Upgraded Living - January 2023 issue

Q&A

PROFRACTIONAL ™ LASER RESURFACING WITH DR. HODARI

What is the ProFractional ™ Laser?

The ProFractional ™ Laser is a device that can address significant skin issues by taking advantage of the laser’s ability to ablate small areas of the skin while having benefits to the entire skin surface. This technology takes advantage of the “fractionated” nature of the treatment. Energy is selectively applied to small and isolated areas of the skin in order to promote the production of collagen in adjacent areas of the skin. This advanced process allows for broad, long-lasting improvement without fully ablating the skin and with minimal downtime.

What can the ProFractional ™ treat or target?

The ProFractional ™ Laser treats a wide variety of skin surface imperfections such as scars, large pores, blemishes, uneven skin tone, and a lackluster complexion. We call it our "secret weapon" because it has an extremely affordable price point, fantastic long-lasting effects, and minimal downtime.

...

What is the downtime with this treatment?

The downtime, which consists of mild pinpoint bleeding and swelling, is approximately 5 days, with the majority of those changes occurring in the first few days after the procedure. Downtime can be managed, and often shortened, with selective antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications.

How many ProFractional ™ treatments do I need?

The benefits of a ProFractional ™ Laser treatment are cumulative, but while multiple treatments do produce better results, even one treatment in some patients can make a significant difference. For other patients, especially for indications like acne scarring, it is best to anticipate about 3 treatments.

"Rejuvené is the best place in Northern California for skincare. They offer a large selection of skincare and cosmetic products, and of course Botox®, fillers, lasers, and everything else you'd find in San Francisco or any other big city. The staff and Dr. Hodari are knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. I always look forward to my visits at Rejuvené, and I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to look and feel better!"

- Cyndi A.

BEFORE AFTER BEFORE AFTER

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Happy New Year! I'm sure this will sound cliché, but it feels like 2022 disappeared in a flash. For whatever reason, each month seemed shorter than the one before, and the year as a whole felt like a race against the clock to see everyone, experience everything, and utilize every last millisecond to its fullest. Perhaps it was a result of the pent-up demand for togetherness caused by the two years preceding it, but 2022 was by no exaggeration of the word—exhausting. It was, however, exhausting in the best way possible. While I hope 2023 does find a way to slow down just a tiny bit, I can't help but look forward to the opportunities it provides, and from everything we're seeing, the year ahead promises to be a great one.

We're excited to cover some of those promising opportunities in this issue. For starters, Butte County is entering a bit of a housing boom with a number of new developments set to kick off this year like our cover story, Valley's Edge, and another, Marigold Heights. These developments and the numerous others currently underway provide new paths to homeownership for many and a greater supply of housing overall, which should generally make housing more affordable for everyone.

Throughout our communities, it seems new restaurants, stores, and services are opening each and every week, and we've been thrilled to visit a number of them recently, like the new cat café and adoption center in Chico, The Great Catsby. This unique café seamlessly blends so many different experiences into one, and the end result is wonderful to be a part of. Speaking of blending a number of experiences into one, our friends at Unwined Kitchen & Bar are kicking things up a notch and investing heavily in welcoming visitors back in for live shows. Between their delicious menu, full bar, and wide variety of shows including live music, comedy, and magic, you'll want to keep an eye on their 2023 calendar and get tickets before they sell out.

2023 promises to be filled with fun, and I couldn't be happier to see it again. My resolution is to remain just as exhausted as I was in 2022, making sure I don't miss a thing. I hope you get to experience some of that happy exhaustion too.

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

RYAN STEFANELLI Taco Tracker

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

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

Aveed Khaki

Owner/Publisher

COMMUNITY

14 After a stressful 2022, we're all looking for ways to relax. Forest therapy offers just that.

17 Travel up the skyway to Magalia, where you'll find a number of hidden treasures including Paradise Lake.

21 Judge Jesus Rodriguez takes center stage as Orland's spotlight.

25 Take a step back into a simpler time at Oroville's Bath House Museum.

35 Magnolia Heights wows with a number of new homes on Chico's Harkness Ct.

37 Unwined welcomes you to an elevated experience including dinner, drinks, and a show with their new offerings at The 980 Room.

48 Artist Reta Rickmers dazzles with lifelike paintings practically leaping off the canvas.

52 A new coloring book for adults by Lynn Abbiati's helps relieve anxiety, build self-confidence, and promote inner balance.

FOOD

47 Chef Nate Johnson takes a moment away from the kitchen at Stoble to regale us with his story.

50

Resident "ingrediophile", Tim Milhorn, researches something we could all use this month—hair o' the dog.

54 We're on a roll! Part deux of our sandwich showdown sets Chico Locker & Sausage next to Country Morning Bakery.

57

This month's caffeinated chatter explores what resolution you plan on keeping this year.

POTPOURRI

28 Doug Love remembers some of his favorite New Year's resolutions.

34 Sweeney and Michel pass along knowledge gleaned from the wealthy.

58 The Sun Followers emerge as a duet you simply won't want to miss!

60 Reagan Bartels sets a course for Taft College as this month's 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

43 The masterminds behind Valley's Edge have an ambitious new plan to offer Chicoans additional housing opportunities in-step with Mother Nature. We explore all that this incredible new master-planned development has to offer.

ON THE COVER: VALLEY'S EDGE: CHICO'S NEWEST HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

PHOTO COURTESY: BLUE FLAMINGO

Combating the "tiger in the woods" to-do list

Nature isn’t just around us, it is us, and the more we are able to find our moment, our place in this web of interconnectedness, the better for both us and our world.

“I remember a squirrel watching me for a while, and realizing that the forest could see me here, that the earth was gazing back. It wasn’t like a beautiful painting or a line from a famous book; it was a lived experience of presence and relationship.”

- Ben Page “Healing Trees, A Pocket Guide to Forest Therapy”

Forest therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku which translates into forest bathing. The practice is based in ancient Buddhist and Shinto traditions and is essentially the act of connecting with ourselves by communing with nature; soaking in the outdoors through all five of the senses. Studies have shown that the benefits of forest bathing are immense and multifaceted.

Blake Ellis, ecotherapy manager at Chico State, talks about the effects of forest bathing on the nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is our fight or flight response. If you see a tiger in the woods, the sympathetic system responds

by releasing adrenaline and cortisol which increase your heart and breathing rate, while preparing the muscles to react. “While we don’t typically have to worry about a tiger in the woods, we are exposed to chronic stressors all the time. The thing is, our nervous system doesn’t differentiate between a tiger in the woods and a long to-do list. So, our bodies are flooded with chemicals that can be toxic over time.” The parasympathetic nervous system is almost a yin to the yang of the sympathetic system. It helps us recover, heal, and rest. It slows the heart rate, elongates the breath, stops the production of stress hormones, and essentially helps us heal. Forest bathing focuses on elevating the influence of the parasympathetic nervous system. Studies have shown improved cardiovascular and respiratory functions, alleviated anxiety and depression symptoms, increased attention and self-regulation, and an overall boost to the immune system following therapeutic time in nature.

Blake shares, “Forest therapy offers a research-based sequence that supports participants in slowing down, relaxing, and recovering from stress. It awakens the senses and allows them to engage with nature in maybe a totally new way.”

The sessions take place at local parks or preserves, such as Paradise Lake or

WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve. A certified guide is present throughout the practice. They are there to hold space, bear witness, and support the participants in their explorations. The sessions often begin with the group sitting down and focusing on deepening their sensory experience and becoming in tune with what’s around them. The guide offers an ‘invitation,’ nothing prescriptive or coerced, but an ask, and each person is encouraged to engage however they feel comfortable and safe. There's no right or wrong way of practice. The guide may invite everyone to close their eyes and note what they hear, smell, feel, etc… and then share with the group if they choose.

After, the group could wander together to the next area of focus such as the lakeshore and another invitation is offered; “Think of a ‘snapshot’ of the area, maybe it’s an image of the lake, or the feel of the sun on your face, or the sound of the eagles overhead.”

The session continues with the guide fostering connections to the environment and helping to assist individuals in finding their own authentic way of interacting with the land. Blake says that the goal for the program is “to give folks the skills so that if they don’t want a guide, they don’t need one. We want to give them the tools so that they can engage in the practice on their own.”

