Upgraded Living - April 2022

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Q&A

WITH DR. HODARI BBL® PHOTOFACIAL What is the BBL™ PhotoFacial?

The BroadBand Light™ (BBL) PhotoFacial is a treatment that uses energy from light to improve one's complexion. It is a fun and easy treatment that produces natural and lasting results.

What can the BBL PhotoFacial treat or target?

The BBL specifically targets changes resulting from aging skin like sun spots, hyperpigmentation, redness, rosacea, and broken capillaries in the skin.

How does the BBL address Rosacea?

Rosacea, which is a skin condition characterized by central-face redness, broken blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like pustules of the cheeks, forehead, and nose, is common amongst people of Northern European heritage. However, rosacea can present in people of all skin types and backgrounds. In addition, certain environmental triggers like stress, sun exposure, and exposure to hot or cold temperatures can make rosacea flare.

The BBL uses selective wavelengths of light to target the source and nature of the redness in someone's skin. When the light-energy comes into contact with the blood vessels and capillaries responsible for the rosacea, those vessels lose their size, potency, and functionality, resulting in decreased redness and more even skin tone.

What is the downtime and how many treatments do I need?

There is zero downtime with a BBL treatment. Mild scaliness of the skin may exist for a day or so afterwards, but there is no swelling, bleeding, or redness that results from this treatment. Best results typically come from a series of five treatments.

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"PhotoFacial made a huge difference in the redness and pigmentation in my face. My esthetician thought I had a facelift! My husband and a good friend were so impressed they both bought a series of PhotoFacials."

- Daryl W.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

80 DECLARATION DR. CHICO, CA 95973 (530) 342-8295 rejuvene.com 3

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FROM THE EDITOR I've always taken a strong stance on not bringing politics or anything majorly divisive into Upgraded Living. Since its inception, I hoped the magazine would provide readers a bit of a getaway from the normal media we're bombarded with each day, along with a reminder of how lucky we are to have the things we often take for granted. This beautiful area of the world which we're lucky enough to live in is the perfect case-in-point. Sure, things could always be better, but comparatively, there are few places out there on the global scale that provide the level of security and resources we have right here at home. Certainly, the events of this past month have been a reminder of that.

If you have the ability, I would simply ask that you do what you can to help those who are currently struggling abroad with conditions unfathomable here at home. At the time of this writing, it doesn't appear peace in Ukraine is on the immediate horizon, but should that hopefully change, there will still be significant need for support and resources in the coming months and long into the years that follow. AirBnB, along with many other international organizations, have incredible programs set up to help the displaced find shelter while evacuated from their homes, and for many who have lost their homes, an opportunity to start over. These programs are all only as successful as the support and funding they receive.

At home, we have another cause worthy of suppport with our friends at Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation. Due to fires and other natural disasters, there's an influx of displaced wildlife in the Northstate, and the BWR takes these animals in, cares for them, and releases them back into their natural habitat. In anticipation of the increase in numbers, they are having a fundraiser to help ensure they all get the care they need. The event will also help the community learn more about the organization and how it helps the animals they provide care for. The event is open to the public and is free to attend, but donations are encouraged. There will be booths to learn about some of our local wildlife with kid's activities, takeaways at each of them, and so much more. The event is taking place on Saturday, April 30th from 12:00 pm-3:00 pm at The Barn at Meriam Park (1930 Market Pl in Chico). It'll be a great way to give back at home, and we hope to see all of you there.

Take some time in April to give back and, as the saying goes, be the change you want to see in the world.

UPGRADED LIVING STAFF AVEED KHAKI Owner/Publisher JASON CORONA Sales Director BEAU VANDERMATE General Swiss Army Knife

SHELLY BRANDON Writer TIM MILHORN Writer ERIK BROWN Cover Designer DIANE CLIFFORD Cover Story Photographer

CONTRIBUTORS DOUG LOVE Real Estate

SWEENEY & MICHEL Finance

HRiQ Human Resources

DERM BAR Beauty

RYAN STEFANELLI Tacos

JESSICA WILKERSON Mental Health

For editorial or general magazine inquiries, please contact: Aveed Khaki, 530.519.5683 aveed@upgradedliving.com

Aveed Khaki Owner/Publisher

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For sales inquiries, please contact: Jason Corona, 530.591.2634 jason@UpgradedLiving.com

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CONTENTS | APRIL 2022 COMMUNITY

POTPOURRI

10 North Valley Eye Care breaks ground on its most ambitious project to date

13 The surprising benefits of the Great Resignation

14 The Martins reimagine their kitchen and find a way to make it new again

28 Millenials—amirite?

16 A group of dog whisperers prove no dog is too old to learn new tricks 24 Tom Van Overbeek discusses how a change in his approach to fitness changed his entire life

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34 Painting the Northstate for 84 years, Knight's Paint looks back on a legacy few others in the industry can claim 41 Melissa Schuster and her team of do-gooders set out to save Northern California's koi, one pond at a time 44 Local legend Jeff Patch puts Northstate wrestling on the map 46 An ambitious project to shed new light on Oroville

59 Oroville's State Theater pushes forward with its beautiful revitalization program 60 Music therapist, Stevie Cook, brings comfort to the North Valley 62 Cool kids, Della and Iresh Molina, set a new pace for Chico

FEATURE 19 Bob Fitzgerald celebrates 40 years at the helm of Concours Elite—Chico's premier autobody shop providing clients quality with a personal touch

48 Lassen Gardens opens its doors just in time for wedding season

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FOOD 50 Mulberry Station Brewing Company may have some of the best pizza in town, but they never planned on it 52 Chef Will Brady shares his wild zigzag of a career around the United States with us 54 Taco Tracker, Ryan Stefanelli, explores the roots of Aztlan's Mexican BBQ 56 Our hunt for some of the North Valley's best charcuterie boards proves to be a resounding success

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58 The little sprouts little sprouts can't seem to enjoy—Tim Milhorn travels to Brussels with this month's ingredient of the month

ON THE COVER: BOB FITZGERALD AND CONCOURS ELITE PHOTO BY: DIANE NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY DESIGN BY: ERIK BROWN

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A campus built for community

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offices throughout the North State, Drs. Barthelow and Rudick have returned to the office that started it all with an ambitious new development that will once again set the standard for eye care clinics in Northern California.

“We really needed to expand,” Dr. Barthelow laughed, “We had outgrown the original North Valley Eye Care office years ago, but we just did whatever we could to make it work. We started in 2006 with 1,500 square feet and grew wherever we could until we maxed out at 4,081 square feet. Although we added nearby administrative offices, it didn’t help alleviate the lack of space for everything else. The need to expand clinical services was the primary driver for moving

the clinic, and starting fresh in Meriam Park gave us the opportunity to do just that.”

Although expanding clinical services to Chico and nearby communities was of utmost importance, it wasn’t the only one.

“We also wanted to have control over our own surgical center,” Dr. Barthelow continued. “There are a lot of things most people don’t understand about how surgery centers operate or what their doctor’s choices are. When you operate in a surgery center, you’re forced to operate based on the decisions they make ahead of time, and unfortunately, oftentimes those decisions are made on what they can get most affordably. That was always a problem for me. In every procedure, there are a variety

PHOTO BY CAMERON FARRELL

It has been nine years since we wrote our first article on Drs. Isaac Barthelow and Anthony Rudick, owners of North Valley Eye Care and what is now the Ridge Eye Institute. Since then, we have had the pleasure of delivering stories from countless patients who have been thrilled with their newfound eyesight, profiled each of the new doctors joining their practice, interviewed staff, and cataloged their rapid expansion throughout Northern California. They have opened 14 new locations since that first article was published, but the original North Valley Eye Care office has remained put, undergoing repeated remodels, each with the goal of providing a more effective and conducive working environment for staff and patients alike. After building brand new

of potential items that can be used—it doesn’t necessarily mean to use the most expensive, but there’s a huge issue in compromising quality for cost, especially when it comes to something as fragile as your eye. I believe there should be no compromise, and doctors should always do what’s best for the patient to the extent that it’s economically feasible. Having our own surgery center makes that possible.”

Beyond equipment and products used, Dr. Barthelow was also limited in an aspect of his practice that has always been front and center for him—providing free surgeries to those who didn’t have the means to afford them. As the de facto provider for the area’s Medicaid population, this was an ongoing struggle for years, with only two free surgeries being allowed per year at the old surgery center. “I was limited on the number of actual cases I could do,” Dr. Barthelow explained. “There were, and still are, a number of people who need surgery, and I couldn’t provide it due to the center’s limitations. As physicians, we have a responsibility to our community, and it’s what we should be able to do. I have a skill set, and I’ve always wanted a center to be able to care for those people who are normally left behind.”

To set the tone and further the point, his first case at his new surgery center will be a free cataract surgery. “It’s been said there’s no mission without margin,” Dr. Barthelow stated, “but my profit margins don’t need to come at the expense of caring for my community. If we all had that attitude, there wouldn’t be a need in the first place.”

PHOTO BY CAMERON FARRELL

Having done their best to work with what they had available, Drs. Barthelow and Rudick couldn’t be more excited to finally build exactly what they need at their new campus in Meriam Park, and when we say ‘campus,’ we mean it. Their new location will be home to a 10,000 square foot clinic, 8,500 square foot surgery center, 8,500 square foot administrative building, and ancillary offices. In total, the new buildout will span a massive 30,000 square feet, making it the largest eye care center in Northern California.

“Meriam Park was the perfect place for us to relocate,” Dr. Barthelow said. “Chico is growing, and Meriam Park is a great place to grow. There are a lot of new medical

services going into the area, and I’ve always liked the aesthetics. Most importantly, it was the one location that allowed us to build our entire campus in one place. Patients will feel good about their visit, and our physicians will enjoy coming to work there. It’s a winwin.”

On top of being aesthetically pleasing, the new campus is the first Dr. Barthelow has not only had a hand in designing, but also been able to work at. Relying on lessons learned from 20 years of eyecare experience, no expense was spared in designing a space that is as effective and user-friendly as it is beautiful. From ample parking outside to the perfect workflow inside, each detail alleviates classic bottlenecks to physical service and minimizes the time it takes to complete an eye care visit.

“The facility will be larger than some universities in terms of space,” Dr. Barthelow raved. “Everything will be state of the art, and we’ll only have the top quality in everything we offer, including our own laser for cataract surgeries. We’ll also have a fully-expanded optical department that will deliver a spa-like experience with the top frame lines and focus on matching patients with the options that are most aesthetically complementary to their own face. It’s our goal to have it be the nicest optical and best selection in all of California, and once everyone sees it in person, I’m sure they’ll agree it is.”

As two guys who grew up in Chico and Paradise, we couldn’t be more thankful Drs. Barthelow and Rudick decided to come back after their schooling to serve their communities. The top of their classes at U.C. Davis and U.C. Berkeley respectively, they truly could have practiced anywhere; we’re lucky they chose Northern California.

Having helped tens of thousands of people throughout the years, their continued commitment to the area has made it a better place to live. We can’t wait to see the new campus when the clinic opens this August and the surgery center when it’s unveiled in December.

Until then, if you’ve experienced changes in your vision, call North Valley Eye Care today and have it checked out. They can be reached by phone at (530) 891-1900 or online at www.NorthValleyEyeCare.com.

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2750 Sierra Sunrise Terrace, Chico, CA 95928 RCFE #045001756

Blast away The past

The Great resignation Prior to 2020, employers had the upper hand in employment relationships, and companies had what felt like a sea of candidates for open positions when recruiting. Most applicants wouldn’t even get a denial letter after interviewing for a job, and the people who did get hired were reminded constantly that if they didn’t work out, there were many others out there willing to fill their role within the company.

