Issuu

AMAZING FAC E ! See Arts Feature, page 36

Celebrating the local people who fill our plates

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SEASON See Chow, page 28

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B LO O M S See Newslines, page 8

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The Anarchy Express Unless something changes between now and Monday, Sept. 30,

America’s sick fascination Lsemi-automatic weapon. It won’t be long until these common events are relegated to page 7 of the newspaper

ast week, we had another mass shooting using a

along with the activities of the City Council budget process and fall removal of leaves from the streets of Chico. Mass murder is as American as apple pie and getting as common. Coincidentally, on the day of the shooting, I received an advertisement from an NRA-supported gun group that reviewed and praised the recently released UTAS 15 Round Bullpup Pump Shotgun. This new military-style weapon by is made in Turkey. The review says Dean Carrier “there is no other shotgun in the market that can touch it. The top-loading magaThe author is a zine tubes on the UTAS 15 are … eas[y] wildlife biologist with to load … and the UTAS 15 automatically 50 years of field lets you hand-select the sides, in case you experience. He is now want slugs in one side and buckshot in semi-retired, but he the other.” regularly travels to In actuality, this gun is made to do one practice his passion thing: kill a lot of humans very swiftly. for wildlife photography. He Even more distressing were the comlives in Paradise. ments from this website’s readers. One person who questioned the gun’s utility was attacked as a “liberal” and was told by one member the weapon’s purpose was “crowd control for that crowd trying to come through your front door!” I 4 CN&R September 26, 2013

realize this is a common occurrence, to be sure. Perhaps groups of Girl Scouts aggressively selling cookies or Jehovah’s Witnesses banging on the windows with their Bibles? Other inane pro-comments included: • “I’m pretty sure it’s used for eliminating would-be rapists, thieves and gangbangers that break into homes and cause families great harm.” (My comment: One round of buckshot will cut a grown man in half. Fifteen rounds? You’d pick up the pieces with tweezers.) • “Just imagine if Bill Clinton were still in office; these weapons would be declared ‘Destructive Devices’ and flat outlawed.” (Comment: And what title should we put on such weapons?) • “I live near to prisons and if by some miracle they manage to escape en masse that gun could definitely ‘sweep’ the house!” (Comment: A common occurrence?) I’m sure last week’s mass shooting will spur more efforts for practical gun legislation and I’m equally certain the militants, along with our local Congressman, Doug LaMalfa, will revert to arguments by their esteemed cult leader, Wayne LaPierre and the NRA, and double their efforts to defeat any sane gun legislation. Is our society sick, or what? Ω

the U.S. government is headed for a horrific train wreck, thanks to the Republicans in the House of Representatives, who appear ready to go along with the anarchists among them and defund Obamacare, even if it means shutting down the government. Never mind that polls show a majority of Americans support the Affordable Care Act. Never mind that it was an issue in the 2012 presidential election and the candidate who opposed it, Mitt Romney, lost. House Republicans are so determined to starve Obamacare that they’re willing to stop paying America’s bills and sacrifice the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. They know that, for President Obama and congressional Democrats, the health law—which, after all, was passed by Congress, signed by the president and upheld by the Supreme Court—is not negotiable. What the Republicans are doing is, in a word, extortion. They’re saying that, unless Democrats give them what they want—that is, destroy the most important legislative achievement of this president’s tenure—they will blow up the government by refusing to raise the debt ceiling. By the way, since when does the House have the right to defund—that is, repeal—laws duly passed by Congress and signed by the president? What’s next, Medicare? Unemployment insurance? Social Security? As former Labor Secretary Robert Reich points out, there’s a constitutional issue here that should be tested. In any event, if the Senate finesses passage of the bill raising the debt ceiling and restores funding for the health law, the package will go back to the House. This will be a defining test for House Speaker John Boehner. If he once again acquiesces to the extremists on his far right and requires his caucus to vote against the amended bill, the government will almost certainly shut down, causing an economic disaster of monumental proportions. We’ll know whom to blame. Ω

A heartless House In another chapter in Washington’s annals of wasted time and

energy, House Republicans passed a bill that would scale back the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by $40 billion over the next decade, which would eliminate food stamps for millions of current recipients. Under the bill, savings would be realized in a number of ways. First, it would allow states to implement new work requirements and limit the food-stamps allotment for certain adults without dependents to three months. Additionally, it would require recipients take drug tests to qualify. The merits of the bill, of course, were lauded by the same people who regularly extol family values, charity and other Christian teachings. Voting in lockstep with his right-wing compadres was none other than our esteemed local Congressman, Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), a conventional rice farmer who evidently has no problem taking food out of the mouths of low-income families. Meanwhile, his own family has made millions of dollars from corporate welfare in the form of farming subsidies— $5 million since 1995. In June, LaMalfa voted for a farm bill that would have cut $20 billion from the program while increasing farm aid. But other Republicans dug in their heels, refusing to pass that bill. They wanted deeper cuts. So, they drafted this new bill on food stamps alone. Under it, as many as 4 million of the nation’s neediest people would be disqualified from SNAP benefits next year, followed by about 3 million each year thereafter. Some of those people, should the bill pass, would be LaMalfa’s constituents. But this bill has absolutely no chance of making it in the Senate. It’s a monumental waste of time, and demonstrates only how heartless and obstinate federal Republican leaders have become in recent years. Ω

Send email to chicoletters @ newsreview.com

SECOND & FLUME by Melissa Daugherty melissad@newsreview.com

Food and garbage While I was in college, I mostly lived on a farm that’s been in my family for more than 40 years. My Texas-born grandfather was an orchardist later in life—growing almonds and walnuts—and raised some cattle on part of the property. His father was a big Texas rancher, but for my granddad, his small herd was more of a hobby. I think I can safely attribute my love of horses to being around him when I was a little girl. My grandmother grew all manner of produce on the farm. I remember very clearly helping her search for asparagus spears, and picking blackberries from trellises my grandfather had fashioned from fence posts and thick wires. Both of my grandparents passed away many years ago, but my time around them instilled in me a desire to grow my own food. It’s probably why I have such a great deal of respect for farmers and ranchers, particularly the small operations. This week, we’re paying tribute to the little guy in agriculture with our first-ever farm-to-table issue, or what I’ve been calling our “meet your farmer” feature. More props, sort of: I wanted to give my former boss, Chico Enterprise-Record Editor David Little, some kudos for getting rid of the garbage on page 2A—the Tell It to the E-R feature. I remember many, many years ago—probably close to a decade ago—asking David why he kept it around. I was a recent college graduate, and embarrassed that the paper I worked for ran the anonymous screeds. (Many of the editorials made me cringe, too, but that’s another story.) David told me he didn’t like the feature either, but that he was going to catch hell if he scrapped it. In fact, as I recall, at one point, he shortened the number of comments by just one and an ad began running under the section. I’m not sure whether or not that was a trial balloon, but it certainly didn’t go over well. A lot of very vocal people liked reading that nonsense. Even back then, the write-ups didn’t seem to provide any commentary of substance. It was nothing more than a poorly constructed gossip feature. A couple of weeks ago, after the paper ran that comment calling for the city managers’ and City Council members’ “heads on a stick,” I wrote in this column that I was mystified as to why David would keep printing that rubbish. I’m sure my opinion on the subject didn’t drive him to eighty-six Tell It to the E-R, so don’t blame me if you were a fan. I’m guessing that Lord of the Flies-esque comment was the last straw. In his recent column announcing the end of Tell It to the E-R, David said he rarely read it. That’s weird. I’m not one to give a lot of advice, but it seems like a strange practice to not read a feature in the paper you edit— even if it stinks. When I worked for the E-R, David did edit the feature—you know, to vet it for things like libel and, uh, threats. Sacking it was the right call.

Notes on fracking Re “Taking back the foothills” and “The future of the f-word” (Editorial, Aug. 22 and Cover feature, Sept. 19): Thank you, County Supervisor Bill Connelly, for protecting the purity of our drinking water. Everybody who needs clean, pure drinking water should appreciate your actions; in fact, everything should: All animals and plants, every agricultural product, perhaps the Earth itself, need lots of clean, fresh, pure water, too. No living thing can long survive without pure water. It’s priceless. DESIGNER Please, Mr. Connelly, and all our county JEN_PU supervisors, demonstrate your leadership by also conserving and protecting our fresh, pure underground water, the Tuscan Aquifer, from contamination. Right now there is fracking (which includes the injection of tons of pure water contaminated with huge volumes of toxic chemicals into oil/gas wells) going on in neighboring counties. How long before fracking extraction or fracking waste-injection wells want to move into Butte’s old gas fields? Wells drilled through our Tuscan Aquifer! Everyone whose life, health, livelihood or property value depends on a reliable supply of clean, pure water should be concerned about this threat. County supervisors, please say “no” to any type of fracking activity in Butte County. Please conserve and protect our Tuscan Aquifer because its clean, fresh, pure water is simply priceless. DOUG FOGEL Chico

The article notes the small, almost invisible footprint of a fracking well. Compare that to the thousands of acres of landscapes despoiled—habitats polluted and destroyed—by those killers of endangered birds: wind turbines. Eagles, California condors and whooping cranes to name a few. How may whooping cranes have fracked wells killed? Zero. How many whooping cranes killed by wind turbines? Over 100— half the remaining population. Other facts to consider: 1,000 acres of wind farm produce less energy than a single fracked gas or oil well. Not one single case of aquifer contamination from fracking has ever been demonstrated over the 60 years this procedure has been used. Allegations are not proof. Opponents of fracking are reactionary Luddites who oppose all fossil-fuel energy development while promoting grossly environmentally destructive “alternative” energy sources. Let them do without energy—no electricity, no natural gas, no motor fuel. And let them pay utility bills and buy motor fuel for lowLETTERS continued on page 6

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Editor’s note: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has attributed contaminated groundwater to fracking in several locations within the United States.

Ever since an ancient Jew wrote, “God said ... subdue it: and have dominion over ... every living thing that moveth upon the earth,” giving rise to the modern Capitalist Religion, it has become blasphemy, aka communism, to ask why the plundering of wealth for the few can risk the health of the many. Why fracking, hacking, pumping, dumping, haste and waste? Ultimately we must ask, “Why me?” As the saying goes, “Be the change you want to see.”

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Re “Tax alcohol to reduce crime” (Guest comment, Sept. 19): I’m fairly confident that, as an economist, Mr. James deals primarily with statistical data. But surely he understands the value of empirical data as well. Statistical trees don’t always bear the intended fruit. A case in point: Several years ago—11 to be exact—the state of Alaska set path down the very road that Mr. James now suggests for the city of Chico. They legislated increased taxes on all types of alcohol. That included doubling the tax on hard liquor and tripling the tax on wine. After more than a decade, the results are in. The headline for Sept. 15, 2013, in the Anchorage Daily News reads as follows: “Alaskans drank more despite higher alcohol tax, drink prices.” They didn’t drink less and they didn’t drink the same amount. They drank more. So perhaps it’s somewhat of a crapshoot when an economist tells you what the studies reveal. Studies are not all encompassing. And, by the way, I’m fairly confident nobody spends too much time thinking about the totally illogical possibility of Chico sans local law enforcement. TERRY MOORE Chico

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Mayoral rebuttal Re “On the chopping block” (Newslines, by Robert Speer, Sept. 19): I provide the following clarifications as instructed when I

Church response “How long before fracking extraction or fracking waste-injection wells want to move into Butte’s old gas fields?” –Doug Fogel

requested the CN&R run a correction to the misquotes in this article based on an interview by Robert Speer at the end of the Sept. 17 council meeting during which he took no notes. First, I was quoted as threatening to reveal embarrassing information from the personnel files of Alicia Meyer, Mary Fitch and Quené Hansen. I stated the opposite; that I did not need to look in their personnel files since the work of all three has come in front of the council, so I am very familiar with the quality and accuracy of their work. Additionally, their personnel files are not accessible to me whatsoever. Second, Mr. Speer reports that all three employees have been laid off from the city of Chico. That is completely incorrect as not one was laid off. Lastly, while I used the acronym “CYA” as the reason for the continued campaign waged by these three separated employees from the “business from the floor” portion of the council meetings, I certainly did not use the words as quoted by Mr. Speer. The truth matters, and the truth as espoused by these three couldn’t be any further from such because the truth is the last thing Alicia Meyer, Mary Fitch and Quené Hansen want anyone in Chico to know. SCOTT GRUENDL Chico

Editor’s note: The CN&R and its author stand by this story. Mr. Gruendl takes no issue with the part of the story in which he says the women waived their right to confidentiality, thus implying that details of their work for the city could be revealed. He was being paraphrased, not quoted. Mr. Speer wrote down notes immediately after an interview that was not “off the record.” Mr. Gruendl is right that he did use the acronym for “cover your ass.” The information about the employees being laid off is true in two of three cases; Mary Fitch and Alicia Meyer were laid off, while Quené Hansen quit.

Re “Compatibility concerns” (Newslines, by Tom Gascoyne, Sept. 19): I am the current board president of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Chico (UUFC). I am writing in response to gross inaccuracies in the article written by Tom Gascoyne. In the article, it is stated that the UUFC hosts Narcotics Anonymous meetings in the building at Cherry and Sixth streets. The UUFC supports 12-step programs and their goal of helping people live in recovery from their addictions. Like other churches in the Chico area, we have had 12step groups who meet in our facilities on a weekly basis. However, we have no affiliation with the Narcotics Anonymous groups who meet at Cherry and Sixth. We do not own that property, and in no way would it be accurate to say that we “host” the meetings there. The last sentence of the article states that the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship could not be reached for comment by press time. Since we received no phone message or email from Mr. Gascoyne, we are left wondering how it is that he tried to reach our fellowship for comment. MEGAN JOHNSON Chico

Editor’s note: See Correction, below.

Clarification and correction In a story titled “Best of ‘Nancy’s Bookshelf,’” by Robert Speer, Aug. 22, KCHO engineer Rachelle Parker’s role in the production of the Nancy’s Bookshelf program was unintentionally understated. Parker, in fact, extensively has edited the author interviews for time, content, audio quality and anything else needed to prepare the programs for broadcast. Last week’s Newsline “Compatibility Concerns,” by Tom Gascoyne, incorrectly stated that the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Chico was connected with Narcotics Anonymous meetings held at 550 Cherry St. In fact, the church has no affiliation with the meetings at this location. The meetings are held by a local chapter of NA. Our apologies for the error, which has been corrected online. –ed.

More letters online:

We’ve got too many letters for this space. Please go to www.newsreview.com/chico for additional readers’ comments on past CN&R articles.

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September 26, 2013

CN&R 7

Bill Such (below) executive director of the Jesus Center, says the organization’s community garden needs a farm manager in order to expand.

TEEN KILLED IN POLICE SHOOTING

A 19-year-old Magalia woman, Breanne Michelle Sharpe, was shot to death by Chico Police officers after allegedly wheeling a car toward them in the early morning hours of Sept. 22. According to CPD press releases, officers responding to a report of a person attempting to enter parked vehicles on Coit Tower Way at about 2 a.m. followed a darkcolored Honda coupe westbound on East Eighth Street. After a short pursuit, five officers fired into the car as the driver drove toward them and collided with two police cars. Sharpe was shot twice and pronounced dead at Enloe Medical Center. In accordance with CPD protocol, the officers have been placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation is conducted. Sharpe was on probation stemming from a February arrest for vehicle theft and high-speed vehicle pursuit.

BICYCLIST DIES FROM INJURIES

A Chico State college student struck by a car on the 300 block of Nord Avenue while riding her bike on the night of Sept. 22 has succumbed to her injuries, according to a Chico Police Department press release. Kristina Chesterman, 21, was allegedly hit by Riley Dean Hoover, 19, who was subsequently arrested on charges of DUI causing serious bodily injury and leaving the scene of a collision. An additional charge of gross vehicular manslaughter will be filed by the Butte County District Attorney’s Office in the wake of Chesterman’s death. Police arrested Hoover following a report that he had crashed his vehicle into a parked car at 730 Nord Ave. Chesterman was a nursing student and, her family said, a registered organ donor whose “legacy will continue to live on through the organ donation/transplant program,” according to the press release.

