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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – More than 250 festively dressed and masked educators and community leaders gathered together for a formal dinner to celebrate the annual Early Childhood Educator of the Year Awards on Friday, May 6, at the Twin Pine Casino Event Center in Middletown.
Nine early educators were selected to receive awards from a pool of 92 nominees recognized by their peers and community leaders and the families they serve for their commitment to excellence in their profession.
The winners were evaluated based on their education, responses to interview questions, commitment to their profession and effectiveness in their roles.
Joy Swartz, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 25 years as an early educator professional, said she was flabbergasted and honored to receive the award and could not have done any of it without the support of a wonderful team of other dedicated professionals.
April Leiferman, assistant superintendent of the Lake County Office of Education, while presenting an award stated, "Kindergarten teachers know who they are on the first day of school which children had preschool because they have better social skills and academic skills than children without preschool."
In addition to Swartz, winners included the following:
– Infant/Toddler Provider of the Year: Stephanie Garcia.
– Preschool provider of the Year: Jessie Ralls.
– Family Child Care Provider of the Year: Tami Hamblen.
– Special Needs/Inclusion Provider of the Year: Alejandra Fernandez.
– Advocate of the Year: Marcy Holleran.
– Rookie of the Year: Nicole Zwinge.
– Most Inspirational: Boba Toshich.
– Phoenix Award: Jules Stout.
The awards ceremony is unique in that it recognizes the significant contribution that early childhood educators offer to young children ages 0-5 to prepare them to be successful in school and in life.
An early childhood educator is a person who works with young children and their families, from birth to kindergarten, in nursery schools, childcare centers, preschools and other education settings.
Professional early childhood educators assess children's developmental needs, plan programs and environments for play and activities in healthy, safe and nurturing environments.
The educators maintain healthy emotional and social learning contexts for children and report to parents on the children's developmental progress. Children who have benefited from early childhood education are frequently found to possess better social skills and show a significant increase in readiness when they begin attending school.
The Early Childhood Educator of the Year Awards is an initiative of the Lake County Child Care Planning Council of the Lake County Office of Education.
“Many of these educators have dedicated decades to their profession, in the face of dramatic budget cuts and statewide funding priorities that work in opposition to consistent, quality care,” said Lake County Child Care Planning Council Coordinator Colleen Campbell. “Their education, in many cases, equals that of the K-12 educator, and this program provides a forum to recognize that commitment and the important work they do.”
For more photos and information about the awards visit the council's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Lake-County-Child-Care-Planning-Council-172608049468414/?fref=ts .
For more information about the awards or the work that LPC does for parents and children ages 0-5, contact Colleen Campbell at 707-262-4162 or
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. (May 12, 2016) – In the aftermath of the Valley fire, considered the third most damaging fire in the history of California, Lake County Supervisor Rob Brown met with the homeowner associations in the Rivieras to discuss fire hazard mitigation for the 2016 fire season.
The results from those meetings included the creation of a partnership between the county and the homeowners' associations of Riviera Heights, Clearlake Riviera and Riviera West.
“It was agreed that the county would assist those communities by giving abatement notices to the worst of the offenders, and provide abatement if necessary. The property owners need to get that thick underbrush cleared up before something as devastating as the Valley fire happens in their community,” said Brown.
In April, Lake County Community Development Code Enforcement tagged 47 properties in the Riviera Heights, Clearlake Riviera and Riviera West with notices of nuisance and orders to abate.
“The owners of a handful of properties abated their lots after receiving the notices, but there are many more lots that still need to be cleared,” said interim Community Development Director Scott De Leon.
Code Enforcement plans to begin abatement before the end of May for those properties that have not responded to the notices.
“If the owner does not abate the property, the county will do it. A lien for the cost of the abatement will then be attached to the property, with the owner responsible for covering those costs,” added De Leon.
“This needs to gone done as soon as possible,” said Brown. “The warmer the weather gets, the greater the chance that the tools used for that abatement could spark a new fire in the dried brush.”
Currently the Community Development Department is looking for contractors to submit bids for the clearing of those properties.
“They need to have insurance – at least liability and workers comp – for the County to be able to contract with them,” said Jeri Driver of the Lake County Building and Safety Department.
All weed/brush abatement businesses that fulfill those requirements are encouraged to contact Driver at 707-263-2511 or
“I really don’t think Lake County could handle going through another fire like the Valley fire,” added Brown. “These lots have got to get cleared.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City, CA), a former California State University Trustee and University of California Regent, is honored that his Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculating Act has been unanimously endorsed by the California State Student Association (CSSA).
The CSSA represents more than 446,000 students in the California State University (CSU) system.
