Upgraded Living - March 2023

Skincare

What makes us Different

Our products aren't just cosmetic skincare. Rejuvené medical grade skincare is formulated using the purest ingredients and manufactured in an FDA lab under pharmaceutical standards.

Our philosophy and mission is to provide our patients with innovative, safe and effective products developed with the common purpose of providing healthy, beautiful skin. We are dedicated to elevating our patient's outcome through efficacious formulas and compliance to improve overall skin health.

Unleash the anti-aging power of phyto growth factors

Dermal

Dr. Hodari's

Recommendations

Phyto Corrective serum

A blend of botanicals delivers broad antioxidant benefits to reduce the potential of irritation, calm skin, helps protect against free radical damage and reduces visible redness over time.

3.

Pure Hydration Serum

Pure, ultra-hydrating serum quenches dehydrated skin for a supple, smooth complexion and all day moisture retention. Visibly reduces signs of aging for brighter, firmer, rejuvenated skin.

Intense age defying serum delivers daily defense against environmental damage, calming and rejuvenating skin while aiding in collagen health and protecting against fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness.

Natural skin brighteners and botanical skin tone enhancing ingredients combine in this non-drug formulation to improve visible discoloration and brighten and even skin tone.

6.

Power of Three Cream

An antioxidant rich, multitasking cream containing 90% polyphenols, works to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores while calming inflammation.

Pigment correcting cream

5.

Throughout the ages, the spring season has been seen as a time of rebirth and revitalization. In our nook of Northern California, that energy is visible throughout nature nearly everywhere we look. From the almond blossoms and greening of its trees to the blooming of wildflowers, there are plenty of ways to be reminded that spring has certainly sprung.

Downtown Chico is seeing a bit of a spring season itself. With a recent infusion of funds, the Downtown Chico Business Association (DCBA) and various downtown entities are finally reinvigorated with the necessary resources to breathe new energy into Chico's most central hub for commerce. Alongside a group of new and relocated businesses that have opened in the last year—Sofi'z, Mas Vida, Lili's Brazilian Bistro, Magnolia Gift & Garden, The Roost Café, Winchester Goose, Oshio, D'Emilio's, Donzo Clothing, Caitlin's Closet, etc.—there's truly a feeling of novelty in Downtown Chico. What's more—there are a number of new businesses slated to open in 2023 that will almost undoubtedly increase foot traffic and provide more reasons to visit the downtown area. With that in mind, we are excited to highlight some of these changes in our secondary feature piece this month which sits perfectly next to our cover story on the Hotel Diamond, arguably the most dramatic and extensive revitalization project of them all. The final legacy project of one of Chico's greatest philanthropists, Wayne Cook, the Hotel Diamond renovation torch has been taken up by his daughter Alisa Cook-Scott, and her plans for it are simply fantastic. We couldn't be more excited to share them with all of you.

We hope you take this season of rebirth and revitalization to re-energize yourself as well! There are plenty of ways to do just that, and you'll find many of them right here in our March issue.

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

LARRY LEIGH Cover Photo

CONTRIBUTORS

DOUG LOVE Real Estate

SWEENEY & MICHEL Finance

DERM BAR Beauty

BRAD WANTT Home Organization

KATIE O'DONNELL Interior Design

Aveed Khaki Owner/Publisher

HOME & GARDEN

21 Start small and reduce the clutter. In Flow’s Bran Wantt returns to share tips to better home organization.

25 Katie O’Donnell keeps us on trend with the latest interior design tips.

28 Tunnels and speakeasies—explore the downtown undergrounds of the past with Doug Love.

38 Discover everything you want and more for your kitchen and bathroom at Keller Supply Company.

40 New Again is new again! Take a tour as we explore the new remodeling showroom of New Again Kitchen & Bath.

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

51 Take a trip with Tim Milhorn as we explore the use of mushrooms—in your cuisine.

54 We hit the bars for the bowl games— neither that kind of bar nor bowl, we try some delicious options from Rawbar and Tea Bar.

56 Head to Oroville for the Dream Big Foundation, a fundraiser for music education led by world-class entertainer Dr. Ayke Agus and local icon Louisa Louie.

FEATURES

15 The light’s so much brighter where? DOWNTOWN. Meet some members of the new board and learn the positive change coming soon.

43 “You gotta believe.” The Diamond Hotel and restaurant are the capstone development of Wayne Cook. Go inside the renovations—where it started and what’s to come, as told by daughter, Alisa Cook-Scott in our cover story.

POTPOURRI

34 Solutions for today's civil disagreements are finally available in the Northstate. Meet the folks behind them.

36 …and we continue on: study the three principles for investing success through every market

37 Beauty Q&A: understanding the IPL photofacial

48 Maps and guideposts: navigate awareness and solutions with the Brain Injury Coalition

58 In defiance of the “kids these days” moniker, check out this grassroots cleanup by trucker hat-wearing Vann Warnock.

61 Clutter, congestion, more of the same— things you will not find at the spacious and efficient new home of Chico Eye Center

62 More than adorable faces—our ongoing featurette to help rehome animals at the Northwest SPCA

ON THE COVER: THE HOTEL DIAMOND AND ITS STUNNING REVITALIZATION

PHOTO COURTESY:

LARRY LEIGH

The Downtown Chico Renaissance

Three years ago this March, our world changed completely when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Suddenly, you couldn’t visit a restaurant or a bar; sitting down and ordering a meal or a cocktail quickly became a distant memory. People fought over paper goods and flour in the aisles of the supermarket while mandates came down from the upper echelons of the government, forcing businesses

not deemed essential to close while the world was plunged into quarantine. Those were eerie, quiet days where no cars drove through town, and life basically just stopped. You would be hard pressed to find a single person who was not affected in some way by the pandemic, and most of us are just starting to remember what life was like before it.

The pandemic certainly didn’t help Chico’s downtown community, which was shuttered for almost a year while its businesses tried to find creative ways to survive in the chaos. “The events that bring people into downtown were put on hold indefinitely, and the city lost a lot of money,” says Audrey Taylor, a local businesswoman who volunteers with the Downtown Chico Business Association.

Among those events are some most will immediately recognize, like the Thursday Night Market and Slice of Chico. The DCBA has partnered with the City of Chico since its inception in 1975 to market and promote the downtown, helping it thrive and providing support for business owners, but during the pandemic, the DCBA board lost members and money as its revenue sources dried up. Then, in 2021, its long-time director, Melanie Bassett, retired after 9 years at the helm, and the organization found itself at a crossroads.

Downtowns are critical centers of economic diversity and often function as the heart and soul of a community. Chico’s is no exception. Blocks of unique boutiques and restaurants make it a special place to dine out, buy a gift, get your shoes repaired, or pick up a new bicycle. The beautiful old buildings evoke a feeling that you’re immersed in the history of the city in a way that few other places in town do. Strolling up Broadway and marveling at the beautiful old buildings, seeing the enormous old trees, or catching a glimpse of the I.O.O.F letters on a building on Third Street remind us that there was a Chico that existed before cars, before cell phones, and before electric light.

We are fortunate to have these glimpses

into our history. Many downtowns all over the country have been razed, or have collapsed in on themselves and been forgotten about completely. Make no mistake, our town and the DCBA have definitely had a rough go of it in recent years, but it appears, finally, that the sun may be coming out. With the world finally emerging from the strange and somewhat apocalyptic feeling of the pandemic and Chico State students back in classes, the downtown is definitely beginning to fill up again. Businesses are open, restaurants seem fuller, and the sidewalks once again have pedestrians strolling up and down, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.

Beginning in 2022, the DCBA began meeting to discuss an injection of funds from the City into its coffers to revitalize and reenergize Downtown Chico, which would, in turn, revitalize and reenergize the organization itself. In January, the City Council voted to allocate $422,000 to the DCBA over the next three years for a variety of projects outlined in a business plan that was approved by the city’s finance committee. The organization also has a re-energized board, with 7 of its 15 members new to the organization. They include Liza Tedesco of Chico Natural Foods Co-Op, Emma Martin of The Allies

NEW ENERGY

New faces are bringing new energy and a variety of businesses to Downtown Chico!

