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FROM THE EDITOR I am not certain if it was the size of the cloud, with its menacing lean, ready to fall and envelop Chico. Or the next morning, when
UPGRADED LIVING STAFF
Renee and I were standing on our street in complete darkness, shivering at 30 degrees. Like most harrowing events, we have our
AVEED KHAKI Publisher/Owner
own “I remember most…” moments. I cannot fathom the depths of impressions those who witnessed, fought, and fled the conflagration
KEVIN DOLAN Editor-in-Chief
must have. One year is not enough time to come to grips with the vulnerability and frailty surfacing when nature raised its ugly head and turned a town into a war zone, obliterating all belongings, actual lives, and chased an entire population down a hill. There is no reducing the desolation. One year is enough time to take the pulse of the fiercely loyal champions of their home on the ridge. I call it “Reckoning with Resolve.” These keepers of the gate have been tested to the max coming to grips with the deepest despair. You cannot unsee what you have seen. The resolve shines in the high school football team and their will of undertaking the overwhelming pressure. The vacated residents of Paradise also have to deal with the losses which come with wins. I marvel at the resilience. I celebrate the fixed purpose, and the devotion to the cause. I grew up with Paradise as my neighbor and I want that relationship back, want their dream to come true, want nature to turn itself around. Nature, in itself, is not destructive, but rather healing. I look forward to one year later.
NERISSA QUINN
KRISTINA MORENO
Production Director
Writer
JASON CORONA
SHELLY BRANDON
Sales Director
Writer
DARREN MICHELS
MICHAEL MEJIA
Product Integration & Mobility Strategy
Photographer
BRIAN LUONG Writer & Photographer
MICHELLE CAMY Photographer
EMILY LEBLANC
Our November issue is themed ‘Gather’ and features gathering
Writer
for a purpose. Parkside Tap House offers a visible representation. Their plan is to gather with a purpose through their inaugural Friendsgiving. They wish to fill the entire restaurant, all 200 seats, donating a portion of the proceeds to Paradise families in need. We celebrate the idea and plan to attend. We also serve up our annual Community Cookbook. Dubbed “Triggered by a Memory,” recipe after recipe can help any and all of you build new ones of your own. Finally, we have a surprise. November’s Cool Kid, Josie Graves, wrote an essay for her AP English about a struggling time. She chose the reaction to the fire at Inspire, where 30 percent of her classmates are from Paradise. Titled “Somber Memory,” it is a must read, Enjoy and be marveled (like me). The Backpage returns to the ‘No Story is a Straight Line’ and features Bob Mulholland, who among other things, is my brother-in-law. I’ve
CONTRIBUTORS ANNA GRIFFITH
MICHAEL HARRIS
Health
What Are You Comprised Of?
HAYLEY RILEY
NERISSA QUINN
Beauty
DIY
HEATHER JOHNSON
RENEE MICHEL
Community
& JOE SWEENEY Finance
HRiQ
had him penciled in for a year. I hope you enjoy and take something
Human Resources
away from it as I did writing it. I delight in honoring Veteran’s Day
JASON CORONA
through Bob’s story.
Cocktails
On to December and its comforting chaos.
DR. VIMALI PAUL, M.D. Skin Care WILLIAM CLAPHAM
JOSIE GRAVES
Health
Community KEVIN DOLAN Backpage
Kevin Dolan Editor-in-Chief
For advertising or editorial inquiries, please contact: Upgraded Living at 530.591.2634 Sales@UpgradedLiving.com
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CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2019 COMMUNITY
FOOD & DRINK
10 Meet Cool Kid Josie Graves, a gymnast
44 Become a trivia champ by knowing okra
turned platform diver. We celebrate her tenacity and will.
14 Our local spotlight beams brightly on Athena Demetrios and her book, “Walking Between Worlds.” Be ready for a mystical journey as you discover Athena’s otherworldly pursuits.
63 Our Editor-in-Chief welcomes the return of the ‘No Story is a Straight Line’ series, featuring Bob Mulholland as you have never seen him.
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HEALTH & BEAUTY 13 A brilliant look at trauma using the after effects of the Camp Fire for symptoms and remedies.
26 Remarkably, you can gain tips on enjoying your holiday eating without the weight gain!
30 Learn how to style plaid, and yes, it includes the use of stripes.
HOME & GARDEN 36 Discover the benefits and beauty of a
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budget friendly table decor tour.
ON THE COVER: PARKSIDE TAP HOUSE DESIGN BY: NERISSA QUINN PHOTO BY: MICHAEL MEJIA
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is not a vegetable and is biologically classified as a fruit.
54 Corona’s Cocktail Corner takes the age old apple cider off the children’s table and demonstrates a delicious and adult version to be toasted and shared.
FEATURE 47 Our cover story takes you to Parkside Tap House’s patio as they introduce their “Friendsgiving with a Purpose” campaign. You will most assuredly want to be a part of it!
47 Our annual Community Cookbook, dubbed ‘Trigger by a Memory,’ will surely go a long way in helping you to establish countless new memories of your own.
58 Looking for a change? We feature alternatives to traditional Thanksgiving events and eats. An intriguing and worthwhile read.
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Josie Graves: Diving Straight into her Future
Prior to the move, Josie spent her 9th and 10th grade years at Inspire School of Arts and Sciences, and now finds herself as a junior at Legend High School in Parker, Colorado, some 20 minutes outside of Denver. Her class schedule is fully packed acting itself as a natural distraction for Josie to be busy enough to help keep her mind off missing her home. The school day includes—Civics, AP Language/Composition, Jazz Band, where she plays the trombone and trumpet, Trigonometry/Calculus, US History, and Advanced Placement Spanish. She will be fluent in Spanish and credits her time at Rosedale’s immersion program as the reason why. Easy to understand this academic schedule carries with it enough structure in its own right to keep Josie engaged. 10
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However, as a member of the US National Diving Team, her weekly workout schedule is altogether something else indeed. The demands can only lead to head shaking, wondering just how anyone could keep up. Mondays are reserved for springboard training, an intense hour and a half workout including a two hour round trip commute. Tuesdays, with a mere 30 minute drive, calls for a ‘dry facility’ training routine on trampolines. Thursdays, with its hour and a half drive out to the AIr Force Academy campus for the daredevil platform training. This is not only the most intense workout of the week, but also Josie’s joy and specialty. Saturdays see her back at the dry facility for a couple of hours perfecting the routine on the tramps. When asked, Josie replies quickly, and with excitement, “Diving is great!” Certainly, so easy not to question the truth behind that enthusiastic response! For now, Josie only can confirm the overall wild commitment to the USA squad is just for this school year. The Spring semester should clearly reveal the possibilities of just what is next. We applaud Josie as perhaps one of our coolest kids to date. We also hope for the very best in her future as a diver representing the US team wherever those roads take her.
WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN PHOTO PROVIDED BY PATRICE GRAVES
After twelve years as a talented gymnast and mounting far too many injuries, Josie Graves made an inspiring, impromptu move. Seemingly out of nowhere, she moved the family trampoline next to the family pool, and through trial and error, taught herself how to complete a two and one half somersault dive into the beckoning water. Her Mom, not one bit surprised, responded as supporting Moms respond, simply by saying, “Time to go on a search for a diving coach.” All of this led Josie down a wonderful new path, one that has changed so much more than merely attending a different high school. Big moves often come with even bigger decisions attached to them. As it turns out, the biggest change included Josie moving to a small town in Colorado to live with her Godmother. After spending her first 11 years attending Chico public schools, the enormity of the decision shines as nothing more than a courageous step into her future. When asked about her homesickness, Josie, hesitated a bit before admitting, “It depends on the day.” That was quickly followed by stating she most assuredly misses her Mom the most.
Talk Turkey To Me DIY BY NERISSA QUINN PHOTO BY MICHELLE CAMY
D I Y:
On to November and the promise of full bellies and family gatherings. Here’s the perfect Thanksgiving DIY that will give your home a festive holiday flare. 3. On the front of the main pot stack, begin creating the turkey’s face. Cut a beak from the felt and use black and white paint to create eyes. Secure the felt beak with hot glue.
What you’ll need: • 2 medium sized clay pots • 4 extra small clay pots • Burlap string • Brown, black, and white acrylic paint • Feathers (assorted colors/patterns) • Fake leaves • Paint brushes • Yellow felt • Gorilla glue • Hot glue gun + glue
Instructions: 1. Paint both sides of the six clay pots with brown paint then set aside to dry. (Note: I did two coats of paint. Allow time for the first coat to dry before applying the second.) 2. Once the two medium sized pots are dry, stack the bottoms on top of each other and use Gorilla Glue to secure them together.
4. Now that the main body is done, it is time to assemble the legs! Cut four even pieces of burlap string and thread each piece into one of the four smaller pots. Secure the string inside of the pot with a double knot. Once each pot has string attached to it, glue the legs to the main body of the turkey. 5. Now it’s time to give the turkey it’s feathers! Glue leaves and assorted feathers to the backside of the pots. Add until desired body shape is created. Enjoy! 11
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What are you comprised of? MICHAEL HARRIS Parkside Elementary First Grade 12
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A NORMAL REACTION TO AN
Abnormal Situation Trauma, and the exposure to it, can be debilitating. Unfortunately, many of the approximately 17 thousand Paradise families who suffered loss from the Camp Fire may have found this a reality. The extent of the catastrophe was not fully known for several weeks. For many people, the fire surrounding their homes, threatening their lives, was so intense they could never have imagined the extent of the destruction would be felt by the entire community. No one could have believed all the roads out of town held the same deadly threat. By sunrise November 9th, their entire world changed. It did not matter if one's house still stood or had been destroyed. The beautiful town of Paradise, and its surrounding communities, had been devastated. Over the days and weeks that followed, everyone realized their comfortable lives had been replaced with devastating loss, anxiety, sadness, and fear. This left the citizens of Paradise and its neighboring communities wondering about their futures. Working as a therapist for nearly 40 years has given me the proper insight and exposure needed to recognize how trauma can fundamentally change who one is. My professional life began with serving Vietnam veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A large percentage of these war veterans exiled themselves to rural parts of our North State because they
were fearful of living within society. Sitting and listening to these veterans, for up to six hours a day, provided me with a unique opportunity to learn firsthand how exposure to trauma can be destructive. Looking at the suicide rate of VietNam veterans today, sadly demonstrates this fact. When these veterans initially began asking for help, the professional mental health community was unaware of the extent of anguish caused by the war. What eventually became clear was all these veterans were hurting from battlerelated incidents that had occurred 15–25 years prior. They thought they had put it all away and hoped it would not come back to haunt them in the future. The first lesson learned from these soldiers was when exposed to a traumatic event, the human mind can help someone get through it by allowing the individual to only feel what they can handle and by recording the rest. This is the circumstance people who fled the Camp Fire might find themselves in now. When we go through life, we are experiencing and recording with all five senses: touch, sound, taste, sight, and smell. When we think back about an event, it becomes something else. What remains is a faded, grey, and incomplete record of the event: a memory. When someone has experienced trauma, the initial recording of the event and, later
its retrieval, can oftentimes be very different. Today, 12 months after the unprecedented fire, survivors may feel like something remains surreal. The mind perceives it has moved past a traumatic event; it recognizes the danger has passed, so it says, “I can now bring forward the stored recollection of the event." However, what is brought forward is not a memory; but rather a sample of the event experienced through one or more of the five senses. A victim may smell smoke, hear the emergency sirens, or feel the vibrations of propane tanks exploding. In addition to your senses, your mood and feelings can also resurface. When you think you should be feeling better, you might actually begin to feel worse. Because we have a tendency to push these feelings aside, while we sleep, our minds can bring the trauma to us in the form of nightmares. Finally, it is important to understand when you have experienced trauma, the stress response may follow immediately afterwards, take months, or perhaps even longer to appear. The stress response can affect four major areas. The following are just a few of the possible responses: Psychological and Emotional—anxiety, irritability, anger, feelings of apathy, and isolation. Physical—headaches, lower back pain, exaggerated startle response, and fatigue. Mental—poor concentration, confusion, and forgetfulness. Behavioral —social isolation, hyperactivity, family problems, and increased use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. There are myriad things you can do to help the process of healing. Talking is one of the most healing and therapeutic activities. Give yourself permission to grieve. Do things that make you feel good, maintain as normal a schedule as possible, structure your time, keep busy, be aware of any increase in self-medicating, keep a journal, reach out to people who care, spend time with others, and remember you are having a “normal reaction” to an “abnormal situation”. If you or anyone you know needs help, I invite you to reach out to the contact numbers below or another of the many available resources in your community.
