September 2020, Volume 2
Reach Out - Connect - Take Part

On The Ballot For 2020/21 Chamber Director

Each year the nominating committee of the Chamber works to identify members who will represent our mission and values on the Board of Directors. To date, 3 candidates have been nominated for elections.  The nomination process is still open.  In addition, several directors are up for re-election and confirmation of earlier appointments.

Members will vote on these nominations this month.  Election ballots will go out to the membership via email on September 15. 

Members Nominated to serve a 1st Term

Carol Franchetti, Carol’s Camp Prattville
Ryan Newell, Intermountain Hardware

Confirmation Election

Christi Chase, Cravings Café. Christi was appointed to a position on the Board in February, 2020. 

Election to 2nd Term of Office

Susan Bryner, Coldwell Banker Kehr/O’Brien Real Estate.  Susan has been a member of the Board, and President these past 2 years. 
Erica Sherod, Giggling Crow, Erica has been a member of the Board and Chair of the Holiday Shopping Tour for the past 2 years. 

PG&E Power Outages Updates

Did you know you can sign up to have updates about power outages sent to you phone or email? 

Click here to sign up with PG&E to receive their latest updates and information!
PGE LOGO

SBC Upcoming Webinars



Thursday September 17
Regulatory Compliance: The Complex Made Simple
REGISTER

ARPD Kids Night Out!


ARPD is offering a Kids Night Out Program every Tuesday for 8 weeks.  



REGISTER NOW

Donate to Lake Almanor Area Chamber

Support our efforts to promote local businesses!

Advertise with Us!

Looking to get word out about your business, service or product? You can now advertise with the Lake Almanor Area Chamber through the Town Chatter and other venues. This feature is for members only. 

Plumas County News

Things You Should Know

Register Now for America's BIGGEST Business Networking Event for Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs. In a city near you!The Virtual Small Business Expo has been producing events for Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners since 2008. Workshops, Exhibitors, Speed Networking, Keynotes & More. Register for one of our Virtual Business Networking Events in a city near you. Even if your local city is not listed, you can register for any of the cities below and attend from the convenience of your home or office!
https://www.thesmallbusinessexpo.com/

Virtual Insurance Diversity Summit

The 2020 Virtual Insurance Diversity Summit taking place on November 12 - 13, 2020.

 
The Virtual Insurance Diversity Summit is hosted by the California Department of Insurance. The Summit includes a virtual Matchmaking Roundtable, Resource Expo, and engaging webinars led by experts on the topics of race and diversity in the insurance industry, diversity in the boardroom, navigating the insurer procurement pathways, building resilience in business strategies, and much more!
 
This event is free and online. 

Contact the Insurance Diversity Initiative via email at diversity@insurance.ca.gov for any questions.

Plumas Unified Summer Newsletter


 

Plumas County Press Release

Click below for the press release from Plumas County Public Health regarding the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. 

The state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy Plan

Job Board




Camp Host at the Village at Child's Meadow, Highlands Ranch Resort
Immediate Opening, APPLY HERE





UDSA jobs available! 
Click here to search jobs by location! 


Plumas Crisis Intervention and Resource Center
Executive Director
Full-time
591 Main St, Quincy, California 95971

Sierra Hospice
Inventory Associate
Part-time · $12 / hour
684 Main St, Chester, CA 96020, United States

PictureOC Painting division of Olah Construction has immediate openings for painters.
Pay based on experience; must have reliable transportation. Call 258-4810 for more information 
 
 

Did you know you can also find and submit jobs on Facebook as well 
Submit and Find Jobs on Facebook Here

About Us

Chamber Board Meetings take place the 2nd Wednesday of each month in the Chamber office at 278 Main Street. 


The Chamber's Community Calendar is open to all. Submitting your events is easy. CLICK HERE. Go to the bottom of the page and look for SUBMIT HERE.
 
Lake Almanor Area Chamber
530-258-2426
278 Main St., Chester
P.O. Box 1098  96020
Info@lakealmanorarea.com

Happening Today!!!

Community Vitality - State of the Lake Forum



Topic - Community Vitality
Date: Thur, September 10
Time: 06:30 PM
Register Online Here

A vibrant community is based in a healthy ecosystem – but just as important is a working economy.  When we were planning this event—long before pandemic made in-person gathering impossible—we wanted to foster a conversation with community members about the way our environment influences our economy and vice-versa – and how both affect quality of life.