Pub

Molly Macarthy-Openshaw of Hydration Happens, Pat Macias of the Museum of Northern California Art, and Steven Stull of Cal Water. The DCBA is also working more closely with Chico State, which has representation on its board, on issues and projects of mutual interest.

Chico State relies heavily on downtown, without question. It plays a large part in the decision many families make to send their students to the university, and it provides a place for out-of-town guests to visit when they come to campus for events like Parents Week and Wildcat Weekend. “We have thousands of parents and families that come to Chico State and Downtown for events like graduation and summer orientation for new students,”

Shari Anderson says. Shari is the vice president of the DCBA, as well as the director of alumni and parent programs at Chico State, and she is passionate about Downtown Chico. Before she embarked on her career at the university in 2007, Shari was the director of the Thursday Night Market. “I am especially passionate about the connection between Downtown Chico and Chico State, and it’s really important to me to make downtown

and British Bulldog Brewery, Yonatan Escoto of T-Mobile, Nicole Hill of Stoble,

Sheng Vang Vang's Plants & Succulents Hub

Linda Juanarena The Roost Cafe

Sofia Ahmed Sofi'z Kitchen & Bar

the best it can be,” she says. “I’m very passionate about finding ways that Chico State can partner with businesses and the DCBA to help make that happen.”

The DCBA has created a comprehensive three-year plan that includes ideas for beautification, historical preservation, and maintaining the traditions that have

become part of the fabric of life in Chico. They’ll also be implementing listening sessions to find out how they can best support downtown businesses, the first of which is slated to happen soon. At the outset, there won’t be much to see, but after three years, the DCBA hopes that by focusing on certain priorities, it will be able to give Chico a much-

What’s up with the Downtown meters?!

Having heard this question from businesses and patrons alike, we found this information exactly where you’d expect it, on the DCBA website (www.downtownchico.com/parking.htm). We hope you enjoyed the free parking for the month or so while it was in transition, and that this information helps when you next visit downtown and see these new IPS Group Pay Stations.

Conveniently pay with a credit card, cash, or coins using smart kiosks that replace individual parking meters in specific Downtown Chico parking lots.

improved downtown. These priorities are outlined in the plan as marketing and promotions, events, beautification (or “place development”) and economic vitality. They hope to be able to give the citizens of Chico and the downtown business owners a feeling that they are back in the downtown of yesteryear, where people flocked to local businesses, and restaurants thrived without fear of the future. We can’t wait to see their vision come to fruition.

Read more about the DCBA’s proposal for downtown on their website, www.dcba.org.

How do I use these dang things?!

Start Small and clear the clutter

Getting organized and creating a functional system of order for your home or business is no simple task. In fact, it’s a series of smaller tasks that accumulate to eventually give you more flow in your day-to-day life.

Raise your hand if you’ve purchased a few organizing items like drawer organizers, plastic tubs, filing cabinets etc., but you still feel the chaos of an unorganized home/business and the disorder that somehow leaks over into other aspects of your life. We tend to function better as humans when we have less visual distractions within our frame of vision throughout the day. Our brains are working hard to put things in order, and whether you’re aware of it or not, that excess clutter and lack of organization is sucking up brainpower.

So, my first two suggestions for getting started on your path to becoming an organization enthusiast: start small and clear the clutter.

START SMALL

Make a list of each room in your house. Write it down or visualize each room if

that’s more your style. Within each room, identify the areas that need improvement and start tackling those smaller areas as you have time in your schedule. Most people don’t have time to devote a few days or weeks to getting their entire home, garage and office organized and efficient, so don’t put off getting organized because of time limitations. Just take on one small task at a time, and eventually you’ll enjoy a streamlined life.

For example, you’re starting with your bedroom. The areas that need help are two nightstands and the closet. Your list might look like:

bedroom

*closet

-shoes

-hanging items

-accessories

*nightstand 1

-top drawer

-bottom drawer

*nightstand 2

-top drawer

-bottom drawer

Simply start with one small area on this list. For example, go through one drawer in your nightstand. Go as small as possible and hone in those skills. Be honest with yourself about what you’ll use again. Donate what you’re comfortable parting with. Start a box for donations and get started letting go of the excess, which leads us to our second point.

CLEAR THE CLUTTER

William Morris famously said “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

If you’re a maximalist, live your life! But for those who want to cut the clutter, anything beyond what you know to be useful or beautiful needs to go. Here’s a starter list of things to consider clearing out:

-items you have two or more of

-items you haven’t used and have no real future plans of using

-broken items

-expired food and medicine

-gifted or inherited items you’re keeping out of guilt

-empty boxes from new phones, iPads, Amazon purchases, etc

-things that don’t quite function or fit properly

-holiday decor you haven’t used in years because you’re bypassing it for the stuff you actually like

Letting go of the excess will allow you to move on to the next step of pairing like items together. Still organizing that nightstand drawer? Sort out what needs to be there and what doesn’t. Ask yourself what serves you best in this area? Use drawer organizers to separate things that belong together. Don’t have drawer organizers? That’s ok! They are so simple to make out of literally any box like cereal or pasta boxes, or find a treasure trove of drawer organizers at your local dollar store for cheap! Luckily, organization products are trendy and finding inexpensive gems is one of the perks.

Don’t be hard on yourself through the process of getting organized. It can feel overwhelming. Most people don’t know where to start or how to begin, so know that you’re not alone in the battle against excessive belongings and disorder. If it truly feels like too much, contact your local professional organizer who can help. Sometimes just getting time with a professional is all it takes to get motivated and start taking charge!

Brad Wantt is a professional organizer and owner of In Flow Organization. He can be reached for all manner of home and office organization projects by calling (530) 591-2832. You can also visit him online at www.infloworganization.com

Don't be afraid to get creative

Interior design is constantly evolving, with new trends and styles emerging every year. From bold color palettes to natural materials and innovative lighting, there are countless ways to update your home to create a beautiful, functional, and efficient space. In this article, we explore some of the latest trends in interior design and provide tips on how to incorporate them into your home.

First up, let’s talk about one of the biggest trends in interior design right now—the use of biophilic design. Biophilic design is all about bringing the outdoors in and incorporating natural elements of nature into your home. This can be achieved through the use of organic materials such as wood, stone, and oversized plants. Not only are they visually appealing, but they also add warmth and texture to any

space. Wood, in particular, is a versatile and durable material that can be used in a variety of ways. From reclaimed wood ceiling beams, to sleek modern cabinetry, and wall paneling, there are countless options available to elevate your space. Biophilic design has also been shown to have numerous health benefits, including

reducing stress levels and improving mental well-being. Who wouldn’t want a stress-free home?

Another trend gaining popularity is the use of color. Bold hues are no longer reserved for accent walls or small accessories. Instead, many designers are

CREDIT: Chris Love Julia

using bold colors to create statements and focal points from floor to ceiling. However, when using bold colors, it's important to consider the overall color scheme throughout the home and choose colors that complement each other.

Next, mixing materials is also a trend that isn’t going anywhere! This involves combining different textures and materials, such as wood, metal, and stone, to create a rich, layered look. Mixing different materials can add depth and interest to a space and can also be used to create a sense of cohesiveness.

In addition to these trends, it's important to remember that interior design is about more than just aesthetics and is constantly emerging. It's about creating a space that is functional and efficient, and what meets your needs and lifestyle. When incorporating these trends into your home, consider how you use each space, and make sure that the design and furnishings support that use. From biophilic design and bold colors, to mixed materials and lighting, there are many ways to update your space to be both functional and visually appealing. Don’t be afraid to get creative. Happy designing in 2023!