HEALTH ADVICE
VIA
WILLIAM CLAPHAM
William Clapham is the owner and MFT. For more information, visit eap4u.com. 13
Glass OBSERVING LIFE THROUGH
To state as an actual fact, Athena Demetrios is “highly intuitive,” would be much like saying Smokey the Bear is highly conscious. Her book, “Walking Between Worlds” reveals her intuitive nature and so much more. The sum total of her journey shapes the recognition of just how and why she describes her entire odyssey as “Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.” The path of writing the book, with its twists and turns, took Athena over 25 years. However, the beginnings of the story, the first steps, happened in her late teens through a sighting, one as real as the mystical opening scene from the movie 14
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“Ghost.” In her first words of the book’s introduction, Athena emphasises—“I walk between worlds and I love it. I see spirits as if they were in the physical realm...I am a telepath, a clairvoyant, a medium, and channel.” Athena is also aware, as she puts it, of “Having somewhat of a photographic memory.” Despite this gift, she felt the entire process of writing the book came with “one foot on the gas, one on the brake.” By way of introduction, this is but a single glimpse, at a single piece of a delightfully complex and multifaceted authentic soul. One such change of the lense from a glimpse to a witness, occurred sitting with Athena at her dining room table. The welcoming table, set with a bowl of homemade soup, a pile of fresh Naan accompanying, and a glass of ice water nestling a fresh slice of cucumber was a start. The middle of the table featured
a plate of delectable sweets. Athena glided into her seat at the head of the table, sparking the most comfortable and engaging conversation. Her poised and confident banter coupled nicely with the quieting moments of vulnerability and tangible pain. Her eyes serve as the window to her soul as they brightened with glee and wonder and deepened into guarded consternation. The feeling proved one of visiting with an old friend, the kind where the discomfort disappears in mere seconds replaced by natural familiarity. Athena is a wonderful cook, host, and easy person to listen to and commune. Oh yeah, she is a clairvoyant, medium, and channel. Athena is also a gifted writer. Athena’s book, “Walking Between Worlds” understandably took time to complete. With three distinct and different parts and its 50 chapters, encompassing her
vacillating personal accounts, certainly made for a daunting task. Writing, at best, is a vulnerable undertaking. Admittedly, with ‘one foot on the gas and the other on the brake,’ accounts in the book, nevertheless, reveal the very nature of a writer coming to grips with being viewed susceptible while exposing the nature of experiencing a world of wounds and malady. Athena, the writer, is quick to note her “platform of choice, Victim or Creator, would define my perspective and impact every area of my life.” Certainly every page of the book succeeds without apology or regret. Her writing style is natural and matter-of-fact, whether it places emphasis on the experience of poverty or the terror of unspeakable acts. Athena’s cleverness shines through in the inviting titles of each chapter. The puns, sarcasm, references, and twists on common phrases delight and draw the reader in, much like Sandra Cisneros accomplished in her autobiographical novella, The House on Mango Street. It is, however, the subtitle of the book, A Spiritual Odyssey, which paves the way for the terrified and threatened to be released into the ethereal and otherworldly.
Her book indeed takes off in every direction. Tracing the sojourn from Oregon to both Northern and Southern California. It grapples with her relationships with her oldest sister, mother, and father. Athena’s ‘Spiritual Odyssey’ becomes solidified through her remarkable relationship with Dr. James M. Peebles, an American physician, prolific author, and organizer of many professional religious associations.
He was born March 23, 1822 and died on February 15, 1922. It becomes difficult not to include a ‘spoiler alert’ when relaying each layer of her amazing journey. A journey still in the making. On her business card, Athena includes she is “Author - Speaker - Channel for Dr. James M. Peebles.” As Dr. Peebles once said, “We invite you to connect to the Master within, that is so brilliant in choice and clarity.” Certainly difficult to argue that he is promoting Athena’s book. He is so right to invite readers into something so brilliant as “Walking Between Worlds.” After all is said and done, among all of the remarkable things Athena Demetrious is, she is also a gifted writer. We invite you to mark your calendars for December 11th, as Athena will have her second book signing at Chico’s Barnes & Noble from 6:30–8:30 p.m. What an opportunity to witness firsthand her magic and ease of speaking. Her book now has an audio edition, read by Athena herself.
WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN PHOTOS BY MICHELLE CAMY
There exists a degree of irony in the use of the word spiritual, as Athena openly admits, “I could never buy into the concept of organized religion.” The fact that the word ‘spiritual’ contains pairs of synonyms such as ‘religious and otherworldly, divine and intangible, holy and airy’ hints Athena’s awakening could, indeed, include both sides. An example of the mystical colliding into the theological side occurred when Athena was just 19, at the age where she did not “believe in God, nothing.” It happened on the day her dad died. After they buried him, Athena witnessed her first mystical happening and shaped her life philosophy at the same time—“To believe is to see.” She not only saw her dad, but with the genuineness of watching the characters in the opening scene of the movie “Ghost.” Through her fragile age and grim beliefs, Athena discovered life after death and the melding of the two contradictory meanings meshed, filling a void in her wounded heart. It took until the age of 32, for Athena to be “Hit head on with a cosmic hammer.” The blow came with a second sighting of her father. At the time, Athena had pushed people away, not letting people into her life at all. She remembers literally getting on her knees crying out, “If life hurts this bad, the
cause had to be within me.” At that very moment, a light entered the room, “dusted in gold,” brightening with intensity. Athena opened a door and felt like the daughter leaving the horrible and terrible behind and lifting herself up in the most beautiful scene, so real. Her Dad was standing in front of her, offering remorse and reprieve. 17 years later, she sees her Dad again, complete with a warming hug and a holding of his hands, allowing him to feel the weight of her pain. From their, her mystical journey “took off practically like a rocket ship.”
The VFW was also a great help to members of the community when the Camp Fire struck last November. VFW members were able to meet with veterans affected by the fire and distributed thousands of dollars in gift cards for necessities like food and gas. They found vehicles for veterans who lost theirs, and were able to give one veteran a FEMA trailer to live. To this day, Mike is helping veterans affected by the Camp Fire. "Probably the biggest message is the Camp Fire is not over for people, including veterans. I've heard so often 'Oh they have insurance.' No. people were underinsured.” The VFW holds meetings on the first Tuesday of every month at the Chico Veterans Hall. Though 30 to 40 members come out daily, Mike wishes more would come out to join, especially younger veterans. During these meetings, younger veterans can connect with the older generation and speak about their struggles and stories. “Young people don't want to join. They don't see the value, and there is a lot of value. One, is talking to people who’ve been there. We haven't been in their war, but we've been in ours.” Mike adds the meetings are not a place where people just talk about the negatives of war, but a place where people can talk about their favorite places abroad or stories about boot camp. “A lot of people are shocked at how fun the and would later become Commander of Post meetings are. It's not just a bunch of old fogies 1555, exactly 50 years after his father served sitting around with cigars talking about blood as Commander. and gore.”
A Community for Veterans For four years, Mike Halldorson has helped build a community for veterans in Chico. As the Commander of Chico Post 1555 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mike is tasked with helping veterans with their needs. The VFW Post was established in March of 1928 and currently has over 200 members. Post 1555 was awarded “All-State” in 2017/2018, a status only 36 other California Posts have. During that year, Mike was the state’s top recruiter. Mike joined the VFW back in 1966 during the Vietnam War. At the time, he was serving on the USS Hopewell, a Navy destroyer. He remembers growing up attending VFW socials and potlucks along with his father, also a member of the VFW. Mike became active in VFW affairs in 2013, 16
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"The theme of my life is service. I was in the When asked about advice he would pass on boy scouts, that's service. I was in the Navy, to those currently in service, Mike stated those that was service to the country. When I got in service should take the time to connect with out, I joined Alpha Phi Omega, the national members and savor the time spent together. service fraternity. When I went into business, “I wish I had gotten to know more guys,” Mike I became a part of Rotary, which is service said. “I wish I had taken more pictures of the above self,” Mike said. guys and more pictures of my ship. I wish I had been smarter and reenlisted,” Mike said. The VFW helps community members in a variety of ways. When one veteran wasn’t FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE VFW, able to get running water, members of the VISIT VFW.ORG. THE THREE QUALIFIERS NEEDED TO JOIN THE VFW INCLUDE CITIZENSHIP, VFW went out to trench his well getting it up HONORABLE SERVICE, AND SERVICE IN A WAR, and running. When another veteran needed CAMPAIGN, OR EXPEDITION ON FOREIGN SOIL help moving, the VFW was there. After OR IN HOSTILE WATERS. THIS INFORMATION helping one couple in a Walmart parking lot CAN BE FOUND AT VETERAN’S DD 214.
WRITTEN & PHOTOS BY BRIAN LUONG
on a rainy day, Mike remembers how grateful they were for simple things like food, a tarp, and a package of socks. He said, “You know, as soon as we get on our feet, we're gonna send money to your Post for what you've done.” I replied, “Don't you dare. Just have a good life. This is for you. You deserve it.”
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Somber Memories. Curious eyes continually peered out of the classroom window, unsure of what should be seen, but unable to decide whether the clear blue sky was only a mirage hiding the billowing smoke that had crept along the horizon only a month earlier. It was the first day where all of us as a whole could reconcile in a state of normalcy. Or, as so many have said before, our ‘new normal.’ Everything we saw, heard, and touched, especially being back where the memories remained untouched, undealt with, only recreated the picture of what so many of us had tried to bury deep within the unused crevices of our minds. Raining without water, an oily colored sky gave the illusion of night in the afternoon. The constant ringing of phones quickly caused the calm nature of our school to drift into untamed worry. No corner that day, did not contain a tear stricken face and no student did not give off at least one wince of agony for themselves or for a friend.
ARTICLE PROVIDED BY JOSIE GRAVES
Needless to say, the moment classes were dismissed for the unknown weeks was the final moment we stood together as children. Our innocence was claimed by the flames, by the falling ash that clung helplessly to our lungs, and by the pain of the losses that could not be healed. Sitting there now, we could still see it. We could still feel the cold that crept into our bones, created not just from the lack of sun. Looking out and seeing the blue, the shade of the color so unfamiliar to us all, was something incomprehensible in our minds. It was as if the world was only masking the truth, telling us that what had swept across our small town had never come. As if because it was gone meant all was well when it wasn't. Now because the smoke had cleared, so many assumed that meant the tears would dry and the wounds would heal just as quickly. We knew this wouldn't be so, but the expectations caused us to pretend it was. For now, the time would continually tick on and we would go about our lives trying to forget, trying to live as normally as possible when, after the final bell sounded, so many had nothing to go home to.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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"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."
