September 2021, Volume 5
Reach Out - Connect - Take Part

Catch of the Week

Captain Rob


We are showcasing a new section of the Town Chatter, The Catch of the Week provided by Captain Rob! 



This week, we have John Alaimo from Carlsbad, California, ​fishing over at Big Springs!

Disaster Relief & Dixie Fire Information








Plumas County Dixie Fire Resource List
Click Here.


Disaster Relief Supplies Distribution - Chester Church of Christ
New items for fire victims. 1182 Warner Valley Road. Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 1 and 3 - 6.

Dixie Fire Clothing & Supplies Distribution Center Elks Lodge - Today is the last day.
Sponsored by Elks Lodge 2626 in collaboration with The Almanor Foundation. 164 Main Street, Chester. 

Plumas Crisis & Intervention Resource Centers
Quincy: 175 Main St, (530) 283-5515: Resource mitigation
Portola: 165 Ridge Street, (530) 832-1827: Resource mitigation
Loyalton: 513 Main Street, (530) 993-1237: Domestic violence help
24/7 Crisis Line: (877) 757-0029
Mental Health Crisis Line: (530) 283-6307

Alliance for Workforce Development, Inc. Resources
If you were affected by the Dixie Fire and are displaced from your job or need help with employment, training, or assistance applying for unemployment, call (530) 283-1606 or email afwdcontact@ncen.org

Samaritan's Purse U.S. Disaster Relief 
Samaritan's Purse is working with homeowners in the area. This is a free service provided to homeowners who have little or no insurance. Requests are handled upon need and volunteer availability. For assistance with the Dixie Fire or to volunteer, please contact (530) 855-0426. Lake Almanor Community Church, 2610 Plumas County A13.

Chester Wellness Center Open for Wildfire Victims
The Chester Wellness Center is full and no longer accepting donations for wildfire relief. Hours of operation for distribution are 10:00am-3:00pm Monday-Friday.
Damage Assessment Maps

Dixie Fire Structure Status Map (CAL FIRE)
https://tinyurl.com/2m9en9t4

Recovery Information

Plumas County Recovery Information
https://tinyurl.com/c8c8s5rd

Plumas County Resources:

Town Trivia

Katherine Sansone

Winner last week was once again Amy Hutchinson winning a $10 gift certificate from B&B Booksellers with correct question, who is Julius Howells to answer: In the 1880's, this civil engineer coined the phrase "The stairway of power” and went on to design today's Canyon Dam creating Lake Almanor. 


Answer this week: The original “guest ranch” that has a number of hydro-thermal features. 

Sponsor this week is the Coffee Station offering a $3 coupon. 

Please send your question to: Trivia@lakealmanorarea.com

Need sponsors! If interested, please contact katherine@sansoneplus.com.

About Us

The Town Chatter is made possible through the funding of our Community Partners:

Collins Pine
Coldwell Banker Kehr/O'Brien Real Estate
Rouland Insurance
Seneca Healthcare District.


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.

Lake Almanor Area Chamber
530.258.2426
278 Main St., Chester
P.O. Box 1198  96020
Info@lakealmanorarea.com


www.LakeAlmanorArea.com

Bits & Pieces

Supervisors reject state mandate regarding public health employee vaccinations
As reported in Plumas News, the Plumas County Board of Supervisors was asked to approve a COVID-19 vaccination status policy during a special meeting today, Sept. 28, but said “no.”  Read the full article in Plumas News.

Juniper Lake & Warner Valley After Dixie Fire
Zeke Lunder visited Juniper Lake and Drakesbad last week with Lassen Park's Fire Chief and Interpretive Ranger, Kevin Sweeney. This video looks at the effects of the Dixie Fire on these two much-loved places, and talks how past fire mitigation work affected outcomes.
https://the-lookout.org/.../lassen-park-juniper-lake.../

Banned Book Week Sept 26 - Oct 2 2021
B & B Booksellers and Plumas County Libraries celebrate banned book week, an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. The theme of this year's event is “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” B & B Booksellers is offering a discount on your purchase of a banned book.

