#has beans

We are asking the good citizens of Chico to stand for human decency and respect by calling, or visiting the Chico Has Beans Store, 501 Main Street Chico, California and to join and immediate and shared boycott of their establishment until such time our fair and reasonable demands are met. Please also share comments, or private message me if your willing to picket the store beginning next week in the unfortunate case this establishment is unwilling to our reasonable and decent demands.

Please also consider lodging your concerns with the Chico Chamber of Commerce and or the Downtown Business Association....

Chico Chamber of Commerce 441 Main Street #150, Chico, CA 95928 (530) 891-5556

Portland Road Trip: First Stop, Chico! Part 2 - Bryan Anthony

The performers at Has Beans Cafe in Chico, Ca. were diverse and talented. I was pleasantly surprised. (Not that I had any expectations)

I enjoyed each and every artist which ranged from instrumentalists, to spoken-word poets and fellow singer/songwriters; one of which named Bryan Anthony featured above.

Bryan was one of the first people I met and he welcomed me, warmly. Toward the end of the evening the M.C. of the event decided to invite willing artists to perform another piece as there was some time left before the cafe closed. My name wasn't called but Bryan kindly, and secretly suggested to the M.C. that I perform another song. The gesture was spiritually inspiring to say the least, and thanks to it I was able to display my talents in one more song.

Portland Road Trip: First Stop, Chico! Part 1 - Dada

On 4/24/14 my brother and I set off on a road trip to visit our friends Jett, Ben, and Micah who have just recently moved to Portland. Naturally, I did my research on the best eats en route and in Portland, but I also figured it would be a good idea to hit up some open mics on the way.

First stop: Chico.

We had a blast here. All I had heard about Chico prior was that it was a hippie, college town... with the 15 hours we spent there I can't refute that. But I do know it's small, cute, and conscious. 

Has Beans Cafe was where I decided to play my songs. I called in advance to reserve a spot which you can't do but they made an exception for me after I told them I was coming from so far away. I got there around 9 and just as I was paying for my suggested purchase they called me up to the plate. Thankfully I was able to wait an act... my mouth was parched after the 8 hour drive.

To my surprise, the performer that subbed in my place played "Sunday Drive" by The Early November! I was floored and just took it as a sign from the universe telling me that I was supposed to be there. Above is a clip of Dada Deguia playing the cover:

She's super cool, super talented, and went up to me after my song to compliment my Pop Punk styling. Thank so much, Dada!

She has a few covers youtube as well. check it: ImNotDada

Liberace Barbie playing at Has Beans open microphone, Chico CA, Jan-17-2013.

"Thanks for sharing. I hope you will continue your revealing reportage from the streets. Maybe if we all get to know each other we won't need labels like "homeless" or "business owner." We'll just be Bill and Heather. - Heather from Lyon's books - 

Heather's store at the southern end of Chico Downtown Plaza is an enclave of cozy richness.  

I heard Heather speak at the Homeless discussion hosted by the friends of Chico, Thanksgiving weekend 2012. She voiced her opinion that the election cycle unfairly cast downtown as unsafe and unclean due to the homeless population. She said it hurt her business and didn't represent the realities of Downtown Plaza area. 

You can hear Heather speak her experiences in audio segment #13 in the post below. (PublicBusinessOwnerLyonsBooks.mp3)

http://woaroof.posterous.com/chico-homeless-forum-audio-excerpts-and-more

Spoke over the phone with Heather yesterday at the Chico Library where Heather expanded on her spiritual beliefs on treating everyone with respect and empathy, no matter the person's stature. She reveres books and the atmosphere of running an inclusive bookstore where everyone is welcome, including browsers and readers.

Heather shared a story of a woman that came into the store recently with a conversation something like this.

"I saw a homeless person in a sleeping bag in the dimly lit alley and was scared to walk near and come in," the customer said.

Heather replied, "Was the sleeping bag zipped?"

We shared a laugh at the harsh reality that the person sleeping rough was the one in danger here, subject to the whim of all passersby.

Heather added "They could be kicked in the head, have water thrown on them, anything could happen to this poor defenseless, soul." 

The irony that rings everywhere I go is that the homeless fear the folks with roofs, often far more than vice-versa. 

Heather added, "It's not all perfect, we once had a man overdose in our bathroom." 

Heather took her turn at asking questions.

She asked, "What do you feel about panhandling?"

I said, "Absolutely make eye contact and acknowledge the person. I suggest asking them if there is anything you can do for them other than give them money. The city should pass an ordinance outlawing aggressive panhandling and enforce it vigorously. Folks simply holding signs have the right to be seen in public provided they aren't actively bothering anyone."

Heather responded, "It get's tough day after day walking to and from work seeing the poor and the needy when I lived in San Francisco. I don't feel that way in Chico, the prevalence is far less than San Francisco."

I had the fortune of meeting Heather today at the bookstore. I shared that a man overheard my conversation with her at the library and thanked me for the work I was doing for the homeless.

"A lot of people say I look like Jesus," he said.

Heather responded, "One never knows when and where they will see the face of Jesus."

Amen to that and.... if you have a roof be grateful.