SO MANY
LADIES See ARTS FEATURE, page 22
GONE
FISHIN’ See GREENWAYS, page 12
PIE FOR
YOUR SOUL See CHOW, page 24
A RUN Politics and special interests collude to impede Obamacare’s success Chico’s News & Entertainment Weekly
Volume 37, Issue 41
TO REMEMBER See NEWLINES, page 8
BY CHRIS PARKER
PAGE 18
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Custom Furniture for your Custom Yard
HIGHEST QUALITY COLLISION AND BODY REPAIR
AFFORDABLE COMPLETE PAINT JOBS
WE ALWAYS OFFER Insurance Specialists · Oven-Baked Finishes · Free Written Estimates · Factory Color Matching Commercial Accounts · Written Guarantees · Fast, Efficient Service · Low Prices
Visit our showroom to see some of the thousands of options for the perfect outdoor experience 13600 H wy 99 N • C H i C o • 891–4032 • M o N
2 CN&R June 5, 2014
t H ru
S at 10 a M –6 p M
DON'T LET YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY USE THEIR DISCOUNT SHOP. CHECK US OUT FIRST!
SERVING BUTTE COUNTY FOR 33 YEARS
2304 Park Ave, Chico • 891-8677 www.miracleautochico.com
CN&R
INSIDE
Celebrating 10 years
Vol. 37, Issue 41 • June 5, 2014
OPINION Editorial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guest Comment. . . . . . . . . . . . . Second & Flume . . . . . . . . . . . . . Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Streetalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 4 5 5 7
16
• Fresh, made to order pitas and salads • delivery & catering available • $5.99 daily specials
NEWSLINES Downstroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Sifter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
240 Broadway St. Chico, CA | (530) 899 2847
GREENWAYS Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Eco Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
THE GOODS 15 Minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Homegrown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
HEALTHLINES Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Pulse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weekly Dose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 16 16 17
25
COVER STORY
18
ARTS & CULTURE Arts Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 This Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Fine Arts listings . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Chow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 In The Mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Reel World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Nightlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Arts DEVO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Brezsny’s Astrology . . . . . . . . .31
CLASSIFIEDS
31
REAL ESTATE
33
ON THE COVER: DEsigN by TiNa FlyNN
Distribution Director greg Erwin Distribution Manager Mark schuttenberg Distribution Staff Ken gates, bob Meads, lisa Ramirez, Pat Rogers, Mara schultz, larry smith, Placido Torres, Jeff Traficante, bill Unger, lisa Van Der Maelen Our Mission To publish great newspapers that are successful and enduring. To create a quality work environment that encourages employees to grow professionally while respecting personal welfare. To have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live. Editor Melissa Daugherty Associate Editor Meredith J. graham Arts Editor Jason Cassidy News Editor Tom gascoyne Asst. News Editor/Healthlines Editor Howard Hardee Staff Writer Ken smith Calendar Assistant Mallory Russell Contributors Craig blamer, alastair bland, Henri bourride, Rachel bush, Vic Cantu, Matthew Craggs, Kyle Delmar, Miles Jordan, Karen laslo, leslie layton, Mark lore, Melanie MacTavish, Jesse Mills, sean Murphy, Mazi Noble, Jerry Olenyn, shannon Rooney, Toni scott, Claire Hutkins seda, Juan-Carlos selznick, Robert speer, allan stellar, Daniel Taylor, Evan Tuchinsky Interns Katherine green, ashiah scharaga Managing Art Director Tina Flynn Editorial Designer sandra Peters Creative Director Priscilla garcia Design Melissa bernard, Mary Key, serene lusano, Kyle shine, skyler smith Advertising Manager Jamie Degarmo Advertising Services Coordinator Ruth alderson Advertising Consultants alex beehner, brian Corbit, Krystal godfrey, laura golino Senior Classified Advertising Consultant Olla Ubay
President/CEO Jeff vonKaenel Chief Operations Officer Deborah Redmond Human Resources Manager Tanja Poley Business Manager grant Rosenquist Accounting Specialist Tami sandoval Accounts Receivable Specialist Nicole Jackson Lead Technology Synthesist Jonathan schultz Senior Support Tech Joe Kakacek Developer John bisignano System Support Specialist Kalin Jenkins
A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION of HOPE & INSPIRATION A musicAl tribute recognizing the Downtown AmbAssADors for their contribution to mAking downtown ChiCo a safer, Cleaner & better plaCe. thursday, June 5 - 6:30pm – 8:30pm – free arthur Godfrey: goDfrey's gritty AmericAnA songs sheD light on wAr, homeless, triAl & self. goDfrey is A two-time recipient of the John lennon singersongwriter AwArD. influences incluDe: wooDy guthrie, bruce springsteen & neil young.
with
MUBSYIC
Kyle williams: from folk-roots to soulful-pop, williAms crAfts songs thAt explore themes of life. cAmmie AwArD winner for best singer-songwriter & best mAle VocAlist. influences incluDe: DAmien rice, JAck Johnson & the temptAtions.
for more informAtion cAll 342-9321 sponsoreD by Downtown AmbAssADors children’s park / W. First st. & esplanade (next to Bidwell presbyterian)
A heArtfelt And sincere thAnK YOU! To my colleagues in the legal community, my friends in the running world, community members, family, close friends and those who voted for me:
thAnK YOU fOr All YOUr sUPPOrt, encOUrAGeMent, And effOrts in MY cAMPAiGn. As I said in the beginning, I could not do this alone. You have been wonderful and I am humbled and honored by your support!
Thank you so much! – Ric
353 E. second street, Chico, Ca 95928 Phone (530) 894-2300 Fax (530) 894-0143 Website www.newsreview.com Got a News Tip? (530) 894-2300, ext. 2245 or chiconewstips@newsreview.com Calendar Events www.newsreview.com/calendar Calendar Questions (530) 894-2300, ext. 2240 Classifieds (530) 894-2300, press 4 Printed by Paradise Post The CN&R is printed using recycled newsprint whenever available.
Editorial Policies Opinions expressed in the Chico News & Review are those of the author and not Chico Community Publishing, inc. Contact the editor for permission to reprint portions of the paper. The Chico News & Review is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or review materials. Email letters to chicoletters@newsreview.com. all letters received become the property of the publisher. We reserve the right to edit letters for length (200 words or less), clarity and libel or not to publish them. Circulation 40,000 copies distributed free weekly.
Daily Special: 5 Tacos for $5 Taco Tuesday - $1 Fish & Chicken Tacos Open Mon-Sat 11-9, Sun 11-7 (530) 342–3260
W e s t 5t h & Ce da r June 5, 2014
ew r N ent! e d m Un age n Ma
CN&R
3
Send guest comments, 400 words maximum, to gc@ newsreview.com, or to 353 E. 2nd St., Chico, CA 95928. Please include photo & short bio.
Track record continues Many Chicoans likely reacted emotionally to the recent
Seeking a rational democracy A day—admittedly slightly askew in my “lane”—a young woman in a sporty car spun around me and shouted, “Get out s I was leaving the Target parking lot the other
of my fucking way you dumb cunt!” Not quite Chico hospitality, I’d say, and all I could do was smile to myself. Whoever she was, she must have been awfully angry to shout those words at a complete stranger. But the episode got me thinking. Something big has gone awry, and we need to fix it. We’ve got this great democracy and look what it has gotten us: people saying whatever they want regardless Marianne of the outcome, because they are Werner protected by the First Amendment; open gun-carrying in GeorThe author is a gia and likely other states; a sense retired English of entitlement, that “I get to do instructor who last what I want because I live in a taught at Butte free country”; a Congress that has College. chosen to cater to the desires of lobbyists, disregarding the needs of citizens; more entitlement, from big corporations receiving government subsidies to students implying that since they show up to class, aren’t they supposed to get an A? I think it’s the guns that are finally getting me down. After each shooting, the NRA entrenches even more in the
right to bear arms. A friend told me about a recent rally he’d witnessed for freedom and liberty in Ashland; afterward, a large contingent carried assault weapons through downtown. This is not the world I want to spend my final years in. It’s bad enough that phones seem to have sucked up their owners, controlling them without regard for people around them. So I’d like to advocate for some civility, perhaps a rational democracy where individuals express what they believe but consider the consequences their words might have, too. Let’s agree that there is room for disagreement in most discussions. Let’s take into consideration those less fortunate, watch out for the other guy, and be kind to one another. And let’s think very hard about what some philosophers have concluded concerning the ultimate downfall of a democracy: loss of community because of over-emphasis on individuality. I’d like us to keep our community, thank you, and maybe even find the best location for all concerned for the farmers’ market! Ω
Let’s agree that there is room for disagreement in most discussions.
4
CN&R
June 5, 2014
announcement that City Manager Brian Nakamura had resigned from his post. Understandably so. After Nakamura oversaw sweeping changes to the city’s organizational structure—including mass layoffs of city employees, many of them longtime staffers—his sudden departure after less than two years on the job feels like a hit-and-run. But it’s not entirely unexpected. Nakamura’s job history certainly indicated that he wouldn’t stick around for long. In the past 21 years, he has held 10 jobs, including stints as city manager in Reedley, Banning and Hemet. But Nakamura tried to convince us otherwise, telling the CN&R last year that he hoped to stay in Chico “for a very long time. I love the community. We have a lot of opportunity and a lot of potential here.” He said something similar in 2012, just before he bailed on Hemet. When the Press-Enterprise newspaper got word that Nakamura was planning on taking the city manager position in Chico, he told that paper: “My commitment is 110 percent here. My focus is to continue to serve Hemet to the best of my ability. I’m committed to Hemet.” Both cities—and papers—were misled. In Chico’s case, Nakamura never seemed to connect to the community. That could be because living here turned out to be tougher than he expected. He was, after all, widely perceived as a hatchet man, and took a good amount of flak for it. He also didn’t maintain open lines of communication within the organization—many of those laid-off employees felt blindsided—and by most accounts, morale within the city has been in the pits since the cuts. What’s the take-away here, especially for the council? Finding the right person to lead the city ought to be paramount. Nakamura may have had the strength to balance the city’s books, but he wasn’t a leader. He leaves behind a fractured organization. So, as the search begins for Chico’s next city manager, we implore the council to hire someone who cares about the organization, its employees, and the community in general. A good barometer would be someone who has a track record of dedication to a city organization. The last thing Chico needs is another fly-by-night city manager. Ω
Voting matters Don’t like the results of Tuesday’s primary election?
One question: Did you actually vote? Preliminary results show that 31,858 out of 119,081 registered Butte County voters headed to the polls. That 26.75 percent participation rate doesn’t count the provisional ballots and mail-in ballots handed in at polling places, but it’s a strong indicator that the predictions of low voter turnout were accurate. If that bears out in the rest of the state, we’re talking about historic lows. This was an important election in Chico. Locally, two supervisor seats were on the line; so was a Butte County Superior Court judgeship; the posts of county clerk-recorder and treasurer-tax collector were decided, too. Because of California’s new “top-two primary,” the top-two vote-getters from state races head to the November general election. But another local contest will be on the line then, too—that of Butte County assessor. None of the five candidates in that race earned more than 50 percent of the vote. The top-two vote-getters turned out to be Diane Brown and Bill Connelly, who are separated by a 2 percent margin that went in favor of Connelly. They will battle it out in the fall and the stakes are high. Brown has the qualifications because she’s worked in the Butte County Assessor’s Office for more than 30 years, currently holding the position of principal appraiser. But Connelly has name recognition because he’s a Butte County supervisor. Every vote will count. Ω
Send email to chicoletters @ newsreview.com
SECOND & FLUME by Melissa Daugherty melissad@newsreview.com
Cut and run
Lots of white folks Re “Back to nature” (Cover feature, by Claire Hutkins Seda, May 29): The first thought that struck me about the group photo in your article “Back to nature” was, “Wow, that’s a higher concentration of white people than the Republican National Convention!”
Melissa Daugherty is editor of the CN&R
for
ACUPUNCTURE ON SALE THROUGH 6/30/14 Regular Price: $
15-35
You decide what you pay
KYLE BOWEN Chico
‘A monstrous bureaucracy’ Good riddance! That’s a sentiment I’ve heard or read several times in response to news that City Manager Brian Nakamura is leaving Chico for the same job in a Sacramento suburb. I can’t say I’d disagree with it. Nakamura will be remembered in Chico as a short-timer hatchet man, just as his employment track record of 10 cities in 21 years should have indicated. During his roughly 22 months on the job, I think I talked to him once or twice. The occasion that stands out goes back to a City Council meeting one year ago this week, on the evening before he unveiled his draft budget plan—the one that basically eviscerated city services. Moments after that Tuesday night meeting ended, I rushed over to the city manager, introduced myself and explained to him that the CN&R is on deadline Wednesday mornings. I wanted a copy of the draft budget that evening or as early as possible the next day so that I could do some analysis in that week’s issue. By the time I got my hands on it the next day, it was a half-hour or so before deadline. Other CN&R staffers joined me in going through the 333-page document to see what we could glean. The news looked pretty bad. As we now know, dozens of staffers would lose their jobs, first in a round of layoffs in July. About three months later, about a dozen others—many of them senior staffers— got cut loose. Nakamura called that period of time the darkest days Chico had seen. He was probably right. What he did kept the city afloat, and he should be credited for that. In any city, employee salaries and benefits are the biggest expense, so the layoffs had to happen. But I’m not going to defend the outgoing city manager, and here’s why: Sure, Nakamura had to cut positions to balance the budget, but he certainly could have—and should have—been empathetic to the laid-off employees. He should have acknowledged longtime staffers for their dedication, rather than forcing them out unceremoniously. In other words, he should have cared. Instead, Nakamura shut himself in his office. He didn’t communicate. He appeared heartless. And now he’s cut and run. No public explanation. No goodbye. Nothing. (See Newslines, pages 10 and 11). Chico Mayor Scott Gruendl is making Nakamura out to be some sort of martyr. He’s calling him a “sacrificial lamb.” Tell that to the 50 or so people who lost their jobs. I’d love to hear their responses. What Nakamura’s actually doing is leaving a huge mess for somebody else to clean up (for more on that, see Editorial, page 4). But that’s probably for the best. He obviously wasn’t up to the task. And now he’s off to Rancho Cordova—a little burg abutting Highway 50 most notable for its giant strip club. He’ll probably buy a house in nearby Folsom or Granite Bay. For one thing, those communities are nicer. And as we all now know, Brian Nakamura doesn’t get attached to the cities he manages.
5 65 $
Re “Help for a veteran” (Newslines, by Tom Gascoyne, May 29): Very touching story about the World War II veteran; they’re fading from view. The paperwork inundation is typical. I’m a Vietnam veteran and it took me 25 years to get my disability rating from the war. The Veteran Affairs is a monstrous bureaucracy whose main purpose is to perpetuate itself—veterans are simply an annoyance to the VA. I’ve dealt with VA employees who actually resent veterans. When people get a government position, they retire on the job and then complain because they aren’t being paid enough. In the meantime, they cook the books, falsify medical records and pencilwhip veterans, as we’ve seen from the VA Phoenix scandal. Well, as one wag noted, if you want to know what Obamacare is going to be like, look at VA medical care. MIKE PETERS Chico
Don’t blame the chief Re “Alarms ignored” (Newslines, by Howard Hardee, May 29): Sounds like Chico Police Chief Kirk Trostle is simply practicing good management of public safety—to select basic 911 rules over the self-serving rules of a private interest group, like the alarm industry. Remember, police response to requests from alarm-monitoring firms is bending 911 rules. Alarm system users should blame their outdated alarm supplier, not the local police. LEE JONES La Quinta
Open 7 days
UP TO $100 OFF
Ins. Ded. on Windshields
$139.95
INSTALLED
For Most Vehicles, Some Slightly Higher
SAFETY AUTO GLASS 2961 Hwy 32 Suite 14 Chico, CA 95973
740 Flume Street 345-5566 | PinwheelChico.com
530.891.8988
FREE PIZZA
Buy any size pizza, get a second, small, one-topping pizza FREE! offer available Sunday 4-8pm
GREat FoR datE niGht oR thE wholE Family!
FINE
ITALIAN CUISINE 506 Ivy Street · Chico, CA TAke-ouT (530)898-9947 ReSeRVATIoNS (530)898-9948 open 11:30 Mon - Sat · Sun @ 4
DEBT RELIEF - WORRY RELIEF BANKRUPTCY SERVICES
ELIMINATE • • • • • •
Harrassing Calls Medical Bills Foreclosure Credit Card Debt Lawsuits Tax Debt
LAW OFFICE OF
JOSEPH FEIST
FILE NOW
without full payment up front!
530.345.2102 · FeistLawOffice.com
Pointing out the irony Re “He’s tired of it” (Letters, by Rick Clements, May 29): Isn’t it ironic that Rick Clements calls President Obama a liar, yet he lied his ass off about Bob Muholland’s military service? Human behavior is morally ambiguous. ROY CRABTREE Chico
Think of future generations Re “Note to Nielsen” (Letters, by Richard Shult, May 15): In support of Richard Shult’s comments to Sen. Jim Neilsen regarding the senator’s defense of fracking, I am reminded of the venerable wisdom of the Nation of the IroLETTERS continued on page 6
WE ARE A DEBT RELIEF AGENCY
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY & SSI “We help YOU through the System” You Pay ONLY when we win
B E T S Y H . A L B E RT S Attorney at Law Over 18 years of experience
530.893.8387 976 Mangrove, Chico June 5, 2014
CN&R
5
$5 OFF
continued from page 5
any purchase of $15 or more
Good at all arc StoreS
www.thearcstore.org chico 2020 Park Ave.
oroville 2745 Oro Dam Blvd.
quois. The Great Law of the Iroquois directs any leaders who are responsible for making decisions to think seven generations ahead and decide whether the decisions that are made today would benefit their children seven generations into the future. LAURA LOUDERMILK Chico
Paradise 6640 Clark Rd.
Worthy Goods
oPen 7 dayS a Week!
Expires 07/05/14
PRESENTS Premier Western Artist
K.W. Moore Sr.
Artist Reception Friday, June 13th, 4:00-8:00pm Featuring paintings by K.W. Moore Sr. & other gallery artists. Gallery Hours: Tues–Sat 11am–4pm or by appointment | 493 East Ave., Suite 1 | (530)345-3063
‘Heretics and crackpots’ Re “Quit the denial” (Editorial, May 15): The editor does a disservice to scientific investigation with a plea to “quit the denial.” There is no denial that climate changes. It always has. The argument is as to whether the change in climate is due to human or natural causes. This debate continues and is far from over. Those of the editor’s persuasion have put themselves in the position of the medieval church content with an earth-centric planetary system. The church considered it “settled science” at the time. Dissenters were denigrated as heretics and crackpots. There is no such thing as “settled science.” Just ask Galileo. The scientific method is dynamic and designed for intense interrogation. The editor demands silent compliance or suffer the specter of hell on earth. It sounds more like an edict from a high priest of the church of environmentalism. I remain a sinner. BILL HOOTON Red Bluff
Just say no Members of the StoptheButte Ban.com are Western States Petroleum Association, Independent Oil Producers Agency and the Independent Petroleum Association. These same businesses are lobbying to pass Senate Bill 2274, the fast-tracking and authorization to export liquid natural gas. SB 2274 will allow the global sale of our natural gas, destroying our nation’s energy independence goals and increasing domestic prices by two or three times current costs. These greedy businesses think you are dumb enough to fall for their false title of Butte Citizens Against Higher Energy Costs. Japan is currently paying $13.90 MBtu for natural gas, three times our domestic price. Can you afford to pay global energy prices? SB 2274 is good for greedy energy corporations and Wall Street, but it will harm U.S. consumers and manufacturers. Please tell ConChico Enterprise Record / Radio Chico / KRCR News Channel 7 KCVU FOX 20 / Deer Creek Broadcasting / Results Radio KHSL TV / KNVN TV / Action News Now / Chico News & Review
6
CN&R
June 5, 2014
“Nakamura ignored the old-boy tradition, ignored assurances that the budget was just fine and dandy, and wasted no time in making a dramatic turnaround. It took him only days to accomplish what others couldn’t in 20 years.” –MICHAEL P. PROCTOR
gress “no” to energy exports and selling off our energy independence and our children’s future energy reserves. DAVE GARCIA Oroville
Thanks, city manager I don’t know Brian Nakamura, but I am sorry to see him leave and want to thank him for leaving our city in much better shape than he found it. How often can that be said? Nakamura ignored the old-boy tradition, ignored assurances that the budget was just fine and dandy, and wasted no time in making a dramatic turnaround. It took him only days to accomplish what others couldn’t in 20 years. Unfortunately, once he leaves, we worry the city will slowly return to its previous state if those responsible haven’t learned the hard lesson to manage within our means. He has 30 days left. That would be more than enough to place him at the county offices in Oroville to clean up the planning department, help the police and fire departments, finally improve our Chico public schools that continue to decline, and then in his spare time go to Washington to get the troops out of Afghanistan, and he would still have two weeks left to pack before having to get to Rancho Cordova! Brian, while others only made excuses, you had the courage to make changes. Good luck to you. MICHAEL P. PROCTOR Chico
Editor’s note: Brian Nakamura’s resignation is effective immediately. He is no longer city manager. For more on this, see pages 4, 5, 10 and 11.
Words from a graduate How will the [junior high] class of 2014 influence the world? Well, we are the future of this generation. We will grow up, get jobs and
start families someday. The students in this class have so much creativity to help them along the way. I can only hope we will use it to our advantage. This class will influence the world. We will be here for each other and recognize our own worth. To the world, we are priceless. You can’t put a price on a person. Each personality here will better a company, help out someone in need. These young faces will bring a smile to someone’s face. As we move on to high school, we also leave middle school. It’s odd if you think about it. We’re moving from middle ground to a higher ground where more opportunities await us. What we can hope for in these moments is that when we get those opportunities, we take them and pursue them to their full extent. Good luck to the graduating class of 2014! GEORGIA SACKETT Chico
Questions before hiring Crime may be up. Crime may go down. We may need more police officers. Before acting on this issue, however, other questions to answer include: What is a typical police officer per-capita ratio of other towns like Chico? Does a higher ratio necessarily result in safer streets? What is the proportion of the budget that police require in other towns like Chico? The answer to that question may include the information that we need to reduce the amount we pay our police even more than the tiny bit they have agreed to so far. I was a licensed contractor in Chico. I continuously operated a business that won national awards, with many employees for 40 years. In 2008, I survived a 50 percent pay cut. Most people can live comfortably in Chico on about $35,000 a year. CHARLES WITHUHN Chico
09
Obamacare: good or bad?
Downtown CHINATOWN
09
Our store selection is getting better & better! Come check us out!
Asked at Vallombrosa post office Tami Winternitz
10 07
10
1209
HOUSE of RICE
I think the jury is still out as to the benefits. Personally, I don’t know anyone who has Obamacare and has been successful getting signed up. But I do know several people who have had their insurance canceled, and so now they’re trying to figure out how to sign up for Obamacare. I don’t know anybody whose been positively affected by it.
10
10
09
09
2574 Esplanade • 530-899-1055
09
www.thepriya.com • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Lunch: 11am - 2:30pm • Dinner: 5:00pm - 9:30pm
13 10
10
10
10
The Only Law Firm in0928 YearsVoted Best 07
07
07
07
Thank You Chico!
10
SECOND OFFICE GRAND OPENING **THIS JUNE!**
Improving Client’s07Lives ...one case at a time.
(530) LAW-HELP (529-4357)
Michael M. Rooney
MAKE YOUR HEALTH A PRIORITY! DR. VINCENT COMMENDATORE IS BACK AT IT!
Judy Archer
RooneyLawFirm.com
FREE ES S SUNGLhAaSny wit e over purch$a4s999
HUGE SUMMER SALE!
SANDALS - BUY 1 GET 2ND PAIR AT
9.99
$
Call today to make an appointment!
accountant
Obamacare is not perfect, but it’s a good start. I think we need broader health care coverage for people who aren’t covered. I did actually look for myself. I buy my own personal policy, and it was more expensive than what I can buy just directly from an agent.
10
Shrimp, Lamb & Pakoras, Vegetarian & Non-vegetarian Curries, 07 07 Tandoori & Biriyani Entrees
09
07
Supervising Litigation Attorney
Obamacare definitely lends itself to a larger part of the control going to the federal government. You don’t get to go and choose anything you want, you get to go and choose between these few things that a few people have chosen for you.
09
12
Jonathan Hale student
09
10 13
(530) 893-1794 338 Broadway • Mon - Sat
teacher
07
07
09
Authentic South Indian Cuisine
HURRICANE
39
(SELECT STYLES ONLY)
$
BOTTLE OPENER
530.864.2249
2201 Pillsbury Rd. Suite 138 www.TopTierChiropratic.com
NEW ARRIVALS
WOMENS/KIDS 14 COLORS
99
RUNNING SHOE SALE
24
STARTING AT $
(SELECT STYLES ONLY)
99
Al Beck environmental consultant
The concept is good, but the legislation is terrible. They should have had a simple system. We have too few people enrolled. It will not be successful unless they get young people enrolled. And the big problem is just the shortage of medical personnel. I have friends who can’t get a doctor. DESIGNER
JEN_PU
MEN’S, WOMEN’S, KID’S BUY ANY PAIR AT REGULAR PRICE, 99 (SELECTED STYLES) GET 2ND PAIR FOR $
9
NO.
IT IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE
Serving Butte, Glenn & Tehama Counties
342-RAPE
24 hr. hotline (Collect Calls Accepted) www.rapecrisis.org REP
JLD
CNR ISSUE
10.23.08
JUST ARRIVED - MENS, WOMENS, KIDS CLASSIC
MONSTER
GLOW IN THE DARK REG $34.99 NOW $ 99
24
HEEL & SOLE SHOE
708 Mangrove Ave. (in the Safeway Shopping Center) Chico 899-0780 • www.heelandsoleshoes.com Open 7 Days, Mon.–Sat. 10am–8pm, Sun. 10am–6pm • We carry NARROWS & WIDES Prices good thru 06/30/14, while supplies last
FILE NAME RAPE CRISIS INTERV. & PREV.
June 5, 2014
CN&R
7
BUTTE COUNTY ELECTION TALLIES
With all the votes now cast and a grand majority counted—the exception being the roughly 8,500 mail-in ballots and approximately 500 provisional ballots that carry some question as to their validity—here are the county election results as of press time: Butte County 2nd District Supervisor Larry Wahl (67 percent) retains his seat over challenger Andrew Merkel (32 percent); 3rd District Supervisor Maureen Kirk (58 percent) stays over Bob Evans (42 percent); Butte County Superior Court Judge Sandra McLean (63 percent) defends her seat against defense attorney Eric Ortner (37 percent); County Clerk-Recorder Candace Grubbs (72 percent) drubs Pamela Teeter (28 percent); appointed Treasurer-Tax Collector Peggy Moak (70 percent) collects more votes than challenger Kathleen Dwyer (29 percent). In the race for assessor, current County Supervisor Bill Connelly (33 percent) will go up against Assessor’s Office employee Diane Brown (31 percent) in the November general election, because none of the five candidates running for that office garnered more than 50 percent of the vote. The county incumbents running unopposed did very well, with District Attorney Mike Ramsey (94 percent), and Auditor-Controller David Houser (99 percent) retaining their seats. Appointed Sheriff-Coroner Kory Honea keeps that post (99 percent).
DISTRICT ELECTION RESULTS
Republican U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (53 percent) will run against Democratic candidate Heidi Hall (30 percent) in the fall election for 1st Representative District. In the race for 3rd District State Assembly, Republican attorney James Gallagher (43 percent) will face off in the fall against veteran Democratic candidate and attorney Jim Reed (35 percent). Incumbent 4th District Sen. Republican Jim Nielsen (63 percent) and Democratic challenger CJ Jawahar (37 percent) will face off again in November and Republican incumbent Brian Dahle (69 percent) will go at it again in the fall for the 1st District State Assembly seat against Democrat Brigham Smith (31 percent).
MARKET PETITION MOVES FORWARD
Butte County Clerk-Recorder Candace Grubbs says the petition to keep the Saturday farmers’ market where it is is valid, at least as far as having enough voter signatures. A group called Friends of the Farmers’ Market turned in 9,273 signatures last month. Based on a sampling of 500 of the signatures, it was projected that 5,654 were valid. A total of 4,704 are required. Friends of the Farmers’ Market spokesman and former Chico Mayor Karl Ory (pictured) said the large number of signatures is a strong argument for letting the voters decide. The matter will now go before City Council, which will either approve the petition or allow the voters to decide in November. The market’s current franchise agreement is set to expire at the end of the year and the city attorney says the petition violates the state Constitution. 8
CN&R
June 5, 2014
Jogging in memoriam Annual GC’s Run honors a local teacher and her legacy
F dent south of Chico claimed the life of a loved and respected elementary school teacher,
our years ago next month, an acci-
Carrie Jean Holiman. While running along OroChico Highway about a mile east of the Midway, Holiman by was struck by an SUV. Tom The avid jogger was 56 at the Gascoyne time of her death. Each year tomg@ since the accident, her friends newsreview.com and family have organized a run to raise money and award scholarships to Corning High School students for use at either a community college or four-year university. Holiman taught fifth grade at Corning’s Olive View Elementary School. “We thought it would be a good way to remember her after she died and a way to get people in the community together,” explained her daughter, Sequoia Stephens. “Running was something that she loved to do. It was a big part of her life and so we thought it would be a great way to have us all get together to remember her. “We thought we should probably find a way to make some money so we could also put together a scholarship in her name, so those two things came together.” The event, scheduled for Saturday (June 7), is called GC’s Run. “GC” is what her four grandchildren called her and stands for Grandma Carrie. The run will be held on property owned by Duke Warren, Holiman’s partner for 23 years. Stephens said her bond with Warren is deep.
“When I was 8, they started hanging out together,” she recalled of her mother and Warren’s relationship. “Then we lived together from the time I was 10. I introduce him as my dad. That’s because he raised me.” Virginia Bacigalupi, who was Holiman’s colleague for 28 years, also has helped organize the annual event. “People have been really generous donating for the raffle that takes place during the run,” Bacigalupi said. “Plus, people throughout the year have been making contributions.” Bacigalupi said there are certain criteria asked of the students who apply for the scholarships, one of which is having attended Olive View. “We also wanted them to have participated in high school sports, or taken a foreign language,” Bacigalupi said. “Carrie was athletic and bilingual. She taught the [English as a second language] program for a while at Olive View.” Students pursuing a career in education also are considered. For the first time this year, two scholarships of $2,500 each will be handed out at the event, Bacigalupi said. Eight students have applied. That makes a total
Carrie Holiman with her grandchildren, Cal (left) and Quincy, in a photo taken in April 2009. PHOTO COURTESY OF SEQUOIA STEPHENS
of five $2,500 scholarships handed out to Corning High students since 2011. The scholarship program is funded through donations to the Carrie Holiman Memorial Fund, held at the North Valley Community Foundation. The money raised by the event will will be used for scholarships next year. The annual donations, Bacigalupi
said, are a reflection of the way those who knew Holiman cared about her, including her co-workers and the many students she influenced over the years. “She had a great laugh,” Bacigalupi recalled. “When someone asks about her, that is the first thing I think of—her laugh. She was an extremely kind and giving person. I found that over the 28 years we were friends, I changed for the better because of her impact on me, like learning to forgive yourself and being nice to yourself. I watched her live her life and it helped me to become a better person because of that. “She loved the kids, though of course, on any given day, they would
A grave undertaking drive her crazy like they drive all of us crazy,” she continued, with a laugh. “And they loved her. I have former students talk to me about her and the ways she influenced them—things like her paying extra attention to something they were having trouble with that was not necessarily academic. “She loved her family, the grandkids. Everybody at work knew that. She just was there for you when you needed something, even if you didn’t know you needed it. She knew you did.” Stephens described her mother as “incredibly loving.” “The way she operated in her life was if things weren’t quite working out, she just added a little more love and that was her solution to difficulties,” Stephens said. “She was very proud of her family and she probably drove her friends crazy talking incessantly about me and her grandchildren. I would describe her as extremely fair. She was always thinking about the other side of whatever the situation was.” Stephens said her mother came to Chico in 1972 to attend college and that she fell in love with the town. “I think that was one of the most difficult things [about her passing] because she seemed very content and very happy with where her life had taken her,” Stephens said. “And she expressed that a lot. I agree with Virginia that her laugh and sense of humor were very refreshing. And she was a very principled person.” Stephens said that when she and Warren get together each year to organize the event there is some “grumbling” involved. “There are tasks that we don’t really like or it’s just an organizational thing that we put off each year as we near the event,” she said. “But then, of course, the event takes place and we are so glad that we did it. I think that’s because, for the most part, the outcome is always very healing for us. It feels like we’ve done the right thing and I just get a sense that my mom would be so touched. “She would be completely in awe of how the people come together each year and support it; I think she would be very proud of what it has turned into.” Ω
Run for GC:
GC’s Run on June 7 is free and scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. There will be live music, a taco truck and a post-run raffle. The property is at the “End of Normal,” in reference to Normal Avenue, which turns into Estes. Donations for the Carrie Holiman Memorial Fund will be accepted. Go to www.gcsrun.org for more information.
David Freeman (right) has been trying to install a proper marker at William B. Ide’s grave for five years, while Roger Ekins believes he’s found the “smoking gun” to prove the pioneer was a Mormon.