Katie O’Donnell is an interior designer and the owner of Katie O’Donnell Designs Interior Design Studio, located at 1006 Main Street in Chico. She can be reached by phone at (530) 518-9953 or via email at info@katieodonnelldesigns.com

Lighting is an important aspect of interior design, and new innovations are constantly emerging in this field. Proper lighting placement can make a huge difference in the look and feel of a space, from smart lighting allowing you to set different moods to task lighting to focus on specific areas. Some current lighting trends are over-scaled chandeliers, backlit mirrors and shelves, and textured natural materials such as rattan, wood, rope, and wicker. Be on the lookout for more innovative options throughout the year.

CREDIT: Precision cabinetry design

CREDIT: lindye galloway studio

CREDIT: lindye galloway studio

Downtown Secrets

Secrets live in the basements and attics of the old brick buildings in Downtown Chico and Oroville. One man knows of a few such secrets, sealed off and abandoned in dark dusty rooms, untouched and unseen for decades. He is Jim the Inspector, who is hired by buyers and sellers of houses and buildings to check for problems with wires, pipes, wood, concrete, and all things structural. He owns a reputation of thoroughness. Jim says he took to heart his mentor’s words: “People pay us to do this job the right way. The job of going where other people don’t go. It’s where we find the big stuff. If we can get there, we go.”

Jim had finished inspecting the main floor and second story of an old downtown building and asked the owner where he could find access to the basement. “We don’t have a basement,” said the owner. Jim knew better. He was sure the whole block of buildings on that street stood over a basement area. He went below the adjoining buildings and found old openings through the foundation wall into the basement in question, but the openings were sealed shut with brick and concrete.

Jim searched the perimeter of the building, and then the interior again, finding no sign or clue of any door, hatch,

or secret panel to the area below, but it had to be there. Jim focused on a back room on the main level that had a section of floor covered in pre-war linoleum, a likely spot for an access door. Buried under that linoleum, perhaps? He told the owner of his hypothesis.

“Well, now I’m curious,” said the owner. He produced a flat-bar and hammer and chipped up the old linoleum straightaway. There it was, a hinged square hatch-cover cut into the thick sub-flooring. The hatch cover lifted smoothly, exposing a narrow iron circular stairway spiraling down into the darkness below. Jim descended, and came upon a half-circular bar and eight bar stools.

“It was as if they had just left,” said Jim. “I could picture the scene in my mind.” The picture of women in flapper dresses and pearls, men in jazzy suits and fedora hats, laughing and drinking illegal booze in their private prohibition-era speakeasy.

“Where is this treasure?” one might ask. Jim’s answer would be, “Somewhere beneath an old building in the Northern Sacramento Valley.”

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

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

New Construction Ranch Style Home on 1 1/4 acre in Paradise, CA. 2,869 square feet, 3 Bed, 3 Bath, 5 Car Oversized Garage, Gas Fireplace, Hot Tub, Covered Decking, RV full hookups, view of Ponds out back. Garage has Epoxy finished flooring (over 1,600 square feet of garage space), Concrete circular driveway, Full decking front and back with backside wrap around (over 1,200 square feet of decking), New Hot Springs 6 person Hot Tub, RV pad with full hookups (20' x 45' concrete pad) with gravel wrap around drive makes for easy RV access. This home has so much to offer and not enough space to list it all! Call today for a showing! Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,869 Price: $695,000

This is a beautiful country property near the Sacramento river in Glenn County! There is a gorgeous 2005 custom built home sitting on a 20 acre parcel with income producing Almonds (Nonpareil (50%), Carmel (25%), Aldrich (25%)) planted in 2005. You are going to feel like you are at a luxurious resort when you walk out through the tiled patio to the swimming pool surrounded by the beautiful landscaping and almond trees. Inside the house you will find a large living room with high ceilings, a spacious kitchen with an island, pantry, and a walk-in bar area. The master bedroom has a door to the back patio, nice built-in cabinets, a master bathroom that has a jetted tub, a walk-in shower, and a huge closet! This is a special property! Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 2,328 Price: $1,300,000

How can I help you? Call me today!

(530) 514-4855

SherryLinnCalbert@gmail.com

Acreage: 65.31 Price: $1,690,000

Almond orchard in a prime spot in Orland near the freeway. Approximately 65 total acres in 3 separate parcels. About 60 acres planted with 5th year Independence, a self-fertile almond variety. Root pack R. The orchard should be in full production this coming season. There is a well that was installed when the trees were planted (around 5 years ago). Irrigated with micro sprinklers. All new fences and gates. There used to be a house on the front parcel (3789 County Rd 99) that was torn down.

#2 in Production for 2022 and a consistent Centurion Award winner!

"Our whole family has worked with Effie on many occasions. She always stays on top of things and looks out for our best interest. She is a wonderful real estate agent and most importantly a beautiful person, inside and out. Our whole family loves her and appreciates her truthfulness and her ability to make things run smoothly during the saw of our home(s)."

-John & Kathy O’Donnell

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 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.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,164 Price: $539,500

Price: $44,500

Situated in a wonderful neighborhood in lower Paradise with an easy commute to Chico, this amazing property once held a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1370 sqft home with a 2 car garage. The previous home was on PID water, septic tank and had a natural gas. The seller does not have information about the condition of the septic tank—buyer to investigate.

Located on a private cul-de-sac, this Paradise lot was once home to an elegant residence. Still remaining are the beautiful wrought iron entry gate with its brick work, a pond, paved driveway etc. The property is connected to PID water and condition of septic is unknown to seller. Buyer to investigate.

Price: $55,000

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

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Encouraging An Open Hand

The cost, time, and stress associated with initiating or defending a lawsuit can be crippling. Alternative Dispute Resolution North or ADR North, in Chico, intends to alleviate these concerns and offer a better method to settle civil disagreements through the process of mediation.

Patricia Savage and her partners, Nicole Reimer and Ryan Lamb, have over 25 years of civil experience and believe that the mediation services offered in California’s larger counties should also be offered here in the Northstate. Most court cases can take up to five years before achieving a resolution; costing time, money, and undue stress along the way. According to Patricia, “Mediation provides a way to solve legal disputes that is less expensive, faster and reaches a result that brings about better results than court or a jury trial. It’s a wonderful way of getting people closer to resolving problems instead of just fighting them out endlessly while racking up enormous lawyer bills.”

Patricia and her partners see the need for the service here in the Northstate and

intend to offer a way to reach highlyqualified mediators to recommend to clients based on their specific legal needs. Good mediators have extensive experience in the courts and can use that experience to assist parties in reaching an endgame to their dispute. Good mediators listen and offer solutions, which when done well, takes the conflict out of the conflict. As the judges here in Butte County often order parties into mediation before trial, it only makes sense that there is a place that mediation can begin, with something as simple as a phone call. That service is what Patricia and her team aim to provide, which until now, has largely been unavailable for cities north of Sacramento.

During mediation, the two sides of a dispute will meet with a “neutral” and be given an opportunity to explain their side of the story. It’s common for both sides to provide a written brief explaining the facts and their legal position. Simple mediations may only take a handful of hours while more complicated mediations, which often include numerous parties or complex legal issues, can last a full day. Mediation

promotes clearer communication between the parties while helping to identify and delineate steps to resolve the disagreement. When you take a case to trial, it’s a gamble. You don’t know the judge you’re going to get. You don’t know how long it’s going to take. You don’t know if you’re going to win because maybe the law has changed, or if there is some other variable at play that will cause you to lose. At trial, it’s anyone’s guess as to what will happen. Mediation can allow the parties control over the process and help resolve the problem more expeditiously. “That’s always a good thing,” says Patricia. “The fighting can stop, the spending can stop, the sleeplessness and the worry that people have when they’re involved in a lawsuit can stop. They can reach a result that’s amicable, will be upheld in the courts, and the anxiety of not knowing what’s going to happen in the court system can end.”

