September 2020

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FROM THE EDITOR Comforting to note that September shows up announcing fall’s arrival.

The thought of moving away from 90 degrees at 9:00pm and, once

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again, having the chance to sit outdoors, is welcomed. Unfortunately, the turning of the calendar from one month to another, does not

AVEED KHAKI Publisher/Owner

ensure any certainty to an already unstable and uncertain world we reside in. I have people asking me all the time, just what it is going

KEVIN DOLAN Editor-in-Chief

to take? When will this all be over? What and why are the wrong interrogatives. The “how” reigns supreme. Models have successfully demonstrated to us how this thing can be eradicated successfully.

Sadly, there exists a divide, and I do not have a solution or an answer to remedy this. Flattening the curve was nothing more than an initial goal. Going beyond flattening, dipping that 90 degrees below the

NERISSA QUINN

SHELLY BRANDON

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I believe wearing a mask is simple and does not qualify as a hard

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TIM MILHORN

thing. The pandemic will succumb to our collective and concerted

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Product Integration & Mobility Strategy

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surface is the answer. Sacrificing isn’t easy, things get cluttered, people succumb to their restlessness. I believe we can do hard things.

effort. With a united effort, I’ll be writing next month about costumes and where to ‘trick or treat’ instead of the nagging feeling we are stuck in a movie titled—Groundhog Day. Our cover story and magazine’s theme celebrates education. Dave McKay adorns our cover, and we are so excited for you to read his story and hear, in his own words, his feelings and view on leadership, relationships, community, and family. The story of the principal of Bidwell Junior High is titled “One of a Kind,” and we believe you will find him just that. I can speak personally to that because he was my principal for four years at Oakdale Independent Study on the Fair View campus. I found him to be everything you will discover for yourself. In

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addition, our local spotlight is brightly pointed at Mike Allen, principal of Chapman Elementary School. Mike has spun magic on that school’s

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campus and brings a “what’s next” enthusiasm to each day. We delight

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in featuring these remarkable leaders.

The Backpage offers the answer to just how I would go about distance learning. I am fortunate enough not to be in what is a very difficult place to be. Teachers are humans in need of human contact, such as hand raising, high fives, laughter, and moans and groans. So was I. Nevertheless, I considered the “if this were me” question and, quite frankly, am surprised at what it looks and sounds like.

MIKE ALLEN What Are You Comprised Of?

On to October with renewed faith we can all do hard things.

For editorial or general magazine inquiries, please contact: Kevin Dolan, 530.894.8091 kevin@upgradedliving.com

Kevin Dolan Editor-in-Chief

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For sales inquiries, please contact: Jason Coronoa, 530.591.2634 Sales@UpgradedLiving.com

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WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON | PHOTO PROVIDED BY STEPHANIE MILLER

An Actress and an Animator Mandela and Layla Miller are nine-year-olds, and these twins will be starting fourth grade at Parkview Elementary this year. Their mom and dad say that although they are twins, and may look and sound alike, that’s where all similarities end.

Mandela is eager to share her story; her sparkly personality immediately beams out and fills the room as she talks about her love of acting. Her energy has her almost bouncing off the sofa in excitement. Layla is a little shyer and slower to open up.

However, once she does, you are captured by her charm. Her impish smile slowly spreads across her face as she clarifies that it’s the games in PE she loves, not the running. They talk about their other differences too. Layla says that while she loves to wear dresses, Mandela prefers shorts and t-shirts. Both girls agree that friends are the best part of going to school and even through the technical difficulties of soundless Zoom meetings in their pajamas, chatting with friends makes online school so much better.

Mandela’s favorite subject is art. She says she loves “drawing, and painting, and just being creative.” Her creativity spreads into 10

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her love of acting at The California Regional Theatre where she recently participated in the musical, Seussical Jr. When she grows up, Mandela wants to be an “animator or an actress, if I could get the job somehow, or a teacher or a nurse.” She’s obviously ready to explore all types of opportunities.

Layla loves PE and art in school and has also played piano for the past four years.

Her dad explains that if she listens to a song, she can then recreate it on the piano from memory. She’s decided to take a few months off from her lessons for now as she explores other creative outlets, like computer animation. She’s been planning on becoming a professional animator for quite awhile and she’d like to develop her own show from the characters and stories she creates.

The girls’ mom says that, “both Layla and Mandela love each other, they love Chico, and they appreciate everything their teachers do for them and their classmates.“ This is going to be a year of discovery for the girls as they embark on their new journey at Parkview Elementary School and the world awaits what wonders they’ll bring as they continue to grow and create.

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W H AT A M I P U T T I N G O N MY SKIN AND WHY? Skin care is a billion-dollar industry. We all want younger-looking skin, but how do we get the results we're looking for? Here are some of the key ingredients and what they do for our skin: RETINOL: Pure vitamin A, it alters collagen synthesis, stimulates cell growth and turnover, and produces epidermal proteins. It is revitalizing and anti-aging.

VITAMIN C: An anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant. Fights free radical (environmental) damage, promotes even tone and healing of injured tissues. It also makes sunscreens more effective.

GLYCOLIC ACID: An alpha-hydroxy acid that facilitates sloughing of dead skin cells, improves keratosis (bumpy skin texture), and helps keep moisture in.

SALICYLIC ACID: A beta-hydroxy acid that has antiseptic properties, exfoliates, improves skin texture (especially in oilier skin), reduces thickness of the outer layer of skin, and reduces follicle blockage.

BENZOYL PEROXIDE: Used in the treatment of acne for its antibacterial properties and reduces levels of skin infection.

HYALURONIC ACID: A substance that occurs naturally in the skin to draw moisture in and keep it there. When added to skincare products, lower levels of emollients and lubricants are needed, so products are virtually greaseless.

HYDROQUINONE: A prescription pigmentlightening agent that suppresses melanin production to even out skin tone.

DERM BAR MED-SPA 85 Declaration Dr. Suite 100 Chico, CA 95973 530.342.2672 16

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It has long been recognized that a healthy mind and healthy body are key components of a joyful life. Our physical health, along with our emotional and mental well-being, are fundamentally connected. If we do not take care of one, the other will suffer. We have come to appreciate that self-care, as an intentional collection of behaviors, practices, and mindsets, can improve our reactions and responses to difficult situations, stress, and anxiety. Intentional practices and mindsets are therefore crucial for boosting confidence and energy.