Secular and Mormon historians combine efforts to honor North State pioneer owman, Nathaniel, Hanged April 24, 1852,” reads an inscription “B on a headstone in the Monroeville Cemetery, a small graveyard tucked in an orchard between Highway 45 and the Sacramento River
accessible only by crossing a working farm. Arthur Weston’s neighboring marker recounts his drowning in that river in 1887, while yet another nearby stone is arguably the most chilling: “Male Child, Unknown, Possibly Buried Alive.” While the stones offer a brutally authentic glimpse of life and death in pioneer California, they are themselves cement replicas of marble and granite markers, small chunks of which still litter the gravel-covered graveyard. Original markers not damaged by a century of neglect and vandalism were bulldozed by a local farmer who intended to plant trees there in the 1970s. His effort was eventually halted by outraged members of the Colusi County Historical Society (Colusa, Glenn and Tehama counties were once a single county called Colusi) and a sympathetic judge. The cemetery may have been lost altogether if not for concern over its most famous resident, William B. Ide. Ghost town hoedown: A dedication ceremony for William B. Ide’s legacy will be celebrated at the Ide’s new headstone is scheduled for cemetery this Saturday, June 7. 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at the Ide came to what was then the MexiMonroeville Cemetery, featuring a can province of Alta California in 1845, musket and cannon salute from and is best known as ruler of the shortMormon Battalion re-enactors, the lived Bear Flag Republic. In 1846, after unveiling of new historical facts about Ide, music and more. To reach reports that the Mexican government the cemetery, take Highway 45 4.7 was getting ready to seize lands from miles south of Hamilton City to a American settlers, Ide led the Bear Flag large marker at a bend in the road, Revolt, and with a small band of buckthen drive through the adjacent skinned frontiersmen captured Mexican farm to the cemetery. Commandante of Northern California Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo in his fort in Mendocino. Ide was chosen to lead the new nation, a position he held for 23 days until American forces arrived. He served through the remainder of the Mexican-American War, and then returned to the far northern section of the state. He ran a ferry crossing near the state historic park outside of Red Bluff that bears his name and held numerous public positions in Monroeville, where he died of smallpox in 1852. In 2009, David Freeman was en route to give a presenta-
tion at William B. Ide Adobe park and decided to stop by the cemetery to snap some photos of Ide’s grave. Freeman is an Artois-based construction contractor and historical researcher who uses modern geographic information systems (GIS) technology in conjunction with
SIFT|ER Primary numbers
PHOTO BY KEN SMITH
historic maps, traditional research tools, and a lot of leg work to relocate long-lost sites, and has done a great deal of research on Ide and his North State holdings. “[Glenn] county had tried to get things right when they redid the cemetery in 1998, but the grave was just cement painted white and riddled with errors, including naming him as governor of California, which he never was,” Freeman recalled during a recent interview at the cemetery. After seeing the gravesite, Freeman embarked on a years-long mission to get a more accurate and elaborate marker installed, enlisting “anyone within earshot” to help him, but eventually came to an impasse. Among the more disputed facts about Ide was the man’s religious affiliation; some historians believe he was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which would have made him the first Mormon in California, while others dismiss his LDS affiliation. Freeman went to the church for help on his mission and met Roger Ekins, a retired Butte College instructor, regional director of public affairs for the LDS church and history buff. “We didn’t know whether he was Mormon or not, but I certainly wanted to find out,” said Ekins, also at the cemetery. He explained that, in the late 1800s, anti-Mormon sentiment was at an all-time high, due in part to the practice of polygamy, and some historians may have glossed over his faith. The duo began assisting each other in their research, sharing notes, and continued trying to obtain the materials for a new grave marker. The Colusi County Historical Society, which is still in existence, eventually donated the marble material, and another historical group, the Native Sons of the Golden West, paid to have it cut. A third group, The California Pioneer Heritage Association, paid for cement and other installation incidentals. One of Ide’s descendants, a graphic designer, laid out the inscription, and Ekins and Freeman did most of the other work—down to actually etching the inscription by hand—themselves. “I even shanghai’d a neighbor with a towing outfit to haul the slab down here as soon as Roger finished sandblasting it,” Freeman said, laughing. “Seriously, if someone was standing nearby and breathing, I tried to wrangle them to help.” Meanwhile, Ekins said he believes he’s finally found definite proof that Ide was indeed a Mormon, which he’s compiled into a 28-page scholarly paper currently under peer review by the Journal of the Mormon History Association. Freeman said he agrees with Ekins’ findings: “It’s always been there if you read between the lines,” he said. “He was most certainly Mormon.”
According to numbers released by the California Secretary of State’s Office on Monday (June 2), Democrats outnumbered Republicans registered for Tuesday’s primary by more than 2.5 million (7,692,670, or 43 percent, compared with 5,036,610, or 28 percent). There were 153 legislative and congressional seats up for grabs, and 50 certified write-in candidates statewide. Voter turnout for nonpresidential primaries is traditionally low: Not including this week’s vote, the highest turnout was in 1978 (69 percent) and the lowest in 2008 (28 percent). The Secretary of State’s Office offers more election numbers, updates and trivia at www.sos.ca.gov.
—KEN SMITH kens@newsreview.com
NEWSLINES continued on page 10 June 5, 2014
CN&R
9
CHICO INDOOR
Step back in time to 1929
continued from page 9
So long, Nakamura City manager leaves the same way he came in
Sat/Sun 8-4
Silver Dollar Fairgrounds
Bi-Plane Flights
BUY-SALE-TRADE
Great Father’s Day Gift!
FREE BAG OF POPCORD WITH THISAD
Call for details (530) 899–0110
(530)624-0026
Schooler Flying Co.
NEW
OWNERSHIP
EXPERIENCED STYLISTS • JOICO COLOR • AQUAGE BIOMEGA • FULL SERVICE SALON • FAMILIES WELCOME • PARKING ON US! WALK IN’S WELCOME TUES - SAT • 11AM - 7PM • SUN - MON APT ONLY 151 BROADWAY • 891-4247
Request for Proposals
Professional Auditing Services Notice is hereby given that City of Oroville is inviting proposals from interested firms for Professional Auditing Services for the Fiscal Years ending June 2014 to June 2016. The City has recently adopted a policy requiring the rotation of Auditors every three to five years. The full Request for Proposals may be obtained by emailing lindbergsl@cityoforoville.org. The deadline for receipt of completed proposals is Friday, July 18 at 12:00 p.m.
CITY OF OROVILLE 10
CN&R
June 5, 2014
hen Brian Nakamura first came W to Chico almost two years ago to take over the post of city manager, he did so quickly and quietly. For his former employer, the city of Hemet, his short notice and rapid departure after just three years on the job came as an unwelcome surprise. In fact, it was this newspaper that inadvertently alerted Hemet officials to Nakamura’s intentions to leave his post. So last week’s scramble to announce Nakamura’s next move before the city of Rancho Cordova put out a press release welcoming him felt like déjà vu. “It caught us a little bit off guard,” said Mayor Scott Gruendl, who received Nakamura’s resignation letter last Wednesday (May 28) during a breakfast meeting. “I wasn’t really stunned, I would say, at the time that he told me. I expected it would happen at some point, just not this soon.” But Nakamura has a track record of relatively short stints on the job. He’s held 10 positions in the past 21 years. “Looking at Brian’s employment history, he has this cycle of two or three years. That was a concern that we had,” Gruendl said. “In our contract with the recruitment firm that brought Brian to us, it says if he left before two years, they would have to re-recruit for free. They have validated that they will do that. “So it was a surprise-but-not-
Brian Nakamura is leaving Chico for the Sacramento County suburb of Rancho Cordova. CN&R FILE PHOTO
surprise kind of thing,” he added. When Nakamura arrived in September 2012, the city was in a bad place financially and it was his job to fix it. About six months into his time in Chico, Nakamura laid out his three-part plan to Gruendl. Part one was to identify the problems. Part two was to put a team in place to remedy those problems. Part three was to step back and allow the town to heal. “He pulled the covers back on stuff, and also came up with responses on how to deal with it,” Gruendl said. “That meant a lot of layoffs, unfortunately. What was devastating for a lot of people is how many people we had to let go. Each time, it was more seasoned and experienced people, and it got harder. There was no good way to reconcile that.” Nakamura had a difficult job from the get-go, Gruendl said. Identifying major financial oversights and mismanagement and taking the steps to stop them were not easy tasks. Several times, he referred to Nakamura as a “sacrificial lamb”—referring to part three of Nakamura’s plan—or a “lightning rod” who will take all the negativity built up over the past two years and lead it out of Chico. “He’s the lightning rod for the hard decisions that were made—
the significant number of layoffs that we did, the collapse of 11 departments into five, the actual moving out of key management people who, for no better explanation, blatantly fucked up,” Gruendl said. “We had people who had good intentions but really didn’t know what they were doing. Brian dealt with it.” Gruendl said he stands behind Nakamura’s actions, because more than any other city manager during his time on the City Council, Nakamura followed direction. “He did exactly what we asked him to do, he followed instructions to a T,” Gruendl said. But the drastic reorganization of city departments has certainly left some with a bad taste in their mouths. Layoffs included many employees who had dedicated years—decades, even—to the organization, and key positions were eliminated, leaving things like the city’s trees untended. Looking forward, Mark Orme—who was promoted from assistant to interim city manager at the City Council meeting Tuesday (June 3)—said he’s excited to work with Chico to begin the healing process. “There’s been a lot of pain and heartache. That takes time to heal,” Orme said. “There are also external challenges. There’s been a lot of impact on the community financially as it relates to community organizations and a lot of the norms Chico was used to.” Nakamura did not return several phone calls or a text message seeking comment. “His strategy in leaving is to be quiet. He wants a clear transition of authority, with no confusion,” Gruendl said. “You’re probably not going to get an interview from him.” Just before press time, Nakamura did send a short email expressing his love of Chico and support of Orme. “The time has come to allow a new leader to move the organization forward,” he wrote. At Tuesday’s council meeting, Gruendl said the city would finalize a transition agreement with Nakamura before he leaves, but that Orme is officially the interim city manager until further notice. “As to how will the community view his departure, there are people who will be upset or feel it’s too soon, or that he’s abandoning the city,” Gruendl said by phone. “And there will be people who will say, ‘Good riddance.’” —MEREDITH J. GRAHAM meredithg@newsreview.com
Here today, gone tomorrow Nakamura slips out, Orme slides in n empty chair told the story at the TuesAChico’s day, June 3, City Council meeting: erstwhile city manager, Brian Naka-
mura, was gone. Just a week earlier he was at his desk in City Hall, doing his job. Then news broke that he’d accepted a similar position in Rancho Cordova, and the council, meeting in closed session before its Tuesday meeting, unanimously accepted his resignation after less than two years in Chico—albeit tumultuous and eventful years. A few minutes later, at the beginning of the regular open meeting, the council voted to agendize the selection of an interim city manager and then unanimously chose Assistant City Manager Mark Orme for the position. Although Orme had been Nakamura’s right-hand man for five years, three in Hemet and two in Chico, he largely escaped the blowback from city staff and members of the community that hit Nakamura when he implemented severe austerity measures at City Hall, firing dozens of people, including some very popular department heads. Indeed, when the council selected Orme, he received a big round of applause from the audience. Thanking council members for the trust they’d placed in him, he noted that the city still faces many challenges and “a lot of hurdles to get over,” given its financial constraints, that he’s “looking forward to it.” Chico has a bright future, he said, adding that “it’s going to be a lot of work, but it’s going to be well worth it for this community
once we overcome something that almost seemed impossible when I first got here.” Alluding to the profound and often painful changes that Nakamura wrought, Orme praised the “great team” at City Hall for staffers’ resilience in the face of necessary layoffs and pay cuts. “We’ve got a lot of healing to do, both internally and externally,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of hard work, but I’m excited and ready to do it.” Mayor Scott Gruendl then had some advice for Orme: “You smile a lot,” he said. “Please don’t stop.” In other council news: Members of the board of directors of the Butte Humane Society appeared before the panel to introduce their new executive director, Chuck Tourtillott (pronounced tour-TILL-oh), as well as to announce that they were developing plans to build a new facility near the airport north of town. Board President Katie Gonser explained that Ginger Drake, the widow of major developer Dan Drake, recently donated 7 acres off Eaton Road near the airport for a permanent home for an animal shelter and that BHS soon will be launching a capital campaign to finance it. Noting that BHS had been in existence for 103 years and had worked with the city during much of that time, sometimes “on the same page and sometimes not even in the same book,” she called for both parties to look ahead. “A new facility, a dog park, we’ve got big plans,” she said.
SACRAMENTO
2014 Walk Committee & Sponsors Nicole Carr, Desiree Higgins, Susan Damian, Tina Chiappetta, Wendy Maihack, Elena Michel, Eric Burger, Ariana Gomez, Stan Read
—ROBERT SPEER
This mosaic depicting the flora and fauna of Butte County was unveiled during a ceremony at Chapman Elementary School on Tuesday, June 3. Retired instructors Suzanna Steel, Lynn Schmidt and Sue Warwick—who taught at Chapman for a combined 74 years—enlisted the help of hundreds of students to create the public artwork. PHOTO BY HOWARD HARDEE
June 5, 2014
CN&R
11
GREENWAYS The Iron Canyon Fish Ladder on Big Chico Creek in Upper Bidwell Park has fallen into disrepair since its construction in 1958. Below: One of the dozen or so spring-run chinook salmon recently spotted by FISHBIO researchers at Salmon Hole. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FISHBIO
just as expensive as fixing the ladder itself. In any case, those issues are now moot. Efseaff went before the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission on Tuesday, May 27, to tell the panel that, despite support from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Caltrans, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and an anonymous private donor, funding for the project was about $400,000 short of the estimated $2.2 million cost. The funds have been returned and grant agreements canceled. “We made that realization in talking to the partners and agencies that it made sense to turn back the money so it could be used for other projects,” Efseaff told the CN&R. “The overlying problem is that there wasn’t funding for the project. Certainly, if it had moved forward, I would have had my concerns and questions.” Spring-run chinook salmon are a
Return of the spring-run After plan to fix fish ladder is abandoned, salmon spotted in Big Chico Creek for first time since 2011 by
Howard Hardee howardh@newsreview.com
A stage for going on a decade, a project to rehabilitate a fish ladder on Big Chico Creek fter languishing in the planning
in Upper Bidwell Park was recently abandoned by the city of Chico. Since its initial proposal, there has been debate—should millions of dollars be invested in a ladder that would benefit a relatively small salmon run? Ultimately, that decision was no. After all, there hasn’t been an official report of spring-run chinook salmon in Big Chico Creek since 2011, the last year the North State experienced above-average precipitation. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife counted 124 chinook salmon in the creek that year; none have been recorded since. Until now. “Big Chico Creek is one of those tributaries where returns are intermittent,” said Michael Hellmair, a fisheries biologist at local environmental consulting company FISHBIO. “Some years, they number in the hundreds. Other years, you don’t see any.” Given the ongoing drought conditions that appear to be persisting into summer, Hellmair said, he and his colleagues did not anticipate seeing salmon in the creek this year. But during FISHBIO’s Bidwell Park 5K Salmon Run and World Fish Migration
12
CN&R
June 5, 2014
Day celebration last Saturday, a race participant told an employee he had seen “some pretty big fish in Upper Park,” said Gabriel Kopp, the company’s director of operations. Acting on the tip, FISHBIO biologists ventured to Salmon Hole on Wednesday, May 28, but visibility became poor as afternoon shadows darkened the water and the team failed to spot any fish. The biologists returned the next morning and were rewarded—there, milling about in the placid water, were about a dozen spring-run chinook salmon. It was an exciting discovery for the FISHBIO researchers. “We were all a bit surprised to see spring-run salmon in Big Chico Creek during this drought,” Kopp said. “We didn’t think it would happen this year.” The biologists kept a respectful distance, not getting close enough for detailed observation, though they did note that the fish appeared to be healthy. “The odds were against them,” Hellmair said, “yet they are here.” It remains to be seen whether the
salmon will progress farther up Big Chico Creek, given that a significant obstacle—the Iron Canyon Fish Ladder—awaits them just upstream. The quarter-mile-long ladder, made up of a series of staggered concrete pools, or “weirs,” has deteriorated substantially since its construction in 1958, becoming a difficult passage for fish attempting to
reach the higher elevations and cooler water beyond. “Where [the fish] get into trouble is in these drought years, where the water level drops,” said city of Chico Parks and Natural Resources Manager Dan Efseaff. “The water in the ladder gets so diffuse and goes through smaller channels. It becomes hard for the fish to make their way up, unless you’ve got that stronger flow.” The city has considered rehabilitating the ladder since 2004, Efseaff said, but the proposed project always has been controversial. The ladder is located in a steep and rugged section of canyon between Salmon and Brown’s holes, and access is limited. As a result, getting construction crews and their heavy machinery on-site would be challenging and possibly damaging to the Upper Park access road and surrounding vegetation. Further complicating the issue, exactly how impassable the ladder is for fish remains uncertain. “It’s a difficult thing to study,” Hellmair said. “Under certain conditions, like during a drought year, you have no fish in the system and there’s no way to test whether they can get up. The only positive confirmation you can have is if you see them upstream. But then, tracking a range of flow conditions over the past several months and pinpointing exactly when they made it up is really difficult.” Complex computer modeling likely would do the trick, Kopp said, but could be
“species of concern” on the California Endangered Species Act list, and, as Hellmair emphasized, even small populations in tributaries such as Big Chico Creek are important to biological diversity. “You put the salmon eggs in as many baskets as possible,” Hellmair said. “Say there’s a disaster—a wildfire, an earthquake, a chemical spill—in Antelope Creek, and it wipes out the spring-run salmon there. The more localized populations there are to make up for a loss like that, the species is better off, overall.” On that note, the researchers at FISHBIO fully recognize that “the city was faced with a tough decision,” Kopp said, but they hope the community may revisit the idea of rehabilitating the Iron Canyon Fish Ladder in the future. “We all have to prioritize, but you don’t want to forget about protecting natural resources for future generations,” he said. “Keeping that awareness alive is what we do.” Ω
ECO EVENT
HOSPITAL MARKET Starting this week (June 11), farmers will be selling their local fruits and vegetables on the grassy area next to Oroville Hospital (2767 Olive Highway in Oroville) each Wednesday. The market goes from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and runs through the end of September. Hospital staff will be on hand to answer questions and hand out cold water.
Joan Baez Los Lobos Indigo Girls
Jackie Greene Darlene Love Playing For Change Garth Hudson (The Band/The Last Waltz) featuring Sister Maud HUDSON Tim O’Brien & Darrell Scott Rodney Crowell
Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet The Wood Brothers Amy Helm Tom Paxton Paper Bird The Blues Broads Joe Pug The Duhks Eliza Gilkyson Mary Gauthier Poor Man’s Whiskey Wavy Gravy David Luning Patchy Sanders Las Cafeteras Perfect Crime Bootleg Honeys Rhythm Rangers Highway Poets MANY MORE
AT BEAUTIFUL BLACK OAK RANCH • LAYTONVILLE Tickets & Info. 415-256-8499 (Inticketing) katewolfmusicfestival.com
June 5, 2014
CN&R 13
YOUR FAVORITE SARA EVANS HITS! • Suds In The Bucket
• Born To Fly
• I Could Not Ask For More
FRIDAY, JUNE
8pm
Doors Open At
7pm
13
• A Little Bit Stronger
th
Tickets On Sale Now Tickets Available At The Box Office And Online At www.GoldCountryCasino.com
Management Reserves All Rights
www.GoldCountryCasino.com • 4020 Olive Highway, Oroville, California • 800.334.9400 14 CN&R June 5, 2014
THE GOODS 15 MINUTES
HOMEGROWN
Getting schooled
Chico soldier checks in Since 2001, the U.S. military and other NATO forces have fought against the Taliban and al-Qaida in Afghanistan. One of the most dangerous areas there has been the Sangin District in the Helmland province. Chico’s Sgt. Jordan Freeland, 36, and his 1st Battalion, “Suicide Charley” 7th Marine Regiment, spent two months making Sangin safer. On May 5, they transferred to the quieter Dwyer region, and handed command over to the native Afghan National Army as part of the U.S. plan to evacuate all but a handful of troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and all troops by 2016. Sgt. Jordan Freeland with Sgt. Major Ali from the Afghan National Army in Sangin.
What inspired you to join the Marines? I originally went to Butte College to play baseball, hoping to get drafted in the majors. But I was young and my priorities weren’t right, so I was kicked off for bad grades and had to do something with my life. I planned to sign up for only four years, but there is something truly different about the Marines that’s kept me in for 16 years. Being a family, and leading Marines into combat—there’s no other experience like it.
How long were you in Sangin, and did you interact much with the locals? We were in Sangin for two months and during this stage of the war we had very little contact with the local populace. However, we did interact quite a bit with the local police and Afghan National Army [ANA] to keep a pulse on the kind of security and operations they were conducting.
What kind of combat have you seen? This is my ninth deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan and luckily I haven’t been wounded. I lead 200 Marines and I’ve seen lots of battles but I focus on the successes. From 2010 to early 2013 we were engaged almost daily with improvised explosive device strikes and fire fights. We were able to push a lot of the enemy out without much ANA presence. But through time we developed their war fighting functions, which enabled them to become better fighters, warriors and military. That has led us to the point of leaving Sangin.
PHOTO BY CPL. JOSEPH SCANLAN
How do you feel about transferring out of the Sangin area? It’s kind of bittersweet. On one hand, you always want to be fighting next to the guys who are fighting for their country, and support them in every way. The sweet part is that we were able to help them stand on their own two feet and get the Taliban out. We’re transferring to the much less volatile Dwyer region in Helmland province.
Do you worry about long-term emotional effects of your service? No, the Marine Corps is really good about prepping us and giving us classes for things like PTSD [posttraumatic stress disorder] and any unseen conditions. But the biggest thing they do is teach us to identify warning signs in each other and to be there for each other.
Are you planning to visit Chico anytime soon? My wife and I have friends and family there … so we’re hoping for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Any thoughts about your future in the Marines? I wish I could change the world. If I’m not having fun or having an impact on the Marine Corps it would be time to leave, but I truly enjoy leading. —VIC CANTU
eyelash extensions
NOW AVAILABLE
NEW CLIENTS WELCOME CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT
LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL STYLISTS Experience + Booth Rental | Call for more info
Sookies H A I R
S A L O N
1194 E Lassen, Ste 110 | 530.893.8851
meredithg@newsrev iew.com
Growing up, I naturally was taught the value of veggies. Fruits, too. But the garden at our suburban St. Louis home, while extensive, was full only of roses. My sister and I helped Dad plant a dozen or so trees in the yard, then just a few feet tall and now they tower over most of the neighborhood. It’s neat to watch things grow, to nurture them and enjoy the fruits (or flowers!) of our labor. But I never had a vegetable garden, and I was warned away from the fruit on the crab-apple tree in our neighbor’s yard. In fact, nobody I knew in St. Louis grew their own food (that I can remember). The closest to it was probably the boy whose family owned a bison ranch. I can still remember the juicy bison burgers at one of our end-of-the-year parties. Yum. So my connection to food and where it comes from is relatively new, and much of it is still in its infancy. That became especially apparent during a recent visit to Sherwood Montessori, where I followed a kindergarten class through the school garden as the students thanked each plant for its contribution to the garden, and to life. “Thank you, tomato, for making our pizza!” the kids shouted, mimicking their teacher Richie Hirschen (aka Chef Richie). “Thank you, sunflower, for making life beautiful! And for bringing birds to the garden to scatter the seeds,” they continued. When Hirschen pointed to a squash flower and asked the kids not to pick it because soon it would become a squash, I had a sort of embarrassing epiphany. That’s going to become a squash? These kids know more than I do! Back in the kitchen, Hirschen and a parent assistant were guiding the children through a lemonade recipe. Once again, I was impressed. At 5 years old, they know how to properly hold a knife (by making a “claw” with their other hand), they can add a “sprinkle” of something (using “fairy pinches”) and they communicate with each other (“I’m behind you!”). The students help create recipes, including one for Sherwood Marinara (using the tomatoes they’re so thankful for), which is printed in their second cookbook published earlier this year. (Grow-Cook-Eat is available for $10 at Sherwood Montessori or by calling Hirschen at 828-8890.) Hirschen, whose formal title at the school is Garden to Kitchen program leader, uses top-of-the-line kitchen equipment, paid for through a grant from Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign. Parents contribute foods from their gardens, too, and it’s also made possible, I think, because of the recent surge of interest in farm-to-table eating and knowing where our food comes from. Curious about what kids back in St. Louis were learning these days, I checked out my old school’s website. Like Sherwood Montessori—and other campuses here as well—there’s now a teaching and kitchen garden on-site. I like this direction we’re taking, moving away from processed junk and toward more wholesome food choices. I only hope the movement continues to grow.
1 in 4
people live with Mental Illness. Iversen Wellness & Recovery Center and Northern Valley TalkLine are here to help.
by Meredith J. Graham
1-855-582-5554 7 days a week 4:30pm - 9:30pm
Confidential • Non-crisis Peer-to-peer support Empathetic listening Country-wide resource referral TalkLine does not accept blocked calls. The Warm Line and Iversen Center are supported by Butte County Department of Behavioral Health and MHSA funding.
Iversen Wellness & Recovery Center
Encouraging support and socialization for individuals working toward mental health recovery. M-F, 9am - 4:30pm, Saturday 11am - 3pm Iversen Center (530) 879-3311 Med Clinic (530) 879-3974 492 Rio Lindo Ave. June 5, 2014
CN&R
15
THE PULSE
HEALTHLINES
URBAN DWELLERS IN SHAPE
The Annual Fitness Index ranked four metropolitan areas of California among the top 10 in the U.S. for personal health indicators, based on a range of metrics. To compile the report, released jointly by the American College of Sports Medicine and the WellPoint Foundation, researchers analyzed data on the country’s 50 largest metropolitan areas, according to California Healthline. For personal health indicators such as physical activity, nutrition and chronic conditions, the San Jose area ranked first in the U.S., San Francisco ranked second, San Diego ranked fourth, and Sacramento ranked 10th. Go to http://tinyurl.com/metroindex to view the complete list.
SICK-LEAVE BILL ADVANCES
At the end of last month, the California State Assembly passed AB 1522, which would require employers to provide workers with at least three paid sick days a year. The bill, introduced by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), will provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of work, according to California Healthline. It also includes provisions that allow sick leave to be used to care for a sick relative or to recover from sexual assault or domestic violence, exempt employees covered by collective bargaining, and allow unused sick leave to carry over to the next year. Republican lawmakers and California business groups opposed the bill; the California Chamber of Commerce called it a “job killer.” The bill’s next hurdle is the state Senate; if it’s signed into law, it would go into effect on July 1, 2015.
NARROW SPECTRUM PROTECTION
Sunscreens with ingredients that offer greater protection than what is available in the United States are common in Europe, Asia and Canada. That’s because federal regulators haven’t added anything new to the list of approved sunscreen ingredients in 15 years, while eight ingredients are currently backlogged for approval, some languishing for years or even more than a decade, according to SFGate.com. In the U.S, only 17 chemicals have been approved for use in sunscreens, while European companies can choose between 27 ingredients, including seven designed specifically to block UVA radiation. Members of Congress are attempting to jumpstart the process with the Sunshine Innovation Act, which would set a timetable of 11 months for approval, while maintaining the same safety standards. Meanwhile, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S.; more than 2 million Americans are diagnosed each year, and about 90 percent of nonmelanoma cases are related to harmful sun exposure. Send your health-related news tips to Howard Hardee at howardh@newsreview.com.
16
CN&R
June 5, 2014
Spiritual midwife For a Chico woman who has dedicated her life to enhancing the lives of others, it’s time to move on from teaching by
Shannon Rooney
F Elena Tonetti has dedicated her life to studying and teaching others how to or more than three decades,
enhance their lives through “conscious childbirth” and recoding one’s nervous system to eliminate negative emotional or psychological patterns. And her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Just as Tonetti, who is Russian by birth and lives in Chico, is preparing to take off her teaching hat in favor of writing, she’s also being recognized around the world for her contributions in her field. This past November, Tonetti was featured in a book project titled A Force Such as the World Has Never Known (available on Amazon.com), which highlights 30 influential women from around the world and how they’re making a difference. She’s also one of 10 nominees in 2014 for the Living Legacy Award given by the Foundation for Living Medicine in Arizona. For the majority of Tonetti’s 32 years of teaching, she concentrated on the idea of conscious childbirth, including natural water births, which she believes are less traumatic for both mother and baby than modern hospital births. About 11 years ago, however, Tonetti’s work evolved into a new phase. What started as a desire to remove the traumatic “limbic imprint” of being born turned into a broader study of long-term effects of various experiences on young minds. (“Limbic imprint” refers to the process by which prenatal, perinatal and post-natal
experiences imprint on a child’s limbic system, which controls the emotional part of the brain.) For example, Tonetti said, if a girl grew up with an alcoholic father, she might have a tendency to attract men with drinking problems, or if a boy grew up with an emotionally unavailable mother, he might have a tendency to be attracted to women who are uninvolved. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but in general, there is a strong correlation between childhood experiences and adult ones, she said. Tonetti has traveled the globe, from Thailand to New Zealand and Fiji to Prague, sharing her method of personalimprovement, dubbed Birth Into Being. “Whether you are birthing a new baby, a dream project, or an upgraded version of yourself, you must first learn to trust, con-
Elena Tonetti has traveled the world, spreading the message of personal improvement through her healing modality. At left is one of her videos, Birth As We Know It. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELENA TONETTI
nect, and surrender to your own Greatness,” she explains on her website. “When you create from a place of personal integrity, the outcomes are profound.” The basis for her teachings is limbicimprint recoding, which essentially allows people to reprogram their nervous systems’ emotional centers to create healthier lifestyles. In addition to reaching people directly, Tonetti has taught around 200 apprentices from 22 countries to carry on her work in all major languages. One of those apprentices, Nicole Moore of Australia, explained via email that Tonetti’s method also can unlock dormant
APPOINTMENT COOKING MOST HEALTHY The Galley Kitchen Center (551 Country Drive) hosts regular cooking demos on Saturdays at noon. The demo this Saturday (June 7) will have a particularly healthy focus, featuring ingredients from Chico Natural Foods. The event is free to attend; call 343-8820 for more information or go to www.galleychico.com for a schedule of upcoming cooking demos.
This week at her home in
Go to www.birthintobeing.com for more information about the Birth Into Being method.
body who had just gotten run over by a truck,” she said. “You really had to have some fundamental changes so people wouldn’t get under the trucks in the first place.” Tonetti collaborated with Charkovsky from 1982 to 1989, and after a visit from American scientist John Lilly, Tonetti was invited to the United States. She went, thinking it would be a short visit, but the moment she left Russia, the whole Eastern Block collapsed, and she was stranded far from home. By the time it was safe to go back, she was married with children. In 1990, while living in Los Angeles, Tonetti met her future husband and followed him to Chico. She had learned some English and thus was able to continue her work, which she said has continually grown and evolved. “The process is powerfully enriching … and it’s extremely rewarding to witness all those people waking up, how all the lights go on and all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place,” she said. “We need to make sure we complete what inspired us to answer this Earth’s call to come here. “Life is very short and there’s no need to waste any of it on being smaller than who we really are.” Ω
WEEKLY DOSE Sweet dreams Didn’t get enough sleep last night? You’re not alone. One in 10 people suffers from chronic insomnia. The daytime effects of a restless night can affect your driving skills much like alcohol does. A consistent lack of sleep can lead to depression, irritability, bad decision-making, more risk-taking and missed work days. A chronic lack of Zs also increases the risk of: • Heart disease • High blood pressure • Infections • Obesity • Diabetes • Pain • Intestinal problems • Early death
Source: WebMD
We’re moving!
A Restorative Therapy Therapeutic Massage
Stress & Pain Relief • Injury & Post-Op Recovery • Surgery Prevention
Please take note of our new address beginning June 1st.
3120 Cohasset Rd, Ste 6 Chico, CA 95926 • 895-3572 www.ValleyOakChildren.org
530-633-7676 | arestorativetherapy.com | Chico & Paradise Rachel Hartley | Certified Massage Therapist | CAMTC Certificate # 39354
Serving All of Butte County
Low Cost Acupuncture Private & Community Walk-ins Welcome Jennifer Conlin L.Ac. Bill Nichols L.Ac. Most insurance accepted Massage available
1209 Esplanade Ste 1 (corner of West 2nd Ave) 530.342.2895 • 10am–4pm M–F or by Appt AmericanChi.net jewelry • radios • blankets • antiques
1/2 Off
SALE Monday June 9th
Thursday June 12th
Furniture • Clothing Electronic Items and more!
Thrifty
Bargain
2432 Esplanade • Chico Store’s Hours: Mon. through Sat. 9 am to 8 pm Sunday 10 am to 6 pm
knick knacks • jewelry • radios • blankets • rugs • dolls • knick knacks • jewelry • radios • blankets • rugs • dolls
north Chico, Tonetti will offer her final of many teachings she’s held locally over the years. Her last Chico training, in December, drew 35 participants from 11 countries. In November, she’ll offer her final teaching in Germany. Then she’ll leave the teaching to her apprentices and turn to a project she’s longed to finish: completing the four books she started but never quite had enough time to work on, including a workbook, a coffee table book, a novel and her autobiography. Tonetti’s autobiography will undoubtedly offer a fascinating read. Relaxing in her peaceful home, she spoke about how in the 1980s she was part of a “community of free-thinkers” trying to change the quality of life in Russia. Then she met a man named Igor Charkovsky, a water-birth pioneer who showed her “the basic concept of correlation between the quality of our formative period and the quality of our adult life.” He also showed her that she and her friends “were trying to make a difference in the quality of life [but] that what we were doing was like putting a Band-Aid on some-
Learn more:
knick knacks • jewelry • radios • blankets • rugs • dolls• knick knacks • jewelry • radios • blankets • rugs • dolls
creativity. “People who work with the Birth Into Being method often go on to finally complete their projects … and manifest all sorts of dreams and visions they have previously been feeling stuck with.”
jewelry • radios • blankets • antiques June 5, 2014
CN&R
17
HEALTH CARE SABOTAGE How Democrats and Republicans aided Big Medicine in bastardizing Obamacare by
Chris Parker
I
t was the winter of our discontent, 2009. A season of bank failures, massive layoffs and $5-a-gallon gasoline. Finally, a fractured country could at least agree on one thing: This had to change. So President Barack Obama set out to deactivate the next bomb awaiting the U.S. economy, the one ticking inside our bloated, beleaguered health system. Since the 1990s, insurance premiums had averaged doubledigit annual increases. America was spending over $7,500 per person per year—50 percent more than Norway, the next largest contender. Health spending alone was chewing up one-sixth of the U.S. economy, double that of competitors like Japan, and putting American employers at a severe disadvantage. Worse, we were paying Maserati premiums for something that looked a lot like a used Kia. Though pols like House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) loved to bray that America had “the best health care delivery system in the world,” it wasn’t remotely so. The World Health Organization ranked us an embarrassing 36th, behind such notables as Costa Rica, Colombia and Saudi Arabia. Other rankings routinely put the U.S. near the bottom of the industrialized world. “We spend one and a half times more per person on health care than any other country, but we aren’t any healthier for it,” Obama told Congress in 2009. “This is one of the reasons that insurance premiums have gone up three times faster than wages.” Big Medicine had done its best to keep it that way. Since 1999, it had spent nearly $6 billion on lobbying, three times what the next-largest industry, insurance, had spent. An obedient Congress had allowed it to build a system in which milPresident Obama meets with health care stakeholders in 2009. PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS
18
CN&R
June 5, 2014
lions couldn’t afford coverage, huge swaths of the country were essentially served by monopolies, and prices continued to go up. “In the decade up to 2009, 79 percent of all the growth in household income was absorbed by health care,” said Dr. Brian Klepper, CEO of the National Business Coalition on Health. “Everything in Washington is rigged, but the thing most rigged is health care, because they have even more money than the banks. Both sides take money at a rapid clip from the industry in exchange for getting their own way. So everything is done in the special interest, and nothing is done in the common interest.” But that spring, with an enraged electorate and the economy in tatters, Obama was given a once-in-alifetime chance to break Big Med’s stranglehold. He vowed to do it the old-fashioned way: by introducing competition, forcing Big Med to earn its keep. Everyone would sit “around a big table,” Obama had told a crowd in Virginia the year before. “We’ll have doctors and nurses and hospital administrators, insurance companies, drug companies. They’ll get a seat at the table. They just won’t be able to buy every chair.” Five years later, it’s hard to argue with Obamacare’s success. Some 7 million people have signed up for insurance. The sick can no longer be barred from coverage, nor can the chronically ill be kicked to the curb. Yet Republicans still rail that Obamacare is some socialist perversion. Democrats, meanwhile, often treat the plan as an illegitimate child they’d rather not acknowledge. What both sides neglect to mention is their complicity in sabotaging the bill, selling out an unprecedented opportunity to the very guys who created the time bomb in the first place. The president’s ultimate
goal was coverage for the country’s 48 million uninsured. In places like Canada and most of Europe, the government pays basic health care costs for all citizens. This type of insurance is often called “singlepayer,” because one payer, the government, covers basic medical care. Anyone wondering how it
Sen. Max Baucus, who led the effort on Obamacare, accepted more specialinterest money than any other senator from 1999-2005. PHOTO COURTESY OF CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS ACTION FUND
Above: Baucus delegated much of the work to Liz Fowler, a former health insurance honcho. PHOTO COURTESY OF NETWORK FOR EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH INNOVATION
might function need look no further than Medicare, which runs all senior health care in this country. It’s arguably the most popular government program in America, and one of the more cost-effective. Start with the cost of administration. Medicare’s ranges between 2 percent and 5 percent of its budget. For private insurance, the average is 12 percent. The Government Accountability Office once estimated that this simple savings alone would be “more than enough to offset the expense of universal coverage.” Moreover, a single provider would have the size to negotiate better prices from providers and pharmaceutical companies. According to a New England Journal of Medicine study, this would save another $400 billion and provide a boon for American business, reducing labor costs by 10 percent to 12 percent.