Blake Ellis is one of 15 certified ecotherapy guides who went through a rigorous six-month certification process which includes learning the framework and ideology of forest therapy, wilderness and first aid certifications, indigenous culture and history of the area, along with local flora and fauna identification. “We want to empower our community and teach them skills to de-stress, stay regulated, and unwind. Sometimes, that takes support.”

For more information on area opportunities for forest therapy and how it can help you tackle your own ‘tiger in the woods’, check out the associated website at https://www.csuchico.edu/bccer/foresttherapy.shtml or grab a book by Ben Page called “Healing Trees, A Pocket Guide to Forest Therapy” and get started on your journey.

Pause and listen

The deep green conifers rustle softly in the wind as the pine needle and leafstrewn trail beckons visitors to explore this hidden jewel of Magalia, a clear blue-green lake surrounded by forest. John Muir said, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” This couldn’t be more true of a visit to Paradise Lake, and this quiet beautiful space is the consummate place to pause and reconnect with nature and yourself.

Paradise Lake Park offers 84 acres of forested land and 204 acres of water that are perfect for whatever type of outing you’re seeking. If it’s a day on the water you want, then this quiet lake offers two

boat launches for dropping in kayaks or boats with electric trolling motors. There’s plenty of bass, trout, and perch swimming beneath the surface to keep you busy on a day of fishing either from the shore or atop the water. The lake is used for drinking water for the towns of Paradise and Magalia, so keep to your boat as swimming isn’t allowed and neither are your four-legged friends.

The ten mile out-and-back double-track biking trail offers a nice, easy ride around part of the lake. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, the trail is perfect for a leisurely stroll or even trail running. The dirt path is level and dotted with

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY

SHELLY BRANDON

benches strategically placed to take in the beautiful views around you. The park also has a picnic area, play structure, and multiple restrooms located around the lake, trail, and gathering areas.

This quiet place of beauty tucked away in the foothills is just waiting for you to join and soak in the benefits of nature for both the mind and body. Take a step into Paradise Lake Park and listen to the osprey, the red-tailed hawks, and the bald eagle pair that call the lake home—and take some time to listen to the nature within you.

The lake is near Magalia, just north of Paradise.

Take Skyway North to Coutolenc Rd.

Turn right (east) on Coutolenc Rd.

Follow the road 2.7 miles to Lucretia Rd.

Turn left on Lucretia Road.

Follow the road to the parking area at 6853 Lucretia Road.

Paradise Lake Park is closed on Wednesdays. Day parking passes can be purchased on site for $3/day, and boating passes that include parking are $10/day. A seasonal pass costs $30 and can be purchased at the Paradise Parks and Recreation District office or online at www.paradiseprpd.com.

Paradise Lake awaits you on your journey to self-discovery or whatever it is that brings you to the outside.

Court is in session

When Jesus Rodriguez’ seventh grade English teacher told the “terribly shy” student he was in the wrong class, Rodriguez began to panic and wonder what he had done wrong. Then his teacher said, “You’re too smart for this class. You need to be in Honors English.” And this was how the kid who’d transferred to C.K. Middle School set a new course in his education.

That very same Jesus Rodriguez is now The Honorable Jesus Rodriguez, Butte County Superior Court judge, a position he never envisioned, even after earning a law degree from University of California, Hastings College of Law. Before that, Rodriguez had a hard time believing he’d ever argue a case in a court of law due to his social anxiety syndrome (a fancy term for being shy). It wasn’t until he changed

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

from a computer science major at CSU Chico, to a health education major (where he met his wife), to a political science major, and a course called Introduction to Legal Studies, that he thought, “Maybe I can go to law school.”

In the Intro to Legal Studies class, the professor used the Socratic Method to start a dialog about the Supreme Court decisions that shaped our country. He’d call on students at random and put them on the spot. “It was terrifying in the beginning, but the experience made me realize I could hold my own when it came to a career in law,” said Rodriguez.

After graduating from Chico State, Jesus married his wife, Claudia, in his first year at Hastings. “Living in San Francisco and experiencing the Tenderloin District was quite different,” he said, “but after a while you just become used to the situation.”

After Hastings, Rodriguez practiced law for thirteen years, both in private practice and as a public defender. One of the great surprises to him was how many of his clients started on the road to drug abuse with the help of their parents. “Many clients told me their parents got them started on meth when they were 13 or 14. It really surprised me, but then I came to learn how many cases were drug related.” He added, “It was a real wake up call.”

Jesus has represented a wide range of clients, from those he thought deserved another chance to those who were difficult to defend. “I enjoyed speaking up for those who couldn't speak for themselves,” he said, “but one of the toughest aspects of being a public defender is that you’ve got to get used to losing.”

The losing changed when a retiring judge told Rodriguez he should apply for the position. In 2017, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Rodriguez to fill the vacancy left by the Honorable James F. Reilly. Being on the other side of the bench has presented a whole new set of challenges, but Rodriguez has held to his moral compass. “I want people on both sides to be heard. They’re in court, so it may be a low point in their lives,” he said. “If I can give deserving people another shot

at a better life, I will. They just need to be serious about it. On the other hand, I have no qualms about putting away violent offenders.”

Rodriguez feels that losing his dad between seventh and eighth grade helped prepare him to be a lawyer. “I was an only child and after I lost my dad, I had to translate for my mom. I think it helped prepare me to be a lawyer because here I was, this shy little kid translating to doctors and nurses. It forced me to grow up in a positive way.”

Another thing that keeps him on his toes is being a father. His son, Roman, is a very talented artist, while his daughter, Lucia, is a natural athlete who participates in multiple sports. Jesus says being a father can be a challenge, but you just have to try your best every day. “Sometimes being a parent is harder than being a judge.”

Rodriguez enjoys giving back to the community by visiting schools and lecturing or conducting mock trials. The kids are appointed as lawyers and argue to a jury. A favorite topic is the Salem Witch Trials. “Fifth graders want to hang the witch every time,” he said. He also enjoys visiting high school civics classes to talk about the law and being a lawyer and judge. “Being back in the classroom is definitely rewarding,” he added.

And that seventh grade English teacher who had Jesus change classes? I’m still convinced I made the right choice.

WRITTEN BY MADDIE RODRIGUEZ

Reflection and Renewal on the River

Along the banks of the Feather River, upstream from the Thermalito Bridge and across from the fish hatchery, there is a stone building that has stood stoically alone for almost a century. A Works Progress Administration project from the 1930s, the bath house at the Feather River Nature Center was originally built to house showers and restroom facilities for bathers who were looking to take a dip in the cool waters of the Feather River. A lovely beach and swimming area, shaded by large mature blue oak trees, had been formed along the banks of the river by

the natural flow of the current, and it was a popular destination for the citizens of Oroville in a time before air conditioning. Picnicking, fishing, and swimming were popular pastimes on this calm and peaceful waterway.

Many years before Oroville was settled, in the days before the Gold Rush, the same site was home to a Maidu fishing village where the Chinook salmon were thick in the water, and the oaks yielded great harvests of acorns. When gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill, the

area became popular with gold miners looking to strike it rich. In 1926, the area was established as a city park and what many believe to be the very first in Oroville. The bath house was built in 1936 and supported the swimming area. Unfortunately, the happy times on the shores of the lake were not to last. In December 1937, a massive flood undercut the river bank, uprooted the beautiful trees, and washed out the beach and caretaker’s home, changing the flow of the river and creating a dangerous undertow, which made the previously

peaceful recreation area unsafe.

Just over a year old, the bath house was summarily abandoned and left to deteriorate. It sat for many decades, battered by the elements and desecrated by vandals, until a group of concerned citizens banded together in the 1990s to save it and turn it into a nature center. Today, it is surrounded by native plant and pollinator gardens that come alive in the spring, summer, and autumn months with busy bees, butterflies, and birds. It’s the perfect place for a walk, or for sitting peacefully on the low wall behind the bath house, feeling the breeze off the water and meditating on the wild beauty of the surroundings. Birds call, but they can hardly be heard over the mingled sounds of rushing water and wind.

On the weekends, when the museum is open, there are great opportunities for kids and adults alike to learn about nature and the area where they live. Featured exhibits on such subjects as taxidermy, geology, and Native American culture and history offer insight into the habitat and the opportunity for deep reflection about those who came before. Outside, benches and both walking and biking trails offer a chance to take in the wild surroundings against the breathtaking

backdrop of the Feather River. A walk here clears the mind and offers something restful that we often feel is missing from our busy lives. Gazing down at the rushing water, you can imagine those bright sunny days when children would splash in the shade of great oak trees, and though the fate of the original park is somewhat sad, what it has become almost a century later is beautiful and meaningful—yet another chapter in the long life of the river.

