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Inspiring Girls Expeditions is accepting applications through Jan. 31 for free summer science and wilderness expeditions in Alaska and Washington for girls ages 16 to 17.
Three teams of up to nine teenage girls and three instructors will spend 12 days exploring and learning about mountain glaciers or fjords with tidewater glaciers. They'll conduct scientific field studies with professional glaciologists, oceanographers, artists and mountaineers.
The three Inspiring Girls trips of 2017 will include Girls on Ice Alaska, Girls On Ice Cascades and Girls in Icy Fjords. They are operated through the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Natural Science and Mathematics and the International Arctic Research Center.
Here are details for each expedition:
– Girls on Ice Alaska: Girls ages 16 to 17 sleep under the midnight sun and explore an Alaska glacier from June 16–27, 2017. Girls from Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Yukon or California are eligible to apply.
– Girls on Ice Cascades: Girls ages 16 to 17 explore Mount Baker, an ice-covered volcano in Washington, from July 16–27, 2017. Girls from all states and countries may apply.
– Girls in Icy Fjords: Girls ages 16 to 17 explore Bear Glacier and its marine environment near Seward, Alaska, while also learning to kayak. Girls in Icy Fjords is new this year and will run from August 11-22, 2017. Girls from all states and countries may apply.
All Inspiring Girls programs help girls learn about the natural processes related to glaciers as they develop critical thinking skills and explore the connection between science and art. Participants design their own experiments and work as part of a team.
Girls participate in these programs tuition-free through small grants, gifts from individuals and support from the National Science Foundation, the Alaska Climate Research Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
For more information, and to learn about the application process, go to https://www.inspiringgirls.org .
LAKEPORT, Calif. – With New Year’s Eve rapidly approaching, now is the perfect time to think about making some resolutions, according to Lakeport-area SERVPRO franchise owners.
While resolutions typically involve committing to personal changes and reaching goals, these clean-up and restoration professionals say the single most important resolution both business and home owners can make for 2017 is to “Resolve to be Ready.”
“Preparing in advance to deal with the unexpected can make a world of difference in how quickly and completely property owners can put the pieces of their lives back together,” said Sue Steen, Servpro Industries Inc. chief executive officer. “Emergency readiness plans are the foundation for effective and timely emergency response.”
SERVPRO disaster remediation professionals in the Lakeport area encourage all property owners to take advantage of the no-cost emergency planning tools available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, at www.ready.gov/publications , as well as SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile and READY Plan Mobile App ( http://ready.servpro.com ).
For homeowners:
• FEMA resources include guidelines for a creating a Family Emergency Plan and Emergency Supply List, with additional tips for pet owners, seniors, people with disabilities, and even commuters.
• SERVPRO offers their free SERVPRO READY Plan app, which stores critical contact and property information electronically in advance, where it can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if disaster strikes.
For business owners:
• FEMA offers materials on topics ranging from creating a Business Continuity Plan to an Insurance Discussion Coverage Form in addition to guidelines for creating an Emergency Response Plan.
• For businesses, SERVPRO offers a no-cost facility assessment and assistance in creating a comprehensive Emergency READY Profile® (ERP). The ERP includes information about emergency contact numbers, priority and high/risk areas, shut-off valve locations and more that can then be stored
in the READY app.
“The time to gather and store information like emergency contact numbers; insurance contacts; and the location of fuse boxes, fire suppression system controls, and such is before an emergency strikes, not during an emergency,” said Steen. “Having this information at your fingertips can help emergency responders react as quickly and effectively as possible, helping to limit loss of property and even lives.”
SERVPRO specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers.
For more information on SERVPRO, please visit www.servpro.com .
SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A team of 13 AmeriCorps volunteers have been working the last two months, in the Middletown/Cobb area, helping to rebuild homes for uninsured – or underinsured – Valley fire survivors.
They’ve been given lodging in a home donated for their use by longtime local merchant, Grant Hardester.
These volunteers – who are sponsored by two Team Lake County humanitarian agencies, Hope City and North Coast Opportunities – also are helping to build the new volunteer dorms in Middletown Central Park.
In early November the AmeriCorps team was introduced at Team Lake County’s monthly general membership meeting in Middletown.
Twenty-four-year old AmeriCorps spokesperson and team leader, Colleen Moran, addressed Team Lake County members, saying, “There are 13 of us. We’re 18- to 24-four-year olds, coming together to do volunteer service. We’re unskilled labor without any experience. It’s up to the sponsors to teach us.”
Besides learning job skills, Moran explained, “AmeriCorps is about developing interpersonal and leadership skills.”
Each year AmeriCorps volunteers join up for 10 months in single teams that will take on four different, two-month projects.
This has been the first project of the year for Moran’s team. Their last day with Hope City will be Wednesday, Dec. 21. A new AmeriCorps team will take their place here in Middletown on Jan. 11.
On a rainy afternoon in early December, team members were doing inside work on a house on Wardlaw Street near the St. Helena Creek Bridge in Middletown.
Foreman John Ferguson from Clearlake Oaks shouted out, “All right, I need a 6-foot board.”
The framing, roofing and siding was pretty much done and sheetrock was being installed indoors.
“I’ve done a lot of siding. There’s a lot of physically demanding work; like holding up drywall in place while others screw it into the ceiling,” said Darren Wilber, 21.
“It’s rewarding to see the ‘before and after’ results,” Wilber said.
“It took awhile to learn how to hammer nails in straight,” said Raya Koch, a 20-year-old from Connecticut. She prefers battery-powered, portable screwdrivers.
