SCR 15 seeks to declare the hour of 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the last Saturday in March to be “Earth Hour” throughout the state.

SCR 15 encourages city, county and state employees, and businesses to turn off non-essential lights in government buildings, public schools, public landmarks and other buildings for that hour on March 28.

In presenting SCR 15 for the Feb. 26 vote, Wiggins said, “As you may know, Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia, back in 2007 to promote climate change awareness and what started as a small local effort has become an international phenomenon with over 1,000 cities and 75 countries participating around the globe in 2009.

“By promoting the worldwide event and calling on all Californians to participate, we can further contribute to reducing green house gases and help bring awareness to over 35 million Californians on how they can contribute to fighting global warming,” she added. “I encourage everyone to join me in this effort and do all you can to promote this important world wide event in your district.”

When she introduced SCR 15 in February, Wiggins said that it was imperative “that we, as a global community bring, together a diverse group of community, municipal, corporate and nongovernmental organizations to heighten awareness about climate change, and to inspire consumers and businesses to take practical actions to reduce their own carbon footprints.”

She said climate change is a global problem, requiring a multitude of solutions that must be implemented by the entire global community. “Earth Hour symbolizes a commitment towards that goal.”

In 2008, Earth Hour was recognized in more than 300 cities and 35 countries around the world. Such iconic landmarks as the Empire State Building (New York City), Sears Tower (Chicago), Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco), Bank of America Plaza (Atlanta), Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia), Wat Arun Buddhist Temple (Bangkok, Thailand), the Colosseum (Rome, Italy), Royal Castle (Stockholm, Sweden), London's City Hall (England), Space Needle (Seattle) and the CN Tower (Toronto, Canada) all had their non-essential lighting turned off for one hour.

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O'Hara will share her experience at Sevinch & Co., Cairo, Egypt. There she helped the company set up and run their AVL hand jacquard loom which included teaching the owners the jacquard software (ArahWeave).

During her time in Cairo, O'Hara also analyzed antique jacquard ribbons and weaving prototypes. These ribbons are added to the existing line of amazing passementerie (fancy tassels and trims) that the artisans already weave at lightning speed on handmade looms.

In Florence, Italy, O'Hara was invited to participate in a Textile Symposium for Jacquard Weaving Teachers at the Lisio Foundation. Founded in 1971 by the daughter of the man who started the Lisio weaving company in 1906, the foundation saved 12 looms from a factory that is no longer operating.

Lisio and O'Hara wanted to ensure the preservation of antique textile techniques and the manufacture of traditional fabrics that are no longer produced by modern industry. The foundation broadens textile culture by teaching classes in creating jacquard textiles on old jacquard looms and filling custom orders of hand-woven brocades and velvets.

Currently, O'Hara has created a new line of landscape tapestries inspired by her move to Lake County in 2000. With individual thread control, she captures Lake County’s seasons in detailed lush weave structures not possible with other looms. Examples of these beautiful tapestries will be on display and one poster will be raffled off following her presentation.

This year marks the 108th year of Middletown Luncheon Club. Each month lunch is provided by local nonprofits and is open to the public for only $5 at the door.

The Middletown Luncheon Club meets on the third Wednesday of every month (except December) at the Community Methodist Church Social Hall, 15833 Armstrong St., Middletown.

For more information visit www.EcoArtsofLakeCounty.org.

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Arrive at 9:30 a.m. for a preview with the live auction beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Quilting items, sewing notions, tons of fabrics, knitting and yarns, patterns, books and any items related to fiber handcrafts will be auctioned. Many silent auction items also will be available. Visa and MasterCard will be accepted.

Don't miss out on this fun event. If you have any questions, please call Julie at 349-0846 or visit the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild Web site at www.LLQG.org.

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This year, one of the fundraising efforts will include flag sales.

For $20 the chamber will provide a beautiful American flag to display in front of your home or business on Memorial Day, Flag Day and Independence Day.

Just picture how festive our community will look with a sea of American flags waving up and down the streets during the spring and summer.

All proceeds from this fundraiser go to support Clearlake’s Fireworks Display held on Saturday, July 4.

Contact the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce at 994-3600 or you can stop by the chamber at 3245 Bowers Ave. in Clearlake to order your flags.

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The meeting will begin at 4:15 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

Under old business, the commission will discuss the Forbes Creek Trail, Library Park, Westside Park and Westshore Pool.

New business items include providing recommendation to the Lakeport City Council regarding pursuing Proposition 84 grant funding, and discussion and possible action regarding moving meeting to second Thursday of each month.

The commission will then set the date of its next meeting on April 9 before adjourning.

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