NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 2025
ISSUE 231
HOLIDAY CHEER www.enjoymagazine.com
Enjoy the magazine It’s on the house
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LIVING
DECEMBER 2025
CONTENTS ISSUE 231
HOLIDAY CHEER
—featured stories—
22: Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree 30: New RABA Trolleys Bring Fun to your Ride 58: Debi Chimenti Brings Kid Klown Back to Life 70: Kimberly Carlson Aesara's New Book Inspires 90: Homemade Candles to Brighten the Season
GOOD FINDS 64: MollyKid Studios Helps Others Find Joy Through Art 76: The Clandestino Offers Wine, Tapas and Connection 86: Lura Wilhelm's Mural Uplifts and Unites 94: Peter Chu’s Skyroom Continues to Satisfy with Authenticity Photo by Michael Killingbeck
98: A Smoother, Safer Ride Through Redding
INSPIRATION 82: Reading Pals Lifts Literacy Across the North State
IN EVERY ISSUE 18: What I Enjoy: Karen Simmons 106: Recipe: Baked Brie with Fig Jam 108: Enjoy the View: Alex Rueda 110: What’s Cookin’: Gingerbread Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream 113: Local Events Calendar 122: Giving Back: Redding Sundial Kiwanis Club Photo courtesy of Shasta Community Health Center
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DECEMBER 2025
The McConnell Foundation Helping build better communities through philanthropy
Today Decides Tomorrow The McConnell Foundation board and staff are grateful to the people and organizations we worked with in 2025 to accomplish program and project goals and to support community activities. We look forward to pursuing philanthropic opportunities with new and established relationships in 2026. From our lobby at Lema Ranch, happy holidays!
www.mcconnellfoundation.org
Beautifully decorate
m! d by our Facilities tea
Photo credit: Robert Estrada
Mercy Medical Center Redding
St. Elizabeth Community Hospital
Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta
Hips, shoulders, knees, and pros. Let’s face it. We’re not as young as we were yesterday. Or a decade ago. And whether age or injury has taken a toll on your joints, the results can be debilitating. That’s where our experts come in. Dignity Health’s orthopedic specialists are here to help you feel your best, working with you to get to the source of your discomfort and developing a personalized treatment plan so you can seize every hop, skip or jump life has planned for you ahead. Learn more and find an orthopedic specialist near you at DignityHealth.org/NorthStateOrtho.
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YVONNE MAZZOTTA
publisher
MICHELLE ADAMS
publisher
RONDA ALVEY
editor in chief
KERRI REGAN
copy editor
JAMES MAZZOTTA PAUL DAVID
photography website & social media
CATHERINE HUNT
event calendar
MICHAEL O’BRIEN
advertising sales & marketing manager
KEVIN GATES
advertising sales & marketing consultant
CONNIE BLANC
advertising sales & marketing consultant
JEN VERMAAS
advertising sales & marketing consultant
BEN ADAMS
deliveries
MICHAEL KELLY
deliveries
DIANE MORGAN
deliveries
KAMALA FLINN
deliveries
PAUL LINDBERG
deliveries
BETH HUBNER
deliveries
www.enjoymagazine.com 530.246.4687 office | 530.246.2434 fax Email General/Sales and Advertising information: info@enjoymagazine.com
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©2025 by Enjoy Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproductions without permission are strictly prohibited. Articles and advertisements in Enjoy Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management, employees, or freelance writers. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings and omissions. If an error is found, please accept our sincere apologies and notify us of the mistake. The businesses, locations and people mentioned in our articles are solely determined by the editorial staff and are not influenced by advertising. Enjoy is a trademark of Enjoy, Inc.
DECEMBER 2025
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Let it snow, Let it snow, Let’s go slow. Holiday roads can be unpredictable — snow, ice, and sudden storms. Make safety your holiday tradition, check conditions and give yourself the gift of safe travels. Plan ahead. Slow down. Leave extra room. And always check QuickMap.dot.ca.gov for live highway updates.
Caltrans, keeping California Connected.
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CELEBRATING
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a
note from our
team
December always brings a sense of magic to the North State. We’re filled with holiday cheer as we celebrate the traditions that make this place so special. In this issue, we dive into the heart of the holidays - and what better place to start than in the kitchen? Our Gingerbread Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream are perfect for sharing with loved ones. While you're together, take a ride on the jolly RABA trolleys that are adding a whimsical touch to Redding’s transit. Of course, the real holiday cheer comes from connection. We take a closer look at the enduring impact of the Kiwanis Club, and the phenomenal success of the Reading Pals program, which proves that a little time can make a big difference in a child’s life. Meanwhile, the new mural at the Shasta Community Health Center stands as a vivid testament to community. As you flip to the end of this issue, you’ll find that our calendar is packed with festivities, from tree lightings to theater productions. Our special advertising sections are a wonderful place to find unique gifts from small business owners who are our friends and neighbors - we love to shop local! We hope these stories inspire you to slow down, connect with loved ones and savor this special season. Enjoy!
ON THE COVER: Carly Paige Ryan
Photo by Kara Stewart
DECEMBER 2025
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a family, a vision, a bakery
FROM CUSTOM CAKES TO LUXURY PASTRIES, LA JOIE OFFERS FULL SERVICE CATERING, FRENCH PASTRIES AND A DESSERT EXPERIENCE!
La Joie Bakery was born from the vision of Kate and Bryan Grennell, a husband-and-wife team who believed that food could do more than fill a plate - it could create connection, spark conversation, and heal relationships. As parents of six, they understood the importance of creating space for intentional connection, and that space is always enriched by a great meal. What began as just a “nudge” of an idea, shaped in the quiet hours between family life and late-night baking, has grown into a bakery defined by intention and excellence. Every pastry reflects a dedication to a craft they love, every guest is welcomed with warmth, and every detail - down to the last swirl of buttercream, is infused with heart. From weddings and corporate events to everyday celebrations, La Joie has become a place where food meets meaning. The Grennells’ mission is simple yet profound: to raise the standard of what a bakery can be, blending innovation with tradition, and serving love on a plate.
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WHAT I ENJOY
Karen Simmons Occupation: Banking
Family: Two boys, two daughters-
in-law, and four grandchildren (a dog, cat and tortoise, because pets are family too!)
How long have you lived in the North State? My whole life. My
parents moved here when I was 3 years old, and I’ve never ventured anywhere else.. If you had a personal ATM in your office, what would it dispense besides money? I would like for
my own personal ATM machine to dispense trivia. It’s fun learning little tidbits of random information.
What is your mostused emoji? Smiley face!
And usually, the blushy smiley face because it’s cute.
What’s a small thing that instantly makes your day better?
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT LIVING IN THE NORTH STATE? The community. I don’t believe that many communities are as tight knit as we are. We are so strong, and we look out for each other, and genuinely care about each other. Another thing that should go without saying is our beautiful landscape and mountains; we have so much beauty right in our backyard with many wonderful areas to visit.
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Having random conversations with someone that I don’t know and connecting with them. I enjoy talking with and meeting new people. Getting to know them is a big deal to me. What’s your guilty pleasure TV show or movie? “Law &
Order,” and any crime show. I’m not a reality show person. I like a good caper!
What’s your favorite way to spend a lazy Sunday? Hanging
out with a good friend. Relaxing with lots of food, binge watching a few shows, maybe doing a puzzle, and going to an antique
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DECEMBER 2025
store or two. I would love to say spending the day with my grandchildren, but if we’re talking lazy, who are we kidding – there is no time for lazy with the little ones! If you were to win a lifetime supply of something – but it can’t be money – what would it be? Bacon! That would also
have to come with a lifetime supply of Lipitor so that I can maintain low cholesterol levels.
If you could instantly become an expert in anything, what would it be? I have always had a
love for music and dancing, and I do both all the time, but certainly no expert! If I were to pick only one of those, I would like to be able to sing well. Not for fame, just for fun.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To not be so hard on myself when I make mistakes, as long as you learn from your mistakes, move forward and grow. That is with little things and big things in life. Give myself the grace that I give others. If you could swap lives with a fictional character for one day, who would it be? Dr. Dolittle.
I’ve never been to England, so that would be interesting to be there. But more importantly, we share a love for animals. I would be able to communicate with the animals and help them by being a veterinarian! Or, Ariel from “The Little Mermaid.” I think it would be wonderful to be able to swim all day and to be friends with the creatures of the ocean. Oh, and I would be able to sing too!
This year we earned our fourth consecutive LeapFrog Award for Patient Safety and another Healthgrades patient safety five-star award. Different measures, same goal—keeping you well. Thank you for always trusting Shasta Regional Medical Center.
★★★★★
Season’s Greetings shastaregional.com
Happy Feet, Happy Holidays
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DECEMBER 2025
H O L I DAY C H E E R | BY M E G A N P E T E R S O N
O’
CHRISTMAS
tree O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How lovely are thy branches! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How lovely are thy branches! Not only green when summer’s here, But also when ’tis cold and drear. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How lovely are thy branches!
FINDING THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE here’s nothing like an evergreen tree to remind people of life in the dead of winter. Whether pine, spruce or fir, the tradition of bringing branches and greenery into homes during winter goes back to ancient times. In fact, the Romans used fir trees to decorate temples during their December Saturnalia festival, and pre-Christian Germanic and Celtic tribes carried on that tradition during their winter solstice festival, using evergreens to symbolize continuous life and the coming spring. So, for thousands of years, the concept of something akin to a “Christmas tree” has been around.
DECEMBER 2025
These days, two cities in Eastern Europe compete for the title of the first documented use of an actual Christmas tree: Tallinn in Estonia and Riga in Latvia. Tallinn says they started the tradition in 1441. Riga claims they were the first, with the tradition instead going back to 1510. Civic pride and promotion aside, the more prevailing legend says that the first time a Christmas tree came home was with the 16th century German preacher, Martin Luther. As the story goes, he was walking through the forest when he looked up and saw stars shining ▶ continued on page 24
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through the tree branches. His wonder at the sight was so profound that he went home and set up a candle-lit fir tree in his house to symbolize Jesus, who “left the stars of heaven to come to Earth.” Since then, the evergreen tree has become emblematic of Christmas. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, somewhere between 25 million and 30 million live Christmas O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, trees are sold each year Much pleasure thou canst give me; in the United States. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, That doesn’t account Much pleasure thou canst give me. for the 84 percent of families who put up an How often you give us delight, artificial tree. And, In brightly shining Christmas light. while artificial trees O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, offer low-maintenance, Much pleasure thou canst give me. symmetry and no water needs, many people still believe that finding and cutting a live tree is not only a family event, but a rite of passage. For them, the experience of getting the real tree is as important as having it in the living room. Cut to modern-day Siskiyou County, where cutting down a Christmas tree is an annual tradition that often happens on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. For many parents, it can be an afternoon of wet shoes, driving in the snow, whining kids, excessive cups of hot chocolate and solo-wrestling a tree to the top of the truck or minivan during freezing night-time weather. But the ▶ continued on page 27
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Photos courtesy of Megan Peterson
DECEMBER 2025
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difficulties of the day are usually forgotten in a collective remembrance of family tradition, exploring the woods and celebrating the holidays. However, getting a tree is not as easy as taking a chainsaw into the forest. Checking weather conditions is a must. Then, unless O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, on private property, a Your boughs can teach a lesson: permit is needed, O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, which will come with Your boughs can teach a lesson: directions to public areas where it’s OK to The hope and faith shall ever bloom, cut. Appropriate gear To bring us light in winter’s gloom. is also crucial. Boots, O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, gloves and sunglasses Your boughs can teach a lesson. (or safety goggles) help
protect hands from sap and pitch, as well as eyes from wayward pine needles. It’s also important to scope out the entire area first before making a selection. No two trees are the same, and a walk around the tree can help confirm even branch distribution with no bald or dead patches. It also helps to make sure there are no animals living in the tree because there’s nothing like getting home and adding squirrels to the Christmas cheer.
DECEMBER 2025
But perhaps the biggest responsibility is respect for the forest. “Topping” a tree, as in simply cutting off the top of a larger tree, is highly discouraged. According to most horticulturalists, it can be detrimental to tree structure, health and value, and often shortens a tree’s lifespan. Look for a smaller tree that fits the space it’s headed to, has nice branch distribution and can fit in the car. As a pro tip, once the tree gets home, cutting off about an inch from the trunk’s bottom and removing the bottom thinner branches (which can also double as great table decorations!) then drilling a few small half-inch holes into the bottom of the trunk will help it absorb water. Not to mention, it might help getting it onto that tree stand a little easier. • To learn more about tree permits: www.recreation.gov/tree-permits
Megan Peterson is a freelance storyteller who loves her family, her pets, and Northern California. Her favorite part of writing is finding flow, and she always relishes a touching human story. Aside from Enjoy, she’s typically busy writing and producing for television, having created more than 220 hours of on-air content on networks ranging from National Geographic to Netflix.
