Upgraded Living Magazine's June 2012 Issue by Upgraded Living

2ND ANNUAL

OLIVE

FESTIVAL Celebrate The Olive! Saturday, June 23 • 11am-4pm FREE ADMISSION Held At The Ehmann Home ON THE CORNER OF

Lincoln Street & Robinson Street OROVILLE, CA

Culinary Delights Olive & Olive Oil Tastings

2ND ANNUAL BUTTE COUNTY

Silent Auction & Drawings Free Live Music Beer Tasting

WITH CRAFT BEERS FROM FEATHER FALLS CASINO BREWING CO.

Tour the “House That Olives Built”

BUTTE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

THE GRASS CAN BE GREENER ON YOUR SIDE OF THE FENCE! Synthetic Turf or Putting Green Call for a Quote on materials and installation.

e Natural

www.sutherlandscape.com

Choice

(530) 893-4531 2720 Highway 32 Chico, CA 95973 Lic #611318

COMMUNITY

. The Heart of my Father 10 . Event: Scotty’s River Fundraiser 12 . Local Legend: 9

Helen Head

. Event: Margarita Mix-Off 20 . Royce Peterson’s New Projects 27 . Event: Feather Fiesta 30 . Tres Hombres 16

The Comeback Kid

. Wondrous Woman

. Life Fit

Barbara Geshekter

Chico’s new cross training gym

. Celebrate the Almighty Olive 50 . Thurston Checks In 46

Kirshner Wildlife’s newest resident

FEATURES 18

. Salvage Savy

Reclaim your old jars and vases

JUNE 2012 LOCAL GETAWAYS

Great local spots to get away to this summer, page 36.

. Fashion 35 . Upgraded Living’s Salute to Dads 25 . Father’s Day Crafts 32

Gifts dad won’t soon forget

. Portfolio Goal: Income

. College Town

Advice from our finacial expert More room for locals

. ChiVAA 57 . Northstate Art Calendar 58 . Artist Profiles 54

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Many small business owners say they do not get enough personal attention from their current health insurance agent. Our clients never have that problem. We are here in our community. Our agency has been helping businesses in Chico and surrounding areas since 1960. We've been here when our clients have needed us and we will be there for you. Call us today for a complimentary review of your current beneets.

• Employee Beneets • Group Health, Dental & Vision • Individual Health • Medicare Supplement Plans

FROM THE EDITOR Ahhh June! The longest days of the year coupled with temperatures that haven’t quite peaked just yet herald a cause for true celebration. The warm summer nights provide ample time for us to explore the world around us while the quiet streets of our college-deserted towns remind us of just how small these cities of ours truly are. In this issue of Upgraded Living, we’ve decided to focus on a few locations that might just provide the means to thoroughly devour all that this wonderful month has to offer us. From Whiskeytown up north to the southern reaches of Oroville and its surrounding communities, there’s something available for each and every type of adventurer. When it comes to adventuring this month, don’t forget to bring Dad along for the ride (instead of asking him to drive for once)! Father’s Day is right around the corner on June 17th, and this issue is packed with ideas for gifts and getaways that are sure to delight that special dad in your life. Fill a cooler, make some plans and ensure that he has no other option but to relax; chances are he deserves it. We hope you all have a wonderful month and look forward to seeing you outand-about town. Stop us and say hello if you have the chance, and remember to bask in all that our quiet little towns have to offer this Aveed Khaki summer! Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

CONTRIBUTERS Aveed Khaki Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Clark Miller Art Director Briana Lindstrom Editor / Office Manager

Happy Father's Day

Jason Corona Account Executive Emily Spesert Senior Writer Erin Wenham Photo Intern Michelle Camy Photo Intern

Dupre Laney Product Integration & Mobility Strategist Melissa Snow Interior Design Writer Renée Michel Finance Writer John Nelsen Dental Health Writer Vincent Commendatore Health & Wellness Writer Scott Amick Body Dynamics Writer Cory Williams Elderly Care Writer Royce Peterson Restoration project writer Marc & Shuree Wesley Arborist Writers Alexa Benson-Valavanis Philanthropy Writer Bob Fitzgerald Automotive Writer Nick Hanna Insurance advice writer

Become a fan of Upgraded Living on Facebook today and start receiving updates about contests and giveaways! www.facebook.com/upgradedliving

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Jill Cooper Queen of Clean Courtney Paulson Gardening tips writer Marcy Kiser Crafts writer Toby Schindlebeck Nutrishop writer Debra Lucero Gallery curator

For advertising or editorial inquiries, please contact Upgraded Living at (530) 894-8091 or sales@upgradedliving.com Please recycle this magazine 8 6

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

The Heart of My Father by Alexa Benson-Valavanis he only thing greater than my father’s beautiful mind is the beauty in his heart. Dream big. Work hard. Have faith. Be true to yourself. Take time to appreciate nature. Cherish family. Give. Give selflessly and graciously. Love. Yes, love. Above all else, love. If a poem were etched on the walls of my father’s heart I’m certain it would begin and end with - Love. As a child I watched my dad effortlessly weave his skill and talent into his architectural designs. With a pencil and inspiration, as if descended straight from nature’s mouth, I watched him create a stunning structure where only moments before empty grass or concrete laid. Months later he’d drive us around our quaint rural town or through the bustling streets of Chicago and point out the buildings which flowed into his pencil straight from his soul. In those moments I learned that each one of us is given a gift to offer the world if we are courageous enough. I look back now at those early years and recall the pride I felt standing beside him. Even more than the talent he possessed, or the attention his happiness and charm attracted, it was his kindness I cherished. It was his gentle heart I adored. My dad is generous. He uses words like ‘I love you’ and ‘I’m sorry’. He is thoughtful and kind. As an adult I watched my father take care of his mother and father as their bodies slowly stopped working. Day after day, with the help of his little brother, my dad patiently and graciously helped each of his parents leave here with dignity. It was then, above all the other great lessons he’d taught me, when I saw the beautiful heart of my father. I love you, dad. Happy Father’s Day. 9 7

UPGRADED LIVING LIFE IN CHICO

Fundraiser to Save the Scotty’s River Access April 29th, 2012

Photography by Aveed Khaki Hundreds of local community members joined together on April 29th to help raise money to save the river access at Scotty’s Landing. The beer and wine fundraiser brought well-known breweries and wineries throughout the state of California to our doorstep, while ticket sales and auctions helped pull funds together to assist John Scott in his upcoming July 12th court date where he’ll attempt to clear his brother’s debt on the property. We would like to thank everyone in attendance for helping this important cause. The river access is a vital point of entry for river rescues and countless lives have been saved as a result of it. The fundraiser brought John significantly closer to his goal, but help is still needed. Please call Scotty’s Landing at (530) 710-2020 to see how you too can help.

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

LOCAL LEGEND

Writte n&P by AVe hotograph ed ed Kh aki

AT NEARLY NINETY-SIX YEARS OF AGE, THERE ARE FEW THINGS HELEN HEAD HASN’T LIVED THROUGH. Two world wars, prohibition, the first talking film, the Hindenberg Disaster, the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, and countless other events

that we watch, acted out and remembered on the big screen, all took place in her lifetime and in front of her eyes; no scripts, no calls for action and no extra takes. Beyond the awe-striking reality of just how much Helen has experienced in the past ninety-six years though, there is something else worthy of note, she experienced it all right here in Chico. Born at 304 West 4th Street in Chico on July 11th, 1916 to Ivison Washington Bell and Bertha Opal Lane Bell, Helen is the last of Chico’s Bell dynasty. A familiar last name to most Chicoans due to such standouts as Bell Road and Bell Ranch, her grandparents Hugh Thomas Bell and Eleanor Bell moved to Chico from Carlisle, Cumbria in England at the behest of General John Bidwell, an old family friend of theirs. Once situated, they purchased nearly half of the Chico territory from Bidwell and set out to help develop the town as ranchers. By the time Helen arrived, nearly forty years later, Chico was already in full swing. Growing up in Chico was a bit different than it is now. Nickel rides down the Esplanade on the old Chico Trolley allowed residents to traverse the town at their leisure and if you think everyone

knows everyone else’s story in town now, imagine what it was like with a population of just over 15,000! A number of landmarks from Helen’s youth remain standing today though, like Bidwell Presbyterian Church at 208 West 1st Street. Quiet, stoic and vigilantly on the lookout for potential abductors, Helen and childhood friend Jane Nopel bravely trekked the four block path connecting their homes to Bidwell Presbyterian each Sunday for church and Sunday School. Looking back at it now, she laughs but jokingly maintains the necessity for their vigilance. “Jane’s hair was so beautiful,” she starts, “and the adorable combination of the two of us; blonde and brunette, was so dangerous, anyone in our shoes would have done the same.” Undoubtedly due to neck pain from constantly looking over her shoulder, Helen convinced her father to teach her to drive when she turned eleven. With gas at twenty-one cents per gallon, the investment was far outweighed by her potential safety. At sixteen, cool as a cucumber and already an experienced driver, Helen met Ray Head at Chico High School. Raised by his grandfather, a prominent local dentist, Ray approached Helen with the sort of manners relegated to the most

cordial of actors from the days of blackand-white films. “Helen,” he said, “I hear you’re an awfully nice girl and I hear a lot of great things about you.” He asked if he could walk her home, and that was that. In one fell swoop he met her mother, sister Claudine, and big brother Hugh “Hude” Thomas Bell Jr, best known for being one of actor John Wayne’s most trusted friends and cattle ranchers. Hude was a considerably imposing man, and his approval of Ray meant everything. Helen’s mother, Bertha consented to the relationship provided that Ray swore to never drive Helen down a dirt road at night. He agreed, and the two were inseparable from that day forward.

After graduating from Chico High School, Helen entered Chico

State and with the help of her friend Florence Middlecap, was able to gain access to Pi Kappa Sigma, one of the most sought after sororities at the university. She became a schoolteacher shortly thereafter and taught at Chico’s normal school. One dark night, on a common leisurely drive, Ray sharply turned the car down a dirt road. Fearing for her life and

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remembering Ray’s promise to her mother, Helen insisted that he turn the car around. He parked the car and amidst the confusion and cries for compliance with her mother’s orders, Ray placed a diamond ring on Helen’s finger and asked her to marry him. The two were married on August 4th, 1940 in Reno, Nevada with friends Bob and Betty Downing in attendance. As schoolteachers were not allowed to be married in those days, Helen left her job at Chico’s Normal School after four years as a teacher. Her sister Claudine, a dedicated teacher who believed it was her calling, stayed on and swore off marriage altogether. Thirty years passed by in an instant. Claudine had moved in with Helen and Ray as the three proved the phrase “three’s company” over the prior three decades. Ray had risen in the firefighter ranks to Chico’s Fire Marshal, and was considered one of the most respected individuals in town, and Helen had taken her position as a well-known philanthropist. The three were a perfect match and everyone in town viewed them as one. On February 1st, 1970, the Plectron machine next to Ray and Helen’s bed sounded for an immediate response to a fire on the corner of Third and Broadway Streets. Ray kissed Helen on the cheek and said, “I won’t be gone long, I just want to see if I can help.” Twenty minutes later, a second announcement rang out over the Plectron, this time calling all available firefighters to the blaze. Fifteen minutes after the second announcement, the doorbell rang and a firefighter notified Helen that a wall had fallen on Ray inside the building and that he was seriously injured. Ray was airlifted to Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento, and despite surgeon’s best efforts, passed away two weeks later. Helen returned home that 14

evening, February 14th -Valentine’s day, and sat at Ray’s desk going through his items. In the desk drawer with his stamp collection she found a small envelope. Inside was a Valentine’s Day card from Ray written before the accident that read, “I’ll always love you.” Ray and Helen were each other’s first and last relationship. The letter remains with her to this day. Claudine remained at home with Helen and the two grew closer and closer with each passing year. “The Bell Sisters,” as they were known around town, became a package item. You would seldom find one without the other, and there were few days where you wouldn’t find them cruising around town together in a brand new Cadillac. Known to most residents for their philanthropic efforts, these two exemplified the importance of family and that two heads are always better than one. On July 11th, 2006 Helen stepped outside and ran into Ester Barnes as she was crossing the parking lot. Ester asked what Helen was up to and Helen replied, “I’m off to celebrate my ninetieth birthday!” Helen asked Ester what she was up to, and Ester responded, “I’m celebrating my birthday too”. Helen turned around and told Claudine that she thought Ester was a smart alec and was ridiculing her. A few days later they learned that she was the caretaker for their neighbor, a friend of theirs who had recently passed away, and that Helen and she indeed shared the same birthday. With Helen having just turned ninety and Claudine recently turning one hundred years old, they decided

it was time for a bit of assistance. They hired Ester as their new caretaker and Helen and Ester have celebrated every birthday together since. With Claudine’s recent passing in March of last year, Helen is back to a duo once again. Much like Helen and Claudine in years past, Ester and Helen are now inseparable. The two complete each other’s sentences and correct each other on stories when one goes astray. As Helen puts it, “I’m happy with Ester and Ester is happy with me. We get along just fine.” The phrase is a considerable understatement when experiencing the two together. Over the past ninety-six years, Helen has experienced more than most of us could ever imagine. She remembers a father and mother who did everything to keep their family safe and well cared for, a sister who sacrificed everything for her family, even buying Helen the ruby red slippers she adored during the depression, a brother who she could bet her life on, and a love that exists only in fairytales. Her story is fabulous, eventful, incredible and best of all true. In our eyes, she is the quintessential definition of a local legend.

