News
Better together
Like many of his fellow Chico restaurant owners, Jason “JC” Colabove of Crush had to lay off his staff in mid-March as COVID-19 mandates spread to dine-in establishments. As his staff waited for unemployment to […]
COVID-19
News
Under pressure
Kandy Comfort reopened her Chico barbershop last week. A day later, she closed it. A day after that, she reopened it again. Such has been the wrenching roller coaster she—and so many others—have ridden amid […]
Arts & Culture
Band practice blues
I broke quarantine for band practice. And so did my bandmates. (Sorry, fellas. I ratted you out.) I don’t regret it. Before getting together, we charted our connections for any sketchy contacts, an ad hoc […]
COVID-19
Tubes and tune-ups
Bike shops have been exceptionally busy this past month as people turn to the outdoors for recreation. But is life on two wheels safe during the pandemic? […]
Arts DEVO
The show MUST go on again
“Lincoln Center at Home.” Ugh, no thanks. I mean, unless you’re a Saudi prince or a member of the royal family, going to your living room to enjoy the opera or symphony is like hanging […]
Community Essays
Protecting the community from COVID-19 includes protecting the unhoused
By Scott Huber The City Council’s recent vote to direct the Chico Police Department to discontinue the “eviction” of people experiencing homelessness from existing camps during the current public health emergency was a painful but […]
COVID-19
Public health officer, Enloe CEO cut to the chase on coronavirus preparedness
Dr. Andy Miller, Butte County’s public health officer, is the expert consulted by local leaders about the coronavirus pandemic. As such, he’s transitioned to the medical equivalent of a meteorologist: a forecaster whose predictions carry […]
COVID-19
New music today (whichever day this is)
Chico’s shelter-in-place soundtrack has some new tracks this week: Longtime Chico music dude Cameron Ford splits his musical time these days between his solo pop-rock works and his chill Yoga Beats releases. For his latest, […]
COVID-19
Rally ’round small businesses
The economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus response has been devastating for small-business owners and employees in Chico, as well as the rest of the country. In the last two weeks of March, roughly 10 […]
Arts & Culture
Virtual icons
Altogether, Chico Art Center (65), The Bookstore (44) and Pageant Theatre (40) have been around for a total of 149 years. While the future remains uncertain for all businesses and nonprofit groups, these three local […]
COVID-19
Chico leaders explain COVID-19 emergency declaration for public and private sectors, talk homelessness
In her first week back as Chico’s mayor, Ann Schwab expended considerable effort communicating with residents left reeling by recent events. Schwab became mayor for a third time—she served back-to-back terms in 2008-12—when the City […]
News
At your service: Audrey Denney joins local business folks to help restaurant employees affected by COVID-19
If you hang around the downtown Chico bar and restaurant scene at all, you’ll probably recognize Rasheed McNeal. He’s been working at Bella’s Sports Pub and, more recently, at sister restaurant Parkside Tap House, since […]
Arts DEVO
C’mere, Chico
“Socially distant” is not how Arts DEVO rolls. When I greet Chico, I go in for the hug. I am, of course, following the COVID-19 stay-at-home guidelines by removing myself from the public sphere and […]
The Goods
Tastes like home
It’s strange how food can make you feel at home. I recently returned to St. Louis, where I grew up, to visit family. My mom had toasted ravioli waiting for me. A local “delicacy,” it’s […]
COVID-19
Theater stuff and things
The Blue Room Theatre may have gone dark, along with every other local arts producer, but the theater is still active. In the wake of the clampdown on public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, the […]