How much exercise is needed to improve mental and physical health? Exercising for 30 minutes at moderate intensity, 3 times per week, can have significant mental health benefits (Sharma, 2006). These 30 minutes of moderate exercise might consist of 3 different 10-minute walks in one day, resulting in the same mental health benefits as 30 minutes of continuous activity.

According to the US Center of Disease Control, this 30-minute approach can provide statistical improvements in physical health (CDC, 2015).

Emotional wellness enables us to identify and deal with our feelings by recognizing, assessing, and managing them. Talking with others, journaling, entering counseling, and engaging in physical activity are especially helpful in this endeavor. When we address our mental wellness, we can develop new coping skills, often improving our relationships as well as our physical health.

Finding a personal sense of balance often takes time, focus, and reassessment. If we take an individualized, and playful approach to our emotional health and physical wellbeing, we can find a balance. It is through equilibrium that we are able to set realistic goals and meet them with less resistance, decreasing reactivity and improving our ability to manage our daily lives.

Studies have shown that there is a strong and reciprocal relationship between our physical and mental health. People with long-standing anxiety and depression often have higher rates of chronic illness.

Negative moods increase our vulnerability to disease. Ultimately, the goal is to arrive at a sense of balance and stability.

Reflect on your own emotional health and physical wellness. Which one needs attention? Living your best and healthiest life requires taking time to evaluate and strengthen both your mind and body. Start today and develop routine practices. You will soon notice the benefits that exercise can bring to emotional health and outlook, as well as those that emotional wellness can bring to your physical being!

Physical wellness, including a balanced combination of physical activity or exercise, good sleep hygiene, and a healthy diet, improves our ability to manage difficult situations. Research has found that people who exercise regularly are well situated to prevent many ailments and deficiencies of character and are more efficient and joyful, enjoying both life and social relationships (Tayebisani, 2014).

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Lance Ferris is a licensed psychotherapist and long-time Yoga instructor with a love for brain and body-based healing. Contact Lance by phone at 530-592-7847 or email lance@lanceferris.com

WRITTEN BY LANCE FERRIS

YOUR HEALTH THE LINKS BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH

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WRITTEN BY JENNIE WOLFE

BEAUTY Q&A BEAUTY IS SELF-CARE

More often than not, our self-care regimens get tossed aside, as most of us tend to place other priorities such as family, social life, significant others, job obligations and school responsibilities before our own needs. Self-care is one of the last things you make time for. If you do, you often feel guilty about it.

Now I know some people look at beauty routines as frivolous or unnecessary— thinking they are simply a form of selfindulgence. The truth is, these routines can be a form of self-care for SO MANY women and men. We all know that selfcare is neither selfish nor unnecessary. It’s something you need to practice, because today’s high-velocity lifestyle can take a toll if you fail to do so.

I believe self-care and beauty are intertwined more than ever, while makeup and beauty routines can be a nice distraction or necessary armor during a rough day of work. These regimens can also serve as self-care rituals. Beauty is so personal, and everyone has a beauty routine of some kind, even if you just wash your face in the shower.

I truly believe in the importance of selfpreservation and having a self-care routine, especially now, for some, it comes in the form of a beauty regimen, but for others, self-care is the very basic principle of taking care of oneself. A self-care routine pursues more than just improving your visible appearance — its goal is to reach the fullest potential for your mental, emotional, and physical health and well-being. When you’re feeling your best, your mood and 20

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resilience go up, and you’re in a better position to manage the demands of your time constructively.

Here are a few ideas of self-care options at home: › Create a personalized facemask. You'd be surprised how well kitchen ingredients lend themselves to facemasks. › Things like aroma therapy or essential oils can help curate a safe and relaxing environment after a stressful day. › Make a scrub for your face, lips, and body, › Try dry brushing. › Clean your makeup brushes, declutter, and organize makeup collection and the vanity. › Oil train your hair or deep condition. › Try self-tanning.

Rest & relaxation, meditation, yoga, and a fitness regimen are also great self-care practices.

Whether it’s through makeup, skincare, hair care, or something else entirely, your beauty routine should be something you take pleasure in and enjoy. Allow it to be a means to self-soothe, heal, relax, find calm, have fun, or boost your mood!

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Visit Jennie at Microblading Chico. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule a free consultation call 530.717.3968 or visit her at 1731 Esplanade Suite #4 in Chico.

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Valley Oak Children's Services The H.E.A.R.T. of North State Families

Valley Oak Children’s Services (VOCS) is celebrating their 40th year of serving the North State. Their catchphrase— "touching the H.E.A.R.T of children, families and the community through health, education, advocacy, resources and training"—demonstrates the breadth and scope of what their organization offers to the community. They began in 1980 as a grassroots community-based group focusing on childcare resources and referrals for parents as they entered into the workforce. Since that time, they have continued to grow and evolve as they endeavor to meet the needs of our flourishing community. Karen Marlatt, CEO of Valley Oak, states that with their evolution, “Valley Oak Children’s Services remains a crucial resource for any parent looking for assistance with childcare, parenting, starting a childcare business, family safety, or help to pay for childcare while working or going to school.”

The first step in researching childcare

options should be to call VOCS. They maintain a list of licensed, fingerprinted, and background checked in-home daycares and childcare centers. They’ll take down your name and information and put you on what they call the ‘sell.’ Valley Oak Children’s Services will then match you up with available providers based on your needs, work, or school schedule. The available referrals will then be sent directly to you.

VOCS also provides childcare income assistance to families who qualify. The alternative payment program helps families who are working or going to school to afford the cost of childcare. Beth Hamer, Valley Oak Children’s Services’ operations manager says, “Last year we invested over ten million dollars back into the community by paying childcare providers to offer safe and healthy environments for kids to learn and grow, while their parents were then able to go to work or school.” Along with the list of available providers, VOCS will

provide a list of suggested questions and talking points to discuss with prospective providers in order to ensure the best fit possible between the family and caregiver.

