Upgraded Living - August 2013

AUGUST 2013 UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

NORTHERN VALLEY LIFESTYLE

+

A MAIN HOBBIES

GARAGE BASED BUSINESS TURNED INTERNATIONAL ICON

SUMMER BUCKET LIST 58 MUST-DO ACTIVITIES BEFORE SUMMER COMES TO AN END

Table of Contents food August cover photo by: Beiron Andersson

A local business booms and ROARs. Complete with hobbies, obsessions and international races.

Jackie Greene:

Amazing musician and mega-talented wanderer makes Paradise a stop on his national tour.

12

36

Hidden Patios:

50

Ideal Protein is just what the doctor ordered.

Orland Art Gallery:

A month full of northern California art on display at the 4th Annual Group Show 10

UPGRADED LIVING | AUGUST 2013 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Home & Garden DIY Worm farm:

18

REAL ESTATE

30

Community Concours de la Chapelle:

20

Book in Review:

24

A party like Gatsby’s right here in Paradise.

Lyon Books adds to our collection of summer reads.

Profile Dina Rabo:

35

Tour a number of Butte County’s most sought after properties currently for sale.

42

Cute, quaint outdoor dining spots.

Crush Recipe:

Learn to make your own worm castings bin.

Summer Bucket List:

58 must-dos before the summer blows by.

34

Sun-dried tomato and lamb burgers are juicy and delicious.

Beef carpaccio is the perfect fresh, light summer hors d’oeuvres.

Features A Main Hobbies:

Mooney Recipe:

22

26

Arts CHIVAA Art Map

56

ARTIST PROFILES

58

The ArtAbout heads Downtown

Q&A with two inspirational local artists.

A MAIN HOBBIES

From garage based business to international RC icon.

When it comes to industry in Butte County, we have our fair share of hidden giants. Strangely, it is often these companies, employing large groups of our county’s residents, that remain largely unheard, unseen, or at the very most misconceived in what they accomplish. A Main Hobbies is one such company. With over eighty employees, the once garage-based online hobby retailer has rocketed to the forefront of the RC world, proving that big business can most definitely come from small packages.

12

UPGRADED LIVING | AUGUST 2013 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

O

riginally from Melbourne, Australia, Kendall Bennett received his first RC (radio controlled) plane on his tenth birthday. Like many boys his age, the hobby turned into a bit of an obsession. Between satisfying his need for speed and the ability to control miniaturized versions of the planes he adored, there were few other activities available that provided the same thrill and rush as his RC plane. In 1985, Kendall turned fifteen and decided it was time to bring the fun back down to earth, purchasing his first RC car.

As with most childhood hobbies, racing his RC vehicles eventually took a backseat to adult milestones. He went off to college, left the hobby behind, and lost track of the RC world entirely. He began a software company with a friend and when the company began to take off, he decided it was time to leave Australia and move to the United States.

His business partner at the time, a graduate of Chico State, had decided to remain in Chico. An ambassador for the standard of living provided here, he convinced Kendall to join him, and the two moved their small office from San Jose up to Chico per-

manently. When Kendall arrived in Chico in December of 1995, he came in search of a hobby to occupy his free time away from the software company; reminiscing of days long since passed, he stopped into Hobbytown USA and picked up an RC plane and nitro RC car.

The software company, called Scitech, focused on creating software that allowed computer games to remain compatible with the constant release of new computer hardware. What began as a consumer product, ended up becoming a mainstay for the computer gaming industry, and the company soon licensed the software to be bundled with computer games directly from their manufacturers. The product was so successful, in fact, that nearly every computer game released between 1995 to 2000 had their software in tow.

During a conversation with a friend and coworker at Scitech, Kendall revealed his guilty pleasure in RC racing. His friend happened to have the same interest and clued him into a track in Paradise where RC cars were often raced. Again, the old hobby turned into obsession and Kendall found himself spending every weekend at the track racing his RC cars against local competitors. By 2004, he had advanced his

Kendall Bennett - Owner & Founder of A Main Hobbies

skill behind the controller and had gathered a significant following, earning sponsorships from a number of RC racing groups.

