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The event will benefit the Citizens for a Better Williams charity, but stands to benefit Lake County and its wine industry as well.
Citizens for a Better Williams was formed in 2005. Previously, the group was the Williams Pioneer Day Parade Committee, but as the group began to take on additional projects they decided to change its name to reflect the purpose of the association.
The group is working to make the historic downtown area more aesthetic and coordinates beautifying projects around the city such as planting flowers, pruning trees, cleaning gutters, arch maintenance, pulling weeds, painting historic buildings and more.
They also send packages to troops and host two parades per year, the Williams Pioneer Day parade in June and the Festival of Lights parade in December.
Another project generated by the Citizens for a Better Williams is the flag project, in which 100 American flags were donated to line the streets of Downtown Williams on significant days such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Williams resident Richard Deluca conceived the idea for the wine tasting fundraiser.
Deluca and his wife Kathleen became acquainted with Lake County wines while living in Lake County from 2008 to 2009. It did not take long for them to determine that the quality of wine coming from the Lake County grapes and winemakers crafting their wines from them is quite superb and they were soon fans.
According to Deluca, the plethora of Lake County wineries that are accessed from Highway 20 receive low exposure because they're dwarfed by Napa. Lake County has a rich history, and was the No. 1 wine-producing region before Prohibition.
“Williams has tremendous potential because of its location off Interstate 5," Deluca said. "There is a huge resource of wineries off Highway 20 that are ignored. Lake County is basically Napa 50 years ago."
He saw the potential in Williams immediately and approached Louis Cairo's about holding the event.
"The goal here is to begin to bring wine tasting to Williams, and in a way in which people can support a great cause," said Deluca, an avid Citizens for a Better Williams supporter.
The event may or may not be a springboard for the long-term vision of Williams as a Solvang of the north, known for wine tasting, bringing visitors and employment.
"It's a fabulous idea," said Andi Armstrong, Citizens for a Better Williams president. "We are the gateway to the Lake County wineries."
According to Armstrong, the goal of Citizens for a Better Williams is to bring social capital to the community through events and visual projects that everyone can enjoy.
"I'm very excited to bring something new to Williams," Armstrong said about the wine tasting event. "It's a unique opportunity. To have three wineries come and do presentations is pretty cool."
Tickets are $10 and include five tastings and a lunch buffet. Tickets are available in advance through Citizens for a Better Williams by calling 530-682-1614 or Louis Cairo's, 558 7th St., Williams. Tickets will also be available at the door. All proceeds benefit Citizens for a Better Williams.
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Caltrans and HCAOG are cooperatively managing this project.
The selected consultant will create a new set of protocols and techniques that will make future non-motorized counts more cost-effective, reliable, and versatile. The project will include a final report which will consist of: (1) a cost breakdown comparing the two data collection options (manual versus new digital technique); (2) a list of parts and accessories used to develop the count equipment; (3) digital count data for each location in digital Excel format; and (4) step by step instructions for data collection and equipment operation.
The RFP is available on the Internet at the following Web site, www.dot.ca.gov/dist1/d1transplan/nmddc_rfp.htm .
Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. March 4.
Proposals will be screened based on criteria included in the RFP packet, and a panel consisting of HCAOG and Caltrans staff may interview consulting firms with the highest rated proposals.
If you have any questions regarding the RFP or about the Non-Motorized Digital Data Collection on State Highways Pilot Project, please contact Alyson Hunter, contract management staff, at 707-441-4542 or
For individuals with sensory disabilities, this document is available in Braille, large print, on audiocassette, or computer disk. To obtain a copy in one of these alternate formats, please call or write to Caltrans, Attn: Alyson Hunter, Transportation Planning, PO Box 3700, Eureka, CA 95502, telephone 707-441-4542; TTY 711.
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The agency reported that $2 million in funding will be available to eligible producers in California as part of the agency’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Organic producers must submit applications by Jan. 31 for funding consideration during fiscal year 2010.
Noting that the EQIP deadline for most applicants is Jan. 15, California Assistant State Conservationist Alan Forkey said the agency was allowing a bit more time for organic and transitioning producers to develop their conservation applications but stressed they should begin the process as soon as possible.
"Organic producers tend to be new to USDA and NRCS procedures and it is a learning process on both sides. Getting in early allows for a quality conservation planning experience," said Forkey.
Organic producers can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years through this initiative. The Organic Initiative targets core conservation practices such as Conservation Crop Rotation, Cover Crop, Nutrient Management, Pest Management, Prescribed Grazing, and Forage Harvest Management.
"In addition to the six core practices, in California there are more than a dozen additional practices that can qualify for funding through this initiative," Forkey said.
This is a nationwide special initiative to provide financial assistance to certified organic producers as well as producers transitioning to organic production.
Applicants must either have an organic system plan or certify that they are working toward one. Organic producers may also apply for assistance under general EQIP.
Forkey encourages organic producers and those transitioning to organic production to contact their local USDA Service Center and learn more about this opportunity before the January 31 sign-up deadline.
To contact the Lake County NRCS service center please call Korinn Smith at 707-263-4180, Extension 14.
The Lake County NRCS service center is located at 889 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, CA 95453. Driving directions and contact information to the service centers is available at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=CA .
