Upgraded Living - April 2021 Issue

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FROM THE EDITOR A funny thing happened to me on my way to ‘MeMarch.’

Not exactly funny—rather serious. I wrote MeMarch three weeks before the March issue arrived. On the Friday before February, Renee took me to the emergency room. What I thought were waves of anxiety tightening my chest and laboring my breathing was actually AFib. My heartrate in the ER was 155 and the EKG showed why. I was admitted to what became a 5-day stay. Further testing showed a blockage on both sides of my heart. Though not determined life threatening, they will be replaced with stents. The stay was rough with constant monitoring, brutal tests, and concern. One thing was not rough—the amazing care from the remarkable Enloe nurses looking after me. Truly impressive and hard working people who also were very kind. The worst moment came from our cardiologist on Saturday. Before he left the room, he stated, “You are in heart failure.” How was I supposed to know this is the actual term, not one with all the nightmarish results flashing through my terrified consciousness. For those of you who read last month’s back page, I couldn’t let go. I had done this to myself. At least, I was certainly not helpful.

I’m writing this ten days before the magazine’s release. I’ve been home for three weeks and get better each day. I’m allowed to walk and have folks in my universe who take me on them. They’re wonderful in their societal energy and the differences in places outside my own. I also had a second cardioversion, one that worked on the first shocking, leaving my heart in a single rhythm. Stents next, and it will be interesting to feel that good again. An update to MeMarch, a low-sodium diet has helped shed nearly 30 pounds off my pandemic physique. The walks grow in intensity and distance.

Only thing left is getting a second cup of coffee. I didn't know how right I was in the MeMarch Backpage. I will have a different relationship with alcohol. One I wholeheartedly embrace (pun intended).

This Backpage wrote itself during the weeks of March. It is a series of daily text messages between a cherished friend and me. The distance between Simi Valley and Chico is 471 miles. Not easy for my buddy to take me for a walk. He’s not one to let obstacles get in the way, and replaced walking with a daily challenge of my cerebral capabilities. Walking turned mental jogging. He’s a special man but know you will figure this out as you travel through the myriad quotes. Allow them to challenge you a bit.

UPGRADED LIVING STAFF AVEED KHAKI Publisher/Owner KEVIN DOLAN Editor-in-Chief JASON CORONA Sales Director

DARREN MICHELS Product Integration & Mobility Strategy SHELLY BRANDON Writer TIM MILHORN Writer

CONTRIBUTORS DOUG LOVE

SWEENEY & MICHEL

Real Estate

Finance

HRiQ

DERM BAR

Human Resources

Beauty

TROY KEENAN

JESSICA WILKERSON

Let's Get to the Nine-One-One

Health

BOBBIE HUDSON-PYLE Health

On to May and promise of better things ahead.

For editorial or general magazine inquiries, please contact: Kevin Dolan kevin@upgradedliving.com

Kevin Dolan Editor-in-Chief

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

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CONTENTS | APRIL 2021 COMMUNITY

FEATURE

10 Get a glimpse of bass fisherman and entrepreneur, James Hawkinson, on his ascent to success

32 The rule of 3. Friends and business owners of unique consignment businesses come together in our look at new-to-you fashion and decor.

Learn more about Labelz, Finders Keepers, and Julianne’s Jewelry.

14 We take to the skies with Flight Paramedic, Troy Keenen, of Enloe Flightcare, who we celebrate with this month's Nine-One-One 21 Local HR professional, Shelby Chase of HRIQ, explores pay transparency

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31 Jessica Wilkerson, of Inspired Life Counseling, leads us on moving toward courage, healing, and joy.

36 Taking Action: A new adventure for Julia Yarbough - caregiving advocate

POTPOURRI 12 Business on top, party on the bottom.

Fennel: behind the bulb 18 Home Grown opportunity for Farmers Heather and Jacob Chavez 47 Find beauty in quotes that meet you where you need to be met most. Go for a “walk” with Kevin

HEALTH 16 Travel with Dr. Alina Pechko from Ukraine to the Pacific Northwest in her journey to Northern California 23 Empowering real change, learn why Lifestyle Medicine is breaking out 40 The art of balance. Meet Dr. Kevin Sorenson and a life well lived

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HOME 28 Doug Love provides tips on insurance in Northern California's new normal 30 The Archers have kitchen woes, and the arrow of solution points to New Again Californians' eastbound migration.

ON THE COVER: THE RULE OF 3 PHOTOGRAPHY BY: DIANE NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

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DESIGN BY: ERIK BROWN

ART & MUSIC 44 Butte County original world music act, Blu Egyptian, take to the streets. No Cover.

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WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

Landing more than a big fish On a weekend trip to Wisconsin, James Hawkinson unexpectedly turned his passion for fishing into a chance at college. What began as a young boy’s passing interest in fishing evolved into a father-son business and a scholarship with the opportunity to compete collegiately in the often-uncharted sport of competitive bass fishing.

in the circuit these past two years and wanted to sign him on with a scholarship offer through their Fish and Game Department. James plans to attend and receive a business/finance or business management degree from Simpson University in Redding and feels that either of these will offer a wide variety of opportunities in the future.

James’ story begins as an eleven-yearold boy who happened to enter a local fishing tournament and won. Some of the attendees took note and offered to tutor him on the finer points of fishing. James points out that there are a lot of technical aspects to the sport, and he was lucky to have people who could guide him in the intricacies of learning how to find and catch bass.

When asked where he likes to fish these days, it seems that the answer is anywhere there’s a tournament—or where the fish are biting. James says, “I got my driver’s license last year, and I’ve probably put close to 30,000 miles on it in just a couple of months, driving around the state and going everywhere I can before I go to college.”

At the age of 14, James entered the tournament circuit and began regularly participating in competitions. “I had a good boater and a good partner who taught me the ropes and more about how to fish, and I learned a lot from that.”

Last year, James and his partner were ranked 6th in the state, according to their scores tracked by The Bass Federation, which qualified them to compete in the national tournament in Wisconsin. It was during this time that James spoke with representatives from Simpson University.

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When he’s not fishing, James teaches youth karate at Chico Dojo on the weekends and trains a few hours each week there himself. He and his dad also started a side business called Hawkeye Lures—making lead lures that resemble crawdads, which the bass seem to love.

James says, “I want to be sure to thank my parents for being so awesome and very supportive of what I do. I wouldn’t be anywhere without them.” James is looking forward to fishing in some higher end tournaments with bigger money, finishing school, and “just starting life.”

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WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

Fennel: the mullet of herbs Just look at a fennel plant: The bottom bulb is all business and bold flavor, and the top is all boa-type feathery frondiness that looks like it could decorate a pair of Elton John’s performance glasses. It’s a living oxymoron.

The bulbs can be eaten raw or cooked, but when the top turns to seeds, you don’t want to throw in a fistful and chow down. (Who hasn’t gotten a fennel seed stuck between their teeth?)

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Fennel has a multitude of uses and an aniselike flavor, which means kinda like licorice.

You can find fennel in a variety of cuisines and even as a flavor for toothpaste. Sure, it’s full of vitamins, but it is loaded with minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, and manganese.

Fennel is used in many cultures and countries: India, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Spain, Israel, Lebanon, and Italy to name too many. It has some definitely interesting history of uses and cultural references that are far more intriguing than what recipe to use or the etymology of the plant. Oh! It is a part of the carrot family. Who knew?

Fennel’s Fun Facts: Prometheus, the Greek God who gave man fire, hid a fennel plant in a firebrand he took (stole) from Olympus’ eternal flame.

In certain wineries, they offered fennel

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before wine tastings because it disguised the poor flavor of the wine. They did the same before serving old food on the verge of going bad.

Fennel is one of absinthe’s three main ingredients. Isn’t that a trip!

It is good for breastfeeding (fennel not absinthe). It increases milk and gives it a sweet flavor.

From Dante: Fennel can mean derogatory, traitor, infamous, or someone of no value.

“Those I thought were my friends were fennels instead, they came at me with spears and swords.”

Egyptians, Greeks, and Roman used it as decoration to ornate their hair, swords, and horseback attire. It symbolized longevity and repelled spirits.

The five-spices blend of India called “Panch Phorom” is made up of fennel, fenugreek, nigella (still haven’t looked it up), cumin, and black mustard.