The museum and surrounding native plant and pollinator gardens located on Old Ferry Road are operated by the City of Oroville’s Parks and Trees Department and are open to the public April through the end of October from 10am to 2pm on Saturdays. Guided tours of the grounds and museum can be arranged by calling (530) 538-2401. Volunteers are needed in order for the center to be able to adequately meet staffing needs, create educational programming, and implement new programs and services. If you’re interested in volunteering at the Bath House Museum, please contact the Oroville City Docent’s Association at (530) 538-2497, or visit their website for an application: https://www.cityoforoville. org/services/parks-trees-department/ docent-information

Happy New Year

My wily old real estate mentor, Ken DuVall (KDV), loved New Year’s resolutions. He loved Christmas, too, as much as anyone I’ve known, but he loved the start of the New Year far more than anyone I’ve known.

KDV was an encyclopedia of jokes, a collector, and he was a connoisseur of New Year’s resolutions.

“Hey, babe,” he said back in the day, “I’m gonna share my New Year’s resolutions with the gang at the next multiple listings meeting in my little annual year-end speech. You know how I stray toward the inappropriate. Tell me if you think I’m too off-base.”

Driving his car, KDV toked on his handrolled cigarette and flicked ashes out of the skylight. He rattled off his proposed New Year’s resolutions rapid-fire, something like this:

“My first resolution is to stop procrastinating. I’ll start sometime in the spring.

I resolve to make better bad decisions.

I resolve to stop forcing things...like making resolutions.

I’m making a resolution I won’t break: I resolve to eat more, swear more, and tell more inappropriate jokes.

I resolve to make better bad decisions.

I resolve to not break my resolutions, like the resolution to stop making resolutions.

I thought of making a resolution to stop being a jerk. But, hey, I’ve never been a quitter.

I’m determined to not have a lousy year. I’m going to do it one day at a time.

I resolve to keep faking it till I make it. It’s never too late to be who I might have been.

The reason for doing my job will no longer be about the money. It’ll be about the amount.

I resolve to be more optimistic. I will continually keep my cup half-full—with beer, rum, vodka, whiskey.

I resolve to complete the resolutions I set for myself last year, which were passed down from the year before, that were actually from the previous year, originally set the year before that, but truly started a few years before…”

There were a few more; the off-base ones he omitted from his speech.

KDV followed up with an email with these and more one-liners downloaded from his personal stash of jokes he carried around in his brain. The last line of his New Year’s resolution cavalcade:

“But seriously, babe, you know I live by one resolution every year. ‘To conquer the world with the mighty truth: Love conquers all.’”

Doug Love is Sales Manager at Century 21 in Chico. Email dougwlove@gmail.com. Call or text 530-680-0817.

Escape the noise of city life and settle into tranquility at this home nestled well into Canyon Oaks, Chico’s most sought-after gated community. This three bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom getaway is located on a quiet street, closed to through traffic, directly across from Canyon Oaks Golf Course and backing up to one of Chico’s most beautiful nature preserves. With a large balcony on each floor, you’ll have ample opportunities to observe hawks soaring above, deer raising their young below, and all kinds of other wildlife in their natural habitat. In the winter months, a seasonal creek often appears, meandering through the preserve. Welcome the sun with your morning coffee on the top floor’s balcony or wind down in the evening with a skinny dip in the hot tub located on the private balcony adjacent to the primary bedroom. If a movie is more your speed, enjoy

it in your private theater on the opposite side of the home. This property offers ample natural lighting throughout with an open concept floor plan on the top floor. There you’ll find a beautiful kitchen—with granite countertops, loads of cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances— which opens to a full dining room and living room with a gas fireplace. The 2-car garage, laundry room with included washer & dryer, and first bedroom and bathroom are also located on the top floor, perfect for accommodating guests. On the bottom floor, you’ll find the massive primary bedroom with en-suite bathroom complete with dual vanity, walk-in shower with dual shower heads, privacy toilet door, his-and-hers closet, one of which with a large walking closet. The bottom floor is also home to a sizable third bedroom, bathroom with shower-in-tub, and expansive media room. With

energy rates on the rise, you’ll love this home’s energy-saving features like ceiling fans in every bedroom and dual-zone HVAC, allowing you to control each floor’s climate independently of the other. For those with attachment issues, this home offers more storage opportunities than you could imagine. If you have a dog with attachment issues, you’ll appreciate the fenced in shared yard that’ll give you the space you so desperately need. If your partner has attachment issues, the golf course is just a stone’s throw away. This home and community have so much to offer. There’s even 24/7 armed security. Unlike a customer service phone call to get your satellite tv fixed, this listing won’t last forever. Call to schedule a showing today.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0

SqFt: 2,164 Price: $558,570

"Effie's knowledge and skills are unsurpassed in her field. She is a true professional. She is patient, kind and always has her client's interest in mind. I can't say enough good things about her to do her justice except you are in good hands if you're lucky to have her as your agent."

-Pamela Fuller

We interviewed three agents and by far, Sherry Calbert shined above the others. She was very friendly, personable and upbeat with a very positive attitude. I could tell she had a lot of experience and she was very energetic.

In addition to the excellent way that she handled every aspect of selling our house, her communication skills are top notch. She kept me informed right away and thoroughly. Also, what I really appreciated was her continual upbeat positive attitude which helped me stay positive throughout the selling period.

Sherry Calbert's honest and professional approach to all matters and attention to detail was very impressive." - Vikki Gillett, Chico

A great 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a 2 car garage, located in the Northern part of Chico. It's at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, has an open floor plan, indoor laundry, and a nice size main bedroom with two closets, and en-suite bathroom. There are Laminate floors through out with the exception of two bedrooms that have brand new carpet installed. The yard is fully landscaped with a pond and waterfall feature in the backyard that creates a tranquil Zen atmosphere. Plenty of yard space for pets or entertaining, and includes a storage shed. This well cared for home is a must see and move in ready! Come take a tour.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 1,119 Price: $379,000

Spectacular EPICK BUILT HOME with OWNED SOLAR with a very modest Tru-UP bill!!! You will instantly be impressed by the spacious open floor plan and PARK LIKE back yard, all located in North Chico. The separate dining area is perfect for large family meals and holidays. The gourmet kitchen features a lovely breakfast nook overlooking the gorgeous backyard. You will enjoy the spacious covered patio for entertaining or just relaxing. Home features 3 bedrooms plus an office perfect for working at home or the telecommuter. Oversized master suite has a spacious walk in closet, french doors opening to the backyard and a hotel-like master bath, you will be impressed!!! The bonus 1/2 bath is located close to the 3 car garage making it easy to wash up as you come in. HAVE AN EPIC HOLIDAY SEASON IN THIS EPICK BUILT HOME!!! Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,564 Price: $769,999

Looking for some room on a quiet cul-de-sac, this home has an open floor plan, potential RV access on both sides of the house, a large backyard, updated appliances, two full baths upstairs, and a half bath downstairs. Newer flooring. Rotary Centennial Park is just a few blocks away. This is a great value. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 1,324 Price: $375,000

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

SherryLinnCalbert@gmail.com

SOLD

Bidwell Park is right by your doorstep in a location so rare and beautiful, the word "magnificent" seems like an understatement. You will be in awe when you enter this stunning home. Recently updated, this residence offers an open floor plan, generously proportioned rooms and peaceful ambiance. The family room is spacious and boasts a beautiful gas fireplace perfect for snuggling up during those cold rainy days. The lavish living room and the formal dining room are perfect for large gatherings and entertaining families and friends. You will marvel at the gourmet kitchen and love the master suite. From its cork flooring, to its tankless water heater, central vacuum system, security system, whole house fan, plantation shutter and finally its OWNED SOLAR system, this Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,486 Price: $795,000

Situated in a great neighborhood in lower Paradise with easy commute to Chico. Prior to the Camp Fire, this amazing property once held a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1370 sqft home with a 2 car garage. The previous home was on the PID water, septic tank and had a natural gas. The seller does not have any information about the condition of the septic tank, buyer is advised to investigate to his / her own satisfaction.

