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

Upcoming Events

Welcome New Chamber Members



Ginger Gamble, Gigi's Market

Jeff and Dianne Benedictson, Lake Almanor Dental

Lisa Forcino, Crescent Country, Crescent Mills


Mark Lilley, Antlers Motel, Chester

Dana Mollison, Another Man's Treasure, Chester


Suzette Reed, Quarter Circle OS Bookkeeping, Taylorsville

Jennifer Ayres, Mountain Ayres Garden, Taylorsville

Cassandra Barr, Indian Head Properties, LLC., Greenville

Laura Briggs, Coldwell Banker Kehr/O'Brien, Lake Almanor

Town Trivia

Katherine Sansone

Last week’s winner was Amy Hutchinson with correct question What is Bunnel’s Resort to answer: For 38 years this was a well-known resort in Big Meadows that later was set ablaze for demolition in 1914. This week’s sponsor is Watkins Pet Supply with a $10 gift certificate. Thank you! 


Watkins Pet Supply is located at 607 Main Street Unit C in Chester, CA (Behind Blue Goose Gallery); Phone number is (530) 258-2525.

This week’s trivia answer: He was a famed photographer in Lassen, Modoc and Plumas counties from 1878-79 though only dozen or so are known to be existence. 

Please send question to Trivia@lakealmanorarea.com.

Need sponsors! Please contact katherine@sansoneplus.com to support Town Trivia and get your name in Town Chatter for four consecutive weeks.  We have a great following!

The Library Corner

Chester Library
210 First Avenue
(530) 258-2742

Winter Hours of Operation (November- March)
Tuesday-Friday: 10am-12pm, 12:30pm-5:30pm
Saturday: 11am-3pm
Closed Sunday, Monday and major holidays.

Services Offered

Copies and prints are 20 cents each, black and white only. Free public computers and WiFi.

Plumas County Library Zip Book Program
Beginning Jan. 3, patrons will once again be able to request print and audiobooks through the Zip Book Program. Zip Books is a way for you to request books that our library currently does not own. It is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California and administered by the California State Library.

How does it work? If you can’t find a book (print or audio) in our catalog, and your library account is in good standing, fill out the request form for the item you wish to have, and bring it to one of our Branches or Stations. The item will be shipped directly to you, and then you can return it to the branch you ordered it from after you’ve finished reading it so we can add it to our catalog for other patrons to borrow. And unlike previous years, you can order any bestsellers of any type, including adult fiction regular print, as long as we don’t have the item in our Collection/the item has not already been ordered.

Visit www.plumascounty.us/2842 for more information or to print out the form. You can also pick up the form at any Library Branch or Station.

Job Postings


Almanor Energy Plus

Immediate opening for an office manager. $20-$30/hour depending on experience. Submit resume 3732 Big Springs Road. 530-596-3128
 

Collins Pine has many positions currently available in our Chester location offering competitive wages, on the job training, and full benefits: 
    Entry Level Clean-Up       $16.70
    Common Labor                $16.70
    Electrician                         $26.95
    Millwright                          $26.95   + .75 for certified welder, + 1.00 for certified crane operator
    Mechanic                          $25.95
    Sawfiler                            $27.70
    Dry Kiln Operator             $22.60
    Lumber Grader                 $24.20 with 1 certificate
    $24.95 with 2 certificates
    $25.70 with 3 certificates
    $26.45 with 4 certificates
   Additional $0.60 per hour for 2nd shift (all positions).

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

New Years Around the Area
 
The Taylorsville Tavern's New Years Eve Party will have food, hats and noisemakers for the ringing in of the New Year at midnight.

Rickety Bridge will be at the Highlands Ranch Resort.

Join the folks at Mill Creek Resort for their New Year's Day Bonfire and Raffle! Special camp store hours from 4-7pm for you to stock up on your favorite MCR merch, local beer and wines, and other fun camp necessities! Raffle prizes include gift certificates to some of our favorite local stores and restaurants! Tickets are just $5, and the proceeds will go to the Almanor Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund to benefit victims of the Dixie Fire. Purchase tickets with Venmo @millcreekresort, from now until the 1st. You don’t have to be present to win.

Cravings
Join us on New Year's Eve for a delicious Prime Rib dinner. Call now to make reservations: 530-258-2229 (leave a message!)
Or order online ASAP to pick up during our 3-5pm window, and take it home to enjoy before heading out to watch Chester's newest New Year's Eve Fireworks tradition!
DEADLINE TO ORDER FOR PICK-UP: Wednesday, December 29th @ 2pm
278 Main Street
Chester, CA

Pizza Factory
Open New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!

