Absolutely. Microneedling pairs well with many procedures like BOTOX® and fillers. I especially like to pair it with fillers because you get the immediate benefits of lip or cheek enhancement, along with the delayed and ongoing benefits of the microneedling treatments. In addition, it pairs well with BOTOX®, especially in a patient with acne scarring on the cheeks. In this case, patients benefit from a smoothening of forehead lines from BOTOX® and smoother, brighter cheeks from microneedling. It's a powerful one-two punch for either BOTOX® or fillers. It's really one of my favorite treatments, especially during the summer, because sunlight does not significantly limit its usage.
What areas can be treated and is there any downtime? How many sessions does it take to see results?
What is Micorneedling?
Microneedling is typically performed on the face. In addition to improving one's texture and tone, it can also improve hyperpigmentation and scarring. Acne scarring responds particularly well to a series of microneedling treatments. Because microneedling helps with scars and texture, it can also be applied to other areas like the arms and legs, under certain circumstances.
Can I add this treatment in addition to BOTOX® and fillers?
Microneedling is a procedure to gently and effectively remove superficial layers of skin in order to improve the overall texture and tone of the skin. Results are seen as quickly as one treatment, but best results occur after a series of at least 3-5 treatments. Treatments are typically done monthly.
MICRONEEDLING WITH DR. HODARI
Q&A
Rejuvené is next level in aesthetic, customer service, professionalism , and quality from the moment you step through their door to the moment you leave. You will be treated with high value and wanting to come back as soon as you get the chance ! - Chelsea H. 80 DECLARATION DR. CHICO, CA 95973 (530)rejuvene.com342-8295 Microneedling BEFORE AFTER 672 ORO DAM BLVD E. SUITE 202 OROVILLE, CA 95965 (530)hodarimd.com533-3571
For editorial or general magazine inquiries, please contact: Aveed Khaki, aveed@upgradedliving.com530.519.5683
I can't believe it's already been one year since we published our first Worst of Chico list in Upgraded Living, and I have to say the second was certainly far less nerve-racking than the first. After releasing the inaugural issue, we entered the office each morning with a certain level of anxiety and apprehension, half expecting it would be the day where we finally received a call from a reader or advertiser who thought we had done them wrong. To our pleasant surprise, we received quite the opposite. Businesses who won posted a thoughtful caption to their respective social media outlets, thrilled to be labeled as the "worst" of Chico. Readers posted photos of pages within the issue and winners they agreed with, tagging businesses and complimenting them on the award. It couldn't have been more satisfying to know readers and businesses alike got our tongue-in-cheek offering, and we've been excited to release our second list ever since. As with last year, this year's list is full of people and places we feel are noteworthy in our communities and each for their own unique reason. This list was not voted on beyond our internal editorial team as we wanted each award to be our own collective opinion as a group. We did, however, make a couple additions to our list this year with our new Best of Butte and Just Beyond lists, helping us shine a well-deserved spotlight on the areas surrounding Chico. There's so much to love in each of these incredible communities that we couldn't help but give them their own sections. We hope you use the lists as a means to discover new places and people throughout the Northstate. Each and every one is well worth the visit or introduction!
For sales inquiries, please contact: Jason Corona, jason@upgradedliving.com530.591.2634
6 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 FROM THE PUBLISHER UPGRADED LIVING CONTRIBUTORSSTAFF
ASTRO JETSON Scribe of Ages DEVO DOTTRY Also Responds to Tim "PEACHES" RODRIGUEZ Elephant Trainer ERIK BROWN Cover Mother KYLE SILLIMAN Dillon Collins' Unofficial Photoshop Artist AVEED "PONY" KHAKI Needs a New Headshot JASON "DAD BOD" CORONA Pisces BEAU "SKIPPY" VANDERMATE The Official Lost Boy DOUG LOVE Real Estate HR iQ Human Resources RYAN STEFANELLI Taco Tracker SWEENEY & MICHEL Finance DERM BAR Beauty JESSICA WILKERSON Mental Health Aveed Khaki Ten Years Ago
28 Millennials are entering the housing market. How will they navigate it?
FOOD52
62 Cool Kid Maddie Smith is making waves as one of Chico's youngest bakers—vying for the title Queen of Cakes!
Music Connection reveals its new location and myriad offerings.
13 Pleasant Valley High School reimagines the pre-college educational experience.
FEATURE35 Our second annual Worst of Chico is here, shining a light on the worst places not to visit! Join us as we award our favorites with the title of Worst of Chico, and keep reading for our Best of Butte and Just Beyond lists for 2022.
Chef Amanda Bossheart of OM Foods dishes the secret behind her success in bringing vegetarian and vegan food to the forefront of Chico.
8 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 CONTENTS | SEPTEMBER
26 We catch up with pottery-expert Michael Gabriel and explore his incredible art.
54 We visit Habaneros Taqueria and learn the story of the family behind the flavors.
26 Jessica Wilkerson provides insight on growing through disappointment.
THE MANY FACES OF DILLON COLLINS AS IMAGINED BY KYLE SILLIMAN DESIGN BY: ERIK BROWN PHOTO BY: DILLON COLLINS/KYLE SILLIMAN DUCKED.
TWO GUYS WALKED INTO A BAR. THE THIRD ONE
56 Sensational International! We visit Lili's Brazilian Bistro and Priya Indian Cuisine for tastes that are simply out of this world!
60 One of our favorite local bands, Decades, gets ready to play their 1,000th show in October. Discover their story before seeing the big show.
COVER:
19 Orland takes on an ambitious project to provide housing for the houseless.
58 It's berry season, and our local ingredient expert, Tim Milhorn, reveals where to find them hidden in the wild!
50 Too young to be our local legend, and too old to be our Cool Kid, Dillon Collins makes a name for himself as Chico's resident food critic and standup comedian.
13 5010
ON THE
16 Johnny Appleseed Days are right around the corner, and we couldn't be more excited for all the apple goodness to come!
20POTPOURRI Planning for retirement? Sweeney & Michel help demystify some its most frequently asked questions.
21 The YMCA in Oroville gets a massive facelift complete with all new opportunities for visitors of all ages.
10COMMUNITY2022
Connection Through Music
Coming from a location on the north side of town, Sally has enjoyed the change in scenery the move has afforded. “It’s interesting,” she said. “There’s so much life downtown, you know? We’ve got all of these pretty windows, and we can see everybody walking around. There are parties going on when the students are here, and it’s like, wow, this place is so alive! It’s been really fun. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy being downtown.”
10 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022
The outlook for small businesses has changed exponentially in the last ten years, and Sally credits the Chico community for keeping the Music Connection alive. “I definitely don’t take it for granted that the town has supported us all these years,” she said. “I was really worried when Guitar Center arrived in 2012, and through the pandemic; even the housing crisis of 2008. That was really hard, and here we still are. I feel like the town has been rooting for us, and that’s a unique-to-Chico kind of thing.”
Music is the great equalizer, an exquisite outlet for human emotions that lends pathos and meaning to the human experience. For many, it’s a big part of what makes them who they are.
VANDERMATEBEAUBYPHOTOS|RODRIGUEZMADDIEBYWRITTEN
Sally MacMillan, owner of the Music Connection in Downtown Chico, is passionate about helping others discover and nurture their love for music, and she feels her new space on the corner of W. 3rd Street and Normal Avenue reflects that. “I like to think the heavy metal guy is just as comfortable here as the church pianist,” Sally said. “Music is so vast, and so broad; it’s not just one genre. I want everybody to feel comfortable when they come in, and we do have a really diverse clientele, which is Sally’sawesome.”emphasis at the Music Connection has always been on giving the community something they can’t find anywhere else and an experience they can’t buy online. Every week during the school year, over 400 kids come through the doors of the shop to take lessons in everything from the clarinet to the mandolin. “I made this place that I always wished I could have hung out at as a kid,” Sally said. She has fond memories of the band camp she attended when she was young, and she really wanted her store to have a similar vibe. “I remember going to camp and loving all the different types of people and all the different instruments people were playing, and I’ve realized that at the Music Connection, I’ve made my own band camp; it has the same feeling as that place I went to in the eighth grade and fell in love with.” Sally and her team moved into the gorgeous, historic building that housed the former Bidwell Chapel in February and are starting to feel at home in the significantly bigger space. “It’s a big, beautiful building, and it’s allowing us to do more,” Sally said. “We have 15 teaching studios now, allowing us to increase both our students and our teachers, and we’re able to display things in a nicer setting than we were able to before. We also have our own parking lot, which is really important. In a lot of ways, it’s like this building has been waiting for us.” Sally didn’t want to just rent another commercial space, so she’s been waiting patiently for the perfect building to come onto the market for the past 10 years. “Since we own the building, it gives us more freedom to keep offering new things and continue to grow,” Sally said.
WHAT DO YOU CALL A SONG THAT NEVER SHOWS UP? A DEAD BEAT.