JOBS HEADED TO CHICO

The city is all abuzz with the news that a company called Milestone Technologies Inc. is expanding it operations to Chico, possibly bringing as many as 230 jobs to town by the end of the year. The company is based in Fremont and is headed by CEO Prem Chand (pictured), who was born and raised in Biggs. According to a city of Chico press release, Milestone “provides custom IT solutions to some of the world’s most well-known companies, including eBay, Apple, Facebook, Cisco, Google and others.” Mayor Scott Gruendl boasted in the same press release that “Milestone’s decision to site its new contact center in Chico continues to heighten our visibility as a great location for technology and Internet-based business.” On Saturday, Sept. 28, the company will hold a job fair at Chico State beginning at 10 a.m. Go to www.milestonepowered.com/ chicojobfair to register. 8 CN&R September 26, 2013

Harvesting hope The Jesus Center community garden is a work in progress

F Jesus Center community garden is bearing vegetables and flowers, though on a much smallive months after it was sown, the

er scale than was originally planned. Harvest began a few weeks back and every three or four days volunstory and photos by teers who use the center’s servTom Gascoyne ices are out in the garden collecting from the small plot of tomg@ newsreview.com plants on 2.2 acres of land in southwest Chico. In April, the CN&R ran a story describing the garden’s initial launch (See “Putting Down Roots,” Newslines, April 11). The property sits next to the old Diamond Match Co. in the Barber neighborhood and has received a good share of community support. The land is owned by the Growden family, which includes John Growden, owner of Northern Star Mills feed and garden supply on The Esplanade. The Growdens are leasing the land to the Jesus Center for an extremely reasonable $1 a year. The garden itself was plowed without charge last March by employees of the M&T Ranch, and about a month later equipped with an extensive irrigation system, with both efforts organized by local businessman and former

farmer Brian Pierce. Bill Such, executive director of the Jesus Center, launched the effort last spring with the idea that the garden would be tended to by those who use the center, which provides meals and other services to the down-and-out. Such said the idea, besides growing fresh vegetables and flowers, would be to provide work and work training. But the first season has been a bit of a disappointment. “We have harvested a small area and are working in a rather meager way,” he said. The original plans called for harvesting the peppers and tomatoes and, besides serving them in the Jesus Center kitchen, also using them to make and bottle a salsa, tentatively to be called “Street Sauce.” The other idea was to collect flowers and sell them from a cart whose purchase was made possible with a $4,000 donation from the local Soroptimists. The flower-cart plan is still in the works and should be in operation by January, Such said. The profit from the flower sales will go toward funding the Sabbath House, Chico’s shelter for women. Such has applied for a grant from the Sierra Health Foundation, which is a private philanthropic group with a mission, as its website says, “to invest in and serve as a catalyst for ideas, partnerships

and programs that improve health and quality of life in Northern California.” He wants to use any potential grant money to provide oversight to the volunteers who work in the garden. “I’ve applied for a grant so that I can employ a farm manager for 15 hours a week,” Such explained. “That way we can really get the whole thing going, because at the moment we’re sort of doing it on an ad-hoc basis with one of my staff members going out there for six hours a week and basically taking [clients] from the Jesus Center who want to do the harvesting.” He said meeting the original goals of the garden are very dependent upon hiring a farm manager. Such should know in early October whether or not the Sierra Health Foundation grant comes through. “I need somebody to oversee the situation, because if I just left it as is, then I could have people out there doing things they shouldn’t be doing,” he said. “And I’m very careful with the sensibilities of the neighbors. It has been a priority to make sure they are happy with what we are doing.” There is an existing neighborhood garden right next to the Jesus Center’s plot of land, and earlier this year a woman working in that garden said she welcomed the Jesus Center’s presence. Such said there have been no problems reported or complaints voiced by neigh-

bors up to this point, but that there has been some unauthorized harvesting by those not connected to the Jesus Center. “We’ve had one or two neighbors take advantage of it by taking some of the produce, but that’s OK,” Such said. “Some of the stuff’s been picked by people just coming by and taking it. We don’t mind at this point, because we are pleased with what we’ve got so far and we want to develop it.” At this point, he said, the produce

that has been harvested by the Jesus Center is being used in a “spasmodic way.” “We give away what we can’t use on a daily basis before it goes bad,” he said. “We are using it in the kitchen for whatever the kitchen manager is cooking that day. We’ve been able to do that on a small basis, but it is nothing like we have planned.” Developing the garden to its fullest potential is a slow process, he said, and hiring a farm manager is vital to its success. But he does have another idea if the grant falls through. He said he knows of former Jesus Center clients who have gone on to attend Butte College and taken agriculture-related classes. “Two of them have gone into vineyard agriculture or learned how to operate tractors,” Such said. “I’m thinking of approaching them to see if they would be interested in managing that area. Of course, it would have to be for free.” He said there must also be an incentive to get folks from the Jesus Center to volunteer their time in the garden. “We have to provide a carrot,” he said. “You can’t just say to somebody, ‘Well, OK, if you go out there and do this for six months even though you have no job and no income, we think we can someday get you a job in the seasonal agricultural industry.’ We need to be providing something to them as an incentive to actually do the work.” Such mentioned the recent help from the Chico Association of Realtors in assisting the Jesus Center secure a home called the Transitional House of Hope for women trying to break free of homelessness. “It would be great if we had a professional organization that could help us get a men’s transitional house,” he said. “Then we could give people a carrot and say, ‘You can stay in this house and you can work for six months in the field, and then that will prepare you for a job in the ag industry.’ “At this point I need more of an incentive than just saying, ‘I’ll bring you pizza out there, I’ll bring you an extra lunch,’ and so forth. That’s not working.” Such holds out hope for the garden’s future. “I think it’s going to go forward,” he said, “but I think it’s going to be a slow process.” Ω

High grades County supervisors consider changes to grading ordinance the start, County Counsel Bruce Fheldrom Alpert made it clear that the workshop during the Butte County Board of

Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 24) would not be specifically about growing pot. “Today, we’re talking about the grading ordinance, not the marijuana [cultivation] ordinance,” Alpert said, though he emphasized that the county “is not naive to the fact that these issues have become intertwined.” Indeed, the influx of grading permits received by the county’s Department of Public Works this spring was largely due to the marijuana cultivation ordinance passed earlier this year, Alpert acknowledged. “We saw a huge surge in permits, which is good,” he said. “We want people to apply and be legal.” But in dealing with the high volume of permit applications and numerous complaints regarding grading activity this past spring, it became apparent to Public Works staff that the county’s grading ordinance has room for improvement. The ordinance, originally adopted in 1989, was revised in 2009 to require a grading permit for any work involving the movement of more than 50 cubic yards of dirt, while any project exceeding 1,000 cubic yards of dirt requires Planning Commission approval in the form of a discretionary permit. The amendment also eliminated the grading threshold, which required a discretionary permit for grading done at an elevation of 300 feet or higher. Under the revised ordinance, Mike Crump, director of Public Works, can issue exemptions for grading projects between 50 and 1,000 cubic yards on a case-by-case basis through a process called determination of exemption. Earlier this year, an investigation into the grading complaints—many of which stemmed from concern about environmental

damage caused by eroded material making its way into creeks and Lake Oroville— revealed that the grading work at many of the sites in question was not permitted. On May 7, Supervisor Bill Connelly signed a letter sent to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board asking the state to help enforce the federal Clean Water Act; Connelly’s request was rebuffed. But the county continued enforcement efforts. On July 24, the county filed seven cases against property owners just outside Oroville and Concow for illegal grading related to marijuana cultivation. “When it became more public that we were out there looking around, we were approached by a number of individuals who wanted a determination of exemption from public works so they could be legal,” Crump said in addressing the board. Due to the sheer number of requests and the size of the sites— many involved grading projects larger than 1,000 cubic yards—all of the exemption requests were denied. Through that process, Crump said, it quickly became apparent that his staff lacked “any clear criteria” for considering the requests. “We want a more refined process to review these projects and issue permits,” he said. “We really want to have a better ordinance with understandable pathways for both the contractor and staff.”

SIFT|ER Family farm a dying breed? The family farm is an American institution in danger, according to statistics from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The total number of farms has been in decline since peaking at 6.8 million in 1935; there are currently about 2.2 million farms in the country. The average age of the principal operator of farms has increased from 54 in 1997 to 57 in 2007, while the percentage of principal operators 65 years or older has increased almost 10 percent since 1969. Large family farms with sales between $250,000 and $500,000 make up only 4 percent of American farms.

Source: www.tinyurl.com/7h2vgaf

An aerial shot of a graded hillside on a property east of Oroville. PHOTO COURTESY OF BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Crump and Tom Fossum, land-

development manager for Public Works, looked at the codes of neighboring Tehama, Yuba, Shasta and Sutter counties to develop recommended changes to the grading ordinance, which they presented to the board as a slideshow on Tuesday. Their recommendations included raising the threshold for projects requiring a grading permit from 50 to 250 cubic yards; entirely eliminating the determination of exemption process for projects between 250 and 1,000 cubic yards in favor of ministerial permits, which would allow for designs by the property owner or an agent of the property owner, as long as they meet the county’s criteria; requiring additional review and designs by a licensed civil engineer for projects in sensitive areas like sites on steep grades or near waterways; raising the allowable driveway grade angle higher than its current 15 percent maximum; and maintaining exemptions for routine agricultural development, road maintenance, clearing fire breaks around homes, timber harvesting (which requires state approval), and drilling wells. Supervisor Larry Wahl spoke in favor of reinstating the grading threshold as a means of curbing the environmental damage caused by marijuana grows. Wahl took a flight over the foothills a few days prior to the meeting, and he said he was appalled by “the desecration of the environment … on the western and southern slopes of every hill between [Oroville] and Bald Rock and Feather Falls.” “We’ve got to put some limits on that,” he continued. “If we don’t do something, we’re going to have all kinds of pesticides, rodenticides, fertilizers and God only knows what running down into our creeks, our rivers and our lake, from people who care not about anything other than profits. “There needs to be something stricter above that 300-foot elevation line than there is in the valley.” Crump and Fossum told the board that they will consider the supervisors’ input and present more specific revisions later this fall. —HOWARD HARDEE howardh@newsreview.com

NEWSLINES continued on page 10 September 26, 2013

CN&R 9

continued from page 9

Meter matters Revenue allocations debated at city meeting the Chico Finance Committee meeting AMiketTuesday (Sept. 24), business consultant Trolinder, clearly somewhat frustrat-

Up the creek Chico Creek Nature Center turns to Internet during financial crisis of financial difficulties—includIcityningtheofa face $7,500 decrease in funding from the Chico last year—the Chico Creek

Nature Center is turning to the Internet to raise funds. The CCNC launched a 30-day crowdfunding campaign on website FundRazr.com (go to www.fundrazr.com/campaigns/aa5W7 to access) Sept. 17 with the goal of raising $3,000 to help cover costs including educational programs for schoolchildren, utilities, insurance, staff pay, and special care and feeding of the center’s animal residents. “Our situation is pretty dire,” explained Caitlin Reilly, the CCNC’s executive director. She said the center operated on a shoestring budget of $185,000 last year, and is hoping to at least meet that amount to maintain the current level of services. She also said that if the center could raise a bit more money—about $200,000 total—it could continue with planned program expansions that could help the CCNC become more financially secure. Reilly said the CCNC is run by a nonprofit organization and is not part of the city of Chico but, like other such organizations, relies on grant money from the city. This funding, which in years past amounted to about $65,000 annually, comes from monies the city gives to match the community-development block grant. The buildings and 37acre section of Bidwell Park the CCNC occupies are owned by the city and leased to the center at no cost. “The city’s contribution has been decreasing the last several years,” Reilly said, explaining the nature center received about $42,500 from Chico last year, compared to $35,000 this year. “For an organization of our size, [a] $7,500 [difference] is a significant amount of money.” In addition to city funding, the CCNC amasses operating money from front-desk donations, memberships, summer camps and fundraisers. Its largest corporate donor is Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., which has given $20,000 for the past two years. The Internet campaign ties into the CCNC’s largest annual fundraiser, the Hunter’s Moon Dinner & Silent Auction, scheduled this year for Oct. 17. Reilly said that, between the dinner and the crowdfund-

10 CN&R September 26, 2013

Caitlin Reilly, executive director of the Chico Creek Nature Center, hopes the center can raise money to meet operating costs and employ new programs. PHOTO BY KEN SMITH

ing, the center hopes to gross at least $9,000. She explained one of the dinner’s major underwriters last year was Rabobank, which gave $3,000. This year’s contribution from that organization was $500, and the crowdfunding—started by the CCNC after it was suggested by a friend of Reilly’s—is an attempt to make up the difference. As of Wednesday morning (Sept. 24), CCNC had met about 20 percent of its crowdfunding goal, with $610 in donations. The CCNC’s financial situation is

bad now, and could get much worse in the near future. Next month, the organization goes into renegotiations with the city regarding a $185,000 building loan it received to open a new interpretive center in March 2010. The building came at a cost of more than $900,000 total, and repayment of the loan was deferred until the end of this year. “The building was added back when the city was flush and apparently thought they could keep up with $60,000-a-year contributions,” said Reilly, who has been the CCNC’s director for less than a year. Reilly said she’s hoping for a deferral on the loan, but with a solid plan for the CCNC to become more economically viable and start repaying in years to come. Parts of this plan include starting new programs aimed at high-school-age students, and possibly getting an alcohol permit to attract more weddings and other private events. She is optimistic the loan dealings will go well for the CNCC. “As a nonprofit, we can take the city’s $35,000 or so and turn it into almost $200,000. They couldn’t staff it themselves, and it’s not in their best interest to leave these buildings empty and our organization financially insolvent.” The CCNC has been open since 1991. In addition to being a nature center, it is also Bidwell Park’s official information center. Reilly said about 6,000 field-tripping schoolchildren, and another 50,000 visitors from Chico and abroad, visit the center annually. —KEN SMITH kens@newsreview.com

ed, addressed committee members Mark Sorensen, Sean Morgan and Randall Stone directly with a couple of questions: “How do we move forward? How do we drive economic vitality?” Trolinder was speaking at the tail-end of discussions on how the city should use its parking-meter revenue. One of the purposes of the meeting was to talk about whether the city should allow the revenue to be used for things such as sidewalk widening, upgraded lighting and enhanced security, among a host of other ideas that came out of previous committee meetings in July and August and also through discussions with the Downtown Chico Business Association and its members. As senior planner Shawn Tillman explained, that move would require a revision of the Chico municipal code by the City Council. Currently, the revenue is (supposed) to be used specifically for parking-meter supervision and regulation purposes; traffic control on city streets and in city parking facilities; the costs of buying, installing and operating the meters; to pay for bonds taken out by the city to operate and maintain public off-street parking; and alternative transportation programs. The idea of using the revenue to enhance downtown is not a new concept. It goes back to at least 2006, when the city held a “Downtown Access Planning Charrette.” That series of workshops seven years ago yielded several of the same exact suggestions for improvements that were bandied about this week (such as security, cleaning, and lighting improvements, for example). Downtown merchants and advocates at Tuesday’s meeting were quick to point out that the city had not followed through on “promises” of parking-meter revenue being reinvested in the very region from which it is collected. While that may be true, Vice Mayor Mark Sorensen, the committee’s chairman, was hesitant to support a code amendment, particularly in light of the fact that the fund—like so many others in recent years—looks to have been used improperly. “It’s another fund that got used for what it shouldn’t have been used for,” lamented Sorensen, alluding to the fact that a large portion of the revenue taken in through the meters had been paying for payroll and benefits expenses for certain employees, rather than its intended purpose of managing and maintaining parking, as well as creating new parking, as he explained later by phone. For his part, Trolinder was most concerned with the lack of new-meter technol-

ogy, the installation of which was recommended during those long-ago workshops. Currently, only the lot at West Second and Salem streets has a kiosk that takes credit and debit cards, as well as cash and coins. He made a case for the city pursuing this technology, noting that it would increase revenues. The technology allows for differential pricing that could, say, charge more for high-traffic areas and less for the outskirts. “We should be running toward [newmeter technology], but we’ve fumbled,” Trolinder said. DCBA representative Dale Bennett respectfully disagreed, saying there are more pressing downtown issues to deal with than a lack of the new meters. There was also some talk about establishing a property-based improvement district (P-BID)—a special district downtown that would assess fees from property owners—to raise money to fund improvements in the region. “We’re talking about safety and cleaning programs that are beyond what the city can provide,” said Tillman, the senior planner, Wednesday morning by telephone.

This kiosk at Second and Salem streets is the only one of its kind in Chico. PHOTO BY TOM GASCOYNE

There was a failed attempt in Chico to create such a district about a decade ago. Approval would take a majority vote. Toward the end of the meeting, the committee directed staff to move forward on establishing a capital reserve from meter revenue that would go toward preserving parking assets. The panel also decided to table the discussion on amending the municipal code, opting to see what comes out of a City Council study session on Oct. 22, in which downtown issues will be the focus. —MELISSA DAUGHERTY melissad@newsreview.com

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CN&R 11

THE PULSE

HEALTHLINES The Almaguer family (from left: Mira, Lisa, Camille and Craig) gathered for a Paleo dinner (inset) consisting of steak topped with onions and grapes, an egg-and-sweet-potato soufflé and asparagus on the side.

DON’T GET SCAMMED

As California gets ready to open a health-insurance exchange to conform with requirements handed down by the Affordable Care Act, officials and consumer advocates around the country are spreading the word about the possibility of confusion and fraud caused by look-alike insurance-exchange websites. Kaiser Health News pointed out that fake sites might ask for personal data, such as credit-card information, as well as “install malware on consumers’ computers to steal sensitive information.” “The potential for fake exchanges to rear up is very serious and real,” said James Quiggle, communications director for the Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. “These [websites] could range from deceptive but relatively benign marketing devices for legitimate insurance companies to malicious devices that are designed to steal your identity or insurance information.” The Golden State’s official insuranceexchange website is called Covered California; go to CoveredCA.com to access it.

PHOTOS BY MATT SIRACUSA

Raising cave girls Local couple goes Paleo, takes elementary-school-age daughters with them

HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS LIMITED

In an effort to lower insurance premiums, insurance companies selling health-care coverage via California’s soon-to-launch insurance exchange, Covered California, have limited the number of doctors and hospitals available. Policyholders purchasing health insurance through the exchange could be faced with losing their longtime doctor, and having access to fewer specialists. They may also have longer wait times for care, according to the Los Angeles Times. State officials have put pressure on insurers to include more doctors in the exchange. Meanwhile, exchange officials are working to determine providers’ capacity for new patients. “If a plan can’t serve patients, we’ll close it down from taking new enrollment,” said Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California.

OFFERING HEALTHFUL ALTERNATIVES

Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Health has teamed up with L.A.-area restaurants to promote more healthful options when it comes to dining out. As part of the Choose Health LA Restaurants program—launched Sept. 12—restaurants “must offer smaller portion sizes and healthier children’s meals with less fried food and more fruits and vegetables,” according to the Los Angeles Times. The program— which features publicity posters with such slogans as, “You Wouldn’t Eat 22 Packs of Sugar, So Why Are You Drinking Them?”— is part of a campaign to lower the obesity rate in L.A. County, where nearly one-fourth of the population is obese. “Small changes in what we eat every day, at every meal, can make a huge difference in terms of not only our weight, but [also] our overall health,” said Jonathan Fielding, director of the county’s public-health department Go to www.tinyurl.com/kddhs3q to learn more about the program. Send your health-related news tips to Howard Hardee at howardh@newsreview.com.

12 CN&R September 26, 2013

Howard Hardee howardh@newsreview.com

A Almaguer injured his knee playing soccer. Though he didn’t know it at the bout 2 1/2 years ago, Craig

time, the injury would lead his entire family—including his two elementary-schoolage daughters—to “the Paleo lifestyle,” as Craig and his wife, Lisa, like to call it. The Chico couple make the distinction between “diet” and “lifestyle” because their family “is not doing this to just to lose weight—it’s not this short-lived thing,” Craig said during a recent interview, which included Lisa. “We’re doing it for our lives, for our health.” Their daughters, Mira and Camille, are now 10 and 7 years old, respectively. Both girls play soccer, dance, and “bike like crazy,” Lisa said. For nearly two years, the couple has packed the girls’ lunches following the Paleolithic diet, a mix of what was available to our ancestors in the Paleolithic era—fish, grass-fed meats, eggs, fruits, vegetables, fungi, roots and nuts. The couple said they didn’t consult a pediatrician before making the switch, but both parents are confident their children are receiving a nutrient-rich diet despite foregoing typical kids’ fare, like cereal with milk, traditional spaghetti (they make noodles from zucchini), chicken nuggets and sandwiches. “Most kids are just naturally addicted to crackers, chips, bread and pasta,” Lisa said. “I told [Mira and Camille] what we were going to do, and we stopped eating bread and pasta right away.”