A CBS poll found that 59 percent of the public favored a government health plan. Unfortunately, the body politic is more impressed with power than with the will of the people. The insurance industry, one of the biggest players in Congress, wasn’t about to get squeezed out of its lucrative role as middle man. Insurers treat single-payer as a threat to their very existence. With a single-payer system, most health insurers would vanish overnight. So the industry set out to ensure that such a program never saw the light of day. “Of course they don’t want it,” wrote Robert Reich, a former secretary of labor in the Clinton administration, in a 2009 opinion piece. “A public option would squeeze their profits and force them to undertake major reforms. That’s the whole point.” Congress, naturally, would not allow a frontal assault on the insur-
“We spend one and a half times more per person on health care than any other country, but we aren’t any healthier for it.”
—President Obama, 2009
ance industry. So Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) pitched the Healthy Americans Act, which had several Republican sponsors and significant support on both sides of the aisle. It was a simple plan: Instead of supplying insurance to employees, companies would give that money to workers to shop for policies on their own, allowing them to pocket any savings. With so many shoppers flooding the marketplace, insurers would be forced to truly compete. Obama’s first big mistake
was delegating the plan’s creation to a cabal of senators and health care lobbyists, some still employed by the industry, some recent additions to the senators’ staffs. They met behind closed doors, hashing out the details and squeezing other legislators out of the process. Leading the effort was Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana), who from 1999 to 2005 accepted more special-interest money than any other senator. He delegated the real lifting to his chief health aide, Liz Fowler. Baucus described Fowler as overseeing “the 87-page document which became the basis, the foundation, and the blueprint from which all health care measures in
all bills on both sides of the aisle came.” Fowler was also a former vice president at WellPoint, the country’s largest health-insurance carrier. She returned to Baucus’ staff just for this occasion. As the Guardian would later write, “Few people embody the corporatist revolving door greasing Washington as purely as Elizabeth Fowler.” Meanwhile, Big Medicine donated heavily to Democrats, who suddenly began to see the industry in a far less menacing light. Obama also started backpedaling. “We don’t want a huge disruption as we go into health care reform, where suddenly we’re trying to completely reinvent onesixth of the economy,” he said. Avoiding a single-payer setup and Wyden’s plan not only kept the donations flowing, but also allowed the president to make his famous claim that people could “keep the plan that you have.” In exchange for maintaining the status quo, hospital groups pledged $150 billion in Medicare and Medicaid savings over the next decade, while insurers agreed to limit their overhead to 20 percent. Anything more would have to be rebated to customers. “Clearly, we made a mistake in taking so much off the table before we ever started,” says Congressman John Yarmuth (D-Kentucky). “We should have left single-payer on the table just so people had an idea what the extreme really was. I’m sure that was just a bone to insurance companies to get them on board.” Of all the participants in
health reform, the fattest cats came out of it smelling the best—a telling indictment of Obama and Baucus. Drugs are the most profitable sector of health care. Pharmaceutical companies make more than $1 trillion annually, a third of it from U.S. sales. Their profits not only dwarf those of other health sectors, but pharmaceutical ranks seventh highest out of 215 industries tracked by Morningstar, an investment research company. For years, the drug makers’ con“SABOTAGE” continued on page 20 June 5, 2014
CN&R
19
HEALTH CARE SABOTAGE How Democrats and Republicans aided Big Medicine in bastardizing Obamacare by
Chris Parker
I
t was the winter of our discontent, 2009. A season of bank failures, massive layoffs and $5-a-gallon gasoline. Finally, a fractured country could at least agree on one thing: This had to change. So President Barack Obama set out to deactivate the next bomb awaiting the U.S. economy, the one ticking inside our bloated, beleaguered health system. Since the 1990s, insurance premiums had averaged doubledigit annual increases. America was spending over $7,500 per person per year—50 percent more than Norway, the next largest contender. Health spending alone was chewing up one-sixth of the U.S. economy, double that of competitors like Japan, and putting American employers at a severe disadvantage. Worse, we were paying Maserati premiums for something that looked a lot like a used Kia. Though pols like House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) loved to bray that America had “the best health care delivery system in the world,” it wasn’t remotely so. The World Health Organization ranked us an embarrassing 36th, behind such notables as Costa Rica, Colombia and Saudi Arabia. Other rankings routinely put the U.S. near the bottom of the industrialized world. “We spend one and a half times more per person on health care than any other country, but we aren’t any healthier for it,” Obama told Congress in 2009. “This is one of the reasons that insurance premiums have gone up three times faster than wages.” Big Medicine had done its best to keep it that way. Since 1999, it had spent nearly $6 billion on lobbying, three times what the next-largest industry, insurance, had spent. An obedient Congress had allowed it to build a system in which milPresident Obama meets with health care stakeholders in 2009. PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS
18
CN&R
June 5, 2014
lions couldn’t afford coverage, huge swaths of the country were essentially served by monopolies, and prices continued to go up. “In the decade up to 2009, 79 percent of all the growth in household income was absorbed by health care,” said Dr. Brian Klepper, CEO of the National Business Coalition on Health. “Everything in Washington is rigged, but the thing most rigged is health care, because they have even more money than the banks. Both sides take money at a rapid clip from the industry in exchange for getting their own way. So everything is done in the special interest, and nothing is done in the common interest.” But that spring, with an enraged electorate and the economy in tatters, Obama was given a once-in-alifetime chance to break Big Med’s stranglehold. He vowed to do it the old-fashioned way: by introducing competition, forcing Big Med to earn its keep. Everyone would sit “around a big table,” Obama had told a crowd in Virginia the year before. “We’ll have doctors and nurses and hospital administrators, insurance companies, drug companies. They’ll get a seat at the table. They just won’t be able to buy every chair.” Five years later, it’s hard to argue with Obamacare’s success. Some 7 million people have signed up for insurance. The sick can no longer be barred from coverage, nor can the chronically ill be kicked to the curb. Yet Republicans still rail that Obamacare is some socialist perversion. Democrats, meanwhile, often treat the plan as an illegitimate child they’d rather not acknowledge. What both sides neglect to mention is their complicity in sabotaging the bill, selling out an unprecedented opportunity to the very guys who created the time bomb in the first place. The president’s ultimate
goal was coverage for the country’s 48 million uninsured. In places like Canada and most of Europe, the government pays basic health care costs for all citizens. This type of insurance is often called “singlepayer,” because one payer, the government, covers basic medical care. Anyone wondering how it
Sen. Max Baucus, who led the effort on Obamacare, accepted more specialinterest money than any other senator from 1999-2005. PHOTO COURTESY OF CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS ACTION FUND
Above: Baucus delegated much of the work to Liz Fowler, a former health insurance honcho. PHOTO COURTESY OF NETWORK FOR EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH INNOVATION
might function need look no further than Medicare, which runs all senior health care in this country. It’s arguably the most popular government program in America, and one of the more cost-effective. Start with the cost of administration. Medicare’s ranges between 2 percent and 5 percent of its budget. For private insurance, the average is 12 percent. The Government Accountability Office once estimated that this simple savings alone would be “more than enough to offset the expense of universal coverage.” Moreover, a single provider would have the size to negotiate better prices from providers and pharmaceutical companies. According to a New England Journal of Medicine study, this would save another $400 billion and provide a boon for American business, reducing labor costs by 10 percent to 12 percent.
A CBS poll found that 59 percent of the public favored a government health plan. Unfortunately, the body politic is more impressed with power than with the will of the people. The insurance industry, one of the biggest players in Congress, wasn’t about to get squeezed out of its lucrative role as middle man. Insurers treat single-payer as a threat to their very existence. With a single-payer system, most health insurers would vanish overnight. So the industry set out to ensure that such a program never saw the light of day. “Of course they don’t want it,” wrote Robert Reich, a former secretary of labor in the Clinton administration, in a 2009 opinion piece. “A public option would squeeze their profits and force them to undertake major reforms. That’s the whole point.” Congress, naturally, would not allow a frontal assault on the insur-
“We spend one and a half times more per person on health care than any other country, but we aren’t any healthier for it.”
—President Obama, 2009
ance industry. So Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) pitched the Healthy Americans Act, which had several Republican sponsors and significant support on both sides of the aisle. It was a simple plan: Instead of supplying insurance to employees, companies would give that money to workers to shop for policies on their own, allowing them to pocket any savings. With so many shoppers flooding the marketplace, insurers would be forced to truly compete. Obama’s first big mistake
was delegating the plan’s creation to a cabal of senators and health care lobbyists, some still employed by the industry, some recent additions to the senators’ staffs. They met behind closed doors, hashing out the details and squeezing other legislators out of the process. Leading the effort was Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana), who from 1999 to 2005 accepted more special-interest money than any other senator. He delegated the real lifting to his chief health aide, Liz Fowler. Baucus described Fowler as overseeing “the 87-page document which became the basis, the foundation, and the blueprint from which all health care measures in
all bills on both sides of the aisle came.” Fowler was also a former vice president at WellPoint, the country’s largest health-insurance carrier. She returned to Baucus’ staff just for this occasion. As the Guardian would later write, “Few people embody the corporatist revolving door greasing Washington as purely as Elizabeth Fowler.” Meanwhile, Big Medicine donated heavily to Democrats, who suddenly began to see the industry in a far less menacing light. Obama also started backpedaling. “We don’t want a huge disruption as we go into health care reform, where suddenly we’re trying to completely reinvent onesixth of the economy,” he said. Avoiding a single-payer setup and Wyden’s plan not only kept the donations flowing, but also allowed the president to make his famous claim that people could “keep the plan that you have.” In exchange for maintaining the status quo, hospital groups pledged $150 billion in Medicare and Medicaid savings over the next decade, while insurers agreed to limit their overhead to 20 percent. Anything more would have to be rebated to customers. “Clearly, we made a mistake in taking so much off the table before we ever started,” says Congressman John Yarmuth (D-Kentucky). “We should have left single-payer on the table just so people had an idea what the extreme really was. I’m sure that was just a bone to insurance companies to get them on board.” Of all the participants in
health reform, the fattest cats came out of it smelling the best—a telling indictment of Obama and Baucus. Drugs are the most profitable sector of health care. Pharmaceutical companies make more than $1 trillion annually, a third of it from U.S. sales. Their profits not only dwarf those of other health sectors, but pharmaceutical ranks seventh highest out of 215 industries tracked by Morningstar, an investment research company. For years, the drug makers’ con“SABOTAGE” continued on page 20 June 5, 2014
CN&R
19
“SABOTAGE” continued from page 19
sigliere was Louisiana Congressman Billy Tauzin. He was a conservative Democrat who rose to the position of assistant majority whip, only to switch sides after Republicans won the House in 1994, comparing the situation to reaching a fork in the Yellow Brick Road. “I had one hand on a party that desperately needed a brain and another on a party that desperately needed a heart, and I had to make a choice,” he says today. “I decided to go with the party that needed a heart, because heart-transplant surgery was possible.” In 2003, Tauzin helped shepherd through one of the great corporate giveaways in American medicine: President George W. Bush’s Medicare Part D prescription-drug plan. The rationale for Part D was noble enough. It was designed to ease the squeeze on seniors who saw fixed incomes eaten up by the cost of their prescription drugs, which were rising at a double-digit clip. But instead of running the governmentsubsidized program through Medicare, where it could have been administered at a fraction of the price, Republicans handed the job to the insurance industry. They also teamed with Democrats like Baucus and Sen. John Breaux (D-Louisiana) to ban Medicare from negotiating prices. That meant that instead of using Medicare’s massive size to extract price breaks, taxpayers would have to pay whatever drug makers felt like charging the insurers. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it amounted to a $137 billion giveaway over 10 years. When the bill took effect, drug makers saw a 34 percent spike in profits. By then, Tauzin had left Congress to become the president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the drug industry’s trade organization. Breaux left a year later to open a lobbying firm, where he received a $300,000 contract to lobby for Big Pharma. On the campaign trail in 2008, Obama blasted Part D’s ban on negotiating, promising to get tough. “We’ll tell the pharmaceutical companies,
PLAYING THE GAME Negotiating with drug companies over prices for a patient’s monthly prescriptions: Cymbalta French: . . . . . . . . . . $47 Americans: . . . . . . . $176 Celebrex Canadians: . . . . . . . $53 Americans: . . . . . . . $162
20
CN&R
June 5, 2014
Occupy Wall Street protestors at Pfizer’s world headquarters in New York, 2012. The pharmaceutical giant is able to charge Americans more than citizens of other countries because the U.S. does not negotiate drug prices. PHOTO BY MICHAEL FLESHMAN VIA FLICKR
‘Thanks, but no thanks for overpriced drugs,’” Obama had said at a Virginia campaign stop in 2008. “We’ll let Medicare negotiate for lower prices. We’ll stop drug companies from blocking generic drugs that are just as effective and far less expensive. We’ll allow the safe re-importation of lowcost drugs from countries like Canada.” After all, there was ample evidence that U.S. consumers were being gouged. For example, in France, which negotiates prices, Eli Lilly charged patients $47 for a onemonth supply of Cymbalta, a medicine used to treat depression and anxiety. The cost in America was $176. Pfizer charged Canadians $53 for Celebrex, an anti-inflammatory painkiller. The bill for Americans: $162. In one TV ad, Obama blistered Tauzin for the kind of inside corruption that’s made Washington famous. “The chairman of the committee, who pushed the law through, went to work for the pharmaceutical industry, making $2 million a year,” Obama announced to the camera, his sleeves rolled up for action. “That’s an example of the same old game-playing in Washington. You know, I don’t want to learn how to play the game better; I want to put an end to the game-playing.” A year later, he would find that game not so unpleasant after all. After he became president, Obama would indulge Tauzin in the same closed-door dealings he once lambasted. The drug industry agreed to taxes and rebates involving $80 billion in savings over 10 years. In exchange, Obama reneged on three crucial promises: to speed generics to market, to allow the importation of cheaper drugs, and to retain the right to negotiate Medicare drug prices. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Florida) was among several congressmen who tried unsuccessfully to maintain negotiation rights. He proposed a bill that would have forced drug
companies to match prices offered to other government programs (Medicaid, Veterans Administration) that do negotiate. “I’m not here picking on PhRMA,” Nelson said at the time. “I just think, philosophically, that Medicare patients shouldn’t be paying more than Medicaid beneficiaries.” But three Democratic senators—Baucus, Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey), and Tom Carper (D-Delaware)—teamed with Republicans to ensure that Nelson’s bill was stillborn in committee. They were more interested in keeping their word to the drug makers than in their duty to the American people. “A deal is a deal,” Carper explained. A less-noticed provision gave pharmaceutical companies the right to extend patents on biologic drugs to 12 years, compared to the five years that conventional drugs receive. This may prove to be the greatest budgetbuster of them all. Biologics are the industry’s new cash cow. They’re more difficult to manufacture because they’re grown rather than chemically assembled. This is the pretext for setting prices 22 times higher than those of ordinary drugs. Some prescriptions cost as much as $100,000 annually. “Unfortunately, both the administration and leadership felt they should put a moratorium on Medicare being able to buy in bulk and access generic drugs,” said Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-Arizona). “In doing so, they locked in a price scheme that is many times out of control. That concession was painful to many of us, because we allowed the fox to control the henhouse.” Congress and the administration
also repeatedly balked at the most direct route to lower prices—greater competition— even though much of the country was without it. An American Medical Association study found that one insurer controlled more than
half the market in 30 states. “In Alabama, almost 90 percent is controlled by just one company,” Obama told a crowd in 2009. “And without competition, the price of insurance goes up and quality goes down.” Hit the hardest were rural residents, typically poorer and less healthy than the rest of the country. Metro areas offered the greatest profit, so big insurers and hospital groups had little incentive to compete for nickels and dimes in the countryside. Absent competition, premiums and hospital prices soared. Many Democrats pushed for a public insurance plan, which would compete with companies like Aetna for customers. But Republicans rallied to insurers, claiming it was unfair to make them compete with government. Never mind that they represented some of the most unhealthy and least competitive stretches of the country, particularly in the South. “We shouldn’t have ever called it a public option,” said Yarmuth, the Kentucky congressman. “We should have called it ‘Medicare for all,’ and then people would have been for it, because ‘public option’ was too vague.” Sen. Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota)
proposed a compromise by creating nonprofit insurance co-ops to compete with monopolies and provide coverage to rural areas. Actuaries suggested that $10 billion in grants would be enough to get co-ops started in every state. Yet the marionettes in Congress began to strip away their effectiveness almost immediately. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska), a former insurance executive and one of the wealthiest members of Congress, withheld his vote unless the grants were changed to loans, making sure the co-ops were saddled with debt from the beginning. Others sneaked in measures barring the co-ops from competing for the more lucrative business of large employers and banned them from using the government loans for marketing. It was as if Congress merely wanted figleaf competition while quietly sabotaging any chance to actually compete. The $10 billion in loans was continually sheared away. Democrats repeatedly agreed to deals with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) to strip the money away. In the end, only 23 co-ops received funding. “They don’t want to do anything to make the situation in the states better,” Yarmuth said. “Instead, they’re actively undermining the programs.” Nobody gave the co-ops much of a chance. They had to put together plans overnight, win competitive pricing from providers, and get word of their existence out without spending any of the government loan money.
Still, many were run by real pros with decades of experience. Take Dr. Martin Hickey, CEO of the New Mexico Health Connections co-op and a former executive with Cigna and Blue Cross. “This wasn’t just a dogooder thing,” he says. “This was people who understood business, understood insurance and what it was going to take to make this really work. Hope is not a strategy.” Soon, co-ops were offering the lowest premiums in a third of the states in which they operated. And even when they weren’t the lowest, they were providing enough competition to drive down all premiums by 8 percent. In New Mexico’s case, Hickey found that hospital groups had a motive to expand competition. “We were able to sit down with large groups and say, ‘This market is consolidating, and the last thing you want is one or two major players, because they’ll hammer the hell out of you,’” he says. “I used to work at one. I know. ‘It’s in your interest to give us a good rate to give us a foothold in the market. We’re physician-oriented and physician-led. We get it.’” The most thriving co-op is Maine Community Health, which has taken 80 percent of the new market from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (a WellPoint subsidiary), despite comparable prices. Co-ops in Nebraska and Iowa secured more than half the market, while Kentucky’s co-op grabbed 60 percent. The latter proved a bitter irony for McConnell, who was instrumental in eliminating funding for 26 other states. Next year, the Kentucky co-op will expand into West Virginia, one of three moving into neighboring states. “We don’t need to own the whole market,” says Julia Hutchins, CEO of Colorado Health Insurance Cooperative. “There’s an opportunity to push the entire industry in a direction more focused on consumers, and we can do that even with a very small market share.” Of course, not every co-op has been successful.
Minuteman Health in Massachusetts, Evergreen Health Co-op in Maryland, and Oregon’s Health COOP were hamstrung by faulty websites. Others wound up on the wrong side of price, such as Arizona’s Meritus Health Partners, which was dramatically undercut by private insurers. Some, such as the Louisiana Health Cooperative, have already run into trouble. Former CEO Terry Shilling tried to turn it into a money grab for his former health consulting firm, Beam Partners, proposing a four-year contract whereby Beam would receive a $3.3 million consulting fee, a 20 percent performance fee, and up to 50 cents for every person who signed up for the plan. Moreover, there remains the question of what happens when some of the co-ops inevitably fail. Republicans, who have attempted to subvert Obamacare at every turn, are sure to turn such failures into Benghazisize incidents on Fox News. Those on the front lines don’t possess much faith that Obama will have their backs. “How do you spin that?” asked Hickey. “It is spin, and I’m not trying to be critical, but up until now, the administration hasn’t done a great job of spin on any issue with the Affordable Care Act. So that worries me.”
• All OrgAnic POtting SOil-1.5 cu. ft. • WAterhOld cOcOblend POtting SOil-2 cu. ft. Growing Chico for 115 Years
510 esplanade (Opposite Bidwell Mansion)
342–7661
Apartments Seniors Can Afford!
There’s little doubt that Obamacare has
achieved some remarkable things. Given that Congress can barely agree on whether to pay its bills, the simple act of helping 7 million people get insurance is extraordinary in itself. And there is reason for optimism. Brookings Institution scholar Thomas Mann is an expert in political dysfunction. He co-authored It’s Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided With the New Politics of Extremism. Considering the “Republican party’s swing to the right and decision to oppose anything,” he believes it’s important to take a long view of Obamacare. “He succeeded where presidents for a half-century have failed, so it wasn’t going to be pretty,” Mann says. “And it wasn’t “Sometimes it takes something going to be easy.” that looks godawful to set Every expansion of the social safety net has been contentious. None kicked off things in motion for some steps without difficulties. The question is that will eventually give us a whether Democrats will be willing to wade back into the fight to better system.” address Obamacare’s woes, par—Thomas Mann, Brookings Institution ticularly the lack of cost controls and competition, while taking endless fire from Republicans, who’ve shown no interest in repairing health care at all. As Mann sees it, Obamacare is but the first battle. “Sometimes it takes something that looks godawful to set things in motion for some steps that will eventually give us a better system,” he said. “To the right, it looks like communism, but to more rational observers, these are constrained, incremental changes. But they could add up to something quite nonincremental.” Ω This story is reprinted with permission from The Village Voice, where it originally appeared. PHOTO COURTESY OF CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS ACTION FUND
SUMMER CAMPS ARE
COOL! BOTH TEMP & RADNESS
CAMPS: JUNE 16-22 | JULY 7-11 | JULY 21-25 | AUG 4-8 • REGISTER AT CAL SKATE FUNLAND Kids get the chance to have an all-access pass to everything FunLand has to offer and more! Indoor skating, dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, floor hockey – all inside our air-conditioned rink. Outside activities as well – wacky-rule miniature golfing, batting cages and arts & crafts, just to name a few. All activities will be monitored, supervised and facilitated by FunLand’s own kid-friendly, ‘professionally-fun’ staff.
Hwy. 99 & E. Park Ave | Chico, CA | 530.343.1601 | www.funlandchico.com
G R E E N T R A N S p o R T A T i o N
ELECTRIC BICYCLES! • Up to 40 miles of distance per charge • REAL Transportation Speeds up to 28 mph • No licensing or DMV registration required
455 E. 20th St. (20th & Mulberry) | Chico (530) 899-7270 | redmountaingreencycyle.com facebook.com/rmgreencycle June 5, 2014
CN&R 21
Arts & Culture Left: Alberta Tracy as the Ehmann Home maid. PHOTO BY KEN SMITH
Tracy’s portrayals also include Harriet W. Rogers (center), wife of California’s first governor, Peter Burnett, and Emily, Anne and Charlotte Bronte in this imaginative three-headed costume. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALBERTA TRACY
Historical personality disorder The Lady of Butte County brings historical women back to life
“Ithem,” said Alberta Tracy of her three-decades-long hobby of portraying
don’t just play them, I am
local and world-famous historical women. Known as “The Lady of Butte County,” she talked about her unique by Ken Smith pastime while dressed as the mid-19th-century kens@ maid of Oroville’s hisnewsreview.com toric Ehmann Home, where she was working her Saturday volunteer shift. Tracy’s first-person Meet the Lady: Alberta Tracy, The method had been Lady of Butte revealed minutes earliCounty, hosts er, when she switched visitors of the Ehmann Home personas midway (1480 Lincoln St. in through the retelling of Oroville) most one of local history’s Saturdays, and will darker episodes set in be there for the the mining town of Butte County Historical Society’s Cherokee: Susie Olive Festival on McDaniels was a beauJune 21. Go to tiful and popular young www.oroville- woman beloved by city.com/alberta to much of Cherokee’s see a list of the women Tracy mostly miner populaportrays, the tion, she explained. One songs she sings summer night, Susie, and the men she who Tracy said “had a tells stories about. sort of carefree ignorance about her,” was returning to her friend Maria Glass’ home after dancing at a ball until 3 a.m., the young women escorted by a Dr. Sawyer. As she continued, Tracy’s eyes widened and her voice rose dramatically: “Then all of a sudden, out of the shadows lunged Austrian George, a hairy, gross beast of a man who’d worked in my father’s store! He was sweet on me and 22
CN&R
June 5, 2014
had been watching me all night through the window, [as I was] dancing and flirting. He jumped from the bushes, grabbed me by the hair, pulled me away from Maria and stabbed me in the chest. I fell dead, and all Maria could do was scream.” After fleeing, Austrian George was shot dead in Bidwell Bar, Tracy continued, and an angry mob of miners drug his body back to Cherokee, set fire to his home and all his belongings, then threw his body onto the burning heap. “That was the end of him,” Tracy said solemnly, milking a dramatic pause before finishing, “and that was the end of me.” Tracy has played Susie McDaniels and many other women of history, using costumes, songs and dramatic monologues to bring them back to life in classrooms, historical homes, at Oroville’s Salmon and Olive festivals, Paradise’s Johnny Appleseed Days and dozens of old-timey celebrations unique to the county’s smaller towns. She’s ridden in parades, on stagecoaches, fire trucks, antique automobiles, tractors and other conveyances, all of which are documented in photo albums and binders full of aging newspaper clips she shared. The hobby originated at the Ehmann Home, where Tracy started volunteering in 1983, and began wearing the maid outfit after someone gave her the costume. Shortly thereafter, she started dressing for Butte County Historical Society events and at the twice-monthly local-history classes that historian Jim Lenhoff hosted at the Oroville Library until 2008. Tracy said she’d never done anything theatrical before donning the maid’s smock, her sole previous brush with showbiz being a Paramount Pictures screen test during World War II, when she was 3 years old. She said that early on she would read
from notes and speak about the women in the third person, and that the method of becoming one with her characters happened spontaneously. She was portraying Thankful Lewis Carson, a Chico woman who, at the age of 12, escaped capture by Mill Creek Indians, and switched to firstperson delivery to help her remember the names of landmarks. “I started sobbing as I told how the Indians killed my two brothers, shoved sticks in my mouth, burned my skirt and told me they were going to kill me,” she recalled. “They all thought it was wonderful acting and part of the show, but I was really upset and crying.” Over the years, her repertoire of characters and costumes has grown to include dozens of women, a sampling of whom includes colorful local ladies of yore like Maggie Bowden, an Irish immigrant who worked at the Oroville dump; Clotilde Merlo, whose name graces a Stirling City park; and several of the madames who haunted Oroville’s once-vibrant red-light district. She also portrays world-famous women—like Joan of Arc and Marie Antoinette—and shares stories about the notable men some of her characters rubbed shoulders with, such as Mark Twain, Thomas Edison and more. Today, Tracy doesn’t do as many school-room and other performances, or give regular walking tours of downtown Oroville as she once did, but she still stays busy dressing for BCHS events. And, most Saturdays she takes on the role of the Ehmann maid, and is happy to share her encyclopedic knowledge of historical women—highlighted with a distinct personal touch—with visitors. “I never thought I’d be doing this when I was in my old age,” she said with a laugh. “It just unfolded.” Ω
THIS WEEK 5
THURS
Special Events COMMUNITY CELEBRATION OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION: A tribute to recognize the efforts of Downtown Ambassadors. Live music from Kyle Williams and Nashville’s Arthur Godfry. Th, 6/5, 6:308:30pm. Free. Children’s Playground, W. First St. & The Esplanade.
THURSDAY NIGHT MARKET: The market is back with fresh produce, local food, arts and crafts, plus live entertainment. This Week: ReBellyon, a family-friendly belly dance troupe. Th, 6-9pm. Free. Chico City Plaza, Downtown Chico.
Theater OTHER DESERT CITIES: Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to write a memoir, stirring up tragic events in the family’s history in the process. Th-Sa, 7:30pm; Su, 2pm through 6/22. $16-$22. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION Tonight, June 5 Children’s Playground
SEE THURSDAY, SPECIAL EVENTS
FINE ARTS FOREVER PLAID Opens Saturday, June 7 Chico Theater Company SEE SATURDAY, THEATER
Art 1078 GALLERY: Out of Class: Out of Casa, selections of life drawings from the students of Sal Casa. Through 6/21. 820 Broadway, (530) 343-1973, www.1078 gallery.org.
CHICO ART CENTER: Contemporary Woman,
8
SUN
Special Events COUNTY FAIRE AND THRESHING BEE: See Saturday. Patrick Ranch Museum, 10381 Midway, (530) 342-4359.
POW WOW: See Saturday. Feather River Pavilion, 310 Biz Johnson Dr. in Marysville, (530) 7493902.
6
FRI
Special Events FIRST FRIDAY FESTIVAL: Every first Friday of the month, enjoy the Edible Pedal bike kitchen, learn how to grow your own food, enjoy kids activities, entertainment and food. First F of every month, 2-5:30pm. Opens 6/6. Chapman Mulberry Community Center, 1010 Cleveland Ave., (530) 624-8844.
FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERTS: Downtown Chico’s summer music series continues with blues and soul from The Amy Celeste Band. F, 6/6, 78:30pm. Chico City Plaza, Downtown Chico.
Music FIRST FRIDAY COMEDY SERIES: Comedy with Jeff Dye, host of MTV’s prank show Money From Strangers . F, 6/6, 8pm. $20. Gold Country Casino, 4020 Olive Highway in Oroville, (800) 803-1911, www.goldcountrycasino.com.
Theater OTHER DESERT CITIES: See Thursday. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.
COUNTY FAIRE AND THRESHING BEE: An old-time country artisan faire, with demonstrations, old tractors and machinery, children’s activities and live music. 6/7-6/8, 9am-4pm. $5-$8. Patrick Ranch Museum, 10381 Midway, (530) 342-4359.
MICROBREW FESTIVAL: The annual fundraiser event for the Chico Soroptimist of Bidwell Rancho. Proceeds go to funding community service projects throughout the year. Sa, 6/7, 2-6pm. $50. Manzanita Place, 1705 Manzanita Ave., (530) 343-5617.
POW WOW: The 33rd Annual Yuba-Sutter Pow Wow “Honoring Our Youth” brings dancing, hand-drum contests, gourds, raffles and vendors in support of the American Indian Education Program of Marysville. Sa, 6/7, 11am-9pm, Su, 6/8, 11am-6pm. Free. Feather River Pavilion, 310 Biz Johnson Dr. in Marysville, (530) 749-3902.
Theater FOREVER PLAID: Take a trip back to the 1950s with four-part harmonies from The Plaids, on their way to a gig in 1964. Opens Sa, 6/7. Shows Th-Sa., 7:30pm; Su, 2pm through 6/29. $12-$20. Chico Theater Company, 166-F Eaton Rd., (530) 894-3282, www.chicotheatercompany.com.
OTHER DESERT CITIES: See Thursday. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.
7
SAT
Music LOS C QUARTET: Join Los C Quartet for the finale of Wine Time’s annual event “Walk to End Alzheimers” with wine, light snacks, silent auction, and live music. Su, 6/8, 3-6pm. $20. Wine Time, 26 Lost Dutchman Dr., (530) 8999250, www.winetimechico.com.
mixed-media art that examines the role of women, their struggles, successes, and experiences as female artists. Through 6/13. 450 Orange St., (530) 895-8726, www.chico artcenter.com.
CHICO PAPER CO.: The Totem Series, new works inspired from textiles, jewelry design, painting, and collage by artist Marilynn Jennings. California Rivers, Jake Early’s latest series. 345 Broadway, (530) 891-0900, www.chicopapercompany.com.
SALLY DIMAS ART GALLERY: New Works, figu-
rative drawings from local artists. Ongoing. 493 East Ave., (530) 345-3063.
UPPER CRUST BAKERY & EATERY: Bird Houses, local artist and craftsman Bernie Vigallon created bird-houses to benefit the Fairview Alternative Education Program. Through 6/20. 130 Main St., (530) 895-3866.
Call for Artists ALL-MEDIA ART SHOW: The Chico Art Center
Theater FOREVER PLAID: See Saturday. Chico Theater Company, 166-F Eaton Rd., (530) 894-3282, www.chicotheatercompany.com.
OTHER DESERT CITIES: See Thursday. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.
11
WED
Special Events OROVILLE HOSPITAL FARMERS’ MARKET: Farmers will be selling their local fruits and vegetables on the grassy area next to the hospital. Hospital staff will be on hand to answer questions and hand out cold water. W, 10am-2pm through 9/24. Opens 6/4. Oroville Sports Club, 2600 Oro Dam Blvd E in Oroville, (530) 5338500.
hosts its annual national all-media juried art competition. See website for details. Ongoing. Chico Art Center, 450 Orange St., (530) 895-8726, www.chicoartcenter.com.
POSTER CONTEST: Submit drawings and designs for the upcoming season of show posters at Theatre on The Ridge. See website for more details. Ongoing. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.
Museums CHICO CREEK NATURE CENTER: Banding by Day and Night, a close look at birds in hand with incredible detail. Ongoing. 1968 E. Eighth St., (530) 891-4671, www.bidwellpark.org.
GATEWAY SCIENCE MUSEUM: Explore Evolution, investigate evolutionary principles in organisms ranging from smallest to the largest, with interactive exhibits giving the viewer an opportunity to experience how scientists conduct research on evolution. Changing California, journey through geological and ecological transformations in Northern California. $3-$6. 625 Esplanade, www.csuchico.edu/gateway.
PARADISE DEPOT MUSEUM: Paradise Depot
Museum Open House, a railroad and logging museum in Paradise. Ongoing, 7-9pm. 5570 Black Olive Dr. in Paradise, (530) 877-1919.