Like most situations, the tables have turned, and people are resigning left and right. Despite unemployment numbers dropping, the employment rate isn’t going up, and job boards are overwhelmed with open positions. Although this means supply chain shortages, longer restaurant wait times, and poor customer service experiences, it also means we have a sturdier workforce to look forward to.

From a long-term perspective, it is a positive that people are not accepting jobs they are not passionate about. This will not only benefit us economically, but from a health-centered approach as well.

Americans need to have higher standards for themselves in the workplace, and there are few things that drag a person down more than an unfulfilling eight-hour job. Most of us can attest that our most reckless driving has taken place when angrily driving to a job we despise, many avoidable illnesses are induced by jobrelated stress, and working somewhere

you don’t want to be is almost a guarantee to losing your sanity.

It has been very easy to see pre-2020 as the good old days, but when you actually think about it, there are a lot of beneficial things that can come out of the pandemic—job satisfaction being one of them. COVID provided a cleansing of the workforce, and the kick in the rump a lot of people needed to leave a job that wasn’t serving them. It is better to have no employee than to have an employee who is halfway out the door, or whose dissatisfaction is negatively affecting your business.

Now that we have hit the reset button, let’s move forward with genuinity and transparency. When interviewing a job candidate, directly ask them what motivates them. Listen to their answer and remember it when designing a compensation package. If you are applying to a job and know you are not going to be satisfied without seven paid vacation days a year, say that. A lot of workplace conflict can be avoided, but unfortunately this is not something they teach us in school.

For information on how to build a better work environment or attract the proper candidates to fill your available positions, call HRiq at (530) 680-4747.

The use of lasers for tattoo removal has come a long way as technology has advanced. It takes several treatments to get an effective result, and different wavelengths are used to target specific ink colors.

Q-switched lasers are the gold standard for tattoo removal and have been proven to be safe and effective. Depending on the size of the tattoo and the inks used, most clients need 6-8 treatments. Larger tattoos can take 10 or more to get the best result.

Appointments are set six-to-eight weeks apart to ensure the proper healing of the skin in between each session. The procedure is NOT pain free, but a topical numbing cream is applied to make the client more comfortable. The laser is able to penetrate down to the dermis and shatter tattoo ink without causing damage to the surrounding skin. When the ink is shattered, it is then eliminated by the body's natural immune process, so it is necessary to drink lots of fluids (water) to flush out the ink fragments.

With each treatment, the ink is progressively broken down, until the tattoo has been visibly erased.

Results are not guaranteed, as there are some "homemade" inks that do not respond to laser light, and the only way to completely remove them is surgically, and that will leave a scar, which can be more unsightly than the tattoo!

Costs will vary by size and the colors of ink used. Post-care includes ice packs and a topical antibiotic ointment. Make an appointment for your free consultation to see if this procedure is right for you!

DERM BAR MED-SPA 85 Declaration Dr. Suite 100 Chico, CA 95973 530.342.2672

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NEW AGAIN: A dream come true for the martins

While they had made some minor changes to the kitchen over the years, such as restaining and finishing the cabinets, it still had a 1980’s feel that was outdated. While wanting something new and fresh, Claudia and Brad felt it was important to stay somewhat true to the original house and its landscape.

The conversations that followed were deciding where they would take their business and exactly what changes they wanted out of a new kitchen. Claudia and Brad had been friends of New Again Kitchen Remodeling’s manager, 14

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Ric Powers, for years and knew they did exceptional work. So, a decision was made to have New Again Kitchen take control of the remodel.

The Martins felt strongly about keeping the same character of the house while making some modern changes.

Ric understood the assignment and suggested changing out the old backsplash with their 3x16” Bedrosian/ Sorrento tiles in Celeste blue to complement the color of the interior walls. As for the countertops, Claudia already had a mind for exactly what she wanted. Ric and the New Again team delivered her vision in the form of a beautiful custom raw slab of quartz in calacatta Valentin. This wasn't just any old quartz countertop, the stunning white slab had tones of gold and black flowing throughout, giving it a clean and sophisticated look.

Possibly the most significant part of this kitchen remodel came from the island counter as its slab of quartz was one gigantic piece. It doesn't have any seams or spots with grout to combine the two— it's just one luxurious slab, which is truly something to admire. Not only is it one piece, but it's actually bigger than the

original island counter by almost a foot, giving them even more room to utilize.

Claudia added, “Now it's harder for the grandchildren to kick the underside of the cabinets, which is a huge plus!”

The custom apron-front sink matches the home’s property perfectly, giving off the classic farmhouse look. At first, when the sink was being installed, there was a slight overlay where the counter overlapped the sink. It was completely functional, but Claudia and Brad both felt it would look better rounded off. Ric promised to only be a phone call away, and as Claudia was sure to mention, it turns out he wasn't lying! Shortly after the call, the New Again team was sent out to finish off the sink. What's left is a gorgeous front sink that is beautifully lined with the countertops. The Martins couldn't be more pleased, and the kitchen couldn’t be more perfect.

For all your kitchen remodeling needs and desires, look no further than Ric Powers and The New Again team as they are sure not to only bring your old kitchen back to life but make it New Again! Feel free to contact New again at (530) 899-2888 or visit them at 2502 Park Avenue in Chico!

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY BEAU VANDERMATE

Claudia and Brad Martin’s house was built in 1983 on the outskirts of Corning, atop a beautiful piece of land with plenty of room to make it exactly what they wanted. Being in the landscaping business themselves, the two wasted no time in making some serious upgrades to the grounds, including a pond, horse pen, garden, and areas for people to gather.

With stellar landscaping outside, Claudia and Brad were constantly pondering ways to make the interior match. After almost 30 years in the home, it was finally time to make well on those musings. The two analyzed where they spent the most time in their home and quickly decided the kitchen was the right place to start.

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WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY BEAU VANDERMATE 15

A WALK IN THE PARK Rich and Jaclyn Hartman opened their dog training facility, Ridgeside K9 NorCal, in June of 2021, but their story began long before.

During that time, he was in the mounted unit and began training horses for duty. In 2005, a position came open for the K9 unit, Rich applied, and ended up having both a horse and a dog at the same time. He worked three patrol dogs for the Chico PD, all while 16

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Rich hosts a podcast called Police K9 Radio, in which he interviews premier trainers and experts in the field, in order to share their experiences and insights. It’s through this podcast that he became acquainted with Aaron Taylor, a fellow Marine and K9 handler. Aaron Taylor’s Ridgeside K9, LLC’s mission statement is “to provide entrepreneurial opportunities for military and police.” So, the Hartmans reached out to him when the chance to purchase their current building arose. While Ridgeside K9 is technically a franchise in which each is individually owned and operated, Jaclyn says it functions more as a team, “where we support each other and share our ideas— everything from what forms to use to what would you do with this dog and this set of behaviors? The owners talk all the time to share thoughts and training strategies.”

What sets Ridgeside K9 NorCal apart?

Being veteran owned, they have a special dedication to the military and police, and many of their trainers have prior military or police service. They have ample experience with high-level, high-drive dogs such as German shepherds and malinois. Trainers located in Chico, Redding, and Sacramento have been K9 handlers in various police departments throughout Northern California.

Rich and his employees have been working with dogs for decades, and he says, “We have a passion for dogs. It’s not just a business. It’s what we would be doing even if we weren’t a dog business. We would still be with dogs.” Not just shepherds and malinois, they work with all types of dogs from chihuahuas to poodles and mastiffs— even their own schnauzer, Olive, spends her days at the facility.

Their philosophy is balanced dog training with a positive-first ideology, involving the use of reward-based techniques along with aversive consequences. Rich believes in rewarding heavily with food, affection, or play in conjunction with the idea that all dogs need a stop sign in life. Rich says, “A lot of people think that balance training is mean and aggressive, but it’s not. We use a lot of rewards, but if a dog is in a situation where they are going to be dangerous to themselves, another dog, or a human, it’s our responsibility to teach the dog about control.”

WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

Rich was born and raised in Chico and went on to join the U.S. Marine Corps in 1990, where he was deployed to Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Upon his return to the States, he went on to join the Chico Police Department, where he has served the community for over 20 years. Asked when he knew he wanted to continue his involvement in dog training, he responded, “My first week as a police officer in 1997, they had me put on the big puffy bite suit and run from the dogs.” Brett Smith, who was a K9 handler with the Chico PD called Rich’s training officer over and said, “Why don’t you see if the kid wants to put on the suit?” From then on, he was hooked. The connection has come full circle as Brett is now a trainer at Ridgeside K9 NorCal and willingly admits it’s his fault Rich became caught up in “this whole dog thing.” He put on the bite suit and served as a decoy for over ten years.

fielding training questions. As a canine handler, a lot of people asked for personal help with their dogs, and Rich was always ready and willing to share his knowledge with friends and colleagues. He and his wife, Jaclyn, met through their mutual connection of coworkers and community service, as she was a 911 dispatcher while he served as a police officer. They continue to serve the law enforcement community through the raising and training of police K9s.

WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

They offer a variety of training services from private lessons and weekly group obedience classes, all the way to immersive board and train programs. Private lessons are one-on-one sessions that take place at the client’s home or a nearby park. The group obedience classes meet once-aweek, for an hour at a time, over a period of six weeks. The dogs learn loose-leash walking, sitting, recall, and basic manners.

Day training is a Monday-through-Friday program which lasts for two weeks.

Owners drop off their dog in the morning, and trainers work on manners and other behaviors throughout the day. The owners pick up the dog in the late afternoon and are given various homework assignments for them to work on with their dog. Training isn’t just a dog thing, it’s also a human thing, and owners need to learn and understand how to elicit trained behaviors from their dog on their own. The board and train

program lasts three weeks or possibly longer if it’s an aggression case. It’s an immersive program where the trainers work with the dogs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for behavior modification, basic obedience, and environmental work. They take the dogs for bike rides, walks in the downtown area, and visits to dog-friendly stores and restaurants.

One popular class Rich and Jaclyn offer is their Saturday drop-in class where graduates of any of the training programs can visit unannounced to work on basic obedience maintenance. Every Saturday, they’ll meet at different locations around Chico: the university campus, Bidwell Park, or even Secret Trail Brewery. It’s an opportunity to continue working on commands in the presence of other dogs who’ve also graduated from Ridgeside while being able to touch base with Rich and ask

questions or discuss any problems they’re having.

Jaclyn says, “We want to be able to live life with our dogs. It’s important to all of us to be able to train a dog to go with you, and that you have a well-behaved dog wherever you go.” Rich emphasizes the idea that discipline equals freedom. “We give the dogs a level of control that allows them to go on camping trips and bike rides; to visit cafes and breweries.” The unique dog-friendly world of Northern California means you're just a raincoat away from taking your dog on a walk to the park or brewery any day of the year. Ridgeside K9 NorCal can help you do that.

Visit them at www.ridgesidek9norcal.com or call 530-519-3155 for more information.

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PHOTOS BY DIANE NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Concours Elite Celebrating 40 years of quality with a personal touch PHOTOS BY DIANE NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Quality with a personal touch—it’s been the motto driving Chico’s premier collision repair center, Concours Elite, since 1982. Focused on customer service above all else, the company has grown year after year, building a rock-solid reputation as the first place to visit after a vehicle has been in an accident.

The signature phrase has also been the credo of owner Bob Fitzgerald, who early on decided to live his life by its meaning.

Over the years, he has used the company’s success to become one of Chico’s most ardent philanthropists, supporting worthy causes like the Butte Humane Society, a number of local veterans support programs,

the Boys & Girls Club of the North Valley, Torres Shelter, and many others. During that time, he and his wife, Linda, have also raised two incredible children, helped build and better our community, and provided jobs to countless individuals. Now celebrating Concours Elite’s 40th year in business, Bob couldn’t be more excited with what the future holds. As any good business person though, he can’t help but credit what brought him here.

