Creatures of the night
From doctors to contractors to taxicab drivers, these are the people who keep Chico alive till day breaks
Channing Churchill has waitressed at Jack’s since January 2010. It’s hard to change her biorhythm, she says, but the money is decent. She considers working the night shift a promotion because the tips are so much better. She typically goes home between 3 and 5 in the morning. “I’m naturally a morning person,” she says.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Being a photographer for the Chico News & Review is an amazing experience because it lets me interact with facets of my community that I otherwise wouldn’t know exist. Photography has allowed me access to some incredible people and places and legitimizes my curious nature while allowing me to document it simultaneously.
The idea for this photo essay was to go out and see what happens late at night when most people are at home sleeping. I discovered a subculture of people with a genuine preference for the night, pleasure seekers, and patrons and employees of the businesses they cater to.
See for yourself …
Heather Glass and Tommy Ray play chess in the City Plaza. Glass is avoiding moving and Ray is avoiding boredom, and what better place than the park? “It’s nice,” says Glass. “You know, you don’t get too much of the crazies.”
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Djedi Miriji, shown here looking through an old-fashioned doughnut, makes magic happen at Donut Rising. Miriji bakes until 3 a.m. Mirji, who’s been a chef his whole life, used to be head cook at a Krishna Temple in Santa Cruz and specializes in vegetarian food. “I contemplate the entire universe on a regular basis,” he says of his job.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Alma Gomes, Monique Fierros and Diane Eilerts stand in the fountain at City Plaza. Fierros just graduated from Chico State and is trying to do everything she’s wanted to do. “One of my bucket list things was to run through the fountain, and I just did it.”
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Kalaka slides a sheet of bread loaves into the oven at Tin Roof Bakery. The bread-making process starts at 9 p.m. so that it can be completed in time to deliver it fresh to the stores before they open the next morning. “I’m usually walking out of the door about 3:30 in the morning. Fridays are hellacious,” he says.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Kalaka checks the color of the Country Bowl to see how much more baking it needs.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
A road crew pours cement in the wee morning hours near the intersection of First and Main streets.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
This effect was created by walking down the alley next to Tres Hombres with a headlamp on.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Enloe Medical Center slows down at night, but it’s never truly quiet.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Nurses keep an eye on a monitor bank that represents patients’ vital signs.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Dr. Terrance Hawkins makes a phone call.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
A nurse prepares for an early-morning exam.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Joe Gromley, owner of Weiner Man, has been slinging wieners for about a year on the streets of downtown Chico. He works until 3 in the morning and loves the night life. “I’ve made a good following—you give the kids a good product and they find out really quick that what I have is some of the best on the streets,” he says. When asked if he sees any interesting things during his late-night shifts, he offers, “I could easily do the <i>Weiner Man Chronicles</i>.”
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Kendra MacKillop and Robby Axton share a Weiner Man hotdog. The Weiner Man “has the best wieners in Chico,” says MacKillop.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Mike Griffith, aka Mike G, and his puppy Little G hang out on his pedicab in front of the row of cabs on Main Street. Mike G put a doggy treat in the end of his handle bar to keep Little G from chewing the rubber grips off the handlebars. He works until 2 in the morning and has to sneak in sleep when he can. “I probably ride 50 hours a week,” he says.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Ron Lafevers is a staple at Main Street Pizza. He holds up a fresh pie before placing it in the pizza case. Lafevers typically leaves between 3:30 and 4:30 in the morning. “I’ve always been a night guy,” he says. “I’ve seen it all. You could ride in here on an elephant doing back flips and it wouldn’t faze me.
Photo By Kyle Delmar
Bill Thomas, a cab driver for TNT Taxi, has a cigarette while waiting for fares in front of the Crazy Horse Saloon. Thomas, who works until 6 a.m. seven days a week, says he’s always been a night person. Nothing really crazy ever happens in his cab. “I’ve had one puker,” he says. “They don’t wanna puke in this car; it’s $100 if they do.”
Photo By Kyle Delmar
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