VALENE L. SMITH MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY: Into The Blue: Maritime Navigation and the Archeology of Shipwrecks, featuring artifacts recovered from the Frolic shipwreck and the story behind the ship’s history. TuSa through 7/24. Meriam Library Complex Chico State.
FLORALS AND FLOWERS: Artwork can be of any subject, but must contain at least one flower in the image. See website for more details. Ongoing. Chico Art Center, 450 Orange St., (530) 895-8726, www.chicoart center.com.
IMAGES FROM A GLASS EYE - CALL FOR PHOTOS: Photographers may enter images captured either digitally or on film, however all entries must be submitted online as a digital file. For further requirements and info see website. Through 6/16. $33 for 3 images, $8 ea. additional image. Red Bluff, (530) 529-1348, www.imagesfromaglass eye.org.
for more Music, see NIGHTLIFE on page 28
Special Events BICYCLE MUSIC FESTIVAL: A non-profit event to promote human-scaled transportation through local music, innovation and community. Live performances from Kyle Williams, The Railflowers, Bunnymilk, Western Divide, Wolf Thump and more. Sa, 6/7, noon. Free. Call or visit website for details, www.cbmf.word press.com.
COUNTRY FAIRE AND THRESHING BEE Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8 Patrick Ranch Museum
SEE SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SPECIAL EVENTS
Rock and ride FREE LISTINGS! Post your event for free online at www.newsreview.com/calendar. Once posted, your CN&R calendar listing will also be considered for print. Print listings are also free, but subject to space limitations. Deadline for print listings is one week prior to the issue in which you wish the listing to appear.
Bike Month may be over, but there are plenty more bike-centric social events for Chicoans to enjoy this summer. Up next is one of the most interesting: the Chico Bicycle Music Festival, which celebrates its sixth EDITOR’S PICK year on Saturday, June 7. The festivities kick off at noon at Camellia Way Park with performances by Kyle Williams, The Railflowers and Bunnymilk before the mass of cyclists and pedal-powered stage move to the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds at 4 p.m., with Evin Wolverton serenading the bikers during the ride over. Marya Stark, Wolf Thump, Western Divide, Mark Growden and DJ Hocus Pocus finish off the festivities.
June 5, 2014
CN&R
23
CHOW
CN&R IS LOOKING FOR AN ADVERTISING CONSULTANT Do you love Chico? Do you want to help local businesses succeed? So do we! The Chico News & Review is a family owned business that has been part of the Chico community since 1977. Our mission is to publish great newspapers which are successful and enduring, create a quality work environment that encourages employees to grow while respecting personal welfare, and to have a positive impact on our communities and make them better places to live. The CN&R is looking for an individual who cares about building relationships and partnering with local businesses. If you have the heart, we have the tools to train you to be a successful Ad Consultant. You must be self-motivated, ambitious and an independent person who wants to be part of a great team. Successful reps will have a sincere desire to help our clients assess their needs and work together to create marketing campaigns that increase their business.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.NEWSREVIEW.COM/CHICO/JOBS
BRIAN CORBIT Advertising Consultant
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
24
CN&R
June 5, 2014
Home is where the pie is Popular mobile pie shop goes brick-and-mortar
Sweet Cottage apricot pie and apricot jam, made with fresh apricots of course. PHOTO BY MELANIE MACTAVISH
Dtwo pies—one cherry and one pumpkin—for every Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthday. It never seemed like
ating back to my childhood, my mother made
enough for our family; we’d get weird about the disappearing slices, eyeing each other suspiciously and making accusations when fridge inspections turned up less pie than expected. Suffice to say, I like pie. And so I was naturally drawn to Sweet Cottage’s new downtown storefront, opened in February after six years of selling their pies exclusively at the Saturday morning and Thursday night farmers’ markets from their ornate “gypsy wagon,” as coowner Robin Rowe calls it. And as with their wagon, hand-built by Robin’s husby band, Alvin, the care taken in setting up Howard their brick-and-mortar shop is evident. Hardee Upon entering the new shop, the eye is howardh@ drawn to the gleaming brass of an antique newsreview.com wood stove, restored by Robin’s father, which serves as the centerpiece of the interior design. Aside from the stove, Alvin built everything—the low couches adjacent to the front window look out on Broadway, the polished wood benches and ★★★★ tables, and the shelves for the shop’s selections of preserves lining one wall. Sweet Sweet Cottage’s transformation of the Cottage 220 Broadway space is similar to that of a handful of new 513-2044 or recently renovated shops in the downtown area, such as the B Street Oyster Co., Open Tues.-Sat., the Naked Lounge, The Winchester Goose, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Argus and now Sweet Cottage—each place has received a modern upgrade that integrates the historic character of an old building. It’s an approach reminiscent of many of the urban hipster spots in places like San Francisco or Portland, which per★★★★★ sonally brings to mind negative experiEPIC ences at specialty sweet shops. (On more ★★★★ than one visit to Portland, I’ve been frusAUTHORITATIVE trated by joints trying too hard to put unex★★★ pected twists on simple things—like a APPEALING doughnut tainted by a coating of Tang ★★ powder, for example.) HAS MOMENTS But upon getting two slices of Sweet Cot★ FLAWED
tage pie to go and taking my first chomp of the pumpkin, I forgot about Portland altogether, as well as my immediate responsibilities. This was straightforward, no-nonsense pie—made with organic flour and organic unrefined sugar—with crust midway between flaky and doughy and a hint of nutmeg emerging as an aftertaste. I meant to savor, but was on to my second slice—strawberry rhubarb—which was also promptly obliterated, leaving only a bit of delicious strawberry goo at the bottom of the box. I dined in for lunch on my second visit and considered the other options on the menu. They have a full selection of quiches, teas and specialty drinks. I went the savory route with a portabella mushroom quiche with spinach and artichoke hearts, washing it down with one of the house-made “exotic” drinks, Purple Haze Blueberry Lemonade. Both wholesome and tasty, the quiche convinced me that the Sweet Cottage is a viable healthy lunch option, while the blueberry lemonade was more in line with their other sugary treats. I daringly topped it all off with (surprise!) pie, discovering my favorite variety yet: blueberry-peach. I recommend it to anyone who appreciates blueberries, peaches or beautiful things. When I was finished, I asked Robin about this new Sweet Cottage endeavor. She said that Alvin and the couple’s son and daughter have assumed responsibility of the wagon during farmers’ markets, as Robin’s time is now occupied by baking and training employees at the new shop. She lamented no longer working the wagon, saying that, even with a fulltime restaurant to manage, she and Alvin have no plans of retiring their iconic cart. “All of those people who supported Sweet Cottage at the markets are why we were able to open the storefront,” she said. “So, there’s no way we’d be able to walk away from the farmers’ markets. We will always be there— it’s the heart and center of Sweet Cottage.” Ω
SCENE Polly and Lyman Wyeth (Joyce Henderson and Richard Lauson) are confronted by their past when daughter Brooke (Sheri Bagley, foreground) comes to visit at Christmas. PHOTO BY JAY CHANG
DOWNTOWN
C HICO
I S AWESOME AND IT WILL MAKE YOU AWESOME
13
118 W 2ND ST | FACEBOOK.COM/NLCHICO 13
The gift of honesty Powerful drama unwraps a family’s secrets
DThissecrets too damaging to reveal? is the question raised by Other Desert Cities, oes art trump life, or are there some
Jon Robin Baitz’s powerful 2011 drama now playing at Theatre on the Ridge in Paradise. by It’s a refreshing change of pace for Robert TOTR, which ordinarily presents Speer community-theater crowd-pleasers, not politically and emotionally potent plays like this one. Artistic Director Jerry Miller has Review: turned to his longtime colleague Joe Other Desert Hilsee (the Blue Room Theatre, Cities shows Rogue Theatre) to direct this producThursdaySaturday, tion, and Hilsee in turn has collected 7:30 p.m. and one of the most talented casts I’ve Sundays, 2 p.m., seen on a Butte County stage. through June 22. The title comes from a road sign outside Palm Springs giving drivers a Theatre on the Ridge choice to turn off to that city or con3735 Neal Road, tinue on to “other desert cities.” It’s Paradise also a veiled reference to the war in 877-5760 Iraq, which is raging on the day the www.totr.org play takes place, Christmas Eve Tickets: $10-$18 2004. Disagreement about the war is one of the several fault lines beneath the Wyeth family, which has gathered in the Palm Springs home of Polly and Lyman Wyeth, a wealthy, conservative couple not unlike their friends Ronald and Nancy Reagan. He’s a former B-movie actor later appointed (by Reagan) to be an ambassador, and she’s a former writer (in partnership with her sister, Silda Grauman) of low-budget movie comedies. Visiting for the holidays are their two more liberal children, Brooke, a writer who lives on the East Coast, and Trip, who lives in Los Angeles and produces a reality-TV show. Silda, a sharp-tongued alcoholic just out of rehab, is also there. It’s a loving family, but it stands on shaky ground. Another fault line has to do with Henry, the Wyeths’ first born. Years earlier he’d joined a Weather Underground-like group that, in blowing up a building, accidentally killed a janitor. Henry subsequently took his own life. Brooke arrives carrying a manuscript of a just-
completed memoir that has been accepted for publication. She hopes to get her parents’ blessing but is filled with trepidation, since the book blames them for her brother’s death. Others don’t share Brooke’s view of long-ago events, least of all her mother. Polly, here played by the marvelous Joyce Henderson, could give Nancy Reagan lessons in the art of genteel put-downs. She describes Brooke’s ex-husband, for example, as “too old and too British,” adding, “They’re all so old, the Brits, even the children.” Mother and daughter are much alike, actually, headstrong and manipulative and at the same time deeply loving. Brooke is played by Sheri Bagley, another local-theater veteran, as someone whose need for success as a writer has made her somewhat blind to the pain her book will cause and the possibility that she could be wrong. Richard Lauson, who has been acting in and directing TOTR productions since 1976, plays Lyman Wyeth as a man in retreat. A conservative with antiquated views in a blue state, he’s someone with secrets he wants kept buried. Trip, the youngest of the Wyeth offspring, is the most grounded of the group. Only 5 years old when Henry died, he’s been spared the heartbreak his parents and Brooke have suffered. Steve Swim, who’s acted in a variety of productions under several banners (Blue Room, Chico Cabaret, Rogue, Butte College), plays him as an earthy, profane regular guy with an outsider’s insight into family dynamics. Then there’s Aunt Silda, the wild card in the game. She’s a plot device, serving as Brooke’s ally in assigning blame, but she’s also a liberal foil to Lyman and Polly’s conservatism and, as a wisecracking recovering alcoholic, a humorous commentator on family foibles. JC Newport does a terrific job in creating this complex character. Other Desert Cities is a Christmas tale, which is to say it’s about love of family even when that love is tested. It’s also about gifts: By the time Christmas Day dawns, the Wyeth family will have dug deep into its bag of secrets and given itself the gift of honesty. For all the pain it describes, this is a heart-warming—and Ω often quite funny—story. June 5, 2014
CN&R
25
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL THURS - SAT 6PM; SUN 3:45PM; MON-THURS 8:10PM (6/13 - 19)
FRIDAY 6/6 – WEDNESDAY 6/11 BLENDED (Digital) (PG-13) 11:00AM ♥ 1:45PM 4:35PM 7:20PM 10:05PM CHEF (Digital) (R) 11:10AM 1:50PM 4:30PM 7:10PM 9:50PM EDGE OF TOMORROW (3D) (PG-13) 11:30AM 2:15PM 5:00PM 7:45PM 10:30PM
MILLION DOLLAR ARM (Digital) (PG) 11:05AM
EDGE OF TOMORROW (Digital) (PG-13) 10:25AM 1:05PM 3:45PM 6:30PM 9:15PM
X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (3D) (PG-13) 10:15AM 4:15PM 10:20PM
FAULT IN OUR STARS, THE (Digital) (PG-13) 11:00AM 12:00PM 1:50PM 3:00PM 4:40PM 6:05PM 7:30PM 9:05PM 10:25PM
X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (Digital) (PG-13) 1:15PM 7:15PM
GODZILLA (2014) (Digital) (PG-13) 10:50AM 1:45PM 4:35PM 7:25PM 10:15PM
LOCKE
(SPECIAL SHOWING) DRIVING MISS DAISY: BROADWAY (Digital) (PG) Tues. 6/10 7:00PM
MALEFICENT (Digital) (PG) 10:40AM 11:15AM 1:10PM 1:40PM 3:40PM 4:30PM 6:10PM 7:00PM 8:40PM 9:30PM
(SPECIAL SHOWING) ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN (2014) (Digital) (PG) Wed. 6/11 10:00AM
Showtimes listed w/ ♥ NOT shown Sat. & Sun. 6/7 & 6/8 Showtimes listed w/ ♣ NOT shown Tues. 6/10
Radiance of Tomorrow Ishmael Beah Sarah Crichton Books
Minerals are found under a small town in central Sierra Leone and the mining company moves the residents to a new town a few miles away, where their nice traditional homes are replaced with small adobe huts. The water is ruined, so most move to the capital city where they must struggle to find work, housing and transportation amid rampant corruption. A sign posted by the dirty police/tax collectors ironically reads: “Say no to corruption! Corruption is a punishable crime!” And, there’s the oppressive humidity. What stands out about Ishael Beah’s writing in Radiance of Tomorrow—his debut novel—is the incredible imagistic language: The night rolled over and changed its sides; The word for ball in Mende is “nest of air, or a vessel that carries air.”; … geologists (those who speak to the ground to find what it has to give to the living); etc. Only 33, the young Sierra Leone-born writer’s authoritative voice comes both from having lived through some of the area’s turmoil (which he recounted in his celebrated 2007 memoir, A Long Way Gone) and from possessing what comes across to the reader as an old soul. Highly recommended! —Jim Dwyer
BOOK
FRI/SAT 8PM; SUNDAY 2PM MON - THURS 6:30PM Call 343-0663 or visit www.PageantChico.com
show l❤ ve thrift
(SPECIAL SHOWING) TEAM HOT WHEELS: THE ORIGIN OF AWESOME EVENT (Digital) (PG) Sat. & Sun. 6/7 & 6/8 11:00AM
MALEFICENT (3D) (PG) 12:20PM 2:50PM 5:20PM 7:45PM 10:10PM
FREE.
STARTS FRIDAY - ONE WEEK ONLY! 90% ON ROTTEN TOMATOES TOM HARDY
MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST, A (Digital) ( R) 11:10AM 12:35PM 2:00PM 3:25PM 4:50PM 6:15PM 7:40PM 9:10PM 10:30PM NEIGHBORS (Digital) (R) 2:45PM 5:15PM♣ 7:50PM♣ 10:25PM
THINK
IN THE MIX
Gotta Bring It on Home to You
Daily specials: Mon/Sat Buy 1 get 1 free (clothing) Tues 50% off everything Wed 30% off kitchenware Thurs 30% off for seniors & students Fri Buy 1 get 2 free (media) Sun 30% off everything
Terry Hanck Band and Friends Delta Groove Saxman/bluesman/soulster Terry Hanck has bolstered his long-time quartet—guitarist Johnny “Cat” Soubrand, bassist Tim Wagar and drummer Butch Cousins—with a handful or two of friends who help out here on piano, guitar, organ and backup vocals. Chief among them is co-producer Chris “Kid” Andersen, the guitarist Hanck discovered in Norway a decade or so ago. Hanck’s nitty-gritty vocals and impassioned saxophone playing are the real reasons to celebrate his performances— both in person and on disc—and he doesn’t disappoint here. His songwriting skills are first-rate, too, as evidenced by “Peace of Mind,” a slow blues on which he offers up this advice: “If you’ve got a good woman, better hold on tight/ give her what she needs, every day and every night.” Among the highlights are the title track, with Debbie Davies guesting on guitar and vocals; “One Horse Town” (with both Soubrand and Hanck wailing); Hanck’s soulful playing on every tune—especially on “Whole Lotta Lovin’” (Soubrand’s no slouch here either); and Andersen’s guitar work on the instrumental, “T’s Groove.” Another nice addition is baritone saxman Doug James on the up-tempo instrumental “Jam Up.” Hanck, et al. slow things down on his soul-drenched “My Last Teardrop” but then exorcise his misery by pepping things up half-way through.
Open 7 Days a Week DOnatiOns appreciateD 1405 Park Ave. Chico, (530) 892-9198 www.facebook.com/ShowLoveThrift
MUSIC tickets availaBle at ftffest.com
auGust 15 & 16
Nor Cal’s oNly CampiNg all FuNk musiC Festival
—Miles Jordan
Featuring
The Old-Fashioned
Brownout | JellyBread | the niBBlers | stymie & the PJlo moksha | tracorum | moJo Green Plus 13 more!
Robert Simonson Ten Speed Press
sponsored by
Much like the drink of the title, Robert Simonson’s chronicle of the whiskey cocktail comes down to a few key ingredients. This history of the OldFashioned—from the 19th century and Prohibition through post-WWII prosperity and the recent artisanal cocktail revolution—is succinct but with enough depth to offer fellow bargoers or cocktail-party guests a splash of colorful conversation. Simonson’s analysis allows for historical context, which balances centuries-old debates between purists and those preferring to muddy the waters—or, in this case, bourbon—with fruits, spices and other additions. He makes a case for both sides, illustrating the drink’s universal appeal. The Old-Fashioned closes with nearly 50 recipes deftly displaying the versatility of an Old-Fashioned’s key ingredients—spirits, sweeteners, bitters and water. The classic original Whiskey Cocktail with a lemon peel is refreshing and crisp, while the Honey-Nut Old-Fashioned—made from peanut-infused bourbon and honey syrup— proves creativity has its place at the bar as well. Versions using tequila, rum and Danish aquavit may be too far removed from the classic recipe for purists, but their ingenious use of four key ingredients is more than enough reason to order one more round. —Matthew Craggs
BOOK
13
13
26
CN&R
June 5, 2014
Voted Best Watering Hole for Townies
Reviewers: Craig Blamer, Bob Grimm and Juan-Carlos Selznick.
Opening this week Edge of Tomorrow
A million ways to love in the west?
Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) directs this Americanized adaptation of the 2004 Japanese teen sci-fi novel, All You Need Is Kill, with Tom Cruise starring as a man caught in a time loop and replaying battles with an alien race with the help of a warrior (Emily Blunt) from the future. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG-13.
The Fault in Our Stars
A film version of John Green’s best-selling love story about a 16-year-old cancer patient named Hazel (played by Shailene Woodley) who meets 17-year-old amputee Gus (Ansel Elgort) in a support group. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG-13.
Wild, vile West
Locke
Supporting cast is saving grace in Seth MacFarlane’s western farce
T A Million Ways to Die in the West and its name, apparently, is Seth MacFarlane. The here’s a void at the center of
film is a doggedly comical western, and MacFarlane is its star, director, chief writer, co-producer and the by Juan-Carlos author of the companion novelSelznick ization that preceded it. That he is, in a sense, both everything and nothing to his movie is perhaps the biggest, most elaborate and most extended of the film’s idiosyncratic jokes and mock-premises. If that sounds a little too A Million Ways to Die in much like an art-school exerthe West cise in conceptual (and perStarring Seth formance) art, there is perhaps MacFarlane, some consolation to be found Charlize Theron, in MacFarlane’s having surAmanda Seyfried rounded himself with a lively and Liam Neeson. Directed group of co-stars and producby Seth tion talents. Charlize Theron may be the MacFarlane. Cinemark 14, one real saving grace here, in Feather River character as well as performCinemas and ance, and even there MacFarParadise Cinema 7. Rated R. lane’s silly, slapdash paradoxes are in play. But this movie also has the benefit of a piquant supporting cast—Neil Patrick Harris, Amanda Seyfried, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, Poor Liam Neeson and Wes Studi— plus brash cameos from Gilbert Gottfried, Christopher Lloyd Fair and Jamie Foxx. The script (co-written by MacFarlane with Alec Sulkin Good and Wellesley Wild) is ostensibly a satire aimed at western movies and fantasies of the Old West. And “satire” in some Very Good ways is simply a pretext for a string of fart jokes (and worse). All told, however, the film is a Excellent blandly conventional western,
3
1
2
3
4
5
albeit one wrapped around a crudely rambunctious comic fantasy decorously splattered with sophomoric scatology. The story, such as it is, has a somewhat mopey sheepherder named Albert Stark (MacFarlane) incurring the wrath of a murderous cattle rustler named Clinch Leatherwood (Neeson). Plus, Albert’s wispy girlfriend (Seyfried) dumps him and turns her attentions to a mustachioed merchant and fop named Foy (Harris). Albert’s ferociously stolid parents communicate exclusively through foul language and explosive farts. The poor guy’s only friends in town are nerdy Edward (Ribisi) and his rowdy fiancée (Silverman), a very energetic prostitute named Ruth who won’t sleep with him until after they are married. The difference-makers for Albert’s dilemmas are found elsewhere— Leatherwood’s cheerfully disillusioned wife (Theron) and an amiable and slightly stoned Native American (Studi)—and his key weapons in two high-noon showdowns will be rattlesnake venom and some laxatives. Harris’ farcical ballet of intestinal distress in one of those showdowns is a rare instance here of performance transcending crude premises. Indeed, Harris’ archly stylized performance in the film as a whole crackles with the kind of comic energy that’s conspicuously absent in most of MacFarlane’s own performance. MacFarlane gives himself some speeches that yammer trivially in the direction of historical realism, but the drift toward giddy, lightweight fantasy is unmistakable. Production designer Stephen J. Lineweaver and composer Joel McNeely have given the whole enterprise the look and the sound of a blockbuster western from the late 1950s. But it’s Theron who really stands out. She’s playing a fantasy character who knows she’s obliged to live up (or at least play up) to the fantasies of characters around her—and MacFarlane also gives her room to play the amiable movie star wryly indulging what Albert, Seth, and the rest of us think we see in her. Ω
Set during one car ride in which a successful businessman and family man (Tom Hardy) receives a phone call that sets into motion a series of events that threaten to unravel every facet of his life. Written and directed by British screenwriter Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises). Pageant Theatre. Rated R.
Now playing Blended
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore play two single parents who, after going on an unsuccessful blind date, end up vacationing at the same African safari resort with their respective kids. Woah! What are the odds? Cinemark 14 and Feather River Cinemas. Rated PG-13.
Chef
Jon Favreau wrote, directed and stars as a chef who loses his job and returns to his cooking roots by purchasing a food truck and driving it across the country. Cinemark 14 and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated R.
2
Godzilla
There is no story in director Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla to confuse the viewer, just an hour of his screenwriter working out abandonment issues followed by Edwards turning over the helm to the computer jockeys for the battle royale between Big G and some intruder monsters. The first hour of this film is almost entirely disposable, interminable stretches of human drama, none of it really applicable to the second half of the movie. There is some wonderful imagery to be found, brief flashes of brilliance that make one wish the director had worked with $50 million instead of $160 million so that he would’ve been allowed some narrative risks. If you’re looking for a matinee of city smashing, Godzilla ends up delivering the goods after the first hour. Sort of. The mayhem is set at night and there’s lots of dust flying, so I’d recommend not doing the 3-D. And Edwards has an annoying habit of cutting away from the action when things are finally getting good, either to evening news footage of the monsters going at it or, even worse, more family drama. Cinemark 14 and Feather River Cinemas. Rated PG-13 —C.B.
5
The Grand Budapest Hotel
imaginary middle European hotel in the imaginary Republic of Zubrowka in the mostly very real year of 1932. But it’s also the tale of how a modern-day resident of that hotel, the mysterious and rather sorrowful Mr. Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham), came to be its owner. And that story, in turn, centers on the remarkable character and career of Monsieur Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), the legendary and perhaps improbable concierge of that establishment, the Grand Budapest Hotel, in its heyday. The 1932 part of the story is central to everything else in the film. The rise of Nazism lingers on the horizon while center stage is occupied by the semi-picaresque adventures of M. Gustave and an orphaned refugee named Zero (Tony Revelori) and the farcical melodrama that ensues when M. Gustave finds himself named executor of the estate of an elderly woman of wealth (Tilda Swinton). Overall, tragicomic high spirits in deteriorating circumstances are the film’s strong suit, and Fiennes’ superb multifaceted performance ensures M. Gustave’s status as the atypical hero at the heart of Anderson’s vision. Pageant Theatre. Rated R —J.C.S.
Maleficent
Special-effects master Robert Stromberg (Oscars for Avatar and Alice in Wonderland) makes his directorial debut in this reworking of the Sleeping Beauty story from the vantage point of the “evil” fairy Maleficent (played by Angelina Jolie). Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG.
Million Dollar Arm
Based on the real-life events in the lives of two Indian athletes—Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel—the film stars Jon Hamm as a sports agent who devises a reality show to find potential pitchers from a field of baseball novices in India, two of whom win a chance to pitch for a Major League Baseball team. Cinemark 14. Rated PG.
3
A Million Ways to Die in the West
See review this issue. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated R —J.C.S.
Neighbors
Director Nicholas Stoller (Get Him to the Greek, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) is at the helm of this hard-R comedy starring Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne as a married couple doing battle with a frat (led by chief instigator Zac Efron) that moves into the house next door. Cinemark 14. Rated R.
4
X-Men: Days of Future Past
A big contributor to the awesomeness of the latest installment in the franchise is the return of Bryan Singer to the director’s chair. Singer piloted the first two X-Men films, and he has a nice command of the characters in their old and younger incarnations. The film starts in the future, where the likes of Professor X (Patrick Stewart), Magneto (Ian McKellen) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) have been reduced to hiding out in a dark, apocalyptic world where their enemy is a vicious robotic mutant-hunting force called the Sentinels. With help of the powers of Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page), Wolverine travels back in time to the early 1970s, before the Sentinels have gone into production, and before shape-shifting Raven/Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) commits a murder that will ultimately bring about the doom of the future. Most of the action takes place in the past, so the younger X-Men: First Class actors get most of the screen time. That means more of the terrific Michael Fassbender’s take on Magneto, and James McAvoy stealing the show as young Xavier/Professor X. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG-13 —B.G.
Wes Anderson’s new film is the story of an
Edge of Tomorrow
June 5, 2014
CN&R 27
NIGHTLIFE
THURSDAY 6/5—WEDNESDAY 6/11 BITCHES BE ROCKIN’: Female-fronted
with support from local singer/songwriter Bran Crown and dirty funk from Black Fong. F, 6/6, 9pm. $5.
local bands, with raw and gritty grunge rock/metal from Dr. Luna, plus local grungy rock from Furlough Fridays and soulful songstress Lisa Valentine. F, 6/6. LaSalles, 229 Broadway, (530) 893-1891, www.lasallesbar.com.
DEAD AGAIN, MATAHARI, ICKO SICKO, ASTRONAUT Sunday, June 8 1078 Gallery SEE SUNDAY
CRIME AND COMEBACKS
Local punk bands come and go, usually leaving behind little more than some fond (but likely hazy) memories and, if they’re lucky, a handful of recordings. Sometimes they get back together, either for the occasional one-off or to give it all another go. Reunions of both types are going down this Saturday, June 7, at Monstros Pizza, as Bagdhad Batteries is getting together for another post-breakup fling, and the recently reunited We Bite (pictured) hope to prove everyone still loves The Misfits. Also playing are locals Criminal Wave and Santa Rosa’s likewise feloniously monikered Decent Criminal.
CELTIC NIGHT: A night of Celtic music from Ha’penny Bridge and special guest Molly’s Favorite. F, 6/6, 8pm. $5. Café Coda, 265 Humboldt Ave., (530) 566-9476, www.cafecoda.com.
OPEN MIC: Singers, poets and musicians welcome. Th, 7-10pm. Has Beans Internet Cafe & Galleria, 501 Main St., (530) 894-3033, www.hasbeans.com.
Dead Again
CHRIS GARDNER BAND: Local country. F,
6/6, 9:30pm. $5. Feather Falls Casino Brewing Co., 3 Alverda Dr. in Oroville, (530) 533-3885, www.featherfalls casino.com/brewing-co.
OPEN MIKEFULL: Open mic night to share
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION: A tribute to recognize the efforts of downtown ambassadors. Live music from Kyle Williams and Nashville’s Arthur Godfry. Th, 6/5, 6:30-8:30pm. Free. Children’s Playground, W. First St. & The Esplanade.
AARON RICH & FRIENDS: Country music round-robin. Third and First Th of every month, 9pm. Free. Crazy Horse
Saloon, 303 Main St., (530) 894-5408.
BEER RELEASE PARTY: Brewmaster Roland Allen partnered with Morse Madarin Farms in Oroville to create
your music, poetry, comedy, or other talents in a 10-minute slot. First and Third Th of every month, 7pm. $1. Paradise Grange Hall, 5704 Chapel Dr. in Paradise, (530) 873-1370.
6FRIDAY
CHICO JAZZ COLLECTIVE: Thursday jazz.
Th, 8-11pm. Free. The DownLo, 319 Main St., (530) 892-2473.
FIRST FRIDAY COMEDY SERIES: Comedy with Jeff Dye, host from MTV’s prank show Money From Strangers F, 6/6, 8pm. $20. Gold Country Casino, 4020 Olive Highway in Oroville, (800) 8031911, www.goldcountrycasino.com.
FRIDAY MORNING JAZZ: A weekly morning jazz appointment with experimental local troupe Bogg: This week a tribute to Stevie Wonder. F, 11am. Free. Café Coda, 265 Humboldt Ave., (530) 5669476, www.cafecoda.com.
BAHAPKI: KZFR presents Bahapki, where
JOHN SEID TRIO: John Seid, Steve Cook and Larry Peterson play an eclectic mix of The Beatles, blues and standards. Th, 6/5, 6-9pm. Grana, 198 E. Second St., (530) 809-2304.
MUSIC ON THE PATIO: With the
Retrotones. Th, 6/5, 6-9pm. LaSalles, 229 Broadway, (530) 893-1891, www.lasallesbar.com.
east meets west with rock and blues, plus special guest Lisa Valentine. F, 6/6, 7:30pm. $8. Chico Women’s Club, 592 E. Third St., (530) 894-1978.
HAPPY HOUR: Acoustic/ Americana with
Steve Johnson. F, 6/6, 6-9pm. LaSalles, 229 Broadway, (530) 893-1891, www.lasallesbar.com.
BASSMINT: A (mostly) weekly electronic dance party with a rotating cast of local and regional DJs. Check with venue for details. F, 9:30pm. Peking Chinese Restaurant, 243 W. Second St., (530) 895-3888.
HEATHER MICHELLE AND THE MAKE YOU MINES: Local songstress Heather Michelle releases her debut album
Vapor pens
S p e c i a L i S t Alternative Health Care for Chronic Conditions
Leg
im
our cabs are air conditioned! remember this number
898-1776
iPhone vape cases
Liberty Cab
batteries
2109 Esplanade #100 • (inside of Best Cash 4 Gold) (530) 343 3804 • Open 7 days a week
ner Show
Din Walk Like A Man
July 2nd Dinner Show • Wednesday,only • 6pm $35 with dinner, $10 show
6/6 6/7 6/13 6/14 6/20 6/21 6/27 7/4 7/5
CN&R
June 5, 2014
pp
r
Highland Springs Wellness center
I.D. CarDs avaIlable
50OFF
$
With this ad. Not good with other offers
Immediate Appointments Available
(530)274–2274
www.highlandspringswellness.com
Chris Gardner High Energy Country & Rock Bonfire AC/DC Tribute James Garner as Johnny Cash 80s Explosion Lauper-Ramones-Blondie tribute Rebel Soul Southern Rock Tribute 60s Summer of Fun 1st Day of Summer party Led Zepagain Led Zeppelin Tribute Decades Hits of the 1940s to today Blue Collar Men STYX Tribute
Must be 21 or older. $5 cover charge. Shows start at 9:30pm, Blues Jam starts at 8pm. Brewery VIP suites $100 - Luxury seating for up to 10 guests. Includes private server, pizza and beer. ASK ABOUT PARTY PACKAGES - DELUXE LODGE ROOM, FOOD DISCOUNT + FREE SLOT PLAY!
28
O n e Ye a r a
accessories
Vaporall Chico
13
13
e-liquids
e at
Natural Wellness
aL Ov
it
smoking alternative
Medical Marijuana
IN OROVILLE
530-533-3885
FEATHER FALLS
CASINO & LODGE Slots • Single Deck Blackjack • Poker Buffet • Restaurant • Brewery Live entertainment every weekend!
d ALBERT LEEw Guitar Lege• n no 9:30pm • $10, on sale Saturday, June 28
www.featherfallscasino.com
5THURSDAY
the Emperor’s Mandarin Wheat Beer. Th, 6/5, 6pm. Feather Falls Casino Brewing Co., 3 Alverda Dr. in Oroville, (530) 533-3885, www.featherfalls casino.com/brewing-co.
Maltese Bar & Tap Room, 1600 Park Ave., (530) 343-4915.
NIGHTLIFE
THIS WEEK: FIND MORE ENTERTAINMENT AND SPECIAL EVENTS ON PAGE 22
8SUNDAY DEAD AGAIN: Vancouver sludge/grind, plus hardcore from Boston’s Matahari, local punk from Icko Sicko and death metal from Astronaut. Su, 6/8, 8pm. $5. 1078 Gallery, 820 Broadway, (530) 343-1973, www.1078gallery.org.
WEST BY SWAN ALBUM-RELEASE PARTY Friday, June 6 1078 Gallery
country, Tin Pan Alley, jazz and more. W, 7-9pm. Free. VIP Ultra Lounge, 191 E. Second St.
OPEN MIC: An all-ages open mic for musicians, poets, comedians, storytellers and dancers. W, 7pm. Free. 100th Monkey Café & Books, 642 W. Fifth St.
NTS POST EVE BY E IN L N O G AT IN R E T REGIS ico
om/ch newsreview.c
THE GUITAR PROJECT: With Warren
SEE FRIDAY
Haskell and Friends, plus special guest James Edwards. Su, 6/8, 7:30pm. $5$10. 1078 Gallery, 820 Broadway, (530) 343-1973, www.1078gallery.org.
BAGHDAD BATTERIES: Local Surf/punk,
IRISH-MUSIC HAPPY HOUR: A Chico tradition: Friday-night happy hour with a traditional Irish music session by the Pub Scouts. F, 4pm. $1. Duffy’s Tavern, 337 Main St., (530) 343-7718.
MONKEY MUSIC SHOWCASE: Spotlighting local acoustic singer/songwriters and musicians. First F of every month, 7:30pm. 100th Monkey Café & Books, 642 W. Fifth St.
OPEN MIC: All singer/songwriters welcome. F, 6-9pm. LaSalles, 229 Broadway, (530) 893-1891, www.lasallesbar.com.
WEST BY SWAN ALBUM RELEASE PARTY: Guitar-driven rockers release their third album, plus local indie rock from Sisterhoods, Shadowlimb (Formerly La Fin Du Monde) and Melvin’s Painting. F,
6/6, 7:30pm. $5. 1078 Gallery, 820 Broadway, (530) 343-1973, www.1078gallery.org.
