Upgraded Living February 2018 by Upgraded Living

For the treatment of

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FROM THE PUBLISHER “You still keep in touch with your high school English teacher?” The question took me a bit by surprise as I’d never really thought anything of it. “I barely remember mine,” finished Matt Bauer, who I was having coffee with at the time. The conversation had shifted from talking about his business to mine and, naturally, I started with the first piece of exciting news I had—my high school English teacher, Kevin Dolan, would be taking over as editor-in-chief of Upgraded Living.

Investing.

It’s about more than money. It’s about your future. (530) 891-1133 | (800) 472-3867 toll-free

901 Bruce Road, Suite 280 | Chico, California 95928

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17 18 SCOTT SEATON MUSIC DIRECTOR

MASTERWORKS 3

Almost Vienna Saturday, February 24 | 7:30pm Cascade Theatre, Redding

BOLCOM

Sunday, February 25 | 2:00pm Laxson Auditorium, Chico

Commedia

BEETHOVEN

Anyone who has interacted with me over the past month knows how excited I am about this opportunity. I’d be willing to bet that some are ready for me to stop talking about it, as the topic has found its way into nearly every conversation I’ve had this month. To say I’m excited is an understatement, and that should be clear by my overuse of the word in these two paragraphs alone. However, I’ve always been of the mindset that you can never express too much of an emotion, provided the feeling is genuine. Kevin Dolan was my English teacher through 4 years of the WEST program at Chico High School, and I consider those years to have been some of the most formative of my life. I learned a lot about myself: who I was, what I enjoyed, and what I could do without. I found writing to be essential to who I was, and Kevin provided no shortage of opportunities to explore the style of writing I enjoyed most. “I guess you can’t help but keep in touch with those who have made a lasting impact in your life,” I replied, in response to Matt’s question. Kevin taught me a fair amount over those four years. One of the most important lessons I learned came from a sign hung neatly above the board in his classroom. It read, “Your work is never done; it’s just due.” Kevin would point to that sign each time he assigned a date to a homework assignment. Nowhere has that applied as well in my life than with deadlines at Upgraded Living. Although that mantra has stuck with me throughout the years, it’s always been clear that we could do better, and I feel Kevin is the person to help us accomplish that. With constantly impending deadlines and the general hurried nature of youth at the magazine, I believe his more experienced and steady hand will bring a new level of elegance to the magazine. It was a thought our previous editor-inchief, Briana Lindstrom, and I shared nearly six years ago; I couldn’t be more excited (fourth use) to see it finally come to fruition.

Symphony #7

SCHUBERT

Overture to Die Zwillingsbrüder

MOZART

Violin Concerto No. 4, Mvt. I Jet Glover, violin "Mi Tradi quell'alma ingrate" from Don Giovanni Natasha Czajka, soprano

Aveed Khaki Publisher & Owner

FROM THE EDITOR Birdwalking. The definition is—a conversation, lecture or piece of writing that goes in several directions often triggered by mention of something or someone. If this word became a dictionary entry then surely Aveed Khaki’s picture would be included. Those of you who have had coffee with Aveed have already nodded in agreement. These conversations are not unlike a Pat Conroy novel. Like Conroy, Aveed has that knack for bringing everything back together at the end. On December 29th, I had one of those coffee times. It began with me asking how Upgraded Living was going? Aveed immediately went into a half smile, one eye cocked open, wrinkled forehead expression and replied—“What a fortuitous question?” I put both of my hands up in a just-what-does-that-mean motion too late as the birdwalking had already begun. I did not see the end with this result. One hour and forty-five minutes later, he stood up, apologizing for his need to hurry off and asked “Would you consider becoming the Editor in Chief of Upgraded Living and do some writing?” I said yes and he replied with “let’s confirm all this tomorrow.” Right then, I received the answer to my opening question. We met for more birdwalking the next morning, and three hours later, the deal was sealed and here I am writing my first ever letter from an editor. This, too, will be a form of birdwalking. I have been a long standing and avid reader of this magazine, aware of the February issue. Aware of the fact that one could gain weight just by looking at whatever dessert made the cover. Gain weight just by reading the recipes from our myriad amazing chefs dotted across this city. This issue will not let that possibility down. Neither will learning about the mutual support of our Chico power couples. One unspoken lesson proved a single thread tying each marriage together. The notion that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It struck me as my approach to taking over this position. This publication does not require someone with a sledge hammer. What I will bring is the nuance of sophistication. In other words, you may not actually see changes but rather feel them upon reading each new issue. One change you will see is the back page. I grew up in a house with magazines. As a result, I adopted the habit of looking at the back page first. That is where I found Rick Reilly who made me fall in love with writing. Writing is the most difficult thing I do. Even so, I am taking over our backpage. The focus will be my ongoing love affair with this city we live. The first is my love letter to Chico mimicking a poem by Carl Sandberg detailing his love for Chicago. I thank him for this shell to share my strong feelings. On to March and all of its madness.

UPGRADED LIVING STAFF AVEED KHAKI Publisher/Owner KEVIN DOLAN Editor-in-Chief

NERISSA QUINN

EMILY HUSO

Graphic Designer

Writer

JASON CORONA

FRANK REBELO

Sales Director

Photographer

KERILYNN ANDERSON

MICHAEL MEJIA

Account Executive

Photographer

DARREN MICHELS

MICHELLE CAMY

Product Integration & Mobility Strategy

Photographer

CONTRIBUTORS ALISA WOODS DIY BRITTNEY RITCHIE Beauty CAROL KOENIG Garden DR. DEBORAH PENNER Health KEVIN DOLAN Backpage NORTH STATE SYMPHONY Community OROVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PARADISE RIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Community RENEE MICHEL & JOE SWEENEY Finance RYLEE ROSENQUIST Cool Kid SAGE BOWMAN Interior Design DR. SEAN STODDARD, DPM Health DR. VIMALI PAUL, M.D. Skin Care

Community

Kevin Dolan Editor-in-Chief

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For advertising or editorial inquiries, please contact: Upgraded Living at 530.894.8091 Sales@UpgradedLiving.com

CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2018 COMMUNITY

FOOD

12 Cool Kids: A local teen dresses up dogs for

44 Where’s the biscuits? Chef Nic Roseman

a more than worthy cause.

16 Life changing experiences is the norm at our Boys and Girls Club.

62 Our new editor introduces The Back Page

of Pop’s Pizza details the recipe to die for -homestyle gravy.

45 You’ll say “Shanks for the Recipe” when you read this mouthwatering delight from the head chef at the Red Tavern.

with his love letter to Chico!

HEALTH & BEAUTY

28 There is so much more than just your shoe size that goes into getting shoes that fit your feet.

30 Breakfast or break fast? Find out just how complicated that question can be.

32 Want to discover a foolproof way to determine the right haircut for your face? Then read this in depth explanation of just how to choose the right one.

34 Todd and Kelly McGregor get the island of their dreams courtesy of New Again Kitchen Remodeling.

38 Discover the key to home organization and, perhaps, keeping that resolution.

40 Need some upcycling for your home decor? Than these candlesticks are just what you are looking for.

43 The right things to do in your in your garden when old man winter comes to visit.

ON THE COVER: LEMON CHEESECAKE FROM JAPANESE BLOSSOMS PHOTO BY: FRANK REBELO

63 10

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47 Our Facebook friends share their moving stories about how they knew they had “found the one.”

48 Do not miss this sweet trip across Chico’s favorite dessert recipes!

52 Meeting each of our Chico “Power Couples” is such an enjoyable experience that will fill you with joy as it affirms the beauty of successful marriages.

ARTS

HOME

FEATURE

DESIGN BY: NERISSA QUINN

60 You will swear you can hear the eclectic blend of Indie acoustic and bluesy sound of our featured musical duo Sunday Iris.

LUMIERE BRIDAL

paradedesign.com

Exquisite and feminine, complete with center diamonds

WRITTEN BY RYLEE R. PHOTO PROVIDED BY DAISY GONZALEZ

Caring Dentistry from Toddler to Teen Years Dr. Kimberly Lange, DDS General Dentist

C O O L K I D : DA I SY G O N Z A L E Z

650 RIO LINDO AVE. #4, CHICO 343-3137

Daisy Gonzalez loves dogs. In fact, before our interview, she told me she might be late because she was rescuing a puppy that day! She showed up a few minutes later with her new chihuahua, Skippyjon Jones, snuggled up in her sweater. This is her first rescue dog and she hopes, as she grows older, her rescue family will keep growing too.

show that pitbulls are just as gentle, loving, and sweet as any other breed. In addition to dressing the dogs up in costumes and parading them around on floats, Daisy is enlisting the help of photographer Ben Nokleby to take portraits of pups who may not be suited for a parade environment so they also will still be represented at the event.

Not only does Daisy have an affinity for dogs, she also has a passion for art. She has always been artistically inclined. Currently a junior at Pleasant Valley High School, she is enrolled in Art Studio, a high-level art class which requires students to create an art-based community service project. As a result, Daisy decided combining her love for art and for dogs could result in the perfect community service event.

Centered around love, the main goal of the event is not only to connect dogs to families but bring the community together as a whole. She says, “It’s not just an event for people who are looking to adopt but for people who love art, dogs, and the community.” There will be something for everybody at this event, including a silent auction of donated gift baskets for those who want to give money to the cause. All proceeds will go directly to the Chico Animal Shelter.

Thus, “Smooches for Pooches” was born. Teaming up with the City of Chico Animal Shelter, Daisy is planning a pageant show for shelter dogs who need a home. Daisy and her volunteers will be creating parade floats as well as costumes for the dogs to show them off and hopefully find them a forever family. Not only does she want to raise awareness for these pooches and get them adopted, but also hopes to change the connotation of “shelter dogs.” Daisy recognizes that “the shelter environment can bring out the worst in dogs.” She wants, with art and fashion, to show their beautiful side. Many of the dogs at the shelter are pitbulls, a breed which intimidates some people. Daisy hopes to 12

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Daisy’s goal is to make this an annual event and eventually expand it so people can bring their own dogs to enter in the pageant. As for herself, she is ready to spend the rest of her life caring for dogs and is already on her way to becoming a veterinarian. She currently shadows a local vet, and by next year, after taking an ROP veterinarian class she will be a registered veterinary technician. She also plans to continue art as a hobby and it is clear to see this girl is heading into a very happy dogand-art-filled future! FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROGRESS OF THE EVENT, YOU CAN VISIT THEIR INSTAGRAM @SMOOCHES.4.POOCHES

WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN PHOTOS BY MICHELLE CAMY

Lunch in the Plaza It does not take long to understand that Terry Dubose loves Chico. You see it in her eyes when she tells her story. It is an ongoing love affair. Born and raised in Chico, graduated from both Chico Junior and Senior high schools. This was followed by a stint at Butte College that Terry put aside to raise her children. Her keen interest in helping people brought her back to Butte to obtain an EMT certificate. Her intent was to further her education. All stories take unexpected turns and Terry’s did. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer. That news came with a request. Her mom ask Terry to take over the family business with her brother. The family business is Broadway Pawn, run by her parents for 48 years! As Terry put it, “The decision was a no brainer, family comes first.” This is where Terry’s story takes another unexpected turn. Terry wanted to have lunch in the plaza. She had gone to work for five days in downtown and the plaza seemed such an inviting place. So she grabbed her lunch and sat in the plaza. She witnessed large intimidating groups and inappropriate behavior. She did befriend some and tried her best to help with food and clothing. Then the simple question came to her mind: How can I make it better? 14

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The first lunch in the plaza was without a plan. She simply invited three of her friends to join her and ordered Woodstock’s pizza to be delivered. They sat on the stage in the shade and enjoyed their time together. This lunch was not without drama so she launched Lunch in the Plaza on Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:00. There has been from 4 to 90 people attending these lunches. The mayor, some council members have been welcomed guests. The Chico police and fire departments have also been in attendance. The Jesus Center and Torres Shelter folks too have been regulars. Two things have emerged as a result. The first is community members who did not know each other before and are now friends. The second is that real results and some amazing turnarounds sprung from these lunches. There is now a Facebook page. Theme lunches such as Breast Cancer Awareness where everybody wore pink and Hawaiian proved successful. The backlash still surprises Terry. She sets her eyes and flashes a genuine smile when saying, “The whole point the entire time has never changed. I simply wanted to have an enjoyable lunch in the plaza.” We applaud her for that.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, FOLLOW LUNCH IN THE PLAZA AT FACEBOOK.COM/CHICOCITYPLAZA

246 West 3rd Street Downtown Chico 530-891-0880 KirksJewelry.com 15

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS of the

NORTH VALLEY When it comes to local nonprofits, there are few that do as much for our community’s children as the Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Valley (BGCNV). As a youth focused organization, they provide a safe and positive environment within all of their clubs, encouraging the healthy development of children ages six to eighteen. Perhaps more importantly, their doors are open for members during the critical afterschool hours when juvenile violent and non-violent crime rates are the highest nationwide. Having a location that provides focus, structure, and mentorship for children, while fostering positive interactions, is a vital element to ensuring that they avoid negative situations during the gap hours between the end of the school day and when their guardian arrives home from work. Boys and Girls Clubs of the North Valley have been proud to offer that environment, and in 22 years have grown to operate ten club sites throughout Butte and Glenn Counties. BGCNV works tirelessly to create unique opportunities both inside each club site, and outside within the community, that will inspire the youth they serve. Internally, club sites provide fun activities that keep members engaged along with long term mentoring and positive guidance for both members and their families. Within the community, BGCNV teams up with local agencies and businesses to provide learning experiences for members that foster participation in fields they have already expressed interest in. One of their most successful partnerships is with Downtown Chico’s Crush Restaurant, where teen members are given the opportunity to learn and be mentored by Crush employees in the daily workings of the hospitality industry. Whether cooking in the kitchen or waiting tables, members gain a valuable skill set that is usable wherever they may go and prepares them for jobs in an industry that tends to favor youth.