The types of services and resources VOCS provides is seemingly endless; from childcare resources for providers and parents, to a Head Start partnership program, to behavioral health programs, fingerprinting and live scan services, and an array of parent resources. Karen Marlatt explains, “Valley Oak Children’s Services is a strength-based organization. We focus our energies on what’s strong, not what’s wrong. We make a positive difference in our communities. Working with families and their children with a wide variety of services is preventative and makes a lasting difference creating healthy families and building a strong community.”

VOCS has not stopped supporting the community during the current health crisis; they have reassessed and redesigned how

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The POWER of Gratitude and Giving Back Benefits of Gratitude Everyone has something to be grateful for. Practicing gratitude has far reaching effects—from improving physical and emotional health to boosting relationships with others. “Gratitude makes sense of your past, brings peace to today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” -Melody Beattie Gratitude improves health by reducing stress, building self-esteem, aiding in better sleep, reframing our thinking, and opening the possibility to receive more. It allows us to recognize what we should be thankful for, however big or small it may seem in the moment.

How to Practice Daily Gratitude It is recommended that you begin and end each day listing the top 3-5 things you are grateful for. Some suggest writing them down in a journal or noting them in a gratitude app.

This practice will help remind you of what you were grateful for during more challenging times. When you are intently focused on the positive, it becomes difficult to dwell in negative thoughts that can lead to uncertainty, anxiety, or stress.

As you continue to practice, you may start to notice that you are grateful for some of life’s more challenging times. It is possible to be grateful for both positive and negative experiences. Remember, it's all in how we 24

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perceive the situation and how we come out of it. We have all encountered a situation which, while trying at the time, taught us invaluable lessons that we can grow from and take to future experiences. Recognizing this is all part of the practice of gratitude and mindfulness.

The Importance of Giving Back We all like to be in control, but at the end of the day two things we do have control over our actions and our mindset. Now that we recognize we each have strengths and blessings to be grateful for, we should find ways to use them to give back to others. Even small acts of kindness add up!

Checking in on an elderly neighbor or old childhood friend, donating food, money, time or clothing to a local shelter, sending a thank you note to someone who made a positive impact in your life, and finding ways to simply bring joy to and brighten someone’s day are more important in times like these than ever.

Times may be uncertain, but there have been so many wonderful acts of kindness displayed as the world continues to band together. This is something we can all be grateful for. We will get through this together and come out stronger for it. For now, keep strong, stay healthy and find ways to make a positive impact in the lives of others. #CaliberStrong

How to Personalize Your Rental without Permanent Damage Recent Changes for the

Agricultural Industry Labor Law Anyone who has grown up around the ag industry knows how important employees are to farm owners and their businesses. The ability to create a flexible work schedule for laborers plays a major role in a farmer’s success, which is why understanding the specific agricultural labor law updates, and how to maneuver them, is the key to a successful operation in today’s society.

2020 brought a lot of changes in regards to agricultural worker employment laws, one of which changes the definition of overtime altogether. Time and a half is now considered 9 hours in a single workday, and 50 hours in a single work week.

California determined that agricultural laborers engage in back breaking work, and need the ability to earn a proper wage in overtime hours. AB1066 intends to lower the requirement for overtime hours more and more over the next four years, and is reinforcing this bill through hefty fines in order to ensure compliance.

HRIQ–HUMAN RESOURCES + PAYROLL 236 Broadway Suite #B,Chico, CA 95928 Shelby@upyourhriq.com | Upyourhriq.com 530.680.4747

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There are many ways to add personality to a rental home without leaving permanent damage or spending hours patching walls resembling Swiss cheese. Over 1/3 of the population rent, and everyone deserves a stylish home that suits each individual aesthetic.

Growing up, I lived in multiple rental homes. In college, I shared a room in an apartment, and currently manage a handful of Airbnb rentals. Although the range of personalization can vary, a common thread is making a space feel comfortable for the duration of time you will be calling it home.

Walls: One current trend I LOVE is removable wallpaper. Adding a bold print is a great way to make an impact and get rid of those generic rental blues. If you are planning to move sooner rather than later and want your wallpaper to make an appearance in your next space, apply it to a piece of plywood, foam core, or place in a frame. Also, readily available are oversized wall tapestries. Lightweight fabric that can be hung with a couple of push pins come in designs ranging from beach scenes to modern abstract art.

Furniture and decor: A great way to add style and interest is through texture.

Combine a velvet sofa with a textured throw, pillows, a vintage rug and meaningful artwork. These pieces can travel with you and give every space you live in a feeling of familiarity and home. Have an oddly shaped

window or want to cover a wall completely?

Try wall-to-wall curtains. Not only will these hide any eyesore, but also create a soft textural element to the space. If you love to display your tchotchkes, knick-knacks, and paddy-whacks, a bookcase is a great way to showcase your treasures and your personality.

Plants: Whether you own or rent, plants are a must have in my book. Not only do they add life and color to a space, they improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and creating oxygen. No green thumb? Some low maintenance and very forgiving plants include pothos, rubber plant, philodendron, and zz plant.

Kitchen and bath: New cabinets and marble counters might not be in the cards for most rental properties but swapping out cabinet door hardware or laying down a fun sheet vinyl will update a space, not break the bank, and can be removed with no damage.

Lighting: After personalizing your space and making your house feel like a home, make sure you can see all of your efforts by choosing lighting to showcase your new design. Great choices for rentals include floor lamps, hanging swag lamps, or plug in sconces.

In the end, own your space.

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The Bipolar Stock Markets of 2020

BY RENEE MICHEL, MBA, AND JOE SWEENEY, CFP ®, FINANCIAL ADVISORS AT SWEENEY & MICHEL, LLC

We’ve gone from Eulogy to Euphoria in less than 100 days.

In the month of March, The S&P 500, like a fighter before weigh-in, wasted no time shedding 35% of its weight in 3 weeks. Then somehow, within 4 months, the bloat is back. Today, the stock market inexplicably sits near an all-time high, while infection rates and prices of electric car company stocks are skyrocketing. We all want to know: What’s going on here?

1. The S&P 500 is Made from Concentrate — To understand why the S&P 500 is sniffing all-time highs, it’s important to note that the index is quite lopsided. The 5 biggest companies (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Google) make up nearly 25% of the index, and they continue to pull most of the weight.

