A major goal of the course will be to prepare students to become certified through the state and work for public water systems. Once certified and employed, jobs in the industry range from laborers installing water piping to water treatment professionals maintaining filtration units and other computerized water treatment systems.

As a result of baby boomers retiring, there is a shortage of water operators in the US, and particularly in California. To become certified at the entry level one, passage of a written exam and a high school diploma are required.

The Yuba College course is designed to prepare students to take this state test, and will also allow students to take the level two examination. For more information, please visit the Department of Public Health web site at: http://ww2.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/occupations/Pages/DWopcert.aspx.

The class offered this fall will emphasize drinking water distribution systems, and will cover topics ranging from installation of pipe to the scientific effect a variety of factors can have on water quality.

Although this class will be an informative resource on public water systems, the primary goal will be to help students pass the state exam, and to provide continuing education for existing operators. Based on student interest and demand, the college will be providing another course next spring for water treatment operators.

The course instructor is John Hamner with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation. Hamner has been helping operators become state certified for nine years. For further information you can contact John Hamner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Summer and fall registration begins May 6 for continuing students, and May 12 and 13 for returning and new students.

Operators already state certified in the field may utilize this course toward continuing education, a requirement of certified operators.

A grant program is available for students already employed in the field, whether paid or on a volunteer basis. The grant program can pay for all costs involved in taking this course and for becoming certified as a water operator. Grant program requirements stipulate that the student must work for a public water system serving less than a population of 3,300. For more information please visit: http://www.cps.ca.gov/tlc/sws/index.asp.

Anyone looking for a career in the drinking water field should consider this short-term training program. With a bit of effort and study students can be prepared to take the required state examinations that will allow them to enter a field that has a growing shortage of qualified candidates to fill the number of open positions available.

In addition to working for a city or town, water operator certification can also be required for many other jobs such as park rangers, school janitors, mobile home park managers and vineyard workers to name just a few.

Please contact Yuba College, Clear Lake Campus at 995-7900, or instructor John Hamner directly for further information.

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Purple is for HOPE and volunteers will be handing out purple Hope Ribbons and brochures about American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.

This overnight, 24-hour event (because cancer doesn't stop) will be held from 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17 to 10 a.m. Sunday, May 18 at Don Owens Stadium, at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport.

Relay For Life is American Cancer Society's largest event and the world's biggest fundraiser with more than three million participants.

The funds are used to CELEBRATE survivors, REMEMBER those lost to cancer and to FIGHT BACK against this disease through research, education and advocacy and to support programs for people touched by cancer in our communities.

Please join in painting our town purple on May 1.

For information, contact event chair, Beth Berintiat, at 274-1482.

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Allison Busch-Lovejoy and Nita Brake-Mills celebrate with the Green California Leadership Award given to Project Recycle. Nita, wearing a blue Project Recycle bag, is the Caltrans District 1 Adopt-A-Highway Program Coordinator and creator of Project Recycle. Nita also chairs the Caltrans District 1 Green Team, of which Allison is a member. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.

EUREKA – Caltrans is proud to announce receiving a Green California Leadership Award for Project Recycle, an innovative solution to divert litter from landfills and increase recycling in the Adopt-A-Highway program.

Green California Leadership Awards are given to state and local governments to acknowledge outstanding achievements in environmental sustainability.

There were 80 entries statewide, and one winner in each of eight categories. Caltrans’ Project Recycle won in the Waste Management category.

Project Recycle provides a simple yet effective answer to allow Adopt-A-Highway volunteers to collect recyclable containers.

When gathering litter, volunteers carry a litter picker in one hand and a trash bag with the other. It is difficult to carry a second bag for recyclables, and full trash bags must be left at the roadside for pick-up. Volunteers cannot take full trash bags away for sorting.