UPGRADED LIVING LIFE IN CHICO

Margarita Mix-Off May 5th, 2012

Photography by Phuong Ly & Jovan Johnson The Chico Active 20-30 Club’s 6th Annual Margarita Mix-off was an absolute hit! Restaurants including La Hacienda, The End Zone, Christian Michaels, Crush, Johnnie’s, and Panighetti’s came out to help raise money for deserving local charities and provide a fun and safe event for visitors to savor during Cinco De Mayo. La Hacienda came away with first place during the competition, raising $1,500 for their charity, Youth and Families. Runners-up raised $500 for each of the remaining charities: Chico West Side Little League, Youth 4 Change, Valley Oak Children’s Services, Boys and Girls Club, and Wings of Eagles.

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Have a design question? Email home@upgradedliving.com for your chance to have it answered by local Interior Design Pro, Melissa Snow

Salvage Savvy

Swing by Dolce Home at 173 E3rd Ave to view These Vases in person

DIY Painted Glass Vases ith this year’s Chico Frugal house slowly approaching, we are putting all of the finishing touches on our room. My choice this year was the master bedroom. For the readers that have never heard of this event, it is put on through the North State Symphony. A home is chosen each year where local designers, decorators , Chico State and Butte College students work to transform the space. The kicker, is that 95% of the room needs to be repurposed or refurbished and we each get an extremely small budget. The budget

for the entire Master bedroom is only $350, which takes thinking out of the box and being creative to a whole other level. The idea for this month’s DIY started when I called my most favorite local artisan, Royce Peterson, owner of the Restoration Company. Together, we worked to create this amazing reclaimed shelf that will be use as a headboard for the space. Every shelf needs to have something or several goodies to adorn it so I have created these painted glass vases. Whether they are old flower vases or salsa jars, this inexpensive project was a blast.

Step

Gather your vases…I found several at the Arc Store, and cleaned and dried them well.

You can always choose to spray out your entire vase a solid color or finish. They do make some incredible spray paints that turn ordinary objects into something resembling mercury glass. Because of the theme of our room, I have chosen to wrap my vases first with thick yarn and then spray them. Make sure to spray several very light layers that will help to keep from having drip marks. I also found that it wasn’t necessary to prime the surface.

Once your vases or jars have completely dried remove the yarn. At this point you can spray a coat of clear gloss if you desire that sheen. I chose to keep them in a matte finish.

Now for the fun part, decorate and arrange them in whatever fashion looks the best to you, place some candles or flameless lights inside and enjoy!!

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

For tickets to this year’s Frugal House, which will be held from June 21-23 or more information swing by Dolce Home Furnishings. You might even catch us in the act of working on another fun DIY project. Both Royce’s shelf and vases will be displayed at Dolce until the frugal event!!!

Tucked Away in a Quiet, Upscale Neighborhood and sheltered by majestic tall trees awaits this captivating residence. You’ll love this home’s soaring ceilings, the generously proportioned rooms, lavish living room with its cozy fireplace and wet bar, formal and informal dining rooms and the gourmet kitchen with granite counters. Tof the many features of this stunning home. In the morning you will breakfast on the deck by the sparkling pool surrounded by state-of-the-art landscaping. At night, simply relax and enjoy your unobstructed view of the sky.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,847 Price: $499,900

Bidwell Park! Expect to be impressed when you enter this astonishing home. It shows like a model home and is fully stocked with upgrades. Offering a gorgeous living room with cathedral ceilings, toe-warming fireplace, beautiful cherry wood flooring, wainscoting, crown moldings, well-sized bedrooms, slate, marble, and tile floorings in entry and bathrooms, gourmet kitchen with top of the line appliances and quartz counter tops, water purifier, beautiful yard and much more.

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,947 Price: $348,000

Darling well maintained home close to parks, schools and shopping! Built in 2005, this beautiful home offers an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings, ample windows that provide natural lighting throughout the day and so much more! Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,126 Price: $209,000

Behind the Iron Gates in a community of luxury homes, awaits you a 3 acre parcel. The view is magnificent and the acreage is surrounded by majestic oak trees, towering redwood trees, flowing creek and absolute tranquility. There are several idyllic spots for your dream home here. Acreage: 3.01 Price: $120,000

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! Located in one of chico’s finest neighborhoods and has a beautiful hill-top view. Owner financing possible!

This beautiful home backs up to the park and features an open floor plan, high ceilings, granite counter tops, gorgeous backyard and so much more. It is an absolute must-see!

Beautiful 5+ acre homesite in a gated community. This location is an absolute must-grab for anyone looking to escape city life for a bit and relax in their own private retreat. And at this price, how could you afford not to?

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,768 Price: $283,900

JUST REDUCED!!! Intoxicating View! Located in one of the most prestigious gated communities. This beautiful Tuscan-style home offers soaring ceilings, walls of windows, a spacious living room with fireplace, library, formal dining room, beautiful kitchen, bamboo and slate flooring, full house speaker system, fine slate surface counter tops, Jack & Jill bedrooms, Kohler visl sinks, 400 sq. ft. covered lanai with wet bar, 30x15 Pebble Tec Pool with hydraulic cover, fire pit, fountain, 2 car garage plus 30x15 shop for boat or recreational vehicle.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.5 SqFt: 3,053 Price: $589,000

Acreage: 1.66 Price: $99,000

Acreage: 5.18 Price: $199,900

The lake is just a few feet from this home which was upgraded only a week ago with brand new granite counter tops, tile floors, laminated floors, carpets, fixtures, interior fresh paint and so much more! Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,233 Price: $329,000

June Projects by Royce Peterson

I have 2 projects that I’m excited to share with you this month. Our Frugal House headboard, and a new technique I’m using incorporating metal into my furniture. First of all, when Melissa Snow, owner of Dolce Home in Chico asked me to build a non traditional headboard with reclaimed materials, I asked for a few clues about what she had pictured it to look like. Her answer was simple. Make it so that it hangs above the head area of the bed, is as wide as the bed, and it must have a shelf on which to feature some small pieces of art. So with those simple requests in mind, this is what we aimed for and as the photograph shows, we think we hit the mark. I first chose to utilize some beautiful boards from a barn I deconstructed near Orland several years ago. There was a base of faded 20

green paint and white wash which was cracking and peeling on the faces. With some careful mitre cuts and following the marching orders, this project came together in a few hours. Find this piece along with other creations at Dolce Home. The Frugal house opens on June 21st and we will bring this piece there to be shown. It will also be for sale after the show. I hope you enjoy the event and this piece as well. I also want to introduce a new art form I have been working on for a few years and am excited to showcase it in an upcoming installation in a local family’s home in June. Somewhat of a departure from wood as the material of choice for me, the use of metal in furniture is natural, I believe. I have been using several techniques to accelerate the aging process of recovered metal for use in cabinetry, table tops, bulletin boards and as hanging art. After this metal is worked through the processes, it is then sprayed with a water based lacquer for a sweet looking sheen which makes these pieces really pop. The photo illustrates a sense of the range of colors that can come from the process. I also will feature some local artist’s work on the face as well in select pieces. I am excited to have this new venture to work with and hope you enjoy it as well.

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

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Like what we are doing? Call or stop by

THE RESTORATION COMPANY 2139 Esplanade, Chico 894-5138 or 570-5706

Money for a Lifetime by Nick Hanna / New York Life etiring at last. You have earned it by every measure. You have finished accumulating retirement assets and are now beginning to distribute them as income to support your retirement lifestyle. The choices you make now can certainly impact your long-term financial situation. Preserving Your Assets Building a systematic withdrawal plan around a sustainable withdrawal rate is a smart effort for making your money last, but it may not be enough. In addition to careful consideration of withdrawal rates, retirees must be aware of the significant risk market volatility poses. Erratic swings in equity-based investments can decimate portfolio values without warning. Holding onto what you have - asset preservation – is a top priority for retirees. Though you may not know how long you’ll live, you do know that running out of money is not a scenario you hope to experience.

Get Guaranteed Life-long Income A Guaranteed Lifetime Income Annuity is a financial product that does, in fact, guarantee life-long income. To illustrate, imagine that same hypothetical million-dollar portfolio. From it, you could use $842,334 to purchase a Guaranteed Lifetime Income Annuity, which will provide the $50,000 per year of income you had planned to live on. But, this $50k is now guaranteed for as long as you live, regardless of market performance. No more worrying about outliving your savings. In case of premature death, the Guaranteed Lifetime Income Annuity has a Cash Refund option, which returns to beneficiaries the difference between the initial premium and whatever has been already paid out. Nick Hanna (CA/AR Ins. Lic. #0G69194) is an agent of New York Life Insurance Company. To learn more about the information or topics discussed, please contact Nick Hanna at (530) 570-7161.

To all you Super Dads out There Jill Cooper

We all know how much you all love to be superman, and sometimes we truly need it! When it comes to fixing the toilet, dishwasher, washing machine or refrigerator with a connected water source though, it’s best to be cautious. Water leaks from supply lines are very common, and when handled incorrectly, they can be disastrous. This last week we were called to repair water damage throughout a large home with hardwood floors because the water filter had cracked due to an incorrect repair. The property owners were gone for a day and the entire floor was saturated throughout the house. Home maintenance done correctly can save you money, however, if not

done correctly it can cause some serious damage. If you do have a minor disaster in your home from your dishwasher or other water source it is important to have it dried and examined by a professional company like Cleanrite Buildrite to eliminate further damage. Rarely, if ever, will an insurance carrier cover a situation resulting from poor long term maintenance issues. It is fairly easy for a specialist to see the length of time the damage has been causing harm to the structure. Being superman doesn’t always have to be so hard; sometimes it’s as easy as picking up the phone and calling the right people.

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES 2012-2013 Season Information Available on the Web

June 11

Series Ticket Sales Begin

July 2 Phone sales start July 3, 2012 Web sales start August 1, 2012 A series ticket is one ticket to six or more events

Individual Ticket Sales Begin

August 1 Web | Phone | Walk up

For tickets & more information visit WWW.CHICOPERFORMANCES.COM or call (530) 898-6333

BY AVEED KHAKI

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN WENHAM Planning a big summer getaway seems to be at the top of everyone’s to-do list this year, and if you’re anything like us, that list tends to become increasingly difficult as we inch closer and closer to those hot summer months. Regardless of whether or not the plans for that end-all summer getaway do come to fruition, knowing a few weekend escapes a bit closer to home might just help ensure that a quick vacation or two remains in the cards this year. As we’ve come to find over the years, it tends to be those short vacations that tend to be the refreshing. The following are a few tried-and-true family favorites from our team. We hope they provide as much fun for you this summer as they have for us over the years!