The Paleo diet’s absence of wheat-based products is particularly appealing for individuals with gluten intolerance, autoimmune deficiency or celiac disease. Though Craig hasn’t been officially diagnosed with any of those conditions, he believes that kicking his wheat habit was critical for managing the persistent swelling related to his knee injury. “I’ve done a lot of research online, and found that wheat and gluten [a protein composite found in wheat, rye and barley products], specifically, can cause inflammation in the body, and it can manifest itself in numerous ways,” he said. “One of those ways is swelling and achy joints.” Craig became convinced that eliminating grains from his diet would aid his recovery, and told Lisa he was going to “go Paleo.” “And I said, ‘All or nothing,’” Lisa recalled. “I wasn’t going to have three different ways of eating in our house. If he was doing it, we were all doing it.” Within a week of making the switch to

Paleo, the swelling in Craig’s knee subsided and he was walking without a limp, and after about six weeks, he had lost 25 pounds. In addition, Craig credits the change in diet to a host of palpable health benefits, from improved mood to increased strength. “And no snoring and no gas,” Lisa chimed in. The couple said they have observed more balanced moods in their daughters, as well. “They’re so even-keeled because their blood-sugar levels are stabilized, there are no meltdowns,” Craig said. “We owe it all to what they’re eating. “After [eating at] the fair, they’re a mess,” he added. “They don’t have these spikes of happy and sad, crazy and whiny,” Lisa said of the effect of the Paleo diet on her children. “They’re still kids, but they’re very chill.” She also explained that for several years, Camille had suffered from severe spring allergies that led to asthma attacks.

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Paleo connection:

Go to www.robbwolf.com/what-isthe-paleo-diet to learn more about the Paleo diet from local fitness instructor Robb Wolf, author of The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet .

“The first spring [after switching to a Paleo diet], we used her inhaler only one time,” Lisa said. “She still has allergies, but doesn’t have the asthma part of it anymore.” Stephanie Bianco-Simeral,

assis-tant director of Chico State’s Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion (CNAP), acknowledges that “there are a lot of positive things about Paleo,” in general— like an emphasis on whole foods, for example. Also, by virtue of eliminating all wheat products from their diet, those adhering to the Paleo lifestyle are bypassing many processed foods, she said, which she considers an “outstanding” aspect for adults and children alike. “Many dietitians—and I’m not one of them—say, ‘Everything in

moderation.’ I’m one who thinks there are some foods that don’t need to exist, that we don’t need to consume,” she said, suggesting that processed foods containing lots of fat, salt and sugar—which U.S. children are increasingly consuming—offer no nutritional value, and that the Paleo diet is effective because it omits such foods. However, she stopped short of condoning the elimination of whole wheat, which “is known to be healthful,” she said. “There’s a lot of iron in the grains, the cereals,” she said. “Infants are born with a finite amount of iron, so they rely on their mother’s milk or any food that you give that child to replenish [iron]. My concern [for raising children on a Paleo diet] would be for an infant to become anemic by not having those types of grains.” Children in Mira and Camille’s age group are well beyond that concern, she said, noting that there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding what adhering to the Paleo diet at their ages could mean for development.

“There is no evidence, longterm, of what this could do to a child,” she concluded. The Almaguer family’s meals

emphasize locally sourced, highquality foods like slow-cooked meats, fruits and vegetables of all sorts, healthful fats (such as butter from grass-fed cows, coconut oil, avocado and nuts) and bone-broth soups. Both Mira and Camille—and their parents—miss certain foods, but Lisa and Craig don’t enforce Paleo with an iron fist. If the girls go to a birthday party, they’re allowed to have pizza and birthday cake. “I don’t want them to feel like they’re being ostracized, that they’re being left out or they’re different,” Lisa said. “We try to just roll with it. At home, we don’t eat wheat—and if you go to a party, well, it’s your lucky day!” “But, we’re pretty confident that, over time, [the Paleo lifestyle] will prevail,” Craig said. “They’ll realize they feel better when they don’t eat certain things.” Ω

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CN&R 13

EARTH WATCH

GREENWAYS Woodleaf Farm’s Carl Rosato (inset) grows shiitake mushrooms on logs he inoculates with mushroom mycelium.

GETTING RID OF TRICLOSAN

In a victory for consumers opposed to the presence of the antibacterial chemical triclosan in products they buy, Procter & Gamble has announced it will eliminate the toxic substance from its product line by 2014. The company—which makes Dawn antibacterial dishwashing liquid and Safeguard antibacterial soap—follows in the footsteps of healthcare-products manufacturer Johnson & Johnson which, in August of last year, announced its plan to phase out triclosan, according to an article at BeyondPesticides.org. Triclosan has been linked to asthma, cancer and learning disabilities. Last year, researchers at UC Davis and the University of Colorado “found that triclosan impairs muscle function in fish and mice,” providing “strong evidence that triclosan could have effects on … human health at current levels of exposure,” the article noted. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged that triclosan “provides no additional benefit over the use of simple hand soap and water.”

NATURAL-GAS DRILLER UNDER FIRE

Criminal charges have been filed against Exxon Mobil subsidiary XTO Energy Inc. for a 2010 wastewater spill related to natural-gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale in the northeastern United States. In early September, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced the charges against XTO “for discharging more than 50,000 gallons of toxic wastewater from storage tanks at a gas-well site in Lycoming County,” according to an article at Philly.com. In July, XTO agreed to pay a $100,000 fine and “deploy a plan to improve wastewater-management practices,” as the result of a federal civil suit. “We have been very concerned about enforcement in the Marcellus, and we welcome the attorney general’s taking an active role,” said Myron Arnowitt, Pennsylvania director of national water-advocacy organization Clean Water Action. Proponents of Kane’s action see it as a “departure from the soft treatment [the natural-gas] industry has received from Pennsylvania regulators,” the article noted.

RARE PROGRAM RETURNS

The Butte Environmental Council (BEC) recently announced the revival of the Recycling and Rubbish Education program (RARE), aimed at teaching schoolchildren about recycling and garbage reduction. “[A]fter more than a year of negotiation, a proposal submission process and a vote by the Butte County Board of Supervisors, BEC was selected to carry on the successful legacy of the RARE program,” said a BEC press release. The program—which was in existence from 2001 to 2012, thanks to the Chico State Research Foundation—“will travel to schools throughout Butte County providing [no-cost] hands-on, interactive workshops that emphasize the importance of the 4 R’s—reduce, reuse, recycle and rot (compost).” For more information, go to www.becnet.org/RARE or call 891-6426. Send your eco-friendly news tips to Christine G.K. LaPado-Breglia at christinel@newsreview.com.

14 CN&R September 26, 2013

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARL ROSATO

Homegrown mushrooms Growing edible mushrooms in Butte County’s hot and dry climate

Claire Hutkins Seda

O Sunday, Carl Rosato began relocating about 200 logs inoculated with shiitaken a recent hot September

mushroom mycelium, the thread-like, branching growth of mushrooms often found below ground or in a rotting log. The logs have been providing mushrooms to Rosato for about four years at Woodleaf Farm, outside of Oroville. “I’m moving them from under a big live oak to under my bamboo where I think [the bamboo] can take the excess water,” Rosato said in a recent phone interview. “The oak tree, I think, is being harmed by too much water.” Rosato is well known in Northern California for his massively popular peaches, along with the pears, apples, cherries and other fruit he grows on 26 acres of certified-organic orchards—the ninth-oldest organic farm in all of California, he says. But, come early fall, some of his customers at farmers’ markets at such locations as the Ferry Plaza in San Francisco and downtown Berkeley begin to ask: Where are the mushrooms? “I’m growing them primarily so that I’ve got them in my diet, but as I’ve got excess—which I’ll have in the fall when I’m still marketing my pears—I’ll sell them for good money at the markets,” Rosato said. He regularly sells out of the mushrooms he has brought to market for the past three years. Rosato cites their high protein level—around 18 percent of their dry

weight—and their anti-cancer properties as to why he grows them. But growing them can be challenging. “It’s a whole process of watching your logs and getting in tune with your logs,” which takes time and patience, he said. “It’s not for everybody—it’s not so easy.” The hot, dry Sacramento Valley is

not ideal for outdoor mushroom cultivation, noted Sherri Scott, owner of GRUB Grown Nursery and an amateur mycologist. She’s attempted to grow edible mushrooms at the GRUB Cooperative on Dayton Road but has yet to be successful, although she was able to grow edible mushrooms in the Bay Area before coming to Chico. “A lot of the species like the 70degree range. … In this area, it’s hard to moderate the temperatures. It’s a little more challenging because of our heat and the dryness,” she said. Scott lists a number of edible varieties popular for home growers, including maitakes, the medicinal mushroom reishi, Garden Giant (or King Stropharia), and the Hypsizygus ulmarius garden (or “HUG”) mushroom—also called the white-elm mushroom. The latter two, unlike shiitakes, are propagated in the garden among vegetables, often in a bed of straw, which doubles as garden mulch. Oyster mushrooms, another variety of mushroom that is “one of the easiest ones to grow,” can be cultivated in a number of ways, including in used coffee grounds, Scott said. She also points to mushroom kits—consisting of a box that comes with an inoculated bag of a medium, often sawdust or wood chips, that requires only reg-

ular water to begin a “flush” of mushrooms in just a few weeks—as the easiest way to grow at home. Scott recommends Marysville-based Mushroom Adventures as a good source for kits. The company, which sells its mushrooms at the Chico Saturday Farmers’ Market, is well known online for its popular kits to grow portabella, white button and oyster mushrooms. Scott will be co-hosting an Edible Mushroom Propagation workshop on Sept. 29 through Perma-fun-k, a nonprofit dedicated to permaculture and regenerative-agriculture education, as part of its fall series of permaculture classes at GRUB. It will cover the basics on home mushroom propagation, including a chance for participants to inoculate some logs.

FARM FACT: The leftover nut shells from walnut harvesting are used in the production of sandpaper, snow tires and pet litter.

ECO EVENT To grow shiitake mushrooms,

a grower must first purchase “plug spawn”—small wooden dowels that are colonized with mushroom mycelium. The plugs are driven into holes drilled into a hardwood log. Rosato recommends “live and fresh” oak wood as the best medium for shiitakes. “I’ve tried pecan and peach, but … I’ve got live and white oak around here … and that’s what they like the most, anyway,” he said. Rosato strongly encourages mushroom propagators to ensure their removal of wood from a forest for growing mushrooms is not detrimental to the hillside ecosystems. “If a branch breaks and you cut it, or you need to prune it anyGrowing edible mushrooms:

Perma-fun-k’s edible-mushroompropagation workshop is Sunday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the GRUB Cooperative (1525 Dayton Road). Participants will be inoculating various growing media, including magnolia and oak logs, and garden mulch, with six different types of mushrooms, including shiitake, lion’s mane and turkey tail. Cost: $40. Call 680-0399 or email perma_fun_Kchico@rocketmail.com for more info.

way, then that’s the wood that you use that’s live and fresh,” instead of indiscriminately cutting trees or clear-cutting, which can lead to major ecosystem upsets such as erosion and habitat loss. He uses 4- to 7-inch-wide branches from his farm that need to be trimmed anyway, cut into 3-foot segments. After a few weeks of resting, the wood is drilled and inoculated with plugs, and the plug holes are sealed with wax. After that, it’s just regular watering— Rosato waters twice a day for 15 minutes to ensure the bark remains evenly moist. “[The time from when] you plug them until you get the first mushroom is about a year,” he noted. Before Rosato’s logs are moved to their new location in the bamboo, he will soak them in water for 24 hours, to encourage them to produce a heavy flush of mushrooms. “The spring and the fall are kind of the natural times to try to ‘push’ them” by soaking them, Rosato said, as the weather is not as hot, and therefore it’s less tricky to keep the bark evenly moist, which is essential to produce a strong flush of mushrooms and

RECYCLE OLD TIRES

Head to the Highway 70 Industrial Park (4801 Feather River Blvd. in Oroville) on Saturday, Sept. 28, for Butte County’s Tire Amnesty Day, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your old tires (36 inches in diameter or smaller) and dump ’em for free. Residential quantities only. The tires will be recycled into such things as rubberized asphalt or burned at a cogeneration power plant. Call 879-2352 for more info.

ensure the longevity of the log. “It’s tricky. … You’re mostly going to fail unless you’re really attentive,” Rosato admitted. But he points to high prices of gourmet mushrooms like shiitake, and the superiority of homegrown mushrooms as reasons why he continues. Plus, he said, “I think it’s a magical protein source.” Ω

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by Christine G.K. LaPado-Breglia christinel@newsreview.com

GLYPHOSATE BY ANY OTHER NAME… I was reading my hubby’s copy of

Mother Earth News the other night, taking particular interest in an article called “GMOs: The Controversy Builds,” by Shelley Stonebrook. In it, Stonebrook focuses considerable attention on the chemical glyphosate. Glyphosate, for the unfamiliar, is what is known as a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide, meaning that it can kill a wide variety of plants, including perennial plants, by permeating the entire plant from roots to leaves. Glyphosate is also, as Stonebrook points out, “the main ingredient in Roundup.” And Roundup, as many folks know, is what is freely used on the genetically altered “Roundup-Ready crops” produced by agrichemical giant Monsanto. Stonebrook raises a red flag when it comes to food safety and the use of glyphosate/Roundup, which can “be sprayed on crops just a few days before harvest to promote faster combining and lower drying costs. … This herbicide does stay on crops post-harvest, and it does end up in our food.” She points to a study released by Friends of the Earth Europe in June citing “a series of urine tests on random people in 18 countries across Europe to find out whether any glyphosate … would show up in their urine. On average, 44 percent of people had the herbicide in their bodies.” As was pointed out in a June 13 article at GlobalResearch.ca, “The findings raise concerns about increasing levels of exposure to glyphosatebased weedkillers, commonly used by farmers, public authorities and gardeners across Europe. The use of glyphosate is predicted to rise further if more genetically modified (GM) crops are grown in Europe. “Despite its widespread use, there is currently little monitoring of glyphosate in food, water or the wider environment. This is the first time monitoring has been carried out across Europe for the presence of the weedkiller in human bodies.” As far as the United States goes, Stonebrook pointed out that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency increased allowable glyphosate-residue limits just this past May, keeping pace with the rise in glyphosate use. A chart accompanying her article presents USDA data showing that the use of glyphosate on corn crops has increased markedly: In 1995, 1,385,000 pounds of glyphosate-sprayed GM corn was produced, a number which increased to 63,212,000 pounds by 2010. As Russia-based news site RT.com put it in a July article, “Biotech giant Monsanto has been awarded yet another victory by the federal government thanks to a recent Environmental Protection Agency decision to allow larger traces of the herbicide glyphosate in farm-grown foods.” “So what?” a person might say. Well, NaturalNews.com does not refer to the chemical as “Satan’s molecule” and a “life-destroying poison” for nothing. The RT.com piece referenced a June Cornucopia Institute study that found glyphosate “exerted proliferative effects in human hormone-dependent breast cancer.” The article also mentioned a study released in April by MIT senior research scientist Stephanie Seneff and independent researcher Anthony Samsel, which concludes that the negative impact of glyphosate “on the body is insidious and manifests slowly over time as inflammation damages cellular systems throughout the body.” Consequences of this damage “are most of the diseases and conditions associated with a Western diet, which include gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, autism, infertility, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.” The same study noted that “glyphosate enhances the damaging effects of other foodborne chemical residues and environmental toxins.”

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Developed in 1974, Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides continue to be a perfect fit with the vision of sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. –from www.monsanto.com, the website of agrichemical corporation Monsanto.

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CN&R 17

Meet your farmer

Above: A taste of local vintages at Bertagna Son Kissed Vineyards in Chico during the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport weekend.

A CN&R farm-to-table issue

Left: Laurie Noble inspects an apple tree at Noble Orchards in Paradise. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SIERRA ORO FARM TRAIL

hen it comes to eating, North State residents are extremely spoiled. Or at least we should be. That’s because we live in one of the most fertile and productive agricultural regions in the United States. We get to enjoy the bounty of everything from nuts and tomatoes to lamb and beef, and all of it is grown or raised within a short distance of our homes. Those of us who shop at local farmers’ markets may get to know some of the good folks working hard to produce our food. They deserve a lot of credit for providing a source of healthful, fresh fare for us to feast on. In this special farm-totable issue, we’ll introduce you to a handful of notable local farmers and ranchers, from Chico State students to a young family, who are making their mark in the local-food movement. You’ll also read about the history behind the Sierra Oro Farm Trail and its Passport Weekend, an annual event giving the public the chance to meet with those in the local ag community and get a sneak peek into the world of farming and ranching. * Farm Facts courtesy of the Butte County Farm Bureau 18 CN&R September 26, 2013

Pasture to plate:

Go to www.csuchico.edu/ag/farm and www.sierranevada.com/brewery/ california/taproom, respectively, to learn more about the University Farm and to check out the menu at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s Taproom & Restaurant.

Left: Sara Avila and Austin Fischer (pictured) and four other Chico State ag students tend to Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s herd at the University Farm. Above: The steers spend their final months feeding on byproducts of the brewing process. Right: Two steers’ worth of beef pass through the brewery’s kitchen every week. PHOTOS BY MELANIE MACTAVISH

HIT THE TRAIL Sierra Oro Farm Trail makes it easy to meet your farmer

“I

t’s so exciting, I’m smiling.” With just a few weeks to go before the kick-off of the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend, event organizer Nicole Johansson was understandably enthusiastic as she anticipated another sellout for the annual foodand-wine event that gives local foodies and farm-to-table advocates a ticket—or a passport, rather—to visit the farms and wineries of Butte County during early fall harvest. “It’s really just taken off,” Johansson said by phone about the event that started with just eight farms eight years ago, and this year will highlight 30 destinations over the Columbus Day weekend (Oct. 12-13). “We’re just impressed with our local farm community—we have so many specialty growers. I think that this is definitely a complement to the ‘buy local’ message.” She explained that, for people who might be interested in spending their money on local

products, but might not know what is available and where to find it, “the farm trail is an opportunity to come support your local growers.” The Butte County Farm Bureau sponsors the event (along with the Chico Chamber of Commerce and Tri Counties Bank) as a way to promote agricultural tourism in Butte County, which in 2012 produced more than $721 million in crops. And the 30 farms and businesses taking part in the Passport Weekend cover a wide variety of what’s grown and made countywide, from the Oroville-area olive oils of Lodestar, Butte View and Calolea, to the apples of Paradise (Noble Orchards), to the meats, nuts, rice

Get your passport:

Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend, Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 12 & 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets: $25 ($30 day-of ). Visit website or call 891-5556 for info. www.sierraoro.org

and wines of the northern Sacramento Valley. In fact, likely a big part of what draws 2,000 people to the trail each year is the growing number of wineries in the county that take part: 13 on the trail this year (including one—New Clairvaux in Vina—just across the Tehama County line).

