Upgraded Living - November 2021 by Upgraded Living

Q&A WITH DR. HODARI

HALO HYBRID FRACTIONAL LASER What is the Halo Laser? The Halo Laser is the world's first hybrid fractional resurfacing laser. The hybrid nature of the Halo means that the laser delivers both ablative and non-ablative energies in one treatment. This results in both excellent outcomes while allowing for shorter recovery times.

What can the Halo treat or target? The Halo is an excellent "all around" laser. It improves skin texture, tone and brightness, while also reducing the appearance of sun-damaged skin by improving redness and brown sun spots. At higher settings the Halo can even decrease fine lines and minimize the appearance of deeper wrinkles. It is completely customizable based on each patient's targeted condition and tolerability for downtime.

What is the downtime with this treatment? The downtime varies with the depth or level of the treatment. Gentle or lower level treatments have about 5 days of downtime. This downtime could consist of redness, swelling, and mild to moderate peeling. You should plan to take it easy and relax mostly inside after your treatment. Higher level or more aggressive Halo treatments, which have the benefit of addressing deeper wrinkles, especially around the mouth, might have downtime closer to 7-10 days.

How many Halo treatments do I need? One of the benefits of the Halo is that people can have significant benefits from just one treatment. The extent to which the results last are, in part, proportional to how well one protects their investment and uses daily sun protective measures. One the other hand, one can also experience cumulative benefits and improvements from more than one treatment. For example, some patients elect to receive 2-3 gentle treatments a few months apart instead of one of the more aggressive treatments.

As alluded

to earlier, the treatment can be customized to target your desired outcome 2

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"My experience at Rejuvené was so uplifting, the staff

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FROM THE EDITOR I have long wondered about this whole grateful thing attached to November. I get the Thanksgiving part, the notion of giving thanks—well—kinda. It’s like the Valentine’s Day audaciousness of telling us we have only one day a year to express our love. Apparently, the fourth Thursday of November is the day to announce our gratitude. So, as always, I turned to research and discovered, of all things, the three tiers of gratitude. They consist of the following: gratefully, over gratefully, quasi gratefully. Now we have a pretty good definition and picture of the Thanksgivings I grew up witnessing. A direct synonym for grateful is obliged which only further confuses the entire concept by adding phrasing like “bound by duty,” “forced by law,” and thankfully (pun intended) “appreciative.” When ‘very much’ is placed in front of the word obliged, it becomes a whole different ball of wax. Uh, hold on, you may have to ponder this one on your own, for now. I mean, for Pete’s sake, what in the hell does ‘ball of wax’ actually mean? And, just who is Pete? For certain, we are very much obliged to have community members like Loeta Robles among us. Our cover story not only tells her rich story but also introduces her new associate, Dr. Saeed Yazdianpour. It is a delightful and insightful read, one you will not want to miss. We continue hearing praise for the addition of the community pages featuring stories from Oroville, Paradise, and Orland. This month will, once again, entertain and inform you about these wonderful surrounding towns. This month’s Backpage comes with a story. It is 1991, and I found myself rehabilitating my knee in a whirlpool of ice water. Looking for any distraction, I was able to reach out and retrieve the only magazine within reach—a rock-n-roll magazine, and I have no recollection of its name. Toward the back was an intriguing full page, written by Bono, of U2 fame, titled 50 Reasons Why I Love Bob Dylan as He Turns 50. I carefully ripped it out, folded it up, and put it in my pocket. I have modeled it on several occasions—40 year-old-birthday cards to name one. My students wrote their versions based on such prompts as 50 reasons they loved or hated reading the book of choice at the moment. So, there you go—shout out to Bono for inspiring the Backpage. I am grateful, and not either overly or quasi.

UPGRADED LIVING STAFF AVEED KHAKI Publisher/Owner KEVIN DOLAN Editor-in-Chief JASON CORONA Sales Director BEAU VANDERMATE General Swiss Army Knife

SHELLY BRANDON Writer TIM MILHORN Writer

CONTRIBUTORS DOUG LOVE

SWEENEY & MICHEL

Real Estate

Finance

HRiQ

DERM BAR

Human Resources

Beauty

RYAN STEFANELLI

JESSICA WILKERSON

Tacos

Mental Health

For editorial or general magazine inquiries, please contact: Kevin Dolan kevin@upgradedliving.com

Kevin Dolan Editor-in-Chief

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

CONTENTS | NOVEMBER 2021

FOOD

POTPOURRI

10 Anything but well done—crushin' it with Chef Warren

24 Stem cell regeneration and the new technology behind it

12 Parkside Tap House brings back their Friendsgiving fundraiser

26 The coolest band you’ve never seen before: an interview with West Ghost

14 Back-to-back biscuits and gravy, without an afternoon nap

28 Award-winning Jeweler, Geralyn Sheridan strikes gold in Las Vegas

16 Tres Hombres launches their new Happy Hour

49 Art talk: A celebration of the work and outreach of Dolores Mitchell

16 El Paisa—realizing the American dream one taco at a time

68 Kicking off the winter season with Chico Performances. Clear your calendar.

20 Catch a glimpse of the action at Golden Beaver Distillery 31 The next chapter of Sweet Chico Confections is unwrapped

COMMUNITY 52 Delivery can wait. The importance of shopping local and the offerings of Downtown Chico 58 A city landmark explained. Welcome to town!” cries the Orland Arch

60 Lace up tight and take some Ibuprofen—the annual Paradise ice rink is back 64 Table Mountain part 2: The history of the eighty-foot “O” 64 Cool Kid Isaac Arteaga assures us not to fear his Reaper Fever hot sauce

60 8

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FEATURE 43 Losing themselves in the service of others. A fateful encounter furthers a quest for the highest level patient care as Dr. Loeta Robles DDS is joined by prosthodontist, Dr. Saeed Yazdianpour. If you think specialists are only out of the area, think again.

ON THE COVER: DRS. LOETA ROBLES AND SAEED YAZDIANPOUR PHOTO BY: DIANE NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

DESIGN BY: ERIK BROWN

WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN | PHOTO BY BEAU VANDERMATE

Crushin' it Warren Miller, the head chef at Crush Italian Cuisine & Lounge, has an infectious enthusiasm. He combines his passion with persistence and pride by demonstrating care for both his job and its clients. He explains, “It is like we are inviting these folks into our home.” They are a part of the family. Warren considers Crush his homeaway-from-home with the understanding the staff is part of the established culture. He is happy the kitchen is not stagnant, as he constantly grows as a chef alongside the growth of each person around him. Warren’s pride is literally on display through a tattoo of Crush’s logo on his forearm. Warren grew up, “All over the Bay.” A move to Paradise for high school was a true culture shock at the lack of big malls and amusement parks. Upon graduation, he enrolled in culinary school at Sonoma State University’s sister program at Modesto Junior College. With a degree in hand, he found himself returning to Chico, focusing on upscale restaurants. Early stints were at the Red Tavern; serving as manager of the Chico Outlaws concessions including kids, box seats, and player cuisine; and on the morning crew at Chili’s. He then landed 10

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his dream job at Crush and has not looked back. Warren’s kitchen philosophy is to treat each and every plate as if it is going to the most important person in the room. Be it an order of garlic-cheese bread, White Pie pizza, or a center cut 8-ounce filet mignon—each dish is given the same care and attention. Warren’s ‘go-to’ dish is chicken piccata, ordering the dish wherever he goes to cook and prepare “10,000 of them.” Warren is adamant about preparing the sauce for each piccata dish so the guy at the table by the window gets his sauce prepared the same way as the person on the other side of the restaurant. He simply does not know of anything he would not want or won’t cook, it simply is not in his chef mentality. When pressed, he admitted, “OK, I am not a fan of cooking anything well done.” We celebrate Warren for a job well done. We wish him the best as he puts a little love in each dish ensuring the value is worth it. We marvel at his tried and tested enthusiasm leading to his eident pride of being the head chef at Crush.

over four years ago, and we want to take the opportunity to give back once again.” Josh Marks, co-owner of Parkside said, “During the aftermath of the Camp Fire, Downtown Chico came together to raise money for those who needed it most, and we were really able to make a difference. It was just one piece of the massive community effort, but it was humbling to be a part of it. In 2019, our first Friendsgiving raised a considerable amount to help put food on the table throughout our community. Though we weren’t able to have an event in 2020, due to dining restrictions, we’re looking to make up for it with our second Friendsgiving this year.” Josh Snider, also co-owner of Parkside, continued, “It’s been incredible to have had a hand in helping make a difference in our community, and this cause is one that deserves special attention. The holidays are not easy for many, and it’s often difficult to find the support necessary to make it through. We hope this fundraiser helps those support systems continue to do the incredible work they do year-round in keeping our veterans safe and healthy.”

House hosted their first Friendsgiving to benefit families who were struggling to put food on their tables. This year, Parkside is once again looking to bring the community together and continue the tradition with the return of their Friendsgiving event celebrating the spirit of giving.

Bill Buxton, Parkside’s general manager, finished, “We feel a certain level of responsibility here. We have the space to bring a large group together and the ability to affect change on a local level. If we were in need, we would certainly hope others would be willing to do the same for us. The three of us are looking at this as an opportunity for Parkside to continue an annual tradition rooted in philanthropy and to benefit a group that has sacrificed so much to give us the freedoms we often take for granted. Our community has been so giving over the years, and we want to give back.”

On Thursday, November 18th, Parkside will host their second annual Friendsgiving dinner at 115 West 3rd Street in Downtown Chico. The perfect time to celebrate the season with friends and family alike, the Thanksgiving dinner will benefit struggling veterans, a group which has particular difficulty during this time of year.

Parkside’s Friendsgiving dinner will be limited in capacity and will be a private event. Money raised by the dinner will be matched by a number of sponsors and vendors, further amplifying the efforts of Parkside and those attending the dinner. The money raised will go directly to assisting veterans in need throughout our commuity.