The Music Connection offers lessons, rentals, new and used instrument sales, and instrument repairs. They strive to meet the needs of all musicians, from beginners to professionals. You can find them at 341 West 3rd Street in Downtown Chico, or contact them via phone at (530) 898-0110. You can also visit them online www.MusicConnectionChico.com.at
The refresh was funded by 7 career and technical education grants applied for by teachers and administrators and matched by funds from Measures E and K. The improvements, which began in 2020, comprise updates to the parking lot, a new quad, a brand-new culinary arts building, and makeovers for the C, D, and E buildings, as well as the complete conversion of the former administrative offices, which have become the new medical pathway and sports therapy classrooms.
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If you’ve driven down East Avenue and passed Pleasant Valley High School in the last year or so, you’ve likely noticed the beautiful new building of glass and concrete that sits imperiously at the edge of the campus, just back from the road. It is the new Viking Fire and Fork learning facility and culinary arts building, part of a $16.209 million refresh of the PV campus.
The new culinary building and remodeled classrooms are part of the career and technical education department, which is currently undergoing a significant overhaul and Careerexpansion.tech ed (CTE), as it’s known, has existed in some form or another for many years; you may recall your own days in welding or machine shop. However, the newer, more modern career tech ed has come to encompass programs that will introduce high school students to the fields of nursing, engineering and architecture, teaching, and digital art, among others, in state-of-the-art facilities with the latest technology and equipment.
Priscilla Burns, the former career technical education coordinator for the Chico Unified School District, who now serves as the department chair of family and consumer sciences at PV, says the purpose of these programs is to give students the ability to test drive a major or learn a new skill before they graduate and are thrust into the real world. “‘Find a passion or a paycheck’ is kind of
Preparing for a Passion or a Paycheck VANDERMATEBEAUBYPHOTOS|RODRIGUEZMADDIEBYWRITTEN WHAT DOES STEPH CURRY LIKE TO EAT WITH SALSA? CHAMPION CHIPS.
Another benefit of the career tech ed programs is their ability to meet many of the state’s requirements for graduation. “Some of the classes meet A-G requirements,” Priscilla said. “For example, our Culinary 2 class gets fine art credit since it deals a lot with visual display, plating, and decorative pastry.”
WHAT KIND OF PLANTS GO IN THE BATHROOM? TOILET TREES.
Some of the courses even articulate with courses at Butte and Shasta Colleges, giving students a leg up on college credit and saving them time and money. Whether students take the courses offered in career tech ed for fun or to seriously consider careers for their futures, the benefits they stand to reap are immeasurable.
14 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022
the motto of career tech ed,” Priscilla said. “Not everybody needs a four-year degree, though I certainly encourage all my students to go to school. But to be honest, some kids I have just need a job skill so they can make money while they go to college, and it might not be their passion; it might just be a paycheck.”
Part of what makes these programs so unique and so popular with students— Priscilla tells me the classes are heavily impacted—are their real-world applications and the distinct flavor of independence they impart. The culinary arts students, for example, have the ability to work on internships, paid and unpaid, in kitchens around Chico, learning what it’s like to be employed and to gain experience in a real restaurant. “La Salles and 5th St. actually phone me and say, ‘Priscilla, do you have any prep cooks?’, so we’re obviously building a reputation of putting out people who know what they’re doing,” Priscilla said. “The kids that I place know how to prep food, they know how to do sanitation properly, and they have that heart of service, understanding that they’re serving other people.” Students in the medical pathway have the opportunity to intern at Enloe Hospital, observing procedures and working in clinics.
16 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022
In addition to your appetite, you’ll also want to make sure to bring an amplystuffed wallet, since there will be more than just delicious, apple-themed food available. Due to unprecedented interest, there will be an abundance of vendors and artisans this year from all over the state (there is nary a booth space left!) who will be selling anything you could possibly want or need, from handicrafts to home goods and more. I still have fond memories of a handmade treasure I picked up at Johnny Appleseed Days when I was a kid, and while I no longer have it, I return to the festival every year in hopes of finding one just like it.
I suppose it's human nature to want to replicate a beautiful memory by attending the same festival every year, and it seems I’m not alone in this. According to the Paradise Chamber of Commerce, many people who attend Johnny Appleseed Days have been visiting for generations, and the newest crop of kids are just the latest in a very long line of pie eating apple Thoughlovers.thefood and vendors are a Days of Pies and Apples
When the days start getting just a little shorter, the air a little crisper, and the light a little softer, Paradise residents can feel the shift in the atmosphere: it’s time for Johnny Appleseed Days. They stream into Terry Ashe Park in their thousands on the first weekend in October to celebrate the apple harvest, meet with old friends, and enjoy the music. Since 1888, the festival has celebrated the yearly return of everyone’s favorite appley delights, from homemade apple pie and ice cream to caramel apples, apple butter, and applesauce. As Paradise continues forward, the annual Johnny Appleseed Days festival is a positive and jubilant reminder of the Ridge’s history and traditions, so deeply rooted that they cannot simply be burned away. This year, sponsor Noble Orchards will be providing apples for the do-it-yourself apple pie kits, which include a limitededition commemorative tea towel and the super-secret (and super delicious) Paradise Apple Pie Spice Mix. Sponsor Sav-Mart will be manning the everpopular Pie Pavilion this year, preparing hundreds upon hundreds of apple pies to be served by the slice at the event. The food court will have a variety of eats to offer as well, so it is strongly advised that you not leave your appetite at home!
RODRIGUEZMADDIEBYWRITTEN WHY DID THE MAN FALL DOWN THE WELL? HE COULDN’T SEE THAT WELL.
1717 great reason to make a plan to visit Terry Ashe Park on October 1st and 2nd, the perennially popular children’s area, sponsored by the Paradise Unified School District, will have something to entertain every child, including face painting, nostalgic games, and even Mr. Johnny Appleseed himself, who will be telling tales of derring-do with the occasional fruit-flavored anecdote thrown in for good measure. Up on the Gazebo Stage, hometown entertainment will perform throughout the day, providing a backdrop of great music to add to an already wonderful event. Johnny Appleseed Days is a homegrown Ridge tradition that brings local residents and local business owners together. It strengthens the bonds of community and friendship that hold us together and are necessary now more than they have ever been. The festival will be held October 1st from 10am to 5pm, and October 2nd from 10am to 4pm at Terry Ashe Park, 6626 Skyway, Paradise. For more information and to see a list of this year’s sponsors, please visit the Johnny Appleseed Days page on the Paradise Chamber of Commerce’s appleseed-days/www.paradisechamber.com/johnny-website, WHAT COUNTRY'S CAPITAL IS GROWING THE FASTEST? IRELAND. EVERY DAY IT'S DUBLIN.
Downtown Chico328
This FDA approved outpatient procedure uses a CO2 fractional ablative laser to help improve the vaginal tissue by promoting the production of collagen and elastin fibers, thickening and regenerating tissue, and restoring elasticity. These cellular changes also increase natural lubrication and enhanced sensation, as well as reducing sexual discomfort and urinary incontinence Additionally,symptoms.
the FemiLift strengthens the local immune system response, which helps to prevent recurring infections and can be effective in treating symptoms of Lichen Sclerosis (LS) on the external tissues.
This minimally invasive procedure takes about 15 minutes using CO2 laser technology to rejuvenate and restore vaginal health. Many women struggle with discomfort and self-consciousness in their most sensitive areas, especially after childbirth and with peri- and post-menopausal changes.
Multiple studies using CO2 laser therapy are showing statistically significant reduction in LS symptoms, including pain during sex or urination, and itching. Our patients report minimal discomfort during treatments, and most daily activities can be resumed immediately. A series of three treatments over 12 weeks is recommended for optimal results, and then one treatment annually for maintenance. If you think you may benefit from the FemiLift Laser, please give us a call to schedule a free 85DERMconsultation.BARMED-SPADeclarationDr.Suite 100 Chico, CA 530.342.267295973
FollowBroadway us intoFall I USED TO HATE FACIAL HAIR, BUT IT’S GROWING ON ME.
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We are here to help with our FemiLift laser!
18 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022
A little over a year ago, the Chico Enterprise-Record ran a series of articles from cities up and down the state of California to document their problems with the homeless population. Citizens in any of those given towns think they’re the only ones afflicted by a large homeless population. That belief held true in Butte County for years. In its “State of Homelessness” series, the E-R published pieces written by newspapers in Santa Cruz, Vacaville, Eureka, Vallejo, Woodland, Lake County, Red Bluff, and Los Angeles.
The biggest step toward achieving the goal of a housing structure was made when the city and county received a Homekey Round 2 award in the amount of $8,756,945. This grant was facilitated by the Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter Chapter, State Housing and Community Development, and Thurmond Consulting. The plan is moving along, and the old and dilapidated 13-room motel has been demolished already. The Orlanda Inn had been falling into disrepair for years, and it was the focus of many police calls due to the clientele that lived in the facility. The entire vicinity has been cleaned up, and construction is in the early stages. Replacing the old facility will be a modern, two-story, 33-room facility with a management team on site. Ample parking and communal spaces will also be included along with the structure. Mayor Dennis Hoffman said, “I’m thrilled to see the partnership between the city, county, and Habitat has come together to transform the site into something that is a positive need for the community.”
