PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

ADOPT-A-CLASS PROGRAM

WHAT: Chico Performances is now accepting donations from local businesses and individuals to adopt one or more classrooms of their choice to attend field trips in Laxson Auditorium during the 2010-2011 school year, through the Adopt-A-Class program.

WHERE: Adopt-A-Class applications are available at the CSUC University Box Office at the corner of 2^nd and Normal Streets, by calling 898-6333, or on the web at www.chicoperformances.com (select “For the Kids” tab.)

COST: $200 – $275 to sponsor one classroom to one Field Trip.

More info on the Web: www.chicoperformances.com

(Select “For the Kids” button.)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Linking businesses, classrooms, children, and the arts, Chico Performances invites local businesses and individuals to sponsor school classes to attend field trip performances at California State University, Chico.  Entering its 13^th year, Adopt-A-Class allows children to enjoy and learn to appreciate art, theater, and music, courtesy of local businesses and individuals at no cost to the students, teachers or the school. Donations to the Adopt-A-Class program are tax deductible.

ADOPT-A-CLASS PROGRAM IS ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR

ITS 13TH YEAR BRINGING THE ARTS TO SCHOOL CHILDREN

For the 13^th year, businesses and individuals can enrich school children’s educational experiences by adopting a local class to see an exciting Field Trip through the Adopt-A-Class program at CSU, Chico. Every child in the area deserves an opportunity to enjoy the thrill and excitement of a live performance.

Linking businesses, individuals, classrooms, children and the arts is the main goal of the Adopt-A-Class program. This community-oriented program allows classes from different elementary schools to attend field trips at no cost to students, teachers or the district.

Every business and individual that “adopts” a classrooms’ attendance to a field trip gets stage recognition at the field trip they sponsored, as well as an invitation to attend the field trip with their adopted class. For a donation of $200 to most field trips, or $275 to the Peking Acrobats field trip, one class may attend one field trip. For a donation of $1,000 to $1,375 one class may attend five field trips, or five classes may attend one field trip.

The Adopt-A-Class program is going on its 13^th year, with over 20 field trip performances scheduled for the 2010-2011 season. The program is now accepting donations from businesses and individuals to “adopt” classes to attend one or more of these live field trip performances.

Chico Performances encourages teachers to recruit local businesses to sponsor their classrooms field trip visits.

“It can be a student whose parents own a business, or whose grandparents want to donate to the class,” said Daran Goodsell, marketing coordinator for Chico Performances. “We leave it up to the business and the classroom, so if there’s a business out there that wants to sponsor- just contact us or the classroom you want to sponsor. We also encourage the teachers to recruit adopters- it all helps!”

Chico Performances started the Adopt-A-Class program with a grant from the City of Chico and its Arts Commission in 1997. Last year, more than 75 classrooms participated in the Adopt-A-Class project, with 25 businesses and individuals adopting classrooms.

For more information on field trip performances, or on the Adopt-A-Class program please visit www.chicoperformances.com

To Adopt-A-Class, call Chico Performances at 898-6785, visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.chicoperformances.com” www.chicoperformances.com and select “for the kids” to download an application, or pick up an application at the University Box Office located on the corner of 2^nd and Normal Streets.

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Chico Performances contact: Daran Goodsell (530) 898-6785.

CSU, Chico Web page including “Adopt-A-Class” information:  HYPERLINK “http://www.chicoperformances.com” www.chicoperformances.com

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Stress tests and echocardiograms (echo) are among the best tools for diagnosing heart disease, and some research suggest that they may also be useful in estimating disease risk in people who don’t have symptoms but do have risk factors such as high cholesterol. A stress test and echo may be recommended in patients over 40 with a risk for coronary artery disease because of smoking, high blood pressure or other risk factors.

What is a stress test?

A stress test is a study that checks your heart at rest and while it’s beating heavily. A stress test can be done with or without dye, depending on what your physician orders. Stress tests are usually done with exercise or with medication to get your heart rate up to measure your heart’s function.

Why is it done?

Your heart may show signs that it’s not working properly when you’re under exertion, but symptoms may disappear while you’re at rest, says JoAnn Mahloch, Cardiopulmonary Manger at Banner Lassen Medical Center. A stress test gives your doctor an added level of information about your hearts health. Most of the time stress tests are prescribed by your physician because you have complained about chest pain, you have a past history of heart disease or other medical issues that increase the risk for heart disease, a family history of heart disease or because of your social history (smoking, drinking).

How is it done?

