Trivia
Each week The Town Chatter will feature a trivia answer (like Jeopardy, but local) about the Greater Lake Almanor Basin. The question and winner will be announced in the following weeks issue. Thanks so much to Brenda Lemons, owner of The Coffee Station, for sponsoring this month’s prize of $3.00 off your next purchase.
*If interested in being a sponsor, please contact katherine@sansoneplus.com or call 510.418.2466
THIS WEEK'S ANSWER
Spencer Meadow Trail is west of St. Bernard Lodge with a trailway on Hwy 36. The trail is six miles long and makes a 13-mile loop. Besides being a trail in the Lassen National Forest, this trail holds a special designation.
Congratulations to Lace Van Devender winner of a coupon to Coffee Station with the correct question to:
This currently land-locked train engine assisted in the building of the dam at Lake Almanor and was once submerged under the waters of Butt Lake.
What is the Butt Lake Dinky?
The tiny BUTT LAKE DINKY was built in 1887 by the famous H. K. Porter Locomotive Works in Pennsylvania for the Nevada Mill Company. It hauled ore from the Eureka Mine to the stamp mill near Carson City, Nevada for a number of years before it was purchased by Utah Construction Company. It was freighted to Big Meadows to haul gravel for the construction of the earth-fill dams at Almanor and Butt Valley. Left in Butt Valley after the completion of the Butt Lake dam in 1924, it was covered by the waters of Butt Lake until May 1996 when it was moved to its current location at Collins Park.
-- Courtesy of Marlyn Quadrio, Historian.
About Us
Chamber Board Meetings are at 8:30 am on the 2nd TUESDAY of each month in the Chamber office at 278 Main Street. All are welcome. Zoom is available.
The Chamber's Community Calendar is open to all. 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
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Bits & Pieces
Wild West Bass Trails Comes to Lake Almanor
Wild West Bass Trails has announced their intention to hold a Bass Tournament at Lake Almanor April 23, 24, 25, 2021. A formal announcement on their site is forthcoming.
Almanor Recreation & Parks District
ARPD has announced the dates of its annual events for 2021. For more information on each, please check their website at www.yourarpd.org
• Mile High 100 Cycling Event - June 19th
• Fourth of July Fun Run - July 4th
• Poker Paddle - July 24th
Reminder from SBDC
The State of California is offering $475 million for Small Business COVID-19 Grant Relief. These are grant awards of $5,000, $15,000, and $25,000 depending upon your gross income. Go to https://careliefgrant.com and apply. The first half-round ended on January 13, 2021, but the second half-round will be coming soon.
If you have questions or problems getting registered for the Workshops or COVID-19 Relief Grant, please contact clint.koble@gmail.com or (775) 843-4081.
Seneca Wants to Hear from YOU!
Help Seneca Healthcare District as we strive to become your healthcare of choice for the Lake Almanor Area Basin. Your feedback is one of the most important drivers of change in our company. We would greatly appreciate if you would let us know how we can better serve you in the year ahead.
This survey will take approximately five minutes of your time and is anonymous. Use this link to complete the survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5725J6H
Thank you ~ Seneca Healthcare District Administration
Chelssa Outland
Marketing & PR Officer, Seneca Healthcare District
Week #2 New Year, New You!
Simple Tips to Ease into Healthier Eating
How can we make our eating habits be healthy and sustainable? Too many try to change their habits drastically and set themselves up to fail rather than making small steps that they can stick with – for life.
Paying attention to your food thoughts and how you look at food can help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Make an “intention” each day to do at least one thing that is a better choice when it comes to your nutrition and diet:
- Cut out coffee calories by eliminating the sugar and cream.
- Make that “mocha” habit a one time a week treat instead of daily. Save calories and money!
- Avoid processed foods will almost always equal higher nutrient values and lower calories.
- Eat from the “rainbow” by choosing foods as close to their natural state as possible -- fresh and colorful.
- Think positive about your goals so rather than non-conscious grabbing when snacking or considering a second helping, be mindful. Thoughts are powerful.