7SATURDAY ’80S NIGHT: Wear your best ’80s attire
and dance the night away. Sa, 8pm. LaSalles, 229 Broadway, (530) 893-1891, www.lasallesbar.com.
ACOUSTIC MUSIC JAM: A jam hosted by Butte Folk Music Society and led by local musician Steve Johnson. First Sa of every month, 2-5pm. Free. Upper Crust Bakery & Eatery, 130 Main St., (530) 345-4128.
LOS C QUARTET: WALK TO END ALZHEIMERS: Join Los C Quartet for
plus surf/deathrock from Criminal Wave and Santa Rosa’s Decent Criminal. Sa, 6/7, 8pm. $5. Monstros Pizza & Subs, 628 W. Sacramento Ave., (530) 345-7672.
the finale of Wine Time’s annual event “Walk to End Alzheimers” with wine, light snacks, silent auction, and live music. Su, 6/8, 3-6pm. $20. Wine Time, 26 Lost Dutchman Dr., (530) 899-9250, www.winetimechico.com.
BLACK STAR SAFARI: Electro/rock/folk/funk duo from South Lake Tahoe, plus loud-and-quiet sounds of locals Suns of The Pacific. Sa, 6/7, 9pm. $5. Maltese Bar & Tap Room, 1600 Park Ave., (530) 343-4915.
10TUESDAY
BONFIRE: A tribute to AC/DC. Sa, 6/7,
HELLO, GOODBYE
Just as the band’s frontwoman prepares to depart Chico for other environs for the summer, Heather Michelle and the Make You Mines are releasing an EP to stand as a permanent record of their musical adventure on Friday, June 6, at the Maltese Bar and Tap Room. Filling out the bill as fans and friends bid adieu are standout screamer/songwriter Bran Crown and self-proclaimed “butt-funk” fetishists Black Fong.
SHIGEMI & FRIENDS: Live jazz with key-
9:30pm. $5. Feather Falls Casino
boardist Shigemi Minetaka and
Brewing Co., 3 Alverda Dr. in Oroville, (530) 533-3885, www.featherfalls casino.com/brewing-co.
rotating accompaniment. Tu, 6:308:30pm. Free. Farm Star Pizza, 2359 Esplanade, (530) 343-2056, www.farm starpizza.com.
MUSIC SHOWCASE: An open mic hosted by local country musicians Rich and Kendall. Sa, 5-9pm. Free. Scotty’s Landing, 12609 River Rd., (530) 7102020.
11WEDNESDAY LAURIE DANA: Soul, light rock, blues,
420 Doctor Evals the original
Med/rxc ca since 2009! Visit our new location in Gasoline Alley
e s Availabl
I.D. Card
MED/RX’C CA
2961 Hwy 32, Ste 1 • Chico 95973 “Gasoline Alley”
916.525.1100 • 855.525.2010
Paradise come smoke in
All Glass 10% Off 637 Pearson Rd Paradise, CA 530.762.0163
Hand Blown Glass • Pipes • Hookah • Vaporizers • Fine Cigars & much more
319 Main St. • Downtown Chico (530) 892–2445
UPCOMING SHOWS ** Shows start at 9pm **
Thurs. June 5 ZuhG City of Trees Big Brass Band Jesi Naomi Fri. June 6 Chuck Epperson Band Allie Battaglia Musical Brewing Company Thurs. June 12 Chris Zanardi High Beamz Fri. June 20 Dead Winter Carpenters Strangefolk Trio
/lostonmain June 5, 2014
CN&R
29
ARTS DEVO by Jason Cassidy • jasonc@newsreview.com
THINKE.
FRE
2ND ANNUAL
OCTOBER 9 - 18 TM
SECRETS OF
SUCCESS. The CN&R’s annual Entrepreneur Issue will be on stands June 26. Pick up this issue to read the stories of entrepreneurs in our community. For more information about advertising in this issue, call your News & Review advertising representative today at (530) 894-2300.
30
CN&R
June 5, 2014
PEOPLE DOING STUFF Arts DEVO had the pleasure of being an on-air
guest at KZFR 90.1 FM during the first episode of the Uncle Dad’s Radio Show on Tuesday (June 3). The stated intent of the show is to “dive deep into the crevices, extremities, and bowels of Chico [oh my!] with the hopes of discovering exactly what makes this town’s culture so unique.” And for the debut, which was focused on the local music scene, they packed a lot into two hours. Things kicked off with a yet-to-be-released local track, a thick My Bloody Valentine-like wall of fuzz and drums called “That’s What He Said” by Sisterhoods (go to soundcloud.com/sisterhoods to preview), the first of a wide range of Chico sounds to be featured. There was also a live solo performance by local musician-of-many-hats Michael Bone (Bogg, Pageant Dads, etc.), as well as a pre-recorded interview with a character named Bud Terri (“I’ll scratch my back; you scratch my back.”), who apparently is an old-school Chico rocker now working in L.A. The Gavin and Josh show. as a “professional rock star” (although I was unable to find any evidence of him ever having existed anywhere ever). And, interspersed between the various bits was a running discussion of Chico’s music scene, the bad and the good. When I joined the hilariously dry-witted hosts, Gavin Fitzgerald and Josh Hegg, the discussion turned toward the age-old question of whether being a musician was an economically viable career choice in Chico. (Short answer: maybe, but probably not.) That was just the beginning of a conversation, one that I would love to see continue to develop over time with the input of many voices. The show is still in the testing phase, and the Uncle dudes will be subbing for other KZFR programs until they hopefully get approved (and there is an opening in the schedule). Next tryout: Tuesday, June 17, 3-5 p.m.
OTHER PEOPLE DOING STUFF “Sing” and “feed.” I like those two words together! There’s a new live music spot up in Magalia. Da Coffee Pot (14478 Skyway), a community-focused café that opened earlier this year, is hosting weekly Sing and Feed open jams on its outdoor patio on Wednesday evenings. It’s a potluck, so bring a song, and bring some grub. A couple of CN&R photographers are taking their talents to The City. Regular photographer and appreciator of the dead things in life, Melanie MacTavish, is opening HUSH, an exhibit of her photos, on June 17, at San Francicso’s Café Sophie. (Visit www.melaniemactavish.com to see what she’s up to.) And former CN&R photographer Matt Siracusa (aka DJ Matticulit) has teamed up with a few friends to help record collectors throughout the “SF Bay Area and beyond” preserve and enjoy their treasures with a new business called Originals. In addition to freshening up your vinyl with an ultrasonic cleaning, they also can help archive your tunes by digitizing your Black Fork analog jams. Visit www.originalsvinyl.com to learn more. Also, Black Fork! Get excited now! What’s a Black Fork, you ask? You may already know some of them. Josh and Robin Indar of Chico power trio Severance Package played in the East Bay punk band with a reputation for wild live shows during the mid-1990s, and this summer they are reuniting with their bandmates for a short 20th-anniversary tour that will kick off in Chico at Monstros Pizza on June 28! Visit www.facebook.com/BlackFork and make friends.
FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 5, 2014 ARIES (March 21-April 19): “We are
born with whirlwinds, forest fires, and comets inside us,” wrote novelist Robert McCammon. “We are born able to sing to birds and read the clouds and see our destiny in grains of sand. But then we get the magic educated right out of our souls. We get it churched out, spanked out, washed out, and combed out. We get put on the straight and narrow path and told to be responsible.” That’s the bad news, Aries. But now here’s the good news: The next 12 months will offer you a series of excellent opportunities to remagic yourself. If you have not yet caught wind of the first invitation, I bet you will soon.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Given
the choice between owning an object and having an experience,” said art critic Holland Cotter, “I always choose the experience.” He prefers to spend his money on adventures that transform his sense of self and his understanding of the world. I recommend that approach to you in the coming weeks, Taurus. The most valuable “possessions” you can acquire will be the lessons you learn, the skills you hone, and the relationships you ripen.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In Marcel
Proust’s novel Swann’s Way, the narrator speaks of how profoundly he is inspired by an older writer named Bergotte: “Each time he talked about something whose beauty had until then been hidden from me, about pine forests, about hail, about Notre-Dame Cathedral ... with one image he would make that beauty explode into me.” I bring this to your attention, Gemini, because in the coming days I suspect a great deal of beauty will explode into you. Why? I think it’s because you’re more receptive than usual to being delighted and enchanted. The triggers could be anything: exciting people, eavesdropped conversations, good books, surprising music and who knows what else?
CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Little
horses cannot carry great riders.” So says a Haitian proverb. Now, in accordance with the astrological omens, I’m urging you to meditate on its meaning for your life. Here are four possible interpretations: 1. Are you a “little horse” trying to carry a “great rider” who’s too much for you? 2. Are you a little horse that could grow into a bigger, stronger horse worthy of a great rider? 3. Are you a great rider who is in need of a horse that is big and strong enough to serve your big, strong ambitions? 4. Would you like to be a great rider, but you can’t be one as long as you have a horse that is too small and weak?
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Declare victory,
Leo. Even if victory is not quite won yet. Even if your success is imperfect and still a bit messy around the edges. Raise your arms up in elated triumph and shout, “I am the purified champion! I am the righteous conqueror! I have outsmarted my adversaries and outmaneuvered my obstacles, and now I am ready to claim my rightful rewards!” Do this even if you’re not 100 percent confident, even if there is still some scraping or clawing ahead of you. Celebrate your growing mastery. Congratulate yourself for how far you’ve come. In this way, you will summon what’s needed to complete your mission and achieve final, total victory.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Give special
attention to what will last the longest. That’s my main recommendation for you in the coming weeks. Devote less of your energy to transitory pleasures and short-term hopes. Turn away from the small obsessions that demand far too much of your energy. Withdraw from the seemingly pressing concerns that will soon start to fade because they really aren’t that important. Instead, Virgo, devote your love and intelligence to the joys and dilemmas that will animate your life well into the future. Express reverence and care for the mysteries that will teach you and teach you and teach you for years to come.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): My favorite bridge in the world is the Golden Gate Bridge. In the hundreds of times I have
BY ROB BREzSNY driven on it over San Francisco Bay, it has never let me down. I’ve always gotten from one side to the other without any problem. In addition to its reliability, it uplifts me with its grandeur and beauty. What’s your most beloved bridge, Libra? I suggest that in the coming weeks you make it your lucky charm, your magical symbol. Why? Because the next chapter of your life story requires you to make a major crossing. You will traverse a great divide. Having your favorite bridge as a shining beacon in your imagination will inspire your strength and courage as you travel.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): U2’s Bono
has called Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” the “most perfect song in the world.” It is mournful and triumphant, despairing and uplifting. It’s a riddle that improbably offers cathartic release. More than 300 recording artists have done cover versions of it, and it has even been the subject of books. And yet it was a challenge for Cohen to compose. He wrote more than 80 verses before choosing the few he would actually include in the final version, and in one famous session, he resorted to banging his head on the floor to stimulate his creative flow. “To find that song, that urgent song,” he said, took “a lot of work and a lot of sweat.” I nominate “Hallelujah” to be one of your sacred symbols for the next 12 months, Scorpio. From your strenuous effort, I predict, will come masterful creations.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
Let me outline the breakthroughs I hope to see for you in the coming months. First, what is pretty good about you will not interfere with what is potentially great about you, but will instead cooperate with it and boost it. Second, your past accomplishments won’t hold back your progress; you will not be tempted to rely on them at the expense of your future accomplishments. And third, the brave ideas that have motivated you so well won’t devolve into staid old dogmas; you will either renew and reinvigorate them or else move on to a new set of brave ideas.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
If you are in even moderate alignment with cosmic rhythms during the next 12 months, you will be a connoisseur and master of recycling. I’m speaking metaphorically here. What I hope is that you will reanimate worn-out inspirations and convert faded dreams into shiny new fantasies. You will find ways to revive alliances that went off track. A once-vibrant shtick or trick that lost its cool could be retrieved from the ash heap of history and turned into a fresh, hot asset. Gear yourself up for some entertaining resurrections.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I wish I could tell you that your power animal this month is the eagle or dolphin or panther. Having a glamorous creature like that as your ally might boost your confidence and charisma. To be paired with one of them might even activate dormant reserves of your animal intelligence. But I can’t in good conscience authorize such an honor. That’s not what the astrological omens are suggesting. In fact, your power animal this June is the bunny rabbit. Please understand that there is no shame in this. On the contrary. You should be charmed and appreciative. It signifies that you will be fertile, fast, a bit tricky and very cute. (To read an essay on the mythology of the rabbit as trickster, go here: http://tinyurl.com/ rabbittrickster.)
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The
Buddhist meditation teacher Chögyam Trungpa said that one of the best ways to become fearless is to cultivate tenderness. As you expand your heart’s capacity to feel compassionate affection for the world, you have less and less to be afraid of. That’s the opposite of the conventional wisdom, which says you become brave by toughening up, by reinforcing your psychic armor. Of all the signs of the zodiac, you Pisceans are best set up to benefit from Trungpa’s method—now even more than usual.
Go to www.RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES and DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES. The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888.
Print ads start at $6/wk. www.newsreview.com or (530) 894-2300 ext. 5 Phone hours: M-F 8am-5pm. All ads post online same day. Deadlines for print: Line ad deadline: Monday 4pm Adult line ad deadline: Monday 4pm Display ad deadline: Friday 2pm
Online ads are
STILL
FREE!*
*Nominal fee for adult entertainment. All advertising is subject to the newspaper’s Standards of Acceptance. Further, the News & Review specifically reserves the right to edit, decline or properly classify any ad. Errors will be rectified by re-publication upon notification. The N&R is not responsible for error after the first publication. The N&R assumes no financial liability for errors or omission of copy. In any event, liability shall not exceed the cost of the space occupied by such an error or omission. The advertiser and not the newspaper assumes full responsibility for the truthful content of their advertising message.
AIRLINE CAREERS begin here Get FAA approved Aviation Maintenance Technician training. Financial assistance available. Post 9/11 GI Bill accepted. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institue of Maintenance 888-242-3214 AIRLINE JOBS Start Here Get Trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Housing and Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 844-210-3935 (AAN CAN) $1,000 WEEKLY!! MAILING BROCHURES From Home. Helping home workers since 2001. Genuine Opportunity. No Experience required. Start Immediately www.mailingmembers.com (AAN CAN) Africa, Brazil Work/Study! Change the lives of others while creating a sustainable future. 6, 9, 18 month programs available. Apply today! www.OneWorldCenter.org 269-591-0518 info@OneWorldCenter.org (AAN CAN) AVON Earn extra income with a new career! Sell from home, work, online. $15 startup. For information, call: 888-770-1075 (M-F 9-7 & Sat 9-1 central.) (lnd Sls Rep) AAN CAN COUPON CLIPPERS NEEDED! Trade extra grocery coupons for $$$$$. All national brands requested. Free details. Please visit www.cashforcashoffs.com (AAN CAN)
Share large ramped home 1 block from Esplanade enjoy large bd, pvt. bath (tub & Shower, 2 washbowls), seperate enterance; all util & directv paid by single prof. Owner @ other end of house; large fenced yard, pet possible. $500/mo; 2nd bd, add $100. 1st, last & sec. Ideal for parent & child 530.556.1010
SHARE LARGE HOME 1 block from Esplanade. Enjoy large bdrm, large pvt bath (tub & shower) living room, storage, ramp access. Share util w/ prof owner @ other end of house. Large fenced yard. Pet OK. $350/mo w/ 2nd bdrm $450/mo. Ideal for single parent and child. 530-566-1010
Notice of caution to our Readers! Whenever doing business by telephone or email proceed with caution when cash or credit is required in advance of services. PREGNANT? THINKING OF ADOPTION? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families Nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions. 866-413-6293. Void in Illinois/New Mexico/Indiana (AAN CAN)
1983 Full-sized Chevy Blazer.All original. Most factory options. Very well kept condition. $6000 530-895-8171 1970 MGB Classic Convertible Restored, pristine condition. All records. $8,995.00. 530-345-9373 Days or Evenings. CASH FOR CARS: Any Car/Truck. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Call For Instant Offer: 1-888-420-3808 www.cash4car.com (AAN CAN)
ALL AREAS ROOMMATES.COM Browse hundreds of online listings with photos and maps. Find your roommate with a click of the mouse! Visit: http://www.Roommates.com. (AAN CAN)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS A Relaxing Massage
in a warm tranquil studio. w/ Shower. Appts. only 10:30am-8:30pm (no calls after 8:30pm)
530-893-0263
Claudia’s Relaxing Massage in Chico Special $35 call for appt. 10:3-0-7 No calls after 8:30 pm 530-570-4197
Massage By John
$30 special. Full-body Massage for Men. Wanted Older Guitars! Martin, Fender, Gibson. Also older Fender amps. Top dollar pay. 916-966-1900
VIAGRA 100MG 40 pills+/4 free, only $99.00. Save Big Now, Discreet shipping. Call 1-800-374-2619 Today! (AAN CAN)
In-Calls. Located in Orland. By Appointment. CMT, 530-680-1032
LOOSE WEIGHT & KEEP IT OFF! Up to 30 Pounds in 60 Days. Once Daily, Maximum Perscription Strength. No Percription Required! Free Shipping. Call 877-761-2991 (AAN CAN)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as N.M.BOYDSOAPS at 443 Stilson Canyon Rd Chico, CA 95928. ELIZABETH MCDONALD 443 Stilson Canyon Rd Chico, CA 95928. This business is conducted by an Individual. Signed: ELIZABETH MCDONALD Dated: April 29, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000664 Publish Dates: May 15,22,29, June 5, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as CHICO REMODELING at 868 Kern Street Chico, CA 95928. JOHN ALBERT SCHRAM III 868 Kern Street Chico, CA 95928. This business is conducted by an Individual. Signed: JOHN ALBERT SCHRAM III Dated: April 18, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000609 Published: May 15,22,29, June 5, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as NUCLEUS APPLICATIONS at 1115 West Sacramento Ave #150 Chico, CA 95926. CAMERON BROWNFIELD 1115 West Sacramento Ave #150 Chico, CA 95926. This business is conducted by an Individual. Signed: CAMERON BROWNFIELD Dated: May 1, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000668 Published: May 15,22,29, June 5, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as LORDS GYM OROVILLE at 2120 Bird Street Oroville, CA 95965. FATHER’S HOUSE RESTORATION MINISTRIES INC 2656 Fort Wayne Street Oroville, CA 95966. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Signed: RYAN KELLY, ACCOUNTING Dated: April 16, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000594 Published: May, 15,22,29, June 5, 2014.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as YOVILLE YOGURT AND MORE at 2550 Olive Hwy Oroville, CA 95966. FATHER’S HOUSE RESTORATION MINISTRIES INC 2656 Fort Wayne Oroville, CA 95966. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Signed: RYAN KELLY, ACCOUNTING Dated: April 16, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000595 Published: May 15,22,29, June 5, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as CLS BOOKKEEPING SERVICE at 1966 12th St Oroville, CA 95965. CINDY L STRACHAN 1966 12th St Oroville, CA 95965. This business is conducted by an Individual. Signed: CINDY L. STRACHAN Dated: May 13, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000734 Published: May 22,29, June 5,12, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as QUEENIES BOUTIQUE at 225 #D Main St Chico, CA 95928. ANNETTE FRAZIER 3305 Splane Lane Oroville, CA 95965. This business is conducted by an Individual. Signed: ANNETTE KUSSEROWFRAZIER Dated: April 16, 2014 FBN Number 2014-0000589 Published: May 22,29, June 5,12, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing Business as THAT’S A WRAP at 2471 Cohasset Rd #120 Chico, CA 95926. MIKELL INC 3563 Shallow Springs Terrace Chico, CA 95928. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Signed: KELLY VADNEY, CFO Dated: May 16, 2014
this Legal Notice continues
➡
FBN Number: 2014-0000747 Published: May 22,29, June 5,12, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as ALL CATS AND DOGS at 1238 Mangrove Ave Chico, CA 95926. GAYLE FRITZ 950 Karen Drive Chico, CA 95926. This business is conducted by an Individual. Signed: GAYLE FRITZ Dated: May 7, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000697 Published: May 22,29, June 5,12, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMES STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as FALCON AERIAL IMAGING at 39 Forest Creek Circle Chico, CA 95928. BEN DONEY 16 Birdwing Ct Chico, CA 95973 SCOTT GREGORY 39 Forest Creek Circle Chico, CA 95928. This business is conducted by a General Partnership. Signed: SCOTT GREGORY Dated: May 9, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000715 Published: May 22, 29, June 5,12, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are do- ing business as MLGRACECAPITAL LLC at 1877 Modoc Dr Chico, CA 95928. MLGRACECAPITAL LLC 1877 Modoc Dr Chico, CA 95928. This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Signed: FONG MICHAEL LO, CEO Dated: May 9, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000713 Publiched: May 22,29, June 5,12, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME - STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name AUSTIN BROTHERS at 3217 Cohasset Road, Suite 120 Chico, CA 95973. CEA INVESTMENTS LLC 6154 County Road 200 Orland, CA 95963. This business was conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Signed: BOBBIE SMITH, OFFICE MANAGER Dated: May 1, 2014 FBN Number: 2012-0000616 Published: May 22,29, June 5,12, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as A AND M ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES at 1074 East Ave Chico, CA 95926. MASON AXEL MCKELLIPS 24 El Cerrito Dr Chico, CA 95973. This business is conducted by an Individual. Signed: MASON MCKELLIPS Dated: May 15, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000739 Published: May 29, June 5,12,19, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as JOLLY FOLLY ENTERTAINMENT, THE JEWELER’S DAUGHTER at
classifieds
CONTINUED ON 32
CN&R CN&R
June 5, 2014 June 5, 2014
ATTENTION SN&R Design Dept: Can you please add the horizontal rule at top, full width of page. And, a vertical rule that separates ASTROLOGY from CLASSIFIEDS?
31 31
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as FORCELLA ITALIAN BISTRO at 1600 Mangrove Ave #175 Chico, CA 95926. AARON ANTHONY JOHNSON 26 Porchlight Ct Chico, CA 95973 JONATHAN ELLIS MEYER 23 Highland Cir Chico, CA 95926. This business is conducted by a General Partnership. Signed: JON MEYER Dated: May 20, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000766 Published: May 29, June 5,12,19, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as VOODOO TATTOO at 1751 Oro Dam Blvd E Suite 12 Oroville, CA 95966. STEVEN C VANDERVORT 24 Ardeth Ct Oroville, CA 95966. This business is conducted by an Individual. Signed: STEVE VANDERVORT Dated: May 22, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000772 Published: June 5,12,19,26, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as MINERS ALLEY BREWING COMPANY at 2053 Montgomery St Oroville, CA 95965. PARKERVORT FARMS INC 2053 Montgomery St Oroville, CA 95965. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Signed: CONSTANCE PARKS, CFO Dated: May 22, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000774 Published: June 5,12,19,26, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as MAIDA VALE’S BAKE SALE at 481 1/2 E. 8th St Chico, CA 95928. AMBER L HUNTINGTON 481 1/2 E. 8th St Chico, CA 95928. This business is conducted by an Individual. Signed: AMBER HUNTINGTON Dated: May 28, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000788 Published: June 5,12,19,26, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as TONG FONG LOW at 2072 E 20th Street Ste 100 Chico, CA 95928. TONG FONG LOW CORP 2051 Robinson St Oroville, CA 95965. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Signed: BRIAN WONG, PRESIDENT Dated: May 9, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000711 Published: June 5,12,19,26, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as TONG FONG LOW at 2051 Robinson Street Oroville, CA 95965. TONG FONG LOW CORP 2051 Robinson Street Oroville, CA 95965. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Signed: BRIAN WONG, PRESIDENT Dated: May 9, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000712 Published: June 5,12,19,26, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as CENTERLINE CONSTRUCTION at 1471 Mountain View Ave Chico, CA 95926. PAUL ALLEN FULLER 1471 Mountain View Ave Chico, CA 95926. This business is conducted by an Individual. Signed: PAUL ALLEN FULLER Dated: May 21, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000770 Published: June 5,12,19,26, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as UNDERDOG AROMATHERAPY, UNDERDOG VAPORIZERS at 6226 B Skyway Paradise, CA 95969. AMANDA BRIMM 4698 Skyway Paradise, CA 95969. DAVID BRIMM 4698 Skyway Paradise, CA 95969. This business is conducted by a Married Couple. Signed: DAVID BRIMM Dated: May 22, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000775 Published: June 5,12,19,26, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as FRONTRUNNER CAMPAIGN FINANCE at 2752 Rafael St Chico, CA 95973. MICHAEL PRICE 2752 Rafael St Chico, CA 95973. This business is conducted by an Individual. Signed: MICHAEL PRICE Dated: May 7, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000698 Published: June 5,12,19,26, 2014
NOTICES CITATION FOR PUBLICATION UNDER WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTION 294 To (names of persons to be notified, if known, including names on birth certificate): DUSTIN WINTER KYLE VANDERGRIFT and anyone claiming to be a parent of (child’s name): TB born on (date): April 3, 2013 at (name of hospital or other place of birth and city and state): FEATHER RIVER HOSPITAL PARADISE, CALIFORNIA A hearing will be held on Date: August 19, 2014 Time: 8:30 AM Dept: TBA Room: TBA Located at: Superior Court Of California County of Butte 1 Court Street Oroville, CA 95965 At the hearing the court will consider the recommendations of the social worker or probation officer. The Social worker or probation officer will recommend that your child be freed from your legal custody so that the child may be adopted. If the court follows the recommendation, all your parental rights to the child will be terminated. You are required to be present at the hearing, to present evidence, and you have the right to be represented by an attorney. If you do not have an attorney and cannot afford one, the court will appoint an attor- ney for you. If the court terminated your pa- rental rights, the order may be final. The court will proceed with this hearing whether or not you are present. Signed: KIMBERLY FLENER Dated: May 7, 2014 Case Number: J-36876 Published: May 15,22,29, June 5, 2014
CITATION FOR PUBLICATION UNDER WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTION 294 To (names of persons to be notified, if known, including names on birth certificate): MATTHEW EMERZIAN and anyone claiming to be a parent of (child’s name): G.S. born on (date): October 15, 2005 at (name of hospital or other place of birth and city and state): FEATHER RIVER HOSPITAL PARADISE, CALIFORNIA A hearing will be held on Date: July 16, 2014 Time: 8:30 AM Dept: TBA Room: TBA Located at: Superior Court Of California County of Butte 1 Court Street Oroville, CA 95965 At the hearing the court will consider the recommendations of the social worker or probation officer. The Social worker or probation officer will recommend that your child be freed from your legal custody so that the child may be adopted. If the court follows the recommendation, all your parental rights to the child will be terminated. You are required to be present at the hearing, to present evidence, and you have the right to be represented by an attorney. If you do not have an attorney and cannot afford one, the court will appoint an attor- ney for you. If the court terminated your pa- rental rights, the order may be final. The court will proceed with this hearing whether or not you are present. Signed: KIMBERLY FLENER Dated: May 19, 2014 Case Number: J-36805 Published: May 22,29, June 5,12, 2014
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE GARY E. ARCHAMBAULT AKA GARY EDGAR ARCHAMBAULT To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: GARY E. ARCHAMBAULT AKA GARY EDGAR ARCHAMBAULT A Petition for Probate has been filed by: JODI BELLER and JASON ARCHAMBAULT in the Superior Court of California, County of Butte. THE Petition for Probate requests that: JODI BELLER and JASON ARCHAMBAULT be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A Hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: June 19, 2014 Time: 9:00a.m. Dept: PROBATE Address of the court: Superior Court of California County of Butte 655 Oleander Ave Chico, CA 95926. IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal repre- sentative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or per- sonal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and le- gal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: NICOLE R. PLOTTEL 3120 Cohasset Rd., Ste 10 Chico, CA 95973 Dated: May 20, 2014 Case Number: PR41062 Published: May 29, June 5,12, 2014
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner BRIAN SANCHEZ filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: BRIAN SANCHEZ Proposed name: BRIAN GAULTIER THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the
this Legal Notice continues
32 CN&R June 5, 2014
➡
hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objec- tion that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: June 11, 2014 Time: 8:30am Dept: TBA The address of the court is: Butte County Superior Court 655 Oleander Ave. Chico, CA 95926 Signed: SANDRA L. MCLEAN Dated: April 28, 2014 Case Number: 162002 Published: May 15,22,29, June 5, 2014
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner NICOLE M. DIMAGGIO-HALL filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: NICOLE MARIE DIMAGGIOHALL Proposed name: NICOLE MARIE DIMAGGIO THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objec- tion that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: June 04, 2014 Time: 8:30am Dept: TBA The address of the court is: Butte County Superior Court 655 Oleander Ave. Chico, CA 95926 Signed: SANDRA L. MCLEAN Dated: April 10, 2014 Case Number: 161865 Published: May 15,22,29, June 5, 2014
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner AILEONNA DRAGON WELLS filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: ALEXIS ERICA LEE SUTZ CONNOR NICHOLAS CHRISTOPHER ALI SUTZ Proposed name: ALEXIS AURORA DRAGON CONNOR NICHOLAS DRAGON THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objec- tion that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: July 16, 2014 Time: 8:30am Dept: TBA The address of the court is: Butte County Superior Court 655 Oleander Ave. Chico, CA 95926 Signed: SANDRA L. MCLEAN Dated: May 13, 2014 Case Number: 162165 Published: June 5,12,19,26, 2014
SUMMONS SUMMONS NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: NORMA ALICIA ABREGO YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: BUTTE COUNTY CREDIT BEREAU A CORP NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attor- ney referral service. If you can- not afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The Court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. The name and address of the court is: Chico Courthouse 655 Oleander Avenue, Chico, CA 95926 The name, address and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney is: JOSEPH L SELBY Law Office of Ferris & Selby 2607 Forest Avenue Ste 130 Chico, CA 95928. Dated: July 19, 2013 Signed: Kimberly Flener Case Number: 160033 Published: May 15,22,29, June 5, 2014
SUMMONS NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: AMBER GRACE SIMS AKA AMBER GRACE ALLEN YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: BUTTE COUNTY CREDIT BEREAU A CORP NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money and property
this Legal Notice continues
➡
may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attor- ney referral service. If you can- not afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The Court’s lien must be paid before the court will
this Legal Notice continues
dismiss the case. The name and address of the court is: Chico Courthouse 655 Oleander Avenue, Chico, CA 95926 The name, address and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney is: JOSEPH L SELBY Law Office of Ferris & Selby 2607 Forest Avenue Ste 130 Chico, CA 95928. Dated: August 26, 2013 Signed: Kimberly Flener Case Number: 160262 Published: May, 15,22,29, June 5, 2014
➡
YOU’RE WELCOME, NATURE.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as HAGEN-SINCLAIR RESEARCH RECRUITING INC CHICO at 519 Reed Park Dr Chico, CA 95926. HAGEN-SINCLAIR RESEARCH RECRUITING INC CHICO 519 Reed Park Dr Chico, CA 95926. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Signed: CYNTHIA CROSS, PRESIDENT Dated: May 5, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000680 Published: May 29, June 5,12,19, 2014
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as SD MOTOR HOUSE at 2961 Hwy 32 Suite 117 Chico, CA 95973. SINCLAIR MACGREGOR 352 Panama Ave Chico, CA 95979. DAVID POLSON 3008 California Park Drive Chico, CA 95927. This business is conducted by a General Partnership. Signed: DAVID POLSON Dated: May 27, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000783 Published: June 5,12,19,26, 2014
RECYCLE THIS PAPER.
6256 Pebble Lane Paradise, CA 95969. LEE R GREEN 6256 Pebble Lane Paradise, CA 95969 DEENA MAULDIN 6256 Pebble Lane Paradise, CA 95969. This business is conducted by A Married Couple. Signed: LEE R. GREEN Dated: April 25, 2014 FBN Number: 2014-0000655 Published: May 29, June 5,12,19, 2014
To place an adult ad, call (530)894-2300 ext.5 ENTERTAINMENT SUNNY’S!
The North State’s Largest Selection of HOT, Sexy Ladies! More ROOMS! More Privacy! More Fun! Sensual Massage, Private Shows, Lap Dances, Double Trouble, and MUCH More! (Chico) Always Hiring www.sunnysgirls.com
343-3594
more adult online
www.newsreview.com
butte county living
LOVE’S REAL ESTATE Czar Wars I received quite a few calls and letters from people commenting on short sales and foreclosures after I suggested it would be a good idea to create a new governmental position titled Real Estate Czar of the United States (RECUS), in charge of overseeing big banks to correct their errant ways of handling short sales and foreclosures. An attorney emailed me this: “I am continually mystified by the illogical demands and decisions made by the banks that not only prolong the misery of my clients, but also cost the banks themselves time, effort and money.
Open House Guide | Home Sales Listings | Featured Home of the Week
“A case in point is my client whose employment was terminated. I advised him to notify his bank of his loss in income and his inability to continue payments on his house, and to put his house up for sale. He owed more on his house than it could sell for, and because of his hardship, I advised him that he was a classic candidate to be approved by his bank for a short sale. “My client received an offer on his house from a well-qualified buyer ready to buy at fair value, and the bank dragged out their short sale approval process to the point they lost the buyer. My client vacated the property; it deteriorated, and finally sold for $75,000 less than the offer my client originally received.”
Free Real Estate Listings
“The departments in charge of short sales and foreclosures are completely separate from the day-to-day lenders and other representatives of the bank,” he said. “They are distant, and autonomous, and their tactics and strategies are based on their own arcane methodology.” Local loan officers and underwriters who work for the banks are just as perplexed as anyone else when it comes to the mysterious ways of short-sale and foreclosure departments. One local loan officer emailed me: “I’ve been frustrated myself dealing with short-sale and foreclosure asset managers in my own company. I know how the clients feel.” The attorney concluded his email: “In short, I support the idea of creating the position of Real Estate Czar. I’m leery of putting such power in the hands of one person, but I believe it would be an improvement on the status quo. Got a question or comment? I’d like to hear from you. Email escrowgo@aol.com or call 530-680-0817. Doug Love is Sales Manager at Century 21 Jeffries Lydon.
DOUG LOVE is Sales Manager at Century 21 Jeffries Lydon Email escrowgo@aol.com or call 530.680.0817
www.chico.newsreview.com
Find Us Online At:
The attorney made a point of stating that the local loan officers and underwriters, and people you see working at the bank are not the issue.
Open Houses & Listings are online at: www.century21JeffriesLydon.com juSt liSted!
Decorator’s Dream
old
g
pendin
s $325,000
brandonsiewert.com • 828–4597
$239,400
10 Burkeshire Ct - Desirable Hollybrook neighborhood! Cute! $219,000
for a new Home
Garrett FrenCh
Call & see today!
GarrettFrenchHomes.com
Alice Zeissler | 530.518.1872
530-228-1305
Specializing in residential & agriculture properties in Chico, Orland, Willows.
Homes Sold Last Week SQ. FT.
3020 Rock creek Dr. Phenomenal timber frame home custom built. 3.5 acres, Rock creek runs through the property. total seclusion! $895k
1114 W 11th Ave - Beautiful home with updated kitchen & more! $269,000
5 acres just waiting
Brandon Siewert
amazing new LiSTing!
brand new listings!
