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FROM THE EDITOR I am on social media. I have an Instagram, Facebook, and follow people on Snapchat, but rarely participate. Our current societal world challenges me as I scroll through the never ending posts, stories, and whatnot. I am fascinated by the term—Influencer. On the internet, influencers come in all shapes and sizes, knowledge, and novelty. Glennon Doyle may be the consummate example due to her nature as both a maven and doyen. It is enjoyable to read Brene Brown as she advises us in these scary times to “choose awkward, brave, and kind. Choose each other.” In recent weeks, through her videos, pictures and written posts, I believe we have a local influencer—Emily Hartmann. Emily Hartmann MD, self proclaimed entrepreneur, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, owner and visionary, with a delightfully holistic approach to her work and her life. I came across her post titled ‘5 tricks to detoxify your mind and body.’ In our world of heavy and difficult ways to live in isolation, her post was a breath of fresh air filled with freshly baked cookies. I asked her permission to publish the piece in this issue. She agreed, don’t miss it. This month marks our 7th Annual Pet issue. Or, actually our 6th because you don’t count year one, marking year two as the 1st annual. Whatever, could be the 8th. Regardless, it is our favorite due to its lightness, charm, and all around aplomb. For certain, the cover alone will lift your spirits simply by walking by it on the racks. Do pick one up because it doesn’t stop with the adorable pair of Nigerian Dwarf goats. You will read the story behind these cuties on the cover. In addition, we introduce you to a local legend on the rise—Peaches the Pig. We return to the Girl and Her Farm’s farm, where Peaches is the newest tenant, that is if the baby rabbits haven’t been born or new chicks pace the grounds. Peaches comes and sits on command. The right kind of story for these times or even if these times weren't these times. The magazine will also manage to lift your spirits with music, drink, advice, and a piece on Buddha’s Hands. Since the middle of last December, the topic for our June’s Backpage was high school and college graduation. With the topic as a firestarter of sorts, I nevertheless followed through. With the help of Kurt Vonnegut, a couple of true stories, and that old Ouija Board that actually seems to be in control of this Backpage, I am happy with the result. Hope you are too! On to July and loathing the 90 degree nine o’clocks.
UPGRADED LIVING STAFF AVEED KHAKI Publisher/Owner KEVIN DOLAN Editor-in-Chief
NERISSA QUINN
BRIAN LUONG
Production Director
Writer
JASON CORONA
SHELLY BRANDON
Sales Director
Writer
DARREN MICHELS
FRANK REBELO
Product Integration & Mobility Strategy
Photographer
ALEX GRANT Writer
MICHELLE CAMY Photographer
CONTRIBUTORS ANNIE MINKLER
KATIE O’DONNELL
Health
Design
AUTUMN CHESEBRO
KEVIN DOLAN
What Are You Comprised Of?
Backpage
CALIBER HOME LOANS
LAYSHIA CLARENDON
Home
Health
DR. EMILY HARTMANN
SWEENEY & MICHEL
Health
Finance
JASON CORONA
DR. VIMALI PAUL, M.D.
Cocktails
Skin Care
For editorial or general magazine inquiries, please contact: Kevin Dolan, 530.894.8091 kevin@upgradedliving.com
Kevin Dolan Editor-in-Chief
For sales inquiries, please contact: Jason Coronoa, 530.591.2634 Sales@UpgradedLiving.com
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CONTENTS JUNE 2020 COMMUNITY
FOOD & DRINK
10 Meet Cool Kid Kalea Humphreys and
40 Find out how every base liquor has a
discover how she turned her 5th grade in a year for the ages.
47 Our Editor-in-Chief banters about the subject of graduation and commencement ceremonies.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
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18 Discover the dangers and ways to combat dehydration through myriad ways.
20 Quarantine life—Delight in these five tricks to detoxify your mind and body.
22 Ease your mind by finding cruelty free
variety of recipes for you to uncover. You’ll be glad.
41 Our ingredient of the month is as mystical and magical as its name—Buddha’s hand.
ARTS & MUSIC 40 Take a close look at our Social Distancing Song List and then ponder what would be on yours.
46 Learn how Courtney Rae’s hope is to “bring a little more beauty into the world” as she designs, crafts, and sells her art at Bright Side Jewelry Co.
beauty products.
HOME & GARDEN 32 A plethora of plants designed to attract bees to your yard and garden and why that is a good thing.
38 Celebrate with us our Farm Fresh— Johnson Family Apiaries.
creatures gracing our cover—the Nigerian Dwarf Goats.
16 We shine a bright light on a Local Legend in the making, Peaches the Pig.
in mind.
ON THE COVER: RYAN MCMULLEN'S NIGERIAN DWARF GOATS DOC HOLIDAY (LEFT) & WYATT ERP (RIGHT) DESIGN BY: NERISSA QUINN PHOTO BY: FRANK REBELO
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12 Read the in’s and out’s of those adorable
30 How to pick out furniture with your pets
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FEATURE
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WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN PHOTO COURTESY OF VERONICA HUMPHERYS
A Truly Breakout Year It’s not like Kalea Humphreys spent the first five years at Nord Country School doing nothing. No, that is not it at all. It is just that along came 5th grade, and Kalea burst out in every direction. First and foremost, she loves her teacher, Miss Arnone. She appreciates the fact that Miss Arnone is both, “highly organized and very kind.” Kalea also likes how the distance learning has gone. Miss Arbone begins each day with an hour Zoom meeting with a lesson on something new. Then, as Kalea puts it, “She sends out a bunch of stuff to work on, but is available by email for help.” Currently, she is tackling the 50 states. 5th grade has proven a new awakening for Kalea on two fronts. She really likes PE, especially soccer, and has started a music class with the selection of playing the violin. Her mom, Veronica, points out, “It took awhile for her to figure out the strings and how it works, but now she can play her favorite song—Shallow —from the movie A Star is Born.” Perhaps Kalea, too, will be like the movie’s title. In addition, through her school, Kalea joined the 4-H Youth Development Program. Her project centered around a pair of pigs. The first, a girl Blue Butt. The pig’s coat color is white hair with a "bluish" color on the rump, thus, the name, "Blue Butt." This pig makes an excellent 4-H animal due mainly for the meat. The second is a boy, a Duroc pig, one of the older domestic breeds. Duroc pigs are reddish-brown and golden yellow, 10
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muscular, large-framed, medium length, and with partially-drooping ears and also an excellent 4-H animal. The girls’ name is “Te” and the boy’s “Xas,” in response to Kalea's younger siblings inability to pronounce this State’s name correctly. Te weighs in at 200 pounds while Xas is a whopping 260. As the breed goes, both pigs are super smart. Xas taught himself to sit like a dog and they both can manipulate the spigot style water dispenser by holding it down to enable drinking. Ordinarily, Kalea would present them at the Silver Dollar fair. This year, Kalea and her family have decided to keep Te and offer Xas up on the BidCal site helping to support the youth of our community destined for the 2020 Silver Dollar Fair Auction that has been canceled. Kalea remains confident she will get a good bid. Kalea and her mom are very close. In addition to everything else, she loves to go hunting with her mom. Kalea is on the brink of being old enough to get her license. In the meantime, she notes that birds will be the first ones up for her hunting introduction. As of now, she prefers the pheasant. She is excited about the prospect of moving on to deer hunting. As Kalea is readying to put an end to her 5th grade year, her future appears to be ever so bright. Soccer, the violin, and 4-H will surely remain in partnership with her love of school. We celebrate Kalea and wish her the very best in the pursuit of other “breakout years.”