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Primary care physicians offer ongoing, comprehensive healthcare for all ages. Our healthcare clinicians offer preventive healthcare for the whole family, treat common illnesses and injuries, and help coordinate patient medical care from checkups and immunizations to X-rays and hospital admissions. Specializing in: •Primary Care •Annual Exams •Geriatrics •Vaccinations
2 Locations to serve you: Redding and Anderson Shasta Regional Medical Group Redding 1355 East Street, Suite 200 (530) 605-4260 Shasta Regional Medical Group Anderson 2930 East Street (530) 365-2545
We are a valued and trusted community resource. It is an honor to care for you.
| P H OTO S : M I C H A E L K I L L I N G B E C K H O L I DAY C H E E R | BY J O N L E W I S
e Y l R l o T NEW RABA T R O L L E YS B R I N G F U N TO YO U R R I D E
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he jolly trolleys are here! The Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA) welcomed two trolleys to its fleet in October, much to the delight of RABA board member Tenessa Audette, who doubles as a Redding City Council member. Audette says she has been advocating for the trolleys for some time, hoping to add a little fun and energy to Redding’s transit system. John Andoh, Redding’s transit manager, found the trolleys for sale in Cary, N.C., and snapped them up for $300,000 for the pair. A pair of regular transit buses would cost about $600,000, Andoh says. “The price tag was the most attractive part,” says Audette. “$150,000 each is a fraction of the cost of buses that size. That they are fun is an
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DECEMBER 2025
added bonus that we hope will encourage riders of all ages.” Andoh says funding for the trolleys came from a state grant for fleet replacement administered by the Shasta Regional Transportation Agency. The trolleys replace two older Gillig buses that were scheduled for retirement; they are in daily use on RABA routes 3,4, 11 and 14. The trolleys seat 24 passengers and offer standing room for 10 more. They are accessible for disabled riders and also feature bike racks. A full-sized transit bus seats 35, Andoh says. For an added touch of whimsy, the trolleys announce their arrival at each stop by ringing a bell. “They’re just kind of fun and fun to be on,” says Kelly
Sepelyak, RABA’s executive assistant. “It’s just a cool thing that’s bringing some excitement.” The trolleys are another touch of nostalgia, she adds, similar to the vintage neon Greyhound bus sign that was recently restored and installed at the entrance to RABA’s Downtown Transit Center. Audette hopes the trolleys increase daily RABA ridership throughout the Redding Cultural District and she’s looking forward to them serving as shuttles for events like continued on page 32
DECEMBER 2025
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Kool April Nites and the Freedom Festival on the Fourth of July. Within weeks of their arrival, the trolleys proved to be a crowd pleaser when 80 tickets for a “Boo Cruise” tour of Halloween decorations were snapped up in a matter of hours. Fares for the tour were the normal $2 for adults, $1 for seniors 65 and older and free for kids under 18. The trolleys also will be in action this month, offering tours of Christmas decorations (schedule to be determined; check the RABA website for details) and appearing in the Dec. 6 Lighted Christmas Parade in downtown Redding. For Andoh and Audette, the trolleys are just the latest example of a transit system working hard to come up with new and exciting ways to serve the greater Redding area. One new feature is the Runabout program, introduced earlier this year. It’s a “micro” transit service that provides customized on-demand trips within four zones (central and west Redding, east Redding, Shasta Lake/Mountain Gate and Anderson). It’s designed to offer affordable transportation for areas not served by a regular fixed route. It generally runs between 6 am and 10 pm weekdays, 9 am to 10 pm Saturdays and between 8 am and 4 pm on Sundays. The RABA Runner program, also new, is a partnership with the ride-sharing service Uber that offers to pay half of a passenger’s Uber fare (up to $5) for eligible rides that start and end within the greater Redding area (including Shasta Lake and Anderson). It’s designed for RABA customers who don’t have bus service in their area or are traveling after service hours. Participants will need both the RABA Shasta Connect and Uber apps.
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“As someone that needed to take the bus as a kid and a teen, it’s nice when the service is easier to manage and expect. Our new app helps achieve that,” Audette says. “Now with the trolleys it’s even more enjoyable. Our staff is looking for ways to make transit consistent, easy to use and desirable as a transportation choice.” • www.rabaride.com • (530) 241-2877 Downtown Passenger Terminal 1530 Yuba St. Canby Transfer Facility 900 Dana Drive
Jon Lewis is a Redding-based writer with more than 40 years of experience. A longtime San Francisco Giants fan, his interests include golf, fishing and sharing stories about people, places and things. He can be reached at jonpaullewis@gmail.com.
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DECEMBER 2025
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Holiday Cheer
holiday CHEER
Twinkle lights, cozy nights and holiday magic are shining across the North State. Our Holiday Cheer advertisers bring festive food, unique finds, experiences and ways to give back. From local dining and winter adventures to handmade gifts and wellness, these pages celebrate the joy of giving and the heart of community. Shop local and share the cheer.
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DECEMBER 2025
H O L I DAY GI F T I NG
Holiday Cheer
Budget Blinds is Giving Back Jerry and his staff are off and rolling on the “Ted’s Bikes 4 Kids” collecting new bikes for Foster Kids at Christmas. Bikes will be distributed within the community. This is a labor of love for Jerry and his team at Budget Blinds. If you wish, bring new pre built or boxed bicycles to Budget Blinds. Cash donations will go to purchasing more bikes. Jerry and his team will take it from there! 9690 Tanqueray Court, Redding 530.226.9027 budgetblinds.com Lic# 848191
Alpaca at Christmas Tour Arapaho Rose and shop warm alpaca gifts in Redding. Find scarves, rugs, blankets, vests, socks and hats. Soft, durable and naturally insulating, alpaca keeps you cozy and makes heartfelt holiday gifts. **Holiday hours:** Sat–Sun, Nov 29–Dec 21, 11–3; weekdays by appointment. Stop in for a friendly tour and discover a beautiful way to give warmly.
10702 Arapaho Dr, Redding 530.949.2972 arapahorosealpacas.com
Toys, Gifts, Clothes, Fun At Ferris Wheel Kids, childhood is celebrated with color, imagination, and joy. Founded by moms and longtime shopkeepers Tara Faires and Suzanne Russell, the whimsical boutique offers playful toys, cozy clothing and special finds that spark creativity and connection—making every visit a delightful spin for families in the community.
1501 Yuba St., Redding 530.215.3684 ferriswheelkids.com @FerrisWheelKids
H O L I DAY GI F T I NG
Holiday Cheer
Local Fashion, Real Connections Carousel, a boutique with a 14-year history in downtown Redding, is deeply rooted in its community. For nearly a decade, owner Suzanne Russell and her team have shared a passion for downtown’s future, building genuine relationships with their customers. Along with their unique fashion selections, Carousel offers personal styling and subscription services. Visit them in downtown Redding to see all they have to offer. 1555 Yuba St., Redding 530.246.1959 ridecarousel.com ridecarousel
Thoughtful North State Gifts Inside Redwood Gallery, find landscape photography, paintings, jewelry, pottery, glass art and woodworking by North State artisans. Rooted in stewardship, the gallery donates 2% of sales to Siskiyou Land Trust to protect the landscapes that inspire its artists. Discover meaningful, functional gifts and take 10% off in store or online, including e-gift cards, with code ENJOY10. 209 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Mt. Shasta redwood.gallery redwoodgallerymtshasta Redwood Gallery
The Gift of Reading Christmas is magical at Shop Around the Corner Books! Come browse the shelves full of classic Christmas stories, picture books for children, contemporary fiction and non-fiction. The shop also carries candles, puzzles, journals, tea and other gifts for the book-lover on your list. A book is a gift you can open again and again!
1430 Butte St., Redding 530.410.4596 shoparoundthecornerbooks.com
Shoparoundthecornerbooks
Gift List
With so much happening this time of year, a little help goes a long way. Use this list to remember every someone special.
Kids!!!*
Cat
Mom
Dog
Dad
Clergy
Sister
Waiter/Waitress
Brother
Stylist
Grandma
Mechanic
Grandpa
Mail Person
Mother-in-Law Father-in-Law Aunt Uncle Niece Nephew Cousin Friends* Co-worker* Teacher Boss
DECEMBER DECEMBER 2025 2025
*List multiples here: ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________
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keeping COZY
S E A S O N A L F L AV O R S , T I M E L E S S C O M F O R T
spiced maple hot apple cider
cinnamon orange mulled cider
INGREDIENTS • 6 cups fresh apple cider • ¼ cup pure maple syrup • 2 cinnamon sticks • 4 whole cloves • 2 star anise (optional but beautiful) • 1 orange peel or slice • Whipped cream or frothed milk (optional) • Powdered sugar and ground cinnamon for dusting
INGREDIENTS • 1 quart apple cider • ½ cup orange juice • 1 tablespoon brown sugar • 1 cinnamon stick • 3 whole cloves • 1 orange slice for garnish • Powdered sugar or fine granulated sugar for dusting
DIRECTIONS 1. In a pot, combine cider, maple syrup, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise and orange peel. 2. Bring to a simmer and let steep for 10–15 minutes. 3. Strain and pour into a mug. 4. Top with a small spoonful of whipped cream or frothy milk. 5. Lightly dust powdered sugar and cinnamon on top for that snow-kissed look.
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DIRECTIONS 1. Warm everything together in a saucepan for 10–15 minutes. 2. Strain and pour into mugs. 3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange slice. 4. Dust lightly with powdered sugar just before serving •
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DECEMBER 2025
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Holiday Cheer
Get Away and Stay Steelhead fishing is hot—and so are our holiday gift certificates. Strawhouse Resorts is a unique resort, cafe and event center on the Trinity River near the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Stop in for organic coffee roasted onsite or stay in accommodations or RV sites. Local artists. Gift Shop. Something for everyone. On scenic Highway 299 midway between the coast and Redding.
31301 CA-299, Big Flat 530.623.1990 strawhouseresorts.com
Happy Holidays From Ellislaine From the ground up, ellislaine has built success through partnership and purpose. With every collaboration, they’ve helped brands grow stronger and reach new heights. Whether you need a website, social media or graphic design, we’re your creative marketing team ready to take you to the top.
1766 California St., Redding 530.395.2310 ellislaine.com @ellislainemarketing
Adventure and Learning Await Ride the scenic Sacramento River or learn in the arena— your choice. Trail rides and English or Western lessons run year-round. Enjoy fun fresh air and unforgettable memories with gentle well-trained horses and friendly instructors. Perfect for families couples beginners or seasoned riders looking to reconnect with nature and horses in a relaxed welcoming environment. 21260 Hawes Road, Anderson 530.515.8958 norcaltrailrides.com norcaltrailrides
warm hearts COLD NOSES
S I M P L E WAY S T O KEEP PETS MERRY AND SAFE
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From wagging tails under the tree to cats curled by the fire, pets add a special kind of joy to the season. The pace picks up in December, which can be exciting for them and a little overwhelming. A few small tweaks help everyone settle into the glow. Keep décor pet wise. Skip tinsel that’s tempting to chew. Tie ornaments with ribbon instead of hooks. Anchor the tree so curious climbers don’t topple it, and tuck cords where paws can’t tangle. Candles look lovely, but place them high and never leave them unattended. Mind the menu. Chocolate and xylitol are dangerous. So are grapes and raisins. Rich holiday foods can upset stomachs, so share safe treats or set aside a small plate of pet-friendly nibbles. Create a quiet retreat before guests arrive. A bed, water, and a favorite toy signal that this spot is theirs. Short breaks in that space help anxious pets reset when the door keeps opening. Cold weather calls for care. Dry paws after walks and watch for ice melt on sidewalks. Senior pets and shorthaired breeds may need a sweater outside. Make sure collars fit and tags are current in case someone slips out during the bustle. As the year winds down, add a few moments that are just for them—a slower walk, a game on the living room rug, a long stroke behind the ears. Joy multiplies when our four-legged family is calm, comfy and close. •
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Holiday Craft Fair Holiday spirit shines at the 28th annual Holiday Craft Fair at College of the Siskiyous. Friday, December 5, 5–8 pm and Saturday, December 6, 9 am–3 pm. About 60 local and regional vendors offer handmade gifts, jewelry, woodcrafts, metal art, hand sewn or knitted items and more. Admission is $3. Santa visits Saturday, December 6, 11 am–1 pm.
COS Weed Campus Gym, 800 College Ave., Weed siskiyous.edu/foundation/events.htm#craftfair @College of the Siskiyous (COS) & COS Foundation @siskiyous_eagles
Lighting Up the North State In their beautiful showroom you will find a curated selection of lighting fans furniture and decor. With two decades of combined expertise, the team shares practical insights and helps you choose with confidence. They also offer convenient in-home consultations tailored to your space. Explore ceiling and wall lights, fans, lamps, outdoor lighting, furniture and decor for every room.
2325 Larkspur Lane, Redding 530.241.4567 bigginslighting.com
One Smile at a Time At Lila Wilson DDS, we make visits fun and safe. We provide dentistry for infants children and teens in a warm, caring, friendly setting, with a focus on preventive care so every child grows up with a great smile. Welcoming patients across Shasta County and surrounding areas. Our caring team looks forward to meeting you and your little one. 2100 Hilltop Drive, Suite A, Redding 530.605.3350 lilawilsondds.com @lilapwilsondds @LilaPWilsonDDS
H O L I DAY GI F T I NG
Holiday Cheer
Service with a Smile For over 30 years, Moule’s California Glass has reflected the values that built it—family integrity and craftsmanship. Owned and operated by Michelle Tegerstrand, a fourth-generation Moule, this woman-owned shop delivers custom showers, energy-efficient windows mirrors and more. Proudly serving Shasta, Tehama and Siskiyou counties and honored as Best Window Company three years running. The wise choice for the North State since 1994. 815 Industrial St., Redding Lic. # CA 773189 530.221.5100 • moulesglass.com moulesglass MoulesCAGlass
Offering Quality Outdoor Gear At The Fifth Season, you can find top outdoor gear from leading brands, tested daily at the base of Mount Shasta. Their team uses what they sell, so fit and function come first. From storm-proof jackets to spring backcountry kits, they match you to the right layers boots and tools so every outing feels ready.
300 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Mt. Shasta 530.926.3606 thefifthseason.com Info@thefifthseason.com
The Eagles Nest Resale Shop Find quality new and gently used clothing, shoes, household items, furniture and more at The Eagles Nest. Open Monday– Saturday, 10 am–4 pm. Daily sales on holiday items, décor and unique finds. Discover that one-of-a-kind piece you have been looking for—there truly is something for everyone.
123 Main St., Weed 530.938.4663 siskiyous.edu/eaglesnest @eaglesnestresaleshop
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Esthetic Experience Step inside REALM. Esthetics for your ultimate holiday skin experience. From signature facials to curated product collections and gift cards, every detail is designed to help you give (and glow) beautifully this season. Located at 2134 Eureka Way.
2134 Eureka Way, Redding 530.524.4030 yourrealm.co @realm.esthetics
Give the Gift of Pizza Whether you’re hosting a party or shopping for Grandma, pizza and gift cards are always a hit. With a delicious treat from Pizza Factory, you can enjoy the celebration without stress. Spend time with family and friends or show appreciation to your employees. Pizza Factory offers more than pizza—wings, salads and more—making it an easy, tasty choice all festive season. 4432 Shasta Dam Blvd., Shasta Lake 530.275.4455 536 N Market St., Redding 530.657.5423
Pre-Loved Books, Holiday Vibes Bailey’s Book Nook brings a new kind of warmth to a used bookstore—part cozy library, part community living room. Explore used like-new books, favorite authors and locally made gifts in a space for readers to gather and unwind. Grand Opening: December 5, 10am–8pm. Treat yourself and the book lover you adore this season.
B
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1330 Market St., Redding baileysbooknookrdd@gmail.com baileysbooknookrdd Baileys Book Nook
BOOK NOOK
merry EVERYTHING
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F E S T I V E FA C T S F O R T H E M O S T WO N D E R F U L T I M E O F T H E Y E A R December is a month filled with sparkle, song and celebrations from around the world. Whether you’re lighting candles, trimming trees or frying up latkes, there’s a story behind nearly every tradition. Here are 20 festive facts to share around the table this holiday season.