WRITTEN BY EMILY LEBLANC PHOTOS BY MICHAEL MEJIA
D O YO U R R E S E A R C H AT
The Lab Bar And Grill Kevin Jaradah, born and raised in Chico, learned from childhood that the essence of this town is its sense of community. Kevin became a local business owner in 2006 when he took over his dad’s liquor store, Spike’s Bottle Shop. His dad, who is also his business partner, “is always 100 percent supportive” of Kevin’s business ventures and plans. Watching his father’s businesses growing up, Kevin learned the importance of coming together, helping those in need, and creating a safe space for people to gather. Four and a half years ago, Kevin started a Facebook group for Chico Beer Enthusiasts, which has grown to over 2,500 people and gets a huge amount of engagement daily. After seeing the desire for local connection within the Chico community, Kevin decided to open a restaurant that would be “ground zero” for people hanging out and meeting up. The name “The Lab” actually began as a joke between Kevin and one of his regulars at Spike’s. One day, a customer wanted to try one beer instead of getting a whole 6-pack. This sparked the decision to make a research door, which is an entire section devoted to testing and researching one beer at a time. “You do your research at the lab,” Kevin said, and so The Lab Bar and Grill was born—a place to try new things in good company. The Lab is all about trying new things, featuring a large craft
beer tap rotation, a huge variety of spirits, and a constantly changing menu. Its newest escapades are spirit-infused foods and Arabian-themed nights, inspired by Kevin’s Syrian background. Whether he is sponsoring nonprofit events or supporting local businesses and artists, Kevin gives back to the Chico community every day. His three establishments—Spike’s, The Brew Kettle Taproom and Bottle Shop, and The Lab, all host and support as many nonprofits as possible, mainly focusing on helping children and animals in need. Kevin is a member of the Active 20s-30s Club and was happy to participate in this year’s Margarita Mix-Off, in which The Lab took home the gold.
for his establishments and ensures that his staff stays aware to prevent crime. His amazing staff gets to know the community, whether “they come in here once or a hundred times.” Kevin credits much of his success and perseverance these past two years to his staff. His connection with Chico also comes from his upbringing, seeing as he knows so many people in town and wants to see true connections come to life. If you’re looking for great food with entirely homemade ingredients, a wide variety of spirits and beers, and an unbeatable community vibe, check out The Lab Bar and Grill. Delight in their specialties, which include the delicious chicken sandwich and The Lab Burger. Stop by The Brew Kettle for a drink with friends or Spike’s if you’re planning to stay in. Say hi to Kevin and his dog, a threeand-a-half-year-old German Shepherd named Spike. To see local events at The Lab or Brew Kettle, view their Facebook Pages or visit labbarandgrill.com.
Instead of buying from less-expensive, large distributors, Kevin makes a point to buy his food from Chico establishments, such as S&S Produce, Chico State, and Tin Roof, so costs are helping to “rebuild our community.” The stunning artwork inside The Lab and The Brew Kettle are painted by local artists, and the venues host a variety of local musicians and comedians. Kevin’s involvement in the local art scene is just one example of “Chico taking care of Chicoans.” One of the main goals of Kevin’s establishments remains to create a safe space for customers. Kevin picks secure locations 21
WRITTEN BY KRISTINA MORNEO PHOTOS BY MICHAEL MEJIA
Big Firm Power,
Local Firm Passion Penney & Associates Personal Injury Law Firm is no stranger to Chico. For the last 20 years their attorneys have been working out of their Chico office on Humboldt Road, and have just recently relocated to a brand-new office conveniently located across the street from the Butte County Courthouse in Meriam Park. Like most businesses, trends show that prospective clients make their decisions about whether to hire one law firm over the next based on who they like and trust. Penney & Associates have earned the trust of their clients, who continue to refer their family and friends to the firm because of the firm’s level of professionalism, and their track record. Heading their Chico office you’ll find a tightknit duo of attorneys, Stewart Galbraith and Dillon Whitsett, and their experienced legal assistants, Susie Cook and Karen Rueda. Their motto, Big Firm Power, Local Firm Passion, embodies what they are all about. Penney & Associates represents folks who are injured due to the negligence of others. They have offices with dedicated attorneys in multiple California locations, including Chico, Roseville, Rocklin, Sacramento, Fairfield, 22
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Santa Clara, and Irvine. When asked what sets them apart from all the other good personal injury firms here in Chico, Stewart replies, “The Penney & Associates Chico office has the power and financial resources that come with being part of a large firm but, at the same time, we are homegrown lawyers who connect with our local clients and provide personalized legal representation. That sets us apart and makes it so that we can successfully handle all types of cases. There isn’t a case too big for us, or too small.” Both Stewart and Dillon grew up in rural Northern California. Stewart was raised on a ranch outside Willows before he went on to Butte College, Sacramento State University, and law school in San Diego. Dillon grew up in Sutter before attending local colleges and graduating from law school here in Chico. In 1990, Stewart’s legal career began as an insurance defense lawyer at a mid-sized firm in Sacramento. He represented the defendants in personal injury cases for the next eight years, where he acquired his keen insight into these types of cases and how to most effectively navigate them for the
best outcome. In 1998, he came over to the plaintiff’s side which, as he puts it, is "the other side of the same coin." At that time, he became a plaintiff’s attorney with Penney & Associates and spent one year in their Roseville office with the idea that he would open a satellite office in Chico. He opened the Chico office in 1999, and has spent the last 20 years representing Plaintiffs in personal injury cases in and around Butte County. Dillon has been with Penney & Associates for nearly two years. After graduating from law school as Valedictorian of his class in 2017 and passing the Bar Exam shortly thereafter, he began his legal career under the mentorship of Stewart. He had initially met Stewart a few years prior while he was still in school. As he awaited his bar exam results, Dillon reached out to set up a formal interview after which both agreed that he was a great fit for the firm. In December of 2017, Dillon jumped right into the field and started working for Penney & Associates, joining their superior team of lawyers. “Every single case is unique, and every client has their own story,” says Dillon when describing what he loves about his chosen profession. The firm primarily handles motor vehicle accidents, as well as product liability, premises liability, dog bites, wrongful death, as well as boating, bicycle, and truck accidents. If you need representation, Penney & Associates Personal Injury Law Firm has the experience and the earned reputation to help you win your case. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THEIR OFFICE AT 530.899.2777 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE PENNEYLAWYERS.COM TO LEARN MORE.
Celebrate National Caregiver Month This year's theme
Caregiving Around The Clock Which recognizes the challenges faced by caregivers and how they can manage those challenges day and night. Check out the latest helpful hints and community resources because if you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anyone else.
Ways to Celebrate: IF YOU KNOW A CAREGIVER: • Take them out for a special treat or arrange for a few respite hours for them. Give them a gift card, a bouquet of flowers, a massage, or simply a note in the mail to recognize and encourage them in their caregiving. • Give them a break by sitting with their loved one or hiring a respite worker for a few hours to do something fun. • Offer to help them during the holiday season with Thanksgiving dinner, putting up Christmas lights, or helping buy gifts. IF YOU ARE A CAREGIVER: • Treat yourself to your favorite meal or dessert, a massage, or some time reflecting on the impact you have made. • Get together with other caregivers you know and spend time encouraging each other or exchanging small gifts. • Keep a gratitude journal of good moments you share with your loved one, big or small. During November read through those memories and smile.
For support & guidance contact Passages Caregiver Resource Center at 530.898.5925
WRITTEN BY KRISTINA MORENO
CHRISTMAS PREVIEW Since 1978, Christmas Preview has been a Downtown Chico tradition. The charming and popular event brings together families, friends and visitors in the heart of our festive, lighted community, officially kicking off the holiday season! Downtown merchants roll out the red carpet and present the finest in hometown hospitality, debuting their holiday offerings, showing off fabulous decorations, and providing delicious refreshments. A wide variety of entertainment can be found in storefront windows, streets, and inside stores. The DCBA coordinates strolling carolers, as well as myriad and magical on-street events and activities. As always, the entire downtown invites Santa to come on down for a chat with dreamers and photos with the kiddos! You have not experienced the holidays if you have not experienced the sights, sounds and aura of Downtown Chico’s Christmas Preview. The event has become a long standing tradition considered a ‘can’t miss’ by throngs of local families. Here are just some of the on-street highlights: • Santa Claus available for a visit and photo opportunity with the kiddos from 4:30–7:30 p.m. (Santa booth located on 24
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Main Street between 3rd & 4th. Santa photos will be available for purchase from $10, no personal photos please. Due to time constraints Santa will not be able to meet with children not sitting for photos. • Complimentary bicycle valet hosted by Chico Velo (on 3rd Street between Broadway and Salem) • Sounds of the Valley Women's Chorus caroling throughout the event • Performances by Groove Merchants, Notre Dame Music Program, Bidwell and Marsh Jr High Choruses as well as Velvet Starlings • Mix 95.1 Christmas Karaoke • 103.5 The Blaze partnering with Toys for Tots • Snapshots Photo Bus offering one-of-akind souvenir photos • An organic, one-of-a-kind, Chico hometown holiday vibe...the best around!
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WRITTEN BY EMILY LEBLANC
YOUR HEALTH AVOIDING HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN
Holiday weight gain might be inevitable, but, if we understand why we gain weight, it might be easier to prevent it. First, we eat a lot of food over the holidays, most of which is unhealthy. Even when we’re not at large gatherings, we’re traveling, which throws fast food into the mix. Second, the holidays are high-stress occasions for many of us. Seeing extended family, impressing the inlaws, and attending awkward office parties, all increase your level of stress. Finally, holidays create breaks in our routines, which means gym-goers skip exercise time. Lucky for us, there are ways to combat each of these weight gain issues. One way to cut down on your food intake is by skipping breakfast before holiday parties. This way, you can save calories during the day and eat with everyone else. However, you should eat snacks before the party, opting for healthy proteins like nuts, fruits, or vegetables to save yourself from filling up on bacon-wrapped shrimp and cream-filled puff pastries. When it comes to the meal, find the food you cannot live without and fill your plate just once. Let yourself savor every bite without going back for seconds. For dessert, limit your options as well by getting a small plate and only taking one or two treats. Cleanse your gut this holiday season by drinking more water and less alcohol. 26
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Drinking a glass of water before meals will help you fill up faster and boost your metabolism. Drinking one glass of water per alcoholic beverage can reduce the empty calorie intake from alcohol and help your sleep cycle, which, when impaired, can cause stress-eating. When our sleep is interrupted or we get less than the recommended six to eight hours, our cortisol levels will rise, increasing our stress greatly. With high levels of stress, we start to crave carbs and larger portions of food. Our metabolism will also start to slow down, making it harder to process the copious amounts of food we have already eaten. We encourage you to have fun with family and friends but try to keep to your normal exercise routine as well. If you don’t have time during the day, wake up a little earlier and work out first thing in the morning. You could even invite your family or friends for a walk or hike instead of lounging around together. Exercise will help regulate your other bodily functions too such as stress levels, sleep optimization, and metabolism. If you want to ward off the extra weight this holiday season, follow these tips for a happier, healthier you. If you’re looking for an excuse to wear those cozy, oversized sweaters, then we understand if you ignore this article entirely.
