UPGRADED LIVING STAFF

AVEED KHAKI Owner/Publisher

JASON CORONA Sales Director

SHELLY BRANDON Writer

TIM MILHORN Writer

MADDIE RODRIGUEZ Writer

ERIK BROWN Cover Designer

DIANE CLIFFORD Cover Story Photographer

Contributors

DOUG LOVE Real Estate

SWEENEY & MICHEL

Finance

DERM BAR

Beauty

PAT MACIAS

Art

Community

14 Lauren Mesa wows with her thoughtful and heartfelt artwork.

18 Aaron Singer and his program Paradise Stronger strengthens the Ridge through promoting community service, health, and wellness.

21 Orland resident, Oscar Redes, demonstrates what it means to be a hometown hero.

25 Teri Tata dives takes charge in Oroville.

34 Brad Wannt wants to make your life more livable and enjoyable by clearing the clutter and bringing some calm to the chaos with his business, In Flow Organization.

47 Pat Macias unveils plans for the gargantuan expansion of one of our favorite local museums, monca!

63 We bid a loving farewell to one of Butte County's brightest lights—Ethan Wells.

Food

37 Chef Gina Giannini brings true San Francisco sourdough to Butte County, and we couldn't be more in love.

50 Resident "ingrediophile", Tim Milhorn, delivers the goods on the Apple of Grenada—our favorite fruit during Valentine's month, the pomegranate.

53 Local café patrons reveal their selfcare routines.

54 Yes, soup for you! We visit Konas on Nord Ave. and Redwood Sandwich Company on East Ave. to try their signature winter soups in this month's showdown.

57 Local artist and musician Loki Miller sits down to discuss his rise to stardom in the Chico performance scene.

Potpourri

28 Doug Love regales us with another tale of his time with local real estate icon, Ken DuVall.

35 Sweeney and Michel instruct on how to patch a hole in your financial boat.

57 Local artist and musician Loki Miller sits down to discuss his rise to stardom in the Chico performance scene.

60 Amaya Lewis reminds us what it really means to be a Cool Kid.

62 Our reimagined pet page comes alive with a number of furry friends currently waiting to find a loving home at the Northwest SPCA.

Feature

42 Self-care gurus, Tracy Riddle of Pure Hydration, Alicia Kepple of LunaSolé, and Shuree Wesley of Nutrishop Chico dish on the importance of loving yourself and all the ways their neighboring businesses provide a complete self-care package this February.

ON THE COVER: (LEFT TO RIGHT) TRACY RIDDLE, ALICIA KEPPLE, AND SHUREE WESLEY

PHOTO COURTESY: DIANE NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY