaining cost. office/hospital (Sometimes it’s the same as the deductible.) visits. By the same • PPO—preferred provider organization, a token, check to network of health-care providers (primary care and see if there’s a specialists) from whom the subscriber can choose. difference between • Premium—the fee paid to the insurance individual and family company for the policy. deductibles, as well as the difference between deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. “I think you want to talk to “I don’t mean this to sound bad, somebody—whether it’s an agent, but most people just look at how a company person or an HR conmuch they can afford and how they sultant where you work—to help can save money. The economy is work through those waters,” still in a difficult position, and Dahlmeier suggested. “It can be a health care is a large cost. But it little muddy, and when you have could be a lot larger if you’re choices, there are a lot of issues injured and don’t have any health that need to be thought about. insurance.” Ω

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CN&R 17

s n o i s s R A e C f X E N n A o f o C BY WALTER IRISH

18 CN&R December 6, 2012

SALESMAN How to avoid the trickery and get a good deal on a new car

’m a disgruntled ex-car-sales guy. Which means I know all the gimmicks car-sales guys and dealerships use to increase their profits. My intention here is to help people negotiate better car deals by having more tools available when they walk onto a dealership lot. Here are the tricks of the trade that make it hard for consumers to negotiate the best price on a car; knowing how to counter them will give you the skills to win the game. Car dealerships make their highest profit in five primary ways: • by staying as close to the manufacturers’ suggested retail price (MSRP) as possible; • by under-allowing on the trade-in; • by jacking the rate (raising the loan or lease interest rate above what the banks or vehicle lenders are offering); • by up-selling you into a more expensive car; • and by selling you extra products when you enter the finance office to sign all the sales-contract documents. I’ll go through each of these situations in detail as we go along.

About the author:

Walter Irish (shown at left) is a recently retired high-end auto-sales adviser in Santa Fe, N.M., and Monterey, Calif. He worked previously for Butte County as a mental-health clinician, a Superior Court investigator, a Children’s Protective Services investigator and a public guardian/conservator. He’s currently a racetrack instructor for Hooked on Driving and is writing a novel. He lives in Chico.

Most buyers are aware that when a

dealership sells a car at the sticker price, or MSRP, without any discounts, it will realize more profit. I’ll provide more information about the new-car profit margins available to dealerships a bit later. The best way for mainline car dealerships to make their biggest profit is by hugely under-valuing your trade-in, usually by at least $3,000 below what Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds.com suggests your car is worth. It’s a salesperson’s job to convince you that your trade is worth less than you think. Part of the process is for the salesman—we’ll assume he’s a man, though there are women selling new cars—to walk around your car with you and point out each imperfection. He’ll also argue about the value of all the maintenance and work you’ve done on the car to keep it in good shape by saying “Everyone does that” or “That’s good and we appreciate that.” If you walk the dealer’s used-car lot and see a vehicle similar to yours in equipment and miles and question why that car

is priced $5,000 more than the trade offer on your car, your objection will be brushed off by saying, “Oh, every car we take in trade has to be inspected and fixed so it’s ‘sale ready’; that costs us a lot.” Car salesmen also understand that people are afraid to sell their cars personally through Craigslist or AutoTrader ads because they will have to negotiate with people who may be unsavory, who may make insulting offers on their cars, or who don’t have sufficient funds. I’ve also heard numerous people say they don’t want strangers to know where they live or work, so it’s worth it to lose some of the value on the car. There are ways to deal with these drawbacks. Some basic rules are: • Never meet someone at your home or work. Arrange a meeting in a public place and have someone with you. • Require cash payment in full and never take a check. • If your car is worth quite a bit and it requires that the buyer take out a loan, you can meet him or her with a loan officer at a bank or credit union so you’re sure the funds are available and there is an objective witness to the transaction. I’ve found in selling my own cars, trucks and motorcycles that placing an ad in the AutoTrader online edition brings out more realistic shoppers. You avoid a lot of the creepiness factor that Craigslist ads seem to generate.

Back to negotiating a fair trade-in

value at a dealership: The best way to do so is to be assertive and willing to walk away if you think the trade offer is too low. Automotive sales staffers are not going to have hurt feelings when you insist on being treated fairly. You can learn the real value of your car

by looking through Edmunds.com and pulling up its used-car appraisal tool. You key in the year, make and model of your car, then click on the options and miles on your car and describe its condition (be realistic). Edmunds.com will show you a market-smart real value, what it calls the “true market trade-in value.” You can also get this information by checking out Kelley Blue Book online or at the public library and looking at the prices cars similar to yours sold for on eBay. It’s a good idea to print out the valuations and take them with you when you’re negotiating a deal that includes your trade. Dealerships want and need your trade-in, so negotiate trade value with vigor. I once negotiated a trade value on an older Buick owned by a stubborn organic farmer who stated he’d leave if we didn’t give him $8,300 for his well-worn car. It was barely worth that in retail value, but he was willing to walk if he didn’t receive that value. The sales manager finally said OK. It wasn’t a winner for the dealership, but it meant we were able to sell another new car (a BMW coupe for his son). He went away happy and ready to recommend the dealership to his associates.

Dealerships also try to make more

money by up-selling you—maneuvering you into a more expensive car than the one you first expressed interest in. If the markup on a new car from dealer invoice to MSRP is about 7.8 percent (as it is for BMWs), the greater the sale price, the greater the gross profit. I worked a sale with a retired Navy combat pilot on a BMW M3 sports car. He refused to add any option beyond what he wanted, even if it meant he had to wait for “CONFESSIONS” continued on page 20 December 6, 2012

CN&R 19

“CONFESSIONS” continued from page 19

delivery of the car. He also insisted on a very low mark-up on the car. Accepting the deal would mean the dealership would make only a $500 profit on a $61,000 car. I admired his character and stubbornness and, despite my manager’s wailing and telling me to kick him out, we made the deal. Even as your salesman is trying to up-sell you into a more expensive vehicle, you may be able to negotiate significant discounts if you come prepared. Many manufacturers publish their discount offers on their websites, and similar information is available through online consumer groups. In the case of BMWs, for example, the website BMWUSA.com publishes the company’s rebates and discount finance or lease offers on the “Financial Services” drop-down menu. Another good BMW go-to site is Bimmerfest.com/forums. This is an excellent place to ask questions about the value of a car and also to contact BMW dealerships that are willing to sell or lease you a new BMW at prices averaging $500 over dealer cost. In the “Ask-aDealer” part of the Bimmerfest forum you can see all the consumer-friendly programs BMW offers. Unethical dealerships will not disclose the discounts available from the manufacturer up front, so a few minutes on Google can save you big money. Also, lending and insurance companies such as USAA will frequently offer large discounts or rebates on specific new cars. One example is the recent $4,000 rebate and a sale price of $250 over dealerinvoice cost on 2012 Mercedes Benz E350s. A local judge used this program to realize great savings on his dream car. He also refused to be up-sold: He knew exactly what he wanted and was willing to go to Sacramento or the Bay Area if the dealership didn’t meet his needs. He’s an extremely competent judge as well as a smart businessman. Before becoming a Superior Court judge, he

Here’s something most customers don’t know: Car dealers make more money by selling used inventory than new. 20 CN&R December 6, 2012

accepted referrals from me when I worked as a public guardian, and he provided pro-bono, nocost legal services to people who couldn’t afford respectful legal assistance. When he first contacted the dealership he got the classic “Buy a car off the lot and we’ll give you a great deal” shuffle, but he refused to consider anything other than what he desired and almost refused to deal with the local dealership at all because the sales staffers simply wouldn’t listen to him—until he was brought to me. With USAA’s substantial discount agreements negotiated with manufacturers, combined with excellent interest rates, he was able to forge an agreement with the dealership on an expensive car at a very reasonable price.

Good discounts are also available

through the Costco auto-buying service. Costco has very specific agreements with dealers whereby they agree to sell a car to a customer at a minimal amount over dealer’s invoice. It’s a free service if you’re a Costco member. Also, check with local credit unions to see if they have special programs on specific cars to make their purchase price and finance costs more affordable. This legwork can save a buyer thousands on the price and also in lease or purchase finance costs. You can go to Edmunds.com and use its tools to build the perfect car for yourself and then see what the dealer-invoice cost is on the car with the options you want. Or you can play around with the manufacturer’s websites and see what the perfect car would be and then jam over to Edmunds.com and see what the invoice on the car is. Car-loan interest rates are credit-score driven, with better credit getting the best rates, but even customers with somewhat rocky credit can be approved for loans, though at higher interest rates. Extremely high-rate loans are more typical of low-rent used-car lots that are working deals for less well-off customers who have compromised or no credit history. In cases like these it’s frequently a good idea to join a credit union and work with a loan officer, who will help you find a loan that works for you at lower cost.

After you’ve agreed on the purchase

price of a vehicle, you’ll enter the dealer’s finance office, where you’ll be charmed, alarmed, nagged and coaxed into buying products in addition to the car. Warranties and after-sale products are huge money-makers for a dealership, but they often don’t make sense for a consumer. Why spend $750 for paint and interior sealant that a good detail shop will provide for less than $250? Why purchase wheel and tire coverage that many auto insurance companies offer at no cost? Dealerships also will sell your loan to an auto loan finance company, which allows them to raise the interest rate on many loans by 1 percent or 2 percent. Bumping the loan rate by 2 percent on a $50,000 car can generate a couple grand in extra profit upfront for the dealer but add $60plus per month to payments. Dealers will also bump the lease-money factor (LMF) on leases. If a dealership marks the lease-money factor up by 40 “points” on a 36month BMW lease, for example, it will realize

about $2,200 in extra profit. Customers should insist on the “buy rate” in purchases and leases and not allow unscrupulous dealerships to jack up the rates—or make money on the back end, as they say in the business. It’s all scam stuff, and something a smart consumer can avoid with diligent research and assertive stubbornness. That’s what happened with a couple of business partners I’ll call Kelli and Jerry. They knew exactly what they wanted and could afford, and they had talked to friends who knew all about the sales process. They educated themselves on what the real LMF figures were and refused to allow the lease rates to be bumped up. They were also were resilient and funny as we worked through intricate leases on three new cars for their company. They didn’t get angry when the sales manager tried to manipulate the deal to favor the dealership and when he refused to sell a car at the price they wanted. They could have gotten angry and left, but they stayed cool and worked it like a complicated business negotiation, which it was. Part of the reason this deal worked was that the salesperson was absolutely specific about what was going on: What the costs of the leases were, what the dealership could do in addition to working on price (mats, mugs, a neat little BMW cooler). So Kelli and Jerry got good deals on three great cars and also helped the dealership reach a monthly sales goal that meant it could order more cars in the next ordering cycle.

Here’s something most customers don’t

know: Car dealers make more money by selling used inventory than new. That’s because the cars were bought cheap, and there’s a large difference between trade-in value and retail value. If dealerships get a great deal on a trade or auction car, they can price it at what they call “market value” and show their price is slightly below what Kelley states is a correct retail value. Even high-end dealerships practice oldschool sales practices: Behind the ties and smiles the intent is to squeeze money out of the customer by pretending friendship as well as listening to and dismissing fears about the cost of vehicles by “overcoming the objection.” Another scam dealership managers and owners practice is to over-promise their own prospective sales staffers during hiring. Managers will state, “You can expect to make $80,000-plus a year selling cars here: James made more than that last year.” The reality is that most car salesmen struggle to make $2,500 a month and work 60-plus hours a week. It’s a gruesome business. In a dealership salesmen are at the bottom of the pile in terms of respect because there’s always another poor schlub who wants to sell cool cars and hasn’t learned what a dicey business he’s getting into.

There’s a mind-set in car sales that’s

probably necessary for survival as a salesperson—that it’s not lying to tell customers that their trade-in cars are worth thousands less than what they expected, and that withholding information from customers is fine. After all, the customers should have used due diligence to know

everything about the value of their trade and also know what the cost of repairs should be to get the car lot ready. Car-sales people also have a slogan: “Buyers are liars.” They convince themselves that every person who walks on the lot will lie to them. The smug repetition of that phrase by salespeople to justify their own ethical impairments is the single biggest reason I left the profession. I thought it was creepy, disrespectful and untrue. On the flip side, most salespeople are not resistant to people who have used resources such as Kelley Blue Book, Consumer Reports or Edmunds.com to see the true market value of their trade. It cuts down on the back-and-forth and speeds the negotiation. If a salesperson can tell the sales manager, “This is the least they’ll take for the trade,” it alerts the manager both that you

are serious about a purchase and also have done research. It also helps you move toward taking some of the emotion out of the negotiation by making the terms more concrete. If you’re working with a salesperson who creeps you out, it’s totally appropriate to tell a sales manager that you wish to work with someone else. This happens more than you think, and it won’t be a surprise to either the salesperson or the manager.

