Enjoy Magazine: Northern California Living — February 2026

CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 2026 ISSUE 233

CHERISH THE MOMENT —featured

stories—

20: Grains of the Earth Wedding Jewelry Inspired by Mount Shasta

26: Buttercups and Brown Sugar Blends Family and Tradition

32: High Mountain Flowers at the Farmers Markets

46: Massage as a Meaningful Way to Reconnect

50: MamaMia Events Brings Celebrations to Life

56: 2026 Wedding Trends

72: Valentine Fun Facts

GOOD FINDS

38: Ladle Full of Love Brings Comfort, Nutrition and Connection

86: The Return of Shasta Historical Society

GOOD TIMES

80: Peter Asher Reflects on the Era That Reshaped Pop Music

LOCALS

74: Michelle Carlson Embraces Art, Teaching and a Life Well Made

IN EVERY ISSUE

18: What I Enjoy: Whitney Moffett

92: Recipe: A Cozy Lobster Risotto for Two

94: Enjoy the View : Frank Tona

96: What’s Cookin’ : Easy-To-Make Vanilla Panna Cotta With Raspberry Sauce

99: Local Events Calendar

106: Giving Back: Sheri White, Executive Director of Human Response Network

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©2026 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.

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note from our team a

As we move through the heart of winter here in the North State, our February issue invites you to find warmth as you Cherish the Moment. Whether through a shared meal, a creative spark or a connection to our history, this month is about finding magic in the present.

For some, that magic is found in the kitchen. Al Olson shows us that the almost meditative preparation of lobster risotto is as much about connection as it is about the meal. Similarly, Kristina Pollycutt of Ladle Full of Love reminds us that a simple bowl of soup, crafted with local ingredients, nourishes both body and soul.

We also celebrate those who turn moments into memories. Justine Lawson of MamaMia Events crafts magnificent balloon displays that transform everyday parties, while Michelle Carlson inspires us to find a “blissful state of flow” through community-centered art. From the symbolic pinecone jewelry of Grains of the Earth to the mountain flowers blooming at our farmers markets, love is truly in the details.

As we look forward, we honor what came before. In this issue, we celebrate the resilience of the Shasta Historical Society as they return to their renovated home.

This month, we invite you to linger over dinner, create something new, and hold tight to what matters most. Cherish every moment, and Enjoy Northern California Living!

ON THE COVER:

WHAT I ENJOY

Whitney Moffett

Venue Owner / Substitute Teacher

Family:

Husband Billy, daughter Charlotte, son Eli, dogs Bosa and Stoney, and seven Longhorn cattle.

How long have you lived in the North State? Just over three years in Red Bluff after growing up in Vacaville.

If your wedding venue could talk, would you want it to tell funny behind-the-scenes stories or heartfelt moments it’s witnessed? Having a wedding venue, we see it all, and I mean we see everything, but I think the heartfelt moments. We witness first looks, private letters, emotional vows and quiet exchanges that happen away from the crowd. Those moments go far beyond a big celebration, and we’re grateful for the relationships we continue to build with the families who marry here.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT LIVING IN THE NORTH STATE?

The people, without question. This community truly looks out for one another and values connection over competition. I’ve never experienced anything like it. We’re also incredibly fortunate to live among such natural beauty, with places like Mount Shasta and Lassen right in our backyard.

Would you rather give up your phone for a weekend or your favorite food for a month? As much as I love food, I don’t think I could go without my phone for that long. We have two kids who are always going in different directions between sports, 4H and community events. My husband is gone multiple days out of the week for work and I am always getting calls for the venue or for things related to my board member duties.

What’s something small that instantly puts you in a good mood? Turning down our driveway. I’m still in awe of where we live and grateful to call this place home.

What’s one thing you’re really good at that most people don’t know about? I used to play basketball growing up and my husband hates that I can still beat him in a game of HORSE.

What’s a simple pleasure you never get tired of? Morning coffee on the back patio while watching our cattle graze, with Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen in view.

If you could spend the day with anyone living or deceased for one day, who would it be and why? I would spend the day with my Grandma Barbara (my dad’s mom), who passed away just before I was born. I often think about how things would be different if she was here. I would do anything to meet her and for her to meet her grandchildren.

What’s something you own that you absolutely did not need – but would buy again? Our fifth-wheel trailer. We’ve made some of our best family memories camping.

A pause button or a rewind button for everyday life? I’d rather have a pause button and live in the moment. My husband and I both come from amazing families who have surrounded us with love throughout our lives. As our kids continue to get older, I wish time would just slow down. We are very social people and love to have a good time, but sometimes it is all a blur.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? While I take tremendous pride in my customer service and anticipating the needs of wedding couples, families and their guests, it would be great to be able to read minds. Not only would it help me run my business, but navigate my kids as they approach their teenage years.

Sound. Secure. Safe.

We could totally do That.

From Forest to Forever

GRAINS OF THE EARTH WEDDING JEWELRY INSPIRED BY MOUNT SHASTA

special energy comes from the minerals/earth around the majestic Mt. Shasta, and Grains of the Earth has figured out how to harness that feeling and spirituality into wearable works of art that elevate any special occasion.

Grains of the Earth Founder Jessy Meeker sends over some pictures of Josh and Jessica, a couple who recently got married in Ireland. They both had Grains of Earth bolo ties and pendants around their necks, which illuminated their love and deep connection set against a backdrop of coastal green cliffs. “They are both from Ohio, and met in Mount Shasta,” says Meeker. They moved away but visited Mount Shasta last summer, where they met Meeker at the farmers market.

“She’s connected to the sacred energy of the mountain, does Reiki, knows all about the Shasta opal,” Meeker recalls. “It was super flattering to see how Grains of the Earth jewelry looks in the photos.”

Sourcing the endemic Mt. Shasta knobcone pinecones close to their home encompassed in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Jessy and her husband Dave (along with their furry four-legged support team) began making their Grains of Earth jewelry about two years ago.

“We started out just selling pinecones to crafters all over the U.S. and wondered what they were doing with them. And then when we realized what they were using them for, we thought, ‘We could totally do that’,” Jessy says.

Jessy is committed to ethical sourcing, making sure the responsibly foraged pieces share a harmony between the earth and its wearer. ▶

continued on page 23

“The trees are just loaded with cones here. Their cones only open if there’s a wildfire, so you only find these kinds of trees in wildfire-prone areas. I love the little facts about the tree; I’m able to get this pattern because the cones don’t open.”

“Most trees drop pinecones, but the knobcones stay on for life,” Jessy explains. She’ll look for the branches that snap off from the wind or have gotten too snow-laden and droopy. “The trees are just loaded with cones here. Their cones only open if there’s a wildfire, so you only find these kinds of trees in wildfire-prone areas. I love the little facts about the tree; I’m able to get this pattern because the cones don’t open.”

Making jewelry out of knobcone pinecones isn’t an original idea, but using Mt. Shasta pinecones is. “We wanted our pendants to feature more of the pinecone pattern, use simple inlays and charge at a more affordable price,” Jessy says.

They slice their pinecones vertically, forming them into ornaments, earrings, bolo ties, “feather” cut pendants and hat bands.

And Grains of the Earth adds more products to their collection as they go along. “We get ideas from our customers; they came up with the bolo ties. Those are making a comeback,” she adds.

Over the holidays, the most popular Grains of the Earth products were the Christmas ornaments, shaped in the feather pattern her husband came up with. “I use the stem for the end; they were Dave’s idea. They’re more difficult to cut, but nice.” Her friend is a hatmaker and gave her the idea to make hat pins. Pendants and the earrings are always a hot seller if she can find small enough pinecones.

She sold a few of those this past year to people getting married, but the bolo ties are getting more popular. “People are replacing the bowtie with a bolo tie,” she says. “I sell them on Etsy, online, and I’m always open to customizing them.”

Along with selling its jewelry online, Grains of the Earth is at the Mount Shasta farmers market every week selling its pendants Mondays from 3:30 to 6pm in May through October. They give away special postcards explaining the symbolic representation of the Third Eye pinecones and Mt. Shasta.

“Throughout the span of recorded human history, pinecones have served as a symbolic representation of human enlightenment, the third eye and the pineal gland… The third eye denotes intuition and the ability to see things beyond what you see on the surface,” a portion of the postcard states. •

Grains of the Earth www.grainsoftheearth.com

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BAKED WITHLove

BUTTERCUPS AND BROWN SUGAR BLENDS FAMILY AND TRADITION

or Carrie-Anne and Grace Crawford, the mother-daughter duo behind the cottage-based Buttercups and Brown Sugar Bakery in Lake Shastina, there’s a lot more that goes into baking th than ingredients. “I’ve always liked baking for people because I enjoy putting the gift of love into whatever I’m making, and hoping they’ll taste that love when they eat it. A lot of things can look good, but don’t taste as great. But we want both. That’s what we’re shooting for,” explains Carrie-Anne.

Both women have baking in their genes. “I am third generation doing cakes, which makes Grace the fourth generation,” says CarrieAnne. In fact, she remembers being pregnant with Grace, taking private cake-decorating lessons and imagining a future where she could stay home and bake. “But then life happens,” she says. “I had full-time work. I was raising kids. Baking for a living just always felt like a pipe dream.” Still, Carrie-Anne kept at it for 20 years, making cakes for every cousin and classroom and birthday. Eventually, she became known around Weed as “the cake lady.” Meanwhile, Grace grew up watching it all. “I always wanted to do it with her.”

Then, a little more than a year ago, life shifted, when the babysitting job Grace relied on ended suddenly. “I was kind of left with not knowing what I was going to do,” she says. That quiet pause, mixed with the desire to work alongside her mother, sparked something. “I started thinking, maybe this would be a good time to try it out.” Carrie-Anne remembers the moment: “Finally one day we decided, ‘Let’s do this.’”

They opened on Mother’s Day weekend, expecting maybe a trickle of orders. “We weren’t even sure if we’d get one customer,” Carrie-Anne admits. “Instead, we were slammed.” The business quickly took off, and Buttercups and Brown Sugar Bakery was born. At first, it was a little bit of a struggle to settle on a name. “We tossed out a lot of ideas. But we knew we liked floral names because they were pretty,” Grace says. “We thought of a bunch of different flowers, but landed on buttercups because it has the word butter in it, along with cups, as in measuring cups. Brown sugar just sounded cute with it. Plus, it seemed yummy.”