2. A Tale of Two Markets — People are right to wonder how Wall Street is seemingly doing so well while Main Street is suffering. Under the surface of the index prices, most sectors are actually struggling. As of the end of July, Tech, communications and consumer discretionary were the only industry sectors in the green year to date. The remaining 8 industries were down an average of 13% each.

3. The Almighty Fed Goes All In — The unlimited bond-buying program and stimulus in March backstopped the economy… for now. Increased money supply has been reassuring for markets, but bad for savers. One of the consequences is traditionally safe investments like government bonds, CDs, and money markets now pay virtually nothing to the holders. Risk-free is now reward-free, too. Investors are now more tempted to invest in risky assets where there’s a potential return.

The market certainly holds more surprises in the second half of 2020 (Nobody’s even talking about the election yet!) However, we have seen cycles like this before and are positioning clients as well as we can to take advantage of current trends while paying attention to risk/reward balances. If you have questions about how your portfolio is positioned, give us a call. We’re always here to help.

Renée Michel, MBA and Joe Sweeney, CFP® | 196 Cohasset Road, Suite 100, Chico CA 95926 (530) 487-1777 | renee@sweeneymichel.com | joe@sweeneymichel.com | www.sweeneymichel.com Sources: www.irs.gov; www.ssa.gov; www.medicare.gov | Sweeney & Michel, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser. This brochure is solely for informational purposes. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Sweeney & Michel, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Sweeney & Michel, LLC unless a client service agreement is in place.

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1341 Mangrove Ave. Chico 530.892.1905 FurnitureChico.com Hours: Mon - Sat 10 to 6 Closed Sunday 29

WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON

SUMMER IN THE

Garden Spring always seems so full of promise and excitement at the prospect of starting up your garden. However, by the time the grueling heat of summer rolls around, you’ve probably become rather lackadaisical about the now populated plants crowding the garden. While the chores might not be as fresh or exciting, there is still a lot to do to keep the garden happy and healthy in these sweltering months before fall.

General Garden Jobs: Weeding continues throughout the growing season. Wherever the sprinklers or drip lines are delivering water to your plants, they are also watering the weeds. If you are also composting, you can put the young and seed-free-weeds into the pile but be sure not to add any weeds that have flowered or you will be cursing once you put into use that compost full of baby weeds in next year’s garden.

Protecting plants from the unrelenting sun and heat is of primary importance this season. Adding a fresh two-inch layer of mulch can help to preserve water and insulate against the weather. Be sure to keep an eye out for signs of drought stress in your plants and trees such as yellowing leaves and wilting. The stressors of water depletion and excessive heat can make them more susceptible to insect infestations and infection, so work to keep them happy, hydrated, and healthy.

Deadheading your flowering plants can help to encourage a second bloom later in the season. As seeds develop, the plant will 30

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stop blooming as its reproduction efforts are finished. If the mature flowers and developing seeds are removed, the plant will begin its reproduction process again and start a second bloom.

Fruits and Vegetables: Harvest your bounty as soon as it's ripe, preferably in the morning when everything is at its peak. By harvesting everyday, you avoid fallen fruits and vegetables that can become an inviting home for colonizing ants. Once you’ve harvested your blackberries, you can cut the old canes down at their base and tie up the new sprouts in preparation for next year.

Fruit laden trees may need their branches propped up to keep them from buckling under their weight.

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Prep for the Upcoming Seasons:

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Preparing the garden for the next season won’t consist of transplanting now because the weather is too hot and dry. However, you can sow seeds of winter blooming flowers like alyssum, pansies, violas, and larkspur for a splash of color during the rainy season. Now is also an optimum time to plant autumn blooming bulbs like crocus and spider lilies along with spring bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips. An additional consideration is removing fallen branches, leaves, and general debris from the yard. The benefit stems from getting the garden ready for next year by eliminating potential overwintering homes for slugs, snails, and other unwanted insects.

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In the midst of summer, the garden is often forgotten and left to languish on its own, but it’s in these quiet moments of cleaning, nourishing, and searching amongst the leaves for that hidden zucchini that we remember the magic and satisfaction of gardening.

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I never felt like somebody was trying to mold me into anything. I always felt like all these people were the same on the soccer field, as they were at their dinner table, as they were at the store. They were the same all the time.” What a valuable lesson to learn all along the way, the fact that, at the end of each day, you are but a living soul.

Valuable indeed with the reality of coming home to his wife, Jill, who he regards as “literally the best person I've ever met.”

Reality also hits deep to Dave, knowing at the end of each day he goes home to his three children: Emma, entering 10th grade at Pleasant Valley; Maddie, 7th grade at Bidwell Junior; and Owen, who moves to 5th grade at ShastaElementary. The living soul with responsibilities at every turn.

DAVE On Leadership I feel like my life has been one big internship for leadership. I feel like the people that have walked me through different chapters in my life have all had one big thing in common. They were these genuinely caring, intelligent, and humble people who had it in their heart that they wanted to walk alongside and influence people, all to make kids like me for the better. They want to take them where they are and use their position of influence to help shape them into what they knew they could become. There was no phoniness in any of them, no pretense. There was a strength that I respected, that I was drawn to, and I wanted to be like them, even though they are all really different. I wanted to be like that.

To me, leadership is what it’s all about. John T. Maxwell may have put it best for me when he wrote, “leadership is influence.” Nothing more, nothing less.

When I read it years later, it resonated with me, and from the time I was 17, I realized I wanted to be a teacher when I experienced that a kid was terrified to get into the swimming pool and then was able to swim across the pool because they trusted me. That's where it all clicked - influencing that one kid. Then the older I got, the more I experienced other people influencing me that way and getting the opportunity to pay that forward. To me, it included reframing some chapters of my life that I really did not like at the time. But then I looked at it through the lens of there was an opportunity here to pay forward what other people were doing for me. In the end, I don't want to be perceived as a stand alone, top down kind of a leader. I want to be perceived as more a collaborative, shared leadership, like we get our power by giving it up.