As with any fundraiser, the BGCNV gala fundraiser could always use more help. They are currently looking for auction items and donations from local donors to help raise money to continue to support their programs and mission. If you can support the gala with a taxdeductible donation, please contact Rashell Brobst at 530.899.0335. Your donation will help sustain local children with a valuable education, hope for something greater, and a brighter future.

WRITTEN BY STEVE K. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PAULA SCHULTZ (PAULA’S PHOTOART)

Providing a second home and valuable opportunities for over 2,000 of our community’s youth each year is no easy task. BGCNV has proven to be effective and efficient with an annual operating budget just north of $2.3 million (approximately $93.75 per child per month) and, with an ever-increasing cost of doing business, that number grows each year. Only 1% of this budget comes from the national Boys & Girls Clubs organization; the remaining 99% comes from local grants, donations, and fundraising efforts. 8% of that yearly budget is raised at the nonprofit's annual gala fundraiser which will be hosted at Manzanita Place on February 10th. This 19th annual gala will expose 455 guests to success stories from local youth who have benefitted from the programs and services in order to make positive decisions and better lives for themselves.

Investing in Our Community

I love this town. Gayle Aylward, Agent Insurance Lic#: 0691589 1277 East Avenue, Ste 110 Chico, CA 95926 Bus: 530-895-1356 www.gayleaylward.com

1601485

ONE CLIENT RELATIONSHIP AT A TIME

Thanks, Chico. I love being here to help life go right in a community where people are making a difference every day. Thank you for all you do. ™

Joe Sweeney, CFP ®

Renée Michel, MBA

jsweeney@amgchico.com

rmichel@amgchico.com

CALL US TODAY:

530.342.2900

2452 Lakewest Drive, Chico, CA 95928

Registered representative offering securities and advisory services through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFGAN Insurance Agency), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services also offered through Sweeney & Michel, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. CA insurance license # 0I22683 & 0H82321

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

Resolutions to Improve Your Financial Life

BY RENEE MICHEL, MBA, AND JOE SWEENEY, CFP ®, FINANCIAL ADVISORS AT ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP

The holiday season is behind us and, like most

placing our wants ahead of our needs. Putting

savings account. Most companies allow

Americans, I overspent and over ate. I used to

money aside for retirement is not an area of

you to deposit money to more than one

hate New Year’s resolutions and thought, why

financial strength for Americans. Debt is the new

bank account.

do I need a new year to make positive changes

norm as credit card, student loan, mortgages

in my life? However, the older I get the more I

and auto loans have hit all-time highs. However,

realize that the New Year brings with it a feeling

even with all these outstanding debts there

3. Research student loan and mortgage

of rejuvenation and opportunity. As decorations

are ways we can increase our savings without

have the lowest rates available. If not,

come down and our homes slowly get put back

jeopardizing our obligations and lifestyle.

refinance before rates go up again next year.

interest rates online and make sure you

together, it’s a perfect time to forget about the goals you did not meet last year and create a new plan—maybe even make it more realistic. I’ve been known to set goals that, looking

1. Reach out to your human resources department and ask to increase your

These three steps forward can help you lower your interest rate(s) and increase your savings.

retirement plan contribution by 1%. If you

May 2018 be the year you check off your

make $30,000 a year, that is only an extra

resolutions early!

back, were not likely to be achieved in my time

$300 a year or $25 a month. We all can find

frame. I’ve learned to be more realistic and that

a way to not spend $25 a month (i.e. coffee,

small steps forward are far better than no

lunch out, iTunes).

steps forward. 2. Set up an automatic transfer from your The biggest challenge for many is saving for

paycheck to a savings account. Request $25,

retirement and emergencies. We are all guilty of

$50 or $100 per paycheck be deposited to a

Registered representative offering securities and advisory services through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFGAN Insurance Agency), member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. CA insurance license # 0I22683 and #0H82321. Advisory services also offered through Sweeney & Michel, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Sweeney & Michel, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Sweeney & Michel, LLC unless a client service agreement is in place.

Renée Michel, MBA and Joe Sweeney, CFP® | 2452 Lakewest Drive, Chico, CA 95928 530-342-2900 | 800-333-2901 | (F) 530-342-3925 | rmichel@amgchico.com | www.sweeneymichelamg.com Securities and advisory services offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFGAN Insurance Agency), member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

ARTICLE COURTESY OF OROVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OROVILLE Land of Unique Educational Opportunities The Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce promotes not only local business, but the local community as well. Oroville truly is a land full of unique educational opportunities whether you are looking for specialized programs for your high schooler or continuing to expand your own education.

FOR THE HIGH SCHOOLER The two high school opportunities are at Las Plumas High School and Oroville High School. One thing that sets Las Plumas High School apart from other schools in Butte County is their Career Technical Educations programs. These programs include their Agriculture, Industrial Technology and Home Economics. These programs offer courses with real world application that can be approved for college credits and opportunities to compete outside of the area. Over the years, students who have competed have gone on to the state and national levels. Oroville High School also has great opportunities for your high school student. They have several athletics programs including basketball, 18

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football, volleyball, wrestling, golf and soccer. Oroville High also has several clubs for students to join including their Academic Decathlon. This club meets to prepare for upcoming competitions against other Butte County high schools. Winners of these decathlon competitions can go on to compete at state and national levels.

FOR THE ADULT Once you have graduated high school, there are myriad opportunities in Butte County. Two of these are at the Northwest Lineman College and the Oroville Adult Education Career and Technical Center. The Northwest Lineman College is a vocational educational opportunity for learning how to become a lineman and work on power lines. This college is involved in the community by having students volunteer to help outside their school hours. Their graduation rodeo welcomes the general public and is a fun time for the students to showcase their skills. Something new they will be doing this Spring is hosting a job fair for current and past students. The Oroville Adult Education Career and Technical Center offers career training for adults. They offer training to become a Certified Nursing Technician or an Emergency Medical Technician. For a boost to your career, they also offer courses in accounting, Microsoft Office, Quickbooks and many more classes. LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SEE MORE EXAMPLES AT OROVILLELOCAL.COM.

After you’ve explored the great outdoors on the Ridge, check out local unique gifts for your Valentine! For great gifts you can share with your Valentine, check out ‘Ohana Health, offering holistic treatments and services, including yoga classes, massage therapy and low cost community acupuncture. All are invited to come in, sip tea and join one of many standing events such as mindful movie night, Astrology charts, Group Reiki, Sound Healing and Family Constellations. Like ‘Ohana Health on Facebook or visit OhanaHealth.net for more events. You may also bundle and save on massage packages. Give the gift of live entertainment at Theatre On the Ridge—the North State's longest running community theatre. Customized certificates are available for season tickets, flex passes, individual show tickets, TOTR souvenir tote bags & wine glasses and concessions coupons for intermission treats. Call the Box Office to order: 877.5760. Through February 10 see Living on Love, an hilarious celebration of music, marriage and celebrity. Do not miss out on these opportunities: • All are welcome to Bourbon Street for Mardi Gras at the Paradise Elks’ Lodge on February 10. Dance to the jazz stylings of New Orleans transplant Alan Rigg and his band and enjoy N’awlins cuisine!

F E E L I N G T H E LOV E I N

Paradise In 2008, The Paradise Garden Club set a goal to plant 3,000 daffodils at the entrance to the Town of Paradise. As the project was taking shape in the early summer, dramatic events unfolded in the little foothill town. A wildfire caused a community evacuation and about 75 homes were destroyed. As a sense of doom hung over the community, the Paradise Garden Club expanded its vision to plant 10,000 daffodils. The Club chose the inspirational motto, “To Plant a Garden is to 20

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Believe in Tomorrow.” Despite a summer of fire, smoke and ashes, community support raised enough money to plant 60,000 daffodils! Over the years, more bulbs have been planted and pre-spring sees the community awash with golden daffodils welcoming visitors and residents alike. John Muir, renowned naturalist and author said, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” The Gold Nugget Museum’s new exhibit, Outdoor Life on the Ridge— Then and Now, presents a local perspective of the great outdoors. Fishing, hunting, camping, horseback riding, swimming and winter sports are on display. Personal recollections also bring the exhibit to life through February 25 at The Gold Nugget Museum, 502 Pearson Road in Paradise,

• On February 11, the Paradise Ridge Senior Center presents a Valentine's Dance Party featuring the sounds of our own Paradise Big Band. Dance or just listen to the big band sound! • Adventist Health Feather River presents a monthly lecture series: Dinner with the Doctor. February’s event is the Men's Health Toolbox on February 22. Dinner is only $12 per person and the lecture, as always, is free! Reservations are required for both, call 876.7154 or visit AdventistHeatlhFeatherRiver.org to register. VISIT PARADISECHAMBER.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ARTICLE PROVIDED BY PARADISE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PHOTO PROVIDED BY JAYNE LOCAS

530.872.8722, goldnuggetmuseum.com. On the Upper Ridge, the DeSabla Guild offers delicious breakfast every 4th Saturday and dinner every 2nd Saturday!

After retirement, Jerry took on volunteer work as a legislative representative for the California State PTA in Sacramento and Washington. Poring over paperwork, he began to notice that his vision was beginning to blur, and he was having to move papers back and forth in front of his reader glasses until he could focus on them properly. The change in vision was slow, but noticeable, and he resigned himself to simply making do with the vision he had. Eventually his vision began to cloud and the headlights from cars started to resemble blurry stars. Cherie advised him to make an appointment at North Valley Eye Care to have his eyes checked, and with the proper amount of prodding, he finally did.

It’s All In The Details Jerry McGuire moved to Chico with his parents in 1955. His father had taken on a construction project and, as many have before and after him, saw no reason to leave when the project was completed. The family settled in and decided to make Chico their home. Jerry attended Chico High and went on to graduate from Chico State with a degree in Elementary Education. Wanting to stay in Chico, he began looking for local teaching positions but found none available. He expanded his scope and landed a position in Long Beach teaching at an elementary school in 1963. He spent six months away before returning home to visit his family for Christmas. During his visit, he ran into the personnel director for Chico Unified School District. The two spoke at length about teaching and Jerry’s roots in Chico. He confessed that he missed living here and would always be open to moving back if a teaching position should open. Convinced that 22

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Jerry would be a great addition to the school district, the personnel director offered him a job on the spot, teaching elementary school in Chico beginning the following fall semester. Naturally, Jerry accepted. Jerry moved back to Chico in 1964 and began what would amount to a 38-year career in local education. During his time as an educator, Jerry taught at J. Partridge Elementary before holding three consecutive principalships at Oakdale Elementary (now Chico Country Day), Chapman Elementary, and finally McManus Elementary. A position as County Superintendent of Schools opened in 1990 and his friends encouraged him to get into the business of politics. Convinced he could make the most change from the top, Jerry ran and was elected county superintendent of schools in 1991. He was elected to three four-year terms before retiring in 2002.

In 2016 he was diagnosed with cataracts, a gradual clouding of the eye’s natural lens that lies behind the iris and pupil. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 40 and, untreated, are the main cause of blindness worldwide. They affect over 22 million Americans age 40 and older, and are the fastest growing eye-related disorder nationwide. According to Prevent Blindness America, it is expected that more than 30 million Americans will have cataracts by 2020. Dr. Barthelow, at North Valley Eye Care, laid out Jerry’s treatment options. Among those options, he discussed cataract surgery which had become even more effective through the use of laser technology. Excited for the opportunity to reclaim his vision, Jerry opted for the laser cataract surgery. The surgeons at North Valley Eye Care have utilized LenSx laser technology for cataract surgeries in a much more accurate and precise manner than manually with a blade. It is not new technology by any means, in fact, it has been available for just over eight years. Dr. Barthelow researched and vetted the system for a number of years before he was comfortable enough in its success to bring

WRITTEN & PHOTO BY STEVE K. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY NVEC

While teaching, Jerry met his wife, Cherie, who was also a teacher. When Jerry was a principal, Cherie was an elementary school teacher; when he was elected to the County Superintendent seat, Cherie was working as a principal. As a result of working in different areas of education, they were able to provide each other with an insider’s view of “the other side.” Through their relationship, each was able to make better decisions within their sphere of influence knowing the frustrations and achievements that the other faced.