“The community has been incredible in supporting Parkside since we opened

To purchase tickets for the event, visit http://events.orderparkside.com

the second annual Friendsgiving fundraiser at Parkside Tap House November and December have always been special months for the team at Upgraded Living. Chico finally welcomes chillier temperatures, beautiful changing hues throughout our tree-lined streets, and pumpkin added into every possible food group. Though there’s no shortage of reasons to love this time of year—our favorite is the spirit that always seems to arrive with the season. Whether by happenstance or the general nature of the holidays, people tend to embody their most giving and selfless selves; through it, we’ve seen the community come together to do incredible things. In 2018, a number of the restaurants in Downtown Chico came together to donate a portion of their sales each Wednesday to help victims of the Camp Fire. In 2019, Parkside Tap 12

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SOUTHERN

Morning Thunder First Glance: We immediately appreciated the newer looking soft colors of grey paint and how they transformed the cafe into the most modern way of travelling back in time. The kitchen crew, busy behind the line, satisfied a full house as the conversations poured from each arch of the ovular dining room. Old friends reunited and business gatherings were had over some of the most sought after comfort food in town. We quickly found our way to the ever-healthy biscuits and gravy, taking a moment to decide on the best way to wash them down. The Experience: The 75-cent split-plate charge was well worth it, as the generous portions served would have led to an early nap at our desks. The biscuit was large and crumbly, not dense, and cut easily. The half sausage patty was broken into varied sizes, so each bite was unlike the last. The gravy, well, it somehow tasted healthy. It didn’t leave a film in your mouth and tasted like it was made with quality milk and butter. Everything we expected to be salty was certainly not, allowing us to spice and season as needed. 14

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The Extra: The potatoes were cut large enough to enjoy and not too large that they were unevenly cooked. Also, they were not salty. This is a meal that keeps you out of trouble if you’re sensitive to sodium. We added an egg that would complement the potatoes and eventually married them with Tapatio. It’s not hard to tell why folks have their regular seats claimed or why there’s a row of customers’ coffee cups decorating the back bar. This establishment isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a routine.

COMFORT

THE ROOST First Glance: This restaurant has split personalities— half horseshoe countertop and half 1970’s living room. The settings of these outings could not be more of a stark contrast. We sat in the living room, complete with wood-slat wall coverings and quirky namesake decor of roosters that ran the length of the back wall. Again, we found ourselves seeking a smaller order of the famed sausage with biscuits and gravy. With a sign in the diner portion reading “I love you like biscuits and gravy,” the expectations were high.

The Extra: Besides these cute icons dictating a winner, I can tell you with a great deal of certainty that cardiologists are the real winner of this contest. That being said, when you dine at the Roost, you're getting true down home cooking. Sitting at the horseshoe, if you meet one person you can meet everyone, and in the other dining room, more private conversations can be had— even business meetings disguised as breakfast.

The Experience: We inspected our plate to make sure we were fairly accessing the various elements this comparison needed to be even. The biscuit was dense but flavorful, and it was not soggy from the gravy. The sausage was spread evenly throughout the gravy, giving the pork sausage flavor throughout. A dash of paprika and some black pepper danced through each bite. I was delighted that this, too, did not have the pasty texture that makes your mouth full before your stomach.

The happiest hours in town It probably goes without saying that some of the happiest afternoon hours are had right in the heart of Downtown Chico. With happy hour menus that span every taste possible, and pricing that makes visiting a no-brainer, there couldn't be a better time to make the short drive and revisit one of your favorites. Indeed, the list of happy hour locales includes some of our favorites: Crush, Bella's Sports Pub, La Salles, and Panamas to name a few. Most recently, Tres Hombres relaunched their famous happy hour, and we can confidently say the changes were wellworth the wait. Tres Hombres' new happy hour schedule runs Wednesday through Sunday from 4-6pm and includes a number of delicious offerings from their bar and kitchen starting at just four dollars. We'll start at the bottom and work our way up. In the four dollar category, you'll find all draft beers and rocket fuels. For five dollars, you have access to Chico's best margarita— specifically their regular house margarita, Bogle wines, and well cocktails. Add a dollar and you'll enjoy taquitos, guacamole, and spicy bean dip. Finally, for just ten dollars 16

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you can choose kitchen favorites like Tres' quesadillas—chicken, steak, or veggie— coconut prawns, the Tres Mexi-burger, or nachos—steak or chicken. From the bar, you'll find their grande house margarita. At prices like these, there's truly no better time to visit Tres and enjoy these favorites than during their happy hour. Also, keep in mind these prices still include complimentary chips and salsa with every purchase, making the deal that much more appealing. We stopped by a number of times in midOctober since the new menu launched, and if we have one piece of advice, it would be to get there early. The patio filled up by 4:15pm and the restaurant began to fill shortly thereafter. For deals like these, it's definitely worth planning a bit in advance and getting there early enough to secure the perfect table. With so many options available and so many restaurants going out of their way to make dining more affordable, there's no better time to visit Downtown Chico. Round up the friends and make a night out of it!

El Paisa has called 129 Walnut Street home for nearly 20 years, but the story of its owners, José and Maria Ortiz, begins in 1991, when Jose chose to move to Chico from Mexico. When José arrived, he went straight to work in the taco truck scene for his cousin, Javier, who owns El Original Super Grullense, Chico’s longest operating taco truck. You may remember his story from our first taco truck article in September. In the late 90’s, José and Maria moved out of Chico to explore other cities for a handful of years. In 2002, they returned to Chico deciding to raise their family here and opened their own truck. For as long as I can remember, I have been visiting José and Maria’s taco truck. They have always run an amazing business and have been smiling, cheerful, and happy to greet me like an old friend. Maria’s is generally the face that takes your order. She informed me a lot of the recipes are from her mother and grandmother. The pure joy and happiness is easy to see as both Maria and José love cooking and serving their patrons. Community service has become a driving force for them over the years, as they both agree the Chico community has done so much for them. Theirs is a true American success story. José and Maria have been sole proprietors 18

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for 20 years; raised three children, two of which have graduated Chico State and another well on his way; and have become well-known and well-regarded members of their community. After working side-by-side for so many years—years which were often filled with long hours from 4AM to 10PM— Maria laughed and said, “The only time we don’t see each other is when we are sleeping.” If that isn’t a true love story, then I don’t know what is. Success wasn’t always easy. As with any business, they have had their own ups and downs, from having to unexpectedly purchase a new truck to many long days and nights spent holding onto their coveted location. After leasing their location for many years and almost losing it to potential buyers, the Ortiz family was finally able to purchase the lot they called home. In the future, they plan on improving the area for better parking and access. As we have all seen the effects of the last 21 months, a lot of things have changed, but José and Maria are happy to be offering catering services again. They love to make the food everyone loves at the party and see everybody be so happy and joyful. Maria wanted me to pass on how thankful they both are for Chico supporting them all of these years and how they plan on serving the community for many years to come.

WRITTEN BY TACO TRACKER, RYAN STEFANELLI | PHOTO BY RYAN STEFANELLI

A TRUE american success story

World-class liquor

Way out on Cohasset Road, lies the home of Golden Beaver Distillery. The distillery is already home to world-class liquors, as its products have garnered numerous awards across the United States. Among the many includes a gold medal for their Honey Run Honey-Flavored Whiskey from the 2021 Honey Spirits Competition, a platinum award from the 2021 Ascot Awards for their Beaver Likker Moonshine, and the California Moonshine Distillery of the Year award at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition. The current selection at Golden Beaver has something for every liquor enthusiast, with more products on the way. You can saddle up (not on saddles but metal tractor seats) to the craft cocktail bar and try a variety of whiskeys, including bourbon and rye, a large 20

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flavor-infused moonshine offering, vodka, and gin. Barrel-aged Grappa will soon grace the back bar in front of the window that offers a view of the interior workings of the 6,000 square foot distillery. In prime view, just behind the back bar, is Tina, the Tennessee Thumper Still, a clever contraption of copper pipe and eight glass Mason jars where the moonshine infusion process takes place. Available this week is the latest flavor, Pumpkin Spice Moonshine, that will have you trick-or-treating down your street in no time. A number of other flavor infused ‘shines are also on hand. Also, in the background through the window, you see the main large stills “Harold and Maude” and the ten-foot-tall still “Eileen,” so named because she leans slightly. She resembles a futuristic metal giraffe with her copper and chrome colors. Having three stills is critical to the multiple-distillation process that makes Golden Beaver’s potent potables so smooth and delicious. The distillery has tasting hours five days a week and tours of the operation upon request. If you take a tour, beware! Kris Koenig’s knowledge of the ‘ins-and-outs’ of the process are mind boggling as well as fascinating. If a tour is not your shot of whiskey, then come on out for a tasting or, better yet, show up on Thursday nights where DJ RJ Laffins spins the vinyl from

5:00pm to 8:00pm. Food is available Wednesday through Sunday nights, along with live music on the weekends. The distillery serves barbecued burgers and wood-fired pizza among other offerings in the venue out back, featuring a 40’ x 20’ event tent with tables and chairs, complete with room to dance. You can also rent the space for private parties and family gettogethers. The view of the sun setting behind the Coast Range is marvelous, and you will no doubt see planes taking off and landing at the airport. Come on out to Golden Beaver Distillery, located on Browns Valley Drive, just before the sweeping curve on Cohasset road heading to the airport. Look for the billboard pointing out the right-hand turn and then take a sharp left to the top of the hill. While you’re there, head to the craft cocktail bar and try out a “Beaverita,” a blend of orange/ peach moonshine and soda, or the popular “BLT,” Beaver Liquor and Tonic. They also sell local craft beer, wine and mocktails for non-spirit drinkers. Curious about the name of the distillery? Check out next month’s issue where it will be explained along with the ecology-minded distillation process and the inclusion of rice as one of their main ingredients.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN | PHOTOS BY BEAU VANDERMATE

A chance meeting in Scotland with worldrenowned authority on Scotch whisky, Charlie Maclean, led to the creation of Golden Beaver Distillery. Partner/Head Distiller Kris Koenig recounts the story, “Due to a volcano eruption in Iceland in 2010, a two-day stopover in Scotland turned into nearly a week. It so happened Charlie Maclean was giving a master class on distilling scotch. We eventually ended up at Charlie’s house sampling scotch from all over Scotland. The idea of distilling my own liquor began there, and here we are today.”