A two-step procedure, the stress test begins with and EKG while your heart is at rest. Sticky patches or electrodes are attached to the chest and shoulders and connected to electrodes or wires. These help to record the electrocardiogram during the echocardiography test. Then you spend about 10 minutes walking on a treadmill to get your heart pumping faster. The patient begins the test by walking on the treadmill first slowly then at three minute intervals speed and grade is increased. When the patient has reached about 85 percent of their maximum heart rate the EKG is repeated, allowing your physician to see how the heart is functioning when it’s pumping fast and furiously compared with at rest. The stress testing portion of the test takes approximately one-half hour from start to finish. After the procedure, the patient will sit for the recovery phase where the patient is monitored to baseline heart rate and blood pressure. As soon as your stress test portion is complete, you will be provided with caffeine and a snack before the second portion of your scan. Your blood pressure, heart rate and heart rhythm will be monitored throughout the testing.

The second step to your test occurs if your doctor has ordered a Nuclear Medicine Stress test. You will be given dye by the Nuclear Medicine Technologist for a resting scan that is done in radiology, then you will go back to the cardiopulmonary department for the exercise portion as described above with a second dose of dye. The last part of the test will be done in radiology and is called the post exercise scan of your heart. The total length of this test is usually 2 to 3 hours.

In addition to stress testing, Banner Lassen has also made Echocardiography available to the community.

What is Echocardiography?

An echocardiogram or “echo” is a test in which ultrasound is used to examine the heart, providing single and two-dimensional measurement of the heart chambers. Echocardiograms are capable of displaying a cross-sectional “slice” of the beating heart and demonstrates the chambers, valves and the major blood vessels.

What information does Echocardiography provide?

Echocardiography provides information to your physician for surgical clearance, size of the heart chambers, pumping function, valve function, volume status and more. Echocardiography is also useful in the diagnosis of fluid in the pericardium as well as helping to evaluate the heart’s function and diagnose diseases of the heart.

What is the process for scheduling a stress test?

When you make your appointment the receptionist will talk to you about what medications may interfere with a valid test and what foods, like caffeine and tobacco that need to be avoided 12 hours prior to the test. “If arthritis or other conditions make you unable to exercise, the doctor can give you a medication that helps speed up your heartbeat without exertion”, Mahloch says. The medication would be administered by the Registered Nurse and the treadmill portion will be handled by the Respiratory Therapist. The Isotope will be administered by the Nuclear Technologist and a qualified Respiratory Therapist, Registered Nurse and Hospitalist will be there to monitor you. If you experience persistent discomfort from the medication an antidote can be given by the RN to reverse the medication effects.

The patient should wear comfortable loose fitting clothes, preferably two pieces (top and shorts or pants) and comfortable walking shoes (athletic/tennis shoes). The individual should avoid eating a large meal right before the test which could make exercising uncomfortable.

People with possible heart ailments are often concerned that putting stress on their hearts will cause a heart attack or other problem, but complications from stress tests are rare. Plus, Mahloch adds, “if something bad happens during a stress test, it means that something is wrong with your heart, and the hospital is the best place to be should something happen.”

A cardiologist will read and interpret the results of your stress test and an interpretation of the test will be forwarded to the ordering physician as soon as it is interpreted by the Cardiologist.

Remember to always take heart symptoms seriously and go to the nearest Emergency Room if you are experiencing chest pain.

Stress tests ordered by your physician are available at Banner Lassen Medical Center Monday through Friday from 8am – 12pm. A pre-authorization may be needed so be sure to check with your insurance. For more information call us at 530-252-2000.

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Marvel in the beauty and wildlife of the area. The seasons are very distinct; glorious snow-capped mountains in the winter, beautiful colors in the fall, heavenly scenes in the spring, and great outdoor living in the summer. No matter what time of year you choose to visit, you’re sure to have the time of your life!

Lake Davis

Seven miles north of Portola, California, Lake Davis was created in 1967 primarily for recreation. During the summer and winter, the recreation area has a variety of activities including: camping, picnicking, fishing, boating, mountain biking and wild life viewing, hunting, ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross country skiing.

Frenchman Lake

This lake is named after Claude Seltier, who emigrated from France in the 1880’s and became a rancher in Sierra Valley. Frenchman Lake is a reservoir and began to fill in 1961, becoming on of the best trout waters in the state. Five camp grounds, a three lane boat ramp and numerous day use areas are in demand all summer, with swimming, fishing and water skiing vacations.

Lakes Basin

Located nine miles southwest of Graeagle on Gold Lake Highway, the lakes basin area has special geological features. Glaciers sculpted the granite ridges and serrated rock outcroppings into breathtaking scenery with over 20 crystalline lakes, most of which are accessible by the hiking trail system.

Plumas-Eureka State Park

For thousands of years the Northern Maidu inhabited the Feather River region’s forested ridges, high lakes and green valleys.

The 1848 gold discovery at John Sutter’s sawmill in Coloma brought thousand of would be prospectors to California. Gold fever came to Plumas when several miners struck gold on Eureka Peak.