Koch counts teamwork as a blessing, “One of the best things about being in AmeriCorps is working with 12 other people every single day.”
She added, “Coming to Middletown has been totally awesome. I love it here. It makes a difference to work in a place where people are so sweet, kind and generous. Our team volunteered at the community Thanksgiving dinner at Twin Pines Casino Event Center, and it was really cool.”
“My dad had been in the Peace Corps. He said, ‘Not only can you help others as a volunteer, but you can see the country,'” said Justin Meyers, a 24-year-old from San Antonio, Texas, who recently graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in mathematics.
“I’ve never seen the West,” Meyers added. “I saw the Golden Gate Bridge last weekend. And I saw how crazy it is driving up those steep hills in San Francisco.”
He also observed, “I’m surprised how receptive Middletown is. We’re not viewed as outsiders. It’s cool to hear their story and help them at the same time.”
As their two-month project in Lake County comes to an end, Moran reflected on her team’s time here.
“As an AmeriCorps member, I’ve never had a project so well thought out. Hope City is definitely the most organized, passionate and dedicated program I’ve worked in. The supervisors are focused and hard workers. The community and the sponsors make it easy for all of us to love the work,” she said.
Kevin Cox, chief executive officer of Hope City, said during Team Lake County’s general membership meeting in December, “I want to acknowledge AmeriCorps. Thanks to them, the building continues, and they’re learning some skills. It’s a good ‘give and take.'”
Recent winner of the Stars of Lake County Humanitarian of the Year Award, Sharon Dawson, who lives across the street from where the volunteers have been working, said, “Every morning they come marching down the street like they’re on a field trip. They’re doing something tangible for our community. I love having them here.”
Dennis Purcell is communications committee chair for Team Lake County.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has three pets available to go directly to new homes.
This week's featured animals include two cats and a dog.
Community members interested in taking home a new pet also are urged to ask about the city's holiday special on adoptions.
To meet the animals, contact Marcia Taylor, the animal control outreach technician, at 707-994-8201, Extension 103, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or contact Animal Control Officer Jenna Tuller at Extension 115 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. those same days or leave a message on Fridays or weekends.
Also follow Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook for the latest updates.
Below are this week's available pets.
'Alexis'
“Alexis” is a 7-month-old female boxer and American Staffordshire Terrier mix.
Shelter staff said she just loves everyone, and likes to run and play, and give kisses. She needs a home for the holidays.
'Tigger'
“Tigger” is a young male domestic short hair mix with an orange tabby and white coat.
Shelter staff said he is a “kickback cool cat,” who is ready to go home with you.
'Tommy'
“Tommy” is a young male domestic short hair and Cymric mix cat.
Shelter staff said he is a very nice cat, with a beautiful black and white coat.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol wants all motorists on the roadways to drive safely during their travel this holiday season.
As part of its upcoming maximum enforcement period, the CHP reminds motorists to buckle up, avoid distracted driving, designate a sober driver, and always travel at a safe speed for conditions.
The CHP Christmas Maximum Enforcement Period will begin at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, and will end at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 26.
Although the focus of this maximum enforcement period is on speed enforcement, officers also will be looking for distracted drivers and those who are not buckled up.
In addition, officers and drug recognition experts will be looking for all signs of impaired driving as well as assisting motorists wherever needed.
“The Christmas holiday is a wonderful time of year for family and friends to get together and enjoy lasting memories. The CHP wants all motorists to slow down and arrive safely at their destination,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.
During the 2015 Christmas Maximum Enforcement Period, 35 people died on California’s roadways.
Among the 12 people who died in the CHP’s jurisdiction, 50 percent were not wearing seat belts. Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in the event of a traffic collision.
During last year’s maximum enforcement period period, the CHP made 700 arrests for driving under the influence.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls impaired driving an immediate crisis in the United States, and reported that 35,092 people were killed in motor vehicle collisions in 2015, ending a five-decade trend of declining fatalities.
Research shows almost one in three fatalities involved impaired drivers or speeding.
“Making wise decisions, such as wearing your seat belt, traveling at a safe speed, and designating a sober driver, will help improve your safety on the roadways,” Commissioner Farrow emphasized. “These choices could save your life or the life of someone you love.”
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to the people of California.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Come celebrate the joy of Christmas at the Upper Lake Community United Methodist Church candlelight service on Saturday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m.
The candlelight service is a reminder of Christ’s coming for the whole family.
Everyone is given a small candlestick and to close the service, the lights are dimmed, candles are lit and the singing of “Silent Night,” as they exit the sanctuary, fills the air.
This service will include a music medley by pianist Michelle Wells, songs performed by the Chancel Choir, “O, Holy Night” solo by Alexander O’Meara, Christmas carols sung by the congregation, lighting of the Christ Candle and ringing in Christmas Day.
Scripture reading participants will be Valerie and Nick Reid, Jeannie and Jeff Markham, Toni James, and Darla and Gary Lewis. The service will be officiated by the Reverend C. R. Green.
The offering, again this year, will go to benefit the Shoes for School Children Program. In supporting the program they ask people to remember how difficult it is for children to concentrate on learning when their shoes are too small, or too large, or are so worn out that they provide little or no protection from the elements. Those in need will truly appreciate and bless donors for their help.
There will also be a Christmas Day worship service on Sunday at 11 a.m.
All are welcome.
The United Methodist Church is located on the corner of First Street and Clover Valley Road in the town of Upper Lake.
The church's motto is “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.”