Price: $44,500

If you are looking to build an elegant home in an upscale neighborhood, then this is the place for it!! Located in a great cul-de-sac location, this 1+ ac lot once held a stunning home which offered a 3183 sq.ft, 3 bedrooms, 3 bath and much more. There's plenty of room for a large home, a multi-car garage, pool, garden, yard etc. Acres: 1.02 Price: $49,900

Tranquility!!! Where the eagles soar above, you will discover this magical place. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac, this 1+ acre lot once boasted an elegant 3100+a sqft, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, newer 10 years old home prior to the camp fire. Awake to the sounds of singing birds and commune with nature here!

Acres: 1.02 Price: $65,000

Own a piece of PARADISE!!! If you are looking for your private estate property, then come and see what this gorgeous 1+ acre parcel has to offer. Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac location, it will take only one look to know this is where you want your dream home to be. While its heavenly, the price is down to Earth. Bring your blueprint and build! Acres: 1.02 Price: $59,000

"My wife and I have bought and sold several properties and we have worked with many realtors. Effie Khaki is by far the best realtor we have ever worked with. She is intelligent, kind and a great communicator. I hope to work with her again."

-Dr. Erik Simchuk, Chico

Insurance

www.Dahlmeier.com

Chico 1368 Longfellow Ave 530.342.6421

Wisdom From The Wealthy

Another year, another resolution to ‘tackle those finances’ or ‘get better with money’. Everyone’s situation is different, but here is some of the wisdom we’ve gleaned from financially successful people:

Most wealthy people are buyers (not sellers) during a down market.

A good investment strategy you can stick with always beats a great one you bail on.

Paying off credit card debt is usually the safest and surest investment return.

The best time to use debt is to buy stable assets that appreciate.

Your savings rate impacts your net worth more than your rate of return.

A rainy-day fund is the best way to plan for unplanned emergencies.

Oroville 2080 Myers St 530.533.3424

Willows 305 N. Culver Ave. (Lambert Insurance Agency) 530.934.3361

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

Insurance is one of the few things you buy and hope not to use—it’s possible to have too little or too much.

Tax evasion is illegal; tax avoidance isn’t. If you file taxes on your own, check with a CPA now and then to make sure you’re not missing potential deductions.

A trust and/or estate plan can allow someone else to speak for you if you’re unable to speak for yourself.

What you make is not as important as how much of it you keep (after taxes and fees).

Paying yourself first is the best way to save. Automate it whenever possible.

Enjoy your life today but set something aside for the future. One day you might get there.

If you’d like some help specific to your financial plan, give us a call any time at 530-487-1777.

Renée Michel, MBA and Joe Sweeney, CFP® | 196 Cohasset Road, Suite 100, Chico CA 95926 (530) 487-1777 | renee@sweeneymichel.com | joe@sweeneymichel.com | www.sweeneymichel.com

This is not tax advice. | Sweeney & Michel, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser. This brochure is solely for informational purposes. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Sweeney & Michel, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Sweeney & Michel, LLC unless a client service agreement is in place.

WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

A Passion For Building

A picturesque 1930’s summer cabin built in Modjeska Canyon along the western slopes of the Santa Ana mountains—this is where Pat Burns’ lifelong passion of bringing home dreams to life began.

At just 21 years old, Pat envisioned a remodel of the single-walled vintage cabin and thus began his first home building project. Once into the remodel, he realized he needed to tear down the old cabin, start over, and make some additions. He said the neighbor whom he bought it from, “went into shock realizing he sold his house to a 21 year-old that just tore it down. It took a year of weekends to build since I was working full time, but it is an amazing house.” In 1985, as the city grew closer and closer to the country of the canyon, Pat decided to move up to the foothills of Paradise in order to retain that country-style living. He got his general contractor’s license in 1986 and has been building dream homes for himself and others ever since.

He and his wife Karin have been married for 39 years and live in the home he built at the edge of Butte Creek Canyon. They have four sons, two of whom are farmers and two, like him, that are involved in construction. Pat’s first company was Pacific Crest Homes, which then turned into Pat Burns Builder. He

has now decided to alter the name to Burns Builders to reflect his intention of including his sons in the enterprise and eventually “passing the torch on to them with the family name.” Pat has built over 1,200 homes in the Chico area since arriving here 35 years ago. He’s built both single and multi-family projects, as well as private and commercial properties, but says his specialty is in building single family homes.

When asked about the challenges he faces in the construction business, Pat discusses his difficulties with the recent supply chain issues. He says, “We have to purchase windows, doors, garage doors, and appliances up to a year in advance due to shortages and price increases and then deal with storage and transportation of those materials. Thankfully, the supply chain issues are finally starting to ease up.” The other challenge for the construction industry, which unfortunately isn’t letting up, is locating qualified workers. For every five journeymen or trade persons retiring, there is only one replacement. Industry experts say that trades have lost almost a million skilled workers since 2007 who still need to be replaced, and as more journeymen retire, that deficit grows exponentially. Pat, however, is fortunate to now have a core group of amazing subcontractors in

his business. Many of them have worked for him for 15-30 years and have had “enough foresight to train the younger generation and bring them up through the ranks.”

Burns Builders’ current project is the Marigold Heights development located off of Marigold Avenue, just south of Eaton Road. This collection of homes on Harkness Court has a “classic farmhouse aesthetic” that brings to mind the feeling of living out in the country and in fact, they’re less than a mile from Bidwell Park. Clients can choose from one of three traditional plans; The Farmhouse, The Stablehouse, or The Fieldhouse, ranging in size from almost 2,500 square feet to just under 2,000 square feet. The historic carriage-style garage doors and fiber cement batten board siding lend themselves perfectly to that farmhouse feel.

Pat Burns has painstakingly built up his company over the past three decades to include skilled craftsmen who share his vision of building dream homes for those people in his community looking to find their own special spot to live and grow. To schedule a tour, contact their exclusive realtor, Jayme Foster at jaymelfoster@gmail.com or (530) 592-6211. You can also stop by their current project at Harkness Court and see if your new home is waiting for you.

WRITTEN BY MADDIE RODRIGUEZ PHOTOS BY KEN PORDES

The Other side of unwined

When Frank and Melinda Kennemer set out to craft the concept of Unwined, they focused on one thing zealously: their guest’s experience. It was, and continues to be, the guiding principle upon which all parts of their business have been developed, and they have gone to great lengths to ensure the experience they deliver cannot be regarded as just a dining experience, bar experience, or entertainment experience, but rather a culmination of the three. Their continued and constant investment in their event space, The 980 Room, is the final piece to this puzzle.

Literally on the other side of Unwined’s dining room wall you’ll find the banquet and event space called The 980 Room which hosts, along with private events, shows featuring local bands, magicians, and comedians. The space itself is perfectly sized so guests can feel like they’re part of an intimate group. “There aren’t many places around here that are built for 50

to 100 people,” Frank smiles. “It’s either a lot more, or a lot less. The 980 Room is that kind of in-between size, so we can have a more intimate show, whether it be music, comedy, or magic.” Frank hires local performers and artists because he believes in supporting home-grown talent. “A lot of them have day jobs, and I believe we’re allowing them to fulfill their passions here,” he beams. “I think we’re facilitating that aspect of fostering their creativity.”

The 980 Room at Unwined is a great place to relax and have a fun time by taking in a talent-filled performance or cutting up the dance floor. Whether you’re with a group or on your own, you can stop by the restaurant for an appetizer or dinner and drinks before heading next door to enjoy the show. There’s no need to drive anywhere, look for parking, or worry about making the curtain on time; everything you need for a great night out can be found in one location. “You can’t beat our location for the safe parking,

the easy and very convenient in-and-out, and how centralized we are,” Frank says. “We’re more than just a bar, so you can come in and have a good meal and then see a show.” Few places in town can offer anything similar.

A great meal at Unwined is an experience in itself, since many of the items on the menu, like the wild game, are unique to the restaurant, and all of them are made with care and attention down to the smallest detail. “One of our most popular dishes is the wild boar Bolognese,” Frank humbly brags. “We soak the boar in red wine and rosemary all night long, and we import the pasta we use from Italy. It’s a great dish; think wintery comfort food with a little focaccia on the side. It’s the Old-World way of doing things. It's all in the details.” Even the appetizers are something to write home about. In a previous issue of Upgraded Living, we highlighted Unwined’s charcuterie board, which is truly a meal

itself. Packed with delightful finger foods including beautiful fruits and cheeses and savory meats, nuts, and crackers, it’s the perfect accompaniment to a red or white wine flight.