Winter recreation; the annual Longboard Revival Race series takes place at the historic Plumas-Eureka Ski Bowl. Hosted by the non-profit Plumas Ski Club, contestants wearing 1860s attire to race downhill on 9- to 16-foot wooden skis.

Chamber Welcomes- Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce

MAP DRAWN BY DONNA MILLS

Chamber Welcomes- Chester  Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce

Plan your family trip, group retreat or special occasion getaway with us and…come together with the mountains.

The Lake Almanor Basin and surrounding area spreads across a natural wonderland created by millions of years of geologic forces, a crossroad where the granite of the Sierra Nevada meets the lava of the Cascades.

Enjoy hours of pleasure on Lake Almanor with its 52 miles of shoreline, in Lassen Volcanic National Park which boasts the southernmost volcano in the Cascade range and in the 1.2 million acres that make up the Lassen National Forest and  HYPERLINK “http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/recreation/wilderness/caribou/” \t “_self” Caribou Wilderness area with over 300 campsites. This is a playground for all seasons, for all ages and any lifestyle.

The Basin and surrounding area offer world class fishing in lakes and streams, family fun on skis, wake boards, tubes and jet skis, quiet mountain adventures in camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, bird watching and championship golf. Winter brings the quiet beauty of Lassen Peak keeping watch over pristine fields of snow and groomed trails for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. With a cup of steaming coffee on an early winter morning, one can catch the alpen glow on Lassen Peak and experience a moment of the quiet and beauty that make our paradise in the pines

Call or visit the Chester-Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce for lodging, dining and recreational information 530-258-2426, or visit our website for up to date event information and area news www.LakeAlmanorArea.com.

Chamber Welcomes- Westwood Chamber of Commerce

Surrounded by cascading mountain ranges and crystal clear streams and lakes is Westwood, a small town literally cut out of the forest. Westwood enjoys a premiere location, nestled between the Cascade and Sierra-Nevada Mountain ranges, home to the legend of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. When the Red River Lumber Company moved west from Minnesota, it brought with it the legend of Paul and Babe and now a 25 foot statue of Paul and Babe welcomes visitors to Westwood. The Red River Lumber Company established one of the most technologically advanced townships in the country…right down to the steam heated sidewalks! This quaint community is the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts to hop on to the Bizz Johnson trail head located right in town, or for those who would like a bite to eat, you could try the historical Walker Mansion Inn, Buffalo Chips Pizza, or The Old Mill Cafe. If you’re an angler, you could spend the day fishing at some of the many streams and lakes nearby like Goodrich Creek, Hamilton Branch or Mountain Meadows Reservoir, known to locals as Walker Lake, just to name a few. A place for all to enjoy, Westwood offers access to many dirtbiking trails, hiking trails, meadows, lakes, streams, horseback riding, birdwatching, and so much more. We welcome you to come enjoy our community, rich in history, beauty, and gorgeous scenes from Mother Nature. Stop by the Westwood Visitor Center at the corner of Third and Ash Streets for maps, brochures, and other tour information.

Photo of Mountain Meadows Reservoir (Walker Lake) by Jack Coverdell

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If you are facing breast or any other type of cancer, you don’t have to face it alone. A new peer-led support group is meeting in Portola, three Saturdays a month. There is no cost or obligation. The only thing asked of you will be to respect the confidentiality of the group. Men and women are welcome.

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According to the the California Energy Commission, Americans use an average of about eight batteries a year per person. Throwing away batteries can produce dangerous substances in landfills, heavy metals like lead, arsenic, zinc, cadmium, copper, and mercury. These toxic metals can be harmful to humans and wildlife. Throwing away batteries can cause these dangerous metals to seep into the ground water and eventually into the food chain. So, instead of throwing batteries in the trash, we should all take them to a toxic waste disposal area.

Forty percent of all battery sales are made during the holiday season. Consider buying toys that don’t require batteries or buy rechargeable batteries and a recharger.

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Lake Almanor, CA – (June 9, 2010) Ticket locations have been set for Momboosa Music Festival, coming to Lake Almanor on July 17, 2010. Tickets to the event can be purchased online at  HYPERLINK “http://www.momboosamusic.comor at any of the following locations:

RENO / NORTHERN NEVADA

Recycled Records
3344 Kietzke Lane
Reno, NV 89502
775.826.4119

Boot Barn
3345 Kietzke Lane
Reno, NV 89502
775.825.0666

CHICO

Boot Barn
2539 Esplande Rd
Chico, CA
530.899.0879

SUSANVILLE

Diamond Mountain Casino
900 Skyline Road
Susanville, CA 96130
530.252.1100

IGA Supermarket

50 Grand Ave
Susanville, CA 96130

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On June 26, Chester Park will again be the site for foot tappin’ magical music and refreshing micro-brews enjoyed along the banks of the Feather River.  Begun several years ago by Dr. Thomas Archie to help fund the arts in Chester, this event has been enjoyed each summer by people from all over the Almanor Basin and beyond.  This year features “Mossy Creek” from Chico and other bands.