Car dealerships are archaic institu-

tions that still rely on gimmicks and pressure to make profits. The sales manager is constantly telling sales staff to “Get them excited about the car” and “Take control of the process,” under the assumption that the customer can be pushed from excitement to purchase using old-school verbal tricks like “I want to earn your business” and “What will it take for me to sell you a car today?” If your spouse or partner is not available to agree to the sale, the salesperson will frequently offer to allow you to take the car

home for the evening so you take emotional ownership of the vehicle by driving it yourself. The salesperson will also say, “We can only offer this price today,” or “The car could be sold while you’re thinking about it.” The reality is that if you’ve worked out a fair price the dealership isn’t going to walk away from it even if you come in a week later. Other cute old-school tricks are gimmicks like having “midnight madness” sales and promising much lower prices for people who come in during the sales. Frequently the midnight madness cars are priced exactly the same as they were before the “sale.” By tracking the price of used dealer stock on the dealer’s website and comparing, you can expose the fraud. Another eccentricity of car sales is that the processes haven’t changed for many years: The manipulative behavior and language are the same as always. Sales managers typically have received very little management training. They’re usually salespeople who have been successful and are offered management positions so they can

train others in their trickery skills. They don’t know how to mediate with owners on behalf of their staffs, and they repeat the same clichés to their staffs that they were given when they began their car-sales careers. Peter Principle incompetence abounds. It’s always helpful to hit the feedback sites like DealerRater.com and read what other consumers who have dealt with a dealership previously have to say about it. You can get a sharp picture of dealer practices that way. I strongly recommend negotiating a newcar deal by working with the dealership’s Internet sales department: You can negotiate via email and set a price and then come in to pick up a car and do paperwork with less emotional drama, greater efficiency and less negotiation. As a final note, there are some noble and honest car-sales people out there. Here are a few I’ve worked with and respect: Sales Manager Sean Ford and Sales Consultant Steve Wright at Mercedes Benz of Monterey; Terrie Ross, Armando Cortes, Bob Thomas and Pete Opel, sales consultants at BMW of Monterey; Bill Smith, the Internet sales adviser at Courtesy Motors in Chico; and Alan Ramos on the Courtesy GMC sales side. I’d buy a vehicle from any of these professionals, and the negotiations would be clean, honest and enjoyable. Ω

615 Mangrove Ave. Corner of Mangrove & Vallambrosa Chico

December 6, 2012

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Arts & Culture A cast of dozens at the Center for the Arts: (clockwise, from top left) Zane Brown as young Oliver Twist; Mel Presson and Liam Selby as Mrs. and Mr. Sowerberry. Below: Emily Rich (left) and Emma Davidson as two of the Workhouse boys.

PHOTO BY JEN REDEKER

Some more, please

PHOTO BY MELANIE MACTAVISH

California Regional Theater’s musical of Dickens classic looks, sounds and feels great

ou might think that watching a musical

PHOTO BY MELANIE MACTAVISH

detailing the sad life of a young orphan as he is sold from a mid-18th-century English workhouse to a funeral home before landing on the street and joining up with a pickpocket ring might not be the type of feel-good by MaryRose entertainment you are looking for Lovgren during the Holiday season. But you would be wrong. California Regional Theater’s musical version of Charles DickREVIEW: ens’ Oliver Twist—while full of California Regional merciless villains, harrowing Theater presents escapes, and other highly emotionOliver! The Musical , Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. al “twists” of fate (which my 10& Sun., 2 p.m., year-old son watched riveted and through Dec. 9, wide-eyed throughout)—is the perCUSD’s Center for fect performance to enjoy in a seathe Arts. son that asks us to consider being Tickets: $20 ($25 thankful for what we have and who at door), at www.crtshows.com we love. I left the theater inspired or by calling (800) and uplifted (and humming many 722-4522 of the tunes from the night). And did I mention there was a live Center for orchestra? the Arts Oliver! The Musical follows the 1475 East Ave. (on the Pleasant Valley story of young Oliver Twist (a glowHigh School ing Zane Brown), orphaned within campus) his first breaths when his mother collapsed and died during his birth. Now a tween, he is confined to toil in a workhouse with only gruel for sustenance. Cue a dozen fellow workhouse orphans belting out “Food, Glorious Food” while jumping, twisting and balancing on tables in the first of many amazing numbers by choreographer Kate Reeves. Oliver then makes the unforgivable mistake to say, “Please, sir, I want some ... more.” This enrages Mr. Bumble, the reprehensible and, well, bumbling head of the workhouse (played by Chris Thompson), and he and Widow Corney (a delightful and sassy Diana Leadbeater) proceed to enlighten Oliver on all of the horrible punish24 CN&R December 6, 2012

ments in store. Instead, Mr. Bumble decides to sell young Oliver to the stooped undertaker Mr. Sowerberry (Liam Selby, in a show-stealing performance) to work as a “coffin follower” to give (gasp!) authenticity to the funerals of children. The undertaker and his wife (a powerfully voiced Mel Presson) tease both Oliver and Mr. Bumble with the haunting “That’s Your Funeral,” which was one of my favorite numbers of the evening (and there were many). I won’t spoil the rest of the story for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of reading Dickens’ classic. I will say that, after Oliver spends time with the street-wise Artful Dodger (Makayla Thompson) and Fagin, the boss of the pickpockets (played sensationally by Roy Staring), and some truly nail-biting experiences (including the death of a major character), all ends well. Notable performances in Act Two include the emotionally charged “As Long as He Needs Me,” sung by the incredible Megan Schwartz as Nancy; a frightening rendition of “My Name” by Brandon Kingsley as the psychotic Bill Sykes; a moving “Where is Love?” sung by the young Oliver, which brought a true tear to my eye; and Fagin’s final number, “Reviewing the Situation,” which captivated the entire audience. The live orchestra, directed and conducted by Jim White, provided a three-dimensional quality to director Bob Maness and company’s already aweinspiring production. And kudos to Christopher Burkhardt and crew for the beautiful set construction, allowing cast members to climb, jump and hide on bridges, balconies and even coffins. If you haven’t yet treated yourself to a production by the relatively new California Regional Theater company (and staged in the beautiful new CUSD Center for the Arts on the Pleasant Valley High School campus), this might be the time to go, as proceeds from the performances benefit Families for Children Adoption & Foster Care Agency. Ω

THIS WEEK 6

Oroville, (530) 533-2473, www.birdcage theatre.net.

THURS

Special Events CCNC HOLIDAY MEMBERSHIP MEETING: All Chico Creek Nature Center members (actual and potential) are welcome to a festive gathering with door prizes, desserts, beverages and a visit from Checkers the great horned owl. Call to RSVP. Th, 12/6, 6:30-8:30pm. Free. Chico Creek Nature Center, 1968 E. Eighth St., (530) 891-4671, www.bidwellpark.org.

EAST BAY RAY SPEAKS: The Dead Kennedys’ lead guitarist will sit in for a question and answer session on artist’s rights and the state of the recording industry. Th, 12/6, 5pm. Free. Rowland-Taylor Recital Hall, 400 W First St. CSU, Chico.

Art Receptions ESTATES RECEPTION: A reception for over 100 paintings, prints and drawings by Picasso, Chagall, Renoir, Whistler, Dali, Ayres, Hornaday, DeHoff and more. Th, 12/6, 5-8pm. Free. James Snidle Fine Arts and Appraisals, 254 E. Fourth St.; (530) 343-2930; www.james snidlefinearts.com.

FRI

Special Events CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: Crafts, a country store,

treats and more to support local charities. F, 12/7, 9am-3pm. Prices vary. Trinity United Methodist Church, 285 E. Fifth St.; (530) 3431497.

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING: Chico’s annual treelighting ceremony will include a performance by The Yule Logs, a musical program with Sounds of the Valley and the Children’s Choir of Chico, an address from Mayor Ann Schwab and a visit from Santa Claus. F, 12/7, 6:30-8pm. Free. Chico City Plaza, 400 Main St.

THE NUTCRACKER IN PARADISE: The dancers of the Northern California Ballet perform the Christmas classic. 12/7-12/8, 7:15pm; 12/8-12/9, 2:15pm. $12-$20. Paradise Performing Arts Center, 777 Nunnelly Rd. in Paradise, (530) 8721719, www.paradiseperformingarts.com.

SENIOR PROM: Turn back the clock and re-live your senior prom—except this one has a nohost bar. F, 12/7, 7:30-10pm. $7. Lakeside Pavilion, 179 E. 19th St.; (530) 345-7787.

Theater AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY: Rogue Theatre presents the dark side of the Midwestern family with Tracy Letts’ Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prizewinning play. Th-Sa, 7:30pm through 12/15. $10. South Side Playhouse, 2145 Park Ave. 13.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: The Chico Theater Company presents this stage rendition of Charles Dickens’ classic story. Th-Sa, 7:30pm; Su, 2pm through 12/16. $12-$20. Chico Theater Company, 166 Eaton Rd. Ste. F, (530) 894-3282, www.chicotheatercompany.com.

HOORAY FOR HOLYWOOD: NUNSET BLVD: A new musical comedy written by Jerry Miller that follows the Sisters of Our Lady of Kankakee as they try to save their beloved orphanage and order by going Hollywood. Th-Sa, 7:30pm; Su, 2pm through 12/9. $16-$18. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.

LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL: A stage adaption of the classic book by Louisa May Alcott. Th-Sa, 7:30pm through 12/15. Su, 2pm 12/9 & 12/16.

$7-$15. Birdcage Theatre, 1740 Bird St. in

WILL DURST Friday, Dec. 7 Chico Women’s Club

SEE FRIDAY, SPECIAL EVENTS

WILL DURST: The political satirist, comic and talk-show host performs as a benefit for KZFR Community Radio. Go online for tickets. F, 12/7, 7pm. $12. Chico Womens Club, 592 E. Third St.; (530) 895-0706; www.kzfr.org/posts/view/54.

FINE ARTS

FREE LISTINGS! Post your event for free online at www.newsreview.com/calendar. Once posted, your CN&R calendar listing will also be considered for print. Print listings are also free, but subject to space limitations. Deadline for print listings is one week prior to the issue in which you wish the listing to appear.

COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING Friday, Dec. 7

Art Receptions ELEMENTS OF LOVE RECEPTION: A reception for artwork by Caitlin Schwerin and handmade jewelry by Amy Waltz Designs including adult refreshment, a DJ and more. F, 12/7, 6-10pm. Three Sixty Ecotique, 511 Main St. next-door to Senator Theater; (530) 342-8752.

REFLECTIONS, REFRACTIONS & REVERIES RECEPTION: Opening night for the exhibition of paintings by Dolores Mitchell and art glass by Claudia Schwartz including music by Chico Strings. F, 12/7, 5-8pm. Free. Avenue 9 Gallery, 180 E. Ninth Ave.; (530) 879-1821; www.avenue9 gallery.com.

Music GLORIOUS SOUNDS OF THE SEASON: The holidaymusic tradition features the 200-voice Choral Union, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz XPress, the University Organ and the Children’s Choir of Chico. F & Sa, 12/7-12/8, 7:30pm; Su, 12/9, 2pm. $20. Harlen Adams Theatre, Chico State, (530) 898-5739.

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK: Singing sacred music of the black church, the civil rights movement and songs for justice, Sweet Honey in the Rock touches on the blues, reggae, hip-hop and jazz. F, 12/7, 7:30pm. $18-$31. Laxson Auditorium, 400 W. First St. CSU, Chico; (530) 898-6333; www.chicoperformances.com.

Theater AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY: See Thursday. South Side Playhouse, 2145 Park Ave. 13.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Thursday. Chico Theater Company, 166 Eaton Rd. Ste. F, (530) 894-3282, www.chicotheatercompany.com.

CHRISTMAS RETURNS TO OZ: The Creative Arts Center brings Dorothy and Toto back to Oz in search of the true Christmas spirit. 12/7-12/8, 7:30pm. $10. Oroville State Theatre, 1489 Myers St. in Oroville, (530) 532-0346.

HOORAY FOR HOLYWOOD: NUNSET BLVD: See Thursday. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.

CHANUKAH CELEBRATION Tuesday Dec. 11 Chico City Plaza

SEE FRIDAY & TUESDAY, SPECIAL EVENTS

Thursday & Friday, Dec. 6 & 7 Avenue 9 Gallery James Snidle Fine Arts Three Sixty Ecotique SEE THURSDAY & FRIDAY, ART RECEPTIONS

GLORIOUS SOUNDS OF THE SEASON: See Friday. F & Sa, 12/7-12/8, 7:30pm; Su, 12/9, 2pm. $20. Harlen Adams Theatre, W. First St., Chico State campus, (530) 898-5739.

Theater AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY: See Thursday. South

LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL: See Thursday. Birdcage Theatre, 1740 Bird St. in Oroville, (530) 533-2473, www.birdcagetheatre.net.

OLIVER!: The California Regional Theater presents Charles Dickens’ classic with a live orchestra. F, Sa, 7:30pm; Su, 2pm through 12/16. $20. CUSD Center for the Arts, 1475 East Ave., (530) 891-3050, www.crtshows.com.

SAT

Special Events 490 HOLIDAY BAZAAR: Two days of unique gifts, local artists and vendors, refreshment and tostada bar. 12/8-12/9, 10am-5pm. Prices vary. Paradise Grange Hall, 5704 Chapel Dr. in Paradise, (530) 872-8329.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: The holiday tradition includes pancakes, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, photos, storytelling and more. Go online to register. Sa, 12/8, 8am-noon. $10. Chico Area Recreation District (CARD), 545 Vallombrosa Ave.; (530) 895-4711; www.chicorec.com.

