RENEW YOUR COMMITMENT …   

Weekly, we  dedicate this space to share with you news tidbits about our local businesses. Today, as you read through this column, pause for a moment to consider just what it takes for these fine businesses to survive in this county, especially given our current financial crisis. Simply said: We need them and they need us. For that to truly work, businesses have to provide consistently good service and selection at a fair price. In turn, we have to do the shopping.   

Are all the players — merchants and shoppers — doing their part? My guess, pretty much across the board is no, at least not consistently. So isn’t this the perfect time to renew our commitment to our fine community, to help our community, to help ourselves? You know the old adage, “What goes around, comes around!” How true is that when it comes to supporting our students and their extracurricular activities, our clubs and local organizations, volunteer firefighters and even our local hospitals and health care?   

So here’s the challenge:   

Forget what happened yesterday. Dismiss any prior, perhaps biased, perceptions you might be hanging on to. If someone shared with you what he or she thought was a bad experience at a local store, don’t give it much merit. Instead, go find out for yourself.   

If, Mr. or Mrs. Merchant, you’ve become apathetic because something you’ve tried in the past failed to meet your expectations, let it go and try it again. Better yet, try something new and different. If you don’t try to make your businesses, be sure you also show them how much you value their businesses by doing your part to provide the best possible customer service with a good selection at fair prices.

During the Main Cruise on Saturday, June 26 the Susanville Elks will be selling barbecue and ice cream and also having a raffle. They say they will have plenty of parking in the back too.

NU 2 U THRIFT STORE HAS MOVED   

The Nu 2 U Thrift Store in Susanville has just moved into its new location in Uptown Susanville. You will now find them at 732 Main St. in the old Picture Perfect location. It’s now open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday for your convenience. Check out its new larger location.

WALKER MANSION REOPENS  

Nestled in the heart of downtown Westwood, the historic Walker Mansion Inn and Café has reopened for the season. Owner Esther Pretti has been busy getting this charming café, bed and breakfast and gift store ready, which features antiques and home furnishings, for the new season. Lunches and Sunday brunch are certainly special given the unique ambience of their dining room or screened-in patio and its peaceful surroundings.

AWARD WINNING TOY LINE   

David Teeter at Margie’s Book Nook in Susanville wants everyone to know that the award winning toy line of Melissa & Doug is now available. These quality wooden toys are well known for being educational, fun and inexpensive. So if you want something different from the run of the mill plastic toy, visit Margie’s Book Nook and look over this exciting new line.

GARDENING SCHOOL   

With the warm summer weather, it's time to get planting. Melissa McCoy, owner of Every Bloomin' Thing, is having her fifth annual Gardening School on Sunday, June 27. There will be six different free classes this year, from organic gardening to perennial garden designs. Registration begins at 8 a.m., classes are from 9 a.m. to noon, and you can attend one or all of the classes. See this week’s paper for more information on the classes being offered.

UNEXPECTED NEW HOURS   

The Bead Shop in Uptown Susanville has had to change its hours. Shirley Robinson, owner of the Bead Shop, has broken her leg and her girls are helping her out! They will be opening the shop for Shirley in the afternoon on Wednesday through Saturday. You’ll find many gift ideas from the latest in body jewelry to art, earrings and a large selection of beading supplies. There are many styles of beads glass; crystals, gemstone and pearls are just a few bead selections to design your one of a kind creation.   

SYNERGY GREENS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE HEALTH NUT   

The Health Nut wants to let everyone who loved Pure Synergy Greens that the former Tiki Spa/Day Spa used to carry, are now in stock.  Synergy Greens are one of the most nutrient-dense greens products on the market.  They also contain enzymes, probiotics, phytonutrients, medicinal mushrooms, organic herbs, vegetables and fruits to provide sustained energy, heighten mental clarity, detoxify, enhance immunity, and support a healthy lifestyle. Kristin also wants everyone to know that more safe sunscreens by Badger, Soleo, Desert Essence and California Baby will be in again very soon so get your name on their list.