“While federal student loans are one of many tools that students can use to access college, high interest rates have made them increasingly difficult to pay back,” said Taylor Herren, president of the California State Student Association. “It’s fair to ask borrowers to pay back their loan plus the amount to cover administrative costs; however, interest rates higher than that mean borrowers spend longer in repayment and end up delaying significant purchases, such as a house, or wait longer to start a family, ultimately slowing the nation’s economy. We are grateful that Congressman Garamendi recognizes the damage high interest rates have and is pursuing legislation to treat borrowers more fairly.”
“Undergraduate students in the CSU system graduate with an average student loan debt of nearly $16,000. It’s a sign of just how out of control college debt has gotten that this is actually well below the national average. We must do better for our students,” Congressman Garamendi said. “I’m honored that CSU students are joining me in this movement to reform our student loan system. My Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculating Act is part of the solution to making sure that every qualified student in America is able to pursue their dreams.”
Congressman Garamendi introduced the Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculating Act on the UC Davis campus last week.
Since it was introduced, it has already been cosponsored by 24 members of Congress. It is also endorsed by the Higher Education Loan Coalition, a grassroots alliance of schools dedicated to the continuous improvement and strengthening of the federal Direct Loan program.
The legislation refinances student loan interest rates to the current 10 year Treasury note rate, plus 1 percent. This means that current interest rates (4.29 percent for undergraduate borrowers, 5.84 percent for graduate borrowers, and 6.84 percent for parent and graduate PLUS loan borrowers) would all be lowered to 3.23 percent.
In practical terms, this means an undergraduate student with average student loan debt ($35,051) would save $2,760 over the lifetime of their loan; a graduate student with average student loan debt ($57,600) would save $3,480 over the lifetime of their loan.
The bill also ensures that borrowers with an expected family contribution of less than, or equal to, $10,000 will not accrue interest on their student loans while they are in school.
While lieutenant governor, serving as a University of California Regent and California State University trustee, Garamendi voted against every undergraduate tuition increase.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Luncheon Club will host Ginny De Vries, coordinator for the Lake County Adult Literacy Program, on Wednesday, May 18.
Lunch will be served by the South Lake County Fire Sirens at noon at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.
De Vries has been the coordinator for the Lake County Adult Literacy Program for 27 years. She will share why the existence of this Lake County Library program is important to all of us.
Her will only last about 15 minutes, leaving plenty of time for questions. The program will end promptly at 1 p.m.
For only $5 per person, enjoy chicken Caesar wraps, fruit salad and carrot and raisin salad (sounds like a healthy, refreshing spring meal).
Reservations are highly recommended. Please call 707-987-3113 or email
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Division 35 of the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) will host a reception for certificated school personnel retiring at the conclusion of the 2015/2016 school year.
The reception will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, at the Boatique Winery located at 8255 Red Hills Road in Kelseyville.
The reception will feature wine tasting and appetizers. There is no charge to attend.
“This is an opportunity to meet other retired Lake County educators and learn the benefits of membership in the California Retired Teachers Association,” said Division 35 President Joyce Anderson.
Division 35 provides, among other things, grants to local teachers and scholarships to students pursuing a career in education.
The state organization works to protect the retirement benefits earned by certificated personnel retired under the California State Teachers Retirement System.
Anderson added, “Membership in CalRTA is open to all retired certificated teachers, administrators and support staff. We hope you will join us on June second to celebrate your retirement from public education.”
Those planning to attend are asked to please RSVP to Anderson by calling 707-995-1189 or by email to
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County and the North Coast during the coming week.
Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.
LAKE COUNTY
Highway 20
– Pavement repairs from Manzanita Drive to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to perform utility work near Foothill Drive on Friday, May 13. A shoulder closure will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
Highway 29
– Valley Fire recovery work from the Lake/Napa County line to Hidden Valley will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
Highway 175
– Valley fire recovery work from the junction of Routes 29/175 in Middletown to Loch Lomond will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays.
MENDOCINO COUNTY
Highway 1
– Geotechnical studies near the Little River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
– Pavement repairs between Happy Lane and Simpson Road will begin Friday, May 13. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
– Highway repairs just north of Ocean Meadows Circle will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
Highway 20
– Turnout construction at various locations from 1.3 miles east of Little Lake Road to 1.9 miles west of Broaddus Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
Highway 101
– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.
– Highway construction from 0.6 miles south of Upp Creek to the north Willits railroad crossing will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
– Pavement repairs from Sherwood Road to Rattlesnake Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
– Pavement repairs from the junction of Routes 1/101 to the Bear Pen Undercrossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays and Saturdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
– Emergency slide repairs just south of Standish-Hickey State Park will continue. One-way traffic control with a signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
Highway 162
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to remove equipment 1.1 miles east of Hosea Creek on Friday, May 20. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
Highway 253
– Highway repairs from Cattle Pass to Butler Ranch will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.
For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).