IFC WARRIORS CHALLENGE: UFC and Strikeforce heavyweight veteran, Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello and Alfredo “Smash” Ontoveros headline. Sa, 12/8, 2pm. $35-$75. Feather Falls Casino, 3 Alverda Dr. in Oroville; (530) 5333885; http://ifc.vbotickets.com/events.

MENORAH CAR PARADE: Chabad Jewish Center’s annual holiday car parade will cruise the streets of downtown Chico. Sa, 12/8, 8pm. Free. Downtown Chico, Downtown Chico; (530) 809-1662; www.JewishChico.com.

THE NUTCRACKER IN PARADISE: See Friday. Paradise Performing Arts Center, 777 Nunnelly Rd. in Paradise, (530) 872-1719, www.paradise performingarts.com.

PARADE OF LIGHTS: Vintage cars, trucks, semis,

ART OPENINGS

Music

boats, equestrian riders and marching bands (all decked out in lights) make their way through downtown Oroville, ending with the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of the Municipal Auditorium. Sa, 12/8, 6pm. Free. Downtown Oroville; (530) 370-9087.

Side Playhouse, 2145 Park Ave. 13.

Art 1078 GALLERY: Stories 1 Exhibition, the 1078’s annual December group show showcases five artists with strong ties to Chico. Through 1/5, 2013. 820 Broadway, (530) 3431973, www.1078gallery.org.

ANGELOS CUCINA TRINACRIA: Maria Phillips

Exhibition, large, other-worldly watermedia paintings on display. Ongoing. 407 Walnut St., (530) 899-9996.

Reveries, paintings by Dolores Mitchell and art glass by Claudia Schwartz. Reception F, 12/7, 5pm. 12/7-1/12. 180 E. Ninth Ave., (530) 879-1821, www.avenue9gallery.com.

BUTTE COLLEGE ART GALLERY: Work n

Progress, an exhibit of work by student artist Dennis Wickes. Through 12/6. 3536 Butte Campus Dr. Inside the ARTS Building in Oroville, (530) 895-2208.

CHICO CITY MUNICIPAL CENTER: Works by

Claudia Steel, an exhibition of etchings, serigraphs, watercolors and oils. Through 1/11, 2013. 411 Main St. City Hall, (530) 8967200.

CHRISTMAS RETURNS TO OZ: See Friday. Oroville

CHICO CREEK NATURE CENTER: Banding by Day

State Theatre, 1489 Myers St. in Oroville, (530) 532-0346.

HOORAY FOR HOLYWOOD: NUNSET BLVD: See Thursday. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.

LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL: See Thursday. Birdcage Theatre, 1740 Bird St. in Oroville, (530) 533-2473, www.birdcagetheatre.net.

OLIVER!: See Friday. CUSD Center for the Arts, 1475 East Ave. corner of East and Ceanothus, (530) 891-3050, www.crtshows.com.

SUN

Special Events

Holidays, ornaments, gifts, jewelry and art on display. Through 12/31. 493 East Ave. #1, (530) 345-3063.

THE TURNER PRINT MUSEUM AT CSU: Issues:

Social, Political, Gender, prints exploring a range of issues from English political satire to American social realism. Curator’s talk and reception: Th, 12/6, 5:30 p.m. Through 12/16. 400 W. First St. Meriam Library breezeway, CSU, Chico, (530) 898-4476, www.theturner.org.

AVENUE 9 GALLERY: Reflections, Refractions &

Theater Company, 166 Eaton Rd. Ste. F, (530) 894-3282, www.chicotheatercompany.com.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Thursday. Chico

SALLY DIMAS ART GALLERY: Home for the

and Night, a close look at birds in hand with incredible detail. Ongoing. 1968 E. Eighth St., (530) 891-4671, www.bidwellpark.org.

CHICO MUSEUM: I Heart Chico, paintings, poetry, kid’s art, photography, textiles, videos and interactive collaborative exhibits inspired by Chico. Through 1/31, 2013. 141 Salem St., (530) 891-4336.

JAMES SNIDLE FINE ARTS AND APPRAISALS:

Estates Show, over 100 paintings, prints and drawings by Picasso, Chagall, Renoir, Whistler, Dali, Ayres, Hornaday, DeHoff and more. Reception Th, 12/6, 5pm. Through 12/28. Free. 254 E. Fourth St., (530) 343-2930, www.jamessnidlefinearts.com.

Call for Artists 2013 ART FIESTA BOOTHS: Artist booths are still available for next spring’s event. Call or email for more info. Through 4/1, 2013. Matador Motel, 1934 Esplanade, (530) 4874553.

GREEN ARTS COMPETITION: Mixed-media artwork that answers the question “What does it mean to be green?” Top finalists will have their work published on the Associated Students homepage. Ongoing. CSU Chico, 400 West First Street, Yolo Hall Room 178, (530) 898-6677.

Museums GATEWAY SCIENCE MUSEUM: Fall Exhibits, three exhibits running through the fall semester including “Take Flight,” “Gold Fever: The Untold Stories of the California Gold Rush” and “Third Views, Second Sights: A Rephotographic Survey of the American West.” Through 12/31. $3-$6. 625 Esplanade, www.csuchico.edu/gateway.

GOLD NUGGET MUSEUM: Veterans Day Exhibit, A display honoring those who serve. Ongoing. 502 Pearson Rd. in Paradise, (530) 872-8722, www.goldnuggetmuseum.com.

MANAS ART SPACE & GALLERY: Everything

Green Show, Green is the theme for the latest MANAS all-medium open-entry show. Through 1/11, 2013. 1441 C Park Ave., (530) 588-5183.

490 HOLIDAY BAZAAR: See Saturday. Paradise Grange Hall, 5704 Chapel Dr. in Paradise, (530) 872-8329.

ALTERNATIVE GIFT FAIRE: Shop among local and global missions to purchase a gift for someone in need. Su, 12/9, 9am-1pm. Prices vary. Bidwell Presbyterian Church, 208 W. First St.; (530) 343-1484.

HANUKKAH PARTY: Congregation Beth Israel’s annual party with traditional dinner, live music by the CBI band, dancing, games and more. Su, 12/9, 6-8pm. $6-$10. ARC Center, 2020 Park Ave.; (530) 342-6146.

THIS WEEK continued on page 26

’Tis the season for tragicomedy “Warning: This play contains alcoholism, drug addiction, foul language, infidelity, racism, incest and Jeremy Votava.” That may be all you need to get you to check out Rogue Theatre’s next production, but there is so much more. First, Tracy Letts’ August: Osage County is one of the most respected and celebrated contemporary plays in recent years. The three-plus-hour-long dark comedy about a family and their buried secrets unraveling on an Oklahoma homestead after the patriarch EDITOR’S PICK goes missing won five Tony Awards (including Best Play) and a Pultizer Prize for Drama in 2008. Second, the cast list is a who’s who of local theater badasses—Joyce Henderson, Roger Montalbano, Betty Burns, Amber Miller, Delisa Friestadt, Natalie Valencia, Shawn Galloway, Sean Green, John Duncan, Jesse Mills and Votava—and it’s being directed by Joe Hilsee. And third, the whole thing is happening in Rogue’s new home, a converted warehouse space on Park Avenue dubbed the South Side Playhouse. The whole promising enterprise opens tonight, Dec. 6. See This Week listings for more info.

—JASON CASSIDY

December 6, 2012

CN&R 25

GREAT PIZZA DESERVES GREAT BEER!

THIS WEEK continued from page 25 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT BIDWELL MANSION: The

NOW ON TAP 2.85 PINT $ 9.10 PITCHER $

964 Mangrove Ave

2027 Forest Ave

2201 Pillsbury Rd

343-4254

342-7265

891-1200

mansion will be decorated in Victorian holiday style, while staff, volunteers will be dressed in period costumes and local choral groups will perform. Su, 12/9, 12-5pm. Free. Bidwell Mansion, 525 Esplanade; (530) 985-6144.

HUMANE SOCIETY FUNDRAISER: A benefit for the Butte County animal shelter with a performance by Rex Stromness and Bob Littell. Su, 12/9, 6:30-9pm. Cafe Flo, 365 E. Sixth St.; (530) 514-8888; www.liveatflo.weebly.com.

INDIAN DINNER & SLIDE SHOW: Dinner and a discussion on religion, history, education, sex roles, daily life and natural beauty in Northern India to benefit the Shalom Free Clinic and Open Doors Literacy Project. Su, 12/9, 6pm. $10. First Congregational Church, 1190 E. First Ave.; (530) 345-8118.

THE NUTCRACKER IN PARADISE: See Friday.

Have a Gordo Breakfast! Chilaquites Plate $5.00 Served with rice, beans, onions, tomatos & salsa

Breakfast Burrito $3.75 Beef | Ham | Bacon | Chorizo Chicken | Veggie

Paradise Performing Arts Center, 777 Nunnelly Rd. in Paradise, (530) 872-1719, www.paradise performingarts.com.

Music CHRISTMAS CONCERT AND SING-A-LONG: The 40member Chico Community Band presents its annual concert. Su, 12/9, 2-3pm. Free. Lakeside Pavilion, 2565 California Park Dr.; (530) 895-4711.

GLORIOUS SOUNDS OF THE SEASON: See Friday. F

& Sa, 12/7-12/8, 7:30pm; Su, 12/9, 2pm. $20. Harlen Adams Theatre, W. First St., Chico State campus, (530) 898-5739.

Theater A CHRISTMAS CAROL: See Thursday. Chico Theater Company, 166 Eaton Rd. Ste. F, (530) 894-3282, www.chicotheatercompany.com.

HOORAY FOR HOLYWOOD: NUNSET BLVD: See

1295 E. 8th St. • (530) 809–1211

Thursday. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.

Seasonal. Local. Unique.

LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL: See Thursday. Birdcage Theatre, 1740 Bird St. in Oroville, (530) 533-2473, www.birdcagetheatre.net.

OLIVER!: See Friday. CUSD Center for the Arts, 1475 East Ave. corner of East and Ceanothus, (530) 891-3050, www.crtshows.com.

TUES Farm to Table Osteria in Downtown Chico. It’s not too late to reserve the loft for your holiday party.

198 E. 2nd Ave. 530-809-2304 www.granachico.com

Special Events CHANUKAH CELEBRATION: Bring canned food to help construct a giant “can menorah.” Food will be donated to local shelters. The evening will also include crafts and games for kids, music, hot latkes, dreidels and a raffle. Tu, 12/11, 5:30pm. Free. Chico City Plaza, 400 Main St.; (530) 809-1662; www.JewishChico.com.

BULLETIN BOARD Community AFRO CARIBBEAN DANCE: Dances of Cuba, Haiti, Brazil and West Africa with live drumming. Tu, 5:30pm. Chico Womens Club, 592 E. Third St., (530) 3456324.

ALTACAL MEMBERS SLIDESHOW: Altacal members and friends to share birding photos they have taken over the past year. M, 12/10, 6:30pm. Free. Chico Creek Nature Center, 1968 E. Eighth St., (530) 891-4671, www.bidwellpark.org.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: Regularly scheduled

meeting. Every other Tu, 9am. Board of Supervisors Chambers, 25 County Center Dr. in Oroville, (530) 538-7631, www.buttecounty.net.

BUTTE COUNTY COALITION OF REASON: A meeting to discuss current projects with guest speaker Brad Montgomery, the executive director of the Torres Community Shelter. Tu, 12/11, 7-9pm. Mangrove Round Table Pizza, 964 Mangrove Ave., (530) 343-4254, www.buttecountycor.org.

CANCER SURVIVOR CELEBRATION: Feather River Cancer Center’s annual event for cancer survivors and their caregivers with live music, story-sharing and refreshment. RSVP online. Th, 12/6, 5-6:30pm. Free. Paradise Seventh-day Adventist Church, 5720 Academy Dr. in Paradise, (530) 876-3157, www.frhosp.org.

CHAPMAN FARMERS MARKET: A farmers’ market in the park serving as a neighborhood collaborative forum focusing on healthy lifestyle promotion, education and access. F, 2-5:30pm through 12/31. Free. Dorothy Johnson Center, 775 E. 16th St., (530) 592-0889, www.cchaos.org.

CHICO CONTRA DANCE: Traditional contra dance

with music by the Pub Scouts. Second Sa of every month, 6:30-10pm. $4-$8. Chico Grange, 2775 Nord Ave., (530) 877-2930.

CHICO FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALE: Chico Friends of the Library weekly book sale. Sa, 9:15-11:30am. Butte County Library, Chico Branch, 1108 Sherman Ave., (530) 891-2762, www.buttecounty.net/bclibrary.

CINEMA FOR CHANGE: The monthly film series

continues with Four Season’s Lodge. Sa, 12/8, 7pm. Free. 100th Monkey Books & Cafe, 642 West Fifth St.

DANCE SANCTUARY WAVE: Bring a water bottle, drop your mind, free your feet and your spirit. Call for directions. Tu, 6:30-8:30pm. $10. Call for details, 8916524.

EVOLUTIONARY SHIFT NETWORK: Celebrate conscious awakening, connection and examples of the birth of a new “universal humanity.” Su, 6-7:30pm. Free. 100th Monkey Books & Cafe, 642 West Fifth St.