CHR ISTMAS CHEER • “Christmas” means “Mass of Christ.” The word comes from the Old English Cristes Maesse, first recorded in 1038. • “Jingle Bells” wasn’t written for Christmas. It was originally composed for Thanksgiving in the 1850s. • Germany gave us the first artificial trees. In the 1800s, people made them from dyed goose feathers. • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created in 1939 as a department store giveaway by Montgomery Ward. • Candy canes have a churchly origin. Choir directors handed them out to keep kids quiet during long services. • The world’s largest Christmas gift was the Statue of Liberty, given by France to the United States in 1886. • Christmas was once banned in Boston. From 1659 to 1681, it was considered too rowdy and un-Puritan. • Santa’s red suit wasn’t always standard. Coca-Cola’s 1930s ads cemented the jolly red-and-white image we know today. • Japan’s favorite Christmas dinner? Fried chicken! KFC’s “Kentucky for Christmas” campaign in the 1970s became a national tradition. • Norway gives London a Christmas tree each year as a thank-you for Britain’s support during World War II.▶ continued on page 47
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A Merry Mountain Christmas Sip some hot chocolate, choose your Christmas tree and stop by Gather Home to find something special for your home this holiday season. Discover unique gifts to share and apparel to wear—with a touch of lake and mountain flair. Bring warmth and smiles to your family this season at Gather Home, right here in beautiful Lake Almanor! 138 E. Willow St., Chester 530.258.2424 gatherhome.shop @gatherhome.shop
Award-Winning Toffee and Popcorn Decadent gourmet toffee, s’mores bars, lollipops and popcorn—everything toffee. Make the holidays extra special with award-winning Toffee Girl treats. Find 10 flavors at When Pie Meets Bread, Duivenvoorden Farms, Win River Casino and KC Farmhouse or order direct for delivery and custom gifts.
Redding, California 530 356 9277 toffeegirl2013@yahoo.com toffeegirl61
Your Indoor Family Fun Destination Rare Air Trampoline Park is family-owned and locally operated, with over 23,000 sq. ft. of trampolines, ninja courses, climbing walls, arcade games and more. Our Redding location is adding a brand-new ropes course, rock walls, play structure and slides this winter—making us Northern California’s top spot for unforgettable fun! Redding: 530.221.1206 Chico: 530.433.5557 rareairpark.com rareairredding / rareairchico
HANUKKAH HIGHLIGHTS • Hanukkah celebrates a miracle of light. When the ancient temple was rededicated, one day’s worth of oil burned for eight. • The dreidel began as a disguise. Jews used the game to hide secret Torah study during times of persecution. • It’s actually a minor holiday. Hanukkah grew in popularity largely because of its timing near Christmas. • Latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) are fried in oil to honor the miracle of the lasting flame.
KWANZAA CONNECTIONS • Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate African heritage and unity. • The word “Kwanzaa” comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning “first fruits.” • The seven days of Kwanzaa each represent a principle— like unity (umoja) and creativity (kuumba). • The kinara, similar to a menorah, holds seven candles: three red, three green, and one black for the African diaspora.
AROUND THE WOR LD • Yule, the ancient winter festival celebrated by Norse and Germanic peoples, gave us the Yule log and evergreen wreaths. • Las Posadas in Mexico, held December 16–24, reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter and ends in feasts, piñatas and song. No matter which holiday you celebrate, December’s traditions all share one thing in common – light, warmth and connection in the darkest days of the year. •
DECEMBER 2025
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peaceful PAU S E
S TO P P I N G BY WO O D S O N A S N OWY E V E N I N G By Robert Frost Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.
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Buy Your Season Pass Now There is more to a season pass at Mt.Shasta Ski Park than endless fun on the slopes! Enjoy unlimited skiing and snowboarding without black out dates. Your Season Pass allows access to 20+ Resorts. That’s 60 days of free skiing at other ski resorts around the globe. Adventure awaits, conquer the mountain today.
4500 Ski Park Hwy., McCloud 530.926.8610 skipark.com/rent-the-lodge @mtshastaskipark skipark
McCloud’s Historic B&B McCloud River B&B offers warm hospitality and timeless charm. Nestled in the mountains, this bed and breakfast features cozy rooms, personalized service and unforgettable experiences. Guests can relax by the river, explore the outdoors and savor gourmet breakfasts and fresh-baked treats. A historic vault has been transformed into a private dining room—ideal for holiday dinners and intimate gatherings.
325 Lawndale Ct., McCloud 530.964.2130 mccloudriverbnb.com mccloudriverbnb@gmail.com
Tis the Season for Kindness Kindness can be as simple as a smile in your hot cocoa. We want to thank all our sponsors and vendors who helped make this last year possible. We are looking forward to connecting with more sponsors who want to support small business and give back to our community. Ask us how to get involved. Merry Christmas! 1135 Pine St., Suite 9, Redding 530.241.5541 wendydouglasinsurance@gmail.com License # 0D64751
unwrapping W H AT M AT T E R S
F I N D I N G J OY I N M O M E N T S , N OT T H I N G S Some gifts don’t fit in boxes. They don’t need ribbons or tags or a last-minute dash to the store. They come quietly — in the moments we almost overlook. It’s the sound of laughter in the kitchen, the glow of the tree reflected in a child’s eyes, the way old friends fall back into familiar stories. It’s the hush that settles when the lights are turned low and everyone’s finally home. This time of year has a way of slowing us down just enough to notice. We remember that joy isn’t found in perfect decorations or long wish lists, but in small exchanges of kindness — a wave to a neighbor, a call to someone who’s been on your heart, an extra plate set out at the table. If we’re lucky, we unwrap it one quiet morning when the coffee is warm, the world feels still, and gratitude comes easy. It’s that deep exhale that says, I have enough. This is enough. So while the stores fill with things we can hold, let’s not forget the ones we can only feel — peace, hope, laughter, love. The kind of gifts that don’t cost a thing but somehow mean everything.
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Simple, Meaningful, Made to Last Bluebird Permanent Jewelry creates timeless, high-quality pieces in 14K gold, sterling silver, and more. Founded in Rocklin/Roseville in 2023, they proudly expanded to Redding a year later. Whether you visit them in-store or at a pop-up, they love crafting jewelry that becomes part of your story— simple, meaningful and made to last. Buy gift certificate for holidays and receive 15% off your purchase.
1620 E Cypress Ave., Redding @bluebirdpermanentjewelry
Memories are Made to Shine For 58 years, Gaumer’s Jewelry has helped celebrate life’s special moments. From bridal jewelry to birthstones and custom pieces, they’re here to make every occasion unforgettable. Beyond fine jewelry they offer crystals, fossils, geodes and minerals—perfect for gifts and stocking stuffers. Open Monday–Friday with added Saturdays in December before Christmas. They look forward to celebrating the season with you! 78 Belle Mill Road, Red Bluff 530.527.6166 gaumers.com
Cheers to a Festive Season Happy holidays from the Market Street Blade and Barrel family to yours. Join them seven days a week for lunch, happy hour, dinner and weekend brunch. Savor craft cocktails, explore the Whisky Bar (open daily) and treat yourself. Gift cards are available and they host holiday parties in the banquet room. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @marketstreetbladeandbarrel.
1777 Market St., Redding 530.241.1777 marketstreetbladeandbarrel.com @marketstreetbladeandbarrel
24 Days of Cheer
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Style That Feels Gifted At Apricot Lane Boutique, every look feels like a gift. Thoughtfully curated pieces bring joy and confidence to your season and beyond. Dress up for festive gatherings or keep it cozy by the fire; you will find something special for every moment. Rooted in Redding, they celebrate connection confidence and the magic of personal style. 1551 Market St. #103, Redding 530.276.0169 apricotlaneboutique.com/redding @apricotlaneredding
Weddings with Mt. Shasta View Say ‘I Do’ with Mt Shasta in View at Shasta View Lodge, an 8,000 sq. ft. mountain venue where Mount Shasta’s beauty sets the perfect backdrop. With ceremony, reception and lodging all in one place, it offers a private, inviting setting for up to 150 guests to celebrate and create lasting memories.
530.918.8240 ShastaViewLodge.com/weddings
A Beautiful Retreat Not sure what to get the person who has everything? Give the gift of relaxation. With more than 20 years serving the Redding area, Urban Retreat Day Spa has repeatedly won Best Day Spa, Best Massage and Best Facial in the North State. Treat yourself or that special someone this holiday season.
2515 Park Marina Dr., Redding 530.247.1502 urbanretreatspa.com urbanretreat.dayspa
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Holiday Magic Starts Here At Orchard Nutrition Center discover everything for a festive feast: organic turkey, cranberry sauce, fresh cranberries, fresh chestnuts, stuffing and seasonal organic vegetables. Shop unique gifts too—hand-poured soy and beeswax candles, sparkling crystals, artisan jewelry, luxurious beauty aids, fun knitted hats and Orchard tie-dye T-shirts. Orchard Nutrition Center—discover the magic of the holidays and rare and remarkable gifts.
221 Locust St, Redding 530.244.9600 orchardnutritioncenter.com @orchardnutritioncenter
Wellness Wrapped in a Bow Give the gift that lasts—wellness. Rooted Vitality Cryo & Wellness Center helps you relax, recover and recharge with therapies that support your body’s healing. Choose cryotherapy, red-light therapy, PEMF, leg compressions and more—each designed to restore balance and vitality. Perfect for anyone who deserves self-care. Give the gift of health and help them feel vibrant, grounded and restored. Gift cards available.
1619 Hilltop Drive #A, Redding 530.410.8594 • rootedvitalitycenter.com Rooted Vitality Cryo & Wellness Center rootedvitalitycenter
The Gift That Keeps Giving Aquarium Pets has a little something—or a little someone— for everyone! Birds of all sizes, small animals, lizards, snakes, fish and aquariums. Or maybe something special for your furry friends to say ‘Merry Christmas’? For over 40 years, Aquarium Pets in Red Bluff has been the go-to place for all things pets. Merry Christmas from Aquarium Pets!
345 S. Main St., Red Bluff 530.527.4588
holiday CHEER
“Peace on earth will come to stay,
when we live Christmas every day.” — Helen Steiner Rice
Thank you for reading, for shopping local and for celebrating the people and places that make our North State shine. Your support spreads joy, fuels creativity and keeps our community thriving. Wishing you warmth, wonder and cheer— see you in the new year.
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Let us help you start your road to recovery today!
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Loomis Physical Therapy (916) 652-5700 www.LoomisPT.com Mountain Valley Physical Therapy (Weaverville) (Aquatic Therapy offered) (530) 623-2570 www.MountainValleyPT.com Palo Cedro Physical Therapy (Aquatic Therapy offered) (530) 547-3220 www.PaloCedroPT.com
Shasta Lake Physical Therapy (530) 275-0777 www.ShastaLakePT.com Summit Physical Therapy (530) 487-8965 555 Flying V St. Ste. 5 Chico, California 95928 Willows Physical Therapy (530) 934-2870 www.WillowsPT.com Yuba City Physical Therapy (530) 434-6256 www.YubaCityPT.com
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D E B I C H I M E N T I B R I N G S K I D K LOW N B AC K TO L I F E
H O L I DAY C H E E R | BY K AY L A A N D E R S O N
| P H OTO S : M E L I N DA H U N T E R
once upon a rhyme
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"I always thought of myself as a mom first who came up with a story and then created it into book form..." edding author Debi Chimenti recently launched the newest version of her children’s book, “Kid Klown and the Butterfly Adventures,” which has been stealing the hearts of kids (and their parents) all over the North State and beyond. While raising four boys in four different states from Massachusetts to California, Debi and her husband Joe (also an author) always encouraged a whimsical sense of play and adventure within her family. When her first two boys were around 4 and 5 years old, they’d wake up early and go into her room, and she’d start telling them stories, which is how Kid Klown came about. “I always thought of myself as a mom first who came up with a story and then created it into book form,” she says. “In each state we had one boy; after our second kid, the book came together,” Debi adds. Kid Klown was originally a clown based at a circus who went on little adventures. When the Chimentis
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moved to Minnesota, Debi published “Kid Klown” and did book signings in Target stores. They later moved to Colorado where they had another son, and the Kid Klown story continued to evolve. When Debi realized that kids don’t really like clowns, she changed the character to a young boy and made the book bigger with brighter colors. Debi continued to market the book here and there, but Kid Klown took on new life when the Chimentis relocated to California. They published the next run of the full-color double-sided Kid Klown book in the late ‘90s, but Kid Klown laid dormant for a while as she raised her youngest son. “Every day raising boys that were so adventurous…everything they touched turned into mud or dirt or a car,” she says. “And I’ve always tried to tell my kids that you don’t have to be afraid to talk to someone you don’t know. The kids were always moving as we were changing places – we moved every three years – and they had to adapt.” In the newest version, Kid Klown meets a caterpillar who turns into a butterfly, and they go on adventures together. ▶ continued on page 60
"I rhyme everything. My kids think it' s corny. I can come up with a greeting card poem in five minutes...."
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ti Joe and Debi Chimen
Flash forward two-and-a-half decades, and all her boys are grown men now. Debi’s youngest son’s girlfriend, Cassidy Lee, is a watercolor illustrator, and they began working together to improve Kid Klown and his story. “When she showed me the new iteration of Kid Klown, it just blew me away. He has strong features; it looks just like our kids,” Debi says. When asked how Debi came up with the poems, she replied, “I rhyme everything. My kids think it’s corny. I can come up with a greeting card poem in five minutes. So, with this book I wanted to be careful with the colors and words and really want to make it cohesive. And with Cass, it’s great.” Meanwhile, her husband Joe had just published a humorous memoir with one of his friends titled “Thai Hut Tuesdays,” and she learned a lot from his publishing journey. “Joe was my biggest supporter. He’s written songs about Kid Klown and told me I should write a book. Joe and his buddy wrote ‘Thai
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Illustrator Cassidy Le e
Hut Tuesdays,’ and when they were successful with it, that was my inspiration to get ‘Kid Klown’ done and do it right,” Debi says. Thai Hut Tuesdays are bite-sized stories about a 30year friendship, family and lessons learned along the way. “This is from them being parents and dads, and yes, I’m in it, and all the boys are in it,” Debi says. When asked how it’s received by kids, she says her 3-yearold and 5-year-old grandkids love it. “When they come to book signings, their eyes get wide. They’re so proud of the book. I also have a six-month-old granddaughter, and her dad reads it to her every night. She just shakes she gets so excited when you read it to her. I made this version bright and colorful and I think all those things make an impact. I’ve being doing some branding, going to book signings. Right now, my hope is to continue getting the book out there, share it with the world, and then God willing I do write the next one,” Debi smiles. • “Kid Klown and The Butterfly Adventures” Sold locally at Ferris Wheel Kids, Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Shop Around the Corner Books www.kidklownadventures.com
Kayla Anderson is a freelance writer, marketer and action sports enthusiast who grew up wakeboarding on Lake Shasta and learning to ski at Mt. Lassen. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Chico State University and loves to visit her parents in Redding.