Dave McKay grew up in East San Jose, where the city pushes up against the barren hillsides. Dave has cherished memories of his parents, together, keeping his best interest in their forefront, while living primarily with his dad. Those interests came full circle at Piedmont Hills High School, where David played football, basketball, and baseball. He also played the saxophone in both the jazz ensemble and concert band while serving in student government. He maintains it was “the best high school experience ever,” without surprise, with the best coaches and caring teachers. He fondly recalls how they pounded into him the importance of maintaining friendships. His smiling eyes brighten as he relays, “Today, I can pick right up where we left off,” with each coach and beloved teacher. Dave’s first glimpse of knowing he wanted to be an educator stemmed from a stint aiding the swim coach. He knew “nothing about swimming” but discovered learning by teaching. Dave became responsible for the frightened and crying first timers. He still gets pumped up when talking about the amazing reactions from both swimmers and parents when that very first “front steamboat kick” got each neophyte across the pool. Lesson one of education—earn their trust.

Upon graduation, and with his dad “not exactly on board,” Dave enrolled in West Valley Community College. Besides having the opportunity to further his baseball career, he enjoyed the general education classes opening his mind to different perspectives. Towards the end of West Valley’s required classes, Dave found

WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN | PHOTOS BY FRANK REBELO AND COURTESY DAVE MCKAY

DAVE On RELATIONSHIPS I think relationships are what it's all about. As an only child, you have different ways of perceiving relationships. Like one thing, I'm sure every only child would say it's like you tend to form sibling-like relationships because you don't have any. You are cut off from those relationships, because at the end of the day they don't live with you, and then you're aware of the isolation. Funny how you figure out ways to enjoy isolation and laugh about stuff to yourself no one else thinks is funny. Somehow, I learned how to have ‘only child moments.’

So, relationships are everything, and I have had those brother and sister like relationships in different chapters in my life.

Whatever I was doing would rise and fall according to the relationship. Like in sports, you win, lose, or draw. You and your teammates would rather die than disappoint the coaches. That’s the ultimate shared relationship, we’re not going to let that person down. The Marine Corps was the same thing.

There actually were literally leaders, and you must follow orders and all that stuff. No matter what we were doing, and you got some pretty dirty jobs, we were with each other. In those relationships, too, not letting down the leaders mattered. When it’s all said and done, we were doing things like shoveling stuff against the wind together.

himself at a crossroad and in need of a ‘rite of passage.’ The Marine Corps boot camp seemed right. He enlisted in their six year selected reserves knowing he would get the same grueling training. Upon completion, the reserves required one weekend a month and six months active duty. By the time he told his folks, Dave was to be shipped out three weeks later. After the six month stint in active duty, he mused, “It really does change you—for the better.”

With that part out of the picture, Dave applied to a four year school, California State University, Chico.

Having never been to Chico before he began his classes as an English major, Dave fell in love at first sight and size. He was so excited for the first day of classes as he only had a two block walk instead of a 30 minute one way trip to West Valley. As with most everything else in his life, Dave loved the road to earning his bachelor's degree.

Dave came to the realization of taking advantage of being bilingual. The mastery of speaking English and Spanish fluently came to fruition at West Valley while playing baseball with his catcher, a Puerto Rican native. The bilingual minor and second language acquisition program came with two years of prerequisites. Dave had not taken a single one and found himself jumping with joy to stay in college for two more years. He relished in the personalized nature of the program and was enamored with the outstanding faculty such as Jesús Cortez and Chuck Zartman. As Dave puts it, “The people who guided me were so great; I would jump in front of a bus simply not to disappoint them.” He clearly realized he wanted to be that kind of model for one kid at a time. He decided to ready himself for student teaching.

This is the greatest thing that bonds Still in the Marines, Dave found yet another teaching. It, too, is all about the re- “one of those important people” waiting lationships. The relationships with just around the corner. Having met all that kid, the trust that you earn or that requirements, Dave was placed with Chris you are given when they open up and Persson, an English instructor serving an share their story with you. However, academy on Chico High’s campus. The if you're not eliciting that kind of a re- ACT program brightened Dave’s passion lationship with a student or a teacher for teaching, and he loved the alternative as a principal, then everything is kind setting. He realized in programs like of hollow and meaningless. Somehow this, “One teacher is actually five.” This that it will matter long after the thing placement paved the way for him to get is done, or has changed or died. It will hired at Chico High. Fortunately, Dave still matter because of that relation- was hired into the ACT program. Being in ship or you may find out it won't be- the classroom led to the realization there cause there was no relationship there were holes needing to be filled. Dave at all.

recognized, “seeing something is not right,” calls for action. He saw kids, needy kids, being placed in classes they could not handle, leaving them unaware of the inner strength they possessed. Dave opened his own school-within-a-school on campus known as SOUL - Students Of Unlimited Leadership. Little did he know this single move would bring him to the center of his calling. SOUL flourished and assisted many troubled students, turning them around with a purpose. Each Spring, teachers of these programs would go out to middle school campuses to pitch their stuff. Dave knew to go to Fair View, the alternative education campus. It took just one visit to change Dave’s journey by meeting a single person—Bernie Vigallon.

Upon SOUL’s visit to Fair View, Vig, known widely by this moniker, was the sole administrator on this campus serving four different schools. Understandably, Vig sought out Dave McKay. He had a simple message, “Dave, you are going to replace me.” The stunned Dave, who was never going to be an administrator, identified two things simultaneously. The first was the truth that programs like SOUL cannot save every kid, a truth tough for him to swallow.

The other clearly showed the administrative path allowed for more growth by touching more student’s lives. Dave had already earned a Masters in Education and was now faced with the daunting task of passing the test to receive an administrative credential.

Once he successfully jumped this hurdle, he found himself as the After School Program Coordinator, an administrative job at Fair View, allowing Dave the time to essentially apprentice under Vig. He then took over some of Vig’s responsibilities by being named Vice Principal. Like everything else, Dave loved this campus, stating, “Fair View is like SOUL on steroids!” This campus became Dave’s second family, and, on cue, Dave took over the reins from principal Vigallon, leaving him at the helm of the alternative high school, independent study, and the Academy for Change, the middle school addition to alternative ways of teaching and learning. This is by far not the end to Dave’s story.

