The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act (H.J. Res. 45) requires Congress to offset all new policies that reduce revenues or expand entitlement spending.

“This is a good first step towards restoring fiscal discipline to Washington. I’ve been working to pass Pay-As-You-Go legislation, also known as PAYGO, since I was elected to Congress and I carried the measure of the floor of the House during the 108th Congress,” said Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA). “The federal government’s budget shouldn’t be any different than a family’s budget: you don’t spend more money than you can afford. And if you do make a big purchase, you have to cut back elsewhere.”

The bill passed Thursday is similar to the bipartisan PAYGO law in place in the 1990s, which helped reverse huge deficits, create budget surpluses, and produce an economic boom.

In 2002 these budget rules were allowed to expire, contributing to the dramatic turnaround from a projected 10-year surplus of $5.6 trillion in 2000 to projected deficits of over $11 trillion in 2009.

H.J. Res. 45 makes PAYGO law, so that future Administrations can’t choose whether or not they want to follow pay-as-you-go principles.

There are some protections in the rule, so that during an economic crisis Congress and the president can do what is needed to strengthen our economy.

The bill now heads to President Obama’s desk for signature.

The group will meet at 1 p.m. at the community garden, which is located on the lakeside at Highway 20 and 13^th Avenue in Lucerne.

Denise Rushing, who owns an organic farm in Upper Lake and is the Northshore's county supervisor, will offer a workshop on organic gardening.

In case of rain the meeting will be at the Lucerne Community Clinic, 6300 E. Highway 20, at 14th Avenue.

Everyone is welcome.

Sponsored by Lake County Office of Education, Taylor Observatory will host an educational series entitled “Introduction to Astronomy.”

The guest presenter is Dr. Gerald de Bané, astronomy professor at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The eight-class series will be held at the observatory in Kelseyville.

Classes start on Feb. 22 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Seating is limited – guarantee your reservation by calling today.

To register for the class or for more information, please call the Taylor Observatory at 707-262-4121 or visit the observatory's Web site at www.taylorobservatory.org .

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Rosemont Drive to 0.2 mile east of Long Valley Road beginning Monday, Feb. 8. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree trimming from Blue Lake to the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge beginning Monday, Feb. 8. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 175

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree trimming from 0.5 mile east of the junction of Route 29/175 near Kelseyville to Middletown beginning Monday, Feb. 8. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Construction of a retaining wall about 3 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

– A culvert replacement project from 1.0 mile east of the James Creek Bridge to 0.1 miles east of Blosser 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 – Kapel Construction of Willow Creek.

– Construction of a retaining wall 0.4 mile east of Three Chop Road 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 – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 101

– An emergency culvert replacement project at the northbound 101 onramp of the junction of Routes 101/271 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. A full ramp closure will be in

effect. A detour is available. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Service of Willits.

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).

UPPER LAKE – The Northshore Dive Team will hold a dive team meeting on Friday, Feb. 5.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Upper Lake's Station 90 on Main Street.

Training will follow the meeting.

Anyone who is interested in the team is encouraged to attend.

For more information contact the Northshore Dive Team at 707-275-2446 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

NICE – Sons of Italy is holding an indoor flea market from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 6.

The market will be held at the Sons of Italy Clubhouse, 2817 Highway 20 in Nice.

Gates open at 7 a.m. to set up inside the building.

Inside tables are available for $10 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

They also are having a bake sale inside the building and lots of vendors will be selling nice items.

The club’s kitchen and bar will be open to sell drinks and Italian sausage sandwiches.

Everyone is welcome.

For information about this event or renting the hall for your own call 707-274-9952.