The music and family fun are free to all.  Beer tasting is $20 per person 21 years of age and older.  Each taster will receive a small glass in which to sample many different beers throughout this afternoon event. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are also available.

Sponsored by Plumas Arts and Lake Almanor Community Foundation, all proceeds go to the Chester High School music and drama programs.   So, put on your dancing shoes, bring your folding chairs or blankets, pack up the family, and join the great fun from 2pm to 6pm on June 26 at the Chester Park , 190 Main St. You can’t miss it.  Just follow the music!

For more information see http://www.lakealmanorarea.com

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Diamond Mountain Golf Lessons

Pictured are Dan Kowall, Diamond Mountain Golf Club Manager and PGA Professional, with Tim Mooney, USGTR-PGA teaching professional.

Diamond Mountain Golf Club has welcomed teaching professional Tim Mooney to their team. Tim is certified by the United States Golf Teachers Federation, Professional Golf Assoc. (USGTR-PGA).

Mooney has taught for the past 15 years, bringing experience from positions in Rancho Park, Los Angeles area; Indian Wells in Palm Desert; and currently College of the Desert in Palm Desert. He was mentored by Al Geiberger, the first pro to shoot 59 on tour in 1964.

Teaching clinics are held Wednesday through Saturday at Diamond Mountain. Private instructions are also avaialble by calling Tim at (530)816-0713.

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• There are no time restrictions to complete the Challenge. Native trout caught from appropriate waters and verified with a photo can qualify, even if caught years ago.
• Only one certificate per calendar year may be earned. Anglers may apply in subsequent years with different combinations of native trout.
• All photos and applications become property of DFG and cannot be returned.
• After applications are reviewed by DFG, anglers will be notified by mail. All decisions are final.

The application can be downloaded and more information can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/fishing/Recognition/HTC/HTC_Policy.asp. CDFG, or request information by mail to DFG Fisheries Branch, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

NATIVE OR WILD TROUT…IS THERE A DIFFERENCE? A wild trout is a trout that was born in the wild and spends its life cycle in the wild, regardless of the origin of its parents or ancestors. A native trout is a trout that was found here originally, prior to human influences. A wild brown trout is not native to California. A coastal rainbow trout is a native California trout (even if it came from a hatchery). A golden trout born in the Little Kern River is a wild, native trout.

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The small town of Greenville in beautiful Indian Valley, surrounded by picturesque mountains, welcomes riders from all over for the Indian Valley Century Rides on May 29th.

A planned Metric ride is fast and flat, along rich pasture land and a wooded stream. The Miler’s climb, up and around Antelope Lake, is moderate (1,500 ft) before its return to the valley floor.

Both the metric and mile century begin in Greenville at the high school. 30 miles out in Genesee , a picturesque lunch stop has been chosen as the turnaround point for the metric ride. For the milers, the turnaround point is another 17 miles and 1,500 ft. higher in elevation at Antelope Lake in the Plumas National Forest.

Day-of-ride check-in and registration will be in front of the Greenville high school gym (look for tables), beginning at 7 am, but no later than 9:30 am.

You can also register by downloading the application online at http://www.indianvalley.net/centuries_form.html and mailing the completed form to: I.V.C. of C P.O. Box 516 Greenville, CA 95947

The ride begins at 7:00 am from the high school gym parking lot facing Highway 89. The registration fee is $50 and $25 for ages 16 and under. The quaint, little downtown Greenville area offers several shops, antiques, good food and fine lodging for those wishing to stay in beautiful Indian Valley.

All Riders are required to wear safety helmets.

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• A letter from the Veterans Administration verifying that you have a 50 percent or greater service connected disability and were honorably discharged from the United States armed forces; and
• Evidence of meeting California hunter education requirements as required in Fish and Game Code, Section 3033.

For information on free and reduced fee fishing licenses, see page 8, in ‘RV Travel’. To obtain the hunting license mail order form, download it from the Department of Fish and Game at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/forms/forms.html.

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Quincy Chamber of Commerce

Chester Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce

Plumas Sierra County Fair

Eastern Plumas Chamber of Commerce

Lassen County Chamber of Commerce

Lassen County Fair

Westwood Area Chamber of Commerce

You will find one calendar incorporating all events listed in the area with the above named organizations. If your group is having an event and want it posted, email details to calendar@mountainvalleyliving.com.