SUNDIAL BRIDGE REDDING, CA

:: GOOGLE MAP SEARCH TERM: “SUNDIAL BRIDGE, REDDING, CA” Located next to the famed Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding, the Sundial Bridge is a cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge that spans the width of the Sacramento River, providing visitors with the means to relax and catch a cool summer breeze above the river as pedestrians and cyclists pass by. An international tourist attraction, the bridge was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and cost over $23 million to build. It has been featured in tourist guidebooks worldwide and has become an icon of the northern California area.

TURTLE BAY EXPLORATION PARK REDDING, CA

:: GOOGLE MAP SEARCH TERM: “TURTLE BAY EXPLORATION PARK, REDDING, CA” Northern California’s rendition of an adventure museum, Turtle Bay Exploration Park explores the relationship between humans and the nature that surrounds us. Complete with a botanical garden, natural history museum and science museum, this getaway is perfect for the kids and will keep them entertained for hours. Stop by on June 9th and prepare to be delighted by the science of chocolate. On June 22nd, Turtle Bay will feature Chico indie rockers, Goat! and a number of local brewing companies. Our recommendation? Visit in the morning and spend the day here. In the evening, experience the Sundial Bridge by moonlight.

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UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

LAKE OROVILLE MARINA OROVILLE, CA

:: GOOGLE MAP SEARCH TERM: “LAKE OROVILLE MARINA LLC”

CHAPELLE DE L’ARTISTE PARADISE, CA

:: GOOGLE MAP SEARCH TERM: “CHAPELLE DE L’ARTISTE, PARADISE, CA” When it comes to a relaxing, romantic getaway, there are few places that can compare to Chapelle de L’Artiste in Paradise. Lush landscaping in full bloom floods this wonderful retreat with color, enchanting the senses and making you wish there wasn’t a “check-out” date involved in your reservation. The proprietors here are without a doubt some of the most friendly and hospitable people we’ve ever met, and the location speaks for itself. Whether you’re a lover of nature, wine caves, tranquil views or simply peace and quiet, Chapelle de L’Artiste will undoubtedly impress you.

A location that needs little introduction, Lake Oroville has been delighting local residents since 1969. This monster of a lake spans some 3,950 square miles and has more surprises than you could possibly imagine. A recipient of water-flow from the Feather Rivers, the lake maintains a comfortable temperature throughout the entire summer and is a favorite local hangout for wakeboarding, waterskiing and houseboating alike. Bring the family and friends along with the boat and revel in all that this local getaway has to offer.

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WHISKEYTOWN FALLS WHISKEYTOWN, CA

:: GOOGLE MAP SEARCH TERM: “WHISKEYTOWN NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, SHASTA, CA” A three-tiered waterfall located in northern California’s Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Whiskeytown Falls was widely unknown until 2005 due to mapping errors. The waterfall stands at 220 feet tall and has been a favorite of northern Californians since. Three other waterfalls exist nearby: Boulder Creek Falls, Brandy Creek Falls and Lower Crystal Creek Falls; each has an environment and atmosphere all its own. Bring your camera and attempt to conquer the Whiskeytown Waterfall Challenge with the family. Successfully hike to all four and you’ll be rewarded with an “I walked the falls” bandana from the visitors’ center while supplies last!

LAKE OROVILLE MARINA OROVILLE, CA

:: GOOGLE MAP SEARCH TERM: “LAKE OROVILLE MARINA LLC”

UPGRADED LIVING LIFE IN CHICO

Feather Fiesta

May 5th - 12th, 2012

Photos provided by Debra Lucero For over seventy years, Feather Fiesta Days has been a homecoming for the city of Oroville. From a grand parade to car shows, and craft faires to mini-festivals and a chili cook-off, this event is a total crowd pleaser. Visitors young and old reveled in this year’s events and it goes without saying, that we can’t wait to be in attendance for next year’s showcase!

VETERAN’S BENEFITS & SENIOR CARE by Cory Williams | Owner - Almond Blossom Senior Care uring my years as a senior care provider, I have had the pleasure of meeting a wealth of seniors from all different walks of life, each with their own unique story and a family that cares dearly for them. While I have enjoyed caring for each and every one of these elders, one of my favorite groups over time have been veterans as the stories they have are absolutely amazing to hear. The trials and tribulations faced by these men were astounding and their stories are treasures that I’ve been honored to have had shared with me. For many veterans, assisted living facili-

ties have not been an option as their fixed incomes simply would not allow them the necessary means to support a caregiver, regardless of how important one might be. It turns out, for this group, this may no longer be the case. The Veteran’s Administration’s (VA) Aid & Attendance Improved Pension benefit program is a largely overlooked and highly underutilized benefit package available to veterans and their spouses. The program requires that the applicant or applicant’s spouse be a war-time veteran with ninety days of active duty during any war and does not require any injury to have been sustained during service. Through this benefit

package, a veteran may receive up to $1,704 per month to help pay for care in an assisted living facility, thereby covering a large chunk of the expense. A surviving spouse is eligible for up to $1,094 per month. With assistance like this, assisted living can be a significantly more viable option for an elder in need. Nicole Plottel, at Harris & Plottel LLC, is a VA lawyer in Chico who specializes in these types of matters. Call her at (530) 893-2882 and set up a meeting to see what kind of benefits might be available to your loved one. It may just be the means to ensuring proper care for your loved one in the years to come.

ALMOND BLOSSOM SENIOR CARE

PROVIDING AN IDEAL ASSISTED LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR ELDERS

Scan the QR code with your phone for more information.

Volunteer programs are now available for both children and adults! Stop by today and see how rewarding it can be to spend time with an elder. 28

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ALMONDBLOSSOMSENIORCARE.COM

(530) 342-1813

Happy Father’s Day to all of you great dads! by Marc Wesley CTSP

Trees have many meanings to different cultures of people. Who takes care of your trees is very important. You need to be able to rest assured that your trees are in the hands of well trained and qualified people. The size of a tree company is not as important as the qualifications and certifications that set tree company standards apart. I can’t stop thinking of one of our recent clients and the place she referred to as “the laughing spot.” She was a very sweet lady who knew exactly what she wanted. We trimmed a few oak trees for her which was enjoyable, however the tree next to her winery in Butte Creek Canyon was the highlight of my day. This oak tree hung over the winery on one side and the fruit tree garden on the other. You could sit under this tree, take in the scenery of Butte Creek Canyon, one of the most amazing and beautiful places I’ve ever seen, and relax. This tree meant so much to our client that I wanted to make it perfect. The mature oak was trimmed to remove the water sprouts

and mistletoe through the canopy. The lower limbs were elevated and balanced so one could walk under them freely. The dead wood was removed and the dense canopy was thinned so air and light could penetrate. For our client, this was a place were a loved one would go to laugh and enjoy life. My understanding of this special place has enlightened me to the attachment people can get to trees that keep their memories. For a woman to love a tree so much, the man that keeps her heart must have been a great father and husband. I hope this place will bring many more happy memories to generations to come. I hope this laughing spot will continue to be a great place, and I am honored to be blessed enough to be entrusted with such an important part of someone’s life.

M&S Wesley Tree Service Arborist 8458A TCIA Accredited Certified Arborist's & Tree Workers

Juicy Fruit by Courtney Paulson

he heat is on! The temps are rising and swimming in Big Chico Creek as often as possible is high on my priority list these days. Father’s Day is this month as well. Both my parents enjoyed gardening but for my dad it was all about the veggie garden. He took so much pride in not only the beautiful vegetables he grew but also in the “fortress” he built around the garden to keep the deer and rabbits out and away from nibbling on his prized edibles. My veggie garden is planted now and I have staked my tomatoes, pinched flower buds off my basil plants and thinned my seedlings. And now I patiently await my first harvest.

Here’s another important tip for your edible garden: Thin Your Fruit Trees! Why? Because

thinning your fruit trees will allow the remaining fruit to develop into their full potential size. As shown in the picture, the fruit are too close together, so these peaches will never reach their full potential size or flavor. Thinning fruit will help to reduce the chances of overloaded branches being so weighed down that they may break. Another reason to thin fruit is if the fruit is touching, chances are higher for pest

and diseases to spread, such as Apple Scab and Brownrot. Thinning of fruit should typically be done about 35-45 days after blooms have disappeared, or when fruit is about an inch in diameter. I admit when I thin out the fruits on my trees it is a bit difficult. It almost seems like a waste of fruit! But, I know in the end it’s what is best for the health of the tree and the fruit. 29

The Comeback Kid:

Tres

nce home to General John Bidwell’s general store and ranch office, the Bidwell Building on the corner of First and Broadway Streets has been home to a select few businesses since 1861, and based on the success of its current occupants, we doubt that will change anytime soon. Originally from Neosho, Missouri, Michael moved to Tahoe after college, deadset on living life as a ski-bum. Soon realizing that “professional ski bum” wouldn’t pay the bills, he took up bussing tables, hired by Johnny Scurto at Cantina Los Tres Hombres in North Lake Tahoe. A natural, he quickly moved up the ranks to restaurant manager. The Tahoe restaurant was sold in 1983 and Michael went in search of the next big thing. Four years later Johnny approached Michael with an opportunity to take the same great atmosphere and culture of Cantina Los Tres Hombres in Tahoe and bring it to Chico. Michael agreed, and the two set off to open the new Tres Hombres. Focused on providing a fun atmosphere for both customers and employees, consistent food and undeniably delicious drinks, Tres Hombres opened in January 1988; the recipe and partnership proved to be a complete success, rocketing the name “Tres” onto the to-do list of multitudes of locals and visitors alike. Regardless of business acumen, though, some obstacles are impossible to foresee. On December 1st, 2009 Tres Hombres caught 30

fire. Engulfed in CAPTION CAPTION flames, the building CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION was quickly gutted, CAPTION CAPTION causing nearly $2 CAPTION CAPTION million in damage CAPTION CAPTION and instantly closing CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION one of Chico’s most successful restaurants. The fire, though devastating, rallied the Chico community around one of its favorite hot spots with residents offering a helping hand wherever possible. Like a proverbial phoenix, Tres Hombres was rebuilt over the following 10 months and from the ashes came a completely revamped restaurant, equipped with Downtown Chico’s first fully enclosed street-side patio dining experience. Nearly two years since its reopening, Tres Hombres is continuing to prove that you can’t keep a good local business down. Having expanded their kitchen and seating space, Tres is now home to over one hundred employees, fifty of which were employed by Tres prior to the fire. Of those fifty original employees, several have made a career out of their time here. Both general manager, Tod Pedretti and kitchen manager, Jose Rios, have been with Chico’s Tres Hombres for over twenty years. Ryan Fisher, the company’s personnel manager and Gabe Frank, their bar manager have been a part of the culture for well over ten years. One of the owners’ original missions with Tres was to create an atmosphere that would not only promote customer loyalty, but encourage employee

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

loyalty as well; from the numbers and the way their employees talk about the restaurant, it’s clear they did just that. A recent recipient of the Downtown Chico “Kudos” award, Michael has remained humble, citing that without the community and his phenomenal staff, none of their success would have been possible and that Chico has been Tres’ biggest blessing. He hopes to someday get another chance to follow his original dream of living life as a ski bum; if Tres’ current success and upcoming 25th anniversary have anything to say about it, we find it hard to believe he won’t.

Come experience

the possibilitiesâ&#x20AC;Ś

Wolfe Electric Lighting Showroom

olfeelectric

1300 Park Avenue in Chico (530) 345-2800

we can fix it. we can create it. we can light it.