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DECEMBER 2025
Every Detail Matters DECORATE AND BRING COLOR TO YOUR HOME
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List Of Services: • Residential Carpet Cleaning • Commercial Carpet Cleaning • Upholstery Cleaning • Tile And Grout Cleaning • Carpet Repair • Pet Odor Treatment • Wood Floor Cleaning • Laminate Cleaning • Lvp Cleaning • Luxury Vinyl Plank/ Tile Cleaning
Cafe Maddalena
A Return to Elegance
MEET THE CAFÉ MADDALENA TEAM We may be young, but we bring experience, creativity and heart to everything we do. Lindsey Willson — A Palo Cedro native and partner (with a likeminded silent investor), former owner of Norm’s, Lindsey brings a community-first spirit and treats food as her art and therapy.
Tucked into the historic heart of Dunsmuir, California, Café Maddalena first opened in 1993, founded by Sardinian-born Maddalena Serra. Inspired by the sun-drenched flavors of her island home and shaped by her time in San Francisco’s brasseries, Maddalena built more than a café—she built a sanctuary of flavor, warmth, and welcome. With handmade pastas, slowsimmered sauces, and soulful hospitality, the café quickly became a beloved local gathering place. In 2002, respected restaurateurs Brett and Nancy Lamont took up the mantle, enriching the menu with broader Mediterranean influences and creating a culture of care and consistency that lasted for two decades. Under their stewardship, Café Maddalena became known not just for its food, but for its spirit. Though its doors closed in 2023, the spirit never left. And now, Café Maddalena is returning—renewed, reimagined, and ready for a new chapter.
Sarah McCreary — A culinarytrained chef from the Harvest Inn in Mt. Shasta, Sarah pairs polished technique with fearless creativity to turn ingredients into experiences. Beri Gorsuch — Starting here at 19 and still anchoring the room at 37, Beri embodies Café Maddalena’s history, dedication and heart. Together, our team blends their knowledge, creativity and passion to create unforgettable dining experiences—we’re proud to be part of this community and can’t wait to welcome you.
We will be offering private events at the cafe, as well as catering. Please contact Cafe Maddalena at (530) 235-2725 for accommodations and we can send more information.
5801 Sacramento Drive, Dunsmuir 530.235.2725 Cafemaddalenadunsmuir.com IG @maddalena_cafe Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 5pm-8pm Friday - Saturday 5pm-9pm Sunday - 5pm-8pm
Café Maddalena is proud to feature New Clairvaux wines exclusively.
a dream
GOOD FINDS
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P H OTO S : M I C H A E L K I L L I N G B E C K
taking flight
M O L LY K I D S T U D I O S H E L P S O T H E R S F I N D J OY T H R O U G H A R T For as long as she can remember, Molly Watson has been drawn to create art in many forms. Her art room at home was filled to the brim with supplies, but there wasn’t much physical room for the making process. And there wasn’t much figurative room in her life, either. As an active-duty member of the Air Force, a mom and a wife with a fulltime job, she found herself setting those creative dreams aside as life happened, knowing her passion would wait for her. “There was always the ‘one day I’d love to have a studio’ dreams and I honestly didn’t think it would come,” says Watson. “Then, suddenly, I was close to being an empty nester and thought, ‘If not now, then when?’” On a whim, Watson searched online for spaces around Redding. When her calls resulted in news that the spaces were no longer available, she put the idea on the back burner. One day, she found a spot in a place she hadn’t considered. She had all of 45 minutes to check it out. She raced over to see the space, promptly fell in love with it, and let her dream take flight – finally carving out time to nurture her passion outside of work. In February 2025, Watson officially opened Mollykid Studios, a name derived from the nickname given to Watson by her father: “Mollykid.” The addition of the word “Studios,” Watson says, seemed natural, as it denotes an array of creative ideas. She ha the name picked ▶ continued on page 66
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I think everyone has something awesome to offer the world out long before she had a dedicated place to put her passion into practice. The moniker came to her in 2011, while living in Germany during her husband’s last military assignment, when she began making art and sewn items for friends. Less than a year after opening Mollykid Studios, Watson has slowly been offering classes and hosting events. Most classes are held in the evenings and on weekends. Mollykid Studios specializes in paintings, magnets, stickers, art greeting cards and sewn items. A vibrant, colorful, bursting-withtexture collection of inspiring messages called “My Wordies” are original art pieces Watson creates from personal photos, paintings or digital art. “These words and phrases come to me while I’m navigating life. They stem from a desire to put positivity into the world. With the weight of life we all carry -
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regardless of age - we all need uplifting messages to get us through our days. These words remind us to find happiness and motivation, even during hard times,” says Watson. At Mollykid Studios, Watson teaches watercolor, acrylic painting and collage, and makes space for creativity to decide its own course during open studio sessions. Those moments in open studio sessions, Watson says, “fuel and inspire creativity and wellbeing in our community.” “I think everyone has something awesome to offer the world,” says Watson. “Sometimes, they don’t give themselves credit because they may not be widely known or consider themselves ‘good’ but to me, that’s not important. It’s the fact that somebody’s out there creating in the world and putting it out there. That takes a lot of bravery.” ▶ continued on page 68
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Watson sees art as a vehicle to express emotions, process trauma and grief, and a space in which people can be free with themselves. “Art gives us a space for expression with limited rules – there is no right or wrong. We can let go of perfection and order to create freely. The joy I see in people who create is an honor to witness,” says Watson. It feels good to create a piece of art, and connection and strength can be gained from others during the journey. Transformative. Community-building. Lifeshifting. That’s the power of the creative experience. Making art can be a process of healing and release. I have personally experienced it, and I value the opportunity to share with and teach it to others. Art is a priceless gift we can give ourselves and those we care about, because it helps to mend our souls.” Watson hosts free art classes for veterans during a monthly Vets Art group. No previous art experience is necessary, and the benefits of creativity and connection are undeniable. “I see the tremendous benefits of art programs for veterans and always wanted to give back to my military family. I didn’t know of anything like it in our area, so I started it at my studio,” says Watson. While Watson does not have routine studio hours at this time, her class schedule, dates for open studio sessions and details on any special community events she’s a part of can be found on her social media channels. When she’s not creating magic in her studio, you’ll find Watson connecting with people and selling her handcrafted items at local events, capturing inspiration on an adventure or treasuring moments with her family, friends and two dogs. She continues to find joy in her work with veterans. “I am truly lucky to get to do what I love,” says Watson. “Helping people find joy, positivity and themselves is inspiring. I’m thankful for the opportunity to have a studio to bring all kinds of people together to be creative.” ahhomechocolate.com. • Mollykid Studios • 8865 Airport Road, Suite A2, Redding mollykidstudios@gmail.com Find Mollykid Studios on Instagram and Facebook
Kimberly N. Bonéy, proud wife and mom, is a freelance writer, designer, upcycler and owner of Herstory Vintage. When she’s not working, she is joyfully wielding jewelry-making tools and paintbrushes in her studio. Antique shops, vintage boutiques, craft stores and bead shops are her happy place.
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Merry & Bright
We are thankful for you. May your days feel cozy and your nights glow with laughter and hope. Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a bright new year.
TUNE IN EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT
a novel kind of christmas
H O L I DAY C H E E R | BY K I M B E R LY B O N E Y | P H OTO S : M E L I N DA H U N T E R
K I M B E R LY C A R L S O N A E S A R A’ S NEW BOOK INPIRES ometimes, the path we have in mind for ourselves doesn’t deliver us to our intended location. Sometimes, that path takes the circuitous route to the life we were meant to have. Kimberly Carlson Aesara once had dreams of becoming a country western singer. She began writing songs and went to live in Nashville, where she discovered a new love: reading. “My love for reading came before my love of writing. Reading novels has always been my greatest teacher. Novels teach me about myself and my world, but I also get to experience the life of others different from me,” says Carlson Aesara. Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” was the book that changed it all for Carlson Aesara, shifting her focus from country western singer to novelist: “I wanted to write books and move people the way books change me. I still desire to create beauty. Beauty to me encompasses all of our lives – not just the pretty parts, but the depths of our pain, loneliness and ignorance, and how we work our way to feel love again.” Shasta County became home for Carlson Aesara when she was in fourth grade, when her mother moved her and her three siblings from Southern California to Northern California. The Central Valley High School graduate attended Shasta College before leaving for Nashville and ultimately Humboldt State University, where she earned a master’s degree in English. Carlson Aesara has returned to Shasta College – this time as a teacher. The mother of two children, Elias and Anika, has published three books to date, the most recent of which is “Unwrapping Christmas,” released in late October. “Unwrapping Christmas” follows the story of Josiah, a 12-year-old boy who becomes lost in the mountains near Leavenworth, Wash., in subfreezing temperatures. Josiah’s father, desperate to find his son, simultaneously questions his own ability to save him. A famous classical guitar player, Gabriel, weaves together the stories of community members in this holiday tale that is sure to endure in the hearts of readers long after the season. It’s a modern take on the original Christmas story, without being preachy, and is inspired by the romantic comedy “Love Actually.” “We hunger for community, love and meaning, and sometimes we have to search inward to obtain these things,” says Carlson Aesara. “In a novel, you want something to happen, but more than that, you want people to learn and grow. And I think the characters do learn something about themselves and their neighbors by the end of the novel.”
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Carlson Aesara has wondered if the original Christmas story could still hold up in the modern world, something she considers a lofty notion. The first draft of “Unwrapping Christmas” was written a few Christmases ago, but Carlson Aesara thinks it’s even more relevant today than it was then. “In the novel, there are characters from different backgrounds, different races, different socioeconomic backgrounds, but they are yearning for the same things – community, love, meaning and hope,” says Carlson Aesara. The Seattle Book Review had high praises for “Unwrapping Christmas”: “Sweeping, unforgettable, a story that celebrates love, faith and the ties that hold us together. It’s destined to become a cherished favorite.” Kirkus Reviews seconded the notion, saying, “There is undeniable music in Carlson Aesara’s writing, resonating both in her themes and prose… they strike just the right note in this enchanting tale.” Writing a novel is no easy feat. It takes dedication, focus, patience, grit and a steady rhythm to get through the process. Three books later, Carlson Aesara has found her workflow. “I create first thing in the morning and then come back to my manuscripts in the evening when I revise,” says Carlson Aesara. “Sometimes I can write much of the day, but with teaching and mothering, it doesn’t happen that often. I have trained myself to not answer phones or look at social media or emails until I get my work done. It takes years to write a novel – and hours and hours alone. To sustain this discipline takes a lot of self-talk.” While plenty of quotes have helped motivate Carlson Aesara throughout her writing career, words of wisdom from a couple of fellow writers continue to resonate: “I write to discover what I know” by Flannery O’Connor, American novelist and short story writer, speaks to Carlson Aesara’s sense of wonder and curiosity. Carlson Aesara’s desire to make a beautiful impact is best sufficed by words from Maya Angelou, American memoirist and poet: “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.” • www.kimberlycarlsonaesara.com Find her on Instagram and Facebook
Kimberly N. Bonéy, proud wife and mom, is a freelance writer, designer, up-cycler and owner of Herstory Vintage. When she’s not working, she is joyfully wielding jewelry-making tools and paintbrushes in her studio. Antique shops, vintage boutiques, craft stores and bead shops are her happy place.
DECEMBER 2025
Location courtesy of Grit + Gals Boutique
“I wanted to write books and move people the way books change me. I still desire to create beauty.”
DECEMBER 2025
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A TASTE OF SPAIN
GOOD FINDS |
BY M E G A N P E T E R S O N
T H E C L A N D E S T I N O O F F E R S W I N E , TA PA S A N D C O N N E C T I O N
y philosophy of business is very easy. I don’t want to just sell wine. I want to sell an experience,” explains Nicolas Tena of The Clandestino, a new wine and tapas “speakeasy” bar in Mount Shasta that serves up an intimate environment, seasonal menus and expertly paired wines. “When you come inside, you taste wine, but I will explain each winery, each type of grape and who the owner of the winery is. I’ll explain the family, the history and the culture. I want you to feel that you are in Spain.” Tena’s life is rooted in wine, but not just any wine. Garnacha, also known as “Grenache” in French, is a particular passion, given his homeland. “I have a winery in Spain in Zaragoza. Zaragoza is the world capital of Grenache, a grape that was born 2,000 years ago in my city,” explains Tena. This red grape is a versatile and complex variety that thrives in hot and dry climates, and produces a full-bodied wine. And while it’s been a historic staple on both sides of the Pyrenees, it’s been recently rediscovered by the wine-drinking community and is experiencing a surge in popularity. “Grenache is one of the oldest grapes in the world. But, 50 or 60 years ago it wasn’t a popular grape because it takes a lot of kilos [of grapes] for each vine. But in the last 60 years, it’s gotten to be very popular. At this moment, it might be one of the most fashionable grapes in the world, and is found in the south of France, in Sardinia, South Africa, Australia and California.” But Tena offers far more than Garnacha at The Clandestino. He also offers tapas-style food, or small bites, and he has a wide array of wine selections to choose from. “California people are very cultured about wine, and that’s very interesting to me. Obviously, I have a love and a lot of wines from Spain, and I think I am the biggest Spanish winetasting place in Northern California with 126 wines. But then, I also prepare sangria with my own wine every night. I prepare it with a mixture of Garnacha with apple, orange and peach, and also with a little sugar and soda. I do it much more in the summer because that’s the hot season, but people also ask for it in winter, too.” ▶ continued on page 79
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“MY PHILOSOPHY OF BUSINESS IS VERY EASY. I DON’T WANT TO JUST SELL WINE. I WANT TO SELL AN EXPERIENCE...”