FARMERS MARKET - SATURDAY: Baked goods, honey, fruits and veggies, crafts and more.

Sa, 7:30am-1pm. Chico Certified Saturday

THANK YOU CHICO FOR 32 YEARS OF SUPPORT

Best Spot to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

FREE

Buy 1 small or larger yogurt, and get 1 small yogurt FREE or $1 OFF any smoothie. Ask about our Frequent Buyer program!

2 Chico Locations 300 Broadway (Downtown), 899-9580 In the Phoenix Building 1722 Mangrove Ave., 899-0484 In Mangrove Square

26 CN&R December 6, 2012

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, 11AM - MIDNIGHT Taste & see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8

Farmers Market, Municipal parking lot on Second and Wall streets, (530) 893-3276.

“We’re Going to Jon & Bons! ”

FREE HEALTH CLINIC: Free services for minor

medical ailments. Call for more info. Su, 14pm. Free. Shalom Free Clinic, 1190 E. First Ave. Corner of Downing and E. 1st Ave, (530) 518-8300, www.shalomfreeclinic.org.

KNITTING CIRCLE: Knitting kits available for purchase. Sa, 2-4pm through 12/22. Free. 100th Monkey Books & Cafe, 642 West Fifth St.

GLORIOUS SOUNDS OF THE SEASON Friday - Sunday, Dec. 7 - 9 Harlen Adams Theatre, Chico State SEE FRIDAY- SUNDAY, MUSIC

for more Music, see NIGHTLIFE on page 36

NATIVITY WALK-THROUGH: A walking tour of historical Christmas scenes from Bethlehem. F, 12/7, 6-8pm. Free. Oroville Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1180 Robinson St. in Oroville, (530) 532-4903.

A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR GAY COMMUNITY: The Paradise Center for Tolerance and Nonviolence presents a panel of speakers in hopes of facilitating plans for both an LGBTQ+ support group and a parent support group

SCOTT CROW LECTURE Tonight, Dec. 6 Ayres 106, Chico State SEE COMMUNITY

on the Ridge. Th, 12/6, 6:30-8:30pm. Free. Paradise Ridge Family Resource Center, 6249 Skyway in Paradise, (530) 877-1856, www.familyresourcecenters.net.

SAMARITAN FREE CLINIC: This clinic offers free basic medical care and mental-health counseling. Call for more information. Su, 2-4pm. Free. Paradise Lutheran Church, 780 Luther Dr. Next to Long’s Drugstore in Paradise, 8727085.

SCOTT CROW LECTURE: The activist will speak on his experiences with the FBI’s ongoing antiterror investigations. Th, 12/6, 6:30pm. Free. Ayres 106, Chico State Campus.

SOUL SHAKE DANCE CHURCH: Drop your mind, find your feet and free you spirit at this DJ dance wave to a range of musical styles. No previous dance experience necessary. Su, 10am-noon. $8-$15 sliding scale. Dorothy Johnson Center, 775 E. 16th St., (530) 891-6524.

SUCCESSFUL SUCCESSION WORKSHOP: A panel discussion focused on enhancing leadership skills of regional nonprofit organizations. Th, 12/6, 3-5pm. Free. Beatniks Coffee House & Breakfast Joint, 1387 E. Eighth St., (530) 8942800.

UPPER BIDWELL PARK BIRDING HIKE: A guided winter birding hike. Meet at parking lot off Wildwood Avenue; rain cancels. Sa, 12/8, 9am. Free. Upper Bidwell Park, Wildwood Ave. Horseshoe Lake Parking Lot E, (530) 566-6136.

VETERANS WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY: All Ridge veterans and their families are invited to participate. M, 12/10, noon. Free. Paradise Cemetery, 980 Elliott Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-8174.

WILDLIFE VIEWING: Guided wildlife tours. Rain

cancels. Sa, 10am through 2/3; Su, 1pm through 2/3. $4. Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Rd. in Gridley, (530) 846-7505.

WRITING GROUP: All writers welcome. Bring

paper, a pen and writing to share. F, 3:305pm. Free. 100th Monkey Books & Cafe, 642 West Fifth St.

Volunteer BIDWELL PARK VOLUNTEERS: Help the park by volunteering for trash pick-up, invasive-plant removal, trail maintenance, site restoration, water-quality testing and more. Ongoing; check Friends of Bidwell Park website for dates and locations. Ongoing. Call for location, (530) 891-4671, www.friendsofbidwellpark.org.

PATRICK RANCH VOLUNTEERS: There are multiple volunteer opportunities available at the museum, including help with Autumnfest 2012 and the annual Christmas celebration. Call or email for more info. Ongoing. Patrick Ranch Museum, 10381 Midway, Chico halfway between Chico and Durham, (530) 345-3559.

MORE ONLINE Additional listings for local meetings, support groups, classes, yoga, meditation and more can be found online at www.newsreview.com/chico/local/calendar.

CHOW

PHOTO COURTESY OF WWW.MARKADDISON.COM

Blood lust

Performed by the

Chico Community Ballet

DEC.

13th-16th Performances:

Henri experiments with new Bloody Mary recipes

Thurs., Fri. & Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Sat. & Sun. at 2:00 p.m. Laxson Auditorium CSU, Chico

W again frustrated by his dear sister Colette’s insistence on spendhile Henri is once

ing nearly every fall Sunday glued to our television by watching men Henri Bourride (in rather attractive trousers, I must confess) throw a ball around on a field and knock each other down, he’s taking the haute route this year and not complaining. Nor am I insisting on equal time, as I have in previous years, by trying to strike a balance between something as hideously uninteresting as football and my own preference for television with actual cultural value. Quite a sacrifice, I must say, especially considering I’m up to only season five of Bewitched and have also fallen behind on Glee. Thankfully, Colette’s made my sacrifice a bit easier: Though she reminds me frequently that this is the Year of the Woman, she has declared these last few months the Fall of the Bloody Mary—and makes a batch for every game. In fact, I’ve actually joined her on occasion for a couple of innings myself—despite her refusal to appreciate my bottoms-up and man-in-motion jokes. The Bloody Mary most likely originated in 1920s Paris at Harry’s American Bar, where, the story goes, bartender Fernand Petiot mixed equal parts tomato juice and vodka and a customer said it reminded him of the Bucket of Blood saloon in Chicago and a girl named Mary whom he’d met there. In 1934, Petiot returned to the United States, where he worked in

the bar at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City experimenting with various versions of his drink, adding black pepper, cayenne, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, lemon, lime and Tabasco sauce. Bloody Mary is also certainly a nod to England’s Queen Mary Tudor (1516-1558; reigned 15531558), who had a penchant for torching Protestants in the name of the Catholic Church. Her royal duty, mind you, under 1401’s “Act for the Burning of Heretics.” Today, one is likely to find nearly as many Bloody Mary recipes as there are devotees of the drink, each claiming his own is “perfect.” The only indisputable requirements? Tomato juice, vodka (Stoli, Ketel One, etc., or better) and heat—although even the tomato juice can be substituted for. As loyal as we remain to Henri’s Bacon Bloody Mary (see recipe), we’ve recently been experimenting, inspired after discovering a recipe for an “Asian Mary” at bonappetit.com. What we’ve learned: 1) Most Asian recipes call for some kind of fish sauce; all are better without; 2) Some of the recipes call for sesame oil; all are better with; 3) Only a few of the recipes call for shichimi togarashi ( “seven-spice chili pepper”), which makes any Bloody Mary—Asian or not— better; 4) All the recipes call for tomato juice; substituting Knudsen’s Very Veggie (Spicy) makes for a superior cocktail. With all due respect, Henri is confident that had more Chicoans sampled his perfect Bloodys,

Duffy’s Tavern’s would have placed a distant second behind his in the CN&R’s Best of Chico readers’ pick for best Bloody Mary. Henri’s Bacon Bloody Mary (for one) In large glass mix 1 1/2 cup Knudsen’s Very Veggie (Spicy), 2 oz. vodka, 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp. horseradish, 1 dash salt, 1 dash freshly ground black pepper, 1 Tbsp. fresh-squeezed lemon juice, 1 dash fresh celery salt. Mix all ingredients in a large glass over ice and garnish with a lemon wedge and two slices of crispy bacon.

Tickets $16-$26 available at University Box Office

898-6333

www.chicoperformances.com

Asian Bloody Mary (for four—from Bon Appetite) In large pitcher, mix 2 cups tomato juice, 1 cup vodka, 8 tsp. soy sauce, 4 tsp. fresh lemon juice, 4 tsp. fresh lime juice, 1 Tbsp. fish sauce (optional), 1 tsp. wasabi paste. Mix all ingredients with ice in a large pitcher. Pour into four glasses, sprinkle shichimi togarishi on top, and garnish each with a stalk of lemon grass. Henri and Colette’s Asian Bloody Mary (for one) 2 oz. vodka 1/2 tsp wasabi paste 1 tsp thai curry paste 2 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp soy sauce 1 tsp lime juice Shichimi togarashi lime slices, for garnish Henri’s Quick Asian Bloody Mary (for one) Some reddish juice Some ice Some vodka Some shichimi togarashi Splash of sesame oil Ω

December 6, 2012

CN&R 27

THE NORTH VALLEY’S #1 LOCATION FOR

BUYING & SELLING

•RARE COINS •SILVER DOLLARS •GOLD & SILVER EAGLES

•MAPLE LEAFS •KRUGERRANDS •GOLD & SILVER JEWELRY •10-24 KT SCRAP GOLD

One-man haunting.

•STERLING SILVER •PLACER GOLD •US PAPER CURRENCY

PHOTO COURTESY OF GHOSTWRITER

SINCE 1987

CHICO COIN & JEWELRY 894–5436 1414 Park Ave, Suite 108 Chico, CA 95928 www.ChicoCoin.com

MON-FRI 10AM-5PM ~

WE DO ESTATE APPRAISALS SE HABLA ESPANOL

Monday, january 7, 2012

a tribute to Jimmy Reed

a true Gathering of Blues Superstars

Lazy Lester, 79 years young, the last of the Louisiana Swamp Blues masters. Kim Wilson, thought by many (including me) to be the greatest harmonica man (and singer) of his generation. Rick Estrin, co-founder of Little Charlie & the Nightcats, a perennial Big Room favorite. And lastly Mark Hummel himself. The collection of guitarists is what makes this Blues Blowout unique. Little Charlie Baty, the other co-founder of Little Charlie & the Nightcats. Big Room favorite Joe Louis Walker (seriously). Ron Thompson, the legendary Bay Area guitar master and founder of Ron Thompson & the Resisters. This show features four performers who’ve sold out the Big Room on their own. This show would be the perfect holiday gift for the blues lover in your family.

Tickets $32.50 On sale Saturday, 12/8 in the gift shop. Doors open at 6pm • Music starts at 7:30pm

Join the Big Room e-mail list by visiting www.sierranevada.com 1075 E. 20th StrEEt • ChiCo • 896-2198 All Ages Welcome At Each Show 28 CN&R December 6, 2012

Here and now On the road with the eternal blues of Ghostwriter

S from the road. As the one-man operation behind Ghostwriter, Schecter has taken his dark blues across

teve Schecter is talking to me, not surprisingly,

the United States and even into Europe for more than a decade. And after so many years he still carries on a romance with the by road, although he confesses a certain Mark Lore allegiance to playing the States. “I was inspired by guys who drove around the U.S. to shows,” says Schecter. “Schedules are hard, driving is hard—[in Europe] traveling isn’t as self-reliant.” Self-reliance is what has kept Ghostwriter going for so long, whether it be touring, promoting or even recording. Schecter recorded his last two albums—including Ghostwriter’s latest LP, Prayin’All the Time—on one-inch tape in his former home in The Dalles, Ore. Prayin’ is a gritty and dark record that bypasses modern blue-eyed blues for stripped-down, backwoods sermons that sound like they’re PREVIEW: being delivered through whiskeyGhostwriter performs Friday, and smoke-damaged vocal cords. Dec. 7, 8 p.m., at Any deals with the devil are justified. Monstros. The Slow Live, Ghostwriter can put the fear Poisoner, Jorge of God in you. Schecter plays his holJonze, Michelin low-body through an amp and Embers and Disorderly stomps his foot down on a cusEvent open. tomized kick-pedal tambourine, Cost: $5 donation unleashing some serious power through his minimalist approach. Monstros Pizza While he misses playing in bands, as 628 W. Sacramento Ave. he did in the decade prior to starting www.facebook.com/ Ghostwriter, Schecter’s current set-up monstrospizza keeps egos and personalities out of

the equation while making touring easier. “It’s tough to keep a band together for more than three or four years,” he explains. “I’ve kept with Ghostwriter because travel and recording are more sustainable.” Outside of touring Schecter has also moved around a lot. Born in eastern Oregon, he eventually moved to Austin, Texas, for a long spell before returning to Oregon a few years ago. He made the move to Portland, Ore., last year. It was upon his return to the Pacific Northwest in 2008 that he was tapped to open for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, a night that saw him performing in front of thousands at Portland’s Crystal Ballroom. Schecter insists he didn’t change his approach—he’s just as possessed in front of 300 people as he is 3,000. The Ghostwriter moniker has afforded the guitarist to perhaps become more unhinged. “I liked having that anonymity,” Schecter says. “It separates me from the sea of singer-songwriters.” At this point it’s difficult to separate Steve Schecter from his shadowy persona. “Ghostwriter is more comfortable,” he continues. “The themes are pretty universal. Although a song like ‘Destroy Human Life’—people who relate to it are probably a little darker than me.” Schecter insists that he’s not down on life. And our conversation isn’t filled with over-the-top analogies or hidden meanings. He’s an average dude with a wife and house who buys old records and has an affinity for Ricky Nelson. He still does warehouse work on the side. Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the Ghostwriter project. The milestone quietly came and went, according to Schecter. When asked about it, he responds like someone whose life is less about analyzing than just doing. “Ten years … I probably should have exploited that more, but to me it’s no big deal.” It helps to be timeless. That bodes well for Ghostwriter’s still being here in another 10 years. Ω

Shop

C L O AL

Gift

Bright and Beautiful Since 1907, Christian & Johnson has been making the Holidays bright in Chico! Stop in and browse their selection of lovely and unique gifts and decor, fresh flowers and plants. As always, they offer complimentary gift-wrapping. Let C&J help make your gifting and decorating beautiful this Season!