"It is a huge change, really, just WOW!" –Jerry McGuire it to North Valley Eye Care. The LenSx Laser System delivers a perfect circular incision of the eye’s lens and segments it into pieces, allowing for it to be removed more easily and in a safer manner. Once the cloudy original lens has been removed, an artificial folded lens is inserted that opens in place of the original lens. Dr. Barthelow alone performs over 1,000 cataract surgeries locally each year. It is, currently, the most advanced way to do cataract surgery in the world. Dr. Barthelow outlined the procedure, informing Jerry of exactly what was going to happen and what he should expect afterwards. The surgery sounded fairly straightforward and did not appear to be anything that Jerry should be overly concerned about. Dr. Barthelow offered two lens options for the surgery, one would eliminate having to wear readers altogether, and the other would simply correct the clouding. Having grown to love the distinguished look of his readers, Jerry decided on the latter. On the day of his surgery, Jerry arrived at the surgery center, filled out his paperwork and began preparation for the surgery. Forty-five minutes later, he was headed home. According to Jerry, “You won’t believe it. Preparing yourself mentally and putting the drops in your eyes are more of a bother than anything else. They lay you on the table, and five minutes later you’re done. The entire process took just over 45 minutes for preparation, dilation, and laser surgery. I was semi-awake through the procedure, and I could see the laser and exactly what was going on. It was truly amazing.”

Geographic, he cannot imagine watching the world in any lesser detail. “It is a huge change, really, just WOW! The details I can see in the world now are unbelievable, and the color is just outstanding. Laser cataract surgery is not something people have to dread or be worried about. It has absolutely changed my life.” Asked about his experience at North Valley Eye Care, he responded, “Everyone in there is just great; you couldn’t ask for nicer people. The staff is excellent, and my follow-up was fantastic. My vision has never been better!” When asked for his advice to others experiencing similar difficulties in vision, he replied “I would tell people to do regular visits to their eye doctor, especially if they’re experiencing cloudy vision. The earlier you can detect it, the better. My change in vision seemed subtle but changes were happening so much faster than I imagined. You live with your vision every minute of every day so you get used to changes as they occur over time; you might not even recognize that your vision is changing, and often it is detected too late. Stick to a regular schedule of visits and don’t be scared of going. The result is truly worth it; there’s nothing like getting your vision back.”

Back at home with one of the best TVs and sets of eyes on the market, there’s little Jerry could complain about. With spring training just a few short weeks away, he is looking forward to using those new eyes to watch the Giants take home yet another World Series.

IF YOU’RE LIKE JERRY AND ARE EXPERIENCING CLOUDY OR DISRUPTED VISION, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND CALL 530.891.1900 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT NORTH VALLEY EYE CARE. AS JERRY WILL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU, IT’LL BE THE BEST DECISION YOU’VE EVER MADE.

Cataract free since the beginning of June, Jerry is enjoying his new lenses to the fullest extent. Now able to appreciate a new level of detail, he took the opportunity to purchase the massive 4K Ultra-HD big-screen TV he had been eyeing before the surgery. “It was a good excuse,” he said. As a San Francisco Giants superfan and sucker for National 23

"Please do not assume there is something to do that is more important than just.. being...Right here, right now, present, aware, attentive, accepting" CO M F O R T O F C A L M Change—even good change—can overwhelm. Take a moment to think about what you'd like to do differently: How many minutes per day or per week will you dedicate to creating a sense of calm? What will you do less of to open up space in your schedule? Once you can visualize how a change will integrate into your daily life, your odds of success will increase. Connie Massie, LCSW, will present a series of 4 classes on learning to be in the

moment and just being. Connie is certified in Hatha Yoga as well as advanced training in Restorative Yoga and Mindfulness Techniques. Series begins on February 14, 2018 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at the Card Community Center. Additional dates: March 14, April 11, & May 9th. For more information, or to RSVP, call 530.898.5925.

Passages Caregiver Resource Center Is funded by the California Dept. of Healthcare Services, the Area Agency on Aging (PSA2, PSA3), and the California Dept. on Aging. 25

WRITTEN BY EMILY HUSO PHOTO BY FRANK REBELO

LOV E C O M E S B AC K A R O U N D ! F R O M PAT I E N T TO VO LU N T E E R :

Finding New Life Brings New Love “You know when you work with people and you can tell they don’t like their job? There’s nobody like that at Twin Oaks. Here, everybody is patient and friendly and they like working with people.” These are the words of Lucinda Trusdale, a volunteer and former patient at Twin Oaks Post Acute Rehab. Trusdale first came to Twin Oaks as a patient in the fall of 2017, recuperating for 11 days after having blood clots removed from her leg and lung. Unfortunately, not long after her release, Trusdale took a fall at home. Though she was able to reach a phone and call her brother, she refused to let him help her. “I can get myself up. Don’t worry,” she assured him. However, after three days on the floor, Trusdale gave in. Severely dehydrated, she was admitted to the hospital and eventually returned to Twin Oaks to recover, this time for a three-month stay. Though the situation could easily have been extremely negative, Trusdale says the staff at Twin Oaks made her rehabilitation experience a positive one. “The therapists are wonderful,” Trusdale says. “I was with them every day, twice a day…. They taught me things I need 26

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to do in order to stay safe.” One of the first things they worked on? Teaching Trusdale how to get up off the floor! In addition to high-quality health care, Twin Oaks provides a lively communal atmosphere that allows patients to have fun while building friendships. At the encouragement of Twin Oaks staff, Trusdale got involved in the daily activities, including rounds of bingo, high low, and trivia as well as music performances and art classes. “Every day there was something,” Trusdale says brightly. “I made a lot of friends.” Since her recovery, Trusdale, who worked for 21 years as an elementary school art instructor in Texas, has volunteered regularly at Twin Oaks, leading the art activities and staying in touch with her friends. “Most of these “students” I knew from when I was here. I just feel closer to them because I’ve been exactly where they are.” As a volunteer, Trusdale now contributes to the positive atmosphere she enjoyed as a patient, helping to make Twin Oaks the optimal place for recovery, rehabilitation, or long-term care. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TWIN OAKS POST ACUTE REHAB CENTER CALL THEM AT 530.342.4885.

YOUR HEALTH P U T T I N G YO U R B E S T F O OT F O R WA R D

As a board certified podiatric physician, I am frequently asked by my patients how to choose the best shoes for their feet. Believe it or not, this is absolutely a loaded question. Many differing factors depend on the answer.. For example, is the person a diabetic with peripheral neuropathy, does he/she have large painful bunions or hammertoes, or do they suffer from plantar fasciitis? Here is the short and skinny on how to choose the best shoes for your feet: 1. Shop for shoes during the afternoon. 2. Have both feet measured. 3. Stand in the shoes to make sure there is about 1/2 inch of space between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. 4. Pay attention to width as well as length. If the ball of the foot feels compressed, ask if the shoes come in wider sizes. 5. Diabetics with peripheral neuropathy should get shoes that "stretch". Typically the shoe is made with a component of Lycra which allows the shoe to stretch. The shoes should have a high toe box area to allow for structural deformities such as hammertoes. They should also have removable inserts with memory, such as those made with the material plastazote to prevent skin breakdown which can lead to ulcers and infections. 28

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6. Women with large and painful bunions who still want to wear fancy shoes are encouraged to wear shoes with open straps. This allows the painful and inflamed bunion site to avoid rubbing against the shoe. 7. People with painful heels from plantar fasciitis do better with shoes that have at least a 1" heel, as this places the foot in a position where more weight is distributed along the front of the foot. 8. People with foot and ankle arthritis are advised to wear a shoe that has a rocker bottom outer sole. Skechers is one shoe company that provides this option. 9. Walking shoes are ideal when they have a flexible sole, a roomy toe box area, and heel counter that is snug. Walking shoes with velcro straps are ideal for older patients that have a difficult time bending over, or have arthritis in their fingers. 10. Choose a shoe that feels comfortable from the moment you start wearing them. Avoid a shoe that needs to be "broken in" over time.

H E A LT H A D V I C E VIA DR. SEAN STODDARD, DPM Dr. Sean Stoddard is the owner of the Foot and Ankle Clinic of Northern California. For more information, visit chicofootankle.com or 676 E. 1st Ave. Suite 9 in Chico.

Give Your Skin Some Love Give yourself a Valentine this year; the gift of great skin! Winter cold, hours spent indoors due to bad weather, stress and temperature changes can all contribute to dull, dry, or broken-out skin. Technology has come a long way in the skin care field and there are now so many ways to refresh, rejuvenate, and improve the skin's appearance. Laser treatments can build collagen, resurface rough texture, repair sun damage, and remove unwanted hair. There are radiofrequency treatments to contour the face and body by releasing fluids from fat cells and tightening the skin. Microdermabrasion will improve the skin's tone and texture by sloughing off old, dead cells, and chemical peels can get deep into the uppermost layers to reveal the softer, younger skin underneath. We also carry a variety of skin care products to cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and protect the skin. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that gives you a healthy glow while Retinol (or Tretinoin) is a form of pure vitamin A which can expedite cell turnover to refresh and smooth the skin. All of our products are medical grade, such as Obagi, SkinCeuticals, Dermalogica, and Skin Medica. Following up treatments with at-home care is key for maintaining results. And do not ignore the skin on your body! We recommend massage to relax, de-stress, and release toxins improving circulation and overall well-being. Glowing skin does not stop at the neck! Our consultations are free, so you can decide on the best plan to get the skin you will love! DERM BAR MED-SPA 85 Declaration Dr. Suite 100 Chico, CA 95973 530.342.2672

YOUR HEALTH BREAKFAST COMES WITH COMPLICATIONS

Is breakfast your most important meal? The answer to this question is both simple and complicated. “Yes” is not exactly the simple answer. It depends on which of two fuel options your body is using; Sugar (glycolysis) or Fat (nutritional ketosis). If you are a “sugar burner”, using primarily carbohydrates for fuel, breakfast is important since “sugar burners” need to eat more often to sustain their irregular energy flow. So, if you are eating a carb based diet and are not hungry in the morning, it likely means your stress hormones are high. This can also cause sleep disturbance, hypoglycemia, chronic fatigue, elevated inflammation, etc. (These folks are often evening snackers or “night owls”.) On the other hand, if you are burning fat for fuel; breakfast might be a meal you just skip! Your body’s energy source is stable and you may not need to eat until noon or later. You probably slept great, too. Regardless of whether you are burning sugar or fat for fuel (and you must burn one or the other), your need for food intake (fuel) will vary with physical activity. Exercise increases appetite. I recommend that you drink 3–4 cups of warm tea first thing in the morning. Infuse this tea with a generous dose of a healthy fat of your choice. (whipping cream, butter, ghee, coconut or cacao oil/butter,..) Use stevia or “swerve” for sweetness if you want. If you plan to be physical; add more substance. 30

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Have some bacon, eggs, and dark, leafy greens. Skip the orange juice and toast to avoid the blood sugar rollercoaster! Not so active? Have your morning tea and move your body to get the circulation of blood and lymph going. Graze on a few nuts if you are hungry, then eat your first meal around mid-day. Eat well! Eat a low carbohydrate (less than 50g/day), moderate protein meal with plenty of healthy fats. Include dark, leafy greens. If you don’t see results like weight loss and reduced inflammation in 2–3 weeks, reduce the carbs by 20g/day and keep going. Push healthy fats; avocados, macadamia nuts, coconut & cacao oil/butter, grass-fed meats, cheeses, eggs,.. the list is long and satisfying. Also, reducing your “eating window” to an 8 hour time-frame, along with a low-carb diet or even a “keto” diet, is a great way to encourage balance and stability of your energy pathways at the cellular level. This is called an “8/16” intermittent fast: 8 hours of eating, 16 hours of not eating (fasting). If you have a hard time with hunger, indigestion, elimination, or other issues consider contacting a qualified professional for direction and support. Learn. Eat. Heal.

HEALTH ADVICE

VIA

DR.PENNER

For more information on healthy eating, visit 360 E. 1st Street in Chico or visit doctorpenner.com.

BEAUTY Q&A HAIRSTYLES FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE

How do you determine your face shape? Look at the length of your face from forehead to chin, top of the cheek bones and angle of the jawline. Quick trick: take a dry erase marker and outline your face on a mirror to visually see the shape. For a round face shape: Try a textured layered bob with a side part to reduce roundness or a lob (long bob) with longer length in the front to elongate the face. For longer hair, keep layers towards the bottom rather than layers that start too high up towards the jawline. For a square face shape: Something as simple as changing your part to the side will give an asymmetrical effect. For medium to long hair, a light side bang and feathery layers are just the touch to create softness. For a heart face shape: Go for a sweeping side bang to create symmetry with that strong jawline or a textured collar bone length cut. For long 32

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hair, go for the fringe or add some shorter pieces in front that start at the cheekbone and jawline. For an oval face shape: I love a collar bone cut with subtle layers and a middle or just off the middle part. For longer hair, try over exaggerating your part by using your hand sweeping it over to one side and letting the hair naturally fall over part of your forehead. As a result, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to switch up your look, carefully review the options for your face shape before you head into the salon. Determine what it is you want to highlight and just how drastic you are willing to go. Do not be afraid to communicate with your hairstylist. We love pictures for visual reference and to hear exactly what you are thinking. Together we will be able to come up with perfect new look to bring out that perfect you.