Though things were only getting better on the hobby side, times were changing in the technology field. The new versions of Microsoft’s Windows platform all came preloaded with software that threatened to make Scitech’s previously must-have software obsolete. The licensing deals previously struck with gaming companies and IBM were beginning to die off and the company knew it was time to search out other pastures.

As the Internet was in its fifth year of open adoption by the masses, large corporate retailers were beginning to pop up across the web. Realizing the growing interest in online shopping, and projecting what this could potentially mean for his company’s future, Kendall turned Scitech’s focus to creating e-commerce software with the initial intention to build a new software platform to license or sell to upcoming retailers. Kendall registered AMainHobbies. com on April 13, 2004 and built a website on top of the new e-commerce software with the hopes that the domain would help the company test their software and weed out any bugs. The business was run entirely

Kendall (10 years old) with his first RC Plane Melbourne, Australia 13

World Championship RC Races

Lewis Brockus photographs a RTR RC car in A Main Hobbies’ photo lab. All 56,000 parts housed at A Main Hobbies have been photographed so RC enthusiasts know exactly what they’re purchasing. products they sell through web portals like YouTube, and their graphics department guarantees that every race their company is involved in sees the same level of attention to visual detail. Perhaps most important, their entire customer service team is also employed right here in Chico. Without the need to outsource any portion of their service, and with their customers’ trust as their number one priority, it’s no surprise that the company has quickly grown to the second largest online retailer of RC vehicles and accessories. With over 56,000 items in the warehouse that are ready for shipping at a moment’s notice, nothing is currently sold online that isn’t in the supply chain and ready to be shipped from the Chico warehouse that day.

Throughout it all, the company’s core values have remained the same, and even though the business has grown exponentially, they have managed to keep mindful of the changes, continuing to instill an everyone-knows-everyone atmosphere. With 81 employees, and more on the way, the business is set to continue its exponential growth.

Recently, the company completed construction on a nearly one million dollar outdoor racetrack that measures nearly twelve hundred feet per lap at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds next to Costco.

The track is a monumental addition to the indoor clay track currently at the warehouse and provides the ability for up to one thousand spectators to view the races at any given time. The completion of the track, alongside its pit area and other amenities, have made Chico a destination for a number of championship races that will

This year, A Main Hobbies will host two major championship races in Chico — the ROAR (remotely operated auto racers) Nationals in August, and the most prestigious RC racing event on earth, the IFMAR (International Federation of Model Auto Racers) World Finals, in September.

The ROAR Nationals will take place from August 8th through August 11th and will host the top racers throughout North America. Admission is free and Sunday is the recommended day to visit if you can only make it out for one of the four event days.

The IFMAR World Finals will be a week long event, taking place from September 22nd through September 29th, with the recommended day being Saturday the 28th. One hundred fifty racers from Asia, Australia, Europe and more will visit Chico to compete in the event, which only takes place once every two years.

The World Finals were last held in Finland in 2011 and the event only touches North American soil once every eight years.

Beginning in the late afternoon on Saturday the 28th, the racing will be staggered with a number of exciting events including a live concert, Fork In The Road gathering by our local food trucks, and a $25,000 fireworks display that is set to put the 4th of July show to shame. With a couple thousand people expected at the fairgrounds for the event, there’s no doubt that the event is sure to impress.

15

Hundreds of assembled RTR (ready-to-run) RC trucks and cars like this one are available through A Main Hobbies. provide both fun and a significant boost to our local economy.

The new racetrack is located just down the street from A Main Hobbies’ new retail store that opened on Black Friday of last year. The new 4,800 square foot location provides a place for racers of all skill levels and budgets to stop in, seek advice, buy RC vehicles and accessories, and have repairs completed at the shop.

With so many facets to the company, and the ability to host world-class events, we can’t imagine anything but continued upward momentum for A Main Hobbies. As one of our area’s larger employers and a shining example of entrepreneurial spirit, we can’t say enough about what they offer our community.

