Volume XVI Issue 212

Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

Inside the beautiful Sierra Theatre

Performing Arts Center Boosters to Hold Informational Meeting Tonight

By Carla Dollar

Special to SusanvilleStuff

Susanville Performing Arts Center, also called SPAC, is seeking the purchase of the Sierra Theatre originally built in 1935. SPAC’s goal is to assist in the economic and visual revitalization of Main Street, Susanville through the arts, entertainment, education, and business.

Who is SPAC? Susanville Performing Arts Center represents all of us. It is not one non-profit or another. It is a collective of individuals who are working to bring economic development to Main Street, Susanville. We know that the Sierra Theatre is closing its doors this August and the idea of another empty building feels tragic. But it can be avoided.

SPAC’s plan includes space for local performing and visual arts to utilize the space, but it expands beyond those few groups, to include professional trainings, conferences, school programs, graduations, and more. The beauty of this Susanville landmark, is that it will generate year-round opportunity for any event that requires a stage and audience.

We believe this will assist in generating economic stimulation on Main Street and spread throughout Susanville. A vibrant art community has a significant impact on local economy and there are many case studies to prove (see our Facebook for a few of those examples.)

However, we need one big donation to make this happen. The theatre can be sold to a non-profit for a minimal cost. But, to make it a community hub, it needs to have some additional remodels; an extended stage, stage lighting, theatre sound, and dressing rooms. And while we continue to host fundraisers and seek donations, efforts on our own may take a decade or so to achieve (see those case studies as evidence). We believe time is of the essence with the planned closure in August.

With help from City Council and their access to ARPA funding, we believe a one-time gift would propel SPAC into action. City Council was given ARPA funding post-Covid to help stimulate economic growth in small communities.

As the Sierra Theatre owners have worked tirelessly to provide a venue for our community, they just cannot maintain the personal losses each month. ARPA funds would help with that initial purchase and renovation. After that, SPAC has the plans and ability to generate income to maintain the Theatre. And we believe help revitalize Main Street and to help those that are already working tirelessly to bring economic development to Susanville.

Please join us today, May 28th, at 5:30p.m., at the Sierra Theatre for SPAC LIVE! This will be a short informative meeting to share with our community what we are asking from City Council. But we promise it will be filled with live entertainment, so you can experience first-hand what it will feel like to have live performance in our beloved theatre.

There will be a time for Q&A after the meeting. For more information, click here and visit Susanville Performing Arts Center on Facebook (or Instagram).

Dear sweet Morgan is no stranger to the shelter life. She’s been in and out of the front doors due to the fact that she likes to wander. This week Morgan is looking for her new forever home and family to call her own. She’s a Rottie mix about 6 years old, UTD on her vaccinations, and heartworm tested negative.

She’s friendly, outgoing, playful, always up for a walk, and will let you know all about her day by barking her excitement. Morgan’s ideal home will be cat free. Further evaluations need to be done to see how Morgan does with doggy friends, yet meetings through fencing has gone well so far.

If interested in meeting Morgan, or other adoptable animals at the shelter, please call staff at 530.257.9200. Remember, if there are other dogs in the home, shelter staff always recommends bringing them along with you for a meet and greet to ensure all dogs get a long.

Featured animals at the Lassen County Animal Shelter are available for adoption on a first-come-first-serve basis. According to California law, all adoptable dogs and cats must be spayed and neutered before leaving our facility. If interested in adopting an animal, please contact the shelter directly.

Current shelter hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. You can contact the shelter at 530.257.9200.

“The officer located the non-custodial parent at 14:45 hours and arrested him pursuant to an out-of-the-area arrest warrant,” explains SPD Sergeant Richard Warner. “The child was with the non-custodial parent and was unharmed.”

The child was taken into protective custody and later returned to Tehama County.

“The Susanville Police Department would like to thank the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Lassen County Child Protective Services, and Walmart for assisting with this investigation and the child’s successful recovery.”