While driving through Orland, you won’t see the groupings of tents and makeshift dwellings you do in Chico, but the homeless are there. They tend to make camps out along Stony Creek and other areas, and you can get an idea of the numbers when you read The Sacramento Valley Mirror Glenn County Sheriff and Orland Police crime logs. Many of the arrests indicate “transient” as the person’s Recognizingaddress.thatOrland had a problem with homeless and destitute people, Mayor Dennis Hoffman and former Orland Mayor—and current city council member— Bruce Roundy decided to get the ball rolling on solving the problem. A solution presented itself with the abandoned Orlanda Inn, a former motel, but after inspection it was deemed uninhabitable even with serious renovation.
Roundy echoed Hoffman’s comments, “It’s wonderful to have the funding for this project. Everyone came together to make this happen. We couldn’t be happier.”
The conclusion: homelessness is evident in every area of the state. A surprising result of a study on the unhoused population found that most homeless stay close to where they were born.
Habitat helping the unhoused WHAT DID THE DRUMMER NAME HIS TWIN DAUGHTERS? ANNA 1, ANNA 2.
1919 MILHORNTIMBYWRITTEN
When you first start planning, begin with your lifestyle goals and values, then imagine how they’ll change in your 70’s. Next, you and your financial advisor can work together and take a detailed look at your current financial wellbeing. It's a bit like getting a physical for your finances. You should be checking the vitals (the key indicators) and being honest with yourself about where you can improve. Along the way, take a careful look at other key areas to make sure you avoid a preventable setback. Revisit annually to modify if needed and stay on track.
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
To us, it's not just insurance— it's a relationship. & Risk Management Services & Business Home & Auto Life & Health Chico 1368 Longfellow 530.342.6421Ave 2080OrovilleMyers 530.533.3424St Willows 305 N. Culver Ave. (Lambert Insurance 530.934.3361Agency)
This is the most common question we get when meeting with clients. You might remember a series of “What’s your retirement number” commercials from a couple years back. Unfortunately, they grossly simplified the question, then gave it a deserving Theanswer.truth is, there are so many variables from one person’s retirement to the next that there’s no set dollar amount that works for everyone. People are different. We’ve met people with $500k that have enough and some with $5 million that don’t. This gap between your current scenario and a comfortable retirement is called “personal financial planning,” and it’s never too late to start.
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- Save about 5% of your income for unplanned expenses.
- If you are in retirement, try to limit withdrawals from your savings to about 4% of your account balance. - Limit your monthly essential bills and housing costs to 50% of your monthly income.
When it comes to planning and wealth building, there are no general rules about what is specifically best for you—that always depends on your personal scenario. However, there are some general guidelines many find helpful:
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.
20 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 Mirror Mirror on the Wall – When Can I Retire After All?
Finally, hire a coach or advisor. Studies show people are 50% more likely to meet their goals when they have a written plan along with an accountability partner.
- Try to save at least 15% of income for retirement—employer matching counts too.
BY RENEE MICHEL, MBA, AND JOE SWEENEY, CFP ®, FINANCIAL ADVISORS AT SWEENEY & MICHEL, LLC
LICENSE #0G55496 Insurance
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for: Farm
www.Dahlmeier.com I USED TO BE ADDICTED TO THE HOKEY POKEY, BUT THEN I TURNED MYSELF AROUND.
The YMCA in Oroville is part of the YMCA of Superior California, which formed from the 2008 merger of the Yolo County, Yuba-Sutter, Oroville, and Greater Sacramento YMCAs. As an entity, it now serves the communities of Sacramento, Yolo, Oroville, Yuba-Sutter, and Gold Country with locations in Oroville, Woodland, and Sacramento. “The YMCA is great for families to be healthy together,” said Sarah. “The Oroville YMCA Convention Center offers a fitness center, group fitness classes, personal training, pickleball, basketball, youth sports, community classes, children’s theater, and more. We have a year-round heated pool
Why the Y? 5/4 OF PEOPLE AREN’T GOOD AT FRACTIONS. VANDERMATEBEAUBYPHOTOS|RODRIGUEZMADDIEBYWRITTEN
Since its founding in London in the 1840s, the YMCA has become a global organization committed to providing a safe place for people to recreate and improve their minds, bodies, and spirits.
In Oroville, the local chapter of the YMCA of Superior California, which has been located on Robinson Street for almost 100 years, is getting ready to celebrate the first anniversary since it expanded into its new location at the Oroville Convention Center. “Since September of 2021, we have been able to introduce open basketball, youth basketball, youth dodgeball, pickleball, bigger group exercise classes—including our YMCA 360 on-demand classes—and expand our theater program,” said program director Sarah Pierce. The Y has been a place for the community of Oroville to come together since 1914. The programs and classes they offer are incredibly beneficial to the community as a whole; they fill a need for healthy engagement in activities and with one another that exists in every town and city in the world. At the YMCA, people of all ages can become certified lifeguards, earn CPR and First Aid certifications, and volunteer with the Y in their community.
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Upcoming events at the Y are always posted on their Facebook page, but Sarah says there are several things coming up that shouldn’t be missed. “We are starting youth dodgeball sign ups as well as registration for our September swim lessons,” she said. “In October, we will have auditions for our annual children's theater musical.” The name of this year’s musical has not yet been announced, but Sarah encourages all who are interested to attend auditions and keep an eye on the YMCA website for Headingupdates.into fall, there are lots of fun activities that will be taking place in Downtown Oroville, and the YMCA’s new location is in the perfect spot to take advantage of everything. “The YMCA is excited to be downtown and a part of all of the events, including the Salmon Festival and Perry Mason Days,” said Sarah. “We will be doing a Perry Mason dinner show on September 30th.”
There is a fee to join the Y which varies depending on how many family members want to join and their ages. However, the YMCA recognizes that not all families can afford the cost of a membership. “We believe being healthy shouldn't have to be a privilege,” Sarah said. “Therefore, we offer grants and scholarships to help with the costs of a membership.” Childcare is included with membership and adults can drop off their small charges with YMCA staff for fun and games, enabling parents and caregivers to enjoy a group fitness class or jump into the pool to swim laps. In the summer, the YMCA also offers camps for children to keep them occupied when school isn’t in session.
22 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 with year-round water fitness classes and swim lessons for all ages and skill levels.”
For membership information, as well as a list and schedule of programs and activities available at the YMCA, please visit the organization’s (530)www.ymcasuperiorcal.orgwebsite:orcall533-9622.
DOGS CAN’T OPERATE MRI MACHINES, BUT CAT SCAN.
2323WHAT DO YOU CALL A VAMPIRE USING A COUPON? A SUCKER FOR A DEAL.
24 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022
Imagine a lone palm tree on a tiny tropical island, the kind in comics. Now imagine a hurricane comes through, winds whipping in all directions with intention to uproot this tree. After several days of raging weather, the storm moves on. Coconuts litter the sand below the tree, but the tree still stands. The roots use all that fresh storm water to quench the tree’s thirst. What happened here? The palm was rolling with the punches and taking that storm in stride as it bent and bowed with the wind. It dipped and dove, but it never tipped over. Its palm fronds brushed the sand as the world around it was torrential rain and lightning. What kept this majestic tree safe? Its roots.
Jessica Wilkerson, MA, LMFT 104464 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
I USED TO BE SCARED OF SPEED BUMPS, BUT I’M SLOWLY GETTING OVER IT. Live Your Way at The Terraces of Chico! *Move in or deposit by 09/30 for this special o er *Terms and Conditions Apply theterracesofchico.com Call Today to Live Your Way! 530.894.5429 Harvest the memories, Rake in the fun! Ask About our Fall Savings! 2750 Sierra Sunrise Terrace, Chico, CA 95928 RCFE #045001756 Independent & Assisted Living • Memory Care Set on a small lake, The Terraces provides warm and inviting senior living. Life at The Terraces o ers so much, from beautiful views to engaging activities, restaurant style dining and more. The Terraces of Chico
Disappointment creates a wave of emotion washing over us. Powerless to change it, we search the external world and find people to blame. We look inward and condemn ourselves for being insufficient. Just as meaningfully, disappointment also has the power to transform us. “Rolling with the punches” is only half the picture. “Taking it in stride” doesn’t teach you what to do once you’ve found that pace. Growing through disappointment means using each opportunity as a moment to shift, ever so slightly.
The palm has a multitude of small, dense roots that grow shallow in the sand. They hold more soil, creating a heavy base to keep them standing upright during the storm. They don’t have a few large roots like the trees growing in our neck of the woods, instead they have a lot of little pivots and shifts. When I think of the roots in the palm being shallow, it reminds me that even if we have deep wounds or storms that have hit us over and over, we can look at the present. We can shift today, now. We can look disappointment square in its chaotic eyes, take a deep breath, sway, bend, and choose not to fall into the madness, anger, or temptation to micro-manage life to avoid future disappointment. We can breathe the fresh air and trust ourselves to create twists and turns of our own roots so we can stay grounded and grow through the disappointment.
This is about striving for safety in an unsafe world.
Growing Through Disappointment
Over the years I have noticed that disappointment is (aside from specific trauma) one of the biggest factors contributing to negative emotional life experiences such as powerlessness, fear, anger, frustration, and overwhelm.
2525WHAT IS THE FASTEST LIQUID ON EARTH? MILK - IT'S PAST YOUR EYES BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.