Nigerian Dwarf Goat
A close relative of the Nigerian Dwarf is the Pygmy goat which also was originally transported from Africa for exhibitions. Pygmies are dwarfs as well, but are stockier 12
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and thicker as they’ve been bred for meat production. Nigerian Dwarfs have more slender necks as well as longer and thinner legs. Pygmies also are more limited in colors and markings and only have brown eyes. Meanwhile, Nigerians tend to have lots of color combinations and can have bright blue eyes. Both types range anywhere from 17 to 24 inches tall and with a lifespan of about 10 to 14 years long. There are tons of videos of these tiny goats jumping and heel-clicking off each other, so it’s no surprise why so many people love them. They’re very active animals that love bouncing off each other or playfully butting heads. They walk with a spring and hop to their step which often leads into a jump or kick jump. Generally speaking, they’re
pretty safe animals for all ages as they only get to about 75 pounds or so, but given their sporadic movements, everyone should be careful around them. They’re harmless until you take a horn to the shin! Nigerian Dwarfs are quite the talkers as well. They make the classic goat “baaaa” sound but also yap and scream at times when they’re hungry or in feisty moods. You may not be able to own your own Nigerian Dwarf as they need space to roam and graze, however they do require far less space than a normal size goat. If you have a large backyard or about an acre, you should have plenty of space for a few Nigerian Dwarfs. After watching enough cute baby goat compilation videos you just might have to get one of these little companions.
WRITTEN BY ALEX GRANT PHOTOS BY FRANK REBELO
If you like small cute animals that like to run and jump around then the Nigerian Dwarf goat is perfect for you. While it’s relatives come from West Africa, this goat was bred in the U.S. in the mid 1900’s, originally for zoo exhibitions. At first, people only bought these little goats to sell as a novelty act or to just own as a companion animal. Over time, however, people learned that Nigerian Dwarfs produce really good milk that’s high in butterfat and protein levels. While they’re undeniably cute, they are also very useful for goat milking as they lactate for 10 months at a time.
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HICAP 530-898-6716 Call to report fraud or to find out Medicare’s coverage of COVID-19 "This project was supported, in part by grant number 90SAPG0052-02-01 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy."
I am comprised of constant prayer,
of joy, a growth mindset, and
coffee, baby snuggles, and episodes
cultivating mutually respective
MORNING ROUTINE/WIND DOWN
U N I Q U E S K I L L / A DV I C E A B O U T T E AC H I N G
of “The Office.” I am comprised
relationships. I am comprised of
of “Choosing Kind” and watching
finding a community of friends
M OT TO / ST U D E N T R E AC T I O N S
ADVICE TO OFFER/PROUD MOMENT
students practice empathy. I am
who lovingly point me towards
comprised of copious amounts
the truth and being a mother.
What are you comprised of? AUTUMN CHESEBRO Hooker Oak Elementary Third Grade
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However, the crowned queen of the farm and newest addition happens to be the one-year-old american mini pig—Peaches. Miniature pigs are known for their small stature, sway back, and pronounced potbelly. Peaches is the epitome of this and comes with a rather unusual beginning. On some rare fluke, her mother smothered the other piglets in the litter, leaving Peaches in the hands of humans to be bottle fed and genuinely really loved. American mini pigs are very intelligent, highly social, and make surprisingly good, house-trainable pets. Obviously, Peaches is no exception to all of this considering her added closeness to humans through the unfortunate incident. However, just how this spoiled, crowned, and all around welcome piglet found her way to the girl and her farm is a story in and of itself.
PEACHES T H E PR E C O C I O U S PI G
Anna Maloney, widely known as ‘A Girl and Her Farm,’ not surprisingly actually lives on a family farm. She is joined by her husband, her three rambunctious boys, ages 6, 5, and 3, and their pretty, pretty princess who just turned 1. Other inhabitants include: eight chickens and their 21 chicks, along with one turkey. Also residing is a pair of rabbits, Snowball and Lola. By now, Lola should have had her first litter, one that could result in up to 14 kits. Two dogs, Josie, a bluetick coonhound, and ‘The Judge,’ patterdale terrier also confidently roam the grounds. The farm’s entire acre also houses four female percheron mules and four male percheron draft horses. Anyone who knows Anna, is acutely aware of the resident dove in the magnolia tree. As her children grow, so will their chores in addition to the already daily gathering of eggs, some four to seven per day. Along with the myriad animal residents, the farm also accommodates several fruit trees. The varieties are: peach, apricot, pear, fig, and lemon. Of course, what farm would be without 15 robust tomato plants in need of care? Not this one. The girl notes this about her farm. “The short story is to set up the fruit, eggs, and tomatoes in a farm side pick 16
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Anna was not on the hunt for a pig of any kind. Several of her friends are in real estate and Anna saw a post about a pig on one agent’s Instagram. It shared why Peaches’ owner was thinking about finding her a new home as they were moving from the country to the city. One of those friends urged the girl to add the pig to her farm. As it turned out, she was nearing her birthday and declared, “I’m in!” From the friend’s cousin’s neighbor, she got the telephone number and made a quick cold call. The woman on the other line was caught completely off guard, and wasn’t certain she wanted to get rid of the pig in the first place. Anna regrouped and told the woman her story, including the farm itself, her three boys, and precious baby girl. She even sent along pictures. It worked. The nice woman on the other end of the phone said yes, revealing the piglet’s name, “You can most certainly have Peaches.” After attempts to have Peaches sleep in one of the chicken coops and another random enclosure, it turns out, she adopted the entire backyard instead. True to the ‘highly intelligent’ factor, Peaches can get her own water by turning on and off the attached spigot. She also will come when asked and sits on command, resulting in the cutest video ever. Her new best friend is, of course, The Judge, the terrier and resident animal in charge. This pig had already got her 30 seconds of fame. The local news, on its morning weather report, had a weekly “walk your dog” section. Anna’s sister-in-law sent Peaches in as a candidate. Lo and behold, one morning, the report flashed a pig trotting across the screen. Peaches the pig, a local legend in the making. Though a star, she is not picky about her diet consisting of official “pig food.” Her favorites, however, are grape tomatoes, carrots, and she loves pancakes. Due to her unusual early raising, all of these foods are easy for the farm’s kiddos to hold, giving them the opportunity to feed Peaches, ever comfortable in any social setting. Peaches turned one in February and is spade. All of the indisputable candidates who already reside on the farm aside, Peaches has managed to steal Anna's heart. It is not difficult at all to picture the “Farm side pick up stand” in front of the farmhouse with its neatly stacked fruit and tomatoes. No doubt, along with those rambunctious boys and their pretty, pretty princess will be Peaches the Pig, front and center, greeting the approaching patrons and successfully stealing their hearts as well.
WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANNA MALONEY
up, all with the intent of making enough money to help feed the animals.” A brilliantly sustainable idea, one surely to add to the life lessons her ‘on site’ farm crew already learns each and every day.
Are you an older adult who is struggling with depression, anxiety, or emotional challenges?