1344 Laburnum Ave - Classic Chico Charmer that’s been given a face lift! $319,000
two fire places, hardwood, dual pane windows & many other upgrades
Great opportunity close to CSUC & Enloe. 404 W. Sacramento. Duplex w/ a finished basement.
EmmEtt Jacobi
Cell 530.519.6333 • emmettjacobi.com
Sponsored by Century 21 Jeffries Lydon
ADDRESS
TOWN
PRICE
BR/BA
ADDRESS
TOWN
PRICE
BR/BA
353 Mary L Ct
Biggs
$146,000.00
3/ 1.5
1186
759 San Antonio Dr
Chico
$264,000.00
3/ 2
SQ. FT. 1752
1222 West Wind Dr
Chico
$589,000.00
3/ 3
3235
1160 Ceres Manor Ct
Chico
$245,000.00
4/ 1.5
1628
3009 W Sacramento Ave
Chico
$449,000.00
3/ 2.5
2229
2559 El Paso Way
Chico
$210,000.00
3/ 2
1227
4328 Kathy Ln
Chico
$436,000.00
3/ 2
1906
55 Sunbury Rd
Chico
$208,000.00
2/ 2
953
2770 Garden Valley Ter
Chico
$401,500.00
3/ 2.5
2077
1075 Diablo Ave
Chico
$205,000.00
3/ 2
1170
2638 Lakewest Dr
Chico
$389,500.00
3/ 2.5
2081
2008 Laburnum Ave
Chico
$180,000.00
3/ 2
1080
1483 Kona Dr
Chico
$355,000.00
4/ 2
2202
1845 Snow Goose Ct
Gridley
$300,000.00
5/ 2.5
2906
4268 Tuliyani Dr
Chico
$350,000.00
4/ 3
2541
1795 White Mallard Ct
Gridley
$205,000.00
4/ 2
1852
1285 Banning Park Dr
Chico
$315,000.00
4/ 2
1748
220 Hazel St
Gridley
$190,000.00
2/ 1
1326
18 Titleist Way
Chico
$315,000.00
3/ 2
1653
771 Justeson Rd
Gridley
$139,000.00
2/ 1
1008
1661 Oak Vista Ave
Chico
$298,000.00
3/ 1.5
1559
1023 Fairview Dr
Gridley
$136,000.00
3/ 1.5
1072
June 5, 2014
CN&R 33
YOU’RE WELCOME, NATURE.
RECYCLE THIS PAPER. NEW LISTING IN PARADISE
Totally fenced .85 acre with separate gate to backyard. If you love the outdoors, then this one is for you. Enjoy the outside on the covered front porch, out back on the deck or sit under the apple tree. Cement patio area for the bar-be-que. 2 br. plus den, 2 ba. Dual pane windows. Walls 12" thick so each window has a window sill. Woodstove & ceiling fan in living room. Large kitchen with dining room area. Master bath has skylight, linen closet, 3 medicine cabinets plus built in drawers. Hall bath has built in drawers and cupboards. Large laundry room with pantry. Circle driveway. 30 year roof put on house and garage in April 2007. Grapes, apple, walnut and cherry trees. 10x12 shed in backyard. Extra cupboards in garage, work bench and lots of lights. Plenty of extra parking. Per seller heat/a/c is serviced every 6 months.
$182,000 Ad# 629 SuSAN G. ThomAS | c.21 SELEcT - PARADISE | 530.872.6847
chico charmer
Great Home, Central Location
Close to CSUC 2 beds, Hardwood Floors
Great Location
3 beds/2 baths 1,408 sqft. Offered at $269,000
$250,000
Dana W. miller
Century 21 Jeffries Lydon (530)571-7738 (530)570-1184 dmiller@century21chico.com
Call for a market analysis or buyer pre-qualification
Marc Shapiro
Quality is a Universal Language
shapirohomes.com
beautifuL!
Beautifully maintained one owner home in Peterson Estates, 3 bd/2.5 ba, media room could be used as 4th bedroom, kitchen open to dining & family rooms, back yard is an absolute park! Garden area w/ fruit trees & RV area. Fantastic home ready for a new owner. Asking $539,000
mark reaman
Realtor • 530.426.2555
530-228-2229
Mark.Reaman@c21jeffrieslydon.com
The following houses were sold in Butte County by real estate agents or private parties during the week of May 19, 2014 – May 23, 2014. The housing prices are based on the stated documentary transfer tax of the parcel and may not necessarily reflect the actual sale price of the home. TOWN
PRICE
BR/BA
TOWN
PRICE
BR/BA
6462 Woodward Dr
ADDRESS
Magalia
$180,000.00
3/ 1.5
1792
5898 Oakmore Dr
Paradise
$329,000.00
5/ 4
3671
6209 Shoup Ct
Magalia
$139,500.00
2/ 2
1396
6505 Tikker Ln
Magalia
$122,000.00
3/ 2
1404
1874 June Way
Paradise
$254,000.00
2/ 2
1803
10 Fire Camp Rd
Oroville
$250,000.00
3/ 2
2644
1866 Conifer Dr
Paradise
$233,000.00
2/ 2
1781
22 Leslie Ln
Oroville
$164,000.00
3/ 2
1332
281 Rose Ln
Paradise
$227,500.00
2/ 1.5
1792
3352 Morningside Dr
Oroville
$164,000.00
3/ 2
1880
5205 Parkway Dr
Paradise
$225,000.00
3/ 1.5
2123
5348 Treasure Hill Dr
Oroville
$147,000.00
2/ 1.5
1180
6270 Sawmill Rd
Paradise
$178,000.00
3/ 2
1714
939 High St
Oroville
$125,000.00
2/ 1
816
5490 Newland Rd
Paradise
$170,000.00
2/ 2
1121
5308 Dillard Ct
Oroville
$110,000.00
2/ 2
1584
6130 Bowles Blvd
Paradise
$146,000.00
2/ 2
1572
6621 Lincoln Blvd
Palermo
$130,000.00
2/ 1
986
7181 Pentz Rd
Paradise
$145,000.00
2/ 1
1098
3511 Sunview Rd
Paradise
$350,000.00
3/ 2
2081
6692 Brook Way
Paradise
$130,000.00
2/ 2
1236
34 CN&R June 5, 2014
SQ. FT.
ADDRESS
SQ. FT.
EIGHTH & MAIN ANTIQUE CENTER “WHERE THE NORTH VALLEY SHOPS FOR THEIR HOME” 893.5534 • 745 MAIN STREET, CHICO • EIGHTHANDMAIN.COM
Eighth & Main
ANTIQUES
THINKE.
FRE
Well-kept, 2BR/2BA home in nicely treed, Pet-friendly, Senior Park. $15,000 Ad# 551 Sharon McKee 530-872-6838
Excellent lower Paradise location, quick Chico commute. 3BD/2BA, 1700 SF+/- , lovely home, great landscaping. Room for RV. $239,500 Ad# 630 Dori Regalia @ 530-872-6829
New listing in Paradise! 2BD+Den/2BA, .85 acre, dual pane windows, circle driveway, lots of cupboards in garage. $182,000 Ad# 629 Susan G. Thomas 530-518-8041
Commercial Lot, .66 Acre, 172’ Frontage, Across from Post Office. $125,000 Ad# 552 Patty G. McKee 530-872-6842
5350 Skyway, Paradise | www.C21Skyway.com | Paradise@c21selectgroup.com
open house Century 21 Jeffries Lydon
Sat. 11-1
Sat. 11-1, 2-4
Sat. 11-1
Sat. 11-2, 2-4 & Sun. 2-4
15 Abbott Circle (X St: Windham Way) 3 Bd / 3 Ba, 2,280 Sq. Ft. $399,000 Morgan Berry 774-7745
Sun. 11-1, 2-4
1815 W. Sacramento (X St: Mayette) 3 Bd / 2 Ba, 1,489Sq. Ft. $257,500 Laura Willman 680-8962 Frankie Dean 717-3884
261 Camino Sur (X St: Hicks) 2 Bd / 2 Ba, 1,344Sq. Ft. $49,500 Shane Collins 518-1413
788 Silverado (X St: Alamo) 3 Bd, 2,146 Sq. Ft. $360,000 Becky Williams 636-0936
Sun. 11-1
Century 21 Select Paradise
3155 Shallow Springs Terrace (X St: Palisades Dr) 3 Bd / 3 Ba, 3792 Sq.Ft. $749,000 Justin Jewett 518-4089 Laura Willman 680-8962
Sat. 2-4 & Sun. 2-4 10692 Player Ln (X St: Estates Dr) 3 Bd / 2 Ba, 3011 Sq.Ft. $529,000 Steve Kasprzyk 518-4850
Sat. 11-1, 2-4 791 Westmont Ct (X St: W. Sacramento) 4 Bd / 3 Ba, 3352 Sq.Ft. $499,500 Kimberley Tonge 518-5508 Paul Champlin 828-2902
Sat. 11-1, 2-4 & Sun. 2-4 2615 Lakewest Drive (X St: Bruce) 3 Bd / 2 Ba, 2,452Sq. Ft. $399,900 Sandy Stoner 514-5555 Anita Miller 321-1174
Sat. 11-1 3072 Hegan Ln (X St: Midway) 4 Bd / 2 Ba, 3310 Sq.Ft. $399,000 Frankie Dean 717-3884
Sat. 11-1, 2-4 1344 Laburnum Ave (X St: E 4th Ave) 3 Bd / 2 Ba, 1510 Sq.Ft.. $319,000 Patty Davis Rough 864-4329
Sat. 11-1, 2-4 1990 Modoc (X St: Forest Ave) 3 Bd / 2 Ba, 1490 Sq.Ft. $299,000 Ronnie Owen 518-0911 Traci Cooper 520-0227
Sat. 2-4 1170 Patricia Drive (X St: Floral Ave) 3 Bd / 2 Ba, 1,408Sq. Ft. $269,000 Kimberley Tonge 518-5508
Sat. 11-1, 2-4 1090 Palmetto (X St: Sarah) 2 Bd / 2 Ba, 1,413Sq. Ft. $259,900 Marc Shapiro 426-2555
9180 Goodspeed St (X St: Serviss St) 3 Bd / 2 Ba, 1188 Sq.Ft. $254,950 John Spain 519-5726
Sat. 11-3 & Sun. 12-3 1567 Hawthorne Avenue 3 Bd / 2 Ba, 1,278 Sq. Ft. $253,900 Frank Condon 864-7726
Sat. 11-1 112 Wawona Place (X St: Echo Park and Yosemite) 2 Bd / 2 Ba, 1,584Sq Ft. $249,900 Traci Cooper 520-0227
Sat. 11-1, 2-4 3052 Monticello (X St: E. Shasta) 4 Bd / 2 Ba, 1,418 Sq. Ft. $235,000 Chris Martinez 680-4404 Paul Champlin 828-2902
Sat. 11-1, 2-4 7362 Humboldt Road, Butte Meadows (X St: Humboldt) 3 Bd / 2 Ba, 976 Sq. Ft. $195,000 Cabins on .25 Acres John Spain 519-5726
Sat 11-1 480 Valley View Dr. 2bd/3ba 1742s.f. $242,000 Chari Bullock 872-6825
Sat 11-1 179 Valley Ridge Dr. 3bd/3ba 2175s.f. $399,500 Chari Bullock 872-6825
Sat 2-4 74 Tuscan Dr. 3bd/3ba 2806s.f. $589,000 Chari Bullock 872-6825
Sat 2-4 474 Bille Rd. 2bd/2ba 1333s.f. $199,000 Chari Bullock 872-6825
June 5, 2014
CN&R 35
r o f s u n i o j
h c n u l y a d i fr 08
08
08 09
09
09 08 10
08 09 10
09 10
10
10
13
345 West Fifth Street Chico, CA 95926 (530) 891–6328 08
08 09
13 09 08 10
08 09 10
09 10
10
08 09 10
09 10
10
Please call for reservations Open Fridays for Lunch 11:30am08 – 2:30pm 09
10
Join us for Happy Hour Mon–Fri 4:30–6pm 08
08 09
09 08 10
GOIN’ CHICO 2014
ISE W T E E R GET STD WIN A AN PRIZE! 12 e See pag ils a for det
www.newsreview.com/chico
ELECTRIC BICYCLES
perfect student transportation! No LiceNsiNg or DMV registration • throttle or PeDal assist MoDes UP to 35 miLes Per charge • traVel UP to 28 mph
455 E. 20th St. (20th & Mulberry) | Chico (530) 899-7270 | redmountaingreencycyle.com facebook.com/rmgreencycle
Largest Bike Shop in Chico!
OVER 500 BIKES IN STOCK!!! • Commuter
• Cruisers
• Comfort
• Mountain
• BMX
• Road
• Trailers • FREE Lifetime tune-ups! • 6 Months deferred interest with Specialized S-Card! • Repairs & Parts
698 Mangrove Ave. (In Safeway Plaza) 894-1110 • ChicoSportsLtd.net Mon-Sat 9:30-7p, Sun 10-6 2
GOIN’ CHICO 2014
•
C hi c o N e w s & R e v i e w
Which road to choose? Take a tour through Chico’s ‘hoods
W
Serving U.S.D.A.
GOIN’ CHICO 2014 4
CHICO STATE
Get the lay of the land on the university campus.
20
—by KATHERINE GREEN
6
SOUTH CAMPUS
Social life is always buzzing in this popular student neighborhood. —by KATHERINE GREEN
10
DOWNTOWN
Go straight to the center of the action.
27
Take a break from downtown for some history, art, food and shady respite.
UPPER PARK
Let’s be good stewards of Chico’s wild side. —by HOWARD HARDEE
18
A local farmers’ market is at the heart of Chico’s most diverse neighborhood.
BARBER
See how this old company town turned funky, in a good way.
30
MALL TOWN
It’s another world on the other side of the freeway. —by KEN SMITH
Check out Chico’s busiest and (argueably) most fun green space.
NOR-SAC
Take a tour of the colorful (and tasty) west side ’hood. —by KEN SMITH
• Open
for Friday Lunch
345 West 5th Street • 891-6328
CHAPMANTOWN
LOWER PARK
—by MELISSA DAUGHERTY
17
Downtown is different South of the Post Office.
—by TOM GASCOYNE
THE AVENUES
—by JASON CASSIDY
16
SoPO
• Patio Lounge • Patio Seating • Locally Owned • Live Jazz Sundays
Open at 4:30 • 7 days a week • Reservations accepted Sun. – Thurs.
—by CLAIRE HUTKINS SEDA
—by MEREDITH J. GRAHAM
14
Prime Beef
—by JASON CASSIDY
22
5th Street Steakhouse
elcome to Chico! Upon first arrival, it may seem as though the student-centric evirons around Chico State are all there is to this college town—and admittedly, they make up a huge part of Chico’s identity—but there is so much more to the Chico experience that can be found by wandering a bit throughout its varying neighborhoods. Each year, the Chico News & Review puts together this Goin’ Chico guide as an introduction for new college students to this new home of theirs, and this year, we’ve provided snapshots of the various Chico neighborhoods, each of which offers a different perspective of this eclectic little city. We tried to choose some of the most exciting ’hoods—obviously, we could not include them all—with a mixture of enough local flavors to give you a proper taste. And, to encourage you to get out there, we’ve come up with a challenge (with prizes!) that will provide a nice introduction to what’s in store. See instructions on page 12 for more info. As the school year progresses, be sure to pick up a copy of the free CN&R on Thursdays to stay connected to all the music, politics, arts, activism and fun happening in your new city. The alternative weekly is your most comprehensive community resource, and we are committed to shining a light on every corner of the city and sharing Chico’s stories with you. Now, get out and explore your new town!
Goin’ Chico editor: Jason Cassidy CN&R editor: Melissa Daugherty Design: Tina Flynn and Sandy Peters Copy editing: Meredith J. Graham, Melissa Daugherty Advertising manager: Jamie DeGarmo Cover illustration: Ben Simonsen Copyright 2014 Chico Community Publishing Chico News & Review, 353 E. Second St., Chico CA 95928 530-894-2300 www.newsreview.com
Fine Italian Cuisine • Fresh Pasta • Salads • Pizzas • Calzones • Full Bar • Affordable • Walk-up Pizza Window
Locally Owned Since 1992
SUNDAY SPECIAL
BUY ANY PIZZA AND RECEIVE A SMALL, ONE ITEM PIZZA FREE!
Reservations Daily 898-9948 5th/Ivy • Take-Out 898-9947 Delivery by Entree Express Open 11:30 Mon–Sat, Sun @4pm Chico News & Review
Check off after proofing: __ ■ ■ TG HH ■ JC ■
MD ■
MJG ■
CMYK
• GOIN’ CHICO 2014 3
CHICO STATE The
First-Year Experience Program mentor helps freshmen get the lay of the land on campus de
a lan
Esp
. e. Ave t Av s r i nto F e . W ram Sac W. Bidwell Mansion rn Wa
er et
e Str
No
BY KATHERINE GREEN
California State University Chico
rd Av e.
W.
t. tS iF rs
LOCAL’S TIP t hS
t igh
E
Y
ou’re new to town, and hopefully you’re curious about what’s in store for you on the campus that will be your home base for the next few years— especially year one. Chico State junior Mathew Fukuhara is not that far removed from being in your position, and in his present capacity, working as a mentor for the First-Year Experience (FYE) program, he’s able to help newbies navigate the campus and get the most from the resources it provides. FYE is dedicated to helping students with the transition to college life through peer mentoring, involvement in public events, internships and Chico State First-Year Experience Program mentor Mathew Fukuhara. even dedicated PHOTO BY KATHERINE GREEN courses such as Introduction to
University Life (UNIV 101) and Self, Identity and Sustainability (UNIV 105). Fukuhara has been involved in FYE since he arrived, and is now a mentor with the program. “Mainly we try to connect the campus with the community,” he said. “The most important key that first-year students can develop is a sense of place. As a freshman, there’s a period of liminality; it’s the idea that the identity that you have when who you are at home is far different from the identity that you’re going to create here. … Your perception of yourself is constantly changing, and you are developing every day. FYE seeks to provide students with the resources they need to feel successful.” Fukuhara said one of his favorite public events that the program sponsors is
The WREC pool provides a much-needed oasis during the persistent valley heat. PHOTO COURTESY OF WREC
4 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
Though the events are not heavily advertised, the semester-ending Open Studios student-art show cases—spread out among the many studios on both floors of Ayres Hall—make up one of the best art shows in Chico. Look for them Novem ber and April.
Chico State rose garden. PHOTO BY KATHERINE GREEN
Best Asian Cuisine
Best take-Out // Best restaurant in Oroville 09
13
10
CeleBrAting 102 yeArs in Business! 13 OrOville - 2051 rOBinsOn st, OrOville / 533-1488 ChiCO - 2072 e 20th st # 100, ChiCO / 898-1388
Left: Student art work on display in Ayres Hall art studios during semesterculminating Open Studios event. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
Above: Bidwell Bowl Amphitheatre, a quiet place to chill along Big Chico Creek. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
the Chico Great Debate, during which students get the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with the community via a topical debate. “The Great Debate is where I developed a lot of confidence in my own speaking ability, because as a freshman, you really don’t know how you’re going to be treated,” Fukuhara said. “You might be thinking you’re at the bottom of the barrel. But in reality, you
GOIN’ CHICO STATE Five must-visits on campus:
1. First Year Experience
Program, Meriam Library, room 171. 898-3705. www.csuchico.edu/fye.
2. The WREC: Wildcat Recreation Center is your own grown-up playground! It houses a massive twostory gym, plus an indoor track and basketball courts, an outdoor pool, and a rock-climbing wall. Students get in free with a Chico State ID, and visitors can purchase a one-day pass for $10. www.aschico.com/wrec 3. Online arts calendars: The
Department of Art and Art History hosts a list of rotating shows at the many university and student galleries on campus at www.csuchico.edu/art; the School of the Arts has a listing of all student and faculty theater, music and art events at www.schoolofthearts-csuchico.com/ calendar; and Chico Performances posts its schedule of visiting, world-class performing arts at www.chicoperformances.com.
4. Yes, there are campus kickball and dodgeball leagues. Sign up for these and other intramural sports at www.csuchico.edu/recsports. 5. All-gender bathrooms on the
should be thinking that ‘I have the most opportunity here to do whatever I’d like to do, and become whoever I want to be.’ The Great Debate is a great way to develop your voice on campus, and your voice in the community.” When talking about other student resources on campus, Fukuhara pointed to the Associated Students and its various programs that offer a rich variety of options for students. “We are special in particular as a campus … because our AS is separate from the campus, so we actually own ourselves. We own our own business. … The revenue that comes through the bookstore is given back to us through other programs on campus.” The Wildcat Recreation Center (WREC) and Dining Services are two of the biggest examples of AS-owned and -operated entities. Others include AS Recycling, Adventure Outings, Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE) and the KCSC radio station. Among the other campus features Fukuhara highlighted were the giant standing sculptures of the Monolith Project—titled “Green Space”—in the courtyard behind Ayres Hall, as well as a couple of sweet spots for stealing away for some quiet study or reflection. “The [Bidwell Bowl] amphitheater located off the physical science building is a great quiet spot. It’s not very trafficked; there aren’t many performances [on the stage] there. If you want a quiet place to work, or you want to read a book out in the open, that’s one good place to go,” he said. “There are a lot of places on campus where people never really go. Selvester’s [Café] is really underrated,” he added. “It’s another great place to study, to hang out with friends, [and] they have great coffee ● there.”
lower level of the Bell Memorial Union. All genders and orientations welcome.
(minors welcomed) est. 1986
Open Daily @ 11am
Chico Tradition
HAPPY HOUR | 4 – 7 pm $1.50 SLIDERS
GRUB SPECIALS 2-FOR-1 MONDAYS | all day $5 FRIDAYS | 4 – 7 pm SATURDAY HOT DOG SPECIALS | 18 TVs! SUNDAYS Fantasy Football Headquarters | Champagne Brunch 9:30 – 1 pm
5th/Ivy | 343-7459 | www.Rileysbar.com Download our App - Rileysbar
13
13
• Full Bar (Locally Owned) • Large Patio • DJ Dancing • Karaoke Sunday • Great Happy Hour Thursday 4 – 8 Live music on outdoor patio
All local acts from Reggae to Rock to Funk to Jam to Hip-Hop to dance & D.J.
facebook.com/LaSallesBar facebook.com/LaSallesLIVE 21+ Follow us on Instagram/LaSallesBar 229 Broadway 893-1891 • Opens @4pm Tues–Sun Chico News & Review
Check off after proofing:
• GOIN’ CHICO 2014 5
SOUTH CAMPUS
Student performers on the 100th Monkey Café & Books stage during a concert sponsored by Chico State’s School of the Arts (SOTA) production class.
Former Chico State AS president recounts living in the center of the action
PHOTO COURTESY OF SOTA PRODUCTIONS
Bidwell Mansion er et
e Str
California State University Chico
W.
t. tS iF rs
BY
KATHERINE GREEN
. St th
igh
E W.
W.
t. hS
t Fif
t. hS
Pa
int
N W.
32
J
aypinderpal Virdee spent five years at Chico State, and this past May, on the eve of graduating with a degree in organizational communications, he reflected on his favorite Chico neighborhood. “I pledged to my fraternity [Phi Delta Theta] back in the spring of 2010 … and that following semester after pledging and being initiated, I lived in the fraternity house for a year. I loved living south of campus. That was one of the best years, and the best places to live.” The south campus neighborhood— from Second to Ninth Street, between Normal Avenue and Walnut Street—is largely Chico State grad and former AS President Jaypinderal Virdee. populated by students PHOTO BY KATHERINE GREEN living in apartments and
The Fifth Street house of Chico’s oldest fraternity, Phi Kappa Tau. PHOTO BY KATHERINE GREEN
the converted single-family homes of the area. And, of course, it’s also where you’ll find the majority of Chico State’s Greek houses. “There are five sorority houses, and a sixth one that should have a house next year. I think there are seven fraternities in the area, that I can count off the top of my head,” Virdee said. Virdee has been involved in student government at Chico State for three years, serving as Associated Students president during the 2012-13 school year. Speaking with him at the end of the 2014 spring semester, he was looking forward to graduating and starting a new job with Hewlett Packard in the Sacramento area. And as he leaves Chico for his new career, Virdee said that he owes a lot to his fraternity experience (“I’ve learned so much from this group of guys, and I would not be where I am today without them”), and to the community of students he was a part of while living in the fraternity house. “Being young college students, it’s a little intimidating living in a city apartment with families next door. [Here], you’re housed with people all around your age; you’re all going through similar experiences in life, no matter who you are. It’s very easy to cultivate relationships and friendships out of that. I highly advise living on the
south side of campus for that reason. I’ve made some great friends out of just being a neighbor.” And besides the friendships and his Greek experience, Virdee said the central location was the best feature of the southcampus neighborhood. “Living there, it was my first year in student government, so if I forgot anything, I could just run home and back and I had no worries. I was two blocks from campus, and two blocks from downtown, which is amazing. If I wanted to go to the Thursday night farmers’ market, it was literally a hop, skip and a jump, and I was there. If I wanted to go get Starbucks, it was a five-minute walk out of my day. I wasn’t driving, or dealing with the hassle of parking. I couldn’t have loved it more.” Though the neighborhood is flanked on its west and east sides by many local shops and restaurants within walking/biking distance—along Walnut Street and downtown, respectively—there is a de facto center square at the intersection of Fifth and Ivy streets (referred to as “Five & I”) where a few bars, restaurants and a convenience store cater to the typical student needs. SOUTH CAMPUS continued on page 8
LOCAL’S TIP Idea Fabrication Labs, 603 Orange St. The open source “maker space” is home to some of the coolest high-tech (and regular ) art-making tools in town—3-D printer, laser engraver, etc.—and the guys who run it put on innovative exhibits by the artists who come in and play with the toys. Visit www.ideafablabs.com for info on how to become a member and to find out when the next show is. 6 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
NO.
IT IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE.
The next time you are in the room with 6 people, think about this: • 1 in 3 teens experience sexual or physical abuse or threats from a boyfriend or girlfriend in one year. • 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men were sexually abused before the age of 18. • 1 in 5 men have experienced some form of sexual victimization in their lives. • 1 in 6 women are survivors of sexual violence. • 1 in 3 women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime.
These are not just numbers! They are our mothers, grandmothers, fathers, grandfathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, girlfriends, boyfriends, co-workers, extended family, next door neighbors, friends and our children.
RAPE CRISIS PROVIDES A VARIETY OF CONFIDENTIAL SERVICES TO SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WITHIN BUTTE, GLENN AND TEHAMA COUNTY, INCLUDING COUNSELING AND SUPPORT GROUPS.
WRITE YOUR OWN
BAGEL HAIKU! EXAMPLE: Through the hole I see
5
A hungry student like me
7 5
They need a bagel
Since 1974, Rape Crisis has been “fighting the fight”. Men, women, boys and girls lives are changed forever by heinous acts of sexual violence. Remember, they are not just numbers. They are the person you share your dreams with, the people in your church club, your teenager’s best friend, the guy on your soccer team, the friend you meet for coffee, your daughter or son. The silence and shame must end! Rape Crisis can help. No. It is a complete sentence.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE BAGELWORKS Write down your own Bagel Haiku and bring it in to get a medium fountain soda or medium coffee – FREE* *One per person per week – Offer ends September 30, 2014
117A West 2nd Street / Downtown Chico / 345.3443
530.342.RAPE (24-HOUR HOTLINE) WWW.RAPECRISIS.ORG Chi co News & Revi ew
•
GOIN’ CHICO 2014 7
SOUTH CAMPUS continued from page 6
WELCOME
Upscale Service
STUDENTS!
MINUS THE SNOBBISHNESS! G E L T O E S · J A M B E R RY N A I LS S PA P E D I C U R E S · S PA M A N I C U R E S
EXPERIENCED STYLISTS • JOICO COLOR •
CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!
AQUAGE BIOMEGA • FULL SERVICE SALON • FAMILY FRIENDLY • PARKING ON US!
2545 Zanella Way Ste. E 530.894.2912 • www.lavitachico.com
WALK IN’S WELCOME TUES - SAT • 11AM - 7PM • SUN - MON APT ONLY 151 BROADWAY • 891-4247
Tacos Mary PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
Pregnant? Need Help?
50% OFF Clothing &
Accessories SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY.
We are here. We can help.
USE PROMO CODE C&R10
FREE Pregnancy Tests
211 MAIN STREET (NEXT TO PLUTOS)
(530) 345-9711 • (800) 550-4900 DESIGNER
JEN_PU
REP
CNR ISSUE
FILE NAME BIRTHRIGHT
Welcome Back StudentS! AMB
10.30.08
CLEAN AND GREEN The Hybrid cab that Cares
• • • •
Quality 24hr Service Pre-paid student cards Accepts Credit Cards/AMX $120 Ride to Sacramento Airport
530.591.3186
EcoCabChico.com
Studio oNE SALoN Monica Crowl Color Specialist
nt u o c s i D 15% Recieve a
ntion co
ine & me
book onl when you
13 de CNR
8 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
13
The most iconic spots at Five & I are the excellent Mexican restaurant Tacos Mary, the family Italian eatery and great date spot Franky’s, and of course, one of Chico’s most popular weekend party destinations, the infamous Riley’s Bar & Grill. More recently, a few additional flavors have been added to the neighborhood, with Kiwi Blast frozen yogurt, Serrano’s Mexican
GOIN’ SOUTH CAMPUS Five must-sees:
1. Empire Coffee: The hip train-car
Campus Transportation
coffee shop, 434 Orange St. www.empirecoffeechico.com
2. 100th Monkey Café & Books: Café, bookstore, classes, live music and poetry. 642 W. Fifth St. 3. Good eats and drinks at Fifth
& Ivy: All at the same intersection: Tacos Mary, Serrano’s Mexican Grill, Kiwi Blast frozen yogurt, Franky’s Italian food, 100th Monkey, Riley’s Bar & Grill.
4. Orange Street Consignment: (530) 230–7244 2057 forest ave suite 2 (across from Walmart)
www.studioone-salon.com
...and more Downtown Chico Clark Road Paradise 345-4880 872-0812
Warehouse full of vintage items and collectables. 514 Orange St.
5. The field at Fourth and Cherry: a tree-lined block of grass perfect for games of catch and kicking the Hacky Sack.
Treasure-hunting in the massive Orange Street Consignment warehouse by the railroad tracks. CN&R FILE PHOTO
Grill and 100th Monkey Café & Books filling out the block. Virdee also commented on the area’s reputation on weekends, when the regular drinking and partying can make for pretty rowdy scenes at night. “People think that the south side of campus can be dangerous, but I think a lot of it is personal responsibility. As long as we’re responsible and we’re with a group of friends, nothing’s ever happened to us, which is a blessing.” And he pointed out that having things concentrated in one area has some safety advantages. “The bar scene is local, and I appreciate that,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about driving.” As for other activities, Virdee mentioned a small park next door to the Newman Center for Catholic students on Cherry Street. “My roommates and I, we’re typical boy’s boys, so whenever it’s sunny outside, we just cruise over to Fourth and Cherry streets. There’s a field, and we toss a football, get ● some of our friends to play.”
Unique & Affordable
CRAFTED
DORM/HOME DECOR
LEATHER
PARTY SUPPLIES
Purses • Bags • Wallets • Hats Belts • Jackets • Vests • Swords Slippers • Skirts • Tops • Knives • Motorcycle Gear & Eyewear • Indian Art Replicas
BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER CHAMPAGNE SUNDAY BRUNCH
GIFTS & KEEPSAKES
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
Come see our great selection of:
Chico’s Favorite Italian Restaurant and Home of the Best Breakfast!
09
09
09
09
10
10
10
10
13
09
13 2002-2013
10
CHINATOWN
DOWNTOWN
804 BROADWAY (Corner of 8th & Broadway) DOWNTOWN CHICO • 342-4788 REP.
CNR ISSUE
09
09
GC08
Open 7 days a week, 6am–11pm
Outdoor Patio & Banquet Room
Banquet Room
09
FILE NAME IRON MOUNTAIN
Over 1 Million Comic Books In Stock! 10 10 10 LJG
Open 7 days a week, 6am–10pm
10
09
10 FREE Bags & Boards w/ Every Book Mail-Order! 09 09 09 you Buy! Worldwide Heroclix w/ Tournaments, Magic, Statues, Toys, Supplies & More! Lay-away, Subscription, & Special-Orders at NO Extra Cost! 2593 Hwy 32 Chico, CA 95973
10
(530)345-0958 09
10
10
Tuesday - Saturday 11:00am - 5:30pm
09
Hunting for Supplies? N E W S & R E V I E W B U S I N E S S U S E O N LY DESIGNER
10
MM
ISSUE DATE
ACCT. EXEC.
06.05.09GC
JLD
FILE NAME HOUSEOFRICE_GC060509R1
Serving Chico With Fast, Friendly Service for 25 Years! Like us on Facebook
REV. DATE
05.21.09GM
USP (BOLD SELECTION) PRICE / ATMOSPHERE / EXPERT / UNIQUE
10
PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW YOUR ADVERTISEMENT AND VERIFY THE FOLLOWING:
Chico’s Pet Headquarters
09
10
1209
09
09
Authentic South Indian Cuisine 10
10
09
AD SIZE (COLUMNS X INCHES)
Toys & TrainingSPELLING Aids•Food & Medications•Much More NUMBERS & DATES CONTACT INFO (PHONE, ADDRESSES, ETC.) AD APPEARS AS REQUESTED
10
APPROVED BY:
ng
10 13
13 10
09
The Closest Pet Store to the University
510 Esplanade 342-7661
12 09
s Pets for over ico’ 10 Ch 0 ars Ye
Shrimp, Lamb & Pakoras, Vegetarian & Non-vegetarian Curries, Tandoori & Biriyani Entrees
Gro wi
JEN_PU
2234 The Esplanade 343-7000
4TH & BROADWAY • DOWNTOWN CHICO • 893-1794 • OPEN MON.-SAT. 10-5:30 09
DESIGNER
2525 Dominic Dr. 342-7771
09
09
2574 Esplanade • 530-899-1055
09
www.thepriya.com • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Lunch: 11am - 2:30pm • Dinner: 5:00pm - 9:30pm 10
10
10
DESIGNER
JEN_PU
REP.