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Silver Lake Property offered by Smith Properties 530-257-2441

Edit/index0510
MountainValleyLiving.com
aka: ShopNorCal.com

Hot Springs Pool… If you ever wonder why we routinely get over 400,000 hits online per edition, it is because you can go back and search to find all of your favorite articles from our past editions. Search “hot springs swimming pool” and you’ll wind up in last August’s article “Feel the Fire at Drakesbad”. There you will find out about the secluded hot springs swimming pool at Drakesbad Guest Ranch, in Mount Lassen National Park. Click on road trips and we’ll take you across the Northeastern Sierras to choose an adventure for your family.

Beach Trails… Suppose you want to take a nice bike ride alongside the beautiful lake when you visit Almanor, but you are just not sure where to start. May I suggest a visit to our website. Go ahead; it’s easy. Search “Almanor Bike Trail”. You’ll soon be engulfed in Jan Cox’s article ‘Biking on the West Shore’, which practically takes you trailside where 10 miles of paved trails are stretched out, connecting two campgrounds, with resorts and services along the way. You’ll find lots of great trails at mountainvalleyliving.com, like the Susanville Ranch Park Trails, The Bizz Johnson and more.

Buy Stuff. Buy Real Estate… Another great reason to visit our website is for ShopNorCal.com. You can pick out a beautiful locally made item and buy it right there or you can browse through the area’s real estate offerings. Well if you like one, you can print it, email it, share it on a social network or better yet, buy it from a friendly realtor you will also meet at shopnorcal.com.

Looking for Something to Do This Weekend?… Check out the Calendar of Events on our website. It is another reason so many people visit us. If your organization is having a special event for the public, let us know. Even if you miss the magazine deadline, you will still get in the calendar online.

Visit mountainvalleyliving.com or shopnorcal.com

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La Casa Bella Fine Furnishings now offers great beds. You will really enjoy the comfy line of Kathy Ireland beds now offered at this quaint Quincy furniture store. Norm and Jeannie are great people who have chosen a wide variety of home furnishings from around the world for their shop. If you have not been by yet, and would enjoy seeing a very distinctive line of home decor, and some really remarkable prices, you definitely need to stop by!

Sears in Susanville has an incredible amount of in stock merchandise.  If you have not been inside your local Sears store in Susanville,  it’s time. From big screen televisions and state of the art exercise equipment to the large selection of appliances, there is plenty of models to choose from in their showroom. Kevin and Kitty Smith’s “Hometown Sears Store” has excellent service too.

If you enjoy reading Mountain Valley Living Magazine, there is one BIG way you can help us. VISIT OUR SPONSORS. We strive to promote our sponsors in every way possible; we hope you will choose our sponsors in your buying decisions.

Claim your share of $37,000,000 the State of California has reserved for its’ “Cash For Appliances” program. Copied from the popular “Cash for Clunkers” car rebates, appliance buyers can receive an approximate $75 rebate per appliance purchased during the program, according to Kevin Smith at Sears in Susanville. The program is ecology friendly as all old appliances will be recycled.

WACKO FOR TACKLE? If so, you’ll love the great selection of fishing tackle at The Men’s Den in Historic Uptown Susanville. For the ladies, Elegant Iris offers a “Unique Boutique” complete with flavored candles including Coconut Lime, Verbena, Cucumber Melon, Honeysuckle, Lilac Mist and more. Don’t forget Mother’s Day May 9th!

Almanor Flooring in Chester has some really great buys. Owners Tom and Doria Hupp told us shoppers are often surprised by how competitive their Chester store is against the “big warehouse home stores”. Not only do they carry some great low priced products, they also have great deals on all those top of the line products you see in the home magazines. If you’re in the market, do yourself and your community a favor and check out this local company that has served our beautiful area for decades.

Maria’s Walkers in Chester will now be called Maria’s Mexican Restaurant. They serve homemade Mexican food and offer a full bar including  margaritas blended with the flavors of summer! In May, you will also find Maria’s at Lake Almanor West Golf Course serving up golfers and visitors to the west shore of Lake Almanor.

Lunch at Gamboni’s ?????????

Old Mill Cafe’s Saturday dinners are a big hit. They offer their great menu plus some great seafood specials. They are open Monday through Friday from 6am to 7pm and Saturdays from 7am to 7pm.

Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch in Quincy has many community events planned for the summer. Check out all the events in May on page 17.

Picnic Basket Anyone? Cafe Le Coq in Quincy is a great stop for lunch or dinner and now they are packing picnic baskets to go. Stop in or call Donata for all the details. You’ll love the nice picnic baskets she offers.

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YOUR NEW STOREFRONT IS READY!

And the Service Is FREE until you sell something!