DAVE On Community My first experience with community was my neighborhood, literally the six houses around me in East San Jose. It was idyllic. I was the youngest kid in the neighborhood and the families had been there for four years. I found this quote in a book I read during the student teaching program. It had to do with the Native American culture, and it was stressed that every child belonged everywhere because everybody claimed ownership. Each child was everybody's kid. So wherever you go, you are also their kid. It displayed this great voluntary balance. I grew up in that sense of community. My next door neighbors, from Buenos Aires, were a very large Mexican-American family with nine kids and a mom and dad. This house was all about hustle and bustle. God help you if you made Mrs. B get up and answer the door because you knocked or rang the doorbell. You knew better, just let yourself through the door. I learned to knock and walk in everywhere in that neighborhood. You walked in because you were home. You could go in and look in the cabinets for whatever. It was insulting to ask, "Can I have anything?". As an only child, it took me longer to assimilate into the neighborhood culture.

That's where I grew up, where we had our share of hard times together. Some people died before they should have. One of the most influential people in my life lived next door. His name was Ken, but went by Chieko. He was nine years older than me. I figured he's not going to play with me or give me a lot of time. I remember the first time he called me into his room and had this conversation with someone nine years older! After that, he took me under his wing and so did his friends. I became a part of this tribe of guys that shared this camaraderie from growing up together.

Well, Chieko dove into an above ground pool and broke his neck and became a quadriplegic. When I became old enough, his dad had me get up in the morning and help pick him up out of his bed and put him in his chair and get him ready. It was early for me, but they had been up for hours due to the whole process of getting him ready for his day. I was like their little brother, very much a community for me as well. I have since tried, on some level, to recreate this everywhere.

Not one ever to be overlooked, Dave was snatched up by the district office, leaving him with more responsibility and helping even more students. Not too long into this new position, Dave felt the yearning to be back on a campus, and Bidwell Junior High needed a principal. Interestingly, Dave’s oldest daughter was going to attend Bidwell and said, “Dad, why not be my principal?”

DAVE On Family I think we take family for granted. We collect elements of family to our demise. What success am I if I come home and check it all at the door, and I don't have a relationship with my kids. I'm a hero to those Fairview kids and my teachers love me because I'm there for them. But then I come home and I'm this rudderless, spineless, blob driving my wife crazy because she carries the burden of everything. Family is perhaps the proving ground. Do you mind cultivating a community with my family ensuring my kids like each other and they like me, and do we have something there? Do they look at me like I looked at Chieko? Or it's a different relationship and their dad is just a dad. Is there something about what I'm doing that makes them voluntarily submit to my authority? Guess who was wrong? It's not just something that happens in a school. Should it happen in your home with my kids? Whether they like me or not, if I’m all used up at the end of the day, I am nothing to them.

I go back to the shared leadership and say, not in this conversation. Family demands leadership of who they are. It is not me imposing on them. They expect me to use my resources, point of view, and experience to ask questions, to nudge them towards the truth, to explain why I said, “No.” When it comes to my wife, one sure way to get Scary Dad, is to give mom an attitude. I don't exactly exhibit best practices. Jill is a strong, intelligent, capable person who wants me to lead the family. Sometimes this means, “Can you just make a decision about dinner?” She is just all out of making sense. In another moment, “Can you ask me what I think about this? Or, even better, “Come to me with an idea maybe of what you think?” Family calls for give and take, to understand and be understood. You can come back at the end each day with an, "I'm sorry." What’s better is here’s why I had to say, "No," and, "Put that down." Let's go do this together. Let's go visit someone. Please do that for your sister or your brother. That is where it really meets the road, that's the proving ground, a litmus test of those words: leadership, relationships, community, and family.. Wow, didn't realize that I had done that much altogether!

He now begins his fourth year at Bidwell.

He notes, “With our youngest close behind, I will have at least one of my own children here at Bidwell for the next five years.”

Those last three years have been busy for Dave. “I am particularly passionate about our Bidwell culture. I have less-thanfond memories of my own middle school experience growing up in the Bay Area and I wake up every day striving to make the Bidwell experience totally different for each student that walks through our gates.

Our school culture has a name: The Bidwell Way. The Bidwell Way is how we ALL treat each other in order to bring out the best in everyone—safely, responsibly, respectfully.”

Dave is not done. He does not know how to stop looking for the next need. When asked about the toughest part of being a principal, he did not hesitate. “The hardest part about being a principal is having to tell good people, with good ideas, we can't do that. I hate that.” Not wishing to continue saying no, Dave turned to his role models, and as a result, took bits and pieces from each to come to a solution. “I tried to flip the ‘no’ on people. Instead, I will work with them when they have an idea. I tell them they are right and then try to explain to them ‘why’ it will not work out.

It helps ease it, because then we come to a common understanding.”

And, so, it is. At the end of each day, Dave McKay is clearly a sum total of the amazing people who have touched his life. A true living soul who worries greatly that being an administrator comes with an unfortunate “dehumanized view.” No doubt, that view melts away and Dave remains Dave the instant he walks through the door to Jill, Emma, Maddie, and Owen - his first and foremost family.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

Dragon Fruit: Anything but Boring The first time I heard of “dragon fruit,” it conjured up images of Danerys Targaryan’s dragons wheeling through the sky on the way home to nosh on an exotic dish after a hard day of barbequing Lannisters. When you look at a dragon fruit and hold one, it certainly harkens back to an ancient and alien time. The most common variety, pitaya blanca, looks like a five year old tried to make a model of the coronavirus. It’s pink skin contrasts with a white interior pitted with tiny black seeds.

and bats, but bees can also contribute.

A pitaya is a fruit of several different cactus species indigenous to the Americas.

Pitahaya refers to the genus Hylocereus which produces dragon fruit, blah, blah, blah...bored yet? I mean all that scientific language is important, but I do not believe the casual reader is in need of another science lesson. This calls for regional information with an entertaining flair clearly appealing to people’s regional interests. The truth is, while dragon fruit is not regional, it is definitely not boring.

How should you eat a dragon fruit? Perhaps the very best way is simply to cut it up and enjoy. It slices nicely, cubes well, and can be scooped out with a spoon.