JLD
Chi co News & Revi ew
CNR ISSUE
GC08
•
GOIN’ CHICO 2014 9
FILE NAME NORTHERN STAR MILLS
DOWNTOWN
Crowds line up at the food trucks during the downtown Thursday Night Market. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
Getting to the center of the action Sherri Scott sells vegetable starts from the GRUB Cooperative farm at the Thursday Night Market. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
BY
MEREDITH J. GRAHAM meredithg@newsreview.com
A
large part of what makes Chico special is the bustling downtown core, with its restaurants, bars, boutiques, salons and entertainment venues that create a real energy at the heart of the city. And with its location so close to the Chico State campus, downtown is a natural first stop for new and returning students and their families. In a relatively small space— from First Street south to Fifth and Salem Street west to Wall—Chico’s downtown core offers a unique opportunity to see a lot of what the city has to offer. Few know
that better than Nicole Romain, membership services coordinator for the Downtown Chico Business Association. The DCBA was created in 1976 and every business within the downtown borders, which actually expand to include the SoPO (South of the Post Office) neighborhood and some of the streets east of the core, is automatically a member. In her role, Romain is responsible for communicating with those members to help make sure not only that business is booming, but also that other needs—like employment, street cleanup and safety— are being met. One thing that distinguishes Chico’s downtown from those of
Nicole Romain, membership coordinator for the Downtown Chico Business Association, poses in front of the Tres Hombres patio. PHOTO BY MEREDITH J. GRAHAM
10 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
similar-sized cities and other college towns is that it’s mostly made up of locally owned businesses. “We have a lot of mom-andpops downtown,” Romain said. “We’re unique in that other downtowns have big-box anchors.” Some of the long-standing local favorites include: Melody Records (selling actual vinyl records!); the two Main Street bookstores, Lyon Books and The Bookstore directly across the street; and several outdoor-recreation shops—including three geared toward bicycling—serving the active Chico community. And Romain pointed to longtime local favorite Made in Chico as a prime example of how downtown’s shops cater more to people looking for something different than something you might find in a big corporate store. “Made in Chico is really, really cool,” she said. “You can get the gist of what they offer by the name. Everything in there is 100 percent made locally—there’s a lot of local art—and it’s very unique.” Other shops that similarly embrace that eclectic vibe are Home Ec, with its “oddly appealing home wares and gifts” and Bird in Hand, also the site of the National Yo-Yo Museum. Clothing stores in the
LOCAL’S TIP Hunt for outdoor art. From murals of Chico’s founders, John and Annie Bidwell, to outdoor art galleries, downtown is a hotbed of artistic expression. Visit the city’s website at www.chico.ca.us and click “City Arts Program” on the dropdown menu to find a list of public art works as well as a map of 16 colorful public-art benches where you can take a load off and enjoy the downtown scenery. core have similar attitude, and range from the ultra-chic men’s store Formal Education to the laidback Trucker to the fashionably funky Bootleg, its Second street neighbor Konjo, and Boho in the Garden Walk mall. A visit downtown isn’t complete without a stop in one of the many local cafés and restaurants. Naked Lounge Tea & Coffeehouse is a hotspot for students and hipsters alike, and Romain pointed to Sweet Cottage—which serves up pies by the slice or whole, along with all Nicole Romain tests out one of the cruisers lined up outside Campus Bicycles. PHOTO BY MEREDITH J. GRAHAM
manner of house-made jams, juices and teas—as a nice new addition to the downtown landscape. “One place I’d like to highlight is House of Bamboo,” Romain said of the Second Street restaurant that’s located just off the main drag. “They’ve got fantastic food, and there’s a fantastic family that runs the place. But most of the time it’s practically empty—it’s a real shame.” Some restaurants, like the Banshee (which serves up some mean fish tacos and a mouthwatering mac and cheese), double as bars DOWNTOWN continued on page 13
Great Adventures Begin at Mountain Sports Outdoor Gear
Casual Clothing & Footwear
FRESH FRUIT FROM THE
Farmer’s Market MAKES FOR GREAT PICNICS
CHICO SATURDAY 2nd & Wall Streets Sat 7:30am–1pm
CHICO NORTH VALLEY PLAZA Pillsbury Road Wed 7:30am–12pm
PARADISE 6491 Clark Rd Tues 7:30am–12pm
Chicofarmersmarket.com (530) 893–FARM ALWAYS FUN & FAMILY FRIENDLY
OROVILLE Montgomery & Myers St Sat 7:30am–12pm
Footwear
Clothing
Gear
• Keen • Chaco • Merrell • Montrail • TrekSta • Vasque • Lowa • Oboz
• Patagonia • Royal Robins • The North Face • Prana • Santiki • Columbia Sportswear
• Mountain Hardwear • Gregory • Black Diamond • Western Mountaineering • Osprey Packs • Deuter
Mountain Sports Serving Chico & The North Valley Since 1975 176 East Third Street • Downtown Chico • 345-5011 www.ChicomMountainSports.com
13 2005-2013
Open Monday-Saturday 9:30-6:00 • Sunday 11:00-5:00
FOR ACTIVE STUDENTS—WE STAY OPEN LATE OPEN 7AM TO 9PM EvERY DAY •Minor Emergencies •We bill Your Insurance •Choose Your Own Physician
•Low Cost •Colds/Flu •Physicals
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Chico 891-1676 376 Vallombrosa Ave. 7am-9pm Every Day
Paradise 877-5433 5875 Clark Rd. Mon-Fri 7am-7pm Sat & Sun 8am-4pm
Chi co News & Revi ew
•
GOIN’ CHICO 2014 11
“We love supporting a locally owned paper...” Chico News and Review was one of the first places that we started advertising when we opened almost two years ago. We got immediate response from even the smallest sized ad, and continue to get calls regularly. That’s the main reason to advertise in this paper. However, having grown up in Chico, owner and acupuncturist Olivia PetersLazaro, L.Ac. knows that the weekly CN&R is not only a source of news, but is also a source of information about most things going on in Chico and surrounding areas. We love supporting a locally owned paper that is really a hub of our town: it supports community involvement, the arts, news, and it is a great way for us to reach all the folks that benefit from using Chico Community Acupuncture. -OLIVIA Peters-LAzArO OWNER OF CHICO COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE
12
GOIN’ CHICO 2014
•
Chico News & Review
Tres!
meeet at m
r students te meeting plaCe Fo a Favorito Campus! + it’s Close
over 125
premium tequilas
Vintage treasures on the racks at Bootleg.
DOWNTOWN continued from page 10
and add to the nightlife Chico is known for. Duffy’s Tavern is probably downtown’s most local-centric bar, and is frequented by townies as well as the students who’ve made a local connection. Duffy’s is part of the busiest nightlife block in Chico, with the Lost on Main nightclub, its basement neighbor the DownLo (a great place to play pool!), and western bar the Crazy Horse all clustered together. The corner of Second and Wall streets—featuring The Beach, University Bar, VIP Ultra Lounge and Panama’s—is also a goto spot at night because of its four distinctly different clubs/bars on the same corner. Entertainment doesn’t start and end in the bars, though, as downtown is also home to two large music venues that book touring rock, rap, indie and electronic artists (the El Rey and Senator theaters), a community theater showcasing contemporary and original plays (Blue Room Theatre) as well as regular community events like the Thursday Night Market (April-September) and Friday Night Concerts at City Plaza. In addition to being downtown’s central gathering place, the City Plaza is also one of the main destination points for Chico’s homeless population. As Chico has grown, so have its social problems, and homelessness is one that the DCBA and others in Chico are
PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
working to improve. The Generosity Campaign, launched in 2013, encourages people to give to local agencies that help the homeless rather than giving directly to them. “You can drop off a tube of toothpaste, or cash, or you can volunteer” at a local agency, Romain said. “But don’t give anything to the people in the streets—it just prolongs their street life. The goal is not to drive the homeless out of downtown, but to get them what they need in terms of housing and jobs.” As unsavory as some of the aspects connected to homelessness (or nightlife rowdiness for that matter) can be, when it comes down to it, the homeless are citizens like the rest of us. And they contribute to the hip, upbeat and kinda funky vibe as much as all the townies, students, professors, baristas, hippies, hipsters, bar-hoppers, business owners and clerks who ● populate the downtown core.
13 Best Patio in town!
1st & Broadway | downtown ChiCo | 530.342.0425
13
A random downtown street performer. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
GOIN’ DOWNTOWN Five must-sees:
1. Thursday Night Market: Held every
Thursday evening, from April through September.
2. The Banshee: Great for lunch or dinner,
serving craft beers, wines and spirits. 134 W. Second St.
3. House of Rice: Specializes in food, décor
Park Plaza ChiCo 680 Mangrove ave 530-893-0808
Pheasant run Plaza ChiCo 2009 Forest ave 530-893-2727
and other Asian-themed items. 338 Broadway.
4. Upper Crust Bakery & Eatery: Delicious baked goods—and lunches, too. 130 Main St.
5. Tres Hombres Long Bar & Grill: A local (and student) favorite, known for its taco bar, margaritas and outdoor patio. 100 Broadway.
m–f 9–8 | sat 9–7 | sun 10–5 Check out ChicoSupercuts on facebook to receive a $3 off coupon Chico News & Review
• GOIN’ CHICO 2014 13
THE AVENUES Take a break from downtown for some history, art, food and shady respite M
L in d
. Coha s s e t Rd
o Ave .
. Ave ove ngr Ma
ade lan Esp
f th
. Ave
adi
Arc
ve. st A
an
ve. hA
. Ave
8t W.
i E. F
99
ir E.F Es The
Bidwell Mansion, the home of Chico founders John and Annie Bidwell, was built in 1865.
jasonc@newsreview.com
PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
pla
e. ve. t Av oA Firs ent . W am r c Sa W. Bidwell Mansion
BY
JASON CASSIDY
e nad
eet Str er
rn Wa
32
California State University Chico
I
t’s often said that downtown is the heart of Chico. And it’s true; it’s where the community most often comes together. But everyone who comes to shop, eat and be entertained in our city center enters via roads leading from other parts of town and each of those arteries carries distinct lifebloods. There are students from the west, townies from the south, and the stream of rejuvenated natureseekers returning from Bidwell Park in the east, all mixing together in the downtown heart. The warm glow of Avenue 9 Gallery at night is a magnet for the neighborhood. PHOTO BY BILL DI GRAZIA
“It’s not going to beat unless it has flow,” said local painter and retired Chico State professor Maria Phillips. “Downtown is wonderful, but there is more to Chico than that.” The analogy of blood flowing to Chico’s heart is Phillips’, and as one of the founders of the Avenue 9 Gallery—located on Ninth Avenue, right in the heart of the Avenues neighborhood—she’s one of the people who contributes to the eclectic personality it pumps into Chico from the north. And the arts advocate is very passionate about her ‘hood, and never at a loss to explain its romance and appeal to would-be visitors. “There’s this memory of the past, and yet it’s got this current, contemporary meaning to it—you might call it a ‘vibe,’” she said, referring to the blend of old and new attractions along The Esplanade. Among the old are the 116-year-old Northern Star Mills feed store at the south end (510 Esplanade) and the iconic Big Al’s Drive In near the north end (1844
Esplanade). And behind the gallery, Phillips pointed to the old Matador Hotel, looking like a 1950s postcard with its palm trees and Mediterranean-inspired design. Added to the mix are the more recent residents bringing new life to the area. There’s Avenue 9 Gallery and its rotating exhibits of local and visiting artists, and Ambiance Antiques and Art next door, plus a smattering of noteworthy local restaurants along The Esplanade: Red Tavern (1250), Nash’s Restaurant (1717), Turandot North China Gourmet Cuisine (1851), and many other great spots (Farm Star Pizza, Wild Oak Café and Sin of Cortez) north of the Avenues proper.
And The Esplanade, the road that takes you through the Avenues, is itself a destination. “We start out downtown with museum row,” said Phillips, referring to the trio of main attractions at the beginning of The Esplanade—the historic Bidwell Mansion built by Chico’s founding father, John Bidwell; its fairly new neighbor, the Gateway Science Museum; and the future home of the Museum of Northern California Art (monca), the old Veterans Memorial Hall, a couple blocks up the road. “Then you come up to this fabulous boulevard.” After Bidwell Park, The Esplanade is probably the most scenic drive in Chico. The wide tree-lined boulevard is one of the main arteries running through town, with two lanes of regular traffic moving each way through its middle section, and bikes and the occasional
Maria Phillips, painter, retired art professor and co-owner of Avenue 9 Gallery. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
14 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
LOCAL’S TIP
- STUDENTS SAVE IN EVERY DEPARMENT -
Art at the Matador: The annual spring arts celebration (usually the second weekend of May) is hosted by the Chico Visual Arts Alliance (ChiVAA) and fea tures a range of arts activities on the grounds with individual artist galleries in each of the rooms of the old Matador Hotel, 1934 Esplanade. www.chivaa.org/art-at-the-matador
BEER & WINE OVER 250 VARIETIES
Big Al’s Drive In is a Chico classic, the perfect spot to stop during a lazy ride down The Esplanade to grab a milk shake, corn dog or soft serve on a cone.
PRODUCE
GOURMET CHEESE
MEAT
PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
$3.00
OFF
$25.00 PURCHASE
2157 PILLSBURY RD. - CHICO • 345-2666 MON-SAT 8am – 10pm • SUN 8am – 9pm
EXPIRES DEC. 31, 2014. / NO CASH VALUE. NO CASH RETURN. NOT VALID FOR ALCOHOL OR DAIRY PRODUCTS, OR WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. #63552
Uptown Style Close to Campus
Just off The Esplanade, in the front half of Jamie Musser’s Ninth Avenue home, Lovene’s has been offering second-hand and upcycled clothing for nearly 40 years. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
Happy Hour every day 2-6 Small plates/House wine $3.50
car rolling along the sleepy one-way side roads. In addition to the gorgeous canopy of neatly spaced trees, the storybook scene along The Esplanade is enhanced by some of Chico’s oldest, biggest and most beautiful homes lining its side streets. The Esplanade was even featured among the grand boulevards of Paris and Barcelona in The Boulevard Book, written in 2002 by a trio of urban planners who opened with a snapshot of the “wonderful street in Chico, California.” “One can imagine taking a walk here on a summer evening, with or without an ice cream cone.” The authors likely didn’t take any strolls from June to August in Chico, or else there would’ve been no question—you’ll need that ice cream. Just stop along the way at Big Al’s for a soft serve or one of their famous “triple● thick” shakes.
GOOD AT CHICO GROCERY OUTLET ONLY
House liqueur $3.50 Sierra Nevada Draft $3.00
GOIN’ DOWN THE AVENUES Five must-sees:
1. Bidwell Mansion, 525 Esplanade (next to Chico State), www.facebook.com/ BidwellMansionSHP
2. Avenue 9 Gallery, 180 E. Ninth Ave., www.avenue9gallery.com 3. Big Al’s Drive In, 1844 Esplanade 4. Lovene’s Clothing: Vintage and upcycled threads. 252 E. Ninth Ave.
pagne Cham Sat & h Brunc 10-2 Sun
5. Gateway Science Museum: Ice-age
skeletons, mini ecosystems, and rotating exhibits on science and nature, 625 Esplanade. www.csuchico.edu/gateway
Chico News & Review
• GOIN’ CHICO 2014 15
GOIN’ LOWER PARK
UPPER PARK
A view of Salmon Hole from the cliffs above Big Chico Creek.
Five must-sees:
PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
1. The Polar Bear Plunge: Every New
Year’s Day, hundreds of brave Chicoans take a dip in Sycamore Pool.
2. Endangered Species Faire: Butte Environmental Council’s annual event celebrating native plants and animals is held in May.
Chico’s busiest and ( arguably ) most fun green space
3. Janeece Webb Living Animal
Museum: Meet the Chico Creek Nature Center’s nonreleasable animal friends, including a red-tail hawk.
A summer flight off the remnants of the Diversion Dam in Big Chico Creek.
4. Howard S. Tucker Exhibit Hall:
Exhibits on the park’s natural wonders are on display—at the Chico Creek Nature Center.
PHOTO BY HOWARD HARDEE
Entrance to Annie’s Glenn. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
5. Cedar Grove: A beautiful meadow with picnic areas surrounded by cedars and the World of Trees Nature Trail.
LOCAL’S TIP Sweet swimming spot: Leave Yahi Trail at Devil’s Kitchen (a series of pillar-like Lovejoy-basalt rocks popular with rock climbers), and make your way down to the creek. Be mindful of the poison oak lining the overgrown trail. Unlike many of Upper Park’s swimming holes, this spot has a sandy beach, and it’s not visible from the trail. So, be ready for nudists. Visit www.bidwellpark.org to download maps of Bidwell Park trails.
The pool is a magnet during Chico’s long, hot summers.
One of Ann Schwab’s favorite spots in Lower Park is Sycamore Pool at One-Mile Recreation Area.
PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
PHOTO BY MELISSA DAUGHERTY
Bidwell Park Ranger Shane Romain. PHOTO BY HOWARD HARDEE
Park ranger urges users to take care while enjoying Chico’s wild space
CHICO STATE CAMPUS
LOWER PARK BY
MELISSA DAUGHERTY melissad@newsreview.com
G
etting to Lower Bidwell Park from Chico State is as simple as following Big Chico Creek, the waterway running directly through the campus. And getting there is easier and safer than ever, thanks to some infrastructure improvements over the last few years. Chico City Councilwoman Ann Schwab, who was elected back in 2004, pointed many of them out during a walk from the edge of downtown into the heart of Lower Park on a warm late-spring afternoon. She started at the entrance to Annie’s Glen, an isolated area of the park that serves as its westernmost entry point. Schwab mentors volunteers as part of her job as program manager at Community Action Volunteers in
Education (CAVE)—an Associated Students couple, who deeded 2,500 acres of the organization at Chico State—so it’s not surpris- park’s 3,670 acres to the city. The horseshoe pits are ing she put in a plug for giving time back to “They were contemporaries of John located at the west side of the park. She was among a group from the Muir and other naturalists, and they saw One-Mile Recreation Area. PHOTO BY MELISSA DAUGHERTY Friends of Bidwell Park that cleaned up Annie’s it as very special and wanted to keep it Glen—by pulling out invasive plants, such as open and accessible to everyone,” Himalayan blackberry—for the park’s 100th Schwab said. “[Donating the land] is anniversary back in 2005 (native species have something they had decided together.” the Council Fire Ring; in addition to picnic and since been planted there). People can also volToday, one would be hard-pressed to find barbecue areas that the public can reserve for unteer through the city’s Park Watch program. someone who appreciates Lower Park more private parties. Among the park’s more spectacIn 2009, the city constructed a tunnel than Schwab. She lives adjacent to it, and ular features are its giant oak and sycamore under the street that separated Annie’s Glen takes full advantage of that proximity on a trees flanking the pool. The canopy of Lower from the rest of the park. A few years later, the daily basis. “I kind of think of it as filling up Park provides a shady respite this time of year, tunnel was covered in nature-themed handmy soul,” said Schwab, who moved here for col- as does the creek. made tiles. Further transforming the area was lege in 1975. Lower Park in general is a high-use recrethe installation of a pedestrian bridge crossing She walks the park ational space. Paved and dirt trails for walking the creek as well as ornate light standards and each morning, along and biking run its length. Horseback riding is a new pathway. Before that, the area had with the many allowed on some of the easternmost trails. become a magnet for tranother regulars, Park-goers can learn more about the space, sients who set up makeshift and during the including the native species inhabiting it, at camps along the creek. The warmest the nonprofit Chico Creek Nature Center, the greenway is an active thorevenings of the park’s official visitor’s center, located at 1968 E. oughfare for bicyclists and year, cools off in Eighth St. Take a dip in Sycamore Pool pedestrians. the chilly waters of Even though this lower section of the park The namesake of the Sycamore Pool, the is heavily used, Schwab has seen a lot of at dusk. I t’s less crowded area, Annie Bidwell, was the large pool built into the wildlife in the space, such as deer and turkeys. and much more peaceful in wife of Chico founder John creek. That spot is located She’s seen some oddball things, too, including the evenings. For relief from Bidwell. The greater park, at the One-Mile Recreation someone walking their pet sheep, named Salt the daytime heat, walk the which comprises three disArea—home to softball and Pepper, she recalled. She noted that each trails closest to the creek tinct regions—Lower Park, fields; horseshoe pits; Caper stroll brings new discoveries. to scope out the best Middle Park and Upper Acres, a fairytale-themed “A walk in the park is always an adventure,” Park—is named after the children’s playground; and ● Schwab said. swimming holes.
LOCAL’S TIP
BY
HOWARD HARDEE howardh@newsreview.com
“T
his is what I love about the park,” Senior Chico Park Ranger Shane Romain said during an interview at Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park. He was gesturing to a great blue heron slowly stalking through the reeds along the shoreline as a red-winged blackbird attempted to light on its tail feathers. “You never know what you’ll see out here.” Romain has an obvious connection to Bidwell Park. At a sprawling 3,670 acres, the bulk of the park’s area is contained in Upper Park—a mix of incredible rock formations, swimming holes, abandoned New Deal-era projects and windswept grasslands. The ranger lingers over what others might not give a second glance—a patch of pineapple weed on the trail, a recently hatched duckling’s broken egg shells, a bird hitching a ride on another bird’s behind. In short, Romain stops to smell the wildflowers, and he thinks everybody else should, too. “When a lot of people visit Upper Park, they don’t take the time to appreciate everything that’s here,” he said. “People go to Bear Hole to jump and swim and have a good
time, and that’s great. But the geological forces that created that area are so amazing. If people took a minute to appreciate those things, I think that would foster greater stewardship.” Plenty of college students can relate to Romain’s first Chico experience. After floating the Sacramento River one Labor Day weekend with his girlfriend, he was so impressed that he returned to his home in the Bay Area and told his roommates he was moving to Chico. “I’ve been here ever since,” he said. Once Romain made the move, he began pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a park ranger. “I’ve wanted to be a ranger ever since I was a little kid,” he said. “I would set up my stuffed animals and lead my parents on wildlife safaris.” He completed his general education requirements at Butte College and transferred to Chico State to earn a degree in parks and natural resources management. Shortly thereafter, he was hired by the city of Chico. In the seven years since, the rangers have been chronically understaffed, Romain said. He’s one of only three park rangers employed by the city, including one seasonal position. They’re responsible not only for Bidwell Park in its entirety, but also Lindo Channel, Children’s Playground, Comanche and Little Chico creeks and Chico’s downtown City Plaza. With only one ranger on shift at a time, and so much ground to
16 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
GOIN’ UPPER PARK Five must-sees:
1. Monkey Face/Horseshoe Lake: The iconic rock face overlooks Horseshoe Lake, the starting point for most Upper Park adventures.
2. Hooker Oak Recreation Area: Technically in Middle Park, this green space has barbecues, a basketball court, baseball and softball fields and the Sherwood Forest disc-golf mini course. 3. South Rim Trail: Along the edge of the canyon on the south side of Big Chico Creek; popular with serious mountain bikers.
4. Yahi Trail: A more shady trail that begins near Horseshoe Lake and follows Big Chico Creek upstream for 4 miles, providing access to the popular swimming spots: Alligator, Bear, Salmon and Brown’s holes. 5. Peregrine Point disc-golf
course: An 18-hole course on the southern rim of the canyon off Highway 32.
cover, an enforcement presence in Upper Park is rare. In other words, upkeep relies heavily on user stewardship. As such, Romain urges hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders to stay on designated trails and be mindful of closures due to rain, which help prevent erosion. Of late, the rangers have increasingly encountered rogue trail-building, where overzealous park-goers cut back vegetation to forge new paths. “We depend on the public to get involved, to report those things and let people know it’s not cool to do that,” he said. There certainly isn’t a shortage of existing trails. There are a dozen major trails and many minor, unnamed ones. Those along Big Chico Creek in Upper Park are the most scenic and diverse, though the entire park is worth exploring. Romain’s personal favorite is the Yahi Trail, which offers spectacular views along Big Chico Creek. The Yahi is off-limits to mountain bikers and horseback riders and is maintained by the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society. “There’s an overlook over the Salmon Hole that’s just beautiful,” Romain said. “That’s a must-see.” So, what’s his best advice for first-time park users? “Be respectful,” he said. “Follow the regulations—they’re there to keep you safe—and be mindful of where you’re at and what you’re ● doing.”
Chico News & Review
CMYK
pg16 GC 2014
CMYK
• GOIN’ CHICO 2014 17
GOIN’ LOWER PARK
UPPER PARK
A view of Salmon Hole from the cliffs above Big Chico Creek.
Five must-sees:
PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
1. The Polar Bear Plunge: Every New
Year’s Day, hundreds of brave Chicoans take a dip in Sycamore Pool.
2. Endangered Species Faire: Butte Environmental Council’s annual event celebrating native plants and animals is held in May.
Chico’s busiest and ( arguably ) most fun green space
3. Janeece Webb Living Animal
Museum: Meet the Chico Creek Nature Center’s nonreleasable animal friends, including a red-tail hawk.
A summer flight off the remnants of the Diversion Dam in Big Chico Creek.
4. Howard S. Tucker Exhibit Hall:
Exhibits on the park’s natural wonders are on display—at the Chico Creek Nature Center.
PHOTO BY HOWARD HARDEE
Entrance to Annie’s Glenn. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
5. Cedar Grove: A beautiful meadow with picnic areas surrounded by cedars and the World of Trees Nature Trail.
LOCAL’S TIP Sweet swimming spot: Leave Yahi Trail at Devil’s Kitchen (a series of pillar-like Lovejoy-basalt rocks popular with rock climbers), and make your way down to the creek. Be mindful of the poison oak lining the overgrown trail. Unlike many of Upper Park’s swimming holes, this spot has a sandy beach, and it’s not visible from the trail. So, be ready for nudists. Visit www.bidwellpark.org to download maps of Bidwell Park trails.
The pool is a magnet during Chico’s long, hot summers.
One of Ann Schwab’s favorite spots in Lower Park is Sycamore Pool at One-Mile Recreation Area.
PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
PHOTO BY MELISSA DAUGHERTY
Bidwell Park Ranger Shane Romain. PHOTO BY HOWARD HARDEE
Park ranger urges users to take care while enjoying Chico’s wild space
CHICO STATE CAMPUS
LOWER PARK BY
MELISSA DAUGHERTY melissad@newsreview.com
G
etting to Lower Bidwell Park from Chico State is as simple as following Big Chico Creek, the waterway running directly through the campus. And getting there is easier and safer than ever, thanks to some infrastructure improvements over the last few years. Chico City Councilwoman Ann Schwab, who was elected back in 2004, pointed many of them out during a walk from the edge of downtown into the heart of Lower Park on a warm late-spring afternoon. She started at the entrance to Annie’s Glen, an isolated area of the park that serves as its westernmost entry point. Schwab mentors volunteers as part of her job as program manager at Community Action Volunteers in
Education (CAVE)—an Associated Students couple, who deeded 2,500 acres of the organization at Chico State—so it’s not surpris- park’s 3,670 acres to the city. The horseshoe pits are ing she put in a plug for giving time back to “They were contemporaries of John located at the west side of the park. She was among a group from the Muir and other naturalists, and they saw One-Mile Recreation Area. PHOTO BY MELISSA DAUGHERTY Friends of Bidwell Park that cleaned up Annie’s it as very special and wanted to keep it Glen—by pulling out invasive plants, such as open and accessible to everyone,” Himalayan blackberry—for the park’s 100th Schwab said. “[Donating the land] is anniversary back in 2005 (native species have something they had decided together.” the Council Fire Ring; in addition to picnic and since been planted there). People can also volToday, one would be hard-pressed to find barbecue areas that the public can reserve for unteer through the city’s Park Watch program. someone who appreciates Lower Park more private parties. Among the park’s more spectacIn 2009, the city constructed a tunnel than Schwab. She lives adjacent to it, and ular features are its giant oak and sycamore under the street that separated Annie’s Glen takes full advantage of that proximity on a trees flanking the pool. The canopy of Lower from the rest of the park. A few years later, the daily basis. “I kind of think of it as filling up Park provides a shady respite this time of year, tunnel was covered in nature-themed handmy soul,” said Schwab, who moved here for col- as does the creek. made tiles. Further transforming the area was lege in 1975. Lower Park in general is a high-use recrethe installation of a pedestrian bridge crossing She walks the park ational space. Paved and dirt trails for walking the creek as well as ornate light standards and each morning, along and biking run its length. Horseback riding is a new pathway. Before that, the area had with the many allowed on some of the easternmost trails. become a magnet for tranother regulars, Park-goers can learn more about the space, sients who set up makeshift and during the including the native species inhabiting it, at camps along the creek. The warmest the nonprofit Chico Creek Nature Center, the greenway is an active thorevenings of the park’s official visitor’s center, located at 1968 E. oughfare for bicyclists and year, cools off in Eighth St. Take a dip in Sycamore Pool pedestrians. the chilly waters of Even though this lower section of the park The namesake of the Sycamore Pool, the is heavily used, Schwab has seen a lot of at dusk. I t’s less crowded area, Annie Bidwell, was the large pool built into the wildlife in the space, such as deer and turkeys. and much more peaceful in wife of Chico founder John creek. That spot is located She’s seen some oddball things, too, including the evenings. For relief from Bidwell. The greater park, at the One-Mile Recreation someone walking their pet sheep, named Salt the daytime heat, walk the which comprises three disArea—home to softball and Pepper, she recalled. She noted that each trails closest to the creek tinct regions—Lower Park, fields; horseshoe pits; Caper stroll brings new discoveries. to scope out the best Middle Park and Upper Acres, a fairytale-themed “A walk in the park is always an adventure,” Park—is named after the children’s playground; and ● Schwab said. swimming holes.
LOCAL’S TIP
BY
HOWARD HARDEE howardh@newsreview.com
“T
his is what I love about the park,” Senior Chico Park Ranger Shane Romain said during an interview at Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park. He was gesturing to a great blue heron slowly stalking through the reeds along the shoreline as a red-winged blackbird attempted to light on its tail feathers. “You never know what you’ll see out here.” Romain has an obvious connection to Bidwell Park. At a sprawling 3,670 acres, the bulk of the park’s area is contained in Upper Park—a mix of incredible rock formations, swimming holes, abandoned New Deal-era projects and windswept grasslands. The ranger lingers over what others might not give a second glance—a patch of pineapple weed on the trail, a recently hatched duckling’s broken egg shells, a bird hitching a ride on another bird’s behind. In short, Romain stops to smell the wildflowers, and he thinks everybody else should, too. “When a lot of people visit Upper Park, they don’t take the time to appreciate everything that’s here,” he said. “People go to Bear Hole to jump and swim and have a good
time, and that’s great. But the geological forces that created that area are so amazing. If people took a minute to appreciate those things, I think that would foster greater stewardship.” Plenty of college students can relate to Romain’s first Chico experience. After floating the Sacramento River one Labor Day weekend with his girlfriend, he was so impressed that he returned to his home in the Bay Area and told his roommates he was moving to Chico. “I’ve been here ever since,” he said. Once Romain made the move, he began pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a park ranger. “I’ve wanted to be a ranger ever since I was a little kid,” he said. “I would set up my stuffed animals and lead my parents on wildlife safaris.” He completed his general education requirements at Butte College and transferred to Chico State to earn a degree in parks and natural resources management. Shortly thereafter, he was hired by the city of Chico. In the seven years since, the rangers have been chronically understaffed, Romain said. He’s one of only three park rangers employed by the city, including one seasonal position. They’re responsible not only for Bidwell Park in its entirety, but also Lindo Channel, Children’s Playground, Comanche and Little Chico creeks and Chico’s downtown City Plaza. With only one ranger on shift at a time, and so much ground to
16 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
GOIN’ UPPER PARK Five must-sees:
1. Monkey Face/Horseshoe Lake: The iconic rock face overlooks Horseshoe Lake, the starting point for most Upper Park adventures.
2. Hooker Oak Recreation Area: Technically in Middle Park, this green space has barbecues, a basketball court, baseball and softball fields and the Sherwood Forest disc-golf mini course. 3. South Rim Trail: Along the edge of the canyon on the south side of Big Chico Creek; popular with serious mountain bikers.
4. Yahi Trail: A more shady trail that begins near Horseshoe Lake and follows Big Chico Creek upstream for 4 miles, providing access to the popular swimming spots: Alligator, Bear, Salmon and Brown’s holes. 5. Peregrine Point disc-golf
course: An 18-hole course on the southern rim of the canyon off Highway 32.
cover, an enforcement presence in Upper Park is rare. In other words, upkeep relies heavily on user stewardship. As such, Romain urges hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders to stay on designated trails and be mindful of closures due to rain, which help prevent erosion. Of late, the rangers have increasingly encountered rogue trail-building, where overzealous park-goers cut back vegetation to forge new paths. “We depend on the public to get involved, to report those things and let people know it’s not cool to do that,” he said. There certainly isn’t a shortage of existing trails. There are a dozen major trails and many minor, unnamed ones. Those along Big Chico Creek in Upper Park are the most scenic and diverse, though the entire park is worth exploring. Romain’s personal favorite is the Yahi Trail, which offers spectacular views along Big Chico Creek. The Yahi is off-limits to mountain bikers and horseback riders and is maintained by the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society. “There’s an overlook over the Salmon Hole that’s just beautiful,” Romain said. “That’s a must-see.” So, what’s his best advice for first-time park users? “Be respectful,” he said. “Follow the regulations—they’re there to keep you safe—and be mindful of where you’re at and what you’re ● doing.”
Chico News & Review
CMYK
pg16 GC 2014
CMYK
• GOIN’ CHICO 2014 17
T he
NOR-SAC
et
e Str
California State University Chico
rd Av e.
Touring the colorful (and tasty) west-side hood with a longtime resident
de
er
No
a lan
Bidwell Mansion
rn Wa
32
Esp
. ve. Ave t s to A r i n F e W. ram Sac W.
F W.
The no-nonsense façade of Everyday Vietnamese Cuisine belies the colorful dishes of affordable cuisine inside.
