Lake County News,California

Community

: Editor; Posted On Tuesday, 01 September 2009 16:48; 31 August 2009

A 'baker's dozen' for Habitat

A group photo taken at the dedication of Kim Egger's new home. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE – On a warm Saturday in August 2009, with smiles and tears of joy, Habitat for Humanity, Lake County celebrated the completion of the organization’s 13th new home.

The new homeowner, Kim Eggers and her two sons, along with family, many volunteers and others from the community, joined together to bless the new home.

For Eggers, the journey of completing the application process, helping others build their homes and then putting her own labor into building her home (sweat equity), all culminated with the completion of her home.

The theme of the dedication was the concept of “pass it on”, whereby a receiver of a good deed will pass on a good deed to others who are in need.

The United Methodist Church of Clearlake’s music ensemble lead all the attendees in an inspiring rendition of the song “Pass It On,” made popular by Willie Nelson.

Pastor Karl Parker conducted the blessing of the home and stressed the biblical importance that to have a full life it is imperative for all to give a helping hand to one another.

The ceremony ended with the surprise arrival of the Grocery Outlet’s team carrying gifts of food and households items. It was a sight to be seen.

The mission of Habitat for Humanity, Lake County is the elimination of substandard living conditions in our community.

Only through the efforts of individual volunteers, business support and donors has it been possible to provide affordable homes for low-income families from the community.

If you are interested in helping, call the Habitat office at 707-994-1100 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

: Editor; Posted On Monday, 31 August 2009 15:29; 31 August 2009

California holiday travel drops 13.1 percent compared to 2008

SAN FRANCISCO – The combination of bad timing coupled with a soft economy is putting a major damper on Californians’ Labor Day travel plans, according to a new report from AAA Northern California.

The new AAA report predicts just over 4.7 million Californians will travel 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend. That’s a 13.1 percent decrease in overall travel from 2008.

“One of the biggest reasons for this decline appears to be poor timing,” explained AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “Last year we experienced the most Labor Day travelers this decade largely because many children were not yet back in school and families took the opportunity to take a final summer vacation. This year, Labor Day week falls one week later, and schools are already back in session.”

While overall travel numbers are down significantly, the situation is not as grim as it initially appears. Last year’s high numbers make this year’s decline appear more dramatic. In fact, AAA expects this upcoming Labor Day weekend will be the third busiest of this decade.

AAA expects over 3.75 million Californians will travel by motor vehicle over the weekend, representing an 11.2 percent decrease from last year. About 270,000 Californians are predicted to travel by air, a decrease of 19.9 percent from last year. Nearly 700,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation such as boats or trains. That number is down by 20 percent compared to last year.

Nationally, AAA expects 39.1 million people to travel 50 miles or more over the four-day weekend, a 13.3 percent decrease from last year.

“Despite the dampened enthusiasm for travel, we are seeing a resilience in the travel industry during these troubled times, due in part to lower travel prices and somewhat improved consumer confidence,” said Harris.

Airfares that are 17 percent lower on average over the Labor Day weekend are likely to entice air travelers. AAA Three Diamond and Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be 12 percent lower, with West Coast travelers spending an average of $191 per night. Car rental rates are up about 7 percent. An average West Coast family of four is projected to spend $1,126 dollars over the four-day weekend and will log an average of 648 miles roundtrip for the weekend.

As part of AAA’s ongoing commitment to provide safety and protection to motorists, AAA’s Tipsy Tow Program offers a free tow for drinking drivers in Northern California from 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 7 until 6:00 a.m. on Sept. 8 in Northern California, Nevada and Utah. Members and non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to five miles.

“Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way,” said Harris. “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the vehicle and driver to the driver’s home.”

AAA Northern California reminds motorists that during the Labor Day weekend, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge will be closed starting Thursday, September 3rd at 8:00 p.m. until Tuesday September 8 at 5:00 a.m. AAA encourages motorists to use public transit and/or alternative routes.

If motorists do become stranded, AAA can be reached by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357). Apple iPhone users can request emergency road service using AAA’s new AAA Roadside app available for free from the iTunes App Store via an iPhone, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. Please visit www.aaa.com/roadside for further details.

AAA’s projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA earlier this year as part of an agreement to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.

: Editor; Posted On Sunday, 30 August 2009 18:59; 30 August 2009

PEG Committee meets Wednesday

CLEARLAKE – The Public Education & Government (PEG) Committee will meet this Wednesday, Sept. 2.

The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Agenda items will include public comment and the PEG manager's report.

Under business, the committee will consider the Aug. 5 meeting minutes, discuss reports of planned fundraising projects and look at forming a PEG Committee meeting frequency policy.

: Editor; Posted On Monday, 31 August 2009 15:44; 31 August 2009

PEG Channel releases weekly schedule

LAKE COUNTY – The PEG Channel, TV Channel 8, has released its schedule for the coming week.

The following schedule is for Tuesday, Sept. 1, through Saturday, Sept. 5.

Tuesday, Sept. 1

Start Time Title

1:39:53 AM Rise of the 4th. Reich

3:21:10 AM JFK II

4:56:36 AM Skull & Bones-part 2

5:46:03 AM Masters of the Universe

6:34:28 AM White Haze and Jet Trails

7:00:00 AM Jazzercise

7:33:30 AM Hinthel Gaahnula

8:52:22 AM What The Heck-07

9:00:00 AM Board of Supervisors

6:00:00 PM Clearlake Planning Com.