Passages Connections program can help: • Passages Connections program provides short-term counseling to adults 60 and older living in Butte County. • Other services may include referrals to resources in the community, peer counseling, & referrals to other behavioral health services as appropriate. • Connections services are provided at no cost to participants. • Telehealth counseling services now being offered to eligible participants.
For more information call: (530) 898-6191
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YOUR HEALTH BUILD BETTER HYDRATION HABITS
Good Skin Is For Everyone! Keeping skin healthy and in good condition is not gender specific: Yes, men, too get facials, Botox, laser treatments, and skin resurfacing! Taking care of your skin is relatively easy, and does not require a lot of products. Let's get back to basics. Begin with a good cleanser that won't strip oils or feel heavy on the skin. A good example is Obagi foaming gel which cleans great and won't irritate your eyes. Next, utilizing exfoliation at night will turn over those dead skin cells with a retinol product, leaving smoother skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines. A vitamin C serum for daytime will protect against environmental pollutants and give you a fresh, healthy glow. Moisturizer with hyaluronic acid will keep the skin hydrated to keep the wrinkles away. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50 (like Neova DNA Damage Control) should be used every day to keep UV rays from breaking down the skin's DNA. Especially for those that work outdoors in the elements, sunscreen is one of the most important things you can put on your skin. If you get laser, Botox, microdermabrasion, or any other skin care procedure, sunscreen helps to maintain those results. In short—male or female, young or old, we all need to make the best of the skin we're in. Call the DermBar Med-spa to schedule a free consultation! DERM BAR MED-SPA 85 Declaration Dr. Suite 100 Chico, CA 95973 530.342.2672
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We’ve heard the age-old adage, drink eight 8-ounce cups of water a day. We’ve heard how our body is made up of mostly water and our urine should not be a dark yellow. We also hear working out makes us dehydrated, so does coffee and caffeinated drinks. You aren’t dehydrated as long as you don’t feel thirsty. It is hard to separate between myth and fact. It’s a fact everyone’s body is different. Some people need more than 64 ounces of water a day, and some need less. Water consumption depends on various factors such as age, sex, pregnancy, lactation, climate, health status, location, and exercise regime. Regardless, we need water not only to survive but to live and thrive. Benefits of hydrating include brighter well hydrated skin, aiding digestion, tissue and joint lubrication, and helping naturally to aid our body in cleaning out toxins. Hydrating helps every single cell in our body. These benefits sound great but what if water is not your cup of tea? Here are all a few tips that helped me build better hydration habits. First, did you know water does not only come from what we drink? Numerous fruits and veggies hydrate us as well. Eating foods like cucumber, watermelon, tomatoes, and celery help hydrate us. Secondly, adding fruit to your water can help facilitate more H20 consumption. You’d be surprised how much a little lemon, cucumber, or strawberry can change the flavor. Third,
now might be the time to bust out that old juicer or purchase one. Juice fruits and vegetables for a clean hydrating boost of vitamins. Easy fruits, like watermelon, require only a blender. One of my favorite drinks is watermelon water. You can buy it in the store but homemade is fresh and rewarding. It gives you that zing of sugar and flavor you need when water is not doing the trick. It is refreshing and packed with vitamins. A few more include drinking sparkling water, adding 100% fruit juice to your water for flavor, and drinking tea or warm lemon water. There remain multiple ways to hydrate throughout the day. What is most important is that you figure out what fits your lifestyle. The goal is to have a holistic approach to hydration, requiring you to make time to figure out your daily water intake needs. You can start to build the habit by carrying a reusable water bottle with you, setting reminders, and by adopting measurable goals. Most importantly, hydrating is another way for us to care for ourselves in a time where there is a terrifying amount of uncertainty and plenty of stress to go around. Be kind to yourself and take a sip of water, perhaps multiple ones.
HEALTH ADVICE
VIA
LAYSHIA CLARENDON
Layshia Clarendon is captain and starting point guard for the WNBA’s New York Liberty. A graduate of UC Berkeley where she led the Golden Bears to the Final four her senior year, Layshia spends the off season providing color commentary for women’s basketball on the PAC 12 network.
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YOUR HEALTH D E TOXI FY YO UR MIND & BODY
Feeling stuck? Quarantine does keep us searching for comfort. Seriously, I constantly ponder chocolate and peanut butter, because uncertainty promotes ‘selfsoothing’. Liquor stores remain busy as we cope with the financial and existential entanglement, along with the global health crisis. I'm not here to tell you what you should or shouldn't do; however, our bodies crave balancing forces. Check these tips: 1. Create Boundaries: This might seem contrary to the initial response urging "connection with as many people as you can!" Staying home, and on Zoom, it’s easy to become buried. Be careful with how thin you spread yourself. One important lesson is how to say no. A helpful hint is setting certain times during the day you will interact. This differs for everyone, just decide how many hours you can dedicate to virtual chats or phone calls. It's important to connect with people, simply make sure you’re going to disconnect at some point. 2. Dry Brush: It’s true, we hold onto old cells on the surface of our skin. Our skin craves stimulation and cleansing, especially when struggling with dehydration, fatigue, stress, and toxin consumption. We have dead skin cells holding in toxins. Dry brushing is a great way to remove them, stimulate blood flow, clear toxins, and spark turnover of stagnant cells. Scrub from fingertips/toes towards the heart. It's about prompting flow to your heart so circulation cleanses the blood. 3. Watch A Funny Movie: I found one of my favorites—Encino Man! Whatever your favorite, throw that sucker on and laugh aloud! Intentionally unplug 20
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your social media and hide to-do lists. Laughing with family gives levity to any situation. 4. Eat Detoxifying Foods: Pay attention to foods that help your body get rid of toxins. Cilantro is a metal chelator known to get rid of heavy metal deposits. Hello chips, salsa, and guacamole! Fermented foods generate healthy doses of probiotics, adding good bacteria. A healthful intestinal flora improves the gut's immune system which can prevent leaky gut syndrome. For more recommendations check out mindbodygreen.com. 5. Bounce On A Trampoline: I kid you not (no pun intended) this is a ridiculously easy way to turn that frown upside down. It stems from personal experience by purchasing a mini trampoline for exercise. The moment I began bouncing I began smiling and laughing. We bought a large outdoor trampoline for my kids and witnessed their moods lifting! I recommend trampolines for its effects on the lymphatic system and improving the body’s pump system. For now, few scientific studies support the association, staying mostly anecdotal. Nevertheless, it profoundly impacts my life, perhaps yours too. I hope this spurs inspiration. While I'm not attempting to tell you what to do, these five tips won’t hurt.
HEALTH ADVICE
VIA
DR.HARTMANN
Dr. Emily Hartmann, MD was born and raised in Chico California and is happy to call herself a native and local Chicoan once again. She is a female plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic and general reconstructive plastic surgery. For more information, find Emily at Northstate Plastic Surgery at 1260 East Avenue Suite #100.