On each page of our well designed website, readers are invited to ShopNorCal.com, where they can choose to either “Shop Real Estate” or Shop Retail”. We have a place there just for you. We highly encourage placing AMERICAN MADE items for sale on our site. We have a special advertising plan of our own to get the word out on ShopNorCal.com and will give special attention to items MADE IN AMERICA. We have already begun by placing radio ads with Sierra Radio Network and buying signage.

There is some work involved on the part of your store (or yourself, for artists and other manufacturers), but it is easy! And if you are confused, we will personally help you get started.

YOU WILL NEED TO:

1.   Be able to take good photos of items for sale and produce them in digital format.

2.  Write a description of each item to be sold.

3.   Establish a price.

It is important that you only sell items that you know you will be able to ship right away. We strive to have a highly respected site which showcases friendly Nor Cal merchants who provide outstanding customer service. If you wish to list items also for sale in your store, it is easy to remove items from the site if and when they sell out in your store or are no longer available. Some wholesalers are even willing to drop ship items for you. You will need to check with your suppliers to see if they have any restrictions about selling their products on the internet.

If you want to give it a try all by yourself, visit shopnorcal.com and sign up as a vendor. You’ll be ready to upload your items to the site.

Of the money we collect for you, we keep 10% AFTER the sale plus the usually minimal paypal fees we are charged for the sale. We immediately turn the rest over to you when we receive shipping confirmation. The customer pays all shipping based on the weight you provide for the item and whatever price you want to put on your merchandise. BUT…. we must be certain that companies involved take it seriously and provide excellent customer service to our online customers and only list items which they stock or can get and ship within 10 days. All items made in America will get special treatment with free promotion in the magazine. Once we have 1,000 Made in USA items, we plan to rock the nation with the news. We already come up very high on Google searches because of our talented webmaster. For example, when I Googled ‘mountain wreath making’, we came up as number 5, not even a mention of Vermont before Mountain Valley Living. Similar searches produced similar results, like coming up number 6 for ‘stay forest service lookout’; we didn’t even mention which state. Our site is amazing and we hope you will take advantage of selling there.

We are ready to go and ready to set up your store within ours and within hours. We handle all the sales and provide you with orders by email. We do average from 300,000 to 400,000 web hits per edition because our articles are interesting and easy to find on web searches.  Every page on our site offers a chance to click to shopnorcal.  We just need lots of items before we start heavily promoting it.  We are already advertising it on radio and signage and have big plans for future promotions once we get plenty of items. Come on board!

A CA Sellers Permit is required and only items applying to our family friendly, quality goods site will be approved. All items are subject to approval.

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Speaking of real estate, I am so proud to announce that this issue includes our premier Real Estate Section! Inside you’ll find full color features on selected home listings, plus agent profiles, REO properties, fixer-uppers, hot buys, and more.

Just for fun, check out all this and more on our website, mountainvalleyliving.com, where you can take a virtual tour of the listings, and click on links to individual realtor’s websites. Be sure to also check out our link to shopnorcal.com for even more listings! Apologies to all the realtors we haven’t had the opportunity to talk to yet. Certainly no slight intended!

As a native of this area, it gives me great pride to share in producing a publication dedicated to the good in our intermountain area. Having worked with publisher Eileen Majors in the past, I knew and appreciated her special talents and ethics. Her focus on exploring the simple pleasures that abound throughout the Nor Cal, and Northeastern Nevada areas bring so many kudos from our readers. Like them, I am always pleasantly surprised to find out about people, places, and activities I hadn’t known about in a lifetime here.

This, of course, makes my job in advertising for the publication a breeze. Businesses already know and enjoy the magazine before I get there.  I don’t have to tell them that their customers are among the thousands of readers that enjoy our stories on outdoor adventures, home and garden, family fun, good health, great food, travel, entertainment and more. It doesn’t seem to matter whether readers are young or old, newcomers or oldtimers, or vistors, the magazines fly off the stands, keeping us on  our toes refilling  them.

In these times of uncertainty, we tend to return to the simple pleasures. That’s what we’re all about, whether it’s sipping a cup of coffee by a crackling fire, or bundling up the family for a weekend outing, it’s taking time to savor the moment. So tuck a copy of our magazine next to your favorite chair, or in your knapsack. I think you’ll find it’s good company.

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Looking back on this second anniversary of Mountain Valley Living, one thing rings true: Our  readers have made this dream my reality. I mean by so many reading it yes, and because It was a few of our readers who jumped on board, literally becoming the creative staff who makes the magazine.

Melissa Wynn called me one day after she got the first edition. “I want to write for the magazine,” she told me. After two months of 17 hour days put in, I was thrilled. Every month she searches out great places to stay and comes up with some really fun stuff for our readers. I quickly called my old friend Mary Hasselwander, who agreed to help us make some sense of it all. My neighbor Rhonda Sanders hustled through local businesses to win the support we needed to continue.