After Kathleen graduated and was hired at Arizona State in Tucson, Gabe began teaching at La Cima Middle School, a stateof-the-art school just recently built. He took over as the ceramics teacher while learning more about art, especially local arts. An exciting discovery was made in the many petroglyphs in the area. Gabe introduced these to his students, many of them Native American, who recognized the figures from the woven baskets many family members owned. Soon, 250 students were involved in pit firing sun vases and making 10” to 12” wall sun art.
26 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022
Before you read through this article, take another look at the photographs depicting the pottery of Mike “Gabe” Gabriel. Note the design and motifs, the colors and the form, the representations of the sun, the greens and dark blue hues of the bowls and pitchers, the deep brown and ochre of the vases, and finally, the red, white, and black of the Native American-inspired pieces. These creations took many decades to come to life, but they were inspired by an elderly potter throwing clay on a wheel in Downtown Old Laguna Beach. Gabe was six and seven years old and on vacation during those first few interactions. “I remember thinking to myself back then that I wanted to do that someday,” said Gabe. The actual pottery making experience didn’t happen until years later when he was a student at Chico State and needed to have some art classes to go along with his physical education major.
Gabe taught P.E. and ceramics at C.K. Price Middle School in Orland for 17 years and coached basketball. When his wife Kathleen, whom Gabe says has kept him centered and focused since they met in college, got accepted to Kansas to earn her Ph.D., they went back to the midwest. During their time there, Gabe took ceramics classes and honed his skills on the wheel and in firing pottery. It was there he delved into the idea of pit firing.
Among Gabe’s many students were kids truly gifted in ceramics, from throwing to sun art to design. Gabe said, “Get out of the way of gifted kids; just get out of their way. They become the teachers to the class as well as the teacher.” He further noted, “This was the first time these kids, especially the Native Americans, received recognition for their artistic ability and their culture.” The keys to the success were the advances Gabe made in pit firing. Pit firing is what it sounds like: digging a pit, filling it with wood, and burning the wood till it is reduced to embers. You put the pieces in, cover it up, and let the heat work its magic. This is when Jack Windsor came back into the picture. While there are many ways to pit fire, Windsor advised Gabe how to be able to reach higher temperatures by refining the corrugated metal box placed in the pit. You fire underneath the box and it traps the heat. (Note: this is a very simplified explanation. Do not dig a hole in your Gabebackyard!)hasfurther perfected his techniques, and the results are pictured here. As Gabe explains, “My whole goal is not about money. I want to see how far I can go… how good I can get.” If you’re interested in buying some of Mike Gabriel’s pottery, he can be reached at (520) 990-3870.
The Art of Pottery
GABRIELMICHAELCOURTESYPHOTOGRAPHSMILHORNTIMBYWRITTEN
Gabe took a ceramics class from Jack Windsor, a well-known and reputable member of the art department at the university. “Little did I know Jack Windsor would play an even bigger role in my pottery years down the line,” said Gabe. And the advice came at a key time when he was to fine tune his pottery firing skills.
I ONLY KNOW 25 LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET. I DON'T KNOW Y.
Our North Valley real estate market is a relatively more affordable market, and creates opportunity for the millennial wave. As our market stabilizes, millennials may have a chance to compete with the all-cash buyers, particularly with homes more frequently lingering on the market for over 5 minutes.
Magic Age WHY DIDN’T THE ALLIGATOR GO TO THE PARTY AFTER WORK? HE WAS SWAMPED.
Millennials have arrived in a big way on the real estate scene—nearly 45 million of them, who will reach the magic age of 34 over the next ten years. 34 years old is known as the “magic age” because it is the median age of the first-time Therehomebuyer.are44.9 million Americans aged 24 to 33—the coming-of-age future first-time home buyers—adding to the 41.8 million people ages 35 to 44, who are already in the magic-age category. For the past several years, a crazy-tight supply of starter homes has been a barrier for young potential home buyers. Nationwide, starter homes have gained over 50% in value over the past five years, a median increase of $47,600, while for-sale inventory in this price range has dropped nearly 5 percent.
“We’ve also seen a large fraction of listings with price cuts,” said one broker. “That’s good news for first-time home buyers. It means that buyers have a little more bargaining power.”
Saving for a down payment can be an uphill battle for first-time buyers. Buyers need a year-and-a-half longer than they did 30 years ago to qualify for a loan. A Forbes report stated that 58% of aspiring homeowners lack the funds for a down Metropayment.areas on both coasts will have the biggest fraction of people hitting that magic first-time buyer age of 34. But people are always free to move, and as we already know, a migration is underway to our inland area from the coast. Affordability and quality of life are the driving forces.
Though the current housing market is cooling off, this coming wave of buyers faces a future starter-home market with now-familiar dynamics: relatively high demand and low supply, in which the stiff competition among buyers worsens the affordability issues caused by rising Evenprices.as our real estate market levels out and calms down somewhat, the inventory remains low, and the buying competition high. We will stand back and watch this wave of millennials move into homeownership. Welcome home, millennials. Doug Love is Sales Manager at Century 21 in Chico. Email dougwlove@gmail.com. Call or text 530-680-0817.
28 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022
30 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 OWNED solar, INGROUND sparkling pool, 3 Car Attached Garage +shop with a studio to boot!!!! The home is 2296 according to county records and a permitted 868 sq.ft. shop and studio make up the rest of this perfectly manicured spot! The floor plan is both entertaining friendly and also lends itself to tuck away quietly. The wall of windows in the back of the home offers ample natural lighting, and there's plenty more to love like alabastar hand plastared walls, Milano Olivewood flooring, vaulted ceiling, and recessed lighting. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, the master suite has a music system, rear covered patio access and walk in closet! This home has high efficiency windows, and a newer roof. The detached studio/shop is fully outfitted and the property has RV access! Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 3,164 Price: $950,000 THINK OF ME when you think Real Estate! REMEMBER ME when you want to buy or sell homes! Because #2 in Production for 2021 and a consistent Centurion Award winner! Call or text me regarding these homes and others (530) 514-4855 SherryLinnCalbert@gmail.com Brand NEW flooring throughout the home!!! Wow!! Fresh interior paint throughout! Fireplace, covered patio, quiet street and close to most any where you want to be!! Kitchen has gas range with pot filler, refrigerator, dishwasher. Big shade tree in the front yard. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,416 Price: $439,000 Dive right into this sparkling inground gunite pool in this great back yard! This popular neighborhood is centrally located to shopping and schools. This beautiful 4-bedroom home is tucked away at the back of a cul-de-sac and has some fruit trees and covered patio. Open kitchen with large eating bar and loads of storage throughout this well laid out home!
Bed: 4.0 Bath: 30 SqFt: 2,276 Price: $679,000
"My wife and I have bought and sold several properties and we have worked with many realtors. Effie Khaki is by far the best realtor we have ever worked with. She is intelligent, kind and a great communicator. I hope to work with her again."
Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,486 Price: $795,000 If you are looking to build an elegant home in an upscale neighborhood, then this is the place for it!! Located in a great cul-de-sac location, this 1+ ac lot once held a stunning home which offered a 3183 sq.ft, 3 bedrooms, 3 bath and much more. There's lenty of room for a large home, a multi-car garage, pool, garden, yard etc. Acres: 1.02 Price: $59,500 Tranquility!!! Where the eagles soar above, you will discover this magical place. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac, this 1+ acre lot once boasted an elegant 3100+a sqft, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, newer 10 years old home prior to the camp fire. Awake to the sounds of singing birds and commune with nature here!
-Dr. Erik Simchuk, Chico Bidwell Park is right by your doorstep in a location so rare and beautiful, the word "magnificent" seems like an understatement. You will be in awe when you enter this stunning home. Recently updated, this residence offers an open floor plan, generously proportioned rooms and peaceful ambiance. The family room is spacious and boasts a beautiful gas fireplace perfect for snuggling up during those cold rainy days. The lavish living room and the formal dining room are perfect for large gatherings and entertaining families and friends. You will marvel at the gourmet kitchen with its center island, new cabinets, granite countertops, gas cook top, pots/pans drawers and its stainless steel appliances. You will love the master suite of this home which is equipped with a large walk-in closet, dual vanities, walk-in shower and jetted tub for your relaxation. From its cork flooring, to its tankless water heater, central vacuum system, security system, whole house fan, plantation shutter and finally its OWNED SOLAR system, this home exemplifies the quality of the fine homes. The yard is beautiful with its stately trees and flowering shrubs, offering a large dining patio, enormous RV parking with 30 AMP RV hook up, and all on .41 acres with plenty of space for a pool! Call to see it today!