If you saw it, you'd never forget it. If you haven’t seen it, you must. Unless, of course, you hate going to the dentist. What is it? The 1976 film Marathon Man. The scene: An evil Nazi war criminal (Laurence Olivier) tortures an innocent runner (Dustin Hoffman) in an attempt to find a cache of stolen diamonds. Picture, if you will, an innocent man being held down in a chair while the evil Nazi probes relentlessly around the victim’s mouth with a stainless steel dental tool— all without novocaine! It gets better. The Nazi then graduates to a drill…Yikes! After excavating a few holes, he asks, “Is it safe yet?” An oft-repeated question the runner cannot answer. After a few more rounds of this, the Nazi unscrews a small bottle and dips his finger in it. He takes the finger and inserts into the victim’s mouth and, no more pain! Just like that. The contents? Oil of clove, an effective and inexpensive oral pain killer. My mom soaked cotton balls in it and stuck them in my cracked tooth to kill the pain when I was ten years old. It worked! To that point in my life cloves were hard little thorns my mom peppered into the skin of the Christmas ham between the rings of pineapple. They gave the ham a warm, intense, and, well, clovy flavor. Helpful hint— never decide to shake a few whole cloves 22

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out of the little dispenser and pop them into your mouth. NOT a good idea! What is good is when you add a little clove to gingerbread or cookies, pumpkin pie, and even into bechamel sauce to put on whatever bechamel sauce is put on. Yum, I’m sure. But where do these crunchy little critters come from? Cloves are the flower buds from an evergreen tree called—wait for it—the clove tree. Cloves have been around for a couple thousand years. At one time they were found only in the Moluccas, officially and appropriately called The Spice Islands. It is said the oldest clove tree in the world, about 350-to-400 years old, named Afo, is on the island of Ternate. Later in history, cloves were grown in Mauritius and in Zanzibar. Penang cloves are gourmet cloves and harvested by hand individually to exacting standards. Hey! That’s one sexy clove! Cloves are high in manganese and contain the antioxidant eugenol, which is considered five times more effective than Vitamin E. It is also seen as a preventative to certain types of cancer such as pancreatic, breast, and liver, but these haven’t been peer reviewed. As always, there’s a ton of info on cloves, and it can be interesting. However, I strongly recommend against anything to do with clove cigarettes. Trust me.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

everything but the cigarette

Release Your Healing Power with SoftWave TRT What if you could harness the innate power of your own stem cells, the repair system of the body? You could decrease injury recovery time, potentially avoid surgery and its associated longer rehabilitation, or increase your quality of life by addressing chronic pain issues. Luckily, with the help of Dr. Kevin Kremer D.C. and Dr. Dina Rabo D.C. of Rabo Health and Wellness Center you can do just that. The SoftWave TRT is a revolutionary tissue regenerative technology that helps stimulate the body’s natural healing process through stem cell regeneration. Dr. Kremer practices in Red Bluff, Redding, and here in Chico with Dr. Rabo. He travels to Chico every Tuesday along with his SoftWave TRT device. This is a patented technology, an advancement in healing, and has been featured on “The Doctors” where it was first nicknamed ‘The Stem Cell Machine’. The machine is manufactured in Germany and has been used extensively throughout both German and Austrian hospitals as a frontline treatment in acute care for the past 10 years. It has been especially important in acute spinal care because of its ability to treat inflammation with almost immediate results. The device is most effective in treating: knee pain, wound healing, tendonitis, shoulder pain, ligament damage, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, nerve pain, and neuropathy. Quick and simple, the treatment is also non-invasive, possibly able to help one avoid surgery. The process mimics trauma over the area of concern, for example the knee, and the body thinks there is a new injury, thereby activating its own stem cells and other helper cells to continue the healing process. The SoftWave TRT helps decrease inflammation, increases circulation, and results not only in pain therapy, but also regenerative therapy due to stem cell activation.

The advantages in using this type of treatment are extensive: no anesthesia is required, the body is stimulated to heal naturally, and stem cells are activated while blood flow is improved. There are essentially no bad candidates for SoftWave TRT. Dr. Kremer says it’s unique in that, “It activates our own body’s healing chemistry.” Dr. Kremer and Dr. Rabo recommend it for a multitude of health issues, both chronic and acute. Dr. Kremer’s clinics in Red Bluff, Redding, and Chico offer a $49 trial to see if the treatment is right for each individual patient. Acoustic sound waves are only slightly uncomfortable unless the tissue has been injured. If the patient feels pain or increased discomfort in a certain area while undergoing treatment, it means it’s activating tissue that is damaged, weak, or injured. The end result ensures the patient will benefit from continued treatment. This non-invasive technology is revolutionizing the healing process. By creating micro trauma at a cellular level, the SoftWave TRT device is able to encourage the body to shift into healing mode; regenerating collagen, elastin, and stimulating growth factors to move to the injured tissue. Call to schedule an appointment at Rabo Chiropractic in Chico at (530) 846-6262 or Dr. Kremer’s Redding office at (530) 244-1088 or in Red Bluff at (530) 527-0220. 24

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WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

Patients generally receive one treatment per week for a specified period of time and often see results immediately, followed by a 60–75% reduction in pain after the third treatment. After five-to-six treatments, stem cell production continues along with migration resulting in continued tissue repair over the next two-to-three months. One of Dr. Kremer’s patients, Tracey, was told by her orthopedic physician there was no other option for her besides hip replacement. Following TRT therapy she says, “There’s no more pain or tightness in my lower back. It’s crazy, because I didn’t even realize how much pain I had while walking—until it was gone.”

WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

WRITTEN BY BEAU VANDERMATE

The ghosts of Chico To be unique and stand out in whatever craft you decide to hone takes skill, determination, and a ton of raw talent. This is something local band “West Ghost” seems to come by effortlessly, and it's undeniably apparent in their music. The raw vocals, mixed with powerful bass, opens the door for electrifying drums that will leave you ‘dancing in the wind’. West Ghost is relatively new to the music scene, as they released their first EP in 2019. It didn't take long for people to fall in love with the singular blend of genres the group creates. Originality is hard to come by, especially since anyone can seemingly make music now. You don't need high level engineering or a full soundboard, consequently resulting in a ton of music that sounds the same. West Ghost aimed to change that narrative and create something anyone can listen to and most importantly, relate to. During the pandemic, the group found themselves with free time to create as their normal day-to-day lives slowed down. Usually, the band members were either going to school or working full time jobs which 26

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made finding time for music difficult. Having this extra free time let them create what would become their most popular song. With a strong audience on Spotify, the group was able to rake in over 260,000 streams on one single titled “Come Home.” Pretty impressive for a group who refers to themselves as the “part-timers''. A great deal of inspiration for the music comes from the Chico community as the band is filled with locals, and the sound they create is a direct reflection of that. A “pop-punk” sound mixed with some country flare sets this group apart from other bands; they are not afraid to try something new, rather, they are chomping at the bit to create a unique sound. West Ghost definitely has a mysterious ring to it, but what does it mean exactly? Well, the ghost is a symbol, one that defies normalcy and stands up for those who do not have a voice. While the ghost may be on vocals, we nevertheless still have no clue who he is. What we do know is that he lays down some incredible vocals and has

curated a sound that is truly unique to him. Music has always been his passion as he started at five years old, eventually leading him to participate in numerous bands growing up. The passion never died, and has led West Ghost to more prevailing stages. While the group started making tons of tracks amid the pandemic, they are still looking for the opportunity to perform at live shows, and they are expecting early 2022 to be their first in-person debut. It will be one you surely will not want to miss. While we are on the topic of upcoming news, West Ghost is releasing an EP, “Serpents,” set to release in November, bringing new pandemonium to our mysterious music loving wraiths. As the band is relatively new to the scene, the possibilities are endless. I, for one, look forward to the continued success of our local ghosts. Check out their Spotify account, as it is full of gems, and you can find them on Instagram @westghostband

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Golden curves & textures In the late 90s, while working at Gabrielle Ferrar in downtown Chico, Geralyn noticed that fine jewelry was the one thing people were always happy and excited to buy. Customers usually visited the store with a special person and occasion in mind. Sometimes it was Mother's Day, other times an anniversary, and even the most special occasion for many people: a proposal. No matter what the specifics were, there was always a perfect fine-jewelry fit.

class, and in 2004 launched her brand, Geralyn Sheridan Designs. She received her GIA Graduate Gemologist certification in 2006 and continued to perfect her craft. After a few years spent designing and creating, Geralyn and her husband Bill opened AicoraGems Jewelry Box in 2008. What started as a small gallery for local artisan jewelers and custom jewelry pieces has become a space for Geralyn to focus on her unique designs and jewelry brand.

In her life, Geralyn has always had a creative mind. Throughout her career, she has worked with a variety of mediums; and over time she found that an affinity for textures and curves was coming out in all her work. When she began working with precious metals in the jewelry making class at Butte College in 2001, the same curves and textures showed up in her work. It was in this class that she realized she had found her passion in fine jewelry.

Staying true to her aesthetic over time, Geralyn Sheridan’s jewelry incorporates unexpected textures, sculptural curves, and flowing movement. Her two primary lines are Ribbons and Natural Textures, each with very unique and distinct looks. The Ribbons line is curvy and flowing movement, while the Natural Textures line is focused on beautiful textures directly from nature.

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The Ribbons line was originally inspired by a nostalgic sweet treat, ribbon candy. These days, you can usually find ribbon

candy during the winter holidays, but you've got to look a little harder than in the past. Still, many people cherish the memories of receiving a ribbon of candy from a loved one. Through honing her skills and refining her designs, Geralyn was able to redefine the elegance of this sweet treat. She transformed the signature curves of this delicate confection into beautifully wearable eye candy. Aesthetically, the Ribbons collection is all about curves and movement. To Geralyn, it's also a nostalgic connection to her childhood and her family. Whether fashioned into earrings, a pendant, or a custom clasp for your pearls, our ribbons of gold show off their shine with every move you make. They look great with diamonds, colored stones, or pearls, but can also stand on their own as simply striking fine jewelry. Her Ribbons can be big and bold or soft and subtle. They can

be simple or elaborate. They may have stones or they may stand alone. But no matter what, each Ribbon’s piece embodies curvy elegance. In contrast, the Natural Textures line is all about capturing the beauty nature creates for us and turning it to fine jewelry. In this line, Geralyn casts natural, found items into precious metals to capture their texture. “The first time I saw a branch that had been cast,” she said, “I was just in awe of how beautiful and cool it was. I was amazed that when you cast something into metal, the natural texture just stands out so much more - and it's permanent.” The creation process for the Natural Textures pieces is somewhat experimental, which Geralyn is genuinely excited about each time. She has cast willow branches, seed pods, and even sugar in order to capture their unique textures. The investment process in lost wax casting involves water, so casting sugar was a unique undertaking. When Geralyn found a process that preserved the crystal form in the texture of the finished piece, it was all the more exciting. In addition to the true joy she gets from creating her lines, Geralyn has also been recognized for many of her pieces. “One of the best pieces of advice I got from a colleague was from Cindy Edelstein”, Geralyn recalls, ”She said “Just apply for everything you can.” And so, she did. Her first award came from the Coyote Gallery Student Art Show in 2007, where her curves in copper won first place. After that, awards kept coming in and she was recognized by the Niche Awards, JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards, INSTORE Design Awards, and more. Most recently, three pieces from her Ribbons line have won awards in 2020 and in 2021. The Mitsuro Hikime ring won Retailer’s Choice and was a finalist in the INSTORE Design Awards 2020. A sculptural diamond pendant and set of earring jackets won in two separate categories in the JCK Design Awards at the JCK Las Vegas tradeshow in August of this year. If you love unique pieces of jewelry by true artisans, Geralyn Sheridan is the perfect designer for you. Her curvy ribbons of gold or and striking natural textures can be found at AicoraGems Jewelry Box in Chico, which is open by appointment and special holiday hours. To contact the gallery or discuss a design appointment, please contact Geralyn at 530-519-4367 or by email at gg@geralynsheridan.com.

