After a conversation with gardening expert (and my former middle school science teacher) Sherrie Thornton, we decided on a raised bed that contains a flagpole and memorial to a local Vietnam vet. (More on that later.) 

Last week the contestants planted a variety of pink and purple flowering plants under the direction of Sherrie. They got right to work; organizing the plants by color and size, making sure the design was balanced and pleasing to the eye. 

Some worked on cutting out an old rose bush while others dug holes and added fertilizer. They brought water over and planned for the next phase of repainting the brick and wooden planter.  

Now it’s time to water and nurture them so they will “fill and spill”. That’s Sherrie-speak for the plants will grow and spread out, filling the bed with colorful blossoms to be enjoyed by fairgoers in less than a month. 

It ended up being a great way to start our pageant preparations. Personalities were unveiled. Friendships began. Relationships were cultivated.  

It also reinforced that community service not only benefits the community, it benefits you. It feels good to do something that others will enjoy. To make something beautiful. To realize a potential. It’s not just flowers, it’s fulfilling. 

As I am reflecting on this, I realize that it is a great metaphor for what we do with our pageant contestants: plant, water, bloom! 

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.”

Firefighters from the Susanville City Fire Department made quick work of a fire on the roof of the Panda Express restaurant at the corner of Rob’s Way and Main Street Saturday afternoon.

Crews were dispatched to the commercial structure fire at around 3:45p.m., arriving to find flames coming from the roof of the building, with heavy smoke throughout the restaurant.

“After confirming that all occupants were out the building, the utilities were secured and access was made to the roof with a hose line,” explains SFD Captain Leon Myers.

The blaze was extinguished, and crews began to overhaul the area to search for extension of the fire.

According to Myers damage was contained to a single roof ventilator, ventilation duct and the area of the roof near the roof ventilator.

Joining the City Fire Department at the scene were one Cal-FIRE engine, one Susan River engine, the Susanville Police Department, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol and Lassen Municipal Utility District.

The applicable City Code Section, 8.28.030, says that, “It is unlawful for the owner, agent, lessee or other person having charge or control of any piece or parcel of land within the city to allow weeds or rubbish to grow, or to remain thereon, or upon the street or sidewalk in front of such piece or parcel of land.”

Weeds, grass, or other combustible growth may be abated by mowing, disking, or scraping. If mowed the combustible growth must be cut and maintained to a maximum height of 4 inches.

All hazards must be mitigated prior to the June 27th, deadline and abatement by open burning is not permitted.

Abatement by open burning is not permitted.

For more information regarding the Susanville Weed Abatement Program please contact Assistant Chief Tom Hernandez at 530-257-5152.

“The Hayden Hill line was purchased from Lassen Gold Mining in 2006,” explains Public Relations Manager Theresa Phillips. “It was originally thought the line could be salvaged and used to provide much needed power to the residents in the area. However, after evaluating the project and the cost associated with leaving the line in place, LMUD has determined that this is no longer a viable option.”

Tallant Tubbs, candidate for the Republican senatorial nomination, said tonight he was safe and planning to continue his tour of the northern counties in an autogyro, despite an accident to the plane today. “We were six miles out of Susanville, at an altitude of 6000 feet, starting to climb the Sierras, bound for Downieville, when one of the two strut wires supporting the left-wing crystalized and broke,” Tubbs said.

“Due to the fact we were in an autogyro instead of an airplane, we were able to return to Susanville and land. We will continue our tour of northern counties Saturday morning after the wire has been repaired.” he declared.

The airship’s pilot Hugo Bauhaus, from the Bauhaus family of aeronauts, said that although there were some tense moments after the struts failed he at no point felt as though he and his passenger were in danger of crashing to the forest below.