So, we have all eaten fennel in some form, whether we knew it or not. I suggest you go buy some fresh fennel and try the bulb raw.

It’s a refreshing and pleasant experience.

It’s full of nutrition, low on calories, and can be found at any supermarket or health food store.

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Let's Get to the

Nine-One-One with Troy Keenan

If I wasn’t a front-line worker, I’d be a helicopter pilot in the US armed forces. Actually, I ended up exactly where I belong.

Three critical qualities that got me where I am today are perseverance, work ethic, and the drive to help others in any way possible.

Explaining my schedule to folks that don't have any idea what it is like is complicated.

Paramedics work extreme hours at all times of day and/or night. Typical shifts are at minimum 12 hours, and often become 15+ hours, 4-5 days a week.

A book or movie that left a lasting impression on me is Tony Robbins’ Money: Master the Game. I wish our educational system would put more emphasis on personal finance.

The great thing about medicine is that we are constantly learning. I learn something new every single day and apply it to the way I perform my job.

My “go to” Northern California spot is Fort Bragg. I am a Chico native, and Fort Bragg has been our family’s get-away since long before I can remember.

My inspiration behind where I am today is how my mother and father raised me to always help others. They kept me active in Boy Scouts, which drove home the idea of service for others in need.

My single biggest indulgence is adrenaline.

Whether it’s working as a paramedic on a helicopter, piloting helicopters and airplanes, or anything else involving adrenaline; you will find me there!

Being a paramedic is historically a thankless job, so any time we hear those words, it is appreciated! When I see signs, messages, or voices referring to me as a ‘hero’, my reaction and feelings are to shout thank yous to my amazing coworkers and friends!

“One thing I wish to share is a heartfelt message to the people who helped me become the person I am today; I am forever grateful.

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Troy Keenan Flight Paramedic Enloe FlightCare

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conditions or things that would present early on in life, as those would be disqualifying factors in the military. It was different from what you’d see elsewhere, like in a primary practice office, so I picked up shifts in an office nearby to better round out my training with a larger variety of patients and experience a wider breadth of cases.”

Dr. Pechko graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 2018 and began surfing the job boards at the university, where she ran across a job posting by Dr. Anthony Rudick of Ridge Eye Care. She applied, visited for an interview, and was offered the position. She accepted.

“As an eye care provider, they made it very easy for me to not worry about the business aspect of the practice.” Dr. Pechko started, “Rather, they wanted me to focus on solely providing eye care, which is what I trained for. I get to see and treat patients for the issues they’re facing without having to worry about running the business. This wouldn’t have been the case in a private practice.”

Dr. Alina pechko The journey to become a doctor is certainly difficult, and demands an intense level of dedication and perseverance. Moving from another country to become a doctor in the United States is a different journey and level of difficulty altogether, but one Dr. Alina Pechko took on with both humility and heart.

Born in a small Ukrainian village, Dr. Pechko grew up in a safe and loving environment free of many of the distractions faced in the west. “Things were very relaxed.” She started, “We ran around the forests with very little oversight. No one locked their doors, and everyone enjoyed an incredible amount of freedom.” Though the environment was relaxed, school was a different matter entirely, with a significant amount of pressure to excel at a faster pace than our own standard curriculum here in the U.S. Learning a second language was required by her school, and when it came time to pick, she chose English. The decision was one that would quickly pay dividends.

When Dr. Pechko was 13, her family decided to move to the United States. The last members of her extended family to emigrate from Ukraine, they decided to join relatives in Portland, Oregon. Within six months of 16

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arriving, her grandparents passed away in California, and the family decided to move one last time to be closer to family in Sacramento. Her parents studied to become accountants, and she began pursuing her passion for medicine.

Dr. Pechko began working for Ridge Eye Care’s North Sacramento Peach Tree clinic and eyecare practice at One Community Health in 2018. At the end of last year, she switched to split her time between their Peach Tree clinic in Linda and their Royo Eye Care office in Marysville. Each of the locations has proved to benefit from her training at U.C. Berkeley and American Lake VA Medical Center.

Dr. Pechko attended U.C. Davis for undergraduate studies, intent on finding her place in the world of medicine. After joining a number of different clubs, she narrowed her focus to optometry and followed her heart to U.C. Berkeley School of Optometry, where she became interested in ocular diseases like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. When offered the opportunity to complete a one-year residency at American Lake VA Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, where they specialized in systemic and ocular diseases, she naturally accepted.

“We provide just about everything throughout these offices.” Dr. Pechko notes, “Whether patients are in need of having their eyes checked, obtaining glasses, or having ocular diseases managed, we have the ability to care for them efficiently and effectively. I send all of my own family members to the Ridge Eye Care clinic or office closest to them knowing they’ll receive the same type of top-notch eyecare I see provided each day in the locations where I’m working. All of the doctors and staff are absolutely wonderful and truly care for our patients.”

“The majority of eye diseases we saw and monitored at American Lake VA were macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.” Dr. Pechko recalled, “It was a primarily geriatric population, so we saw a number of eye diseases that normally present later on in life as people age. We didn’t spend much time on auto-immune

If you’re experiencing issues with your vision, call our office nearest you to set up an appointment with one of our doctors: Chico (530) 891-1900, Paradise (530) 8772020, Oroville (530) 922-2020, Marysville (530) 743-1873, Yuba City (530) 674-8170, Anderson (530) 365-6471, or Redding (530) 223-2325.

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CHAVEZ Club LAMBS Jacob and Heather Chavez met by happenstance a number of years ago, but when you hear their story, and realize how perfectly they complement each other, it begins to feel a little more like farming fate.

Heather’s grandfather grew up on a farm in Missouri and learned everything he needed to manage a farm of his own by the time he was 18. He joined the Merchant Marines and spent years sailing the South Pacific before returning home to do just that. He married his hometown sweetheart, and moved west to start a dairy farm in Sonoma County.

When the opportunity arose, years later in 1968, he moved his family to a small farm in Northern California, and the family has remained in the area ever since.

Heather grew up helping on that small family farm, as her grandpa raised sheep and eventually even bought some goats.

It was on this farm where she discovered her love for animals and the many things they provided—companionship, material for clothing, and of course, good food.

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involved in agriculture as well. He participated in FFA throughout high school and bought his first farm in the mid-1990s, eventually opening a feed store to supply other local farmers with various necessities.

It was here that he and Heather met. She was a 4-H leader helping kids raise animals and showed up in need of feed for their sheep. He owned the feed store. Many years after their first introduction the two wound up dating, and eventually married.

Among the things they had in common, besides a love for sheep, was their business sense. “When we joined forces, we realized each of us had major strengths on one side of the sheep industry.” Heather remembered, “We both had the show lamb experience—4H, FFA, county fair, and jackpotting, which was my forté—and we both also had the experience of raising the animals for meat, where Jacob was the expert.” The two never wanted to decide which side to pursue, and ultimately realized between their competitive and hard-working personalities, they could accomplish both.

With that realization, Chavez Club Lambs has thrived.

Focused on assisting young showpeople in raising competitive show lambs while also selling high-quality butcher lambs for fresh local meat, Chavez Club Lambs has become a one-stop shop for lamb lovers throughout the Northstate. “We each had kids of our own,” Heather stated, “and we’ve spent thousands upon thousands of hours helping them raise show animals, so we became incredibly well-versed in the experience.

When it comes to knowing good meat, we were both raised on it by generational farmers who raised their animals ethically.

The knowledge and commitment to ethically raising animals is in our blood.”

Chavez Club Lambs has quickly made a name for itself on both sides of the lamb industry, garnering acclaim for their show lambs and those raised by showpeople they’ve mentored, while also building a large list of buyers for their high-quality meat offerings. “Fresh, local lamb tastes completely different from lamb you’d buy anywhere else.” Heather raves, “It’s a difference you can taste immediately. A lot of times, the older generation remembers the mutton from WWII and we have to remind them that’s not what modern lamb

tastes like. Lamb is a cultural phenomenon and can be experienced in wildly different ways based on how people cook it. Greek, Mediterranean, Indian, and UK cuisines all have strong reliance on lamb, but they all taste completely different from one another.”

