SB 1629 by Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) would develop a ratings system on the quality of early education programs and AB 2759 by Assemblymember Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) – and co-authored by North Coast Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) – streamlines funding to expand preschool availability throughout the state.

"Pre-kindergarten education is the first formal step a child takes toward academic success and California's children deserve the highest-quality programs that put them on track to a successful future," said Schwarzenegger. "This legislation will help to ensure early education programs are available to the children who need them most and that the state continues to achieve higher quality child development programs."

SB 1629 establishes the Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee to propose recommendations on how to evaluate and improve the quality of child development programs providing services from birth to age five, including preschool. The bill also establishes a framework for future resources necessary to achieve and maintain higher quality programs.

AB 2759 establishes the California State Preschool Program (CSP), which consolidates all the early childhood education programs in the state. Specifically, CSP streamlines funding which will expand preschool options, increase program availability and reduce administrative costs.

In 2006, Schwarzenegger signed legislation to expand pre-kindergarten to more than 12,000 children living in areas with low performing schools.

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The event will begin at 4 p.m. in the new Thornton-Canady Youth and Community Center on The Plaza above Nylander Park in Clearlake Oaks.

Pastor Ruth Canady and her late husband, the Rev. Bill Thornton, inspired many to realize their own personal potential and to work to revitalize Clearlake Oaks.

For more information, call 998-9435.

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NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County during the coming week.

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– A highway widening project from Polk Jones Cattlepass to Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road will continue. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from Ogden Road to 1.1 miles east of Bruner Drive. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. LC#M20DA

– A roadway realignment project from 1.4 miles east of the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge to 1.6 miles west of Walker Ridge Road will continue. Beginning Monday, Sept. 29 at 7 a.m., work hours will be 24 hours per day, seven days per week. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 29

– A shoulder widening project from Hofacker Lane to 0.5 miles north of Hofacker Lane will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – North Bay Construction of Petaluma.

– Pavement repair will occur from Kelseyville Auto Sales to Cruikshank Road on Monday, Sept. 29 and Tuesday, Sept. 30. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Bridge rehabilitation from the Adobe Creek Bridge to the Park Way Overcrossing will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Monday night through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – American Civil Constructors of Benicia.

– Installation of a changeable message sign and paving from Ackley Road to 0.2 miles south of Lakeport Boulevard will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday evening through Friday afternoon. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 53

– Modification of the traffic signal at the intersection of 40th Avenue/Lakeshore Boulevard will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – North Bay Construction Inc. of Petaluma.

Highway 175

– PG&E of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work 0.1 miles south of Forestry Station Access Road beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– A paving project from Main Street to the Brush Creek Bridge 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 – North Bay Construction, Incorporated of Petaluma.

– A paving project from Walnut Street to Pudding Creek Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– The city of Fort Bragg has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a new sewer line between Elm Street and Airport Road. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20

– A highway widening project from Old Willits Road to Gravel Pitt Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 101

– A paving project from the Mendocino/Sonoma County line to the Russian River Bridge will continue through Friday, Sept. 26. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Martin Brothers Construction of Sacramento.

– A pavement repair project from 0.1 miles north to 1.5 miles north of Comminsky Station Road will continue. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– A paving project from Center Street to the junction of Route 101/253 will continue. Work hours are 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., Friday evening through Sunday morning, and 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Martin Brothers Construction of Sacramento.

– Roadway repair due to pavement deterioration from 3.6 miles south of Ridgewood Ranch Road to 1.9 miles south of Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Bridge deck rehabilitation on the South Willits Overhead will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – American Civil Constructors of Benicia.

– Bridge deck rehabilitation on the Long Valley Creek Bridge will resume. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – American Civil Constructors of Benicia.

– A paving project from Long Valley Creek Bridge to Harmon Drive will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 12 midnight, Monday through Saturday. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Mercer Fraser of Eureka.

– A curve improvement project in Laytonville will continue. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 128

– International Surfacing Systems of Modesto has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for pavement repair from 2.3 miles west of Paul Dimmick Park to 0.1 mile east of Nash Mill Road through Tuesday, Sept. 30. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 162

– Bridge deck rehabilitation on the Long Valley Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – American Civil Constructors of Benicia.

– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from the junction of Route 101/162 to the Short Creek Bridge. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– A bridge widening project at Outlet Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal is in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

Highway 253

– A bridge widening project at Anderson Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal is in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

– A bridge widening project at Soda Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal is in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

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).

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The meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the Redbud Library Community Room, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake.

Meetings are open to the public and associate committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.

Lake County Democrats have opened a United Democratic Campaign office in Lakeport at 307 N. Main Street. The new phone is 263-4529. Volunteer sign ups are requested.

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707.263-4529 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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LAKE COUNTY – The Lake County Department of Public Works has reported that several road closures and traffic control will be in force over the next few weeks because of road work projects.

The following areas will be impacted.

Cobb/Lower Lake/Middletown

Effective immediately, Spruce Grove Road, between Tinilyn Road and 0.4 miles east of Jerusalem Grade Road, will be subject to single-lane controlled traffic with 20-minute maximum delays between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, for road frontage improvements. Construction is anticipated to last until the end of October.

Lakeport/Kelseyville

Mathews Road at Manning Creek (approximately 0.15 miles from Highway 175) will be closed to all traffic due to bridge failure. Signs and barricades are in place to alert the traveling public and emergency services of the need to use alternate routes.

Nice/Lucerne/Clearlake Oaks

Starting Monday, Oct. 6, Twin Valley Road, at mile post marker 1.3, will be closed to all traffic during the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, for storm damage repairs. Construction is expected to take no more than two weeks.

On Thursday, Oct. 9, Bartlett Springs Road, between mile post marker 7.8 and 17.2, will be subject to single lane traffic control between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, for storm damage repairs. Delays are expected to be no more than 20 minutes and construction is expected to be completed by the end of October.

Clearlake

Starting Monday, Sept. 29, Lakeshore Drive, between 10829 and 10839 Lakeshore Drive (Pine Dale Resort) will be subject to single lane traffic control during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for sewer extension work. Delays are expected to be no longer than 10 minutes and construction is expected to take approximately two weeks.

For more information contact the Department of Public Works at 263-2341.

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The meeting will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Live Oak Senior Center, 12502 Foothill Blvd. in Clearlake Oaks, and not in Nice as previously reported.

Society President Randy Ridgel invites all Lake County Historical Society members and guests to attend.

Speakers will include Daile Jonas and Dennis Pluth.

The society also will have books and items for sale.

Come, relax and enjoy the meeting. Bring your friends. Light refreshments will be available; the group is in need of cookies and/or a cake to share.

For more information call Randy Ridgel, 279-4062 (cell, 490-8279) or Michael Anderson, 277-2075 (cell, 272-5651).

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