The Sierra Oro Farm Trail was cre-

ated in 2005 by Nicole’s husband, olive grower, olive-oil producer and owner of Oroville’s Lodestar Farms, Jamie Johansson, along with Heather Quilici of Oroville’s Quilici Vineyards. The idea for putting a map of area farms together came after the Johanssons built a tasting room at their farm. According to Nicole, they thought: “How are we going to get people to come to Oroville to taste olive oil? “So, we thought we’d better align with other farms,” she said. Some of the early farms and businesses included with Lodestar and

Quilici on the farm-trail map were Grey Fox Vineyards, Odyssey Winery and Vineyards, and Maisie Jane’s California Sunshine Products. The Passport Weekend event debuted the following year as a way to promote the trail and give the farms a weekend to pull together their products, and show their wares along with their operations. The passport event isn’t the only time the trail is open. The first Sunday of every month, most of the venues are also open for the public to visit on their own, or via guided van tours ($50 per person, $80 per couple). When asked if she had any advice for those hitting the farm trail for the Passport Weekend, Johansson started by saying that if everyone begins at stop No. 1 on the morning of the first weekend, things will be very overcrowded. “Mix it up a little bit; dare to be different,” she said. Travelers can start anywhere on the map they want, and they have all weekend to fill

FARM FACT: One Butte County farmer grows enough food to feed 155 people every year. their books with venue stamps. Since Johansson says that “Chico gets hit on Saturday really hard,” maybe try Oroville, or Richvale or Durham first. The goal with the Sierra Oro Farm Trail is for all of the cooperating participants to get a chance to play host. It’s not about getting a big payoff, “it’s about us making enough money to print another map,” Johansson said, adding, “It’s a great return on investment.” —JASON CASSIDY jasonc@newsreview.com

COMPLETING THE CIRCLE Cooperation between Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Chico State University Farm models full-cycle sustainability

uch of the meat American consumers eat travels hundreds of miles before reaching the plate. But at the Sierra Nevada Taproom & Restaurant, beef lovers can rest assured knowing the meat they’re eating comes from a steer that, likely within the last month, was standing just a few miles away at Chico State’s University Farm. Since 2002, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has partnered with the university’s College of Agriculture to produce 100 percent of the beef served in the restaurant’s burgers, sausages, steaks and specials. While on the farm, the steers feed on a blend of spent brewer’s grain and yeast as well as corn and hay before being processed at the college’s meats laboratory, a USDAinspected facility a few hundred

feet from the feedlot. “We like to look at everything as a cycle, as a complete circle,” explained Lau Ackerman, the brewery’s agriculture and landscape supervisor. “When we brew beer and have spent grain, then put the spent grain into the cattle, then the cattle come back to the restaurant, we’re completing the circle. We’re not throwing anything away, and that kind of sustainability is important to what we do here. “It’s a great experience for the students because those cattle are used for various labs on the farm,” he continued. “Kids learn the ins and outs of livestock, about their care and feeding, and how it affects the health of the animal

and the quality of the meat.” Interestingly, Ackerman’s own career arc followed a similar circuit. He worked on the University Farm, first as a student (class of ’93), then as a university employee for 12 years. There, he helped the brewery develop its barley program and obtain organic certification. Today he oversees other brewery projects aimed at localization, including growing on-site hops and barley for brewing, and a 2-acre vegetable garden to meet the needs of Sierra Nevada’s kitchen. On a recent rainy Saturday, two Chico State ag students employed by the Sierra Nevada beef project, Austin Fischer and Sara Avila, gave

further insight into the lives of the cattle. As the student herdsman, Fischer lives on the farm full time, and organizes a staff made up of Avila and four other students. Fischer said the Sierra Nevada herd fluctuates between 35 and 45 animals. Four of these are processed biweekly to feed the restaurant’s two-steer-a-week need. The steers are “backgrounded,” meaning they’re grass-fed in the pasture of an alumnus-owned ranch in Orland, for four months after being weaned. Then they spend the last 90 to 120 days at the University Farm, where they’re processed at about 15 months of age. Fischer explained how the cattle arrive weighing about 950 pounds and are harvested at about 1,350 pounds. While “finishing” at the farm, they gain an average of three to four pounds a day. Fischer said the average “hot carcass percentage”—or amount of final weight usable as food—is about 60 percent, or 800 pounds of meat from a 1,300-pound steer. Avila added the market price of beef is currently “very high”—

about $1.25 a pound. The Sierra Nevada cattle are all owned by the brewery, not the university, though the school has its own meat and dairy herds, as well as cattle raised to be sold as herd sires. The student staff’s main duties are mixing rations to feed the cattle once daily and checking them twice daily for injury and illness. Fischer explained a goal is to cause the animals as little stress as possible, as it can interrupt their weight gain. Fischer and Avila said they both care deeply for the animals’ comfort, but maintain a professional level of detachment, something ingrained in them, as they both grew up on family cow-calf operations. They also said they have a passion for their jobs and their animal charges that’s hard to explain to those outside of the industry. “I don’t wake up every morning and think I have to go to work—I think, ‘Hey, I get to get up and go play with some cows,’” Fischer said. “It’s more of a way of life than a job.” —KEN SMITH kens@newsreview.com

more FARM continued on page 20 September 26, 2013

CN&R 19

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ruce Balgooyen and James Brock’s vegetable booth at the downtown Chico Certified Farmers’ Market may not have a sign, but it doesn’t really need one: Its amazingly varied, colorful heirloom tomatoes, huge leafy lettuces, and vivid red, green, purple and yellow peppers speak for themselves. The pesticide-free produce— including onions, Japanese cucumAbove: Bruce Balgooyen (left) and James Brock in their Riparia Farm pepper patch. Below: Balgooyen and Brock’s colorful array of heirloom tomatoes. PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE G.K. LAPADO-BREGLIA

bers and an impressive selection of winter squash of all sizes and shapes—that Balgooyen and Brock grow on 4 acres at Riparia Farm in south Chico, as well as the equally pristine produce and walnuts that Brock grows on his 4-acre Farmelot farm outside of Vina, have long been in high demand at the Saturday-morning farmers’ market. Balgooyen’s reputation as a farmers’-market vendor goes as far back as the days when the market was located in the parking lot of the now-defunct Gold Country Market

Butte County’s top three crops: 1: Walnuts $234.5 million 2: Almonds $160.9 million 3: Rice $154.5 million at Fifth and Flume streets; he started selling his eye-catching produce there in 1987. Brock joined him approximately eight years ago, after moving to California from Oregon. Not only are their veggies tasty, beautiful and often bigger than most, but Brock and Balgooyen also manage to have them at the farmers’ market (including the Chico Wednesday Market in north Chico and the Paradise Tuesday Market) from very early in the year to very late, thanks in part to Balgooyen’s seasoned farming expertise (and the help of a handful of Chico State ag interns). Also, the duo’s three salad mixes, called Sissy, Sassy and Sensational, are becoming legendary— and two of them, the Sissy and the Sassy, are available year-round, a feat whose difficulty can be appreciated by many a backyard garden“FARMING DUO” continued on page 25

20 CN&R September 26, 2013

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Perennials, annuals, shrubs, veggies, and houseplants all grown and maintained by our students!

Join us for the release of our

Midway

Aguas

Pearson Rd.

191

Garden Rd.

Stanford Ln.

Hugh Baber Ln.

Lott Rd.

Hwy.

ay Midw

Crouch Rd .

C l a rk R d .

ark

Skyw

an Heg

P e n tz R d .

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adw

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Chico Riv

Chico Rd.

Bille

Fea ther Rive r Wes t Bra nch

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Bro

California State University Chico

It’s harvest time again, so head on down to Maisie Jane’s California Almonds Country Store and stock up for the Macadamias season. Our shelves are overflowing Pistachios with gifts and simple pleasures, like our Cashews ree famous pies, flavored and chocolate CaliWalnuts F Pecans Tasting fornia almonds, local artists handcrafts, Bar! custom jewelry, and hundreds of readymade custom gift baskets to pick up or ship to your family, friends or clients. Made locally, shipped 1324 Dayton Road • Chico, CA 95928 • 899-7909 worldwide! www.maisiejanes.com

Wagstaff Rd. wel Bid dle Park

Man

de lana

W. Sacramento

er Road

PARADISE

East Ave.

Lower Bidwell Park 1 Mile Rec. Area

E sp

e. t Av

Eas

ark

Bid

Sky way

de lana

CHICO 32

r ppe

Clar k

E sp

Eaton Rd.

P e n tz R d .

C oh a sse t R d.

Anita

To Sacramento

Cohasset Rd.

To Redding

Fresh, local nuts, in bulk or by the bag!

Available in Paradise at Noble Orchard.

2950 Louis Ave, Oroville 530 534-8320

Tasting Room

222 W. 2nd Street • Downtown Chico Open 5 days a week Wednesday–Friday 1:30 pm–6pm Saturdays 12–8pm • Sundays 1:30 – 6:30pm 800.808.9463 • laroccavineyards.com

B o t t l E ’ s

Local, certified organic vineyard & winery. Grown & produced onsite 9975 Garden Creek Road • Durham 345.3714 • dogcreekcellars.com

V i s i t

o u r

T u s c a n

S t o r e

Mooney Farms

1 2 2 0 F o r t r e s s S t . , C h i c o t M - F 9 a.m. - 5 p. m . September 26, 2013

CN&R 21

Butte 70 County Durham

Glenn County

OROVILLE

Sk yw ay

Cohasset Rd.

Rd . th 20

Rd. Dayto

n Ro

Crouch ad s Ro

ng o

Rd.

Ave.

vale

Dr.

r Hw y.

Miner ’s R anch

an Or

e. Av

28 Bangor

e Ln.

La Porte Rd.

Tennesse

. Rd

Lower Honcut Rd.

ther

w y. or H

rk Ta ble Mt n. Blv d.

ang Oro B

Cla

To Sacramento

Coal Canyon Rd.

Midwa

149

Palermo/ Honcutt Hwy

yton Hwy.

Fea

da t. I

4 24

Durham Pentz Rd.

Durham Da

Mt. Ida Mt

Ida

27 Louis

s Fria

. Ave .

Palermo Rd.

Rio Bonito Rd.

3 23

yandotte Lower W

Butte College

To Sacramento

lvd

Palermo

Hw y.

Ophir Rd.

Mt.

thil

Thermalito Afterbay

Map not to scale Approx. 1 mile

Greenville Rd.

Richvale Hwy.

ntz

Agua

ive

22 vale Oak

Oro

Dam

. Blvd

wy. Olive H

Canyon D

Thermalito

Esquon Ln.

Stanford Ln.

Midwa

Oli

lvd

a oD

o Fo

Garden Rd.

ntg

Fruitvale Ave.

VAN TOUR PARTICIPANTS

S ery

191

Lott Rd.

DURHAM

Nea

wy.

BUTTE COUNTY FARM BUREAU MEMBER

OROVILLE

ndotte Rd.

hico H

Rd.

Oro C

Pearson Rd.

Pentz Rd.

Clark Rd.

10 11

way

Mid

n ega

way

Sky

Blv

Lower Wya

Pearson Rd.

Blv Lincoln

Grand Ave.

Rd.

Lake Oroville// le Dam Oroville

Thermalito Forebay

wa Mid

Elliott Rd.

rk Pa E.

Hugh Baber Ln.

Perfect for foodies, wine and beer enthusiasts, and travelers looking for a weekend getaway or a chance to explore off-the-beaten trail. Tickets are on sale now for the 2013 Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend, October 12 & 13 (Columbus Day Weekend). This annual agri-tourism adventure showcases 30 wineries and specialty farms and provides a once-a-year chance to savor the amazing local farm-fresh bounty in beautiful Butte County!

NATURE PRESERVES & PARKS

Ri ve r ch Fe at he r W es t Br an

E. 20th

Durham Da

yton Hwy.

COUNTY/CITY RD.

Sawmill Rd.

Bruce Rd.

Chico Rd.

Bille

dw oa Br

d er Roa

ove

California State University Chico iv hico R

ngr

W. Sacramento

w Bid le dd ark Mi P

MAIN HWY

Wagstaff Rd.

ell

Ta b

FOOD

PARADISE

To Lake Almanor, Lassen Volcanic Natl. Park

Coal Canyon Rd.

WINERY

Sierra County

Yuba County

149

To Chico

FARM

k ar ll P Butte County Map idwe B er pp U East Ave.

de na pla Es

Sutter County

Lower Bidwell Park Rec. Area 1 Mile Rec

ve st A

To HWY 36 & HWY 89

Pentz Rd.

de na pla Es

Forest R Ranch

To Sacramento

CHICO

Feather Falls

Lake Oroville Rec. Area

Richvale

Eaton Rd.

LEGEND

CHICO

Cla rk

Rd.

PARADISE

Rd. 24

To Paradise

Cohaassssseett Rd .

3 Keefer

Plumas County

Forest Ranch

Orland

. Rd

ark

Garner Ln.

a Av

Anit

Cohasset

South Ave.

Corning

To Redding

FAR FARMS & VENUES IN AND AROUND OROVILLE & GRIDLEY ARO

Butte Meadows

Vina

Hamilton Nord Cana Hwy.

Tehama County

To Redding

FARMS & VENUES IN AND AROUND CHICO & PARADISE

Thermalito

Purchase your tickets online at www.sierraoro.org www.sie sierraoro.org New Clairvaux Vineyard

Maisie Jane’s California Sunshine Products

Llano Seco Rancho

26240 7th St., Vina, CA 96092 (530) 839-2200, www.newclairvauxvineyard.com HOURS: Open daily 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., except Holy Days

1324 Dayton Rd., Chico, CA 95928 (530) 899-7909, www.maisiejanes.com HOURS: Year-round, Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Extended holiday hours

8369 Hugh Baber Lane, Chico CA 95928 (530) 342-0839, www.llanoseco.com HOURS: By appointment only

Odyssey Winery and Vineyards 6237 Cohasset Rd., Chico, CA 95973 (530) 891-9463 HOURS: May-Dec., Sat. 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Emerald "C" Vineyards 3746 Keefer Rd., Chico, CA 95973 (530)570-6400, www.emeraldcvineyards.com HOURS: By Appointment Only

Roney Wines 5900 Anita Rd. Chico, CA 95973 (530) 518-9333, www.roneywines.com HOURS: By Appointment

Mooney Farms 1220 Fortress St., Chico, CA 95973 (530) 899-2661, www.mooneyfarms.com HOURS: M-F, 10-4 year-round.

LaRocca Vineyards 222 W. 2nd Street, Chico, CA 95928, (530) 899-9463; 800-808-9463 or email wine@laroccavineyards.com, www.laroccavineyards.com HOURS: Open Year-round, Weds-Fri 1:30-8pm *Extended hours Thurs. Night Market Sat 12-8 p.m., Sunday 1:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

22 CN&R September 26, 2013

Dog Creek Cellars HoneyRun Winery 2309 Park Ave., Chico CA 95928 (530) 345-6405, www.honeyrun.com HOURS: By Appointment

T J Farms 3600 Chico Ave, Chico, CA (530) 343-2294 , www.tjfarmsestates.com

Bertagna Son Kissed Vineyards 3363 Hegan Ln. Chico, CA 95928 (530) 343-8014, www.bertagnawine.com HOURS: first weekend of the month April - Oct, 12-5 pm and by appointment.

CSU, Chico College of Agriculture University Farm (ATRC) 311 Nicholas C. Schouten Lane (off Hegan Lane) Chico, CA 95928, (530)898-6343, www.csuchico.edu/ag, HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Meats Lab: Thurs/Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Patrick Ranch Museum 10381 Midway, Durham, CA 95928 (530) 342-4359, www.patrickranchmuseum.org HOURS: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

9975 Garden Creek Rd., Durham, CA 95938 (530) 345-3714, www.dogcreekcellars.com, Cheers@Dogcreekcellars.com, HOURS: Open for wine tasting the 1st Sunday of each month from 12:00 noon till 5:00 pm! Private events may be booked with advance notice.

Gale Vineyards 9345 Stanford Lane, Durham, CA 95938 (530) 891-1264, www.galevineyards.com HOURS: By appointment

The Worm Farm 9033 Esquon Road, Durham, CA 95938 (530) 894-1276, www.thewormfarm.net, facebook.com/thewormfarm, HOURS: M-F 8a.m. - 5p.m., Spring: M-Sat., 8a.m. - 5p.m.

Butte College Environmental Horticulture Nursery

Lundberg Family Farms®

Morse Farms

5311 Midway, Richvale, CA 95974 (530) 538-3500, www.lundberg.com HOURS: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

8 Feathervale Dr. PO Box 5203, Oroville, CA 95966 (530)589-2126, www.morsemandarinfarms.com, HOURS: Late Nov. to mid Jan., open every day 10a.m.-5p.m.

Long Creek Winery & Ranch

Lodestar Farms

233 Ward Rd., Oroville, CA 95966 (530) 589-3415, www.longcreekwinery.com HOURS: Weekends 12 - 5 p.m.

3719 Foothill Blvd., Oroville, CA 95966 (530) 534-6548, www.lodestarfarms.com HOURS: May-Dec. Fri. and Sat. 12 p.m.-5 p.m. If the gate is open we’re available! Sun.-Thurs., please call.