With the recent resurgence of homecooking due to the pandemic, Heather and Jacob have seen an influx of interest in their offerings as well. “We’ve increased

our capacity to be able to deliver on the demand.” Heather noted, “Customers can now contact us to purchase a whole lamb to fill their freezer each year or simply purchase individual USDA processed cuts— whether a rack, leg, loin chops, ground lamb, etc.”

When it comes to lamb, there are few who know the industry or the meat quite like Heather and Jacob do. If you’d like help

raising a lamb for show, or are looking to purchase lamb for cooking at home, call Chavez Club Lambs directly at (530) 624-0013 and don’t forget to visit them on Facebook and Instagram at www.FB.com/chavezlambs and www.instagram.com/chavezlamb. They’d also love to have you out on the farm to see their operation for yourself! Just make sure to set up an appointment firs

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5 Levels of Financial Freedom: LEVEL 3: Accumulating Wealth

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

Welcome back! Now, on to the fun step: Accumulating Wealth. This is about building your net worth through paying down debt and investing your assets. In previous editions, we covered the importance of cash flow, budgeting, emergency savings, and insurance.

Let’s begin with debt. Understand that there is good debt (appreciating assets like a home) and bad debt (interest on depreciating assets). Compounding is wonderful on assets, but horrible on debt.

Given the low-interest-rate environment, now might be a good time to refinance your home and lower your monthly mortgage payments. You can also consider refinancing to a shorter-term with a similar payment. The difference between paying off a $400,000 home at 3% over 15 years vs 30 is staggering. The 15-year term saves over $100,000 in interest.

If you have more cash than you need or qualify for COVID stimulus, think about putting that money towards bad debt like auto loans or credit card debt. If you are currently employed, you may have a retirement plan available through your company. This is a great, painless way to start conditioning your new financially-savvy self into consistently saving. It’s the reason 401(k)s are usually people's second-largest asset (behind their home).

Once you begin, saving is automatic and decision-free. If your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan, you may qualify for an IRA. The key is to treat this account like a bill and pay it monthly. Future you will appreciate it.

Lastly (but very important), before you decide to put one dollar into a retirement account, you need to understand the dollars that you are putting aside for retirement should never be used as your emergency fund or to fund current needs and wants. The reason we started with cash flow and setting up an emergency fund is to prevent you from ever having to invade your dollars that are compounding for your future retirement adventures.

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 Sources: www.irs.gov; www.ssa.gov; www.medicare.gov | 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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total pay transparency Traditionally, openly discussing your salary in the workplace is a no-no. It is common belief that if people knew what their coworkers salaries were, there would be conflict and animosity amongst staff, accusations of compensation discrimination, and turnover would be through the roof. In the past, organizations have had policies in place that prevent employees from discussing pay in the workplace—but now there is a California Equal Pay Act: a law stating that employers cannot prohibit employees from disclosing their wages or inquiring about other employees wages.

The pandemic has taken away any sense of normalcy that used to exist, and as a result, has forced us to rethink the way we operate in every aspect of our lives, including the workplace. If we recognize that having a certain amount of information would upset us, why is our solution to keep that information a secret, rather than address the underlying issues in the first place?

The majority of conflict in the workplace can be traced back to compensation. How much someone gets paid says a lot about them—it speaks to how valuable their contribution is, how much self respect they have, and determines the economic quality of life they have outside of the work. On the other hand, how much a company pays their employees speaks volumes about a company, as well. A look into an employers pay practices can show you how equitable they are, what employees they cannot afford to lose, and whether they are fair to their employees.

Research has shown that when companies commit to total pay transparency, every aspect of the organization improves. Once the payroll was on the table for everyone to see, the problems were apparent and companies could finally take the necessary steps to address them and move on. Employees were happier and more motivated, they felt they were able to better understand how they could improve their performance, and turnover was almost nonexistent.

We know what our teachers get paid, what the President gets paid, what law enforcement officers get paid, and we feel we are owed that information because our tax contributions go towards paying those salaries. Why is it any different for say, your local grocery store? If you were paying a company for a service and found out they were not paying their employees enough to provide you with that service, would you still want to utilize that company? Probably not. Openness leads to honesty and accountability, and everyone benefits from those things, whether you’re an employee, a consumer, or a business owner. Total pay transparency is coming whether you like it or not, so be proactive and open up your payroll so that you can address the underlying problems in your organization and are in control of how people perceive your organizational culture.

Shelby Chase is the owner and operator of HRIQ, an HR and business solutions company located in Chico, California. For more information or help with your HR needs, HRIQ can be reached at (530) 680-4747.

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See the Power of "C" The benefits of using a topical vitamin C product have been proven over the years.

It is a powerful antioxidant that protects and corrects a variety of skin conditions. It can complement any skincare regimen, and it provides strong antioxidant defense to reduce inflammation, suppress pigmentation, and enhance UV protection.

Skincare science has come a long way with stabilizing vitamin C for topical use so that it doesn't break down or oxidize before it has a chance to penetrate and be absorbed into the skin. It can lighten, brighten, and stimulate collagen synthesis to keep skin soft and glowing. Different strengths are available to work with any skin type from oily to combination, and dry to fragile.

Some vitamin C products are formulated with vitamin E, to promote repair of freeradical damage from environmental factors.

Vitamin C can inhibit lipid degradation, so the skin's protective barrier stays intact. When used with a good sunscreen containing an SPF of 30 to 50, the skin stays in a healthier state, able to defend itself against sun damage and premature aging. It minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and helps to retain moisture even in dry, irritated, or sensitive skin.

The percentage of vitamin C varies from product to product, so ask your skincare specialist what specific recommendations they have to address your skin's needs.

You will "C" the difference when adding this to your daily skincare regimen!!

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

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Lifestyle Medicine

Treating the Cause of Disease The American College of Lifestyle medicine defines lifestyle medicine as, “…the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic intervention—including a whole-food, plant predominate eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connectionas a primary modality, delivered by clinicians trained and certified in this specialty, to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic disease”. In short, lifestyle medicine is the science-supported use of good living practices to avoid disease, treat disease, and improve overall health.

Lifestyle Medicine has historically been a sort of fringe idea thrown into the lot of alternative medicine approaches, but it is now becoming the focus of well-known medical institutions, as they are faced with statistics that paint a picture of worsening public health despite all the advances in medicine. We are living longer lives but of a lower quality. Our current medical system of surgeries and pharmaceuticals is a modern miracle when it comes to acute disease care, but it is an epic failure when it comes to the management of chronic disease.

Acute disease is characterized as coming on rapidly with distinct symptoms that require immediate or short-term care, after which the condition resolves. Examples of these are traumas and infections.

Chronic disease, on the other hand, is defined as having a condition that lasts a year or more and requires ongoing medical management to keep symptoms at bay.

Examples of these are diabetes and heart disease.

According to the CDC, 6-in-10 Americans live with at least one chronic disease—and chronic disease is the leading cause of death and disability—as well as the leading driver of exploding health care costs.

What causes chronic disease? According to the World Health Organization, “…the causes (risk factors) of chronic disease are well-established and well known; a small set of common risk factors are responsible for most of the main chronic diseases.

These risk factors are modifiable and the same in men and women: unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use.” What does modifiable mean? It means you have the power to change it.

The old belief was that our genetics determine our health, but in fact, only about 5-10% of chronic diseases are attributable to genetics alone. With the emergence of the new science of epigenetics, we have discovered that, although we may have genetic predisposition to certain diseases, they need not express themselves unless we engage in a way of living that activates them, such as poor dietary choices, sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress, and poor sleep.

This can be both frightening and freeing.

On one hand we can no longer blame our poor health on genetics alone, but on the other hand, we have control over our health, so we are not victims! The goal of the lifestyle medicine practitioner is to educate, coach, and support their patients, thus empowering them to move forward toward not only a longer life, but a vibrant life full of energy and good health.

Bobbie Hudson-Pyle, MSN, FNP-C, APHNBC, DipACLM has been a nurse practitioner for 10 years and currently leads the Live Well Program through Adventist Health in Paradise.

She is certified in Lifestyle Medicine as well as a board-certified Advance Practice Holistic Nurse. Learn more about how to start your journey to wellness by calling 530-872-2000.