“None of this would have been possible without my dad,” Bob reminisced. “He taught me the importance of hard work from

an early age and to treat everyone you meet with the same level of respect you expect for yourself.” The advice certainly came in handy, as Bob would have an unusually large number of first meetings over his childhood years. Born into a United States Air Force family, Bob was often on the move, making new friends wherever his father happened to be stationed at that particular moment in time. Though understandably difficult, the lack of permanence forced him to develop a welcoming and outgoing personality, which not only benefited him in making new friends, but also creating lasting relationships later in life.

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Pentagon. Though surfing was no longer an option, Bob found ample opportunity to pursue his automotive studies. In high school, he joined the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA), acquired every book he possibly could on autobody and paint work, and set out to become a body man and car painter. During his time in Virginia, he picked up jobs repairing boats and skis at the marina, worked on cars at a local mechanic shop, and installed 8-track stereos in every car he possibly could. The work rounded out his knowledge of both vehicle mechanics and aesthetics.

“My dad retired as a colonel and flew during some of the world's biggest wars,” Bob remembered. “He was on B25s at the end of World War II, B29s during the Korean War, and B52s with nuclear missiles during the Cold War. He was no stranger to sacrifice— constantly putting himself in harm’s way to ensure the security of his family and country.

He modeled the importance of selflessness to me in his actions and always put the needs of others above his own. He was truly an incredible role model.”

When Bob’s father returned from the Vietnam War in 1964, his station was changed to Oahu, and the family moved into base housing at Hickam Air Force Base. Bob was just 11 years old at the time, but quickly took to the change in scenery, deciding to become the world’s next surfing phenom. He explained the dream to his dad who imparted a piece of wisdom that would follow him throughout his years. “If you’re going to do something, you have to carry it,” his father said. The simple phrase would affect Bob’s understanding of life from that point forward, both metaphorically and physically. At the immediate moment, it meant he needed to physically learn to carry his 11-foot Velzy surfboard on his own, because the decision to become a surfer was also something he needed to carry mentally. Bob did just that, and soon found 20

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he could carry far more if he set his mind to it.

By 14, Bob figured he could carry the cost of his passion for surfing by building surfboards for others. He started a surfboard company, appropriately named Hanalei Surfboards, and set out to make a name for himself on the island. In total, Bob sold 326 surfboards during his time there.

When Bob turned 15 and wanted to learn to drive, his father again reminded him of the need to carry his decisions, suggesting he learn how cars worked before driving a car of his own. To do so, Bob began working at the base’s hobby shop, learning everything he could about car mechanics. When the family cars would break down, Bob would drive them in and learn how to repair them.

One of his first projects was repairing the clutch cable on his dad’s 1963 Corvair Monza—a two-and-one-half hour project that he vividly remembers took him two-andone-half days to master. “Anytime something went wrong, one of the base mechanics would be kind enough to help me learn how to fix it,” Bob said. “Those experiences gave me the tools I needed to follow my newfound passion for cars.”

In 1969, Bob and his family were transferred to Woodbridge, Virginia, next to the

After Bob’s high school graduation, his father decided to retire, and the family returned to the West Coast, moving back to their hometown of Vacaville. Bob applied for jobs at the Nut Tree, American Home Foods, and Stith Chevrolet. All three called back the next day with job offers, so Bob decided to follow his passion and took the offer at Stith Chevrolet, working in the body shop as an apprentice painter for “Papa Tone” Tony Perez.

“I did everything you possibly could while working there,” Bob laughed, “I worked on cars, painted them, cleaned toilets, and drove customers home. There was nothing I wouldn’t do.” One of these customers was a woman named Grace Harris who stopped by the dealership with a 1971 Vega.

After its repairs were finished, Bob and his coworker Steve delivered the vehicle to Grace’s house and met her daughter, Linda.

Weeks later, while out cruising with a friend of his, the two happened to run into Grace’s daughter again. This time, she was with her best friend, also named Linda. “My jaw just dropped,” Bob remembered, “She was stunning! I asked her out, and she said I had to meet her mom first. When I did, her mom said I was harmless, and we went out on our first date two weeks later. We’ve been together ever since.”

Bob was eventually hired away from Stith Chevrolet by another outfit, and it was there that Bob mastered the art of bodywork, repairing, painting, and detailing cars. He began working on high-end rare and exotic cars, quickly making a name for himself in the automotive community. Over the years that followed, Bob would go on to win numerous prestigious awards for his work.

He was hired to restore a 1927 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 on his own which garnered him

first place at the Rolls Royce Nationals in Washington State along with Best of Show at Napa Silverado Concours d’ Elegance and at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance. “When Bill Harrah, one of the most prestigious car restorers and owner of the Harrah’s Collection in Reno, came up with Clint Eastwood and complimented my work on the Rolls Royce, I nearly fell out of my chair.” Bob beamed, “It was a defining moment for me, and validated everything I had been doing.” Bill passed Bob’s name around, and soon he was doing work for many of his wealthiest friends.

Bob married the love of his life, Linda, in 1976, and the two moved up to Chico in 1978. He continued working on rare cars and winning award after award, including a first place and best of show finish for a 1931 Chrysler Dual Cowl Phaeton.

“I guess you could say I finally realized my value,” Bob said.

“That and I wanted to make sure customers always received the level of customer service I believed they should. So I decided to strike out and open my own shop. I didn’t want to call it Bob’s Autobody, or something basic like that, so I called my mom who was French Canadian. We talked, and I asked her for various French translations. When she told me competition translated to concours and élite signified the top one or the pinnacle of excellence, I decided to name the business Concours Elite.

After all, the cars I was known for were all concours ones that had placed at the top. I wanted to bring that level of attention to detail to each and every car we worked on, regardless of value.”

With that in mind, Bob opened Concours Elite Collision Center on April 1st, 1982. “It was important that the shop did everything.”

Bob said, “I wanted to make sure we were a one-stop shop, so we handled estimates, painting, and body-work right from the start. Linda handled the books and a lot of the operations. I’ve always said the business was built by my hands and her brain.”

While repairing cars in Chico, Bob continued to make waves in the automotive show community by restoring one car after the next, garnering repeated awards. With each car and subsequent award, word traveled further about his workmanship and commitment to customer service, continuously growing his customer base. “We kept meeting celebrities at every event we attended, and each had something wonderful to say about our work. World famous race car driver Jackie Stewart stopped by a Maybach I had restored at Pebble Beach and said it was the most beautiful car he had ever seen. His review was published in the local newspaper, and we were off to the races after that.”

By 1989, the business had reached its capacity and needed to expand. Bob moved Concours Elite to its current location, at 2267 Esplanade, in 1990, and it’s been there ever since.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Bob couldn’t be more proud of what he and his team have accomplished. “We have had many amazing employees over the years,” Bob said. “Each one has had a hand in making Concours Elite what it is today.

Steve Matthai has been with us 18 years, and I’ve watched his kids grow up. They work our car shows all the time. My son-in-law, Ryan Collins, has been with us 20 years and does an incredible job managing the shop. Jon Seeger worked at 21

Concours Elite for 27 years, and Warren Hallbauer was with us for 28.

I couldn’t be more thankful for all of the effort they put into making the business succeed; they were truly my original crew. I could go on and on. Each member of the Concours Elite family has meant so much to me.”

Finally, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the car on the cover and opening photo of this story. Of all the cars Bob has worked on over the years, this 1965 Corvette Roadster is his pride and joy. It has won multiple shows in the International Show Car Association (ISCA) West Coast Nationals including California, Utah, Washington, Nevada, and Canada, along with countless other awards. According to Bob, “It’s a constant reminder of the value of hard work and commitment.”

Asked about what led to the company’s success, Bob responded, “My mom taught me that I’m human and allowed to mess up, but to never let anyone down. We pride ourselves on customer service, providing quality work, and being good stewards of our community. It’s ‘Quality with a personal touch’—our motto since the day we opened, and it extends to everything we do.”

Working on over 1,400 cars per year, Concours Elite has been a pillar of both the business and service community for 40 years. They remain true to their founding principles, and Bob maintains one thing above all—behind every successful man, there’s a woman who deserves the credit. “Linda took care of all of the important operations and finance work in the office, while I was able to go into the shop and have fun with my hands,” Bob said. “Even after we had our granddaughter, she would watch her at home while doing the books remotely. I couldn’t have done any of this without her, nor would I have wanted to.”

If your car is in need of body work, support a company that supports its community. Call Concours Elite at (530) 891-0234 or visit them at 2267 Esplanade in Chico.

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Made for more family time

The new Family Health Center on Tharp Road was built with your health and convenience in mind.

Frame the code in your smartphone camera to access.

You were made for more. More togetherness. More sharing.

More love. And that’s why regular checkups with your primary care provider are so important. Our new Family Health Center makes it easy to find a provider and book an appointment. Our new online scheduling tool is fast and efficient, allowing you to book exams in person or virtually, with next day appointments available. If you haven’t seen a provider in the past year, today is the best time.

Scan QR code or visit AdventistHealthRideout.org/PrimaryCare to book an appointment.

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haven’t been to the chiropractor in years!

My shoulders don’t bother me, and at 72, I have no aches and pains.” He stresses that it’s truly about quality of life. People who are physically active as they get older have a much better sense of well-being than those who are sedentary. When asked what the most valuable component of Whole Body Fitness has been, Tom says without hesitation, “It’s the training. Having the experience of being guided throughout.

Having exercises that were targeted towards my back and my shoulders which built up the musculature around those things, so I don’t have the joint problems that I used to have was paramount.”

Their program consists of semi-private and private training programs that combine coached days and independent days.

Plans vary from two-to-four days a week of individualized workouts with an instructor combined with unlimited access to the gym during regular business hours for working out independently or joining in one of their group classes.

A Balanced Life

Tom Van Overbeek was born in Modesto and lived most of his adult life working in technology in the Bay Area. He and his wife, Kim Hawley, decided to permanently relocate to Chico four years ago. Both Tom and Kim are active outdoorsy grandparents, but Tom felt something was lacking in his fitness. Kim had been a member of Whole Body Fitness and suggested Tom join as 24

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well, but he says he was resistant at first.

He already participated in numerous sports such as hiking, cycling, and skiing, but he began to realize these focused mainly on lower-body strength. At the age of 68, he felt he was losing power and muscle mass in his upper body, as his primary fitness activities just weren’t using those muscles.

He also points to other areas of concern, “My balance just wasn’t what I wanted it to be, and I was getting stiff. I had lower back problems, my right shoulder hurt all the time, and I was going to the chiropractor every couple of months.”

Tom went in and had a consultation with one of Whole Body Fitness’s personal trainers, Veto Rodriguez, who convinced him they could develop a program designed specifically for him that would address those concerns. Tom laughs, “And they did, so I

Tom is extremely grateful for the overall sense of health and well-being achieved from working out at Whole Body Fitness. His belief and satisfaction with their philosophy is so absolute that he is no longer just a member, he and his wife are now the new owners of the training center. That’s a true testament to their confidence in the Whole Body Fitness health model and should inspire others to see what the center has to offer. Head to their website at www.wholebodyfit.net or visit the gym located at 2954 Highway 32 Suite 600.

You can also call 530-487-8123 for more information.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

Whole Body Fitness is exactly what its name implies—a training center that addresses every aspect of the client’s physique, including posture, balance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness by tailoring a workout program specifically for the individual.

“Whole Body Fitness is built on the idea that every member has a unique physiology, condition, and goals,” and their purpose is to facilitate the customer’s realization of those goals.