NEEDED: Community Input On Grant Opportunity For The Almanor Rail Trail
Please fill out ARPD's Survey Questions using the LINK below so that we can determine your interest, support and design ideas and then summarize them in the Grant Application.  California State Parks wants these grant projects to have significant community input and support.  The LINK is:  Survey Questions for an Almanor Rail Trail Grant.  Feel free to send the link to others that you feel support this grant opportunity.  A paper version is available at the ARPD office (530) 258-2562.

Almanor Fishing Association Raffle to be held October 9th. 
The raffle was scheduled to be held at their annual picnic, on Saturday July 31st. Tickets are still available. The drawing will be broadcast live. Purchase your tickets on-line on the Fishing Association Home Page here.


COVID-19 testing times have been updated!
 
COVID-19 testing for symptomatic and asymptomatic persons who are seeking a test will be by appointment only Monday through Friday from 8:30-9:30 am and again at 3:00-4:00 pm.  Results can take up to 3 business days. Patients can call the Lake Almanor Walk-in Clinic to schedule appointments at (530)258-2826. COVID-19 Testing Information - Seneca Healthcare District 

Town Hall October 18, 2021 at 5:15pm.
The Lake Almanor Area Chamber will be hosting an in person and virtual town hall meeting next month to discuss updates on economic development, recreation development, infrastructure, and Lake Almanor area tourism. Stay tuned for updates on it's location. Come join us as we grow and rebuild together!  


Last Lake Almanor Farmers Market of the Season -Thursday, September 30
SEASON FINALE! Tomorrow is the last Farmers Market of the season. Please, come enjoy shopping with the various vendors, amazing music, and wonderful friends. 4pm to 7pm at Chester Park.

Westwood Farmers Market Friday, October 1st
Support our neighbors as they continue their Farmers Market on Friday from 4-7pm at the Walker Mansion Inn.


For daily (and sometimes hourly) news and information, please visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lakealmanorarea

All Fired Up & Kickin' Ash


Tickets are going fast!  Click here to Purchase your Tickets.

Plumas Pines' "All Fired Up and Kickin' Ash" Rib Cook-Off is being held to support the needs of victims of the Dixie Fire. Get ready for tasting some great ribs and enjoying activities, raffles and live music on the resort lawn overlooking beautiful Lake Almanor.

October 2nd, 11- 5 pm, 3000 Almanor Drive West
Rib Tasting Package $30
Don't like ribs? Enjoy the music and activities with a $10 cover charge.
Click here to Purchase your Tickets.

Event proceeds will go to The Almanor Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund that supports the rebuilding and revitalization of communities and people throughout our region impacted by the Dixie Fire. For more information contact Todd Geer, Plumas Pines (530) 259-4343 or Susan Bryner, The Almanor Foundation, 530-268-5422.

The Almanor Foundation News

Almanor Foundation In the News
The Almanor Foundation has been getting quite a bit of local and national media attention for our small, rural can-do community.  We've had two interviews this past week with Susan Bryner, volunteer executive director for the foundation. Last Wednesday on JDX 93.3; and this past Monday with Don Darue at KTKE 101.5, http://www.truckeetahoeradio.com. We have also been contacted by an Israeli television station . . . that interview is pending. Keeping the Dixie fire and its’ devastation in the news is important for ongoing fundraising while educating and informing the public at large about the issues around wildfires and the recovery efforts that take years.

Dixie Fire Funders Have Grants Available
Are you an organization working toward the relief or recovery of victims of the Dixie Fire? The Almanor Foundation and North Valley Community Foundation working together with the funders roundtable have grants available to qualifying organizations. Click here for details and to apply for a grant.

Wildfire Relief Committee​ Grants Awarded
The Almanor Foundation and North Valley Community Foundation meet every two weeks to review and fund grants for the relief and recovery for Dixie Fire victims. On Sept. 17, the committee granted funds to From the Ground Up Farms, Inc to deliver relief through gift cards & necessities to the Konkow Maidu. Click here to see grants issued to date by this joint committee.