NEW HAIRSTYLIST   

Suzanne Rice, owner of Suzanne’s Ultimate Salon, would like to welcome Amy Foreman to her staff. Amy is young and vivacious and comes with the newest ideas in hairstyling. She specializes in cuts and color and is available sixdays a week. Give the salon a call for your appointment.

ANNUAL EARTH DAY EXTRAVAGANZA   

Susanville Indian Rancheria Natural Resources Department and the Diamond Mountain Casino will be hosting the 4th Annual Earth Day Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 19 at the DMC events tent. In addition to the recycled arts contest, native dance demonstrations, food and music, they will be holding an E-waste collection station. If you have old batteries, cell phones, computer parts or other acceptable electronic devices you can safely dispose of them that day. Proceeds will benefit local charities, so clean up your clutter, save the environment and help raise money too. See their ad in this week’s paper for the list of acceptable items.

WELCOME NEW DENTAL DIRECTOR   

Lassen Indian Health Center tells us Dr. Tiffany Gorr is their new dental director. The LIHC will be hosting an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 24 to give you a chance to meet Gorr and the other clinical staff members. Lassen Indian Health Center also announces that it is now accepting non-Native patients at its practice. Contact its offices for more information.

WELCOME NEW SYLIST   

Hair Hunters Salon in Uptown Susanville is pleased to welcome new stylist Shaylee Unterreiner to their team. Unterreiner comes from a long line of barbers and is the third generation to enter the profession.   

“I just got in the new line of Cinderella Fashion Hair Extensions in assorted colors to jazz up your summer hair styles” she tells us.     

Unterreiner is available for walk-ins and by appointment Thursday through Saturday.

CELEBRATE DINNER WITH DAD   

This Father’s Day don’t make dad do the cooking. Instead head on over to Lassen Steaks inside the El Tepeyac Grille. Owner Esther Faustino wants to remind you that the best way to enjoy the day with dad is relaxing instead of cooking and cleaning. So whether he’s in the mood for a delicious steak dinner or authentic Mexican dishes are more to his liking, both restaurants are waiting to make your meal an enjoyable family event.   

Fine wines and the freshest hand cut USDA choice meets are waiting for you at your local corner grocer Idaho Grocery. If you’re planning to host a backyard barbecue then why not start with the freshest ingredients in town. Plus your local butcher will be happy to season up your meat and give you cooking tips too.

START A COLLECTION FOR DAD   

Great Basin Antiques in Uptown Susanville has a unique selection of gifts for the dad to fit every budget. They’ve got a specialty western section, unique art and a host of other interesting gifts. If you haven’t shopped there lately, now is the time to see what’s new in store and get a great gift for dad and a little something for you.

RECEIVES QUANTUM LEAP AWARD   

The Leavitt Group awarded Flanigan-Leavitt Insurance Agency with the “Quantum Leap Award.” One agency is selected annually for this award for demonstrating significant effort in furthering their agency’s development. Mike and Valerie Flanigan are the local managing co-owners of the agency.   

The award was presented during the Leavitt Group’s annual conference in Las Vegas, Nev. Flanigan-Leavitt’s exceptional growth, profitability, and employee training were highlighted during the award presentation.  The Leavitt Group surveys both clients and employees when deciding on the award recipients.    

“We were very surprised, but honored, to receive this recognition from our Leavitt partners. We appreciate our dedicated staff and their good works — and thank our three boys for the time with us they give up periodically so that we can help move the agency forward,” said Mike Flanigan   

With offices in Susanville, Quincy and Reno, Flanigan-Leavitt is a full service independent agency that provides insurance products and services to individuals and businesses throughout California, Oregon and Nevada.   

The Leavitt Group is an organization of independent insurance agencies with more than 115 offices across the United States.  As the 12th largest brokerage in the nation, they provide affiliated agencies with management services, specialty products, and greater access to insurance markets that create a stable insurance environment for clients.