Cooperation and resolution are more effective and constructive than fighting at trial. Patricia believes in alternative dispute resolution and the process of mediation and remembers something her rhetoric professors at Berkeley taught her, “An open palm or the shake of a hand often accomplishes more than a closed fist.” Contact ADR North for your mediation needs at 1 (844) 590 9795.

WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

Three Principles For Investing Success Through Every Market

1. Manage your investments with a long-term, goal-oriented focus. All asset allocation and investment decisions should be made in the context of your plan, rather than current market manias.

It may seem dismissive to not react to every headline. However, history is littered with wars and crises, yet a diversified portfolio of high-quality companies has consistently provided long-term appreciation and growth of income.

2. Poor returns and investment failures by overreactions to short-term current events and pundit predictions repeats itself often. Avoid the trap of short-term market timing.

The economic, market, political, and geopolitical chaos of 20202022 demonstrates that the economy can never be consistently forecast, nor the market consistently timed.

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

3. Therefore, the most reliable way to capture the full return of high-quality stocks is to ride out their frequent-but-historicallyalways-temporary declines.

You may even want to invest more during these times of low equity prices. No crisis has yet been permanent.

THE PROOF IS IN THE PROFITS

It’s worth noting that, after the serial economic nightmares we’ve lived through since the pandemic hit early in 2020, the equity market rewarded patient investors.

The S&P 500 managed to close out 2022 higher than its level at the end of 2019:

3,839 (2022) versus 3,231 (2019), a gain of 18.8%, not including the dividends received along the way. Not great, but not at all bad for three years during which our entire economic, financial, political, and geopolitical world blew up.

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

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.

IPL Q & A

What is IPL?

Intense Pulsed Light is a broadband light treatment to improve texture and discoloration of the skin. It treats a range of skin pigments to give clarity and even tone. These issues may be due to sun damage, hormones, or vascular conditions.

How does it work? The light wavelengths pass through the top layer of the skin to target pigmented or vascular lesions. The light heats the pigmented cells, collapsing tiny veins and destroying them. They can appear darker at first, then the pigmented cells slough off.

How effective is it? For most skin conditions, three to six treatments about a month apart should resolve the uneven pigment. It works better on lighter skin tones, so no tanning before a procedure.

Does it hurt? The discomfort is minimal, and healing time is quick. It has been compared to a “snapping” sensation on the skin. There will be some residual redness that can last from a few hours to a few days.

What is the cost? $300 for face only; $450 for face, neck and chest, per treatment.

What can I expect during and after treatment? It takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. You will be wearing eye protection, as the broadband light is very bright. A cooling gel will be applied to your skin, then the light will be applied. Possible side effects are redness, light crusting, and minimal swelling.

DERM BAR MED-SPA

85 Declaration Dr. Suite 100 Chico, CA 95973 530.342.2672

Head to the internet, type in the word faucet, and you’re met with thousands of websites, brands, colors, types, and prices. Should you go for the classic stainless version, the sleek matte black finish, or maybe a bright blue pop of color? What does it look like in person? What does it feel like? How do you know if it’s the right one? Designing a home is filled with possibilities—so many in fact that it can be overwhelming. Keller Supply Company works to personalize your shopping experience and bring some much needed stress relief to your project.

Keller Supply has been in Chico since 2006 and, in the past, primarily catered to contractors for their supplies. However, in 2022, they opened their showroom in southeast Chico in order to invite homeowners into the process. Jeremy Cameron, Keller Supply’s local branch manager, says that when he arrived in Chico there was only one other showroom, and he felt there was a market for expanding Keller Supply’s store. He says, “Granted, you can find most of the items online, but sometimes you want to put your fingers on an item or see how it would look with a tile background. So, when you provide options like that, it really gives customers an opportunity to feel more comfortable about their purchase.” The large bright showroom is filled with everything you’d need to build or renovate your home except

for the appliances. A vanity accented with a warm gold faucet is set against a wall covered in unique oblong tiles. It’s displayed like it would appear in the home—with a mirror, light sconces, and towel bars making it easy to envision how everything works together. Other bathroom ensembles dot the expansive space, showing off the beautiful finishes available for purchase. As you walk along the walls, the assortment of shower fixtures, from large rain-shower heads to targeted handheld wands, will have you planning a shower renovation even if that wasn’t on your mind. Further back, you’ll find kitchen sinks with accompanying faucets like pull-down spring-wrapped professional styles or pivoted pot fillers. They have tile, hardware for drawers and cabinets, sinks, tubs, vanities, lighting, faucets, mirrors, and toilets.

So, what sets Keller Supply apart, aside from their extensive selection of high quality products? It’s their focus on people. Amanda Kingsley, the showroom manager, welcomes customers in with her warm genuine personality and leaves them feeling confident in relying on her for assistance. They’re encouraged to call and set up a complimentary product consultation with Amanda who has a wealth of knowledge about all the products they carry. If customers bring in their plans, their Pinterest boards, or their magazine clippings, she’ll

customize a lookbook for them based on their tastes and price range. “We want customers to walk out of here feeling really comfortable, like they could give us a call if they have questions. I tell them, ‘I’m so excited to help you pick out your dream kitchen or bathroom; so excited to make that happen for you.’” Amanda loves seeing the finished product when a customer sends her photos of everything installed in one space. She says seeing that puzzle come together in such a beautiful way is extremely rewarding.

Maybe you love the idea of a bright red faucet as an eye catching accent but are worried it wouldn’t work in your home. Jeremy and Amanda can help you design the perfect space around it. They even offer water analysis and ensure you’re not left with a faucet ruined by hard water stains by offering water treatment options. Jeremy shares, “We can help you with your experience from start to finish in one room, and if we don’t have what you’re looking for, ask us. I guarantee you we can probably get it.” If they can’t, they’ll find out who can, because at Keller Supply, it’s all about the customer.

Keller Supply Company is located 2648 Hegan Lane. Stop in and see what they have to offer or call them at (530) 433-5705 for a dedicated consultation appointment. Check out their Instagram page, @kellerkitchenandbathchico, for a sneak peak at the showroom right from your home.

One faucet, two faucet, Red faucet, blue faucet

New Again Kitchen & Bath is new again

It’s been over 12 years since New Again Kitchen & Bath opened their doors on Park Avenue in Chico, and a full ten-anda-half years since we wrote our first story on them. Since then, we have had the

pleasure of interviewing scores of their customers throughout Butte, Glenn, Colusa, and Tehama Counties, each with their own unique story of how they arrived in their house and how New Again finally made it

feel like home. From complete kitchen and bathroom remodels to building outdoor dining spaces and whole-house flooring replacements, New Again has made a name for themselves as one of Northern California’s premier renovation companies. After 12 years in the same location, they were finally ready for a bit of a change themselves, and they found it centrally located on Mangrove Avenue in Chico.

“We were ready to shake things up a bit,” New Again’s store manager, Ric Powers, said with his signature laugh. “We had been keeping our eyes open for a new and more visible location for the past few years, but we weren’t quite ready to pull the trigger. As a company, we had made a name for ourselves on Park Avenue in Chico, and everyone knew to find us on the right-hand side right before entering the Midway on the road to Durham. We knew if we were going to make a change, it would have to be somewhere that not only afforded us the same ability to showcase our products and services, but was also more accessible and visible, so no one would have trouble finding us when we moved. We looked and looked, but nothing seemed to quite fit the bill until we discovered the location on the corner of E. 1st and Mangrove Avenues.”

Centrally located a few blocks from Highway 99’s E. 1st exit, New Again Kitchen & Bath’s new showroom presents its entrance directly to Mangrove Avenue. Situated next door to Boost Mobile, Seishindo Karate, and a conveniently short walk from Bidwell Perk Café, the new location provides easy access off the nearby freeway, ample parking, and just the right amount of room to showcase the many opportunities New Again has to offer.