One of Tom’s favorite summer activities is hiking, specifically hiking Mt. Lassen.

Since beginning his journey with Whole Body Fitness, he’s noticed that rather than cautiously picking his way back down the mountain, he now ‘flies’ down the trail thanks to a newly acquired faith in his own ability to balance. At the training center, every part of the body gets worked out.

Older individuals are at acute risk for injuries associated with falling, and this is often due to balance issues related to declining core strength, usually arising from the disuse of those muscles.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

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LICENSE #0680951

Protect your goodies.

Insurance & Risk Management Services for: Farm & Business • Home & Auto • Life & Health

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Oroville

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1368 Longfellow Ave

2080 Myers St

530.342.6421

530.533.3424

305 N. Culver Ave. (Lambert Insurance Agency)

530.934.3361

There’s a Knock at the Market’s Door: Opportunity or Grim Reaper?

BY RENEE MICHEL, MBA, AND JOE SWEENEY, CFP ®, FINANCIAL ADVISORS AT SWEENEY & MICHEL, LLC

Since the face-ripping rally from spring of 2020, it seems like we've been bracing for an overdue market pullback. 2021 offered a brief 5% dip which never materialized into anything more, despite pundits calling for “the crash of the century” on a weekly basis.

This, of course, is nothing new; for nearly a decade we’ve been getting asked how much longer this bull market could go on.

Life has its cycles, as do the economy and the financial markets. When it comes to market cycles, emotions often get in our way.

Strong feelings usually cloud our judgments and steer us toward financial decisions that may not support our long-term goals.

Markets go up and down based on the short term which includes (but not limited to): daily news, earnings, optimism, social media, fear, the fed policies, etc. If we have faith that the world is going to continue, then we (by default) must believe the companies that provide our daily products, services, and entertainment will endure. And we will invest for that long-term belief accordingly.

Each morning, I pass by my scale on the way into shower. I wonder: What if we treated looking at our investment accounts like we treat weighing ourselves? When you've had a night of indulgence, or you get back from the 14-day all-inclusive, do you immediately step on that scale? Because if you do, you know you're going to see some short-term damage. You are reinforcing selfdisappointment. You know you can’t change it, and it's only temporary, so is it worth letting it invade your mental and emotional stability? I think not.

We encourage you to spend less time watching the market news and checking your daily balances. It’s ok to know what’s going on in the world, but feeding your fears is not healthy. Four of the most powerful words are “This, too, shall pass.” As DeSteno once said, “To combat the effects of fear, take time to focus on things in your life that make you feel grateful. Science shows that gratitude increases patience.”

Renée Michel, MBA and Joe Sweeney, CFP® | 196 Cohasset Road, Suite 100, Chico CA 95926 (530) 487-1777 | renee@sweeneymichel.com | joe@sweeneymichel.com | www.sweeneymichel.com This is not tax advice. | Sweeney & Michel, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser. This brochure is solely for informational purposes. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Sweeney & Michel, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Sweeney & Michel, LLC unless a client service agreement is in place.

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Forget Tradition “The millennials have turned my parents' lives upside down!” said my wife.

on a tiny lot in the downtown area where they want to buy!”

She was referring to her parents’ recent housing situation in Bend, Oregon.

Her parents are selling their house in the elite area of the hills above Bend.

They have reached a certain age and stage in their lives, and they need a smaller house close to downtown, within walking distance of shopping, services, entertainment, and the like.

When my wife’s parents bought their house up in the hills, everything in their neighborhood was new, all built within a couple years of each other, with exteriors of heavy wood post-and-beam front porches and rafters, and interiors of exposed-beam high ceilings and hardwood floors.

The problem is millennials favor those smaller houses, close to downtown, within walking distance of shopping, services, entertainment, and the like. Millennials aged 33 to 34 are said to be the biggest wave of buyers since the baby boomers.

Therefore, any smaller house my wife’s parents want to buy near downtown is just as expensive as their elite home in the hills, which has expansive views of the mountains and countryside around Bend, and traditionally, is way more expensive than the smaller downtown homes.

Forget the traditional pricing. During my wife’s parents’ ownership over the last 15 years, tradition has gone out the window, and the new market of millennial preferences has moved in.

“When my parents sell their home,” said my wife, “they will have to pay nearly the same amount for a much smaller home 28

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Downtown homes were cool, but they were much older and smaller. No way my wife’s parents would have been interested in living downtown at the time.

But now, here comes the new wave of millennials with their taste for the close-in neighborhoods. Not only do the smaller houses around downtown cost just as much as the bigger houses in the hills, but there is also absolutely nothing for sale there.

My wife’s declaration that her parents are “upside down” because of millennials may be a little dramatic, but the lesson in analyzing real estate markets, including our market here in the North Valley, may be: Whither goest the millennials, there goest the market.

Doug Love is Sales Manager at Century 21 in Chico. Email dougwlove@gmail.com.

Call or text 530-680-0817.

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"Sherry Calbert exceeded all my expectations for an agent. Her energy and knowledge of the area and market were the determining factors.

Communication was excellent. If I need another agent, she'll be the first one I'll contact." -Bruce Votaw, Chico

Just minutes from Chico this gorgeous home is tucked away!!! Kitchen has Granite counters, custom oak cabinets, stainless steel appliances, large eating bar that is open to family room with wood stove!!! wood flooring, custom paint colors........the list goes on and on!!! The master bathroom was remodeled with double sinks, marble counter tops and a His & Her closet! Ceiling fans, above ground BASEMENT which is approx. 400 sq.ft. and provides for more storage. There is a children's play area and shed to be included. Large deck off master bedroom to sip your coffee and relax! This truly model home is a pleasure to show!

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,666 Price: $430,000

Beautiful previous "model" home located close to most everything! Owned Solar, inviting Inground pool with waterfall, spa, outdoor covered entertaining area with privacy no matter where you turn!!! 13 fruit trees: i.e. nectarine, peach, 2 lemon, 2 cherry, plum, pomegranate, orange, apricot mission fig, berry vines, outdoor fountain complete with blooming daffodils!!! Inside looks like it has been staged only this is how the owners live!! Wood floors throughout the living room, entry and dining. Granite counters in the kitchen with stainless steel appliances, large eating bar open to the family room. 2 pantries!!! Vaulted ceilings with fans, plantation shutters on the endless windows it seems -allowing natural light to peer in. Large indoor laundry with sink and loads of storage. Master Bedroom has separate french door leading to your outdoor patio, master bath has large jetted jacuzzi tub and separate shower. 3 car garage with built ins and a unique "screen door" by the push of a button comes down to allow privacy and light if working in the garage. Roof was replaced approx. 6 years ago. Truly a wonderful home!

#2 in Production for 2021 and a consistent Centurion Award winner!

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Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,219 Price: $775,000 Call or text me

regarding these homes and others

(530) 514-4855 SherryLinnCalbert@gmail.com

"Our whole family has worked with Effie on many occasions. She always stays on top of things and looks out for our best interest. She is a wonderful real estate agent and most importantly a beautiful person, inside and out. Our whole family loves her and appreciates her truthfulness and her ability to make things run smoothly during the sale of our homes."

-John and Kathy O'Donnell

Set on .36 acres of breathtaking grounds, the main house offers rich wood flooring, a formal living room, and a sunken family room, each with their own fireplace, perfect for rainy days. The formal dining and breakfast nook are spacious and designed for entertaining. The gourmet kitchen, with its quartz countertops, easy-close cabinets and drawers, and 5-burner gas stove and grill is a dream for any cook. The main house consists of 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, while the guest house/pool house offers one bedroom, one bath, bamboo flooring, central heat and air, and comes with a sauna. The yard is BEAUTIFUL with its mature landscaping and boasts a heated PebbleTec pool, spa, two dining patios and a large side yard. All of this plus owned solar! Call to see it today!

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 4.0 SqFt: 2,836 Price: $858,000

Nested in a coveted neighborhood, this home has been enjoyed by numerous Chico generations. The spacious family room whispers the stories of days past when guests gathered around the fireplace enjoying wine and conversing in the warm ambiance of the dining room.

Old-fashioned? It certainly is, with its vintage kitchen equipped with a gas stove and oven, beautiful cabinets that have been polished for decades, and its quaint living room. Despite all its antiquity, this home boasts owned solar, central heat and air, dual pane windows, modern light fixtures, a pallet-wood stove, and an indoor laundry with washer and dryer. The yard is beautiful, offering ample space for gathering and a dining patio with pergola. This home even offers a detached garage and RV parking! Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,281 Price: $419,000

Sheltered by towering trees on over a 1/3 of an acre lot, this home offers beautiful wood floors, a spacious living room, formal dining room, and a separate family room with its own wood stove. From the updated kitchen with its granite countertops, gas cook top, dual oven, refrigerator, pull-out drawers, and spacious breakfast nook, this home exemplifies the quality of fine homes. You will love the master suite which provides large closets, a dual vanity, quartz countertops, walk-in shower, soaking tub, and a quaint wood decking balcony. This stunning home is also equipped with owned solar, 2 air conditioners, 2 heating units, 2 water heaters, a whole house fan, and security system.

The stunning yard offers a gorgeous PebbleTec pool, a spa, and so much more!

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 2.5 SqFt: 2,352 Price: $749,000

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customer service says it all

Dix has made sure the great service and a quality product line has continued at Knight’s Paint since his dad bought the business in 1977, and Tres purchased the company in 1991. “We pride ourselves on the longevity of the business,” he said.

“Knight’s Paint has been sound since 1938, and it is one of few paint stores in existence that long.” Back in the 1930’s, the store sold paint, wallpaper, and even Mercury outboard motors. It was a typical small-town business in the small town of Grass Valley. It is the oldest Benjamin Moore Paint retailer on the West Coast.

Knight’s Paint goes far beyond simply selling house paint—they also sell automotive paint, aircraft, and boat paint. Knight’s employees are well-versed in the technical side of 34

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these more difficult paint applications. You'll find an expert at each location who can help you find the right paint, the correct chemical application, and match your colors to a degree most paint stores can’t achieve.

If you need the correct match for house paint colors, Knight’s doesn’t just leave it up to a machine. Their employees will help find the best match from over 4,000 Benjamin Moore colors and will ultimately eye match to get it right. Besides Benjamin Moore, Knight’s sells top-quality products for whatever job you may have. They carry automotive brands such as Cromax, SpiesHecker, and Standox. They encourage their body shop customers—a huge part of their automotive sales—to use more environmentally sound products, even where they’re not required. Knight’s also sells iconic paints such as Imron and Centari as well as 21st century coatings such as HiTec and Standoblue. They offer value brands such as Nason and Meralux and are an Axalta Coatings Champion Distributor.

Additionally, Knight’s Paint is a Northern California leader in the sales of commercial wood finishes. Whether you are a cabinet shop, a furniture refinisher, or a refinishing contractor, they have the clear or opaque products to get the job done: Lenmar, Chem-Craft, Gemini, Axalta Wood Coatings,

If there’s one aspect of Knight’s Paint that Tres Dix takes pride in, it’s the expertise of his employees. They have dozens of staff members who have worked at Knight’s Paint for 20-to-30 years, and they even have multiple generations at each store.

“We have many father-son employees working for us,” said Dix. “We also have zero turnover because we have created a true family atmosphere in our company.”

Knight's paint sponsors company basketball and softball teams and has plenty of extracurricular activities and get-togethers.

These events help build the family environment and a pride in being a Knight’s employee. This is a big reason why so many customers come back repeatedly. “People come into our stores and see the guy who helped them out for the past ten years,” said Dix. “Customers are loyal to us because we know what we’re talking about and don’t lie about our products.”