Project Recycle provides over-the-shoulder bags for Adopt-A-Highway volunteers to separate and store recyclables while gathering trash from the State Highway right of way. Project Recycle also models “closing the recycling loop” by using bags made from 100 percent certified recycled plastic bottles.

Developed in 2003 by Caltrans District 1 Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator Nita Brake-Mills, Project Recycle has proven to be very effective. In the past five years in District 1 alone, ten tons of recyclable materials have been collected from the roadside. Caltrans has now enacted Project Recycle across California.

In addition to Project Recycle, Caltrans also won a Green California Leadership Award in the Transportation category for the Statewide Stormwater Management Program. Caltrans is committed to environmental responsibility while maintaining the largest highway system in the world.

For more information on the District 1 Adopt-A-Highway Program, please contact program coordinator Nita Brake-Mills at (707) 441-5761.

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The event had been paid for through our Americana Dinner fundraiser and through generous private donations.

Every year we have been able to raise the necessary funds for this fun and worthy event. But those private dollars have dwindled as some sponsors have left and others have supported other programs.

Enough money has been raised so far to book Pyro Spectacular Fireworks, the company who provides and sets off the pyrotechnics. But we are still in need of more financial assistance to fully pay for the event.

No contribution is too small.

We cannot do this fireworks event without the assistance from you, the community.

We appreciate all monetary donations, tickets sales and auction items to sell at the Americana Dinner held this Saturday, May 3.

The Americana Dinner this weekend features a fully catered dinner by Chef Julie Hoskins of Chic le Chef, the menu includes fare from different parts of the United States.

Comedians Marc Yaffey, Ruth Lynn Miller and Johnny Steele will entertain you with their wit.

There will also be a live auction.

Music provided by the Morgan Walker Band, will leave you dancing the night away.

Contact the Clear Lake Chamber to reserve tickets or to donate at 707-994-3600. The Clear Lake Chamber is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers do take a lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Thank you in advance for you kind support!

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SB 1431 clarifies that DPR is allowed to acquire a conservation easement if DPR determines that it is necessary to protect a unit of the state park system from an incompatible use or to preserve and enhance the natural resource, cultural, or historic value of a state park unit.

The Wiggins bill would also enable DPR to make grants to a state or local government agency, or a nonprofit, to purchase and hold a conservation easement with funds that have been appropriated to the department for land acquisitions. Grant recipients would be required to monitor and enforce the easement and agree to restrict the use of the land in perpetuity.

“As the population of our state continues to grow, and urban growth expands into previously undeveloped areas, additional pressures are being placed on the resources of the State Parks and Recreation system,” Wiggins said.

“DPR is authorized to purchase land for the purpose of protecting parks from development and other impending threats, but this solution is not always economically feasible,” Wiggins added. “An easement is a good tool for the department to use to preserve the state park system; it costs less, and also allows the land to remain in the hands of the private land owner. Further, it defends the land from incompatible use issues, and it relieves the department from incurring maintenance costs."

SB 1431 next moves to the Assembly for consideration.

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The organization provides free peer counseling throughout Lake County and administers the Friendly Visitor Program in South County.

“Recipients of senior peer counseling, mostly home-bound, benefit from talking with people who have experienced life changes and understand their concerns,” said Lawrence Grant, board president.

Volunteer peer counselors receive training and have ongoing group supervision and support by Clinical Consultant Kim Baughan Young, Marriage Family Therapist.

The Friendly Visitor Program offers friendship, understanding and companionship on a regular basis to South County seniors having limited access to outside activities. Volunteers are trained and participate in monthly supervision meetings.

In addition to President Lawrence Grant and new directors La Faver and Turman, board members include Hope H. Brewer, vice-president; Jane McKnight, secretary; Charmaine Webb, treasurer; and Gwen Snyder.

Konocti Senior Support Inc., incorporated in 1995, is a nonprofit public service corporation dedicated to enhancing seniors’ quality of life. All services are free.

For more information, contact Gwen Snyder at 995-1417.

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