“It really was everything we could have asked for,” Ric mused. “We have so many brand new items that we’re bringing in—like beautiful and trendy blue cabinetry, new tile and flooring options, and so many new fixture choices. The move finally gave us the chance to really do away with all of the old and start the showroom over from scratch. We still have a couple weeks’ worth of work to do before everything is exactly how we want it to be, but it’s already so much more conducive to our day-to-day operations than the old location used to be. Honestly, the old space always felt a bit overwhelming. This space feels boutiquey and much

more representative of who we are as a company—a nimble small business focused on providing the best level of customer service possible. It’s how we’ve always been, and it’s how we want to remain going into the future.”

Ric was quick to point out the importance of noting that with the move, nothing about the business itself will change. All of the staff is remaining the same, and customers can still count on their commitment to being a

one-stop remodeling shop, as New Again is able to handle all manner of renovation from planning to project completion and every step in between, thanks to their suite of inhouse designers, contractors, and product lines. Truly, if you’re looking to remodel a kitchen or bathroom, there couldn’t be an easier way to do it.

With hundreds of happy customers who couldn’t be more thrilled to finally call their houses home, New Again Kitchen & Bath

has made a name for itself throughout the Northstate as an expert in the remodeling and renovation industry. With their new move, they couldn’t be better aligned to continue building on that reputation into the future, and we couldn’t be happier for their success. Visit their new showroom at 1108 Mangrove Avenue in Chico, next to Boost Mobile, Seishindo Karate, and just down the street from Bidwell Perk. You can also reach them by phone at (530) 899-2888 or on Facebook at New Again Kitchen/Bathroom.

A Jewelof Chico

Whether you’ve been in Chico awhile or are new to town, it’s highly likely that you’ve heard of Wayne Cook. A developer, business owner, and philanthropist, Wayne dedicated his life to preserving structurally important pieces of Chico’s history for the enjoyment of the community. His restoration projects include the Language Houses of West 3rd Street, two of the Diamond Match Company’s Seven Sister homes on Broadway, The Gage House, The Waterland, and many other historically significant properties. Because of Wayne, these properties have been saved from the wrecking ball, brought back to their former glory, and carefully and thoughtfully preserved for many more generations to enjoy and appreciate. However, it may be said that Wayne Cook’s best-known contribution and gift to the community is the shining jewel of Downtown Chico, situated near the corner of Broadway and West Fourth Street—the quietly grand Hotel Diamond.

Known in the early 1900’s as “The Jewel of the Northstate,” The Hotel Diamond hosted grand parties and lodged many prominent figures. Toward the end of the century, run-down and dilapidated, the old building was populated by pigeons when Wayne had the dream to buy it in the late 1990’s. “I remember standing across the street from the building and my father telling me of his vision to restore it. He had the wheels moving in his head which I had often seen in his eyes when he was renovating a space,” says his daughter Alisa Cook-Scott. The Hotel Diamond needed some serious love if it was ever going to shine again as it had in its heyday. Wayne was able to purchase the property and went straight to work. Teaming up with David Rogers, of the architecture firm Nichols, Melburg & Rossetto, they spent many long hours together to lay out a plan. They envisioned the restaurant and bar as a gathering place for townies and guests of the hotel alike, while the guestrooms and the common areas of the building would

have a historical feel that would hearken back to yesteryear. “The friendship that was built between the two was amazing to witness,” Alisa remembers.

After a painstaking and lengthy renovation, the Diamond gradually transformed from a pigeon palace into the sleek and simply elegant hotel we know today. “The more my father dove in, the more details he wanted to restore, like the original wood, excavating the basement for more usable space, and sparing no expense on hydraulic plumbing to name just a few. He almost lost his mind as the expenses grew many times over his initial budget,” Alisa says.

In 2021, Wayne and David once again put their minds to work on the Moorhead Building adjacent to the hotel. Longtime friend, Howard Slater, was hired to renovate and transform the rundown office spaces back to large luxurious suites. This increased the hotel capacity by 40%, and

capped off what was to be Wayne’s very last project.

Alisa warmly remembers, “Putting that gold dome on the cupola became his last hurrah for Chico in the spring just months before his passing. He wanted the community to know he loved them, and he made sure that whatever he could do to keep Chico special was something he was going to do. He worked very hard in his last days to put that up.” After a battle with cancer, Wayne died in June of 2022, leaving behind a lasting legacy that his daughter feels honored to be able to continue.

Alisa had been by her father’s side since she graduated from college and moved back to Chico. She started a graduate degree in physical education to become a college coach, but working with her father when he acquired the Language Houses meant a full-time job. She recalls, “It was a wonderful experience seeing the homes come back to life. Preserving parts of the original structures while creating new kitchens and bathrooms for the modern touch was something the community and college students loved.” Wayne’s wife Carol has a fabulous eye for color. Every color you see on all the renovations are her own creation.

Carol and Alisa’s involvement continues with the Hotel Diamond. “Like all his renovations, I worked with my father on all aspects of the hotel project; accounting, infrastructure, contractors, human resources, etc., and was intricately involved with opening the doors in 2005,” Alisa says. “I basically worked myself out of a job. My father wanted me to run it, but I didn’t have experience in the hospitality business. I haven’t been a part of the management of the Hotel Diamond until my fathers passing this summer.”

Alisa and her husband Greg moved back to town and have owned the Diamond Steakhouse inside the hotel for the last six years. “The pandemic closed us down.” She says, “It was extremely hard to close the doors, lay off so many staff, and watch as people’s careers and lives were turned upside down throughout the industry. I am so glad those days are gone, and we are able to bring back many of those same people we loved working with before we were forced to shut down.”

Now, the overseer of the hotel as well as the owner of the restaurant, Alisa has plans for a renaissance with the goal of bringing the Diamond into a new post-pandemic era where the two halves of the business are once again made whole.

“One really complements the other, and it’s so great to be able to bring that to the community,” she says. “Now that I finally have the chance to marry the two, put the two back together, and do events for Downtown Chico, I’m really looking forward to the community being able to use it for a multitude of activities to be enjoyed. Chico State, Enloe, DCBA, art events, family reunions, any and all events—I just can’t wait!” The restaurant can hold small intimate parties of 10-20 as well as up to 200 people. “We have companies and groups of people who have rented the entire hotel, bar, and restaurant!"

Beginning late in 2022, Alisa started hiring department heads to bring the hotel back up to pre-pandemic operating standards and has assembled a solid team of staff that are working expertly well together in all areas of the restaurant and hotel. The restaurant is not quite up to full steam, but Alisa isn’t sure it will become a full-service locale again unless the public wants it to be. “If we find that the public does want a restaurant, then that will more than likely happen in the fall,” she says. “Right now, we are doing sharable small plates, along with every fabulous cocktail and mocktail. We also have great desserts. We’re going to go really slow and build on our momentum, so we make sure we do it right.” Currently, the restaurant is serving as an overflow area from the bar, which has been working well. A new Disklavier baby grand piano is located in the restaurant space which has added a live music element that Alisa loves. Wednesday nights are trivia nights where trivia lovers now pack the space. “I feel like making the Hotel Diamond accessible to the public is really something that we’re trying to establish,” Alisa says. “I want it to be a place where people say, let’s meet at the Diamond to have a drink, have a quick bite, get together, and have some fun. I recently had a class reunion, and it was so great getting together in the restaurant space to sit, talk, catch up, and of course, reminisce on fun times from growing up in Chico.”

For the last several years, in addition to

being a regular working hotel, the Diamond has been the site of weddings and special holiday events. “We have been doing private events for the holidays. People have been hosting their Christmas parties here or Thanksgiving celebrations, as you can do a banquet or a full-seated dinner, depending on what people want for their companies and friends,” Alisa says. “There have been a lot of companies who have been utilizing the hotel who are not even from this area. They come in and rent the entire hotel, and they do a pub crawl or a dinner here, and then they do dinners at other places

around town.” The Diamond is well-suited for weddings because of the combination of bar and hotel. Not only can the whole bridal party stay in the hotel, but they can also have private events before and after the wedding, like brunch or cocktail hour. “Catering to wedding parties by being able to host your guests but also toast the bride and groom before heading off, really makes this a great spot,” Alisa says.