BEAUTY ADVICE

VIA

BRITTNEY RITCHIE

Visit Brittney at Two 22 Salon located at 222 West 3rd Street in Downtown, Chico. Instagram: @brittney_ritchie_hair | Bookings: styleseat.com/brittneyritchie

N E W AG A I N K I TC H E N R E M O D E L I N G P R E S E N T S H O U S E C A L L :

ISLAND OF DREAMS

THE CLIENT

THE CALL

Todd and Kelly McGregor met in the office of admissions at Chico State, graduated together in 1996, and have considered themselves Chicoans ever since. They were one of the very first weddings in the Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewery! Two and a half years ago, along with their three children, they moved into their forever Chico home. They love this home on the turn of the road. The formal living/dining room proved a challenge until the formal dining area turned into a home office. The pleasure comes in the family room, kitchen open area. This is where they hang out and enjoy the moments. The early 90’s kitchen with its oak and tile grew into a noticeable nuisance and it was time for help.

Todd and Kelly knew that the refrigerator stuck in the middle of the wall had to be moved. This not only cramped the work space but made putting things away or getting things out of the refrigerator a nuisance. They also were aware of the awkward nature of the kitchen’s island with the cabinet doors that opened into the family room. One thing was for certain, they wanted bright white cabinets.

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Through reliable word of mouth, they visited Ric Powers at New Again Kitchen Remodeling and the magic began. With Ric’s keen sense of listening and then recommending, a design concept quickly took place. But it was Ric’s visit to the job

site that two distinct changes occurred. First, Ric noted the subtle hues in the existing flooring calling for an off white, almost cream color, cabinets. The second was to take the glass tile backsplash into the family room fireplace tying the two spaces together in dramatic fashion. With a little consternation over the color of the cabinets and excitement about the changes, Todd and Kelly turned the job over to Ric and his crew.

THE CURE New Again’s team arrived as scheduled and the demo took just one day. Todd was so impressed with that and that the entire process took just one week.

Bedrosian Verve/Starboard glass backsplash tile

The Bedrosian Verve/Starboard glass backsplash tile was then installed with yet another change. The installer talked the clients into framing the entire window and now they are thrilled with that decision. Todd noted that despite the additional cost, the change is perfect because, “We are not going to do this again for quite a while.” CONNECT

Tackling the awkward island came next. The team expanded it by over a foot and installed the quartz countertop with an overhang allowing for stool seating. Matching cabinets were installed on the kitchen side, solving the original problem while adding needed space. Ric’s crew hung a customer supplied track light above the new island. Todd was impressed with the exact matching of the existing ceiling texture.

the floor and into a sliding cabinet. Todd and Kelly hosted Thanksgiving dinner and the once seemingly cramped space handled all the guests comfortably due to the bigger island. The double oven, too, was just perfect for all the cooking duties. It is without a doubt that Ric and New Kitchen Remodeling have captured yet another reliable “word of mouth” customer. If you find yourself now convinced, call New Again Remodeling at 530.899.2888.

Refacing the fireplace with matching quartz and tile on the floor to match the home’s entryway was the ribbon on top of this package. Tying the two areas together while bringing new life to an otherwise lifeless fixture proved immeasurable. In addition, the kitchen’s garbage can was moved off

NEW AGAIN KITCHEN REMODELING | 2502 PARK AVE, CHICO, CA 95928 | 530.899.2888

WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN PHOTOS BY MICHELLE CAMY

With a blank space, the design came to life. The worn oak cabinets were replaced with Estar Cream cabinets with Jeffrey Alexander door and drawer pulls. Once Todd and Kelly saw these they were thrilled with Ric’s color change. The new refrigerator, ordered with cabinet depth, took its new place away from the middle of the room. Grey quartz countertops with a Dawn stainless sink were installed next completing the first phase.

There’s something about

Sherry LandiS “SherryLandis is so personable, 92 year oldismother “Sherry is by far the kind best and real considerate. estate agent My in Chico. She was blessedpositive, by her attentions and her careful explanations. The sale professional, and has incredible follow through. She helped us went smoothly and quickly. We of were satisfied peace atofthe navigate our way through the sale twoallhomes andand theat purchase completionatof this sale.time! Maybe we will tosure we another—all the same Shemore neverimportantly, missed a beat. Shelook made Sherry again for our future property sales.“ understood the process, and stayed in constant contact with us. Even after all V Mullin, Chico three homes closed, she continued to call, email, -Juanita and text just to make sure everything was going as planned. We could not have done it without her.” — Doug anD CoLEttE RobERtS

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

A lot of house for the money with some great features!!! Several living and dining areas with remodeled and added on areas of the home approximately 9 years ago! Places to park all the toys with double gates on both sides of the home for this and that, plus a garage. Newer water heater, nice ﬁreplace and kitchen open to the living room with eating bar. Big Lot, Big Trees, Big Value!!!! Bed: 3.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,453 Price: $315,000

Home on the range!!!! This 1940’s charmer is perfectly tucked away in a beautiful setting, enjoying sunrises and sunsets out your window! On over 9+ acres with pasture, barn, and a pond, you’ll feel refreshed and relaxed calling this place home. This 2 story home has some updated features, but has left a lot of the charm of the 40’s in place with built-in cabinets, brick ﬁreplace with insert, and tile from younger years. Large windows and ceiling fans to look out on all the lush landscaping and ﬂowers in bloom. This was the model home and only one owner! There have been many A terrific Michael Galli floor remodeled from$350,000 head to Bed:plan 4.0 updated Bath: 2.0and SqFt: 2,387 Price:

upgrades including travertine tiles, upgraded carpets, granite, oversized lot, built in desk in media room, special color paint throughout, draperies, landscaped beautifully with slate water fall, flowers galore and redwood trees. RV Access on both sides of the house and two master suites make this home a must see! Bed: 4.0 Bath: 4.0 SqFt: 3,166 Price: $429,000

YIKES !!! Help me !!!! PSSSST! My listings are selling like hotcakes! Call me if you’re serious about selling your house as I am as serious about selling it — Sherry !!

Yikes!

toe about a year ago. Stainless steel appliances, granite counters, plush carpets, decorator lighting, exterior and interior painting, lush park like yard, sparkling in ground gunite pool, newer 10x10 outdoor shed, wood stove, shows truly like a model home. Open floor plan with so many upgrades! Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 3,675 Price: $665,000

Its that “once in a life time” opportunity!!!! That’s right, check it out, nearly 1/2 acre of unimproved property with great soil, big trees and just ready and begging for a nice home to be built on !!! ONLY IF you enjoy things like: listening to birds sing & the sound of water. Make this dream a reality and claim it as yours today!!! Hurry, hurry, hurry! Acreage: .37 Price: $175,000

My homes are selling fast! Call if I can help by listing your home today! #3 First Half of 2017! CA-DRE lic# 01084946 36

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BRE Lic #00596703

See these homes on virtual tour at my website!

Broker Lic #01912741

“Through circumstances we’ve needed to buy and sell homes a couple of times this year and would not consider using anybody else but Efﬁe. She’s knowledgeable, friendly, and gets the job done.” -Jim Peplow, Chico

Expect to be impressed. Superbly appointed in an exclusive community of fine estates, this elegant home was built to exact specifications with almost no regards for cost. As you approach the house, you will fall in love with the peaceful ambiance of the beautiful koi pond and its waterfalls. The massive, double door entry will welcome you to a stunning residence offering exceptional detailing throughout. This beautiful home features all the amenities one could want, including radiant, heated marble floors, imported Brazilian mahogany pillars, dramatic ceilings, formal room,neighborhood formal dining room, a family by room with fireplace, Intoxicating view! Where the eagles soar, this captivating residence Tucked away in living a upscale & sheltered majestic kitchen with granite counters, doublehome. convection oven, trash compactor, and sits shielded behind iron gates. This home is truly magnificent with trees, here you will find your dream This beautiful home bar. The masterlike suite ers dual vanities, his hervery closet, a jetted tub, stands is eating designed for seems indoor/outdoor entertaining and loaded with towering ceilings, of glass, gleaming floors, lavishhigh living Magnifi cent anoff understatement. Inis& this special place, the home of walls your dreams, offering a wood flowing floora plan, and a walk-in shower. You will love the fully-equipped home theater, the wineliving upgrades. You will love the generously proportioned rooms, the room, formal & informal gourmet kitchen, granite counters, ceilings and numerous large windows for ample natural lighting. The room of this home isdining, spacious and boasts a two-sided fireplace cellar, andwood dumbwaiter. A wholeliving house fan,dining central vacuum, A/C units, gorgeous floors, formal and rooms, the2cozy designer hood, 3 fioverlooking replaces, 6”the interior walls, 2HVAC, 3 car and perfect forthe cold, rainythe days. The dining room and the living room have walls of windows gorgeous yard. You will garage marvel at 2 water heaters, intercom and security system will keep thismaster home perfectly family room with it’s fi replace, guest quarter, expansive suit, more allappliances, onan almost 2 acre parcel. The ambiance issuite peaceful with the gourmet kitchen and its brand new quartz countertops, new stainless steel and new sink. The lavish master off ers a suited to you with at allcan times. The backyard is centered around entertaining, with a views of sunsets & city lights. You will breakfast on the patio watching large kitchen lighting, breakfast nook over looking a beautiful bedroompool, sizedwaterfalls, closet, large bath, walk in shower, jetted tub, and his & her vanity. Of course, there is also a covered dining patio overlooking gorgeous and covered private yard, 3 car garage, gated R.V.gazebo. parking all on almost one ace the mountain ranges & Sutter-Buttes. At night simply relax & enjoy your sparkling include, cablesky. in all rooms and in the garage, ofthe total privacy.in-ground gunite pool and the darling cabana. The other amenities unobstructed viewwater of thesoftener, star-speckled Bed: 4.0 Bath:3.0 4,367 Price: $749,900 R.V. access, shed, finished 3 car garage and soSqFt: much more! . Bed: 4.0 4.0 Bath: $659,000 Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,501 Price: $487,500 Bed: Bath: 2.0 3.0 SqFt: SqFt:2,357 2,389 Price: Acreage: ~2.0

PENDING The lake is only seconds away from this beautiful home! Tucked away Pirates will squeal & scurry for this hidden treasure! The delightful, large in neighborhood, a friendly neighborhood, immaculate home offers an open Golf porch course,oflake walking trails are provides just a stone throw away from this inTucked a quiet this well this maintained home offers a darling front this&gorgeous home relaxation and a great fl oor plan, high ceilings, large living room, an open kitchen with an island, a stunning home. Tucked away in a cul-de-sac in a prestigious neighborhood, This immaculate home offers an open floor plan, high ceilings, windows forknow yourThis quaint With home is walking distance gated porch, perfect for summer days to sit upon and relax. Inside numerous place to get to neighbors. soaring 10 and 12 footto five burner gas cookfltop and a double ovens. Seller has made many upgrades ceilings, this home ers anfeatures open floor plan, generously proportioned rooms and you’ll findsunlight an open oor plan, high ceilings, tile counters, and wood thisoff home walls of glass windows providing ample ample and fresh interior/exterior paint. Its oversized formal living and dining room CSUC and shopping centers. The kitchen to this darling home which includes all new appliances in the kitchen, new abundance of windows for natural lights. As you step into the house you flooring throughout. Tile floors in the kitchen and bathrooms, fireplace crown molding throughout, bamboo flooring, a cozywill is perfect for entertaining familiesnewer and friends. Thesome light and windows. airy kitchennatural offers alighting, pantry , spaciouswas updated with granite counters, white shower head, bathroom carpet fall in love withmantel, the living room and its cozy fireplace, withdoors, its sunny infaucets, the living room, walk-in closet,sink, mater bath withand dual sink,new separate fireplace with built-in bookshelves, cabinets with glass The master bedroom is yard located ingranite the first counter floorfree andtops. two other bedroom are nook and3 the formal dining room. In addition, this home also off ers center island andThe brand new Allcan the flooring throughout thekitchen, house are subway back-splash, new cabinetry, new shower and a tub. is maintenance so you enjoy life abreakfast darling bedrooms andtile a loft, indoor laundry, a beautiful on the second fl oor. The yard is beautifully landscaped and off ers a lush lawn, a family room that can be easily turned into an offi ce or a 4th bedroom. The newmore and are consist carpet, laminate and or tiles. the bathrooms have brand newand Zen-inspired appliances,landscaping & so much plus more! bybrand spending time by theof lake canoeing, fishing, justAll enjoying patio with fountain 2 car garage. a bubbling spa, water fountain, 2 large sheds and an oversize side yard. updated kitchen and bathrooms have slab granite counter tops and custom walking paths around the area. granitethe counter tops and new flooring. Bed: 4.0 Bath: 3.0 SqFt: 2,029 Price: $399,900 Bed: 2.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 960 Price: $148,000 Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,516 Price: $279,900 tiled flooring. Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,899 Price: $399,000 Bed: 2.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 1,346 Price: $269,000 Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.5 SqFt: 1,739 Price: $309,000