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The sweetest thing sweet chico confections There are few things that elicit memories of childhood quite like candy. Whether as rewards for good deeds, treasures obtained from Halloween door knocking, or the opening salvo by grandpa in his bid to remind everyone why he’s their favorite, candy never had to do much work to find a place in our hearts and minds. With its ease of adoption from such a young age, it’s no surprise candy shops once dotted every

landscape, as ubiquitous to developing towns as a general store. They also withstood the test of time throughout the world—the oldest of these still in existence can be found in Kyoto, Japan, founded in 1000 AD and now operated by the 24th generation of the original founding family. Known for delivering joy and extracting smiles from even the grumpiest of visitors, it should come as no surprise that candy shop

owners are among the happiest people you’ll ever meet. For Robin Klitzke, the promise of such an experience was more than she could pass up. Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Robin met her husband, Spence, while bartending in New Mexico. “It was a small town.” Robin recalled, “He walked into the bar, and I remembered thinking this was the only 31

guy in town I hadn’t met. He sat at the bar, and we just vibed. He didn’t ask for my number, which I thought was rude, but I noticed him talking to our bouncer before he left. It turned out they knew each other. I asked our bouncer for his number, and he asked if I liked him. I said I did, and he told me Spence told him he was going to marry me someday. I called him, and we’ve been together ever since.” Robin completed her Masters in Business Administration at New Mexico State University, and Spence finished his lineman apprenticeship before the two decided to move to Oroville in search of better paying jobs. He graduated from the lineman college and was stationed in the Bay Area. They had two children, and Robin stayed home to raise them while teaching Microsoft classes for PG&E. When their youngest turned five, she decided it was time to get back to work. Tired of the Bay Area hustle, they sold their home and began looking for a new business opportunity, which they found during a flight back from Las Vegas—Sweet Chico Confections, located a short drive away from their old stomping grounds. “The sale of our house in the Bay Area gave us an opportunity to purchase a new home elsewhere and reinvest in something.” Robin mentioned, “We always loved Chico, and we had actually visited the shop a number of times. From a business perspective, I just kept asking myself who doesn’t love candy? Spence and I talked it over, and it felt like the perfect match for us.” They purchased the business, found a new home, and made the move to Chico, officially taking over Sweet Chico Confections on October 1st. Their first order of business was to give all of the employees a raise—the perfect way to demonstrate their thoughtfulness as business owners and new members of the Chico community. As many have already mentioned online, Robin seems truly at home and the perfect embodiment of the quintessential candy shop owner—bubbly, full of energy, and never without a smile across her face. As customers enter Sweet Chico, she seems to effortlessly teleport from one end of the store to the entrance, intent on being the first face they see with a warm welcome and willingness to help hunt down whatever they came searching for.

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“I’ve always loved the hopping college vibe and energy throughout Downtown Chico. It’s truly unlike anyplace else!” Robin said, “Between the restaurants, neighboring businesses, and the wide variety of customers, no one day is like any other. It keeps things interesting, and I love the opportunity the shop provides to get to know everyone in the community. The space is fantastic too—it’s a historic location, and the building is so charming and warm with its brick walls. We have something here for everyone! We’re the only place in town where you can purchase gelato, and if you’ve ever had gelato, you know just how decadent it is. We source our treats from over 50 different suppliers and vendors which gives us an incredible variety of items to choose from—we even have specialty old-time candies that will bring back the nostalgia of the 50s and 60s. We often have exchange students or world travelers visit only to be surprised that we carry candy from their home country or countries they’ve visited in their travels. There are nothing but good feelings here. Little kids are running around smiling and laughing all the time,

parents get to connect with their kids while they’re here, and we’re beginning to realize that this is also one of the best first date spots in Chico while also being the perfect place to rekindle the feelings you felt on a first date years ago. It never feels like work, even when you’re working 60-70 hour weeks at this time of year.” Though the business is 15 years old and has certainly made a name for itself in the local community, Robin isn’t willing to rest on its current success. She has pages upon pages of ideas on how to elevate Sweet Chico Confections to the next level. “I wanted a small business that allowed me to give back to the community, and this was definitely it!” Robin exclaimed, “We’ll soon be launching school, sports, and reading programs to reward students for good work. We’ll be staying open later to accommodate more customers—10pm on Thursday and 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights. We’ve already participated in our first Art & Wine Walk, and we plan on being a bigger part of Downtown Chico events as they come

along. Beginning this month, we’ll also be launching our new professional gift basket program with super nice baskets that can be totally customized to your client or staff’s tastes. We’re bringing in popcorn, jerky, nuts, sauces, chutneys, and gourmet foods that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in town. It’ll be the perfect way to say thank you to clients or reward your team.” The list of new opportunities is endless and even includes hosting birthday parties and movie nights for kids, where parents can book a party room in the back and leave the cleanup to Robin and her team. If there’s one thing for certain, Robin has the energy needed to make all of it happen, and we can’t wait to see how the business evolves under her ownership. Treat yourself to something sweet at Sweet Chico Confections in Downtown Chico. You can find them at 121 W 3rd Street between Parkside Tap House and Made in Chico. We’ll see you there!

There’s something about

Sherry LandiS

"Sherry is such a great ally to have in the Chico market, her networking “Sherry Landis is by far the best real estate agent in Chico. She is and persistence her one the most wellthrough. positioned in professional, make positive, and hasofincredible follow She agents helped us townnavigate to find our the way rightthrough buyers. Every one in my family uses her as an the sale of two homes and the purchase of agentanother—all and for good reason, timeShe after time she has delivered excellent at the same time! never missed a beat. She made sure we results" -Sam, Chico understood the process, and stayed in constant contact with us. Even after all three homes closed, she continued to call, email, and text just to make sure everything was going as planned. We could not have done it without her.” — Doug anD CoLEttE RobERtS

(530) 514-4855 landis4sale25@gmail.com | landis4sale@aol.com | www.SherryLandis.com

Stay cool with the new central heating and air HVAC system installed 5/2020. Newly placed drought landscape. The front of the house is shaded by large mature pecan and japanese maple trees that also allow a sense of privacy. Beautiful 6thick PECAN hardwood floors throughout. Rear exit has a doggy door that leads to the full length, covered back porch with 2 inset sun lights and is protected by a full, chain linked fence, in good condition and looks into a back yard and almond orchard. Enjoyed raised flower/garden beds with lilac, bottle brush and willow trees, rose bushes that attract butterflies and many hummingbirds. 3 full door exit accesses. New smoke/carbon monoxide detectors outside each of the bedrooms. Extended concrete 2 step entries with disability handles intact for easy accesses. Covered front porch looking out to front yard and the neighbors orchard. 3 large bedrooms with ceiling fans and large closets. Main bathroom has a shower/tub combination. The 1/2 bath is set off the master bedroom and is tiled and freshly painted. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 1.5 SqFt: 1,506 Price: $439,000

This was the model home and only one owner! There have been many A terrific Michael Galli floor plan updated and remodeled from head to upgrades including travertine tiles, upgraded carpets, granite, oversized toe about a year ago. Stainless steel appliances, granite counters, plush lot, built in desk in media room, special color paint throughout, draperies, carpets, decorator lighting, exterior and interior painting, lush park like yard, landscaped beautifully with slate water fall, flowers galore and redwood sparkling in ground gunite pool, newer 10x10 outdoor shed, wood stove, trees. RV Access on both sides of the house and two master suites make shows like a model home. Open floor plan with so many upgrades! Prepare to be impressed with this immaculately maintained andtruly updated piece of Paradise. SOARING ceilings this home a must see! welcome you to this open concept 3 3,166 bedroom office, 3.5 bathroom BEAUTY!! throughout, Bed: 4.0 Bath: 4.0 SqFt: Price:+ $429,000 Bed: 4.0Gorgeous Bath: 3.0 granite SqFt: 3,675 Price: $665,000

pantry, crown molding, whole-house fan and natural gas. GENERAC generator powers the property if the power goes out! OWNED SOLAR, incredible backyard 'resort oasis' including Infinity edge self-cleaning pool with 'Baja shelf' lighting and more! Outdoor kitchen, art studio (with bathroom and farm sink!) Exquisite patio coverings off the family room and master suite! Chico is only an 8-minute drive. That is, if you ever have to leave! Bed: 3.0+ Bath: 3.5 SqFt: 2,931 Price: $979,000

Yikes!

My homes are selling fast! Call if I can Celebrating 31 years help by listing yourin home today! Chico Real Estate! CA-DRE lic# 01084946 Call or text me

regarding these homes and others

(530) 514-4855

SherryLinnCalbert@gmail.com

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"I a fo w cl

"I have worked with Effie for many years buying and selling properties. Effie is is amazing. She is knowledgeable, responsive, a great negotiator, supportive through emotional steps in buying and selling, and offers great follow through on each step along the way to closing the deal. I would highly recommend Effie to anyone wishing to buy or sell a property. She works extremely hard to provide the best deal and experience for each client." -Kathy Hayes

d to ush ard, ove, des!