The downstairs wine cellar also has some big plans in the works. “In the springtime, we are going to be working on the

downstairs banquet areas, bringing a very swanky intimate bar into the wine cellar. We’ll be bringing in backlit stained glass and serving cocktails down there, so if you have a function, you have your own private area and bar. We may do something like a speakeasy, eventually, and create something super cozy down there. We are also looking into bringing back brunches with delicious items like specialty muffins, cheeses and cured meats, as well as features like a carving station.”

The Hotel Diamond has a rich history in Chico. In the 1960s, the hotel functioned as a residence hall for female undergraduate students at Chico State and is incidentally where Alisa’s parents met. In the basement,

around the same time the students were in residence, were locally well-known restaurants Mike and Eddy’s, and after that, Delanceys, a somewhat pricey establishment with white tablecloths and waiters where Chico State students would bring their dates. Many of those people are still living in Chico today and love to sit at the bar and reminisce on their college days.

“When you stay in a historical place, you feel like you’re part of that history,” Alisa says. “To keep the history going is really a neat thing, and when you come to the Hotel Diamond, that’s how you feel when you stay here. It’s warm and inviting, and you see the history behind it.”

Alisa was born and raised in Chico and says, “I had a great time going to school at Chico Jr. and Chico High. “Downtown was our place to grow up; it’s always been the hub of our city. Pioneer Days was a community event that was so festive and super fun. I remember roller skating downtown, riding bikes everywhere, and I always loved to be active. I had many coaches that also went to school here who made it extra special.

I was always the kid that said, ‘Put me in, Coach, I’m ready.’ This community means

so much to me, and I can’t think of a better place in the world to have my roots. I love this old building and am ready to bring back Downtown Chico as the place our community wants to spend its time enjoying. This is the place I call home.”

“There is one last thing my father left undeveloped that has fabulous potential,” Alisa says. “He reengineered the Morehead Building with the ability to build and sustain a rooftop bar. This is definitely in the future. We are going slow and working on improvement and structure every day at the hotel and restaurant. I will continue to build on his vision with my own, and believe in my community as much as my father did. My dad always said, ‘You gotta believe.’”

Visit the Hotel Diamond at 220 W. 4th Street in Downtown Chico for live music on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, as well as trivia on Wednesdays. Be sure to try their array of small plates and fine cocktails, and keep your eyes on their Facebook and twitter page for updates regarding the new developments in the works. For reservations, visit them online at www.HotelDiamondChico.com

PHOTO BY LARRY LEIGH

Accepted, Supported, and Integrated: Supporting Individuals with Brain Injury and their Families and Caregivers for Over 30 Years

According to the Brain Injury Association, every 9 seconds, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury. Most of us would assume that an injury to the brain would be caused by an incident taking place outside the body, such as a fall or a car accident, and we are not totally wrong in this assumption: 47.9% of all traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused by falls, and 13.2% by motor vehicle accidents. But TBIs are only one side of the brain injury coin. On the reverse are ABIs, or Acquired Brain Injuries, which are traumas

“not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma.” They are, in short, those caused by substance abuse, stroke, oxygen deprivation, toxic exposure, infectious disease, electric shock, or even lightning strike. And though they may go by different names, the consequences can be unpredictable in both cases.

A brain injury affects who we are, how we think, how we act, and how we feel. For many individuals, it can mean a loss of their entire way of life in the blink of an

eye, rendering them incapable of caring for themselves or completing certain tasks. For those folks and their caregivers, life can suddenly feel uncertain and scary, without clear guideposts for moving forward or maps to navigate what comes next.

But maps and guideposts are just what the Brain Injury Coalition in Chico aims to provide. Since 1991, the Brain Injury Coalition has been the foremost resource for people with brain injuries and their families and caregivers in the Northstate. Their mission is to raise awareness about brain injury and help those with brain injuries to live full lives. “I think that many times, after a traumatic event, people are just so focused on rehabilitation. They’re in the hospital, and that is all-consuming. Then they come back to their home and recognize that they need to be involved in their own community,” BIC president Landa Bell says. “That can be really challenging. So, we’ve been involved to really try to create that community. We’re here to provide education materials or guide them to what resources exist.”

BIC’s ongoing programs include Thresholds, a series of educational workshops addressing a wide range of issues relating to brain injury which meets monthly at the Enloe Conference Center; Caregiver Connection, which provides support to caregivers by putting them in touch with one another; and Beyond Brain Injury: From the Inside speaker’s bureau, which provides presentations to schools and other organizations. They also partner with Erin Haley Music Therapy to change the lives of brain injury patients through music, have a large library of resource materials and DVDs in their office, host a podcast in partnership with Chico State’s Communications and Disorders clinic, and hold a weekly book club.

The Coalition is overseen by a working board of volunteers, headed by Landa Bell. Landa came to Chico from Colorado to help develop the brain injury program at what is now Enloe Rehab. When managed care came into the community, Landa decided to stay in Chico as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in private practice, and in 2011 helped the Brain Injury Coalition transition into an office in Downtown Chico’s Waterland Breslauer building. “At the moment,” she says, “I’m also working

with the Disability Action Center as their TBI Community Coordinator. We’re trying to bring more advocates to help individuals with brain injury in the community and provide more services so that they can live independently.” As a survivor of several brain injuries herself, Landa understands the condition inside and out. She has been a member of BIC since the very beginning, and feels passionately about helping individuals with brain injuries. “Brain injuries don’t discriminate,” she says. “They happen to so many people because of things like falls and recreational accidents like bike riding. One or two percent of people are living in this community with challenges from a brain injury, and those are people we can count, people who have gone to the emergency room. What we know is that there are so many people who are injured, say from intimate partner violence, that no

one even knows about because they don’t seek care.”

Part of preventing brain injuries is better awareness about their causes and the things that we can do to prevent them. On March 29th, in partnership with Passages Caregiver Resource Center, BIC will be presenting the Healthy Brain Workshop at the Enloe Conference Center in recognition of Brain Injury Awareness Month. “Because the focus is to educate, and we’ve been working with Passages to do that, this year our conference is about all the things that we can do to keep our brain healthy,” Landa says. “We are bringing someone up from San Francisco who is a sleep specialist who has done research on sleep disorders and problems after brain injury, but she will also talk about the importance of good sleep hygiene. Other speakers will talk

about nutrition and exercise as well as mindfulness, because stress is a big issue, and it doesn’t help our brain.”

The conference is open to those who suffer from brain injuries, their families and caregivers, and the general public. “Prevention is the only cure for brain injury,” Landa says. “We have to do what we can to prevent this from happening, so creating a healthy brain is important, wearing bicycle helmets, all of those things that we know will make a difference.”

For more information on BIC’s programs and services, visit their website online at www.braininjurycoalition.info and don't forget to visit Passages Caregiver Resource Center's website online as well at https://www.passagescenter.org/caregivers

C L A S S + C O M F O R T

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C U S T O M I Z E

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• 3 B e d r o o m s , 2 5 B a t h r o o m s

• 4 B e d r o o m s , 3 B a t h r o o m s

• 4 B e d r o o m s , 3 5 B a t h r o o m s

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O C A T I O N

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C H I C O ’ S M O D E R N

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• 3 - 4 B e d ro o m H o m e s

• 2,000 - 2,500+/- SF Floor Plans

• 6 , 0 0 0 - 1 0 , 0 0 0 + / - S F Lo t s

• O w n e d S o l a r

• C h o o s e Yo u r F i n i s h e s !

B O O K A TO U R TO D AY

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Westerdahl Ct

Harkness Ct

'Shroomin'!