Wagon Wheel Market 4607 Olive Hwy., Oroville, CA 95966, (530) 589-1824 HOURS: Daily 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Quilici Vineyards 72 Quail Hill Place, Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 589-5088, www.quilicivineyards.com HOURS: By Appointment

Grey Fox Vineyards

3536 Butte Campus Dr, Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 895-2515, www.butte.edu Hours: Mon. - Fri., by appointment

90 Grey Fox Lane, Oroville, CA 95966 (530) 589-3920, www.greyfox.net HOURS: Year-round, weekends 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Noble Orchards - 92nd Season! (1921-2013)

Mt. Ida Mandarin Ranch

7050 Pentz Rd., Paradise, CA 95969 (530) 877-4784, www.nobleorchards.com HOURS: Jul.-Feb. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Weekends 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

845 Mt. Ida Rd., Oroville, CA 95966 (530) 589-5799, www.holidaymandarins.com HOURS: Nov.-Jan., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Butte View Olive Company 2950 Louis Ave., Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 534-8320, www.butteview.com HOURS: By appointment

Hickman Family Vineyards 77 Orange Ave., PO Box 238, Bangor CA 95914 (530) 679-0679, www.hickmanfamilyvineyards.com HOURS: 12-5 p.m. Weekends Only

Lavender Ranch™ 17 Rio Bonito, Biggs, CA 95914 (530) 868-5151, www.lavenderranch.com HOURS: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Calolea Olive Oil 68 Tennessee Lane, Bangor, CA. 95914 (530)682-2002, www.calolea.com, info@calolea.com Hours: By Appointment

All proceeds from the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend benefit the Sierra Del Oro Farm Trail Association; dedicated to developing agri-tourism in Butte County. More information about the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend is available by calling 530-891-5556.

September 26, 2013

CN&R 23

Butte 70 County Durham

Glenn County

OROVILLE

Sk yw ay

Cohasset Rd.

Rd . th 20

Rd. Dayto

n Ro

Crouch ad s Ro

ng o

Rd.

Ave.

vale

Dr.

r Hw y.

Miner ’s R anch

an Or

e. Av

28 Bangor

e Ln.

La Porte Rd.

Tennesse

. Rd

Lower Honcut Rd.

ther

w y. or H

rk Ta ble Mt n. Blv d.

ang Oro B

Cla

To Sacramento

Coal Canyon Rd.

Midwa

149

Palermo/ Honcutt Hwy

yton Hwy.

Fea

da t. I

4 24

Durham Pentz Rd.

Durham Da

Mt. Ida Mt

Ida

27 Louis

s Fria

. Ave .

Palermo Rd.

Rio Bonito Rd.

3 23

yandotte Lower W

Butte College

To Sacramento

lvd

Palermo

Hw y.

Ophir Rd.

Mt.

thil

Thermalito Afterbay

Map not to scale Approx. 1 mile

Greenville Rd.

Richvale Hwy.

ntz

Agua

ive

22 vale Oak

Oro

Dam

. Blvd

wy. Olive H

Canyon D

Thermalito

Esquon Ln.

Stanford Ln.

Midwa

Oli

lvd

a oD

o Fo

Garden Rd.

ntg

Fruitvale Ave.

VAN TOUR PARTICIPANTS

S ery

191

Lott Rd.

DURHAM

Nea

wy.

BUTTE COUNTY FARM BUREAU MEMBER

OROVILLE

ndotte Rd.

hico H

Rd.

Oro C

Pearson Rd.

Pentz Rd.

Clark Rd.

10 11

way

Mid

n ega

way

Sky

Blv

Lower Wya

Pearson Rd.

Blv Lincoln

Grand Ave.

Rd.

Lake Oroville// le Dam Oroville

Thermalito Forebay

wa Mid

Elliott Rd.

rk Pa E.

Hugh Baber Ln.

NATURE PRESERVES & PARKS

Ri ve r ch Fe at he r W es t Br an

E. 20th

Durham Da

yton Hwy.

COUNTY/CITY RD.

Sawmill Rd.

Bruce Rd.

Chico Rd.

Bille

dw oa Br

d er Roa

ove

California State University Chico iv hico R

ngr

W. Sacramento

w Bid le dd ark Mi P

MAIN HWY

Wagstaff Rd.

ell

Ta b

FOOD

PARADISE

To Lake Almanor, Lassen Volcanic Natl. Park

Coal Canyon Rd.

WINERY

Sierra County

Yuba County

149

To Chico

FARM

k ar ll P Butte County Map idwe B er pp U East Ave.

de na pla Es

Sutter County

Lower Bidwell Park Rec. Area 1 Mile Rec

ve st A

To HWY 36 & HWY 89

Pentz Rd.

de na pla Es

Forest R Ranch

To Sacramento

CHICO

Feather Falls

Lake Oroville Rec. Area

Richvale

Eaton Rd.

LEGEND

CHICO

Cla rk

Rd.

PARADISE

Rd. 24

To Paradise

Cohaassssseett Rd .

3 Keefer

Plumas County

Forest Ranch

Orland

. Rd

ark

Garner Ln.

a Av

Anit

Cohasset

South Ave.

Corning

To Redding

FAR FARMS & VENUES IN AND AROUND OROVILLE & GRIDLEY ARO

Butte Meadows

Vina

Hamilton Nord Cana Hwy.

Tehama County

To Redding

FARMS & VENUES IN AND AROUND CHICO & PARADISE

Thermalito

Purchase your tickets online at www.sierraoro.org www.sie sierraoro.org New Clairvaux Vineyard

Maisie Jane’s California Sunshine Products

Llano Seco Rancho

26240 7th St., Vina, CA 96092 (530) 839-2200, www.newclairvauxvineyard.com HOURS: Open daily 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., except Holy Days

1324 Dayton Rd., Chico, CA 95928 (530) 899-7909, www.maisiejanes.com HOURS: Year-round, Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Extended holiday hours

8369 Hugh Baber Lane, Chico CA 95928 (530) 342-0839, www.llanoseco.com HOURS: By appointment only

Odyssey Winery and Vineyards 6237 Cohasset Rd., Chico, CA 95973 (530) 891-9463 HOURS: May-Dec., Sat. 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Emerald "C" Vineyards 3746 Keefer Rd., Chico, CA 95973 (530)570-6400, www.emeraldcvineyards.com HOURS: By Appointment Only

Roney Wines 5900 Anita Rd. Chico, CA 95973 (530) 518-9333, www.roneywines.com HOURS: By Appointment

Mooney Farms 1220 Fortress St., Chico, CA 95973 (530) 899-2661, www.mooneyfarms.com HOURS: M-F, 10-4 year-round.

22 CN&R September 26, 2013

Dog Creek Cellars HoneyRun Winery 2309 Park Ave., Chico CA 95928 (530) 345-6405, www.honeyrun.com HOURS: By Appointment

T J Farms 3600 Chico Ave, Chico, CA (530) 343-2294 , www.tjfarmsestates.com

Bertagna Son Kissed Vineyards 3363 Hegan Ln. Chico, CA 95928 (530) 343-8014, www.bertagnawine.com HOURS: first weekend of the month April - Oct, 12-5 pm and by appointment.

Patrick Ranch Museum 10381 Midway, Durham, CA 95928 (530) 342-4359, www.patrickranchmuseum.org HOURS: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Gale Vineyards 9345 Stanford Lane, Durham, CA 95938 (530) 891-1264, www.galevineyards.com HOURS: By appointment

The Worm Farm 9033 Esquon Road, Durham, CA 95938 (530) 894-1276, www.thewormfarm.net, facebook.com/thewormfarm, HOURS: M-F 8a.m. - 5p.m., Spring: M-Sat., 8a.m. - 5p.m.

Butte College Environmental Horticulture Nursery

Lundberg Family Farms®

Morse Farms

5311 Midway, Richvale, CA 95974 (530) 538-3500, www.lundberg.com HOURS: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

8 Feathervale Dr. PO Box 5203, Oroville, CA 95966 (530)589-2126, www.morsemandarinfarms.com, HOURS: Late Nov. to mid Jan., open every day 10a.m.-5p.m.

Long Creek Winery & Ranch

Lodestar Farms

233 Ward Rd., Oroville, CA 95966 (530) 589-3415, www.longcreekwinery.com HOURS: Weekends 12 - 5 p.m.

3719 Foothill Blvd., Oroville, CA 95966 (530) 534-6548, www.lodestarfarms.com HOURS: May-Dec. Fri. and Sat. 12 p.m.-5 p.m. If the gate is open we’re available! Sun.-Thurs., please call.

Wagon Wheel Market 4607 Olive Hwy., Oroville, CA 95966, (530) 589-1824 HOURS: Daily 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Quilici Vineyards 72 Quail Hill Place, Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 589-5088, www.quilicivineyards.com HOURS: By Appointment

Grey Fox Vineyards

3536 Butte Campus Dr, Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 895-2515, www.butte.edu Hours: Mon. - Fri., by appointment

90 Grey Fox Lane, Oroville, CA 95966 (530) 589-3920, www.greyfox.net HOURS: Year-round, weekends 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Noble Orchards - 92nd Season! (1921-2013)

Mt. Ida Mandarin Ranch

7050 Pentz Rd., Paradise, CA 95969 (530) 877-4784, www.nobleorchards.com HOURS: Jul.-Feb. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Weekends 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

845 Mt. Ida Rd., Oroville, CA 95966 (530) 589-5799, www.holidaymandarins.com HOURS: Nov.-Jan., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Butte View Olive Company 2950 Louis Ave., Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 534-8320, www.butteview.com HOURS: By appointment

Hickman Family Vineyards 77 Orange Ave., PO Box 238, Bangor CA 95914 (530) 679-0679, www.hickmanfamilyvineyards.com HOURS: 12-5 p.m. Weekends Only

Lavender Ranch™ 17 Rio Bonito, Biggs, CA 95914 (530) 868-5151, www.lavenderranch.com HOURS: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Calolea Olive Oil 68 Tennessee Lane, Bangor, CA. 95914 (530)682-2002, www.calolea.com, info@calolea.com Hours: By Appointment

September 26, 2013

CN&R 23

Farms & Venues

South Ave.

Orland

PARADISE

Rd. 24

Durham Pentz Rd.

CHICO Durham

rk Cla Rd.

To Paradise

Plumas County

Forest Ranch

Corning

Butte County Map

149

Butte 70 County Lake Oroville Rec. Area

Richvale

Feather Falls

To Lake Almanor, Lassen Volcanic Natl. Park

OROVILLE

Mtn

OROVILLE

ay Midw

Oro

Dam

Blvd

Olive

Thermalito

wy.

le Ave .

Mt. Ida

Mt. Id

. Blvd thill Foo

6 o

Mt.

Feathe

Ida

n go

r H w y.

M i n e r ’s R a n c h

ang O ro B

Lower Wyand Palermo Rd.

w or H

Louis Av

nge

Ora Palermo/ Honcutt Hwy

. Ave

Bangor Ln. Tennessee

Oct. 12th – 13th | 10am-5pm With a unique delicacy for our Sierra Passporters!

To Sacramento

Dr.

Ophir Rd.

otte Rd.

Rio Bonito Rd.

rvale

otte Rd.

d. Lincoln Blv

Lower Wyand

Greenville Rd. Thermalito Afterbay

Oakva

lvd. E

Richvale Hwy.

Oliv

Olive Hw

Hwy .

am B

Oro D

Canyon Dr.

ery S

om ontg

Palermo

Sierra County

Yuba County

vd.

Grand Ave.

Garden House Boutique

Sutter County

. Bl

Thermalito Forebay

Fruitvale Ave.

To Sacramento

Lake Oroville/ Oroville Dam

Coal Canyon Rd.

Tab le

Corner of Hwy 99 and W. Rio Bonito Road ~ Biggs, CA 530.868.5151 www.LavenderRanch.com

Butte Meadows

32 Cohasset

To Chico

Step into the gardens, bask in the timeless beauty of Mother Nature with Lavender Ranch™ products. We invite you to experience the Real Essences from Mother Nature that Lavender Ranch™ is committed to delivering.

Vina

Glenn County

HOME GROWN AND DISTILLED IN THE USA

Tehama County

To Redding

Map not to scale Approx. 1 mile

t Pen

1. Butte View Olive Company 2. Lavender Ranch 3. Lodestar Farms 4. Long Creek Winery & Ranch 5. Morse Farms 6. Mt. Ida Mandarin Ranch

Oroville & Gridley

in and around

Lower Honcut Rd.

La Porte Rd.

We ship gift packages during the holiday season.

Last chance to visit the tasting room until April! OctOber 5-6th & 12-13th

View available bags and boxes on our website.

845 Mt. Ida Rd Oroville, CA

www.BertagnaWine.com

Friday and Saturday 12–5pm

Farm is Open Daily Nov. – Jan.

343.8014

(530) 589–5799 • 8am – 5pm

NOT YOUR AVERAGE TASTING ROOM Adventurers Welcome!

OPEN EVERY SATURD AY + SUNDAY NOON TO 5PM

ONG CREE WINERY & RANCH

233 Ward Boulevard, Oroville

A farmstand full of M andarin Pro duc ts! Marmalade, syrup, olive oil, BBQ sauce, seasonings and rubs. We also grow Meyers lemons, Eureka lemons, limes, Navel oranges, Rio grapefruits and Minneolas available in Fall/Winter months.

530.589.3415

Visit us on the Sierra Oro Farm Tour to sample our grilled meatball sliders with mandarin jalapeno BBQ sauce + Feather Falls Emperor’s Mandarin Wheat Ale made with our mandarin juice!

Visit MorseMandarinFarms.com for more info + recipe suggestions! Product shipping available

LongCreekWinery.com 24 CN&R September 26, 2013

iew.com

srev www.new

for special events!

STARTING FROM SCRATCH FARM FACT:

First-generation beef ranchers Shannon and Kelly Douglass turn a few calves into a viable business

hannon Douglass raised rabbits, sheep, goats and pigs in 4-H and FFA while growing up in Sacramento, but she had no experience with cattle until meeting her now-husband, Kelly, who grew up on a dairy farm in Glenn County. The couple began buying calves a decade ago while still attending college for agriculture—she at Chico State and he at Butte College. Today, they have grown their herd of breeding black Angus to close to 50 head. In spite of being first-generation beef-cattle ranchers, the Douglasses have settled into ranch life quite well, establishing a sizable herd

“FARMING DUO” continued from page 20

er who has seen her or his lettuce bolt as soon as summer temperatures hit. “Growing lettuce in the summer—to novices, I say, ‘Don’t do this at home,’” said a smiling Balgooyen, who happens to have a doctorate in plant breeding from Cornell University. “Our two main items are lettuce and heirloom tomatoes,” he said. “We grow a whole lot of varieties of each.” He and Brock grow “about 120 varieties of lettuce, from seeds from all over the world. … We have

and making a name for their Orland-based Douglass Ranch as producers of high-quality local meat. “We enjoy the lifestyle,” Douglass said. “We really enjoy the cattle.” The couple sell their weaned calves at about nine or 10 months of age commercially, but they also sell directly to beef-loving North State residents. And what they do bucks the trend of grass-finished beef. Douglass has great things to say about that technique, but she noted how difficult it can be to do well. It takes a lot of very highquality grass, for starters.

varieties of lettuce that look so unusual that people don’t recognize them as lettuce.” Some of those lettuces end up in the aforementioned Sissy salad mix—a gentle-on-the-palate combination that sometimes also features edible flower blossoms—and the Sassy mix, which includes arugula and a number of Chinese greens, such as mizuna and mustard, as well as edible chrysanthemums. The Sensational mix, for the record (which is only available in the cool seasons), is always lettuceless, and features escarole, endive,

One beef-cattle hide can make 144 baseballs, or 20 footballs, or 12 basketballs.

at the Chico Certified Farmers’ Market every other Saturday. In 2011, Douglass Ranch expanded with the birth of the couple’s son, Heath. Douglass recalled PHOTOS BY MATT SALVO/COURTESY OF THE CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU being able to easily manage selling beef at the market with Heath in It wouldn’t have been a feasible tow when he was an infant. She enlisted help in the form of a Chico option for the Douglasses, who State ag intern when he got to be a pasture their animals on rented busy toddler. properties. But when they found The Douglasses, both 29, got out there was demand for locally into the beef-cattle business with raised grain-finished beef about five years ago, they decided to give the intention of eventually buying their own property on which to direct-marketing a go by holding raise their herd. They’ve found, back a few animals and raising however, that prospect to be finanthem for another eight or 10 cially unsound. They’d need to buy months until processing age. This a whole heck of a lot of property to year, they are raising about 15 sustain what, at peak times of the head. The couple’s cattle live on year, including new calves and pasture without antibiotics and older ones almost ready to be growth hormones, and are suppleshipped off, is a nearly 100-head mented with a corn and barley mix herd. To make things work, the cou90 days prior to butchering. ple leases eight parcels around “The beef has that traditional Glenn County too small for largebutcher-shop flavor. It’s all dry-aged, scale ranchers. In recent years, which gives it a more robust flavor,” they’ve also diversified their ag she explained. They sell the animals interests, growing in halves and quarvine crops and ters—delivering sunflowers for a straight to their Where’s the beef? seed company. customers’ Go to www.douglassranch.com to learn In addition, doorsteps, mostly more about first-generation beef ranchers Shannon and Kelly Douglass. The Douglass in Chico and Parcouple also maintain a Facebook page at teaches ag adise—and in www.facebook.com/DouglassRanch. business and smaller quantities

plant science at Butte College part time. To say her life is busy is an understatement. She takes pride in the fact that all of her animals are raised and butchered within her zip code. Douglass noted her good fortune of being able to rely on Johansen’s Meats—a USDA-inspected facility in Orland that’s willing to work with small ranchers—for processing. The grain supplementing the cattle comes from the nearby Artois Mill. Douglass said she and her husband are in an interesting phase in their careers as cattle ranchers. Even though they’ve won over some very loyal customers, she explained that they aren’t sure directly marketing the cattle is a long-term plan, given the amount of work and the number of loopholes to jump through compared to the financial reward. For now, though, the couple still enjoy a job that, including the animals’ gestation stage, takes 2 1/2 years to accomplish. “It’s just really rewarding to see the process through to the end, and see that someone enjoys our work,” she said.

kale, spinach, radicchio, several varieties of mizuna, “plus other ingredients—the makeup changes seasonally,” Balgooyen said. “This year, we have about 70 varieties of tomatoes—almost entirely heirlooms, including an ‘heirloom hybrid’ developed in 1951 called Moreton,” he added. A walk through the crop rows at Riparia on a recent sunny day revealed a row of trellised cucumbers growing along the south side of a field of tomato plants, which were loaded down, even in the last days of summer, with countless red, yel-

varieties that grow well in the ‘shoulder seasons.’” “We’re both very firm believers in local food sustainability,” Balgooyen added, comparing buying locally produced food to buying food (at, say, a supermarket) that has been transported hundreds or thousands of miles. “When you figure in the cost of the packaging, and the transportation, and the middleman taking a share—it’s not the way of the future.”