Laureen Jordan and the Lassen County Chamber of Commerce Board at her ribbon cutting

In her practice, mindfulness is explored through creative workshops, artwork for sale, and programs and writings based on Reiki wisdom.

“I did my first Reiki training as a cultural experience and a chance to learn about the benefits of meditation. I didn’t expect it to change my life! Being a Christian, I prayed my way through each step of the journey,” says Jordan. “Once I experienced the benefits of Reiki and mindfulness for myself and saw it transform the lives of my loved ones, I wanted to share it with everyone!”

Jordan credits her upbringing, curiosity, and travels for helping her develop the open mind and heart necessary to embrace holistic wellness practices. A connection with nature and artistic expression were vital to her growing up in Susanville. She went on to study Fine Art at UNR and spent a year studying abroad in Italy.

“I had seen Michaelangelo’s Pieta so many times in my textbooks, but I wanted to see it with my own eyes.”

For Jordan it was a dream come true, and during that year, she says that she fell in love with travel.

She taught English as a second language both abroad and at UNR. Eventually Jordan’s path led to a teepee in the foothills of Nevada, where she participated in Reiki training.

At the time, Jordan says that she had been struggling with insomnia and depression, and a family member was dealing with chronic pain – all issues she says were resolved through Reiki.

“It was like the sun coming out from behind the clouds! I was shocked by the results from Reiki, and I just kept wondering, why haven’t I heard of this before?”

From this question, Fair Winds Reiki & Mindfulness was born.

“It’s not that we’re healed and life becomes perfect. It’s that we learn tools, like Reiki and mindfulness, that help us switch out of fight-or-flight mode, better enjoy the good times, more effectively deal with the challenging times, and build healthier habits. Reiki is available to everyone and can be learned by anyone. It should not be considered a replacement for traditional medicine, but can support the healing journey begun there.”

Since returning home to Susanville to help family, Jordan happened upon the perfect studio and office space uptown. She reopened her Reiki and art studio and added a gift shop to provide herself and other local artists and artisans an opportunity to share their work. The gift shop has regular hours, while Reiki services are available by appointment.

“I want Fair Winds to be a place where people feel safe to be themselves. In a world of chronic stress, countless distractions, and unconscious behavior, we can choose a different way. We can prioritize regulating our nervous systems (managing stress) so we aren’t passing our pain on to others and learn to be present with those we love. We can choose to focus on supportive practices like mindfulness, peacefulness, faith, gratitude, compassion, and integrity. But every day, it’s a choice.”

Stop by 100 S. Gay Street or call 1.530.395.5550 to learn more. Gift Shop hours are Wednesday through Friday, noon to 6:00-p.m. and Saturdays noon to 4:00.

Reiki by appointment can be booked online at fairwindsreiki.com.

Mt. Lassen prior to the eruption of 1914.

Volcano or Geyser

May 28, 1914

While no scientific observer has yet visited the scene of the disturbance on Mt. Lassen, the weight of evidence is in favor of a slight volcanic eruption having occurred. The geyser theory is not justified by any of the reports that have come from eyewitnesses. Forest rangers and superintendents of forest reserves, it may be said in passing, are not experts on his subject.

A geyser is essentially a gusher, but the statement that the snow had melted at Lassen, causing steam, is not sufficient to explain the column of smoke rising into the air nor the continuous cloud of steam over the new crater. The melting snow hypothesis is contrary to the whole theory of geysers, according to Dana.

Dana says: “The lava floods of Oregon, Nevada and Northern California, although connected partly with the volcanos of the Cascade Range, have come from fissures.” Lassen is at the southern end of the Cascade Range. The same authority says: “An active crater, even in its most quiet state, emits vapors.” The fissures are characteristic of that region.

The descriptions received by the Gazette from the Associated Press and from its special correspondents on Westwood and Susanville tell of what can be nothing but tufa covering the snow around the new crater for many hundred feet, and, so far, all the indications are that Mt. Lassen, whose volcanic activity at a comparatively recent time is disputed by no one, has again become active, although in a small way.