DECEMBER 2025
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A traveler by nature, it was love that first brought Tena to Mount Shasta. “How did I get here? It’s very easy. A woman. I have a travel agency and a winery in Spain. And seven years ago, [my now-wife] Isabella asked me to do a trip with her group to Thailand, Malaysia and Bali. And then, in 2019, I saw that she was doing a new trip to Egypt so I called her and said, ‘Remember Isabella, I am the best.’ She bought me a ticket to Egypt. After that trip it was 2020, and after that, we became a couple and got married in San Francisco City Hall. Then one weekend, she said she wanted to take me to an amazing place nearby. And I said, ‘Where is that?’ because I know California is much bigger than Spain in distance. She told me not to worry. We left her office around 5 o’clock, and after two hours of driving, I asked her, ‘OK, where is this place?’ and she told me not to worry again, that we’d just hit traffic. Around 11 p.m. we arrived in Mount Shasta, and I said, ‘I don’t see anything.’ But the next morning, I opened the window, I saw the mountain, and I said, ‘Oh my God, what’s that?’ It’s just like my home in Spain. When we went back to the Bay Area on Sunday, I said to Isabella, ‘I think I’m a match for this place.’ Two weeks later, we moved. That was June 2023.” A strong sense of community drives Tena. “One of the things here in America that’s different than in Spain is that here, people between different tables don’t speak to each other. But when you come to The Clandestino, if you sit at one table, maybe after five minutes, you start to talk with another table. That’s just like Spanish tapas. So that’s what I’m trying to do every day. I want you to leave your mobile and talk to each other, because life is too short.” Tena also hopes that the individualized experience will continue to fuel his success. “One problem I’ve seen in every place at this moment all over the world, is that if you are a big company like Starbucks, it’s the same experience. You can be in Buenos Aires, you can go to Egypt, and all of the Starbucks are exactly the same. But I think that local businesses are the best ones because they take care of the local people. First of all, you know all the neighbors. You know your customer, and that’s the difference. At Clandestino, I want to be the extension of your house so that you feel at home.•
“SO THAT’S WHAT I’M TRYING TO DO EVERY DAY. I WANT YOU TO LEAVE YOUR MOBILE AND TALK TO EACH OTHER, BECAUSE LIFE IS TOO SHORT.”
The Clandestino • www.theclandestinousa.com 211 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Mount Shasta • Open daily, 2 to 8 pm
Megan Peterson is a freelance storyteller who loves her family, her pets, and Northern California. Her favorite part of writing is finding flow, and she always relishes a touching human story. Aside from Enjoy, she’s typically busy writing and producing for television, having created more than 220 hours of on-air content on networks ranging from National Geographic to Netflix.
DECEMBER 2025
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Photos courtesy of Shasta County Office of Education
I N S P I R AT I O N
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BY M E L I S S A M E N D O N C A
“Reading Pals is a framework to engage. It’s also a really fun way to bring the village back together,” she adds, noting that volunteers have ranged from 13-95. “This is volunteering as an investment.”
ONE HOUR MATTERS
R E A D I N G PA L S L I F T S L I T E R A C Y A C R O S S T H E N O R T H S TAT E he people of Reading Pals have uncovered a great truth in education: pair young people on the cusp of being proficient readers with adult volunteers and watch reading abilities soar. It takes only one hour a week over the course of a school year to see significant literacy gains for program participants. A core concept in learning is that after third grade, a lot of knowledge is accessed by reading. That means it’s mission critical that young people have strong literacy skills before moving beyond that marker. Students below grade level tend to continually fall behind when they can’t grasp the lessons ahead. Reading Pals, a program co-developed by Michelle Curran in 2010, has spread to 32 sites across the North State and has recently been adopted by the Shasta County Office of Education to great success, with 75 trained volunteers. It’s not uncommon for Reading Pals students to show a year of literacy advancement in only four months. Most students are in second and third grade, but may also be in first or fourth, depending on the need. The program was started in response to concerns over low literacy rates in Chico that are also seen throughout the North State. Local Rotarians championed the initiative, which has become more refined and user-friendly over time, to the point where volunteers can quickly and easily engage with a curriculum prepared for the reading level of the student with whom they are paired. “When you walk into our library, you can feel the magic,” says Tamarie Ackernecht, site literacy teacher at Alta Mesa Elementary in Redding. She has 11 volunteers working with two students twice a week and says the energy changes when the program starts. “The little kids are just running in to hug them,” she says. “You can feel that positive energy as soon as you walk through the door.”▶ continued on page 84
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“You have to see it in action,” says Holly King, literacy coordinator at Shasta County Office of Education. King had watched a documentary about childhood illiteracy called “Sentenced,” produced by Stephen Curry, and took note that the Reading Pals program was mentioned as a resource by someone in the group chat as she watched. She began researching the organization and developed a quick rapport with Curran, who was eager to share resources. Financial support came from the Shasta County Board of Education’s Literacy Initiative and Reach Higher Shasta’s Literacy Initiative. After a successful soft launch in spring semester 2025 at two schools, the program had an official launch in Redding with a special screening of “Sentenced” at the Cascade in September this year, where most volunteers signed up. “Reading Pals is a framework to engage. It’s also a really fun way to bring the village back together,” she adds, noting that volunteers have ranged from 13-95. “This is volunteering as an investment.” “It’s really important that the community doesn’t think it’s all up
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to teachers,” says Laura Manuel, a volunteer Reading Pal and Literacy Initiative Chair of the Shasta County Board of Education. Manuel was quick to realize that the benefits of her volunteer work go both ways and that she walks away from sessions more energized. “The program is very scripted, but the kids are completely unscripted,” she says with a laugh. “I just love these conversations. The kids get something out of it, but the volunteers really do, too.” Lael Barlow is the Coordinator of Shasta County Reading Pals and says the process of becoming a volunteer is straightforward and involves a Livescan background check as well as an orientation on the science of learning,
local literacy statistics and an introduction to the reading materials. Materials are selected to be challenging, but achievable for each learner. Barlow has trained volunteers of all ages and makes special note of a family volunteering together as parents and older teenagers. Ackernecht notes that she has an 85-year-old reading with her students, while Curran speaks of students at an alternative high school seeing their own grades increase while volunteering with young students in Chico. “They come from all walks of life,” says Ackernecht. “They’re fun. Most volunteers started out one day a week and have increased to two days a week.” Reading Pals has been around long enough in Chico that it can tell the story of a high school civics teacher in the community who started out as a fifth grader with a Reading Pal of his own because he was at a second-grade reading level. In three months of individualized support, he gained three years of literacy proficiency. Seven years later, he wrote a scholarship essay about the critical time with his Reading Pal and the difference it made in his life. “The core of the program is really the relationships,” says Curran. Both she and King are ready to facilitate more in their respective communities. • To volunteer as a Reading Pal: In Chico: www.readingpalschico.org In Shasta County: Email hking@shastacoe.org In Red Bluff and Corning: readingpalscorning@gmail.com
Melissa Mendonca is a graduate of San Francisco State and Tulane universities. She’s a lover of airports and road trips and believes in mentoring and service to create communities everyone can enjoy. Her favorite words are rebar, wanderlust and change.
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DECEMBER 2025
—— discover R ed Bluff —— Win the Community Tree Come in to Accents this season and place an Ornament on the tree for a chance to actually win it! Starting November 1 Drawing will be held December 6.
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G O O D F I N D S | S TO R Y A N D P H OTO S BY R I C H A R D D U P E R T U I S
A WALL that SPEAKS LURA WILHELM’S MURAL UPLIFTS AND UNITES
This is the way I view the world, how the true meaning of life is reflected in the way we support each other...”
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he newest public artwork in downtown Redding is really something to see. A towering mural composed in vivid colors and depicting a series of scenes of community, connection and care now graces the east of side of Shasta Community Health Center on Continental Street. Muralist Lura Wilhelm designed and delivered a statement that begins among indigenous plant life and rises to the heights of human aspiration. Brandon Thornock, the health center CEO, says Wilhelm’s was immediately the most promising design submitted in response to his leadership team’s request for proposals. “For me, the ‘wow’ moment was when I saw the
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outreach of hands,” he describes, “especially the one hand elevating an elderly individual with somebody younger walking alongside, and the face looking on with this look of peace, and yet an element of concern.” For him, the vision is personal. “This is the way I view the world, how the true meaning of life is reflected in the way we support each other,” he continues. “And when I see these actions being a bridge for one person to connect to another, or to connect to resources in today’s world where it’s so divisive at all levels, I think this is where we should be headed as a nation, as a city, as a people, as an organization.”▶ continued on page 88
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That young girl developed a trait to help her draw on highway That connection repeats throughout the mural. Over here, you see a group of people, likely a family, reaching out to each other while drives to and from family visits between California and Montana. framed below by blue foliage, and above by a blue mountaintop. Over “There’s a bunch of sagebrush on the road and I’m drawing like there, a couple holds hands while riding bicycles, an act nearly straight lines that didn’t look exactly like a bush because we were obscured by a tree, its trunk taking the eye downward to more going by so quickly,” she says. “So I would have to remember and retain what it looked like and keep drawing, which is something I’m vegetation and ultimately to the connection with the earth itself. Indeed, the words of the artist herself, embossed on a nearby applying to my current work.” For her mural work, that something dedication plaque, leave little room for misinterpretation of her grand was painting doodles on a 30-foot stucco wall then filling in detail, opus. An excerpt: “It serves as a reminder that it is through connection with brush and roller, from memory. During the single month it took her to finish to each other and to this land that we build a this overarching achievement, CEO Thornock thriving, supportive and compassionate Redding.” “It serves as a reminder marveled at how the very process demonstrated All of Wilhelm’s work begins and ends with this that it is through the theme. “She brought in some of her associates. connection to the land – from her first commission, connection to each She would draw some outlines, get into her big lift a detailed study of bird life for Turtle Bay, to her other and to this land to get up to the high areas, then they would come most recent, a cat and dog each painted on the that we build a in and fill in the blocked areas, which really helped back walls of adjacent exam rooms at Redding thriving, supportive her to get this immense work done in a short time Veterinary Clinic. This, her only local indoor and compassionate frame,” he says. “Isn’t that the reflection of people mural, depicts indoor pets, yet frames and Redding.” coming together and supporting one another?” silhouettes them with brightly colored leaves. Wilhelm’s team has a name, Artrageous, coined For whatever she paints, this accomplished muralist strives to not bore. “I work with the subject matter that my by retired art teacher and Artrageous member Elizabeth Brown. clients want and then from there, I really express a lot with my color Other members filling in were retired art teachers Tami Watson, Torri Pratt and Sandy Fisher, as well as, Kathy Trueblood, who along with palette, and I put a few design elements into it so it flows,” she says. Wilhelm is one of those artists who cannot remember when they Wilhelm, still teaches art at University Preparatory School. weren’t an artist. “I was always drawing when I was young and so I Artrageous is a group of friends who meet weekly and travel once a thought everybody drew all the time,” she recalls from age 7. “How I year together, to anywhere from Barcelona to Santa Fe, all in pursuit played was I would draw. I’d always have a pencil and a notepad, even of their love of art. Today, CEO Thornock delights in entering Shasta Community it if had lines on it. I was always drawing.”
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journey and remain committed to supporting you with care, encouragement, and resources to help you thrive. From annual check-ups and preventive screenings to wellness programs that inspire healthy living, we’re here to walk beside you every step of the way. Together, let’s welcome 2026 with gratitude for where we’ve been, and excitement for what’s ahead. May the new year bring health, happiness, and brighter days for all, let’s make 2026 our best year yet!
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Health Center through a secured door located pretty much dead center in the mural. A couple of weeks ago, while walking to that door, he saw what he took to be grandparents walking with their small grandson. The boy pointed at all the shapes and colors and people in the artwork. “You could see on his face the awe and wonder as he was pointing at the different images, and I could see the grandmother explaining to him, and I thought, what a sweet, sweet moment.” Thornock says. “This is what we did here. It’s doing exactly what we wanted it to, convey the message of community and the importance of helping one another. Here was this family enjoying the moment because of this beautiful mural.”• Richard DuPertuis is a Redding grandfather who writes. His stories and photographs have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online. He strives for immortality not by literary recognition, but through diet and exercise. He can be reached at dupertuis@snowcrest.net
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H O L I DAY C H E E R
| BY A L O L S O N
glow your own
way H O M E M A D E C A N D L E S TO B R I G H T E N T H E S E A S O N here’s something about the glow of a candle that makes a room feel instantly warmer. Maybe it’s the flicker of light dancing on the walls, or that soft scent that drifts through the air – lavender, citrus, pine. Whatever it is, candles carry a quiet kind of magic, especially during holidays. They invite you to slow down, breathe deeply and enjoy the season’s small comforts. There’s nothing wrong with buying a high-end candle or two – they often smell wonderful and look stylish. But there’s something especially meaningful about making your own, especially if you're creating them with your children. Homemade candles are personal. Each can be scented, colored and decorated to match your taste or the personality of the person you’re giving it to. And when you light it, you know exactly what went into it. Candle making is also a fun and surprisingly easy craft project to do at home. It’s safe, affordable and kidfriendly with adult supervision. Plus, it doubles as a great gift-making session, perfect for an afternoon spent with family during a cozy December weekend. GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES You don’t need much to get started. Most of what you need can be found at a craft store or online: • Soy wax (a clean-burning, renewable wax that’s easy to melt and handle) • Wick (cotton or wooden, depending on the look and burn you prefer) • Wick stickers or glue • Heat-resistant jar or decorative container (think recycled jam jars, teacups, or small tins) • Essential oils for fragrance – lavender, sandalwood and citrus are classic holiday choices • Candle dye (optional, for a touch of color) • Heatproof bowl and saucepan (or a double boiler) • Thermometer • Stirring stick (a chopstick or wooden skewer works perfectly) Once you’ve gathered your materials, you’re ready to get started. ▶ continued on page 92
DECEMBER 2025
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MAKE IT YOUR OWN
STEP-BY-STEP CANDLE MAKING Step 1: Measure Your Wax You’ll need enough wax to fill your container twice. The wax will shrink as it cools, so measure accordingly and set aside. Step 2: Melt the Wax Melt your wax slowly over medium-low heat using a heatproof bowl inside a saucepan (or a double boiler). Stir gently as it liquefies, making sure it doesn’t overheat or burn. Step 3: Add Your Scent Once the wax reaches about 185 degrees, remove it from the heat and stir in your chosen essential oil. A general rule is 1 ounce of oil per 1 pound of wax, but adjust to your preference. Lavender brings a calming aroma, sandalwood feels warm and woodsy, and citrus adds an uplifting, clean note – perfect for brightening winter days. Step 4: Add Color (Optional) If you want to tint your candles, now’s the time. Add a few drops of candle dye and stir until evenly blended. Keep in mind that the color will lighten a bit as the wax cools. Step 5: Secure the Wick Place a wick sticker or dab of hot glue in the center of your jar and press the base of the wick into place. To keep it standing upright, wrap the top of the wick around a skewer or chopstick laid across the rim of the jar.