000

Golf Course!! You will love the master suite, updated kitchen, flowing floorplan, well proportioned rooms, 2 fireplaces, and its brand new AC unit. The yard is exquisite with an in-ground Gunite pool, sauna, and more! Bed: 4.0 Bath: 2.5 SqFt: 2,487 Price: $787,000

Situated on a 5 acres, this home offers 2 bedrooms and a bath on the first floor. On the 2nd floor you will find the master suite with walk-in shower, soaking tub, a spacious game room (which can be used as a 4th bedroom ), a hall bath and an office area. Detached art studio unit has its own 1/4 bath. Owned solar, outdoor shower, and other unique offerings abound. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,482 Price: $569,000

Situated in the heart of the Bidwell Park, this home offers soaring ceilings and rich lustrous wood floors. 3 oversized bedrooms, a spacious master suite, and 3 bathrooms, make this home perfectly sized for nearly any buyer. The gourmet kitchen follows the home's exquisite attention to detail. An in-ground Gunite pool and outdoor patio make this home a rare find. Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,152 Price: $799,500

The lake, park, and Canyon Oaks Golf Course are a stone's throw from this beautiful home!! Newer roof, wood laminate flooring, granite counter tops, fresh paint, water filtration, and more upgrades make this home a steal! Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,510 Price: $499,000

One of Paradise's most charming lots. Quiet cul-de-sac location! The perfect place to build your dream home! Acres: 1.5 Price: $79,000

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Ahhh, h.e.c.m! The call goes out to everyone who knows anyone 62 or older—please get these people to learn about the home loan customized for seniors. It could be a lifesaver for them or someone they know. It’s the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) loan, which allows people 62 or older the possibility of living in their own homes with little or no monthly payments, or even receiving monthly payments. They can buy a home with the HECM or they can refinance their existing loan into the HECM. I received a call from one Mrs. Finley, from Arizona. “The party’s over,” said Mrs. Finley. “I can’t afford to live here anymore. “I’m on a fixed income now, and I can’t afford my monthly payments. I will probably move in with my daughter.” I called Big Jim the Loan Master, who knows all the details of these loans. I gave him the lowdown on Mrs. Finley. “The way I understand it,” I said, “Mrs. Finley can refinance her home into an HECM loan and have no monthly payments. True?” “True,” said Jim. “She also has the option of receiving monthly payments, so she creates an income for herself with no requirement to pay it back.” “So, she would be using the equity in her home by not making payments,” I said, “which means at some point, she could 38

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owe as much as the house is worth.” “True,” said Jim, “but the interest rate is so low on the loan, that it doesn’t grow very fast, so it rarely happens that the loan becomes more than the home’s value.” “So, if she died and her house was worth $400,000, and the loan balance is higher, say $500,000, what happens?” “Her kids sign the house over with a deed-in-lieu to the lender. No debt. No harm, no foul.” “So, she spent her kids’ inheritance,” I said. “Yes,” said Jim, “but it allowed her to have a good independent lifestyle. Also, if she had to leave the home for health reasons, for hospital or hospice for instance, she can be gone a year without having to sell.” “Amazing,” I said. “Also,” said Jim, “the kids can buy the house at 95% of market value at the time of her death, regardless of how high the loan balance went. If she owed $500,000 and the house is worth $400,000, the kids can buy it for $380,000.” Mrs. Finley parties on. Doug Love is Sales Manager at Century 21 in Chico. Email dougwlove@gmail.com. Call or text 530-680-0817.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, AT ALL COSTS. When things get hard, voices of ghosts from our past can remind us of the ways we can’t or shouldn’t succeed. We reiterate them to ourselves by calling ourselves names (“you idiot”) or proclaiming something negative about our abilities (“you’ll never be able to accomplish that lofty dream”). It’s a pretty common coping mechanism to put ourselves down, because if we can see the disappointment coming ahead of time then we assume the let-down won’t be so hard. To me, this feels tragic. If you accomplish the goal, you experienced the lead up to the goal with more tumult than was necessary because we had to navigate your success around all the external voices along with the internal pessimism. One more landmine. If you didn’t accomplish that goal, you would have felt disappointment regardless, so now you didn’t even get to experience the deep feelings of hope and excitement that might have precluded the disappointment. It was all negative. Many believe that if they pep talk themselves and ignore the potential negative outcomes they can circumvent the negative experiences, and on the surface this appears true. Here’s the

JESSICA DARLING WILKERSON, MA, LMFT 104464 LICENSED MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST EMDR CLINICIAN

rub, these are the folks who end up in the first group of negative thinkers. That’s because both of these thought processes are engaging in all-or-nothing thinking. What if the healthiest way of thinking was to understand that two things can be true at the same time? What if the goal you’ve created for yourself truly is outlandish and lofty, while also being a great idea and worth your time and effort? What if the plan is truly destined to fail, but if it succeeds then it would be a miracle worthy of the hope and ambition you put into it? What if it will break your heart while also healing and freeing you? You can be stubborn and an idiot while also being a genius with a gift of flexibility. When we embrace the potential negative outcomes of situations, goals, and dreams while keeping our minds and hearts open to simultaneous positive experiences, character traits, and results, we aren’t plagued by doubt. Our subconscious balances out the risk vs reward, and if we’re disappointed and hurt we hurt, but we are not broken the way we often fear we will be. We hurt, but we also heal faster and strengthen ourselves to try again.

Jessica Wilkerson, MA, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Chico, CA. She is an EMDR clinician as well as the owner/operator and clinical supervisor of Inspired Life Counseling. For more information, visit www.jessicawilkerson.com and www.inspiredlifechico.com. Jessica can also be reached via phone at (530) 809-1702

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PHOTOS BY DIANE NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

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A shared passion WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN PHOTOS BY DIANE NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

for patient care “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi In a world where expanding just to get bigger is the norm, Loeta Robles is a welcome and necessary anomaly. In Loeta’s world, there are no singular decisions. As a dental hygienist, she was happy. She became acutely aware of the limitations

while, at the same time, envisioned the possibilities. Her answer was to enroll in dental school. The significance of the decision resulted in much more than expanding her role in dentistry or merely reaching for a dream. With two young

daughters at home, and faced with her school of choice in The City, Loeta saw more to the sacrifice than the obvious one facing her family. She understood her decision also made her a role model to her girls, showing them they could be anything they want to 43

be. The end result shed a brighter light and insight on Loeta and her way of looking at what is right in front of her and what that can become. There exists a well known mantra that “if you really want something, it is as if the entire universe conspires to make it happen.” Loeta’s decision to attend school outside of Chico revealed to her a community willing to rise up and assist in other’s needs. With her husband in Chico with the girls, who were three and five at the time, the community support was amazing—the kind of support that makes a difference, including a preschool who daily took the girls through their 8:00am to 5:00pm. This produced in Loeta the urgent need to put the care of the community first in whatever endeavor she became involved. This immediately showed through her business by simply asking, “What kind of dentist do I want to be?” The answer to her question became the dentist who will “Help Chico help me.” The answer became evident in programs such as Brighter Smiles addressing the needs of cancer patients, getting kits to pregnant women with items needed in order for these moms to get the “best start ever,” and the addition of a full time lactation nurse to the staff. The sum total of this relates directly to what Loeta refers to as, “The big part of my approach and goal. There is no doubt that filling a need in the community brings joy.” Not surprisingly, when out of nowhere she was asked, “Can you treat babies’ tongue ties?” Her initial answer was, “No, but I can find out.” After completing additional classes, her ultimate answer was “Yeah—I can perform frenectomies for babies with tongue ties” Finally, after a review of her dental practice, Loeta was face-to-face with a question that absolutely stumped her. The question? Was Loeta ready to hire an associate? In response, Loeta cried. Six years from the inception of her practice, she never dreamed she would be going way beyond just administering dentistry to her patients. Growth simply did not come to her mind. Upon looking at the numbers, the need for an associate became evident. With her urgency to help the community at every turn in place, Loeta made it clear not to settle for someone graduating from school and hurriedly “looking for a job.” Understandably, more questions came to mind. The most important one was to decide 44

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what kind of dentist she was actually looking for as an associate in her practice. The answer, of course, was the consideration of the entire dental community with the ultimate result of what will help Chico, helps her. That is, help Loeta better help the community. Of course, a specialist was high on the list. It was evident that offices featuring specialty surgeons were slammed with referrals. Still, it felt like something was missing; something wasn’t quite right. It became clear they were overlooking the actual need. Turns out, Loeta knew all along exactly what would fill the void. She knew what kind of specialist to go after because she had contemplated furthering her own knowledge as a part of her continued education, and looked into becoming a prosthodontist. However, the more critical question was, “Can we find one?” The closest one to Chico was in Sacramento. This only heightened Loeta’s intent on finding one and, in turn, helping the entire surrounding community. When they reached out to possible candidates, they did not get a single response. In the meantime, Dr. Saeed Yazdianpour was in Houston completing his specialty residency to become a prosthodontist. The advanced specialty wooed him with the promise of learning to deal with the most complex cosmetics and full-mouth rehabilitation cases. Born in Iran, Saeed moved with his family to, of all places, New Orleans. Following graduation from the University of New Orleans, he headed to Boston for a four-year stint in dental school. Saeed took a different path to dentistry, entering the program close to turning 30, where most students enroll in their early 20’s. As an undergraduate, he studied mathematics and engineering, even serving one year in mechanical engineering. Saeed's chosen path to dentistry resulted in a perfect match for him as it did not come with any geographical limits. As he puts it, “If you have your hands with you—you can work.” Saeed met his wife Kiana in dental school and, when dating, they came to a compromise. She would follow him anywhere his residency took him, and he would follow her where she wanted to live. A California native, raised in Berkeley, she wanted to get back to the Golden State. Once again, “the universe was working toward a parallel outcome.”

As Dr. Yazdianpour began his quest to find a dental office searching for a prosthodontist, he opened Dr. Robles’ website and read her story. He immediately had the urge to call her as they shared a similar background. Loeta, too, went to dental school at a later age. He found her personality shining through as she described how much she cared about people, especially the ones she treats. When Saeed thinks about the people he will treat, he thinks first of himself and then his family. If he feels like he would not like it happening to him or any family member, then it is not going to happen to anyone, especially his patients. Loeta did not just put out the call for a prosthodontist,

but also included her story, and Saeed also wanted to be included in her practice. He placed the call to Dr. Robles. Loeta describes the moment the call came as “time standing still.” Two hours later, the call ended, and all Loeta could muster was a resounding “Oh my gosh!” To seek out a prosthodontist is one thing, to have that search end with the likes of Saeed Yazdianpour is both a dream come true and an answer to a prayer. Dr. Yazdianpour looks at prosthodontics as the most beneficial practice dentistry has to offer. It is rare as it is the only specialty which also includes the practice of full aspects of general 45

dentistry. He could not emphasize enough the importance and the uniqueness of this pairing. The prosthodontist’s job comes from the founding principles of biology and mathematics, with a hint of physics included. The built-in advantage is the ability to see the end product both before it goes into the mouth and also after it is put in place. A preview of exactly what the results will look like is also clearly on display for the patient. He points out the difficulty facing these patients, from ones so ashamed of their teeth and mouth they do not want to go to the dental office in the first place, to others not even knowing where to start, or believing there is no solution at all. He compares a prosthodontist to a quarterback, telling everyone what is going to be done and then bringing it all back together in the end. Dr. Yazdianpour does not take lightly the fact he is the only one with this specialty north of Sacramento. He is also aware of the rarity, that only four candidates a year are admitted to this exclusive program in UTHealth at Houston. The passion he shares with Dr. Robles resounds with fervor. And, due to this profound passion, proof emerges that Gandhi was right. Dr. Loeta Robles has “found herself by losing herself in the service of others.” Not surprising, her dream does not stop with the ultimate hire ensuring the ultimate associate. No, her dream extends to discovering a way to collaborate with the medical field in order to, “look at the whole person, not just a mouth.” She believes each patient should be seen from conditions like a case of diabetes to diagnosed sleep disorders, certainly not merely the filling of a cavity. Loeta wants all patients to “Thrive—not just be fine.” If the whole approach works, it will not only change her life, it will surely also change the entire community. Leave it to Loeta to throw that kind of challenge to the universe. Pretty good reason to get lost again to be found enriching all around her.