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YOUR HEALTH DEALING WITH DOUBLE VISION
Double vision can happen for a variety of reasons and of course is very disruptive to daily living, work, play, and enjoyment of life. Double vision can follow head injury, stroke, health conditions, or can be a result of a gradual change that results in the eyes not being able to work well together anymore. Additionally, in children, the eyes might not develop the strength needed to work together consistently, or keep up with the visual demands of learning to read, or read longer sentences in smaller print. (Young children often do not report double vision because they think this is how everyone sees, or they might avoid reading not knowing the reason). Someone experiencing double vision should have an eye exam to determine the cause. The optometrist or ophthalmologist will measure the alignment of the eyes, the function of the six eye muscles in each eye, and look inside the eye for any conditions or overall health problems that show signs in the eye. Health history and sometimes lab tests or imaging help in the diagnosis. Treatment for double vision could be as simple as putting prism in glasses. Prism doesn't usually affect how the glasses look unless it is a very high amount. The prism helps direct what a person sees to where their eyes naturally want to rest, which can relieve double vision and excessive strain of the eyes. If the amount of prism needed for up close vision is different from far vision, sometimes two different pairs of glasses are needed. 28
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In some cases, vision therapy is the best treatment for double vision. An optometrist specializing in vision therapy takes more measurements of visual skills than a regular eye exam, including vergence ranges which show how strong or weak the eyes are at working together. Vision therapy strengthens the ability of the eyes to work together to eliminate double vision and improve depth perception. Vision Therapy also improves focusing ability and tracking a moving object or a line while reading. If there is an eye turn that cannot be treated with Vision Therapy, the specialist can refer to a surgeon. Double vision following stroke sometimes resolves on its own, but not always. And, if the double vision can be eliminated earlier, it can help with the recovery process and other treatments such as occupational therapy. In the case of concussion, even without double vision, it is common for the eyes not to work together or track as well as they used to. This can cause headaches, avoidance of reading and close work, or poorer performance in sports, school, or work. Anyone having a concussion should at the very least have their near point of convergence and tracking measured or a full evaluation with an optometrist specializing in vision therapy.
HEALTH ADVICE
VIA
ANNA GRIFFITH
Anna Griffith, O.D., F.A.A.O. is an optometrist at Family Eye Care and the Vision Training Center in Chico.
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BEAUTY Q&A NOTHING SAYS FALL QUITE LIKE PLAID
Fall is the season for layering, and classic plaid scarves are a must have. Whether you are headed out for a night on the town in a leather jacket and jeans, or in a sweater for a morning stroll in the park, it remains the perfect layering accessory. A plaid scarf pairs well with neutral solid colors. Versatile and classy, classic plaid scarves never go out of style. There are many ways to wear a plaid scarf with all your favorite fall trends. There's the classic wrap around, with both sides draped, the trendy Kerchief style is always a popular way to wear it, or you can belt it under an adorable jacket. Last but not least, hence the name blanket scarf, you can always use it as a blanket to keep warm and cozy on those chilly fall nights. Layering comes with the fall season, so stock up on a few plaid scarves, and pair them with your solid neutral tops. A plaid scarf is definitely the perfect accessory for fall, and a staple for your wardrobe. The rich fall colors and tones from the plaid will add a touch of class to any outfit, while keeping you warm and stylish. Let’s debunk the myth of plaid and stripes. Can they be worn together? Yes, indeed yes they can. Pair a long sleeve shirt with horizontal stripes, a cute solid color coat, with a plaid scarf to compliment the look. It instantly becomes street style, functional and trendy! You can even do a cute solid 30
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color vest instead of a jacket. Another fun way to to wear plaid is to go for the chic and preppy look by wearing a long sleeve plaid shirt with sleeves rolled and pairing a striped sweater layered over it. Styled with jeans and a pair of cute shoes for a classic look. Consider Buffalo Plaid, you know, the red and black checkered plaid. It's another fun staple to add to your fall wardrobe. This plaid pairs perfectly with white and black, and is super easy to dress up as well as dress down. Dark denim is always a good way to go when wearing buffalo plaid, styled with some fun accessories and a cute black belt, or add a little more by pairing with a solid black scarf. Remember, plaid is a classic, and with plaid, you can cover three different trends— Classic trend, Chic trend, and Preppy trend. Rich color tones are always a good color palette for the fall season, so stock up on a few plaid scarves this fall, and get creative with pairing styles and colors for a trendy fall look. Always keep in mind, you can never have too many plaid scarves!
BEAUTY ADVICE
VIA
HAYLEY RILEY
Hayley Riley is the owner of Pink Willow Boutique. For more style advice visit her at 169 Cohasset Rd. Ste 3 in Chico or shop online at shoppinkwillow.com.
Laser Away Unwanted Hair Shaving, waxing, and tweezing are not only painful, but time-consuming, and the hair comes back in no time. No wonder we all hate it! To avoid all of this and guarantee a more permanent hair reduction, laser treatment is the better way. Since lasers cause heat to be retained in the skin, fall and winter are the perfect seasons for this procedure. Laser hair removal involves a series of treatments activating pulse energy into the hair follicle, effectively damaging it at its source. Due to the cycles of hair growth, six to eight sessions are usually required, four to six weeks apart. The procedures are safe, and practiced worldwide. During a consultation, our trained professionals determine if you are a viable candidate. The treatments are relatively pain-free, and depending on the area being treated, each may take anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours. Lasers do not "see" white or blonde hair, so there must be some visible pigment for the laser to track. Ideally, light skin and dark hair is the best combination, making winter best for this treatment when getting sun exposure is minimal. That way, the laser can discern between the skin and hair color, so the laser energy is directed right at the hair follicle. Some hair growth is hormoneregulated, therefore harder to remove. Medications and medical conditions will be noted to see if they have any effect on hair growth patterns. If you feel like you may be a candidate, make an appointment for a free consultation at DermBar Med-Spa 530.342.2672. DERM BAR MED-SPA 85 Declaration Dr. Suite 100 Chico, CA 95973 530.342.2672
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might as well do the whole thing. It’s due for a facelift.” And so began their journey to a new again earthy colored and light filled kitchen.
An Earthy Kitchen Revealed
The decision to go with New Again Kitchen Remodeling and its lead designer, Ric Powers was simple. As Jan puts it, “Best price, definitely.” Mike had also checked out all their reviews and was pleased to see how well they were received. A friend who lives a few blocks away had her kitchen recently redone by New Again and loved it, as did Jan and Mike. They stopped by the New Again Kitchen Remodeling office at 2502 E. Park Ave. and met with Ric, telling him what they had in mind. They both liked what Ric had to say, excited about hearing about his ideas and recommendations. Based on Mike’s knowledge of the construction business and its costs and timelines, New Again offered the very best of everything.
Tucked off a quiet street in North Chico, Jan Mirtz and Mike Kelly love their home. The location, great neighborhood, and the large lot are just a few of the things that drew them to this house. Built in 1994 with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, it has been a perfect fit for them. Mike moved to Chico in 1982 as a result of a job promotion. In 1991, he joined Modern Building Company and has been in construction ever since. Jan, now retired from Cal Water, has lived in Chico for the past 18 years. After much thought and consideration, Jan decided she wanted to freshen up the kitchen by replacing its dated oak and tile countertops with something a bit more modern. Originally, she was just going to have the countertops redone but Mike said, “if you’re going to do new countertops, you CONNECT
When they asked Ric about how long it would take and he said 1½ to 2 weeks, Mike said, “I’m in construction and I know construction. I laughed on our way out and told Jan, ‘like that will happen.’” But it did! They were finished with the entire kitchen renovation in two weeks. “They didn’t mess around. They demoed the existing cabinets and countertops in a matter of hours and were installing new cabinets the next day.” At the showroom, they had told Ric that they both liked warm earth tones and he was able to show them some stunning choices for a countertop, backsplash
tile, including a cabinet color that blended beautifully together. The fact that they have all the samples in the showroom, makes deciding on the perfect combination so much easier than having to go from place to place. They were also able to bring samples of the potential cabinet doors and countertop materials home to see how they looked with their current flooring and paint color before making their final decision. Jan and Mike both love the warm golden tones they selected and are thrilled with how amazing the Golden Ivory Granite countertops look with its accents of creams, tans, and honey. The cabinets are Crème Shaker by Eastar, the backsplash tile is Bedrosians in Eclipse Dunes and the sink is Dawn ASU106. Their deeply inset window is now an architectural centerpiece in the kitchen, tiled all around with the same streamlined glass backsplash used throughout the kitchen. They cannot say enough positive things about the service they received from New Again Kitchen Remodeling. Jan says “they are so easy to work with and bend over backwards to make you happy.”
WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON PHOTOS BY MICHAEL MEJIA
N E W AGA I N K I TC H E N REMODELING PRESENTS HOUSE CALL:
With another remodeled kitchen on the books, New Again continues to set the standard for kitchen and bathroom renovation in the area. If you want to start a home improvement project and are looking for affordability with impeccable service, call New Again Kitchen Remodeling at 530.899.2888.
NEW AGAIN KITCHEN REMODELING | 2502 PARK AVE, CHICO, CALIFORNIA 95928 | 530.899.2888
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WRITTEN BY EMILY LEBLANC
Budget-Friendly T H A N K S G I V I N G TA B L E D E C O R You have been planning your big Thanksgiving meal for months. With your meal research and large amounts of money spent on prime cuts of meat and organic vegetables, you probably haven’t even thought about your table decor. Don’t worry, the best part about Fall decor is that it is completely possible to decorate on a budget. Your first budget-friendly prerogative is to start gathering anything you might already have or can get for free. Go outside and start gathering foliage such as leaves, branches, and berries in a variety of colors. Search your home for anything you might already have or, head to a local thrift store to pick up your Fall-themed favorites like real or fake pumpkins, squash, leaves, berries, nuts, and acorns. Other accessories to include are wicker baskets, metal and wooden signs or slabs, gold or silver statement pieces, and candles. If you don’t have the time to search outside or you can’t find what you’re looking for, check out different dollar stores or discount markets, and try a few thrift shops. If the branches and leaves you found in nature turned out to be unappealing on your table, stop by Trader Joe’s for a bundle of eucalyptus or magnolia leaves. Place a few 36
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candles in the mix, either using the ones you already have or gathering a few from a thrift store. To appeal to your inner interior design diva, buy a small container of either acrylic gold or matte white paint and get to work. If you want a classic Fall look, paint the tips of leaves, branches, and candle holders gold and sprinkle gold accessories around the table. For a more modern feel, buy white paint and coat all your Fall decor in white with some statement silver pieces thrown in. You could also buy spray paint and only paint certain items on your table so they will really pop. Once all your pieces are gathered and painted—if desired—it’s time to put everything on your table. Instead of buying a new tablecloth, we recommend laying down a makeshift runner. If you don’t have one that matches your decor, use a colorful scarf or lay down brown paper. You can get brown paper rolls for about five dollars from home improvement or craft stores. Place your candles, foliage, statement pieces, and baskets on your runner and adjust to ensure everything looks perfectly imperfect as if everything fell together with no effort at all on your part. The amazing thing about fall decor is that nothing has to match—just like the harvest, your home can be bright and uncommon. Spice up your home with variety, celebrate the amazing differentiation in color of your decorations, and tie everything together with a touch of paint.