ER M SUMHION FAS Summer

Wedding Attire from A Bit Unruly

ow that graduations are over, and school is out… The big question around the shop has been, “What the heck do I wear to this wedding?” Over the last few seasons so many fashion laws have been overruled, so many fashion don’ts have become fashion do’s, it’s hard to know when conventional attire rules still apply. I’m here to let you know that for weddings, you will still want to dress inside the box to avoid feeling silly or worst case, insult the bride. Before you shop do a little investigative work as to what type of affair this will be. Many brides will help you out in the wardrobe department by printing on the invitation exactly what to wear or giving you guidelines such as Informal, Semi-Formal, or…. Black Tie. Each of these has very specific rules as to color and length of your dress.

GARDEN WEDDING

Go for something light in color, eyelet lace and floral prints will always be appropriate. Think about your shoe choice as well: stilettos will sink, while wedges will take you anywhere.

COCKTAIL

Parker Dress- Perfect for day or cocktail wedding.

This is a wedding where you can have a little fun. Cocktail dresses are above the knee party frocks. Black is always a safe choice but this season you may want to have some fun with color. Avoid matching the bridal party.

Hammitt Director Clutch

BLACK TIE

GET THE LOOK

Bracelet - Amazon Ivory

A Bit Unruly 222 West 3rd Street Chico, CA 95928 Makeup and hair by Michael Burke Burke’s on Broadway 341 Broadway Ste. 318 - Chico (530) 680-6002 32

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

This is not the time to try something crazy. Your bride would like to see you in a long gown. The good news is… you will get to see your man in a tux! If you need help finding the perfect dress for a summer wedding stop by the shop. We would love to help. Jen and Paula - A Bit Unruly

GET THE LOOK

Karen Kane straight leg “Vintage light wash” jean Eileen Fisher organic cotton fine baby rib long slim tank in “Oregano” Eileen Fisher precious metal vest made with ultra fine threads of steel in “Oregano” Eileen Fisher 100% Silk shibori chiffon scarf hand-dyed Eileen Fisher Italian leather, made in America Double ring belt in “Gypsom” Sun Sales crystal cut necklace Ann Koplick Swarovski crystal vintage earrings Brighton orgnizer shoulder bag/ clutch in “Pewter”

5th Street Clothing Co. 328 Broadway Street Chico, CA 95928

GET THE SHOES BCBG Angel in Multicolor Batik Snake $98

@ Robyn Marie’s Shoe Closet 215 Main Street Chico, CA 95928

Hair by Michael Burke Burke’s on Broadway 341 Broadway Ste. 318 - Chico (530) 680-6002 Makeup by Pure Skin Chico 344 Broadway Street Chico (530) 342-7873

GET THE LOOK

Sanctuary - short in peach sorbet $68 Available in various colors Cuffed or uncuffed depending on your desired level of modesty T2Love - full-back, bra friendly tank $29.99 Ya - crocheted ivory top $36.99 Metal fringe necklace $15

GET @ 5th Street Clothing Co. THE 328 Broadway Street LOOK Chico, CA 95928

True Religion - girls Sophie denim short $97.00 True religion logo Kristen tank fuschia $40.00 Twistband - slide-proof, dentproof headband and ponytail holder (as seen on the Today Show) $3 each or 5 for $10

both available

Kreations 218 Main Street Chico, CA 95928

Hair and Makeup by Hilary Bryant (530) 513-0216 34

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

UPGRADED LIVING’S SALUTE TO DADS. by the Upgraded Living Family

Over the years, our fathers have provided us with safety, guidance, and confidence, all the while convincing us that we could do anything if we set our minds to it. It is without a doubt that we would give them the world if we could. In lieu of the ability to hand them the world on a platter, we would like to honor them with a special section in our magazine dedicated to all that they’ve done (and continue to do) for us. Over the next few pages you’ll hear from those who know their fathers best as well as hopefully gain a few ideas for some DIY crafts that’ll assist in showing your dad just how much you love him. Remember, Father’s Day is June 17th this year. Mark it on your calendar and let your dad know how much he means to you!

Dad

by Claire Sheppard, age 11

by Alexandra Andersson

My dad is always loving, He is so sweet to me, He is not bad looking, And he is as smart as can be. He is so strong, He can almost lift a mule, He is loving and caring, But he has lots of rules! I know he loves me, Even when he’s mad! He is so cool, My dad is so rad! My dad is very kind, I love him ALOT! He cares so much about me, He is always in my thoughts!

Tack för att du är someone I can look up to and strive to be like. You give me inspiration and motivation. You remain a continual driving force to chase my dreams and be all I can be. To say that I love you, no matter how many times, is a pathetic attempt to sum up my admiration and appreciation for you. Men, det är sant... älskar dig pappa! Massa MASSA kram!

Dad

by Erin Wenham

You’ve always given me the best, and in return I hope that I can do the same for you. I know you would do anything to help me succeed in life and I appreciate that more than you know. Even though I can never remember to change the oil in my car or put my dishes away, I hope that I’ve made you proud to call me your daughter. No matter how old I get or how far away I go, I’ll always be your Bugsy. Happy Father’s Day, I love you!

Dad

by Diana Castillo

Dad

by Clark Miller

As I venture further into adulthood, I keep doing things that remind me of you. Mostly little things like telling really terrible, cheesy “dad jokes” and drinking an entire glass of water, then making a big aaahhhh sound afterwards. But I’ve also found that I resemble you in other ways, like the way I treat others with respect, courtesy, patience, and kindness. So this Father’s Day, I just want to say thanks for being a man I don’t mind turning into. Love you Pop. 36

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

A prostate cancer survivor, kidney transplant recipient, meticulous landscaper, and the most amazing Father a daughter (and son!) could ever have! This man has shown me the true meaning of love, given me countless words of wisdom on conquering this thing called life, and taught me never to give up no matter how tough times may be. “Grumpa” loves to spend his days playing with his two handsome grandsons, and my heart couldn’t be any happier knowing they too, get to be showered with his love!

John Nelsen’s Boys by Beau-(3 1/2 years) I love my dad because he plays with me and makes good coffee. My daddy’s the best because he’s so funnyy!! by Blake -(7 years) My dad’s the best because he helps me when I need help.... building Legos or with anything else. I love my dad because he teached me how to swim and because he cares for me so much! by Braden - (9 years) My dad’s the best dad because he helps me with my homework, plays Legos and football with me and watches movies too. He takes me on bike rides and I love spending time with my dad. He is awesome, cool and adventurous and FUN!! He is my role model (and fashion model too) because he is always polite but cool at the same time, and he is ALWAYS ALWAYS HAPPY! He is a good shopper (and takes forever to finish.) I like how he always makes time for everyone, even when he’s tucking us into bed, he is still playing “Words With Friends.” Everything my dad does, he does with a lot of enthusiasm and so much care and it makes me want to be just like him.

Dad

by Marcy Kiser

Dad

by Nick Hanna

My mentor my teacher my friend and above all father is without a doubt the greatest influence in my life and has made me the man I am today. His passion for the outdoors flows through my veins like the rivers he taught me to fish on. His wisdom and knowledge drive my everyday decisions as I try to fill the shoes of my hero. I saw him miss a shot when we were upland game hunting one time and my immediate retort was “You are human.” Happy Father’s Day to the Master Jedi and best man I know, Tim Hanna

My dad spoiled me with love, chores, and morals. I’m grateful for every wagon ride, and breakfast served in a bubble bath, the way he got me into and out of trouble, and willingly brought home every orphaned and otherwise undesirable animal. He taught me character and traditions, respect, hard work, to never fall asleep with cold or dirty feet, to give only the best of yourself and your belongings, to change a tire and the oil, to iron everything, and if you don’t know the reason for a national holiday, read the encyclopedia. For all these things and so many more, Happy Father’s Day. Love, Your Little Sweetie Pie

Dad

by Briana Lindstrom

Dad by Lil Marc

You are my dad. You have been stubborn with me to help me. You have helped me through countless hardships. You have filled up a huge gap in my life, and I am grateful to have you. I see all the hard work you and Mom have done to make our family and company run smoothly. You look like a marine, but are really a teddy bear!

You keep the magic in Christmas. You might shed a tear at a well-written birthday card. You look through my thousands of travel pictures without getting bored. To my soccer coach, my campfire guitar player, my overthe-phone broken down Hyundai mechanic, my favorite lunch date since kindergarten, my dad: Happy Father’s Day!!! Thanks for teaching me how to survive in this wild world, then letting me go do it. I love you.

by Kayla

I know why you push me so hard, so I will do well in my life. I look forward to all the new adventures that we are going to find. Thank you for everything I have. I am so proud of you! I love you so much dad and I want you to know that. You are so important to me. Have an AMAZING Father’s Day! Love you Dad. by Aundy

Thank you for everything you do for our family. You have come a long way in your life and I am proud of you. Family is always your # 1 priority. You look like a tough guy, but are a teddy bear. You hardly go anywhere without us and that shows how much you care. You are an amazing role model for me. I'm proud of your and mom's accomplishments. I am grateful to have you in my life. Love you Big Daddy. Dear Dad, Happy Father’s Day! Hope it is a good one. Love you, Marcus Jr. Dad, You are a good dad and I love you. Love you, Priscilla

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Dad by Sheevaun

Happy father’s day! Thank you so much for being such a wonderful dad. Thank you for your wise words and love over the years. You have helped to make so many of my dreams come true with your support and guidance. You have always been there for us and have set a wonderful example of how to be a great parent. Love you so much. by Aveed

Thank you for always being the grounding I needed when making important decisions. You’ve been an incredible debate partner over the years and, as I’m sure you know, I look forward to our weekly discussions. Although we may not agree on everything, it goes without debate that you’re an incredible father and I appreciate all that you’ve done and sacrificed for our family over the years. You’re a wonderful role model and I love you.

Dad

by Kelly and Kim Happy Father’s Day to the best dad out there: Brad Jacobson! We are so blessed to be your daughters. Thanks for being such a great role model and sharing your wisdom with us-- we look up to you so much. Everything you have done and continue to do for us is appreciated! We know we can count on you for anything-- even if it’s just a laugh. We love you!

My Dad

by Bob Fitzgerald

Growing up in the 60’s I didn’t see my dad all the time, he was in the Air Force flying as a navigator in B-52s so during the Cold War he was gone a lot. I always looked forward to my dad coming home from flying because he would always save his flight lunch for me that had these special

Dad

by Cameron Clark and Harrison Scott Power For 16 years you have exemplified the characteristics of patience and compassion while raising the two of us! You are such an incredible man! We admire you, look up to you, and appreciate how you make our family your priority. We are lucky to have a great dad like you! You do so much for us, and that’s an understatement! We know we can always rely on your unconditional support and love. We love you very much and hope you have a Father’s Day fit for a dad like you! We love you Dad!

pickles, Oh Boy!!!!. And he would always bring King Crab legs home for my Mom. Once when he was not flying and home on leave, he built me a neato Go-Kart, steering wheel and all! I was the talk of the neighborhood. Dad liked to build model gas airplanes we would fly with a hand control, my favorite was the P-40 Flying Tiger. One other times Dad was home he took me fishing with his Buddy, we didn’t catch anything but I had so much fun

being with Dad. I am an avid fisherman today like you can’t believe. I recently lost my mom last year and have been seeing my dad in Vacaville every other week and have learned so much about him that I never knew! Funny, he asked me “Aren’t you getting tired of coming to see me?” Of course you know my answer, “Never!” He may not have always been there because of his job, but when he was he was he was DAD!!!!!! Memories are the BEST.

CRAFTWORK BY MARCY KISER

GOLFER CUPCAKE

**Caution: Toothpicks will remain in the handle of the golf club! Remember to warn dad to discard the golf club before he eats the cupcake!

