Business Spotlight

Sunshine Preschool in Uptown Susanville is reopening Jan. 2. They will be accepting children ages 2 (must be potty trained) through 5. They have a new director; Jessica Jenner will be running the facility. For more information or to sign up you can reach them at 257-5893.

NEW HOURS, NEW LOCATION

Lynn Markman, owner of Markman Farm, has moved her business to 235 N. Gilman St. in Susanville. She has a lot of gift baskets, handmade crafts and treats to taste. She will be open at this location beginning at 10 a.m., on Dec. 9 and 10 as well as Dec. 16 and 17. If you miss those dates, you can visit her website at markmanfarm.com.

UPTOWN MASSAGE OFFERS ONLINE GIFT CERTIFICATES

Certified massage therapist Kelly Fairbank of Uptown Massage now offers instant online gift certificates through her website: uptown.massagetherapy.com.

“It’s the perfect thing for those last minute gifts. We all do it, wait until the night before someone’s birthday or other big event to think about getting a gift,” Fairbank said. For those who don’t have a printer, they can still purchase a gift certificate online and have it mailed directly to the recipients.

“In addition to the two online options, those without computer access can just pick up the phone and call me directly for a gift certificate,” said Fairbank.

You can enjoy a free cup of hot tea, cider or hot chocolate with your massage from the all-new tea bar at Uptown Massage.

NOTARY AT UPS STORE

The UPS Store in Susanville is now offering a licensed Notary Public on staff six days a week. Owner Andy Warren is a Notary and Sareena Estes now has her Notary license. They are conveniently located in the Windgate Mall next to Walmart in Susanville.

BANK CELEBRATES THE SEASON

Plumas Bank is celebrating the holidays by hosting several festive events at their branches as they have done for decades.

InSusanville,visit their office on Monday, Dec. 12 and Friday, Dec. 16 for Customer Appreciation Days.The Chester office is set from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8. From 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 Eastern Plumas residents can enjoy the festivities at the Portola office. If your social calendar is already booked you can enjoy refreshments when you do your everyday banking at the Greenville or Quincy branches beginning Wednesday, Dec.14 through Friday, Dec. 16. Don’t forget to pick up your custom 2012 calendar featuring the Simple Pleasures of Plumas Bank Country whileyou’re there.

SHELF RELIANCE PARTIES

Shelf Reliance is your premier source for emergency preparedness supplies and informational tools. Featuring freeze-dried foods, food rotation systems (food storage shelves), and their revolutionary calculators for food storage and emergency kits. Shelf Reliance offers the tools you’ll need to create a comprehensive customized emergency preparedness plan. If you don’t have an emergency kit ready to go, this just may be for you. For information about their products call Denise Ramsey at 251-6418.

FRIENDS IN ART ANNUAL SHOW

It’s time for the 11th annual Friends in Art show at the Artisan Coffee shop in Janesville. The show is on Dec. 9 and 10. You’ll find many of your favorite local artists featuring their beautiful one of a kind gifts and home décor. See their ad in this week’s paper for more info.

NEW PRODUCT LINES

Billington Ace Hardware tells us they are now carrying the Sears line of Craftsman tools. You’ll find everything from power tools to wrenches, sockets and more. If you don’t know what to get your significant other, then check out their selection of great holiday gifts.

NEW LOCATION

Monica Morris, of A Cut Above Hair Salon, would like to announce their new location inside the Diamond Mountain Casino and Hotel.

Laura Gardner, Rhonda Welsh and Monica invite you to join in their grand opening celebration from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Stop by or call for an appointment at 257-8233.

On Dec. 2 and 3, in conjunction with the Lassen County Times Sleigh Days promotion, The Health Nut will be celebrating its 16th anniversary. Kristin and Keith Volberg opened the original Health Nut in Historic Uptown Susanville in December 1995. Two years later they moved to their current location at 2204 Main St. in midtown Susanville. The Health Nut staff invites everyone to stop by for the festivities on Friday Dec. 2. They will be offering gluten-free foods for tasting as well as other healthy hors d'oeurves and hot apple cider. Be sure to enter the free drawing for a $100 gift certificate and other prizes. Free samples of many products will also be available while supplies last.

A NEW SHOPPING TRADITION CONTINUES

With the holidays just around the corner coupled with the state of our sagging economy, this special shop-at-home challenge, first made two years ago, bears renewing for one very good reason: it’s been taken to heart by a lot of folks and it has helped. Merchants repeatedly have told us last year and the year before it was very common for shoppers to tell them they were participating in the “challenge” to help bolster our local economy.

So here it is again:

If our newspaper readers each spent just $100 shopping at home this holiday season, it would pump more than $2 million into the Lassen County economy — and that’s based on a conservative average of just two readers per newspaper delivered each week.

It could be gifts from your favorite stores; maybe gift certificates from local restaurants, beauty salons, massage therapists, auto detailers or other service providers. How about having your vehicle serviced before making that holiday drive to be with out-of-area friends or relatives? If you did have it serviced with this campaign in mind, that too counts towards our goal.

You get the idea, just look around town thinking creatively outside the box. You’re sure to find something for someone special — even if that someone special is you!

LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN

There is a lot of holiday fun happening in Susanville this week. It's the kickoff of Santa's Sleigh Days with a special edition in today's paper. Be sure and browse through the special section to see what great things are happening at the local participating businesses. On Friday, you will find free hors d'oeuvres at those local businesses. Be sure and visit them all to win your share of a $500 shopping spree. It's a great way to start the Christmas holiday season, and our local businesses will certainly appreciate your shopping locally.

Beginning at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, the Magical Country Christmas celebration begins in Uptown Susanville. Once again the Susanville Police Department will have Main Street blocked off to through traffic allowing for music and dance performances in the middle of the street. The Lassen County Arts Council hosts its annual Chocolate Festival beginning at 5 p.m., and the Elks Lodge offers its Taco Feed, also beginning at 5 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., Santa's Grand Entrance Parade, tree lighting and fireworks will begin. All day that day you can bring your toy donations to the Toys for Tots drive held at the Elks Lodge from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The stores in the Uptown area will be open late for your holiday shopping convenience.

DONATIONS TO THE SENIOR BASKETS

The Lassen Modoc Food Bank is asking for canned and non-perishable food items for its Senior Christmas Baskets.These baskets will be distributed throughout many parts of the county.Containers are located at Golden One Credit Union, Plumas Bank, Bank of America and Lassen Federal Credit Union.They hope to make this a little better and brighter Christmas for many of our county’s senior residents.

CHRISTMAS IN THE MOUNTAINS

Enjoy the fun under the moonlit skies as Westwood celebrates its 3rd annual Christmas in the Mountains, from 6 to 9 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 2. The event will be held at the Westwood Community Center, Birch and 3rd streets. The festivities include booths of treats and crafts from local businesses and organizations, plus they will be lighting the town tree. There will be a light parade, good food, good fun and of course a visit from the jolly old guy himself, Santa. For more information or to have a booth or entry call the Westwood Chamber of Commerce at 256-2456.

Lori Cooley, of Lassen Women’s Network, is hosting an open house at Susanville Pizza Factory from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2. Representatives from Miche Bags, Vault Denim, Cookies Lee Jewelry and Scentsy Candles will be there. There will be raffles and prizes. For more information go to lassenwomensnetwork.com or 251-6169.

Diamond Mountain Casino tells us they are giving away $10,000 worth of diamonds during the Great Diamond Hunt giveaway. Just get one of the participating drinks and you can have a chance at picking a diamond from the pile of stones. Then you take your jewel in the provided envelope to Sierra Jewelry in Uptown Susanville and they will authenticate your stone. Congratulations to Ashley Jones for being a diamond winner.

YOUNG WOMEN VOLUNTEER AWARD

Soroptimist International of Susanville announces an award that is targeted to young women who make the community and world a better place. The Violet Richardson Award honors young women between the ages of 14 and 17 for volunteer action, such as fighting drugs, crime and violence, having a positive influence with a special school project, etc. There will be a $500 award for the winner. Applications for the award program are available at all local area high schools or you can call Lisa Courtemanche at 257-0269. Applications must be returned to Soroptimist, P.O. Box 442 Susanville, CA 96130.

WHERE'S JOHN THE BARBER?

If you have been trying to find John the Barber, he has recently relocated to Haircuts by Brenda on Main Street in Susanville. He is available there on Mondays and Saturdays.

READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

Room by Room Interiors owner/designer Naomi Turner will be at the Monticola Club in Susanville this Thursday, Nov. 17. Lunch will be served while you enjoy seeing how to decorate your tabletops and mantels for the holidays. The fun begins at noon. RSVP by calling 257-4560, and leave a message.

JUST IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY BEADING!

Shirley Robinson at The Bead Shop would like to let everyone know she has a new “pickbox” arriving this week in her Susanville shop. It will be full of all of your favorite gemstones and crystal beads for your holiday jewelry gift projects.

Visit Shirley and check out the new items at 602B Main St., she is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and the occasional Saturday. For more information, you may call 257-4711.

COUCH QUITTERS PROJECT

Jesse DuSell, owner of American Improvement Services, has started the couch quitters project. Jesse is encouraging people to get off their couches. It offers incentive and facilitation to encourage activity and better health by organizing healthy activities. For more information call Jesse at 249-3617.

ART STUDIO OPENS

Crow’s Nest Studio is announcing their grand opening. Saturday, Nov. 19. Join them for fun art projects and refreshments at 1015 Main St., Susanville from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Owner Alison Templeton says the studio will be open for workshops and classes. Art supplies will be available for sale as well as gift certificates. Come support the arts and bring a friend. For more information call 310-3407.

MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

Certified Massage Therapist Kelly Fairbank, of Uptown Massage, now accepts Visa, Mastercard and Discover for payment. “I felt it was time to bring my business into the 21st century. I want to offer all the modern conveniences to make it easy for my clients to get massage and share it with family and friends,” Fairbank said.

For more information on rates, location and contact information check out Uptown Massage on the web at uptown.massagetherapy.com.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY

It’s time for the 22nd annual Christmas in the Country Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 19. The fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Janesville School Gym/Community Center. There will be several vendors, Christmas trees and photos with Santa.

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Honey Lake Hospice will be holding their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Eagle Lake Village in Susanville. This heartwarming event will take place outdoors and there will be an indoor reception too. Lights may be purchased at Margie’s Book Nook and Plumas Bank.