Shannon and Kelly Douglass didn’t inherit a ranching operation, but that hasn’t stopped them from establishing a well-respected local-beef outfit. Below: A happy customer gets a beef delivery.

low and orange heirloom tomatoes. “We use cucumbers to protect the tomatoes from sun-scald,” noted Balgooyen, who until recently served as a paid consultant to Chico State’s Organic Vegetable Project (“They no longer pay me, but I still go over there and put in my two bits from time to time,” he said). “We’re always trying new lettuces to see how they handle heat,” he said, as he walked through rows of immature lettuce plants. “We’ve got certain varieties that work well in the summer, certain varieties that do well in the winter, and certain

—MELISSA DAUGHERTY melissad@newsreview.com

more FARM continued on page 26

—CHRISTINE G.K. LAPADO-BREGLIA christinel@newsreview.com September 26, 2013

CN&R 25

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

Comanche Creek founders say choices— including more than 30 types of tomatoes— are key to success

ust past the end of the pavement on Entler Avenue in south Chico, tucked between a pocket of riparian wilderness and a longabandoned railroad spur, is Comanche Creek Farms, a nearly 20-acre family farm that grows an

Eggplant ripening to perfection.

amazing array of vegetables—more than 100 varieties—year-round. Comanche Creek was founded as an organic operation by fatherand-son team Jim and Brandon Miller in 1997, long before most mainstream shoppers knew the difference between organic and tradi-

tionally grown produce. Prior to that, Jim Miller, a third-generation Chicoan, was mostly a hobby gardener growing fresh vegetables for his family, friends and neighbors while working as a building contractor. Then one fateful day, he was having dinner at a restaurant north of the Bay Area when he was moved to confront the chef over the quality of the eatery’s tomatoes, offering some of his own instead. The restaurant became one of Comanche Creek’s first regular customers, and Miller said the business has been expanding ever since, growing apace with the nowbooming organic-food industry. Today, the farm grows more than three dozen types of heirloom tomatoes of all shapes, sizes and colors, which are sold at stores and served in restaurants as far away as Portland, Ore., and Nantucket, Mass. The Millers take special pride in the fact that Comanche Creek is the primary supplier of heirloom tomatoes to the Bay Area wholesale market, with their produce served in world-famous restaurants and exclusive markets, such as Chez

Comanche Creek online:

Go to www.comanchecreekfarms.com to connect with Comanche Creek Farms.

FARM FACT: Butte County farms more than 18,800 acres organically, with a production value of $9.5 million in 2012. Jim and Brandon Miller, the father-and-son team that runs Comanche Creek Farms. PHOTOS BY MELANIE MACTAVISH

Panisse and Berkeley Bowl. The senior Miller credits much of the farm’s continued success to dealing directly with chefs, which he said helps to anticipate market trends. “Chefs get bored easily,” he said. “So you have to always have something new to offer, which keeps us always looking for and experimenting with new things. When you have something interesting to catch their attention, they’ll buy all the regular stuff from you as well.”

San Francisco and the

surrounding areas are still the farm’s primary market, with an estimated 70 percent of their produce bound for the region. But Miller said the local market has also come around, quadrupling in the last few years as people’s eating habits are evolving everywhere. “The younger generations are being raised knowing organic is the way to go, and the older generation has realized it, too,” Miller said. “Peo-

ple are thinking, ‘Hey, we’re living a lot longer nowadays, we should try to stay as healthy as possible.’” Through all-organic distributor Veritable Vegetable, Comanche Creek is the main supplier of produce to the Chico Natural Foods Cooperative and S&S Organic Produce and Natural Foods. The farm also directly supplies many of Chico’s fine-dining establishments, including Johnnie’s, Red Tavern and Leon Bistro. Miller said Comanche Creek also wanted a way to meet local customers face to face. Since it’s too large to participate at the Chico Certified Farmers’ Market, the Millers started a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program Comanche Creek grows nitrogen-fixing legumes to boost soil fertility.

four years ago. The CSA currently has about 120 members who retrieve their vegetables directly from the farm every Thursday afternoon. “It simplifies my shopping a great deal,” said Lisa Christensen, who has fetched a family-sized box for her four-person household weekly for the past three years. “Since they grow year-round, and because of their connections to local organic distributors, I think they have a little more variety then other local CSAs might.” Miller confirmed this, explaining the farm trades with other organic operations for nutritional and practical purposes (some things just don’t grow well locally, he said). He also said the business is still growing, but never too fast. “We could grow more, but we don’t want to affect the quality of what we do,” he said. “We are proud of what we do, and like that we have the reputation of providing the best tomatoes around. It’s worth it to take the extra steps to do things right.” —KEN SMITH kens@newsreview.com

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“The Farmer and the Chef” Come meet local farmers and taste delicious pizza in a unique pop-up museum event!

Friday, OctOber 25th, NOON tO 1PM cSU chicO, PlUMaS 102 September 26, 2013

CN&R 27

A Leon in summer from a loCal farmer’S field

to your table. ChiCo Saturday 2nd & Wall Streets year round, rain or shine Sat 7:30am – 1pm

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No matter the season, Henri enjoys a splurge at Leon Bistro Dungeness crab cakes and rack of lamb with Yukon/yam mash. PHOTOS BY MELANIE MACTAVISH

Hreflects on the abundance of epicurean riches produced and available here in Chico and the surrounding area. From enri’s bereted little tête spins when he

some of the best olive oil in the world to the ever-increasing variety of food trucks. From the bounty of the farmers’ markets to restaurants on par by with some of the best at which he’s dined Henri Bourride in urban centers that are decidedly more, well, sophistique than our little jambonlet: Red Tavern, Angelo’s Cucina Trinacria, Spice Creek Café, and the always impressive Leon Bistro, a world of its own tucked away behind tinted windows in an unlikely Main Street storefront alongside bicycle stores and a donut shop. In fact, it’s one of our favorite places for a splurge, with chef Ann Leon always cooking up surprises and specials with local and seasonal ingredients, the service always perfect, the staff seemingly knowing exactly when to show up—and, just as important, when not to. Colette especially likes the dark interior and the booths, their long tables and the benches’ high wooden backs providing ★★★★★ privacy and a sense of seclusion. “You should get a date and come here,” she Leon Bistro always says. “It’d be perfect.” When she 817 Main St. suggested Match.com, I bobbled my fork 899-1105 and dropped it on the floor, just missing my www.leon bistro.com espadrille. Chef Leon’s credentials are more than Open Wed.-Sat., impressive and account not only for the qualstarting at ity of the food but also for her elaborate pre5 p.m. sentations. After graduating from the California Culinary Academy, she went to work at Berkeley’s Chez Panisse, cooking alongside California-cuisine guru Alice Waters. She’s also cooked at a number of resorthotel restaurants, as well as Spice Creek Café and the restaurant at Rolling Hills Casino, winning many prestigious awards along the way. As for the bistro itself, it was recently awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of ★★★★★ Excellence for 2013, based on customer EPIC reviews (mostly 5-star) posted to the popu★★★★ lar online travel site. AUTHORITATIVE Leon Bistro’s menu changes frequently, ★★★ but usually includes eight to 10 starters, APPEALING running $5 (Paleo sweet-potato chips) to ★★ $16 (crab cakes with avocado cream and HAS MOMENTS mango coulis). Main courses include sever★ al fish dishes (salmon, $28; halibut, $30); FLAWED

steaks from Turri Family Farms grass-fed beef (rib-eye, $30; filet mignon, $35); as well penne with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and lemon fonduta sauce ($22), Parmesan chicken breast from Mary’s Free Range Chicken ($24), and Wookey Ranch rack of lamb ($42). Desserts ($8-$12) include blackberry-and-nectarine crepes with mascarpone, sorbet and gelato sampler, and chocolate torte. Wines by the glass are $8-$10. On our most recent visit, we started with a couple of bowls of soup—white-bean-andmushroom bisque—and a couple of glasses of Calling All Angels chardonnay from the Save Me, San Francisco Wine Company. Both were thick and creamy, and delicious. We also split an order of grilled nectarines (one of the specials that evening) and a Caesar salad with grilled chicken, Colette’s aversion to anchovies dissolving with her first bite. “This is incredible,” she said. “Not fishy at all.” “Never is, when it’s done right,” I said. “Good with this wine, too.” Next I ordered the Chico burger, made with Kobe wagyu beef ($18) and topped, surprisingly, with a sunny-side-up fried egg. I poked the yolk and let it ooze onto the burger. Wonderful. Colette’s bison burger (also $18) was also delicious. Just as good, though, were our veggie sides: perfectly grilled peppers, green beans, kale and caramelized onions, with a slice of polenta. A night to remember. Other favorites from our visits over the last few years: the calamari appetizer (exquisitely light, with just little bit of cornmeal), the bison flank steak ($30), the hangar steak ($28), the seasonal veggie sampler (these days root veggies, lentils and beans, with polenta, $24), and the Parmesan chicken. In addition, chef Leon also teaches a wide range of hands-on cooking classes, including the upcoming Enjoying the Autumn Harvest (Oct. 1) and Mexican Cuisine (Oct. 29), among others. Visit www.leonbistro.com for info on classes, special events, private parties and catering, and to see Leon Bistro’s full menu. Ω

September 26, 2013

CN&R 29

This is gonna look so cool in 3-D.

Reviewers: Craig Blamer, Emiliano GarciaSarnoff and Juan-Carlos Selznick.

Opening this week Baggage Claim

In an effort to avoid being the only unmarried woman in her family, a flight attendant (Paula Patton) endeavors to “accidentally” bump into a succession of exes during flights in an attempt to get engaged before her youngest sister’s wedding. Cinemark 14. Rated PG-13.

Bad, as in bad

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

B-boy saga leaves former breaker wanting to upchuck, not uprock

Wphysically ungifted b-boy in a Southern California crew called “Decepticons.”

hen I was 16, I was a mediocre,

Had matching T-shirts and everything. At 16, I couldn’t do one-fiftieth of by the moves the amazing Emiliano breakers in Battle of the Year, Garcia-Sarnoff the new movie directed by Benson Lee, do. But I could have written it. Or, I could have come up with the seed idea, anyway: The best American b-boys form a “Dream Team” and train to regain our nation’s Battle of faded glory at the The Battle the Year of the Year, commonly Starring Josh referred to as the “World Cup Holloway, Laz of b-boying.” In fact, I think I Alonso, Josh may have actually dreamt up Peck, Caity Lotz just that with my crew over and Chris Brown. Directed giant bowls of Captain by Benson Lee. Crunch. But it must have taken a Cinemark 14. Rated PG-13. seriously cynical corporate writing team or, perhaps, a Previously Profitable Plot algorithm to have filled in the rest. Poor Russell Simmons-esque Hip-hop Mogul (why are they always “moguls?”) Fair Dante “D” Graham (Laz Alonso) is sponsoring the crew whose mission it is to bring back the gold to the Good nation who started this whole hip-hop thing. “D” hires his down-and-out former breakVery Good ing buddy, Jason Blake— played by Josh Holloway, who will forever be Sawyer, the conman-with-a-heart-ofExcellent

30 CN&R September 26, 2013

gold and scruffy, romance-novel-cover good looks from the hit TV show Lost—to mold the b-boys from a bunch of punks into a team. Blake, aka “Wonder Boy,” aka “W.B.,” aka “Really, Sawyer as a former b-boy?” aka the movie’s Relatable Caucasian Center, is a tragically widowed former college-basketball coach with a drinking problem and depression-denoting stubble. W.B. (Sawyer!) is aided by assistant coach Franklyn (Josh Peck), the other Relatable Caucasian Center (demographic group 18-34), and Stacy (Caity Lotz), the Hot Blond and very flat (in character terms, only, of course) choreographer who deals with the crew’s unrealistically over-the-top sexual harassment with ’tude that earns their respect. The crew is made up of real, talented b-boys with names like “Flipz” or “Rooster”(played by R&B star and famed domestic abuser Chris Brown) who can’t stop fighting because they’re, you know, urban. Borrowing from reality TV, one dancer is kicked out of the crew each week until the final 13 are chosen, while “D” drops in from time to time to reward the remaining guys with products from Puma or Sony (“This is the new Sony Tablet! It’s the future!” says one). W.B. (Sawyer!) and his assistants put the boys through all sorts of training montages until they are finally ready to face the Koreans, led by a b-boy whose blank-eyed stare says “I will crush you” without ever having to pay him speaking-role fees. Like the well-received documentary on the same subject directed by Lee in 2007 (Planet B-boy), Battle of the Year could have been cool (says my inner-teenager). Instead, it’s yet another unintentionally funny American Embarrassment, whose sickening product placement will make you want to upchuck, not uprock, and whose played plotlines will leave your head spinning—and not in the cool upside-down way. Ω

In part two of the computer-animated film series, the overactive food-making machine made popular in Judi and Ron Barrett’s celebrated book of the same name is back, this time turning out hybrid food/animal creatures that threaten to take over the world. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG.

Don Jon

Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars (and makes his featurelength directorial/writing debut) in this comedy about a New Jersey guy who, dissatisfied with life and his relationships in large part due to his addiction to porn, tries to make a change for the better. Also starring Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated R.

with violent action and fast-track narrative, that proves especially problematic in this case. The Family is persistently amusing, but never really laugh-outloud funny. Even the absurdities of violence in this tale are pictured with an authority and an immediacy that leave the comic elements fizzling somewhere on the margins of the action. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated R —J.C.S.

Insidious: Chapter 2

Leigh Whannell and James Wan, the horror writerdirector team behind the first installment (as well as Saw), regroup for this sequel which finds the haunted couple (Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne) still being visited by the scary spirits that had been camped out in their son’s body. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG-13.

Instructions Not Included

This Spanish-language comedy-drama—one of the summer’s surprise hits—tells the story of an Acapulco party boy who, after a baby is dropped off on his doorstep, moves across the border to Los Angeles to look for the mother, and is forced to grow up as he ends up raising the girl. Cinemark 14. Rated PG-13.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

The second installment in the film franchise based on Rick Riordan’s young-adult fantasy series about the young Percy Jackson, who is drawn into the world of the gods when he discovers he’s the son of Poseidon. This time out, Percy and friends set out to find the Golden Fleece. Cinemark 14. Rated PG.

Rush

Ron Howard directs this biographical-actioner that follows the story of the rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the dramatic and controversial 1976 racing season. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated R.

Thanks for Sharing

A romantic-comedy following the stories of three guys (Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins and Josh Gad) trying to cope with life and relationships while also struggling with sex addiction. Also starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Pageant Theatre. Rated R.

Don Jon

Now playing Austenland

A 30-something American woman who is obsessed with Jane Austen’s novels, yet unsatisfied in love, travels to a themed resort in England to be immersed in a romantic fantasy world lifted from Austen’s stories. Pageant Theatre 7. Rated PG-13.

Battle of the Year

See review this issue. Cinemark 14. Rated PG-13 —E.G.S.

The Butler

Lee Daniels (Precious) directs this story based on the life of Eugene Allen, a White House butler who witnessed 34 years of U.S. history from his vantage point at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Starring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey and John Cusack. Cinemark 14. Rated PG-13.

The Family

Robert De Niro plays a New York mobster who has testified against fellow Mafia and is now hiding out in France with his wife (Michelle Pfeiffer) and their teenage children (Dianna Agron and John D’Leo). All four are the beneficiaries, more or less, of a witness-protection program that provides them with elaborate cover stories, semi-luxurious accommodations, and a trio of ever-vigilant FBI “minders,” but, it seems, they just can’t help but behave like Mafia thugs in certain situations. Director Luc Besson (La Femme Nikita, The Fifth Element) has shown no particular gift for comedy, and since he is very proficient

Planes

A 3-D computer-animated feature film about a cropdusting plane (voiced by Dane Cook) who is afraid of heights, yet longs to compete in an aerial race. Cinemark 14. Rated PG.

Prisoners

In the wake of an abduction of two little girls, tensions mount between a brash detective (Jake Gyllenhaal) and the desperately frustrated father (Hugh Jackman) of one of the missing kids. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated R.

Riddick

Part three of the Chronicles of Riddick series, with Vin Diesel once again starring as the begoggled title character, a space warrior exiled on a hostile planet where he fights alien predators and plots his revenge and a return to his home planet. Cinemark 14 and Feather River Cinemas. Rated R.

Salinger

This documentary on the life of the reclusive late author of Catcher in the Rye—featuring more than 150 interviews, archival footage and reenactments— has been in the making for eight years. Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG-13.

We’re the Millers

Saturday Night Live’s Jason Sudeikis plays a drug dealer who agrees to smuggle a big shipment of pot into the country from Mexico for one of his clients (Ed Helms). In order to avoid suspicion, he hires a stripper (Jennifer Aniston), a runaway girl and a virgin teen boy to be his fake family as they drive their RV back to the U.S. Cinemark 14 and Feather River Cinemas. Rated R.

45 Live & What’s the Chance

STARTS FRIDAY GWYNETH PALTROW MARK RUFFALO

Roomful of Blues & Paul Gabriel Alligator & Shining Stone Gee, how time flies when you’re having fun. Can it really be 46 years since Roomful of Blues came on the scene? Eighteen albums and a dozen or so personnel changes later, the band’s still playing the kind of blues and R&B that’s kept them busy all these years. For 45 Live—which they recorded at the Ocean Mist, a Rhode Island club—Chris Vachon, the band’s leader/guitarist, went back through their catalog and chose 14 numbers. Among the highlights are “I Left My Baby,” their tribute to longtime Count Basie Orchestra vocalist Jimmy Rushing; “Crawdad Hole,” from the 1983 session on which they backed up Big Joe Turner; alto-saxist Rich Lataille’s jazzed-up “Straight Jacquet,” (a nod to tenorman Illinois Jacquet) and Vachon’s steamy solo on Magic Sam’s “Easy Baby.” The band’s horn section and its founder, guitarist Duke Robillard, also found time to back up Paul Gabriel—“a distinctive, bluesy guitarist,” as he’s been described—on What’s the Chance. Translation: more pop than blues here. The bluesy opening track features some solid guitar by Robillard and the horn section riffing like there’s no tomorrow, a tactic employed on several selections. Gabriel wrote all but two songs, judging from which he’s got some serious women problems. So-so vocalizing, offset by Gabriel’s heartfelt songs and fine playing.