If you need paint or other supplies locally, come out to the Chico location where manager David Cordova (pictured above) will be happy to help. Contact the company at knightspaint@aim.com or 530-891-9700.

Their other locations can be found in Grass Valley, Roseville, and Redding.

WRITTEN BY TIM MIHOLRN

Besides being the second-generation owner of a premiere painting supply store, Tres Dix emphasizes customer service and a knowledgeable staff who meet the needs of the do-it-yourselfer or the many contractors who frequent Knight’s Paint stores. “We get comments all the time about how easy it is to shop at Knight’s Paint,” said Dix. “We make sure we serve the customers no matter who they are,” he added. “Often, it seems like when you go to a big box store, you need to kind of brace yourself for the service you get.”

and Benjamin Moore. No matter your job, they have the expertise to get your process down to perfection.

WRITTEN BY TIM MIHOLRN

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Employment in the Post-Pandemic Age

JESSICA DARLING WILKERSON, MA, LMFT 104464 LICENSED MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST EMDR CLINICIAN

The job market feels like Crazy Town lately! Employers and prospective employees are navigating an awkward "Langoliers"

by Steven King situation of finding the right fit with each other. One minute, everything is flying along smoothly, everyone knows what to expect, and the next moment there's a shift that feels like a wasteland of workers and good jobs. It feels topsy-turvy to both parties, but each is so deeply affected by the situation that it's difficult to navigate gracefully. Some tips: Applicants:

Employers:

- Respond promptly and thank the employer for their time.

Setting aside time to interview you means they are not doing 100 other things on their plates to keep their business running, so they were choosy about who they gave their time and attention to for an interview.

- Be flexible. It's ok to text confirmation of the interview or to text a reschedule.

- Follow up. An email or hand-written note thanking them for meeting with you, reminding them why you're a good fit, and what you enjoyed learning about their business during the interview has always been a good way to stand out from the crowd.

- Do not start correspondence with, "Hey."

- It's okay to choose not to hire anyone than to hire someone who's "not a good fit, but the best of the group."

You are allowed to wait until the right fit comes along even if your current staff is working a little extra. They don't want someone to come in and rock the apple cart; they want a good fit, too!

- Dress better than you think you need to. It shows them that you want the job and respect the business and position. Dressing up says, "I want this!" Even if the dress code is more casual.

- Be picky. You worked really hard to get here! You deserve to have a smoothly running business with a staff you can truly get behind. Hire the person who stands out and in whom you can feel confident!

- Ask deep questions (within CA HR limits). You're going to be working with them daily during most waking hours. Will you get along interpersonally?

Jessica Wilkerson, MA, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Chico, CA. She is an EMDR clinician as well as the owner/operator and clinical supervisor of Inspired Life Counseling. For more information, visit www.jessicawilkerson.com and www.inspiredlifechico.com. Jessica can also be reached via phone at (530) 809-1702

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Treating keratoconous Chico Eye Center (CEC), a local leader in ophthalmic care, surgery and research, is excited to announce their positive long-term results with the iLink Cross-Linking Procedure for the treatment of keratoconus.

According to Dr. Sean Liston, a corneal specialist at CEC, keratoconus is a rare sight-threatening disease. While the US prevalence of keratoconus has been reported to be 1-in-2000, some studies suggest that prevalence may be higher in certain populations. Considering that 1-out-of-5 of those people with keratoconus will need a corneal transplant, the need to identify them and treat early to avoid a corneal transplant is paramount.

“Corneal transplant surgery is an amazing surgery.

It has been around for over 100 years, and it can greatly improve a patient’s quality of life. However, if we can avoid the surgery by performing an out-patient procedure, that is definitely in the best interest of the patient,” says Liston.

The onset of the disease usually occurs from 12 years of age through 20 years of age for the vast majority of patients and is associated with excessive eye-rubbing and eye allergies.

According to Dr. Marina Rocchi, an optometrist at CEC, if a patient has a rapidly changing glasses prescription, or if there is a family history of keratoconus, the patient should be evaluated by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist who has the ability to take a picture of the shape of the cornea with a device called a corneal topographer.

CEC was one of the first practices in the United States to offer the treatment. They have over 5 years’ experience with the iLink procedure and have taken care of hundreds of patients with keratoconus. They have the only FDA-approved device between Sacramento and Medford, Oregon and provide care for patients all across the North State. Awareness of the disease in our area has been growing since Golden State Warrior, Steph Curry, has said that he has keratoconus according to Rocchi.

Call the Chico Eye Center at (530) 895-1727 to schedule your consultation today!

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Y DA

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Operation Koi Rescue: The Untold Story

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OM WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

change

The heartwarming stories of animal rescues during and after disasters can be found everywhere—horses ridden out of fire threatened pastures when trailers couldn’t arrive fast enough, animal rescue groups making daily trips to leave out bags of food for cats and dogs unwillingly abandoned in an evacuation, and baby bears receiving lifesaving fish-skin grafts on their burnt paws. But what about the animals you haven’t heard about?

What about the scaly pucker-faced fish swimming in ponds amidst the fire and ashes? Well, here’s their story, the story of Paradise’s Operation Koi Rescue.

Melissa Schuster and her husband Cliff Jacobson’s home at Chapelle De L’Artiste in Paradise sat on a breathtaking piece of land with a chapel, gatehouse, historic outbuildings, and a beautiful koi pond.

After the fire, Melissa stood on the steps of that chapel, looked around and said to herself, “It’s enough.” Even though all the other structures, including their home, were gone, the fact that they still had their lives, their land, their pond, and the resiliency of the community of

Paradise around them meant they would not just survive but flourish. That large surviving pond proved to be a sanctuary for the community. What began as friends helping friends, evolved into something much bigger than they expected.

Following the fire, their friend Scott Lotter asked Cliff to help him rig up a tank to rescue the koi at his pond. So, Cliff picked up a 500-gallon tank from his company, attached an aerator in order to allow the fish to breathe properly, and helped Scott and his son Dustin secure it to the bed of a pickup truck. They wrote Koi Rescue Team on the back of it in jest and unknowingly began a mission that would reach all the way to U.C. Davis Veterinary School. After rescuing Scott’s fish, the community heard about the work they were doing and soon, Scott, Dustin, Cliff, and Randy Hays traveled to over 100 ponds throughout the Paradise area, netting up and saving hundreds of koi. Some of the fish went to the U.C. Davis Veterinary Center, where they were able to house them until they could be reunited and rehoused with their owners.

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Those koi, that had nowhere to go, were placed in their new home at Melissa’s pond.

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During this time, the town of Paradise was under evacuation orders, so the Koi Rescue Team had to obtain special permission in order to get in and rescue fish at various ponds. They also had to set up and maintain a generator to power the aerator at Melissa’s pond in an effort to maintain a healthy environment for all the koi being placed. Melissa says, “People are very attached to their koi. The koi recognize voices and even come when called. They’re very social animals.” The pond originally contained about six koi before the fire, and today, that population has bloomed to over 300 rescued fish.

Melissa says people often come, sit, and visit with their koi in their new watery home. “We are delighted that we’ve been able to help.”

Their efforts to help fire-endangered koi have earned them the respect of the U.C. Davis Veterinary community and following the Berry Creek fire, they were called

upon to reactivate the operation, saving an additional 150 fish. Along with the koi that were rescued and rehomed at the pond, Melissa says they’ve also brought in some turtles and bullfrogs saved by the rescue team’s efforts.

When she’s not tending the koi, Melissa is extremely active in the Paradise community, including working with Hopee Plaza, Chamber of Commerce, Paradise Arts Alliance, Blue Zones, and Mosquito Vector Control. Closer to home, she and her husband have just started rebuilding along with breaking ground and beginning a long dreamed of family enterprise on the property, The Burnt Barn Distillery. She also hosts several glamping tents at Chapelle De L’Artiste which include access to the pool and koi pond. So, in time, come, sit at the edge of the pond, toss in some koi food, listen to the waterfall, and watch the hawk who has also returned to the property to raise her next set of fledglings in one of its resilient oaks. This is community. This is Paradise.

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WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

the godfather of orland wrestling If you expanded the above title and said Jeff Patch is the godfather of CIF Northern Section wrestling, you’d be just as accurate. When Patch came to Orland High in 1971, he immediately changed the face and direction of wrestling at the school. His model became so successful, other wrestling programs began to emulate it. Besides being a great coach and leader, Patch said, “You need to advertise your sport. The kids work too damn hard not to get recognition.” All 44

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of that results in attracting more kids to the program, and Patch instituted unconventional moves to get more athletes to join the ranks of Orland Trojan Wrestling.

Before Jeff Patch arrived in Orland, he wrestled in the Bay Area at College Park High School in Pacheco, California, a small town not unlike Orland in terms of numbers. Patch followed Chico State standout wrestler Mike Simpson, another

College Park wrestler, who later taught art and coached at Chico High School.

However, Jeff Patch’s real journey began in Mexico.

It was then he decided he wanted to head his own program. A job opened up at Orland High School, and the real journey that changed wrestling forever began.

Jeff’s dad was an engineer, and his work took him from the deserts of California to the deserts of Mexico, where Patch was raised and lived for seven years.

Spanish was his first language, and this became significant later in his coaching career when he recruited many Spanishspeaking kids into his wrestling programs, first at Yuba City High School and, later, Orland. But before his high school teaching and coaching career began, he wrestled at Chico State from 1964 to 1967.

At Chico, he won Far West Conference Championship honors and was well known as an excellent wrestler.

He started in the fall of 1971, and the wrestling program at a school of 500 students became one of the foremost in the Northern Section, routinely beating larger schools like Chico High, Pleasant Valley, and Paradise High, a school that became a longtime rival with many raucous and exciting dual meets. Even though tournaments are large, loud, and lengthy events with many schools, it is the dual meet that is the heart of high school wrestling.

After finishing two years of active duty, Patch came back to California, student taught for Mike Simpson in art at Chico High School, and was hired as an art teacher and coach at Yuba City High School. He became assistant to another College Park grad and Chico alum, Mickey Maxwell. When Maxwell became ill for a few weeks, Patch ran the program.

Jeff Patch is in the Chico State Sports Hall of Fame, the Orland Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Glenn County Educators Hall of Fame. He has definitely cemented his place in Orland Sports History.

“You need to get the bodies out,” said Patch. “Not just on the team but in the stands. You need to make the dual meet an event people want to attend.”

However, a “little thing” called the The first step was advertising; he put Vietnam War loomed after graduation in announcements 1967. Feeling he in the bulletin and had to continue “You need to newspaper. Then the family tradition he designated a of being in the US get the bodies contingent of girls Navy, Patch joined the United States out,” said Patch. as stat keepers who handed out Naval Reserves.

“Not just on the medals at By chance, and tournaments and perhaps because of the team but in cheered at dual a college degree, meets. Wrestlers wore this helped him the stands. You their colors at school avoid service on the day of a match in Vietnam. Of need to make and their jackets all the sailors in the dual meet were festooned with his barracks at medals. After the Treasure Island an event people preliminary bouts, in San Francisco, he and one other want to attend.” they would turn off the lights and received orders spotlight the center other than Vietnam. of the mat for the varsity team to make “We were sitting on our numbers, the it special. It worked, and Orland became number each of us was assigned, and Westside League champion over and waited for our orders. I was sent to over. They won section meets and placed Alaska, to the Aleutians.” Patch thinks his ninth in the State in 1994, a tremendous degree helped, because he and the other accomplishment. sailor had each graduated from college.