To complete this cupcake you will need chocolate cake mix, three pieces of vanilla taffy, a neon green tube of icing, a Wilton-233 icing tip, two plaid cupcake liners and a toothpick.

STEP 1

For the dad who just can’t get enough of golf, bake him this chocolatey cupcake treat in a plaid golfinspired cupcake liner. Make sure to use two so the cake’s color doesn’t seep through!

STEP 2

Using a Wilson-233 icing tip as in the lawnmower cupcake, coat the surface of the cupcake with blades of icing grass using either a kelly green or neon green icing.

STEP 3

Microwave a vanilla salt water taffy for no more than five seconds. Roll it into a ball and indent tiny holes in it with a toothpick to create the golf ball.

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

STEP 4

As you created the handle in the lawnmower cupcake, roll a toothpick in microwaved vanilla salt water taffy to create the handle of the golf club. Leave the bottom ½ inch of the toothpick exposed. Using another chunk of microwaved vanilla taffy, create the head of the club and draw lines through it with a small knife.

STEP 5

Press the exposed portion of the toothpick through the head of the golf club to create the finished club. Coat the tip of the golf club handle with black icing and press the toothpick through the cupcake. Place the golf ball in front of it to complete the look.

CUPCAKES

When it comes to Father’s Day, few gifts are as delectable as a custom designed cupcake. While there are plenty of options out there, the following four are some of our favorites. Remember to

LAWNMOWER CUPCAKE

be careful when creating them though, microwaved taffy can be extremely hot! Also remember to warn dad if the recipe calls for using toothpicks to maintain shape as the toothpicks will

likely remain in the candy! All of the craft items mentioned in this project can be found at Michael’s in Chico and the candy can be found at most supermarkets.

**Caution: Toothpicks will remain in the handle of the lawnmower! Remember to warn dad to remove the lawnmower handle before he eats the cupcake!

To complete this cupcake you will need chocolate cake mix, three regular tootsie rolls, a personal-sized bag of M&Ms, kelly green and neon green tubes of icing, a Wilton-233 icing tip, one dark cupcake liner and toothpicks.

STEP 1

Bake a chocolate cupcake in a dark cupcake cup paper liner that will allow the color of the cupcake to permeate the paper. For this cupcake, it will give the illusion of soil.

FISHER CUPCAKE

STEP 2

Coat the entire top of the cupcake in a neon green icing.

STEP 3

Place a Wilton-233 tip on a kelly green icing tube. Squeeze the tube and press down onto the cupcake, releasing pressure as you pull the tube up from the cupcake. This will create grass-like blades of icing on the cupcake. Cover all but one rectangle of the cupcake with these blades. Let the rectangle expand from the edge of the cupcake to the center so that the rectangle without blades is neon green, and the blades surrounding it are kelly green.

STEP 4

Create a lawnmower base by microwaving a tootsie roll for no more than ten seconds and molding it into a square shape. Place a red M&M on top of the square and brown M&Ms at each corner to resemble the wheels.

STEP 5

Create the lawnmower handle by microwaving three tootsie rolls for no more than ten seconds. Wrap the tootsie rolls around toothpicks and press them together. Make sure the bottom ½ inch of each toothpick remains exposed as you will use this to anchor the lawnmower into the cupcake.

STEP 6

Place the lawnmower on the cupcake at the edge of the rectangle furthest from the edge of the cupcake. Anchor the tootsie roll handle behind it by pressing the toothpicks into the cupcake directly behind the mower base.

**Caution: The metallic hook is not edible. Remind dad to remove it before eating!

To complete this cupcake you will need chocolate cake mix, one shark or fish gummy, one large cinnamon gummy bear, one metallic cake hook, two blue cupcake liners, one tube of blue of icing, and one tube of kelly green icing.

STEP 1

When a dad can’t get out for a fishing trip, nothing takes its place better than a good ol’ fashioned fishing cupcake. Bake a cupcake in two wave-inspired cupcake liners to get this project started.

STEP 2

Without placing a tip on a blue icing tube, dab blobs of blue icing on the cupcake to create ocean waves over the entire surface of the cupcake.

STEP 3

Hook a shark or fish gummy with a cake hook and make sure the top surface of the fish is facing the outside edge of the hook.

STEP 4

Anchor the hook one-half inch from the outside edge of the cupcake and without using a tip on a kelly green icing tube, dab three times next to the hook to create an island in the blue icing ocean.

STEP 5

Anchor a red cinnamon gummy bear into the green island and adjacent to the hook to give the appearance of a bear fishing in the ocean.

FATHER’S DAY CARD SHIRT ORIGAMI

13 These days, finding a card that speaks from the heart is about as easy as understanding quantum physics. Skip the standard two hour visit to the card aisle at the store and create something personalized for dad in just a few easy steps.

STEP 1

Best of all, this card doubles as an envelope for a special note or gift card. In this project you will create a shirt greeting card that mimics the style your dad is best known for.

STEP 4

Lay the 8 ½” x 11” paper flat on the table. Flip it over so that the pattern is facing the table.

Unfold the paper so that is is in ¼ increments. Take the bottom left corner and fold it into the first crease from the left. Repeat this on the right edge by folding the bottom right corner to the first crease from the right.

STEP 2

Fold the card in half lengthwise.

STEP 5

This step is a bit tricky. Take the two outer corners of the triangles created in step four and pinch them to each other so that the paper creates a crease down the center of the triangle created in step 4. You will need to do this one corner at a time. Once the outer corners of the triangle have been pinched together, make a hard crease so they remain that way.

STEP 3

Fold the right edge of the paper in so that the right edge meets the center crease created in step 2. Repeat this for the left edge of the paper.

GLASS ETCHING

4 1

STEP 6

STEP 9

STEP 7

STEP 10

Fold these new creases upward at the bottom of the triangles created in step 4.

Flip the paper over. Fold the top of the paper down approximately one inch.

STEP 8

Flip the paper over again. This time, pull the top corners of the paper in at an angle so that they meet the center crease.

Buying a mug for dad to enjoy his drinks in is one thing, but permanently etching a message into that mug is something else entirely! This project takes less than ten minutes, and assuming the glass doesn’t break during washing, it can last a lifetime. To complete this project, you will need a small bottle of Armour Etch, a glass mug, letter stencils, a paintbrush and an exacto knife or scissors. All materials can be found at Michael’s in Chico.

If you completed step 8 correctly, you will now see a collar formed at the top of the sheet of paper (left side in the photo). This will be the neck of the shirt.

Fold the bottom of the paper up so that it meets the collar. Tuck the paper into the collar to complete the origami shirt. You may elect to stop here or continue to add the tie

STEP 11

Take the 8 ½” x ½” strip of paper and knot it creating a tie like the one in the photo. Cut off the remaining strip of paper that stretches to the upper left corner of the tie (left side in the photo).

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

STEP 12

Place a dab of glue on the center portion of the shirt tucked into the collar and affix the tie to it. Allow enough time to dry.

STEP 13

Once dried, you may open the shirt and write a note on the shirt itself or deposit a note or gift card within the unfolded shirt.

STEP 1

Thoroughly clean and dry the glass you plan on using. Cut the stencils out, or if you are using sticker stencils, peel them off of their backing.

STEP 2

Affix the stencil letters to the dried glass, creating the word you are looking to have etched.

STEP 3

Dip the paintbrush into the Armour Etch bottle and dab it into the negative space created by the stencils. Allow the Armour Etch paste to sit for two minutes before rinsing off. We recommend doing this one letter at a time for best results.

STEP 4 **Caution: This project uses Armour Etch which can be corrosive to the skin! Wear gloves and supervise children at all times. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water if contact with skin occurs.

To complete this project, you will need an 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper that closely resembles your special dad’s style, a bottle of glue and an 8 ½” x ½” strip of paper to create a tie that matches the shirt.

Rinse off the Armour Etch paste with water, remove the stencils, wash with soap and water, and voilá, you have etched glass!

PORTFOLIO GOAL: Income common financial goal for many investors that are retired or are nearing retirement is to provide income. If this is the goal of your portfolio then the main focus should be on how much income your asset(s) are generating and not the value of your portfolio at the end of every reporting period. Too many investors obsess with the short-term market swings of their investments and overlook the income. Since dividends are a common source of portfolio income let’s focus there. A dividend is an amount of money that is paid regularly by a company to its shareholders out of its profits. Dividends are paid based on the number of shares you own NOT the value of those shares.

Financial advice from Renée Michel, MBA Financial Advisor at Asset Management Group

During the accumulation phase of investing (years before you retire) the goal is to buy as many shares as possible so that when you enter the distribution phase (retirement) you can maximize your income. Let’s use Microsoft as an example. If you currently own 1,000 shares of Microsoft (MSFT) you should expect approximately $800 this year (based on current $0.80 dividend per share) in income. Dividend Paid As Microsoft’s profit increases, typically they will increase the amount of dividend that it pays to its shareholders. The chart below shows the actual price fluctuation

Renée Michel

MBA, FINANCIAL ADVISOR

2452 Lakewest Drive • Chico, CA 95928 5303422900 • 8003332901 rmichel@amgchico.com www.amgchico.com

First Time Investors | Experienced Investors Investors Seeking a Second Opinion Call Today. There is Never a Fee to Talk.

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of MSFT from 5/14/07 through 5/7/12. As illustrated, the stock price moved quite a bit over the past 5 years. However, the company paid out dividends every quarter, actually increasing the dividend each year. Try to stay focused on the income that is being generated from your portfolio so that short-term market volatility doesn’t prevent you from reaching your financial goals. Chart Source: www.finance.yahoo.com

Wondrous Women featuring

Barbara Geshekter by Emily Spesert

nteresting architectural spaces. Wellorganized closets. Appealing food displayed inside the refrigerator. A tall iced latte on a hot day. These are some things than can really make a person thrive. There is a structure to life, boundaries that we all like to maintain, and certain habits that make us comfortable in day-to-day life-- comforts, if you will, that cater to our human nature. Barbara Geshekter has an appreciation for all of these things and has used the foundation of human preference as an impetus to write her book, Words to That Effect: Well-turned Phrases to Read, Write or Recite. It is a guide to correspondence and communication with other people, based on the idea that we all have a natural preference for good manners. But, the best part of Words to That Effect is the inclusion of specific examples, which Barbara offers as guides for applying good manners to the letters, postcards, and conversations that we exchange in both the personal and professional realms of life. With her master’s degree in Industrial Psychology

and undergraduate degree from Chico State, it seems a perfect fit to be sharing the lessons she has learned about communication. Barbara sees words as the abstract expression of concrete actions in life - the spoken explanation of what we can see in other people. Professional fulfillment is found when she witnesses people benefiting from her consulting work through their success in letter-writing, happiness in exchanging postcards, and the free sharing of ideas without contention. That solid visual is the reward that makes her writing worth the effort: “Working with the abstract…in the world of words and ideas… it’s nice to have something concrete like that, where I can see that I’ve accomplished something,” she said in a recent UL interview. Just a short conversation with Barbara will demonstrate that she’s approachable, knowledgeable, and willing to share what she knows about communication, simply to make your life better. Barbara will be speaking at this year’s Wondrous Women Conference (Sept. 20-21). Words to That Effect is available downtown at Magna Carta (113 W 2nd St) and online at www.barbarageshekter.com.