Aveed Khaki Frank Rebelo, Michelle Camy

Dan Smith tinkers with the Octocopter at the R&D Lab Visit them online at AMainHobbies.com or at 2065 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy in Chico.

We’ll see you at the races!

The ROAR Nationals

August 8th - August 11th

Derrick Threatt films an RC car tutorial with in-house expert Shaun Klobas for A Main Hobbies’ Youtube Channel 16

UPGRADED LIVING | AUGUST 2013 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

The IFMAR World Finals

September 22nd - September 29th,

PRESENTS

sunday, august 18 FAIRGROUNDS – CHICO

$0è 30 Ö $'0,66,21 $10

ChicoBridalShow.com sponsored by

Bon Voyage Travel

Concours de la Chapelle Cl a s s i c E u r o p ea n Car S how

was much more they could add.

And yet, this year, they’ve outdone themselves again.

The Wine & Champagne bar adjacent to the Art-in-the-Barn art show will provide visitors with the opporWhat will you be doing tunity to buy fine wines ($100+ bottles) by on August 24th? If you’re weary the glass while enjoying note after beautiful of summer barbecues with dress codes innote provided by a classical string quartet. volving flip-flops and shorts, then you need Proceeds from the Concours de la to check out the Concours de la Chapelle!

Chapelle go to Northern California Ballet, There are few events in the region aimed which is celebrating its thirtieth anniverspecifically at adults that provide us with sary. The fundraiser supports the ongoing the opportunity to combine elegance, class, efforts of Trudi Angel, Artistic Director and youthful fun in the same atmosphere and founder of Northern California Ballet, — think party at Gatsby’s. Imagine yourself who has devoted the past thirty years to sipping a martini, fine wine, or glass of enhancing our area’s culture and providing Champagne while wandering through cool, a wonderful outlet for young minds to lush lawns surrounded by gorgeous Euroexpress themselves. Originally opened in pean automobiles, costumed ballerinas, and Paradise, the program has recently expandfine art, then kicking off your heels (or tie) ed and will soon open the doors to its new and dancing under the stars to the rockin’ Oroville studio which will be run by Trish groove of The Alternators!

Young, furthering its reach and making the As one of Northern California’s premier program even more accessible to interestevents, the Concours de la Chapelle is the ed ballet dancers. Both centers provide a largest fundraiser for Northern California hub for dancers — beginning, intermediBallet, a world-class ballet school, located ate, and advanced — to receive training in Paradise. Between the four differently and further their artistic development. A themed bars, each with live music perfornumber of these student dancers have gone mances, the Art-in-the-Barn art show & on to earn positions at notable homes like Sale curated by Avenue 9 Gallery, exquisite the Boston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and one-of-a-kind cars, silent auction, and New York Ballet. catering provided by Italian Guy Catering, In December, Northern California Ballet Roots Catering, Blue Sugar Cupcakes, and will present its version of The Nutcracker Outback Catering, we didn’t think there

at the Paradise Performing Arts Center and will follow the performance with another in May of Don Quixote. Many of the dancers in these shows will have had the opportunity to learn and perform with Northern California Ballet thanks to generous tuition scholarships funded by the Concours de la Chapelle. Whether you’re looking to support the ballet or simply have a fantastic time in one of the area’s most elegant settings, you can’t possibly go wrong here. Visit http://concoursdelachapelle. eventbrite.com and purchase your tickets before it’s too late!

Aveed Khaki Courtesy of Chapelle de l’Artiste

Dr. Rabo utilizes the Ideal Protein weight loss and nutrition system to assist patients in finding and maintaining their ideal weight.

Dina Rabo, D.C. Born and raised in Durham, Dr. Dina Rabo completed her undergraduate studies at Chico State. Leading an active lifestyle from an early age, she always had an interest in health and fitness, and after she began seeing a chiropractor in college through the recommendation of a good friend, she knew immediately that she too wanted to be a chiropractor.