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INVESTING IN YOUR FAMILY’S FINANCIAL FUTURE

Do you believe you deserve to be heard? We believe in listening to you and understanding your needs before making recommendations. Do you want financial advice and services specific to your needs? We understand. You want knowledgeable, clear advice and reliable service for a straightforward fee that reflects your vision and goals. Do you feel your financial advisor places you first? We realize it’s our privilege to help you work toward your dream of financial freedom. We’re honored to help you pursue your family’s financial future. We want to be your financial advisor. Please call for more information.

(530) 891-1133 main | (800) 472-3867 toll-free 901 Bruce Road, Suite 280 | Chico, California 95928 Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com 47

LAUREN O'DONNELL INTERIORS

Friends of The Chico Community Ballet & Chico Performances present

A Very Chico

A R CKE C T U

studio & shop

This Magical Holiday Tradition Returns for 2021!

Performed by Chico Community Ballet and Special Guests ef DR. OSCAR STANSBURY ef

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

7:30 pm

1:00 pm & 6 pm

1:00 pm

December 3

December 4

December 5

Tickets: Tier A $30, Tier B $24, Tier C $17

1350 E. 9TH ST. #190 M-F 11-5 | SAT 11-4 530-965-5970 laurenointeriors.com

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2021

At the University Box Office (3rd & Chestnut) or by Phone at 898-6333 www.chicoperformances.com

Laxson Auditorium, CSU, Chico

Looking at the overlooked dolores mitchell “Everyone sees beauty in a rose, but an artist also sees beauty in a flat tire, a lump of mud, or a rusty tin can.” I believed those words spoken by my teacher in a Chicago Art Institute class for kids. At age 12, I remember sketching the back of a derelict three-story apartment building. Porches were jammed with refrigerators and mattresses and broken bottles glittered in the weeds, but as I sketched, I saw beauty in the lines, shapes, and shadows. I knew then that I wanted to be an artist when I grew up.

I continued to draw through high school, marriage, birth of a daughter, and getting degrees in painting and art history at UCLA. Although I didn’t have time and energy to paint during 30 years of teaching art history at CSUC, I continued to draw in museums, so I could explain to students how Matisse, for example, had structured his paintings. Retirement meant “re-purposement” to me. I helped run Avenue 9 Gallery, volunteered to work on Art at the Matador, and conducted KCHO art interviews. I also taught OLLI classes and developed “Art Talk,” a monthly

creativity blog. All of these opportunities I might not have had in Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles, where I’d lived before Chico. And, one more thing, I started to paint again. I searched Chico and the countryside for painting motifs. Though I sketched such obvious beauties as the Senator Theater, rice fields, and the Sutter Buttes, I also drew what are often called eyesores—electricity pylons, prickly weeds, warehouses, water towers, and garbage bins. On a walk down the alley by my house, I 49

was struck by the lineup of green plastic garbage bins waiting to be emptied into a truck. Back home, I sketched my own trio of bins with watercolor pens and then started painting the “Chico Bungalow Series: Garbage Day.” Garbage cans might be unsightly to some, but I see beauty in their sleek curves, glossy green surfaces, and jaunty black “hats”. To keep the whites of the dog and the man’s shirt from drawing attention from the bins, I painted a white car deep in the alley and alternating bands of sun and shadows that pointed to the bins. In my “Chico Bungalow Series: Sun Shower,” a woman with an umbrella is about to slog down her muddy walkway. Sun sparkles on the lids of a pair of garbage bins in front of her bungalow and a duo of industrial water towers punctuates the sky behind it. I’m forever grateful to my childhood art teacher for encouraging me to see overlooked beauty. To me, drawing and painting are forms of meditation that slow me down, sharpen my senses, and open my eyes to both obvious and neglected beauties around me. I have paintings at The Red Tavern, Vagabond Rose, Chico Art Center’s Open Studios on line, and at www.doloresmitchellart.com.

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Whether you’re strolling around the Saturday Farmers Market or shopping at stores downtown, everywhere you look, there’s a local vendor who’s put their heart and soul into their products. Whether it be a delicious beverage from Live Life Juice, sourdough from Tin Roof Bakery or T-shirts with your favorite swimming holes from Upper Park Clothing, shopping local is an amazing way to connect with the people in our community while stimulating our local economy.

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By shopping locally, the sales tax generated from the local businesses go back into the community, providing funding for things helping to improve our city such as road maintenance and creation of public parks. In addition, shopping locally also allows for businesses to expand and hire more people, creating a better job market for those in the area. Not only is shopping local good for the community, it is also a great way to help protect our environment. Although

WRITTEN BY BRIAN LUONG AND JASON CORONA

CONNECTING BY SUPPORTING

shopping online may be convenient, the effects that it has on our environment are detrimental. According to the NBC News, in 2017 Recology in San Francisco collected over 100 tons of cardboard waste every day, most of it coming directly from homes due to packaging from online shopping. Not only is the packaging harmful to our environment, the amount of emissions coming along when choosing options for fast delivery is concerning as well. Quick delivery options means that trucks are delivering less items over further distances, creating longer distances per delivery. Companies even use planes in order to meet these fast deadlines. These emissions are some of the factors that play a role in warmer temperatures and an increase of the rate of climate change. Going to shop at local stores helps to mitigate some of the damage done by online shopping. Local shops such as Orange Street Consignment and Eighth and Main Antiques bring a second life to many items including furniture, clothing, and kitchen appliances. Buying from local stores such as these creates less waste, and you’ll be able to find an item that fits your unique taste. Even when it comes to clothing, shops such as Bootleg are great ways to find items that are still in great condition for a fraction of the price you would find at other big box retail stores. This is a win-win situation on all fronts. Buying locally also helps with the hassle of proper sizing and customization of your wardrobe without the pesky return labels. Whether it’s finding the coziest fall hoodies from 3 Seas, the most comfortable shoe at Birkenstock, or the best outfit for the occasion from 5th St. Clothing or For Elyse, there’s something for everyone. To complement the look, you can count on finding the right seasonal accessories from Anika Burke, some stylish shades at Winter & Co and the perfect handbag or purse at Tomfoolery. We know that brands matter, and people have a strong connection to them. Your downtown shops have taken the time to invest in the names that you might think you have to travel for. Not only does Bird in Hand have the best selection of games and educational toys, but they also carry a wide selection of Tommy Bahama. Ever

Here at 5th Street Clothing, we strive for excellent customer service & the ability to create working wardrobes. We are dedicated to creating outfits that fit your body and lifestyle. We give our customers the very best in fit, quality, and

style for over 43 years!

Downtown Chico 5thstreetclothing co.com 53

found yourself needing a C.C Beanie and a Fossil watch in a pinch? Head over to The Watchman, and they have you covered. Need some Kitchenaid or Le Creuset in your life? Collier Hardware has the style and color you’re looking for. Most stores have that little something extra that you didn’t know you would need but you’re glad you found along the way. Home decorating is simplified within a few short blocks. Find an elegant statement rug at Pasha or adorable serveware for your next event at Little Red Hen Home. When it comes to framing, Art Etc. and Chico Paper Company also take the time to go over the different frame sizes and options for your heirloom photos or favorite art pieces, what kinds of finishes they have available, and the right matting to make your piece pop. And if you can’t find the candle that best suits your senses, you might have Covid.

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By shopping local, you also learn a great deal about your surrounding area. For example, vendors at the Chico Saturday Farmers Market not only provide you with great produce, but talking with them allows you to learn about what’s in season, their growing techniques, and the best ways to enjoy their products. When shopping at your local farmers market, you can be sure that what you’re taking home was treated with respect from farmers who care about their craft. One of the greatest benefits about shopping local is being able to support the people making up our community. Many artists from Butte County have their art displayed at galleries, such as the Chico Art Center, which boasts a gift shop where proceeds from the art go back to the artists themselves. Cafés such as Upper Crust Bakery and Naked Lounge also display and sell artwork from local artists. There’s no shortage of performance art in Downtown Chico either. Theaters like the El Rey and

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Senator have a wide array of shows, California Regional Theatre now sits atop Collier Hardware, and the world class shows at Laxson Auditorium have something for everyone. Ultimately, by shopping locally, you’re able to see and learn about what exactly makes your community unique. When it comes to food, art, or music, seeing what your community has to offer is an amazing way to connect with the people and places within your area. More often than not, you’ll be surprised at all the hidden gems that are waiting around every corner.

AdaptDX pro has arrived at Chico Eye Center The Doctors and Staff at Chico Eye Center are excited to announce the adoption of the AdaptDx Pro® test as part of their effort to detect and monitor age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The AdaptDx Pro is an innovative, wearable headset that offers a simple, non-invasive test to measure the time it takes a patient’s vision to adjust from bright light to darkness, a process known as dark adaptation. As one of the first signs of AMD, dark adaptation testing using the AdaptDx Pro, will provide clinicians at Chico Eye Center an additional resource to help diagnose AMD before vision loss occurs – and put a plan place to help preserve vision. “Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of adult blindness, and more than twice as common as glaucoma. It is a chronic disease that causes a part of your retina, called the macula, to slowly 56

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deteriorate as you get older making it difficult to recognize faces, read, watch TV, and drive,” said Dr. Benjamin Gilbert, an ophthalmologist at Chico Eye Center for more than 20 years. “Many of our patients over age 50 have trouble seeing or driving at night – which can be the first symptom of AMD. With the AdaptDx Pro, we are able to quickly and easily measure dark adaptation speed, which can be useful in diagnosing AMD in its earliest stages, a critical aspect in delaying vision loss.” The doctors at Chico Eye Center recommend AdaptDx Pro testing to patients over age 50, particularly those who have trouble seeing or driving at night. Other than age, risk factors for AMD include a family history of the disease, Caucasian race, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease. “We are excited to have this technology in our

office as it provides a very patient-friendly test experience and helps us identify AMD in its earliest stages,” said Dr. Gilbert. “While there isn’t a cure for AMD yet, there are lifestyle changes and supplements that have a proven track record of delaying the progression of the disease.” With the AdaptDx Pro, patients can be tested right in the exam room. Chico Eye Center is the leading comprehensive ophthalmology practice in Northern California. In addition to providing advanced cataract surgery and general medical and surgical eye care, they offer subspecialty care in pediatric ophthalmology and cornea surgery. It’s time to SEE what you’ve been missing. Call Chico Eye Center (530) 895-1727 to schedule a consultation today!

A welcoming sight Before the four-lane cement ribbon of Interstate 5 cut its way through the middle of the Great Central Valley, Highway 99 meandered through the farms and orchards of California, a two-lane roadway connecting the larger communities, like Sacramento, to the smaller, bucolic towns of the Sacramento Valley.