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

by Aveed Khaki | Photography by Erin Wenham pened by Michael Blackmon in August of 2011, LIFE FIT has been growing by leaps and bounds in the Chico community and is quickly becoming one of the most sought after locales for cross training in the area. Focused on exercises that activate and train several muscle groups at the same time, the members at this warehouse-style facility are more interested in achieving lasting results rather than worrying about how their hair looks while doing it. Egos and vanity seem to be checked at the door and the results speak for themselves. A self-proclaimed workout junkie, Michael’s unique style and motivation seem to permeate the walls here and CAPTION CAPTION are echoed throughout every other trainer at the gym. It is CAPTION CAPTION more reminiscent of a coach preparing his team before a CAPTION CAPTION big game than anything else. It’s raw, it’s contagious, and CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION perhaps most important, it’s unbiased, as the system seems to CAPTION CAPTION work beautifully regardless of age, gender or level of fitness CAPTION CAPTION knowledge. In fact, Michael has one of the more varied CAPTION clienteles we’ve seen in the area with clients ranging from thirteen to sixty-eight years of age. From kettlebells to boxjumping, and sledgehammers to suspension straps, there’s something here for everyone, and the workout routines are designed to mimic movements you would use in day-to-day activities, making the learning curve practically non-existent. Since August of last year, LIFE FIT has come a long way, attracting a number of new certified trainers to the coaching staff and further expanding the capabilities of this tucked-away gym. Tiffany Barker, a well-known local Zumba expert, brings Zumba training to the gym three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7pm) and Steve Barnes, one of the head trainers, has a degree in Kinesiology focusing specifically on preparation for athletic performance. Michael Having recently incorporated the Advocare nutrition product line is a certified golf fitness instructor of the Titleist Performance to LIFE FIT’s arsenal, the gym is now able to provide a wholeInstitute, and is able to provide golf-specific training that focuses body approach to fitness using a supplement and nutrition plan on the areas of fitness directly related to the sport including swing that teach you how to eat differently as a lifestyle, rather than strength, flexibility, stability and joint range of motion. As a simply dieting to shed pounds. The transformation in eating whole, the trainers here are able to provide both generalized group habits allows LIFE FIT’s program to magnify its results, providing training, as well as individualized training specific even to helping the ideal level of fitness faster than traditional gym training alone. treat degenerative diseases. The trainers here strive to make exercise beneficial and fun, a Over the next year, Michael is looking forward to continued combination we find less and less often these days. Stop by LIFE expansion both in the fitness and nutritional arenas of his gym. FIT today; you’ll never know what you’re missing until you do. 45

Chico Locker & Sausage Co. Inc.'s

In Celebration of the

Almighty Olive by Aveed Khaki

ith Corning being considered the “Olive Capital of the World,” it is no surprise that olive growers have done so well throughout our northern California region. The Mediterranean climate here creates the perfect hotbed for its growth, and it is only fitting that we celebrate all that this exotic fruit has brought to the area, both financially and culturally. Thankfully for those of us who adore this tasty treat, the Butte County Historical Society (BCHS) plans to do just that, celebrating one of the original pioneers in the local olive industry, Freda Ehmann. Perhaps one of the lesser known names in the modern olive world, Freda Ehmann was once synonymous with the word “olive.” Considered the “mother” of the modern olive canning industry, olive curing and canning had been an unreliable and largely unsuccessful venture prior to her involvement. In 1897 she set out to perfect the curing and canning process in Oakland, California, experimenting with various different options to find one that preserved her canned olives and allowed them to maintain their nature. By 1898 she had discovered just that and demand began to soar far beyond the means of her humble orchard in Oakland. She visited Oroville and determined that it would be the ideal location to grow and process her olives. She secured a lease on the Fogg orchard and construction on her new processing plant was completed just a few short years later. 46

By 1911, construction on her home had been completed, and her once small olive curing experiment had gone international. Insisting that her olives be picked fully ripened and black, rather than the green and brown canned olives people were used to, Freda gave her company a distinctive product line that customers couldn’t help but savor. In 1925, she sold her interest in the company and moved back down to the Bay Area, having forever etched her name in agricultural history. In 1976 the factory moved to its present location and continues to do business as the Ehmann Olive company. Her home, rescued by the BCHS in 1981, remains standing today over one hundred years later, preserved as a monument to her contributions to the industry and the area. On June 23rd, the BCHS will hold their second annual Olive Festival at the old Ehmann home on 1480 Lincoln Street in Oroville from 11 AM to 4 PM, celebrating the olive as well as the Ehmanns. Cosponsored by the City of Oroville and Feather Falls Casino and Lodge, the Olive Festival will feature music by The Feather River Gypsies and a beer garden with beer tasting from Feather Falls Brewing Company. As is customary, the event will also feature olive and olive oil tasting, door prizes, a raffle, silent auction and tours of the Ehmann house. Grab friends and family and stop on by; no doubt it will be heaven for all of you olive lovers out there!

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

Top 10 Grilling Tips

1. Choose the Right Cut of Meat: Some cuts of meat are better for grilling than others.. if you aren’t sure, just ask! 2. Thaw Steaks Before You Grill Them: Frozen steaks will not grill evenly. 3. Keep it Hot: Preheat your grill, otherwise food will stick to it. 4. Don’t Over Season Your Steak: all a good steak truly needs is salt and pepper. If you are using a lesser cut of meat, marinades are a great tool. 5. Put Olive Oil on Your Steak: Helps spices stick to it. 6. Put It On and Leave It Alone: Put the food down and give it a chance to cook. Don’t keep checking it to see if it’s done. A steak about an inch thick will take approximately 7 minutes each side. 7. Don't Overcrowd: Space food evenly on the grill- about two to three fingers' width between each item. Space on the grill should be left unoccupied, leaving you room to move food if there are any flareups. 8. Use a Meat Thermometer: Don't guess at doneness. To be precise, use a meat thermometer. Rare steak is around 120°, medium rare is around 130°, medium is around 140°,well done is around 160°. 9. Do Wait to Apply Sauces and Glazes: Wait till the last 10 percent of cook time to apply sauces and glazes, applying too early can cause your meat to burn/char. 10. Let it Rest: If you wait a few minutes to let the juices thicken and stay in the meat. You may feel like the food is getting cold, but actually it's still cooking. Cover it up with foil and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.

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Fathers:

Make a Difference by John Nelsen

As children, we all looked up to our fathers. They

were our protectors, fishing guides, tea party guests and vehicles for transportation (whether by car or piggy-back). Throughout our time growing up they provided so much for us, but perhaps from all they provided, the most important was guidance. We mimicked everything they did, and their example taught us how to brush our teeth, comb our hair and shave our faces immaculately without a blade. Over the years, I’ve come in contact with many fathers and some simply do not realize just how thoroughly their actions impact the lives of their children. As a father myself, I’ve learned the importance of setting a good example for my children whenever possible; as a dentist, I’ve learned the impact on children’s health when a good example is not set. As fathers, we are tasked with teaching these special little people in our lives how to be independent, healthy and wonderful adults. If we’re excited about doing something, they will be too! Encourage dental hygiene at home by making brushing and flossing a fun, bonding activity that you and your kids can share in together. Buy toothbrushes or floss for sensitive gums that are adorned with your child’s favorite cartoon character or superhero and make a story out of it. Help Dora the Explorer complete her exploration by brushing and flossing each tooth carefully or help Spiderman in his mission against the evil plaque monsters. A big smile and hearty congratulations from you on helping their cartoon friend succeed will be all the encouragement they need to do it time-and-time again. Attach this idea to their dental visit and let your dentist know about their favorite character ahead of time so they can get in on the story. All of a sudden, going to the dentist will be like going to the park. Playing a positive role in our children’s lives is the most important thing we can do as fathers., and from one father to another, have a happy Father’s Day!

Life Changing Care by Vincent Commendatore, D.C., B.S.N., R.N. s Doctors of Chiropractic, Dr. Anderson and I get to see some pretty amazing transformations in our patients’ health. On a daily basis we have patients tell us, “I haven’t felt this good in 2 years, or 10 years or even 20 years.” So many people out there have learned to “live with” their pain, but time and time again they realize that they have not learned to live with it but really learned to suffer from the pain. And by suffering they shrink up their life to adapt to the pain causing loss of function. Dr. Anderson and I often hear, “Well, as long as I don’t do this or do that I feel fine.” It saddens me to see people shying away from the things that they love to do, want to do or even have to do. This happens because they hurt too much or know that they will “pay for it later” with increased pain. Many people suffering right now do not even realize that there is often a way to fix their problem or at

Hello movers

THE OUT OF DOORS is the setting that each of our bodies was designed to flourish in. This month’s column is a bio-mechanical approach to your summer adventures. Our nose to toes journey lands us this month on the hips and glutes! The motions required to maneuver our bodies through open fields on our mountain bikes, up sheer rock faces as we climb, and down rivers or streams as we paddle and swim all require our hips and glutes to be in tip-top shape. The overuse or improper care of the stabilizing muscles around the hips can put a serious chill on a nice warm summer day. Unbalanced hip muscles cause alignment issues that include lower back pain, deep hip pain, and stiffening of the ligaments around the joints. Below are a few suggestions to keep you out on the trails, enjoying the summer sun. Suggestions: Stretch towards your toes after you hike (hamstrings)! Use a foam roller on your Illio-Tibial Band while relaxing at home in the shade Slow down when walking downhill on a trail, don’t stomp your feet Engage your glutes while walking up hill

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

least to improve it to a better level. We meet these people on a daily basis and very often, we can help. Changing people’s lives for the better is a straight forward process in our office. After doing a thorough history and physical we often take x-rays to determine if patients have a structural problem causing their discomfort and pain. If they do, we work with the core problem to return that structure to as near normal as possible using spinal manipulations (adjustments), postural exercises and postural traction. When they are done we take post x-rays to determine the amount of correction gained. On a consistent basis, patients see both structural improvement which coincides with an improvement in symptoms and, ultimately, a positive impact on life. At Chico Spine & Wellness, we provide life changing care, allowing people to truly get their lives back.

Have your mountain bike fitted by a professional (lower back/ hips/ glutes) Treat tight hip flexors with appropriate stretches-- everyone should do this!!! If you would like to see an instructional video on these stretches, please visit AdvancedBodyDynamicsChico on YouTube. Pay special attention to stretching your hamstrings and your Illio-Tibial Band. These two stabilizing muscle groups are often over worked and under stretched. Give your future self (add 10 years to your current age) a huge burst of vitality and begin treating your hips, glutes, and hamstrings with a healthy dose of stretching. You will thank yourself! As always, Move with Intention.

Scott Amick, CPT

Advanced Body 2201 Pillsbury Rd #138, Chico, CA 209-603-4660

CALLING ALL MEN by Toby Schindlebeck

ost of us know that testosterone is the hormone that makes a man a man. Testosterone increases lean muscle mass, promotes a feeling of wellbeing, increases sexual function and sex drive, and increases natural energy. Unfortunately, testosterone levels tend to

decline with age, and many men experience a medical condition caused by low testosterone called “hypogonadism.” The symptoms of hypogonadism, or “Low T”, are less energy, lower sex drive and reduced sexual function, less muscle mass and increased fat around your midsection. There are a number of prescriptions that a doctor can treat this with, but they usually involve painful injections, messy creams, and come with undesirable side effects. Fortunately, NUTRISHOP Chico has a natural, proven supplement that encourages the brain to signal the need to produce more testosterone without the need for injections, creams, or side effects. This product is called 1-XD and clinical studies in humans show a 42% increase in natural testosterone levels in only 12 days! Taken only once per day, 1-XD will make you feel like a new man; less body fat, more muscle, more energy, and chances are, your significant other will be much happier. If you, or your significant other, have experienced any of the side effects mentioned above, stop by either NUTRISHOP Chico location (East Avenue and Cohasset Road or Forest Avenue), talk to one of our certified nutritionists about 1-XD and see what you have been missing. While you’re in, ask about the customized nutrition plan with grocery list that comes free with any purchase. Yours in health, Toby Schindelbeck

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CHICO 2 • 855 East Avenue • Suite 220 • (530) 893-1100 Located on East & Cohasset between JAMBA JUICE & STARBUCKS.