Guide

ChristiAn & jOhnsOn

250 Vallombrosa Avenue #100 Chico, CA 95926 (530) 891-1881 www.ChristianAndJohnson.com

For the Hostess with the Mostess don’t show up empty-handed, let Home ec help you find a unique hostess gift that will delight any domestic diva. From clever kitchen items to chic tabletop trimmings, you’re sure to find the perfect present. Visit Home ec in downtown Chico to explore their selection of smartly designed homewares, modern home decor, and other random awesomeness. Gift certificates and complimentary gift wrapping available.

hOme eC

231 Main St • Chico (530) 343–5686

You Will Make Someone Very Happy... When you treat them to lovely evening at Red Tavern. A gift certificate is an easy way to show someone how much they mean to you. Your thoughtful gift will let them enjoy a relaxing night of great food that only the Red Tavern can provide. if you are planning the company holiday party or the annual family get together you can’t go wrong by letting the Red Tavern take care of all the details. Red Tavern also provides the perfect place to get away from the hectic Holiday rush.

RD A C T GIF

red tAvern

1250 Esplanade • Chico (530) 894–3463 • www.redtavern.com

Brew Your Own Right At Home The Chico Home Brew Shop is the place to go for all of your brewing and winemaking needs. We carry beer and wine makers equipment, ingredients, books, soda extract, cheese making ingredients, bottles, caps, corks, spouts, growlers, labels and much more. We are happy to answer any questions you may have too! Come by today! Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm.

the ChiCO hOme Brew shOp

1570 Nord Ave. • Chico • (530) 342-3768

Bacio Gift Cards! Give the gift of a lunch or weeknight dinner, or hot soup on a cold day or any number of healthy, delicious foods from Bacio Carry-Out. Their re-loadable gift cards are the perfect gift for all of your foodie friends, new parents, busy families and anyone you know who loves to eat well. Local, seasonal, delicious!

BACiO CAterinG & CArry-Out

1903 Park Ave • Chico (530) 345–7787 • www.baciocatering.com Monday- Friday 11:00 - 7:00

For the Lady who is Classy, but wants to be a little Sassy! A women’s clothing and accessory store offering fashionably unique clothes at affordable prices. Beautiful dresses, semi-formal and casual wear ranging in sizes petite to 18. unique handbags, gift ideas and jewelry are all available. Stop in and visit Tuesday–Friday 10:30am–5:30pm and Saturday 10:30am–3:30pm.

sAssy & CLAssy BOutique

Mangrove Square Shopping Plaza (Across from Big 5) • (530) 899-8312

CN&R’s Gift Guide — A speCiAl AdveRtisiNG seCtioN December 6, 2012

CN&R 29

Shop

L OCAL ideAS

Gift

The Urban Laundry gift that always fits! Want to get a gift for that fashionista on your list, but don’t know what size or color, brand or fit? urban Laundry has you covered. Gift cards are available in any amount, and they never expire or go down in value. urban Laundry stocks stylish stuff for guys and gals from TOMS, True Religions, Free People, RVCA and more. Stop by and say hi!

urBAn LAundry/urBAn sOLe

Tasty Gift Ideas Voted Chico’s Best Asian Cuisine, Best Take-Out and Oroville’s Best Restaurant, Tong Fong Low offers a delicious dining experience. Stuff your loved ones holiday stockings with Gift Certificates for this popular, locally owned and operated restaurant. Tong Fong Low wishes everyone good health and happy dining! Catering available.

tOnG fOnG LOw

2075 East 20th St, Suite 100 • Chico (530) 898-1388 2051 Robinson Ave • Oroville (530) 533-1488

222 Main St • Chico • (530) 345–2444 228 Main St • Chico • (530) 809–1553 UrbanLaundry.com • UrbanSole.com

Travel to Tuscany with Mooney Farms The beautiful Tuscan style company store is open Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm. Every Wednesday during the holiday season, enjoy samples of Bella Sun Luci italian favorites including their award-winning Bella Sun Luci Arbequina extra Virgin Olive Oil and Sun dried Tomato line. Gift baskets are available to purchase or create your own unique design. Shipping is available.

mOOney fArms m

Shop Inside the “Jewelry Box” today for One of a Kind Gifts by Local Artisans • • • • •

Gold jewelry celebrating natural texture. Silver adorned with Gems. Pearls for every Season. Art Glass to decorate your holiday home. Select a perfect handcrafted gift for each special person on your list. • Shop Online 24/7.

AiCOrAGems“jeweLry BOx” GALLery

1334 Mangrove Ave. • Chico (530) 809-1034 • www.chicojewelrybox.com Open for Holiday Shopping everyday 10-7.

1220 Fortress Street • Chico 95973 (530) 889-2661 • www.MooneyFarms.com Holiday hours Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm Dinner for Two

Give the “Gift of Pleasure”... Treating your friends, loved ones or employees to a Tui Ná massage at Wendy’s Massage is the ultimate expression of how much they mean to you! Wendy’s ambiance is the perfect place for them to relax, refresh and rejuvenate—a time when all their bodily tensions will melt away. Wendy’s gift cards are wonderful for Birthdays, Holidays and Anniversaries... the perfect way to say— “You’re Special to Me!”

wendy’s mAssAGe

1351 Mangrove Ave • Chico (530) 342–2222 www.WendysMassageChico.com

The Perfect Place to Relax and be Pampered Chico’s newest day spa has opened just in time for the Holidays! Sweetwater day Spa is offering a special Holiday Spa Package from now until december 31st. The package includes: • Signature Spa Facial • Relaxation Massage • Spa Pedicure all for just $129! Gift Certificates are also available, gift wrapped and ready for giving! Check out the website for a list of additional services and products available for men and women and to take a photo tour of the spa.

sweetwAter dAy spA 1031 Village Lane • Chico (530) 894-7722 (spaa) www.sweetwaterchico.com

California Sunshine in a Bottle Share the rich, golden elegance of the AWARd WiNNiNG Butte View olive oils. Pure, light and delicate – experience the wonderful aromas and distinctive accents that make each hand crafted oil truly unique and excellent. 250ml/500ml. Available in Chico at Maisie Jane’s, Made in Chico, S&S Produce, in Oroville at Collins & denny Market & Wagon Wheel Market and in Paradise at Noble Orchard.

Butte view OLive COmpAny

2950 Louis Ave. • Oroville, CA (530) 534-8320 • www.butteview.com

CN&R’s Gift Guide — A speCiAl AdveRtisiNG seCtioN 30 CN&R December 6, 2012

NEWS & REVIEW BUSINESS USE ONLY

PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW YOUR ADVERTISE-

Glide Around the Townie

Icebreaker Marino Wool Made from the worlds best marino, grown by merino sheep in New Zealand’s southern Alps, it’s exceptionally warm, soft and cozy. icebreaker’s layerable pieces have an edge over synthetic fabrics: they breathe when the weather’s hot, insulate when it’s cold and rarely get stinky. You’ll find a good selection of icebreaker clothing at Sports hoodLTd: base layers, knitwear & cardigans, hood ies, fleece, jackets & vests, socks, gloves, hats & neckwear. Warm without being bulky, they don’t itch and are odour-resistant, making them ideal for all winter sports.

electra’s Townie bike challenged sacred precepts of bicycle frame geometry to give riders a flawless mix of comfort, control and easy riding. The Townie positions the rider in an upright position that allows for relaxed arms, pedal placement that is further forward, and a design that allows the rider to lay flat feet on the road when seated and stopped, instead of balancing on tippy-toes. Take a ride on one yourself at Pullins Cyclery. They’ve been providing cyclists with everything they need and expert service since 1918.

puLLins CyCLery

801 Main St. • Chico 530-342-1055 www.pullinschico.com

spOrts Ltd.

698 Mangrove Ave • Chico (530) 894–1110 • ChicoSportsLtd.net

Enjoy a True Chico Tradition Shubert’s Homemade ice Cream & Candy has been a Chico tradition for over 75 years! Homemade Boxed Chocolates, Peanut Brittle, english Toffee and divinity are just a few treats our families have come to look forward to during the holidays. Pre-order Snowballs now! The perfect holiday dessert! don’t forget your Shubert’s Mints this season! No holiday celebration would be complete without them!

shuBert’s iCe CreAm & CAndy 178 East 7th Street • Chico (530) 342-7163 • www.shuberts.com

Give the Gift Everyone Loves... A gift certificate from Tres Hombres. Choose any denomination, get a gift card, and your holiday shopping for friends & co-workers is complete. Choose from a large selection of “The BeST Margaritas in Chico” or try one (or two) of over 125 premium tequilas. enjoy outdoor dining even on those crisp winter days in the comfortably heated sidewalk seating. Or come sit inside and dine at a table, the taco bar, or the longbar. You’ll find Tres Hombres conveniently locate next to the university. Next time you’re making plans to gather just say “Meet me at Tres.”

tres hOmBres

100 Broadway • Chico (530) 342-0425

LaRocca Wine Tasting Room – Now Open in Downtown A Taste of Brilliance This gorgeous pendant has a 1.54 ct. Tanzanite stone with .60 ct. tw. diamond, and 14 kt. White Gold. A gift that will be enjoyed for generations. Suggest price is $2,995. Olde Gold carries both unusual and unique jewelry and timepieces. in addition to estate jewelry they provide manufacturing in both lost wax and hand fabrication, and an excellent jewelry repair department which includes on site laser repair. An on staff gemologist is trained in jewelry appraisal and gem identification. Come in and talk with jewelers who follow in the Olde World Style of excellence and craftsmanship.

OLde GOLd jeweLry

225 Main St. • Garden Walk Mall • Downtown Chico (530) 891–4610 • www.oldegold.com

Holiday cheers from our family to yours! Local organic wines, perfect for your holiday table and a unique gift idea. The oldest winery in the North State is proud to showcase our award winning wines and Champagne at our new tasting room in downtown Chico. Come in, sample and learn about our local appellation and the quality estate-bottled wines that we grow and produce locally.

LArOCCA vineyArds tAstinG rOOm 222 W. 2nd Street • Chico Open Wed – Fri 1:30 – 8pm Saturdays 12 – 8pm & Sundays 1:30-6pm

CN&R’s Gift Guide — A speCiAl AdveRtisiNG seCtioN December 6, 2012

CN&R 31

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L OCAL ideAS

Chikoko Presents the 7th Annual Bizarre Bazaar

Gift

Come to Chico’s Alternative Craft Fair on Sat. dec. 15th and Sun. dec. 16th from 10-5 at the Chico Women’s Club. Over 25 local artists will be selling innovative wares, high quality unique art and offering a truly local experience. Plus, start the weekend off with a bang, come to the Voom Voom Variety Show on Fri. Dec. 14th for local performances and an amazing raffle of surprises. doors open at 6 pm, d Chico Women’s Club, $5.

90 MPG! The KYMCO Agility 50 is a quality built entry level scooter that is unmatched in the industry. With a smooth, quiet 4-stroke 49 cc engine, front disc brake, low seat height and short wheelbase the Agility 50 creates a riding experience suited for everyone. Check out the convertible buddy seat that doubles as a rider backrest when flipped into the up position. The Agility 50 is a compact, nimble little scooter with plenty of underseat storage that would make an excellent addition to any garage. MSRP $1,49900.

ChiCO mOtOrspOrts

1538 Park Ave. Chico • (530) 345-5247 chicomotorsports.com

Float your stress away...

SPA

Renew’s unique Floatation Sensory TREATMENT deprivation Chamber makes this PACKAGE Spa Package unlike any other in the North Valley. Floatation Therapy GiF T Ce RTi FiC AT e is a luxurious escape into a private, light and sound free environment, in which you will enjoy deep relaxation and healing. This is the only Flotation Chamber in Chico. $99 package. Choose 3 – Floatation, Facial, Massage, Pedicure/Manicure. $149 package Couples. Choose 3 – Floatation, Facial, Couples Massage, Pedicure/Manicure. in addition you will also receive blow dry & style from The Cutting Room Salon located next to Renew.