​Tantardino's
Lobster Raviolis are the special this week to ring in the New Year! Make your dinner reservation now by calling (530) 596-3902.

Coventry Gardens and Walker Mansion Inn is bringing back their New Year's Eve baby back rib take out. Check it out.

Elks Crab Feed, January 8 - Sold Out
The Annual Crab Feed at the Almanor Elks Lodge in Chester will be held on January 8. Proceeds from the Crab Feed go toward Elks scholarships to high school students across the area.


A $330,947 State Grant is Shared by Seven Local Service Districts
Read more at PlumasNews.com here
 
 
For daily (and sometimes hourly) news and information, please visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lakealmanorarea

New Year’s Eve Fun Facts

1. The ball has been dropped annually since 1907, with two exceptions — due to World War II light restrictions, Times Square remained dark in 1942 and 1943.

2. More fireworks are lit across the globe during New Year’s Eve celebrations than in any other 24-hour period. 

3. 360+ million glasses of sparkling wine are drunk each New Year's Eve.

4. 45% of Americans make resolutions and 25% break them by mid-January. 

5. Top resolutions are exercise more (50%) and lose weight (48%).

6. Nobody knows where the tradition of the “midnight kiss” on New Years’ Eve came from though some believe it is rooted in German and English folklore.

7. Superstition dictates that all doors must be opened at midnight to let out the “old year” and allow the new year to enter.

8. My favorite -- Italians often choose to wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve as they believe it brings good luck for the year ahead.

New Year's Eve Fireworks Show This Friday

The New Year's Eve Fireworks show is this Friday, December 31 at 9:00pm.

Chester Airport
Parking opens at 8:00pm.
Parking at the airport is limited. We're asking for a $40 donation. This will go towards the cost of the fireworks show. 
Show starts at 9:00pm.

DONATE TO THE 2021 SHOW NOW ON PAYPAL

Special THANKS to our sponsors!

Chester Fire

Community Partners:
Collins Pine
Coldwell Banker Kehr/O'Brien
Rouland Insurance
Seneca Healthcare District

Platinum Members:
Ayoobs Intermountain Hardware
Lake Almanor Ace Hardware
Olah Construction
Tantardino's

Business Gold Members:
Antlers Motel
Bailey Creek Golf Course

Business Silver Members:
Almanor Girl
Another Man's Treasure
At The Branch
Cravings
Eric S Dunbar DDS/ Peninsula Family Dental
Five Star Bank
Lake Almanor Brokers
Mill Creek Resort
Plumas Bank

Photo of the Week

Thank you to the Craven, Robbins, Rachelle, Gibson and Ramey families for sharing this photo celebrating Kira Gibson's 8th birthday with a sledding party!  Timber, the golden retriever showed great skill and enthusiasm as the day's sled chaser.


 

Snow Reports



From the UC Berkeley Snow Lab as of 12/27 
With a 24 hour official snow total of 38.9" at the UC Berkeley Snow Lab, the year's snow fall of 193.7" had smashed the previous record of 179" of snow in December set in 1970! 

From the West Almanor Bulletin
The storm series isn't quite done with us, but the heaviest snowfall seems to be in our rear view mirror now. As of yesterday, 27 Dec., the west shore snowfall for the month came to 78 inches (6.5 feet). As it settles and compacts, the snowpack depth comes in at a smaller number, currently 2 to 3 feet in undisturbed areas (less under trees, more in the berms). And our December water content is really encouraging, currently just over 11 inches (more than twice the average December amount). We'll have a full monthly summary in just a few days.

Seneca Healthcare District Board of Directors Meeting Thursday, Dec. 30


Seneca Healthcare District Board of Directors meeting scheduled for December 30, 2021 will now be held at the Mt. Lassen Theatre at 200 Main Street, Chester CA. If there is a power outage on that day, the meeting will be moved to the Lake Almanor Clinic (LAC) Conference Room. The Public is invited to attend in person at the theatre location. In order to ensure the health and safety of the public and in accordance with CDC and CDPH guidelines, we will be limiting human contact with temperature assessment, social distancing and mandated masking requirements.