This next State of the Lake is devoted to exploring the intersection of environment, economy, and community. Our speakers will be talking about a variety of local projects and efforts, among them:

Recreation and tourism
Outdoor access
Workforce development
Community resiliency
Forest restoration
Wildifire mitigation
Our distinguished presenters:

Susan Bryner, Lake Almanor Area Chamber of Commerce
Carlos Espana, Almanor Recreation and Parks Department
Jonathan Kusel, Sierra Institute and South Lassen Watersheds Group
Katherine Sansone, Lake Amanor Community Foundation
Vanessa Vasquez, Feather River Land Trust

Why Become a Director of the Chamber?

Susan Bryner

The mission of the Lake Almanor Area Chamber of Commerce is to be a catalyst for connecting and collaborating with our businesses, government, and the community to foster a vibrant, thriving economy and community.  Our Core Values are Relationships, Communication, Innovation, and Persistence

This past year has been challenging, but our vision and commitment has remained strong and we feel we have created much of value for our membership and the community.  Some of the outstanding accomplishments of our 2019/2020 year include:

Innovation

Creation and initiation of the first meeting of Almanor Basin Community Consortium (ABCC) along with the facilitation of Sector meetings of the hospitality industry (lodging and restaurants), non-profits, retail and education.  These meetings generated ideas for moving each sector forward through the unique challenges and opportunities we have to improve business and community conditions.  We look forward to convening more of these meetings this fall. 

An offshoot of ABCC and meetings with Non-Profit sector yielded the creation of the Mountain Volunteer Project (MVP).  Project leaders, Matt Moore, Jobana Townsend, Chelssa Outland and Susan Bryner had plans to launch MVP during the fall of this year.  However, the onset of COVID-19 presented an immediate need for shopping assistance at Holiday Market.  The committee jump started the project to fill the need. CLICK HERE for more information on MVP.

The Town Plaza project, a joint venture of the Chamber, Feather River Tourism Association and Lake Almanor Community Foundation was conceived after research into programs and projects that have been shown to stimulate a town’s economy and improve community opportunities and health.  Research indicated the most cost effective and catalyzing thing a community could do was to develop a place for a public market and plaza, and develop on-going, year-round activities near where people shop, eat, and look for entertainment. Meetings with community members indicated overwhelming support for a Town Plaza located at or near Chester Park.  Work toward this end began in November 2019.  Though community events and meetings have been stalled by COVID-19, planning and envisioning has continued.  For information about the Town Plaza Project go to www.OurTownPlaza.org

Last year’s Scarecrow Contest was the brainchild of our Executive Director, Chelssa Outland.  It quickly became a crowd pleaser with many businesses across the basin participating and in its first year raised over $500 for the Town Plaza Project.  This year funds raised by the contest will target purchasing new lights for our Community Tree.

Communication:

At the outbreak of COVID-19, Chamber directors felt it was crucial to stay in communication with the community and our business members.  At that time, we took our monthly, electronic Town Chatter Newsletter to a weekly publication. This move proved popular.  The Town Chatter is now distributed to over 1,000 business and community members across the region.

Persistence

2019 saw the successful execution of our existing events: Annual Golf Tournament, 4th of July Parade, Safe Trick or Treat, Veteran’s Weekend Community Tree Lighting, Holiday Shopping Tour and Turkey Trot.  Though the danger of fire delayed our 4th of July Fireworks display, we were able secure the ability to execute the event on Labor Day, a move that was reported to have brought an influx of visitors to the area as well as opportunities for new events highlighting restoration work on our watershed, projects involving our lake’s water quality, and forest management practices.
 
Why become a Director of the Chamber of Commerce? 
Because it is your opportunity to become a leader and moving force in the work of building a vibrant, thriving economy and community in Chester/Lake Almanor.  CLICK HERE and go to the bottom of the page for more information and CONTACT us at now at info@lakealmanorchamber.com 
 

North Complex Fire Morning Update for September 10, 2020

Incident Start
Date: 8/17/2020    Size: 247,358 
acres       Containment: 23%       
Resources Assigned:
Engines:106  Handcrews:23 Dozers:26 Helicopters:8  Water Tenders:43  
Total Personnel: 1,352

Current Situation

The fire actively burned through the night but did not experience significant growth. Crews maintained existing fire lines, limited additional spread, and continued structure protection efforts.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 entered unified command with CAL FIRE Team 4 today at 6 A.M. Tactical firing operations will be conducted to connect dozer lines and existing roads to reduce threat to the Bucks Lake area communities.  Structure protection continues in the Little Grass Valley area. Roads systems are being assessed to determine the best locations to connect containment lines along the southeast section of the fire.

Changes to acreage and containment reflect more accurate mapping as a result of new infrared flight data.

 Evacuations and Road Closures

Mandatory evacuation orders and evacuation advisories are in place in Butte, Plumas, and Yuba Counties. Check the appropriate county’s Facebook page for their latest information.