Acres: 1.02 Price: $65,000 Own a piece of PARADISE!!! If you are looking for your private estate property, then come and see what this gorgeous 1+ acre parcel has to offer. Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac location, it will take only one look to know this is where you want your dream home to be. While its heavenly, the price is down to earth. Bring your blueprint and build! Acres: 1.02 Price: $59,000
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3535 To dissipate any concerns of voter fraud, we've once again not given you the option to voice your picks. We have, however, created some fun and quirky categories for businesses to be honored as the worst place NOT to visit. Not your typical cash-grab, only 34 of the 138 categories represent anyone who might be considered an even somewhat-regular advertiser, this list stands simply among the rest. And while we’d love for you to run a thank you ad, it’s not part of our October layout. Thank you for helping us celebrate local businesses and having a laugh with us! 1. LEARN SOMETHING NEW Gateway Science Museum 2. GIVE A PET A SECOND CHANCE Butte Humane Society 3. EXPERIENCE HOW YOUR GREAT GRANDPARENTS WENT TO SCHOOL Chico Museum 4. ARGUE WITH STRANGERS Butte County Fires, Accidents, & Crimes or Foodies of Chico on FB 5. SEE AN 1865 WAGON TRAIL IN CHICO Old Humboldt Road 6. HAVE A COFFEE ON A ROOFTOP AND WORK ON WORDLE Stoble Coffee 7. EXPLORE TREES FROM AROUND THE WORLD World of Trees Trail in Lower Park 8. SQUEEZE IN A ROUND Skyway Golf 9. TAKE A MORNING WALK The Avenues 10. FEEL LIKE HOME Sitting atop Monkey Face 11. SWIM Salmon Hole 12. TAKE YOUR KIDS Caper Acres 13. FIND YOUR KID'S NEXT HOBBY C.A.R.D. 14. START YOUR MORNING Bidwell Perk 15. VOLUNTEER The Jesus Center WORST PLACE NOT TO... @olesia_rouk @ainsleyroseee #10 @buttehumane#2 @shiannes #12 @chicorec #13 @thejoynextdoor#6 SocialSocial BRO! CAN YOU HAND ME THAT PAMPHLET? BROCHURE!
36 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 16. WATCH A PERFORMANCE Laxson Auditorium 17. SIT NEXT TO A GHOST WHILE WATCHING A SHOW Senator 18. GET TRIVIAL OVER A SLICE & BEER Mulberry Station 19. TAKE THE KIDDOS FOR A FUN OUTING Rare Air 20. CATCH A SHOW WITH HAPPY HOUR La Salle's 21. WATCH A DOCUMENTARY OR MOVIE YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF Pageant Theater 22. GET A THIRD STRIKE ON YOUR RECORD Bowlero 23. HAVE A CHALLENGING DIRT RIDE North Rim 24. BRING THE OUTDOORS IN Terrain Park Climbing Center 25. CATCH A GAME Bella's Sports Pub 26. WALK WITH YOUR 4-LEGGED BUDDY The Chico Tree Farm 27. TAKE A HIKE Yahi Trail @upgradedliving#18 @macaronic #17 @smokeythegroove#16 @lasalleschico #20 @bowlingforbuzzards #22 @bellas_sports_pub #25 @theterrainpark#24 @pageantchico#21 WORST PLACE NOT TO... EntertainmentEntertainment YOU CAN TELL WHICH UTENSILS ARE ROMANTIC, THEY’RE SPOONING.
3737HOW MANY OPTOMETRISTS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB? 1… OR 2? 2… OR 3?
38 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 @laflor_icecreamparlor#33 @upgradedliving #32 @lovelylayerscakery#30 @chicotyl #34 @#36 @frankyschico #38 @mintloversonly @tmdougie#35 @eric.j.hansen#39 @egg_on_face332#40 Food & DrinkFood & Drink 28. INDULGE IN FRIED COMFORT FOOD Bill's Towne Lounge 29. ATTEND A PAIRING DINNER Parkside Tap House 30. GET A CUPCAKE Lovely Layers 31. GO FOR INTERACTIVE SURF AND TURF Ojiya Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar 32. GET A HOT DOG Zot's Hot Dogs & Deli 33. EXPLORE ICE CREAM FLAVORS La Flor de Michoacán 34. BE AT EXACTLY NOON The Banshee 35. ORDER A POKE BOWL Halo Hawaiian BBQ 36. GET A BURGER DEAL ON A MONDAY Riley's (2-for-1 Burgers!) 37. GRAB A HANDFUL OF MINTS ON THE WAY OUT 5th Street Steakhouse 38. FEED AN ENTIRE FAMILY Franky's (Sunday Take-Out Special!) 39. BE OPEN WHEN CRAVING PIZZA Monstro's Pizza 40. EAT AT A FOOD TRUCK Crispy Egg Roll WORST PLACE NOT TO...
3939I WANTED TO GET IN SHAPE. LUNGES WERE A HUGE STEP FORWARD.
40 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 @vivien_thao @#43 @brother_erk_eats#41 @katkeivens #45 @emxcoop#50#48 @upgradedliving#49 @slfoodsales_chico#46 @gnarlydeli#51 @japaneseblossoms #52 Food & DrinkFood & Drink 41. EAT AT A TACO TRUCK El Lider 42. ORDER NACHOS El Patron 43. CATCH A BARSTOOL AND WATCH PIZZAS, SALADS, AND DESSERTS COME TO LIFE Crush Italian Cuisine & Lounge 44. KNOW ABOUT THE SECRET MENU T-Bar & Fusion Café 45. TAKE VISITING FAMILY OR FRIENDS Sierra Nevada Brewery 46. ORDER A SANDWICH Bellachino's (Order the Tanga-Licious) 47. ORDER FRIES AS AN ENTRÉE B Street (Order the Poutine) 48. GET AN ICE CREAM ON A HOT DAY Shubert's Ice Cream & Candy 49. INDULGE IN A SMOOTHIE Fresh Twisted Café 50. GET A NON-IMPORTED FOREIGN BEER The Allies Pub 51. STICK TO THE DAMN MENU Gnarly Deli 52. ORDER A SUSHI ROLL Japanese Blossoms WORST PLACE NOT TO...
4141MY WIFE AND I BOTH DON’T LIKE SHOPPING ON AMAZON, WE AREN’T PRIME MATES.
42 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 @therawbar_chico#53 WORST PLACE NOT TO... 53. EXPLORE THE COOKED AND UNCOOKED MENU The Rawbar 54. ORDER 5 FOR $5 TACOS Gordo Burrito 55. ORDER BISCUITS AND GRAVY Déjà Vu Breakfast Company 56. BE SURPRISED BY THE VEGETARIAN OPTIONS Unwined Kitchen & Bar 57. GRAB A BURGER Nobby's 58. ORDER A BLT Broadway Heights 59. MIND THE STICKY FINGERS Country Morning Bakery 60. FIND UNIQUE MEATS OM on the Range 61. DINE ON THE PATIO Red Tavern 62. GET A CHEESECAKE Dawn's Desserts 63. FIND A LAST MINUTE DESSERT Upper Crust Bakery 64. PAIR A WINE WITH EACH COURSE Sicilian Cafe Food & DrinkFood & Drink I WAS GOING TO TELL A TIME-TRAVELING JOKE, BUT YOU GUYS DIDN’T LIKE IT. @upgradedliving#62 @countrymorningbakeryandcafe#59 @upgradedliving#56
4343 NightlifeNightlife WORST PLACE NOT TO... 65. ORDER A SPECIALTY SHOT Madison Bear Garden 66. KEEP A DRINKING SECRET Strong Water 67. GO IF YOU LOVE TO SAMPLE The Commons Social Emporium 68. WATCH STAND-UP COMEDY Gnarly Deli 69. DANCE TO A D.J. Parkside Tap House 70. KARAOKE Studio Inn Lounge 71. DOUBLE DOWN WHILE ENJOYING A DRINK Quackers Fire Grill & Bar 72. CLOSE OUT A SATURDAY Duffy's Tavern 73. DELIGHT IN MIXOLOGY Argus Bar & Patio 74. ENJOY SWING AND CLASSIC ROCK IN THE SAME WEEK The Tackle Box 75. SHARPEN YOUR GAME Oasis Bar and Grill 76. FIND A UNIQUE DATE NIGHT Unwined Kitchen & Bar @trevclav#66 @upgradedliving#76 @argusbar#73 @parksidetaphouse#69 I DON’T TRUST STAIRS: THEY’RE ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING.
44 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 Shopping ShoppingServices&&Services WORST PLACE NOT TO... 77. LEARN TO PLAY MUSIC The Music Connection 78. PLAN A FAMILY GAME NIGHT Bird in Hand 79. FIND A NEW TIMEPIECE The Watchman Chico 80. BUY HOMEMADE POTTERY Alex Marshall Studios 81. ACCESSORIZE ANY HOME Eighth & Main Antique Center 82. CREATE CUSTOM BEDDING Square Deal Mattress Factory 83. FIND A COMPLETE BED IN A BOX Nest Bedding 84. CUSTOMIZE YOUR INTERIORS Finds Design and Decor 85. FIND A ROOM SET Evans Furniture Galleries 86. GET ALL YOUR GARDEN NEEDS Little Red Hen Nursery 87. SHOP FOR WOMEN 5th Street Clothing Co. 88. SHOP FOR MEN Upper Park Clothing Co. @upgradedliving#77 @littleredhenchico#86 @findsdesignchico#84@alexmarshallstudios#80 I TOLD MY DOCTOR I HEARD A BUZZING. HE SAID THERE WAS A BUG GOING AROUND.