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Table mountain bridge project

Back in 2018, Dean was president of the Rotary Club and thinking of a project to benefit his community. While on a walk one night, Dean and his wife Monique passed by the Table Mountain Bridge and immediately the light bulb went off. A friend directed the two to an old newspaper that featured an article on the Oroville Water Carnival. This was back in 1911, when Oroville used to host carnival activities on and around the bridge and downtown. During the carnival, the bridge was beautifully lined with lights that dazzled the area and water below.

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attracted approximately 20,000 visitors from around Northern California. Dean thought, “How awesome would it be if we could get this bridge illuminated once again?” Monique agreed, and the idea was proposed to Rotary as the club’s centennial community project to celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2024.

It proved to be a huge hit.

The Table Mountain Bridge Project is in its early stages as donations and grants are still being collected, and it is estimated the project will cost around $500,000.

The good news is the club has already raised over $100,000. The bridge is estimated to have 5,000 full-color LED nodes that are remotely programmable and will provide “light shows” at regular intervals. Still in the works, but hopefully in the near future, the Rotary Club will allow anyone to sponsor a light or section of the bridge. This could be used as a gift, token of appreciation, or a remembrance of a loved one. The possibilities are endless, but cannot be done without community help and engagement.

WRITTEN BY BEAU VANDERMATE | PHOTOS COURTESY DEAN GURR

Over the past couple months, we've explored Oroville residents who we believe are the torch for a brighter future.

Dean Gurr is amongst those few—he's a photographer by day and a Downtown Oroville enthusiast by night. Creative imaging is his primary business, but like most artists, he has his hands in a few different pots—one being the Rotary Club of Oroville, where he is actively meeting and coming up with exciting new ideas.

WRITTEN BY BEAU VANDERMATE | PHOTOS COURTESY DEAN GURR

One inspiration for the bridge came from the Memphis Mighty Lights which is a fully programmable bridge that provides spectacular illumination night-in and night-out. That's the vision for the bridge, to have a place where people can gather on a nightly basis to enjoy one another and actually revel in a piece of living history. It’s easy to envision—games being held, music being played, and the sound of people laughing. We have a little bit of a wait, as the bridge project is set to complete in 2024. If you want to help now, the Rotary Club is always taking donations.

The bridge was built in 1907 and holds a ton of rich history. Dean and the Rotary Club plan to bring that back to life and resurrect a piece lost to time. We hope you get a chance to either participate in the process or enjoy the spectacle when it's finally complete.

If you have any questions or want to find out how you can be involved, visit OrovilleLights.com or reach out to Dean, as he would love to discuss the options!

You can reach him at dgurr.rotary@gmail.com 47

The Northstate's Newest Venue: Lassen Gardens If you’re recently engaged, or know someone who is, you’ve likely heard how significantly different the wedding industry is now than it was two years ago. Costs have risen, availability has all but disappeared, and the once possible year-long engagement seems to be a total impossibility, assuming you have any specific wants for the big day. Hearing that a caterer is booked solid for the next two years or a venue having only mid-week reservations available would have drawn doubt two years ago, but these days, it seems to be the norm. It should come as no surprise either, considering how much every industry has changed due to the pandemic, though it does seem that the wedding industry was hit rather disproportionately.

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1928. Conveniently located off of Highway 99 in Vina, the location provides year-round opportunities for just about any event, and with a capacity of up to 200 people, it is truly able to accommodate most. Best of all, it provides an atmosphere that exemplifies the region, and now more than ever, there are few available venues quite like it.

“When we started thinking about purchasing Lassen Steakhouse, we had no idea what the area was like aside from the restaurant itself,” said new owner Joni Samples.

“We stopped by for our first tour of the property, and we were just blown away by the grounds—they were unbelievable! The restaurant itself was beautiful, but once we walked the rest of the property, we knew it would be perfect for what we wanted to do.”

Between the loss of venues in the Camp Fire, the delayed weddings due to the fires in years that followed, and the pandemic, a bottleneck has occurred and the local wedding industry has been impacted on all levels. Luckily, new venues like Lassen Gardens are emerging and slowly but surely easing some of the burden on the wedding industry. Perhaps more importantly, at a time when costs are at an all time high, it is also providing an affordable alternative.

Though Joni’s daughter, Jenn, and her husband Wes were both excited to open a restaurant together, this particular property granted Joni and Jenn the additional opportunity to open an event venue. The two loved nothing more than throwing a memorable party, and both had experience with coordinating, logistics, and management. Just like the property, the opportunity was the perfect fit.

Set on 2.3 acres of beautiful lush landscaping, Lassen Gardens provides rustic charm and a rich history dating back to

“Over the past two years, we kept hearing from friends and family about how difficult it was to reserve a venue—small or large;

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indoor or out,” Jenn said. “Once we saw the property, we started calling around to confirm, and they weren’t kidding, nearly every venue we called was already totally booked for 2022, and this was in the fall of 2021! Some were even booked well into 2023. We talked it over and quickly realized it was exactly what the area needed. We decided we would launch the venue once we got the steakhouse off the ground and humming along.”

It didn’t take them long to do just that.

Officially opened on January 8th, the restaurant quickly made a name for itself due to their focus on quality ingredients, exemplary customer service, and affordability. With wedding season right around the corner, and the restaurant firing on all cylinders, they’ve decided to launch the next phase of their business and open their venue to reservations starting this month.

“We’ve just seen so much support from our community over the last few months,” Jenn beamed. “It’s truly been more than we could have ever imagined. We’re hoping to return some of that support by bringing the same focus on quality, service, and affordability to the wedding venue industry, and alleviate some of the bottleneck couples have been experiencing when trying to set a date to get married.”

Affordability is not something most of us would expect to find these days, especially at a wedding venue—much less, one that looks like this. Beautifully landscaped, the grounds appear to be straight out of a Pinterest board, offering plenty of minilocales perfect for photo ops, and each with its own utility. Order a drink at the rustic outside bar and enjoy it on their expansive patio or go for a stroll alongside the stream that traverses the property. When in full bloom, a long arbor tunnel covered in wisteria offers a stunning alternative to the usual wedding aisle. Crossing the bridge to their main stage, you’ll find a picture-perfect setting for capturing photos of friends and family alike, and of course the grounds have plenty of space to mingle after the ceremony—even horseshoe pits to keep guests entertained.

For those looking to cross two items off

their to-do list, it’s important to note that the venue is not only beautiful, but provides full onsite catering by Lassen Steakhouse.

Celebrating life’s most cherished moments, whether weddings, rehearsal dinners, baby showers, anniversaries, retirements, and corporate parties couldn’t be easier with their all-inclusive packages that range from mostly do-it-yourself to completely turnkey.

“We couldn’t be more excited to launch this next step in the business,” Jenn smiled. “It’s the perfect addition to the restaurant, and we’re already working with a number of local wedding and event planners to make this first wedding season one to remember.

Our wedding and event packages are now ready, and we feel we have options to fit most budgets. If someone is interested in booking our venue, all they have to do is give us a call to schedule a tour and go over what we have available. We want it to be as

convenient and straightforward as possible.”

Step out of the city lights and treat your guests to a getaway that feels a world away while being only minutes from town.

Whether hosting a meeting at the restaurant or an evening of dancing and celebration under the stars, visitors will be sure to love an escape from the usual. Not only are Lassen Steakhouse and its venue, Lassen Gardens, conveniently located, the property also offers ample parking and space for RVs, making it easy for visitors to spend the night if need be.

Give Jenn a call at (530) 839-2838 and schedule your tour of Lassen Steakhouse and Lassen Gardens today. We have no doubt you’ll quickly realize why it’s one of our favorite venues in Northern California.

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walkthrough. It used to be an old bowling alley, Gala Lanes, and the space couldn’t have been better. It needed a lot of work, but it fit our vision perfectly.”

Not only was the location perfect, but it had a connection unknown to the two until the lease papers were signed. As it turned out, Allen’s Aunt Dottie was in the Diamond Match bowling league at Gala Lanes in the 1960s and was its league secretary. Her league jersey now hangs above the bar in commemoration.

Roland, Allen, Dale, and honorary Wort Brother Steven Locke set out to build their dream brewery and completed construction right before the pandemic struck. They opened their doors and were forced to close them three days later due to the first lockdown. “It’s been a bit of an ongoing joke,” Roland smiled. “All we can do is laugh about it. Everything we plan seems to bite us right out the gate. I suppose it builds character!”

Mulberry station brewing Co “We didn’t mean to make the best pizza in town, honestly!” Roland Allen chuckled in his most convincing tone. “We only ever wanted to start a brewery.” For those of us who’ve had the pleasure of partaking in a slice at Mulberry Street Brewing Company, it would be a hard-fought battle to prove.

As the story goes, owners Roland Allen and Allen Gross had no intention for their pizza to be the talk of the town, rather a means to simply allow their customers the opportunity to enjoy more beer. Though it certainly does that, it has turned into a bit of a sensation all the same, and the two are unlikely to be thrilled with the brewery’s story starting this way yet again. Luckily, they have the sense of humor to stomach it.

Roland and Allen met by happenstance through mutual friend Dale Sakschewski.

The three traded tales of times past, eventually transitioning to bucket lists.

They all had one item in common—owning a brewery. The goal would come as no surprise for Roland, who has a bit of a storied history in the local brewing scene.

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Originally from Redding, he moved to Chico in 1983 from Corvallis, in an attempt to stave off boredom. In 1986, he was hired as assistant brewmaster at Sierra Nevada and remained there until 1995 when he helped open Butte Creek Brewing Company. He later helped build Feather Falls Brewing and worked there for eight years before meeting Allen.

Though the two have faced badly-timed adversity at every step since opening their doors, the brewery and restaurant have quickly gained a cult following, not just for their delicious pizza, but also for their beers, carefully brewed using Roland’s 36 years of experience.

A United States Marine Corps veteran, Allen had traveled the world before starting his own business in the GPS industry. It proved to be incredibly lucrative and provided him a means to retire at an early age, as well as the funding needed to start another business—like a brewery. When the three eventually met at Roland’s home, it seemed to be kismet.

“We make all of our beers right here in this location,” Roland raved. “We have ten-totwelve beers on tap at any time and tend to focus on more traditional style ales and lagers, like pilsners, bocks and märzens to IPAs, wheat beers, and stouts, and everything in between. Two stay consistent, a pilsner and Roland’s Red, while the rest rotate. We’re brewing something new every two months to keep things exciting.”

Currently, Mulberry Station is home to a single IPA, double IPA, pale ale, porter, brown ale, Allen’s signature Dark and Chewy Stout, Roland’s signature red ale and redder ale, and coming soon, a venerable 9% doppelbock. The collection is varied enough to ensure all those who choose to imbibe are pleasantly rewarded.

“We called ourselves the Wort Brothers,” Allen recalled. “We just jumped right in and started looking for a spot around town. We drove by our location a couple times but didn’t think it was available. One afternoon we saw a sign go up, and decided to do a

Did we mention the pizza is delicious too? Whether due to the pandemic or a subconscious need to make everything perfect, Roland, Allen, Dale, and Steven Locke, (Roland’s right hand and longtime friend) spent a year learning the art of

dough-making and perfecting the crust. All pizzas are cooked in their woodfire oven using organic produce—except for their sliced pepperoncinis and black olives—and everything is sourced from California, aside from their proprietary blend of Wisconsin cheeses. Their master pizza makers, Mike and Isaac, know their craft well, and the rest of the staff couldn’t be more knowledgeable, creative, or committed. Of course, if pizza isn’t your thing, Mulberry Station also has a wealth of pasta bowls, salads, Italian meatballs, charcuterie plates, and a series of baguettes covered with cheese and veggies.