Now, in addition to perfecting some standard fare like cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies, they also do themed weekly offerings and custom orders and cakes. “Our customers really want something other than a big-box cake. They want something that’s handcrafted and unique, which we love doing,” says Carrie-Anne. And, while they’re always experimenting with new ideas, they also have a number of ▶ continued on page 28

We want to make the best recipe we can find for everything that we do.

heirloom recipes in their repertoire. “We have a red velvet cake recipe that comes from a great-grandmother who came from the South. And then I have my mother’s shortbread recipe, and my mother-in-law’s macadamia nut white chocolate chip recipe,” says Carrie-Anne. She’s also quick to note that they are always going on experimental deep dives to improve their recipes. “We want to make the best recipe we can find for everything that we do.”

The Crawford family ties to the community run deep. “My maiden name is Alvarado, which is fourth generation in Weed,” CarrieAnne explains. Her great-uncle owned Phil’s Market—now the Alvarado Building downtown. “My cousin was the mayor. My dad taught at Weed Elementary for over 30

years.” Grace laughs about local fame-by-association: “Anytime I’d go out with my grandfather, everyone would be like ‘Mr. Alvarado! Mr. Alvarado!’ Everyone knew him.” The family is also well-known for its creativity. “My father is an artist. He’s done murals for a couple of different cities,” Carrie-Anne says. Grace’s specialty is calligraphy, even running an independent Etsy shop for her designs. “When it comes to any writing on our cakes or our baked goods, she’s the gal,” Carrie-Anne says. “I can bake, but I have horrible writing.”

Baking from home has proven to be its own adventure. “When you’re running a family business, it affects the whole family. There are many times when I have to tell my husband to stay out of the fridge or the kitchen, or to not use the stove. He’s also kind of a neat freak and there’s buttercream everywhere these days, so I have to say, he’s been a saint about this,” Carrie-Anne says with a laugh. She adds that one day, maybe a storefront will be in their future. “Dreaming on a big scale, a brick-and-mortar would be amazing,” Carrie-Anne says. “But for now, we are happy with where we are, doing what we love, and finding success based on the things that are most important to us, like faith, family and community.” Grace agrees, and sums it up simply. “I feel super blessed and grateful, because it’s a lot of fun working together. It’s definitely a labor of love, but we’ve been getting such positive feedback, it’s a really great feeling.”•

To learn more or place an order, visit buttercupsandbrownsugarbakery.square.site

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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Fresh FROM THE MARKET

HIGH MOUNTAIN FLOWERS AT THE FARMERS MARKETS

s clearer skies and sunshine become more frequent in the North State, the Shasta farmers markets start taking off with the vendor/consumer relationship providing a direct link to people and their food. However, the farmers market provides more than just fresh, organic, nutritious fare. Many artisans and even a few flower vendors are there, too –just in time for wedding season.

Lone Pine Blooms

When Tiana and her daughter Cara Chandon both realized their mutual love for growing flowers, they launched Lone Pine Blooms and started selling them at the Mount Shasta Farmers Market, held on Mondays from 3:30 to 6pm. The mother/daughter team grows all their own flowers at their home on the outskirts of Mount Shasta, managing 20 raised flower beds on a part of their 2.5-acre property.

“Some people do buy flowers in bulk at the farmers market, but we mostly accommodate small events,” Tiana says. The biggest event Lone Pine Blooms has provided flowers for was about 20 centerpieces and a few large bouquets, but they do have another wedding in the books for this summer.

“We have dahlias as our primary focal flowers along with statis, straw flowers, snapdragons, zinnias, celosia and Lizianthus. Those are beautiful flowers,” Tiana adds, mentioning they also grow cosmos, bleeding heart amaranths and phlox. They start planting their seeds in January and most of them come into bloom in late June/ early July. ▶ continued on page 34

FLOWERS

She likes all flowers, but her personal favorites are the cheerful dahlias. “My grandmother used to grow them in Mount Shasta and my daughter loves wildflowers, so they make a nice combination in a bouquet,” says Tiana.

While locals come to the farmers market every week for a bouquet, Lone Pine Blooms does a lot of custom orders for celebrations of all kinds, as well as making deliveries in the Mount Shasta area.

“We had a lot of really good feedback from last year’s

farmers markets. We had a build-your-own-bouquet bar which included a bouquet of three focal flowers and 12 medium flowers. People loved it and kept coming back; we sold out at several markets.”

The Lone Pine Blooms duo will be keeping the momentum up this year.

“We plan to grow more types of flowers. We’re trying to convince my husband to let us take over more of the garden,” she says with a laugh. “We started with three

flowerbeds but then we built a bigger garden last year, being more resourceful with wooden beds and repurposing materials.”

Lone Pine Blooms will also continue with its Front Porch Fridays.

“Every Friday we draw a random name of a person who lives in the Mount Shasta area and someone gets a tiny bouquet as a surprise on their front porch. We feel like this fulfills our mission of providing hope, giving back to our community and doing something fun.”

For more information about Lone Pine Blooms, visit www.lonepineblooms.com.

Kindred Gardens

“My mom went to school as a horticulturist,” Tiffany DeVault says, and therefore grew up in her mother’s garden. Tiffany herself worked in the medical field, yet minored in botany when she went to school at Humboldt State University. When she got pregnant, she fully transitioned into opening Kindred Gardens. ▶ continued on page 36

With her son, daughter Madison and husband also helping, Kindred Gardens truly is a family business, managing their nursery at their home on a quarter of an acre in Weed. Between all the trees, shrubs, houseplants, berries, herbs, vegetables and more, Tiffany says she likes to work with all of them as they evolve throughout the seasons, but then admits that she really likes succulents (“because they’re easy to propagate,” she says) and fruit trees.

Kindred Gardens didn’t always grow flowers, but Madison got into selling bouquets at the Weed Farmers Market (which takes place on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 6pm in May through September). “My daughter has more of an eye of what looks good. She likes flowers. She’s done a lot of wreaths at Two Sisters Floral and has a lot of succulent parents,” she says.

MY DAUGHTER HAS MORE OF AN EYE OF WHAT LOOKS GOOD SHE LIKES

FLOWERS

While Tiffany says people usually go to Native Grounds Nursery or Two Sisters Floral (the local florists) to find their flowers for weddings and bigger productions, Kindred Gardens has found a small niche in making succulent bowls for giveaways or centerpieces for events. “Those are really trending right now. We make two-inch succulents which are easy to transport and plant.”

Kindred Gardens has many Hens & Chicks because those are easy to grow and just take off, but they also have jade, echeveria and Jewel of the Desert succulents. “They’re so versatile,” Tiffany says.

Kindred Gardens mainly sells vegetables and houseplants at the Mount Shasta Farmers Market on Mondays, but Madison “is going in the direction of bouquets” which are sold at the Weed Farmers Market on Wednesdays in the summer. •

For more information on Kindred Gardens, visit www.kindredgardens.net.

Anderson is a freelance writer, marketer and action sports enthusiast who grew up wakeboarding on Lake

holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Chico State University and loves to visit her parents

“soup

is a lot like a family. each ingredient enhances the others; each batch has its own characteristics.”

— marge kennedy

t ste of ho

LADLE FULL OF LOVE BRINGS COMFORT, NUTRITION AND CONNECTION

n early childhood experience turned out to be a harbinger of great things to come for Kristina Pollycutt, founder of Ladle Full of Love in Whitmore. “My very first memory in life,” she says, “I remember having a crock of soup. I don’t remember what kind it was.”

What she does remember is how she felt when she ate it. “There’s love in soup,” she says. “There’s warmth in soup. There’s a comfort. But it also can be so nutritious.”

As an adult homesteading in Whitmore with a family to feed, she also found that soup could be a powerful way to pack a lot of nutrition into her meals, especially when it contained fresh, local vegetables and meats. “Soup for me for one thing was convenience,” she says, and adds, “It became a bit of a creative outlet for me. I use truly local meats and vegetables. I feel that the food feels alive.”

That was never more evident than during the pandemic, when her elderly neighbors became ill and she consistently brought them nutritious soups. “For two years straight they had my soup for breakfast every day,” she says. “They really started cheering me on to start a business.”

continued on page 40

You’re kind of just on a flavor adventure with me.

Not long after, the ideas started generating for her to put their prodding into action. “I wrote my business plan on a cross-country trip with my family,” she says. By the time the family returned to the North State, she worked on securing space to work in the Whitmore Community Center’s commercial kitchen, just two miles from her home.

Ladle Full of Love, now two and a half years old, offers seasonal fresh-made soups to the community at regional farmers markets and local food stores, through “soupscription” and,

to some extent, via shipping.

“The bulk of my business right now is farmers markets,” says Pollycutt. “And it’s great for deep connections with customers and, of course, farmers.” She’s lovingly become known as the Soup Lady at the markets and enjoys the rapport she’s built with customers who return to her week after week.

“You’re kind of just on a flavor adventure with me,” she says of her offerings. While she tries to stay up on tried-and-true seasonal favorites, she’s also inspired by the ingredients

available at any given time. “I do not claim to be the original creator,” she says of her recipes, but she does put her local spin on things. The ever-popular and comforting Sausage Kale White Bean is made with Furnari Sausage. “It’s a very hearty and flavorful soup.”

Also popular is Green Goodness, which she describes as “the soup version of a green smoothie.” Also widely sought after is the Ginger Chicken Shiitake Bok Choy, which is broth-based and low-calorie, high-protein.▶ continued on page 43

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Soups are available in pint or quart-sized jars or frozen in 32-oz. heat-sealed bags. “I never wanted to use plastic, but the beauty of it is that I can offer more variety. And the bags can be put through the dishwasher and re-used.”

Response has been significant enough that Pollycutt has added family members to her crew of soup makers, going from a solo venture to a small team. “Soup is a labor of love,” she says. “It’s a lot of prep. It’s a lot of extra work. And I believe that it matters and that you can taste it.” Those extra steps have become well worth the effort, as Pollycutt reaps the rewards of providing comforting nutrition to the community. “When I show up at the farmers markets, I feel like I’m going to see my friends for the day. They care about where their food comes from and I care about the people I’m feeding. I am really committed to buying local and organic

When I show up at the farmers markets, I feel like I’m going to see my friends for the day.

vegetables and from grass-fed ranches,” she adds, noting that she’s passionate about being a connector of local farmers and ranchers to the community at large. She also values the creative aspect of soup-making, and the ability to provide truly nutritious foods in a convenient package.▶ continued on page 45

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While Ladle Full of Love is still relatively young, Pollycutt has plans for expansion fueled by her desire to get good nutrition out to as many people as possible. She’s hoping some grant applications come through for kitchen equipment that will allow her to store and prepare soups more efficiently. “I really want to expand this business,” she says. “I’d like to be represented at farmers markets across the North State.