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There’s something about

SHERRY LANDIS

" Sherry has a wealth of knowledge of the area. After viewing a few homes “Sherry together, sheisknows thebest exact and areainwe are She desperately Landis by far the realstyle estate agent Chico. is trying to find, and she capitalizes it. Her upbeat and professional professional, positive, and hason incredible follow through.

She helped us attitudenavigate makes our theway stressful process nding a home, fun and of through the saleof offitwo homes and the purchase another—all at thein same time! Sheany never missed awe beat.

Sheduring made sure enjoyable.

She is quick answering questions have the we understood the process, stayed in step constant contact with us. Even after all process, and outlines in detailand what each entails --- extremely threefor homes closed, she continued to call, and text to make sure important first time home buyers such as email, ourselves!

Wejust loved everything was going as planned.

We could not have done it without working with Sherry and would happily encourage those looking forher.” a home, to call her immediately!" -Kaelin Daly — DOUG AND COLETTE ROBERTS

(530) 514-4855 landis4sale25@gmail.com | landis4sale@aol.com | www.SherryLandis.com

This beautifully European Flair custom built home by Michael Galli is an Estate sitting on 40 Acres!!!! Open floor plan and a grand kitchen open to family room. The upscaled appliances with granite counters, eating bar are un-paralled in architectural tastes and quality. The master suite is just that!!! Feeling like you’re on a spa-weekend, but yet you are at HOME in this cozy, inviting area that’s got your steam shower, soaking tub, his/her walk in closet, separate fireplace, natural lighting and separate from the rest of the bedrooms/baths. Views from the balcony to watch the spectacular sunsets are always fun, as is exploring the grounds and seeing nature!

Bed: 5.0 Bath: 5.0 SqFt: 5,853 Price: $1,377,000

Celebrating 30 years of helping buyers and sellers with their real estate needs at Century 21 This was the model home and only one owner! There have been many upgrades including travertine tiles, upgraded carpets, granite, oversized lot, built in desk in media room, special color paint throughout, draperies, landscaped beautifully with slate water fall, flowers galore and redwood trees. RV Access on both sides of the house and two master suites make this home a must see!

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 4.0 SqFt: 3,166 Price: $429,000

A terrific Michael Galli floor plan updated and remodeled from head to toe about a year ago. Stainless steel appliances, granite counters, plush carpets, decorator lighting, exterior and interior painting, lush park like yard, sparkling in ground gunite pool, newer 10x10 outdoor shed, wood stove, shows truly like a model home. Open floor plan with so many upgrades!

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 3,675 Price: $665,000

Psst!!!! Quiet 60 s charmer home in highly sought after neighborhood. All original oak flooring throughout. Beautiful masonry fireplace with insert and raised hearth ! Remodeled kitchen in 2006 with coriander counters and custom raised panel cabinets., Jean-air gas double range for the ones who love to cook and entertain family and friends. Refrigerator included. Bonus room off dining room could be used as den, office, sunroom with door leading to the patio. The possibilities are endless. Attached 2 car garage with work bench. with o-enter and lots off off street parking.

Storage galore . Central heating, ceiling fans, dual pane windows make this home affordable to run. Large yard, garden area, roses, awesome soil with wood shed !!! Covered patio, mature landscaping with large shade trees! This one won't last long.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,534 Price: $395,000

Yikes!

My homes are selling fast! Call if I can help by listing home today!

Consistently a Topyour Producer!

Call or text me

regarding these homes and others

(530) 514-4855

SherryLinnCalbert@gmail.com

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CA-DRE lic# 01084946

"We've used Effie Khaki in four previous real estate transactions over the past few years and have been very happy with her service every time. We would never consider using anybody else but Effie.

She is always very responsive and very knowledgeable about the local market. We honestly think she is the best real estate agent in Chico."

-James and Janice Peplow, Chico

Nested in the coveted Avenue, this adorable charmer is just blocks away fro the Enloe Hospital, CSUC and downtown. Staying true to its roots, a real charm and character lover can appreciate this home's rich wood floors, the warm ambiance of the living room with its cozy wood burning fireplace, the quaint kitchen with its gas stove plus a gas oven and finally its vintage bathroom. Despite all its antiquity, this charmer boasts dual pane windows, tile counters, indoor laundry and city services. The yard is beautiful with its mature towering trees and provides ample space for gardening, pool or just throwing large out door party. There is an alley access from the back of the property with a gated entrance. Here you will also find a large shop that is perfect for your wood work and hobbies.

Bed: 2.0 Bath: 1.0 SqFt: 915 Price: $339,000

SOLD The lake, park and Canyon Oaks Golf Course are a stone's throw from this stunning home!! Here, you will be greeted by walls of windows, generously proportioned rooms, plus an open-concept floor-plan filled with light and airy rooms that convey an aura of happiness. Right after adding numerous upgrades, the sellers have decided to jet to a far off place and leave this gorgeous home to be enjoyed by a new owner. Recent upgrades include: a brand new kitchen, fresh interior paint, new fixtures, water softener, custom draperies and so much more.

The living room, with its glowing fireplace and newer 65 Sony T.V. with Sonos sound bar, is spacious and makes entertaining a breeze. The kitchen, built for gourmet chef, is home to plenty of new appliances and follows the rest of the home's attention to detail. The new custom easy-close cabinets adorn the walls with endless storage, while the new granite counters provide plenty of room for prep. Wake up and fall asleep while enjoying the private master-suite with walk-in closet, dual vanity, walk-in shower, and soaking tub. The yard is beautiful with its darling dining patio, mature landscaping, and plenty of space for a pool or gardening. With an indoor laundry room, 2-car garage, doublegated huge side-yard and every creature comfort you can imagine, this home was built for the type of convenience and carefree enjoyment you deserve. This is a rare gem in California Park.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,713 Price: $499,900

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The road to insurance I got a call from a guy named Randy. “My house burned down in the Bear Fire,” he said, “and I was preparing to fight my insurance company for any money I might get. I had no idea of the terms contained in my insurance policy. I just kept renewing. I felt lucky I had insurance at all, especially after the Camp Fire changed things. But I lucked out. A lot of my neighbors did not.

But I really lucked out.”

Randy told me he went to his mailbox two weeks after the Bear Fire and found a check from his insurance company. “Bigger than I ever imagined,” said Larry. “And that was for just 75% of the total for the structure.

Two weeks after that came a check for 75% of my personals. Two weeks after that, came the rest. I didn’t cash those checks for awhile, thinking there might be a mistake.

Turns out I had really good insurance.”

As Randy said, a lot of his neighbors did not have good insurance. Some had their policies canceled, did not renew, and lost everything.

“But,” said Randy, “what happens if I go to get insurance now?”

Here, Randy, is an abridged version of a piece from The California Association of Realtors: The Top 5 Tips for Finding Insurance in Fire-Prone Areas It’s getting much harder for homebuyers to find affordable homeowner’s insurance in fire-prone areas. In this challenging insurance market, it is important to be proactive, diligent, and patient. Below are the five top tips for finding insurance: 1. Find a local insurance agent – check to see if the agent works exclusively with one insurance company or is an agent who has access to multiple carriers. Keep track of which insurance companies are being contacted to make sure there is a thorough search of all options.

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2. Check for policies written by admitted insurance companies. Only “admitted” insurance companies are backed by the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA). They must file their rates and policy forms with the California Department of Insurance (DOI). The DOI has a list at www.insurance.ca.gov.

3. Compare the types of coverage and limits, and feel free to ask questions.

You can compare coverage and limits at www.interactive.web.insurance.ca.gov.

Also remember to check whether the insurance company will lower the quote for fire hardening (e.g., clearing trees or brush around the perimeter, or having fire-resistant roof materials).

4. Check “surplus lines” insurance options if you are unable to obtain coverage through an admitted carrier. Surplus lines or “non-admitted” carriers are not part of CIGA (which means CIGA will not provide protection should these non-admitted carriers become insolvent). However, these carriers often provide more flexible offerings. Ask your agent to check on the financial strength of the surplus carrier.

5. The “Fair Plan” is available as a last resort. If there are no other options, you or your insurance agent should contact California FAIR Plan at 1 (800) 339-4099.

The FAIR Plan policy can be expensive, and it only covers certain losses caused by fire and smoke. For other perils such as theft and liability, consumers will need to buy Differences in Conditions (DIC) insurance to fill the gaps. A list of DIC carriers is at www.insurance.ca.gov.

