Let’s make this the best Christmas ever
With Thanksgiving just a few days behind us, the frantic rush toward Christmas Day always picks up speed, and believe it or not, jolly old St. Nick arrives here in Lassen County in less than three weeks. No kidding. Check your calendar.
Our part of Northeastern California is the place to be if you’re seeking a little Christmas cheer, and sometimes it must seem as if nearly every local resident must be involved in one kind of holiday shindig or another.
Check out our Arts and Entertainment Calendar and our At A Glance column for a listing of normal every day occurrences and special holiday events across Lassen County from Westwood to Doyle and everywhere in between.
Are you looking for one of those unusual homemade gifts or a one-of-a-kind work of art? We’ve got those. Many local groups host craft fairs and art shows during the holiday season, including the upcoming 17th annual Friends in Art show at Artisan Coffee held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at Artisan Coffee in Janesville.
How about those adorable homemade ornaments from children in the family? The Lassen Library District hosts Cookie and Ornament Decorating at the Library — its December children’s program — from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the library. Youngsters will learn about ornament and cookie decoration and how to make holiday crafts. Why, there may even be a visit from someone special from the North Pole!
McKinley School hosts Breakfast and Photos with Santa fro 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the school’s multi-purpose room and a vendor sale from 8 a.m. until noon.
Do you love to share the beauty of Christmas lights with your family? Then you won’t want to miss the annual Festival of Lights at the Lassen County Fairgrounds. Local residents also can cruise down Richmond Road and other streets in Susanville where many homeowners create spectacular light shows for the public to enjoy.
Thanks to Lassen Rural Bus, seniors can take the free Senior Christmas Lights Tour that begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Lassen Senior Center.
Maybe you’re in the mood for a little holiday music or entertainment instead. Hey, we’ve got you covered. You won’t want to miss the Lassen High School Winter Concert at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 in the student center, the Susanville City Kickette’s Christmas Extraordinaire at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Veterans Memorial Hall, or the Susanville Symphony Society’s Christmas Around the World concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Those in the Westwood area can enjoy a holiday Words and Music from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at the Westwood Community Center.
If you want to help the less fortunate in our community, there are a number of fundraisers, Angel Trees, Salvation Army bell ringers, Shop with a Hero and the Toys For Tots collection sites in Susanville.
And don’t forget the newspaper’s challenge to local residents to spend $100 locally to support our business community.
The Christmas holiday season is upon us, and we encourage local residents to take advantage of the many opportunities to get out and share and spread a little Christmas cheer.