“I just fell in love with creating meals and feeding people,” says the Soup Lady. A great deal of farmers, ranchers and nourished customers are grateful she did.•

www.ladlefulloflove.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.

the art of slowing down

MASSAGE AS A MEANINGFUL WAY TO RECONNECT

or many couples, Valentine’s Day raises a familiar question: How do we truly connect, rather than simply go through the motions?

Dinners are rushed, gifts are fleeting, and even wellintended plans can feel transactional. Increasingly, couples are turning toward experiences that invite calm, presence, and care. Massage – whether shared in the same room or experienced separately but intentionally together – has become one of the most meaningful ways to do just that.

“The gift of a massage is meaningful. It shows that you care about your loved one’s self-care,” said Dave Marissy, who owns The Healing Center in Redding with his wife, Carolyn.

At its core, massage is an act of restoration. It reduces muscle tension, improves circulation, calms the nervous system and helps the body shift out of stress mode. Cortisol levels drop. Breathing slows. Serotonin and dopamine rise. The result is a sense of groundedness that many of us rarely experience in daily life.

When couples choose massage as a shared Valentine’s experience, the benefits extend beyond the individual. Even when treatments take place in separate rooms, the intention is mutual. You arrive together, pause your schedules together and step into rest at the same time. That parallel experience – knowing your partner is also being cared for – creates a subtle but powerful sense of connection.

The Living Waters Spa at the Gaia Hotel in Anderson was designed specifically for the sense of that connection – to the soothing grounds along the banks of the Sacramento River, and to your inner peace.

“Just strolling through our property, it provides a sense of timelessness,” says Raj Kandhola, owner and manager of The Gaia Hotel & Spa. “The guest is unhurried and relaxed. Sharing this with a loved one just makes the experience that much more special.”

For Kandhola, it’s the things that guests may not even see that make a huge difference. For example, the entire property is LEED Silver Certified. This certification demonstrates a verified commitment to sustainable design, energy efficiency and healthier guest experiences, reducing environmental impact while maintaining high standards of comfort and luxury.

Another green-friendly feature is the spa’s high-end sauna. “Our infrared sauna comes from a small Canadian manufacturer that only uses 100 percent toxin-free materials,” Kandhola explains. “The Sauna Ray sauna does not contain plastics or fiberglass. Nor plywood that could contain formaldehyde. No halogen lights or polymer or solvents of any kind. Instead of harmful glues, the company uses Canadian beeswax. We are only one of two places in our area that has a Sauna Ray sauna.” ▶ continued on page 48

the gift of a massage is meaningful. it shows that you care about your loved one’s self-care.

The Healing Center is another option for a couples spa day.

“When couples arrive at our spa, they immediately feel something special is about to happen. Our waiting room is really relaxing, and the infrared sauna is ready to go,” Marissy explains. “The couple gets warm and cozy in the sauna as they prepare their body for a massage. Our expert massage therapists provide the appropriate massage treatment.”

After the individual massages, the couple reunites in The Healing Center’s salt room, where they find comfortable leather recliners and soothing music. It’s a perfect way to remove stress and reconnect.

Dry salt therapy, also known as halo therapy, is a holistic treatment that mimics the microclimate of a salt cave. Dry salt is heated, ground up and then dispersed into an enclosed environment through a unique process generated by a halogenerator. When these micro-sized particles are inhaled into the respiratory system, they absorb and remove allergens, toxins and foreign substances in your lungs and throughout your respiratory tract.

Modern relationships are often shaped by mismatched stress. One partner is overwhelmed while the other tries to stay afloat. One relaxes while the other carries tension. Massage interrupts that imbalance. Even without being physically side by side, couples often emerge feeling more emotionally aligned. Bodies that have both been allowed to rest tend to reconnect more easily afterward.

HEALTH WISE

Massage reminds the body what safe, supportive touch feels like. It releases stored tension that can quietly accumulate and affect mood, patience and emotional availability. When both partners receive that reset, conversations often feel easier, responses softer and presence more natural.

There’s also something meaningful about stepping away from one another briefly and returning changed. Spending an hour focused entirely on your own body can restore clarity and self-awareness – qualities that benefit relationships. Couples frequently report that they feel more open and attentive after a massage, not because they’ve discussed their relationship, but because they feel better in their own skin.

For long-term couples, massage can act as a reset button. Over time, stress, routines and responsibilities can dull connection. Sharing a wellness experience signals intention: we are investing in ourselves and in this relationship. It’s a reminder that care doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful.

For newer couples, massage offers intimacy without pressure. It’s not about conversation, performance or expectation. It’s about choosing an experience rooted in well-being, one that allows connection to unfold naturally afterward. A walk, a quiet meal or even a relaxed drive home can feel more intimate when both partners are calm and present.

The hours following a massage are often where the shared benefits become most apparent. Couples tend to speak more gently, listen more

Hear t Health Month :

Honor ing the Gift of Hear t Health

February is Heart Health Month, a time to recognize the vital role our hearts play in keeping us strong. In many Tribal traditions, the heart represents balance, bringing together mind, body, and spirit as we care for ourselves and one another.

Heart health is built through everyday choices. Staying active, choosing nourishing foods, managing stress, and getting regular checkups all support a healthy heart. Quitting commercial tobacco and vaping is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your heart and lungs. Reducing or eliminating exposure to nicotine helps lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and strengthens overall wellness.

At Greenville Rancheria, we are committed to supporting heart health through education, prevention, and access to care, including resources to help individuals quit commercial tobacco and vaping.

This Heart Health Month, take time to check in with your heart and choose health habits that support your well-being today and for generations to come, and remember a healthier heart starts with one choice.

Connect with Greenville Rancheria Tribal Health Program for tools and support to quit commercial tobacco and vaping today.

carefully and move more slowly. Stress reactions soften. Physical affection often feels easier and more natural. The experience becomes a foundation for the rest of the day – or evening – rather than the entire event.

Massage doesn’t require perfect timing or a perfect relationship. It can be especially valuable during stressful periods, transitions or emotionally demanding seasons. Choosing care during those moments sends a powerful message: Even when things are busy or uncertain, we’re making space to tend to ourselves and to each other.

In a culture that often equates romance with excitement or extravagance,

massage offers something quieter and more enduring. It prioritizes nervous system health, emotional regulation and intentional pause.

This February, a massage isn’t just a gift – it’s an invitation. To slow down. To reset. And to return to one another more present than before. •

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.

Rancheria

HEALTH PROGRAMS

Family Practice

Pediatrics

Medical Facilities

Dental Facilities

Medical transport within Plumas and Tehama Counties

Community Health Representatives

Indian Child Welfare Worker

Diabetes Services

Mental Health Services

Drug, Alcohol and Family Counselor

Addiction and Medication-Assisted Treatment

7 Sub-specialties:

Women’s Health, Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, Physical Therapy, Psychiatry, Pulmonology and Pain Management

Se Habla Espanol

PARTICIPATING IN PARTNERSHIP AND MEDI-CAL MANAGED CARE

AS A COURTESY, WE WILL BILL MOST INSURANCES

NATIVES AND NON-NATIVES

Open for Walk-ins. 8am – 5pm.

Medical - Dental Monday - Saturday 8am-5pm

MAMAMIA EVENTS BRINGS CELEBRATIONS TO LIFE

hat began as a casual experiment quickly sparked a passion in Justine Lawson. After seeing some examples and watching a few online videos, she tried her hand at building balloon garlands, mixing colors and sizes into small clusters. Right away, something clicked. “I’m a very creative, do-it-yourself person,” she says. “And when I started playing around with balloons, I loved it. It just came naturally.”

That interest blossomed into MamaMia Events, a balloon design and backdrop business she now runs from her home in Yreka. For events like birthdays, anniversaries, gender reveals and baby showers, she crafts playful balloon sculptures and garlands that transform an everyday party into something memorable. “My main thing is balloons, whether it’s a balloon arch or columns. It just adds something magical to a party.” And, when it comes to design, clients mostly give Lawson creative freedom. “A lot of times, clients will send me some type of inspiration or color palette that they’re looking for. Color is especially important because of how many options there are. For instance, green comes in countless shades. Even white and gold vary by brand. Then, from there, I pretty much create it on the spot.”

Lawson is most comfortable working without a pattern. “Every project is so different based on the space I’m working with and how tall it is. A lot of people will charge by the foot, but I just go in and do it until it looks good. I’m constantly analyzing if it looks right, or if something else needs to be placed. I honestly just let it happen. That’s how I work best.”

Paradoxically, it’s the projects that challenge her the most that she enjoys best. “When someone comes to me and says, ‘Can you do this?’ and I’ve never done it before, I’m like, sure, let’s give it a whirl. Those tend to come out better than I ever expected.” To date, one of her biggest triumphs was creating a design with a Winnie-The-Pooh theme. “I put a lot of pressure on myself because I so wanted it to turn out well. But there was a lot involved ▶ continued on page 52

“I love decorations. I love it when a space is unique and over-the-top. It’s magical, having these beautiful displays where you can take pictures and create memories. I love making someone feel so special.”

with it. It also included a tree, a honeycomb and flowers. It was a huge display, and even though there were some things I might have changed in hindsight, it was something I was extremely excited about.”

While balloons-as-objects might seem like simple décor, Lawson says there’s a science to it. “You have little clusters or little bubbles of smaller balloons. And then, I usually work with 10-inch, 12-inch and 18-inch balloons. The biggest challenge is often the weather. Working outside when it’s hot, not only will the balloons change color and dull in the sun, but they can pop. There’s nothing worse than setting up a whole display and the balloons start popping. So, I’ve had to learn the different quality of balloons and how to handle whether I’m working in the shade or direct sun.” Lawson notes that thicker latex balloons last longer, but they’re also pricier. “Of course, I always recommend high-quality balloons, but if cost is a concern, I’m happy to work with my clients, even if it’s something like an Amazon kit. Some professionals won’t touch those, but I try to give my customers what they want.”