Please pass this on to anyone you know needing insurance. Practically our whole territory is considered fire-prone, right?

Doug Love is Sales Manager at Century 21 in Chico. For more information or questions of your own, Email dougwlove@gmail.com.

Call or text 530-680-0817.

FREE CLASS!

PREVENTING BURNOUT & COMPASSION FATIGUE

April 21st

2:30 - 3:00 pm

Our next virtual class will explore compassion fatigue in caregiving and how it may be affecting you. Recognize the signs of burnout such as emotional and physical exhaustion, wanting to spend less time around others, and feelings of hopelessness. Learn how to "fill back up" on a regular basis so that you can stay energized and healthy as a caregiver.

REGISTER AT: MCRC@CSUCHICO.EDU OR 530-898-5925.

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with New Again’s resident designer and store manager, Ric Powers, who presented various options and combinations that would complement the look of their home.

“Unsurprisingly, one thing led to another and we went from only changing the countertops to adding a backsplash and replacing our kitchen floor as well.” Richard smiled, “It was bound to happen one way or another, but it was wonderful being able to take care of everything at once.”

A more than welcome change When Richard and Karla Archer purchased their home in 1997, they knew the location would be forever, but the interior would be not long for this world. Built in 1963, the home was in the perfect part of Chico— close to their favorite restaurants and cafes, and only a short walk from Bidwell Park.

As a foreclosure, they knew they couldn’t expect the world from the purchase, but agreed the home would be their work-inprogress, promising to make changes to it whenever possible.

The couple held fast to their agreement— updating a window here, painting a room there. Of the many parts of the home in need of renovating, the kitchen was by far the most noticeable. Without any flow or function to speak of, it was a true mashup of undesirables. “Where do I even begin?”

Karla laughed, “When we first walked into the house, I asked Richard, ‘You expect me to live here?’ Of course, I was giving him a hard time, but there was still some truth to it, and I could tell he felt the same. The kitchen had the ugliest linoleum floors, and the counters, well, we had a number of types of counters.” Richard chuckled in agreement, “Nothing was where it should have been, and the countertops were no exception. Part of the countertop was a ratty butcher block that ended abruptly at a stovetop. A small gold and white formica countertop picked up where the stovetop left off. It didn’t make 30

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any sense. There wasn’t enough room on either side to make any real use of the space.”

The countertops weren’t the only issue.

The kitchen had no dishwasher and every appliance was plumbed and wired in a location that made the space as unusable as possible. To the kitchen’s credit, Richard and Karla noted there were real wood cabinets, though they were nearly paper-thin.

As the years went on, the couple continued updating their home and even made some headway on the kitchen, installing new cherry wood cabinetry, which provided a major facelift to the space. They completed the majority of the remaining updates around the home as well, but it wasn’t until a visit from their son-in-law in late-2019 where the kitchen came back into focus.

From the living room, he looked into the kitchen and matter of factly said, “You know what—you guys need new countertops. If you just changed those, it would make all the difference.” It might not seem like much, but it was all Richard and Karla needed to get started.

“We had seen New Again Kitchen Remodeling’s articles in Upgraded Living each month for years, so we already knew where to go.” Karla started. They visited the showroom and discussed their project

The team from New Again showed up promptly and completed demolition of the kitchen countertops and flooring—a more intense project than a full kitchen teardown as it required steady hands to ensure the cabinets were not damaged during the demolition process. The old and dated countertops were replaced with a stunning white quartz that brightened the entire room and provided ample opportunities for Richard and Karla to work together in the kitchen. Finally, New Again’s resident tile expert, Victor Cabrera visited to put the finishing touches on the kitchen, laying the tile floor and installing the Bedrosian subway tile backsplash. The end result was a night and day difference.

“The folks that talk about the tile guy are so right.” Karla raved, “Victor is a true perfectionist and is really committed to providing quality work. We couldn’t have been more impressed.” Richard continued, “Everyone was really great, and quick too.

The demolition and countertops took just two days, and the flooring and backsplash took three. They cleaned up every night before they left, and it never felt like we were living in the middle of a remodel. We were in and out of the house throughout the week they worked here, and we felt completely comfortable with everyone working in our house without us there. I don’t think anyone can beat New Again on speed or price.” Karla finished, “We just wanted a good refresh and update, and this was the perfect fit. It was an easy and uncomplicated way to do things, and we’re super happy with it.”

Happy as can be in their newly updated kitchen, Richard and Karla are two more of an ever-growing list of customers that sing New Again’s praises. If you have a kitchen or bathroom remodel in your near future, give New Again a call at (530) 899-2888 or visit them at 2502 Park Avenue in Chico!

Wistful visions of beaches and travel came to mind as I first entered Labelz Upscale Consignment Boutique and saw the welcoming entry display with its vintage suitcase and bright fuschia orchids, surrounded by strappy heels and floral-themed dresses. It’s one of an everchanging carousel of displays that grace the store’s entrance week-after-week as one set of items is sold and replaced by the new. It’s also the perfect indicator that Labelz is the ideal place to shop if you’re looking to outfit for a trip, a special occasion, or even just an everyday adventure.

Jamie Withrow, the store’s owner, has always loved fashion and boutiquing. In 2019, Jamie stopped in at Labelz only to find out that the business was closing. She says, “My brain started turning, and I knew I was going to be buying this store.” Here was the perfect opportunity for Jamie to rebrand, and bring her style and love of unique fashions to Chico face-to-face. Owning her own clothing store has been a dream come true for Jamie as her customers adore her friendly spirit and bright smile.

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name brands as well as designer clothing and accessories. Jamie’s enthusiasm for her work can be felt as she describes what she loves about Labelz, “I love the entire atmosphere! Opening up the store in the morning, changing out the displays, getting excited for who’s going to come in and shop.” Her displays are artfully arranged to draw your eye around the store from shoes, to scarves, to a shelf with clutches, hats, and jewelry. One grouping features a bright coral dress accessorized with a Kate Spade basket-weave bag adorned with pink, orange, and red flowers. Another circular rack holds color-coordinated shoes, belts, and purses. Moving from one display to the next brings new finds and pieces to try on, while the organized store layout makes locating your size and selection extremely easy.

Jamie looks for brand specific items that her customers will love and feel great wearing.

She focuses on stocking “unique, fun, ‘boutiquey’ style” pieces that you don’t see everyday. Labelz carries brands like Eileen Fisher, Anthroplogie, Johnny Was, CAbi, Nic & Zoe, and Kate Spade, and so many more!

Jamie will put out at least thirty new items every day, so the selection is constantly changing. With almost 2,700 consignors

there is a constant rotation of merchandise to browse ensuring there is truly something for everyone.

Susan, one of Labelz’ loyal customers says, “Labelz has a great atmosphere with friendly people. I love shopping here because of the personal touch and relationships that I’ve made.” Whether the customer is dropping in to browse or looking for something specific, the shopping experience can be as personal as they’d like.

The clothing and accessories carried by Labelz are updated items from name brand stores and designer collections. Jamie is very particular in what she takes in to sell and wants her customers to feel good in what they leave with. “If you don’t love it in the store, you aren’t going to love it when you get home.”

Labelz is located at 974 Mangrove Avenue, right next to Unwined, so you can stop in for champagne brunch before swinging by to check out what’s new on display.

Their hours are Tuesday through Friday 11:00-5:30 and Saturday from 11:00-5:00, closed on Sunday and Monday.

WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

Turning heads through consignment

PHOTOS BY JESSICA BARTLETT

Julianne’s Jewelry & Bridal Coming Full Circle Julianne’s Jewelry & Bridal is indeed a family affair. The original business, established by Ed Stevens as Stevens Jewelry, was transformed into Julianne’s Jewelry by Ed’s daughter-in-law, Julianne. It is now in its third phase with current owners Alli and Bryan Babb, grandchildren of Ed, and children of Julianne.

wedding dresses! Alli and Bryan believe that it is the perfect addition to their business!

Because they create and sell a plethora of beautiful engagement rings, they feel it is an effortless jump into the wedding dress world. It just makes sense. First, buy the engagement ring, and then come back for the dress after the proposal!