Or, if you’re hoity-toity, a melon baller will suffice. I preferred it chilled, however, it's ok to choose differently. It can be added to yogurt, ice cream, fruit salads, or, if you are ambitious, can be turned into a sauce for barbecuing ribs. A little known mode of consumption particularly interesting is the ‘Dragontini,’ when you add the juice to vodka and garnish with a lemon slice.

Dragon fruit looks like a selection on the golden platter of a billionaire, but its flavor is more suitable to a family picnic on a paper plate. This image is definitely at odds with the price of the fruit. The two I purchased came in at over $16, but it is an exotic fruit, both in terms of its intimidating appearance and its local availability. Dragon fruit does not just grow on trees, but does grow on a climbing cactus type of plant. The plant’s feathery-white flowers bloom at night and wither away the next day. You could call that a limited window for pollination, and it is.

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The one I purchased at New Earth Market in Chico was of the pitaya rojo variety, with red skin and a deep purple-red interior. It, too, had many tiny black seeds and tasted like a cross between a mango and a kiwi. Though not as tart as a kiwi, the tasting experience is enhanced by the crunchy texture of the seeds. Sizes range from five ounces to two pounds, and the fruit I had was about twelve ounces and the size of a softball.

Dragon fruit is considered very healthy, as it is full of vitamin C and antioxidants. It is also fairly low in carbohydrates and calories.

However, the seeds contain many fatty acids and seed oils, including oleic acid, linoleic acid, and stearic acid. In the end, it does not feel like there remains the need to include a “fun facts” section. On the contrary, just take a long look at this thing, purchase one, take it home, admire it, cut it up, and eat it. Fun enough, even without dragons wheeling through the sky.

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“The birds will tell you when it’s time to harvest,” said Kimball Shirey. “They eat the grapes when they’re sweet.” In effect, the entire process from soil to ripe clusters of grapes on the vine is determined by nature.

The farmer is a facilitator who chooses where and what to plant and counts on cooperation from Mother Nature.

Spencer Shirey Wines is the culmination of an idea by Kimball Shirey and his wife, Mary Spencer. The winery and vineyard is, as the website says, “...nestled in a serene valley of the North Sierra Foothills” between Bangor and Rackerby on La Porte Road. It’s a beautiful rolling vineyard surrounded by oaks and conifers.

To be a successful grower, you need the right soil, and it is tested for the correct acidity for the variety of vines you wish to plant. The soil at Spencer Shirey provides enough acidity for a number of grapes.

These include Tempranillo, Grenache, Syrah, and Malbec, to name a few. The winery was opened in 2014, and there are now over 1,400 vines on approximately two acres.

Now comes the hard part.

After a suitable location is found, the ground is prepared for planting. Shirey brought in a Caterpillar D8 bulldozer to slightly level and rip the ground for one vineyard. Red hillside soil resembles concrete at certain times of the year. After prepping the soil, holes are augered into the ground for metal poles which are placed in the holes. A crossbar is placed on the top, and metal wires are 40

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placed horizontally at intervals along the poles. This is called the trellis.

At the base of the poles, small stick-like vines are planted. A smaller support pole is placed by the seedling, so when they begin to grow, they are “trained” to grow up the pole. Eventually the vines reach the horizontal wires and keep growing.

The vines are pruned after the first year to prevent fruit from growing as the vines are not strong enough to carry the weight.

Vines are always cut back when they are dormant, preventing any sap running out of the vine. This process is done by hand, obviously, and is very labor intensive.

As the vines grow, they are continuously trained and guided to grow upward and also out onto the wire trellis guides. Mature grape vines are pruned back each year, and as much as 90% of an old vine can be trimmed. This ensures vibrant new growth each season which will produce more fruit. It takes at least two years to grow a large enough quantity of grapes to ensure a good harvest. Vines need to be placed far enough apart to make sure they get enough sunlight and air. They also need to be fertilized for optimal growth. Shirey utilizes water soluble fertilizer he puts into his watering system twice a year.

An extremely important factor in a successful vineyard is the “terroir,” or the complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced. This includes such factors as the soil, the topography,

and the climate. Since the Spencer Shirey vineyard is located in a small valley halfway up the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada, it has its own microclimate. This differs from the climate of the outlying areas and helps create a wine with different qualities. It gives Spencer Shirey wines their own unique taste and bouquet.

While Shirey does not rely on the local bird population to start eating his grapes to figure out when to harvest, he does have bird netting over all his vines to keep them from doing so. He also installed deer fencing around his vineyards. Like birds enjoy ripe, juicy grapes, deer love the sweet fresh tendrils of growing vines.

So, when do you harvest? Why, you test the brix, of course. When Kimball mentioned brix in the interview, I wrote “bricks.” Funny, huh? Later on, he saw my confusion and spelled it for me. I thank him for that. He is a congenial and intelligent host and easy to interview. Back to that harvest. The grower tests the sugar content of the grapes, which is called the brix. Degrees brix is the sugar content of an aqueous solution. One degree brix is one gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution. Usually the grape’s sugar content goes up about two brix per week, but this year, one variety went up five brix in one week. Time to harvest!

If you’re in the mood for a nice drive into the foothills and great wine, take a ride up to Spencer Shirey Wines at 6857 La Porte Road out of Oroville. Follow them on Instagram or FaceBook. Better yet, follow their motto “Live, Travel, Family” and enjoy.

WRITTEN BY TIM MILHORN

The Land Farms You

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WRITTEN BY KEVIN DOLAN | PHOTOS BY FRANK REBELO

Hope Soaps “I am an artist.� Hope Blackwell made this statement with undeniable assurance.

Her extensive education into the world of photography unveiled the unique perspective she gathers through the window of her eyes. Hope was born and raised in Auburn, graduating from Placer High. As the first to further her education beyond high school, Hope followed the advice of her parents to start at a community college and discover just what sparked her enthusiasm. Photography came to the forefront, followed by an associates of art degree in that field. Hope moved on to Sacramento State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Photography. Her next move was to California State University, Chico, where she pursued and earned a Masters in Fine Arts. The move to Chico left her yearning to stay and a question—now what? The answer was twofold—a job with a local law firm and the drive to return to her creative skills.

The question of what new skills she’d launch took Hope back to the days of going to craft fairs with hermom and dad. One memory from these ventures kept returning.