Shortly after graduating from chiropractic college she returned to Chico to begin her practice at Preference Chiropractic. After two years, she had a desire and opportunity to move to San Diego, and decided to take the job. As with many locals though, homesickness began to set in and Dina quickly found herself longing for what she grew up with. A family chiropractic practice had recently gone up for sale in Gridley, so she decided it was time to go back to her roots, bought the practice, and moved back to Chico.

A month away from celebrating her fourth anniversary in the space, Dr. Rabo’s practice has grown considerably. What once started as a chiropractic practice with a strong focus on family has branched out into providing patients with nutrition and dietary assistance as well. Utilizing the Ideal Protein weight loss and nutrition system, her practice has encouraged and assisted patients in 22

UPGRADED LIVING | AUGUST 2013 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

finding and maintaining their ideal weight. With patients already having lost as much as one hundred pounds on the program, the before-and-after testimonials adorning the walls of her office speak for themselves.

Citing the growing diabetes epidemic, and the effects of obesity on her patients’ skeletal structures, Dr. Rabo knew that a nutrition program was something that her practice had to offer for total health. The Ideal Protein program, considered by many to be one of the most effective dieting options available right now, combines a low carbohydrate intake with increased protein, accelerating the speed of weight loss seen by most low calorie diets. Best of all, the program offers tasty food options, both pre-packaged when time is in short supply and recipes to make when you have more time at home. The program has been so successful, and the demand so great, that she recently opened a satellite office in Chico that specializes in the nutrition plan alone. Thus far, she has had three patients ween off of blood pressure medication entirely after completing the program, and the number of success stories have continued to stack up.

The success of the program has continued to influence her business model, and the results have proved the importance of healthy living, both to herself and her clientele. As a result she has reached out to other local fitness success figures like Angelo Poli of Whole Body Fitness and has worked with them to incorporate even greater lifestyle changes into her patients’ lives in the areas of posture, ergonomics, and more. She also relies on her knowledge of functional medicine to help with such health conditions as thyroid problems, metabolic syndrome, and gluten sensitivity by providing a more in depth understanding of patients’ ailments through longitudinal blood work that illustrates functionally abnormal values of high triglycerides or cholesterol.

With a practice as multi-faceted and well developed as hers, it’s no surprise that her patients hold her in such high regard, and after visiting with her at her office, we can’t help but do the same.

Rabo chiropractic 490 Sycamore St. Gridley, CA. 95948 (530) 846-6262 rabochiropractic.com

Aveed Khaki Frank Rebelo

23

ice es rv ic Se Pr sy ive as c t Cl ttra A at commercial and residential window cleaning

20% off new service with mention of this ad (530) 521-1510

atouchofglasschico.com

Experience the fun and delicious Old European custom of olive oil & balsamic vinegar tasting at Chico’s most exciting new shopping destination.

Mon-Sat 9:30 to 5:00 Sun 10:00 to 3:00

530.896.1124 www.oliveasudden.com

1380 East Ave #108 Chico CA 95973

URBAN LAUNDRY Back to School Fashion

Stay fresh and warm in a fall button-up

by RVCA ($54) with slim, dark-wash Citizens of Humanity jeans ($209) to create a sophisticated style that fits.

This RVCA messenger bag ($68) is perfect for work or school. Suede Volcom high top shoes with contrasting soles ($80) add a kick to your ‘fit and the RVCA Starter hat ($34) finishes off your outfit right.

We can’t get enough of the chambray trend!

Mix and match this Splendid chambray button down ($168) with your favorite maxis, neons, or these Volcom tribal print shorts ($49.50) to ease your way into a fall look. Accessorize with a Juicy Couture Hexagon gold necklace ($98), a timeless Frye crossbody bag ($298) and TOMS wedges ($84) with a low, comfy heel and neutral color to step up any outfit.

222 Main Street, Chico

530.345.2444

Simple and chic, this Splendid dress ($138) is a great basic that can be dressed up or down. Try pairing it with these neutral, metallic UGG wedges ($165) for a polished summer look, or with your favorite ankle boots when it gets a bit cooler. This Juicy Couture tassel necklace ($68) adds a pop of color and a FRYE hobo bag ($428) is the perfect display of incomparable craftsmanship, top quality leather, and functional style.

urbanlaundry.com 25

THE BEST COUNTRY AND TALK RADIO IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA!