PENDING Two commercial properties. The This home features granite Intoxicating views of Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen!! This well maintained Step through theAC entry home and experience the history of this antique Chico charmer. Nested in the coveted Avenues, first parcel has 1.6 withofathis delightful counter tops, laminate flooring, home sits on 10 acres of total privacy. Featuring a large living room River Front Estate!! This dramatic, contemporary Victorian has been built withkitchen almost with no regards to cost. Asto you enter gated entrance, this home has been enjoyed by numerous Chico generations. From its cozy granite its remodeled newerthe dual pane windows, 600 Sq ft. building structure that crown molding, security system, with a free standing wood counters stove, a newly kitchen with you will immediately appreciate the superior craftsmanship. The home is bright and has a happy, comfortable ambiance. You will marvel security new gas water heater andheat stainless steel appliances, this homecounter exemplifi es the quality of fine homes. Youappliances, will love the was built insystem, 1979 and has been central and air, dual pane granite tops, custom cabinetry and newer this at the feeling of spaciousness, flowing floorplan, gleaming floors, lion-sized den, tile 3 balconies, and game room. The home generously proportioned rooms and the peaceful ambiance ofwood this home. The lavish living room and the formal dining of this home operating as a nursery for the last the windows, upgraded appliances home also provides and laminate fllarge ooring, an room over sized bonus features dream with stoves, 2 many ovens, pot and pan drawers, Corian counters and an The list of amenities also includes 25have years. It aisnumerous partiallykitchen fenced, itand is 2 full and fixtures. This home also has a room with a wood stove, indoor water softeners, 2 balconies, held parties entertained friends and families. Guest must of marveled atisland. rich laundry, wood floors, the spacious family on services and isin near park large basement perfect foroff your 3city heating cooling units, central fireplaces and a and security system. downstairs master suite off ers an exercise roomheating and jetted a The private domestic well plus aashared Ag. well, central andtub. air, room and & sparking ground pool.vac, The2 yard is beautiful ers a dinning patio with pergola and newly installed drought friendly and shopping. The 2nd parcel is wine collection and storage! barn/shop, 4 car carport and much more. The 2nd master bedroom, along with Jack & Jill rooms, and the 5th bedroom, all are located on the 2nd fl oor. This home also off ers an inlandscaping. This is a home for you to create memories of your own. onground .29 AC pool, and is4adjacent to the Bed:under 2.0 Bath: 2.0 Bed: 4.0 Bath:6.5 3.0 SqFt: 2,240 Price: $399,900 car garage and a shop that is located the house. Bed: 5.0 Bath: SqFt: 6,236 Price: $799,000 Bed: 3.0 Bath: 2.0 SqFt: 2,503 Price: $399,900 37 other parcel. Price: $400,000 SqFt: 2,085 Price: $239,000 40

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HOW TO SIMPLIFY In January the stores come out with shelving units, bins, boxes, calendars, files, organizational systems and everything else to help get your life in order. It is a fresh start to the New Year and the answer to your resolution to finally get organized. But does anyone ever do anything with everything they buy? Or does it just feel good to buy and store it until maybe one day it’s pulled out and used, usually only half-heartedly. I wish there was a perfect solution. I think the answer to this struggle is really quite simple: prioritizing. I start with the first thing I absolutely have to do, the most important thing, whatever has a deadline... Is it playing with my kids, taking my dog for a walk, visiting with my grandmother or cleaning out a closet? Every day is different so once that's figured out, then I like to do what I can do. Something I’d like to add into my daily life is regular maintenance on my closets, paperwork, and virtual files. When a system is in effect, little thought or effort is made on our parts. If you are folding laundry 38

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and run out of space to put clothes away, quickly (and without thinking too much) throw the unused items in a donation bag. If you are trying to find a game in the game closet and loads of them ooze out, simply pull some out you know you don't use anymore. If you are wrapping a gift and are finding yourself choosing between 50 gift bags, quickly flip through the pile and toss or donate the ones you know you will never use. Same goes for emails—delete them when you have responded to them or read them. And all those mailing lists you’re on, simply “unsubscribe”. It is a small but effective daily chore that will ultimately give us all smaller inboxes. Of course when you think of the big picture, it’s overwhelming and being overwhelmed equals unproductivity. However, when I remind myself that the key to organization and minimalism is getting it done quickly and without much thought, it actually gets done. Soon you too will have closets, cabinets, in-boxes and drawers that are ‘magically’ cleaned on a regular basis. It is a habit that's not easy to start, but once you do, you realize how easy organization can be and never again will you be left with 50 gift bags.

INTERIOR DESIGN ADVICE

VIA

SAGE BOWMAN

Sage Bowman is a Senior Interior Designer at Nantucket Home. For more information, visit Sage at 603 Broadway Street in Chico.

A New Yee, A New YY!

H OW D I D YO U K N OW T H E Y W E R E

The One?

I wasn’t a very good girlfriend when we first met. I was pretty absorbed in school and I kept telling him that school was my priority. He stood by me through years and years of school and being a new nurse, struggling to believe in myself the whole way. He’s always believed in me and stood by me. In October 2017 I finally got hired at Enloe, a dream I’ve been working towards since we first met 5 years ago. He proposed a week later. –Kate Bruno

Hobie and I are college sweethearts. We met in the dorms freshman year at Chico State and we renovated Hobie's first home that following summer. We were not dating yet, just friends. It took that summer/ fall of 2009 for us to become a couple. After some family hardships in 2013, news of cancer and then a loss of a loved one, I knew that Hobie and I would be a team forever. We figured out how to truly comfort one another and work together during this time. Finally in 2016, during a trip to Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas (we love Chip & Jo), Hobie popped the question! We were just married at Gale Vineyards on September 30, 2017 and are starting our new journey together as a married couple and real estate business partners. –Stephanie Jensen My wife told a mutual friend of ours that even though she didn't know me, she was going to marry me one day....and then we were introduced and I am now married for almost 2 years, to Tonya Duran. –Brandon Duran She was a soldier, I was too. No matter, we were young, adventurous, and hungry for life. Our lives were separate but came together as civilians. Love was more powerful than armaments, training, and self discipline. The same concussions and explosions remain the same 35 years later. –Mark Thorp

Upcycled Candlesticks FOR MORE DIY INSPIRED PROJECTS, VISIT A BEAUTIFUL LIFE FURNISHINGS 250 E 1ST ST, CHICO 530.487.7229.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Old candle holders • DIY paint (we used White Swan and Weathered Wood) • Varathane (any water based clear top coat) • Beads (inexpensive Mardi Gras, an old necklace) • Twig wreaths (same diameter as top of your candle holder) • Faux flowers • Paddle wire or hot glue • Scissors DIRECTIONS: Candle holders: I had some ceramic candle holders with colors and style that looked dated. The bead detail looks like finely carved accents when painted. I ran a bead of glue 40

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around the areas where I wanted to affix the beads. I layed the sticks on their sides, work in sections, approx. 1/3rd of the diameter at a time. Use a toothpick if needed. Let the glue dry before doing the next section. Paint two coats of the White Swan or your chosen base color.

Twig and flower rings: Take your twig wreath (found at the craft store) weave in fake flowers to create pleasing look. Cut stems short so that the flowers become the focal point. Here you can use your hot glue gun or wire down the flower heads and greenery to make the ring compact. Assemble: Place the flower and twig ring on top of the candle holder and add a flameless candle. Enjoy!

WRITTEN BY ALISA WOODS PHOTO BY MICHELLE CAMY

Your aging color should be darker than the base color. My Weathered Wood has a greyish tone. Create this distressing wash approx. ratio, 10% of paint to water. Brush it into all the crevasses and letting it drip a bit. Use a rag to wipe back any areas that are too dark. Clear coat all over with any craft top coat or Varathane.

• Glue (Loctite or a construction adhesive)

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Travel to Vienna! The North State Symphony’s third Masterworks concert of the season takes listeners on a tour of Vienna, home to some of history's most beloved classical composers and music. Join Scott Seaton and the orchestra musicians on Saturday, February 24th in Redding’s Cascade Theatre and Sunday, February 25th in Chico’s Laxson Auditorium for a special springtime concert called "Almost Vienna." On this concert, the NSS features Beethoven's 7th Symphony. Beethoven himself premiered this symphony in Vienna and stated at the time that it was one of his best works. You will recognize the hauntingly beautiful second movement, which was so popular at the premiere, that the audience demanded it be played a second time. Will you?

Wise Winter Gardening Tips Having spent most of my life in the Midwest, where snow blankets the ground from November through April, I now cherish my California winter landscape. Without the hustle that my summer garden requires, I can take a slower approach with a more contemplative frame of mind. Many maintenance chores can be completed with ease and careful deliberation during the month of January. When the winter sky illuminates the bare branches of your landscape, it is the perfect time to prune and shape your trees and shrubs. Thoughtful cuts should be made as deciduous plants shed their leaves and the shape and placement of branches are revealed. Trees and shrubs are healthiest when pruned during the dormant season before new growth begins. Prune out branches that are old, rubbing or just seem to be in the wrong place. A good rule of thumb is to remove no more than one-third of the plant. Plants to prune at this time include roses, cane berries, deciduous trees, grapes, and wisteria. Wait until summer to prune chaparral plants like manzanita and ceanothus. Many plants require dividing to stay healthy. This is a good time to dig up daylilies, Shasta daisies, chrysanthemums and other

perennials, and separate them into smaller clumps. After dividing, replant pieces that are—at most—20 to 25 percent of the original clump. Smaller sections grow more vigorously and tend to produce stronger, longer-lasting blooms. This is also an excellent time for planting trees and shrubs. Bare root plants are showing up in local nurseries along with sturdy balled or potted shrubs and trees. The winter rains will soften the soil making digging the planting hole much easier. Take your time selecting your plants and look for healthy, well-rooted specimens with a desirable shape. Wandering through several nurseries lately, I saw tables of vibrant flowers. Choosing and planting a few containers at this time of year can provide you with pops of color to sprinkle around your landscape. Relax, enjoy yourself, and celebrate the joy of living in our Mediterranean climate. Once your chores are done, don’t forget to clean, oil, and sharpen your tools in preparation for spring.

GARDEN ADVICE

VIA

CAROL KOENIG

"Almost Vienna" showcases the winners of the 2017 NSS Young Artist Auditions, who are both performing works by Mozart. Violinist Jet Glover, a high school senior from Humboldt County, will perform a movement from Mozart's 4th Violin Concerto, written when Mozart himself was 19 years old. Soprano Natasha Czajka, originally from Redding and attending the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, will perform an aria from Mozart's "Don Giovanni," one of the most-performed operas in the world. Contemporary American composer William Bolcom's "Commedia for (almost) 18th Century Orchestra" is both a parody of and an homage to the great classical music that came from Austria. In addition to this, the NSS will also feature the overture to the comic opera "Die Zwillingsbruder" (the twin brothers) written by another Austrian, Franz Schubert. Single tickets for this and other spring concerts are on sale at the Cascade Theatre Box Office in Redding (cascadetheatre.org) and the University Box Office in Chico (chicostatetickets.com). Join Scott for a pre-concert talk one hour before each concert, and follow the NSS on Facebook for news about our upcoming John Williams pops concert!

Carol Koenig of Butte County Master Gardeners. 43

INGREDIENTS: • 1/3 cup salted butter • 1/3 cup AP flour • 1.5 oz. dry white wine • 1 tsp. black pepper • 1 lbs. uncooked Italian sausage • 2 large strips of pre-sliced prosciutto (small dice) • 1 medium white onion (small dice) • 1 medium leak (small dice) only using the bottom third of the leak • 2 cups of milk • Sea salt to taste • Optional a vinegar based hot sauce (crystal, etc.)

DIRECTIONS: 1. Put a large saucepan over medium high heat

RECIPE COURTESY OF POP'S WOOD FIRE PIZZA. FOR MORE RECIPE IDEAS, VISIT 2033 FOREST AVE IN CHICO.

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2. Add the diced onion and leaks and stir until they become a bit yellow in color, when they begin to stick to the bottom of the pan deglaze with 1 and a half oz. of white dry wine. 3. Place the sausage and prosciutto into pan and cook until brown 4. Add butter and let melt 5. Add the flour slowly while folding it in with a whisk 6. Lower (medium to low) the heat a let cook for 5–7 minutes or until thick. 7. Pour the milk in and while slowly mixing with the whisk cook until the mixture is to your liking. 8. Finish with a couple pinches of sea salt. Add a drop or two of hot sauce and enjoy! This will be found on our new brunch menu at the beginning of February.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL MEJIA

Pop’s Home Style Gravy

PHOTO BY FRANK REBELO

Lamb Shank & Roasted Root Vegetables FOR THE LAMB: • 4 Lamb Shanks

FOR THE LAMB:

• 1 Bunch Baby Carrots, Peeled and Halved

Preheat Oven to 350. In pot or Dutch oven heat olive oil on medium high until it begins to smoke. Season lamb shanks with salt and fry in oil until browned on all sides. Place on paper towels. Drain oil, add 3 tablespoons of new oil. On medium heat add onions, carrots, celery, garlic and sauté until onion is translucent but not browned. Turn to high and add bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Reduce until wine evaporates. Add beef stock, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves and lamb shanks. Bring to a boil. Cover pot, place in oven on middle rack for 2 hours, remove and cool overnight. Remove fat that has solidified at top of pot and discard. Remove shanks and heat remaining liquid so it can be strained. Strain through fine mesh into a new pot and reduce heat by 50%. Reduce heat to low and add shanks, cover and heat them through.

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES:

• 1 Tablespoon Unsalted Butter

Preheat oven to 400. In large sauté pan heat olive oil and butter until butter melts. Add the vegetables, sauté for 2 minutes. Oven roast in pan for 8 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Place on stove, medium high heat, add vinegar and sauté until the vinegar evaporates (Vinegar may pop in pan). Season to taste.