Alli and Bryan took over two years ago and moved the business to its current location, in the Meriam Park complex, at 1925 Market Place, Suite 120. Julianne’s is a complete jewelry facility, offering not just finished products such as diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, but also a custom design service and expert repairs for all your jewelry needs! Alli works with you to create the design of your dreams and Bryan then brings that design to life!

With the addition of the bridal boutique, Julianne's becomes a one stop shop.

Chico is in need of more bridal gown stores and Alli and Bryan hope to fill that void. The dresses are all on a consigned basis- meaning, they are pre-owned but not necessarily worn. It’s a clever way to get the dress of your dreams at a more affordable price. When moving to Meriam Park, Alli and Bryan hired an architect to help develop the perfect space for the bridal room! The setting is warm and intimate—a selection of wedding dresses adorn a homey atmosphere complete with a couch and comfy chairs. It is the ideal place to await

The exciting news that Julianne’s would like to share is that the business is expanding into not only the sale of fine jewelry but also

the big moment when the bride-to-be comes out of the fitting room, and her invited guests—mom, bridesmaids, and friends—get to see her step into the boutique room in full bridal splendor. This makes for a fantastic moment for all involved; the bride gets to experience the “oohs” and “ahhs” of her guests, and they, in turn, get first sight of the bride-to-be in her dress. When you make an appointment with Julianne’s bridal, you will have the room all to yourself for 2 hours. A private and intimate experience unlike any other here in town!

They will be taking appointments beginning April 1st. If you would like to make an appointment, you can follow their Instagram page @juliannesbridal and click on the “Book Now” button. You can also email their bridal consultant Melissa directly at melissa@juliannesjewelry.com. If you would like to have your own dress consigned with them, please reach out to Melissa or give them a call at (530) 342-3117.

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Finders Keepers’ perfect location on the Skyway, just down the hill from Paradise, finds families stopping in on their way back up to town as they rebuild. Oftentimes, they will stop in to look for furniture or décor for their home and delight at finding something matching an item they lost in the fire. It’s little discoveries like these that fuel Jessica’s love for the time she spends at her store.

Finders keepers Originally opened by a mother/daughter team in Redding just over ten years ago, Finders Keepers Upscale Home Consignment Boutique moved to its current location, on south Chico’s Skyway, in 2017.

Jessica Torres grew up with the original owners, and when the time came for them to sell, she was more than ready to take over. Her sales background, coupled with a warm and inviting personality, are the perfect fit for her new business venture. She loves breathing new life into older pieces, helping families discover replacements for lost memories, and visiting with customers as they come in to browse. The bright, beautifully arranged store, set with an eclectic collection of furniture and decor, immediately draws you in to explore 34

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each little room and enclave. Remi, the self-appointed store greeter, trots up to welcome visitors while her appealing Golden Retriever demeanor dares you not to pet her.

The consignment process is pretty simple. If a client calls with a piece they are interested in selling, Jessica will first ask them for photos and, if it’s something she feels would fit into her boutique, she’ll accept the item to sell for a 50/50 split of the proceeds.

Sometimes, Jessica feels that an item may get more attention if it’s refurbished a bit.

If that’s the case, she lets the owner know.

“There are so many great little pieces out there, they might be a little dated but you can breathe new life into them by painting

The inventory changes often, almost weekly, and can range from elegant dining tables, dressers and like-new sofas to antique ice chests over a hundred years old. All of her inventory is available to take home the same day. Jessica says, “There’s something to love about each piece in here. We have items come in from all over the world— throughout Asia, Italy, Spain, and Germany— from old to new.” One little corner of the store displays a pair of Queen Anne accent chairs with striped upholstery, set with an amber shaded floor lamp; the perfect setting for a new reading nook. Paintings, wall signs, vintage school desks, and dressers are just some of the items you can find in the store this week, and the exciting thing about Finders Keepers is that next week will bring a host of new finds.

Maybe you’ve been spending more time at home recently, staring at your living room, itching to do a revamp on your décor but aren’t sure what to do with those items that don’t fit your vision. Finders Keepers is the perfect solution. Sell your items on consignment and browse the store for new inspirational pieces.

You can contact Jessica and the team at Finders Keepers by calling 530-354-5571 or stopping in to the shop at 2500 Zanella Way, Ste A, Chico, CA. Their hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

or refurbishing them. I love repainting, and I try to complete a project within a week in the store when we have the time.” She’ll gently sand away the years and then paint the piece with one or more colors of chalk paint. This type of paint is easy to use, long lasting, and great for layering colors while accenting with various types of gilding wax.

She demonstrates some of the before and after work on her Instagram page and also carries a line of chalk paint, so customers can refresh their own pieces if they’d like.

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end of 2019, Julia turned to Passages looking for services to help care for her mother whose health was declining. She was somewhat familiar with the program at the time but didn’t know everything it offered, and it was one in a long list of organizations she reached out to in the hopes of finding resources that would help in caring for her mother. “Through connecting with Passages, I was able to get extra financial help and support to pick up a few extra hours of respite for my mom’s care. It was my first exposure to Passages, and on a personal level, I thought, ‘This is GREAT!’ For someone who doesn’t have any other avenues, even having three-to-four extra hours a week to themselves can be a lifeline when caring for a loved one.”

making resources accessible to caregivers When we last spoke with Julia Yarbough in the middle of February, she was working at Action News Now and readying for the launch of her new website, www.

KeepingItRealCaregiving.com, intent on providing caregivers a no-holds barred look into the ins and outs of caregiving. As all of us at the magazine have come to learn month-after-month, so much can happen in just 30 days.

“The timing was serendipitous.” Julia began, “I had been kicking around the idea of really going full force into family caregiving advocacy for some time, but working a full news schedule made it difficult for that direction to really take hold. It felt like my 36

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‘calling’ and the next chapter in my story, but the decision wasn’t easy. The last day of my contract with Action News Now was toward the end of February, and the more I thought about it, the more I knew the end of my contract was the right time to move on.”

After over three decades of anchoring the news at stations in major news markets, Los Angeles and Miami, Julia bid a fond farewell to Action News Now February 26th. That shift opened the way for additional focus on family caregiving advocacy and partnering with longtime partner, Passages Caregiver Resource Center (CRC) in Chico.

Her initial connection with Passages CRC happened almost by accident. At the tail

The connection was a game-changer for Julia, who had been juggling the care of her mother and a high-intensity full-time career for years. “When I called, I told them my situation and asked if there was anything I might qualify for. I had someone helping care for my mother for four hours each morning, which insurance covered, but that was about it. At the time, I didn’t want to access other services, because I felt I was double-dipping. I had my own resources and some care, but caring for a loved one in that condition requires 24 hours of care each day. I needed to find a way to cover the hours in-between when I couldn’t be home, or I would have had to consider leaving my work position. As it was explained to me, there is a specific amount of money available in the State of California for caregiving, and the amount granted to each individual is based on a sliding scale determined by the total need statewide.

These grants are provided three months at a time, and in my situation, it helped bridge the gap for several months while my mother was still living with me and she needed more intense care.

After Julia’s mom passed in September of 2020, the reality of what she had been through slowly settled in, and she realized just how difficult it had been. “I had resources, a supportive partner, a supportive employer, and it was still overwhelming for me. I can’t even imagine how overwhelming it would be for someone with no one else to turn to. I remember realizing, that as a family caregiver, you feel like you’re in this weird zero-sum game. You recognize the only way out of this particular whirlwind of being tired

and feeling overwhelmed, is when you no longer have your loved one. It’s a horrible realization and such a bad feeling. I just kept thinking, our society is too smart and we have too many resources for end-of-life care to be like this. Passages showed me there were helping hands out there, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that help.”

As Julia is quick to admit, she likely wouldn’t have discovered the available grant money had it not been presented to her by the advocates at Passages. It’s one of the many reasons why she is determined to help make this information more mainstream, thereby ensuring access to resources for those who need it most. Just as Passages provided her with the help she needed, she’s looking to use her knowledge, visibility from years in the news industry and her platform, to help promote that mission.

Julia and Passages CRC will co-host a free livestream event June 16th at noon. It is aimed at making people more aware of the Passages program—what it is, how it works and what resources are available through them.

think you’ve covered everything, but something always comes out of left field.”