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ARTICLE PROVIDED BY HEATHER JOHNSON AND PHOTO BY BEN NORTH
Our Simple Charm Taking a stroll through Historic Downtown Oroville is an easy reminder that nothing else quite compares to the simple charm of a small downtown. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for with abundant parking, walkable blocks, and that quintessentially "Main Street" feel. Quaint, locally owned stores entice you in with their mix of nostalgic displays and modern wares. Local restaurants offer their latest seasonal creations alongside American classics with a wide selection of local wines and microbrews. Don't be surprised if the local residents and shop owners spot you as a newcomer and offer a friendly greeting as you pass by. Most of them know each other, and with all of the events and reasons to get together, it's no surprise. You will find that this "small downtown" offers big experiences as you explore and dig deeper into what Oroville has to offer, and this holiday season is poised to impress. From the traditional Tree Lighting ceremony and Santa Sightings to the Grand Parade of Lights, there’s no substitute for the joyful holiday traditions of small-town America. If you haven’t been to Historic Downtown Oroville in a while, it’s time for a visit! 40
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You're invited to sip locally made cider, shop a small boutique for that special holiday gift, and embrace seasonal delights such as carolers and mulled wine. Whether you consider yourself a city-slicker or love the rural lifestyle, we're certain you'll find it impossible to resist the allure and undeniable charm that Downtown Oroville has to offer this holiday season. The following is a list of our Holiday Calendar of Events: WINE & ART STROLL: November 1st, 5:00–8:00 p.m. (tickets sold online) Sip a glass of wine, enjoy small bites, and Fall sales as you stroll downtown shops. Meet local artists and see their work on display. CHRISTMAS PREVIEW: November 23rd, 3:00–7:00 p.m. Enjoy the crisp fall air and Holiday decorations as you stroll the historic streets. Participating stores will showcase new arrivals and provide seasonal refreshments! Free Event SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: November 30th, Free Event FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS VISIT: DOWNTOWNOROVILLE.COM
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Bargain Prices Whether you’re a homeowner looking to refresh a small powder room or a contractor needing tile for an entire subdivision, the Tile Bargain Barn might be just what you’re looking for.
WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON PHOTOS BY MICHAEL MEJIA
Walking into the large white barn on Park Avenue, you immediately see the wide variety of tiles available ranging from beautiful white and gray veined marble to popular wood plank porcelain tiles. Near the back of the store sits Susan with her smiling face and helpful demeanor ready to direct you to whatever tile or countertop material will work best for your needs. Susan Wishon is Bargain Barn’s manager and she has extensive experience in the construction business. Prior to moving to Chico three years ago, Susan worked for a custom homebuilder in Redding, and also has experience in industrial and commercial construction as well. Often times, a customer will have questions about whether or not a particular tile can be used in
the shower or whether a tile will blend with other materials in their home and Susan can speak to those issues too. In addition, she will recommend and connect customers with reliable contractors to install their selected tile or countertop. Susan says one of the biggest misconceptions about the Bargain Barn is their low prices are indicative of low quality, but that is definitely not the case. For example, German limestone normally retails for $12 per square foot. Recently, a supplier decided to discontinue the tile and would no longer carry it. So Susan was able to get the remaining pallets of the tile at a deeply discounted price. The low price is then passed on to the consumer allowing them to get beautiful high quality tiles at a much better price. The Tile Bargain Barn offers “overstocked and discounted designer tiles at sale prices every day.” Every tile in the store is priced at $2.95 a square foot or less. Tiles that were originally been listed at $6, $12, or even $25 per square foot elsewhere are available here with these extraordinary discounts. Besides the expansive selection of tiles they sell, the Bargain Barn also has a room full of large marble and granite slabs. These slabs, with their exquisite colorations ranging from subtle grey veining on white backgrounds to rich black swirls against a reddish brown base, are priced at $10 a square foot or less. Usually slabs are sold to distributors in groups of three or more. A conventional kitchen countertop installation will generally use two to three slabs and the leftover slabs become known as orphan slabs. It’s these orphan slabs the Bargain Barn is able to buy at discounted prices and offer at this greatly reduced rate. The tiles and slabs offered are all in stock and available immediately which makes completing your job that much easier and efficient. Most of the tiles are stocked in
large quantities, so no matter what your square footage requirement they can handle the order. The great prices will draw you in the door, the unsurpassed quality will keep you there, and Susan’s customer service will have you coming back. She says “Come on in and see me, it's fun making a house into a home”. FEEL FREE TO STOP BY THE TILE BARGAIN BARN AT 2260 PARK AVENUE, SUITE B OR REACH OUT TO SUSAN BY PHONE AT 530.893.9303.
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WRITTEN BY BRIAN LUONG
The Star Shaped Fruit of the Vine Okra is more than just a Tyler, The Creator single. Okra, commonly referred to as “lady fingers”, are believed to have originated somewhere near Ethiopia. The Egyptians, as early as the 12th century B.C, were known to be cultivating the star-shaped pods, and its use spread from Africa all the way throughout the Mediterranean, Arabia, and India. Although it may look like one, okra is not a vegetable and is biologically classified as a fruit. The pods themselves are harvested from the plant’s flowers, which can take up to two months before they are ready to be eaten. Okra thrives in warm weather and sunlight, and should be planted in the spring and summer time when there is no chance of frost. They need constant watering and should be spaced at least one foot apart in order to give them enough room to grow. Be sure not to plant any vegetables next to okra in need of a lot of sunlight because the plant itself can grow up to six feet tall, shading off anything that lies beneath it. Okra is extremely popular in New Orleans and is used to thicken gumbo because of the gelatinous texture the pods bring out when cooked. The name gumbo itself derive from ki ngombo, the West African dialect for okra. Gumbo recipes using okra in New Orleans date back to the early 19th century. The other thickening agents often used in gumbos are a roux and filé powder. Fried 44
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okra is also a popular way to eat okra and is commonly served as a side along with fried catfish. The pods themselves are star shaped and have a beautiful cross section. They are able to be eaten raw, cooked, or even pickled. They act as a great supplement to salads and soups. A simple recipe for okra is fried with an egg scramble and served over rice with soy sauce mixed with thai chillies as a finisher. Okra is also extremely nutritious. The pods are low in calories and contain lots of Vitamin C and K1. Vitamin C is known for helping boost the immune system and for muscle repair while K1 helps with blood clotting. Along with these vitamins, okra also contains proteins, something that many other fruits and vegetables often lack. One of the most interesting properties of okra is folate. Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is an important nutrient for pregnant women because it helps lower the risks of neural tube defects. These defects can affect the brain and spine development of growing fetuses. One cup of raw okra provides 15% of a woman’s daily folate intake. Okra may seem intimidating to use at first, its versatility and nutritional value should make it a staple in everyone’s kitchen.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL MEJIA
Bidwell Perk's Maple Leaf Latte & Hard Hot Cider
MAPLE LEAF LATTE: Ingredients: • Pure Maple Syrup • Oat Milk • Cinnamon Steam together oat milk and pure maple syrup. Top with a dusting of cinnamon, then enjoy!
HARD HOT CIDER: Ingredients: • Knudsen Spiced Cider • Han Rum • Apple Slice Steam Knudsen Spiced Cider with a shot of Han Rum. Garnish with a slice of apple then serve.
FOR MORE DELICIOUS DRINKS & TREATS VISIT BIDWELL PERK AT 664 E 1 ST AVE IN CHICO.
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FRIENDSGIVING DINNER As Fundraiser for Food November and December have always been special months for the team at Upgraded Living. Chico finally welcomes chillier temperatures, beautiful changing hues throughout our tree-lined streets, and pumpkin added into every possible food group. Though there’s no shortage of reasons to love this time of year, our favorite is the spirit that always seems to arrive with the season.
On Monday, November 25th, Parkside will host a Friendsgiving dinner at 115 West 3rd Street in Downtown Chico. The perfect time to celebrate the season with friends and family alike, the buffet-style Thanksgiving dinner will benefit families who are struggling to put food on the table this year. “The community has been incredible in supporting Parkside since we opened two years ago, and we want to take the
Josh Snider, the second half of Parkside’s ownership, continued, “Though many people have been able to rebuild or resettle since then, there’s still a significant need out there and a large number of families who didn’t have insurance or a safety net; they’re still struggling and could use whatever assistance they can get. We can’t do it all, but we want to do whatever we can to help.” “Our goal has been to provide delicious food to our customers for the past two years, but being able to use food to raise money to help the community is something I’m truly passionate about.” Parkside’s Chef Matthew Harrison said, “For me, food is always how I’ve shown love to those closest to me, and I can’t imagine a better way to show our support for the community than by giving our neighbors the opportunity to come together, enjoy themselves, and raise money for those most in need right now.” Bill Buxton, Parkside’s general manager, finished, “We feel a certain level of responsibility here. We have the space to bring a large group together and the ability
to affect change on a local level. If we were in need, we would certainly hope others would be willing to do the same for us. The four of us are looking at this as an opportunity for Parkside to create an annual tradition rooted in philanthropy. We’ve been given so much by the community, and we want to give back.” Parkside’s Friendsgiving dinner will be limited to 200 people at $35 per ticket and will be a private event as the restaurant is normally closed on Monday. The team is currently working on parterning with a number of their vendors to match the money raised by the dinner, further amplifying the efforts of Parkside and those in attendance. The money raised will go directly to putting food on the tables of families in need this year. TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE EVENT, VISIT PARKSIDE TAP HOUSE AT 115 WEST 3 RD STREET OR CALL 530.636.4239.
WRITTEN BY STEVE K. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL MEJIA
Whether by happenstance or the nature of the holidays inherent, people tend to embody their most giving and selfless selves; through it, we’ve seen the community come together to do incredible things. Last year, a number of the restaurants in Downtown Chico came together to donate a portion of their sales each Wednesday to help victims of the Camp Fire. Parkside Tap House is once again looking to bring the community together and continue the tradition to do incredible things with a brand new event celebrating the spirit of giving.
opportunity to give back.” Josh Marks, co-owner of Parkside started, “Last year, during the aftermath of the Camp Fire, Downtown Chico came together to raise money for those who need it most, and we were really able to make a difference. It was just one piece of the massive community effort, but it was humbling to be a part of it.”
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Recipes are a method to attain a desired end. The holiday season offers ample opportunities to test that notion. Memories become intensified by each fourth Thursday of November as a wonderful mystery framed by tradition and kinship. The following recipes demonstrate the tradition and kinship triggered by each contributing reader. The recipes vary from a Lemon Drop Martini certain to test your memory skills to After Dinner Mint Triangles guaranteed to trigger memories for years to come. We invite you into our 2019 Community Cookbook with joy, and with gratitude to those who took the time to brighten our future holiday traditions.
2 019 CO M M U N I T Y CO O K B O O K B U T T E R N U T S Q UA S H S O U P Ingredients:
3 Tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil 1 Onion, Thinly Sliced 4 Cloves Garlic, Smashed 2 Fresh Sage Leaves 2 Tsp Kosher Salt Freshly Ground Black Pepper 2 Medium Canned Plum Tomatoes 1 Medium Butternut Squash, About 2 Lbs Peeled, Halved, Seeded, & Diced 4 Cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth Or Water 1 Tsp Balsamic Vinegar 2 Tbsp Freshly Grated Parmesan, Optional 1 Tsp Salt
Directions:
BY T H E CO L BY FA M I LY
Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, sage, 1 teaspoon of salt and season with pepper, to taste.
Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, about 15 minutes. Raise heat to medium-high, add the tomatoes, and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon until the tomatoes break up and the onions brown slightly, about 7 minutes. Add squash and the remaining teaspoon salt, continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until squash is tender, about 12 minutes. Add the broth, bring to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender, or with an immersion blender. Return the soup to the pot and reheat over medium heat. Stir in the vinegar. Serve the soup in warm bowls with a touch of parmesan cheese if desired.
B L AC K B OT TO M C U P C A KE S Ingredients:
8 Oz Cream Cheese 1 Egg 1/3 Cup Sugar 1/8 Tsp Salt 1 Cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (Blend Ingredients Together & Set Aside)
BY R E N E E D O L A N
1 ½ Cup Flour 1 Cup Sugar ¼ Cup Cocoa 1 Tsp Baking Soda ½ Tsp Salt 1 Cup Water 1/3 Cup Of Oil 1 Tsp Vinegar 1 Tsp Vanilla
Directions:
1. Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl add all remaining ingredients and blend thoroughly. 2. Fill paper cups ¾ full with batter. Drop 1 heaping Tablespoon of cream cheese mixture into center of each cupcake. 3. Bake at 370° degrees for 35–40 minutes.