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BEAUTY Q&A CRUE LTY-FRE E BE AUTY PRO DUCTS
Not to be biased, but I look forward to the June Upgraded Living issue the most. It brings me so much joy to read a magazine full of adorable pet photos. I was equally excited when they reached out about writing the beauty issue all about my favorite cruelty-free beauty products. Fun fact, I actually wrote a paper on animal testing within the cosmetic industry in college. First, it is important to understand what cruelty-free means. The definition is a cosmetic company or commercial product manufactured or developed by methods that do not involve experimentation on animals. Now there are a lot of complicated marketing terms and labels companies put on their products nowadays that can make this process seem a little confusing. My biggest recommendation is to just be a little more conscious and do a little research on the brand you are buying. Websites like features.peta.org/cruelty-freecompany-search/index.aspx will provide you a thorough list of companies who do not test on animals. If there are specific brands you love, check out their website, most will list if they are cruelty-free. Side note: 100% vegan is not the same as cruelty-free as a company can still claim 100% vegan and test on animals. If you are in the store, crueltyfree products will have a little bunny logo on the back of the product. The heart bunny means the product is PETA certified crueltyfree. The leaping bunny means the product is cruelty-free international certified. Being a makeup artist, I try and make sure the products I am buying are cruelty-free. To make your research a little easier I have compiled a list of some of my personal favorite cruelty-free companies & products: 22
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• Anastasia Beverly Hills: I am obsessed with eyebrows, I cannot live without the ABH brow wiz pencil and the clear brow gel. • Urban Decay: I don’t know why, but I was pleasantly surprised to see this brand on the cruelty-free list. The Naked Palette one and two are staples in my makeup kit. • BareMinerals: This was the first makeup brand I ever used. Their foundations are amazing. I have a wide range of the BarePro pressed powder foundation in my makeup kit and use them on almost every client. • Becca Cosmetics: Their highlighters and bronzers are stunning. I use both the pressed powder & liquid highlighter on almost every bridal client. • Rituel Del Fille: If you watch any of my IGTV videos, then you know I almost always use one of their products. The cream blushes and lipsticks have amazing pigments and last all day. The cream blush can also be used as a lip tint. Now that you understand the meaning behind ‘cruelty-free’ and are armed with a list of products to choose from, happy shopping. And don’t forget to look for the bunny logo on the back!
BEAUTY ADVICE
VIA
ANNIE MINKLER
Annie is a Professional Makeup Artist and Licensed Cosmetologist. For wedding and special event makeup, eyebrow threading, and eyelash extension, she can be found at The Shaded Image or you can visit her at Chico Dermatology for facials, micro peels, and HydraFacials.
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ARTICLE PROVIDED BY CALIBER HOME LOANS
A Call For Mindfulness With all the news today regarding Coronavirus, States/Cities re-opening, infection rates, and the Economy—all which are equally unpredictable and controversial, it’s an important time to remain mindful and appreciative of the “things we do have” and ignore “the things we don't.” Furthermore, we also can find ways to focus on the “things we can control” rather than only on the “things we cannot.” We are in unprecedented times, few would have ever predicted, and it’s inherently creating fear, stress, and anxiety in a multitude of ways. My hope is we all will participate in the practice of Mindfulness, using awareness by following the tools to help you cope, all the while, keeping perspective as we all navigate the waters to “The Land of New Normals.”
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment. It brings awareness to your thoughts, feelings, physical reactions, and your surrounding environment and acknowledges what you’re experiencing, rather than dwelling in the part or projecting to the future.
The Benefits of Mindfulness
How many times have you found yourself anxious in thought, wishing you had said or done something differently or worried about a future event? When we focus on the part or the future, we miss out on our present, which is the only time we truly have any influence and control. Mindfulness allows us to navigate the mind, instead of being led by it. Studies have shown mindfulness boosts mood, increases happiness, cognitive function and focus,
reduces stress and anxiety, aids in better sleep and improves overall physical and emotional well-being. Benefits have been reported by just incorporating even a few minutes throughout the day. Why wait? Get in your mindful minutes today!
Simple Mindfulness Techniques
Mindfulness can be practiced anytime without sacrificing valuable time in your schedule. There are many simple ways to begin practicing mindfulness, including: • Focus On Breathing: When you have negative or overwhelming thoughts, close your eyes and take a few deep calming breaths. Focusing on your breath as it movies in and out of your body, even for just a minute, can have immediate effects on calming anxiety and reducing stress. • Pay Attention: It’s hard to slow down and notice things in a busy world. Take time to experience your environment using all your senses. For example, when you eat your favorite food, take the time to smell, taste, and truly enjoy each bite. • Live In The Moment: Intentionally bring an open, accepting, and discerning attention to everything you do. Find joy in the simple things. • Accept Yourself: Be patient and kind to yourself. Treat yourself the way you would a good friend or family member. • Go For A Walk: Research shows engaging the sights and sounds of nature can be especially beneficial. 27
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KATIE O'DONNELL
STAFF PETS
AV E E D ’ S D O G : A T H E N A
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT
Textile for Pet Owners KEVIN'S DOGS: MILLIE & MOWGLI
N E R I S S A’ S D O G : T H O R
JASON'S DOGS: TUX & PEPPER
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Every pet owner swears they will never let their pet jump up and lay on their brand-new sofa. However, over time the swear changes and appears, somehow, to disappear altogether. As a result, here are a few tips on how to choose the right kind of textile for pet owners. Ones surely to increase the longevity of your furniture and also make it easier to maintain over the years. First and foremost, stay away from fabrics that can easily snag, tear, or collect hair. The culprits include—tweed, corduroy, silk, or velvet. Open weave fabrics can easily snag from your pet’s claws, while velvet attracts all types of hair, and silk requires professional cleaning after those inevitable “oh-no” accidents. These materials will not only require a great deal of upkeep, but won’t last for anyone who chooses occasional snuggles on the couch with their four-legged best friend. To combat all of this, select fabrics durable enough to withstand your pet’s claws, hair, and accidents. The smart choices are either leather, a tighter woven fabric, or a slipcover option. Leather won’t snag, is overall
extremely durable, but will show scratches. A tighter woven fabric also will not snag, nor will it trap hair, or odors. Slipcovers are also a great option mainly due to the fact they can be removed and easily cleaned. Finally, it is smart to select a color matching your pet’s hair or a shade that will hide those muddy paw prints. Let’s face it, we all know those puppy dog eyes will work, leaving the adorable pup by your side time and time again. In summary, you can either ignore the inevitable and furnish your house with the intent of a ‘no-pet-on-the-furniture’ hard and fast rule, or witness how quickly it gets ignored and pay the price. The reality is the careful choices you can make to bring in the right textiles to embrace the fact the puppies and kittens will arrive and grow into dogs and cats that will happily occupy the furniture with or without you
DESIGN ADVICE
VIA
KATIE O'DONNELL
For more design advice contact Katie at Katie O’Donnell Designs. Katie is a Personal Organizer and Home Stylist. She strives to create spaces that are visually appealing, functional, and easy to maintain long term. Katie offers a variety of packages for commercial and residential spaces to meet each client's needs, info@katieodonnelldesigns.com or call 530.518.9953
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These Little Guys Into Your Garden