Unwined began life as a wine and tapas bar, but with time it has matured into an impressive full bar and full-service restaurant that features a hand-picked selection of some of the best steaks to be found anywhere. Frank, who grew up in Texas and spent a good portion of his early career in the steakhouse industry, knows what it takes to produce quality meat and is particularly proud of the restaurant’s beef offerings. “You don’t have to be a steakhouse to serve great steaks,” he says. As far as he is aware, Unwined is the only restaurant in town to offer cuts of Wagyu, a Japanese breed of cattle brought to the United States in the 1970s that produces steaks with beautiful marbling. Wagyu cattle are, according to the American Wagyu Association, “prized for their rich flavor” and are producers of “arguably the finest beef in the world.”

On its menu, Unwined features high quality hand-cut Wagyu center-cut sirloins, Wagyu New York steaks, and double-aged ribeyes alongside mouth-watering sides like garlic mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. If you’re feeling the need to customize your entree, a variety of toppings for the steaks are available, including Point Reyes blue cheese butter, Frank’s Style—a mix of shiitake mushrooms, tamari, and jalapeños— and shrimp diavolo. Any way you style it, and whichever one you get, it’s impossible to go wrong when you order a steak at Unwined.

Having been around for a while, Unwined is not new to the bar business. “We’ve always had a lot of focus on wine,” Frank remembers. “But whiskeys are very popular right now.” Enter whiskey flights—pours of different whiskeys arranged in a wine stave that, like wine flights, offer the taster a range of choices from different regions. For example, the Irish whisky flight includes the Redbreast 12-Year-Old single-pot still whisky, Green Spot single-pot still whisky, and Jameson’s Caskmates Stout Edition. “We’ll experiment with our flights sometimes,” Frank says. “We’ll use the same distiller, but they’ll have 3 different styles, so someone could try regular Jameson Green, and then

WRITTEN BY MADDIE RODRIGUEZ PHOTOS BY TREVOR CLAVERIE

Jameson Black, and Jameson Stout. You could do the same thing with Dickel or Jack Daniels or Jim Beam or any of the distillers for bourbon, too.”

Frank and Melinda are also trying something new with bottled barrel-aged cocktails. For the first time, visitors to Unwined can take their cocktails home with them, since each bottle contains enough alcohol for about 15 mixed drinks. “We buy the barrels, and we buy the whiskey, then we barrel age it here and we blend it into making our own cocktails,” Frank explains. “I label the side of the bottles for full transparency, so people know what we’re using. We’re just kind of playing around with it.” Currently, Frank has 40 liters of whiskey curing in 10-liter casks, waiting for its turn to be bottled and enjoyed.

And if you’ve got brunch on your mind, Unwined is a great place to catch up with family and friends over bottomless mimosas and your classic brunch favorites. However, the most exciting parts of brunch at Unwined are their unique menu offerings that you won’t find anywhere else in town like their chimichanga carne asada burrito, breakfast pizza, eggs in purgatory, and so many more. They’ve also got a bloody Mary bar that offers 25 different toppings and mix-ins, including Brussels sprouts, pickles, carrots, olives, asparagus, beets, and horseradish, along with the more traditional tomato juice and celery. “We find people really love and enjoy playing with their food,” Melinda says. “The server delivers the drink to you with a double pour of vodka, and you customize at the bloody Mary bar. It’s practically a full lunch right there!”

Unwined is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 4 to 9 PM. They’re open for brunch Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM, and Sundays from 9 AM to 2 PM. Happy hour runs from 4 to 6 PM Wednesday through Saturday. Visit the restaurant on the web at www.unwinedchico.com to view current menu offerings and make reservations. The banquet room can be used for a variety of functions, including dances, parties, and private events, and can be booked by filling out the event room proposal available on their website, under the heading Private Parties. For those live shows we mentioned, check out their calendar of upcoming shows and dates on page 58.

Celebrate C o m e

the New Year!

happy new you!

Yay, we got through the holidays! Now let's get back to taking care of ourselves. Our skin suffers from holiday stress, cold temperatures, artificial heating sources, and just not having the time to devote to our skincare regimens due to the busy holiday hustle and bustle.

Refresh, rehydrate, and get back to some skincare basics. Keep your skin squeaky clean with a good cleanser designed for your skin type; oily, dry, combination, or normal.

Moisture is important in the cold, dry months. Pick a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid to keep moisture locked in for the whole day.

Antioxidant protection is also key for weatherizing your skin against the elements. Vitamin C can protect against environmental damage including sun, wind, and cold, give you a healthy glow, and prevent future damage.

Serums with copper peptides, Vitamin E, and growth factors can strengthen the skin's support structure and improve elasticity. Retinol or Tretinoin products can facilitate cell turnover to keep your skin exfoliated and smooth during the winter months. And sun damage can occur even on rainy overcast days! UV rays can penetrate clouds, your car windows, and can get to your skin even through rain, hail, and snow! Sunscreen is important to keep your skin healthy—rain or shine.

Your skincare professional can recommend the best products and regimen for your individual needs and skin issues. Make a New Year's resolution to give yourself the best skin possible by committing to a skin care routine that you can stick with all year long!

Downtown Chico 5thstreetclothingco.com

WRITTEN BY MADDIE RODRIGUEZ

Valley’s Edge: Living in Step With Nature

One of the things we Chicoans cherish most about our town is Bidwell Park and its network of beautiful paths, bike trails, and open space. We love that it’s a quiet, semiwild place where cars are restricted, wildlife can be glimpsed and appreciated, and the whole family can go to find a measure of peace and happiness. Formed from land donated to the town over one hundred years ago by Annie Bidwell, Bidwell Park has been the scene of many a picnic, bike ride, and sporting event, and it’s where people come to play, relax, and rediscover themselves. However, unless you live on Vallombrosa or E. 8th St., it’s not possible to walk out your front door and into the park.

A proposed development in South Chico would redefine where one can get away and connect with nature within just a few feet of home. Meet Valley's Edge, the proposed land development plan that is the first of five special planning areas designated in Chico's 2030 General Plan to come forward. Bill Brouhard, the lead planner and developer who has been working on

the Valley’s Edge project for the last 14 years, believes that the proximity to nature the proposed development allows for will add much to the lives of the people who will live there, as well as add tremendous recreational value to the town as a whole and conserve large swathes of vulnerable, ecologically significant land. The plan is to build approximately 2,700 homes over the next several decades, hewing closely to five guiding principles. “The principles are what I used early on to kind of bring focus to the team,” Bill says. “I said, everything we do here has to meet and implement these five principles. That’s the glue that holds a team of professionals together. If there’s anything not consistent with this, we don’t do it.”

The five guiding principles for Valley’s Edge are simple, but impactful. The first is to implement Chico’s General Plan for 2030. The second is to listen to the land, meaning that in addition to providing protection for the flora and fauna that already call it home, the plan will look to the land for cues to figure out the most suitable places to build.

The third principle is that dirt is good, and play is transformative. The Valley’s Edge plan will create a trail network that will “provide alternative and safe travel routes for formalized and inclusive parks and playgrounds”. This will allow residents to get out of their cars and for kids to discover new ways to play. The fourth principle is to promote a healthy and sustainable community, which Valley’s Edge will do by planning and designing in such a way that it makes it easier for people to live healthy lives. And finally, the fifth principle is to complement Chico, which means creating and implementing a development that not only is a great place to live for many residents and in sync with the existing town but also helps grow the area economically by providing jobs and affordable housing options, as well as investment opportunities.

The site for Valley’s Edge is located along the eastern foothills, below Paradise and Butte Creek Canyon, along the old Doe Mill wagon road. It is a site home to pioneer-era rock walls, seasonal creeks, endangered

to preserve so much and still integrate capacity for Chico to, over time, have housing as the demand will dictate.”