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It can be emotional to see a baby deer in the wilderness without its mother in plain sight. Our natural tendency is to ensure safety for these creatures that bring so much beauty to our forests and small towns whenever they bound across our path. That's when California's Department of Fish and Game gets involved. The ability to care for wild animals while still keeping them wild is a learned skill that requires a full education in animal science and state regulations. Without proper knowledge, it can be very easy to make wild animals dependent on human interaction for food and shelter, which can cause stress for animals and humans alike. Thurston, an 11-month old deer, is just one animal who lived on private property with a loving family and is therefore no longer able to survive in the wild. He became a burden on household space, chores, food, and budgets. Plus, it is against California law to keep wild animals as pets, so the Department of Fish and Game found Thurston a home at Kirshner Wildlife Foundation. Thurston eats alfalfa and grass hay, and a specially formulated pellet feed with fruits, vegetables, and greens on the side. Ongoing care includes hoof trimmings, everyday vitamins, regular shots, and parasite prevention. Owner Roberta Kirshner says that “deer like to taste everything they see in the wild, so his enrichment program [at Kirshner] includes lots of items that he can sniff, discover and look at” such as big twigs, balls, and visiting children to stare at. He and his companion, the wallaby named Wentz, share two houses and chase each other around the yard. “He's a pretty happy guy,” says Roberta. If you need someone to help a specific wild animal, please contact the California Department of Fish and Game. If you would like to help take care of Thurston, he would love to have more hay and a 16-passenger van for the Foundation to transport animals. Please call Kirshner (530-533-1000) to donate.

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

The arrival of summer means that Chico State students are taking a break from classes and leaving town for a while. For the locals, that means that the businesses near the university will have more tables open and more room to wander...and more parking spaces nearby. Here are a few suggestions for enjoying this fun part of your town:

Woodstock's Pizza

Franky’s

Mountain Mike’s Pizza

Chico State's favorite puts lots of toppings on each pie with sauce spread all the way to the inside of the foldover edge crust. Woodstock's strong emphasis on sustainable choices and local fundraising makes this a pizzeria worth supporting. Browse the latest specials online for a good deal.

If you’re looking for a different sort of pizza experience, try Franky’s. It’s well-known for the walk-up window, and there is also a full Italian menu inside that is filled with family recipes. UL recommends starting with this Chico institution: a slice of pizza and a soda at the walk-up window. Every local should try it.

The fresh toppings in large quantities and hard work of fundraising makes Mountain Mike’s another place to love. The website says they’re best known for their pepperoni, but they also have sandwiches, appetizers, drinks, and a salad bar that are every bit as tasty. Join the coupon club to get special discounts on delicious meals.

(166 East 2nd Street)

(506 Ivy Street)

(1105 West 5th Street)

continue

Angelo’s Cucina Trinacria (407 Walnut Street)

For authentic Sicilian food, experience Angelo’s. The menu has a lot to choose from: from the exotic (stuffed mushroom caps and chicken livers) to the more stereotypical (lasagna and gnocchi). Upgrade by bringing a group and end with a dessert choice like cannoli or tiramisu accompanied by a luxurious wine. Or, you can order a cheesecake to go.

5 & Eye

(648 West 5th Street)

The Cheesesteak Shop

Kinder’s Meats & Deli

Philadelphia Style. Amoroso Rolls. Tastykakes. For those in the know, those are some attention-grabbing words and it’s exactly what you’re expecting: beef, onions, cheese and lots of nostalgia for good times and delicious food - a taste of East Coast fast food flavor. Chicken, salads, and vegetarian choices are also available but UL recommends starting with the classic.

Officially a meat market and deli shop, this is the perfect place to pick up a quick lunch or to sit down and enjoy some sports news in a relaxed, deli atmosphere. There are a lot of choices on the menu, but they all have one thing in common: barbecued meat and your choice of sides. Without the college students around, you’ll be more likely to find an empty chair.

Jon & Bon’s Yogurt Shoppe

Helen’s Donut Nook

(995 Nord Avenue)

(221 Normal Avenue)

(807 Main Street)

Free Wi-Fi, 8 flat screens, and cold beverages. If you need to work through lunch, this just might be the place. The menu includes the usual burgers, sandwiches and salads along with quesadillas, wraps, breakfast burritos and a few tasty fried items. 16 ounces of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer for $1.00. Need we say more?

(300 Broadway)

Donut Rising

Meriam Library

Chico Museum

Hipster. Boutique. Gourmet. Delicious. However you want to describe it, Donut Rising is open for people who like interesting food and are in love with the foodie scene. Each donut is hand-made from locallygrown produce, by in-house chefs. Lots of frosting, an abundance of toppings, innovative combinations. Try something new.

The main draw of Meriam Library is the collection of Chico EnterpriseRecord all the way back in history to when it was two separate papers. There is also access to historical New York Times articles, The Orion, and the Chico News & Review. Locals might also appreciate the photograph and yearbook collections. Even more exquisite is the collection of rare books such as a 1541 edition of Decamerone and a 1719 edition of Paradise Lost. Without students around, it’s more likely that you won’t disturb anyone’s study time.

Andrew Carnegie donated the $10,000 that built this building in 1904. In the beginning, it was a public library and, needless to say, it is an architectural and historical “big deal.” Currently, as a museum, the public is welcome to view the original bookcases, the artwork of local artists, and various artifacts of Chico in each of its galleries, dating back almost 200 years. There is also a temporary bicycle exhibit currently on display.

(1008 West Sacramento Avenue)

For an original Chico feeling, visit the Phoenix building. Jon & Bon’s shares the building with a few other businesses, but it’s the main attraction during these hot summer months. The menu has new flavors every day - both frozen yogurt and ice cream. It’s all about choices: size, flavor, toppings, and sauces. Feel free to mix and match. Be sure to sit a while and enjoy the air-conditioning and inspirational posters inside.

(CSU, Chico Campus)

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

This Chico institution has been here for as long as most of us can remember. The locals are extremely loyal to Helen’s, but some of us tend to visit only the location over on East Avenue. Be sure to give the downtown location a try this summer - see where it all began. UL recommends trying something filled with jelly.

(141 Salem Street)

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Pop-Up Art by Aveed Khaki

photography by Michelle Camy aving officially received its 501(c)(3) status just recently in August of 2011, the Museum of Northern California Art (monCA) is still an infant in the chronological scheme of things, yet its giant collection of North State art already rivals just about any museum in the area. Directed by Reed Applegate, Carol DiGiovanni, Trudy Duisenberg, Nancy Leverette, Pat Macias, and Kristine Mazzei, the Museum of Northern California Art is an entity tasked with preserving over 400 individual pieces of art sourced throughout northern California. The inaugural collection of 356 pieces was donated to the museum by Chico resident, Reed Applegate, who began collecting in the mid-sixties with a mission to limit the collection to artists who had lived in northern California at one time. Without a permanent home to house and display all of these pieces, the board of directors decided to take the show on the road, creating a mobile pop-up art museum that could be assembled and dismantled in just a few short days. Thanks to a generous donation by David Halimi, owner of Diamond W Western Wear, the museum was able to find its first home at 325 Broadway Street in Downtown Chico and opened its doors to the general public on Friday, April 6th. The twenty-eight pieces on display were an instant hit, attracting over 3,000 visitors and finding monCA over thirty new volunteers in the process. 56

At the end of April, the twenty-eight pieces were packed up, the museum was dismantled, and by the beginning of May, a new museum had been erected at Odyssey Vineyards on Cohasset Road in Chico. The Odyssey Collection, as it is called, is a true art exhibition aimed at not only promoting appreciation for local art, but educating visitors on it as well. The newest location saw its first of three jazz openings on May 12th to critical acclaim, with the remaining two openings slated for June 2nd and July 28th. The exhibition will run clear into December and will be in place during the upcoming Sierra Oro Farm Trail on October 6th and 7th. Over the next year, monCA plans to continue its mobile exhibition of Applegate’s original collection using their new school bus purchased from funds raised during the pop-up museum exhibition on Broadway Street. Its driving docent outreach program will bring art directly to schools, senior citizen communities and many other locations in the hopes of further educating and inspiring residents of our communities about all the wonderful things that art has to offer. On June 10th, they plan on holding a “Jazz in the Museum” event from 2pm-6pm at the Chico Women’s Club with plenty of music, art and food for everyone. Finally, once their exhibition at Odyssey is complete, they will move the travelling show to the Gateway Science Museum in 2013. We, for one, are looking forward to their upcoming events and hope that you will join us in the experience. After all, as one of our favorite sayings goes, “The earth without art is just eh.”

UPGRADED LIVING | JUNE 2012 | UPGRADEDLIVING.COM

CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION

ARTS, CULTURE, HERITAGE CALENDAR

PRESENTED BY FRIENDS OF THE ARTS & BUTTE COUNTY CULTURAL TOURISM JUNE 2012 START

2nd 1st

“In the Lavender Fields…” Bayliss Lavender Ranch, Biggs 530-822-4208

through July

Art Inspired by Chico The Chico Museum 530-891-4336

through the

30th

“Celebrating the Figure” Sally Dimas Art Gallery, Chico 530-345-3063

through the

30th

Cynthia Schildhauer “Life is a Poem” Chico Paper Company 530-891-0900

1st-2nd

Free Live Music - Tony Vee Feather Falls Casino Brewing Company, Oroville 530-533-3885

1st,8th,15th, 22nd,29th Friday Night Concerts Downtown Chico Business Association 530-345-6500

2nd,7th-9th, 14th-17th, 21st-24th Kiss Me Kate Chico Theater Company Chico-530-894-3282

marc@chicotheatercompany.com

4th- August10th Chico Creek Summer Day Camp Chico Creek Nature Center Chico 530-891-4671 infor@bidwellpark.org

6th

KZFR 90.1 FM 3rd Annual Celebration of the Song, Chico 530-895-0706

7th-30th

Amy Yun-Ping Chen + Jodi Lightner: Interpreting Structures-1078 Gallery, Chico 530-343-1973

8th-9th

14th

9th-10th

23rd

Free Live Music Steve Walker Band Feather Falls Casino Brewing Company, Oroville 530-533-3885

9th Annual Old Fashion Country Faire & Threshing Bee Far West Heritage Association Chico 530-342-4359 or 530-892-1525

9th-10th

The Music Man Paradise Performing Arts Center 530-872-8454

11th-15th & 25th-29th Camp Chi-Da-Ca Chico Area Recreation & Park District 530-895-4711

12th

Tops In Blue State Theatre Features a widely traveled entertainment group composed of 35-40 vocalists, musicians and dancers, Oroville 530-534-8021

James Slack Band Performing Concerts in the Park The Feather River Recreation & Parks District, Oroville 530-403-7034

Brownsville Mountain Music & Art Festival, Brownsville 530-743-8166 weatwebee@aol.com

23rd

2nd Annual Olive Festival Butte County Historical Society, Oroville 530-533-9418

24th

KZFR 7th Annual Bocce Ball Tournament - KZFR 90.1 FM 530-895-0706

28th- 30th

Cowfolk Blue Room Theater, Chico 530-895-3749

blueroom@blueroomtheater.com

29th- July28th Where Art Happens Avenue 9 Gallery 530-879-1821

END

LOCAL ARTIST PROFILE

Dolores Mitchell

Interviewed by Briana Lindstrom In l970, this Chicoan was

doing research in London to finish her UCLA PhD in Art History when she sent letters to California Universities in quest of a position. Five responded, including Chico State. She looked up Chico on an old map in a London Library on which it appeared to be in an Indian Reservation. “Fascinating!” she thought, and 42 years later she is still surrounded by our Butte County natural beauties that she captures in her incredible paintings.