The beauty of homemade candles is how customizable they are. Here are a few creative touches to make them extra special: • Add botanicals. Sprinkle dried lavender buds, rose petals, or rosemary leaves on top (just keep them away from the wick). • Use decorative containers. Vintage teacups, mason jars or small ceramic bowls make charming vessels. • Mix scents. Try blending orange and clove for a classic holiday aroma, or lavender and cedarwood for something earthy and relaxing. • Label with love. Tie a ribbon or twine around the jar and add a handwritten tag. A GIFT THAT GLOWS In a season often filled with shopping lists and shipping deadlines, homemade candles are a reminder that thoughtful gifts don’t have to come from a store. They’re simple, heartfelt and genuinely useful – something anyone can appreciate. Candle making also has a way of slowing the pace of the season. The process – melting, stirring, pouring – feels meditative, a quiet counterbalance to December’s usual rush. Whether you keep them for yourself or gift them to others, homemade candles bring a touch of light to the darkest days of winter. So, before you wrap up your shopping this holiday season, try lighting your own workshop. Gather the family, warm the stove and make something that truly shines. •
Step 6: Pour the Wax Let the wax cool to about 135–145 degrees before pouring. It should be warm and fluid, not scalding. Slowly pour the wax into your container to avoid air bubbles.
Al Olson loves culinary arts, adult beverages and hiking in the North State wilderness. You may find him soaking up the scenery at one of our area’s many state or national parks or sitting in a barstool sipping a cold locally brewed craft beer.
Step 7: Let It Set Leave the candle to cool and solidify for at least 24 hours at room temperature. Once set, trim the wick to about ¼ inch, and your candle is ready to use – or gift!
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Tis the Season TO ENJOY GOOD FOOD!
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P E T E R C H U ’ S S KY R O O M CO N T I N U E S TO S AT I S F Y W I T H A U T H E N T I C I T Y
long with receiving many accolades over the years and voted best airport restaurant in America by “Men’s Health” magazine, Peter Chu’s Skyroom at the Redding Regional Airport proves through its authentic Chinese cuisine that you don’t have to be flying to another place to have a good meal – Peter Chu’s is a destination in and of itself. Originally from Taiwan, Chu has spent most of his life in Redding and raised his family here. After 30 years of cooking his favorite Asian dishes at home, he finally turned his dream into a reality by opening his own restaurant. With an experienced chef at the time, he created a menu of meals made in Mandarin, Hunan and Szechwan styles and invented new recipes with main ingredients sourced from around the world, such as Alaskan scallops, Canadian quail, Australian lobster, Mexican Gulf prawns and fresh vegetables sourced from here in California. In fall of 2023, Chu retired and sold the Skyroom to Yangda Pan, who was a chef at New China Restaurant in Redding for nine years before buying the Skyroom. “Peter’s authentic and unique cooking recipes and talents set the restaurant apart from other Chinese restaurants in the area. Peter Chu’s food is of the type and quality you would expect in a San Francisco or Los Angeles Chinatown restaurant,” Pan says. Coupled with the fact that the Redding airport has grown substantially since Chu first opened the restaurant, and its many more flights and many more travelers puts Peter Chu’s Skyroom on a path of continued success. “Peter Chu’s is one of Redding’s premier go-to restaurants,” Pan says. His agreement with the City of Redding to keep the space on the second floor of the airport as a restaurant is in place through 2027. Pan hardly changed the menu when he took over the Skyroom, since Chu had already built a solid reputation. Chu meticulously trained his chefs to make all the sauces, seasonings and dishes the same when he wasn’t there, which carried over into the new ownership. Chu still bartends at the restaurant on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.▶ continued on page 97
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“Peter Chu’s food is of the typ e and quality you would exp ect in a San Francisco or Los Angeles Chinatown restaurant.”
DECEMBER 2025
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Where Home Feels Like a Getaway Home is where life unfolds. Picture crisp mountain mornings, days on winding trails and open water, and evenings painted with golden sunsets—waiting in Shasta County.
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Jiajie ( Jackie) Cai has been the manager of Peter Chu’s Skyroom for two years, having previously worked at Redding’s New China Restaurant. Cai is originally from Mt. Shasta and moved to Redding 16 years ago. He likes working at Peter Chu’s because “my coworkers are friendly as well as the customers who keep coming back,” he says. Some of the most popular items at Peter Chu’s include General Tso’s Chicken, the dry braised chicken, Mongolian beef, sauteed chicken prawns and scallops with vegetables. Since the change of ownership, a spicy lemon scallop has been added to the menu. When asked what his favorite dish is, Cai replies, “I have a lot! The spicy dry chicken, the golden beef, the Peking beef, the kung pao chicken… I like spicy stuff.” • Peter Chu’s Skyroom Second floor of the Redding Regional Airport 6751 Woodrum Circle, Redding • (530) 222-1364 Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11 am to 2 pm and 4:30 to 8:30 pm; Sunday, noon to 2:30 pm and 4:30 to 8 pm; closed Monday www.peterchusskyroom.com
Kayla Anderson is a freelance writer, marketer and action sports enthusiast who grew up wakeboarding on Lake Shasta and learning to ski at Mt. Lassen. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Chico State University and loves to visit her parents in Redding.
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A S M O OT H E R , S A F E R R I D E T H R O U G H R E D D I N G
GOOD FINDS |
BY R I C H A R D D U P E R T U I S
Loop the Loop
et’s go for a bike ride, shall we? Guiding us today are Anne Thomas, founder and owner of Shasta Living Streets, and Zach Bonnin, transportation planner for the City of Redding. Along with Caltrans District 2 and community partners, their teams helped imagine, support and build the Redding bicycle trail we’re about to ride. We begin in the shadow of the historic Lorenz Building at Yuba and California Streets. Thomas pauses before we pedal off. She wants us to notice where this southern end of the trail places us—just one block from the post office, train station, RABA terminal, The Park, the Cascade Theatre and the Market Street Cultural District with its cafés, residences and venues. For downtown residents, she says, this is a perfect point of departure: a sheltered five-mile loop that threads safely through city streets, dips beneath the Diestelhorst Bridge, crosses the Sacramento River to Lake Redding and Caldwell Parks, glides past the Sundial Bridge, crosses again at the Highway 44 Bridge and returns home. Even if you live outside the central district, chances are you’re among the 68,000 Redding residents within three miles of some part of this loop. It’s an easy trip in or out of town—no car required. ▶ continued on page 101
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“People can live, work and play downtown without relying on their cars... That changes the energy of the city.” We roll north on California Street, past the Shasta Bike Depot, as Thomas points to the bikeway’s distinctive design. Twin lanes run in both directions on the same side of the street. “If you have one side over here and one side over there, they’re both too narrow,” she explains. “But if you have a two-way next to the sidewalk, you get a trail-like experience beside the buildings. You can take a big cargo bike with no cars zooming by. You can ride side by side with friends.” At Riverside Drive, the sidewalks end and a broad pedestrian lane appears alongside the bikeway—a protected route to Center Street since this section is now closed to motor traffic. Thomas says this stretch, from California Street to the Diestelhorst Bridge, was the first part of the loop completed and that simple daily use has made it safer. “Before this trail, you couldn’t come here,” she recalls. “It was overgrown and disgusting. People trashed it—it was scary. Now, because people walk and bike through here all the time, it’s clean and safe.” Bonnin nods. “The more eyes we put on a space in the city,” he says, “the safer it gets.” At the bottom of Riverside Drive, we pause where a Native American plaza will soon be built. The shaded stop will feature interpretive panels and artwork—a place for riders and walkers to rest, reflect and learn. Then comes a steep roll toward the bridge. We ride the brakes to keep a comfortable pace. The downhill glide is one perk of riding clockwise; the opposite direction brings a lung-burning climb. For those craving a tougher ride, Thomas suggests veering off here—west toward Old Shasta, or north from Keswick up Heart Rate Hill and on to Shasta Dam. ▶ continued on page 103 DECEMBER 2025
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“The more eyes we put on a space in the city, the safer it gets.” Those preferring an easier route cross the bridge and follow the north Sacramento River Trail toward Turtle Bay. After traversing the Sundial Bridge, we pause near the Civic Auditorium, where the route becomes less defined. Bonnin describes upcoming improvements—a protected trail will soon extend across the grassy expanse to the Highway 44 Bridge, allowing both pedestrian and bicycle crossings. “People tell me they can’t ride on the sidewalk there,” Thomas says with a smile. “I tell them it’s legal—it’s part of the loop.” By now, rush-hour traffic stacks along Butte Street, but the congestion stays far from our ride. Thomas gestures toward the parked cars that form a buffer between us and moving vehicles. “We’re not taking anything away from people driving,” she explains. “It gives more space for cars because people on bikes aren’t driving. And bikes don’t wear out the road like trucks do—it saves money in the long run.” The rest of the loop is a gentle climb west on Butte to Continental, then a quick right that avoids the steep Mount Butte incline. From here it’s a near-flat trek north to Trinity Street, then west beneath a canopy of neighborhood trees. Bonnin says homeowners along the route have started sprucing up their front yards since more riders and walkers pass by each day. “When people are present, neighborhoods take pride,” he says. The increased activity has caught investors’ attention too. With the West Butte Street Trail Project soon adding greenbelt bikeway toward Pleasant Street, property values are already rising. “They know the funding’s in place,” Bonnin adds. “They’re buying houses along the route now. It’s cheap now, but once the new facilities go in, values rise.” Thomas sees it as part of a larger shift. Each new section connects more residents, reduces traffic and encourages local spending. “People can live, work and play downtown without relying on their cars,” she says. “That changes the energy of the city.” We coast back toward downtown, the Lorenz Building coming into view as evening light spills across the pavement. The soft whir of tires and the river’s hush replace the noise of traffic. What began as a simple five-mile loop feels like more than a recreational path—it’s a thread stitching neighborhoods, parks and businesses together. For some, it’s transportation. For others, fitness or fun. For Redding, it’s proof that thoughtful design and collaboration can shape not just how we move but how we live. It’s progress measured not in miles of asphalt or feet of railing, but in smiles, cleaner air and the simple joy of a safe, beautiful place to ride.• Shasta Living Streets • Shasta Bike Depot 1322 California St., Redding • (530) 355-2230 Find them on Facebook
Richard DuPertuis is a Redding grandfather who writes. His stories and photographs have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online. He strives for immortality not by literary recognition, but through diet and exercise. He can be reached at dupertuis@snowcrest.net
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Take an hour, a day or a weekend with friends to rediscover childhood and that quiet something that recenters you in the good of life.
Antique Cottage
Shasta Lake 10 Redding
Weaverville Merchant’s Mall 11
Thrifts & Gifts
Palo Cedro 9 Consignment Corner
8
Anderson 7
Memory Lane Antiques
Cottonwood 6 KC Farmhouse
20 19
NORTHERN
Red Bluff Red Bluff Trading Post 5
CALIFORNIA
4 Orland
3 Chico
Country Squyres’
Map is for general reference only; not to scale
Willows
Vali says we have Christmas gifts and decor galore!
11-4 Tues - Sat closed Sun-Mon Palo Cedro Shopping Center 9384 Deschutes Rd.
(530) 547-2025
11
Mon. - Sat. 10am-5pm • Sun. 11am-5pm 7409 Skyway, Paradise • 530.762.0914
1 8
Large Furniture Pieces
Home Goods Vintage Inspired Upcycled
6
1400 Main Street Weaverville
Front St., Cottonwood ring: 360.789.9097
530 623 2475
Thrifts & Gifts
Antiques • Collectibles Gifts • Musical Instruments
3
Attic Treasures Mall Paradise Mercantile Skyway Antique Mall
MERCHANT’S • MALL • 18 Vendors!
Furniture, Jewelry, Antiques, Toys, Kitchen, Clothing & More
Attic Treasures Mall
Two Levels // 10,000 Sq. Ft. // 33 Years //
2
164 E. 3rd St., Chico | (530) 342-6764 | Tues.-Sat. 10am to 5pm
Paradise
Durham
C onsignment C orner 9
4
Fine Antique Jewelry & Furniture
New and Used Vintage and Antiques Furniture And Decor | Man Cave/Tools
8
10 2107 Hilltop Dr. Redding | 530.605.1721
Antique Cottage and Garden
3270 Cascade Blvd., Shasta Lake City 530.275.4451
Holiday Time Well Spent 7
Mon.,Thurs., Fri., Sat. 10-6 Sun. noon-5pm || Closed Tues. & Wed. Antiques, “Mantiques” and More Shasta Gateway Center 1773 Hwy 273 Anderson 530.365.1399
Come to Paradise and indulge yourself in Great Finds
2
A shop full of beautiful things! ★ 202 PEARSON RD., PARADISE ★
5
The Hidden Gem of Red Bluff
RED BLUFF TRADING POST Over 5,000 square feet of Vintage, Antiques & Local Artists
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm
707 Walnut Street 530 727-9272
OPEN
WED - SAT 10 to 4 SUN noon to 4
1
(530) 877-6503 6118 Skyway in Paradise
The best gift of the season is time with friends and family. This year, take a nostalgic trip with your loved ones to local antique shops. These spaces are full of unique finds and gifts that spark memories—sometimes the perfect present is the story it carries. It is a wonderful time to wander aisles of memories, discover treasures from the past, and share stories with Mom, Dad and Grandma. It is a simple way to connect and show younger generations what Grandpa or Grandma might have loved.
menu on the
BAKED BRIE WITH FIG JAM
R E C I P E | BY A L O L S O N
a perfect pairing
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DECEMBER 2025
ong before figgy pudding made its way into Christmas carols, the humble fig was already a symbol of the holidays. In Mediterranean countries, some fig varieties ripen late into the fall – sometimes midDecember – earning them the nickname Christmas figs. Italian families have long baked them into holiday cookies like cuccidati, tender pastry crescents filled with dried figs, nuts and a hint of citrus. Across cultures, the fig has always been right at home on the holiday table. That tradition continues here in Northern California, where our fig season stretches slightly longer than most. Whether tucked into baked goods, stirred into jam or paired with creamy cheese, figs bring a natural sweetness and warmth that feels just right for December gatherings. Last month in Enjoy, we introduced readers to David and Priscilla Burke of The Fig Hunter in Red Bluff, the husband-and-wife team dedicated to preserving and celebrating one of California’s most ancient and storied fruits. Their orchard is home to 2,261 varieties of figs, and their work has put Tehama County on the map for fig lovers around the world. Among Priscilla Burke’s culinary creations is a HoneyBalsamic Fig Spread, a luscious blend of sweet and tangy that tastes like California sunshine spooned into a jar. You can find it at thefighunter.shop website. But you can make your own fig jam in under an hour. What makes this dish such a hit is its perfect balance of textures and flavors. The brie brings creamy richness, while the fig jam adds a gentle sweetness layered with subtle hints of vanilla and lemon. The rosemary contributes a whisper of piney aroma, and the pecans add a welcome crunch. And the best part? You can assemble it in minutes and pop it in the oven, allowing you more time out of the kitchen and with your guests. It’s an appetizer that works for every occasion, from a casual wine night with neighbors to a formal Christmas Eve dinner. Pair it with a light-bodied glass of Sauvignon Blanc or a sparkling rosé to bring out the appetizer’s fruitiness and nuttiness. A bold Zinfandel or fruit-forward Pinot Noir will complement the cheese’s richness and nuttiness. Whether you use the Burkes’ Honey-Balsamic Fig Spread or your own homemade jam, this simple dish captures the holiday flavors and is so stress-free to prepare. So, skip the complicated hors d’oeuvres this season and bring out the brie when planning your holiday menu. A little wheel of cheese, a jar of fig jam and a baguette – sometimes that’s all it takes to make the night feel festive. •
Al Olson loves culinary arts, adult beverages and hiking in the North State wilderness. You may find him soaking up the scenery at one of our area’s many state or national parks or sitting in a barstool sipping a cold locally brewed craft beer.