When is a mushroom a toadstool? That’s the question for today. Mushroom? Toadstool? Mushstool? (Usually found in the middle of the road.) A toadstool often indicates one poisonous to humans OR it’s an unscientific label referring to colorful, poisonous, or inedible mushrooms. However, scientists make no differentiation between a toadstool or mushroom. The next question is, have you ever seen a toad sitting on a mushroom? I think not!

At first blush, you might not think mushrooms would or could be so complicated. But they are. First off, they can have goofy names like puffball, stinkhorn, and musheron, musserouns, and bolete. They can be used in a variety of ways besides cooking. Additionally, they can be wonderful for your health or they can kill you.

That leads us to the next big question: How do you tell a poisonous mushroom from an edible one? The definitive answer is I DON’T KNOW, AND I’M NOT LOOKING IT UP! Too many people who thought they knew ended up dying horrible deaths due

to liver failure. Unless you are a trained mushroom hunter, the only way to be sure mushrooms are edible is if you find them in your local market.

One thing is certain, mushrooms are fascinating and offer us a variety of uses. Some mushroom facts are listed below:

1. Scientists have classified 2,189 mushrooms as edible. 2,006 are edible as is; 183 need “pre-treatment” in order to be edible.

2. Yartsa Gunbu is the world’s most expensive mushroom. It’s called the caterpillar fungus because it kills its host and grows out of the caterpillar’s carcass. (Civet coffee beans anyone?) The mushrooms cost about $50K per pound.

3. Mushrooms fight aging and age-related illnesses because of their large amounts of ergothioneine and glutathione. Trust me on this! I was seven years younger when I finished this article.

4. Button, Cremini, and Portobello are the same mushroom at different stages. Button—baby, Cremini—teen, Portobello— adult.

5. Mushroom fossils dating back thousands of years have been found, measuring 24 feet tall and three feet in diameter.

6. In 1991, hikers found a 5,300 year old mummified body in the Swiss Alps. Mushrooms were found in his leather pouch.

7. You don’t need special “mushroom dirt” to grow some varieties. You can grow them in coffee grounds and on cardboard.

8. Mushrooms can be used as a natural pesticide. Once again, upon consumption, mushrooms can kill ants and termites.

9. The Deathcap mushroom is one of the deadliest organisms in the world. A person can die within 72 hours after ingestion.

10. Mushrooms containing psilocybin have been legalized to help with depression and addiction when administered by a state-licensed facilitator. One of the most potent of these mushrooms is called the Penis Envy mushroom. Yikes!

Caffeinated Chatter

What are your favorite Downtown Chico businesses?

Tres hombres has been a go-to for me every week for a long time. Morning Thunder has been as well. Back in the day, we loved frequenting La Fonda’s and a number of the other old spots downtown. I’m a huge fan of The Roost. It’s nice to see them in a much larger and nicer place. I love cruising through the Saturday Farmers Market. It has the perfect Chico vibe.

I love Little Red Hen in Downtown Chico! They have a wonderful selection of home goods in their store, and I respect their committment to providing employment opportunities to folks with special needs. They're great!

Sicilian Cafe is my Cheers bar, and I’ve been going there since it opened. The new space was formerly Christian Michael’s, and I absolutely love what they've done with it. The restaurant is always an amalgamation of interesting people. I also love Collier’s Hardware because you can find anything and everything there.

Fred Heath

David Raven

Kelci Hatcher

The Untelevised

Tea Bar & Fusion Café

What better way to celebrate the capping off a season of big games, both professional and collegiate, than with some bowls of our own? Sure, you’ve heard of the Rose Bowl or Fiesta Bowl, but what about the Myrtle Beach Bowl or the Lending Tree Bowl? Certainly, you've heard of the bowls at Tea Bar & Fusion Cafe, and that marks stop number one for the “Bar” Bowl. We went to the Vallombrosa location, marked by the bustle of foot traffic and the excited folks sitting outside under the large patio umbrellas and canopy of natural shade. This ever-popular destination for professionals and students alike is perfect for someone who wants an easy order of consistently delicious food. Bright, colorful menus guide the ordering stepby-step, through the protein, to the grains and greens, and finally the dressings and extras. Then, things get more difficult. The drinks all sound so good, and there are pages of them.

While the salmon is my go-to, I went with the London broil with mixed greens, opting out of the ever-popular half-greens-half-grains mix. The bowl’s

ingredients are very much “what you see is what you get”—fresh tasting vegetables. In this manner, the protein shines while the other items add texture without the competition of salt. The edamame gives a smooth textured bite while the crunch of the carrots and snap of the sprouts adds more to the senses than taste alone. The London broil was served medium well, but still was tender and packed full of juices, and those marinade juices that rest on the bottom of the bowl could have been enough for me. Then the dressing is added, and the creamy wasabi becomes the star of the show. Fresh, vibrant ginger spice and the back-of-the-tongue punch, indicative of wasabi, reside in a smooth creamy texture. It’s not overpowering but enough to make you tear up if you take too large of a bite.

Tea Bar Is a place of bright character and color, high energy flavor, and a bustling atmosphere that is very much Chico. Try them at either location and attempt to find your favorite combination with each upcoming visit.

Bar Bowl Games

This writing comes days after the Super Bowl—a clock-ticking time bomb of anxiety for fans not just from Kansas City or Philadelphia, but lovers of football altogether. Day Two of our Bar Bowl games took us to a familiar site of our downtown walks, made new again with their patio expansion and upgraded curb appeal from the Diamond’s luxurious historic remodel above. Yes, we’re talking about the Rawbar. From the sleek interiors to the red brick and turquoise Satava art, the Rawbar has its very own refined signature feel. The newer patio with multiple propane heaters welcomes visitors to enjoy the beauties of Downtown Chico and bird-walking through meetings, all while satisfying their appetites.

Given that this was a bowl challenge, the Rawbar made the list upon the idea's inception. A local nutritionist and chiropractor told me she swears by this because it checks all the boxes, although I opted for grains over greens today. Ingredients: Broccoli (a superfood packed with vitamin C, iron, potassium, and high in protein), organic rice (gluten-free,

full of healthy carbs), and chicken (high in protein, lays eggs, I love eggs). The chicken was juicy, tender, and cooked to perfection. The broccoli had a light sweetchili-spice sauce with a touch of citrus, not hard-hitting, just delicious in flavor and lightly cooked texture. The grains were a blank canvas adding softness and density to the bite while taking in the other flavors. Again, the dressing was the secret weapon. The Slam Sauce (aka Rawbar Ranch) is this umami bomb—a thin mayo, soy, and chili oil creation of sushi master, and former chef, Mike. To finish my lunch, I added all the sauce and had the best rice soup of my life.

Of course, you can enjoy the great rolls and sashimi indicative of their name, or stop in for an oyster shooter, but their hot menu also has something for everyone. With happy hour back from 2-4 pm Thursday-Monday, you can enjoy more for less. Just make sure when you go to order an Arnold Palmer, you ask properly for their limeade version, the Jackie Chan.

Dream Big

When Louisa Louie enlisted Ayke Argus to teach her children the finer arts of piano and violin years ago, she never dreamed that Ayke and she would become such good friends and eventually lead to a wonderful collaboration: the creation of the Dream Big concert series in Oroville. Louisa’s numerous connections and Ayke’s world class musicianship would combine to create a premiere fundraising event in Oroville.

The presentations, part of a two-weekend performance at the State Theater on March 3, and the Grand Ballroom in the Historic Oroville Inn on March 11, will showcase bands from local schools the first weekend and Ayke Agus and friends the following weekend. This second performance will highlight world class musicians on the violin, piano, and guitar, and span classical, jazz, and the blues.

The Dream Big event goes back to 2015, when Louisa Louie saw a definite need for local school music programs to benefit from donations to not only fund equipment but to keep the programs running. The Dream Big Festival brings local programs together on one stage to promote music, friendship between local school musicians, and provide individual scholarships and overall music support. Local high schools and middle schools will perform on March 3 at the State Theater. Music begins at 9:00am and concludes with a benefit concert at 6:00pm.