C RO C K P OT B E E F S T E W Ingredients:
2 Lbs Boneless Beef Top Round, Tip Or Chuck Steak, Cut Into 1 Inch Pieces 4 Medium Carrots, Cut Into Quarter Inches 2 Medium Stocks Celery, Sliced 2 Small Or 1 Large Onion, Sliced 1 Can Diced Tomatoes, Undrained 1 Can Sliced Mushrooms, Drained 3/4 Cup Dry Red Wine Or Beef Broth ½ Teaspoon Salt 1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme 1 Teaspoon Ground Mustard 1/4 Teaspon Pepper
Directions:
In a slow cooker mix all ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or high for 4 to 6 hours. Serve in bread bowls.
BY M A RY O L I V E R
M O I S T BA N A N A B R E A D Ingredients:
Directions:
3 Ripe Bananas 1 Cup Sugar 1 Egg, Beaten 1 1/2 Cups Flour 1/4 Cup Melted Butter 1 Tsp Baking Soda 1 Tsp Salt
Mash bananas together in bowl then add remaining ingredients. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake 1 hour at 325°. When finished cool on rack.
BY RO B I N WA L L I N G
GA R L I C K Y G R E E N B E A N S Ingredients:
1 Lb Fresh Green Beans 1 Tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil 1 Tbsp Butter 2 Cloves Fresh Garlic 1/4 Cup White Wine 1 Tsp Chicken Bouillon Crystals Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
Directions:
1. Wash beans and remove ends. 2. Heat oil and butter on medium in a large skillet. Add beans and stir to coat.
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3. Peel and mince garlic. Add to skillet. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until beans turn bright green, 4 to 5 minutes. 4. Add wine and bouillon. Raise heat to medium-high; you want to hear it sizzle. Then reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring frequently, 5 minutes or until beans are crisp-tender. 5. Season with pepper to taste, and serve! BY Y VO N N E E . LY D O N
I CO O K W I T H W I N E . S O M E T I M E S I E V E N A D D I T TO T H E F O O D. –W. C . F I E L DS
H U N GA R I A N M U S H RO O M S O U P W I T H S H E R RY, BACO N , & F R E S H D I L L Ingredients:
For The Broth, Simmer: 4 Cup Chicken Stock .5 Oz Dried Porcini Mushrooms 1 Sprig Of Fresh Dill For The Soup, Cook: 3 Strips Of Bacon 2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter 1 Cup Onions 2 Cloves Of Garlic 1 Tbsp Smoked Hungarian Paprika 1 Lb Fresh Cremini Mushrooms 1/4 Cup Dry Sherry
BY M A R K M O R R I S
Whisk: 3 Tbsp Cornstarch 2 Tbsp Low-Sodium Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice 1 Cup Heavy Cream 2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Dill Salt And Pepper To Taste Sour Cream
Directions:
1. Simmer broth, porcini and fresh dill sprig for 10 minutes, strain, and discard solids. 2. Cook bacon until crisp; move to a paper towel lined plate and discard extra fat. 3. Add butter to pot and heat over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, and smoked paprika until onions soften. Add cremini mushrooms for 5 more minutes. 4. Stir in sherry; simmer until nearly absorbed. Add broth, bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. 5. Whisk together cornstarch, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Simmer until it thickens. Stir in heavy cream and fresh dill, then season with salt and pepper. Serve with sour cream and bacon.
T R A D I T I O N A L PAV LOVA Ingredients:
1 Cup Superfine Sugar 1 Tbsp Corn Starch 4 Large Egg Whites, Room Temperature 1/4 Tsp Salt 1/4 Tsp Cream Of Tarter 1 Tsp Vanilla 1 Tsp White Vinegar 1 Cup Whipping Cream 2 Pints Mixed Berries
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 275°. Line a cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper. Using a 10 inch round cake pan or plate as a guide, lightly trace a circle (use a toothpick on foil or pencil on parchment). Set aside. 2. In a small bowl combine 1/4 cup sugar and corn starch. Mix with a fork until smooth. set aside.
BY C H A N N I N M A R T I N S
3. With a mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites to a foam. Add salt and cream of tartar and continue to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 3/4 cup sugar
(2 Tablespoons at a time) continue to beat until peaks stiffen. Fold in the corn starch and sugar mixture until blended. Fold in the vanilla and vinegar until blended. Spoon the mixture onto the cookie sheet. 4. Using the circle of paper as a guide, spread the meringue (using the back of a Tablespoon) into a large “nest”. The edges should be 1 1/2 inches high and the center should be shallow. Bake for 1 hour until dry thoroughly. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack. 5. Once cool, peel the paper from the bottom of the Meringue. Place on a serving dish or cake plate. Just before serving, whip the cream into soft peaks and spoon onto the center of meringue. Combine the whip cream with the mixed berries and serve immediately.
S E A R E D S C A L LO P S W / B ROW N B U T T E R C AU L I F LOW E R & O R A N G E CO N S E RVA Ingredients:
Jumbo Bay Scallops, 3 pieces Yellow Raisins Red Seedless Grapes, Sliced Medallions Pine Nuts, Lightly Toasted White Cauliflower, Shaved Thin On Mandolin Shallot, Minced Unsalted Butter Fines Herbs: Finely Minced Chervil Parsley Tarragon Cara Cara Oranges, (2 Each) Sliced Thin Sugar (Equal Parts In Weight To Oranges) Star Anise, 2 Each Water, (Enough Time Submerge Oranges)
Directions:
BY A N I S A M U E L I A N
Seared Bay Scallops: For the best sear, place scallops between two paper towels to absorb all moisture. Season generously with kosher salt and cracked paper. Wait 3 minutes, pat dry scallops. Place pan on stove top (cast iron works great) and set it on medium heat for about 5 minutes, but not smoking, add 1 Tablespoon of butter, roll it around the pan, place the scallops flatside down. Once placed, don't touch them! Once you see a nice, caramel-colored crust on the underside, they're ready to flip. The scallops should be removed from the pan and served while their centers are still slightly translucent as they'll continue to cook after
you take them off the heat. They should be springy if you press them with your thumb. If they are very firm or stiff, they're overcooked. Brown Buttered Base: In a separate pan, (egg pan works great) heat the pan on medium heat using same technique explained earlier and throw in 2 Tablespoons of your butter. Right when your butter is at the early stages of browning, add in your minced shallots and shaved cauliflower. Toss until coated with the brown butter. It should smell nutty, not burnt. Add the remaining butter and just as it starts to brown, toss in the raisins, sliced grapes, toasted pine nuts, and the fines herbs last. Orange Conserva: Slice oranges very thin. Weigh them out and add equal parts sugar. Put in a pot on medium heat and add water as needed to loosen up sugar (basic simple syrup). Add star anise and cover. Cook on very low for 3 hours and let it cool at room temperature. Once thoroughly cooked, blend until puréed. You may need to add a touch of water here to loosen up.
Plating:
On your fancy-shmancy plate, place the cauliflower mixture in the center, arrange your cooked scallops on top, and spoon a few dollops of the orange conserva. Garnish with leftover chopped herbs and enjoy.
Q U I N N T E S S E N T I A L L E M O N D RO P Ingredients:
1 Oz Tito’s Vodka ½ Oz Triple Sec 1 Oz Simple Syrup ½ Cup Fresh Squeezed Lemon Fine Sugar For Rim, optional Lemon Slice For Garnish, optional
Directions:
Coat the rim of your martini glass in sugar. (If you love sugary drinks, like me, double coat the rim.) Fill a shaker with ice cubes and add all the liquid ingredients. Shake and strain into your sugar rim martini glass. Enjoy & start mixing another!
BY N E R I S S A Q U I N N
GREER’S AFTER DINNER MINT TRIANGLES Crust Ingredients:
2 Pkg Grasshopper Fudge Mint Cookies ½ Cup Butter (1 Stick) 1 ¼ Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
Filling & Toppings:
10 Oz. Vanilla Almond Bark Or White Chocolate Morsels 1 Pkg Cream Cheese Softened 1 Tsp Peppermint Extract 6 Drops Green Food Doloring ¼ Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
Directions:
1. For crust, crush cookies in Cuisinart.
BY C H R I S T I N E G O L D M A N N
2. Place butter and chocolate morsels in small bowl and microwave on High 1–1 ½ minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until smooth. Add chocolate mixture to crumbs; mix until all crumbs are moistened. Spread evenly over medium sized sheet pan; using hands, firmly pack evenly into pan. Place in freezer for at least 10 minutes.
3. For filling, place almond bark into large micro cooker. Microwave, uncovered, on High for 2–3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until bark is mostly melted. Remove from microwave; stir until smooth. Whisk cream cheese until smooth. Whisk in extract and food coloring until smooth. Add bark; whisk well. Spread filling over crust; set aside. 4. Place remaining chocolate morsels into 1 cup prep bowl; microwave uncovered on High 35–40 seconds or until melted, stirring every 15 seconds. Place small resealable plastic bag into 1-cup container. Pour chocolate into corner of bag. Twist top of bag; secure. Cut corner off bag. Drizzle chocolate over filling. Let stand until chocolate is firm. Cut dessert into 16 rectangles (four rows of four rectangles each). Cut in half diagonally to make 32 triangles.
C H I C KE N P I CC ATA Ingredients:
8 Boneless Chicken Breast 4 Tbsp Olive Oil 4 Tbsp Parsley, Chopped 2 Tsp Garlic, Chopped 1 Large Lemon 1/2 Cup White Wine 3 Tbsp Capers 2 Tbsp Butter 2 Cups Flour 1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Salt And Pepper To Taste 3 Eggs, Beaten
Directions:
BY A M A N DA CO RO N A
Pound out the chicken between plastic wrap until chicken is thin and even. This makes for quick and even cooking. Chop parsley, zest, and cut the lemons. In one dish, beat 3 eggs and in another mix flour, Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper.
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Heat the olive oil in two pans, making for quick cooking and not over crowding. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg and then into the flour mixture. Once all chicken is drenched and coated, place two to three pieces in each pan, allowing for even browning. Keep a close eye as to rotate or when to flip the chicken. When all the chicken is cooked, place it in the oven to keep warm while making the pan sauce. If there are yummy brown bits left in the pan use those with the butter. Melt butter and add the wine. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes. Add lemon juice and zest plus the parsley and capers. Cook for four minutes or until thickened. Add a splash of half-n-half or milk to make for a creamier sauce. Serve with noodles on the side as well as pre made polenta to soak up the sauce.
A BA L A N C E D D I E T I S A CO O KI E I N E AC H H A N D. – BA R BA R A J O H N S O N
C H I C KE N A N D L E M O N C A P E R S AU C E W I T H O R ZO PA S TA Ingredients:
1 1/2 Lbs Chicken Tenders 1/2 Lb Orzo Pasta 2 Cloves Garlic; Minced 1 Lemon; Quartered & Deseeded 1/2 Lb Spinach 1-2 Medium Size Zucchini; Chopped 3 Tbsp Flour 2 Tbsp Butter 1 Oz Parmesan Cheese 2 Tsp Capers 4-5 Cocktail Tomatoes; Quartered With Salt And Pepper
Directions:
BY S A R A H VA N H O U T
Start water for pasta. Season chicken with salt and pepper (lemon pepper if desired). Cook in 1 Tablespoon of olive oil on medhigh heat for 3-5 min per side or until lightly browned and cooked through. Cover to keep warm and set aside. Reserve any fond left in pan.