When you hear the word ‘bee’ does your mind automatically wander down the path of honey and Winnie-The-Pooh? What about those bees that don’t make honey, the unsung heroes of the garden world? Surprisingly, there are over 1,600 species of pollinating bees besides the iconic European honey bee in California and they could all use a little help from our neighborhood gardens. Leaf cutter, digger, mason, and blue orchard are just a few of California’s amazing native pollinators and, just like the honey bees we’re used to hearing about, more than half the native species are also on the decline in population. These bees are extremely efficient at pollinating, almost 200 times better than the honey bee. The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service holds that an acre of apples needs up to 120,000 honey bees to pollinate, whereas that same acre can be pollinated by just 750 mason bees. Some fruit crops are pollinated by native bees vibrating inside tiny blooms to release their tightly held pollen, something honey bees just can’t do. Blueberry bushes are one such crop that benefits from this buzz-pollination method by producing large and abundant berries. Prime pollen sources and welcoming nesting areas are all that’s needed in order to keep these native bees in our garden and in our neighborhoods. Offering up an assortment of pollen sources that span the growing season will make your garden an inviting home for all sorts of bees. Plant single petal flowers with staggered bloom times in a variety of different species in order to help support their population. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamental flowers are all important players in the bee garden. Shrubby native Manzanitas bloom in the winter and are a good option for early flyers like the mason bee. Ceanothus bushes will then carry your garden pollinators through early spring, as will the bright orange blooms of the California poppy, a favorite pollen source of sweat bees. Blue orchard and digger bees frequent the flowering blue catmint and 32
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Home means different things to different species of bees. While European honey bees are social and therefore live and work together in a hive, most native bee populations are solitary creatures who make their home in the ground or hollow stems where they lay their eggs. By keeping your garden a bit messy and unmanicured, you’re providing ample spaces for these bees to move in. Natural ground covers offer shade and protection while old bark, reeds, and stems make perfect nesting spots. You could also build or buy a Mason bee house, but be sure to care for it properly or you could be inviting bee pests into their home. Look for houses constructed with easily removable tubes made from breathable material and don’t place the houses too close to one another. Crownbees.com has innumerable resources about attracting and raising native bees as well as an online store with nesting materials, bee hatching kits, and bee houses. Once you’ve made your garden an inviting oasis for all those bees, you’ll want to keep them safe from pesticides. Since native bees dig in the mud or chew up leaves to pack their nests after laying eggs, they may be exposed to even more pesticides than the honey bee. Using natural methods of pest control such as ladybugs and herbs like lavender, citronella, and basil to repel the unwanted insects you can avert any harm coming to your pollinators from these chemicals. Bee populations all over the world are on the decline due to loss of habitat, parasites, and pesticide exposure. When you’re looking to support these pollinators, don’t forget the little guys; the sweat bees, the leaf cutters and the mason bees, in your effort to make your garden a safe haven. Even the honey loving Winnie-The-Pooh appreciates a nice juicy blueberry every once in a while.
WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON
Welcoming
spiring Russian sage as it blooms in midSpring. Buckwheat, asters, and sunflowers are all bee friendly summer bloomers that will nourish your bee population through those hot and dry months, keeping them happy and fed as they weather the season. Be sure to have water available as they can easily become dehydrated in our arid summers. Rocks with dips to hold puddles and shallow bird baths are essential in providing spots for the bees to take a rest, sip and rehydrate before getting back to the work of pollinating or returning home.
STAFF PETS
M I C H E L L E ' S C A T: D R . M O S E S
S H E L LY ' S D O G : C U R R Y
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Is it time to spruce up more than just your kitchen?
We do it all! New Again Kitchen Remodeling is here to help you bring your dream space to life. From ideation to creation we have everything you need. While many projects we display are of kitchen remodels we also remodel bathrooms, outdoor bbq's, and showers! We are open from Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 to discuss your project. NEW AGAIN KITCHEN REMODELING 2502 PARK AVE, CHICO 530.899.2888
Even Better Value Chico Furniture Direct has been bringing mattresses and furnishings to the North State for the past fifteen years. Bob Wert and his family moved to Chico from Virginia in 1993 and opened their store here in 2008. When the time came for Bob to sell the business, he wanted to find someone who had the same values and attitude towards their beloved community, “someone who believed in no-pressure sales and catering to customers like they’re family,” and he found that in the new owners. Bob has since retired and sold the business to Manny Hayer and Amrit Saran while Bob’s son, Andy Wert, continues to serve as the store manager. Chico Furniture Direct is not your average furniture store. They offer high quality, name brand furniture at extremely low discount prices. Prices that are easily 30 to 60 percent lower than retail stores. Andy says their motto is
“Better brands, better value.” Being part of a large buying group with over 400 businesses around the country enables them to use this extraordinary buying power to purchase truckloads of overstock or closeouts direct from the manufacturer, 36
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all with original manufacturer warranties, and then pass this savings onto the customer. Customers can come to their warehouse in Chico and browse through everything they have to offer during regular business hours, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week. Andy realizes that sometimes your schedule may not match with theirs, so they offer the opportunity to call and schedule an appointment outside of normal operating hours. If you don’t see what you’re looking for after touring the store, Andy says, “Just come in again in a few weeks because our inventory is constantly changing. We get between five and seven truckloads every week.” Office manager Christina Cobbin is a key player in organizing the business. As each truck comes in, she does a daily inventory and ordering check in order to maintain an up to the minute picture of available items. Since Chico Furniture Direct is now a division of Mattress and Furniture Express, they can also check with their five other stores to see if they have what the customer is looking for and have it delivered to Chico in a day or two. Andy takes pride in the fact that half of their business is repeat and referral customers. “We take the time to find out what people want or need and go out of our way to find exactly what they’re
looking for within their budget. Without the support of our local customers, we wouldn’t be where we are today.” Just as the customers support Chico Furniture, Chico Furniture Direct supports the community. Because, as Andy says, “these are the people that helped us grow our business, so we support them as well.” They offer ‘Mattress Fundraisers’ for local high schools from Chico to Paradise to Redding. The program is a twoday event hosted at the school as their multipurpose rooms are converted into mattress showrooms. Andy emphasizes that their store handles everything from delivery, to selling, to collecting funds, and the schools just get to reap the rewards. The business also recognizes area veterans, seniors, and students by offering discounts on merchandise at their showroom. In the wake of the Camp Fire, they coordinated with the Salvation Army and United Way to help victims of the fire and continue to offer discounts today as a way to help them reestablish their homes. Chico Furniture Direct continues to deliver; furniture, mattresses, personal customer service, and community. If you’re looking for living room, bedroom, or dining room furniture with solid wood frame construction along with top brand mattresses all offered at super discounted prices, stop by Chico Furniture Direct at 629 Entler Avenue Suite 1 in Chico. OPEN FROM 10:00 AM TO 6:00 PM DAILY OR CALL THEM AT 530.965.2826 TO SET UP A PERSONAL SHOPPING APPOINTMENT.
WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON PHOTOS BY FRANK REBELO
D E L I V E R I N G B E T T E R B R A N D S AT A N
CalFresh Food benefits can now be used to purchase groceries online at select retailers. CalFresh recipients can now use their EBT card to purchase groceries online at Walmart and Amazon starting April 28, 2020. You will be able order food online that you would normally buy with your EBT card in-person and select home delivery*. For more information or to apply for CalFresh benefits visit: GetCalFresh.org, call 1-877-847-3663, or find an office online. *CalFresh Food benefits cannot be used to cover the cost of delivery at this time. For more information visit EBT Online at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/ebtonline.