New Again in North Chico Rick and Marilyn Rees moved to Northern California to attend CSU Chico, and similar to many current Chicoans, they fell in love with the city and never left.

Both originally from the Bay Area, the two agree that between the gorgeous weather and charming personality of both the town and its residents, the decision to stay wasn’t all that difficult. Rick has now been a resident of the area for forty-three years — Marilyn for thirty-four — and the two have both earned illustrious careers in academia. Rick retired in 2012, after a long stay with his alma mater, as Chico State’s Director of Student Activities. Marilyn, who taught at Corning Union High School for seventeen years, eventually found her way into administration and is now the principal at Neal Dow Elementary School in Chico.

In 2000, Rick and Marilyn purchased their forever home in a small subdivision on the north end of Chico built by Ritchie Builders. The home, though exquisite, still had its fair share of subdivision subtleties. As Marilyn puts it, “After you live in a cookie-cutter home for awhile, you want to take the subdivision out of it.” The two decided to do just that, electing to focus on their kitchen as the heart of their home.

28

UPGRADED LIVING | AUGUST 2013 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Wanting to bring a new level of warmth to their home, they decided to get a bit more liberal with their use of color, selecting a palette that gives the eye more to appreciate than standard tan-colored walls. Individuality, character, and significantly more counter space were must haves on the couple’s list, and after a visit with Ric at New Again Kitchen & Bath (a referral from two separate coworkers), they knew they had found what they were looking for.

With Ric’s guidance the two decided on a Brazilian granite called Lapidus throughout their kitchen, seamlessly matching the countertop and its nuances to that of the rest of the kitchen.

The selection naturally held all of the colors contained within the kitchen, from the new cabinetry, to the paint — even the stainless steel appliances and fixtures. They purchased a deep drawn stainless steel sink from New Again’s new 14,000 square foot warehouse in Chico to complete the look and just recently selected the backsplash that will soon be added to their walls to tie the space

S

by N top ew K Chic itchen & Again o an Bath d can see wh in do f a or yo t they 2505 u!

P

together. In all, the fabrication and installation of their countertops ar k took just two days.

(530 Ave, C ) 899 hico Neither Rick nor 2 8 Marilyn could help but 88 rave about their experience during the kitchen remodel, and from the photos shown here, it’s understandable why. They simply adore their old kitchen made new again; stop by New Again Kitchen & Bath in Chico and see what they can do for you.

Aveed Khaki Michelle Camy

29

There’s something about

Sherry LandiS “Sherry Landis is by far the best real estate agent in Chico. She is professional, positive, and has incredible follow through. She helped us navigate our way through the sale of two homes and the purchase of another—all at the same time! She never missed a beat. She made sure we understood the process, and stayed in constant contact with us. Even after all three homes closed, she continued to call, email, and text just to make sure everything was going as planned. We could not have done it without her.”

— Doug anD CoLEttE RobERtS

(530) 514-4855 | landis4sale@aol.com | www.SherryLandis.com Owned over 40 years by the same seller on this tucked away street, most people don’t even know where this is at! Some original home owners haven’t left! Shhh So, this secret is....3 bedrooms/2 baths with original red oak floors that look like they were just laid, NEW dual pane windows, NEW HVAC, NEW kitchen with wood cabinets, granite slab counters, stainless steel appliances, updated bathrooms, fresh interior and exterior paints - 2 car garage and pretty ash trees! Close to the park!

This was the model home and only one owner! There have been many upgrades including travertine tiles, upgraded carpets, granite, oversized lot, owner built incustom desk inbuilt media room, color paintc with throughout, draperies, One home!

Thisspecial floor plan is terrifi areas of privacy yet the kitchen is open to thewith family room.

Beautiful yard withgalore gorgeous (can landscaped beautifully slate water fall, flowers and pool redwood be salt water), great entertaining, solarand andtwo roofmaster are justsuites a yearmake old. trees.