• 1 Yellow Onion, 2 Carrots, & 3 Ribs Celery All Diced • 6 Cloves Garlic • 2 Quart Beef Stock • 1 Bunch Thyme, 2 Bay Leaves, 12 Peppercorns, & 1 Bunch Rosemary • 1 750ml Bottle Cabernet Sauvignon • Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper, & Water

ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES: • 1 Bunch Radishes & 1 Bunch Baby Tokyo Turnips, Trimmed, Cleaned, and Quartered

• 3 Tablespoons Banyuls Vinegar FOR MORE TASTY DISHES VISIT RED TAVERN BISTRO BAR PATIO, LOCATED AT 1250 ESPLANADE IN CHICO.

TO PLATE:

H OW D I D YO U K N OW T H E Y W E R E

The One? A summer educational program at CSU Chico was where we fell in love. I was a new student in the program introducing myself to 100 students, but my eyes locked with a boy in the audience. From that moment forward we were consumed with love and admiration for one another. As fate would have it, we were both students from the same city. After three years of dating in secret I was finally old enough to make my own decisions. He proposed to me after a scavenger hunt of our memories created on CSU Chico's campus. We eloped three months later. The owner of Schubert's thought I was crazy when I asked her "Can I have tomorrow off? I think I'm going to go get married." We'll be celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary later this month! –Tiffany Smith

Serve over your favorite mashed potato recipe. Place lamb shank on top and, beside, a small pile of vegetables. Ladle sauce over shank and garnish with chopped herbs of choice.

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H OW D I D YO U K N OW T H E Y W E R E

The One?

I had been married twice before and, after my heart was destroyed the last time, I said NO MORE! I moved to an apartment complex in Chico and just decided to find "me". After about a year, a dear friend (who was in my last wedding) was in JC Penny with her daughter and as we stood catching up she asked when I was going to start dating. I answered like "never". She said I should let her introduce me to her friend who is divorced and has two beautiful daughters. I was not enticed at all. The next day I go to work and a coworker asks when am I going to start dating. Ugh, really? She said she has a great guy I should meet. I tell her about the night before and it turned out they were talking about the same guy. So, reluctantly I agree to meet him; he was going to pick me up at my apartment but was running late. He finally called saying he couldn't find my apartment so I walked outside to go find him. When I turned the corner and saw him, he came up to me and gave me the most wonderful hug. Right then I said to myself "this man is either going to be my best friend or husband." It turned out I got both. I fell deeply in love with him and we got married in August 2009. We are more in love every single day. I am so blessed! Thank you Tina and Carissa! –Cyndie Holderbein I met my husband on AOL in the New Members Lounge 24 years ago. This was still dial-up before the internet. I told him everything because I never thought I’d meet him, let alone that he even existed. We decided to meet in person within a few weeks. He flew to my hometown in Kalamazoo, Michigan. We fell in love and scheduled a few more trips together. We were engaged within two months and married within seven. It seems odd now to even tell this story because we’ve been together for so long now. He’s my soulmate. –Keeni Crandall Seko

I had my first cryfest in front of him and it didn't scare him away. He just held me and told me it was all okay. That's when I knew I found my person. –Sarah Jentler Chris is from California and I was born in the Czech republic. The distance between us was almost 5500 miles. We first discovered each other on our Instagram profiles. After a while, we started liking each other’s photos and chatting and then couldn’t stop video-chatting every single day. SIx months later we decided to meet in person. Chris flew ALL the way to Europe, and our first date was in London! We visited Harry Potter Warner Bros studios, the Shard, took the train to Cardiff and Wales and continued exploring wonderful stuff together. On December 2015, I flew to California to enjoy the holidays with Chris and, after arrival, we spent two days in Disneyland. On the second day, after we saw absolutely beautiful fireworks, Chris took me to a part of Disneyland called “It’s a Small World.” This is where he proposed and I jumped with joy! After 10 months apart waiting for my Fiancé Visa, I was able to come to United States and we got married on the 2nd November 2016! –Anna Necrania Hutton It wasn’t her laugh, but oh how her laugh filled every ounce of my heart with joy. It wasn’t her smile, yet one glance of it, just one, made my heart beat faster. It wasn’t her kiss, the sweetest and softest touch, I’ve ever know. It wasn’t anything you could see, or hold, or touch, it was much more than that. It was the first time I was with her and felt my soul breathe deeply, as if to say, grab a place in front of the fire—she is your home. And, she is. I love you Melinda Lee. Your laugh, your smile, your kiss were just my compass Home. –Alexa Benson-Valavanis 47

Sweet Chico! If you are someone who enjoys sweets, there’s no doubt you’ll appreciate all that Chico’s dessert scene has to offer. While plenty of dishes stand out, in this feature we are showcasing our favorite local desserts, whether they are found at farmer’s markets, along the Esplanade or in downtown Chico. So treat your palate on a tour of Chico’s sweetest secrets. Keep reading and prepare to feel your mouth water!

Lemon Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust Broadway Heights: 300 Broadway, Chico | 530. 899.8075 It is no surprise that this light citrus cheesecake is a consistent bestseller on the dessert menu at Broadway Heights. Made with fresh-picked Meyer lemons, this Italian-style cheesecake is light and creamy with subtle hints of lemon and ginger. The dessert is topped with a tart, homemade lemon curd that perfectly complements the sweetness of the gingersnap crust. Chef and Server Dawn, who began creating desserts for the restaurant 10 years ago, recalls finding springform pans in her kitchen one day and deciding to try her hand at making cheesecakes. “That was probably a thousand cheesecakes ago,” Dawn says, laughing. Though she has since created every flavor of cheesecake she can imagine, Dawn’s lemon cheesecake continues to steal the show. She urges, “Fans of lemon should definitely give this cheesecake a try!”

Assorted Shortbread Cookies Short N’ Sweet Bakery: 530.395.2253 Who knew the classic shortbread cookie could get any better? Baker Tashia created these adorable bite-sized sandwich cookies that play off a shortbread cookie base, infusing the heart-shaped cookies and fillings with different flavor combinations, including apple pie, lemon raspberry, piña colada, PB&J, and lemon lavender. “They’re flavors people know, but you wouldn’t necessarily think of them as being in a cookie,” says Tashia. The mudslide, a bestseller that imitates the popular caffeinated cocktail, features an Irish cream filling sandwiched between a pair of soft coffee-flavored cookies, all dipped in milk chocolate. Tashia’s personal favorite, the almond roca, is both delicious and eye-catching, pairing caramel-almond filling with toffeeswirled shortbread cookies drizzled with melted chocolate and topped with crushed almonds. With eight different options available, you’re guaranteed to find a flavor you love!

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Lemon Cheesecake Japanese Blossoms: 2995 Esplanade #104, Chico | 530.891.9022 This fresh, tangy twist on the traditional New-York-style cheesecake is a seasonal favorite at Japanese Blossoms. The rich lemon cheesecake is baked atop a spicy, gluten-free gingersnap crust and topped with a generous splash of local Meyer lemon sauce. Always trying to work with locally sourced ingredients, Owner and Chef Jeramie creates seasonal variations of his cheesecake, shaking it up with fresh local berries or a sweet cookie crust. When asked for the inspiration behind his lemon cheesecake, Jeramie explains that he created the dish after one of his customers gave him a large supply of Meyer lemons. He says, “When something like that happens, you know, what’s the old saying? If life gives you lemons, make cheesecake.” Seems like a good philosophy to live by!

Double Chocolate Bread Pudding Rawbar: 346 Broadway Street, Chico | 530.897.0626 Step into Raw Bar and indulge in this comforting dish that proves to be big, bold, and rich enough that the whole table will want to share. Served warm with a scoop of house-made vanilla bean ice cream, this delicious dessert is perfect for both cold and hot weather. In the pudding itself, French bread and conchas, a Mexican sweet bread, lend themselves to a hearty taste with cinnamon undertones. Featuring bittersweet chocolate, milk chocolate and high-grade cocoa powder, the pudding is soaked in chocolate anglaise, a creamy custard sauce that Darren, the owner and chef, compares to melted ice cream. “I went as rich as I could with chocolate,” he explains. “I wanted it to be something that would satisfy you.” With a background in bread baking, a culinary degree and over thirty years of experience as a chef, Darren has created a dessert that truly showcases his talent.

French Macarons, Cake Pops, and Mini Donuts Cinful Desserts: 752 East Avenue, Chico | 530.354.0848 Desserts just do not get any trendier than this assortment of unicorn pops, French macarons, and miniature donuts from Cinful Desserts. The whimsical cake pops, featuring lemon and strawberry cake dipped in white chocolate, are decorated with frosting and fondant to look just like little unicorns. The same goes for the unicorn macarons, which pack a chocolate peanut butter truffle filling, a mint chip filling or a fresh burst of lemon and raspberry flavor between gluten-free macaron cookies. Finally, the mini donuts are a cake donuts baked with funfetti sprinkles inside and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Owner Cindy, who opened Cinful Desserts four years ago, remarks that these bite-sized treats are popular options for birthdays and wedding dessert bars. “Mini desserts right now are all the rage and unicorns are so popular. Everything is unicorns and rainbows,” she laughs. Whether you are ordering a custom cake or browsing the latest in dessert hypes, Cinful Desserts offers plenty of tempting options! 49

Passionfruit Crème Brûlée Crush: 201 Broadway Street #200, Chico | 530.342.7000 For a new-edge spin on the traditional French dish, try Crush’s passionfruit crème brûlée. Created by Chef Antonio and Executive Chef Jason, the creamy egg custard features a swirl of passionfruit purée that adds a slight tartness to the otherwise sweet dessert. “We find that there’s a lot of traditional dishes like the crème brûlée that people want to see on the menu,” Antonio says. “But we always want to do something new. Normally it’s just a sweet egg custard with caramelized sugar on top. We did this one a little bit different.” The dish is different indeed, with an unexpected but exciting combination of flavors that pairs well with the custard’s smooth texture. Antonio suggests asking Tom, the restaurant manager, for wine recommendations that complement the fruity dessert. “We have a great selection of dessert wines…. You can tell him what you like. He can recommend something perfect.”

Assorted Cupcakes Lovely Layers Cakery: 131 Meyers Street, Chico | 530.828.9931 Friday’s cupcake menu at Lovely Layers Cakery is not to be missed! Choose from strawberry swirl, lemon supreme, coconut cream, chocolate mint, chocolate orange or one of the bakery’s popular booze-y cupcakes, including maple bourbon and trail of darkness. The maple bourbon cupcake is soaked with bourbon whiskey, filled with caramel, and finished with pecans and maple extracts, creating a perfect wintertime taste. Owner and Baker Emily’s newest creation, the trail of darkness, features porter beer from Secret Trail Brewing Company located across the street from Lovely Layers. Emily explains that she took leftover cupcakes to the people at Secret Trail while they were building the brewery. Once the brewery opened, they sent over a thank-you growler. “I just got kind of inspired by the porter,” Emily explains. “It was so good!” In addition to her alcohol-drink-inspired cupcakes, Emily offers glutenfree and vegan options, so even those with special dietary needs can indulge!

Two Twenty Strawberry Two Twenty Restaurant | 220 W 4th Street, Chico | 530.895.1515 You have not experienced strawberry shortcake until you have tried Chef Juan’s take on the traditional dessert. The Two Twenty Strawberry layers slices of light cake with fresh strawberries and dollops of cream whipped with Madagascar bourbon and vanilla bean paste. The dish is beautifully plated with a syrup design made from macerated strawberries and a minute amount of sugar. “It’s not your traditional shortcake,” Juan says. “It’s a little more fluffy as opposed to pound cake or angel food cake. So it’s a little more buttery, a little more savory. Trying to balance all the sweetness and the tartness of the strawberries, so it’s not too over the top, not too rich—just the perfect balance of everything.” Since returning to Two Twenty seven months ago, Juan has revamped the menu to keep the dishes basic, simple, and pure. If this strawberry shortcake is any indication, we’d say his efforts have been a success.

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Apple Pecan Cake w/ Crème Anglaise Red Tavern: 1250 Esplanade, Chico | 530.894.3463 While this light cake with a cinnamon undertone is inspired by the fall season, its comforting flavors make it the perfect choice for any time of year. Chef Caleb whips local pecans and honeycrisp apples into the dairy-free batter. The resulting cake is light and not too sweet, served on a plate of crème anglaise. “Crème anglaise is very rich and makes it more of a dessert,” Caleb says. “It could be almost a muffin without the anglaise.” Between the indulgent crème anglaise and the sweet whipped cream or vanilla ice cream served alongside it, this truly scrumptious dish definitely falls into the dessert category. After first attending culinary school then working as a chef in San Francisco for 15 years, Caleb, who grew up in Paradise, returned to the area to work at Red Tavern, where he has been for almost a year. Welcome back, Caleb!