What you need to know about using your EBT card to purchase food online. Where can I find more information about Amazon SNAP acceptance? To learn more about SNAP acceptance on Amazon, please visit www.amazon.com/snap. Where can I find more information about Walmart SNAP acceptance? To learn more about SNAP acceptance at Walmart, please visit https://www.walmart.com/ideas/ discover-grocery-pickup-delivery/walmart-grocery-pickupaccepts-snap-ebt-payments/355540 "This project was supported, in part by grant number 90SAPG0052-02-01 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy."
Do You Need Help At Home? Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) might be able to help. Participants must be: 65 or Older, on Medi-Cal, and Needing Help at Home MSSP includes: • Case Management • Advocacy • Help Paying for Items not Covered by Insurance • Information • Home Repairs • And Much More!
Call to see if you qualify and to get more information
(530) 898-5082
MSSP is a Program of Passages, Chico State Enterprises, and California Department of Aging 37
F A R M F R E S H : J O H N S O N F A M I LY A P I A R I E S
Once Upon A Honey Hobby
STAFF PETS
M I C H A E L' S D O G : K E N A I
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and lays her eggs. The upper chamber is where they make the honey for their food. A third box will be added on top, called a super, for extra honey when the honey flow is on. This is where the harvest happens. When bees have easy access to pollen and nectar rich blooms along with good flying weather, the amount of honey made in the hive dramatically increases, known as the honey flow. The Johnsons say, “You’ve got to chase the honey flow so your bees have enough food to live but yet also enough for you to be able to harvest and sell.”
Johnson Family Apiaries have been in business for the past nine years and have just over 500 hives in their collection. While 500 may sound like a lot, Ashley says they’re still considered ‘sideliners’ as full time beekeepers have thousands of hives in their apiaries. Jacob’s primary business is working as a service manager at Sunbelt Rentals in Chico, so he and Ashley run the apiary as a side business from their home in Thermalito.
They have a Cottage Food License and prepare all their products at home. They sell a variety of their bee’s wares at Farmers Markets and festivals throughout the area, including:
As their apiary grew, so did their education into the intricacies of beekeeping. Ashley talks about the steep learning curve in caring for multiple hives due to the extremely complex nature of bees. “Not everyone does everything the same way. You have to learn what works best for you, your area, and your situation.” The last four years have seen the Johnson’s expand their apiary and get their bees into almond pollination, “The gateway into the real beekeeping world,” as Ashley says “when you get into not just producing honey, but getting into pollination and working with other farmers.” When people hear about the bees and their pollinating, they want to come see the farm, but Ashley explains that bee keeping is a little different. “There’s no real farm because with bees, you only keep so many hives in a particular location.” They keep 30 to 40 hives per bee yard so as to not overpopulate the area. The hives, or typical bee boxes, will consist of two stacked boxes. The bottom box is the bee’s living area; where the queen lives
• Bee Pollen: a mixture of various flower pollens, bee saliva, and nectar collected from their foraging honeybees at the entrance to the hives. • Beeswax: is harvested from the hive’s honeycomb caps. • Honey: Citrus honey, Wildflower honey and Star thistle honey come in three different varieties. 1. Comb Honey: the most natural form of honey you can buy, consists of a cookie cutter portion of the comb straight from the hive. 2. Chunk Honey: which has honey plus smaller pieces of the comb mixed with it. 3. Creamed Honey or Spun Honey: it’s been spun to create a mix of liquid and very fine crystals resulting in a more spreadable form almost like a honey butter and it will stay smooth for months. FIND JOHNSON FAMILY APIARIES AT THE OROVILLE HOSPITAL FARMER’S MARKET. IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT THERE CALL 530.990.6291 OR CHECK OUT THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE TO INQUIRE ABOUT PURCHASING PRODUCTS MADE BY THEIR HARDWORKING HONEYBEES.
WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON
N E R I S S A' S C A T: F R E D
It’s a familiar scenario, you want to teach your little ones and let them experience a bit of the world with you. You gather your supplies. Maybe it's starting a garden together and learning about plants, maybe it’s a painting kit exploring the use of watercolors, or maybe it’s a bee hive sharing in the wonders of honey making. That’s how it started with the Johnson family; Jacob, his wife Ashley, and their two daughters, Jordyn and Bristol. However, those two hobby honey hives started years ago have opened up a whole new story for the Johnson family.
Running out of things to clean, cook, & watch? By now, California is deep into the second month of the Shelter In Place order, first issued on March 19th. It can be hard to keep your head up each day when it feels like everything has been canceled, postponed, closed, or boarded up. However, we know that, like all things, this too shall pass and the normalcy of life will once again embrace us. Until then, here are a few ideas to make sure you take advantage of the downtime and tighten up some of your finances. Hopefully we all feel accomplished and ready to enjoy the renaissance of our lifestyles as those looming “to-dos” are now done. • In times like these, having multiple accounts with different logins to account for can create a lot of stress. Gather all your financial statements and talk to someone about consolidating where it makes sense. • Review beneficiary and trust designations on your investment accounts and insurance policies. • Download our fillable expense sheet at sweeneymichel.com/library to better understand where your money goes each month.
BY RENEE MICHEL, MBA, AND JOE SWEENEY, CFP ®, FINANCIAL ADVISORS AT SWEENEY & MICHEL, LLC
do you pay for and which ones can you cut? Pare down to only those you use often, and take the total of the monthly savings and splurge on something fun or DoorDash a great meal for your family. • Video the inside and outside of your home and email to yourself for insurance in case of a disaster. This is much easier to review and make a list of personal property than having to try and list everything you owned from memory. • Sign up for Fidsafe.com or another online document vault and put your important documents in a secure cloud for easy access from anywhere in the world (i.e. quarantined in Italy). • Review passports and drivers license renewal dates. Use this time to download renewals so you are ready for your next adventure post COVID-19 pandemic. • Go to annualcreditreport.com and pull your credit reports for free from all three reporting agencies and review for errors and accuracy.
• Print your credit card summaries for 2019 and analyze your spending. Where can you save? How many monthly subscriptions
Renée Michel, MBA and Joe Sweeney, CFP® | 196 Cohasset Road, Suite 100, Chico CA 95926 (530) 487-1777 | renee@sweeneymichel.com | joe@sweeneymichel.com | www.sweeneymichel.com 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.