We are providing the ability to submit questions to the Board of Directors in writing. Questions can be submitted via the following email link: board@senecahospital.org.
In accordance with AB 361, the Seneca Healthcare Board of Directors will continue to monitor the latest information related to all variances of COVID 19 and will discuss and determine the format of each upcoming board meeting.

If you would like to watch the meeting or speak on an agenda item, you can also access the meeting remotely:
Please use the web link below to join the zoom webinar:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86192988649...
Meeting ID: 861 9298 8649
Passcode: 148822

Coalition Comes Together on Lake Issue

A meeting of organizations across the Almanor Basin was convened on December 24th to solicit interest in joining and funding efforts to obtain legal representation in the ongoing relicensing of the Upper North Fork Feather Hydroelectric Project before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “2105 Project”). Those represented were:

Rock Creek Energy Group – Sharon White
Congressman LaMalfa's Office – Shane Starr
Save Lake Almanor Committee - Wendi Durkin
Lake Almanor Area Chamber - Susan Bryner, Tom McGowan
Lake Almanor Area Country Club – Kristy Cox, Phil Scruggs, Jeffrey Janus
The Almanor Foundation - Moorea Stout, Shawn McKenzie
West Almanor Community Club - Mike Wilhoite
Lake Almanor Watershed Group – Gena Johnston, Peggy Fulder
Almanor Fishing Association – John Crotty

The group was presented with a summary of options prepared by the Rock Creek Energy Group on behalf of the Lake Almanor Country Club Home Owners Association for moving forward should a ruling be damaging to Lake Almanor.  According to this summary, given the recent change in circumstances due to the State Water Resources Control Board's (SWRCB) issuance of a water quality certification (WQC) for the Project that requires supplemental flows from Lake Almanor for the benefit of downstream fish habitat, the group  has several options to participate in the relicensing to advocate for protection of its interests. These included filing a motion to intervene out-of-time, filing comments advocating for FERC's rejection of the SWRCB's measure requiring supplemental flows. 

The group unanimously agreed to work together, engage the Rock Creek Energy Group to file the motion to intervene out of time, and to file a further coalition letter to FERC. 

The Lake Almanor Country Club HOA has taken the lead in filing the motion to intervene. Each organization will pitch in funds and/or fund raising capacity to fund the effort. As a 501c3 formed for such a purpose, the Save Lake Almanor Committee was asked to be the recipient of donations. Wendi Durkin asked that those interested in assisting in rebuilding the capacity of the Save Lake Almanor Committee contact her at wendi@bhhslakealmanor.com.

Almanor Fishing Report

John Crotty

12/26/2021

This past week we receive three plus feet of snow at lake level. County and Caltrans crews are struggling to keep up with the onslaught of snow. Lake level continues to rise, up another foot since last week. We will see another bout of snow tonight through Monday morning before we get a break. As the storms subside, we will see a significant drop in temps with daytime highs in the low 30’s and overnight lows in the single digits. Water temps continue to drop, we saw 35 at the fish pens on Christmas Day and 36 today.

The storms have most boats and shore fishermen off the water. The Canyon Dam boat ramp which was opened a few weeks ago is now closed due to snow. It appears that for the first time in memory, the USFS has made no provisions for snow removal, basically shutting down the only public boat ramp on Lake Almanor. The Forest Service has completely dropped the ball and closed Lake Almanor to boaters that don’t have access to private launch ramps.

Travel to Almanor is difficult at best, today 32 from Chico was closed for a short period of time and the usual hour and a half trip from Chico took up to six hours. Chains or four-wheel drives with studded snow tires are a must for travel this time of year and if you are hauling a trailer carry chains for your trailer as well. Plumas Tire in Chester can handle all your tire/chain needs and they are proud supporters of AFA.

Chamber Businesses Holiday & Winter Hours

Advanced Geologic Exploration, Inc.
December 29-30: 9:00am- 3:00pm, by appointment until 5:00.
December 31- January 2: Closed
January 3: 9:00am- 3:00pm, by appointment until 5:00.

Almanor Girl 
Closed Dec 17-30; Open Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm-4pm pending traffic or by appointment. Please call (775) 934-3590.

Another Man's Treasure Thrift Store
Open Tues-Thursday from 10am-4pm. Friday-Saturday from 10am-5pm. 