It was the soap makers, producing a product with the capacity of unlimited potential. She recalled these “little packages� with unique qualities. Hope marveled at the gift, one that keeps on giving long after opened.

The magic stems from its unequaled duality of self-care and energy. With the ‘what’ and ‘why’ parts of the question answered, she moved to the ‘how to,’ as Hope knew nothing about making soap.

She began by searching out and finding numerous makers and following them. After ample research, the question came, “So, what would mine look like?� Hope selected from a variety of ideas, looked each up, and narrowed the field. She then sent for a starter kit. Of course she went for the unconventional choice, the ‘cold processed’ soap method, an age-old technique. It calls

for taking fat, adding lye, then allowing for the chemical reaction to happen. Hope discovered it heats up nicely, and in 24 to 48 hours, you are looking at a hardened bar of soap. The process flips to filling silicon molds, adding the fragrance oil and color.

With the use of a hand-mixer for blending, the entire procedure comes together and “in a matter of moments� bars of soap emerge. The end results are stunning.

She admits with joy, “It’s really fun!� Hope utilizes a soap cutter, planer, and beveler to create works of art, stamped with her singular and matchless talent. Each bar possesses its own original design. Hope begins with picking the fragrance, conjures what the bar will look like, and “makes a design to match, like the two things actually get along.� Hope is thankful and blessed that, through Instagram and word of mouth she has had the ability to reach people and get to them these hand gifted marvels. She is so enamored by a present with the quality of continued joy every time someone uses it.

You can find Hope on Instagram or www.etsy.com/shop/BlackMoon/Soap 43

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2 20 Looking Through A Cracked Rearview Mirror

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

I Know Why the Caged Bird SIngs -Maya Angelou

I am completely aware of what may happen when it becomes clear what The Backpage is about. I simply could not ignore the questions in my head—what would you do if faced with remote learning?

Where is your magic wand or crystal ball? Who are you trying to kid? The first question couldn't be ignored. My answer includes my perspective and my real view of how deeply I care about education.

I spent 30 years in English classrooms and four more with weekly independent study appointments. Hang on and allow me to muse.

From year one, whenever I was asked, “What do you teach,” my response was always - kids. On any application asking ‘occupation,’ I filled in the blank - Facilitator of Learning. Early on, I became acutely aware when the bell rings, it is those bodies, on that day, who are the target. If you have a 1st and 5th period sophomore English class, rest assured they are not the same class. Even with the exact same lesson, the delivery would not be the same. English necessitates addressing speaking, listening, reading, and writing. I didn't think my job was to teach great works of literature, but rather to impart a love of reading. I don't believe writing can be taught. It can be coerced, coached, modeled, learned by doing, and relies heavily on reading, especially a wide variety. However, the great works and learning to love reading often clash beautifully. Unfortunately, assigning writing and developing a written piece are vastly different.

Education calls for the student as a worker in a problem solving, inquisitive, and curious role. The simple truth is the student should work harder than the teacher. Please note, that does not mean teachers do not work hard. No, just have to work hard at creating thoughtful, investigative inquiries that calls for a problem solving, inquisitive, curious learner. In my mind, it’s like playing defensive tennis with them. Keep lobbing the ball high in the air, keeping it on their side of the net for as long as you can. So how does this translate to remote learning? Perfectly, beautifully - with one eye and ear waiting for disaster.

First off, a couple of housekeeping things and concerns. From many reports, it appears teachers are incompentent ‘techies.’ Not true.

However, I am tech challenged. I compare this dilemma to any of my students who admitted they can’t spell. I told them to find a person who can spell, and use them. No excuse to turn in a paper with spelling errors. I pointed out the assistant principals and others who would be delighted to check their paper. With that in mind, I would need to find someone for all my tech needs. The other concern is how to make this look like my class. Not gonna happen. Distance calls for transparency in writing, videos, or screen time instruction to students and their parents. Put the stuff out there in as much detail as possible. This isn’t time to go after relationships. It’s time to put them to work in a curious, inquisitive, and problem solving manner.

The first six weeks, students are going to keep a journal, in a daily seven minute timed writing. It will consist of a list as wide and varied as possible. Prompts range from “I enjoy watching” to “Rare things.” An example entry would be included. The journals will be read and ‘graded’ every two weeks. Prompts published for the next two weeks. If possible, each timed write supervised by a parent or available person. Time of day should be consistent. I believe this can work because it worked for my independent study and sick or vacationing students.

The students will have a reading list and a 100 word challenge list with weekly tasks. The opening assignment is called “50 Things a Color Is.” Students generate a list of 50 things of an assigned color without using the color in the phrase. Avoid beginning with “The color of…” but rather provide a statement evoking only the color in question. Red is used as the example as it is the easiest. “An embarrassed face” works (red) better than “Stripes on the American flag.” (red or white) Changed to “The top and bottom stripes of the American flag” remedies it. Fire truck alone will not work. Concepts can work. “Color associated with Communism” works. Assignment has some ‘can’ts’ like using the flags of the world for the entire list of 50. Realize this is all ‘packaged.’ Therefore, presenting it will be determined with tech support. Side note: literature uses colors to depict setting, mood, nuance. When students become aware of the breadth of colors by reading each other’s lists will certainly enrich discussions in the future. I tell students to get help with this. No spelling errors allowed, product trade names work. Each one is two points. More than one color comes to mind, minus one. Spelling error, minus two. Addresses the importance of editing without addressing editing.

There is a great deal going on here but does not seem so daunting to keep up with those questions or concerns. Well, then again, it does. With the student’s results in my possession, we would move on to the next. The title is “When is a Rainbow NOT a Rainbow.”

Now the students must assign meaning, voice, and emotion to the seven colors of the rainbow. This mission includes the reading of a short piece and Maslow’s taxonomy of learning matched together.

Obviously, the title preempts the absolute need for problem solving skills.

I will leave you with this. Hard for me to believe this entire ordeal would be a recipe for me to get myself in trouble with secret hand-off stations and other stupid ideas. Also, by chance, anybody out there who wants to talk about any of this, I’m in. Caring about education is only better when it includes talking about education.

Let me know. Note: if you hate all of this, I do not really need to know.

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