“Our original business plan to bring everyone in-house to drink our beers and eat our pizza is finally coming to fruition,” Allen said. “It’s taken two years to get to this point, since the plan was replaced with delivery during much of the pandemic. We

finally have live entertainment indoors every Saturday, and customers love it. There’s something special about the intersection of beer, pizza, and live music that you can’t find anywhere else.”

Drop by Mulberry Station Brewing Company and try their offerings for yourself, but maybe brighten Roland and Allen’s day by stopping at the bar first. After all, it was never supposed to be about the pizza—or so they say.

Mulberry Station is located at 175 E. 20th Street, Suite 100 on the corner of E. 20th Street and Park Avenue. They’re open Tuesday through Thursday from 3-9pm, Friday and Saturday from 11am-10pm, and Sunday from 11am-9pm. You can find them online at www.MulberryStationBrewery.com and reach them by phone at (530) 809-5616.

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Improper bostonian If you’ve spent any time in the Chico food scene over the past decade, you’ve undoubtedly heard of the irreverent and eccentric Chef Will Brady, and if you’ve ever stopped into one of his bars, you’ve likely heard him audibly over its speakers. Owner of the list of “B” Downtown Chico staples The Banshee, B Street Public House, and semi-eponymous Bill’s Towne Lounge, his restaurants are anything but B-list. Over the years, each has garnered a reputation for delicious food made with quality ingredients, and he has earned a reputation for— amongst other things—being a perfectionist.

Indeed, that reputation is derived from his dedication to details both inside the kitchen and in designing each of his restaurants—a trait which has often resulted in longer-thanexpected anticipation for their openings.

The case is no different with his newest “B”, Bodega, set to open on the corner of 2nd and Main Streets within the next few months. For him, it’s just another location opening when it should.

An improper Bostonian through and through, Will dropped out of the University of Massachusetts after realizing school was not for him. At the age of 19 he traveled to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams of being a bassist in a rock band. “I needed a job to support my dreams of being a musician, so I took up a position at Caioti in Laurel Canyon,” Will laughed. “They told me I didn’t look good enough for the front of house, so they put me in the kitchen. My male modeling dreams were dashed, but it gave me the opportunity to work next to Chef Ed LaDou, the inventor of the California Pizza for Wolfgang Puck at Spago and the designer of California Pizza Kitchen’s entire concept. I worked there for a year, but as most L.A. dreams go, becoming a star bassist didn’t work out. I did find my calling as a cook under Ed’s tutelage though.”

Will returned to Boston in 1993 and set out on a journey through the New England culinary scene, taking up positions working with a list of James Beard winners including Chef Chris Schlessinger and industry giant, Chef Patrick Lyons. After being chosen for an opening chef position at age 23, he left 52

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Sonsie Restaurant to help flip a Charlestown bar whose owners dreamed of turning it into a gastropub. It turned out, he got himself into more than he bargained for, as the owner was a bit of a well-known gangster.

An inopportune run-in with the owner’s son resulted in a clear message he was no longer welcome at the establishment. Will hitched a bus to Chicago and did his best to disappear.

Not looking to stand out, Will began working for various top line chefs throughout the Windy City. Eventually, he earned a reputation as a floater who possessed a unique talent for opening restaurants. The reputation earned him access to celebrity chefs and restaurateurs like Charlie Trotter and Keith Corn. Though things seemed to be looking up, a disagreement with his brother ended his free stay in Chicago, and he continued west to L.A. once again.

The following years took Will through Los Angeles, and after the death of the Charlestown owner, he went back to Boston, where he helped open The Thirsty Scholar, the bar from the first scene of the movie Social Network. People in the Irish community began asking for his help in opening their bars, and he obliged, opening several Irish bars in New England and North Carolina. In an effort to help Irish friends who had been deported, he even traveled to Ireland to open a restaurant abroad.

Eventually, he was called to the beauty of Martha’s Vineyard and spent two years at Farm Neck Golf Club cooking and meeting members like Bill Clinton, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, and Vernon Jordan. He also developed a mean golf game. “I managed to squeeze in just over 150 rounds of golf while I worked at Farm Neck,” Will said. “I was actually pretty good. Just like with the bass guitar, I thought I might make a career out of it, but then I looked in the mirror and realized I was probably too old for that. A family member of mine passed away, and I inherited some money, which afforded me the opportunity to open my own bar, the Mad Raven, in Waltham, on the outskirts of Boston.”

It was there Will met Sebastien Tamarelle, a Chico man who had been going to Brandeis University and who had become a customer of Brady’s at The Raven. Sebastien was saving money to open his own bar in his

California hometown. “I told Sebastien, ‘I’m leaving this place and won’t make it on the PGA Tour. Gimme a shout if you need any help with that bar you’re thinking about opening.’” Will remembered, “We exchanged numbers and after five years of four-to-five bar fights a week, I sold the bar to my partner and called it quits.” Will retired in Austin for 10 months before receiving the fateful call from Sebastien that brought him out to Chico. The rest, as they say, is history.

Since arriving in Chico 16 years ago, Will has partnered with a number of locals to open his three restaurants and provide job opportunities to countless more. Many of these individuals have gone on to attain chef positions at other restaurants and continue to regard his training as some of the most influential they received. For Will, it’s nothing more than training the attention to detail needed to provide delicious food consistently. “I saw that effort and respect for food was missing for cooks in a lot of locations.” Will said, “I made it a point to set a standard for how they should be paid and trained, and it’s been uplifting to see it echoed throughout town. The food scene has changed a lot over the past 16 years too. Watching tasty food become the norm rather than the exception has been great to see with the advent of lots of places like ours, and if I had anything to do with that, that’s pretty gratifying.”

If you’re a fan of any of Will's restaurants, you have his dog Steve to thank for them. After the success of the Banshee, Will planned to duplicate the pub throughout California, starting with Folsom and Sacramento, on his way to the Bay Area. He made a scouting trip to Folsom, intent on moving, and took Steve with him, only to find that he had become a Chico dog through and through. “He just didn’t like it there.” Will said, “When I saw how much he loved Chico and how little he loved Folsom, I knew I had a responsibility to make sure he was happy.” Thanks to Steve, Will stuck around town, leading him to open his two subsequent restaurants and begin working on his next project. Steve passed away in 2021, but left behind a legacy of influence numerous residents continue to enjoy every day.

Will’s fourth restaurant, Bodega, will be a bit of a hybrid, selling espresso, baked goods, and pizza to the public while providing his restaurants, along with Crush and Konas, their daily bread. It will also be a hub for his restaurants’ food prep, guaranteeing an even greater level of consistency amongst the Bs. With significant success over the past three restaurants, and surely the upcoming fourth, one would think Will’s future will likely echo the past—perhaps using the same recipe to build another four. That will not be the case.

“It was never my dream to die on the line,” Will laughed, “I’m planning to ride off into a sunset made out of pizza crust! I bought myself a little place in Maine, and I’m turning 50 in September. I’m exhausted, but this journey has been incredible. Chico’s great, and I hope to see everyone start smiling again as we come out of the pandemic.

Where the restaurants are concerned, I plan to hand them off to my staff when I decide to leave, and hold onto a little equity in each for my own retirement. It’s the right thing to do, and I’m excited to do it.”

Bill’s Towne Lounge is set to reopen this month, after being closed throughout the pandemic, with a brand new stage for live entertainment. Bodega will follow shortly thereafter. Drop by Downtown Chico and make some time to try something at each of Will’s four locations for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

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Chico's best grilled tacos

In 2019, the couple made the leap and opened their second location in North Chico, on the Esplanade, with a full dining room and two large patios for patrons to enjoy. With the increased space for customers, Fausto and Gloria decided to expand their menu as well, adding larger combo plates and additional fish and shrimp options. They now host a menu full of delicious opportunities alongside numerous specials each week. On Fridays and Saturdays, for example, at the Esplanade location, you’ll find carbon-style chicken and pork ribs. The meats are marinated and slow cooked over a smoky fire of clean-burning almond wood, then served as classic 54

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Mexican-style bbq with rice, beans, and tortillas. They even offer full racks of ribs and whole chickens for an incredible price.

The grilled tacos were voted best in Chico for good reason—the perfectly grilled, crispy taco shell loaded with your choice meat, lettuce, tomato, and sour cream couldn’t be more delicious. According to Fausto and Gloria, the majority of customers order the shrimp and fish grilled tacos. Even though I personally love the grilled tacos at Aztlan, my usual go-to is a burrito as they are not only hearty but easily portable. My favorite is the pastor burrito. I have never actually weighed one, but I’m pretty sure it would come in at over one pound. Filled with tasty marinated pastor, rice, beans, onions, cilantro, and salsa, it is totally satisfying. As an added bonus, you can ask for it fajitastyle if you’d like grilled onions and peppers to be added.

Of course, we can’t forget about the other handy and portable option—after all, who doesn’t love a warm and satisfying breakfast burrito loaded with meat, fluffy potatoes, eggs, beans, cheese, and salsa? With so many delicious options on the menu I could go on for pages, but I won’t ruin the surprise further. Go in and try something for yourself!

Don’t forget to say hello to Fausto, Gloria, and the whole family at Aztlan, as they are some of the nicest and humblest people in town.

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY TACO TRACKER, RYAN STEFANELLI

Voted Chico’s best grilled tacos in 2021, Aztlan is a hidden gem that happens to be right under our noses with two locations— one in South Chico at 1645 Park Avenue and another at 2599 Esplanade. In 2014, Fausto and Gloria Velazquez decided to change career paths and open a taqueria. It wasn’t without its own struggles in the beginning, as they both worked at the taqueria during the day and a second job at night to provide for themselves until business picked up six months later. Once Chico residents took notice of their little shop, the gates opened, and customers flooded in. The menu was smaller then, with their specialty being tortas chilangas, a torta style from Mexico City. Being from Mexico City himself, Fausto brought his family’s recipes here for all of us to enjoy.

Caffeinated Chatter What was your favorite prank?

AL AVA H I C O

OFFEE

ROASTERS

Think Global, Drink Local

Bill Scott I was hiking with friends and shortly up the hill I started to get really tired, like I was carrying around another bag or two!

I took off my pack to discover my friends put a huge boulder in my bag. We still joke about it to this day!

Order your beans online! www.caljavacoffee.com

Megan Paul My best friend Brian likes to scare the hell outta me. Every once in awhile, he sneaks to my home’s side window, pressing his face against the glass. I blurt out a blood curdling scream, and he thinks it’s the funniest thing ever. Now, I make it a point to prank him every now and again!

Kevin Valenzuela

My college roommates brought home one of those yellow traffic cones, and it quickly became a joke to place it around random locations. A roommate would leave for the weekend, and he would come home to it in his bed. The running joke went on until we all moved out a couple years later.

Melissa Hyder My mom was terribly afraid of frogs. One Easter, we were with my cousins, and the home had an old hot tub full of them. We grabbed a couple plastic eggs and inserted the frogs, presenting my mom her Easter miracle. Screams and yelling followed, but I will always remember the look on her face!

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LUNCHABLES

Nic's

Nic’s board has a solid variety of flavor profiles. The soppressata salami and prosciutto provide salt, while the tang from the stone ground mustard and sweetness of the fig jam and local honey provide incredible balance on the large round crackers. This is tied together by the aged white cheddar, brie, and smoked bleu cheeses. The palate cleansers of almond and dried apricot are ever-welcoming. Finally, the plate is completed by sides of gherkins with 56

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capers and some of the most delicious olives I have had. When asked about the ingredients, Chef April, who also happens to be Nic's general manager, explained, “They’re a little more expensive, but it’s those small touches that are important to elevate the experience.”