10:05:00 PM Bulletin Board

10:40:00 PM Omissions & Distortions

11:36:29 PM Peace Works

Wednesday, Sept. 2

Start Time Title

12:10:01 AM End Game

2:34:21 AM Innocents Betrayed

3:33:39 AM JFK II

5:07:05 AM What The Heck-News Brief 04

5:15:34 AM Bulletin Board

5:55:34 AM Fiat Empire

7:00:00 AM Jazzercise

7:30:30 AM Join In-JoAnn Saccato

8:00:00 AM Yuba College

8:06:54 PM Cub Scouts-Pack 144

8:17:16 PM 911 Mysteries

9:52:19 PM The Obama Deception

11:48:35 PM Fabled Enemies

Thursday, Sept. 3

Start Time Title

1:34:54 AM Lake Co. Sheriff K-9

2:00:00 AM Connecting-New Beginning-pt 2

2:43:43 AM Boat Safe on Clearlake

2:58:08 AM What The Heck-News Brief 09

3:11:05 AM 911 Revisited

4:39:19 AM Terrorstorm II

7:00:00 AM Jazzercise

7:32:30 AM Energy Non-Crisis

9:00:00 AM Yuba College

4:42:58 PM Cafe Victoria Open Mic 03-09

5:40:05 PM Bulletin Board

6:00:00 PM Clearlake City Council

10:05:00 PM Zeitgeist

Friday, Sept. 4

Start Time Title

12:10:03 AM 911 In Plane Site

1:27:43 AM Zeitgeist Addendum

3:37:44 AM Aaron Russo by Alex Jones

4:50:04 AM Money as Debt

5:40:01 AM Loose Change

6:44:52 AM Boat Safe on Clearlake

7:00:00 AM Jazzercise

7:32:30 AM Aids Walk 2009

8:00:00 AM Yuba College

5:05:40 PM Bulletin Board

5:33:40 PM Friday Night Farmers Market

5:52:40 PM Busted

6:43:35 PM Lake Co. Sheriff K-9

7:10:14 PM Aerosol Crimes

8:56:45 PM Masters of the Universe

9:45:15 PM SUNS of GOD

11:12:46 PM Emperor of Hemp

Saturday, Sept. 5

Start Time Title

12:15:55 AM Skull & Bones-part 2

1:05:42 AM Bush Family Fortunes

2:10:42 AM Open Lines-TV8

4:15:42 AM Omissions & Distortions

5:12:10 AM Economic Hitman-John Perkins

6:26:00 AM Eating

8:05:50 AM The World According to Monsanto

10:00:00 AM LCCCP Finley Farmers Market

11:06:20 AM Boat Safe on Clearlake

11:22:13 AM Cub Scouts-Pack 144

11:32:35 AM Town Hall Meeting 1

12:39:43 PM Town Hall Meeting 2

2:00:00 PM Open Lines-Live!!!

4:05:00 PM Bulletin Board

5:00:00 PM MATH 08-13-09

6:20:27 PM Rise of the 4th. Reich

8:00:00 PM Cafe Victoria Open Mic 03-09

9:02:07 PM Skull & Bones-part 2

9:51:54 PM Missing Links

: Editor; Posted On Sunday, 30 August 2009 18:59; 30 August 2009

Northshore community meetings planned in September

NORTHSHORE – Two town hall meetings will take place in September on the Northshore.

District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing will host the town halls in Lucerne and Clearlake Oaks.

In Lucerne, the meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 10th and Country Club.

The meeting in Clearlake Oaks will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge, located at the intersection of Highways 20 and 53.

County Staff will provide updates on Redevelopment Agency activities and other issues of interest including local enforcement activities.

The agenda will include an update from community organizations and the critical topic of how citizens can help keep Clear Lake healthy.

This is your opportunity to participate in an open forum discussing critical issues of concern to the Community.

Community-based organizations and local businesses are welcome to distribute information and flyers at these events. Contact Rushing at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let her know if you would like to present information at the town halls.

: Editor; Posted On Saturday, 29 August 2009 17:47; 29 August 2009

'Spur of the Moment Round Up' to benefit mobile health services unit

LAKEPORT – There’s gonna be a party, and you’re invited!

Rob and Kim Brown of Kelseyville are hosting “Spur of the Moment Round Up” – a benefit dinner, live auction and concert to raise support for Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s Mobile Health Services Unit (MHSU).

The Spur of the Moment Round Up will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“Kim and I feel strongly about programs that benefit kids and seniors. The (Mobile Health Services Unit) seems like a perfect opportunity to do both,” explained Rob Brown.

Money raised during the live auction will help fund the MHSU’s ongoing general medical care programs provided primarily to seniors, but also will provide medical care to children and other underserved populations throughout Lake County.

“Meeting the health care needs of the community we serve is the cornerstone of Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s not-for-profit mission,” said Elyse Donald, MD, program lead and MHSU clinical coordinator. “That mission also extends to those who cannot afford health care and to supporting programs and services to those in financial need.”

The mobile unit is a working example of Sutter Lakeside Hospital fulfilling its mission as a community benefit organization.

In addition to a ranch-style barbecue dinner prepared by Chef Rosie Martin, the Spur of the Moment live auction will feature items such as rounds of golf, a weekend in Las Vegas, SF Giants tickets, an electric guitar autographed by Toby Keith , several gift certificates to local restaurants and many other items.

Adding to the fun will be live music from the California Cowboys who will play an evening concert on the Browns' ranch.

“What better way to spend an evening than to ‘Round Up’ some friends and have dinner and dance under a beautiful Lake County starlit sky,” said Brown. “Especially when it is for a cause like this.”

Tickets are $50/person, which includes dinner and entertainment. Call 707-279-2063 to purchase tickets or for more information.

Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s community benefit programs are organized to work collaboratively with others in the community to address specific community health needs and improve the health of everyone in the community.