Behind every polished display is a logistical scramble that clients rarely see. Depending on the venue, and especially if hourly rental is a concern, Lawson often finds herself inflating and transporting hundreds of balloons from home. “Depending on the location and how many balloons, it helps save time to blow them up at my house and transport them. But to get them there, I use a mattress cover that looks like a huge garbage bag, and I can fit up to about 200 balloons in the back of my truck, which has four doors. Sometimes I can’t see behind me, but I can see out the side windows.” She laughs. “A camper shell would be nice. Eventually, maybe.”

The name MamaMia Events carries a personal meaning for Lawson. She is “mama” to two girls, her oldest being named Mia. “They’re my world,” she says. Not only have their extravagant birthday parties become opportunities for Lawson to experiment and test new ideas, they’re the inspiration for the love she weaves into the heart of her business. “Birthdays are the most special thing ever. I love them, because it’s the one day that’s all about you.” And the same way she goes all out for her daughters, she loves watching a client’s face light up when they enter a decorated room. “I love decorations. I love it when a space is unique and over-the-top. It’s magical, having these beautiful displays where you can take pictures and create memories. I love making someone feel so special.•

Love Through Wellness

Nathan & Adrienne’s love story began at a Farmer’s Markethe selling breads, she selling pies. They blended their love and 25 years of experience to the very things that started it all: great bread and unforgettable pies.

CHEESECAKES: We feature many different cheesecakes and vegan options

BREAD: Fresh sourdough bread made everyday! Many different varieties. Gluten free available

PASTRIES: Pastries made fresh daily. Sweet desserts for the Soul.

PIES: Seasonal ingredients made daily with the best and freshest fruit available

Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and espresso drinks. Thoughtfully curated gift baskets available

Thursday, February 26th

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Join Shasta Regional Medical Center for a fun and informative evening promoting women’s cardiac health.

Grab your girlfriends and co-workers for some Heart Healthy fun! Refreshments will be served.

SRMC Cardiac Rehabilitation 1355 East Street, Redding (Across the street from SRMC)

Space is Limited RSVP by Thursday, February 19th

Lynnann Foster at

Receive Heart Health Screenings for FREE. Personalized Health Education

Heart Rate ❤ Cholesterol A1c ❤ EKG

Tanita Scale (body composition)

and Dr.

will discuss Women’s Heart Health and answer your specific health questions.

Romance ACTUALLY

2026 WEDDING TRENDS

s couples plan weddings in 2026, celebrations are becoming more intentional, customized and emotionally meaningful. From intimate gatherings to bold design choices, this year’s trends reflect personal expression and memorable experiences for both couples and guests. Here are the top trends shaping the wedding landscape in 2026. ▶ continued on page 59

530.628.5992 bar717.com camptrinity@bar717.com A wedding is more than a day it’s a collection of moments you’ll carry for a lifetime. From quiet glances to joyful celebrations, this is a season meant to be cherished. Our wedding buyer’s guide highlights trusted local professionals who help turn meaningful moments into lasting memories, so you can focus on what matters most.

Bonanza King Resort is nestled at the base of the Trinity Alps, sitting on 9 wooded acres that run along Coffee Creek. Couples are welcome to extend the celebration of their wedding through the weekend at our beautiful resort. Connect with nature and create lasting memories with family and friends. Ask us about our wedding packages.

Wedding

Tucked in the mountains of Trinity County, The Bar 717 Ranch offers an idyllic and picturesque event venue on 450 acres. With accommodations for up to 200 guests, there’s plenty of space for all your friends and loved ones. Miles of hiking trails, secluded swimming holes, outdoor dining spaces – this property is ready to host your big day.

Site rentals September and May.

Travel With The Taylors designs and plans personalized travel experiences including destination weddings, honeymoons, custom itineraries and meaningful group and adventure journeys worldwide. With thoughtful planning, seamless coordination and a respect for culture and nature, each itinerary is crafted with intention and care from start to finish.

707.772.6313 hello@travelwiththetaylors.com @travel.withthe.taylors @travelwiththetaylors

Weddings with Mt. Shasta View

Say ‘I do’ with Mt Shasta in view at Shasta View Lodge, an 8,000-square-foot 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.

Welcome to one of the most unique novelty and lingerie stores. Nestled in the heart of Downtown Redding, this women-owned boutique blends old Vegas glam with Northern California style. Empowering men, women and couples with something to help everyone feel good from the inside out. Explore the boudoir lounge, spin in the pole dance studio, or book a class or photoshoot. Just enough to tickle any fancy!

1365 Market St., Redding

530.255.8069

kissmenoveltiess69.com

530.918.8240

PERSONALIZED CELEBRATIONS

2026 weddings are all about meaningful details. Couples are infusing their personalities into every element, from bespoke vows and curated playlists to interactive welcome experiences that immediately immerse guests in the couple’s story. Personalization ensures that no two weddings feel the same.

NATURE & VENUE FOCUSED

Venues that highlight natural beauty are trending, with outdoor ceremonies surrounded by greenery and scenic views. Couples are selecting settings that complement their aesthetic — from vineyards and gardens to rustic countryside and waterfront locations — emphasizing a connection to the landscape.

INTIMATE & IMMERSIVE GATHERINGS

Smaller, intimate weddings and micro celebrations continue to grow in popularity as couples prioritize quality over quantity. These gatherings often include weekend retreats, bonfire-style receptions and shared experiences that strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. ▶ continued on page 63

The best thing TO HOLD ONTO IN LIFE IS

EACH OTHER.

Audrey Hepburn

The Bluff is a private event venue set in the beautiful, quiet countryside of Red Bluff. Nestled in an authentic country setting full of rustic charm, the venue is conveniently located just a few miles outside downtown Red Bluff on a peaceful private property. A spacious back patio and lawn provide the perfect setting for a dream wedding or intimate private event.

The One You’ll Wear Forever

For 58 years, Gaumer’s Jewelry has proudly helped customers celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. They offer a full line of fine jewelry, including bridal collections, men’s rings, all designed to make your forever unforgettable. Beyond beautiful jewelry, Gaumer’s is dedicated to helping you create memories you’ll cherish—and wear—every day. Gaumer’s Jewelry will be open Saturday, February 14, from 10am to 4 pm to serve all Valentine’s Day shoppers.

A handsome (and beautiful) venue for 50-90, whether for your wedding or more quiet and private rehearsal dinner. Wilcox Oaks has a warm and welcoming feel nestled in the oaks and rolling hills. With new kitchen and friendly staff to cater to your every desire. Come see!

Authentic Charm

The wedding and event center features a century-old hay barn that retains its authentic charm. Set atop scenic buttes overlooking the lake, the property includes organic almond orchards, an outdoor cattle corral with arbor and a garden fountain. Choose from three seasons—green grasses, wildflowers, February blossoms or warm fall hills. Conveniently located off I-5 near the Black Butte Dam Observation Point, the venue accommodates up to 300 guests. Call for a personal tour and help selecting the perfect setting.

Red Bluff’s Hidden Gem

Known for its rustic elegance and charming outdoor setting, Rustic Rose offers an upscale garden setting. Now in its 14th year Rustic Rose has earned the distinction of being the best venue in Tehama County 5 times!

530.527.7930

530.736.5119 text rusticroseredbluff@gmail.com

The Rustic Rose Wedding Venue

Red Bluff’s Hidden Gem

The Crossing on Thomes Creek is located 12 miles west of Corning. The venue is a perfect mix of rustic charm and understated elegance which offers expansive views, manicured lawn, bridal lounge, pavilion, restrooms and silo bar. The brand-new, beautifully finished barn is climate-controlled – ideal for a stress-free wedding celebration!

STATEMENT STYLE

Bridal fashion in 2026 embraces individuality, with gowns that range from romantic lace and textured fabrics to dramatic silhouettes, detachable elements and bold accessories. Grooms are also exploring unique suit styles, colors and patterns that reflect personality and flair. ▶ continued on page 64

MEANINGFUL COLORS

Color palettes are evolving beyond basics, with layered hues like terracotta, muted mauve, evergreen and espresso enhancing tablescapes, florals and attire. Even bold spotlight shades like Island Citrus — a zesty yellow-green — are emerging as wedding colors of the year.

BOLD & ELEVATED DESIGN

In 2026, design elements are becoming more artful and eye-catching. Expect intentional décor with statement lighting, sculptural floral arrangements, bold color palettes, and art-inspired installations that transform wedding spaces into immersive environments.

KEEPSAKES + HEIRLOOM TOUCHES

Couples continue to merge nostalgia with innovation by incorporating personal heirlooms into their day. From customengraved rings to embroidered details and personalized keepsakes, weddings in 2026 emphasize moments that last long after “I do.”

CINEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

Memory-making takes center stage with photography that blends editorial style and candid storytelling. Couples are choosing pros who capture moments in documentary fashion, using film techniques, intentional motion blur and emotional framing for albums that feel timeless and cinematic. •

Nestled near Lake Almanor, Lassen Meadows Ranch is a family-owned wedding venue offering an unforgettable three-day celebration. With expansive lawns, a rustic barn, a private lake, and no curfew, couples are free to celebrate their way. All vendors welcome, camping encouraged, and the entire ranch becomes yours for the weekend.

Elevate Your Event

Embrace your love story at Heart S Ranch, an enchanting ranch venue surrounded by green and gold fields, lush gardens and open skies. Celebrate with up to 250 guests with exclusive 3-day access. The venue features an elegant dining tent, illuminated dance patio, ceremony gardens, and an extensive borrowing inventory including tables, chairs, and arches. The caring and devoted Heart S Ranch team is honored to be a part of your special day! Voted Best of the North State in 2024.

Would you like some help organizing your overstuffed garage? Is there a “dumping zone” in your home that collects every miscellaneous object? The gals at Sorted are here to help you clear your overcrowded space! They have an unmatched ability to transform a space within a few hours, bringing shalom (peace) to your mind and your household. Check out their social media to see their amazing work, and give them a call today!

Capture Candid Memories

From weddings and corporate events to any milestone worth celebrating, Busy Bee Rentalz provides modern photo booth rentals, turning real moments into lasting memories. With high-quality photo, video and audio guestbook options, guests will laugh, celebrate and walk away with a keepsake they’ll actually keep. Serving Red Bluff, Chico, Redding and Northern California.

