The flavors in the heart of Chico

Wrapping beyond the gift bag

Holidays are a time for giving—giving of time, giving of self, and yes, giving of gifts.

It’s easy to be drawn to the convenience of the ever-popular gift bag with a tuft of tissue paper sticking out, or even the suspenseful close your eyes and put out your hands method of gift-wrapping. While these are both great options, each having their place, sometimes if there’s a little extra time, you can wrap something in a unique and beautiful way and make the gift that much more meaningful.

There are so many choices available in regards to media used for wrapping such as fabric, vintage maps, or even designing your own paper.

In Japan, the wrapping of the gift is just as important as the gift itself. It is an art form practiced throughout the year. The manner in which the gift is wrapped conveys the value of your relationship and so much more. While the intricacies of Japanese traditional wrapping may be too complex to learn quickly, the basics of the technique are fairly simple. Square cloths called Furoshiki are used. These can be made of all types of material from simple cottons to elaborate silks. You can order traditional Furoshiki online from Amazon or make your own by cutting fabric into basic square shapes or buying some thin cotton dish towels. 1. Simply lay your square fabric out so that it’s in the shape of a diamond.

2. Place your gift box in the center.

3. Fold the right point over and then follow with the left point.

4. Secure this layer with a ribbon tied across the package.

5. Next, take the top and bottom unfolded corners and smooth them as you pull them across the middle of the package.

6. Tie them in a knot and you’re finished!

You’ve created an eco-friendly, beautifully wrapped gift with a wrapping which can be used again and again.

If you are looking for something a bit funkier, consider using a map. Maps are a unique and personal way to make your wrapping special. You can find used maps at garage sales and some used bookstores. eBay also has vintage travel maps you can buy relatively inexpensively in lots of ten or more. Maybe there’s somewhere your friend has always wanted to travel to or a place that holds special memories for a loved one. At oldmapsonline.com, you can search for a specific city during a particular year and print it out at home for free. If you’re a AAA member, you can head to your local

office or get online and order free current trip maps. Once you have your map in hand, wrap your gift, tie it with some sisal twine, and that one-of-a-kind wrapping job will convey how much that person means to you.

Yet another paper wrapping idea is to have your little ones fill up a roll of paper with their own unique drawings or use some water based paint to immortalize their little hand and foot prints. Don’t have any little humans? No worries, this works great on your furry family also.

1. First, make sure you clean their paws with a damp towel and dry them well.

2. Use non-toxic washable finger-paints. If it's safe for little humans, it’s safe for your pets also.

3. Put a dollop of paint onto a paper plate and then use a foam pad to brush it onto the paw.

4. Press the paw onto the paper (make sure the paper is thick enough to ensure the paint won’t bleed through).

5. Then rinse off the paw in some warm water and allow both the paw and the newly designed paper to dry.

6. Then wrap away!

Who wouldn’t love a package scattered with tiny puppy paw prints or adorable human ones?!

Additionally, consider topping your packages off with a little extra something tucked into the ribbon or string. Try adding some fresh sprigs of rosemary from the yard, maybe a twig of evergreen, or a tiny pinecone. You could also check out your pantry and place a stick of cinnamon or a bright candy cane on the package to tickle their senses with the smell of the season. Finish it off with a special name tag, like an ornament or a tiny chalkboard sign, and your one-of-akind gift is ready to share.

Maybe this year, with a little more planning and a little less rushing, you can slow down, savor, and be present in the present-ing. Merry Christmasfrom our family to yours Downtown Chico 5thstreetclothingco.com

Downtown Chico

Your holiday Dining destination

When you consider the wonderfully compact six-block configuration, the ease of dining in our charming downtown becomes palpable. Broadway and Main, and 2nd Street to 4th, offer a corridor of possibilities, featuring myriad menus to fit any appetite. Couple this with the charming and personal shopping along the way, and the perfect holiday outing unfolds right in front of you. There remains but a single roadblock along the way—making a decision from the ‘can’t miss’ choices. Perhaps your first decision is to get a drink. Downtown Chico does not let you down by making the most wonderful time of the year even more wonderful with their joyful happy hours. A quick glance of the six-block walk points to restaurants such as Crush, Tres Hombres, and Bella’s Sports Pub to wet your celebratory whistle. In addition, most restaurants and bars have specialty drinks crafted specifically to complement the holiday season.