At the Branch
Normal hours: Monday-Wednesday 10:00am-8:00pm, Thursday-Sunday 10:00am-9:00pm; Call for winter/holiday hours (530) 596-4505

Ayoob's Intermountain Hardware
Monday-Friday 7:30am-5pm
Saturday 8am-4pm
Sunday 8am-3pm
Holiday Hours:
Open New Year's Eve (12/31/21) 7:30am-1pm
Closed New Year's Weekend (1/1/22 & 1/2/22)

B&B Booksellers 
B&B Booksellers will be closed Christmas Day through the new year. Complimentary coffee available. Open for the winter season Thursday-Saturday 9am-3pm, Sunday 9am-2pm.

Blue Goose Gallery of Artists
Monday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm; Call for winter and holiday hours (530) 258-2600

Coffee Station
Monday-Friday 7am-2pm
Saturday 7pm-1pm
Closed New Year's Day 

Cravings
Closed to the public thru the new year. Serving New Year's Eve dinner. Call for more information: (530)258-2229.

Crescent Country
Closed through the new year; Open Wed-Sat 11am-5pm; Sun 11am-4pm; closed Mon-Tues. Treasures and a few stocking stuffer ideas 50% off with some exclusions. Cash/check only. There will be a smaller Crescent Country with a healing room, gathering room for therapy/groups and office spaces for rent. Call Lisa for more information: (530) 927-7082

Five Star Bank
Call Jon Gregory at (530) 518-5733

Forever Home & Outdoor
Wed 12/29 10-4pm
Thurs 12/30 10-4pm
Friday 12/31 10-2pm
Saturday 1/1 CLOSED
Normal hours: Wed-Sat 10am- 4pm

Gather Home
Normal hours: Wednesday- Saturday: 9:00am- 4:00pm

The Giggling Crow
Tue-Sat 10:00am-4:00pm
Open New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

Highlands Ranch Resort
November 1 – May 23
Open Thursday 5pm – 9pm
Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11am – 9pm
Closed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
Call for holiday hours: (530) 595-3388

Holiday Market
Normal hours are every day 7:00am-10:00pm

Koninkrijk Koffiehuis
Open Tuesday-Saturday 8am-4pm

Lake Almanor Ace Hardware
New Year's Eve - 8:30am-2:00pm
New Year's Day - CLOSED
Normal Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8:30am- 5:00pm
Sundays: 10:00am- 4:00pm

Lake Almanor Fitness Center
Monday-Friday 5:00am-9:00pm
Saturdays & Sundays 5:00am-12:00pm
Call for holiday hours (530) 258-3900

Lassen Gift Company & Soda Fountain
Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm, Call for holiday hours (530) 258-2222

Legacy Heirlooms Antiques and Gifts
Call for hours. 

Mauro Archer and Associates
Closed Dec. 30– Jan. 2
**If any of our Chamber Members have suffered property damages of 25k in an addition to revenue loss we would love to help them recover. Please reach out to (530) 539-3020 or (707) 536-8379**

Mill Creek Resort
The restaurant is fully closed for the season and cabin rentals will be closed after January 3rd. We plan to reopen in April. 

Mountain Ayers Garden
Please call (530) 394-7845 for more information.

Olah Construction
Call for more information: (530) 258-4810

Pizza Factory Chester
Open New Year's Eve and New Year's Day! Winter hours starting January 1st are 11am-8pm daily! 

Quarter Circle OS Bookkeeping
Closed December 31-January 2
Normal hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm, closed on Sundays 

Rouland Insurance
Normal hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm

Sage Creek Insurance
Normal hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-2:30pm; Call for holiday hours (530) 258-9992

Seneca Healthcare District
The Almanor Walk-in Clinic is open. The Emergency Room is open 24/7 for all emergent needs.

Sierra's Fly & Tackle
Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Slusher Plumbing
Normal hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm; Call for holiday hours (530) 258-3474

Sports Nut
Mon-Sat 8:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 8:00am-2:00pm
Call for holiday hours (530) 258-3327

St. Andrew’s Gift Shop & Coffee Bar
Wednesday, December 29: 9:00am - 3:00pm 
Thursday, December 30: 9:00am - 3:00pm
After that: Generally 9am-3pm Monday through Saturday

Sunshine Flowers
Normal hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm
Call for winter/holiday hours: (530) 258-4543

Tantardino's
Open Tuesday-Friday (NYE) from 11:30am-8:00pm
Closed Jan. 1- Jan. 31 
Reopen Feb. 1 to normal business hours

Tom Wallick Pottery
Open every day from 10am-5pm

Turner Excavating, Inc.
Closed December 29-January 3

Walkins Pet Supply
Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm
Town Chatter - December 2021, Volume 5