4545 Shopping ShoppingServices&&Services WORST PLACE NOT TO... @alyssa.torres#90 @purehydration-chico#100 @rodeorey4#98@chicopapercompany#91 89. FIND VINTAGE THREADS Bootleg 90. BUY YOUR NEXT NOVEL The Bookstore 91. GET HYDRATED Pure Hydration 92. COMPLETE YOUR AYE JAY COLLECTION Art Etc. 93. SHOP HEALTHY & FRESH S&S 94. FIND TREASURE IN SOMEONE ELSE’S TRASH Habitat for Humanity 95. ENJOY FAIR TRADE Cal Java 96. SATISFY A SWEET TOOTH Sweet Chico Confections 97. CUT THE FROMAGE The Galley 98. SHOP FOR LOCAL PRODUCE Saturday Farmers Market 99. GET A HOT TOWEL SHAVE Liberty Barber Company 100. FRAME YOUR ART Chico Paper Company HOW DO ASTRONOMERS ORGANIZE A PARTY? THEY PLANET.
46 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 101. EAT ON THE EDGE OF THE COUNTY Railhouse Pub & Grill 102. TOUR AND WATCH SNOW GEESE Gray Lodge Wildlife Area 103. GET YOUR NAME ON THE MENU Tabletop Restaurant & Catering 104. TRY A VR ESCAPE ROOM O’Zone Entertainment 105. GET CHINESE TAKEOUT Uncle Ping’s Express 106. GET THE PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER Kusel’s Big Store 107. ORDER EGGS BENEDICT Ethan’s Eatery 108. TASTE THE LOCAL HARVEST Almendra Winery & Distillery 109. WATCH A BIG NAME ACT Gold Country Casino Resort 110. ENJOY SIT-DOWN MEXICAN FOOD Mi Pueblito 111. SHOW OFF YOUR DANCE MOVES Union Bar & Grill 112. GET FRESH SEAFOOD Wagon Wheel Market 113. STAND-UP PADDLE Forebay Aquatic Center 114. WATCH SWEETS BE CREATED Joy Lyn’s Candies @valcagnacci#103 @upgradedliving #114 @ethans_eatery#107 @alyssa_mcclarren#104 RIP BOILING WATER… YOU WILL BE MIST.
4747 WORST PLACE NOT TO... 115. BUY PLUS SIZE & MORE Sparrow and Crow Clothing 116. DISCOVER CRAB BREAD Pizza Palace 117. HAVE YOUR NEXT PICNIC Cordi Winery 118. BUY SOMETHING SWEET AND DISTASTEFUL ALL AT ONCE Bless Your Heart Mercantile 119. SAY, "THANK GOODNESS I’M NOT DRIVING TO WHEATLAND!" Obsidian Spirits Amphitheater 120. DRIVE SUSPICIOUSLY FURTHER FOR FOOD Capay’s Harvest 121. LEARN ABOUT BEEKEEPING WHILE YOU EAT The Hive 122. ASK FOR MEDIUM RARE Lassen Steakhouse 123. GET AWAY FOR THE DAY Lassen Volcanic National Park 124. HAVE A WEDDING Lassen Gardens 125. STOP FOR A BITE ON THE WAY TO SACRAMENTO Pasquini's 126. GET EVERYTHING YOUR YOUNG KIDS WILL LOVE Three Little Birds 127. DRINK WITH AN ABBOT New Clairvaux Vineyard @blessyourheartmercantile#118 @lassen_gardens #124 @lassensteakhouse#122@thehivekitchenandbar#121 Just BeyondJust Beyond ELEVATOR JOKES WORK ON SO MANY LEVELS. *If your property is currently listed for sale, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the listings of other brokers. DRE #01952704DRE #01952704 "Moving in the Right Direction" Email: traci@teamcooper.net Phone: 530 - 520 - 0227 *If your property is currently listed for sale, please disregard. is not our intention to solicit the listings of other brokers. Traci CooperTraci CooperREALTOR®REALTOR® When it comes to buying or selling your Let do the heavy lifting for you! home.Team Cooper
48 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 WORST PERSON NOT TO... 128. GET DAILY MOTIVATION FROM Micah Hankins 129. TAKE DANCE LESSONS FROM Luke Sherba 130. DISCUSS PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE Shane Smith 131. SMILE WHEN YOU ANGRILY TURN AROUND TO BLARING MUSIC Mike G-Ride 132. HEAD UP PHILANTHROPICYOURENDEAVOR Grandmaster Farshad Azad 133. EMPOWER YOUNG WOMEN Clair Johnson 134. INSPIRE YOU TO FLY A KITE Bob Malowney 135. HEAR AN IDEA AND SAY, “I’M IN.” Laurie Maloney 136. WURST PURSON NOT THROW IN IMMEDIATELY “AFTER” LAURIE; Ben Heinrichs 137. HAVE REVIEWING YOUR RESTAURANT Dillon Collins 138. HAVE ON YOUR TEAM DURING A CITY'S REBIRTH & REVITALIZATION Nicki Jones PeoplePeople 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 guidance and services specific to your needs? We understand. You want knowledgeable, clear guidance 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 Investing in Your FinancialFamily’sFuture I KNOW A LOT OF JOKES ABOUT RETIRED PEOPLE, BUT NONE OF THEM WORK.
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It’s a common enough tale that if you really, really want something, and there’s no niche for it already, you have to create that niche. Be the niche, as it were.
GOLDFISH ARE IN A TANK. ONE SAYS TO THE OTHER, “DO YOU
TO DRIVE THIS THING?”
If you’ve got a hankering to spend an evening laughing really hard, head on down to the Studio Inn Lounge on Wednesday nights, Bella’s Sports Pub on Thursdays, or Gnarly Deli on Friday or Sunday nights for more laughs than you can conceivably handle. Also, be sure to check out Unwined’s Facebook page for events taking place there. Dillon can be found on Instagram @dilloncomedy and causing (good) trouble in the Facebook group Foodies of Chico.
Since then,
Is it noms or ain't it?
50 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 nights and though he found a few, he didn’t quite muster up the courage to attend until he was 21. “You have to be 21 to go to most of the bars anyway,” said Dillon. “I just went, and did it, and that’s pretty much how you start doing anything, at least in my experience. You start doing it, and it just becomes a thing, and anything I do I take seriously.”
What’s uncommon is to find a person who has the guts and chutzpah to pull it off, as well as the ability to hear the word “no” a lot and not really care. But Dillon has all that in spades. “I started putting on my own shows, so they’re just my shows,” he said. “I’m my own boss when it comes to that. I only do them because I like to do stand up; I’m not doing them because I like to produce comedy shows. I actually don’t like to produce comedy shows to be honest with you, it’s just something that I have to do.”
Dillon Collins, known to many as “the noms guy”, is Chico comedy. Dillon posts photos in the Foodies of Chico Facebook group, often with his grandma, telling us what foods from local restaurants are, in his opinion, tasty. “I don’t know where I started saying noms,” he said. “It’s like the way you would talk to your dog, but talking about myself. It started bothering some people, so I kept saying it more, and it took off. It means it’s delicious, it’s good; it means it passes muster with Dillon Collins.” In addition to posting pictures in the Foodies of Chico Facebook group with his adorable grandma and food from restaurants all over town, Dillon is also a comedian who organizes shows to help other local funny people gain some exposure. According to Dillon, he’s always wanted to be a comedian. “The first comedian I saw was Dane Cook when he was huge back in the early 2000s,” he said. “And then George Carlin passed away in 2008, and I started watching his clips and clips of other comedians. When I turned 18 and got older, I thought ok, I can probably try and do this.” He looked for open mic
COLLINSDILLONCOURTESYPHOTO|RODRIGUEZMADDIEBYWRITTEN
TWO KNOW HOW
Dillon has taken over the unofficial title of “comedy show organizer” for Chico. Unwined was one of the first venues he approached to pitch the idea, and they were into it. “I just went in there and asked the owners, and they said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’ And we did it, and sold it out, and we haven’t looked back since,” Dillon said. He now puts on weekly shows at Studio Inn on Wednesdays, Bella’s Sports Pub on Thursdays, and at the Gnarly Deli on Fridays and most Sundays. Every show, while it features other comedians, also has a spot for him to perform. “If you want to be booked, you’ve got to book yourself,” he said.
The menu really says it all—the wide variety and plentiful choices appeal to every type of dining experience.
Additionally, Darby and friends play Americana music every Thursday during happy hour. OM has hosted a variety of local bands and groups from out of town. It’s a great place to come and relax with good wine or the selection of craft beers, many of which are locally made.
52 UPGRADED LIVING MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2022 inspiration,” said Amanda. “He pointed me to the value of good food and its benefits.” Bossheart handed these influences down to her three children while being a stay-at-home mom for a few years. “I developed many of my recipes at home, and my kids were there to help me Finally,out.”she opened the original OM on Nord Avenue in 2014. She combined many vegan dishes with fish offerings and also made her own sauces and dressings, which only include five ingredients. This is still true of the restaurant today. “I wanted to create bright foods, clean eating, niche eating with a healthy, organic menu,” she said. From Nord Avenue, she opened a small cafe in Downtown Chico, and when the space opened up at 301 Main Street, she Helpingrelocated.Amanda in getting the restaurant up and running was Darby McConnell, the love of her life who is a local musician as well. This played into the placement of a stage area where OM hosts musical guests most Friday and Saturday nights.