Julia noted, “You don’t know what you don’t know, and things just pop up. Family caregiving is a vastly different landscape from what most people believe it to be, and seminars like these can help folks create a more comprehensive plan, learning from the experience of others, so they aren’t forced to duplicate mistakes. Passages has worked with thousands of individuals through some of those families’ most trying times, and it is well equipped to help people prepare.”

Julia recommends people make the time to take part in the livestream, regardless of age, as you never know when you may be put in charge of caring for a loved one. “I really want folks in their late 30s and early 40s to get ahead of this. There are more and more people in that age group that are

analyze your savings. Perhaps speak to an investment specialist and determine some investment strategies that will not only help you care for a loved one, but help your loved ones care for you someday as well.

“Again, it’s important to remember we will all be caregivers at some point in our lives and likely need someone to care for us too.

Planning for both sides of the experience will not only make it easier, but make life infinitely more enjoyable as well.”

Julia couldn’t be more excited to partner with Passages CRC and help make their resources more visible to the community at large. Through it, she hopes to play a role in making life easier for those doing their best to care for their loved ones and advocating for a better model of end-of-life care. She closed with the following thoughts, “Our choices for caring for elders shouldn’t be based on profit but on providing the best possible care. I hope things will change, and I believe the consumer will demand that change. As my generation ages 20-30 years, I hope we will experience a different model than what exists now as there are truly few who can afford the level of care needed at the end of life. Pre-planning helps stave off some of the pain, and that’s where I want my voice to come in. It isn’t a sexy topic or a fun topic. It isn’t going to get me a viral video on TikTok. I just want people to pay attention and start thinking about it. It isn’t enough to mention to mom and dad that they’re getting older. What about the finances? What is their situation?

What is your situation? What about your siblings? What type of family dynamics come into play? How is their house set up?

All of that plays a role in the decisions that will eventually need to be made. I want my experience to be a wake up call for others, and I’m determined to make it so.”

“You don’t know what you don’t know, and things just pop up. Family caregiving is a vastly different landscape from what most people believe it to be, and seminars like these can help folks create a more comprehensive plan, learning from the experience of others, so they aren’t forced to duplicate mistakes. Passages has worked with thousands of individuals through some of those families’ most trying times, and it is well equipped to help people prepare.”

“Having lived through it, I’ll provide the personal side, explaining how family caregiving is happening all around us and urge others to prepare and start planning for these eventualities now,” Julia stated. “It’s important to think about what you’ll do when a loved one needs care. How are you going to do it? Is all of your paperwork in order? Do you even know where it’s at? Do you understand the medical system? Have you reviewed your insurance? There are so many questions. I want to help people understand this is what you need to start thinking about. It may seem overwhelming at first, but creating a game plan over a period of time is far easier than having to come up with one immediately, which is the case for many families.”

Passages will provide information on who to call, what kind of resources are available, and how to tap into—and best utilize—each support system.

“From my experience, you can plan and

now becoming caregivers, as individuals are having children later in life. It’s impacting people while they’re in the thick of their careers and lives, which makes it even more important for people to get this information early and understand how things work. The sooner you have an awareness that this may someday be your role, and it isn’t going to go away, the sooner you realize it’s time to research resources and figure it out. The longer you fight it, the more difficult it will become.”

As June 16th is still over two months away, Julia recommends taking the time to accomplish a couple simple things: research and understand your insurance options, consider long-term care insurance—which is different from standard insurance, and

As mentioned earlier, the free livestream event co-hosted by Julia and Passages CRC will take place online on June 16th at noon.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.passagescenter.org/event/theaccidental-caregiver/

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making sense of tension Life has been out of sorts for many people over the past few years. After the Camp Fire, the communities within Butte County had a major population shift. People who loved living in the quiet and slow pace of Paradise were thrust into Chico and the surrounding communities. Chico residents suddenly experienced an influx of people vying for the same jobs, homes, and parking spaces they had been enjoying. Life became chaotic across the board.

I noticed that the drive to get to work or appointments seemed to get the brunt of people’s frustrations and emotions. Road rage was not something people were used to experiencing in our serenely nestled community, but when “that bad driver” merged without warning—or the car in the parking lot parked way too close to the line to allow another car to park next to them—it was like all the boiling heat from the fire wanted to evacuate from people’s hearts as this one last bit of peace was ripped from them. This traffic, these drivers, this frustrating life!

Tension was high, and then, just as we were all starting to acclimate, the pandemic hit. Fear and powerlessness on top of fear and powerlessness. An underlying tension rose in each person, affecting families and relationships. Often, the frustration for a situation is funneled into a single focus, and in our Chico community it appears that the frustration of the Camp Fire and the COVID pandemic funnels much of its focus into the change in traffic. It’s the one thing that’s out of our control but feels like we should be able to control. It’s inconvenient, annoying, and flabbergasting to have to change our entire morning routines to leave early enough to adjust to this shift—a shift that is the result of someone else’s choices (PG&E), not our own. Our commutes have doubled from ten minutes to twenty, and while the rest of the world might think that’s small potatoes, anyone doubling a commute time would feel the frustrating effect.

When a person starts their morning from a position of powerlessness and frustration, it feeds into other areas of their daily living. They are shorter tempered with colleagues and family, and harder on themselves. Anxiety and stress start creeping in, and joy can feel a fingertip out of reach. Almost there, but just barely accessible. We feel not bad enough for counseling, but not as good as we used to feel.

That’s the sweet spot, where talking to a professional can help sort through the stress and guide a person to healthy management of these experiences and emotions. In turn, it allows us the space so our relationships can thrive, and we can relax into our lives. Talking can help funnel those frustrations, so we are no longer building up like a volcano and trying to talk ourselves down from it. We get it out while also getting tools to deal with it when it comes up.

Jessica has been working as a therapist since 2009, and has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#104464) since 2018. She owns and operates Inspired Life Counseling and can be reached at (530) 809-1702.

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Dr. Kevin Sorensen Originally from Chico, Dr. Sorensen grew up making the same memories the rest of us locals have—swimming in One Mile, exploring the nooks and crannies of Caper Acres, playing in C.A.R.D. league sports, etc. He attended J.E. Partridge Elementary, transferred to Paradise, and graduated from Paradise High School in 1999, before returning to Chico to attend Butte College.

He rented his first residence away from home on Lincoln Street, from none other than Sierra Nevada’s Ken Grossman, and earned his AA and AS before moving north to Humboldt State.

“It was a big change moving to the Humboldt area.” Dr. Sorensen recalled, “The 40

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temperature was a lot cooler up there, and the people had a very different mindset.

Chico was very progressive in comparison, and it was a bit awkward moving from Chico to Arcata. I cut my teeth there as a real person. It expanded my horizons and helped me see where people can grow and find themselves. My goal was to just get out of Chico and see something new. I wanted to be someone who left the comfort of their nest knowing I would eventually come back with a different take on things. I guess you could say I found that while I was there.”

Dr. Sorensen drifted for a bit, which is unusual to say for someone who ended up in the field of medicine. While trying

to decide what to do with his life, he tried his hand at art curation and even put on large music festivals, helping with Reggae on the River amongst others. “I really thought it was going to be my thing.” Dr. Sorensen stated, “As a musician myself, I truly thought I was going to be a promoter and put on concerts for the rest of my life.” In 2006, while working on one such festival, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and his world changed drastically. “I had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and it gave me a real perspective on health.” Dr. Sorensen remembered, “I promised myself, if I made it through cancer, I would dedicate my life to western medicine.” Luckily, he

pulled through and did just as he promised, earning degrees in psychology and German with a minor in molecular biology. With his degrees in hand, he decided to apply for medical school and was immediately accepted to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM).

“I was the old guy, but I wasn’t the oldest.” Dr. Sorensen laughed, “There were a couple students in their late 40s and one was 53. It was fun and a completely different world from what I had originally planned on, but I worked hard, played hard, and made some fantastic friends that I am still close with nearly 10 years later. friends while I was there that I remain incredibly close with.”

Dr. Sorensen graduated from LECOM and accepted residency at a Level-1 trauma center in Youngstown Ohio for emergency medicine. It was exactly one hour between Pittsburgh and Cleveland in one of the most violent areas of the midwest. He had a hand in saving countless lives during his four year residency, and though he loved the adrenaline rush each day provided, he was certainly ready to return to his hometown once his residency was complete.

