A new federal safety regulation, designed to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires, will continue to allow lithium batteries in checked baggage if they are installed in electronic devices, or in carry-on baggage if stored in plastic bags.

Common consumer electronics such as travel cameras, cell phones and most laptop computers are still allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, the rule limits individuals to bringing only two extended-life spare rechargeable lithium batteries, such as laptop and professional audio/video/camera equipment lithium batteries in carry-on baggage.

"Doing something as simple as keeping a spare battery in its original retail packaging or a plastic zip-lock bag will prevent unintentional short-circuiting and fires," said Krista Edwards, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials because they can overheat and ignite in certain conditions.

Safety testing conducted by the FAA found that current aircraft cargo fire suppression system would not be capable of suppressing a fire if a shipment of non-rechargeable lithium batteries were ignited in flight.

"This rule protects the passenger," said Lynne Osmus, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assistant administrator for security and hazardous materials. "It's one more step for safety. It's the right thing to do and the right time to do it."

In addition to the new rule, PHMSA is working with the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the battery and airline industries, airline employee organizations, testing laboratories, and the emergency response communities to increase public awareness about battery-related risks and developments.

These useful safety tips are highlighted at the public Web site, http://safetravel.dot.gov.

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A potluck supper will be open to members and guests, who are always welcome.

Following the potluck will be the installation of 2008 officers.

You do not have to be Scandinavian but interested in learning the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries to join the Sons of Norway, a fraternal benefit society offering maximum benefits to its members.

The meetings are held in the Community Center of Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville. Children are welcome and will meet Youth Director Souleah Scarbrough.

Call the membership secretary for information at 998-3583.

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The public is invited to attend the completion celebration, scheduled to take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Brutacao Schoolhouse Plaza, Bliss Banquet Room, 13500 South Highway 101, Hopland.

Key speakers will include Charles C. Fielder, Caltrans District 1 director; Alan Escarda, Caltrans construction engineer; and J. David Colfax, Mendocino County Board of Supervisors.

A traffic signal could have been used for this safety project, but a roundabout has numerous advantages at this location, which include:

• A smaller footprint than a signalized intersection with left-turn lanes, so less new right-of-way was required.

• Providing traffic calming, resulting in reduced speeds.

• Requiring less maintenance, lower yearly operational costs, and a longer service life.

• Providing a safe place for large trucks to safely turn around.

• Enhancing the roundabout with landscaping will create an aesthetic gateway to the community.

For more information on the advantages of roundabouts, and how to navigate them, see www.dot.ca.gov/dist1/d1projects/roundabout.htm.

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The first organizing meeting is Saturday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. at Wild About Books, 14290 Olympic Drive, Suite A, in Clearlake.

For more information contact go to http://clearlakecommunityco-operative.wikispaces.com, call JoAnn Saccato at 707-350-1719 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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This family will soon be moving into a new home on 39th Avenue in Clearlake. Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity, Lake County.

CLEARLAKE – Habitat for Humanity would like to invite the public to come see for themselves and celebrate the completion of the eighth Habitat for Humanity home in Lake County.

The beautiful, four-bedroom home incorporates some of the latest “green building” techniques and energy efficiencies and is the first Habitat home in Lake County completed with solar panels.

The open house and dedication will be Saturday, Jan. 12, 12 p.m., at 15921 39th Ave, Clearlake, (cross street of Phillips Ave).

Come and join the festivities and meet the homeowners, and volunteers who worked so hard to build this home. Refreshments will be served and the event will continue on rain or shine.

This would be the perfect opportunity to see for yourself how our community of volunteers, donors and business supporters came together to help eliminate substandard housing for a Lake County family.

Also, for families who are considering applying for a Habitat home this would be a great time to view a completed Habitat home.

For those who cannot attend the Saturday celebration, we will have the home open for showing on Friday, Jan. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For further information, or to RSVP for Friday’s showing, please call 994-1100.

Habitat for Humanity, Lake County, currently has two other homes under construction which are scheduled for completion very soon, with plans to build four additional homes in 2008.

All homes are sold at a zero interest mortgage, enabling many more people in Lake County to own a home of their own.

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LAKEPORT – The ballots are in and the votes have been counted in the "People's Choice Awards" for the best displays at the first annual holiday avenue of lights at Lake County Fairgrounds.

A grand total of exactly 500 car loads of people drove through the holiday extravaganza at Lake County Fairgrounds during December, according to Fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons.

Each car load of patrons which entered the “Avenue of Lights" received a ballot with which to vote on the "People's Choice" for favorite displays. The top three displays have each earned an extra financial prize for the organization that built them.

The competitive nature of the People's Choice awards provided the nonprofit organizations with incentive to be as creative as possible with their displays, and gave them incentive to market the fundraiser to as many of their supporters as possible.

Maintaining their lead throughout the 10 nights of the Avenue of Lights, the Kelseyville Future Farmers of America topped the voting with 45 percent of the total votes.

The FFA's barnyard holiday scene included a large menagerie of lighted farm animal cutouts, a babbling brook, and a farmer on his tractor in front of his barn.

The first place award has netted an additional $250 to the FFA.

Second place in the balloting went to Hospice Services of Lake County, with 12 percent of the total votes.

The Hospice display, featuring a giant holiday tree ornament, gradually gained ground in the voting throughout the 10-day run.

The second place award has a value of $150 to Hospice Services of Lake County.

The third place award of $100 will go to the Scott's Valley 4-H Club, with the Holiday Carousel display.

The 4-H display narrowly edged out the patriotic "Home for the Holidays" scene from the Lakeport Women's Civic Club as well as the display from Konocti Christian Academy, which featured a church, a group of carolers, the Bethlehem star and a large arch which read "Peace on Earth." Both were close contenders in the balloting up until the final votes were counted.

Other displays included a pastoral display of a shepherd and his flock from the Clearlake Church of the Nazarene, and a nativity scene from the Knights of Columbus. Two more displays, an animated light train featuring Santa and several boxcar loads of gifts,and a Victorian skating scene, were put together by the Lakeport Women's Civic Club.

The Avenue of Lights opened Dec. 13 and ran through Dec. 22 at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

The lighting displays were provided by a grant for new activity programs at county fairgrounds in California, and will remain for use in future years.

The activity was a fundraiser for seven Lake County nonprofit organizations, and is expected to involve more groups providing additional displays in future years.

Organizations interested in producing a display should contact the Lake County Fair before April 1.

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