Don’t sit down on the floor and settle into your classic Padmasana pose just yet. While the OM of OM on the Range does conjure up a meditative experience, the OM actually stands for “Organic Mama.”
VANDERMATEBEAUBYPHOTOGRAPHED|MILHORNTIMBYWRITTEN WHAT’S RED AND SMELLS LIKE BLUE PAINT? RED PAINT.
It is the sobriquet of Amanda Bossheart, owner/chef and self-proclaimed chief cook and bottle washer of Chico’s only restaurant offering an almost 100% organic menu full of vegan choices. It also features excellent fish tacos, chicken dishes, and tasty buffalo and elk burgers.
Bossheart’s goal is to provide good, clean food to her customers. By this she means organic, locally sourced, farm-to-table foods during the growing season. Having a degree in holistic nutrition certainly helps put this forward.
Good clean food
Amanda credits her committed and well-trained staff in creating the many house-made sauces and in-house organic brioche made every day. “We make good food here,” she said. “Customers don’t often realize good food takes a little more time to prepare.” Believe us when we say the food is well worth the wait. If you’re planning an evening out or a trip downtown, be sure to stop in at OM on the Range at 301 Main Street. You’ll be enamored with the selections and the food you’re served.
Amanda’s goal was to own her own restaurant, and her father, Michael Sabo, played a big role influencing her long-time dream. “My dad was a big
For all other inquiries, Habaneros can be reached by phone at (530) 685-5189 and physically at 2156 Pillsbury Road in Chico. You can find them at @habaneroschico on Instagram as well.
The return of habaneros
VANDERMATEBEAUBYPHOTOGRAPHEDANDWRITTEN
MY DAUGHTER ASKED ME TO PUT HER SHOES ON, BUT I DON’T THINK THEY’LL FIT ME.
Though everything is fantastic on the menu, there is always one item that seems to stand out—for me, it’s their delicious tacos. The portions are huge, and I mean huge, which sets them apart from the typical street taco you may be accustomed to. The Figueroa family makes it a point to ensure you’re full when you leave but still have cash in your pocket. I’ve found five dollars is enough to do just that. There's no one ever left out at Habaneros as the family is frequently seen feeding the homeless and making sure our four-legged friends are taken care of as Youwell.can't help but smile as you can truly see the family loves what they are doing and are incredibly happy to serve their take on Mexican cuisine to Chico. Aside from serving up delicious meals MondaySaturday, Habaneros also offers catering for small and large events alike. Do your guests a favor and opt for them the next time you’re in the market; they will surely be the talk of the party. You can also find this amazing taco truck at many different gatherings and the local food truck festival, “Fork in the Road,” which takes place the third Tuesday of every month from 5-8pm at The Barn in Meriam park. The event will continue through September. Get out there and make a night of it!
This story starts 20 years ago on the central California coast in Santa Barbara where the Figueroa family owned and operated a successful brick and mortar Mexican restaurant called “Amigos”. The business was great; family members worked alongside each other keeping long-lasting traditions alive for another generation. It seemed like things were only trending up, but unfortunately, life sometimes throws a wrench in your plans, and you have to find the right parts to rebuild them. The loss of a close family member was a tremendous blow to the family and resulted in the dissolving of the business. That wouldn't be the last of the Figueroas as working hard and building up a business was not a new undertaking for them. After a move up north to Chico, they once again had thoughts of bringing their family’s flavors out for everyone to enjoy, and we couldn't be happier with the decision. Years later, “Habaneros” has come to full fruition with bold and exciting flavors that Chico can’t get enough of. One staple of the taco truck is the spicy yet sweet habanero salsa that pairs perfectly with any dish you choose. The salsa is made with fresh habaneros to ensure optimal taste. If I could buy it by the gallon, I would.
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Are we talking about the actual worst or really the best? As of right now, the worst distraction would be going out to bars with friends and seeing all the same people, but on the other hand, the best distraction in my life is taking my moun tain bike through the park to escape the everyday bustle.
Bill Guraro
Caffeinated Chatter
Sam Sydnor
ALwww.caljavacoffee.comonline!ROASTERSOFFEEHICOAVA
Think Global, Drink Local Order your beans
Bridget Ashton
WHAT’S BROWN AND STICKY? A STICK.
An everyday distraction that I find myself putting too much energy into would have to be the local politics of this small town and not letting outside factors dictate how I view the world. It has gotten better, and I can't wait to see what the future will bring to the artsy town of Chico.
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Right now, I’m taking summer classes, so my most common distraction would be balancing a social life and enjoying sum mer while staying on task. The everyday temptations of escaping to Upper Park for a swim or a float down the river are among my most pressing distractions.
What is the worst distraction that you invite into your life on a daily basis?
Lili's Brazilian Bistro
Sensational
WHAT DOES A KARATE MASTER GET REWARDED WITH WHILE DRIVING? A SEAT BELT.
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Throughout, the sounds of the nation's music vibrate semi-softly off walls adorned by butterfly paintings from Britta Goldmann. All of this is intentional in taking you to Lili’s former home.
Not only does Lili use authentic ingredients, her staff organically happened to be of Brazilian heritage and speak Portuguese. It feels like family while it surprisingly isn’t. She works with local growers, shops the farmers markets, and receives deliveries from S&S to get most of her items, attributing the Co-op for many salad items and Farmalot for the tomatoes in her dishes as well as the house-made hot sauce she offers for those expecting the dishes to be naturally spicier. Over 80% of the menu is gluten-free, many options are vegan, and all offer a glimpse into the heart of the owner of this kitchen.
Stroganoff is my favorite dish. When I was young and we had it, we didn’t feel as poor because we had steak (cube steak to be exact), and this meal has a special place in my heart. That said, this is one of the best stroganoffs I have ever had, even with the regional twists. It is reminiscent of a butter masala, but with a delicate earthiness from mushrooms and rich depth from the chicken that finishes cooking within. It rests atop delicious medium-sticky white rice that merely is coated in the sauce's flavor, maintaining its own identity unless thoroughly mixed together. The side salad includes purple cabbage, kale, beet, and carrot which comes with a tomato vinaigrette.
142 Main St. has new everything. The building's interior is now outfitted with the yellows and greens of Brazil’s flag (yes, I know blue is on there, too). As you enter, a path leads to the ordering area, a two-board menu on the wall behind, and seating to either side. A quaint nook consisting of children's chairs, a couch, and a selection of reading material can be found just to the right along with Brazilian knick knacks and indoor plants.
5757
Priya Indian Cuisine
WHY DID THE GUY YELL, "YEEEEESSSSS" WHEN HE FELL DOWN THE HILL? NOBODY KNOOOOOOOOOWS!
International
The first thing I asked as the aroma of eastern spices filled the air was, "Why have I only been here twice?" Aveed replied, "These folks serve better Indian food than anywhere else I've been in the world." We sat and I took in the decor while sipping my large glass of water— coppers, reds and browns interwoven throughout the color scheme, bouncing off walls and linens alike. The signature ornate designs feel genuine, not kitschy, and you can tell that Priya is more than a restaurant, but a second home to those who serve delighted patrons seeking otherworldly flavors. We chose to explore the expansive lunch buffet. The cabbage fry with lentils is full of spice and flavor, so rich that it envelops your mouth with heat below the level which leaves you shaking your head, sweating. The lentils are firm enough that the jaw must apply the lightest pressure, and the cabbage is smooth, combining to create a creamy texture. The vegetable curry was unbelievable! An array of green beans, okra, and soft onion among thick-cut zucchini and carrot was completely satisfying, making every bit of a meat substitute as you might imagine. The butter chicken I won’t even try to describe—if you have human DNA and aren’t vegetarian, you should just try it, and you’ll understand words can’t do it the justice it deserves. On to the smaller bites. The spinach pakora is light and airy with mild crispiness, giving a texture variation along with the cucumber slices which aided to collect the residual sauce once the bubbly naan was consumed. The treat for me was the tandoori chicken, a typical lunch years ago while working in Fremont, its bright delicious red spice smoke ring trapping the tender moisture until the moment you bite. It’s hard not to go on and on, Priya has so many other options, it’s truly worthy of a regular visit to sample and enjoy. I urge you to take a trip to this flavorful destination and get some spice in your life.
CORONAJASONBYWRITTEN
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Three guesses as to what this article is about. If you guessed “berries” then you’re a winner! But the real winners here are the people who eat berries, and while you can’t really say the more the better, it is a great idea to include berries in your diet on a regular basis. These days, every day is berry season. Nearly every market has some type of fresh berry available, and it is even said that frozen berries are a very positive healthy choice. Back when I was a kid, about 100 years ago, berry season was indeed a season. It ran during the summer here in Chico, and the undisputed king of berries was the blackberry. Yes, strawberries were popular (who didn’t love strawberry shortcake as a kid?). Indeed, the blackberry reigned supreme, and the special allure of them not only included taste but also the fact it was a real pain in the butt to gather. Why? Because it hurts!
If you’ve picked blackberries, you know three things: thorns hurt, your fingers turn purple, and you end up with a lipstick smear of blackberry juice on your face. Because let’s face it, you just have to sample the berries as you pick them. It’s as simple as that. While Lower Bidwell Park used to be loaded with blackberry bushes, the real treasure trove lay elsewhere.