Valley’s Edge is a 1,448-acre site. Half of it will be preserved as open space, creating a framework within which homes and a village core will be built. “The land itself really kind of speaks to what should happen,” Bill says. “By developing in areas that are primarily open grazing land, that leaves the site free to be developed in a manner that is respectful to existing natural areas.” This open space framework will allow for the protection of the land’s heritage—including over 5,000 oak trees—utilizing “avoidance

Although Valley’s Edge is large, it is a well-planned development that follows the guidelines of the City of Chico’s 2030 general plan and shuns the notion of sprawl. “The general plan told us a decade ago, this is what your area should look like,” Bill says. “So we followed that menu, and then we spent a decade listening and talking to hundreds of people, and changing things and adding things, and that’s what the Valley’s Edge Specific Plan is. You don’t want uncontrolled, chaotic sprawl. You want thoughtfully planned areas where, as the community has a need for housing, those areas can provide land for homes. This

is where master planning comes in.” Bill believes there are two ways to build, and one is infinitely preferable, especially in a town as special as Chico. “If your goal is to provide capacity for 2,700 homes, you could do that by creating 100 20-lot subdivisions, but what’s better for the community?” he says. “To do that in individual orchards scattered around the city over the next forty years, or to take an area that’s 1,450 acres, and plan over half of it as open space?”

Master planning creates the framework for future development. It’s how a master developer builds out the vision and guides the decision on land use development and preservation. Unlike infill projects that are forced to work with—and put further strain on—existing resources and infrastructure, master planning makes the connection between structures, the surrounding environment, and how people will interact with them and with each other. Master planning is the guiding foundation to shape the land’s urban development. Valley’s Edge has plans to offer buyers a choice of myriad housing types, which will provide affordable homes for a multitude of residents. Over half of these homes will be single-family homes and entry-level and workforce housing, like condominiums and small-footprint cottages. Additionally, the plan is to build fireresistant and energy and resource-efficient homes and provide community gardens, composting facilities, and workshops to promote the sustainable sourcing of food. A senior community has also been planned for the site with different types of housing available within it and many opportunities for social connection and recreation.

Naturally, in our area, fire is a big concern. The planners have taken this into careful consideration when creating the specific plan and have come up with forwardthinking ideas that will change how communities in fire-prone areas are built in the future. For example, one of the recreation lakes will also serve as a fire suppression pond, holding water that can be quickly accessed by firefighting personnel. Additionally, the planning area’s extensive network of trails will be built wider to serve as evacuation routes and to accommodate emergency vehicles. They will also act as fire breaks. “With the Fire Department's input, the range of programs and practices outlined in the Valley's Edge Specific Plan are designed to protect people, property,

and the area's natural resources,” says Fire Chief Steve Standridge, of Chico Fire Rescue.

In addition to the over 700 acres of protected open space and the forwardthinking fire suppression strategies, the many amenities of Valley’s Edge will also include a 36-acre public park with a bandstand, spray park, playground, dog park, stadium, and sports court; an enormous community garden from which restaurants in the Village Core can take produce to incorporate into their menus; a community center; two lakes where residents can fish, use paddling boats, and observe waterfowl; and an extensive network of pedestrian and bike trails that connect everything. These trails are intended to make it easier for people to live healthy lives by decreasing dependence on cars and will create a safe environment for children to ride their bikes, families to take walks, and runners to exercise without needing to worry about vehicle traffic. Interspersed with small parklets and with stunning views of the preserves, opportunities the development offers for fostering community and promoting healthy living and appreciation for nature are virtually endless.

Valley’s Edge provides an opportunity, where few exist in Chico, to live among nature with a network of bicycle and pedestrian trails just steps from your back door. It promotes intergenerational living and is something that generations of families can enjoy together. With plans for a Village Core with restaurants and businesses as well as an elementary school, people could live, work, and go to school without ever needing to get into their cars. “It’s kind of like living on Vallombrosa or on E. 8th Street,” Bill says. “It’s going to be a very desirable environment and a fun place for our kids to grow up. You get on a bike trail in an open space corridor right out of your backyard, and you’re already having fun.”

Anyone with questions about the Valley’s Edge development is encouraged to read the Valley’s Edge Specific Plan, available on the City of Chico website https://chico.ca.us/ post/valleys-edge-specific-plan. You can also get more information online at www.chicovalleysedge.com

This Chef Can Coach

The high school winter sports season is an insane time of the year for Chef Nate Johnson. This is when he gets to don his coaching hat and travel up the hill five or six days a week and coach the Paradise High School boys varsity basketball team. Most people don’t understand the time it takes to coach high school sports. Practice, games, tournaments, travel—it all adds up. Conversely, most people don’t understand the hours a head chef spends not just in the kitchen but in the entire establishment. It might be a luxury to just stand on the line and prepare the food, but the chef must plan, create, organize, delegate, and teach as well. You could say being a chef is like being a coach.

Nate Johnson’s love of basketball came at an early age when he played in middle school and high school in Paradise for Coach Jerry Cleek, a connection that would have a definite influence later in life. College took him to Santa Cruz in the mid 1990’s, and the first inkling of his future career manifested itself in toast. “I got tired of making toast all the time, so I started cooking,” said Johnson. This led to a deeper interest in cooking, and it helped through a few semesters at Cabrillo College as he

worked in Italian restaurants and pizzerias. However, his real career began in earnest when he came back to Chico.

Johnson landed a job at the Sicilian Cafe working for Chef James Taylor and then helped open the kitchen at Canyon Oaks Golf Course. He went back to college and enrolled at Chico State in education, but the allure of being a chef called him to the kitchen full time. He worked at his wife Joy’s family business, Cocodine, but he was “out front” and not in the kitchen. However, “Cooking is what I wanted to do,” he said. “I helped open the kitchen at Wine Time and spent a few years there until I went for it and opened my own restaurant.” That restaurant was The Kitchen Table which featured a true farm-to-table experience, getting produce and meats from local producers such as Llano Seco Rancho, Comanche Creek Farms, and Tin Roof Bakery among others.

One of his regular customers at The Kitchen Table was aforementioned Jerry Cleek who asked Nate if he’d like to coach basketball. Soon, Nate helmed the freshman boys basketball team, which continued for a few years. He eventually coached the junior varsity team, and, when Cleek retired, took

over varsity basketball. He’s now been there nine years. It was during the early part of his basketball career that The Kitchen Table had to shut its doors. One saying Nate uses in the coaching and restaurant fields is that “You learn from your mistakes.” Being the owner of a restaurant helped Nate become a better chef, as he was able to learn what worked and what didn’t. He was also able to develop his creativity and work with the diverse foods the seasons brought him.

All of this has served him well at Stoble Coffee Roasters in Downtown Chico. “The owners of Stoble are great. They envision the same ideas I do, and working there has been a positive experience,” Nate said. “Being the chef has allowed me to go in different directions. I embrace being the boss.” Since eight of his former players are employees, it's a lot like coaching as well. “I knew they were responsible and were good communicators. Working in a kitchen is a team effort. It’s nice to have reliable employees.” Nate likes to give his workers space so they can learn, and it pays dividends in the end. “Stoble is the place for me to be, I’m along for the long haul and look forward to what the future holds.”

Since Stoble opened up during the pandemic, the fact that the business provided work spaces, conference rooms, and events spaces helped establish them downtown. Now the business is fully invested in the community. They utilize local food sources such as Burns Blossom Farms, Comanche Creek Farms, Camino Farms, and Maisie Jane’s. When Nate goes out to buy produce, he often asks the growers what is fresh and could be on the menu. This especially affects their soups and salads, where every effort is made to use local, sustainable sources. Stoble also offers a once-a-month trivia night and offers space for ticketed events or other special events. “I don’t want to be the old guy who complains about the kids who work here,” Nate said. “I also never thought I’d be the oldest guy who’s in charge.”

If you want to try a unique coffee environment, take a trip to Stoble Coffee Roasters at 418 Broadway Street in Chico and try not only their coffee and teas, but take a look at the cafe menu selections which represent the changing seasons. Take a tour of the three story facility, hang out on the roof, and meet with friends.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

the infinite magic of art

You may have heard it said that there are those people who have the gift of making art and those who don’t. You may even feel this way yourself, but Reta Rickmers doesn’t believe that to be true at all. She taught art at Pleasant Valley High School for almost 30 years and would often hear the same refrain from students in her classes: “I’m no good at this.” “I would say, you know, if you picked up a guitar, would you immediately expect to be able to play a song on it?” Reta says, “It’s the same with art. You have to learn these different things, with baby steps, to be able to get good at something.”

From childhood, Reta loved art, and she took art classes all through junior high and high school, where she had great teachers who encouraged her. “I had an interest in art from when I was really young, when the best thing you could give me would be a box of 64-color crayons,” she says. “I was fascinated not only with the colors,

but just even the names of the colors, like periwinkle.”