Arches were a significant addition to valley towns in the 1920’s. They announced the entry into whatever town they adorned, and way back when, they were lit up at night to make sure you knew what town it was. A brightly lit archway ensured the comforts of a motel or two, restaurants, and gas stations. The arches were, indeed, a welcoming sight for weary travellers. The Orland Arch was constructed in 1926, and its span over the highway served as a kind greeting to cars and trucks entering the town. It had eight lights to make sure people saw it, and it was one among many in the valley. Williams still 58

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Over the years, weather, neglect, and the presence of Interstate 5, a few hundred yards away, made the arch lose its importance as the northern gateway to-and-from Orland. A remodeling project restored the arch, and the painting of the exterior was made possible by the Orland Pride group along with Orland Economic Development Council member Gary Campbell and past president Leon Ponci, who eventually raised $2,400 for new lights. Additional funding of $5,000 by local businessman Eddie Grewal covered the remaing cost of the new lights, and the arch was once again completely restored. If you travel around the Orland area, you will find a smaller version of the arch on the grounds of the Orland Free Library located at 333 Mill Street. Additionally, the Orland Cemetery District has arches over the entrances to the Graves Cemetery, Orland Catholic, Orland IOOF (Oddfellows), and Orland Masonic Cemeteries. The next time you’re in Orland, take a leisurely drive out Old 99, pass under the Orland Arch, and continue north to Corning. It’s a pleasant alternative to the 75 mph rat race on The 5.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN | PHOTO BY TIM MILHORN

In fact, in our neck of the woods, there existed Highway 99 East and Highway 99 West. 99E ran from Sacramento to Red Bluff through Yuba City and Chico; 99W ran on the west side of the valley through Williams, Willows, Orland, and Corning to Red Bluff. 99W is now a frontage road to Interstate 5, but it is still well traveled. Tooling north along 99 today, you would eventually come to Orland, and on the north entrance to that city, you would find the Orland Arch.

has its arch coming into town. The Orland Arch consisted of a metal frame made of stucco and cement, with rock from nearby Stony Creek, and was designed to look like the bow of a covered wagon.

A tradition that was a part of our lives for many years is now making a resurgence, and we couldn't be happier about it. The Paradise Ice Rink is welcoming all surrounding communities to come and enjoy the wonderful tradition. It’s been a few years since we have seen the ice rink in action, which builds up all the more excitement. A cup of hot chocolate while bundled up and enjoying the festivities at the rink is the perfect way to enjoy some holiday cheer. Another fun option is to rent out the ice rink party room that has ample space to host special events. What better way to enjoy the ambience surrounding the ice rink? It's perfect for birthday parties or just a fun group outing. For those who haven't been ice skating before, it's said “falling down is part of life,” but to limit those falls you can schedule lessons that will leave

you gliding and stopping on a dime. The ice rink is bringing a sense of “normalcy” back to the woody town of Paradise, giving the community a chance to come together and rejoice. The rink truly would not be possible without the support of surrounding locals. Even though the rink has historically lost money while operating, the people of Paradise openly felt this ‘beacon of hope’ must stay open, as it raises spirits and provides an outlet for people to enjoy one another. The holidays sure have a special feel to them, as if something is in the air. Perhaps it's the peppermint or the mistletoe taking over, but whatever it is, we sure do love the holidays. Trying to come up with new places for a fun date can be taxing at times, as can finding a place the whole family will enjoy. The return of the ice

WRITTEN BY BEAU VANDERMATE | PHOTO BY GLEN HARRINGTON

Ice Rink to the rescue

rink brings new opportunities to slide into romance or perhaps pick up where you left off. Regardless of the situation, a night spent at the rink is sure to fill your heart with holiday cheer, something Paradise knows so well. The whole Upgraded Living crew is excited to get back on the rink, and I'm particularly looking forward to the awkward falls of my co-workers. You don't want to miss out on this special event, as it will only be available for a relatively short period of time. It's most assuredly a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate this holiday season back in the mountains of Paradise. The Paradise Ice Rink is open from November 11, 2021 - January 17, 2022 The Rink will be open daily Monday through Thursday 2:30pm - 8:30pm Fridays 12pm - 8pm (9pm - 11pm Teen Skate) Saturdays 12pm - 10pm (Skate Lessons 10am - 11:30am Saturdays) Sundays 12pm - 8pm (Adult Skate 10am - 11:30am Sundays)

Holiday Hours: Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 26th) 12pm -10pm Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 25th) 12pm-5pm Winter Break (Dec. 20th - Jan. 1st) 12pm - 10pm Christmas Eve & Christmas Day 12pm - 5pm New Years Eve 12pm - 10pm

Welcoming Bryan Caudle, MD, Family Medicine

Now welcoming new patients at: Adventist Health Feather River Health Center 5125 Skyway, Paradise 530-872-2000 AdventistHealth.org/BCaudle

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If you’re looking for one trusted source for your healthcare needs, look to Dr. Bryan Caudle, our new family medicine physician Dr. Caudle thinks of himself as your healthcare partner. Someone who builds a lasting relationship with you for your good health. Someone who knows your “normal” so he can look out for any new or unusual symptoms or emerging conditions. He believes his role is not just to help with routine screenings and the occasional cold or flu, but also to support your good health with preventive care, lifestyle and managing any chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Because when you have a partner for maintaining your health and well-being, you can spend more quality time with those you love.

We are live! Chico Performances is back and celebrating 40 years of spectacular performances! For four decades, Chico Performances has brought arts and cultural experiences that entertain, educate, enrich, and inspire to the community from the stage of Laxson Auditorium at Chico State. Winter season shows were just announced and tickets are on sale now. With the wide variety of performances, there is something everyone to enjoy. Kicking off the winter season, a few perennial favorites are back for the holiday season. Chico Community Ballet’s production, A Very Chico Nutcracker, gives a local twist on the beloved holiday season classic December 3-5. “You can always expect something new exciting as you return to seeing our very own Chico Nutcracker live on stage at Chico’s on beautiful Laxson Auditorium stage,” said Deborah Jorritsma, creative director for Chico Community Ballet. ‘The lights, the laughter, the applause, the energy between dancers and audience, that is where the true magic happens and we are beyond excited to bring this years’ “A Very Chico Nutcracker” back to the Laxson stage.” The Classic children’s book, The Polar Express comes to life in Believe from December 10-12. An original production created, produced and directed by Sarah Schneeweis of Hype Dance Studio, this family-friendly holiday experience that takes you on a journey to the North Pole with music and dance, all performed by members of our local community. This production promises to bring back the most special moments of Believe! The sound of the train, the kids dressed in holiday pajamas, the hundreds of wrapped presents on set, the live drums, and the hot chocolate! “Just walking by the Laxson Auditorium building gives us chills...we can't even imagine how excited we're going to be to actually take the stage! It's a little bit of thrills, nerves, and excitement all in one, said Sarah Schneeweis. “Our dancers have missed the feeling of live

performances and that interaction you only get with a live audience.” Up next in Chico Performances winter season is the return of another seasonal favorite. Christmas in Mexico isn’t just a single day; it's a whole season of Christmas-related celebrations enriched by indigenous culture, Spanish heritage, and other influences. Celebrate the holidays in the traditions of Mexico on December 17 with two premiere Los Angeles dance and music ensembles Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar. Come on a journey through the rich tradition and heritage of Christmas Eve in Mexico! Beautiful dance, colorful costumes, soaring instrumentals and songs, combine with Christmas cheer for an unforgettable performance. The Chico Performances winter season also extends after the New Year with events in January and February. Innovative, award-winning wind quintet, Windsync brings its vibrant, intimate chamber performances to the Arts Recital Hall on January 30. A regular on “The Daily Show” with John Stewart, Demetri Martin has one of the most original and entertaining blends of stand-up and original sketch comedy on stage today. Demetri Martin’s I Feel Funny Tour makes a stop at Chico Performances Sunday, February 6. The winter season concludes on February 17 with breakout progressive bluegrass band, The Kitchen Dwellers.

AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS TUES. NOV. 2 NORTH STATE SYMPHONY MASTERWORKS 2: A LITTLE MAHLER SAT. NOV. 6 BALLET HISPÁNICO TUES. NOV. 9 POST MODERN JUKEBOX THE GRAND REOPENING TOUR SAT. NOV. 13 A VERY CHICO NUTCRACKER CHICO COMMUNITY BALLET FRI. DEC. 3, SAT. DEC. 4, SUN. DEC. 5 BELIEVE: INSPIRED BY THE POLAR EXPRESS FRI. DEC. 10, SAT. DEC. 11, SUN. DEC. 12 NOCHEBUENA CHRISTMAS EVE IN MEXICO FRI. DEC. 17

Tickets for winter performances acan be purchased one of three ways; by phone at 530-898-6333, online at chicoperformances.com, or in person at the University Box Office located on the first floor of Sierra Hall on the corner of West Third and Chestnut streets. Chico Performances cares for the health and safety of all of our guests, so this year we have a new attendance policy to help combat COVID-19. In accordance with state and local guidelines, face masks are required for entry. Check the Chico Performances website for current health and safety procedures as these policies are subject to change.

MORE INFO & TICKETS 530-898-6333 chicoperformances.com University Box Ofﬁce

Give me an "O!"