As teenagers, we used to tube down the slough during the summer. It didn’t matter if it was May or August. Water flowed at pretty much the same depth most of the year. It was here the blackberry bounty abounded in huge bushes along the waterway. There were tons (hyperbole intended) of blackberries because you couldn’t reach them except by tubing the flume. Valley jungle protected each bank. The problem was being able to stop and pick the berries. Somehow, we managed to gather a paper sack of them each time, and sometimes we even brought some home. While blackberries might not be your favorite—the seeds get caught in your teeth—the market is just bursting with berries these days. Blueberries used to be kind of exotic, but now you can get them year round. Raspberries can be picked in Orland at the end of June. Strawberries are everywhere. Now, you can even find huckleberries! Elderberries are all over by the river. There are gooseberries, lingon, marion, acai, and goji. You can find them all on that internet thing! Just remember, as my dad used to say about the good things in life, "It’s the Berries!" EVER ARGUE? SURE, BUT THEN THEY MAKE UP.
Some people called it Edgar Slough, and some called it just The Slough. It branched off from Butte Creek at what locals call the “Diversion Dam.”
It's the berries DO MASCARA AND LIPSTICK
5959 “Best of Chico” since 2009530.895.1727 • 605 W. East Avenue: 2022 3401 Esplanade: 2023 www.chicoeye.com Dr. Houlihan | Dr. Rocchi | Dr. Arregui | Dr. Gilbert | Dr. Ransbarger | Dr. Liston To better support the community and bring more specialists to our area, we are moving to our new location December 2022! NewComingLocationSoon! We are moving! to 3401 esplanade, Chico
DANIELSONBLAKECOURTESYPHOTOMILHORNTIMBYWRITTEN
A Brilliant idea
WHICH KNIGHT NAMED THE ROUND TABLE? SIR CUMFERENCE.
Decades —
The band name came from drummer Billy DiBono’s dad, longtime music promoter Don DiBono, the man who brought so much music to Chico and who promoted and produced so many local bands and major acts. As Billy related, “My dad said, ‘Why don’t you start a band that plays music from all the decades and call it Decades?’” And the band was born. Not only do they have a huge selection of music, they’ve performed all around the western U.S. They just came back from a road trip that took them to Yellowstone Park, where they played at Chico Hot Springs, and they also performed the aftershow for former San Francisco 49er owner Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. in Kalispell, Montana. The show included Boys to Men, Joey Fatone of N*SYNC, and Dee Snider of Twisted Sister. During the tour, the group celebrated vocalist Jen Benoit’s fifth anniversary with the band. Before their trip, the group played host to “Concert for Don,” a tribute to Don DiBono who passed away last December. In early July, Decades played the Lake Almanor Band Shell Amphitheater where over 4,000 attended. But the big event is set to take place October 1st at Feather Falls Casino, when they will play their 1,000th show! This proves their longevity is no fluke, and each member is still positive and energetic when performing. As Webster Moore said, “It’s a great experience to play with these talented musicians. They’ve pushed me to become a better musician.” Jen Benoit added, “Everyone is willing to go the extra mile, and it makes it a wonderful show every time we Jenplay.”makes the experience easier as she is in charge of getting the singing harmonies to each member of the band so they can learn them quickly and correctly. She records each individual track the group member will sing, and this is one of the hardest jobs in the band. “You can hear it when we hit those harmonies during a performance,” said Billy. “It energizes the audience, and that energy becomes reciprocal.” Will Watje added, “The harmonizing is the hardest part of learning a new song. It takes time to be able to sync those Helpingsounds.”allthis come together is sound man Daniel Nelson. Everyone in the group applauded Nelson’s ability to bring out the best in every number. “These people make my job easy,” said Daniel. “It’s a joy to mix talented musicians.”
Much has been said about the power of music, but this group puts the power into the music. You can feel the power when they perform, and you just have to see this band live. Why? Because they’re going to perform your favorite song. In its 12 years of existence, Decades has provided listeners with hundreds of songs from across many decades. As a matter of fact, they have over 400 tunes in their catalog and are learning more every month. As they state on their website, “From Chuck Berry to Katy Perry” translates to a span of sixty years.
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Bassist Toby Brooks summed up his Decades experience, “Even after covid, we came back and it felt like we were just getting the ball rolling. We have a lot more music to perform, and we have a lot to give.”
Decades has played many different venues. In one week they played a high school dance and at a retirement community. On December 10th, they will play at the Reagan Library, and they will finish the year on New Year’s Eve at Feather Falls Casino. You can catch Decades @DecadesOfficial on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik-Tok. Tickets to their October 1st show can be purchased at www.featherfallscasino.com
2022–2023 Season Tickets Now On Sale www.chicoperformances.com The Beach TheDakhaBrakhaBoysLasCafeterasPinkMartiniTHIBUIBalourdetQuartet SEPTEMBER THE BEACH BOYS JIM LAUDERDALE and DUSTBOWL DAKHABRAKHAREVIVAL OCTOBER AOIFE O’DONOVAN THE PRINCESS BRIDE QUARTETO NUEVO NOVEMBER LYLE LOVETT and JOHN HIATT LAS CAFETERAS: HASTA LA MUERTE A Day of the Dead Celebration DECEMBER TOMMY EMMANUEL, CGP, with Mike Dawes THE MAVERICKS with JD MCPHERSON: Very Merry Christmas Tour NOCHEBUENA: A Christmas Spectacular JANUARY JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER: Songs We Love FEBRUARY CHICO COMMUNITY BALLET: Sleeping Beauty PILOBOLUS BIG FIVE-OH! NEIL BERG’S 50 Years of Rock & Roll TREELOGY: A Musical Portrait of California’s Redwood, Sequoia and Joshua Trees MARCH Take Me to The River: NOLA LIVE! DUMPSTAPHUNK, GEORGE PORTER JR. & JON CLEARY PINK MARTINI featuring CHINA FORBES, LOS LOBOS with special guest GABY MORENO BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL APRIL THI BUI: The Best We Could Do THE BALOURDET QUARTET 7 9 28 1 7 23 2 9 11 13 19 24 3–5 17 24 28 2 9 19 24–25 5 23 2022-23 SEASON Latin composers with Mariachi Garibaldi | September 24, 25 Vivaldi and Pizazzola, Chee-Yun, violin | November 12, 13 Holiday Pops | December 9–11 Haydn’s Drumroll | February 11,12 Young People’s Concert | March 7–9 Rachmaninoff, Charlie Albright, piano | May 13, 14 Joy experience THERE’S A SEATFORWAITINGYOU! It’s easy to reserve your tickets at northstatesymphony.org Contact the University Box Office in Chico at 530-898-6333 or www.chicostatetickets.com The Cascade Theater Box Office in Redding at 530-243-8877 or www.cascadetheater.org
MILHORNTIMBYWRITTEN I DRANK TOO MUCH INVISIBLE INK. NOW I’M WAITING TO BE SEEN IN THE ER.
Let’s combine the cake business with all the other endeavors in which Maddie participates, and you’ll get a good idea of how motivated and industrious this “Cool Kid” is. Did we mention she makes a lot of cakes? Yeah. And in her “spare time” she teaches swim lessons, is a member of the 170-member-strong Durham Dolphins Swim Team that competes up and down the valley, helps a local dog breeder with a brisk cockapoo breeding business, is taking classes in dental hygiene, and is an intern with Nelsen Family Dentistry. In spite of all these things, her mom, Kristina Smith, said, “Maddie is great at balancing out all these jobs and training. She’s a very organized person.” Maddie also grew up helping out at her parents’ business, Fleet Feet, at 241 Main Street (and online so you can order from home), that mom and dad, Paul, have operated for several Maddieyears. has been in the cake business a few years, but she devoutly watched cake baking shows, competitions, and YouTube videos for years. “I’ve always wanted to make cakes,” she said. “It all started with me making a strawberry cake for the 4th of July. Then, I started making birthday cakes for people.” Word of mouth motivated her to set up an Instagram page, @cakes.by.maddie, and the orders started rolling in. Maddie has become a local celebrity, often recognized by people when she’s out and about. That recognition makes Maddie realize she’s on the right track, and she’s motivated to make a different cake every time. “Someone will order a specific cake, but I put my own spin on it to make it truly my creation,” she said. She hasn’t delved into wedding cakes yet, but she expressed there is a market for them locally. The price range for her cakes start at $75.00, and the standard size will feed 10 people. For kids’ birthday parties, she will bake accompanying cupcakes for the kids to enjoy. A deluxe multicolored and multi-flavored cake starts at $95.00. You can check out Maddie’s cake creations on her Instagram page and find her contact information there as well.
When Maddie Smith began selling custom cakes, word got around pretty fast. Soon, she was known as “The Cake Girl.” However, two years and countless cakes later, plus being a recent high school graduate, she has risen up the ranks of cakedom to become a queen. This is not to say there aren’t other cake queens out there; there certainly are. But they’re not seventeen years old with articles in two other local North Valley magazines under their belt. There’s also the constant demand for cakes that makes Maddie a perfect recipient of cake royalty.
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The queen of cake
