Buys barbershop George Scheuchenzuber III has been cutting hair at Hugh’s Barbershop on Main Street in Quincy for three years and, “with a haggle and handshake,” bought the business from longtime owner Hugh Ausmus, who has moved to Oregon. He renamed it Downtown Barbershop. In addition to haircuts, George — whose father and grandfather were also barbers — also offers the traditional hot shaves. In his spare time, he says, he enjoys working on his land and digging for gold. Photo by Holly Buus

PLUMAS BANK’s holiday mixers

Plumas Bank is celebrating the season with the community by hosting its annual holiday mixers. Today, Wednesday, Dec. 12, the gathering at the Portola office will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. You can also enjoy refreshments when you do your everyday banking at the Greenville or Quincy branches beginning Wednesday, Dec. 12, through Friday, Dec. 14. The Chester office will have its Customer Appreciation Days from Wednesday, Dec. 19, through Friday, Dec. 21. Don’t forget to pick up your 2013 calendar, featuring local photographers “Capturing the Colors in Plumas Bank Country,” while you’re there!

holiday tasting fair this weekend

The new owner of Young’s Market in Taylorsville, Kelly Tan, is hosting a holiday tasting fair Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 15, from noon to 5 p.m. Besides the experience she gained while working for Whole Foods for 12 years, Kelly has been catering holiday parties, weddings and fundraisers for more than 20 years and now offers her expertise locally. Be sure to stop by and sample many the new items she carries in the store and uses for catering, including an array of cheeses, crackers, cured meats and cookies. Beginning this week she is making her own sausage using all natural pork complemented by several special spices. Obviously, you can’t work for a dozen years at a gourmet store like Whole Foods and not learn something!

glass-blowing demonstrations

Barbara Whatley, owner of Loose Ends-Sew What on East Sierra Street (Highway 70) next to Lena’s Cantina in Portola, is having glass-blowing demonstrations by Logan G. Beers on Saturday, Dec. 15, starting at 11 a.m. Logan has more than five years experience in glass blowing and will be creating some unique pieces that would make ideal gifts (even for yourself). Barbara will be serving assorted refreshments.

enjoy a treat on us!

In the spirit of the season, and as a way of saying thanks to our friends and patrons, our staff has prepared some holiday treats beginning today, Dec. 12, thru Friday, Dec. 21. So, when you are out and about this holiday season, be sure to stop by the Feather Publishing offices on Lawrence Street in Quincy, the Portola Reporter on Sierra Street, or the Chester Progressive on Main Street and enjoy a sweet treat along with some good, old-fashioned hospitality.

Setting it straight

In the Nov. 28 edition of this newspaper we ran a photo of a new business that opened in Greenville called Wolfcreek Woodstoves. We incorrectly reported that Jeff Hahn bought Feather River Stove Works from longtime owner Bill Battagin. That’s incorrect. Bill has and will continue to be in charge of Feather River Stove Works.However, in an effort to put more time intohis other business of 17 years, Feather River Solar Electric, and to spend more time with his kids as they enter high school, Bill is mentoring Jeff as he ventures into the woodstove business.

   Bill and Jeff have already gone out on many jobs to date and Bill hopes to eventually hand off all of the sales/installs by the end of this stove season.Bill will continue to be available to all of his past customers should they need any help with their woodstoves or inserts, adding that he is grateful for both the opportunity and privilege to provide wood heat to Plumas County residents for the last 35 years.

christmas ideas

Still in time for the holidays, you can now order Graeagle-themed greeting cards, prints and iPhone cases as gifts by local photographer Michael Clawson. A picture tells a thousand words, so why not say it with a local flair? You can order directly from his InstaCanvas Gallery at instacanv.as/bigfishMichael owns Big Fish Creations, an advertising and digital media company in Graeagle.

two westwood christmas parties

The Double “G” Iron Horse Saloon on Ash Street is having a Christmas party Saturday, Dec. 15. Owners Gunnar and Candi Garrett and Mary Gow tell us there will be music, appetizers, prize giveaways, a bonfire pit and lots of holiday cheer!

x On Saturday, Dec. 22, at Bridgett and Tim Bustamante’s Moonlight Bar & Grill, also on Ash Street, it’s “ugly Christmas sweater party time.” This event promises to be hysterically fun with lots of prizes to be given away.

continuing best wishes…

Chester’s Sharon Henry begins her 41st year in business. Although the business name has changed over the years, Lassen Gift Co. continues to offer a gift store stocked with jewelry, clothing, glassware, infant and youth educational toys and much more, including the year-round Christmas shop. You will also find an old-fashioned soda fountain at its Main Street, Chester location.

  The Ranchito, nestled amongst the towering pines in east Quincy, will soon have refrigerators, microwaves, irons and ironing boards in every room. John and Tracy Wixted, now in their second year as innkeepers and owners, said while it’s a big investment, it’s what customers have been asking for. Next year, they said, it’s more remodeling and painting — “never-ending but well worth it!”

  Jennifer Ludvigson and Christie Brawley are celebrating their second year conducting Zumba classes, which they call a “Latin-inspired, booty-shaking, calorie-blasting exercise.” The two also teach Zumbatomic for kids, both at Feather River Fitness.

Attorney Mary K. Shelters completed her third year practicing in Plumas County from her offices in Greenville. Mary, a lawyer for 33 years, specializes in bankruptcy protection and negotiates settlements with unsecured creditors for those clients who cannot protect their assets in bankruptcy.