ChiCO wOmen’s CLuB 592 East 3rd St. • Chico www.chikoko.com

OMG... You will be quite the hero when you place a ruby ring under the Christmas tree this year! Kirk’s Jewelry specializes in custom design one of a kind pieces, and will work with you from start to finish, creating your own unique heirloom piece. Stunning rubys, exquisite diamonds, excellent craftsmanship, and handcrafted designs are the hallmarks of Kirk’s Jewelry, downtown Chico’s longest established jewelry store. Since 1973, Kirk’s Jewelry offers the widest selection of loose diamonds and diamond jewelry. From the simplest to the most ornate...your jewelry is handcrafted with precision and pride. Making dreams come true for over 35 years.

KirK’s jeweLry

246 W. 3rd Street • Downtown Chico • (530) 891-0880 kirksjewelry.com

renew

1030 Village Lane, Suite 190 • Chico (at In Motion Fitness) • (530) 588-7383 Open every day 8am-8pm • www.renewfloatspa.com

ELECTRIC BICYCLES Are changing the way people move. The new hybrid electric bikes are: stylish, affordable, functional, eco-friendly and best of all FuN. N. Transportation speeds up to 20 mph. 25-30 miles per charge. Quick recharge times 4-6 hours. No licensing or registration fees. no interest financing. To demo the full range of styles and models visit your hybrid electric bicycle dealer...

red mOuntAin Green CyCLe

455 E. 20th St. (20th & Mullberry) • Chico (530) 899–7270 redmountaingreencycyle.com

UGGS – Popular Gift for Everyone! At diamond W Western Wear, you’ll find the largest selection of genuine uGGS for Ladies, Men, and Kids! uGG Australia uses the world’s finest quality sheepskin, making it the most comfortable footwear with unbeatable quality. As an authorized dealer, we offer full line of genuine uGGS, GGS, as well as the care-products, and can even special order your favorite pair just in time for Christmas! in addition, diamond W Western Wear offers Northern California’s largest selection of BOOTS for the entire family. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will take the time to size you correctly and assure your 100% satisfaction. Visit us today and experience Full Service with the “Lowest Prices Guaranteed”. Locally owned for 34 years.

diAmOnd w western weAr and Pat’s Shoe & Boot Repair 181 E 2nd Street • Downtown Chico Open Every Day • (530) 891-1650

CN&R’s Gift Guide — A speCiAl AdveRtisiNG seCtioN 32 CN&R December 6, 2012

eets r t s u th

o eakh

Flavorful Holiday gifts Want to share 5th Street Steakhouse with a friend or family member? Gift cards make it simple. Great for the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and company parties. 5th Street Steakhouse food tastes great on any occasion!

ard ift C

5th street steAKhOuse

345 West 5th St. • (530) 891-6328 5thstreetsteakhouse.com

Wire Wrapped Jewelry

Chico’s Own Locally Grown Wines. The Perfect Holiday Gift.

Wire wrapped jewelry by local artists are reasonably priced holiday gifts. You’ll find beautiful stones like Mexican Lace, Tiger eye, Aqua Aura and more starting at just $30. if you haven’t stopped in Lotus Flower imports you’re in for a treat. They’re located across from Chico Natural Foods between 8th & 9th Streets on Main in downtown Chico. Besides wire wrapped jewelry you’ll find gifts that no other store in Chico carry, like wooden Quan Yen, tumbled stones, crystals, massage wands, sage and much more.

Bertagna Son Kissed Vineyards grows only the highest-quality, organic grapes. Meticulous farming in the field and high attention to detail in the winery produces a higher quality product. The wine can be purchased at Chico Natural Foods, S&S Produce, Chico Costco, Raley’s, Safeway, Maisie Jane’s, J&J Cellars, The Olive Pitt, CA Kitchen in Red Bluff and Wagon Wheel Market to list a few. Please see our website for a complete listing. exclusive wines & Tastings available by appointment.

LOtus fLOwer impOrts

839 Main St. • Downtown Chico (530) 345–6783

BertAGnA sOn Kissed vineyArd

3363 Hegan Lane • Chico • (530) 343-8014 www.BertagnaWine.com

Give the Gift of Great Food! A Rawbar gift card is the perfect gift for the holidays. it also makes a great stocking stuffer! Get a FRee $15 card with $100 gift card purchase. The Rawbar serves much more than just great sushi, including appetizers, soups & salads, rice bowls, and tempura. They offer a wide variety of hot appetizers and cold platters available for catering and that holiday party you’re hosting or attending. Gift cards are offered in many denominations, so stop in today, have lunch or dinner, and cross off a few names on your list!

rAwBAr

346 Broadway • Chico • (530) 897-0626 • www.rawbarchico.com Open Daily • Join us for Happy Hour; Mon-Fri 3pm-5pm

Relax...Relax...Relax... After you’ve worn yourself ragged holiday shopping wouldn’t it be nice to relax...relax...relax...in your Perfection Pools Hot Tub! Caldera Spas pays a great deal of attention to the styling for just that reason. Caldera Spas’ elegant, organic style delights your senses with flowing lines, sculpted jet recesses, ergonomic controls, beautiful lighting and soothing sounds. Stop by Perfection Pools today, mention this ad, and receive a free $500 accessories package.

perfeCtiOn pOOLs & spAs

172 E. 20th St. Chico • (530) 895-0437 perfectionpoolsandspas.com

Personalized Porcelain Christmas Ornaments

Patagonia Down Sweater

Bring your special photo to print on a personalized Christmas ornament, available in 2 different shapes. All work done in-house. This gift idea is only $14.95 each. Order now for Christmas. Andy’s embroidery offers a huge selection of personalized gifts from coffee mugs to woven sofa throws. They are a family owned business celebrating 24 years in business. Stop by to see their variety of personalized gift items.

Anywhere brisk, the down own Sweater delivers featherweight, superbly compressible high-loft warmth. The polyester ripstop shell with a deluge® dWR WR (durable water repellent) finish does more than look sharp; it’s tear-resistant, windproof and made from 100% polyester. details etails include top-quality 800-fill-power goose down, a quiltedthrough construction, two exterior zippered pockets and a stretch-mesh interior chest pocket that doubles as a zippered stuff sack and has a carabiner clip-in loop. Nylon-bound elastic cuffs and drawcord hem seal in warmth.

Andy’s emBrOidery

176 E. 3rd Street • Downtown Chico (530) 345-5011 • Open Daily

820 Wall Street • Chico (530) 893-3316 • www.andysembroidery.com

mOuntAin spOrts

CN&R’s Gift Guide — A speCiAl AdveRtisiNG seCtioN December 6, 2012

CN&R 33

nis Quaid. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG-13.

The Sessions

Talk, shoot, repeat

After consulting with his priest (William H. Macy) a young man (John Hawkes) paralyzed from the neck down decides to lose his virginity by hiring a sex surrogate (Helen Hunt). Winner of Sundance Film Festival’s Audience Award for drama. Pageant Theatre. Rated R.

Re-opening End of Watch

A couple of young, hotshot L.A. cops (Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña) wind up in the crosshairs of a violent drug cartel. Cinemark 14. Rated R.

Now playing

Argo

Softer than that, Brad.

Stylish and brutal crime story nearly talks itself to death

Kmovie with a lot of violent action, and in point of fact it is, but only by fits and starts. For roughly two-thirds of its not-veryilling Them Softly may sound like a crime

long running time (97 minutes), this brash little drama is mostly a matter of tangled conversations between two guys, sometimes among three, all of them crimiby Juan-Carlos nals of one sort or another (nearly a dozen all Selznick told), and each of them variously involved in the central story—the misbegotten hold-up of an underworld poker game and the efforts of a hitman/enforcer named Jackie (played by Brad Pitt) to clean up the resulting mess. Based on one of George V. Higgins’ Boston-set crime novels (originally titled Killing Them Cogan’s Trade) but transplanted to what Softly appears to be the New Orleans area on a very Starring Brad Pitt, Richard rainy week, this new offbeat effort from writerJenkins, James director Andrew Dominik (The Assassination Gandolfini and of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) Ray Liotta. may be neo-noir at its core, but quite a lot of it Directed by Andrew Dominik. has at least one foot in something like Theatre Cinemark 14, of the Absurd. The detours and digressions of Feather River the dialogue scenes and the behaviorial absurdCinemas and ities of some of the criminals have a tinge of Paradise Cinema dark, brutal comedy to them, but nearly all of 7. Rated R. what’s at least partly funny in the movie is also at least partly upsetting. Jackie is the central character, but he doesPoor n’t really enter the action until after the cardgame heist and the initial efforts of another enforcer, the semi-legendary Dillon (played by Sam Shepard), has had a crack at one of the Fair presumed culprits. The first portions of the film deal with the not-so-impressive scheming of the very unimpressive hold-up men, a flashback/highlights account of a previous cardGood game hold-up, and the farcically tentative but still successful hold-up itself. Jackie’s arrival brings the promise of some Very Good more serious action, but his first scenes involve further ironic, meandering conversations with a mild-mannered underworld “consultant” (Richard Jenkins). An East Coast hit-man named Mickey (James Gandolfini) arrives, at Excellent

Jackie’s behest, and in two extended scenes with Jackie (monologues, mostly) reveals his emotional and professional inadequacy for the task at hand. Inactivity and futility are part of the point in this weirdly inverted crime story, and while it’s left to Pitt’s character to effectively settle the scores required by his bosses, the settling of those accounts is almost beside the point. What Dominik offers here is a pungently sleazy rogues’ gallery (which includes variously hapless punks played by Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, Vincent Curatola, Max Casella, Trevor Long and the rapper Slaine, plus a much abused bar owner played by Ray Liotta) and a partial panorama of a society in frenzied decline. The characters look like throwbacks from the ’70s and ’80s, but the action is pointedly set during the economic crisis (and election) of 2008. Jackie is reacting to the rhetoric of corporate bailouts and the wishful thinking of presidents past and present when he speaks the film’s final line: “Crime is the business of America.” That may be the final irony, but it comes too late to do the film much good. Ω

Reviewers: Craig Blamer, Howard Hardee and Juan-Carlos Selznick.

Opening this week

The festival of found film shorts returns to the Pageant for one night only (Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.), bringing with it an all new collection of funny and curious Dumpster/thriftstore finds, discarded home movies and odd training videos. Special-event admission: $10. Pageant Theatre. Not rated.

34 CN&R December 6, 2012

The Found Footage Festival

Playing for Keeps

Gerard Butler stars as a former star athlete fallen on hard times who, after signing on to coach a youth soccer team, has to fend off hot and smitten soccer moms. Also starring Uma Thurman, Jessica Biel, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Den-

In 1980, in the midst of the Iranian hostage crisis, a CIA agent organized an undercover caper that was desperate, dazzling and very improbable. In the hands of Ben Affleck and company, that little farrago becomes a riveting, briskly entertaining thriller. There is no shortage of peril and suspense in the basic incident—agent Tony Mendez (Affleck) is attempting to spirit six Americans hiding in the Canadian embassy out of Iran. And the tension is only heightened by the outlandishness of Mendez’s scheme—he and the six escapees will exit Iran disguised as a Canadian film crew. Cinemark 14. Rated R —J.C.S.

The Collection

This sequel to the 2009 horror flick The Collector follows the story of one of the serial killer’s victims who escapes and is then forced to try and rescue a girl from the The Collector’s booby-trapped home. Paradise Cinema 7. Rated R.

Flight

Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) is, in his own words, “flying.” And it’s apparent early on that he’s right about that in more ways than one: he’s an airline pilot of unusual gifts, and he’s a spectacularly reckless consumer of drugs and alcohol as well. In the course of Flight, a heroic exploit, which is also a lethal misadventure, forces him to face up to the full consequences of who and what he has become. Skillfully scripted by John Gatins, Flight is a rousing, pungent character study, with a fine, nuanced performance from a smoldering Washington. Cinemark 14. Rated R —J.C.S.

Killing Them Softly

See review this issue. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated R —J.C.S.

Life of Pi

Ang Lee’s film version of Yann Martel’s exuberantly post-modernist stew of a tale is a flamboyantly episodic ramble— part high-flying philosophical discourse, part epic adventure, part literary puzzle, and the giddy, convoluted life story of Piscine “Pi” Patel, its central character/ narrator. The big selling point is the amazing tale Pi has to tell about losing his family in a shipwreck and yet also surviving adrift in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger from his parents’ zoo as his only companion. That part of the story, part mini-Titanic, part Robinson Crusoe, part nothing-you’veever-seen-before, takes fine and duly spectacular form in Lee’s film. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG —J.C.S.

Lincoln

The new Abe Lincoln picture from Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner is an historical epic of a quality that is exceptionally rare in American movies. Kushner’s brilliant script focuses on Lincoln and his contemporaries and on the complex political maneuvering involved in getting slavery abolished, via the Thirteenth Amendment, in the first four months of the war’s final

year, 1865. There’s a fresh, canny mixture of docudrama and dramatic entertainment throughout, and a wonderfully trenchant and diverse cast (especially Daniel DayLewis in the title role) provides vivid foreground and background alike in this unusual and complex version of Spielbergian spectacle. Cinemark 14. Rated PG-13 —J.C.S.

