SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Habitat for Humanity International is pleased to announce that its partner Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) was recognized for its work to provide solar powered systems for Habitat homes built in California.

PG&E has been honored by the Council on Foundations, with the Critical Impact Award for demonstrating leadership and innovation in the communities it serves.

“The Council on Foundations is pleased to recognize the partnership between Habitat for Humanity and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The nomination submitted by Habitat for Humanity illustrated how such a partnership can truly impact a community and the lives of many hard working families. They are well deserving of this honor,” said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations.

The award comes as PG&E renews its partnership with Habitat for Humanity. PG&E is donating $1.2 million to Habitat for Humanity in 2010 to fund the installation of solar powered systems on homes constructed by 22 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in northern and central California.

PG&E’s gift is expected to help more than 80 Habitat partner families. According to the California Energy Commission, the solar panel systems can provide up to $500 in annual energy savings and generate nearly 300kWh of clean, renewable energy from sunlight each month.

“Pacific Gas and Electric Company has been at the forefront of providing solar energy technology for our affiliates in California,” said Mark Crozet, Habitat for Humanity International’s senior vice president of Resource Development. “PG&E’s personal investment and leadership help our affiliates build homes that are even more affordable to own.”

Last April, PG&E hosted a green building symposium where Habitat affiliates learned the latest sustainable building techniques from industry leaders. In 2010, at least six Habitat affiliates in California are expected to build homes that will earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDTM) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council with PG&E’s help.

“We at PG&E share Habitat's commitment to help create a better future for our communities and our planet,” said Greg Pruett, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs, Pacific Gas and Electric Company. “Our renewed partnership demonstrates the importance we place on investing in environmental stewardship to benefit generations to come.”

Over the past three years, PG&E has donated more than $3.5 million to fund the installation of solar panels on 280 Habitat homes built in California. PG&E employees also have donated thousands of hours volunteering on Habitat construction sites.

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corp., is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers clean energy to 15 million people in northern and central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com.

CLEAR LAKE RIVIERA – Justin McCray, candidate for the Clearlake Rivera Community Association (CLRCA), will host a “meet the candidate” event at Rivera Common Grounds Coffee shop on Friday, May 14, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 15, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please stop by and meet McCray while helping yourself to a free cup of coffee.

McCray welcomes all questions, comments and suggestions on how to improve the CLCRA for all.

He also is the chairman of the CLRCA Community Garden, which broke ground this week.

Property owners wishing to sign up for a plot, want to request any information on the garden, or wish to discuss his candidacy should contact Justin McCray at 707-498-0161.

You also can meet McCray at the Clear Lake Cruise-in car show this weekend at Austin Park, either at the Lake County Tipsters booth or the AAA booth.

LAKE COUNTY – The Area Agency on Aging of Lake & Mendocino Counties (AAA) Governing Board is currently recruiting for advisory council members.

They currently are seeking one member from Lake County and one member from Mendocino County.

The Advisory Council advises the governing board on issues such as developing the area four-year plan and developing and coordination of community policies and programs throughout both counties dealing with issues important to older adults.

Council members must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Be an older adult person 60 years or older;

• An advocate of older persons;

• A representative of a health care agency or organization serving older adults;

• A person providing leadership in the private and volunteer sectors;

• A local elected official; or

• A member of the general public residing in Lake or Mendocino County.

Fifty percent of the membership shall be older persons.

Anyone interested in serving on the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council can get an application on the Web site www.co.mendocino.ca.us/hhsa/adult/aaa.htm or by contacting Loretta Houck at 707-463-7775.

Applications must be submitted by May 31, 2010.

LAKEPORT – The second annual National Law Enforcement and Lake County Firefighter Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony will take place this Saturday, May 8.

The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the memorial near the Old Courthouse Museum in downtown Lakeport, 210 Main St.

The event is sponsored by the Iron Warriors Eastbay Chapter.

The Eastbay meeting and lunch will be held at TNT on the Lake, 1 First St., at 10:30 a.m.

UPPER LAKE – The Northshore Dive Team will hold a meeting this Friday, May 7.

The meeting will be held beginning at 7 p.m. at Northshore Fire Protection District's Station 90 in Upper Lake.

All interested personnel are encouraged to attend.

The training will follow.

The team, which operates through community donations, also is seeking help in updating its dive gear. Donations can be sent to the team at P.O. Box 61, Upper Lake, CA 95485.

For more information, call team leader Capt. John Rodriguez at 707-275-9007 or 707-349-3367, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the team's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Upper-Lake-CA/Northshore-Dive-Team/289897949089?ref=ts.

The dinner will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Silk's on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.

Come and support Overton and her efforts for a better community. Time is closing in and the race is heating up. Show your support.

Visit Overton's Web site at http://joyceoverton.net/.