Like magic, beautiful photography from good friend Jack Coverdell soon followed. Ben Graham, our wise webmaster worked days and nights to design a website that does absolutely everything! It took him several months to even get me to look at it, let alone use the amazing features including his unique tag system which has resulted in as many as 430,000 website hits in a single month. He also set up an online Nor Cal store where readers can buy things easily from our local merchants. I am shocked when I think of how far we’ve come because of the talent that showed up to take part in this plan, obviously bigger than mine.  John and Jan Cox also jumped on board and are now a vital part of our team.

Greg Marankie of Marankie Concepts, now a regular design contributor called me last year to tell me he liked the magazine but he thought we needed his help. I listened to his ideas, as each was an answer to a problem I was completely aware we had. He has been helping us ever since. We can’t wait to grow into becoming a big consumer of his amazing talent.

Teresa Majors who had taken a professional break to enjoy being a full time, stay-at-home-mom voluntarily jumped on board to help me some time back. She now designs every page in the magazine, pretty beautifully too, I think. Her dedication and talent is fun to watch and it’s fun to have kids popping in our office from time to time. Speaking of kids, we love the opportunity Sedona brings to the communities with her Kidzview page. Kim Poggi, who joined the drive early on, continues to help and distribute magazines throughout the Nor Cal region.

It’s been a long struggle as taking time to sell ads could not always take first priority. Hearing from my old boss of 15-plus years, I thought was sheer luck. Her extensive experience is in sales management locally and in the Malibu area and she too wanted to help. There we have Eve DeVeir, the latest miracle to arrive on board.

We are equipped and ready to grow into the original dream project as we currently seek out qualified candidates to put together a strong sales team. We have tens of thousands of readers and hundreds of thousands of online visits each edition, but we are still well on our way to becoming successful. I cannot wait to be able to reward all of these ordinary people WELL for their extraordinary efforts.

We are still looking for sales people to complete the team here. I have no doubt as we celebrate our second anniversary that just the right people will arrive so the magazine can prosper the people who work here and help the communities we serve. Thanks for reading on.

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BUTTE MEADOWS HILLSLIDERS

By Eileen Majors

Ever wonder what goes on in the wild back roads of Nor Cal when the snow piles up? I contacted Tim Adkins, President of the Butte Meadows Hillsliders, just one of the snowmobile clubs in the mountains of northern California, to find out. This adventurous group has a great time riding in the Jonesville Snow Park and they take a great deal of time to make sure others can do so as well.

The Butte Meadows Hillsliders are the guys who groom the trails for Jonesville Snow Park where the group also built a warming hut for snowmobilers to stop in and enjoy. The place is equipped with a wood stove, tables and benches and two barbecues folks can use. The building was built by the club with grant funds on US Forest Service property, then given back to the forest service, who manages the land. The club takes care of the warming hut where Adkins told me it is not uncommon to see 50 sleds out front.

The club grooms over 70 miles of snowmobile trails in the Jonesville Snowmobile Area of the Lassen National Forest. The grooming season begins when the gate on Humboldt Road at the Jonesville Snowmobile Park (N 40^06.845 & W 121^28.700) ((4970′)) closes. All roads and trails above the gate, extending to HWY 89 and all areas above Snag Lake, are then closed to wheeled traffic until Spring when the gate is re-opened. These areas are groomed each winter by volunteer groomers for snowmobile use. It should be noted… a SnoPark permit is NOT required to use this area.

The club has a groomer of their own and also operates the county’s groomer as part of a contract agreement. I forgot to ask which was more fun, riding or grooming! The photos of groomers grooming looked to be a wild ride in itself.

The club welcomes new members. Dues are $30 per individual or $35 per family. To join, visit their website at hillsliders.com. You can print out the membership form and mail it with your check. Also at their website you can click on current weather conditions at the exact location of the warming hut. You can also access the CalTrans road reports. Each year the Hillsliders also host a sanctioned snowmobile poker run. This year’s event takes place on January 30, 2010.

The Jonesville Snow Park can be accessed through Humboldt Road which is off Highway 32 near Forest Ranch. Take Humboldt Rd. and travel past the Bambi Inn and The Outpost.  The US Forest Service ranger stations have snowmobile trail maps as do the groomers you may meet on the trail.

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While a physician order is required for screening mammograms, it is not necessary for your doctor to be an EPHC provider. Their full service imaging department will send the results to your doctor. Appointments can be made by calling (530) 832-6516.