Red Dawn

A remake of the 1984 film about commies invading a rural U.S. area only to have local high-schoolers take up arms to try and fend them off. This time the commies are North Korean instead of Soviet, the rural area is Washington instead of Colorado and the lead is played by Thor instead of Patrick Swayze. Cinemark 14 and Feather River Cinemas. Rated PG-13.

Rise of the Guardians

A 3D animated-film version of William Joyce’s The Guardians of Childhood kids’ books about a group of famous characters—Jack Frost, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and the Sandman— who band together to save kids from the nightmares of the Boogeyman. Starring the voices of Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Jude Law, Chris Pine and Isla Fisher. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG.

Skyfall

Skyfall’s opening sequence finds Bond (Daniel Craig) botching an attempt to recover a stolen hard drive containing mega-important information during a stunningly awesome over-the-top chase scene. From there it’s all womanizing, daydrinking and swallowing handfuls of prescription medication before a bleary-eyed Bond is put through a series of physical and mental tasks to determine whether he is still fit for service and allowed to help track down baddie Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem). The dialogue between Bond and his latest nemesis is the most compelling aspect of the film—excluding a scene in which a military helicopter crashes into a Scottish castle. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG-13 —H.H.

Starlet

Ends tonight, Dec. 6. A 21-year-old porn actress Jane (Dree Hemingway) finds a thermos with $10,000 in it at a yard sale and finds herself bonding with the previous owner, 85-year-old widow Sadie (Besedka Johnson in her acting debut). But there’s no sloppy sentimentality in director Sean Baker’s indie/DIY slice-of-life account of the struggle for connections in the bleaker reaches of the San Fernando Valley. Hemingway (daughter of Mariel) is excellent as a small-time dreamer trying to get beyond the limited horizons of her sleazy, drugged colleague/roommates. Radium Cheung’s ripely atmospheric digital cinematography and Stella Maeve’s quietly caustic performance as clueless roommate Melissa make key contributions to the film’s off-handed brilliance. The title refers to Jane, of course, but it’s also the name she’s given to her beloved pet Chihuahua. Pageant Theatre. Not rated. —J.C.S.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2

In Part 1, Bella (Kristen Stewart) got knocked up a with mutant baby who tore her up pretty good, forcing Edward (Robert Pattinson) to turn her into a vampire. In Part 2, vampiress Bella is all sunshine and smiles, and she’s got Edward truly whupped. The only dark side to these happy days is that their newborn daughter is growing at an alarming rate, and some sinister cabal of bloodsuckers is breathing down their necks, finally showing up for a battle royale that explodes all over the snowscape. A very well-crafted climax that concludes with a perfectly delivered punch line. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG-13 —C.B.

Wreck-it Ralph

A Wreck-it Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) is the villain character in a video game who gets tired of being the bad guy, so he escapes to other games in the arcade in an attempt to be the hero. Also starring the voices of Sarah Silverman, Jayne Lynch and more. Cinemark 14 and Feather River Cinemas. Rated PG.

6701 CLARK ROAD

872-7800

www.paradisecinema.com

ALL SHOWS PRESENTED

King Animal Soundgarden Seven Four/Republic There have been loads of reasons to fear a Soundgarden reunion: Frontman Chris Cornell’s most recent solo work, the Audioslave debacle, and the limp “Live to Rise,” the band’s first song in 16 years, which recently appeared on The Avengers soundtrack. Things looked gloomier than the Seattle skyline. Even “Been Away Too Long,” the first single from the new album, had me feeling uneasy about their inevitable comeback with its schmaltzy declaration. But the deeper you get into King Animal the more like Soundgarden it sounds. “By Crooked Steps” will take you back to the band’s late-’90s output with its driving riff offset by drummer Matt Cameron’s slightly off beat. And “Blood on the Valley Floor” and “Bones of Birds” will truly have you believing Soundgarden has been away too long. King Animal is far from immaculate, however, with a handful of clunkers lodged in its gut slowing things down. While the songs here don’t always sound fresh, you have to keep in mind that many lesser bands have made similar music in Soundgarden’s absence. King Animal isn’t a bad record for those who followed the band in its post-Badmotorfinger heyday. If anything it hints that they have another great album in them.

MUSIC

—Mark Lore

THINK

FREE.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS [PG-13] THE COLLECTION

1:05 3:15 5:25 7:30 *9:35PM [R]

KILLING THEM SOFTLY [R] LIFE

[PG]

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS [PG]

SKYFALL

95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Destined to be a player at the Academy Awards “An exhilarating gift of a movie. Funny, touching and vital. -ROLLING STONE

William H. Macy Helen Hunt

THE SESSIONS

1:20 3:20 5:20 7:25 *9:35PM 12:45 3:00 5:10 7:20 *9:35PM IN : 1:15 6:55 *9:40PM IN 2D: 4:05PM

Fri/Sat 6pm & 8pm Sunday 3pm & 5pm Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 6pm only

: 12:45 5:15 7:30 *9:45PM IN 2D: 3:00PM IN

TWILIGHT SAGA

BREAKING DAWN PART 2

StartS Friday

S HOWTIMES G OOD F RI 12/7 - THUR 12/13

[PG-13]

12:45 3:45 6:45 *9:30PM

tuesday december 11th 7:30pm only

1:00 3:55 6:50 *9:45PM

[PG-13]

THE HOBBIT:

STARTS THURSDAY 12/13 & 2D: 11:59PM AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY [PG-13] IN *L AT E S H O W S O N F R I & S AT O N LY A LL S HOWS B EFORE 6PM ARE B ARGAIN M ATINEES I N D I C AT E S N O P A S S E S A C C E P T E D

n e p O w No Every Thursday

ed Any Large B$lend 50 only 2

Malleus Maleficarum

Drink

Mike Rosen SLG Publishing The Malleus Maleficarum was a witch-hunting bible written in 1487 by a couple of fanatical Catholic clergyman—Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger—and used at various times during the late-Middle Ages and the Renaissance to justify the prosecution and killing of women accused of being witches. Chico cartoonist Mike Rosen (who is also a marketing rep for Videomaker magazine) has brought Malleus back in the form of a creative and playful graphic novel. Rosen’s story is an exciting satire of the original Malleus and tells how Kramer and Sprenger created this instruction manual for identifying and trying witches. Utilizing a fun graphic style (reminiscent of expressive big heads from the The Fairly OddParents cartoon), Rosen shows women of the time in their imagined evil, engaged in witchy acts such as killing and boiling babies or removing the genitals of men and hiding them in the nests of trees in the forest. Rosen’s work portrays the original Malleus as an effort by sadistic and fearful men to harass and kill women who were seen as “different.” It is a humorous look back at one of the darker times in human history.

coffee tea pastries ◆

206 Walnut St., Suite A

BOOK

—Vic Cantu

Many Times Many Ways Halie Loren & Matt Treder Justin Time Records Anyone looking to spice up the holidays with some new spins on the music of Christmas should be sure to have this album on hand in the run-up to the big day. Just when you think there’s nothing that can be added to old yuletide chestnuts like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” or “Winter Wonderland,” here comes Halie Loren and Matt Treder to make those songs new again with exquisite vocal and piano interplay. And, when they’re not finding new ways to celebrate the old songs, Treder is writing new tunes to add to the spirit of the season. His “Sugar Cookies” is sweet, and his “From the Mouths of Babes” is touching. And when Loren lets her voice play over the lyrics of “Blue Holiday,” for instance, it’s as warmly evocative as the embers in the fireplace on Christmas Eve. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who’s sick of the “same old same old” sounds, this CD would slip nicely into any jazz fan’s stocking. And who would have thought that “Nature Boy,” the old Nat King Cole song, would sound so right on a Christmas album? Not me. But it works to wrap up this 11-song set in lovely fashion.

MUSIC

—Jaime O’Neill

◆

530.809.2157

FRIDAY 12/07 – THURSDAY 12/13

12/7 Sweet Honey In The Rock 12/13-16 Nutcracker 1/22 Clint Black Trio 1/23 Golden Dragon Acrobats 1/30 Erth’s Dinosaur Petting Zoo 2/1 Tommy Emmanuel 2/6 Cirque Mechanics 2/7 Whose Live Anyway? 2/12 Juan de Marcos & the Afro-Cuban Stars

2/14 Russian National Orchestra 2/17 Eric Bibb & Habib Koité 2/20 Paco Peña: Flamenco Vivo 2/27 Calder Quartet 3/3 African Children’s Choir All shows at Laxson Auditorium CSU, Chico

TICKETS - (530) 898-6333 or CHICOPERFORMANCES.COM

ARGO (Digital) (R ) 11:10AM 1:55PM 4:40PM 7:25PM 10:10PM END OF WATCH (Digital) (R ) 11:55AM 2:30PM 5:05PM 7:40PM 10:15PM FLIGHT (Digital) (R ) 1:00PM 4:05PM 7:10PM 10:15PM KILLING THEM SOFTLY (Digital) (R ) 12:45PM 3:10PM 5:35PM 8:00PM 10:30PM LIFE OF PI (3D) (PG) 12:00PM 1:30PM♠ 3:00PM 6:05PM 7:30PM 9:05PM LIFE OF PI (Digital) (PG) 4:30PM 10:30PM LINCOLN (Digital) (PG13) 12:35PM 3:50PM 7:05PM 10:20PM PLAYING FOR KEEPS (Digital) (PG-13) 11:15AM 1:50PM 4:25PM 7:00PM 9:35PM RED DAWN (Digital) (PG-13) 12:45PM 3:05PM 5:25PM 7:45PM 10:05PM RISE OF THE GUARDIANS (3D) (PG) 2:00PM 7:00PM RISE OF THE GUARDIANS (Digital) (PG) 11:30AM 4:30PM 9:30PM

SKYFALL (Digital) (PG-13) 12:55PM 4:05PM 7:15PM 10:25PM TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN, PART 2 (Digital) (PG-13) 11:05AM 12:30PM♦ 1:55PM 3:20PM♦ 4:45PM 6:10PM♦ 7:35PM 9:00PM♦ 10:25PM WRECK-IT-RALPH (3D) (PG) 2:10PM 7:20PM WRECK-IT-RALPH (Digital) (PG) 11:35AM 4:45PM 9:55PM (SPECIAL SHOWING) - MET OPERA: UN BALLO IN MASCHERA (Digital) (NR) Sat. 12/8 9:55AM (SPECIAL SHOWING) - LORD OF THE RINGS MARATHON (Digital) (PG-13) Sat. & Sun. 12/8 & 12/9 11:00AM (MIDNIGHT SHOWING) - HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, THE (3D) (PG-13) Thurs. 12/13 ONLY 12:01AM (MIDNIGHT SHOWING) - HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, THE (Digital) (PG-13) Thurs. 12/13 ONLY 12:02AM

Showtimes listed w/ ♠ NOT shown Sat. 12/8 Showtimes listed w/ ♦ NOT shown Sat. & Sun. 12/8 & 12/9

December 6, 2012

CN&R 35

NIGHTLIFE

THURSDAY 12|6—WEDNESDAY 12|12

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK Friday, Dec. 7 Laxson Auditorium SEE FRIDAY

GHOSTWRITER: The one-man show is part

7FRIDAY BLUES JAM: Weekly open jam. Th, 8pm-

midnight. Lynns Optimo, 9225 Skyway in Paradise; (530) 872-1788.

CHICO BAILE LATINO: MORE THAN SALSA: Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia and Bachata dance lessons followed by an open social dance. F, 8pm through 11/15. $2$4. The Hub, 685 Manzanita Ct. Inside the Holiday Inn, Chico; (530) 518-9454.

MATTEO PLAYS FILM SCORES: Classical guitarist Matteo plays film scores and light classics. Th, 6pm. Free. Angelos Cucina Trinacria, 407 Walnut St.; (530) 899-9996.

6THURSDAY AARON RICH & FRIENDS: Country music round-robin. Third and First Th of every month, 9pm. Free. Crazy Horse

Saloon & Brewery, 303 Main St.; (530) 894-5408.

BLUES JAM: Weekly open jam. Th, 8pm-

midnight. Lynns Optimo, 9225 Skyway in Paradise; (530) 872-1788.

BY SUNLIGHT: The indie rock crew out of Seattle is equal parts shimmer and punch. Minot (out of Oakland) and locals Socorro and Surrounded by Giants open. Th, 12/6, 8pm. $5. Café Coda, 265 Humboldt Ave.; (530) 5669476; www.cafecoda.com.

CHICO JAZZ COLLECTIVE: Thursday jazz.

Th, 8-11pm. Free. The DownLo, 319 Main St.; (530) 892-2473.

IMPROV JAM: Open jam with Michael

Gaughan. Th, 5-8pm. Cafe Flo, 365 E. Sixth St.; (530) 514-8888; www.liveat flo.weebly.com.

JOHN SEID: John Seid and friends, featuring Larry Peterson and Steve Cook playing an eclectic mix of tunes all night. Th, 6:30-9:30pm. Free. Johnnie’s Restaurant, 220 W. Fourth St. inside Hotel Diamond; (530) 895-1515; www.johnniesrestaurant.com.

LAST STAND: A stand-up comedy openmic. Th, 8-10pm. Cafe Flo, 365 E. Sixth St.; (530) 514-8888; www.liveat flo.weebly.com.