BY
KEN SMITH
PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
kens@newsreview.com Longtime Nor-Sac area resident Tim “Turtle” Bailey settles into a bowl of pho. PHOTO BY KEN SMITH
T
he intersection of Nord and West Sacramento avenues is visible from the front door of Tim Bailey’s Columbus Avenue apartment, which also offers a vantage point for a constantly unfolding production of human drama provided by a never-ending cast of passing college students, transients, weirdos, working folk and shifty characters. “The other day I was out here having a cigarette and a guy came cruising along playing a flute,” said Bailey, a Chico musician and man-about-town better known by the nickname Turtle. “So I went upstairs and grabbed a ukulele and we had a little impromptu jam session. “Later on I found a note on the door saying thanks for playing some music and that he’d lost his walking stick. So
The Dog House is at the center of the action in the parking lot of the University Square Shopping Center. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
18 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
if you see a walking stick … ” he joked as we Pizza in University Square (“The sandwiches are left his apartment on a tour of the neighboramazing, especially The Italian, and the guy hood, Turtle leading the way on a longboard who runs it is a Chicago Bears fan”) and while another friend and I followed on bikes. Sophia’s Authentic Thai, located just Our first destination was the recently opened south (305 Nord Ave.). He also loves Everyday Vietnamese Cuisine (951 Nord Ave.). Donut Rising in University Square, par“I’ve been here a few times and think it’s ticularly the bacon-and-maple Oh Canathe best pho on this side of town,” he said, da bars, and said most of the restauslurping away at a giant bowl of chicken noodle rants in the vicinity are worth a visit. soup ($6.95) as he related how he came to “It’s not just food, but there’s some Chico and the time he’s spent in the Nor-Sac really interesting shopping … like a neighborhood. really great home-brewing supply store In the year 2000, Turtle was a bona fide rail- just down the street [Chico Home Brew way tramp who—realizing he didn’t have time Shop, 1570 Nord Ave.]. The Thai place to reach New Orleans to meet his other hobo [Sophia’s, 305 Nord Ave.] is next to the Red friends for Halloween—decided Chico was a Room Tattoo [231 Nord Ave.] and there’re a suitable backup. He’s been in Chico since and bunch of smoke shops around, too.” spent about six years total in this neighbor“There’s really not much night life in this hood—his first local home a different apartment on Columbus Avenue. For him, A typical fun, hectic night of punk rock at Monstros Pizza. the main attractions for this PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY area geared toward college students and other lowincome residents are the cheap rent and the central location—near the university, downtown and an eclectic cluster of restaurants. “The food in this neighborhood is incredible,” he said of the many restaurants centered around the Safeway/University Square shopping center (1008 W. Sacramento). “Within a few hundred yards you can get excellent food from all over the world—Italian, Mexican, all kinds of Asian food, everything.” Listing his favorites, Turtle mentioned Mamma Celeste’s
Donut Rising’s Oh Canada bar … comes with bacon! PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
Local Goodness
Let us Make
YOu HappY With the Best Chinese
LOCAL’S TIP Though it’s hard to tell through all the modern apartment complexes, much of this historic part of town was home to the Mechoopda Maidu Indian Rancheria and some of Chico founder John Bidwell’s earliest orchards. The last remnants of these are a tribal cemetery at 808 W. Sacramento Ave. and many century-old pecan and walnut trees scattered throughout the neighborhood. The cemetery is fenced in and best appreciated from outside the gates, because everyone knows it’s a bad idea to go tromping around Native American burial grounds uninvited. part of town, though—no bars really,” he said. “There’s a hookah place right over there [The Hookah Spot, 995 Nord Ave. Ste. 150], but I’ve never been there because I don’t smoke hookah. Other than that, Aca Taco and Subway [both in the University Square] are open after the bars close, so you get a lot of drunk people in there late at night and it can be entertaining.” Elvira welcomes the neighborhood to Tony’s Liquor.
Turtle said the exception to the lack of nightlife is when Monstros Pizza (628 W. Sacramento Ave.) holds concerts a few times a month. A fixture in the local music scene who’s been in notable punk bands, such as Gruk and Disorderly Event, Turtle has enjoyed the sawdust-on-floor pizza-and-punk palace from both sides of the stage. “It’s the only all-ages venue that has withstood the test of time, and they have great shows, mostly punk and metal bands,” he
PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
said. Turtle also believes that Monstros has the best pizza in town (he especially praised the tomato sauce) and serves cheap beers, including the rare-for-Chico bottled Schlitz and the nonofficial official beer of punk rock, Pabst Blue Ribbon. As we headed west toward Monstros, a man, whose name our guide couldn’t recall, paused to say, “Hey, Turtle!” as we crossed the railroad tracks. The tracks inspired Turtle to reveal some of the darker parts of the human drama he’s seen from his stoop. “Just a few months ago a guy was involved in a gunfight over here, then got hit by a train while he was running away,” he said. “The neighborhood can be a little rough, so people should always be a little careful.” Monstros was closed that weeknight, so we grabbed a take-out nightcap at the nearby Tony’s Liquor (634 W. Sacramento Ave.), another area landmark. “See ya, Blondie,” the Eastern European man at the counter told Turtle as we left, to which he responded, “See ya, Smiley.” “He’s on a first nickname basis with lots of regular customers,” ● Turtle explained.
GOIN’ SOUTH CAMPUS Five must-sees:
1. The Dog House (West): Try a
killer Western Bacon Cheese Dog or Frito Pie washed down with top-notch lemonade, University Square shopping center, 1008 W. Sacramento Ave., www.chicodoghouse.com
The diverse student- and lowincome-housing neighborhood of Nor-Sac straddles the train tracks on the west side of town. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
2. La Fleur de Michoacan: Exceptional homemade Mexican ice cream in exotic flavors, University Square shopping center, 1008 W. Sacramento Ave. 3. Super cheap eats: Warner
Street Grocery has some of the cheapest quick bites in town, like a Polish sausage and huge soda for under $3, 1147 Warner St.
4. Star-gazing: Between the Chico
High and Chico State athletic fields along West Sac, there is plenty of open area without lights and trees obstructing the view of the night sky for staring into space … or other latenight activities.
5. Punk rock and sawdust: Kick up some sawdust on the floor of Monstros Pizza at one of the Pyrate Punx-produced all-ages punk shows, 628 W. Sacramento Ave., www.chicolist.com
Open 7 days for Lunch & Dinner all Credit Cards accepted
Bakery Lunch
2002-2010
HappY GarDen
Cakes
180 Cohasset road • (near the esplanade) 893-2574 or 893-5068 • HappyGardenChico.com
Catering
Chinese restaurant
random awesomeness modern home accessories Vintage inspired designs
Open 7 Days a Week!
231 Main St | 343-5686
130 Main St Chico (530) 895-3866
Buy ONE GEt ONE
FrEE
home, gifts & random awesomeness
Buy 1 burger and 2 drinks and get the second burger of equal or less value FrEE! Home of the
ONE POuNdEr 1550 East avEnuE across from pv high school (530) 891-6100 • BigchicoBurgEr.info
$5 OFF
any purchase of $15 or more
Good at all arc StoreS
DINING GUIDE SS 2011
www.thearcstore.org chico 2020 Park Ave. oroville 2745 Oro Dam Blvd. Worthy Goods Paradise 6640 Clark Rd. oPen 7 dayS a Week! Expires 10/01/14
08
chico’s BeSt thrift Store! Chico News & Review
• GOIN’ CHICO 2014 19 08
Check off after proofing:
08
SoPO Venture South of the Post Office for another kind of downtown
ansion
32
St. st
Fir W.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
t. hS
t
igh
E W.
t. hS W.
t Nin
Pa rk
Ave .
M
Works from the spring 2014 members’ exhibit at 1078 Gallery.
JASON CASSIDY
jasonc@newsreview.com
32
I
f a neighborhood is going to get labeled with a nickname like SoPO, it had better have a scene that lives up to its hip-sounding moniker. An acronym for South of the Post Office—the heart of which encompasses Main and Broadway streets from Fifth to Ninth Street—the four-block-long area is a much less partyfocused extension of the downtown core, and is in fact home to some of Chico’s more stylish local businesses: the Winchester Goose craft-beer bar, Three-Sixty Ecotique, Nantucket Home eclectic home furnishings, Tin Roof Bakery & Café, Chico Natural Foods Co-op, Leon Bistro, 1078 Gallery, among others. “I think this is kind of the alternative nightlife spot,” said Josh Hegg. And he would know. Not only is he the music director for the 1078 Gallery, he’s also one of the busiest performers and producers in Chico. Hegg moved to town from the San Diego area in 2008 to study music at Chico State, and since arriving has made a name for himself in two of Chico’s most popular bands—prog experimenters Clouds on Strings and jazz quartet Bogg—and as one of the producers in Uncle Dad’s Arts Collective, which puts on its own original theater, music and other performing-arts productions at the 1078 Gallery as well other local venues. The Uncle Dad’s fun is just one small part of the busy schedule of “contemporary and experimental artworks” that 1078 Gallery has been bringing to Chico audiences in its 33 years (the past eight of which have been in its current SoPO location). Most weeks, in addition to the regular visual-art shows, the gallery’s calendar features at least one concert by local and touring indie-rock, folk, metal, experimental or jazz artists, plus poetry readings, films, theater performances and art workshops. And lately, just a couple doors down from 1078, the most recent addition to the SoPO scene, the fresh and funky Winchester Goose has added a new burst of energy to the neighborhood. With its stylish space, and meticulously curated selection of rotating craft beers, the Goose has quickly become a local hotspot. And on the nights when 1078 is hosting an event, the two block mates are a natural complement to one another. 20 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
Check off after proofing: __ ■ ■ TG HH ■ JC ■
MD ■
MJG ■
“I think we kind of help each other,” Hegg said. “I think this area is livening up.” Among the SoPO destinations bustling throughout the day are the Tin Roof Bakery & Café, with its delicate pastries and arguably the best bread in Chico; Leon Bistro, where California Culinary Academy-trained chef Ann Leon serves up some of Chico’s finest cuisine; and Chico Natural Foods Co-op, which is committed to natural, organic and locally sourced food and produce and also serves as a busy hub for Chico’s progressive community—many of whom do good work via the Chico Peace & Justice Center a few blocks away. But, despite its attractive features, it’s sometimes a hard sell getting new students to venture down to SoPO. Hegg said that, given that Chico is a smaller city than many of those from which students have moved, there is often a perception by newcomers that the local offerings are going to be less sophisticated, and even amateur, in comparison. As a result, a lot of students tend to stick close to the school, falling into the well-worn party-school groove. “There’s a lot of pressure to go out to all
GOIN’ SOPO Five must-sees: Chico musician and promoter Josh Hegg sits outside the 1078 Gallery, where he serves as musical director.
1. 1078 Gallery, 820 Broadway, www.1078gallery.org
2. Chico Natural Foods Co-op, 818 Main St., www.chiconatural.com
3. Winchester Goose, 800 Broadway, www.thewinchestergoose.com
4. Tin Roof Bakery & Café, 627 Broadway, www.facebook.com/tinroofbakery
5. Pullins Cyclery: Selling and working on Chico’s bikes for nearly 100 years. 801 Main St., www.pullinschico.com
LOCAL’S TIP Open Mic Night at Has Beans, Thursdays, 7-10 p.m. It’s barely in SoPo (501 Main St. ), but the funky little café and its extremely popular weekly open mic definitely lean away from the party scene and more toward the eclectic expressiveness of its southern neighbors.
1 in 4
people live with Mental Illness. Iversen Wellness & Recovery Center and Northern Valley TalkLine are here to help.
1-855-582-5554 7 days a week 4:30pm - 9:30pm
Confidential • Non-crisis Peer-to-peer support Empathetic listening Country-wide resource referral TalkLine does not accept blocked calls. The Warm Line and Iversen Center are supported by Butte County Department of Behavioral Health and MHSA funding.
Iversen Wellness & Recovery Center
Encouraging support and socialization for individuals working toward mental health recovery. M-F, 9am - 4:30pm, Saturday 11am - 3pm Iversen Center (530) 879-3311 Med Clinic (530) 879-3974 492 Rio Lindo Ave.
the clear alternative to braces removable. comfortable. nearly invisible
B. Scott Hood, D.D.S., M.S. the party spots,” he said. But for those who do venture out of the college bubble and check out a local rock show, community-theater performance or an art opening, they come to find that Chico has something of value to offer. “It’s not refrigerator art,” Hegg said. “We have a good network of locals or transplants [not only] making real neat art, but also collaborating, crossing boundaries and stuff.” And in many ways, the SoPO area is the ideal
Chico Natural Foods Co-op produce worker (and local astrologist) Kevin “Koz McKev” Durkin.
destination for adventurers interested in exploring what makes Chico move, whether its local art and music, artisan food, fashion, sustainability or community activism. “I think of Chico as the sandbox,” Hegg added, suggesting that there is room for anyone with a little curiosity to jump in and play along. “You can do pretty much ● anything you want.”
Professional, Friendly, & Experienced Orthodontics Exclusively Dr. Hood is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics specializing in Braces and a certified provider for Invisalign™
A stack of passion-fruitcaramel-buttercream macarons from Tin Roof Bakery.
2755 Esplanade Chico CA 95973 Phone 530.343.7021 • Fax 530.343.3672 5657 Clark Rd #5 Paradise CA 95969 Phone 530.877.4951 • www.hoodortho.com Chico News & Review
• GOIN’ CHICO 2014 21
CHAPMANTOWN mb
lo Val
Getting to the heart of Chico’s most diverse neighborhood
t. hS
E.
t igh
E
t old
e. Av
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
b
m Hu
32
CLAIRE HUTKINS SEDA claires@newsreview.com
99
Ave .
Mu
lbe
rry
LOCAL’S TIP St.
Don’t miss Kite Day, the first weekend of spring, when all of Chico, kids and adults alike, descend on Community Park to fly their colorful kites.
E. 2 0th
St.
Pa rk
E
very Friday afternoon, rain or shine, many Chapmantown residents walk down to the end of Cleveland Avenue, to the edge of the massive Community Park, to visit the Chapmantown Farmers’ Market. “We have all sorts of vendors and it’s growing,” said market manager Lindsey Holmberg. Some of the vendors, like the Maker’s Garden of Second Baptist Church, and brand-new vendor Amberglen Farm, are actually growing their vegetables, herbs and plant starts in Chapmantown. It’s a true community market. A native Chicoan, Holmberg first got into farming in Oregon after college, but soon made her way back home, where she found a work-trade position at GRUB CSA Farm. She’s lived on and off in Chapmantown for the last three years, and during that time, she worked as market support staff for Richard Roth,
Chapmantown resident and founder and manager of the neighborhood’s market until he retired this year. “Richard Roth is really a champion of Chapmantown,” Holmberg said. “[He] commited himself for five years to the market and finally retired, though [he’s] still active in sustainable-farming advocacy.” Holmberg is organizing some of the community’s upcoming programs, like the monthly healthy-eating events, and is hopChapman Certified Farmers’ Market manager Lindsey Holmberg.
Market manager Lindsey Holmberg prepares for the weekly Friday afternoon community market in Chapmantown.
There’s plenty of room at the expansive Community Park for several sports—from softball to soccer—to be played simultaneously.
ing to institute an EBT-matching program over the summer. “I think it’s important to reach the diverse community,” Holmberg said, noting that the Chapman neighborhood has both ethnic and economic diversity, with 64 percent of its residents living in poverty. The community, Holmberg says, qualifies as a food desert, a place where most residents have barriers to obtaining fresh food, as the neighborhood doesn’t have a grocery store. The market, then, offers a place in the community where residents can walk to get fresh produce. Chapmantown also lacks some amenities that other parts of town are used to, like sidewalks, street lamps and city police officers. That’s because Chapmantown is not technically Chico; it’s unincorporated land surrounded on all sides by Chico. (Some things are slowly changing, as many parts are now linking up to city sewer, for example.) The borders are generally agreed to be from
CHAPMANTOWN
22 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
Chico folk duo Bunnymilk on the intimate Café Coda stage. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
continued on page 24
9
10
Curious
Art?
about
530-879-1821
09
10 09
10 09
Come see us!
We’re the Cat’s 09
09
09
09
CHAPMANTOWN continued from page 22
Sat W 12-5
10
Meow!
Chico Locker and Sausage Co. does it all— cutting, curing and even cooking the meats at its processing warehouse and deli. > Tune-ups > Mufflers > Clutches
> Brakes 10 09 > Smog Check 10
> Air Conditioning > Shocks > Transmissions > Electrical
Uptown Chico 9th Ave at the Esplanade avenue9gallery.com
10 09
10 09
10 09
10
10
10 09
12
13
12 10 09
13
10 09
10
10 09
10
EIGHTH & MAIN ANTIQUE CENTER 09 10
“WHERE THE NORTH VALLEY SHOPS FOR THEIR HOME” 893.5534 • 745 MAIN STREET, CHICO • EIGHTHANDMAIN.COM Eighth & Main
ANTIQUES
09
09
10 09
10 09
10
Shop & Save amazing selection + low prices • Benefiting the Shalom Free Health Clinic • Decorate your dorm while helping the community
Treat yourself to gift certificates up to 75% OFF! Visit www.newsreview.com
09
Humboldt Road (or perhaps Ninth Street, depending on whom you ask) to 20th Street, and from Highway 99 down to Mulberry Street (or all the way down to Park Avenue, for some). This little island of not-Chico, generally considered the most working-class, diverse neighborhood in town, is famous for its boisterous crowing roosters, its roaming chihuahuas and the occasional pit bull, and its residents’ commitment to their neighborhood and its many quirks. Within its nebulous borders, Chapmantown offers plenty to do. “I like going to Has Beans on Humboldt Avenue,” Holberg said. “It’s the gathering place for the neighborhood.” Coffee sippers can also check out the books at the Little Library, a book exchange that is set up right next to the cafe. Chapmantown hosts a number of Little Libraries, including one outside of Subud Hall, a funky little community hall that hosts classes like Dance of Universal Peace. Down the street from Has Beans, on the very edge of Chapmantown, is popular restaurant
GO CHAPMANTOWN Five must-sees:
1. Chapmantown Farmers’
Market, 1010 Cleveland Ave. Fridays 2-5:30 p.m., year-round, rain or shine.
2. Has Beans, 1078 Humboldt Ave., www.hasbeans.com 3. Café Coda, 265 Humboldt Ave., www.cafecoda.com
4. Chico Locker & Sausage Co., 196 E. 14th St., www.chicolockersausage.com
250 East 1st St • Downtown Chico • Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm 24 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
Grayscale
5. Show Love Thrift, 1405 Park Ave., www.facebook.com/ShowLoveThrift
and music venue Café Coda, with a line out the door most weekend mornings for brunch. Eight hours later, the line reforms, this time for its vibrant live music events. Just a few doors down is Humboldt Skate Park, although it’s occasionally closed due to vandalism. Community Park, also often called 20th Street Park, isn’t just home to the farmers’ market; it’s also popular for pickup sports, including soccer and spikeball. The volleyball courts are almost as crowded as the soccer fields on the weekends. The park also has a playground, tennis courts and horseshoes. Holmberg sees a wide variety of parkgoers, saying “during summertime, what I think is really great, is that in the evening people will just flood into Community Park: old men playing chess, kids playing soccer and baseball …” If the weather isn’t cooperating, Off the Wall Soccer provides indoor soccer on 20th Street, right across the street from the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., whose brewing grains can often be smelled across Chapmantown. On the opposite side of the neighborhood, at the corner of Locust and 14th streets (near Park Avenue) is Chico Locker & Sausage Co., where meat lovers drool over house-made sausages and a fullservice deli. And across the street is the huge family-run Show Love Thrift, this author’s favorite thrift store in town. Their piles of freebies bring in the hordes, but the real draws are their great daily specials, good quality stuff, and their honest interest in helping the community. A sign in their dressing room sets the tone: “We care about your karma. Please don’t steal. If you really need it, ● just ask.”
BARBER Old company town turns funky—in good way ol
mb
Hu
32 t. tS irs
BY
F W.
TOM GASCOYNE t. hS
t igh
int
N W.
Pa rk
Ave .
tomg@newsreview.com
Mu
lbe
rry
St.
Local experimental jazz quartet Bogg sets a lively mood at popular Barber watering hole, the Maltese Bar & Tap Room. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
E. 2
32
0th
St.
E W.
t. hS
T
he Barber neighborhood sits in southwest Chico bordered by Ninth and 22nd streets between Park Avenue and Chestnut Street. Barber developed as a company town serving the Diamond Match Co. factory, which was built in 1906 and still stands (in semi-ruin) on a large piece of land on the west side of the neighborhood. The factory got its start when a man named Ohio Columbus “O.C.” Barber was passing through Chico on the train and a member of his party fell ill. As it happened, Barber and his buddies had come to California in search of trees to supply the match company he’d built in the town he’d founded called Barberton, Ohio. The story goes that Barber exited the train, looked around, saw all the trees and figured, “These will do.” He subsequently built a sawmill in an area 12 miles north of Paradise where he founded the town of Stirling City, named after the boiler company he owned
Barber neighborhood resident Roger Montalbano stands in front of his Normal Avenue home. PHOTO BY TOM GASCOYNE
Old-growth trees shade much of the Barber neighborhood. PHOTO BY TOM GASCOYNE
back in Ohio. The Barber neighborhood eventually was absorbed into the city of Chico and the match company stopped operations in 1984. Today the neighborhood is made up of mostly older homes interspersed with some newer apartments and a number of restaurants, bars and stores along Park Avenue and some of the streets that intersect with it. The neighborhood is also defined by the many towering palm, sycamore and pine trees that line the streets. Roger Montalbano, part-owner of two of Chico’s iconic businesses, Duffy’s Tavern and the
Pageant Theatre, has lived in the Barber neighborhood for almost 40 years. “I love this neighborhood,” Montalbano said during a recent interview. “I don’t think I’d want to live anyplace else in Chico. It’s got enough young people in it so it doesn’t seem like it’s a retirement community and yet it doesn’t, with a few exceptions, have that rowdy, college kind of a feel.” He’s lived at a number of different addresses in the neighborhood and now resides on Normal Avenue in a house he bought in 1991. Barber, he said, has a certain funky feel and smell to it. And he means that in a positive way. There is a community garden at the corner of Normal Avenue and 16th Street, which in the past year has been joined by the now-flourishing Jesus Center garden, whose produce is served at the center’s free meal program for the down-and-out. “People have chickens here,” Montalbano said. “It’s got a nice ethnic mix, too. There are some great shops like the little Mexican grocery store, and it’s really close to Chico Natural Foods. I hardly ever go outside the neighborhood to shop. Normally the farthest I go is probably down to Duffy’s, but the Maltese is here and then there is the Park Avenue Pub, and the Sicilian Café is within walking distance. And Nobby’s, of course, has one of the best hamburgers in town.” BARBER continued on page 29
LOCAL’S TIP Put on your cheese skirt. The only thing better than one of the giant 1/3 lb. burgers at Nobby’s (1444 Park Ave. ) is one with cheese, which is allowed to melt down over the sides and onto the grill, where it cooks into a crispy skirt of pure goodness. Chico News & Review
• GOIN’ CHICO 2014 27
ALL SPORTS PACKAGES
15-50” PLASMA HDTV’S
DRINK SPECIALS
Pool, Shuffle Board Ping Pong & More Super Close to Campus!
Specialty Pizzas • Pizza by the Slice Salads • Calzones • Hot Sandwiches
CELESTINO’S Authentic New York Pizza Downtown Chico
896-1234
3-5PM 10PM - MIDNIGHT HAPPY HOUR DAILY! EVERYTHING ON SPECIAL! ALL BEERS & ALL LIQUOR
Downtown Chico
896-1234
Buy 2 Slices
gET 1 FREE
CELESTINO’S Authentic New York Pizza
Valid Anytime. One Coupon per Person. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Exp. 8/31/14
$2 OFF Any Large 18” Pizza or $1.50 Off any 14” Medium Pizza
MONDAY NIGHT 5-9PM 2 FOR 1 HAMBURGERS
Valid Anytime. One Coupon per Person. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Exp. 8/31/14
TUESDAY 7-MIDNIGHT 25 CENT KAMIKAZES & $4 DOMESTIC PITURES
Open 7 Days! We Deliver! All Day Downtown Chico • 101 Salem St. (corner of 1st & Salem) • 896-1234
1
#
The Northstate’s Twin Sets Full Sets Queen Sets King Sets
Oasis Bar & Grill • 1007 West 1st St. • 343-4305
NEWS & REVIEW BUSINESS USE ONLY
Furniture Liquidators DESIGNER
ISSUE DATE
KS
06.06.14
ACCT. EXEC.
BDC
FILE NAME OASISBAR060614R1
REV. DATE
06.03.11
USP (BOLD SELECTION) PRICE / ATMOSPHERE / EXPERT / UNIQUE
109.88 $ 139.88 $ 169.88 $ 199.88 $
PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW YOUR ADVERTISEMENT AND VERIFY THE FOLLOWING: AD SIZE (COLUMNS X INCHES) SPELLING NUMBERS & DATES
CONTACT INFO (PHONE, ADDRESSES, ETC.) AD APPEARS AS REQUESTED APPROVED BY:
Same Day Delivery • Financing Available • Open 7 Days a Week
H
S
olbrook’
28
GOIN’ CHICO 2014
•
Ch i c o N e w s & R e v i e w
N A T I O N A L
N A M E
B R A N D
1408 Park Avenue • 893-2019
BARBER continued from page 27
GOIN’ BARBER Five must-sees:
1. La Michoacana: Mexican grocery store, bakery and deli, 1414 Park Ave., Ste. 116. 2. Her’s Asian Food Market, 1414 Park Ave, Ste. 110. 3. The Maltese Bar & Tap Room:
live music, burlesque, drag revues, and retro cocktails, 1600 Park Ave., www.themaltesebar.com
4. The Rotary Playground: basketball,
playground and shade, at 16th and Broadway streets.
5. Tacos Cortez, 1530 Park Ave.
The Barber Yard was built for the lumber to be used in the former Diamond Match Co., depicted above on an old postcard. PHOTO BY TOM GASCOYNE
DISCLAIMER
The author of this story is a current Barber neighborhood resident who was also born in Barberton, Ohio, and raised about a mile outside the limits of the city where his father served as chief of police in the 1970s and early ’80s.
Sergio Alejandre Jr. and his sister Amairany pose in front of house-baked goods at LaMichoacana. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
Treat yourself to gift certificates up to 75% OFF! Visit www.newsreview.com
He said he knows a man who’s lived in a house on 11th Street between Salem and Normal since 1946 and that he also had a next-door neighbor named Bernice who lived in her house until she was 90 years old. “She stayed until she just got too old to live by herself,” he said. “But she was still driving a car in her 80s and mowing the lawn with an electric-cord lawnmower.” Bernice told him that she had planted what is now a towering sycamore tree in her yard when she was 12 years old, “That means its 70-something years old now and it is a gorgeous tree,” he said. “There is just that kind of history here.” He said sometimes the neighborhood can get a bit noisy and that there are some landlords who don’t keep up their properties and rent to “less-than-desirable people.” “But it always comes and goes and I’m grateful for the fact that my neighbors have historically accepted my parties and my noise,” he said. “Everybody just looks out for everybody else and knows when it’s their turn. The guy next door has been having Mexican fiestas and playing music loud with his pals. And that’s just great. The kids across the street call themselves ‘The Normal Thespians’ and are in the acting program at Chico State.” At one time, he said, the place housed the Chico State lacrosse team and before that it was known as the “Surfin’ Warehouse” and occupied by young hipsters. “When I first moved in here and, of course, had a house-warming party, it went through the evening and into the morning. The late, great Matt Hogan and Dave ‘Twelve Pack’ Sorenson were sitting on the front porch singing till all hours of the night. The next morning I went over to apologize to Bernice and she said ‘Oh, don’t worry about me, I’m deaf.’ And I said ‘Score!’ Deaf neighbor on one side and party kids on the other.” He said today the neighbors across the street play drums loud and late, but he’s not complaining. “Part of being in a neighborhood community is accepting everybody’s particular idio● syncrasies.”
Pizza
Full line of Round Table’s famous Specialty and Create Your Own Pizzas, plus Flatbreads, Pasta & Sandwiches
Pub
Rotating selection of craft beers on tap New menu of burgers, appetizers & blended drinks
Play
New state of the art video games • Prize redemption center Party room for teams, groups & family gatherings
Wether you’re looking for Pizza, Pub or Play, Round Table’s CLUBHOUSE is the place to be! Visit our traditional Round Table Pizza locations at Chico • 964 Mangrove Ave • 343-4254 Chico • 2027 Forest Ave • 342-7265 Paradise • 6038 Clark Road • 872-2233 ONLINE ORDERING AT WWW.ROUNDTABLEPIZZA.COM Chico News & Review
• GOIN’ CHICO 2014 29
MALL TOWN
A warehouse of youthful fashions in the ‘ginormous’ Forever 21 at Chico Mall.
Chico Mall 99
PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
E. 20th St.
Forest Ave.
It’s another world on the other side of the freeway
Skyway
BY
KEN SMITH kens@newsreview.com
T
he distinctly un-Chico aura about the city’s southern retail district, centered around the Chico Mall on East 20th Street, is exactly what appeals to refugees spending a few-year sojourn here for school or other purposes. While downtown and other parts of the city retain varying levels of smalltown charm dominated by local businesses, Mall Town unabashedly embraces the homogenized, mostly corporate feel of suburban sprawl. For those who hail from cities like Temecula, San Jose, Roseville or Fresno, it can feel like home. Locals likewise visit the area—sometimes begrudgingly—out of sheer convenience. Regardless, if you spend any length of time in Chico, you’ll eventually end up navigating these Olive Garden and Logan’s Roadhouselined streets and parking lots. It’s inevitable if only for the fact that it’s home to the only In-NOut Burger for at least 45 miles. Autumn Stallings, Amanda Hernandez and Tawnie Torres know plenty about making the most of Mall Town. Stallings has worked at the Vans store in the Chico Mall for nearly seven years, while Hernandez and Torres have each worked 30 GOIN’ CHICO 2014 • Chico News & Review
there almost three years, and all are students and Chico natives. The women shared some tips one recent weekday afternoon when mall traffic was at a minimum. During such slow times, the ladies said they sometimes entertain themselves with the occasional game of hide-and-seek in the store racks, assembling outfits and play-
ing dress-up with the merchandise, or talking in fake accents to customers and passersby. “But that’s all pretty rare, because we’re usually pretty busy,” Stallings was quick to add. The women said their jobs provide them with a front-row
seat to some primo peoplewatching. They have regulars, like a mall-walker (“He actually goes really fast; he’s more of a mallrunner,” said Stallings) who has waved hello for many years but never stopped to introduce himself. And there’s the occasional sensational happening. “Sometimes you get one that has you telling stories for weeks,” Hernandez said. As an example, Torres mentioned that the paramedics recently came after a man accidentally wounded himself with a knife he bought from the Cutlery Works store across the way. And Stallings was on the clock once when someone called to threaten to blow up the mall. Come lunchtime, the ladies have a few standbys. “Subwaaaaaaay!” they chimed in chorus when asked about their most common destination. (There are two in the area— one in the Target shopping center and one inside Walmart.) “Actually, Auntie Anne’s [Pretzels, in the mall] is our favorite, but when we have to take a break from pretzels we go to Subway, or sometimes Togo’s.” The women also mentioned some good noncorporate options for take-out, like the recently opened second location of downtown favorite T. Tea Bar & Fusion Cafe (now also at 555 Flying Working at the mall: Vans store employees (from left) Autumn Stallings, Tawnie V St.), a vegetarian-friendly Torres and Amanda Hernandez try to keep things fun in Mall Town. destination offering spePHOTO BY KEN SMITH cialty teas and bowls and
wraps built from your choice of greens, grains and proteins. They also said Ojiya Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar (2477 Forest Ave.) has good sushi and teppanyaki-style dining, in which food is prepared on a flat hibachi set in front of diners. And most Chicoans would agree that some of the best Thai and Chinese food in town can be found at Cocodine Thai Cuisine (Raley’s shopping center) and Tong Fong Low (2072 E. 20th St.), respectively. “The Vans store is the best store in the mall, of course,” Stallings offered when asked about shop-
LOCAL’S TIP USDA Forest Service Genetic Resource and Conservation Center, 2741 Cramer Lane. On the edge of Mall Town, the facility known to locals as the Tree Farm features nature trails that run along Comanche Creek through a demonstration forest filled with tree and plant species from around the globe. Highlights include the Giant Bamboo Forest, buildings dating back to 1904, and the fact it’s dog-friendly.
A warm, soft pretzel from Auntie Annie’s in the Chico Mall. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
3
GOIN’ MALL TOWN Five must-sees:
1. Burger Hut: The “Neighborhood Special”
(burger, fries and soda for $7.08) is a Chico institution. 2451 Forest Ave. www.burgerhut.com
2. Krispy Kreme: Chico had one, then it didn’t, and now it does again. 2060 Business Lane.
• Appetizers and Sushi • Salads, Rice and Soup • Hot Noodle and Curry Dishes • Rolls and Big Tuna Rolls • Beer, Wine and Sake 1722 Mangrove Ave Chico Open everyday Sun - Thu 11:30am - 10pm 345-4571
3. BevMo!: Huge variety of craft beers, wines and booze in bulk. 1937 E. 20th St.
4. Over the 99: Most of the commerce is on
the east side of the freeway, but the west side has some staples, too—Barnes & Noble, Costco, Michaels Arts and Crafts, etc.—on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.
Fri - Sat 11:30am - 10:30pm
• Outdoor patio • Sushi • Rolls • Hot noodle & curry dishes • Beer, wine & sake
5. Scrubbs Hand Car Wash & Detail
Center: More than just a car wash, it has a great gift shop and decent deli as well, with massage chairs! 1020 Skyway.
There might be one around nearly every corner in the home cities of many newly arrived students, but in Chico, there is just one In-N-Out Burger.
THINK FREE.
ping. She also mentioned PacSun and American Eagle Outfitters clothing stores. “There’s a Victoria’s Secret, for the girls,” Torres said, “And Zumiez is pretty cool. “Oh, and we have a ginormous Forever 21,” said Stallings. And when Hernandez mentioned Dick’s Sporting Goods, Stallings added, “It’s also ginormous.” As for grabbing a drink after a long shift,
the three said if they stay in Mall Town they go to The Handle Bar (2070 E 20th St., Suite 160), which offers a fine collection of craft beers and pub grub. As for events, Mall Town isn’t known much for nonshopping-related public events. Though there is the Food Truck Tuesdays street-food rally in the parking lot of T.J. Maxx (2540 Notre Dame Blvd.), and the Vans trio said the Chico Mall’s Safe & Sane Halloween celebration, in which mall retailers decorate their stores and hand out candy, is a nice event. “It gives parents a place to take their kids for Halloween so they’re not out wandering the streets,” Stallings said. The women added they’ve sometimes joined in, fashioning costumes from over-sized shoe boxes formerly ● used for window displays.
Great Japanese restaurants
2000 Notre Dame Blvd Chico On the corner of East 20th St & Notre Dame behind Best Buy 342-8500
Open everyday 11:30am - 10pm
• Ramen • Donburi • Curry • Sushi • Beer, wine & sake Lunch: M-F 11:30am - 3pm Dinner: M-F 5pm - 10pm Dinner: Sat 4pm - 10pm
Outdoor Patio
243 W. 9th St Chico 891-9044
PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY
TRY CHICO’S #1 CALIFORNIA BURRITO, SEASONED GRILLED CHICKEN, MARINATED TRI-TIP! Sa
fe
No
rd
Av
e
wa
y W.
W. Sac Ave
rd
No e Av
Bulldog Taqueria
ve
cA
Sa
995 Nord Ave • Chico • 592.3605 (across from Safeway on Nord) www.bulldogtaqueria.com
Chico News & Review
pg31 GC 2014
• GOIN’ CHICO 2014 31
Chico State students ride the for
FR EE with a valid CSUC ID card! Simply swipe your valid Wildcat ID Card on the farebox. Get Rider Alerts on
facebook.com/blinetransit
COUNTYWIDE SERVICE
Chico • Paradise • Oroville
TRACK YOUR BUS ARRIVAL TIME WITH THE
B-LINE TRACKER
simply text the bus stop ID to
27299 and receive an instant
reply on how many minutes until your bus arrives!
Butte Regional Transit For more information, including complete time schedules & bus stop locations, pick up a brochure on the bus, call 530-342-0221 (Chico Paradise Area) or visit our web site www.blinetransit.com