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Going Back to the Basics I would imagine that by now most of us have felt the anxiety of the market shelves. The pain when you see there’s still no hand soap, relief when you see the frozen vegetables restocked, and the glory when you find the last can of cream of mushroom soup. With stores becoming restocked for most items, my hope is that the takeaway from this situation, at least for my family, is better organization and planning. It also begs for less clutter and the continuous practice of doing more with less. Many of us have now used frozen chicken in 17 different ways and, just like any meal, the base ingredient must be versatile, or else you run the risk of palate boredom. Luckily, the same thing goes for cocktails, and you don’t have to be a master mixologist to get the most out of your base spirits. Let’s explore, and perhaps rediscover, some of the simple recipes with four ingredients or less. First off, let’s not jump to conclusions, a one ingredient drink is not always a shot. Do you usually sip your whiskey or Scotch neat? Try with a splash of water or drink over ice. Going to the basics of a gin or vodka martini, while stronger than you might be used to, will allow you to really examine the citrus, herbs and/or floral notes of the spirit spirit. Having the right cordials to savor can be quite refreshing as the weather changes: Sambuca’s smooth exhilarating mouthfeel for the warmer days, Grand Marnier with it’s delicious citrus warmth for something more overcast. The Eagles had Don Henley, Fleetwood Mac had Stevie Nicks, and the Police had 40
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Sting. Just like these classics, while you may enjoy some spirits alone, everything has its perfect pair. While I tend to find the less sugary substitute, Ginger-ale has my heart as the ‘go to’ mixer for whiskey with its sharp effervescence, mellowing the char of the barrel. Who would have thought that the match for gin would lie in a cure for Malaria. Though the current substitute we have hardly resembles quinine, there’s no more a quintessential liquid duo than a gin and tonic. Scotch and Soda, Rum and Coke, Vodka and Cran, Simon and Garfunkel, you get where this is going. Finally, we get to see the full versatility of the frozen chicken: vodka soda, vodka cran, vodka tonic, Cosmopolitan (lime, Triple Sec & cran), Lemondrop (lemon, simple & Triple Sec), Gimlet (lime), Kamikaze (lime & Triple Sec), Press (club soda and lemon-lime soda), Screwdriver (OJ), Vodka Collins (club soda, lemon & simple), Sex on the Beach (peach liqueur, cran, pineapple), Madras (OJ and cran), Greyhound (grapefruit), Moscow Mule (ginger beer & lime), Sea Breeze (cran & grapefruit), Bay Breeze (cran & pineapple), Woo Woo (peach liqueur & cran). I’ll stop at 17, per my earlier exaggeration, but you can see that a total of 12 other ingredients achieve all of those cocktails. Every base liquor has a variety of recipes for you to uncover. So, until your next Quarantini happy hour, Cheers!
COCKTAIL ADVICE
VIA
JASON CORONA
For more cocktail tips, give Jason a call at 530.591.2634.
WRITTEN BY BRIAN LUONG
Unique Fruit Try Your Hand at This
This fruit isn’t something you can find in just any grocery store. Looking more like a body part than food, Buddha’s Hand is a citrus fruit that is known especially for its incredible fragrance and unique look. Buddha’s Hand is believed to have originated in Northeastern India or China, where most citrus fruits originated. In Buddhist temples, Buddha’s Hand is considered a religious offering. According to tradition, Buddha prefers when the fingers grow into a closed hand formation, similar to praying hands. The fruit is also given as a New Year’s Gift, symbolizing happiness, longevity, and good fortune. The Buddha’s Hands trees are fairly small, only growing to about six to ten feet. They typically grow best during the colder seasons, but any season besides summer should be alright to plant these fruits. In order to grow Buddha’s Hand, the soil needs to be well drained and slightly acidic. The tree itself produces amazing smelling flowers and does not take long to bear fruits. Although it is a citrus fruit, Buddha’s Hand doesn’t have juicy pulp like others in its family such as lemons or oranges. It’s flesh can be used in a similar way to a lemon rind, being a great addition to any soup
or salad to add a burst of citrus. Although other citrus fruits are bitter, Buddha’s Hand is more on the sweet side, making it a great option for sweeter dishes. One of the most popular ways of eating Buddha’s Hand is by candying it and coating it with simple sugar. The fruit also serves as a great addition to not only foods but drinks as well. The citrus mixes well with alcohols such as vodka and gin and works well alongside other fresh additions such as basil or mint. One of the more unique ways to use Buddha’s Hand is as a fragrance. Buddha’s Hand in Ancient China was often used when washing clothes, leaving a sweet, lemon smell with hints of lavender. When the fruit is grated, the aroma can fill up an entire room, freshening the air and clearing out any bad smells. The fruit can also be used to make perfume, room sprays, or even candles for those who can’t get enough of the fruit’s enticing aroma. Even though they're quite a rare find in grocery stores, Buddha’s Hand is a fruit that can be used for a variety of purposes depending on what you’re looking for. Whether it’s as a fragrance or added to your drink, Buddha’s Hand is a fruit that everyone should consider trying next time its hand reaches out to you in the grocery store.
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N E R I S S A' S D O G : Z I G G Y
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MICHELLE'S PETS: B O N N I E & LO L A
The Passages Caregiver Resource Center
supports families and individuals caring for an aging loved one or an adult with cognitive impairment.
Feeling overwhelmed? Incorporating self-care activities to your daily routine can alleviate caregiver burnout. Here are some self-care tips: Focus on what you can control (i.e. my response, my kindness and grace) Start a gratitude journal (helps to reset during frustrating situations) Play music and have a dance party Take a walk Take a nap Talk to a friend or seek counseling Practice yoga/meditation “We’re open and here to help� by providing education and respite services. To learn more, contact Passages Caregiver Resource Center at 530.898.5925 or email: mcrc@csuchico.edu
WRITTEN BY ALEX GRANT
Another Day of Doing Nothing Again Right now “social distancing” is the phrase of 2020, defining everyday life and lack of socialization. With stay-at-home orders continuing, we’re all finding different ways to keep ourselves preoccupied. One of my favorite distractions is listening to good music. With social distancing in mind, I created a list of songs that relate to this weird time we live in. Listen along or perhaps, search for your own quarantine-related songs. Cover Me by Bruce Springsteen While The Boss tells a tale of two lovers holding each other in this song, there are some interesting lines that relate to today’s pandemic. The song starts with, “The times are tough now, just getting tougher
“Another day of doing nothing again
Cover me, come on baby, cover me.”
It’s been too long since I’ve seen my friends
“Turn out the light, bold the door I ain’t going out there no more.” While there may not be social distancing in this song, there definitely is the message of staying in with a loved one. Is There Anybody Out There? by Pink Floyd This eerily relevant song reminds me of what it feels to look outside during this pandemic. In mid-March, Chico felt like a ghost town with face masks instead of tumbleweed rolling down the bare streets. Go Home by h hunt This instrumental piano piece is not only soothing during these stressful times, but also carries a simple message to the masses: Go Home. Chamber of Reflection by Mac DeMarco While made initially has a break-up song, Chamber of Reflection is a tune that I think U P G R A D E D L I V I N G M AG A Z I N E J U N E 2 0 2 0
Leave You Alone by Sea of Lettuce This also is a break-up song that fits well with the times.
This old world is rough, it’s just getting rougher
The chorus also includes
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we all can resonate with right now. “Alone again” is repeated several times in this song’s chorus, which is easy to connect to the solitude nature of staying home alone.
Nothing to do with all the time to spend Days keep getting longer and the night never ends.” This, along with other lines, show the similarity of social distancing in a pandemic and after a break-up. Patience Is the Way by Aldous RH This mostly instrumental piece calmly tells all listeners that we must be patient throughout whatever we’re facing. Nothing’s Going to Keep me Down by Yellow Days This is yet another break-up song that fits the times, but it’s more uplifting than the previous two. In the first verse George van Broek sings, “Darling, you know how I feel Everything’s too much, everything’s too real Lord, just know it’s hard to be alone Talking to myself and I in my empty home.” FOR MORE SONGS LIKE THESE YOU CAN FIND ALEX ON SPOTIFY @ALEX GRANT.
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Ladysmith of Chico
WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON PHOTOS PROVIDED BY COURTNEY RAE & PATRICK CLARK
She came to Chico to attend college but the city’s energetic charm pulled her in while the magic of Bidwell Park worked its way into her heart. She never left. Today, Courtney Rae’s hope is to “bring a little more beauty into the world” as she designs, crafts, and sells her art at Bright Side Jewelry Co.