UL: Where is your favorite place to paint? DM: I’ve been painting the Richvale ricefields, about 20 minutes south of here for about 6 years. UL: Where is your favorite place to paint? DM: I’ve been painting the Richvale rice fields, about 20 minutes south of here for 6 years. UL: How do you begin a painting? DM: I drive along the rice fields until a view strikes me like lightning. I stop and make many quick sketches, then go home and mull them over. Lately, I’ve been improvising from memories of the scenes and feelings they evoked in me. UL: What advice do you have for young artists? DM: You have to be so brave to be a young artist these days. That’s because new media are so much taking over the scene. It’s very hard to figure out how to make a living from art. And, art teaching positions at all educational levels are being slashed. We are becoming a nation of barbarians, and you can quote me on that. During the 2nd world war, Churchill was criticized for spending a great deal of money to support culture and he responded, “What do you think we’re fighting for?”

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UL: Do you listen to music while you paint? DM: I always listen to music. Mozart. I can always paint to Mozart. Sometimes opera. Verdi. Occasionally when I really need a boost in energy I listen to Beethoven. UL: What inspires you in the world? DM: The beauty of nature. Friendships and family. Mozart. UL: What are 3 words you describe yourself with? DM: Inquisitive. Adventurous. Flexible. UL: Does your art express those 3 words? DM: Yes. One reason I paint mainly in oil is because I can take risks, constantly change my mind and take new directions. UL: Have you learned anything about yourself, or the world through your own artistic process? DM: Yes. I have learned that with art we seem to tap into some mysterious power in the universe that is beyond our individuality. UL: What is your favorite quote? DM: “There’s nothing to fear but fear itself.” Roosevelt is my favorite president! Be sure to check out Dolores’ art at Avenue 9 Gallery where a selection is always on display. doloresmitchell.com

LOCAL ARTIST PROFILE

Elizabeth Shepherd

Interviewed by Briana Lindstrom Originally from Canada, Elizabeth started her family in LA before making the trek to Chico where she escaped the smog and concrete to give her kids a place where “they can enjoy the dirt and trees.” She has dabbled in cartooning and sculpture, but found a true way to connect with people and cultures through the lens of her camera. Her zest for life lights up the room and her humble, sincere way of listening to and sharing stories is refreshingly apparent both face-to-face, and in the intimate moments she captures on film.

UL: Where are your favorite places to take pictures? ES: Cities. San Miguel de Allende. San Francisco. Wherever there are things happening. And culture. I prefer to take photographs of people, but if i see something really interesting and graphically really, really strong then I will of course take a picture. UL: How did you get into photography? ES: It was during my broken arm stage. I had to take 3 months off from work, so I took a photography class. I fell in love with street photography. You’re in a zen moment when you take a photo. People, culture and family fascinate me. You see and appreciate everything so much more because you’re zeroing in on it. That moment you snap is never going to happen again. I also love meeting and connecting with the people who I photograph. UL: What are 3 words you describe yourself with? ES: So. Much. More. We’re always more than what we think. We hold ourselves back a little bit. UL: Does your art express those 3 words? ES: Sometimes. With a camera in my hand, I’ll talk to anyone. Photograph anything.

I’d hang outside an airplane if I had a good picture. That’s what’s exciting. You are just there and you’re wandering these little strange streets, it’s an adventure. An exploration. That’s the difference from other art forms.. If you’re sitting in one spot drawing, you can be in a fantasy. If you’re out exploring life, you’re in reality. UL: What artists inspire you? ES: Henry Cartier-Bresson because he does street photography. The New Yorker cartoons. Jean Jacques Sempe. UL: Have you learned anything about yourself, or the world through your own artistic process? ES: Well, I’ve learned that one of my strengths is connecting with people. Hearing their story. Pulling out their essence through their eyes. And respect. I’ve learned that the most people are really good people. There are a lot of good people in the world. UL: What is your favorite quote? ES: “After weeks of watching the roof leak I fixed it tonight by moving a single board.” --Gary Snyder Check out Elizbeth’s art in Vagabond Rose downtown Chico, and her “Photo of the Day” on facebook: facebook.com/lzbthshepherd 59

Spectacular, one-of-a-kind custom home set on 5 acres in the Keefer Ridge gated community just minutes from downtown. Unbelievable quality and endless amenities including hand scraped hickory floors and pine ceilings in living room; spacious super gourmet kitchen with convection microwave and oven, double dishwashers, and prep sink; surround sound in living room and speakers also in master bedroom, patio and separate covered spa area; dual fireplace in living/dining rooms; huge master suite with fireplace, outside sleeping loft, separate office and luxurious bathroom; fabulous covered outside patio area off living room of 735 square feet with pine ceilings, fireplace, television, refrigerator and sink; 3 remote controlled skylights; wood windows; operable interior transom windows; radiant floor heating; whole house reverse osmosis water system; central vacuum; 1,200 sq. ft. 3+ car garage with shop area plus large guest parking area. The list goes on-donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss this special house. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 3,326 Price: $849,000

PENDING! Wonderful new 4 bedroom, 3 bath plan across from the 9th Fairway being built by Michael Galli. Granite counters, extensive tile floors, 3 car garage and more. Room for pool. Still time to modify and pick out all amenities. Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,926 Price: $545,000

On the 9th Fairway! Marvelous 4 bedroom plus den on .49 acres being built by Michael Galli in Canyon Oaks. It features high ceilings with arches, lots of granite and tile, 3 car garage and fabulous views from living room, kitchen and master bedroom. Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,780 Price: $535,000

PENDING!

Better Than New! Beautiful impeccably maintained home with a spacious backyard with side access. Large kitchen with granite counters and lots of storage. Master has two walk-in closets and separate jetted tub and shower. Fireplaces in the family and living room.

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,926 Price: $445,000

PENDING!

Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,290 Price: $445,000

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,365 Price: $525,000

Super Price in Canyon Oaks Across from the 9th green, this Michael Galli home is just under construction with completion about the end of September. Buyer can pick out granite counters, tile floors, carpet,etc. Formal dining room plus nook in the spacious kitchen.

Commercial Development Land! 5.2 acres with 3 bedroom house on well and septic in area of extensive development along Hwy 32 corridor in west Chico. 330 feet of road frontage. Consists of two parcels. 4.67 acres without house could be sold for $400,000. OWNER FINANCING AVAILABLE!

Beautiful Spacious Lot! Desirable end of cul-de-sac location for this well maintained one owner home. Loads of storage, good sized indoor laundry, wood laminate flooring in main living areas, and a wall of cabinets in garage. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,776 Price: $259,000

Opportunity Knocks! This .17 acre parcel is located near East Avenue and Highway 32 making it a prime piece for different options. The lot is level and has power to it.

Price: $35,000 5

Mark Reaman (530) 228-2229

MarkReaman@gmail.com CA-DRE lic# 01265853

Horse Loverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dream! 5 stalls with tac room and inside wash area, full sized riding arena and lots of trails! Custom Len Goldman designed home featuring a formal dining room, dramatic vaulted ceilings in the great room, dining nook, master bedroom is separate from the other bedrooms. Good sized patio and front porch perfect for enjoying the wildlife. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 Price: $397,500

New Construction! Two plans to choose from and 8 different lots at this price, 3 bedroom & two bath models with a den and 3 car garage. 90-120 day build out, call Mark for materials list and subdivision information (530) 228-2229

Price: $290,000

Johnny Klinger

(530) 864-3398

JohnnyKlinger47@gmail.com CA-DRE lic# 01251617 www.ChicoHomeSearch.com

PENDING! Beautifully Maintained one owner home on a quite cul-de-sac, featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths, formal living and dining rooms, family room with a fireplace, dining nook and a den/study. The back yard has an inground pool and plenty of patio space for summertime entertaining, this is a great property, prepare to be impressed.

Bed: 4.0

Bath: 3.0 Price: $378,500

19.54 Acres of Walnut Trees on Garner Lane. Zoned for 1 acre parcels, (SR-1). The possibilities are to split into 1 acre parcels and make a real nice subdivision, or build your dream home and have a real nice private lot. $525,000

Price: $525,000

This is a turnkey one owner home located on 5ac in lower Cohasset. Featuring a ground level master bedroom, dine in kitchen, extensive wood and tile work, large family/bonus room with a cozy wood stove, the garage oversized at approx 26x30, there are two 200amp ele service stations. In addition there is a good sized shop on the property.

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 Price:$268,000

Mostly Level 12 ac parcel in Cohasset, OWC to a qualified buyer, lots of sunshine and power is on adjoining parcel, very motivated seller!

Bed: 2.0 Bath: 1.0 Price: $95,000

SqFt: 840

DRE lic# 01808835

Kiersten Crane Morgan (530) 895-3063 Crane Realty

Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,340

Acreage: 5.0 Price: $300,000

Exceptional, privately situated 5-acre homestead w/ everything youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for! Outstanding views overlooking Little Chico Creek Canyon & Sacramento Valley. Welcoming one-owner home w/ tons of upgrades, skylights, sunroom, woodstove, newer appliances & roof. Spectacular views from pool, decks, & spa. Covered parking w/ water & power hook-ups for your RV, secondary RV area w/ full hook-ups (incl. septic), + 2 more outbuildings (26 x 30 & 20 x 20) for all your other toys! Garden & orchard areas, deep private well, back-up generator, 2 storage sheds, nature trail & so much more.

One-of-a-kind Foothill Property! Fully developed w/ large pond filled w/ fish incl. catfish, bass & sturgeon, dock, bridge, gravel drive, shed, electrical service, 2 bedroom septic, and much more. Build your dream home, fish your heart out, and enjoy!

Price: $257,000

NEW - Outstanding view property! 5.67 acre parcel w/ private 665 ft well. Home site has been cleared to showcase the outstanding Lassen & Butte Creek views. Price: $149,000 Beautifully Maintained and Updated! This is an immaculate home on 1+ ac. with hardwood and tile floors throughout, easy Hwy 32 access. oversized attached garage, wonderful free standing propane wood style fireplace, vaulted ceiling, open floor plan, formal dining room, light and bright kitchen with eating area,glider selving in kitchen cabinets, built in bookshelves and closet organizers, huge back deck, nicely landscaped yard with lawn area, RV parking, automatic emergency generator, and more. Clean as a whistle. Move in ready! Bed: 3.0 4

Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,861

NEW - Nicely treed 5 ac. parcel in rural setting. Price: $50,000. Beautifully treed 80 ac. parcel offering outstanding views of the Sacramento Valley & Sierra Nevadas. Price: $254,500 Dream Home Site! 2.79 acres w/ well, septic, power and entry drive. On paved street. Price: $109,950

Price: $340,000

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A Top Ten Agent in 2011

Sherry Landis (530) 514-4855

landis4sale@aol.com www.SherryLandis.com CA-DRE lic# 01084946

I’M ALMOST OUT OF LISTINGS! CALL ME TODAY! Beauty and architecture combine in this custom 4400sqft+ home on 4 acres. Features 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, office and 3 car garage. Master suite with dressing room perfect for workout space, walk-in closet and bath that transports you to the spa. The kitchen is a chef’s delight with commercial range, pantry, and formal dining room. Basement perfect for wine cellar. 2 staircases, 10 ft ceilings, custom built-ins and architectural features throughout the home. Backyard resort setting with gorgeous pool and patios perfect for entertaining. This dream home can become your reality.

PENDING!

Bed: 5.0 Bath: 5.0 SqFt: 4,467 Price: $799,000

So one doctor says to another doctor, ”wanna buy a house?” That was back in 1969 and so we never got to see this home on the market... until now!! So, where can you find an approximately 2.3 acre property near the park, backing up to Lindo Channel with a park-like back yard, a main house consisting of 3916 sq. ft., a separate guest cottage of approx. 2072, huge inground heated gunite pool, spa, and hardwood floors under carpet that have NEVER been exposed. This is a unique opportunity for your buyer to own a special property in Chico. Their own slice of heaven. The kitchen has been remodeled with beautiful corian counters, custom cabinetry, beautiful fire place, windows galore looking out to the back yard setting, storage galore- what’s not to like? Hurry, this opportunity is rare to find!!!

Bed: 5.0 Bath: 5.0 SqFt: 5,988 Price: $795,000 3