On March 11, Ayke Agus, world-class musician and instructor, who trained under the legendary Jascha Heifetz at USC, will be on stage. Dr. Agus has performed and lectured throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Venues include The House of Composers, St. Petersburg, Russia; the California Philharmonic Orchestra; the Royal Academy of Music in London; the LaJolla Summer Music Festival; and the Colburn School of Performing Arts, University of Maryland.

Agus believes music is healing. “It helps young people dream big,” she said. “Music is the universal language.” She gives credit to her husband, Matthew, a former English professor, for introducing her to different kinds of music. This is why she has invited a wide range of artists to perform in Oroville, some of whom she has met in Yuba City, where she and her husband relocated. “I’d never be able to do what I’ve done here if we were still in L.A.” Part of what she is able to do is play at events like Dream Big and other local charities. She believes music unites people for the common good.

Ayke brings a positive attitude to her performances to share with the audience, and she will bring a number of classically trained musicians and local talent to the Grand Ballroom at the Oroville Inn. Music begins at 5:00pm. Dinner will be provided by The Union restaurant and a silent (as well as live) auction will be held to sell pieces by various artists such as Louise and Wing Chung Louie.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

MASTERWORKS 4: RACHMANINOFF & DVOŘÁK Guest Artist Charlie Albright, piano

Join North State Symphony as they capture in sound the iconic beauty of nature’s endless charm. A highlight for this performance is the World Premier of Lassen Awakes! by composer Marko Bajzer, 2022 Artist-in-Residence at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Bajzer was awarded a co-commission by the North State Symphony to produce this original piece, and it will be performed before a live audience for the first time at this concert.

PROGRAM:

BAJZER - Lassen Awakes! *World Premiere*

RACHMANINOFF - Piano Concerto No. 2

DVORAK - Symphony No. 8

Saturday, May 13 | 7:30 PM | Cascade Theatre, Redding

Sunday, May 14 | 2:00 PM | Laxson Auditorium, Chico

Los Lobos

BUI

Pink Martini

The Balourdet Quartet

THATS Oroville Cleans Up

As much as people complain about the younger generation and “kids these days,” there is an abundance of intelligent, motivated, and promising teenagers out there. Vann Warnock is definitely at the top of the list. 16 years old and a junior at Oroville High School, Warnock had trouble fitting in volunteer community service hours with his school schedule. Since he’s only 16, many organizations told him he needed to be 18 due to liability issues. So, Vann and his grandfather, Mike Brown, decided to brainstorm.

The plan they came up with is called THATS Oroville: Trucker Hat Action Team Serving Oroville, a cleanup crew collecting trash in Downtown Oroville a few days a week. You can spot them wearing their light blue, semi-Spongebobinspired hats and carrying their white buckets and grabbers. Currently, Vann and his friend Lucas Carpenter, along with Grandpa Mike, comprise the crew, but they’re hoping to expand. One way is to involve the Oroville High School Environmental Club. “I’m hoping to get some of the members out here to help,” said Vann. “I just recently joined, but the advisor thought it was a good idea.”

Remember, when you’re dealing with

Vann Warnock, you’re not dealing with your average teen. He carries a 4.0 GPA and has big plans for college, specifically the Cal Maritime Academy in Vallejo. “I enjoy learning about the world,” he said. “The Maritime Academy would provide me with a big opportunity to further my goals.”

Something else that sets Vann apart is his love of being a native of Oroville. “Every brick has been laid for a very long time—each one has integrity. I want to keep Downtown Oroville like it’s been historically. Small town values are also very important.” And this kid is 16!

One positive aspect of their downtown endeavor is the thanks they get. From businesspeople to shoppers, to, yes, even the homeless, they get thanked frequently. “People see us picking up everything on the ground, but the biggest pieces of litter are candy wrappers and cigarette butts,” said Vann. The trash is put into buckets, transferred to local garbage cans, or taken to a bigger container at home.

Along the way, besides Grandfather Mike and Grandma Rosetta, Vann has received excellent support from his dad, James Warnock, an auto shop teacher, and mom, Nicole Warnock, who works at Oroville Hospital. “His parents have instilled a wonderful work ethic in Vann and his sister, Oceanna, who attends Davis,” said Mike. “They’ve both been top students in school,” he added.

Right now, Vann is in the top ten in his junior class at Oroville High, but he wants to be in the top five. “The covid years we lost made me rethink what I wanted to do. It gave me time to research and think about my future. Now that we’re back in school, I want to make the most of being in the classroom.”

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

bring us home

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

Chico Eye center's vision of excellence

Light from the windows placed high on the walls of the two story entryway floods the lobby of Chico Eye Center’s new building. The state-of-the-art facility and experience has been painstakingly designed, from the bright welcoming entryway all the way down to the informative direction cards handed to patients upon check-in. Each facet of the design choice was made with an eye towards the best and most efficient patient experiences, and that eye has clear 20/20 vision.

Jana Gilbert, Chico Eye Center’s practice administrator, says that when shifting to the new office, they tried to anticipate and address any issues that may prove challenging to their patients in order to make the experience and transition to the new facility as seamless as possible. While the building is large—large enough to accommodate for current usage as well as future doctor and service expansion— the pod-based design offsets the size and creates a calm aesthetic.

The entry has a large central check-in desk flanked by general waiting areas on either side. A screen above displays a map of the building with real-time information indicating which doctors are working in each of the pods, what

patients are assigned, and if the doctor is running on time. Dr. Arregui explains, “Sometimes people really are on a tight schedule, and maybe we had an emergency or are running behind. The display allows patients to see any time issues right away, and if their schedule won’t allow them to wait, they can immediately be rescheduled.” Once patients are registered, they receive a card showing them what pod they are being seen in, what doctor they’ll be with, along with arrows showing them how to proceed.

The walls along the way are lined with vibrant photos and prints created by local Chico artists. Patients will then sit in one of four small, secluded waiting rooms assigned to their prospective pod. Dr. Arregui shares they did a lot of research on the design and had valuable input from various architectural firms. “The pod system, as opposed to a spoke and wheel system, has been shown over and over again to reduce patient wait time.”

One of the pods is exclusively reserved for younger patients and was planned with the special needs of their pediatric ophthalmology in mind. These exam rooms have been specifically designed to accommodate longer spans for vision

tests. When the usual series of mirrors that simulate a twenty foot vision test are used, a child can overuse their focusing muscles resulting in a less accurate measurement and prescription. So, the length of the room is more conducive for precise vision exams. In addition to addressing the technical aspect of pediatrics, the pod also focuses on making the experience inviting for young children who may be wary about seeing the doctor. One of the rooms boasts a lifelike undersea wall mural complete with sharks and colorful fish, while the other transports children into space with an astronaut’s view of the earth and its surroundings. Mobiles above the exam chair mirror the room theme and give younger ones something to look at as they lean back in the chair.

The centrally located optical boutique, which is easily accessible from any of the four pods as well as the entryway, means browsing the expansive selection of frames is available to anyone during their appointment or if they just want to drop by the space to shop.

The laser suite is found off to the left of the entrance and offers LASIK surgery, crosslinking corneal procedure, and cosmetic eyelid surgeries with access to the most advanced lasers available.

In addition to the newly designed pods, Dr. Arregui says that by having all of the doctors share one large central office, they are able to collaborate more easily and effectively. “There’s a lot more collegiality in that you can be sitting there looking over a case and ask other doctors their opinion. It allows us to bounce ideas off of each other and is designed to allow more interaction and cooperation.” In addition to the pod design, central office, and the advanced laser suite, Dr. Gilbert is pleased with the patient areas. “I think the space for patients is really nice too. The brightness of the whole office is fresh, and everyone sees better.”

Stop by Chico Eye Center to see how their vision came together in the new facility and shop the extensive optical boutique at 3401 Esplanade. If you’d like to set up an appointment call 530-895-1727 or visit their website at www.chicoeye.com.