NORTH COMPLEX
Email:          2020.NorthComplex.Info@firenet.gov
Phone:         (530) 316-4487
Facebook:    www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas
Inciweb:       inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6997/ 
 

Lassen Volcanic Implements Fire Restriction and Early Closure of Outlying Campgrounds

Kevin Sweeney, Kevin_Sweeney@nps.gov, (530) 595-6130

Release Date: September 9, 2020
 
Mineral, CA – In response to severe wildfire risk and the inundation of our national wildfire response system, Lassen Volcanic National Park is implementing a park-wide fire restriction and early closure of Butte Lake, Warner Valley, and Juniper Lake campgrounds.
 
“By skipping the campfire, visitors are helping to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire during peak fire season,” said Superintendent Jim Richardson.
 
Campfires and open flames are prohibited park-wide beginning September 10 at 5 pm. The restriction on wood fires, the use of charcoal, and any open flame targets sources that pose the greatest risk of human-caused wildfire. Ignition sources that can be turned off and do not produce ash are permitted. This includes, but is not limited to gas stoves, lanterns, and generators.
 
In further effort to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, the park will close Butte Lake, Warner Valley, and Juniper Lake campgrounds for the remainder of the summer/fall season. The early closure begins Monday, September 14 at noon. Existing reservations for after the closure will be cancelled and refunded through recreation.gov. All three areas remain open for day use only.
 
The National Forest Service has implemented a temporary closure of all national forests in California, including the surrounding Lassen National Forest. Learn more at fs.usda.gov/detail/lassen/news-events. Visitors should expect increased demand for park campsites as well as overall park use as a result of the Forest Service closure. Campsite reservations are highly recommended as first-come, first-served campsites are limited. Learn more at go.nps.gov/lavo/camp.
 
Approximately 95% of all wildfires in California are caused by human activity. Everyone can help prevent human-caused wildfire during this peak season by taking extra precautions when visiting the park. This includes practicing safe towing―dragging chains throws sparks and safely disposing of cigarettes.
 
www.nps.gov
 
For more information about Lassen Volcanic National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/lavo; contact the park at (530) 595-4480 or lavo_information@nps.gov; find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube @LassenNPS.

Things to watch out for this Fall

Chelssa Outland

Scarecrow Contest: We are hosting the second annual scarecrow contest! The scarecrow contest will take place again this coming month! We invite any and everyone to participate and remind you to use your change/dollars or vote online for your favorite scarecrow as scarecrow voting donation will go towards new lights for our community tree! 

Chamber Raffle: We have almost completed gathering items for our next raffle with packages: The World According to Golf, The Local Shopaholic Package, Date Night Dream Package! We have received many great donations and I can not thank businesses and locals enough for all your support with this event! We have received donations from,The Sports Nut, Tantardinos,  Bella Luna Creative Catering, The Cozy Cabin in Sierra's Fly & Tackle, My Little Lake House, Lake Bum Lake Wear, Almanor Basin and The Timber House Lodge. Donations Are Still Needed! Info@lakealmanorarea.com or call 530.258.2426

Holiday Shopping Tour: We are already receiving registration for our annual holiday shopping tour. For more information on joining this as a business click here! 

Meet & Greet at Lake Almanor Fitness Next Wednesday

Various access to CARES funding

Gabriel Hydrick, County Administrator

There is funding with the CARES Act Programs through SBA, FEMA, IRS, Treasury, USDA, and HHS for CDBG Grantees’ Awareness for Duplication of Benefits. 

Check out the link below for more information on Cares Funding. 

https://www.chamberorganizer.com/chester-lakealmanor/docs/CARES-Programs-for-CDBG-Grantees-Enterprise.pdf

 

Labor Law Poster Updates


Every California business must display state, federal & OSHA notices.

In California, all employers must meet workplace posting obligations. Workplace postings are usually available at no cost from the requiring agency. The Department of Industrial Relations requires employers to post information related to wages, hours and working conditions in an area frequented by employees where it may be easily read during the workday. Additional posting requirements apply to some workplaces. For a list of available safety and health postings, visit the Cal/OSHA publications page.

The following sites have resources for printing labor law posters needed. 

https://www.laborposters.org/california.htm 
https://www.dir.ca.gov/wpnodb.html 

Local Business now offering Beer & Wine

Chelssa Outland

With new fall hours Cravings is also offering Beer & Wine, or for all us breakfast lovers out there mimosas! (Champagne is totally my spirit animal!) 

Join Us On Facebook

Town Chatter - September 2020, Volume 2