MUSIC

—Miles Jordan

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Ecco/Harper Collins “First, I’ll tell about the robbery our parents committed. Then about the murders, which happened later.” So begins Richard Ford’s first novel since The Lay of the Land (2006)—the third in his acclaimed Frank Bascombe series that includes The Sportswriter and Independence Day. Canada is told, in spare but vivid prose, by Dell Parsons, a retired English professor looking back at 1960, when he was a shy, studious 15-year-old growing up in Great Falls, Mont., with his obstreperous twin sister, Berner, and his parents, Bev and Geneva. It’s a story about how one’s life can change in an instant, as Dell’s does when his parents rob a bank and he is forced to move to a desolate town in Saskatchewan, and about the violence that lurks beneath the surface of society. It’s Ford at his best, which is to say it’s a great American novel.

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BOOK

—Robert Speer

Joe Craven Bruce MacMillan Jim Miller

Magic 2014 Stainless Games PC, Xbox 360, iOS, Android I once estimated that from 1993–2003, I spent close to $10,000 on trading-card games, with Magic: The Gathering as one of the biggest money sinks. Since then, I’ve turned to the cheaper and easier-to-store digital TCGs for a fix—with the exception of a $500 relapse into the World of Warcraft TCG. Magic’s newest annual entry continues its efforts to streamline gameplay and simplify content without sacrificing depth and versatility. Overall, it succeeds, and we’re reminded why we took on part-time jobs in high school to support our cardboard habit. The added Sealed Deck mode is what old-school fans have been craving for so long. The deck-building system is the most customizable to date and includes booster packs, which players earn through in-game victories or purchase with real-world money. Sealed Deck isn’t perfect; it reeks of a moneymaking scheme, which is what turned off so many of the game’s original fans. Magic 2014 would do well by its fans to adopt a booster-pack rewards system closer to Mass Effect 3’s points-for-packs approach or Borderland 2’s SHiFT codes. At $10, it may no longer be a money-sink, but the campaigns, challenges, and multiplayer mode are still a time-sink in the best possible way.

GAME

—Matthew Craggs

BAGGAGE CLAIM (Digital) (PG-13) 12:05PM 2:40PM 5:05PM 7:35PM 10:00PM

INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED (Digital) (PG-13) 1:25PM 4:15PM 7:05PM 9:55PM

BATTLE OF THE YEAR (3D) (PG-13) 2:30PM 7:45PM

LEE DANIELS’ BUTLER, THE (Digital) (PG-13) 11:00AM 2:00PM 5:00PM 8:00PM

BATTLE OF THE YEAR (Digital) (PG-13) 11:55AM 5:10PM 10:25PM CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (3D) (PG) 12:00PM 2:20PM 4:40PM 7:00PM 9:20PM CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (Digital) (PG) 1:10PM 3:35PM 5:55PM 8:15PM

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CN&R 31

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Mamiffer’s Aaron Turner and Faith Coloccia. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAMIFFER

Mamiffer’s Faith Coloccia sings her secrets underground

Mrized. Over the course of releasing a somewhat dizzying array of CDs, cassettes and vinyl recordings amiffer is not a band that is easily catego-

over the last six years, musically, the band has dabbled in a wide variety of palettes: by from esoteric piano and noise-driven Daniel Taylor soundscapes, to more accessible, Mogwai-esque rock squall, splicing in everything from medieval choral passages to zombifying drones. Moreover, Mamiffer isn’t even a PREVIEW: band in the classic sense so much as Mamiffer and it is the name under which SeattleHouse of Low area artist, photographer and multiCulture perform Monday, Sept. 30, instrumentalist Faith Coloccia cata8 p.m., at Café logs her musical output, both by herCoda. Ernesto self or with a revolving cast of musiAlvarado and cians and collaborators. The most CITIES open. constant of these musical collaboraCost: $8 tors of late has been Colaccia’s husCafé Coda band, Aaron Turner, whose impecca265 Humboldt Ave. ble heavy-music pedigree includes 566-9476 his former band Isis, metal superwww.cafecoda.com group Old Man Gloom and his most recent project, House of Low Culture (which also includes Coloccia). “I am the only constant in Mamiffer, and that is what defines the project,” explained Coloccia during a stop on Mamiffer’s current tour with French postmetal band Alcest. In between dates on that tour, Colaccia and Turner are playing Mamiffer-headlining shows in select cities, including a stop at Chico’s Café Coda, Monday, Sept. 30, alongside House of Low Culture. Working with Turner has opened up Colaccia’s already broad scope of musical influences. “It has changed Mamiffer’s sound to have Aaron in the band in ways of confidence, knowing that we can have constructive critiques, and being able to trust his observations in the process of developing the music,” she said. “Many Mamiffer songs would have never materialized, as I would have thrown away the parts, but I kept them because of Aaron liking them. Also, his guitar 32 CN&R September 26, 2013

playing and sound have influenced Mamiffer in certain directions, influencing me to play the guitar myself and base certain Mamiffer songs around it as the primary instrument.” But these musical, not to mention practical, upshots of playing music with her husband—being able to tour together, sharing hotel rooms and treating their time on the road “like a vacation for us, because we never take vacations”—come with a downside as well. Namely, due to Turner’s time in Isis and as owner of the long-running label Hydra Head Records, Colaccia often finds herself footnoted in stories about her own musical endeavors. “Aaron is a lot more well-known than I am and has been making music for over 17 years, and so he often gets credit in press and from fans for work I have made. I have even written entire records by myself and he has not played on them, yet he is credited as the sole creator,” Colaccia said. “It used to make me feel upset, but now I am just happy that most people understand what is going on, and that people are listening.” Mamiffer certainly provides ample fodder for those who are indeed listening. On the heels of their current North American tour, Mamiffer will have a double-vinyl collaboration with Finnish experimental band Circle coming out Oct. 15 on Colaccia and Turner’s own label, SIGE Records. And there’s a new dedicated Mamiffer full-length set for December and two live cassettes to be released in the interim. According to Coloccia, the Mamiffer material in the live setting, as documented on the live recordings, and especially on this current tour, can “differ immensely” from the studio recordings. “The live experience is very vulnerable, especially on this tour, as the line-up is only Aaron and me. We leave room for improvisation, whereas in the studio everything is calculated.” Ultimately, this element of chance, of capturing a musical happening, is at the heart of what Colaccia envisioned for the Mamiffer project. “My compositions come from an untrained perspective, but are informed and influenced by inherited memory, chance and heart.” It’s not metal, but it’s definitely heavy. Ω

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CN&R 33

NIGHTLIFE

THURSDAY 9/26—WEDNESDAY 10/3

27FRIDAY BASSMINT: A weekly electronic-dance party with a rotating cast of local and regional DJs. F, 9:30pm. Peeking Chinese Restaurant, 243 W. Second St. 4, (530) 895-3888.

EBONY & IVORY PROGRESSIVE DINNER:

26THURSDAY ABERRANCE: Only a few more weeks of weather warm enough for twirling your mane around like a hesher in camo shorts. Paradise’s Aberrance, Reno’s Drag Me Under and locals Epitaph of Atlas. Th, 9/26, 8pm. $5. Café Coda, 265 Humboldt Ave., (530) 5669476, www.cafecoda.com.

CHICO JAZZ COLLECTIVE: Thursday jazz.

Th, 8-11pm. Free. The DownLo, 319 Main St., (530) 892-2473.

FLO IN THE BLUES: Live blues music for the blue at heart featuring Steven Truskol and friends. Th, 9/26, 7-10pm. Café Flo, 365 E. Sixth St., (530) 514-8888, www.liveatflo.com.

JOHN SEID DUO: John Seid and Larry Peterson play an eclectic mix of The

34 CN&R September 26, 2013

EMMYLOU HARRIS AND RODNEY CROWELL Wednesday, Oct. 2 Laxson Auditorium SEE WEDNESDAY

The finale of the Ebony & Ivory 100th anniversary concert series, featuring a progressive dinner and live music at each location. Check website/call for details. F, 9/27, 5:15-9:30pm. $50. Chico Women’s Club, 592 E. Third St., (530) 521-2334, www.chicowomensclub.net.

FILM FEST BENEFIT: With Ugly As Hell, Rock Mountain Tribe, Guerrilla Gorilla, Season of The witch and more. Part of the Chico Independent Film Festival. F, 9/27, 8pm. $8. Lost on Main, 319 Main St., (530) 891-1853.

FLO SESSIONS: Flo’s weekly local music Beatles, blues and standards. Th, 6-9pm. Opens 9/26. Grana, 198 E. Second St., (530) 809-2304.

OPEN MIC: Singers, poets and musicians welcome. Th, 7-10pm. Has Beans Internet Cafe & Galleria, 501 Main St., (530) 894-3033, www.hasbeans.com.

SOFA KING: Chico funk-rockers, plus

Reno’s Mark Sexton Band. Th, 9/26, 9pm. 8:30pm. Lost on Main, 319 Main St., (530) 891-1853.

showcase continues. F, 7-10pm. Café Flo, 365 E. Sixth St., (530) 514-8888, www.liveatflo.weebly.com.

FRIDAY MORNING JAZZ: A weekly morning jazz appointment with experimental local troupe Bogg. F, 11am. Free. Café Coda, 265 Humboldt Ave., (530) 5669476, www.cafecoda.com.

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.

IRISH MUSIC JAM: Happy hour with

Molly’s Favorite. F, 9/27, 5-7pm. Café Flo, 365 E. Sixth St., (530) 514-8888, www.liveatflo.com.

JOHN SEID TRIO: John Seid, Steve Cook

ROCKIN THE MIC: A monthly open mic open to performers young and old. Fourth F of every month, 6-8pm. Free. Chico School of Rock, 932 E. Eighth Ave. A, (530) 894-2526, www.chicoschoolof rock.com.

STEPHANY RAE: This young female vocalist from Sacramento is back with a night of contemporary country. F, 9/27, 8pm. $2. Tackle Box Bar & Grill, 375 E. Park Ave., (530) 345-7499.

and Larry Peterson play an eclectic mix of The Beatles, blues and standards. F, 6-9pm. Free. Chicoichi Ramen, 243 W. Ninth St., (530) 891-9044.

JUICY KARKASS: Solo political-punk/rap from Portland. Plus, female-fronted pop-punkers, The Barfly Effect. Mom and Dad and Criminal Wave open. F, 9/27, 8pm. $5. Monstros Pizza & Subs, 628 W. Sacramento Ave., (530) 3457672.

KALIMBA: A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire.

F, 9/27, 9:30pm. $5. Feather Falls Casino Brewing Co., 3 Alverda Dr. in Oroville, (530) 533-3885, www.feather fallscasino.com/brewing-co.

LAND AIR WATER CONCERT: F, 9/27, 7:30pm. $17. GRUB Cooperative, 1525 Dayton Rd., (530) 828-6390.

MONK WARRIOR: Redding-based instrumental band performing with local indie-folkie, Thomas Fogg. Plus the return of Redding’s Belda Beast. F, 9/27, 8pm. $5. Café Coda, 265 Humboldt Ave., (530) 566-9476, www.cafe coda.com.

THE RECKONING: Deadgrass tribute band.

F, 9/27, 7-10pm. Café Flo, 365 E. Sixth St., (530) 514-8888, www.liveatflo.com.

A TRUE RENAISSANCE MAN

Bobcat Goldthwait is a friggin’ genius, a fact he kept mostly hidden throughout the 1980s by playing an incoherent, frenetic and likely drug-addled moron in the Police Academy series and other films, such as the unforgettable One Crazy Summer. But even then he was a comic’s comic, with other funny folk and hardcore stand-up fans clued into the fact that he was more savant than idiot. He let the larger population in on the joke with his writing and directorial debut, the cult classic Shakes the Clown. He’s kept busy writing, directing and acting ever since, as well as making the occasional foray back to the stage. He appears this Saturday, Sept. 28, at the El Rey Theatre.

NIGHTLIFE

THIS WEEK: FIND MORE ENTERTAINMENT AND SPECIAL EVENTS ON PAGE 36 OLD-TIME FIDDLER JAM: An open jam

SLUT RIVER

MAMIFFER: Experimental art meets

hosted by the California Old-Time Fiddler’s Association. Fourth Sa of every month, 1-5pm. Free. Feather River Senior Center, 1335 Myers St. in Oroville, (530) 533-8370.

Saturday, Sept. 28 Dex SEE SATURDAY

SLUT RIVER: Midwest Garage punkers perform with local Chico surf hardcore band Criminal Wave, plus Icko Sicko and Gyro Spazzers. Sa, 9/28, 8pm. $5. Dex, 167 E. Third St. Next to the Crazy Horse Saloon, (530) 3278706.

28SATURDAY ALLI B. & THE MBC: Local groovers Alli Battaglia & The Musical Brewing Co. will be joined by the Bay Area’s Corduroy Jim, Sacramento’s The Storytellers and Chico’s Chris Schadt Band and the Electric Canyon Convergence. Sa, 9/28, 9pm. $5. Lost on Main, 319 Main St., (530) 891-1853.

for a night of local laughs. M, 9/30, 811pm. Free. The DownLo, 319 Main St., (530) 892-2473.

SHANE DWIGHT: Nashville-based

from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Sa, 9/28, 9:30pm. $5. Feather Falls Casino Brewing Co., 3 Alverda Dr. in Oroville, (530) 533-3885, www.feather fallscasino.com/brewing-co.

(530) 514-8888, www.liveatflo.com.

BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT: Sa, 9/28, 8pm. $15.

NAMES DIVINE: Dark, heavy, primal indie

9/28, 1-4pm. Café Flo, 365 E. Sixth St.,

El Rey Theater, 230 W. Second St., (530) 892-1838.

THE DEAN-O-HOLICS: Bringing back the

Rat Pack. Sa, 9/28, 7-9pm. $28. Paradise Performing Arts Center, 777

blues/rock with Chicago’s Names Divine and local folk-beauties, Bunnymilk. Locals Coyote Church and She Fetus open. Sa, 9/28, 8pm. $5. Café Coda, 265 Humboldt Ave., (530) 5669476, www.cafecoda.com.

30MONDAY JAZZ HAPPY HOUR: With the Carey

Robinson Trio. M, 5-7pm. Opens 9/30. Free. Café Flo, 365 E. Sixth St., (530) 514-8888, www.liveatflo.com.

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dance on the grass with local Latindance crew Los Caballitos de la Cancion. Fools Rush In open. Food, beer and wine available. Su, 9/29, 4pm. $10. Paradise Grange Hall, 5704 Chapel Dr. in Paradise, (530) 873-1370.

S p e c i a L i S t

Natural Wellness

29SUNDAY CABARET DANCE PARTY: End of summer

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.

BLUEGRASS JAM: With Lucy Smith. Sa,

dancing boots for Chico’s favorite shit-kickin’ bar-rockers. Sa, 9/28, 9pm. Tackle Box Bar & Grill, 375 E. Park Ave., (530) 345-7499.

GROOVE THANG: Dance to a mix of songs

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2WEDNESDAY EMMYLOU HARRIS AND RODNEY CROWELL: Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Emmylou Harris and Grammy Awardwinning singer/songwriter Rodney

Crowell continue to collaborate in the wake of their recent recording, Old Yellow Moon. W, 10/2, 7:30pm. $40-$62. Laxson Auditorium, Chico State, (530) 898-6333, www.chicoperfor mances.com.

OPEN MIC COMEDY: Calling all comedians

THREE FINGERS WHISKEY: Bring your Nunnelly Rd. in Paradise, (530) 8728454, www.paradiseperforming arts.com.

heavy metal with Faith Coloccia and Aaron Turner (of Isis fame). Plus, Coloccia and Turner’s House of Low Culture, and locals CITIES and Ernesto Alvarado. M, 9/30, 8pm. $8. Café Coda, 265 Humboldt Ave., (530) 566-9476, www.cafecoda.com.

American blues-rocker tears it up for the Big Room dancers. M, 9/30, 7:30pm. $20. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 1075 E. 20th St., 893-3520, www.sierra nevada.com.

1TUESDAY AARON JAQUA: An open singer-song-

writer night. Tu, 7-9pm. Free. Café Flo, 365 E. Sixth St., (530) 514-8888, www.liveatflo.com.

OPEN MIC: Open mic night with Aaron

and Friends. Tu, 7-10pm. Opens 10/1. Café Flo, 365 E. Sixth St., (530) 514-8888, www.liveatflo.com.

SHIGEMI & FRIENDS: Live jazz with keyboardist Shigemi Minetaka and rotating accompaniment. Tu, 6:308:30pm. Free. Farm Star Pizza, 2359 Esplanade, (530) 343-2056, www.farm starpizza.com.

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HARVEST SEASON HOEDOWN

As we approach the season of chilly autumn nights, the opportunity to comfortably enjoy the evening out-of-doors is also sadly slipping away. Take advantage of any remaining chance you have, such as the Land Air Water benefit concert being held Friday, Sept. 27, at the GRUB Cooperative. The show features So.-Cal troubadour John Craigie (pictured), plus local musicians Pat Hull and Scott Itamura, and proceeds will go toward the Butte Environmental Council’s ongoing mission to protect our region’s natural resources. A visit to GRUB—a working farm and commune—is always a treat, especially at night during the traditional harvest season.