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What began three years ago as an outlet for her creative energy has continued to grow as Courtney hones her skills as a ladysmith. When asked about the term she explains that often at fairs or markets when a woman is selling her work some assume her silversmithing skills are not her own, and that she is just the salesperson. Using the term ladysmith elevates and gives the artisan personal ownership of her talents as a silversmith. These skills were initially learned through a couple of classes she and her sister took in hammered metal and soldering in Nevada City. Courtney fell in love with metalworking and wanted to see “what else {she} could do with it.” Since these first classes, Courtney has continued to learn through online courses, YouTube videos, and various Facebook groups. Her workspace started as a tiny bench in the corner of her living room and now encompasses an entire bedroom in her house with ample counter space for ‘creating’ in order to allow her silversmithing to expand. Those workbenches are U P G R A D E D L I V I N G M AG A Z I N E J U N E 2 0 2 0
scattered with an assortment of stones, shapes, and materials and serve as sort of a dimensional idea board to organically fuel her creative process. The evolution of each piece of jewelry is never a straight path. She says, “I rarely sketch out a piece before I make it. I just dive in and begin making shapes out of silver wire, which then starts sparking ideas that just take off and I start putting things together. It’s a very fluid process.” Courtney works with sterling silver and sometimes she’ll use textured steel plates to imprint textures into the silver pieces. These hammered in textures create something unique and “no piece is ever really the same, there’s going to be some angle or something that makes it look a little different from the next piece.” The majority of the stones she uses are turquoise because that’s the look that she enjoys most. “There’s something about it being from the earth that I really like and the fact that no two pieces are identical. The contrast between the silver and the turquoise stones is striking and catchy and it’s a piece that someone could wear everyday and with anything.” From soft minty greens to deep royal blues, the turquoise comes in almost every color you can imagine. Courtney sources her soft minty greens stones from lapidary artists she interacts with on Instagram through live sales. She believes in supporting the little guy and buying from people who have small businesses like her. Following the
stonecutters on Instagram, you get to see behind the scenes, see into their lives, and see the families you are supporting. The park that drew Courtney to Chico also fuels her imagination. If her music filled workspace ceases to offer her a chance at working meditation, she’ll head to Upper Park and go for a walk to clear her head and reinvigorate her creative concentration. And then again, once she’s finished with a piece, she takes it up to Bidwell to photograph it for her website, a sort of ritual of imagination born and released. Then, she wraps up the piece in such a beautiful way that the buyer experiences the opening of a gift, a truly special, lovingly crafted piece of herself. Courtney “hopes that someone will feel the love she put into each piece and carry that with them throughout their day.”
FIND HER PIECES AT BRIGHTSIDEJEWELRYCO.COM, FOLLOW HER ON IG @BRIGHTSIDEJEWELRYCO, OR IN TOWN AT BIDWELL SUPPLY COMPANY AND GEOLOGY ROCKS AND MINERALS.
2 20 Looking Through A Cracked Rearview Mirror
This year’s graduations pop up with manufactured pomp due to the unprecedented circumstance. I share with you the words of Kurt Vonnegut from his commencement address in 1978. “I pity you so much. I pity all of us so much. Life is going to be very tough again, just as soon as this is over. And the most useful thought we can hold when all hell cuts loose again is that we are not members of different generations, as unlike, as some people would have us believe, as Eskimos and Australian Aborigines. We are all so close to each other in time that we should think of ourselves as brothers and sisters.” For every lost moment now is another from events like 9/11, Columbine, or Las Vegas. I do not pity you, only conceptualize how hurtful and confusing the loss of graduation must be. Figured I’d share my feelings and experiences on this subject. Cuteness aside, I'm not a fan of kindergarten graduations. 8th graders go through a “Promotional, an advancement in responsibility.” A promotion comes with “encouragement and furtherance,” the “helping forward,” a sure-fire reminder of how important it becomes to be involved in these coming years. At the end of high school years, arriving so quickly, is the Graduation Ceremony. Cap, gown, shirt, tie, dresses, mortar with tassel, and important people on a platform. Choirs and bands and speakers and the ending march of the diploma. There’s a huge distinction between being “promoted” and a “graduation.” A graduation literally is “the conferring or receipt of a diploma marking completion of required studies.” This conferring with a receipt is actually a “present as a gift of honor.” Each year from freshman to senior comes with a checklist of required classes to complete to attend the ceremony. Well, almost.
I enrolled in PVHS in November of my junior year. I came from a four year Catholic high school in San Jose. Prior to that, Chico’s Notre Dame. You might be able to understand my consternation over walking into my PE class and seeing a gymnastic set-up. Mind you, my fellow classmates have used this equipment since 7th grade. Right away, I was instructed to perform a pull over on the bar hanging above my head. I grasped, pulled myself up, threw my legs over the bar, and let go of the bar. The sound when I hit the mat left me certain an ambulance was enroute. I also was met with a chorus of humiliating laughter. I made it through the unit, and grew to adore my PE class. It was comforting that, because I was an athlete, I received an automatic “A.” Senior year came quickly, and with it, the completing of my requirements: PE, English, Government, and Psychology.
Since last year, I had a plan in place, shared with no one. When gymnastics rolled around, I did not attend a single PE class until the unit was over. I signed my own notes, a glitch during enrollment, so there was no notice to my home. Fast forward to May. A call slip came to my student government class to go to the principal’s office. The principal brought out my transcripts and said there was a problem with PE. I was shocked. Apparently, it was true about the automatic “A.” However, my teacher was hot about me cutting an entire unit. He only gave me 2.5 of the 5.00 semester credits. No time to make it up. My dad, my friends, my plan going awry, all shook me to tears. I explained why I did this. He informed me it did not seem right preventing the student body president from walking at his graduation, and, with a promise to make up the credits in summer school, I walked. I admit the ceremony still rings a bit hollow. Until now, few knew the story.
College is different. They have a “Commencement Exercise.” The root commence means “to come into existence.” So true in too many ways. Commencement itself is “a beginning, a start.” Candidates are bestowed a “degree.” Candidates completed classes and requirements of their choosing. I was thrilled earning the BA in English. Not so excited about the “exercise.” My wife put an end to that and the next day I was in my advisor’s office. There was a problem. There can’t be a problem! My wife worked full time while I studied. It’d be easier to face my dad over high school graduation than face my wife. A single class, my advisor overlooked. No class, no walk. I arranged to take the class in the Fall, during my phase I student teaching. Thus graduating that spring. There is more. The small ceremony was held in Laxson. My wife, mom and dad, and others attended. I climbed the short staircase and couldn't help but notice the girl in front of me had skates on. I begged her to take them off, knowing she would fall back and no one would hear my name called. I saw the skates slide on the shiny floor. She fell backwards, falling into my arms to whoops and hollers as my name was read. I leave you with more words from Vonnegut’s address, ones close to home, “No matter what age any of us is now, we are going to be bored and lonely during what remains of our lives. We are supposed to be bored. It is a part of life. Learn to put up with it, or you will not be what I have declared this graduating class to be: mature women and men.” Indeed, college or high school, you carry this expectation to be mature enough “to come into existence,” or treat your “diploma as a gift of honor.” And keep in mind—only boring people get bored.
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