Have no fear; it’s only the Clampers.

Clampers are members of E Clampus Vitus (ECV), which is a historical organization with the emphasis on little known history during the Gold Rush Days of California.

ECV has placed more than 1,000 plaques all over California and other western states.

The Yerba Buena Lodge No. 1 is a branch of ECV from San Francisco and the surrounding area, including Lake County.

They will have their two-day fall event at Brassfield Estate Winery in High Valley property where they have chosen to place a monument to commemorate the old Ranch House on the Brassfield Estate.

The plaque dedication will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.

Janeane Bogner with the Lake County Historical Society will be there to share the history of the structure, which is believed to be about 160 years old and possibly the oldest house in the county.

The Lake County Historical Society, Brassfield Estate Winery, the Brassfield family and the Yerba Buena Lodge No. 1 invite the public to the dedication.

ECV welcomes anyone who may have knowledge of this structure or property to share with other guests. The plaque is made of bronze and is a beauty. You’ll definitely want to check it out.

The meeting will be held the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport.

Meetings are open to the public and committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-277-0713 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The committee's Web site is www.lakecountydemocrats.org .

Happy campers Ian Sammel, Nathan Philips, Liam Wayment and J.P. Jones, enjoy time together. Courtesy photo.

 
 

LAKEPORT – For the seventh straight year, children entering second through fifth grade learned the basics of living a healthy life at Camp Watta Watta, Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s annual wellness day camp.

More than 100 campers and 25 middle and high school camp counselors enjoyed a week in the “wild” at Clear Lake State Park from July 14 through 17.   

Coordinated in collaboration with Girl Scouts of Northern California, Camp Watta Watta is a unique blend of education, inspiration and fun activities with the goal of teaching children how to create their own good health for a lifetime.

“We don’t just talk about health, we live it at camp,” said camp program director Carrie McClure. “We eat healthy food, hike, do yoga, swim, kayak, drink lots of water, and enjoy the natural and wild surroundings in beautiful Lake County.”

Community and hospital employee volunteers came together to share their skills and talents with the campers in a variety of ways.

Aaron Jameson of FightSport and Fitness taught martial arts; Val Nixon from the Clear Lake State Park brought the Junior Ranger program; retired local educator, Bonnie Tringali, taught drawing skills; Julie Hoskins of Chic Le Chef taught healthy cooking; the Clear Lake Scullers and the Sea Scouts taught boating; along with numerous other Sutter Lakeside Hospital employees and Girl Scout volunteers who helped with first aid, lifeguarding, leading programs and registration.

“This camp is a great chance to get out in nature with kids and learn about living a healthy life. We adults are teachers as well as learners in this process. We all need to be reminded of the basics of how to stay healthy and active,” said camp program leader Joe Prisco, who takes time from managing the Physical Therapy Department at Sutter Lakeside Hospital to lead an outdoor challenge program at camp each year.  

In addition to the adult staff at camp, 25 trained leadership students between the ages of 11 and 17 were on hand to run activities and model wellness for campers.

These 25 youth are part of a larger leadership and health program known as Leadership Adventure.  This year-long leadership program takes older youth on outdoor adventures designed to teach leadership skills and train participants to be wellness role models in their community.

Camp Watta Watta is just one of the opportunities for leadership they have during the year.  

“It is well known by many that Camp Watta Watta is an event, every year, that our entire family looks forward to,” says Nikki Jones-Borghesani, a parent with children in camp as well as children in the camp counselor leadership program.

“I am very grateful for, and would like to recognize, how participation in this program has provided many campers and counselors with a greater ability to reach out into our world and communities with confidence, positive energy, and enthusiasm, as well as the courage to exemplify their deep knowledge of health and wellness, and perhaps most importantly, the sheer joy of giving back!” Jones-Borghesani said.

This year, more than in the past, children from all corners of Lake County were able to attend Camp Watta Watta through bussing provided by Konocti Unified School District’s transportation department. Transportation along with numerous camp registration scholarships were funded in part by a Safeway Foundation grant.

As part of the wellness education, each day culminated in a guided relaxation in the cooled “Wellness Tent” where all 100 campers stretched out on yoga mats for a moment of rest. After a long day of activity in hot temperatures, these quiet moments were enjoyed by even the wiggliest of campers.

Would you like to be involved in Camp Watta Watta 2010? If so, please contact the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Healthy Kids are Contagious team at 707-262-5039.

If you are interested in supporting Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s commitment to provide ongoing programs like Camp Watta Watta, please call the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Foundation at 707-262-5189.  When you invest in Sutter Lakeside Hospital, you invest in Lake County.

Allyson Wei enjoys trying a yoga pose that requires balance, strength and flexibility. Courtesy photo.

The training will enable interested citizens to be become volunteers for Project SKYWARN, which helps keep local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

The training is free and will take place between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Lakeport Jail Dining Hall, 4913 Helbush Drive Lakeport (just over from the National Guard Armory). This training is co-sponsored by the Lake County Office of Emergency Services.