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September 26, 2013

CN&R 35

Arts & Culture Chico natives Brandon Squyres (left) and Adam Switzer are lifelong friends and soon-to-be reality-TV stars. PHOTO BY JASON CASSIDY

THIS WEEK

Ready, set … Local Local duo duo compete compete on on new new season season of of reality The Amazing Amazing Race Race reality show show The

THURS

Special Events THURSDAY NIGHT MARKET: Downtown Chico’s

he teams for the 23rd season of

The Amazing Race are made up of the usual suspects—childhood friends, couples, siblings, prosports teammates, father-daughter combos—all duking it out for a $1 million booty. But there’s one team that sticks out by for obvious reasons. Among the Mark Lore hard-bodies, chiseled jawlines and perfect skin of this season you’ll find a couple of Chico metalheads whose faces probably haven’t seen Race fans: the sun, or a razor, since the show The Amazing Race shows Sundays, at debuted back in 2001. Many locals already know that 8 p.m., on CBS, starting Sept. 29. longtime pals Brandon Squyres and Adam Switzer have, indeed, taken part in the upcoming season of CBS’s reality staple The Amazing Race. In fact, for all we know, Squyres and Switzer are already sitting poolside in their Speedos, listening to Black Sabbath and lighting cigars with $100 bills. That’s how I’d like to picture it, anyway. The new season—which premieres Sept. 29—is already in the can, with shooting having taken place over the course of a month this past June. Needless to say, Squyres and Switzer are contractually sworn to secrecy on show details and the outcome. Just to illustrate how tight the folks at CBS are keeping things, I had to set up the interview with Switzer and Squyres (whose number was sitting right there in my phone contacts) through the network’s publicist, who gave us 15 minutes and monitored the call just in case I tried to pry any off-limits information out of them. Both Squyres and Switzer admit they hadn’t seen a full season of the show prior to sending in their audition tape, although they’ve talked about entering for years. “I’d seen a bunch of episodes on TV,” said Squyres. “And I thought, ‘I wish I could do that.’” Making it happen hasn’t been easy. Switzer lives on, and takes care of, 22 acres in the sticks north of Chico; Squyres is a contractor by day, and a metal screamer by night, fronting the bands Cold Blue Mountain, Amarok and, of course, venerable Chico 36 CN&R September 26, 2013

metal institution The Makai. He got Switzer on board, and this year they finally made the deadline. “It’s hard,” Squyres said. “Especially getting older. You don’t get to spend much time with friends.” Squyres and Switzer are no doubt the most rockingest-and-rollingest team to hit the show— unless you count Season 21, which featured former White Lion bassist James LoMenzo. Their black T-shirts (look for the primetime debut of a Cold Blue Mountain tee) and lion’s-mane beards have definitely made them easy targets for some. “We thought they would be underestimated by other teams,” wrote Allison Mello by email. She’s on a team with her friend and fellow Los Angeles Kings Ice Crew Girl, Ashley Covert. “But we didn’t count them out as an easy team to beat because we thought they might have had a lot of travel experience.” They thought right. Squyres has toured all over America and Europe with his bands, and Switzer has also done a fair share of traveling, and speaks Spanish and French. When asked if they’d done anything to prepare for the mental and physical tests they were about to endure, Switzer answered the way I’d hoped he would: “I did some 12-ounce Sierra Nevada pull-ups.” The Amazing Race phenomenon shouldn’t be underestimated. This is a huge deal to a lot of people. Since the TV spots for the forthcoming season started airing in late August, Squyres has already been approached by a man in a hardware store, who proceeded to explain how much the show meant to his family. There are people on YouTube already making predictions, like “Nonstop Noah,” who picked these two bearded wonders to win it all. Of course, Switzer and Squyres already know the outcome. And Switzer already knows what he’ll do with his half of the $1 million bucks. If they won/ win, of course. “I might potentially retire. I might potentially buy a Bigfoot monster truck. I might buy Brandon a camel, because he’s always wanted one.” Ω

weekly marketplace with local produce, ven-

dors, entertainment and music. Th, 6-9pm through 9/26. Downtown Chico, www.down townchico.net.

Theater ARSENIC AND OLD LACE: Follow Mortimer Brewster as he navigates through a family of secrets, thwarting police and a fiancée at home. Th-Sa, 7:30pm, Su, 2pm through 9/29. $10-$22. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.

GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES: Rajiv Joseph’s dark romantic-comedy explores the physically and emotionally injurious interplay between a couple that is never quite able to unite in their aching 30-year relationship. ThSa, 7:30pm through 9/28. Blue Room Theatre, 139 W. First St., (530) 895-3749, www.blue roomtheatre.com.

Poetry/Literature

applause determining the winner. Last Th of every month, 7pm. Free. 100th Monkey Books & Café, 642 W. Fifth St.

STORYTIME: Join Heather for a book reading in

the library. Th, 9/26, 3pm. Chico Library, 1108 Sherman Ave., (530) 891-2762.

FRI

Music EBONY & IVORY PROGRESSIVE DINNER: The finale of the Ebony & Ivory 100th anniversary concert series, featuring a progressive dinner and live music at each location. Check website/call for details. F, 9/27, 5:15-9:30pm. $50. Chico Women’s Club, 592 E. Third St., (530) 5212334, www.chicowomensclub.net.

FILM FEST BENEFIT: With Ugly As Hell, Rock Mountain Tribe, Guerrilla Gorilla, Season of The Witch and more. Part of the Chico Independent Film Festival. F, 9/27, 8pm. $8. Lost on Main, 319 Main St., (530) 891-1853.

LAND AIR WATER CONCERT: The first of a threepart benefit-concert series put on by the Butte Environmental Council, featuring John Craigie, Pat Hull and Scott Itamura. F, 9/27, 7:30pm. $17. GRUB Cooperative, 1525 Dayton Rd., (530) 828-6390.

CHICO STORY SLAM: Names go in a hat and ten “tellers” share their unscripted stories, with

Theater ARSENIC AND OLD LACE: See Thursday. Theatre

MEET THE ANIMALS PRESENTATION Saturday, Sept. 28 Chico Creek Nature Center

SEE SATURDAY, SPECIAL EVENTS

on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.

FINE ARTS fame. Plus, Coloccia and Turner’s House of Low Culture, and locals CITIES and Ernesto Alvarado. M, 9/30, 8pm. $8. Café Coda, 265 Humboldt Ave., (530) 566-9476, www.cafe coda.com.

SHANE DWIGHT: Nashville-based American bluesrocker tears it up for the Big Room dancers. M, 9/30, 7:30pm. $20. Sierra Nevada Big Room, 1075 E. 20th St., 345-2739, www.sierra nevada.com.

TUES

Special Events UNIVERSITY FILM SERIES: A weekly presentation

VENDER BLENDER Sunday, Sept. 29 Chico Women’s Club

SEE SUNDAY, SPECIAL EVENTS

Theater ARSENIC AND OLD LACE: See Thursday. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.

GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES: See GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES: See

Thursday. Blue Room Theatre, 139 W. First St., (530) 895-3749, www.blueroomtheatre.com.

SAT

Special Events BIDWELL BARK: Start a fun-run team with your friends, family, co-workers or club to show off your community spirit and raise money for the animals of the Butte Humane Society. Sa, 9/28, 8am-noon. Free. One-Mile Recreation Area, Bidwell Park, (530) 343-7917 ext. 107, www.bidwellbark.com.

BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT: The wild man of comedy is back on stage and back on the road. Chris Voth from “Last Comic Standing” opens. Sa, 9/28, 8pm. $15. El Rey Theater, 230 W. Second St., (530) 892-1838.

FIBER FUSION: Mt. Lassen Fiber Guild’s display of weaving, knitting, spinning and lace making. Sa, 9/28, 10am-5pm. Free. Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, 2357 Fair St., (530) 895-4666.

HARVEST OF QUILTS: Annie’s Star Quilt Guild showcases traditional and contemporary wall-hanging and bed quilts, plus vendors, demonstrations, drawings and treats. Sa, 9/28, 10am-5pm, Su, 9/29, 10am-4pm. $7. Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, 2357 Fair St., (530) 8954666.

MEET THE ANIMALS PRESENTATION: Museum Day Live with an animal presentation of nonreleasable wildlife. Sa, 9/28, 12-1pm. Chico Creek Nature Center, 1968 E. Eighth St., (530) 891-4671, www.bidwellpark.org.

SALMON SPLASH N DASH: A 3K race with squirt guns, water balloons and hoses to keep participants wet and happy. A benefit for Oroville Hospital. See website for details. Sa, 9/28, 8am. $25. Call for details, Oroville in Oroville, www.orovillehospital.com/splashndash.

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.

Thursday. Blue Room Theatre, 139 W. First St., (530) 895-3749, www.blueroomtheatre.com.

SUN

Special Events HARVEST OF QUILTS: See Saturday. Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, 2357 Fair St., (530) 895-4666.

TRAIN ROBBERY FILMS: Special screening of

three silent short films. Su, 9/29, 3-5pm. Chico Art Center, 450 Orange St., (530) 895-8726, www.chicoartcenter.com.

VENDER BLENDER: Join the Chico Hula Club for an afternoon of vendors, raffles, local shaved ice

and, of course, hula dancing. Su, 9/29, 11am4pm. Free. Chico Women’s Club, 592 E. Third St., (530) 894-1978.

of international films. This week: Central Park 5 (USA, 2012). Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon. Co-sponsored by FOCUS Film Festival. Tu, 7:30pm. Opens 10/1. $3. Ayres Hall 106, Chico State, (530) 899-7921, www.csuchico.edu/hfa/hc/filmseries.html.

WED

Special Events FORK IN THE ROAD 4: More than a dozen local street-food vendors will be on hand for the monthly rally, plus a playground for the kids, live music from The Retrotones, and beer and margaritas for sale. W, 10/2, 5:30-8:30pm. Manzanita Place, 1705 Manzanita Ave., (530) 520-2593, www.facebook.com/ ForkInTheRoadChico.

Art Receptions DREAMING CULTURES: Myths and Visions of

Distant Lands: Enter a world where stories, myths, and symbols of diverse cultures are rendered in the art of self-taught artist, Lida Penkova. W, 10/2, 5-6:30pm. Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology, Meriam Library Complex Chico State.

Music

CABARET DANCE PARTY: End of summer dance on

EMMYLOU HARRIS AND RODNEY CROWELL:

the grass with local Latin-dance crew Los Caballitos de la Cancion. Fools Rush In open. Food, beer and wine available. Su, 9/29, 4pm. $10. Paradise Grange Hall, 5704 Chapel Dr. in Paradise, (530) 873-1370.

Art ALL FIRED UP: Ongoing pottery exhibit, featuring pottery and other works of various media. Ongoing. 830 Broadway, (530) 8945227, www.allfiredupchico.com.

AVENUE 9 GALLERY: Amalgam of Time, new works by Barbara Morris and Mike & Susi Gillum, featuring mixed-media paintings and hand-crafted jewelry. W-Sa through 10/12. 180 E. Ninth Ave., (530) 879-1821, www.avenue 9gallery.com.

CHICO ART CENTER: Art All Aboard, focusing on art that celebrates the center’s special location, a historical train depot, including “The Train Car” graffiti-art project, a liveart collaboration among local graffiti artists Dave Selkirk, Christian Garcia and friends. Through 10/4. 450 Orange St., (530) 895-8726, www.chicoartcenter.com.

CHICO PAPER CO.: Nor-Cal Gold Series, Jake Early’s new six-piece series featuring salmon and scenes in rice fields, olive groves, vineyards, almond orchards and the Pacific Flyway. Through 10/1, 9:30am6pm. 345 Broadway, (530) 891-0900, www.chicopapercompany.com.

ELLIS ART & ENGINEERING SUPPLIES: Window

Gallery, original watercolor paintings by Jim Lawrence Through 9/30. 122 Broadway, (530) 891-0335, www.ellishasit.com.

IDEA FABRICATION LABS: Somnambulism,

Noctambulism and The Parasomnia Experience, works created by Erin Banwell through an array of techniques and technologies signature to the “modern maker” movement. Through 9/30. 603 Orange St., (530) 592-0609.

MANAS ART SPACE & GALLERY: Planting the

Seeds of Your Intention, group show featuring artists’ fruits from the “seed kits” provided by the gallery. Through 10/18. 1441C Park Ave., (530) 588-5183.

SALLY DIMAS ART GALLERY: Playing with

Paints, featuring oil paintings by Fay Grundving. Tu, Th, Sa, 11am-4pm through 10/28. 493 East Ave. #1, (530) 345-3063.

UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY: 47 Years, photographic portraits of both place and people by nationally exhibited artist, educator Victoria Mara Heilweil. 9/30-10/25, 9am5pm. Free. Trinity Hall, Chico State, (530) 898-5864.

Call for Artists WRITE AWAY: POSTCARDS WITH A PURPOSE: Pick up a postcard and create an original work of art using the purchased postcard to support a fundraiser for the gallery. Silent auction and reception to follow. M-Su through 10/1. $2. 1078 Gallery, 820 Broadway, (530) 343-1973, www.1078gallery.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.

CHICO MUSEUM: Chico in Black and White, an exhibit featuring historical photos from the John Nopel collection. Ongoing. 141 Salem St., (530) 891-4336.

JAMES SNIDLE FINE ARTS & APPRAISALS: The

original bag ladies are back! Eight local artists have been gathering items and saving them in bags. It has finally come time to see the art they have created from the task. Through 10/31. 254 E. Fourth St., (530) 343-2930, www.jamessnidlefinearts.com.

Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Emmylou Harris and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell continue to collaborate in the wake of their recent recording, Old Yellow Moon. W, 10/2, 7:30pm. $40-$62. Laxson Auditorium, Chico State, (530) 898-6333, www.chicoperformances.com.

Theater ARSENIC AND OLD LACE: See Thursday. Theatre on the Ridge Playhouse, 3735 Neal Rd. in Paradise, (530) 877-5760, www.totr.org.

MON

Music MAMIFFER: Experimental art meets heavy metal with Faith Coloccia and Aaron Turner of Isis

SALMON SPLASH N DASH

Saturday, Sept. 28 Sierra Nevada Big Room SEE SATURDAY, SPECIAL EVENTS

for more Music, see NIGHTLIFE on page 34

Hear that train a-comin’ In order to celebrate its unique and historical location—the train depot that was once the transportation heart of the city—the Chico Art Center has been hosting a series of art events centered on trains called Art All Aboard. This included a live graffiti exhibition at Chico Palio earlier this month, and an ongoing rail-centric installment at the CAC’s Orange EDITOR’S PICK Street headquarters. This Sunday, Sept. 29, CAC hosts a free showing of a handful of rare silent films about train robberies. Refreshments will also be for sale. Kudos to the CAC for celebrating the long-standing but often neglected link between trains and all kinds of art. In addition to the great tradition of train songs, there’s also the 1984 classic film Beat Street, in which the graffiti artist Ramon ultimately dies during his quest to find a clean, white train car to paint. And, one of the earliest films ever shown publicly was the Lumiere brothers’ 1895 film Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat, during which audiences allegedly fled in terror from the image of an oncoming train.

September 26, 2013

CN&R 37

ARTS DEVO Jason Cassidy • jasonc@newsreview.com

DR. BRANDON STARK OF ARGYLL MEDICAL GROUP WELCOMES

Dara McKinley, FNP Longtime Chico resident and Family Nurse Practitioner Dara McKinley specializes in chronic disease management with an interest in promoting women’s health. She offers a collaboration approach to patient care by taking the time to educate her patients on their medical conditions and providing risks and beneﬁts of all possible treatment plans. This allows her patients to make more informed decisions. Dara’s undergraduate degree is from Chico State and her graduate degree in nursing is from Sonoma State

attending local art, theater and music events. A huge fan of the ‘eat local’ programs in Chico, Dara believes a well balanced diet is one of the most important things individuals can do to stay healthy.

Argyll Medical Group

www.newsreview.com

University. Dara enjoys spending time with her children in Bidwell Park and

100 INDEPENDENCE CIRCLE | CHICO, CA 95973 530-899-2107 | WWW.ARGYLLMEDICAL.COM

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38 CN&R September 26, 2013

ARTOBER BLOWS IN Considering the fact that there is no city funding on the horizon for future Artoberfests, it’s a little bittersweet that the first day of the annual month-long celebration of Chico as an arts city is coming this Tuesday. But at this potential crossroads, Arts DEVO wants to take time to give props for all the years of working on spotlighting Chico as an arts destination to Debra Lucero and Friends of the Arts, the nonprofit that has organized and promoted Artoberfest since 2006. It’s a life-swallowing endeavor to oversee a community event of this magnitude, and on behalf of the artists and the appreciators, I want to say thank you for the tremendous effort. Of course, if you’re the head honcho of a public event, you get the brunt of the criticism as well, and while we’re on the Artoberfest topic, I need to also take a moment to bring a little clarity to an issue surrounding the Artoberfest website. There were two stories recently published in the Chico EnterpriseRecord in which former Chico artist and Chico arts commissioner Gregg Payne was called out by Lucero as being part of the problem Friends of the Arts was facing in trying to implement much-needed updates to the Artoberfest website due to Payne’s ownership of the www.artoberfest.org URL. It is true that Payne, who currently lives in Prescott, Ariz., has owned the URL ever since he created the Artoberfest logo when he was still an arts commissioner back in 2005. But he signed the Friends of the Arts servers onto the account in 2006, and has stayed out of the process while paying the annual registration fee as a courtesy to the city ever since. When the recent developments arose, he refused to turn the URL over to a “consultant” (i.e., Friends of the Arts), saying the event belonged to the people of Chico, offering instead to give it to the city, which he recently did. When Payne’s ownership came to light, Lucero told me that Friends of the Arts was, understandably, not willing pay for updating a site with a URL they didn’t own. So, while it’s true that Lucero didn’t want to proceed with any updates with Payne as owner, Payne was not the reason the site wasn’t being updated—Friends of the Arts had been maintaining the site for years with no problems and based on that record could’ve continued doing so. And he was not “cybersitting.” He wasn’t asking for any money from anyone for the URL, and gave it to the city, free of charge. The end result of all this is the Artoberfest site’s content has been moved to a new URL owned by Lucero, www.artoberfest.net, and the city has officially taken over www.artoberfest.org, which redirects to Lucero’s new URL. But, website or no, Artoberfest is still happening and there is a lot of A fabric wall-hanging by Lida Penkova. art to look forward to. In next week’s column, I’ll highlight Arts DEVO’s personal picks for the month, but for now I’ll tease you with what looks to be one of the hidden Artober gems: Dreaming Cultures: Myths and Visions of Distant Lands at the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology at Chico State shows Oct. 2-25 and will feature the amazing work of self-taught artist Lida Penkova, who has traveled the world and tells stories through her paintings and linocuts on themes ranging “from the Mexican Days of the Dead to the Australian aboriginal dreamtime.”

Brian Corbit, advertising consultant

about October’s arrival, get ready to raise your glass and cheer! Winchester Goose is kicking open its doors for its grand opening on Tuesday, Oct. 1, starting at 6 p.m. The handsome new craft-beer bar will start its first day with a Roaring-Twenties-themed birthday party for S.F.’s Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, which will celebrate turning 16 by bringing six “rare and unreleased” selections to town. I will definitely drink to that! The goose is loose.

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