OPEN MIC: Singers, poets and musicians welcome. Th, 7-10pm. Has Beans Internet Cafe & Galleria, 501 Main St.; (530) 894-3033; www.hasbeans.com.

COUNTRY NIGHT: Live country music with Rancho Mars. F, 5-8pm. Free. Towne Lounge, 327 Main St.; (530) 896-0235.

EPIC WINTER BALL: EPIC Productions presents Myndset’s EDM winter holiday ball. Mack Morris opens, with Nick Harris on drums with DJ Marvel on the back patio. F, 12/7, 9pm. LaSalles, 229 Broadway; (530) 893-1891.

singer-songwriter and part demonic punk rocker. The Slow Poisoner, Michelin Embers, Jorge Jonze and Diso open. F, 12/7, 8pm. $5. Monstros Pizza & Subs, 628 W. Sacramento Ave.; (530) 345-7672.

IRISH MUSIC HAPPY HOUR: A Chico tradition: Friday night happy hour with a traditional Irish music session by the Pub Scouts. F, 4pm. $1. Duffy’s Tavern, 337 Main St.; (530) 343-7718.

JAMES SLACK BAND: Country, southern rock and blues. F, 12/7, 8:30pm. Free. Gold Country Casino, 4020 Olive Hwy at Gold Country Casino & Hotel in Oroville; (530) 534-9892; www.gold countrycasino.com.

JASON BUELL BAND: Live country music. F, 12/7, 9pm. Free. Tackle Box Bar & Grill, 375 E. Park Ave.; (530) 345-7499.

THE JEFF PERSHING BAND: Funk-master

Jeff in the lounge. F, 12/7, 8:30pm. Free. Feather Falls Casino, 3 Alverda Dr. in Oroville; (530) 533-3885; www.feather fallscasino.com.

JUSTIN FARREN: A funny, charming

singer-songwriter and guitarist. F, 12/7, 8pm. $5. Cafe Flo, 365 E. Sixth St.; (530) 514-8888; www.liveat flo.weebly.com.

MICHAEL BECK: Original country tunes. F, 12/7, 9pm. Free. Colusa Casino Resort, 3770 Hwy. 45 in Colusa; (530) 458-8844; www.colusacasino.com.

MIKE COMFORT ALBUM RELEASE: The local rocker celebrates the release of It’s a Beautiful Life in the brewery. F, 12/7, 9:30pm. $5. Feather Falls Casino, 3 Alverda Dr. in Oroville; (530) 533-3885; www.featherfallscasino.com.

OPEN MIKEFULL: Open mic night to share your music, poetry, comedy, or other talents in a 10-minute slot. Third and First Th of every month, 7pm. $1. Paradise Grange Hall, 5704 Chapel Dr. in Paradise; (530) 873-1370.

RETROTONES: Classic rock covers on the

back patio. Th, 12/6, 6-9pm. Free. LaSalles, 229 Broadway; (530) 893-1891.

THE YULE LOGS: A Chico holiday tradition: The Yule Logs, loud and live at Duffy’s. Uni and Her Ukelele open. Th, 12/6, 9:30pm. $5. Duffy’s Tavern, 337 Main St.; (530) 343-7718.

RAINBOW GIRLS

The Rainbow Girls “enjoy whiskey, skinny dippin’ and stomping large boots,” and the mixture of those pastimes winds up sounding exactly how these five California girls describe their music: “stomp folk.” And fellow stompers and folkies, the Perpetual Drifters and The Railflowers join the spirited quintet this Sunday, Dec. 9, at Origami Lounge.

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36 CN&R December 6, 2012

YOU’RE WELCOME, NATURE.

LA FIN DU MONDE

Saturday, Dec. 8 El Rey Theatre SEE SATURDAY

FAREWELL BUSTOLINIS SHOW, PART II: The deli, coffee spot and music venue is seen off by Jeremy Gerrard, John Paul Gutierrez, The Shout Bamalamas, Big Tree Fall Down and, of course, Waltzaulsnakenstein. Sa, 12/8, 9pm. $5. Lost On Main, 319 Main St.; (530) 8911853.

HOLLY TAYLOR & ERIC PETER: Jazz duo.

8SATURDAY

Sa, 12/8, 8:30pm. Farwood Bar & Grill, 705 Fifth St. in Orland; (530) 865-9900.

JAMES SLACK BAND: Country, southern

rock and blues. Sa, 12/8, 8:30pm. Free. Gold Country Casino, 4020 Olive Hwy at Gold Country Casino & Hotel in Oroville; (530) 534-9892; www.gold countrycasino.com.

BLOOZE ON THE ROCKS: Blues and rock

covers and originals. Sa, 12/8, 9pm. Free. Tackle Box Bar & Grill, 375 E. Park Ave.; (530) 345-7499.

BROOKWOOD BOYS: Live music at Flo. Sa, 12/8, 8-9:30pm. $5. Cafe Flo, 365 E.

bands) ends their run at the El Rey. Other local fixtures West by Swan, The Americas and Aubrey Debauchery open. Sa, 12/8, 7:30pm. $10. El Rey Theatre, 230 W. Second St.; (530) 342-2727; www.ticketweb.com.

MICHAEL BECK: Original country tunes. Sa, 12/8, 9pm. Free. Colusa Casino Resort, 3770 Hwy. 45 in Colusa; (530) 458-8844; www.colusacasino.com. MUSIC CIRCLE: An open jam for all levels of musicians with Robert Catilano.

Second Sa of every month, 1-4pm. Free. Cafe Flo, 365 E. Sixth St.; (530) 514-8888; www.liveatflo.weebly.com.

Jeff in the lounge. Sa, 12/8, 8:30pm. Free. Feather Falls Casino, 3 Alverda Dr. in Oroville; (530) 533-3885; www.featherfallscasino.com.

DECADES: A dance-friendly cover band in

LA FIN DU MONDE FAREWELL SHOW: The experimental instrumental rockers (and one of Chico’s longest-running

and originals. Sa, 12/8, 9pm. Rolling Hills Casino, 2655 Barham Ave. in Corning; (530) 528-3500; www.rollinghillscasino.com.

SINGER-SONGWRITER SAGA: The second night of a three-part weekly singersongwriter competition begins with 10 contestants playing two songs apiece. Sa, 9pm through 12/15. Free. Maltese Bar & Taproom, 1600 Park Ave.; (530) 343-4915.

9SUNDAY JAZZ: Weekly jazz. Su, 4-6pm. Has Beans Internet Cafe & Galleria, 501 Main St.; (530) 894-3033; www.hasbeans.com.

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Yule Logs

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Railflowers and the Perpetual Drifters open. Su, 12/9, 9pm. Origami Lounge, 7th and Cherry Streets.

337 Main St (corner of 4th St. & Main)

Christine LaPado-Breglia on upright bass. W, 5-7pm. Chicoichi Ramen, 243 W. Ninth St.; (530) 891-9044.

JAZZ TRIO: Every Wednesday with Carey Robinson and company. W, 5-7pm. Opens 12/5. Free. Cafe Flo, 365 E. Sixth

10MONDAY

St.; (530) 514-8888; www.liveat flo.weebly.com.

GUITAR SHORTY: M, 12/10, 7:30pm. $20. Sierra Nevada Big Room, 1075 East 20th St.; (530) 345-2739; www.sierra nevada.com/bigroom.

JAZZ HAPPY HOUR: With the Carey

Robinson Trio. M, 5-7pm. Cafe Flo, 365 E. Sixth St.; (530) 514-8888; www.liveat flo.weebly.com.

country, tin pan alley, jazz and more. W, 7-9pm. Free. VIP Ultra Lounge, 191 E. Second St. Upstairs from The Beach.

OPEN JAM NIGHT: Join the jam. Drum kit, bass rig, guitar amp and PA system are provided, bring your own instruments. All ages until 10. W, 7pm. Free.

11TUESDAY

Italian Garden, 6929 Skyway in Paradise; (530) 876-9988; www.myspace.com/theitaliangarden.

OPEN MIC: All ages welcome. W, 7pm. Free. 100th Monkey Books & Cafe, 642 West Fifth St.

SWING DANCE WEDNESDAY: Every

LAURIE DANA: Soul, light rock, blues,

Wednesday night, swing dancing lessons 8-10pm. W, 8-10pm. Free. Crazy Horse Saloon & Brewery, 303 Main St.; (530) 894-5408.

THE YULE LOGS ACOUSTIC: Chico’s fave holiday rockers go unplugged for a show at the Banshee. W, 12/12, 7pm. Free. The Banshee, 132 W. Second St.; (530) 895-9670.

GUITAR SHORTY

David Kearney, aka Guitar Shorty, has had a long and wild career. The brother-in-law of Jimi Hendrix (whom he apparently influenced back in the day) is a wild man on stage, with a style that’s been described as sounding “like a caged tiger before feeding time.” He’s played with everyone from Ray Charles to Sam Cooke, and even won first prize on an episode of The Gong Show playing guitar while standing on his head. See the legend in person Monday, Dec. 10, at the Sierra Nevada Big Room.

AARON JAQUA: An open singer-song-

writer night. Tu, 7-9pm. Free. Cafe Flo, 365 E. Sixth St.; (530) 514-8888; www.liveatflo.weebly.com.

12WEDNESDAY END OF THE WORLD METAL SHOW: With performances by A Holy Ghost Revival, Aberrance, Death Rattle and Lords of Perdition. W, 12/12, 9pm. $5. LaSalles, 229 Broadway; (530) 893-1891.

HAPPY JAZZ: A weekly jazz appointment with Shigemni Minetaka on piano and

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RAINBOW GIRLS: Chico’s own The

THE ROCKHOUNDS: Classic rock covers

THE JEFF PERSHING BAND: Funk-master

Sixth St.; (530) 514-8888; www.liveat flo.weebly.com.

the brewery. Sa, 12/8, 9:30pm. $5. Feather Falls Casino, 3 Alverda Dr. in Oroville; (530) 533-3885; www.feather fallscasino.com.

THIS WEEK: FIND MORE ENTERTAINMENT AND SPECIAL EVENTS ON PAGE 24

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December 6, 2012

FILE NAME MCMAINS BAIL BONDS

CN&R 37

ARTS DEVO

Now Officially Serving Patients of Chico Natural Solutions

Jason Cassidy • jasonc@newsreview.com

WHEN HOLIDAYS ATTACK Here’s the news for December: There will be rain; some people will get the flu; Christmas will be happening every single day of the entire month. That is it. No climate shifts, vaccines or atheist rabble rousers will ever stop the cold, hard realities of the season, and no daily news outlets will ever have anything new to report on those fronts. It is happening; it will forever happen. So sayeth Arts DEVO. Now, let’s do what we do (and what really matters at this time of year) and get together and have some fun in spite of it all. The partying should of course start with a song, and since I am overflowing with Krampusnacht spirit, I’d like to bring a certain beast of Alpine lore to sing along with us. Actually, it occurred to me recently that Krampus would make for a really cool band name. Of course, given his demonic goat-man appearance and his penchant for mayhem, I figured any band that’d be named after St. Nick’s foil would probably be playing some form of hyphenParty Krampus! ated-metal, which turned out to be a good guess. After a quick search, I found one Hungarian grind/death-metal Krampus; a brand-new crap-metal Krampus from the Midwest; and by far the most popular, a melodic/death/folk-metal eight-piece Krampus from Italy. Despite how promising that last description seemed, the Italians let me down. It turns out that the quickest way to make a death-metal band go limp is by adding violins and a flute. Not Krampus-worthy at all! Thankfully, your suggestions for holiday songs that don’t suck have already been rolling in (and keep posting suggestions to Arts DEVO’s Facebook page—the mix will be finalized next week!). My fave new track so far (shared with me by CN&R staff writer/ukulele-master Ken Smith) is the Murder City Devils’ stein-swinging toast to a lonely Santa, “364 Days.” A perfect companion for those December blues:

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St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas, at the North Pole 364 days spent all alone Take off your boots, pour a drink Try not to cry, try not to think

FINAL NOTES This Saturday, Dec. 8, at 9 p.m., Lost on Main will host a farewell bash in honor of Bustolini’s Deli. According to a post by owner Bob Backstrom on the Bustolini’s Facebook page, the restaurant (and music venue/art gallery) is now closed for good after seven years with Backstrom at the helm. Come say “hello” to the party-friendly soup master (and buy him a beer and thank him for promoting local music!) as he Rock on, Bustolini’s Bob. throws this one last, big PHOTO BY ALAN SHECKTER show featuring John Paul Gutierrez, The Shout Bamalamas, Waltzsaulsnakenstein, Big Tree Fall Down and Jeremy Gerrard. NOW SPEAKING Tonight, Dec. 6, at Chico State: First, at 5 p.m., in RowlandTaylor Recital Hall, Dead Kennedys guitarist East Bay Ray will be a guest of the School of the Arts’ SOTA Productions, to talk about the Internet Radio Fairness Act and the negative effect it would have on musicians’ ability to be fairly compensated for the use of their recordings. Then, at 6:30 p.m., in Ayres 106, anarchist community organizer/activist Scott Crow—one of the co-founders of Common Ground Collective, the nonprofit support network that helps victims of Hurricane Katrina—will talk about his experiences with the FBI and its ongoing anti-terrorism surveillance.

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