DECEMBER 2025
ingredients For the Fig Jam • 2 lbs. fresh figs, cut into quarters and stems removed • 1 cup granulated sugar • Juice of 1 lemon • 1 tsp. vanilla extract • ¼ cup water
For the Baked Brie and Fig Jam • 8 oz. wheel of brie • 4-6 T fig jam • 1 tsp. fresh rosemary, finely diced (or minced) • 2-4 dried figs, sliced • 4 T of pecans, chopped • 1 baguette, sliced and toasted • Grapes and apple slices
directions For the Fig Jam Step 1: In a medium saucepan, toss the figs, sugar, lemon and vanilla to coat. Step 2: Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar is dissolved and the figs are juicy. Step 3: Turn the heat to low, add the water, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the fruit is soft and the juices begin to thicken. Step 4: Turn off heat and spoon the jam into two pint-size jars. Step 5: Close the jars and allow to cool to room temperature. (Store the jam in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.) For the Baked Brie and Fig Jam Step 1: Slice baguette into thin slices and place on a baking sheet. Place under the broiler until toasted, and then flip until toasted on the other side. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. Step 2: Place brie in an oven-safe dish (a 6-inch cast-iron skillet works). Step 3: Spread jam on top and add rosemary, dried figs and pecans. Step 4: Place in preheated 375 degree oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a wooden charger. Add grapes, apple slices and toasted baguette.
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ENJOY THE VIEW
| BY ALEX RUEDA
THE LOWER FALLS ON THE MCCLOUD RIVER Drawn to nature from a young age, Alex Rueda discovered in elementary school that he was colorblind. While colors posed a challenge, he developed a keen ability to spot wildlife from a distance, sparking a lifelong fascination. After college, he began a career focused entirely on wildlife. Specializing in birds in flight, Alex aims to capture moments that often go unseen. His camera is never far from reach. For more of his work, contact (530) 340-5265.
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DECEMBER 2025
DECEMBER 2025
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DECEMBER 2025 RECIPE
GINGER BR EAD CUPCAKES WITH C H O C O L AT E B U T T E R C R E A M MAKES: 1 DOZEN REGULAR SIZED CUPCAKES OR ABOUT 3 DOZEN MINI CUPCAKES
W H AT ’ S C O O K I N ’ | R E C I P E A N D P H OTO BY M AC I M A N T Y
PREP: 15 MINUTES || BAKE: 16 MINUTES || TOTAL TIME: 31 MINUTES
The holiday season is a wonderful time to do some baking! These gingerbread cupcakes are perfectly flavored with warm gingerbread spices and deliciously paired with chocolate buttercream frosting. This easy recipe is a great festive treat to share with the ones you love.
INGREDIENTS FOR THE CAKE:
Step 4: Add the cupcake batter to the cupcake liners filling them about 2/3 full. Bake mini cupcakes for 10-12 minutes and regular sized cupcakes for 16-18 minutes at 350 degrees. To make sure the cupcakes are fully baked, test to see if they spring back when you touch them with your finger or insert a toothpick into the center and if it comes out clean they are done. Remove from the oven and immediately remove cupcakes from the baking tin and place them on a cooling rack to cool. Step 5: While the cupcakes cool, prepare the frosting by adding the butter and vanilla to a medium sized bowl and beat until combined. Once combined, slowly and alternately add in the powdered sugar, cocoa powder and heavy whipping cream until you’ve reached a thick, fluffy texture that holds its shape and is able to be easily spread or piped. Feel free to add more of the ingredients depending on what type of taste and texture you prefer. (Tip: if the buttercream is too wet, add more powdered sugar; if it’s too dry, add more whipping cream.)
FOR THE BUTTERCREAM*:
• 1/3 cup butter, softened • 3 cups powdered sugar • 1/2 cup cocoa powder • 6-8 T heavy whipping cream • 1/2 T vanilla * These frosting ingredient amounts are just a basic starting point; feel free to add more or less of the ingredients to suit your preference for texture and taste.
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Step 2: Add softened butter to a large bowl and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds. Slowly add in the granulated and brown sugars until combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula, then beat some more until butter and sugar become fluffy. Add in the egg and egg yolk one at a time, beating well until combined. Lastly, beat in the molasses and vanilla. Step 3: In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Alternately add the flour mixture and water slowly to the wet ingredients and beat on low speed until just combined.
• 6 T butter, softened • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature • 1/4 cup molasses • 1 tsp. vanilla • 11/3 cups flour • 11/4 tsp. baking powder • 1/4 tsp. salt • 3/4 tsp. ginger • 1 tsp. cinnamon • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg • 1/4 tsp. cloves • 3/4 cup water, cold
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DIRECTIONS Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tin with cupcake liners, set aside.
Step 6: Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them with a knife or use a piping bag with a piping tip and top with some sprinkles, if desired. Cupcakes will keep well and stay moist in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. Enjoy!
www.EnjoyMagazine.com
Maci Manty is a self taught baker and food photographer. She loves baking desserts, being outdoors and spending time with her family and pets. Follow her on Instagram @lovely_baking_co for more baking inspiration.
DECEMBER 2025
DECEMBER 2025
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e in th
C0a0–n7:y00opn
s h, 4: t e 3 l 1 Cand cember
m
y, De a d r u t a S
Join us for Dunsmuir’s Winter Festival & 2nd Saturday Art Walk Enjoy Art Galleries, Shopping, Delicious Restaurants and More! Bee Kind Bakery & Catering 5853 Sacramento Ave. beekindcatering.com
Darmera Studio 5728 Dunsmuir Ave. darmera.studio
HeartBloom Yoga 5905 Sacramento Ave heartbloomyoga.com
Ted Fay Fly Shop 5732 Dunsmuir Ave tedfay.com
Café Maddalena 5801 Sacramento Ave cafemaddalenadunsmuir.com
Dunsmuir Brewery Works 5701 Dunsmuir Ave dunsmuirbreweryworks.com
Manfredi’s Depot 6920 Dunsmuir Ave
The Pizza Factory 5804 Dunsmuir Ave. pizzafactory.com/dunsmuir
Cobra Lily Bar & Bottle 4118 Pine Street cobralilybar.com Cornerstone Café 5759 Dunsmuir Ave.
OUR TOP SPONSORS
Dunsmuir Supermarket 5529 Dunsmuir Ave
Mossbrae Hotel 5734 Dunsmuir Ave. mossbraehotel.com
Gold Stitch Shop 4120 Pine St. newwesthats.com
Siskiyou Arts Museum 5824 Dunsmuir Ave. siskiyouartsmuseum.org
The Sacred Well 5816 Dunsmuir Ave sacredwell.com Unexpected Treasures 5821 Dunsmuir Ave
local events
CALENDAR D E C E M B E R 2 02 5
FEATURED EVENTS
Saturday, December 13 from 1:00pm5:00pm.
Holiday Open House anderson December 2 • Retired Employees’ Association of California (RPEA) Meeting, Vittles Family Restauarant, 11am, 2385 North St., www.rpea.com December 6-7 • Holiday Bazaar, Shasta District Fair & Event Center, 1890 Briggs St., 9am-3pm, www.shastadistrictfairandeventcenter.com
chico December 3, 10, 17 • Chico Wednesday Farmers Market, North Valley Plaza Mall parking lot, Pillsbury Road adjacent to a Trader Joe’s, 7:30am-noon, www.chicofarmersmarket.com December 5 • Community Christmas Tree Lighting, City Plaza, 6-8pm, www.downtownchico.com December 6, 13, 20, 27 • Chico Saturday Farmers Market, Downtown Chico municipal parking lot, 2nd and Wall streets, 7:30am-1pm, www.chicofarmersmarket.com December 6, 7 • Brunch with Santa, CARD Community Center, 545 Vallombrosa Ave., 8am-1pm, www.chicorec.gov
fort jones
December 1-31 • Chico Ice Rink, Chico Plaza, various times, www.chicorec.gov/chico-ice-rink
December 5 • Christmas Tree Lighting, Downtown Fort Jones, 6pm, www.facebook.com/ FortJonesLionClub December 13 • 57th Annual Christmas Parade, Downtown Fort Jones, 1pm, www.facebook.com/ FortJonesLionClub • Christmas Craft Fair, Scott Valley Junior High, 9:30am-4pm, www.marblerimgallery.org
corning December 6 • Breakfast with Santa, Rodgers Theatre, 1217 Solano St., 9am and 10:30am, www.facebook.com/CorningRec • Sweet Treat Hometown Christmas Lighted Parade, East down Solano from Houghton to 3rd street, 5:30pm, www.corningcachamber.org December 12 • Breakfast Christmas Trolley Light Tour, Corning Chamber of Commerce, 1110 Solano St., 6pm and 7pm, www.corningcachamber.org
hayfork December 6 • Pancakes with Santa and Christmas Bazaar, 6000 Highway 3, 9am-4pm, weavervilleca.org
dunsmuir December 13 • Dunsmuir Second Saturdays, Downtown Dunsmuir, 11am-9pm, www.dunsmuirsecondsaturday.com • Candles in the Canyon, Historic Downtown Dunsmuir, 4-7pm, www.enjoylocalevents.com
DECEMBER 2025
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junction city December 14 • Junction City Fire Jills Community Christmas Dinner, 4-7pm, Junction City Grange Hall, 131 Dutch Creek Road, www.weavervilleca.org
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mccloud
December 13 • Christmas Craft Faire, Paradise Elks Lodge, 1100 Elk Lane, 9am-3pm, www.paradisechamber.com • Christmas Ride & Caroling Through Paradise, Paradise, 10:30am-1pm, www.paradisechamber.com December 20 • Christmas at Ridge Produce Collective Farmers Market, 5505 Skyway, 9am-3pm, www.paradisechamber.com
December 6, 7, 13, 14 • McCloud Vintage Christmas, Main Street McCloud, 8am-5pm, www.mccloudchamber.com
mt. shasta December 1-31 • Mount Shasta Ice Rink, 800 Rockfellow Drive, www.msrec.org/ice-rink, www. mtshastachamber.com/events-calendar December 12 • Mountain Magic, Redwood Gallery, 209 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd., 5-8pm, www.redwood.gallery
red bluff
palo cedro December 13 • Yuletide Artisan Fair, Palo Cedro Grange, 22037 Old 44 Drive, 9am-4pm, www.facebook.com/ events/1334058581762870 • North Valley Market, Palo Cedro Park, 9449 Cedro Rd., 5-8pm, www.pcpark. org/all-events/north-valley-markets
paradise December 2 • Paradise Chamber’s Annual Installation and Awards Dinner 2025, Paradise Elks Lodge, 1100 Elk Lane, 5:30-9:30pm, www.paradisechamber.com December 6 • Holiday Craft Faire, Terry Ashe Rec Center, 6626 Skyway, 10am-6pm, www.paradiseprpd.com • Annual Christmas Party for Kids on the Ridge, Paradise Veterans Memorial Hall, 6550 Skyway, 10am-1pm, www.paradisechamber.com • Blitzen’s Bazaar, Burnt Barn Distilling Co., 195 Wayland Road, 1-4pm, www.paradisechamber.com • PRPD Holiday Festivities, Terry Ashe Rec Center, 6626 Skyway, 4-5:30pm, 5:30pm Community Tree Lighting, www.paradiseprpd.com December 6-7 • Ridge Quilters Home Tour 2025, Five Homes in Paradise, 10am-4pm, www.ridgequiltersguild.org • Paradise Community Chorus and Paradise Symphony Orchestra “Holiday in Paradise,” Paradise Performing Arts Center, 777 Nunneley Road, 3pm, www.paradisesymphony.org/events
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December 1-24 • Hope Chest Christmas Boutique, 1329 Grant St., 9am, www.redbluffchamber.com December 4 • Christmas at the Kraft Mix & Mingle, The Kraft, 909 Jefferson St., 5-7pm, www.redbluffchamber.com December 6, 13, 20, 27 • Downtown Farmers Market, River Park, 8am-noon, www.redbluffchamber.com December 11 • Chamber Christmas Breakfast, Red Buff Dodge Showroom, 545 Adobe Road, 7:45-9am, www.redbluffchamber.com December 13 • Holiday on the Homestead, William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park, 21659 Adobe Road, 11am-3pm, www.parks.ca.gov/EventDetails/16581 December 14 • Let There Be Christmas, State Theatre, 333 Oak St., 3pm, www.redbluffchamber.com
redding December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 • Music Mondays, Mosaic Restaurant, 826 Sundial Bridge Drive, 6-8pm, www.mosaicredding.com/events December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • Step by Step School of Ballroom Dance, Old City Hall, 1313 Market St., 5:30-7:30pm, www.shastaartscouncil.org/classes • Luna Fusion’s Trivia Night, Luna’s Fusion, 2914 Churn Creek Road, 6-8pm, www.visitredding.com • Karaoke Night, The Tropics, 2555 South Market St., 8pm, www.facebook.com/ reddingtropics December 3 • Bingo Night, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 2150 Benton Drive, 6-7pm, www.episcopalchurchredding.org
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December 3, 10, 17 • Wine Down Wednesdays, Branch House Riverfront Bistro, 844 Sundial Bridge Drive, 5-7pm, www.branchhouseredding.com December 4, 11, 18 • Bingo Country Line Dancing Lessons, Fall River Brewery, 4001 Eastside Road, 6-7:30pm, www.visitredding.com • Open Trivia Night at the Tropics, 2555 S. Market St., 7pm, www.facebook.com/reddingtropics December 5 • First Fridays in Downtown Redding, Downtown Redding stores, 5pm, www.visitredding.com • North Valley Art League Reception, Carter House Gallery, 48 Quartz Hill Road, 5-7pm, www.nval.org • Redding Christmas Tree Lighting, Downtown Redding, 1504 Market St., 5-7:30pm, www.visitredding.com December 6 • Redding Lighted Christmas Parade, Downtown Redding, 6-8pm, www.visitredding.com December 6, 13, 20, 27 • Redding Farmers Market, behind City Hall, 777 Cypress Ave., 8:30am-noon, www.reddingfarmersmarkets.com December 7, 14, 21, 28 • Music Bingo, The Tropics, 2555 S. Market St., 7pm, www.visitredding.com December 13 • 12Ks of Christmas, Lake Redding Park, 2225 Benton Drive, 9am-noon, www.visitredding.com December 17 • Open Mic Poetry Night, I.O.O.F. Hall Conference Room, 1504 Market St., 7-8:30pm, www.visitredding.com December 31 • New Years Eve, 8am - 1 pm, Sheraton Hotel
shasta lake December 3 • 5th Annual City of Shasta Lake Christmas Tree Lighting, Shasta Lake, 5:30-7pm, www.cityofshastalake.gov December 28 • Community Ukulele Club Meetup, Shasta Lake Community United Methodist Church, 1509 Hardenbrook Ave., 2-3:30pm, www.cityofshastalake.gov
DECEMBER 2025
Experience the magic of the holiday season with this timeless ballet, featuring live music by the Shasta Symphony Orchestra! Shasta Symphony Orchestra and Aaron’s Home present