To make the sauce: Add the garlic to the pan of reserved fond; season with salt and pepper. (If the pan seems dry, add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil.) Cook on medium-high, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant. Add the capers, butter, ¼ cup of water, and the juice of all 4 lemon wedges, season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly and scraping up any fond from the bottom of the pan, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the butter has melted and the sauce is slightly thickened. While the pasta cooks, sauté chopped zucchini in olive oil and season with garlic salt and pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta and add the tomato, spinach and cooked zucchini. Sprinkle in parmesan cheese. Top chicken with sauce, serve alongside pasta and enjoy!
S O U R D O U G H B R E A D B OW L S Ingredients:
1 Cup Active/Fed Sourdough Starter 1 1/2 Cups Lukewarm Water 5 Cups All-Purpose Flour, Divided 2 1/12 Teaspoons Salt
Directions:
1. Combine the starter, water and 3 cups all purpose flour. Mix vigorously for 1 minute. Cover and let rest at room temperature for 4 hours, then refrigerate for about 12 hours. 2. Add remaining 2 cups flour and the salt. 3. Allow dough to rise in a covered bowl until visible air bubbles appear. This may take up to 5 hours (usually about 3). During this time gently deflate the dough every hour by turning on to work surface, stretching and folding the edges into the center and turning it over before placing back in the bowl.
BY M A RY O L I V E R
4. Gently divide the dough into thirds and shape each into rounds and place on floured rising receptacle (colander, bowl,
banneton basket). Cover and let rise until very puffy, about 1 1/2 to 4 hours. Towards the end of rising, preheat oven to 425° and place a cast iron or metal baking pan on the bottom rack of oven. Boil water. 5. Score loaves using a serrated knife or razor blade then spray loaf with water. 6. After placing loaves in the oven add about 1 cup of boiling water to the cast iron or metal pan. 5 minutes into baking spray bread with water again. Half way through baking, rotate bread, brush with olive oil and remove pan of water. Bake until a deep golden brown. Bake for 30–35 minutes total. 7. Cool completely. Cut top of bread off and using a small knife, cut around the inside of the bread about ¼ inch from the crust and pull out inside of bread. Don’t discard, use it another time for bread crumbs or croutons. Enjoy!
Make Certain your Human Resource is
Human
In today’s environment, there is a fine art to Human Resources. HR is tasked with ensuring equal treatment in an environment where each and every situation is uniquely and extremely multifaceted. No two situations or set of circumstances are ever the same. Without an emotionally intelligent person to evaluate when it is and isn’t appropriate to enforce a universal policy, HR services would be more robotic than anything. Here is an example: You have a policy where if someone is tardy, they get written up. Employee A shows up to work 20 minutes late because the line at Starbucks was out the door. She knew Starbucks has long lines sometimes, but felt getting coffee was more important than the company’s workflow. Employee B has an elderly parent living with him and is adapting to caretaking on their offtime. Employee B’s parent took an unexpected fall that morning, and he was 20 minutes late because he had to take his parent to the doctor to check for fractures. He had no idea this was going to happen, and, given a choice, would have preferred to get to work on time. According to your written policy, both employees are tardy. Should they both be written up? No. Each of these situations clearly has its own unique and telling circumstances Therefore, the fine art of Human Resources includes the necessity of having a human instead of a robot. HRIQ–HUMAN RESOURCES + PAYROLL 236 Broadway Suite #B Chico, CA 95928 Shelby@upyourhriq.com | Upyourhriq.com 530.680.4747
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Sugar & Spice I’d love to PSL with you, and you may say that I’m late—after all, your favorite coffee house has been giving you your fix since September 5th. Even though, in my mind, November is the time for pumpkins, the truth is I’m looking forward to something else. The holidays evoke many undeniable scents and flavors—apple cinnamon, pumpkin, and pine to name a few—and can bring you back to a time and place full of family togetherness and genuine love. Many may share the same memories of family parties— unpacking familiar folding metal chairs and card tables from storage so you can fit four times the normal capacity in the living and dining rooms, along with cardboard displays, plastic cornucopia, and turkeys finely crafted from the outline of four fingers and a thumb of a year ago. You guessed it, the kids table, and the best part about it was always sparkling apple cider. Sparkling apple cider was the reason to be good around the holidays. We knew there was a bottle (or two) hiding somewhere at any given time throughout the late fall, and the mere notion that even a sip might be enjoyed was enough to dissolve a fight with siblings, swallowing your pride over a classic parent child argument, or uttering a couple more ‘pleases and thank you's.’ Apple cider brought out the proverbial halo and made you feel inside as though you were a saint among all other children, operating well in disguise. The tradition, as simple as it may be, allows children to enjoy themselves (almost) as much as adults,
with a special beverage providing the ability to toast and be on the same page for a ceremonious moment of dinner time. As I prepare for a very familiar holiday season, it is with great understanding how new this will be to my family. Now, in a still somewhat unfamiliar house full of people and children to spare, I look to continue a holiday tradition that will renew itself as we make new decorations, greet new friends, and celebrate love and thankfulness in a way I never have before. The side dishes will always vary as a potluck of family recipes or a new spin on a classic, the turkey will always be a roll of the dice, but the sweet, lightly carbonated nectar of my youth with it’s gold medal and white foil will always symbolize the promise of a delicious gift I didn’t deserve. I hope you enjoy this recipe during the upcoming holiday seasons:
Adults Apple Cider: • • • • • • •
serve in a champagne flute .75 oz Whiskey 1 oz apple Liqueur .25 oz fresh lemon juice .5 oz Grand Marnier .5 oz brown sugar simple syrup top with champagne
Cheers to family and friends, may we be forever grateful.
COCKTAIL ADVICE
VIA
JASON CORONA
For more cocktail tips, give Jason a call at 530.591.2634.
The Solution for Travel Stress Though the holidays are full of delicious food, excitement, and fun, as adults, we become acutely aware of the increase in stress that tends to associate itself with the season. Between planning get-togethers, shopping, and travel, there’s no shortage of potential logistic hiccups that could easily turn an exciting event into something which totally ruins your day. To be honest, it was stressful just writing about it. Though we can’t fully circumvent all of these potential stressors with proper planning, some are easily avoidable thanks to people like Steven Blankinship of Shuttle Solution in Butte County.
WRITTEN & PHOTO BY STEVE K.
We’ve all been there—you planned the perfect trip with friends or family, and the big day finally arrives. You corral everyone into the living room, double check all the luggage and make sure everyone has their tickets and necessary identification. Then, someone realizes they forgot a must-bring item and disappears to find it. Undoubtedly someone else finally becomes aware of the impending car ride to the airport and has to use the bathroom. Once one person leaves the departure zone, others tend to follow, and before you know it, that perfectly planned schedule falls apart. You look at your phone and watch as precious minutes tick away.
obtained his commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement in 2006, he has helped customers travel from point A to point B without the experience narrated above for the past 13 years. When North Valley Shuttle closed its doors in early 2019 as a result of the Camp Fire, Steven decided to take his experience and start his own business— Shuttle Solution. Customer service oriented, professional, and personable, his service has helped thousands of riders enjoy their trip without one of the most common stressors associated with traveling. With comfortable seating for a family of four and the ability to accommodate two more in his well-appointed shuttle, a Toyota Highlander, Steven provides door to door service from Butte County to as far away as the Bay Area, though the majority of his rides are a shuttle service to Sacramento Airport. With safe delivery to their gate of choice, customers can skip the hassle of finding parking, worrying about their car’s safety while on vacation, and paying excessively high parking fees that often cost as much as a round trip flight when they return. Even before you factor in the cost of driving
your own car to and from the airport, and the usual stress it adds to a trip, the service is a no-brainer. And yes, he provides return pickup service as well. Having used Shuttle Solution ourselves, we can personally vouch for the experience. It also doesn’t hurt that Steven is a wonderful conversationalist and starts each trip by asking whether you’d like to chat or would rather take time to unwind with music in conversational silence. After a fair share of time in awkward rideshare rides, this is a welcome change of pace. If you have a trip or vacation planned, do yourself a favor and consider the cost-benefit of leaving stress at the door and beginning your getaway as soon as you leave your home rather than when you’re finally on the plane. From someone who travels constantly for both work and pleasure, it’s an absolute game changer.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SHUTTLE SOLUTION AND THE SERVICES STEVEN PROVIDES, VISIT HIS WEBSITE AT SHUTTLESOLUTION.COM OR TEXT OR CALL HIM DIRECTLY AT 530.345.4525.
By the time everyone is finally ready and in the car, Highway 99 turns into the Daytona Speedway, and you’re left wondering how these drivers, whose cars are crawling at a turtle’s pace, were given their license to begin with. You arrive at the Sacramento Airport, flustered and frustrated, glad to have made it just in time. Then you realize—parking. Assuming you make it to the gate before your flight takes off, you’re sweating and physically exhausted from the airport 5k you just ran with luggage, emotionally closed off to the world, and ready to just turn around and head home. You curse travel and vow never to do it again—until next year when you relive the nightmare once more. Steven and Shuttle Solution are looking to change that experience once and for all. A former driver for North Valley Shuttle and a Camp Fire survivor, Steven has a proven track record of excellent service. Having 55
4 Components
BY RENEE MICHEL, MBA, AND JOE SWEENEY, CFP ®, FINANCIAL ADVISORS AT SWEENEY & MICHEL, LLC
With so many discussions surrounding the world of investment options, we thought it would be helpful to refocus on the four key components of investment performance.
pay dividends and capital gains, which are taxed between 0–20%. ETFs historically have rarely paid out capital gains and can be helpful for high earners to help reduce investment income tax.
Asset Allocation
Cost Control
The allocation process involves deciding how to divide your money between four main investment categories:
Cost is always an important factor when considering any investment or purchase. One of the important factors affecting investment performance is the level of fees and expenses. Lower investment costs have proven to be strong predictors of performance versus category competitors. When constructing a portfolio, the total cost must be taken into consideration because every dollar saved will go directly into the pocket (or account value) of the investor.
1. Stocks 2. Bonds 3. Cash/Cds/Money Market 4. Alternatives (i.e. real estate, commodities, venture capital, etc) Academic data going back 100 years clearly shows that asset allocation, not individual security selection, is responsible for 95% of a portfolio’s return.
Tax Control Investment accounts that are funded with after tax money—those owned outside of a retirement plan—are subject to capital gains, ordinary income, and dividend income tax. Understanding and selecting investments that can minimize taxes is crucially important to improving investment performance. Stocks held outside of retirement accounts can provide a very significant tax break versus taxable bonds. Taxable bonds pay interest, which is taxed as ordinary income—up to 37% Fed and 13% State. Stocks and stock funds
Investment Policy An investment policy (IPS) is the written and agreed upon roadmap of your portfolio design and management. It is critical for advisors, as well as clients, to adhere to the roadmap through challenging and changing market conditions. An IPS will force responsible investor behavior on the part of the investor and advisor through annual rebalancing when stocks are high and buying when prices are low. These four components, intelligently managed, provide the foundation for prudent portfolio development.
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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Alternatives To Traditional Thanksgiving Events
The true historical roots of our Thanksgiving festivities leave many with a feeling of discomfort. We all know the fable. The one we learn in elementary school. A poignant time in America’s history–when the English sailed over to America on the Mayflower and made friends with Natives who’d lived there. The Natives taught the English how to hunt and grow crops. To commemorate this newfound alliance, a feast was had and enjoyed by all. As we all know, this is an utterly inaccurate and overly simplified myth. Torn between not wanting to celebrate based on the actual story and wanting to celebrate in this time-honored tradition that for many of us just feels good, we are left with our hands up in the air. How can we keep the festive feeling alive while simultaneously creating a new tradition that doesn’t surround the dark and complex history behind the holiday?
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VOLUNTEER
Offering your time is a mighty gift and it is a gift that’s often needed in soup kitchens during the Thanksgiving holiday. Consider volunteering your time at a soup kitchen of your choosing, or head to The Jesus Center’s website to see how you can help them with their Thanksgiving meal.