Reta received her bachelor’s degree from Chico State, but when she went looking for a job as an art teacher in Chico, she found it to be highly competitive. “I ended up taking a job in Bakersfield for two years before I got hired at PV,” she says. However, Reta is so much more than just the art teacher you remember from your high school days. She is a tremendously talented artist and painter in her own right who focuses on a myriad of subject matter, including birds, vintage ephemera, and things she sees on her extensive travels around the world. One series she has painted is solely focused on the beauty of doors she has encountered in Mexico and Europe.

Another of Reta’s series is paintings of birds which are so lifelike they practically fly off the canvas. “For a long time, I’ve liked

having an abstract background contrasting with a really realistic image,” Reta says. “All of my birds, I want them to be recognizable for people who are birders. I want to be really specific with all the details, all the markings, and at the same time making it artistic and painterly.” Reta collaborates with her son Derek, who likes to work abstractly, on the backgrounds for many of her bird paintings. “He paints a lot of the abstract backgrounds that I use, and then I decide what should be on there,” she says. “That’s been really exciting, and it’s really changed my work. Even though I worked similarly, just having his input and his choice of colors and the way that he works has been a breath of fresh air into my own paintings.”

Reta’s work can be seen by searching Art by Reta Rickmers on Facebook. She also has a painting in the MONCA show “Grayscale Universe!” that will be on display at the museum until January 22nd. For more information, visit www.MONCA.org and see Reta’s incredible work for yourself!

WRITTEN BY MADDIE RODRIGUEZ | PHOTOS COURTESY RETA RICKMERS

Ingredient of the month: Hair o' the dog

Long before some mook brewed up a batch of toilet bowl pruno in the county hotel, humans have been enjoying the “benefits” of ethanol, the ingredient in alcohol that makes you high. A bazillion years ago some lumbering forest huntergatherer trudged through the forest and found some rotting tree fruit. He took it home, threw it in a stone bowl, and left it for a few days. The fruit fermented and liquified, turning into a ripe, pungent soup. Upon drinking the “nectar,” Grok or whatever his name was, discovered as bad as it tasted, the aftereffects were mighty pleasant, hiccup! So, let the cocktail party begin!

With New Year’s Eve around the corner, the alcohol will soon be flowing on December 31st. However, the piper will be paid on January 1st when the pounding headaches, sour stomachs, and drifty brains wake up on New Year’s Day. Thus, it begs the age old question: What is the best hangover cure? As your teetotalin’ granny would say, “The best cure is to not drink!” Why, yes it is, Grandma. Yes, it is.

The following list may have the answer to the best hangover cure, but I’d be choosy.

Pickled Sheep’s Eyeballs—Specifically, sheep’s eyeballs pickled in a suspension of tomato juice and herbs. Think of it as the “Mongolian Mary” as it is still used by Ghengis Khan’s ancestors today.

Fried Canary—Romans were well known for their days-long parties. What better to cure that hangover than fried canaries! Combine them with raw owl’s eggs and roasted sheep’s lung, and we have a winner! This was a Pliny the Elder favorite!

Rabbit Dung—While rabbit poop does contain salts and potassium, the idea of brewing it into a tea and drinking it… well, you must have been a desperate cowpoke in the Old West.

Skull Dust and Dried Viper—Goddard’s Drops were composed of powdered human skull, dried viper, and “spirit of hartshorn,” or ammonia. And the skull had to be from a person who had been

hanged! (Or hanged over.)

Bull Penis Soup—Thank you, Bolivia! This dish is the national cure. You take a bull’s penis—about 60 inches long—simmer in a rich broth, add lamb, beef, chicken, potatoes, boiled egg, and rice. Forget the hangover! I’ll take a bowl right now!!

Cola and Milk—This is a more recent concoction, originating at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in 1930’s New York City. You mix up a glass of milk and cola, chug it, take a little nap, and wake up feeling refreshed!

And finally, this one from Andrew Bourdain: “Take aspirin, drink an ice cold Coca-Cola, smoke some good herb, and eat a spicy Szechaun meal. It works every time!”

Of course, there are many verified modern cures, ginger, ginseng, hydration, and plenty of sleep. But grandma’s advice is the only sure way to avoid a hangover.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

Color Therapy

Passages Caregiver Resource Center (CRC) offers support, education, and guidance to unpaid family caregivers caring for a loved one that is frail and elderly and/or caring for an adult with a cognitive impairment.

Passages CRC empowers family caregivers to acknowledge the importance of self-care to alleviate stress and caregiver burnout; activities from mindfulness to connecting with other caregivers can build confidence and inner balance to help with just that. When Passages CRC staff came across

a mandala coloring book to help relieve anxiety, they couldn’t keep it to themselves, and thankfully, its creator is just getting started.

Lynn Abbiati is an artist who loves to help others. She has created a therapy coloring book, filled with mandalas and inspiring quotes, to try and reach people who are struggling with their health, or who may need an extra boost of confidence. “I think that the coloring book is for anybody who

is stressed out on some level, or who just wants to have some positive self time,” Lynn says. “Throughout the entire book, I chose positive empowerment words to color in amongst the mandala designs, but I also left quite a few pages where people could add their own additional designs, or even their own empowerment words on a page.”

Aware that people may not view themselves as particularly creative and use that as a reason for not breaking out their crayons or colored pencils, Lynn has even added in some helpful hints for those who are struggling to get started. “A lot of people don’t think they’re creative until they sit down and are given a little bit of encouragement,” she says. “In the book, I provide some art lessons so they can know how to use coloring pencils to create depth and other things.”

Lynn has a background in caregiving. From 2000 to 2004, while she was working on her master’s degree in structural design technology at Chico State, she worked at Passages, a nonprofit organization that offers resources and services to older adults and their caregivers at little or no cost. She also cared for her parents, both of whom had dementia. “Having been the caregiver, it is such a stressful job, and there’s not a lot of funding out there to support services,” Lynn says. “That’s the thing that’s the most special about Passages. They’re there for the caregivers—especially Mountain Caregiver Resource Center—and they provide support and understanding of what they’re going through. If you don’t care for the caregiver, a lot of time they end up sick, too, and then you’ve got a situation where there’s nobody there to take care of anybody.” Lynn’s father passed away in 2012 and her mother in 2016. Lynn had moved into her parents’ home in Paradise to care for her mother after her father died, and was still there tidying up their estate in 2018 when the Camp Fire reduced the town to ashes.

“I fell in love with the neighborhood and the neighbors and was hoping to buy my parents’ house from my siblings and live there,” Lynn says. “It was such a tightknit community and I’m glad it’s starting to come back, but it will never be what it was. It was time for me to find a new kind of Paradise.” After the fire, Lynn led a women’s retreat that took place over three

months, helping people cope with their emotions through art. Ultimately, it was all of these experiences—working at Passages, caring for her parents, surviving the fire, and helping others process their emotions about the event—that acted as a catalyst for the coloring book. “I’ve had this thing that’s been percolating in me for about ten years, and I’m just really excited to have gotten to a point where it’s alive and it’s actually out there,” Lynn says. She believes that creativity can help a person reset and de-stress, whether they suffer from anxiety or chronic health issues, or even if they just need a calming break during a hectic day. “I think that people don’t realize how relaxing a creative activity can be for someone,” she says. “It shifts something in your brain and it gets the endorphins going so that you can put yourself into a more positive space.” She believes the applications for the coloring book are virtually endless. “It can be used in group settings, one on one, with a caregiver; it can be a grandparent with grandchildren,” she says. “There are so many situations where it can be utilized and create an opportunity for some creative mindfulness so people can relax and reset. That’s my goal for people: stop and reset. If you don’t

have thousands and thousands of dollars for retreats or counseling, this might be a simple way you can provide yourself with a little extra support.”

Lynn’s coloring book was published in September, and she has a second one that will be appearing in the spring. She has taken care to make the book something that will appeal to many instead of just one particular group, and to make it accessible for people with varying abilities. “One of the things I really tried to focus on was it not being this advanced mandala with all these tiny little places you could color because that freaks people out,” Lynn says. “I wanted them to be very large images that people could color in and create movement and shape depending on how light or dark they color the images. I also wanted to make it where they could grab onto it and add things to it on their own.”

Lynn’s coloring book is available online at Amazon and can be found by searching “Mindful Floral Mandala Anti-Anxiety Coloring Book”. Lynn is also on Instagram as JLA Creative Designs.