Nic’s began with a purpose to give folks looking to rebuild in Paradise a place to eat that was dine-in, rather than the mobile-only options that existed shortly after the Camp Fire. Since their opening, they have expanded to include outdoor seating, monthly pairing dinners, and chef takeover events that you wouldn’t otherwise find. It’s important to note that it’s worth the short drive because there really isn’t anywhere else quite like it, not just in town, but in the county. They boast a great wine selection, 4 rotating taps, and a constantly rotating deli meat and cheese assortment. Also, I must recommend that you try the peach and bacon with brie and balsamic flatbread; it’s insanely good.

WRITTEN BY JASON CORONA

With all of the hype on charcuterie exploding back onto the scene well over a year ago, you might say we are a bit behind on this. Better late than never, as we had the opportunity to visit the hybrid deli-and-social-gathering-locale Nic’s in Paradise, well into their stride.

All the way down to their logo burned into the board, they are serious about serving you a plate you’ll remember. We had the option of a single plate including one meat and cheese with a variety of accompaniments, a cheese and sides plate, or the “I Want it All” with, well, all of it. We went with that route.

FOR ADULTS

Unwined

WRITTEN BY JASON CORONA

We visited Unwined as it opened, watching what would become a packed house on one of their many nights with live entertainment. The decor is sleek, stylish, and accommodating to groups of all sizes. A library of liquor behind the bar with a vast amount of seating in their dining room, covered patio, and adjoining entertainment lounge give the variety of privacy and comfort that suits you best. At the bar, you can see the food in motion—between the bar and pizza prep, there was no shortage of entertainment.

It was there we enjoyed the sampler platter of charcuterie that was served.

The joy of this month's feature is that, as opposed to our other food side-by-sides, it's not the finished product but rather the individual ingredients that we get to focus on, highlighting presentation and diversity. Centered on the stone plate, house-made black and white sesame crips made for the serving crackers.

The variety of soppressata, thick-cut prosciutto, and buffalo summer sausage were spread throughout. The cheeses were cut into playful shapes and included

vino rosso, a wine-soaked parmesan, and a bright and marbled sage derby.

Their garden-fresh-picked rosemary was interwoven throughout the plate, acting as both an aromatic and palate cleanser between the meats and sweeter components of grapes, strawberries, and exquisite candied pecans. To either begin your appetizer or complete your dessert lie two mouthwatering deviled eggs. I highly recommend pairing the thick-cut prosciutto with a wedge of their pillowy soft smoked mozzarella.

Unwined is centrally located in Chico and has a dining experience sure to please.

A wide array of American and fusion cuisine, as well as nightlife options sure to keep you coming back. Their weekend brunch is out of this world as well, with a variety of Benedict, bottomless mimosas, and a build your own Bloody Mary bar. Check out their Facebook and Instagram to keep informed on what’s new. Whether special dishes or in their lounge with bands, magic shows, and other entertainment, Unwined deserves your attention in the near future.

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Lil’ Sprouts Don’t Like These Sprouts

“Well, Timmy,” says mom, “there are people starving in India who would love to have these for dinner. So chow down or else.”

“But Mooooommmm! Why can’t we just ship them to Calcutta? Then someone could enjoy them.”

“Timmy, just do as your mom says,” Dad responds as he shovels in a forkful of Brussels sprouts slathered in mayo. So you take a couple of bites, doing your duty, and hoping the fried chicken and mashed potatoes disguise the taste.

Twenty years or so later, something remarkable has occurred. Not only do you enjoy Brussels sprouts, you look forward to having them once or twice a month, especially with bacon roasted in. (Let’s face it, everything tastes better with bacon—the crack of the meat world.) Over time, you have learned the benefits of the sprouts and alluring taste (for many of us). These mini 58

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cabbages have become quite the addition to our tables, and people enjoy them all over the U.S. Production of Brussels sprouts in the United States began in the 18th century, when French settlers brought them to Louisiana. The first plantings in California's Central Coast began in the 1920s, with significant production beginning in the 1940s. Currently, several thousand acres are planted in coastal areas of San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties of California, which offer an ideal combination of coastal fog and cool temperatures year-round. The harvest season lasts from June through January.

Most U.S. production is in California, with a smaller percentage of the crop grown in Skagit Valley, Washington, where cool springs, mild summers, and rich soil abound, and to a lesser degree, on Long Island, New York. Total U.S. production is around 32,000 tons, with a value of $27 million.

Brussels sprouts are insanely nutritious as well. A 3.5 oz portion provides a dose of 169% of vitamin K and 102% of vitamin C. They contain all the B vitamins and have a decent amount of iron, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium.

You can steam them or roast them in the oven with onions, garlic, salt, pepper, and the aforementioned bacon. If you haven’t tried them since you were a kid, give them a shot.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

We’ve all been there—sitting at the dinner table dreading that one vegetable we cannot stand, yet are forced to eat under penalty of punishment. And our seven year old self hates everything about them. They smell like the septic tank backed up. They look like something a small pony left out in the pasture. They taste—good Lord, can anyone even begin to describe the horribleterrible-disgusting-overwhelming flavor of these things? As soon as you fork a small slice into your mouth, your gullet rises in your throat. Why do parents do this to us!?

Oroville's historic state theater

94 Years Old—Still Alive! Still Vibrant! Still Active and Still Kicking!

As the theatre prepares for its 94th anniversary of continuous operation in April, donations large and small from our community helped meet the challenges of the COVID shutdown.

The theatre is owned and operated by the State Theatre Arts Guild (STAGE), a non-profit 501c3 organization. With no on-going public funding, the Historic State Theatre relies heavily on local funding for its day-to-day operations and maintenance. The community came through in 2021, setting a record for new and renewing memberships. STAGE membership renewal notices for 2022 are going out soon!

While the theatre has been “dark," renovations have still been going on inside. Along with funds from the State Water Contractors, the theatre mezzanine has been completely revamped. As with many projects in the near century-old building, the demolition uncovered significant dry rot on the south wall along with frames where windows were originally installed. As a nod to the

history, the theatre had its window boxes framed out.

The mezzanine project allowed the theater to again commission Bay Area restoration artist Beate Bruhl. Beate will always have a special place in the theatre’s restoration history. She painstakingly uncovered and restored the magnificent mural in the theatre lobby a few summers ago. This time, Beate uncovered and restored the elaborate medallions around the mezzanine light fixtures. The medallion restoration also highlights the recently installed reproductions of the original theatre chandeliers. The chandeliers in the mezzanine and in the main lobby were provided through the generosity of local patrons and represent a total investment of $50,000. The mezzanine project also benefited from the efforts and talents of Ron Hawkins Construction, Charles S. Crabtree Painting, Carpets Galore in Oroville, and Quality Lighting.

In November, STAGE was blessed with a donation in memory of Nicholas Ellena.

The $12,000 donation allowed STAGE to invest in a “new to us” speaker array for the auditorium. The new array will allow the theatre to attract more commercial programming as commercial operators were reluctant to use the theatre with the previously outdated sound system.

Nicholas Ellena, known as Nick, was a long time Oroville-Mercury Register and Chico Enterprise Record reporter.

The theatre, which was called “The Jewel of the Downtown” when it opened in April, 1928, will celebrate its 94th anniversary April 9th and 10th. There will be performances on the magnificently restored Wurlitzer Theatre organ by renowned artist Walt Strony. Strony performed to near sell-out crowds at the State Theatre on July 3. Mr. Strony’s concert in April will also accompany the Buster Keaton silent film “The Electric House”.

You can keep up-to-date on all of the activities at the Historic Oroville State Theatre on line at www.orovillestatetheatre.com 59

A renewed enthusiasm After playing music for five decades, Stevie Cook’s journey took an unexpected turn the last few years—he began to play for terminally ill people getting ready to cross over to the next stage of existence. “It’s been quite an honor,” said Cook. “Playing music for the terminally ill is a common practice in many other countries, and it’s becoming more common in the U.S.” Music therapy pre-dated hospices, and Cook has felt a certain connection and spirituality with his listeners.

Cook moved from Lake Tahoe to Chico in 1973, sight unseen, and lived in a large communal-like house. “Coming to Chico was kind of a fluke,” he said. It’s a fluke from which Chico music fans have greatly benefitted. Along with playing in Spark ‘n Cinder, a longtime funk, rock, fusion, and dance jam group. He also played in Road Raisin and the Butte Creek Family Band.

Along the way, Cook has taken the stage 60

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Back in the ‘80’s, local bar Cabo’s was the place to be, and great friend to music Don Dibono, who sadly passed away in December of 2021, was a promoter who not only brought in many outside groups, but also made it a point to provide a venue for local acts. Along with promoters Bob Wallen and Dan Dewayne, he kept the music playing.

Currently, he and local pianist John Seid bring in different people to play small venues like Hotel Diamond, Duffy’s, and Farmstar Pizza. He and his wife, Diane Garner, also play numerous backyard parties, weddings, and house concerts.

He has a CD out called “Deep Waters” and will release another soon.

“It has been a great life,” said Cook.

“Music has provided us with what we’ve needed on many levels.” He and Diane have a combined family of three kids— Oshan, Jessie, and Micah—as well as two grandchildren.

If you’d like to keep track of where Stevie Cook is playing, check out his Facebook page and you can contact him at sandhillstevie@gmail.com.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

“Along with all my other musical pursuits these days, I’ve been feeling a renewed enthusiasm for my craft.” Cook’s first “performance” came at three years old, when his grandmother took him to church and had him sing the hymns with the congregation. “After I did that, I never had stage fright,” he said. Cook began guitar lessons in the sixth grade, and started his first band in seventh grade. They actually began playing around at parties and dances around the East Bay and even got paid.

with many legendary Chico music scene performers. From 1987 to 1995, he played in the Steve Cook Band, with amplifiers and electric guitars; he still manages to get in three or four gigs a year with the group.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

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WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

COOL KIDS: DELLA & IRESH MOLINA If you’ve listened to the news, or picked up a newspaper, chances are you’ve heard of Iresh and Della Molina, eighteen year old twins who’ve taken the local running world by storm. These vivacious young women are seniors at Chico High who’ve spent the last four years on both the cross country and track teams.

Sitting down to talk to Della and Iresh about their time at Chico High and their future plans, you’re struck by their infectious positive energy and their love of their school and sport. Della highlights Chico High’s enthusiasm and says that spirit days are a favorite memory for her because so many people participate and work to make it special. “This year’s lip dub was so much fun, and I had so much fun doing it.” Iresh loves the camaraderie of the cross country and track teams, and both agree that it’s the people who’ve had the most impact on their time at Chico High.

Iresh really enjoys her AP literature class, “I love the discussions. I love English, and it seems like a lot of other people in the class feel the same way.” Della’s enjoying her speech and debate class, “I love the class because my favorite part of school is presentations, and basically it’s all that.

We do impromptus, where we speak for one minute about a random topic our teacher puts up on the board.”

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Being ranked in the top 3 for the 1600 and 3200-meter in track and first and second in the Northern Section for cross country didn’t just happen for these girls.

When asked how long they’ve been running, they both say they started in third grade with Girls On The Run, and then they officially started competing as freshmen. Iresh says when she’s running it makes her feel more focused.

“I have to work at not tripping, staying on pace, watching my form, and keeping my breath even. And even though I’m expending all that energy, it makes me feel more relaxed.” Della thinks of running as a good way to decompress and stop thinking about things other than running.

“When I was a freshman, it used to be about just getting it over with, but now I feel more connected. It’s nice to be out in nature and just notice things more, like hearing the birds and looking at the green grass and just being more peaceful.”

Next year, both Della and Iresh will be attending Chico State in the kinesiology program and running on the Division II Wildcat Cross Country Team which they are beyond excited about. Chico, California, and the rest of the U.S., are sure to hear more about the Molina twins throughout their future college career, and we can’t wait to see where it takes them!

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