Cousin Gary Homes Since

1972

Same materials as site-built • Less than the price of sitebuilt • Faster build time • Turn-key construction available • Energy Star construction • Many floor plans and options available • Residential exteriors & garages available

4920 Westside Road, Redding 530.241.8101 david@cousingarys.com

Make every event unforgettable with our premium luxury restroom trailers, where style meets comfort and convenience. Perfect for weddings, corporate events, festivals, private parties and outdoor gatherings. Featuring climate control, elegant interiors, full-size vanities, flushing toilets and running water. ADA units available. Meticulously maintained and delivered with exceptional service for a truly five-star guest experience.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

French Inspired, Locally Loved

La Joie Bakery was born from Bryan and Kate Grennell’s dream of blending food, family, and community. What began as flour-dusted counters and late-night purpose talks has grown into a French-inspired bakery with heart at its center. With their six kids, they’re raising the standard in pastry and service—one ‘joie’-filled bite at a time.

1551 Market St., Suite 132 530.780.5229

LaJoieBakery.com kate@lajoiebakery.com la_joie_bakery_at_kates

Scenic Venue

With exquisite views, Albaugh Ranch in Fall River Valley is the perfect wedding venue. Lush green lawns and an arbor of maple, walnut and apple trees create an intimate setting, while the backdrop of barns, fields and mountains enhance the array of photographic opportunities.

Albaugh Ranch Guest House & Wedding Venue

Netsound has been Northern California’s go-to for premier sound and lighting, enhancing over 150 weddings annually with expert DJ services, photo booths and top-notch production. Our dedication to excellence and glowing referrals have fueled continuous growth and innovation. From dream weddings to corporate events and concerts, our skilled team turns your vision into reality with precision and creativity.

WHAT TRULY

HOW TO STAY PRESENT ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

Weddings move fast. One moment you’re getting dressed, the next you’re cutting the cake, and before you know it, the day you spent months planning is over. Many couples say the same thing afterward: It went by so quickly. Staying present isn’t about slowing time—it’s about being intentional so you can truly experience it.

One of the most important ways to stay grounded on your wedding day is to build breathing room into your timeline. A packed schedule leaves little space to pause, connect or take it all in. Allow extra time between key moments, whether it’s before the ceremony, during cocktail hour or between photos. Those quiet pockets often become the moments couples remember most.

Another key to presence is trusting your vendors. When you hire experienced professionals, you’re not just paying for a service—you’re buying peace of mind. Let them manage the details, timelines and transitions so you don’t feel responsible for everything happening around you. The less you’re problem-solving, the more you can focus on each other.

It also helps to set simple intentions before the day arrives. Decide what truly matters to you. Is it time with family? Sharing a meaningful meal? Dancing with friends? When something small doesn’t go

perfectly—and it likely won’t—those intentions help you let go and refocus on what’s important.

Throughout the day, make time to check in with each other. A private moment after the ceremony, a few minutes during dinner or a quiet walk together can help ground you in the experience. These pauses don’t need to be long to be meaningful.

Staying present also means letting go of the urge to document everything yourself. While photos and videos are important, allow your photographer and guests to capture the moments. Give yourself permission to simply be there—listening, laughing and feeling it all unfold.

Finally, remember that presence isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection. The most cherished weddings aren’t remembered for flawless timelines or matching details, but for how they felt—the warmth, the joy, the shared experience.

When you allow space, trust your team and focus on what truly matters, your wedding day becomes more than a series of events. It becomes a collection of moments you’ll carry with you long after the celebration ends.•

Cherish THE MOMENT

Wellness

Visit www.iwmedcenter.com or call 530-999-4492 to schedule your consultation consultation

You’ve built a life together.

Careers are steady

The kids are grown or growing

Careers are steady. grown—or growing.

And yet, something feels off.

You’re unhappy.

You just don’t feel like yourself anymore.

You’re not unhappy. You ust on’t feel like yourself anymore

For men, it often shows up as less strength, energy, and confidence

For men, it often shows strength, energy, and confidence.

For women, it feels li e shorter patience, poor sleep, low vitality, and a uiet loss of desire

For women, like patience, poor sleep, low vitality, quiet desire.

And slowly, connection changes.

Not because the love is gone but because stress, exhaustion, and hormone changes take their place Intimacy fades Energy drops Life feels flatter than it should at this stage

Not because the love gone—but because stress, exhaustion, and hormone changes take place. Intimacy fades. Energy drops. Life feels than at stage.

Hormone imbalance affects both men and women – and it affects relationships.

With personalized hormone therapy, we see meaningful shifts: Men feel strong, energized, and confident again. Women regain calm, vitality, and emotional alance. personalized therapy, we see shifts: strong, energized, again. calm, vitality, and emotional balance.

Sex drive returns naturally Physical and emotional closeness deepen

Sex drive returns—naturally. Physical deepen.

This is about reclaiming the energy, desire, and connection you remember.

Feeling better in your body means having more to give to yoursel and the one you love. your body means having to give—to yourself and the one you love.

MEN & WOMEN’S HORMONE HEALTH MEN WOMEN’S HEALTH

sleep feeling disconnected

ofCourtesyCupid

VALENTINE FUN FACTS

alentine’s Day may be known for roses, chocolates and heartfelt cards, but there’s a lot more to this love-filled holiday than meets the eye. From its surprising origins to quirky traditions celebrated around the world, Valentine’s Day has a history that’s equal parts romantic, fascinating and fun. Whether you’re celebrating with a sweetheart, friends, family or treating yourself, these fun facts offer a fresh look at a holiday that continues to capture hearts generation after generation.

• Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine, but there were at least three different Saint Valentines, so historians still debate which one inspired the holiday.

• Every year, more than 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged, making it the second-largest card-giving holiday after Christmas.

• About 85 percent of Valentine’s Day cards are purchased by women, but men tend to spend more money overall on gifts.

• The first Valentine is believed to have been sent in 1415, when Charles, Duke of Orléans, wrote a love poem to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London.

• Conversation hearts started as medical lozenges in the 1800s before becoming the sugary messages we know today.

• Roughly 58 million pounds of chocolate are bought each Valentine’s Day. Chocolate has long been associated with love because it releases feel-good chemicals in the brain.

• Red roses became the flower of Valentine’s Day because they were said to be the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love.

• Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples—about one-third of people buy gifts for themselves, proving self-love is officially a thing.

• Pets get plenty of love, too: Americans spend over $1 billion on Valentine’s gifts for their pets each year.

• In Japan, it’s traditional for women to give chocolate to men on Valentine’s Day, with men returning the favor a month later on White Day.•

TIME TO PLANT

Bare Root Fruit Trees, Berries and Grapes

Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14th Gifts for our loved ones, houseplants & more!

Monday -Saturday 8am-5pm Sundays 10am-4pm 8026 Airport Road inform@wyntourgardens.com wyntourgardens.com

Since 1978, Kent’s Meats and Groceries and Kathy’s Deli have brought a dedication to excellence in customer service and a gratitude attitude to the North State. Featuring the finest local and imported products in produce, cheeses, groceries, meat selection, craft beers and wines and of course Kathy’s Deli make events or feeding your family special.

in strengthening our presence in the local event market. Their engaged readership and outstanding exposure throughout the North State make them a valuable marketing partner. We’re grateful for this ongoing partnership!”

Steadman Heart S Ranch Cottonwood, Ca

a creative thread

MICHELLE CARLSON EMBRACES ART, TEACHING AND A LIFE WELL MADE

I teachinglove art

Carlson says. “I love teaching anything, really. But I love teaching art. I love the idea of making something and sending it along.

If you spend any time in the orbit of Michelle Carlson, there’s a high probability that you’ll find yourself with a grin from ear to ear. It will appear and you may not even be aware. It’s just what happens when you have proximity to someone committed to the joys of a creative life centered in community.

“After spending so many years working in places where job titles were so important, I’m really loving the idea of not having a job title,” the newly-minted 50-year-old says with a laugh. “My friend Kate called me her personal fairy godmother of creativity, and I really love that.”

Carlson is moving into her new decade developing thoughtful events to gather others around creativity. “I’m really embracing the exciting opportunity to go in any direction my heart takes me,” she says. Watercolors, fiber art, pen and ink, you name it, Carlson enjoys it and is happy to share. ▶ continued on page 77

Fact-Based News & Music With Heart

Her offerings at Redding’s Turtle Bay Exploration Park and the Tehama County Arts Council Gallery in Red Bluff are attracting people ready to dive into creative making. She teaches skills, but more importantly, she cheerleads confidence into the most timid participant. She’ll never tell one what to make, but she’ll show what’s possible.

This month, with its emphasis on Valentine’s Day, she’s offering her popular Happy Mail classes, Love Edition. Participants will create small, mailable art. “I love teaching art,” Carlson says. “I love teaching anything, really. But I love teaching art. I love the idea of making something and sending it along.”

There’s a domino effect with mail, she says. “I love to make people happy. Then when you get a whole group of people making cards to make others happy, it just extends on,” she says. “It’s making something with your hands that’s mailable and sending it on to someone else to make them happy or show your appreciation. And it never gets old.”

She also has a recurring weekly Slow Stitching gathering in Red Bluff, where people work on hand stitching projects small and large, making everything from garlands to wall hangings or patching torn clothing, whatever strikes their fancy. “I start people with coasters because it’s really small and contained and gives people an introduction,” she says.

“I started because I had this instinct to make space for community to come together,” she says. Hours and days were chosen by educators to accommodate a busy school schedule. “I was meaning for it to be a nourishing thing for educators because education is just so challenging. I started calling it the Thursday unwind.”

So, who should sign up for a class with Michelle Carlson? “I love having people in the room that are brave enough to show up even when they’re nervous and think they can’t do it,” she says. “They’re signing up for that feeling of freedom and play and fun and ‘I didn’t think I could do this and I did it!’”

If anyone has a can-do-it attitude, it’s Carlson. She and her husband, Jim, built their house in Red Bluff from the ground up and have restored a classic car and vintage travel trailer which they take on North State excursions. ▶ continued on page 78

I love to make happypeople

Then when you get a whole group of people making cards to make others happy, it just extends on...

I love peoplehaving

in the room that are brave enough to show up even when they’re nervous and think they can’t do it.

It’s a life built on values that she reflects on often. “A life where I get to be my full, true, authentic creative self and get to inspire others to do the same thing,” she says. “I choose health and happiness and quality time, to enjoy the natural world around me and the beautiful people around me.” She strives, she says, “to make a living as a creative human who also gets to inspire people.”