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Crossroads Ministries offers a once a month food pantry that will also give out Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets to families in need who sign up Nov 2-20 at 2410 Main St. in Susanville. A hot and nutritious breakfast and lunch is also served Monday-Friday at 7:30 a.m. and noon along with a 6:00 p.m. Saturday night dinner. Crossroads Ministries will also host a Christmas dinner and gift giveaway December 19th for those who might otherwise go without this year. A 1$ a bag clothes closet is another great service offered. Coats, gloves and snow boots are super donations this time of year but of course cash donations are best to keep all programs running.

Not only does Crossroads Ministries help feed and clothe their community they also house the homeless in 3 separate semi-permanent shelters; Philemon House for men, Grace Gables for women and Transitional House for those re-entering society from rehab and incarceration situations. A new overnight shelter, to house the homeless on an overnight basis to be named Samaritan House, is currently in the works. Also offering an outstanding careers program directed by Lorne Brown, Crossroads Ministries truly gives a hand up. You can learn more about all they give and do at www.crossroadsministries.com. Let’s follow their admirable lead this holiday season and donate what we can to this deserving cause. Donations can be mailed to 2410 Main St Susanville, Ca 96130.

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A celebration of life for Lloyd Taylor will be held Saturday Sept. 5th 2009 at 1:00 o’clock in Seneca, CA. at the Gin Mill

A pot luck lunch will be served please bring a covered dish or dessert.

We can all remember Lloyd Taylor who performed on many occasions in Seneca including our trip for the article Golden Summer Fun by: Melissa Wynn.

He will be greatly missed

we hope you will join us.

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There are many forms of community: our neighborhoods, churches, the towns we live in, or even a group of like minded people coming together with common interests. In the last few years, a strong community has formed around the One Stop Centers in Herlong, Beiber, and Westwood.

Here in Westwood, the One Stop Center is a partnership between the Westwood Family Resource Center, Lassen Aurora Network, and Lassen County Department of Health and Social Services. While the Lassen Aurora Network supports wellness through peer support services, self-care workshops and groups, Lassen County Department of Health and Social Services provides mental health and drug and alcohol services.

The Westwood Family Resource Center (WFRC) also wears many hats. In talking with Elizabeth Krier, director of the Westwood One Stop Center, she explained that the Family Resource Center concerns itself with educational, community and social service work. This center is for the entire community. Here residents may receive emergency food from a food shelf or buy natural foods from the WFRC Natural Food Store. The emergency food shelf has been especially important during these lean times and they always welcome food donations. Residents may also bring a toddler to a play group, borrow toys, or sign up for parenting or childbirth classes. Every so often, you will read a notice in the newspaper about their mystery baby showers where community members can attend and/or leave unwrapped baby gifts for a family in need.

This center also offers internet, copy machine, and fax access, computers, and application assistance for Medi-Cal and other social services. LassenWORKS now has a case worker on site every 4th Wednesday of the month to serve the residents of Westwood, Pine Town, and Clear Creek. This case worker helps residents complete the application process for CalWORKS cash assistance, Food Stamps and Medi-Cal and is available to answer questions.

As a retired educator, one thing that excited me about the Westwood Family Resource Center was the Jack PAC After-School Program which takes place during the school year from the time school lets out until 6 pm daily. This is the time when the juvenile crime rate climbs due to children of working parents being home alone. The Center was established in 1992 and soon evolved into a non-profit organization under Communities United for Children and Families. Family Resource Centers work under that umbrella. Jack PAC (Partners in After School Collaboration) is primarily funded by California Department of Ed, Prop 49 funds while groups such as the Chimney Fund, Rotary, Fletcher Walker Elementary School (building), Westwood Community Services (use of park) and many local businesses help them meet the demand for matching funds. Elizabeth noted that they are always grateful for this necessary community funding.

During the school year, Jack PAC has an average of 90 children enrolled with a daily average attendance of 70 children. Desiree Naseath is the new activities coordinator for the WFRC, while this year, the JackPAC coordinator is a separate position and will be a new face on the first day of school. Volunteers also teach various activities such as cooking and beading clubs, town history, community awareness, theater production and other areas of skills or interests that engage children.

Playground Fun for JackPAC kids

A typical afternoon at Jack PAC includes a nutritional snack, physical education, homework tutoring and specific clubs and activities. The Family Resource Center makes it a point to connect to teachers over lunch to keep open lines of communication about the children that attend the program.

Watch for the center’s Light’s on After School open house October 22, 2009. At this open house there is usually a dinner, raffle, Power Point presentation and demonstrations of activities. Or come in and find out more for yourself. The Westwood One Stop Center is located at 463-975 Birch St., Fort Sage One Stop is located at 17 D.S. Hall Avenue, Herlong, CA., and Beiber One Stop meets in the Bieber Library. Visitors are always welcome.

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