Sandwiches

I first became acquainted with Chico Locker & Sausage somewhere around 2009, as I was just getting my feet wet in advertising at the Chico ER. They allowed me to explore my quirkiness and sense of humor with such titles as “Live Hot Grills,” so deciding to host another sandwich feature brought me great joy. Their building rests just off the beaten path of 16th and Locust Streets. Every square foot of their interior is used intentionally, mostly for product display, but apparently, the building has the same deceptiveness as a clown car, allowing many more people to go in and out than you could ever imagine. Somehow, we managed to get a seat inside at one of their three tables where we could hear a prime rib masterclass being delivered by co-owner Linda Dewey to one of their excited patrons.

Ordering is a cinch since every weekday features a sandwich special that you can pretty much agree you should have that day. Monday’s was a French dip, and besides the optional grilled onions and horseradish, I topped mine off with a thin

layer of hot pepper jack which melted instantly on the roast beef. The soft and airy onion roll soaked in their delicious au jus made each bite just as satisfying as the one before. The onions were ever so delicate, and the horseradish was mild so that every bite celebrated the flavor the perfectly roasted meat and jus provided. I also opted for their soft and creamy potato salad, and while I dared not to ask for their secrets in preparation, it is one of my favorites.

The place is filled with the aroma of smoked meat, which comes as no surprise given the huge Traeger out front, a constantly running tri-tip preparing workhorse. An enormous case of deli meats, hams, specialty cut steaks, and more stares at you upon entering, and another case filled with their in-house award-winning specialty sausages rest on your left. There’s also a great variety of spices and grilling products, and as their huge accolade of accomplishments shows, they're the folks to ask about technique.

We're on a Roll

WRITTEN BY JASON CORONA

Country Morning Bakery

Stepping into Country Morning Bakery is a juxtaposition in itself—traveling back in time while also existing in a contemporary restaurant. In fact, it's more like ordering food in a large, multi-family dining room, given the unique sitting spaces, the handmade tables and decor that’s mostly wooden, and the antique tools that adorn the walls. All of this is true to the heritage of the owners and operators of the business. The bakery is an oasis for businesses in the industrial area of Hegan and Otterson where Chico meets the unincorporated area that brings you south to Durham.

We came with a purpose, remembering that the brisket from pitmaster Ian Briggs of Butte Creek BBQ was used in their regular menu brisket sandwich. The sandwich comes with a tangy barbeque sauce, wide-sliced thin grilled onion, and a tamely spiced aioli all within a white butterhorn roll, emphasis on the butter. As rumor has it, the butterhorn was used by mermaids to lure sailors to sleep, which makes sense once you get the urge for an after-lunch nap, but I digest. I set the food

back down before my first bite, so I could make a quick note about the softness of the roll wich is heaven in your hands. The result of the bite left me with eyes rolling, thinking about how ridiculously tender the meat was and how the inside of the roll had been gently kissed by the grill for a subtle yet well-appreciated crunch.

While they also had some more savory sides, we opted for a bag of chips and one of their fresh baked cookies, along with an iced tea to round out the meal. They have an assortment of Pepsi product fountain drinks, brewed sweet or unsweetened teas, assorted Lay’s brand chips, rotation of soups, and the like. Of course, their own baked goods like cookies, pies, sticky buns and much more are ready for your enjoyment as well. Check them out for their seasonal releases or bread cooking classes on social media, and be sure to say hello from us while you’re there.

Sarah

Caffeinated Chatter

What resolution are you planning to keep this year?

Michelle Power

2022 was a wild ride, which made it easy to forget about sticking to some of the most basic routines. In 2023, I'm resolving to get back to those routines and doing things that better myself and those around me. My first step is going to be committing to longer walks with my new puppy, Réka, and making sure she gets all the time and attention she deserves!

Kelly Jordan

I'm resolving to work harder in 2023 and dedicate more time to better my mental and physical health. Those items are so important, but they often get glossed over in our busy lives. I plan to work out more and make the most of winter break so I'm 100% ready when school starts back up next semester.

Kendall Young

I'm horrible with names, and I'm resolving to change that in 2023 by intentionally making a point to connect people's names to their faces and something else already in my memory. I've heard this is the best way to learn a name in a way that sticks. I think it's important to recognize everyone for the individual they are, and I'm going to work harder in 2023 at doing exactly that.

stoppage halted live performances, kept band members apart, and just pretty much sucked for everyone. However, a few positive stories emerged like a musical phoenix, and the creation of The Sun Followers is one.

Samantha Francis and Ben Ruttenburg, long time members of the local mega cover group Decades, used the time off to reevaluate their position in the local music scene. They amicably split from Decades and formed The Bidwells, a duo who initially went to homes and businesses to perform two- or threesong singing telegrams. This kept them “in tune” and creative and led to house concerts and wedding appearances. Sam and Ben performed at more weddings last year than ever before.

“We played the weddings full on,” said Ben, “from the ceremony to the end of the reception. It’s amazing how personal it becomes and how well you connect with everyone.”

“We developed a meaningful relationship with the audiences,” said Samantha. Even when we play wineries or small occasions, we can see the audience listening deeply. It’s rejuvenating and exhilarating.”

being your own entity is marketing. It’s easier to be a musician who’s part of a group with a promoter, manager, and sound tech, but when you have to do it yourself, it's an added reality. Ben said, “I learned a lot from Don DiBono. He helped me understand marketing and getting our name out there to the public.”

With one 14-track album under their belt, Anywhere You Take Me to follow up with another effort next year. How they get there is another facet of their relationship. “Ben and I have different ways of creating. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with a song in my head and write it down,” said Samantha. The song writing technique serves them well, and they’re eager to compose new songs and perform them.

An excellent chance to see them perform their current retinue is on New Year's Eve when they play at Mulberry Station Brewing Company. The show will feature The Sun Followers plus special guest Max Minardi. Doors open at 8:00 and music begins at 9:00. There will be a balloon drop, party favors, craft beer, and wood-fired pizza to purchase.

You can follow the band on social media and contact them at thesunfollowersmusic@gmail.com.

Don't call her shy

The word shy does not apply to Reagan Bartels. Teachers will tell you Reagan is not afraid to yell out, “Hi!” from fifty yards across the quad. Her positive personality shines in the classroom where her teacher, Trish Piluso, says, “Reagan has an intuition when someone needs help, and she’ll go over and help them out. She has a lot of empathy.”

Reagan is enrolled in the Orland High School program for students on the autism spectrum. Autism used to have a negative perception, but education and understanding have evolved, and people have a more complete understanding. “Autism is just a piece of their personality,” said Piluso. “They have dreams and goals just like anyone else.”

One goal Reagan has is to attend Taft College next year where she will enroll in the Transition to Independent Living Program, which provides instruction, training, and support in a community college setting. It promotes the acquisition of functional social and career skills necessary for students to live a

productive lifestyle. This is a huge step for Reagan.

Having been raised in Orland, going out on her own is a tremendous move. The support of her family has been key, and her parents Kathy and Pete Bartels are helping her prepare for the change. They’ve also supported Reagan's activities on and off campus. She has been a member of the Orland Otters Swim team for years, and last season she received the “Most Spirited Otter Award.” She has also been involved in showing rabbits, lambs, sheep, and pigs through 4-H and FFA.

An aspect she enjoys about her senior year is going off campus for lunch and being a spirited supporter at the OHS football games on Friday nights. “Orland High is a fun school, and I enjoy being able to choose some of my classes.” One of these is woodshop, with Austin Weatherby. “I’m finishing a picture frame right now,” said Reagan, “and my next project will be building a birdhouse.”

Reagan is a big fan of the Marvel Universe, and her favorite superhero is Captain America. She has dressed up like him on a few occasions, but on Halloween this year she went as Wanda Maximoff. Reagan spends a lot of time with her best friend, Mahri Hamlin, whom she has known for years. “Mahri and I spend a lot of time together,” said Reagan. We’re best friends and help each other out.”

While many teachers and school personnel have been supportive and instrumental in helping Reagan to get to where she is today, she pointed out Mrs. Piluso and Ms. Nethington for instilling in her the belief she can go on to higher education. And there is no doubt Reagan will go on to succeed.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

Butte County has an inordinately high number of animals in need of adoption due to a number of factors including wildfires, floods, and irresponsible breeding. Please consider adoption as an option for increasing the love in your own household. These soon-to-be pets can be adopted by contacting the Northwest SPCA at (530) 533-7636. You can also visit their website at www.northwestspca.org