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries Shubert’s Ice Cream and Candy: 178 E 7th Street, Chico | 530.342.7163

Lemon with Lemon Curd Cheesecake The Joker’s Bakery: 917.885.8014 The newest addition to the 21-flavor cheesecake menu at The Joker’s Bakery is lemon with lemon curd cheesecake. The baker incorporates fresh lemon curd made from local Meyer lemons into the middle and top of the cake. Topped with whipped cream rosettes and lemon zest, it is lighter and creamier than your typical New-York-style cheesecake. The graham crust, which Owner Ryan describes as not too dense or thick, offers a nice complement to the texture of the cheesecake. The popular flavor began as a Joker’s Wild custom order, a unique menu offering that allows customers to order any flavor of their choosing. “I can make whatever you want,” Baker and Owner John says. He and Ryan started the bakery in Chico in April 2016, selling online, at events, and at farmer’s markets. “Our goal is to eventually have a storefront,” says Ryan. For the sake of all Chico cheesecake lovers, we hope this will soon be the case!

WRITTEN BY EMILY HUSO PHOTOS BY FRANK REBELO, MICHELLE CAMY, & MICHAEL MEJIA

For a perfect mix of sweet chocolate flavor and tart strawberry freshness, order an assortment of Schubert's locally sourced strawberries covered in milk, dark or white chocolate. Kasey, a fourth-generation owner of Schubert's along with her brother, brought chocolate-covered strawberries to the business when she realized she had to keep sending customers to other stores when they asked about them. She thought, “Well, this is stupid. I’m a chocolate company. Why am I not doing chocolate-covered strawberries?” Using only the absolute ripest and best fruit, Kasey hand-dips each individual strawberry taking care to coat them almost to the top of the green for maximum chocolate. “I figure the reason you’re buying a chocolate-covered strawberry is because you want chocolate,” Kasey says. The strawberries are decorated, sorted and packed into hot pink boxes. Each box includes at least one tuxedo strawberry, a custom design that adds a fancy touch to the overall presentation.

Power Couples!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, we thought it fitting to recognize a handful of our favorite couples. We consider them our power couples not because of what they've accomplished in business or life, but because each couple agrees that they derive their success from

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the love and support they give to one another. Although we know there are countless others like them in our community, we are blessed to see these individuals' admiration for each other on display most often. To every other couple out there that puts as much stock in love and support as these couples do, we wish we could feature you too. Happy Valentine's Day!

Berton and Carol Bertagna were both born in Enloe Hospital and grew up in the Chico area, yet the two met for the first time in San Luis Obispo during a Future Farmers of America (FFA) state convention. Berton came from a farming family and worked on the family farm since childhood, helping to grow and harvest almonds, walnuts, and row crops. Carol spent summers on her grandparents’ farm in Mexico and fell in love with agriculture at an early age. When they finally ran into each other at the FFA convention, it was love at first sight, and the two were inseparable for the rest of the convention. The two both recount an incredible trip, however when it came time to head back to Chico, Carol notified Berton that she didn’t think he was as serious about the two being together as he said he was. Berton secretly tucked his number into her FFA jacket pocket anyway, hoping for the best. When she picked up her jacket from the drycleaners a few weeks later, Berton’s number was pinned to the lapel of her jacket. She saw it as a sign and the two began dating in 1989. Berton was ready to get married right out of high school, but Carol remained nervous. She didn’t believe it would work out so she broke off their relationship and the two went their separate ways. Carol graduated high school in Hamilton City and went on to study agricultural sciences at Chico State; Berton decided to go abroad, working in Honduras among other locations. Being the small town that Chico is, Carol continually ran into Berton’s friends and family who filled her in on his travels. Five years passed and their mutual friends decided to get married. The bachelor and bachelorette parties convened at the Crazy Horse and the two reconnected once again. They caught up on each other’s lives and felt like time had stood still since they separated; Berton asked Carol to marry him a few weeks later. No longer believing that Berton was insincere about his feelings, Carol said yes, and they were married 8 months later. Ready to live their lives together, they sold everything they had, bought a VW bus, and traveled 6,000 miles to Cozumel, Mexico with Berton’s brother, Jason. Together, they opened a scuba shop and lived the island life for nearly a year. Berton and Carol both missed Chico, so they sold everything to Jason and flew back home. Six months later they found Carol was four months pregnant. They had

OW NERS OF ALM ENDRA WINERY & DISTILLERY AND B ERTAGNA SON K ISSED VI N E YA R D S

Berton & Carol Bertagna their first son, Barron, and their second son, Colton, followed 12 months later. Excited to get back into farming, Berton and Carol planted grapes in 2000. As lovers of wine, they began making their own using the grapes they had planted, and encouragement poured in from friends and family alike. Carol suggested they open a winery and the two agreed that if she handled the legal paperwork, he would do the rest. They opened Bertagna Son Kissed Vineyards in 2006. The venture proved to be a fruitful one. They continued to expand, eventually purchasing Long Creek Winery in 2011, and began looking for a location to open a distillery. They came upon the old Holiday Market building at 9275 Midway in Durham and found that not only could they open a distillery there, but expand their winemaking business as well. They opened the doors to Almendra Winery in January 2016. Now, celebrating its second anniversary, Almendra has grown into a full bar and restaurant, and the two maintain that there is not a chance they could have done it without each other. Berton said, “I know how much

she loves me and that I’m important to her; she’s someone I trust completely. She’s able to balance raising our kids and running the business, which has given me peace of mind and allowed me to do what I do so much better than I would have been able to without her.” Carol continued, “Berton is the best husband and an incredible father to our sons. In 21 years of marriage, he’s always prioritized me over everything else. We make time for each other, starting with coffee in the morning and a cocktail at night. We prioritize each other; that’s given our boys another reason to respect both of us as parents. We’ve shared great communication because of that commitment always to make time for each other.” When asked for their advice on leading a supportive and loving marriage, they both agree, “Focus on each other as much as you can. Make time for each other, and agree to disagree when things aren’t perfect. We’ll debate things to the end, but we love each other and don’t take things personally. We know when to drop it, be done, and move on.” We are excited about wherever these two decide to move on to next. It too will no doubt be kissed by the sun.

salon around the corner from the pizzeria, and Celestino knew that the two would hit it off. As he expected, the two began dating soon after that first haircut.

OWNER/HEAD C HEF AT C RUSH | OWNER AT PLATINU M SALON

Jason & Abby Colabove

A Pennsylvania native, Jason moved to Chico in 2000, after completing his four year contract with the Navy. Well aware of the city’s party town image, he figured he could bring his restaurant experience to Chico and enjoy some downtime after serving in the military. He began working at Brooklyn Bridge Bagel Works before finding his way to a head chef position at the Black Crow Restaurant. The two had been together for four months when Abby had the opportunity to open her own Salon. As Abby puts it, “Jason was the force behind everything. He pushed me to do it, and helped with each part of the process from planning to building.” With Jason’s help, she opened Platinum Salon in 2006. The following year, Jason was invited to partner on a new restaurant in Downtown Chico. He accepted and poured his savings into developing the restaurant with his partners. “I couldn’t have done it without Abby,” Jason said, “She literally paid for everything at home and encouraged me non-stop in making the move. She was the responsible young adult who saved her money and I was the broke cook taking all the risks.” With Abby’s help, Jason and his partners opened Crush Italian Restaurant and Lounge in 2007. Together for eight years, the two were married in 2014 and gave birth to their daughter Kenley in 2015. Looking back at the past decade, the two have sacrificed more than their fair share to be where they are today. “We’ve never had a Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, New Year’s Eve, or any other holiday together since we started dating. She’s stuck with me through 3 restaurant openings and supported me regardless of what the hours or schedule was like,” said Jason. Abby continued, “He works nights; I work days. We’ve sacrificed a lot, but we’ve never stopped supporting each other.” In 2017, the couple built their first home together, remodeled Platinum Salon in Chico, and began working on the plans for Crush’s new patio and bathroom remodel which 54

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begins this year. To top it off, they did it all while raising a two year old together. When asked for advice on how to make a relationship work, they replied, “Have similar interests but separate hobbies. Work hard and be

supportive; put the extra hours in and always go the extra mile for each other. Always make time for each other, wherever you can find it, and above all love each other more than anyone else."

WRITTEN AND PHOTOS BY STEVE K.

Abby met Jason in 2006 when their mutual friend Celestino Giancarelli, of Celestino’s Pizza, brought him in for a haircut at Danielle Taylor Salon. Originally from Chico, Abby had been working as a stylist for three years at the

Geoff and Lori met in October of 1991 while Lori was celebrating her 29th birthday with friends at Joe’s Cafe, a bar in downtown Santa Barbara. Geoff was enjoying a drink by himself at the bar and could not help but notice Lori when she walked through the door. She sat down with her friends and he continued to notice her, so much so that one of her friends finally asked her to get up and do something about the guy staring at her from the bar. She walked over, said hi, and as they both are quick to state, “It was love at first sight.” The two continued her birthday celebration with a night of dancing, and they’ve been together ever since.

At the time, Geoff was attending culinary school in Santa Barbara and working in-house for actor, Michael Douglas. Lori was living 120 miles away in Long Beach, but the distance didn’t keep them apart. When they weren’t sharing conversations over the phone, they were driving to visit each other nearly every weekend at one of each other’s homes or meeting up halfway for a weekend getaway in Malibu. As they recall, they simply couldn’t get enough of one another. When a headhunter called Lori about a sales position in contract furniture near Geoff, she jumped at the opportunity and moved from Long Beach in 1992.

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Geoff & Lori Akers

Over the years, Geoff and Lori made their way around the northwestern United States. Geoff landed a job at Beverly’s, a top-billed restaurant in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and later took his talents to Portland, Oregon. Lori supported him throughout his search for the perfect job and, as he recalls, “She kept us afloat financially while I made my career changes. I couldn’t have done what I did without her.” Lori gave birth to their daughters, Lily and Georgia, while they lived in Portland, and the new family dynamic made Geoff and Lori both want to be closer to family. Lori’s family lived in Chico and, each time they visited, her family would attempt to enchant them with trips to the local farmers markets, strolls through Bidwell Park, and reminders of the small town living that makes Chico so special. The efforts finally paid off and the two decided to make one final move for their family in 1999. Now, firmly rooted in Chico, Geoff and Lori can not imagine having it any other way. Lori became a licensed realtor in 2006 and eventually earned her license as a broker. Geoff opened Sol Mexican Grill, which has now consistently made a name for itself on a number of best-of-Chico lists. When asked how the two support each other, Geoff responded, “Lori has always been there to help me work through things. She helps in so many facets of the restaurant business and is always there if we’re shorthanded. She designed the interior of the restaurant, works on our marketing, and keeps an eye on the business operations. I couldn’t do what I do without her.” Lori continued, “Geoff has been my sounding board for as long as I can remember. He listens while I talk through things and waits to give his opinion until I’m done working through ideas out loud. He takes every single one of my calls; sometimes he even calls me to check in and make sure everything is alright if I haven’t called for a few hours. I’m the manic one, and he’s the cheerful calm that keeps everything balanced. Where my business is concerned, he helps me stage homes, assists with repairs, and is my go-to whenever physical work is needed.” Asked about how they’ve stayed so close over the last 26 years, they both agree, “We’re still saps for each other. We always laugh with each other and can laugh at each other too. We’re best friends and we try to keep things youthful and fun. That lighthearted nature has kept us feeling young and in love all these years.”

OW N ERS O F AL M EN DRA W I NE RY & DI STI LLE RY AND BE RTAGNA SON K ISSED VINEYARDS

Ben & Mary Jane Bertagna

The two eventually found their way to Chico High. As Pleasant Valley hadn’t been built, there weren’t many options to keep the two separated. It took Ben until his junior year to muster up the courage to finally ask Mary Jane out, and after nine years of adoration, she said yes. The two went to the Future Farmers of America (FFA) hayride together, he swooped in for a kiss, and the rest is history. Some would say that their romance was a matter of fate. Ben’s grandmother had passed away a week before the hayride, and Mary Jane’s mother read her obituary in the paper noticing that she was from Wallace, Texas. It turned out that Mary Jane’s grandfather was also from Wallace, Texas. She recognized a number of familiar old names, consulted with her family, and found that Mary Jane’s grandfather was a close friend of Ben’s grandmother. In fact, he drove Ben’s grandmother to Chico in her Model-T from Texas before he hitched a ride back. As Mary Jane says, “I didn’t stand a chance. We would have disappointed so many people if we hadn’t been together.” They were engaged at 18 and married at St. John’s on April 27th, 1968. The newlyweds waited five years before having children. Ben and Mary Jane wanted to graduate from college and Ben was finishing up his stint in the military. They traveled to New Zealand and a number of other exotic locales together, trying to take in all that they could before settling down and starting a family. Eventually, they moved back to Chico and managed an apartment complex together, but quickly left when Mary Jane realized it was full of divorceés who all strangely needed Ben’s help with repairs. They moved into his grandfather’s 700 square foot ranch house and, over the next few years, had three children, Berton, Maisie Jane, and Jason.

Ben and Mary Jane Bertagna share the kind of love story that movies are made from. Born and raised in Chico, Ben is a third generation Chicoan. His grandfather, Natali, immigrated to the United States from Italy through Ellis Island in 1917. He immediately moved to Chico, bought 25 acres, and decided to be a farmer. Mary Jane was born in Mount Shasta and moved to Chico in the third grade. The two attended Sunday school at St. John the 56

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Baptist’s Catholic Church together; she was the new girl in class and Ben couldn’t take his eyes off her. It wasn’t until junior high that the two finally had a class together, but her parents quickly transferred her to Notre Dame. Ben likes to believe he had something to do with that. Regardless of the separation, when they attended the same mass Ben’s highlight would be seeing Mary Jane.

