Our students were totally drawn in as Mr. McDonald told stories about his trip, serving overseas, and being trained to repair watches. Proving that some pop culture references are universal was a tale about Newt repairing the watch of Evel Knievel. Most of the class nodded their heads when he asked if they had heard of the famous daredevil.

The other was when I walked out to the parking lot after school and saw Anthony, a student from last year, discovering colors for the first time. He was colorblind for the past 15 years, seeing some colors in muted tones, like blue and gray. Just about an hour before he received special glasses that reveal all of the colors to him.

His mom asked him to point out the colors in my keychain. He said, tentatively at first then gaining confidence, “That’s yellow, that’s white, and that’s purple!”

“Yes!” we all shouted.

“That’s so cool!” Anthony replied.

Yes, it is so cool! Seeing colors for the first time. Can you imagine? It’s life-changing!

Last year Anthony was usually quiet, sometimes difficult to engage in conversation. I remember complimenting him on his bright red jacket one morning and not getting much of a response. Now I knew why! Now he loves red!

I thought about Anthony all weekend and wondered how he wrapped his brain around the sunsets and sunrises of Lassen County. I wonder how he named them.

The Lassen High School Drama club is hosting the musical The Awesome 80s starting Thursday at 6:00. It will also play on Friday at 6:00 with a Saturday matinee at 1:30. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for kids and senior citizens.

I unofficially appointed myself as the costume expert. My first request of director Kayla Millar was to not dress them in fluorescent colors and tutus. We were more about the pegged jeans (501, acid-washed, colored denim), ESPRIT sweatshirts, and popped colors on polos. Fortunately Vans, Converse, and Birkenstocks are timeless.

I dropped into rehearsal and “like totally” enjoyed the preview. The opening number is fun with lots of synthesizers, 80s dance moves, and lyrics like “the radical, most excellent totally awesome 80s.”

A conversation between Allie (Lily Ammon) and Desmey (Peter Nielsen) was reminiscent of a scene from Pretty in Pink. It introduced a conflict between the “Posh” and the “Boho’s”. The “Posh” have everything and joke about their second BMW and forgetting that school started because you’re still on Paris time.

Lily’s character, a boho, has developed a crush on Andrew, a posh who is also a new student. Peter’s character, also a boho, is not very happy about this. It’s all very Andie and Ducky and I am here for it!

Another conflict develops when a teacher, Mrs. Keating, played by Oakley Cruz, is going to be fired because of her unconventional teaching methods. As the students gather signatures to retain her, I realized this was a nod to Dead Poet’s Society.

Amongst all the 80s references, budding romances, and complicated friendships, there is something for everyone!

Will Allie and Andrew look beyond their cliques and find true love? Will Demsey get Allie to see him as more than a friend? Will Mrs. Keating keep her job? You’ll have to come to a showing of The Awesome 80s and find out!

Remember when news was ‘newsy’? When you read about weddings, family events and engagement announcements in the newspaper? If you have something that might be newsworthy, please submit it to shelleybennett24@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to include it here in “The Good Stuff.”

Applications are being accepted now, and will be due by no later than 3:00p.m., on January 15th, 2024. Click here to apply.

“Forest Health grants continue to be an invaluable tool for funding restoration and reforestation activities that provide for more resilient and healthy forests across California,” said Matthew Reischman, Cal-FIRE Deputy Director of Resource Management.

The Forest Health Program funds active restoration and reforestation activities aimed at providing for more resilient and sustained forests. This ensures the future existence of forests in California while also mitigating climate change, protecting communities from fire risk, strengthening rural economies, and improving California’s water and air.

A virtual pre-recorded workshop will be made available to explain the grant process and requirements.

Please check the Forest Health webpage to view the workshop. Any questions can be directed to ForestHealth@fire.ca.gov.

Projects that receive funding from the Forest Health grant program are designed to complement the California Forest Carbon Plan, California’s Natural and Working Lands Implementation Plan, California’s Wildfire & Forest Resilience Action Plan, California’s Strategic Plan for Expanding the Use of Beneficial Fire, and AB 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan.

The Forest Health grant program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment–particularly in disadvantaged communities.

This is a great chance to learn about the industry, talk to professionals, meet other UTI students and graduates, and learn about Tuition Reimbursement with Dolan Auto Group. If you would like to RSVP or ask more questions, come by the counseling office.

This Thursday LHS will have lunch extended by ten minutes for the annual Thanksgiving lunch in the cafeteria.

Counseling News – The Italian Catholic Federation is offering a scholarship to seniors that have a total cumulative GPA (3 ½ years) of at least a 3.2, are Roman Catholic and of Italian Descent or have a Roman Catholic parent, guardian, or grandparent but need not be of Italian Descent. Please come by the counseling office.

Sports – Congratulations Varsity Football on a win Friday night! Round two of playoffs this week at UPREP.

Lassen Cross Country team had three individuals qualify for State. Congratulations to freshman Rocklin Albonico, senior Brady Johnson and freshman Kimberly McKernan. Rocklin and Kimmy are the only freshmen in the northern section that qualified as individuals. Well done team for a great cross country season, and good luck at State!

First place takes home the $250, second wins $150 and third place gets $65.

You can preregister at a discount through Scoreholio, $65 per team, by contacting a Rotarian, or you can register at the door, at 8:00a.m. the day of the event for $70 per team.

Each team member will get two beverage tickets and food, beer and wine will be available for purchase. Outside food and drink will not be allowed. You must be 14 or older to play in the tournament.

There will also be a free kid’s division for cornholers 5 to 12 and 13-17, beginning at 9:00a.m.

These reports and documents are also available at the City’s website.

The Janesville Inn in the 1930’s from an Eastman Studio photo postcard

Lassen Post Office Now Known - Again - as Janesville

November 14, 1923

On November 5th, the Postoffice Department changed the name of the Lassen postoffice to the old name that it was known by for years, namely Janesville. This is according to a notice by Postmaster Mathews of Susanville.

Ever since the name was changed from Janesville to Lassen the old residents of Janesville have been quietly working to have the old name restored and the action just taken by the Postoffice Department is the result of a petition that was circulated and then sent on to Washington.

The name of the town was never changed and the voting precinct, school and in fact everything but the postoffice was known as Janesville.