Carlson has had a creative bent as far back as she can remember. “It goes all the way to my teeny tiny self,” she says. “I was captivated by Garfield and Peanuts. I wanted to be an illustrator when I was a little kid and make cartoons.” In high school she began making her own clothes. “I like to be able to create something from nothing,” she says.

While she may seem to take to creativity effortlessly, she is motivated by a memory of struggling to learn watercolors and giving up on first attempt. The memory came back to her as she sought understanding with children who got frustrated with projects she was teaching.

“I started painting to understand what my students were going through,” she says. “And I kept going because it helped me with something I didn’t think there was a solution to: monkey mind. Watercolors made my mind go quiet and focus, relax, drop into that blissful state of flow.”

Finding that flow is something Carlson is eager to help others find. Or to at least put a smile on their face. If they send it on to someone else, even better. •

Michelle Carlson

www.etsy.com/shop/MichelleCarlsonArt

Find Michelle Carlson Art on Instagram and Facebook

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.

BRITISH INVASION

PETER ASHER REFLECTS ON THE ERA THAT RESHAPED POP MUSIC

eaders of a certain age will recall the British Invasion of 1964, most likely with a wistful smile and a story about where they were when the Beatles made their U.S. television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Peter Asher can certainly recall it because he was a part of it. He was half of the duo Peter and Gordon (formed with his late partner, Gordon Waller), that has the distinction of being the first British act other than the Beatles to have a No. 1 hit in 1964 in the United States with “A World Without Love.”▶ continued on page 82

It was a time of change for sure... We looked to America to define that change...

Asher will share the memories and the music from that era, as well as tales from an illustrious managing and producing career working with luminaries like James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, on Thursday, Feb. 19, when he brings “Songs & Stories” to the Riverfront Playhouse for a pair of shows.

“It was a time of change for sure,” says Asher, 81, of the early 1960s when young United Kingdom musicians started directing their eyes and ears toward America. “The Beat Movement … we were fascinated by it. We had all read ‘On the Road’ and Ginsberg’s ‘Howl.’ We looked to America to define that change,” he adds in a telephone conversation from his home in Malibu.

Asher had a front-row seat to the budding sensation that became the Beatles, thanks in part to the fact that Paul McCartney dated his sister, Jane, from 1963 to 1968. McCartney, in fact, penned “A World Without Love” and gave it to Asher and Waller, who recorded it and turned it into a million-selling hit.

Asher suggests it was a combination of “sociology and good fortune” that sparked the British Invasion. The London native says “we fell in love with American music, and that coincided with an admiration of America as a whole. Late ’50s London was a city of bomb craters, rationing, belt tightening and the collapse of the British Empire. America to us was a world of plenty with food and guitars. America was inheriting the Empire role. We were a relatively poor country at the time. America was the land of hope, where you can make it if you try. England was still a recovering society and ‘know your place,’” Asher says. ▶ continued on page 85

“On top of that, there was this extraordinary music. Why we fell in love with it, I don’t know. For some reason, the blues, jazz, folk music, the whole thing. Until the Beatles started writing their own songs, they never sang a British song. The (Rolling) Stones too,” Asher says, adding with a laugh: “One of the miracles of the year is we were able to fall in love with American music, tweak it slightly and sell it back to America.”

On top of that, there was this extraordinary music. Why we fell in love with it, I don’t know.

Peter and Gordon’s fame as a duo began in 1964 with “A World Without Love” and was fueled by other McCartney-penned hits like “Woman,” “Nobody I Know” and “I Don’t Want to See You Again.” The pair also scored with “I Go to Pieces,” which was written by Del Shannon.

By 1968, the spark had begun to fade and Asher moved on as the head of A&R (Artists and Repertoire) for Apple Records, the Beatles’ record label, where he was responsible for discovering, signing and developing musical talent. Asher worked closely with members of the Beatles on their individual projects and signed a young James Taylor.

After moving to the United States in 1969, Asher opened his own management company and began a management and producing career that saw him working with a wide range of artists, including Taylor, Diana Ross, Neil Diamond, Ringo Starr, Cher, Morrissey, Robin Williams, Kenny Loggins, Steve Martin and a host of others.

More recently, Asher co-produced Barbra Streisand’s 2025 Grammy-nominated release “The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two.” Asher has produced 13 Grammywinning albums and twice won a Grammy Award as Producer of the Year. His contributions to British society were acknowledged in 2015 when he was awarded Commander of the British Empire at an investiture conducted by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.

Asher says he’s happy to “reminisce about the old days and sing songs about that era” when he performs in Redding. “It’ll be me and a couple of great musicians. We end with a singalong of ‘A World Without Love.’ It was 61 years ago so we put the lyrics up on a screen but sure enough, they remember the words.”•

“Songs & Stories” will be performed at 2:30 and 7 pm Thursday, Feb. 19, at Riverfront Playhouse, 1950 California St., Redding, Calif. Tickets are priced from $57.33 to $145.90. Visit www.eventbrite.com to purchase.

THE RETURN OF SHASTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

s many in downtown Redding know, this beloved nonprofit had to vacate its historical building after a water heater connection burst and flooded the floor. Fortunately, nothing valuable was damaged. Moreover, what seemed like a disaster brought together a community to make long-needed renovations to the old building and to reopen an improved Shasta Historical Society.

Jason Salter, Shasta Historical Society chairman of the board, says the flood delivered a couple of disguised blessings. First was the discovery of broken trusses in the structure supporting the roof, necessitating extensive repair. Also, because the building needed to be emptied to protect its collection, the board approved off-site storage, opening space on the floor for which staff and the board had long wished.

“We were full. We wanted events, research, but we were always bumping into each other,” Salter explains with a smile. “The idea of off-site storage had been batted around for years, but it was expensive and logistically it was hard and no one wanted to take it on. The flood forced our hand, and we just did it.”

Shasta Historical Society Executive Director Bonnie Hyatt shares one more blessing. “It really made us think outside the box, outside those

four walls, because we knew we needed to be out there for the public” she says. “We really started getting creative with our programming, where we were showing up in a booth for all these events, and we’re seeing the highest membership we’ve had in a while.”

She lists events they signed up for this year, including those of the powwow, the honeybee festival, Riverfront Playhouse, Shasta Union High School District and “any historical event that’s going on.”

Hyatt says the old Shasta Historical Society layout was more like a library; now it’s more like a museum. “There were a lot of books, a lot of ledgers. So those things are safe in our permanent storage now, which is eventually going to become a research hub. In the building, one of my biggest goals is to have field trips come through here. I’d really love to see the students of Shasta County come and learn.” ▶ continued on page 88

“...one of my biggest goals is to have field trips come through here. I’d really love to see the students of Shasta County come and learn.”

She lists events they signed up for this year, including those of the powwow, the honeybee festival, Riverfront Playhouse, Shasta Union High School District and “any historical event that’s going on.”

Hyatt says the old Shasta Historical Society layout was more like a library; now it’s more like a museum. “There were a lot of books, a lot of ledgers. So those things are safe in our permanent storage now, which is eventually going to become a research hub. In the building, one of my biggest goals is to have field trips come through here. I’d really love to see the students of Shasta County come and learn.”

Salter says the interior of the building is now simple, with the trusses in the roof exposed and lighted to exhibit the historical repairs. “And what is really exciting is the originals are 2x6-inch rough cut, and they don’t make that anymore,” he says. “We found a local mill to fix what is called the bottom chord. The boards are much lighter in color, so you can see what’s old and what’s new.”

He credits Armstrong Milling Company for cutting a local tree to match the vintage boards in the bottom chord of the truss, adding, “and I can’t say enough about Burks Construction Management. Ryan Burks is the son of Gary Burks, who was in the Rotary Club and a fantastic pillar in the community. Ryan is lockstep on that path too, and he’s been just fabulous to work with.”

The cloudburst from which sprang all these silver linings surprised Gabriel Leete, Shasta Historical Society’s marketing and programs director, as he reported for work on January 25, 2024. The first person to arrive for the business day, he stepped in through the back door into water on the floor and heard “the sound of a small waterfall.” He rushed to the water heater shutoff valve to cut off the fountain blasting a stream at the hanging ceiling.

Leete called his superiors to report what he saw. “I needed to figure out how bad the water leak had already been, so I started walking toward the front of the building and realized that to get there, I’d have to walk through about an inch to an inch and a half of water,” he recalls. “My first thought was, like, what is getting flooded? What archives, maps, what old, old items were getting ruined that moment?”

Executive Director Hyatt, at the time board secretary, says it turned out none of them were. “Thankfully, because of really good pre-planning, everything was off the floor,” she says. “I think we lost a few boxes that had some paperwork, things like that, but nothing historic. Not a single historical item was damaged.”

But the building was. Board Director Salter remembers one surprise after another delaying their reopening. “The repairs led to the discovery that the glue in floor tile had asbestos,” he says. “And when we removed the old dropdown ceiling, we discovered the trusses were sagging, so that triggered a pivot from just fixing the floor to a larger repair scenario.”

For the next nearly two years, a community came together to save its historical society. One of the people Leete called from the flooded floor was Mike Moynahan, a Shasta Historical Society board member known for his contacts all over town. The first to show up was ServiceMaster Restore to pump out the standing water. Viva Downtown!’s Blake Fisher and John Truitt turned up promptly with tables. The Shasta County Arts Council and the Redding Cultural District offered to pitch in.

For the truss repairs, Salter says Cottonwood architect Judy Semingson donated her time, as did Todd Kemen of Response Engineering. Salter also gave a nod to the City of Redding. “I know sometimes people may complain about the speed of the planning department, but we have no complaints,” Salter says. “The inspectors, like everyone else, were just helping this project move along.”

Some day, Salter wants to hang on the renovated building a large, bronze plaque memorializing the names of all the major organizations and people who contributed to restoring the Shasta Historical Society. He says the work done by everyone will keep it going for a long, long time. “In a few years, the Society is going to celebrate its

“I think we lost a few boxes that had some paperwork, things like that, but nothing historic. Not a single historical item was damaged.”

100-year birthday,” he muses. “The building is more than 100 years old, and I am sure that, structurally, what we’ve done will last the next 100 years.”•

Shasta Historical Society • 1449 Market St., Redding (530) 243-3720 • www.shastahistorical.org

Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm 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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Stirring Up Romance

A COZY LOBSTER RISOTTO FOR TWO

or Valentine’s Day, there’s something romantic about taking your time in the kitchen – stirring, tasting and letting a dish slowly come together. This Lobster Risotto is exactly that kind of meal: luxurious without being fussy, indulgent without being overwhelming, and perfect for a cozy February evening when the goal is connection as much as nourishment.