RV Access onpatio bothfor sides of the house Generous bedrooms, this homesized a must see! crown mouldings, coffered ceilings, wide hallways, all the extra amenities you would expect in an estate home.

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 4.0 SqFt: 3,166 Price: $429,000 Bed: 5.0

Bath: 3.0

SqFt: 3,045 Price: $585,000

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: 5.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 3,675 Price: $665,000

A the terrific Michael floor 4plan updated andhome remodeled head to Be first to see thisGalli beautiful A vintage close tofrom shopping, toe about a year ago.in Stainless steel movies, appliances, granite counters, bedroom tucked away the back of and bike trails.

Sits on a plush carpets, decorator exterior interior lush park like yard, the cul-de-sac!

You’ll lighting, enjoy sitting in and corner lotpainting, with big trees, a brand the kitchen in area looking out atpool, the newer new roof, outdoor and a termite A sparkling ground gunite 10x10 shed,clearance. wood stove, beautiful pool,like while your feet gently a large window, and shows truly a model home.

Openfireplace, floor plan with picture so many upgrades! rest on the bamboo flooring. a front window kitchen.

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 3,675 Price: $665,000 SqFt: 1,959 Price: $329,000 SqFt: 1,400 Price: $195,000

Yikes!

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

CA-DRE lic# 01084946

30

UPGRADED LIVING | AUGUST 2013 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

CONGRATS! A top ten agent in 2012!

we ter all ure ”

bERtS

s.com

m head to ers, plush k like yard, ood stove, upgrades!

Behind the iron gate on the 15th fairway awaits this captivating residence. Sheltered by majestic oak trees, this custom built home offers exquisite detailing through out the house. Beautiful wood floors, granite counter tops, security system, library and more!

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 3,415 Price: $890,000 Acreage: .64

Situated in a great location, near CSUC, downtown hospital and Emma Wilson school. Recent upgrades include new water heater, new water lines, back yard fence, new paint, new pool filter and pumps. There is also a bonus room, inground pool and more!

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,519 Price: $255,000

This home actually has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, however the county shows it as a 2 bed and 1 bath.

Recent upgrades include new granite counter tops, new light fixtures, doors, roof, cabinets, fresh paint, and new appliances, Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,266 Price: $229,000

Darling home on a huge corner lot in a great Paradise location! This lovely home features an open floor plan, large living room, laminate flooring, dual pane windows, gas stove, built-in microwave, and central heat & air.

Bed: 2.0 Bath: 1.5 SqFt: 1,315 Price: $179,000

Adorable Gingerbread House!

Charm, character and beauty in the avenues. This spotless home offers living room with fireplace, gorgeous wood floors indoor laundry, bonus room, granite counter tops, and so much more!

Bed: 2.0 Bath: 1.0 SqFt: 896 Price: $179,900

Beautiful well maintained home with tons of upgrades, featuring an open floor plan, formal living room, dining room w/ chandelier, family room with fireplace and French door over looking a darling patio with Roman columns, pergola and Bocce Ball court.

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 2.5 SqFt: 2,165 Price: $329,900

This home is absolutely beautiful and is situated in a great location!

Offering an open floor plan, high ceilings, laminate wood flooring, family and dining room, living room with fireplace, indoor laundry, and master suite with walk-in closet, this house has everything you could want.

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,437 Price: $439,000

Bidwell Park! Tucked away in a cul-de-sac location this charming home is steps away from Bidwell Park, featuring formal living room, dining room, family room with gas starter fireplace, central heat and air, wholehouse fan and more!

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,800 Price: $329,000

Darling Condo in a great location, close to schools and shopping center. Offering open floor plan, newer carpet, fresh paint, tile counters, indoor laundry, central heat and air, small yard/ patio, storage area, tile roof and assigned 2 car covered carport.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,240 Price: $119,900

Expect to be impressed! This home is truly magnificent with soaring ceilings, lavish living room with ample lighting through numerous windows, stunning fireplace, wet bar, formal and informal dining rooms, gourmet kitchen with slab granite counter tops, veggie sink, 2 garbage disposals, top of the line appliances, large pantry, security system, and whole house fan. Master suite features a beautiful 2 sided fireplace that faces in one side to the master bath. Master bath offers dual vanity, jetted tub, and walk-in shower. Too much to list. Call today to see it for yourself!