DONATE BLOOD AS A FAMILY
Here is a list of alternative ways to celebrate during the Thanksgiving holiday season.
According to experts, donors give approximately one pint per session; this pint can help save up to three lives. Going as a family, or as a group of friends on Thanksgiving, you can’t help but notice how this gift of life is multiplied. And, as an added benefit, donating blood can be good for your health.
SOAK UP THE OUTDOORS
FAMILY VACATION
This time of year, we are blessed with gorgeous weather and we’re spoiled with the easy access we have to the great outdoors. Instead of laboring over the logistics of traditional Thanksgiving, opt to pack a creative picnic and head outside with friends and family. The Oroville Wildlife Area encompasses about 11,000 acres of riparian woodland habitat along the Feather River. In Chico, local favorite hiking trails include the Yahi Trail, the North Rim Trail, and the Upper, Middle, and Lower Trails of Upper Bidwell Park. Check out Butte Meadows, a short hour drive from Chico off highway 32. You’ll find many hiking trails, one being The Cherry Hill Hike. At a little over 1¼ miles with a total climb of about 773 feet, most folks will be able to enjoy this hike. Lastly, check out this botanical gem that’s tucked away on the southern part of Chico–the Chico Seed Orchard. Opening in 1904 as the Plant Introduction Field Station, it’s now opened to the public. Dogs on leashes are welcome and there are seven picnic sites for visitors. 58
Just thinking about all those calories consumed during this one meal may lead to instant weight gain in and of itself! Try this instead–Run for Food! This family friendly 5K run/walk takes place in Chico on the morning of Thanksgiving Day. All raised funds benefit the Jesus Center, an organization based in Chico that graciously serves the homeless community by providing food and services. Nix Thanksgiving dinner. After the event, plan on having a potluck lunch BBQ at One Mile Recreation Area. The race starts at 9:00 a.m.
Typically, Thanksgiving weekend includes a four-day holiday. If you can, take the preceding Wednesday and following Monday off and you’ve got a hefty six days to plan an international vacation. Research and discover an affordable destination and avoid the hustle of Thanksgiving altogether.
HOST OR ATTEND A HARVEST CELEBRATION
A harvest celebration focuses on honoring the change of the seasons. This is a time to get creative. Folks can share a potluck meal and participate in arts and crafts; one way is to set intentions for the new season by creating a vision board. Encourage your guests to join in by bringing musical instruments, and their favorite seasonal dish. Plan on having a few games for little ones. Whatever you decide on doing, we hope you have a wonderful time. Be it a bustling event with friends and family, or a quiet early evening, Happy Holidays to you!
WRITTEN BY KRISTINA MORENO
RUN/WALK
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Fillin’ his pockets and IRS show up asking me questions
NOVEMBER REFLECTIONS
SET TO MUSIC Wake me up when September and October both end because that’s when the best month of the year begins. November is a period of transition, whether it be casting our votes in the elections or the change of the weather, November is a time where we can look back on the past as well as prepare for the end of the year. Here are songs about November where artists take the time to reflect on different periods of their lives and the changing times.
November Rain Guns N’ Roses When Guns N’ Roses had released both Use Your Illusion I and Use your Illusion II, fans took notice of the step away from their hard rock style. The band had a change of direction including influence from different genres, experimentation with different instruments, as well as the addition of Matt Sorrum, who replaced Steven Adler as the band’s new drummer. The song November Rain highlights this change, featuring a piano performance from lead vocalist Axl Rose. The song is over nine minutes in length, their third longest song ever, and goes into the story of a struggling relationship and lost love. Axl sings,
I couldn’t answer ‘cause I was too busy tryna make classics.” Tyler later on in the song that his November was the summer of 2006, and continues to state throughout the song “Take me back to November.” Later on in the song, Tyler’s friends can be heard stating what their “November” was. Jasper Dolphin states that “My November was those Odd Future Sundays where we would just skate all day,” while fellow artist Syd tha Kid states that “My November was seeing Erykah Badu perform.”
November Has Come Gorillaz The song November has Come comes off Gorillaz’s 2005 album Demon Days. November has Come opens up with one of the rap world’s most infamous emcees, MF Doom. speaking on the state of hip-hop. MF Doom comments on the new wave of rappers, telling them “Slow it down some, no spit, clown bum,” and adding “Your gold hits sound dumb.” The bridge of the song features 2-D, melodically adding “Something has started today, Where did it go? What you want it to be?
“So if you want to love me, Well you know, November has come Then Darlin’ don’t refrain When it’s gone away.” Or I’ll just end up walkin In the cold November Rain.” The power ballad topped at #3 on the Billboard 100 and would eventually become one of the band’s undisputed classics.
November Tyler, the Creator In the song November, Tyler, the Creator takes a look back on a better time in his life, a period which he refers to as “November.” The song has a nostalgic feel and dives into Tyler’s insecurities about his finances, friendships, and long lasting success. Tyler raps, 60
U P G R A D E D L I V I N G M AG A Z I N E N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 9
Many believe that in the song, 2-D may be referring to the November of 2004 where George Bush was elected, the president during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Surprisingly, the album Demon Days itself was also released in the month of November. These collective artists, using their personal reflection on a month marked with hanging times, manage to add to our collective time gathering and feeling grateful.
WRITTEN BY BRIAN LUONG
“What if my accountant ain’t payin’ my taxes?
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HARV EST FESTI VAL 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, Chico A free event featuring: kids arts & crafts, interactive animal displays, bounce house, calf roping, antique and modern farm equipment, butter churning, food booths, nutrition education, bee demonstrations, Bidwell Mansion tours, food available from Madison Bear Garden, plant sale, horsedrawn carriage rides, and more.
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GRAT I T U D E GA LA 5:30 p.m. Sierra Nevada Big Room, Chico The Gala benefits the Torres Community Shelter. The Torres Community Shelter moves people forward through their formula of compassion + dignity + accountability. Attending the gala supports their work and helps more people move out of homelessness and forward with their lives.
RO CK T H E H O USE 5:30–10:00 p.m. Sierra Nevada Big Room, Chico An evening of fun, food, drinks, and dancing benefiting Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) and their rebuilding efforts. S O GGY DO G DAY 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Shapiro Pool, Chico $10 gets your pooch 30 minutes in the water, swimming, fetching, paddling, horsing around, while you enjoy demos and giveaways! And if you don't have a dog, come anyway for the hilarious fun. All proceeds go toward CARD's fund for a new dog park.
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OUR N EW WO RLD 7:00 p.m. Paradise Performing Arts Center, Paradise The concert will begin with Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.” Followed by Trevor Lloyd's “Song for A Glorious Day.” The finale will be Anton Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” featuring the growth and achievements of America.
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4 TH A N N UA L H A RV E ST CE L E B RAT I O N 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Sohnrey Family Foods, Oroville This will be a fun filled, family day to showcase local vendors, and to celebrate agriculture in the North State. We will have multiple vendors selling their products as well as a bounce house, hayrides, and more!
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VE T E RA N S DAY
P RE S E RVAT I O N H A L L J A ZZ B A N D 7:30 p.m. Laxson Auditorium, Chico In search for the Afro-Caribbean roots of jazz, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band made a pilgrimage to Cuba in 2015. After soaking in the culture and music of the isolated island, the band brings a modern twist of the classics of one of the first American art forms. With special guest Yusa (a Cuban singer/songwriter), Preservation Hall's authentic Cuban jazz is sure to cause heads to turn.
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D U R H A M A RT I S A N M A RKET 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Durham Memorial Hall, Durham Join or visit the 1st Annual Durham Artisan Market featuring the best our local vendors and artisans make, create, and design.
5 WI S H E S P R E S E N TAT IO N & WO R KS H O P 12:00–1:00 p.m. 10 Constitution Drive, Chico 5 Wishes is a form of advanced care planning that helps individuals/families make important decisions regarding their personal, spiritual, legal, and medical wishes and outline them in a way that is understandable and meaningful. Butte Hospice discussing the form in detail and answering questions.
C H R I ST M A S P R E V I E W 4:00–8:00 p.m. Downtown, Chico Since 1978, Christmas Preview has been a Downtown Chico tradition, drawing folks together to officially kick off the holiday season! Downtown merchants roll out the red carpet and present the finest in hometown hospitality, debuting their holiday offerings, showing off fabulous decorations, and providing delicious refreshments and entertainment.
T H A N KS G I V I N G
B LAC K F R I DAY
No Story Is A Straight Line. Robert John Mulholland was born and raised in Philadelphia, the second of seven children, 3.1 miles from Independence Hall. Bob graduated from high school in 1964. Though he was born and raised in the ‘City of Brotherly Love,’ he would ‘grow up’ two years later. On July 13, 1966, he received his ‘order to report for induction’ paper, claiming, “It changed my life.” Not merely changing his life but his entire path forward.
The geometry of a human life is too imperfect and complex, too distorted by the laughter of time and the bewildering intricacies of fate to admit the straight line into its system of laws. –Beach Music by Pat Conroy
After basic training, Bob was assigned guard duty at a prison in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He dealt with thousands of young men. The majority of these frightened and confused draftees, mostly AWOL, failed to know how to obey authority. Most were arrested at their girlfriend’s or mother’s homes. Not long after, Bob volunteered for the paratroopers in VietNam. The paratroopers had a distinct status symbol. In the time between South Carolina and SouthEast Asia, Bob discovered a contradiction while researching VietNam by reading the book, “March of Valley.” The result was the message, this war “needs to end.” The research and discovery proved nothing more than a harbinger of the path in his not too distant future. Next, the destination was VietNam, landing in a hotly contested conflict. As a paratrooper, time was spent hanging around the runway, talking with Air Force guys, and settling close to the protective sandbag walls. WIth impending danger all around, it was known that when it was quiet, you could hear the rocket coming. Problem with that, it was “not always quiet.” March 12, 1968, 2130 hours was not quiet. A rocket hit the area where the Air Force guys were with the paratroopers. A rocket hit the ground with a massive noise landing Bob unconscious, his clothes were blown off his body. He was carried to safety, and, at a moment of clarity, Bob had his life flash before his eyes. It raced “a million miles a
second with a snapshot of my life streaming from kindergarten to present.” The next thing he remembers is being carried by stretcher when an enemy helicopter dropped a pair of bombs. Bob recalls being dropped and then waking up to two American nurses. He discovered his clothes were shredded, then went out again. The next moment of consciousness came in a MASH unit against a sandbag wall. Bob woke up with no clothes, people yelling, and found himself in the ugliest part of war. Besides the soldiers with loss of limbs, a woman came in, guts exposed, fresh from being engulfed in phosphorus flames. A medic took off his pants and gave them to Bob. He was then told he had lost everything and, if he wanted to eat, had to go the Mess hall. It took him 20 minutes to walk the forty steps. He was informed his next wake up would be in Japan,and replied, “No! I have to be at post tomorrow!” Instead, he woke up in Long Beach with 20 other guys. He looked again and saw he was covered in blood, hit in a dozen places. A major walked around tossing Purple Hearts on each bed. Thinking he would get a desk job next, he was instead released completely. Bob spent time in an LA community college before heading to Chico State to study engineering. The student body president at the time was Jane Dolan. That fact, and his earlier realization about the VietNam conflict, changed his focus to politics. Bob is known far and wide due to his political prowess. From CNN to the LA times, London to Sacramento, Bob’s contributions to the Democratic party have been duly noted. However, I leave you with these two things. First, Bob told me when he brought up March 12th, “Other than marrying Jane—most important day of my life.” Also, during the entire interview, attached to the lapel of his sport jacket, was a paratrooper pin.
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