Alison Templeton, the artist behind this mural, adds an outline to a humpback whale

This mural is located on N. Roop Street as it curves around to become Cherry Terrace. Alison was commissioned by the owner of the Sage Hill Cottage to paint this fantastical depiction of sea life.

It has taken a few years to design, research, and execute the scene, but Alison and her art crew (Clara, Lila, and Suzanne) are getting down to the details. When I stopped by yesterday, they were busy shading, outlining, and painting the intricacies.

I was amazed at the many colors you don’t see when you just drive by. You have to get close to appreciate the swirling waves, facial expressions, and “Easter eggs” included for the gamers and Disney fans.

I would encourage you to slow down one day, park the car, and get out to truly see the personalities portrayed in the sea creatures.

The mural contains larger sea life like a humpback whale, blue whale, killer whale, and a blue-ringed octopus. They are surrounded by a turtle, a school of clownfish and angelfish, starfish, manta rays, jellyfish, a swordfish, a surprised pufferfish, a very “crabby” crab, and even a narwhal.

A panoramic view of the ocean landscape on N Roop Street

The Art Crew all add their own touches to the finished product

Alison adds whimsy by including other elements besides water. There are colorful planets, clouds, and the remnants of a sunset. One of the fishing touches will be to add glow-in-the-dark paint to some of the sea creatures to provide something to appreciate even at night.

There are plans to plant some seaweed-like plants in the flower beds and I joked that they should paint the bench in front as the S.S. Roop. I am always volunteering my talented sister to create more art.

She always goes along with it and those hours have translated into at least fifteen backdrops for the Miss Lassen County pageant, numerous Homecoming floats, and décor for multiple dances.

For the former two, she patiently teaches students how to make it themselves. I have watched as she demonstrated how to transform a piece of cardboard into looking like a 2X4 and provided instruction in creating clouds. I have heard her tell kids that anyone can learn how to draw.

It seems like we are experiencing a renaissance in the Susanville mural scene. Along with Alison’s under the ocean landscape, there is a mural in progress at Grocery Outlet, and the one in the former Bank of America/upcoming LMUD parking lot is getting a makeover.

I love seeing our town getting more and more beautiful every day. And I appreciate the artists who are making it that way. Thank you Alison!

I found Dory!

A blue-ringed octopus gets its spots

The design on the turtle’s shell

means “turtle” in Hawaiian

Get up close to appreciate the details

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.”

“During the investigation, officers discovered enough evidence to impound the BMW,” explains CHP Public Information Officer Bruce Thuelchassaigne.

“During the impound inventory officers located 233 grams of fentanyl, a large quantity of prescription pills, and a loaded homemade handgun.”

Owens, who, according to the CHP, is prohibited from possessing firearms, was arrested on numerous charges related to possession of fentanyl for sale, possession of prescription pills for sale, possession of a homemade firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

He was booked into the Lassen County adult detention facility.

On 9/18, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is hosting a Potluck, from 11:00-12:00 at 105 Ash St. Susanville. Bring a dish if you want, and everyone is welcome!

There is no charge, but there will be plenty of time for sharing and enjoying good food!

A view of Susanville with Chestnut street in the foreground, taken in the mid-1890’s

Straw Stack On Fire

August 30, 1894

The buildings and hay stacks on the McKissick Ranch have a narrow escape.

A man working with Berry & Lamb’s Thrasher, came hurriedly to town with the information that the straw stack and chicken house on the ranch of Jacob McKissick, and rented to Flo Grass, about one mile north of town on the Susanville road was on fire; caught from a spark from the steam engine that runs the thrashing machine.

Chief Engineer Hodgkinson took one of the steamers and four horses and went to the scene.

The fire was confined to the two straw stacks. About one hundred bushels of unthrashed oats was destroyed and several sacks of wheat. At 2:30 it was thought the fire was under control.

Mr. Grass’s family moved out of the little house for it was in close proximity to the burning straw stacks, on the east side with a strong wind blowing from the west.

There are two big stacks of hay just a few feet further north of the burning stacks, and if the fire should get into them the loss would fall heavy on Mr. Grass.