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 3,064 Price: $699,000 Acres: 1.31

Custom Built home with lots of upgrades! Beautiful formal dining room, laminate flooring throughout, RV hookups, living room with fireplace, and new roof make this home a must see. Call today!

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,867 Price: $329,000

$665,000

4946

31

Awesome 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in the country, AND...in the Durham School District! This home shows pride of ownership! Light & bright, warm and cozy! Many upgrades in resent years, include roof, carpeting, 2 water heaters, ceramic tile flooring in several rooms, & pergo style flooring in kitchen,. Professionally painted inside and out. Many large windows looking out to the surrounding orchards, & flower gardens making for a very light and bright home! Plus a large garden window looking out to a beautiful front yard. There is simply too much to list! Call today to see it for yourself!

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 2,558 Price: $278,500

Wonderful Home with Beautiful Canyon Views! This home has it all! A great home for all your entertaining! 5 bedroom, 4 1/2 bath. 2 bedrooms upstairs, 3 bedrooms down stairs. Views of Butte Creek Canyon from most windows, decking from both lower and upper levels! Entrance level features kitchen with granite counters, beautiful canyon view from kitchen window, pantry, office, lg. living room with pellet stove, dining area leading out to decking/view, laundry area, 2 bedrooms, bath rooms. Lower level features a very large den, that would make a great game room. Office/study with pellet stove, bookcasing, and a wet bar, with a slider out to lower level deck/view/yard, & 3 addional bedrooms and baths. Additional features, whole house fan, central vacuum, intercom, vaulted ceiling in the living room. Beautiful front, side and back landscaping! This is an extremely well maintained home!

2.61 lan

Bed: 5.0 Bath: 5.0 SqFt: 4,675 Price: $535,000

CA-DRE lic# 1257669

Expect to be impressed! This home sits in a great neighborhood and offers vaulted ceilings, marble tile floor in living room, and new carpet in bedrooms. The kitchen/dining has wood floors, granite counters, and stainless appliances. Gorgeous in ground pool with waterfall and so much more.. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,482 Price: $309,000

Vikki Reimer

(530) 520-4802 vikkireimer@yahoo.com

4.58 g com and 32

UPGRADED LIVING | AUGUST 2013 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

BRE Northern California Properties

Great parent/student rental.

Close to CSUC and bike path with indoor laundry, outside storage and BBQ. Open living room and bedrooms. $82,500

3101 Esplanade 2.61 acres of Office/Residential land with great traffic counts. $938,000

1217 W sacramento 1.66 acres of prime development land. $750,000

3320 Shadybrook 4.58 acres in canyon oaks with great views of the canyon, come build your dream home and enjoy the fabulous views. $259,000

Mountain living at its best and don’t forget to bring the animals as well as your toys. Home offers 3bedrooms 2baths and right on a beautiful meadow. You will also find a horse barn with three 12x12 stalls, 12x26 hay storage, 8x20 tack room, and of course a 32x50 shop.

Interior is beautifully finished in cedar planking. Home is just around the corner from the outpost and Bambi inn for your weekend or year round living enjoyment.

Roads are plowed all winter long. You cannot build this home and all of its amenities at this price.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,517 Price: $425,000

3 bed, 1.5 bath newly remodeled home, hardwood floors, granite, and detached shop for extra storage or crafts. $285,000

3 bed, 2 bath & 2 car garage.

Newly remodeled.

Coming soon. $259,000 33

“

As an artist when you challenge yourself, you’ll meet some negative feedback right along with the positive...