So, with the drinks decision made, all that’s left is that inevitable $25,000 question—where should we eat? Starting on Broadway, from Collier Hardware, and working your way north to 4th, and then circling back down Main south to 2nd, will take you to any type of desirable cuisine you may be craving. Along the way, you will run across inviting shops to

duck in for a bit of holiday shopping or just look-see browsing. In between, let your nose and ears lead the way, one to lure you in and the other to gauge the ambience your gang is drawn to. You will come upon the expected, the bustling, the spirited, and refreshing. The quaint city setting belies its diversity of food varieties—and, for certain, really great meals.

We offer this peek into what is found around each corner by riding up elevators to the floor above, walking down mystical hallways to doors revealing the magic inside, and wide open spaces beckoning you to enter. A random walking tour of the entire cityscape takes you by the following:

Tres Hombres, featuring modern Mexican eats in a lively restaurant atmosphere.

2.35" W x 4.86" H.

H T E HAPPIEST TIME OF THE Y EAR

B Street Public House and its varied venue of delicious choices, hint—Trashy Tacos.

Crush headlines a combination of traditional and contemporary Italian flavors.

La Salles offers a warm & welcome setting to enjoy indulgent eats.

Broadway Heights, overlooking downtown, with easygoing bites from pizza to soup.

The Rawbar, a vibrant sushi house, providing a wide range of rolls and PanAsian dishes.

Bella’s Sport Pub is a game-day hotspot delivering pub fare like burgers and wings.

Parkside Tap House and its self proclaimed “Creative Comfort Food” to share.

There's so much more: between BBQ, cafes, vegan, and cultural cuisine, the options are nearly endless. We fully celebrate our dining and drinking options and marvel at the wide range to select from. We also wish you a happy holiday while you answer that $25,000 question time and again.

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WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN | PHOTO BY TIM MILHORN The Student Becomes the Master

Victor Perry and Alejandro Mercado traveled different but similar paths to get to where they are today. Both graduated from Orland High School, and both became teachers before becoming administrators. They each participated in a sport they later coached at Orland High. They are homegrown products who grew up in Glenn County, and each entered the education profession to make a positive difference. Both even took on a new position in the Orland Unified School District during what has become one of the most contentious years in education ever.

Victor Perry grew up in Orland and became involved in athletics at an early age. He began wrestling for the Orland Takedown Club at 11 years old, and the sport eventually took him to third place at the California State Wrestling Finals. From there, Perry went to Sacramento City College where he earned All American Honors and rounded out his wrestling career at Southern Oregon University. He sees wrestling as a primary reason for the discipline and structure that formed his adult world. “Wrestling taught me many things about life. It gave me discipline, motivation, and it also gave me role models. I saw my wrestling coaches, as well as my football coaches, through the eyes of a little kid at first,” he said. “I remember thinking that I wanted to do what these guys are doing. I didn’t realize until later they had to teach at the same time. I thought they just coached!”

After college, Perry came back to Orland and ended up with his own roofing business, but he kept thinking back to his coaches and teachers—like Jeff Patch and Bob Rinehart—and the influence and impact they had on he and his teammates. Finally, he got into coaching, and from there began to work as an Orland High campus supervisor. When a position for a woodshop teacher opened up, he began working on a Regional Occupational Program credential so he could teach while earning the credential.

“So many things in teaching came down to timing,” said Perry. “The woodshop job opened up, and then I decided I could better serve the kids and community as an assistant principal.” As he worked