SACRAMENTO – Citing concerns about how the Marine Life Protection Act is being implemented on the North Coast, Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) has asked California Resources Secretary Lester Snow to delay the process for at least six months to ensure that environmental protection is balanced with traditional access rights.

Chesbro made the request in a recent meeting with Snow.

“I have met with Resources Secretary Lester Snow and strongly urged him to slow down the process and that no action be taken by the Blue Ribbon Task Force for at least six months to allow more time to develop a plan that protects marine life and balances the access rights of traditional user groups,” Chesbro said. “I am confident that given enough time we can develop a workable solution between the fishing community, North Coast tribes and environmentalists. There has already been some movement in this direction. This is something that cannot be rushed.”

Since the day he took office in 2008, Chesbro has been a fierce critic of the process Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has employed to implement the MLPA. Chesbro has been resolute in his demand that access rights of traditional user groups such as fishermen and the tribes be protected.

“It is imperative that the implementation process be driven by local participation,” Chesbro said. “The plan that is developed must be supported by those most affected by it. To that end, the North Coast needs more time for all the stakeholders to work out among themselves the best possible solutions.”

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club donated three trees to Lakeport for the city’s parks.

Tree Chairman Doris Ellsworth selected two ash – raywood (claret ash) and one acer maple (ariseum paperbark maple).

The trees will have good fall color and provide wonderful shade. Thanks goes to Doug Grider and Tina Banuet for all their help with the planting of these trees.

Each year the garden club budgets for civic beautification projects. There are six locations within Lakeport for these projects along with donated trees.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year – the club was organized in 1955.

The club meets at noon on the third Tuesday of the month, September through May, at the Scotts Valley Women's Club House, 2298 Hendricks Road, Lakeport.

Members, guests and all those interested in the club are most welcome. President Linda Waterstraat, 707-279-1270, invites interested gardeners to join the club.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is a member of Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

For more information visit www.clttgc.org.

Ed Luttrell, National Grange president headquartered in Washington, D.C., will be speaking in California in August 2010. Courtesy photo.

The purpose of the meetings is to garner support for Grange activities and the public is invited to attend and learn what the Grange is advocating for their communities.

Luttrell and McFarland will be appearing at Chico Grange, 2775 Nord Ave. in Chico at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

On Thursday, Aug. 12, they will be at Aromas Grange located at 361 Rose Ave. in Aromas starting at 6:30 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 13, they will be at Grover City Grange located at 370 S. Manhattan Ave., Grover Beach starting at 6:30 p.m.

Luttrell is on a national tour to rally 200,000 members to get behind legislation that supports rural broadband initiatives.

A recent study by the FCC on broadband adoption shows that rural America still lags behind urban and suburban communities in home, farm and small business broadband connections. Communities stand to benefit from online applications like telemedicine, distance learning and telework.

The entire nation stands to gain from the economic and environmental benefits that full integration of farming, tribal and rural communities into a national, high speed Internet will bring.

In addition to broadband, California Grangers are advocating strong, self-sustaining communities wherein such things as food supplies and services are available within the local community. Everything from farmer’s markets to a strong local business community is included.

The National Grange was founded in 1867 to help Civil War-ravaged farmers recover and has evolved to being one of our nation’s leading rural advocacy organizations.

The National Grange has over 200,000 members in 2,700 communities spread over 40 states.

The California State Grange was formed in 1873 in response to shipping and storage monopolies of California’s agricultural products.

California has more than 200 Granges in local communities which offer such diverse activities as community gardens to theater arts, and offer strong support for local communities through education, legislative advocacy of issues, and social interaction.

For further information, please contact the California State Grange in Sacramento at 916-454-5805 or visit our Web site at www.californiagrange.org.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE – State Board Certified Specialist Dennis A. Fordham, Esq., will offer a free public presentation “Your legacy and peace of mind: Why a Trust and not a will,” on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m.

The presentation will take place at the H&R Block office, 18983 Hartmann Road, Hidden Valley Lake.

Fordham will cover how to protect you and your family in the case of disability or death. A discussion will follow. Refreshments will be served.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The monthly meeting of the Green Party of Lake County will be held on Sunday, Aug. 15.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. at the Clear Lake Riviera Community Association building, 9689 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.

All independents, nonpartisans and decline-to-state voters are welcome.

Call 707-263-3391 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Featherbed Railroad Bed and Breakfast in Nice, Calif., is the newest drop point for the Lake County Community Co-op. Courtesy photo.

NICE, Calif. – Featherbed Railroad Bed and Breakfast in Nice is the latest addition to the Lake County Community Co-op's growing distribution drop points in the county.

Tony and Peggy Barthel, owners of the Featherbed Railroad B&B in Nice, have offered their unique space and time to host the co-op's weekly CSA (community supported agriculture) boxes and individual item purchases from local organic producers every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Located at 2870 Lakeshore Blvd. in Nice, the drop point began July 29 at one of Lake County's most unique bed and breakfasts, nestled in a shaded lawn area on the shore of Clear Lake.

The Barthels were excited to host the site, supporting the co-op's vision for local food distribution.

For more information on the Featherbed Railroad Bed and Breakfast, contact the Barthels at www.featherbedrailroad.com or call 707-274-8378 or 800-966-6322.

Additionally, the co-op seeks drop points in neighboring Lucerne and the Kit's Corner area near Lower Lake.

The co-op currently has 10 drop points throughout Lake County that serve as pick up sites for members' weekly purchases.

For more information on the co-op's offerings, go to www.lakeco-op.org or call the co-op at 707-993-4270.

Now celebrating almost three years in community, the Lake County Community Co-op (LCCC) envisions cultivating an evolving community by nurturing values of social, economic and environmental responsibility.

The co-op wishes to support our local farmers and producers and provide a forum for community activities.

They also encourage member input and participation for continued successful co-creation in community.