From tattoos to booze

A few years ago, around the 10-year anniversary of getting my first tattoo, I decided it was time for a touch-up. The orchid on my right shoulder blade was showing its age, as tattoos are wont to do, and I started looking around at local artists who could freshen and embellish it. I eventually settled on David Singletary, who then owned Sacred Art Tattoo. He did a fine job.

I caught up with Singletary last week while he was prepping his new digs on Broadway, in the space next to Winchester Goose that was previously occupied by Iron Mountain Leather. Turns out Singletary closed his store two years ago—after 25 years—and, tired of owning, joined the crew at Alley Tats on 13th Street. When the opportunity arose to rent the Broadway space, he and fellow former Alley Tatter Aaron Nott jumped on it. Nott is the new owner of Amber Rose, at 804 Broadway, expected to open this week.

I have no idea how Chico is able to sustain so many tattoo shops—there were 10 the last time I checked—but Amber Rose looks to be a promising addition. There’s space for several artist stations, plus a piercing room. I wish the new guys on the block the best of luck.

Rebuilding an island Puerto Rico was hit especially hard in the recent wave of hurricanes to blow through the Atlantic. I’ve seen footage and read about the massive amount of damage to the infrastructure there, but it all was brought a little closer to home when I watched a video made by Christian and Melissa Friedland, who moved to Puerto Rico from Chico about a year ago. In it, they explain the many problems the damage has caused, with a focus on the widespread loss of power on the island. Christian, founder and president of Build.com, says it may take a full year to restore the grid.

In response to the need, and seeded with $100,000 of their own money, the Friedlands started the Power for Puerto Rico project, whose goal is to provide generators to the island’s residents, particularly those who can’t afford to buy their own. Find the project on Facebook to watch the Friedlands’ video and for info on how to help.

More doogoodery The folks over at UnitedHealthcare regularly hold fundraisers and drives to help the community. Their latest effort was in the name of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On Monday (Oct. 2), the company’s Chico office delivered 3,000 pounds of food and other collected items like books and diapers to Catalyst Domestic Violence Services. I’m sure it all will be very much appreciated by local victims—including children—who need Catalyst’s emergency housing help.

Booze news In the spirit of this week’s Beer Issue, there is a bit of local news worth mentioning. A few weeks ago Ben Nielsen, owner of Lassen Traditional Cidery, dropped me a line to let me know he’d opened his tasting room after long last. I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, so go ahead and beat me to it! Hours are 2-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 26 Bellarmine Court.