To make a donation to The Almanor Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund, or learn more about our Wildfire Relief Grant Programs and Donors go to https://almanorfoundation.com/wildfire-relief-fund

Season Finale! This weeks Farmer's Market

Katherine Sansone and Jennie Mathews

Thursday Farmers Market 9/30.  
The Grand Finale!

We came back strong after the evacuation and said, “Dixie be Damned!”

Celebrate with the Lake Almanor Area Chamber and the Almanor Foundation as we host the last Farmers Market of our first season on Thursday, September 30th, at Chester Park from 4:00 to 7:00pm. Featured will be a champagne bar and a “Bahama Mama” rum-icee (partnering with Kona Ice), accompanied by an assortment of cold brews and Sincere Cider, the official hard cider of the Farmers Market. Music will be by Dale Keefer, showing off his piano skills with a mix of rock n’ roll and folk music.

Market Vendors this week:
Alldrin's Salmon
Baja Vaca Ranch/Almendra
GL&L Smokehouse
​Jeffroe's
Merry Morsels
Ozone Organics
Rejoicing Recycler
And More!

Come party with us!
Check out our Farmers Market Facebook page for updates on which vendors will be in attendance. 

Almanor Fishing Report

John Crotty

No photo description available.9/26/2021
Lake level continues to drop currently sitting at 4476.36 as water releases remain high. The lake has dropped a foot in the past three weeks. Dakasu Island north/east of Rocky Point has lots of land showing as does Flag Island, ski cove is just beginning to show stumps and dry ground. Both USFS public ramps remain closed and most likely will remain closed for weeks if not months as the Dixie fire scorched trees at both facilities. A few of the local resorts have ramps and you can check with them to see about launching opportunities.

Most of our campgrounds are closed and seasonal rvers and campers have begun heading to the valley for the winter. It was beautiful here today with our daytime high reaching into the mid eighties, we will see a weather change beginning tomorrow with night time lows around the 30 degree mark, daytime highs in the sixties and a chance of much needed showers Monday night. Our air quality has been good as well. Fall is in the air.

Water temps remain in the mid sixties and clarity fluctuates throughout the lake. It’s that time of year, fish are feeding aggressively, you can catch them fast trolling hardware, pulling flies at 1.5-2 mph or slow trolling gulps or crawlers at one MPH. Fish are scattered throughout the water column with 25’ the preferred choice this past week. Bait remains scattered, find the bait and you will find fish.

I did see a few guys fishing from shore around the dam this past week, your best shot at shore fishing remains Ham Branch.

If you are traveling to or through Plumas County, be prepared; 36 to the East and West, 32 from Chico and 89/70 from Quincy and the Feather River Canyon (basically every roadway leading to Almanor) you should expect traffic delays. I traveled up the Canyon from Oroville on Friday and sat more than two hours in traffic delays. Please be prepared if it is your first time through since the fire and bring some tissues. It is heart wrenching to say the least, just know that Lake Almanor is as beautiful as ever and the majority of the land around the lake escaped Dixie’s wrath.

If you are a Veteran and were impacted by the Dixie Fire please contact Bill Cook from the Veterans Services Office in Quincy at 530-283-6275 or send us an email @ Almanorfishing@sbcglobal.net. If you would like to make a donation the Almanor Foundation is taking donations or you can mail AFA a check at PO Box 1938 Chester, CA 96020. The Lake Almanor Community and all agencies raising monies are working together with a common goal to serve those in need.

New Chamber Board Member - Jennie Mathews

Matt Staggs

If you have been coming to the weekly Thursday Night Farmers Markets, you may have already had a chance to meet one of our newest Board Members, Jennie Mathews. She has been a key resource in the launch and implementation of this amazing new event in our community and is volunteering further by becoming a Board Member of the Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce. 