Kelly O'Brien, Lake Almanor Fitness
Almanor Fishing, Weather & Lake Report
1/17/21
Water level is up another 3/10ths of a foot over the past week, water temps hover between 39 and 41 degrees and visibility varies between 6-10’. Our weather over the past week was more like spring than winter but it appears that is about to change. We have a high wind watch in effect beginning Sunday night through Tuesday with gusts exceeding 30mph on Tuesday. There are chances of snow beginning Friday with additional snow predicted for Sunday and Monday.
Fishermen have been taking advantage of the weather as we have seen an increase in boat and bank fishing. Hamilton Branch remains your best shot at catching mature fish from shore though we are still not seeing many large fish in the coves around the dam. Power bait, crawlers and jigs are the preferred baits. Trollers caught an even mix of browns and bows this past week with the majority of the boat pressure on the south end of the lake. If you can find bait, you will catch fish; and all methods will work. We caught fish slow trolling gulps and crawlers at one mph, while I had friends catch fish fast trolling hardware and pulling flies. Hardware at 2.5-3 mph and flies at 1.5-2 mph, wonder bread speedy shiners and Arctic Fox pond smelt patterns have been the most productive. Fish have been in the top 15’ of water early, moving deeper as the sun comes up. The fog has been thick early burning off around 9 am.
The snow is gone at lake level and our roads are in great shape. Canyon Dam remains the only public boat ramp on the lake.
John Crotty, Almanor Fishing Association
Non-Profit Focus
The Almanor Basin Food Pantry
“Serving-Up” A Need for Our Community
The Almanor Basin Food Pantry did its first distribution of food to local families in 2015 and continues to assist families in need with food distribution on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
“You never know when the need will arise when a family will need assistance in putting food on the table so it is essential that our community has a facility like the Food Pantry to be sure no one goes hungry,” says Jobana Townsend, President of the Board of Directors of the Food Pantry and volunteer for three years.
The pantry operates in partnership with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada in Sparks that works with food grocers, farmers, and manufacturers as part of their mission to donate foods for distribution to those in need. The food is collected and sorted into categories: can and paper goods, produce, fruit, and protein items. Once sorted, it is sent to Quincy where the Almanor Basin Food Pantry volunteers pick up and bring the items to Chester to be prepared for distribution to families.
“Generally, our families get to shop for what they need making it a more normal experience. Now due to COVID mandates, we pack an assortment of foods and goods and these groceries are handed to families who are waiting in their cars,” explains Townsend. In 2015 it was a handful of families and has increased to about 44 families (approximately 200 people) over the past few years. Since COVID, there has been a spike in need has risen as high as 90 families and over 300+ people.
The Pantry will also purchase food to complete nutrition needs and for the holidays. This is when monetary donations are used, and come from community donations, businesses and two annual fundraisers. 2020 did not allow for these events – one over July 4th selling pies and a Fall Dinner & Auction at board member Carol Franchetti’s restaurant, Carols Café.
For those interested in helping cash donations are needed and they are also looking for a few volunteers. Time is generally a couple hours a month and works around volunteer’s time and schedule. To donate, please make check out to Almanor Basin Food Pantry and mail to PO Box 1445, Chester, CA 96020. To volunteer, please call Jobana Townsend at 916.390.7583
The Food Pantry is located at 386–A Main Street. *We have no operating business hours other than our distributions which are currently operating on Winter Hours from 11 AM to 1 PM. Our February distribution will be on the 6th and 20th. Follow their Facebook page for updates.
All About Eats
Adapting . . . One of the Keys to Cravings Success
“The food industry is ever-changing,” says Christi Chase, co-owner with her husband Heath, of the popular restaurant Cravings in ‘downtown’ Chester. “Though we are a rural area that does not mean anything goes. Locals and guests have just as sophisticated palate as city-folk, and because we recognize and respect that, we continue to be successful after six years in business,” she adds.
Cravings opened in 2015 in Old Town Chester as a mom-and-pop bakery and café with a limited menu. Within two years of opening, even with outdoor seating, the couple had more business than the building could handle. They joined B&B Booksellers to become "roomies" at the Stover Landing Commons building, and by doing so, created an exciting new multi-use hub for the community offering three floors of retail, office, dining and gallery space that offered local artists a place to display their art.