Storm spotters play a valuable role in the severe weather warning process. The National Weather Service relies on visual observations from spotters to provide critical information that would otherwise not be available to forecasters. Spotter reports are combined with data from Doppler radar and satellite pictures to provide a complete understanding of severe storms and their impact on the public.

The training will begin with a review of severe weather safety tips and severe weather operations at the National Weather Service. Basic storm spotter training will include visual indicators of strong winds, hail, tornadoes, lightning, fire weather, flooding and thunderstorm formation.

They will demonstrate how your reports are used in the weather warning process and identify some critical elements we need to know. The presentation will also discuss the forecast process and how you can help the NWS to issue the best possible warnings to protect the public from severe weather.

Members of the public are welcome to attend. This training will help attendees learn about the severe weather that we experience in the area. The development of storms will be discussed, along with visual clues which may indicate that the weather is about to turn severe.

They also will go over safety tips to allow citizens to be well prepared for the occurrence of storms. Communication of weather reports to the National Weather Service will be explained. Your spotter reports will help Lake County be better prepared when severe weather occurs.

Spotter guides, cloud charts and severe weather pamphlets will be provided to potential new weather spotters. There will be forms available to sign up to become a volunteer weather spotter. Once we receive your form at the National Weather Service, you will be assigned a spotter number and we will send you an information packet.

To provide an estimate of how many people plan to attend, we are requesting that you contact Eric Kurth (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) with the number of people in your interested party. The office phone number is 916-979-3051, if you do not have access to e-mail. They look forward to seeing you there.

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– A highway widening project from Government Street to Rancheria Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– A roadway realignment project from 1.4 miles east of the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge to 1.6 miles west of Walker Ridge Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 29

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Wardlaw Street to the Saint Helena Creek Bridge on Friday, Sept. 18 and Monday, Sept. 21. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– A highway widening and lighting project at Spruce Grove Road will continue. A shoulder closure will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists are advised to drive with caution

through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Bridge deck repairs at Kelseyville Creek Bridge will continue on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Work hours are 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute

delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction, Incorporated, of Stockton.

Highway 175

– Roger Kocher of Lakeport has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for a road approach 0.5 mile west of the junction of Route 29/175 near Lakeport. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– North Gualala Water Company has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a water main from Big Gulch Road to Glennen Drive. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays.

– Bridge deck repairs at Alder Creek Bridge, Elk Creek Bridge, Russian Gulch Bridge, Casper Creek Bridge and Hare Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect at one bridge at a time. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

– Construction of a retaining wall about three miles north of Elk 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 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 20

– Construction of a retaining wall 0.4 mile east of Three Chop Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Redwood Valley Undercrossing will continue on Monday, Sept. 21. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

– Anthony Faga of Fort Bragg has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a road approach between 0.7 mile west of Old Lake County Road and Old Lake County Road. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 101

– Storm damage repair from 0.5 mile north of the Mendocino/Sonoma County line 1.6 miles south of East Side Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of

travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – North Bay Construction of Petaluma.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Hopland Overhead will continue on Monday, Sept. 21. Work hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Contractor – DeBruin Construction, Incorporated, of Stockton.

– Roadway repair due to pavement deterioration and a slipout from 1.1 miles north of Reeves Canyon Road to Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of

travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – North Bay Construction of Petaluma.

– Bob Barsotti of Laytonville has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to hold the annual Earthdance Live event Thursday, Sept. 24 through Sunday, Sept. 27. A temporary detour will be in

place, providing a left-turn pocket into Black Oak Ranch. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through this area, and may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Bridge repairs at the Rattlesnake Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Parsons Walls of Roseville.

– Paving near Hermitage Vista Point will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Paving near Confusion Hill will resume Monday, Sept. 21. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Contractor – MCM Construction of North Highlands.

Highway 128

– A culvert replacement project 2.8 miles east of the junction of Route 1/128 will begin Monday, Sept. 21. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Coast Construction Inc. of San Rafael.

– A culvert replacement project 1.2 miles west of Navarro will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m.t o 7:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Coast Construction Inc. of San Rafael.

– Bridge deck repairs at the North Fork Navarro River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute

delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction, Incorporated, of Stockton.

– AT&T of Walnut Creek has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility relocation from 1.5 to 3.5 miles east of Mountain House Road. Work hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Repair of a slipout near the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute

delays. Contractor – Fedco Construction of Santa Rosa.

Highway 162

– A bridge widening project at Outlet Creek Bridge will continue through Friday, Sept. 18. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

– A highway reconstruction and realignment project 1.6 miles east of Rodeo Creek Bridge 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. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 175

– Bridge deck repairs at the Russian River Bridge will continue on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute

delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree trimming 0.3 mile east of Harrison to 0.2 mile east of Wooldridge. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 253

– Construction of a retaining wall about two miles west of the junction of Route 128/253 will begin Monday, Sept. 21. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day,

seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Services Inc. of Willits.

– A culvert replacement project from Butler Ranch to Stipp Lane will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Coast Construction Inc. of San Rafael. LC#C253BF

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).