Risotto has a reputation for being intimidating, but at its heart, it’s a simple act of care. You stand at the stove, ladle in hand, patiently coaxing starch from the rice until it transforms into something silky and comforting. Adding lobster elevates the experience, turning a humble bowl of rice into a celebration-worthy centerpiece.

The magic begins with the stock. Using lobster shells to create a quick, fragrant broth ensures no flavor goes to waste and infuses the risotto with a subtle sweetness. As the shells simmer with onion, carrot, garlic and herbs, the kitchen fills with an aroma that signals something special is on the way. Even a brief 20- or 30-minute simmer draws out richness that becomes the backbone of the dish. Of course, if you are pressed for time, storebought seafood stock will work just fine.

Once the stock is warm and ready, the risotto itself unfolds in layers. Butter-softened cherry tomatoes break down in the pan, adding acidity and color, while shallots and garlic provide a gentle savory base. Toasting the rice adds depth, and the splash of white wine brings brightness, balancing the richness that follows.

The process of adding warm stock, bit by bit, is where risotto becomes almost meditative. It’s a slow dance between heat, liquid and patience. The secret to perfectly cooked risotto is all in the stirring, helping the rice slowly absorb the liquid while also releasing enough starch to give the dish its signature velvety yet not runny quality. But that doesn’t mean you need to stir for 30 minutes straight. Stir the rice when adding broth to keep the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Parmesan and mascarpone melt into the rice, giving it body and sheen, while butter adds a final touch of indulgence. Chopped lobster meat is folded in gently, just enough to warm through without losing its tender bite. Lemon zest brightens the dish, chives add freshness, and a pinch of red pepper flakes – if you like – introduces a subtle spark.

•

ingredients & directions

FOR

THE LOBSTER STOCK:

• Shells from 2 lobster tails (meat reserved, if desired)

• 1 T olive oil

• ½ onion, chopped

• ½ carrot, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cups water (chicken, vegetable or seafood broth adds more flavor)

• ½ cup white wine

• Bay leaf, thyme sprigs, peppercorns (optional)

FOR THE LOBSTER RISOTTO:

Servings: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

• 6 cups store-bought or homemade seafood or lobster stock

• 4 T unsalted butter, divided

• 6 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved

• Kosher salt

• 1 large shallot, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, sliced

• 1½ cups Arborio rice (Vialone Nano or Carnaroli rice also are good options)

• 1 cup dry white wine

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

• ¼ cup mascarpone

• 6 oz. cooked lobster meat, chopped

• 2 T finely chopped chives, plus more for serving

• 1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

• Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Step 1: Heat oil in a pot. Add lobster shells, onion, carrot, and garlic; cook for 5 minutes until fragrant

Step 2: Add wine, broth/water and herbs.

Step 3: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for at least 20-30 minutes (longer for more flavor).

Step 4: Pour through cheesecloth or a finemesh sieve into a clean bowl, pressing on solids for more flavor.

Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium low-heat, heat stock and cover to keep warm.

Step 2: Meanwhile, in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add tomatoes and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes start to break down. Add shallot, garlic, and ¼ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes more.

Step 3: Add 1 tablespoon butter and stir until melted. Add rice and reduce heat to medium. Toast rice in butter, stirring occasionally, until rice begins to stick to bottom of pan and make high-pitched sizzling noises, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring constantly, until liquid is evaporated, about 2 minutes.

Step 4: Ladle 4 ounces warm broth into rice and stir constantly until liquid is completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Continue to add broth 4 ounces at a time, stirring briefly, then allowing liquid to be fully absorbed after each addition. After about 30 minutes, rice should be fully cooked with about 4 ounces broth remaining. Remove pot from heat and stir in Parmesan, mascarpone, 1 teaspoon salt, remaining broth, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Fold in lobster meat, chives, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes, if using.

Step 5: Spoon risotto into bowls. Top with chives and Parmesan.

FOG BOW

As general manager of Crown Camera for 30 years, Frank Tona shared his passion for photography by teaching classes and mentoring photographers. Retiring in 2018, he can now be found photographing in Northern California and Oregon with his wife Toni or fellow photographers, still teaching along the way. Find more of Frank’s photography on Facebook and Instagram

EASY-TO-MAKE VANILLA PANNA COTTA WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Servings: 4 || Prep Time: 10 minutes || Cook Time: 5-8 minutes

Chill Time: 4 hours || Total Time: 4hours, 15 minutes

Silky and elegant, panna cotta with raspberry sauce is a simple yet impressive dessert. The creamy vanilla base pairs perfectly with the bright, tangy raspberry sauce, making it an ideal make-ahead finish for a romantic dinner or special occasion.

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE PANNA COTTA:

• 2 cups heavy cream

• ¼ cup sugar

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)

• 1 packet unflavored gelatin (about 2¼ tsp)

• 3 T cold water

• Pinch of salt

FOR THE RASPBERRY SAUCE:

• 1 cup berries (raspberries or strawberries)

• 1–2 T sugar

• 1 tsp. lemon juice

• Mint leaves (optional)

DIRECTIONS FOR PANNA COTTA

Step 1: Bloom the gelatin. Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a small bowl. Let stand 5 minutes until spongy.

Step 2: Heat the cream. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine cream, sugar and salt. Heat until sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot but not boiling.

Step 3: Add gelatin and vanilla. Remove from heat. Stir in bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved, then add vanilla.

Step 4: Pour and chill. Pour into small glasses, ramekins, or molds. Cool slightly, then refrigerate at least 4 hours (or overnight) until set.

Step 5: Serve. Serve directly in glasses or unmold by briefly dipping the bottoms in warm water.

DIRECTIONS FOR RASPBERRY SAUCE

Step 1: Simmer 5–8 minutes until slightly thickened. Cool and spoon over panna cotta.

Step 2: Garnish with mint leaves (optional)

local events

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 2026

FEATURED EVENTS

January 2nd

Fiber Art Show | Feb 7-28

Dysert Gallery - Paradise Art Center Reception Feb 7, 4-6pm Paradise-art-center.com

anderson

February 3

• Retired Employees’ Association of California (RPEA) Meeting, Vittles Family Restaurant, 11am, 2385 North St., www.rpea.com

February 5-7

• Sierra-Cascade Logging & Construction Exposition, Shasta District Fair & Event Center, 1890 Briggs St., www.sclcexpo.com

February 7

• Ducks Unlimited Anderson-Cottonwood Annual Banquet, Little Bear Creek Ranch, 6145 Parkville Road, 5pm, www.ducks.org/california

February 27-28

• Crown Motors NorCal Boat, Sport & RV Show, Shasta District Fair & Event Center, 1890 Briggs St., 12-7pm Friday, 10am-7pm Saturday, www.exposureshows.com

chico

February 7, 14, 21, 28

• Chico Saturday Farmers Market, Downtown Chico municipal parking lot, 2nd and Wall streets, 7:30am-1pm, www.chicofarmersmarket.com

February 4, 11, 18, 25

• Chico Wednesday Farmers Market, North Valley Plaza Mall parking lot, Pillsbury Road adjacent to Trader Joe’s, 7:30am-noon, www.chicofarmersmarket.com

dunsmuir

February 14

• Dunsmuir Second Saturdays, Downtown Dunsmuir, 11am-9pm, www.dunsmuirsecondsaturday.com

fort jones

February 7

• 21st Annual Backcountry Film Festival, The Resource and Event Center, 11236 CA-3, 7pm www.therecinfortjones.com

mount shasta

February 1-22

• Siskiyou Ice Rink, 800 Rockfellow Drive, www.msrec.org/ice-rink

February 21

• Mt. Shasta Chamber Crab Feed, Mount Shasta Community Building, 629 Alder St., 5-8pm, www.mtshastachamber.com/eventdetails/mt-shasta-chamber-crab-feed

paradise

February 7

• Annual Paradise Rotary Crab Feed, Veterans Memorial Hall, 6550 Skyway, 5pm, www.facebook.com/paradiserotary

red bluff

February 13

• Tehama Concert Series Presents: Broadway in Love, Red Bluff State Theatre, 333 Oak St., 7pm, www.statetheatreredbluff.com

February 18

• BEAM Business Expo and Mixer, Red Bluff Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St., 4pm, www.redbluffchamber.com

redding

February 1, 8, 15, 22

• Bingo, The Tropics, 2555 South Market St., 7-9pm, www.visitredding.com

February 2, 9, 16, 23

• Music Mondays, Mosaic Restaurant, 826 Sundial Bridge Drive, 6-8pm, www.mosaicredding.com/events

February 3, 10, 17, 24

• Step by Step School of Ballroom Dance, Old City Hall, 1313 Market St., 5:30-7:30pm, www.shastaartscouncil.org/classes

• Karaoke Night, The Tropics, 2555 South Market St., 8pm, www.facebook.com/reddingtropics

February 4

• Sáttítla Highlands National Monument: A Panel Presentation, Shasta College, Biological Science Building Room 1632, 6pm, www. enjoylocalevents.com

February 5, 12, 19, 26

• Trivia Night at the Tropics, 2555 S. Market St., 7pm, www.facebook.com/reddingtropics

February 6

• First Fridays in Downtown Redding, Downtown Redding stores, 5pm, www.visitredding.com

• Redding Fashion Alliance Designer Trunk Show, Carousel, 1555 Yuba St., 5pm

• North Valley Art League Reception, Carter House Gallery, 48 Quartz Hill Road, 5-7pm, www.nval.org

February 7

• Frosty Fun Run, Fleet Feet Store, 1376 Hilltop Drive, 7am registration, 8am run, www.midniteracing.net/frosty-fun-runs. html

• Sausage Making & Savory Feasts: A Hands-On Culinary Series with Furnari Sausage, Sizzle’s Commercial Kitchen and Event Space, 1440 Placer St., 6-9pm February 7, 14, 21, 28

• Redding Farmers Market, behind City Hall, 777 Cypress Ave., 8:30am-noon, www.reddingfarmersmarkets.com

• Sipp’n Saturdays, Branch House Riverfront Bistro, 844 Sundial Bridge Drive, 5-7pm, www.branchhouseredding.com

February 8, 15, 22

• Trivia Night, Branch House Riverfront Bistro, 844 Sundial Bridge Drive, 5-7pm, www.branchhouseredding.com