”

40

UPGRADED LIVING | AUGUST 2013 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

banjo, and saxophone. Often questioned about his need to play a myriad of instruments rather than focus on the guitar that he started with, he states, “There’s one school of thought which is totally legit; it says that if you want to master anything then you gotta stick with it. I should just try and be a great guitar player. But then there’s my school of thought that says I get bored trying to become a great guitar player. What I really care about is writing songs — so if a song requires me to create music on an instrument that I don’t know how to play, then I’m going to learn how to play it.”

Though his style has changed considerably over the timeline of album releases, traversing through rock, americana, and folk, the conviction and honesty in his music has remained unaltered; listening to a song from his most recent album is just as convincing now in its more polished form as it was on the gritty Rusty Nails album eleven years ago. Similar to his disinterest in tenure with any one instrument, he sees the importance of change in genre. “As an artist when you challenge yourself, you’ll meet some negative feedback right along with the positive,” he says, “but I love that different people love different phases for long standing bands... their disco phase... their country phase.. [etc]. In the end, the ability to change between genres as an artist helps you stay relevant to yourself.”

Regardless of his non-committal stance to instruments and his own recording preference, his taste in music hasn’t changed dramatically since picking up that first vinyl collection. He still falls for the same bluesy originals that he found himself enchanted by some eighteen years ago. He does however make note that the genre of music doesn’t matter anymore. If the music moves him, it finds its way to his collection, as he feels confident that he’s finally moved into the adult phase where he’s not ashamed to publically say he likes something that may not be popular. In his twenties it was considered “in” to not like The Eagles. In his thirties, he’s begun to realize how much he likes them. As he puts it, “I’m currently in a period of self-discovery and no longer guilty of guilty pleasures.

Growing up, the kind of music you liked categorized what group you fit into. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

Since his first tour for Gone Wandering, Jackie has toured with musical royalty like B.B. King, Phil Lesh, Huey Lewis, Los Lobos, Mark Knopfler, and his childhood idol, Buddy Guy. After countless gigs, festivals, and special appearances he still remains rooted in the humble persona that brought him this far, lacking any pretentious nature or stereotypical sign of success. Asked if he would ever want to step into another career for the sake of change he states, “The one constant in my life has always been music. I’ve always had music around and I’ve always tinkered with it no matter whether I thought I would make a career out of it or not. The only thing I could imagine enjoying anywhere near as much would be to play for the San Francisco Giants, though I’d probably be the oldest rookie ever.”

Jackie has played Sierra Nevada’s Big Room, Chico State’s BMU, Downtown Chico’s El Rey Theatre, Paradise Performing Arts Center, and keyboard for The Mother Hips at La Salles. He recently played lead guitar for the venerable Black Crowes and will continue to do so on their upcoming fall tour. On August 25th, Jackie will once again grace Butte County with his music at the Paradise Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased at www.JackieGreene.com/tour We hope to see you there.

41

1

Baseball, kickball, some kind of ball!

Chico and the surrounding areas have many parks to choose from. Start a company team and get to know your co-workers in a fun setting. Take the family out for some real team building and physical activity (Sorry Wii). Try Spikeball! It’s all the rage and pick-up games are Mondays at 20th Street Park. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Playing is free and if you want to buy your own set, you can buy one directly from Skyler who hosts the games.

2

Wine and brewery tasting

The Northstste is no stranger to hops, barley, and grapes. With a myriad of local wineries, breweries, and tasting rooms represented throughout Butte and its surrounding counties, the opportunity to sample the gamut close to home before making a day trip to your favorites is almost too easy.

3

Learn some healthy recipes

Although summer is still a busy time of year, it seems the pace is slowed just a bit by the heat.

Take a bit of your free time to learn and practice some healthy recipes. It’s always great to add new ideas to your food repertoire, and part of having a hot summer bod is eating healthy yearround.

44

4

UPGRADED LIVING | AUGUST 2013 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Concert in the Park So the Plaza is no longer home to our favorite old growth trees and barefoot hippies like the good ol’ days, but it’s still OUR plaza! Take it over every Friday night. Bring your lawn chairs and ice chests, let the kids play in the water fountain and start your weekend with live music and a sense of community.