Cravings has grown from a small bakery-cafe to a full-scale restaurant, and with the addition of beer and wine this coming season, will take yet another step forward by offering a wine bar to complement their seasonal dinner service and give their customers something else to enjoy and look forward to.
“We believe another reason for our success is a commitment to cook with fresh ingredients that we prepare with care, which stands out to locals and visitors alike in a world awash with chain eateries and frozen foods,” Chase says. “We also strive to offer attentive, efficient, and friendly service, balancing an upscale vibe yet comfortable environment while keeping food familiar yet exciting and innovative.”
The menu offered by Cravings is traditional yet Heath and Christi keep abreast of the latest eating trends, offering foods with modifications for gluten-free, vegan, and keto diets, which has proven exceedingly popular with both regulars from the community and visiting guests.
Cravings is located at 258 Main Street, Chester. Hours are 8:00am to 2:00pm Thursday through Sunday. Please check website www.stoverlanding.com or call 530.258.2229 for questions regarding hours due to current mandates.
Chamber Board News, January Meeting
Board Members Present:
Ryan Newell, Sharon Roberts, Matt Staggs, Christi Chase, Susan Bryner, Chelssa Outland, Exec. Dir.
Guests:
Clint Koble, Sierra Small Bus. Dev. Center, Katherine Sansone, Sansone Plus, Shawn McKenzie, Seneca Health District
Meeting Highlights:
- The Board approved the Chamber's 2021 event offerings: Annual Golf Tournament, 4th of July Parade and Fireworks, Scarecrow Contest, Halloween Costume Contest, Holiday Shopping Tour, Veteran's Tree Lighting, Turkey Trot, Membership Dinner, Town Talks, Town Walks, Casino Royale Night and New Year's Eve Fireworks.
- The Chamber and Seneca Health District agreed host a joint town hall meeting as soon as COVID restrictions allow a gathering.
Second Round of Coronavirus Aid
LaMalfa Announces Availability of Second Round of Small Business Coronavirus Aid
(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after the announcement of the reopening of the PPP Loan Program that was renewed under December’s Coronavirus relief legislation. The Reopened PPP Loan Program appropriates $284.45 billion – available to newly eligible businesses that didn’t get a loan in the first round and eligible businesses that need additional support, or “second draw” loans.
Rep, Doug LaMalfa stated, “The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been an impactful and important program that has helped keep our small businesses afloat during the pandemic and ensuing government-mandated lockdowns. Earlier this year, the Small Businesses Administration approved 5 million in PPP loans with an average loan size of $100,000 and saved approximately 51 million jobs across the country. Our North State small businesses now have another much-needed lifeline available to help endure both the COVID-19 pandemic and mandatory shutdowns.”
Reopened PPP Loan Program Specifics
Eligibility:
- Newly eligible businesses include housing cooperatives, news organizations, business associations (such as local Chambers of Commerce), and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) recipients.
- As before, businesses, some nonprofits, independent contractors, sole proprietors, and eligible self-employed individuals are eligible to apply.
- Second draw loans are available to businesses with less than 300 employees and show at least 25% reduction in any quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019. Loan Amount:
- The maximum loan is generally 2.5 times the average monthly payroll, but companies in foodservice and accommodation industries are eligible for loans 3.5 times the average monthly payroll.
Forgiveness:
- Loans can be forgiven when at least 60% of funds are used for payroll, with the other 40% used on mortgage, rent, and utilities.
- Additional allowances for expenses include costs for personal protection equipment, any spending not covered by insurance that is related to property damage due to public disturbances that occurred in 2020 and backpay to suppliers.
Timeline:
- Beginning on Monday, January 11, 2021, the Small Businesses Administration (SBA) will open the PPP to small businesses that did not receive first draw PPP and newly-eligible entities.
- Community financial institution lenders will then be able to make second draw loans on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
- Soon thereafter, all lending institutions will be able to start giving out both first and second draw loans.
Please find the application (https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form-2483-sd-ppp-second-draw-borrower-application-form) fill it out, and take it to your local lender.
Here’s a helpful document:
https://mcusercontent.com/301a28247b80ab82279e92afb/files/3ce30f0c-74e8-46eb-af82-5d80c1d16c62/SBA_PPP_Presention_1_11_21.pdf?
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