“My goal was always to come back to Chico.” Dr. Sorensen reiterated, “All of my family and friends are here. During my third year of residency, I began courting various locations in Northern California and was given the opportunity to work at Mangrove Medical Group on Mangrove Avenue in Chico. I flew in, toured their offices, and remember being very impressed—they had a full laboratory, x-ray, ultrasound, imaging, mammogram, and DEXA scan all under one roof, which was incredibly rare for a facility of their size. Equally important, they had a great infrastructure set up, and they got things done efficiently. I did some soul searching as to whether or not I wanted to work in a hospital environment , and realized that Mangrove Medical was a much better fit for me.

Dr. Sorensen returned to Chico and began his family practice at Mangrove Medical Group in 2020. A far cry from a Level-1 trauma center, it’s exactly where he knows he needs to be. “It’s a whole different ball game between keeping people from dying and helping people live better.” Dr. Sorensen differentiates, “Right now, I’m all about helping people live longer through proper preventative care. At the end of the day, I don’t feel exhausted like I did working in a trauma center. I get to go home and celebrate.

I’m really happy that I made the switch to Mangrove Medical, and I know I got really lucky. There aren’t a whole lot of family practices out there that have everything under one roof—they’re even adding a CT scan soon. Essentially, they’re a tiny hospital, and as a former ER doctor, I want my answers right away. They can provide that for myself and my patients. My goal is to help people live now, and I want to help them live their best life. I’m excited to be able to do that!”

Having lived life on his own terms, Dr. Sorensen is ready to help his patients do the same. Schedule an appointment to see him by calling Mangrove Medical Group at (530) 345-0064.

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530-898-5925

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WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

blu egyptian: not a cover band Usually, when you have a band consisting of members ranging in age from 17 to 20, you’ll hear a lot of song covers in their sets, but Blu Egyptian plays primarily their own compositions. It’s refreshing.

Formed in 2020, the group, made up of singer/guitarist Don Jules, drummer Zach Graham, bassist Cam Fuller, and violinist/ percussionist Geo Spectrum, met in the recording arts program at Inspire High School in Chico. As with many other chance encounters, their partnership was partially due to the Camp Fire, which relocated them to Inspire.

Their repertoire centers on “World Music,” with a definite Latin rhythm and influences from Santana to Phish. They also have strong ties to jazz and Bob Dylan, in their music development, much of which originated in their rehearsal space named the “Sound Lounge,” a truly warm and musically inviting room.

One thing the group agrees upon is they are determined to play music and make a life out of it. Like many artists, they became serious about music in their early teens. “We all agree we want to make a life from music,” said Neo Spectrum. “We want to make people happy, and with music, you never get bored.”

“The Camp Fire motivated me to focus on my music,” added Cam Fuller, “I really began to love and enjoy the process. I 44

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began with a guitar and switched to the bass. It’s a perfect instrument for me.”

Zach Graham, who has been drumming since five, because he liked to hit things, pointed out, “Playing music in front of an audience puts you in a vulnerable position; you’re putting yourself on the line. But the reward is the intense emotional rush you get at the end of a set or show.”

Frontman Don Jules spoke of the journey of a song and the universal language of music. “The first time I heard ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ I knew music was in my future. That song tells a story, and that’s what music is all about—telling a story.

Whether it has lyrics or is just a jam, it tells a story.”

Blu Egyptian has been telling their story around the area. They’ve played at The Union Fork, The Foodie Café, and The Barn at Meriam Park. They will soon go on tour, with shows in Sacramento, Reno, Grass Valley, and Redding. This will showcase their upcoming album release in April.

Locally, you can catch them at The Meriam Park Barn on April 24 and another soon to be announced date at the Purple Line Urban Winery in Oroville.

You can purchase their EP “Lotus” on their website blueyptianband.com and contact them at chicogotsoul@gmail.com.

Be sure to check out “Sonata Grove.”

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By Kevin Dolan What do you do when you live in my universe, some 470 miles away, and want to take me for a walk? Well, just ask my 6-foot-7inch slender friend of some 40 years. We share a love of teaching, basketball, and visits—including intellectual confabulation. He’s 7 years older and a person to look up to, listen to, and learn from. The following is a discourse of our daily dose of “mental jogging,” via my friend’s daily text messages. You’ll notice, when I first replied, I had no idea what was going on.

March 15 - “It is better to ask some questions than to know all of the answers.” James Thurber Reply - And those questions should be accompanied with discerning pre-thought.

March 7 - Here’s a Wendell Berry contribution to your LSD: The best teachers teach more than they know...They lead us beyond what we know and what they knew. Emma Meldon - Reply - Sure do.

March 17 - On Native Here Nursery’s advertising marquee: In reality, plants are actually farming us, by giving us oxygen daily, until we all eventually decompose so they can consume us. Here’s my question: Should we be more concerned at the possibility of sentient, Tolkienlike forests plotting against humanity, or the fact a commercial nursery is a vehicle of plant-based conspiracy theories? At any rate, I’ll be striving to prolong my life against any vegetables strategies by receiving my first vaccine this morning. I never have outgrown my dislike of pointy things penetrating my skin. Reply - I, too, share your abhorrence to pointy things invading arms. Those days in the hospital proved an all out war of thinning my blood and hunting my arms for veins to pop and poke. After your vaccine, find a nursery without esoteric signage, and buy a cactus.

March 8 - WAKING INSTRUCTIONS Crawl ashore/To the damp beginning of day./Forget before and after./Allow yourself to be spelled differently./It will feel like falling. Emma Meldon Reply - Wow, love it, can heed it.

March 9 - Child is proof/We come from somewhere else/Where everyone/Flies. Lisa Brandenburg Reply - emoji of praying hands.

March 10 - Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there. Richard Feynman Reply - No wonder I love nonfiction so much.

March 11 - After all, we all want our names called through the streets all evening; we all want to be lost, and looked for, and found again and welcomed home in the smoky darkness on any summer night.

Maggie Anderson Reply - My morning mind lifts “looked for… found again...welcomed home,” as I wasn’t certain what would happen over the stay in the hospital.

March 12 - I have walked through many lives,/some of them my own,/and I am not who I was,/though some of principle being/ abides, from which I struggle not to stray -------- No doubt the next chapter/in my book of transformations/is already written./I am not done with my changes. Stanley Kunitz Reply - These morning “walks” have the overall effect of alternate expansion and contraction, leaving me with a deep connection as well as my individual searching of a soul March 13 - From The Secret Scripture - “We have neglected the tiny sentences of life and now the big ones are beyond our reach.”

Reply - Certainly guilt driven. I thought immediately of 3 friends representing this cold reality. Tiny sentences indeed.

March 14 - What thou lovest well remains, the rest is dross/What thou lovest well shall not be refreshed from thee/What thou lovest well is thy true heritage. Ezra Pound Reply - You bet Miss Ezra, “the rest is dross.” I am a fortune soul.

March 16 - John Muir bids you a good morning: “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” Reply - And try is all we’re left with, leaving us with the realization all we’ve ever needed to do is look up...

March 18 - The most beautiful music of all is the music of what happens. Irish proverb Reply -Often filled with pyrotechnic bursts of simple joy, lighting up the dark sky.

March 19 - Here are a couple of koan-like ponderables: Close your hand - do you feel an absence or a presence? Brenda Hefty The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground. Buddha Reply - The answer is both: absence when grasping at something you can’t reach, presence when you understand all that the closed hand carries in your heart. Foot tapping to the beat of the music is not feeling the ground - dancing does.

March 20 - When I don’t write, I feel my world shrinking. I feel I am in prison. I feel I lose my fire and my color. It should be a necessity, as the sea needs to heave, and I call it breathing. Anais Nin There is the prompt. Now write a 5 paragraph essay Reply - You threw me into a brick wall!

March 21 - And yet, there is only one great thing,/To live to see in huts and on journeys/The great day that dawns,/And the light that fills the world.. Inuit song. Reply - The difference between the Intuit view and my NoCal view does not diminish the incredible beauty, with hopeful promise and uplifting smiles, filling the world with much more than light.

I will leave you with this - cherish friends who stretch you.

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