The Great Eagle Lake chili cook-off and potato salad showdown with cowboy poetry is set for Saturday, Aug. 25. This fun event is at Mariner's Resort on the North Shore of Eagle Lake. The cook-off and showdown begin at 3 p.m.; cowboy poetry begins at 6 p.m. The cowboy poetry donations will go to The Eagle Lake Guardians.

CHILDCARE AT 5 A.M.

Tambra Bowles, owner of Leap Ahead Learning Center, is now enrolling for before- and after-school childcare for kindergarten through fifth grade. They are extending their hours, opening at 5 a.m. Transportation to McKinley School is available by the Susanville School District. For more information, call Leap Ahead at 252-6100 or stop by their learning center on the Meadow View School campus.

NEED A PA SYSTEM?

Tomm Williams, of Williams Sound & Stage, is now offering free use of a small PA system to charity events as a community service. If you are having a dinner/fundraiser for a family going through a hard time or tragedy, the PA system would be available for that.

Williams says, "It's not meant for organizations having a dinner/raffle, I just want to give back to those in need (during a crisis in their life), and if having a PA there to help raise funds would help, then that's what it's for."

You can reach Tomm at 260-3138 or email tommwilliams60@hotmail.com.

AN ALL-NEW LINE

Have you been to Leslie's Jewelry lately? Owners Curt and Dana Hirsche have an all-new line of jewelry they are now carrying. The John Bagley for Wilkerson line has lots of green tsavorite, black agate, mother of pearl and colored sapphires. John Bagley’s passion for nature and love of adventure really shows in these unique pieces. Stop by and check out the rings, necklaces and earrings.

MAKING ROOM FOR FALL

Kelly Smith, of Hodge Podge Lodge, is already making room in her store for the new fall merchandise arriving anytime. You will find huge savings on all summer merchandise, including Yankee candles, birdhouses and much more. Check out their ad in today's paper for more information.

New items coming soon to Hodge Podge Lodge is McCalls candles, and Kelly recently brought in Tyler candles, too. Stop by and see all the new inventory in the store.

MOSSINGER ATTENDS TRAINING

Teresa Mossinger, of Change Takes Place, has recently returned from Las Vegas where she attended several intensive training courses. She is now a Master Practitioner Level Neuro Linguistics Programming (NLP), Master Practitioner of Time Line Therapy and Master Practitioner of Hypnotherapy, and she is certified by the American Board of Hypnotherapy and the American Board of NLP. These techniques are used for releasing negative emotions, removing limiting decisions and more. You can reach Teresa or send her a confidential question at changetakesplace@gmail.com or call 260-0429.

CALLEGARI AT JUWANNA TAN

Debbie Callegari, owner of Adagio Salon, has moved inside Juwanna Tan on Hall Street in Susanville. She has her own private oasis inside Juwanna Tan. She has a new phone number; you can reach her at 310-4119.

SPRUCE UP YOUR BOAT

If your boat is out of the water, call Rob and Linda Hart, of Almanor Upholstery, today and schedule an appointment for any repairs or replacement of your carpet, canvas or upholstery. They offer free estimates, so call them today at 257-4832. See their ad in this week’s paper.

DIAMOND MOUNTAIN BALLOON RACES

It’s time for the 2nd annual Diamond Mountain Balloon Races Saturday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Aug. 26. On Aug. 25 the Diamond Mountain Casino will host a rib cook-off starting at 4 p.m. and the Balloon Glow will begin at 6:30 p.m. After the races, you can dance the night away to the music of DJ Onslaught. So don’t let the smoke keep you in; head out to the airport for the races and enjoy the family friendly community event.