When Jason arrived, they knew it was time to find a home that would better fit their growing family. Ben began searching and drove by the family orchards one day to find a for sale sign on the property directly across from theirs. He inquired about the price, signed the papers, and went into escrow that same evening. The property had a 1400 square foot home, a beautiful barn, and a large yard; it was the perfect place to raise a family. They grew fruit and vegetables, raised animals, and ate off the land. Their last child, Mary Carmen, was also born there.

Eventually, the 80s rolled around and the farming industry tanked. Interest rates were at 17% and the couple wasn’t able to make their house payments to keep a roof over their heads. They heard about an audition where Burger King was looking for wholesome families for their new advertising campaign. They attended the audition hoping they could make some money to get by and were selected as finalists. They took a number of photos and went to the afterparty BBQ. While socializing with the other finalists, Ben and Mary Jane shared a kiss and Burger King’s photographer caught it on film. The photo would go on to be used in Burger King’s national ad campaign, compensating the couple $42,000 in royalties. The kiss saved the house and the family, making it possible for them to pay their house payments for three of the worst years in farming history. Life only got better from there.

“Mary Jane has been my best friend. She’s been so supportive in everything that I’ve done; we have honestly done everything together. She’s been my best friend as long as I can remember and we’ve supported and shared our philosophies. We’ve worked together, and we’ve never done guy or girl trips; we’ve done it all together.” After the kids moved out, they started taking trips by themselves. Prior to that, each and every trip was a family experience where everyone attended. In keeping with that philosophy, they will be celebrating their 50th anniversary a few months later in Mexico with all 21 members of the family, not because they have to, but because it’s what has always been important to them.

When asked for advice to other couples looking to share 50 years of love and friendship, they both agree, “Be each other’s best friend and communicate constantly. When you have kids, you move apart to make room for them in between. When the kids are gone, you come back and rediscover each other. Take time for yourselves and find time wherever you can in hectic schedules. We had a lot of nooners and took the time to hire a babysitter on occasion to have dinner like we were kids again. We live in heaven, and believe it’s important to find your own. Love your family, love your surroundings, and most importantly, love each other.“ It certainly appears that this love story is far from seeing the closing credits.

Ben and Mary Jane will be turning 70 and will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on April 27th. Their kids have had children of their own, and all 12 grandkids live within 2 miles of the ranch house where their parents grew up. The grandkids show up on bicycles, motorcycles, horses, trucks, or on foot. Ben farms his land with his kids and can’t see himself giving it up anytime soon. “Every day is different,” Ben says, “We wake up in the morning and Mary Jane will say, ‘what are we going to do today,’ and I say who knows! It’s always different.” Mary Jane continues, “Every year is hectic and crazy, but we love every minute of it, there’s so much for us to be thankful for.” She assures things stay busy for her, too, by supporting all her children and grandchildren and also working with her daughter Maisie Jane. When asked how they’ve supported each other over the years, Mary Jane is quick to answer, “Ben has supported me in everything throughout the years. He didn’t just go to work and come home to sit in his chair. He helped the kids with homework, did the dishes, and gave them baths after. I’m so grateful that I didn’t have to work. You give everything you have when you’re a mother to four children; I can’t imagine what it would have been like to try and work outside on top of it. His hard work allowed me not to have to work. We didn’t get to have lavish trips, but we got to go camping and have meaningful family experiences together. I love being a mother and fostering that innate need for love that we all have as human beings. You can’t get that anywhere but from family.” Ben continued, 57

Michelle met Gentry in 1990, over spaghetti at a dinner party in Chico hosted by mutual friends. A Chico native, Michelle was studying at Chico State, and Gentry had moved up from Auburn to do the same. The two began dating and were married three years later at Bidwell Presbyterian Church, shortly after graduating from Chico State. They moved to San Francisco and began working retail; Michelle took a position at Gap Kids, and Gentry began working at The Emporium on Market Street, one of San Francisco’s premier department store destinations at the time. Easily predicted by anyone who knew the hard-working couple, the two quickly moved up the ranks at each of their respective businesses, quickly making a name for themselves in the world of retail. Michelle eventually earned one of the most coveted district manager positions for Pottery Barn, overseeing the entire San Francisco and Los Angeles markets, while Gentry became

a director for Banana Republic, earning a position on their presidential council. While on vacation a few years later, the two began discussing their lives. Their twin boys were nine at the time and Michelle and Gentry were constantly on the road; Gentry was traveling between San Francisco and New York, and Michelle was between San Francisco and Los Angeles. They decided there had to be more to life than building their careers, and both wanted to spend more time with their family and within their community. With very strong career trajectories, they sold their home, quit their jobs, and decided to move back to the city where they fell in love. Excited for the opportunity to work together, Michelle and Gentry began searching for the perfect business that would allow both of their strengths to shine. Bidwell Perk, a cafe on the corner of East 1st and Mangrove avenues in Chico, was for sale and seemed

OW N ER O F B I DW EL L PE RK | DI RE CTO R O F CUSTO ME R E XPERIENC E FOR SIERRA NEVADA

Michelle & Gentry Power

like an excellent match for their abilities. The combination of retail, customer service, and coffee—something they had grown to love after years of early mornings in corporate America—felt like the perfect way to return to Chico and reconnect with the community. They purchased the business and set out to make it their own. After four years, Bidwell Perk was dialed in and the two were looking for their next big venture. An opportunity opened for a gift shop manager at Sierra Nevada and Gentry felt the position would be the perfect way to leverage his 20 years of retail leadership in a new industry. He applied for the job and got it. Through hard work and commitment to the brewery, Gentry eventually took on the title of director of customer experience for Sierra Nevada. When asked how the two have supported each other over the years, Gentry replied, “We stay active and involved in each other’s lives, and adventure is an important part of our lives together. We both have different strengths and our talents balance nicely. Michelle is an extrovert; she’s always pushing me to get out and engage in everything, when I normally wouldn’t. As an introvert, I’m making sure that she takes some time for herself to relax. She’s the dreamer, and I get to take time to build adventures where we can learn and grow together.” Michelle continued, “Gentry is operational and creative; as he said, we’ve always had a great synergy in balancing each other. We both share a love for each other, our family, and our community, and that shared love has bonded us together all these years. The café has given us a place to create our own tightly knit community and share our appreciation for Chico as a whole with others. We try to show that love together through our involvement in the community.” Between family, their occupations, and community involvement, the two certainly have their hands full. Michelle is the incoming Alumni Council president for the entire CSU system and has served on the Chico State Alumni Board for the past 8 years. Through the position, she will represent Chico and Chico State at the state level. Gentry is an active member of Chico Noon Rotary and is on the executive committee for the Chico Chamber of Commerce. It seems clear that because of their shared love for each other, their family and this community; that all three will continue to reap wonderful benefits.

SUNDAY IRIS Sunday Iris is a singer/songwriter duo comprised of local artists Lisa Valentine and Dave Elke. Texas-born but Californians at heart, both artists share a passion for songwriting. During our chat at the Upgraded Living office, the duo spoke with enthusiasm about their work together and their chemistry became apparent. The pair began collaborating five years ago performing in a larger soul band and recording Valentine’s solo albums, which Elke produced. Their collaborative process varies with each song, sometimes with lyrics, other times with a guitar riff or vocal melody. However 60

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It becomes easy to understand that Valentine prefers the rawness, the energy and the constant evolution of live performance. Elke, who does all the production for the duo, understandably enjoys the recording process. “Mixing and recording are like my video games,” he says, laughing. With his confident voice and easy manner, Elke, who teaches recording arts and music at Butte College says you only know a song is done when it produces a certain emotional response. “Finding that emotional finish line is a strange, intuitive thing,” he notes. “You can’t teach it. You have to just know when it’s there.” In the future, Sunday Iris plans to continue to write, perform, and give to the community. They just released their latest single, “Hold On,” and fans can expect more new music soon. New music that will no doubt be lightning in a bottle.

differently their songwriting process might begin, it always ends the same. “Bridges are always the last thing we write,” Elke says. In their eponymous album as well as their recently released EP, Cross the Line, the duo shares their eclectic blend of Indie acoustic, folk, Americana and bluesy sounds, artfully weaving Valentine’s soulful vocals with Elke’s gentle guitar accompaniment and vocal harmony. Songwriting provides Valentine with an artistic way of responding to personal life experiences. In her low, measured speaking

SUNDAY IRIS AND CROSS THE LINE ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON ITUNES OR AT LIVE SHOWS. FOR SHOW DATES, VISIT SUNDAYIRIS.COM.

WRITTEN BY EMILY HUSO PHOTOS BY MICHAEL MEJIA

voice, she observes, “I just feel when things happen in life, your inner poet just wants to create something.” Having a personal connection to the lyrics makes it easier for Valentine to vocally convey emotion, whether she’s performing live or in the studio. To get into the right headspace for a performance, she recalls the emotions she felt when she wrote the song: “I try to just go back in the moment, and ask myself, ‘What did I write this song about? What was I feeling?’” On this emotional quality they strive for in their music, Elke says, “That’s the trick, right? The lightning in a bottle. Trying to capture emotions in a recording: That’s the whole purpose. That’s why it doesn’t matter if it’s perfect—a perfect recording. It has to be a good emotion, a good vibe. That’s all that matters, really.”

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 2

FEBRUARY 14

FEBRUARY 19

GROUNDHOG DAY

VALENTINE’S DAY

PRESIDENT’S DAY

FEBRUARY 4 Guitar Festival 7 p.m. Laxson Auditorium Cost: $10-$40 Info: csuchico.edu Easy Does It Sunday Ride 1:00–2:30 p.m. Hooker Oak Park, Chico Free

FEBRUARY 5 Chico State university President's Lecture Series: Author Mary Roach 7:30 p.m. Laxson Auditorium, Chico Cost: $10–$25 Info: csuchico.edu

Dark Star Orchestra 7:00 p.m. Paradise Performing Arts Center Cost: $30 Info: chicotickets.com

FEBRUARY 17 BHS Mardi Paws Pup Crawl 2018 1:00–5:00 p.m. Downtown, Chico Info: buttehumane.org/pupcrawl Thrift Store Dinner 6:00–10:00 p.m. ARC Pavilion, Chico Cost & Info: Tickets sold in pairs.

FEBRUARY 25 Almost Vienna 2:00 p.m. Laxson Auditorium Cost & Info: 530.898.6333

FEBRUARY 27 Dublin Irish Dance 7:30 p.m. Laxson Auditorium Cost: $10–$42 Info: csuchico.edu

FEBRUARY 9 Sleeping Beauty: Moscow Festival Ballet 7:30 p.m. Laxson Auditorium Cost: $10–$45 Info: csuchico.edu

FEBRUARY 10 9th Annual Valentine's Gala 5:30–10:00 p.m. Boys & Girls Club of the North Valley, Chico Cost & Info: bgcnv.org Art From the Heart 6:00–9:00 p.m. The Museum of Northern California Art, Chico Info: tinyurl.com/MONCA-art-from-heart

FEBRUARY 13 Cirque Eloize: Saloon 7:30 p.m. Laxson Auditorium Cost: $10-$48 Info: csuchico.edu 62

U P G R A D E D L I V I N G M AG A Z I N E F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 8

#LIVINGINCHICO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK F O R O U R M O N T H LY P H O T O CONTEST AND PRIZES!

FEBRUARY WINNER: STEPHANIE JENSEN

PHOTO BY MICHAEL MEJIA

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A poem by our Editor-in-Chief, Kevin Dolan, about the town of Chico formatted and based off of Carl Sanburg's 1944 poem: Chicago.

Chico Beer brewer for the world, Park addicts, Teachers for all, Shaker of nuts and the Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hidden crown jewel; Bursting, partying, praying, City of more than trees.

They tell me you are festive and I believe them, for I have witnessed the joy of young and old alike from sweet treats, brights lights and dressed up windows. And they tell me you are purple and I answer: Yes, it is true I have seen the votes swing and go free to swing again. And they tell me you are welcoming and my reply is: On the faces of coeds and visitors I have seen the glow of willing adoption. And having answered so I turn once more to those who jeer at this my city, and I give them back the jeer and say to them: Come and show me another city with gifted space humming so content to be quaint and eclectic and town and gown. Singing infectious verses amid the glow of remodel on remodel, here is a sharp focused lens with a keen eye honoring legacy and heritage.

Modern as a hybrid silently moving forward, charming as a worn dirt path leading to a lazy stream, Fair minded, Educating, Planning, Demoing, Harvesting, plowing, reharvesting, Under the canopy of Fall, brilliant leaves on fire, giggling with one another, Under the boiling hot Summer sun, giggling as only locals in the shade can giggle, Giggling even as the hiker giggles who has seen that sunset from that face, Boasting and giggling that under its wrist is the pulse, and under its ribs is the heart of the residents, Giggling! Giggling the content, innocent, garrulous giggling of Youth, nostalgic, wide-eyed, proud to be Beer brewer for the world, Park addicts, teachers for all, shaker of nuts and the Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hidden crown jewel. Kevin Dolan, 2018