In addition to being the Market Manager, Jennie has also contributed greatly to our community through her involvement with Mt. Lassen Community Church. 

Tell me about your background and how you got involved with the Lake Almanor Chamber.

“I felt that being a representative of the Mt. Lassen Community Church offered up a really great opportunity to have the MLCC leadership involved with Chamber events and activities such as volunteering and staying involved in Chamber activities.”

What upcoming Chamber projects are you looking forward too?

“With this week being the Grand Finale Farmers Market for our debut year, we have learned how to take the Farmers Market to the next level. Working with the vendors from the greater Plumas County has been incredible experience. We are hoping to continue to pursue farm to table vendors for next year to provide Lake Almanor residents with even more access to produce and handmade items. Also, I am looking forward additional Chamber events like the Golf Tournament, 4th of July Parade, and Merchants Night.”

What is your favorite part about living, working, and being involved with the Lake Almanor Community?

“Coming from the more populated Bay Area to this smaller community, I made the conscious decision to step out of my comfort zone and dive into volunteering. The Farmers Market offered a unique opportunity to learn more about the community and interact with both vendors and residents. During this process of volunteering, I’ve learned to appreciate the warmth and sincerity of the Lake Almanor community.”

To learn more on the Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce’s Thursday Night Farmers Market, visit: www.lakealmanorarea.com/farmers-market or to learn more on Mt. Lassen Community Church, visit: www.mtlassencommunitychurch.org

BAER Teams And What They Do

U.S. Forest Service - Plumas National Forest

Reprinted from FB
Part of the process of forest recovery after any wildfire is getting an assessment of what has been damaged, what needs immediate attention and protection and what are the most critical priorities.

That process begins with a Burned Area Emergency Response team.

BAER teams are made of experts from a wide range of disciplines – archeology, hydrology, soil sciences, engineering – and make a quick summary of the damages to pass on to the forests as they begin the recovery and restoration process.

“We come in after a fire and our job is to identify critical values at risk,” said Rachel Hutchinson, a watershed program manager from Tahoe National who was the lead on the second of three BAER teams to work the #DixieFire (960,276 acres, 94% contained) so far. “These resources are at risk as a result of the landscape being burned. A resource could be threatened and endangered fish or frog habitat, threats of flooding to communities downstream – engineering and hydrology related issue – or cultural resources that might be threatened to name a few.

“The archeologists have a map of cultural sites; we overlay that with the severity maps and go to the hottest spots to look for the sites. ‘Was it destroyed in the fire? Will it be at risk because of the changes after the fire?’ These are the types of questions we’re asking.”
The BAER program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources. BAER is an emergency program for stabilization work that involves time-critical activities to be completed before the first damaging event to meet program objectives:
 
• Determine whether imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands exist and take immediate actions, as appropriate, to manage the unacceptable risks.
• If emergency conditions are identified, mitigate significant threats to health, safety, human life, property and critical cultural and natural resources.
• Prescribe emergency response actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources, to minimize threats to critical values resulting from the effects of a fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources.
• Implement emergency response actions to help stabilize soil; control water, sediment and debris movement and potentially reduce threats to the BAER critical values identified above when an analysis shows that planned actions are likely to reduce risks substantially within the first year following containment of the fire.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of emergency treatments that were applied on National Forest System lands.
 
Pictured Below
1: Forest Service Road 26N26 bridge over the North Fork of the Feather River after burning caused by the Dixie Fire. The creosote treated wood timber abutments of the bridge that partially burned are considered hazmat and threaten water quality and the aquatic environment of the river.

2: This photo shows an organization camp authorized by a USFS Special Uses permit in the Canyon Dam area that was burned during the Dixie Fire. Large amounts of hazmat were identified at this site as a threat to both the local area soil and ground water.

3: A BAER team member is evaluating post-fire watershed response and conditions along the Pacific Crest Trail within the Dixie Fire burned area.




 
Town Chatter - September 2021, Volume 5