February 10-12

• Field’s Jewelers presents a Buying Event, 1738 Churn Creek Road, Tuesday and Wednesday 9:30am-5:30pm, Thursday, 9:30am - 5pm, www. fieldsjewelers.com

February 14

• Frosty Fun Run, Lema Ranch, 800 Shasta View Drive, 7am registration, 8am run, www.midniteracing.net/frostyfun-runs.html

February 21

• Frosty Fun Run, Clover Creek Preserve, 3705 Shasta View Drive, 7am registration, 8am run, www.midniteracing.net/frostyfun-runs.html

• Sausage Making & Savory Feasts: A Hands-On Culinary Series with Furnari Sausage, Sizzle’s Commercial Kitchen and Event Space, 1440 Placer St., 6-9pm

February 21-22

• Redding Reptile Expo, Holiday Inn, 1900 Hilltop Drive, www.facebook.com/reddingreptiles

February 28

• Redding Chamber of Commerce Legends and Leaders, Holiday Inn, 1900 Hilltop Drive, 6-9pm, tickets on eventbrite

February 28

• Frosty Fun Run, Lake Redding Park, 2225 Benton Drive, 7am registration, 8am run, www.midniteracing.net/frostyfun-runs.html

shasta lake

February 2-25

• Yoga, Larry J. Farr Community Center, 4499 Main St., 5:30-6:30pm, www.enjoylocalevents.com

February 22

• Community Ukulele Club Meetup, Shasta Lake Community United Methodist Church, 1509 Hardenbrook Ave., 2-3:30pm, www.enjoylocalevents.com

weaverville

February 21

• Chinese New Year of the Fire Horse 2026, Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park, 630 Main St., 10am-2pm, www.enjoylocalevents.com

yreka

February 5

• Liberty Arts “Special Delivery,” Yreka Preservation Hall, 304 Lane St., 7pm www.libertyartsyreka.org/

axiom repertory theatre

www.www.axreptheatre.com

February 13-March 1

• “Educating Rita,” Old City Hall, 1313 Market St., Thursday, Friday, Saturdays 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm

• World Beats Concert Series Presents: Northstate Jazz Orchestra, 7pm, scac.vbotickets.com/events

cascade theater

www.cascadetheatre.org

February 1

• North State Symphony presents: Billy the Kid, 2pm

February 6

• Mania: The Abba Tribute, 7:30pm

February 17

• World Ballet Company presents: Cinderella, 7pm

February 18

• Suzanne Vega, 7:30pm

February 21

• Banff Mountain Film Festival, 6:30pm

February 28

• Electric Elton: A Tribute to Elton John, 7:30pm

chico performances

www.chicoperformances.com

February 17

• Three Italian Tenors, 7:30pm

February 20

• Right in the Eye: Live movie-concert on the films of Georges Méliès

February 26

• Wildfire Prevention and Environmental Policy Lecture Series: Jay Famiglietti, 7:30pm

chico theatre company chicotheatrecompany.csstix.com

February 1-15

•”Hello Dolly!,” 7:30 Friday-Saturday, 2pm Sunday

jefferson performing arts center

www.jeffersoncenterforthearts.com

February 28

• Alice Di Micele, 7pm

redding civic auditorium

www.reddingcivic.com

February 14

• Whose Live Anyway, 7:30pm

February 15

• Redding Bridal Show, noon-4pm

redding performing arts center

www.reddingpac.com

February 19-28

• Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, 7pm Thursday-Friday, 2pm and 7pm Saturday

riverfront playhouse

www.riverfrontplayhouse.net

February 1, 6, 7, 8

• “Drinking Habits,” 7:30pm Friday and Saturday, 2pm Sunday

February 15

• North State Chronicles, 2pm in the lounge

February 16

• The Redding Area Comedy Showcase

PG Comedy Show, 7pm in the lounge

February 19

• Peter Asher: Songs and Stories, two shows - 2:30pm and 7pm, tickets at eventbrite.com

schreder planetarium

www.shastacoe.org/programsservices/planetarium

February 2

• Kids Night: Back in Time (Dinosaurs at Dusk; Zula Patrol: Down to Earth), 6pm February 20

• Ancient Skies (Stars of the Pharaohs; Seven Wonders), 7pm

theatre on the ridge

www.totr.org

February 1-14

• “The White Chip,” 7:30pm ThursdaySaturday, 2pm Sunday

the dip

www.thedipredding.com

February 3

• Temptress, 8pm

February 5

• Marty O’Reilly with Pat Hull, 8pm

February 10

• David Ramirez with Sharon Silva, 8pm

February 23

• Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage, 8pm

February 27

• Ignite, Joke’s on Youth, Worst Ways, 8pm February 28

• Not.Greenday, 8pm

turtle bay exploration park

www.turtlebay.org

February 1-28

• Thomas D. Mangelsen: A Life in the Wild, Museum hours

• Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits, Museum hours

• Famous Artists Student Art Show: A Walk in Nature, Museum hours

• Blurred Boundaries: The Art of Merryll Saylan, Museum hours

February 1-28

• Water Wonders, 10:30am, WednesdayThursday February 2-28

• Mosaic Featured Artist Lura Wilhelm, Mosaic Art Gallery, Gallery hours

February 5, 12, 19, 26

• Little Explorers, 10-11am February 5, 6

• Chocolate After Dark, 6-9pm February 6, 13

• Talon Talk, 2pm February 7

• Charlie Rabbit and Friends, Turtle Bay Nursery, 10-11am

• Nature’s Palette: An Artful Exploration, Turtle Bay Garden Nursery, 2-4pm February 7, 14

• Predator vs Prey Animal Show, 2pm February 8, 15

• Reptiles Alive, 2pm February 14

• Plant Talk: Cactus Growing & Selection, 10am-noon

• Family 2nd Saturday, 11am-2pm February 21

• Science Saturday, 11am-2pm

• Plant Talk: Firescaping Your Home Landscape, Turtle Bay Garden Nursery, 10am-noon

February 28

• Art Lab, 11am-2pm

• Guided Garden Walk, 10-11am

• Art Workshop: Mixed Media Happy Mail, 1-4pm

win-river resort and casino

www.winriver.com

February 6-28

• Overtime Live DVJs, 9:30pm, Fridays-Saturdays

February 8

• Ultimate Tailgate Party, 2:30pm-6pm

February 14

• Valentine’s Day Dinner and Show, 6:30-11:30pm

SCAN THIS TO GO DIRECTLY TO OUR EVENTS CALENDAR ONLINE

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.

Trinity County residents through three main departments. The Empowerment Department provides domestic violence and rape crisis services, including the 24/7 hotline. Children’s Services runs a state preschool, supports childcare providers, offers car seats and bike helmets, and helps families connect with childcare. Community Services provides transportation vouchers, emergency housing assistance, youth programs, tobacco education and rape prevention education.

Rural communities face unique challenges. What needs do you see most often among the people you serve? A big challenge in Trinity County is affordable housing. Trinity County consistently ranks among the poorest counties in California, with many people living at or below the poverty level. Finding a place to live that is affordable and sustainable while also still being able to purchase food, household supplies and utilities is a big need.

IS THERE A MILESTONE THAT STANDS OUT AS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL?

givingback

Q&A WITH SHERI WHITE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESPONSE NETWORK

WHEN WAS HUMAN RESPONSE NETWORK FOUNDED, AND WHY WAS IT CREATED? Human Response Network was founded in 1980 after Jil Chipman McDonough, MFT, surveyed pregnant women receiving prenatal care at a local alternative clinic. Several questions addressed domestic violence, and the results dispelled the myth that pregnant women were protected from abuse. Motivated by the findings, Jil brought the issue to Trinity County Women and Children, sparking a grassroots effort to support battered women and their children. That same year, a volunteer-staffed 24-hour crisis hotline—(530) 623-HELP—was established.

HOW HAS THE NETWORK’S MISSION STAYED THE SAME—OR EVOLVED— SINCE ITS EARLY DAYS? While the mission began with a focus on helping women affected by domestic violence, it has expanded to support individuals and families facing a range of challenges. Domestic violence remains a critical need, but Human Response Network now also assists with housing, childcare, transportation, tax assistance and more.

WHAT ARE THE CORE SERVICES HUMAN RESPONSE NETWORK PROVIDES TODAY, AND WHO DO YOU PRIMARILY SERVE? The network serves

From 1980 to 1999, services were offered from multiple locations. Purchasing the current office property in 1999 was a major milestone, allowing the organization to establish permanent roots. Construction was completed in 2000, and all services have been provided from that location since.

WHAT ROLE DO COMMUNITY SUPPORT, DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS PLAY? Community support is essential. Volunteers power programs like the Crisis Line and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Donations help fill funding gaps and support donor-based programs such as the Shoe Fund, which provides school shoes to children in need.

LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT ARE THE NETWORK’S GOALS? Human Response Network is focused on identifying unmet needs in the county and expanding services, including developing a youth program and safe drop-in space for teens.

HOW CAN SOMEONE GET HELP OR SUPPORT THE NETWORK? Those needing assistance can call (530) 623-2024 or visit the Weaverville or Hayfork offices during business hours. Information is available at www.hrntrinity.org, where donations can also be made online, by mail or in person.

www.hrntrinity.org

Physical

therapy

What happens when you bring five guys together for two years of weekly commutes from Chico, in order to take the Physical Therapy Assistant program at Shasta College? You get a bond that transcends quizzes, labs, and late-night study sessions. In their words—you get a brotherhood.

Johnny: “The staff and instructors are highly dedicated and truly want us to succeed. The friendships and camaraderie in our cohort made the six-hour labs fly by. We learned, but we also had fun together. And, a huge shout out to my girlfriend Jackie for supporting all of us on this journey!”

Aiden: “I considered going back to the university for another degree, but it felt like I’d just keep spending money for little return. The program at Shasta College has been awesome, and I’m thankful for these friends for life.”

Kevin: “I truly feel like the teachers care about our success in this program. I’ve never had that kind of one-on-one mentorship at any other school. That

support goes beyond just physical therapy—it helps with life too. This experience has been amazing.”

Sebastian: “The camaraderie and sense of unity has really helped. We all have challenges but helping each other through those made all the difference. I spent time at other universities, but nothing compares to this program.”

Justin: “The hybrid program at Shasta let me work and study. It’s been a fun ride—everyone in the cohort went through this together, and the staff brought us closer.”