Classmate Douglas Chambers was Morrow's choice for the project’s surveyor. He took a transit shot from the 50-yard line of the OHS football field to Table Mountain. Then they carried 64

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a huge paper "O" up to the mountain. From their viewpoint 3 miles away at the campus, they figured out the correct location for the enormous letter. Students banded together and built the monument in a show of support for their school and hometown. It was laid by a dedicated group of boys and girls who gathered donations from the community over the summer of 1929 to complete their monumental project. Student Ray Johnson's father owned an automobile shop, and he provided a supply of axles. That metal was then driven into cracks in the lava rock to hold the molds so the cement could be poured. Ray Johnson later became a senator. Douglas Chambers' Model-T Ford, along with three other loaner trucks, were utilized to bring the supplies closer to the steep location. One of the loaner trucks flipped on its side while attempting to climb the incline. Some boys built a sled to help pull drums of water and other material up the grade. This was no walk in the park. This project took an immense amount of physical labor. Somehow, they brought a gasoline concrete mixer up to the site. It took over 108 sacks of concrete to fill the forms for the "O". For

WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN | PHOTO BY BEAU VANDERMATE

It’s fitting that the iconic Hollywood Sign was conceived as an ad campaign for a suburban housing development. On the flipside, over 300 communities in the United States have mountain monograms, which is when a community builds a big letter on their local mountain to commemorate the name of their town. In February of 1929, Oroville High senior Morrow Steadman wanted a project to remind students of "cooperation and teamwork, both on the athletic field and in school activities." He believed a big "O" on Table Mountain would do the trick. After all, he saw how great the big "C" turned out on the hill overlooking Strawberry Canyon near the University of California at Berkeley. The big “C” was the first mountain monogram in California. Morrow’s sentiment was echoed by Student Body President Rusty Jacobs. He said that there would be a block "O" on Table Mountain even if he and Morrow had to build it by themselves. Fortunately they ended up having help.

most of the construction, there were just a handful of dedicated workers. However, once some of the local girls brought up some food, quite a number of enthusiastic workers joined them. To this day, it is still a question of what prompted their enthusiasm—the food, or the girls. In a “monument of hard labor and high spirits,” the boys worked through summer vacation, carrying more than 100 cement bags, each weighing 105-pounds. As an iconic landmark in Oroville for nearly 90 years, the big “Block O” has sat serenely on Table Mountain, overlooking the city. The “O” measures 87 feet by 33 feet, and is about 6 inches deep. It is referred to as a type of geoglyph, also known as a “hillside letter.” Every year, a new set of students clamber into each others’ trucks and head up the trail, past a locked gate, and trudge up the hill carrying all the supplies they’ll need to refresh the O for another year, carrying on the tradition. Morrow wrote in his yearbook that he hoped the O “would remind students of cooperation and teamwork.” In his dedication speech over 90 years ago, Steadman said, “The hard, earnest work put on the building of the letter is a fitting symbol of our school, and may the spirit grow with the years to come. Always shall this letter be a guiding symbol of good sportsmanship and fellowship.” Those who have hiked to the "O" know just how far and steep the hike is. But

the view is more than worth it. On a clear day you can look southwest and see the Sutter Buttes. You can also look west and see the snow covered coastal range. Looking toward the east, you can see the Oroville Dam and its spillway. Not surprisingly over the years, the "O" has been fire-bombed, with minor damage, receiving an array of graffiti and scorched by wildfires. It's been changed into a "C" and "LP", courtesy of local rivals. Shortly after each assault, volunteers change it back to its original "O" shape. Way back in 1929, when the entire project came into fruition, many of Oroville's elders thought the classmates of '29 were nuts for making such an effort. But the "O" has outlasted that generation and several more. It will obviously outlast and recover from further assaults, altering the “O” to numerous other configurations. Morrow Steadman, who became an attorney, passed away in 1959. At least he got to see it reach 30 years. The "O" was dedicated on June 8, 1929—92 years ago. Difficult to think it was in February of 1929. It remains a certainty, there are many people who have lived in the shadow of Table Mountain all of their lives who take the "O" for granted and do not realize the effort that went into building it. Perhaps, now when you drive north up Highway 70 and see Table Mountain with its enormous and historical white monogram, you will nod and smile knowing how, why, and when it was built.

PLAYING WITH FIRE At 15 years old, Isaac Arteaga has accomplished what many twice—even three times—his age are still struggling to do. He created a product, built his brand, "Reaper Fever," around something he is truly passionate about, and has managed to sell that product and brand to a fastgrowing clientele. A sophomore at Red Bluff High School, Isaac has been a fan of hot sauce from a young age. He would stop into gas stations with his mother and father whenever he could and purchase a different hot sauce from the shelf. Isaac took mental notes on what he liked and disliked about each and catalogued them in his memory, searching for the hot sauce that would finally reign supreme. When his search continued to turn up hot sauces lacking one flavor or another, he decided to try and make one himself. Five months ago, Isaac approached his mother and asked for her help in securing the ingredients he would need to make his very own brand of hot sauce. They went grocery shopping, returned home, 66

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and he researched the many different ways to properly prepare each of the five ingredients he chose for his sauce. After weeks of learning the ropes and fine tuning his recipe, Isaac produced his first batch of Reaper Fever. Smoky, spicy—but not too spicy—and somewhat sweet, it's the perfect type of hot sauce to win over the taste buds of hot sauce lovers and hot sauce avoiders alike. "I wanted to create something that anyone who liked hot sauce would enjoy." Isaac said, "I made sure to include Carolina Reapers in the recipe and play up the smoky flavor, but used the right ingredients to make sure it could be enjoyed by everyone." Over the first two months, Isaac sold over 300 bottles of Reaper Fever and has continued his upward sales trajectory since. He plans to eventually sell his hot sauce in supermarkets throughout Northern California and beyond. You can purchase your own bottle of Reaper Fever from Isaac by sending him a message directly on Facebook or via his account on Instagram @reaperfeverhotsauce

LICENSE #0680951

Protect your goodies. Insurance & Risk Management Services for: Farm & Business • Home & Auto • Life & Health

www.Dahlmeier.com Chico

Oroville

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1368 Longfellow Ave

2080 Myers St

530.342.6421

530.533.3424

305 N. Culver Ave. (Lambert Insurance Agency)

530.934.3361

7 Year-End Options to Reduce Your Tax Bill

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

As the year ends, it’s important to be mindful of ways to minimize your tax burden. Just like the holidays come and go, so do tax planning opportunities. Below are common ways to potentially reduce your income taxes due for 2021: 1. Donating Assets. You can deduct up to 50% of your income for charitable donations made in cash, and 30% of stock or property. Giving appreciated assets has an extra benefit, as you can deduct the full value of the asset while avoiding generating capital gains. 2. Selling assets which have dropped in value (also called tax-loss harvesting) can be a valuable way to offset capital gains elsewhere. If your losses > gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 against income. 3. Deferring income to next year might make sense in certain situations. 4. Prepaying 2022 expenses and picking up the deduction this year can be helpful. 5. Another way to defer income is to use a tax-sheltered company retirement plan or IRA. Company provided plans like 401(k)’s will allow you to defer income by contributing by December 31st. IRAs allow you to make contributions for a tax year until your tax deadline. 6. Owners of IRA’s who are over 72 years old are subject to RMD’s. However, they can direct their distribution directly to a qualified charity and avoid the income tax or 1099 altogether, allowing them to still take a standard deduction. 7. Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s) allow pre-tax contributions which can be withdrawn tax-free for out-of-pocket health expenses. 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.

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By Kevin Dolan

50 Reasons I find myself grateful while contemplating 50 years of adulthood. (Ok, five decades of opportunities to act like an adult.) 1. This page I get to fill each month and Aveed who started the whole thing in the first place. 2. Mrs. Houk. My adopted everything. An individual human being resulting in my entire being. 3. 34 years of sinking knee-deep in the complicated and rewarding world of education. 4. Maya, my magical comrade, sounding board, and the epitome of teaching and friendship. 5. Daughters who have created wonderful families Renee and I can revel in. 6. Being a Chicoan, with its purple politics, bountiful beauty, and a terrific testing ground. 7. Spending 35 years in gyms, teaching and coercing the greatest game ever invented. 8. Marty and Vern, who have been along the ride for each twist, turn, and reversal. 9. Doctors: Uzma Abbasi, David Jablons, and Brock Cummings who are why I’m still here. 10. 2nd floor, Enloe Hospital, home of Cardiac Care and the best nurses ever. 11. Golf, and its ability to allow all to play, always waiting for that one shot. 12. The Birdhouse fundraiser Kevin Girt and I conjured and the incredible experience it was. 13. “Bingeing,” a participle I did not see in my life until Yellowstone and Ted Lasso. 14. Research. A wonderful form of mediation as well as an awefilled humbling experience. 15. Napa. Enough said. 16. The many and varied jobs, each filling me with responsibility, a work ethic, and awareness. 17. Music, my ever changing eclectic list of favorites ripe for any occasion or occurrence. 18. Notre Dame for its friendships, Bellarmine for its eyeopening, and PV for my Renee. 19. Places like The Perk to gather, meet up, or open a laptop and get some work done. 20. Spending three decades attending, coaching, and directing Snow Valley Basketball School. 21. As a result of those years, I discovered a long-lasting love affair with Santa Barbara. 22. Morning coffee, both cups. 23. Amata, who I talk to, answer questions from, and strive for much needed resolve. 24. Sun breaking dawn—marking the only thing left to certainty each day. It will set.

25. The marvelous privilege of becoming Poppy to Renee's Ne and “letting the magic begin.” 26. Water—oceans, lakes, rivers, babbling brooks—and time to do nothing but watch. 27. My friend, Craig, who sends texts sparking laughter, wonder, amazement, and responses. 28. My love of words and how my curiosity led to understanding and being able to back it up. 29. Sunday coffee drives and the myriad ways to go. 30. The wild summers as a member of the slow-pitch softball team, Chico Cheeks. 31. A pair of empty bar stools meeting each other at the corner. 32. The fall, with its trees full of color, fluctuating temps, and ushering me into the autumn of my life. 33. The 36 sessions of Enloe’s cardiac rehabilitation left me with physical and mental strength. 34. Books—especially the ones that go from hands to my head, my heart, and stamp my soul. 35. A son-in-law and daughter-in-law who naturally established our unending organic relationship. 36. My shop where I don’t answer questions but simply concentrate on problem-solving. 37. My five years at Biggs where I discovered you can never have enough ideas. 38. Walks, my form of meditation replete with opportunities, ones I named with matching playlists. 39. CBS Sunday Morning. 40. Remarkable mentors—Bob Cranston, Sam Simmons, and Louise Jensen. 41. For 14 years, I had the privilege of witnessing authentic learning at its finest. 42. The Writing Project that taught me really great ideas are for sharing not hoarding. 43. For Dylan Thomas writing, “In the moon that is always rising.” 44. My life, with its highs and lows. Would not trade it for anything. 45. Becoming the Editor-in-Chief of Upgraded Living and running into story after wondrous story. 46. Grasping the hashtag #girldad and embracing it for the beautifully mystical world involved. 47. Don, Renee’s dad, who became the dad I needed at just the right time. 48. Bidwell Golf Course for its wonderful layout and well-placed patio. 49. Porter, Hendrik, and Lavi—three individual souls who have left an indelible mark on my heart. 50. Renee (What else would I leave you with?) 71

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Upgraded Living - November 2021

Articles inside

A city landmark explained. Welcome to town!” cries the Orland Arch

Losing themselves in the service of others. A fateful encounter furthers

Delivery can wait. The importance of shopping local and the offerings of Downtown Chico

Art talk: A celebration of the work and

Kicking off the winter season with Chico Performances. Clear your calendar.

Stem cell regeneration and the new technology behind it

Award-winning Jeweler, Geralyn Sheridan strikes gold in Las Vegas

Catch a glimpse of the action at Golden Beaver Distillery

The coolest band you’ve never seen before: an interview with West Ghost

Anything but well done—crushin' it with Chef Warren

Back-to-back biscuits and gravy without an afternoon nap

The next chapter of Sweet Chico Confections is unwrapped

Parkside Tap House brings back their Friendsgiving fundraiser