r e k c a r BOOK YOUR c t u HOLIDAY PARTY N NOW! est
Bantam W
the
Artistic Director:
Diana Christensen
December 18–20, 2025
7:00pm (Dec 18, 19, 20) · 2:00pm (Dec 20)
530 338 2219
3425 PLACER ST., STE 110, REDDING INFO@THEBANTAMKITCHEN.COM RIVERFRONT PLAYHOUSE PRESENTATION
HAVE YOURSELF A
CRAZY LITTLE
CHRISTMAS BY COLLIN ANDRULONIS
DIRECTED BY MAUREEN SANDERS & RONDA ALVEY
December 05-21
Tickets @ riverfrontplayhouse.net Produced by Special Arrangement with Heartland Plays, Inc. • www.heartlandplays.com
Shasta College Theater 11555 Old Oregon Trail
For tickets visit: www.TheReddingArtsProject.com The Redding Arts Project School of Theatre and Dance – proud sponsor of The Nutcracker in the North State for over 20 years
weaverville December 6 • Junction City Fire Jills Christmas Bazaar, Veterans Memorial Hall, 109 Memorial Drive, 9am-4 pm, www.weavervilleca.org
yreka December 5 • Light up a Life, Best Western Miners Inn Convention Center, 122 E. Miner Street, 5:30pm, www.madronehospice.org/events December 6 • Yreka Night of Lights, Historic Downtown Yreka, Miner Street, 4pm-7pm, 6:30pm tree lighting, www.yrekanightoflights.com
shasta lake December 1-31 • Yoga, The Community Center, 4499 Main St., 5:30-6pm Monday and Wednesday, www.enjoylocalevents.com
axiom repertory theatre
www.axreptheatre.com December 31 • Reignition 2026: Blast Off!, 7pm
anderson library
www.shastalibraries.org December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • Color Your World, 10am December 3 • Make an Ugly Sweater, 3pm December 4, 11, 18 • Knitting Club, 10am December 10 • Create Your Own Christmas Cards, 3pm December 16 • Book Mates, 2pm December 17 • Adult Board Games, 4pm December 26 • Craft Day, 4pm
burney library
www.shastalibraries.org December 5 • Yarns at the Library, 2pm December 6, 13, 20, 27 • Mixed Media Art Class, 11am December 25 • Adult Book Club, 11am
chico performances
www.chicoperformances.com December 4-7 • “A Very Chico Nutcracker,” 7pm Friday, 1pm and 6pm Saturday, 1pm Sunday December 10 • Colbie Caillat & Gavin DeGraw, 7:30pm December 18 • Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico, 7:30pm
cascade theatre
www.cascadetheatre.org December 2 • World Ballet Company: "The Nutcracker," 7pm December 12-14 • Redding City Ballet: "The Nutcracker," 7pm Friday, 2pm and 7pm Saturday, 2pm Sunday December 16 • "A Celtic Christmas,"7:30pm December 21 • Mark O’Connor’s "An Appalachian Christmas" featuring Maggie O’Connor, 7:30pm
chico theatre company
chicotheatrecompany.csstix.com December 4-21 • “Elf: The Musical,” 7:30pm ThursdaySaturday, 2pm Sunday
redding civic auditorium
www.reddingcivic.com December 5 • "Stomp," 7:30pm December 7 • "John Crist: Jokes for Humans," 7pm December 21 • "Kinky Boots," 7pm
redding performing arts center www.reddingpac.com
December 4-6 • “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,” 5pm and 7pm Thursday-Friday, noon, 2pm and 4pm Saturday December 4-7 • “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” 6:30pm Thursday-Friday,1:30pm and 3:30pm Saturday, 3:30pm and 5:30pm Sunday
DECEMBER 2025
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LISTEN NOW
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the dip
December 11-20 • “Anastasia,” 7pm Thursday-Friday, 2pm and 7pm Saturday December 16 • RPAC’s Fifth Annual Christmas Spectacular, 5pm and 7pm December 18-21 • “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol”
www.thedipredding.com December 5 • The Sam Chase & The Untraditional, Wreckless Strangers, 8pm
December 27 • Guided Garden Walk, 10-11am December 31 • Noon Year’s Eve Party, 10am-noon • New Year’s Eve at Redding Garden of Lights, 6-10pm
trinity alps performing arts center
riverfront playhouse
win-river resort and casino
winriver.com
www.tapaconline.org
www.riverfrontplayhouse.net December 5-21 • “Have Yourself a Crazy Little Christmas,” 7:30pm Friday-Saturday, 2pm Saturday December 6, 2pm Sunday December 15 • The Redding Area Comedy Showcase PG comedy show, 7pm in the lounge December 31 • New Year's Eve Roaring '20s Murder Mystery dinner and show, after party, games, karaoke, 7pm - midnight
December 6 • Redding City Ballet Presents: “The Nutcracker,” 3pm December 7 • Weaverville Community Band and Chorus Winter Concert, 3pm December 12-14 • Trinity Players Present: “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 7pm December 19 • Trinity County Student Musician Showcase, 5pm
redding library
December 5-27 • Overtime Live DVJs, 9:30pm, FridaysSaturdays December 31 • 2025 New Year’s Eve Bash, 7pm
turtle bay exploration park
www.shastalibraries.org December 2-31 • Storytime, 11am, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • Teen Advisory Board, 6pm December 8 • Ron Giesecke Magic Show, 6pm
SCAN THIS TO GO DIRECTLY TO OUR EVENTS CALENDAR ONLINE
www.turtlebay.org
schreder planetarium
www.shastacoe.org/programsservices/planetarium December 5, 12, 19, 26 • Special Holiday Event (A Christmas Star; Oasis in Space), 7pm
shasta college
www.shastacollege.edu/events/ fine-performing-arts December 7 • The Shasta Symphony Orchestra Presents a Holiday Concert, 3-6pm December 12 • Jazz at Shasta College Presents a Concert #2, 7:30pm December 13 • Shasta College Presents a Concert by Chorale and Concert Choirs, 7:30pm December 18-20 • Redding Ballet Theatre and Shasta Symphony Orchestra present “The Nutcracker,” 7pm Thursday-Friday, 2pm and 7pm Saturday
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December 1-31 • Sea Monsters Unearthed, Museum hours • Ancient Seas of Shasta County, Museum Hours • The Art of Ezra Tucker, Museum Hours • Redding Garden of Lights, 5-9pm Wednesday-Sunday • Water Wonders, 10:30am, WednesdayThursday December 4, 11, 18 • Little Explorers, 10-11am December 5, 12, 19, 26 • Talon Talk, 2pm December 6 • Charlie Rabbit and Friends, Turtle Bay Nursery, 10-11am • Tales at Turtle Bay, 10:30-11am • Jingle Bell Fun Run, 4pm December 6, 13, 20, 27 • Predator vs Prey Animal Show, 2pm December 7, 14, 21, 28 • Reptiles Alive, 2pm December 13 • Plant Talk: Sustainable Landscaping, 10am-noon • Family 2nd Saturday, 11am-2pm December 20 • Science Saturday, 11am-2pm December 27 • Art Lab, 11am-2pm
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DECEMBER 2025
GO DIRECTLY TO OUR INSTAGRAM PAGE
GO DIRECTLY TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
HOW TO GET YOUR EVENT ON THIS CALENDAR If you’d like your event to be listed in this section of Enjoy magazine, please post it on our website www. enjoylocalevents.com by the 1st of the month— one month prior to the next magazine issue. For example, a May event will need to be posted by April 1.
Now Accepting Applications for 2025-26 School Year A California Distinguished School
Phoenix Charter Academy College View offers a chance for students to rise. Our TK-12 site-based/Independent study home school charter in Redding provides educational choice for families who wish to educate their children in a blended educational model.
Phoenix Charter Academy College View Let us partner with YOU to personalize YOUR child’s education.
• Robotics • LEGO® Creative Design • Environmental Education • Premier Independent Study Program • Enriching Blended Model • Turtle Bay Docent Programs • Tutoring, Including Reading, Writing & Math • A Personalized Learning • Shasta College Courses Innovative Educational • Site Based A-G Courses Available Charter School • Computer-Based Instruction & Tutorials • Community Service Provider Electives Available
Thank you for supporting Charter Schools and Parent Choice (530) 222-9275 • www.ourpca.org 145 Shasta View Drive, Redding Ca. 96003
Retired Public Employees’ Association of California We are a non-profit association of retirees and active employees who are members of the California Public Retirement System (CalPERS). • Representing all public employees - classified schools, public agencies, and state. • The liaison between retirees and CalPERS.
Join RPEA by calling RPEA Headquarters Call: 800-443-7732 or scan the QR code to join online RPEA membership is only $5.00/ month Call RPEA HQ to have dues deducted from your CalPERS warrant
NEXT MEETINGS
• A mutual protective association for all beneficiaries of CalPERS
1st Tuesday of the Month, September-June
• Fighting to maintain our current pension and health care benefits and improve these benefits every year.
Vittles Restaurant | 2385 North St., Anderson | 11am-1pm Bruce Sutton, Chapter 034 President email: brucesutton@charter.net
Next meeting December 2nd
• Local chapters in your area - attend meetings to stay informed and learn from interesting speakers.
Lunch is provided for members and their guests
Retired Public Employees’ Association of California
Chapter 034 • 300 T Street • Sacramento, CA 95811 • 800-443-7732 • rpea.com
TODAY’S C
OUN
Y TR
DECEMBER 2025
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HOW DOES KIWANIS SUPPORT SCHOOLS AND YOUTH PROGRAMS? We sponsor leadership programs including K-Kids (elementary), Builders Club (middle school), Key Club (high school) and Circle K (college). Each group sets its own goals, plans service projects, and learns how to identify and meet needs in the community. We also support literacy efforts, sports programs, and school improvement projects.
Kiwanis is a global service organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth. Our projects address food insecurity, literacy, leadership development, community improvements, and scholarships. HOW DO KIWANIS CLUBS WORK TOGETHER? The name “Kiwanis” comes from the Otchipew phrase Nunc Kee-wanis, meaning “we share our talents.” Our motto, We Build, reflects that spirit. Clubs often join forces—like at the Division 39 Children’s Carnival in Red Bluff—to expand their impact and reach more families.
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giving back Q&A WITH D AV E B A C K U E S , REDDING SUNDIAL K I WA N I S C L U B
WHAT IS KIWANIS ALL ABOUT? Kiwanis is a global service organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth. Our projects address food insecurity, literacy, leadership development, community improvements, and scholarships. Visit www.Kiwanis.org to see the impact Kiwanis makes worldwide and here at home. HOW LONG HAS KIWANIS BEEN MAKING AN IMPACT? Founded in 1915, Kiwanis has been supporting communities for more than a century. Many local clubs are 100+ years old, and the Redding-Sundial Club—our newest—is now three years strong. Though times have changed, our focus on children has remained constant. WHAT SERVICE PROJECTS ARE MOST NEEDED RIGHT NOW? Food insecurity is one of our region’s greatest challenges. Many North State Kiwanis clubs now operate food programs in schools year-round, helping ensure children have consistent access to healthy meals.
HOW ARE LOCAL NEEDS IDENTIFIED? We partner with schools, teachers, and community groups to learn what’s needed most. Programs like the Redding food pantries and Shasta Lake’s Food for Kids backpack project began from those conversations. HOW DO SMALL-TOWN CLUBS STAY STRONG AND CONNECTED? Service keeps us united. We celebrate each other’s successes, support one another through challenges, and stay rooted in the communities we serve. WHAT OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED? Along with our school-based programs, we’re launching Kiwanis Voices for ages 18–26. It’s a flexible, social approach that lets young adults form their own groups and lead projects in their own way—with full Kiwanis support. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST VOLUNTEER NEEDS RIGHT NOW? We always welcome new members who want to make a difference for youth. Whatever your passion, Kiwanis offers a place to serve, connect, and give back. www.kiwanis.org
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www.EnjoyMagazine.com
DECEMBER 2025
Strong minded At 18, I was involved in a horrific hit-and-run car accident. I woke up three months later, with a traumatic brain injury, and I learned what it felt like to be different. No one saw me the same or treated me the same way. It was a completely disastrous experience, but because of that experience, I really got interested in the field of psychology. During my healing process, I began taking college courses and attending school to better understand what I was going through. Having a brother who has severe autism and dealing with my own disability, I felt like I could really relate to a special audience. I opened a non-profit organization for children, adolescents, and young adults with disabilities and at-risk backgrounds. I really enjoyed it, but I wanted to take it further, and I realized I needed more education to continue helping others. So, my partner and I moved to California, so I could be closer to my children and take classes at Shasta College.
excellent! Runi has been helping me a lot because I still have some shortterm memory problems. Professor Larry Grandy is an amazing spirit and Professor Wade Stewart is another really charismatic gentleman. I plan to graduate from Shasta College and to a university to earn my master’s degree. My goal is to become a licensed marriage and family therapist, as well as drug and alcohol addiction specialist. Looking back, I have zero regrets—other than not starting sooner at Shasta College! My advice is to keep moving forward; it takes time, a lot of energy and dedication. But the key is never giving up.
Ryan Johnson Shasta College Knight PTK Honor Society 2025 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar
All my instructors, professors, and people on campus…everyone has been amazing, supportive, and encouraging! When I have questions, there’s no hesitation in getting a response to help me get back on track. The PACE department has been * Please see our website for additional details and to apply for the program.
ShastaCollege.edu Shasta College is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
SUCCESS starts
at Shasta College!
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