Board member Allen Markowski shared his pruning knowledge and skills to a a small group of dedicated county residents who came from Lower Lake, Cobb and Kelseyville to brave the wet weather and cold temperatures for this unique opportunity.

Participants learned about pruning tools and tips at Jim Leondardis' farm and practiced on rose bushes and watched how to prune an apple tree, crepe myrtle and more.

Refreshments and networking were on order afterward in the barn while the group warmed up around a woodstove fire.

The group’s March 14 general meeting will include another local resident who will share her many years of experience in building and planting a home garden. Watch for details on this event to take place in Lower Lake. The public is welcome.

For more information on these exciting events or to offer your own expertise on different aspects of local food growing or other sustainable forms of living, contact Lori Patotzka at 994-1618.

Celebrating its one-year anniversary, the Lake County Community Cooperative envisions cultivating an evolving community by nurturing values of social, economic and environmental responsibility. The co-op wishes to support our local farmers and producers and provide a forum for community activities.

For more information or to become a member of the LCCC, follow the links at http://lakeco-op.org or call 993-4270.

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Since 2000 when the Habitat for Humanity Lake County was founded, 11 new homes have been built.

Would you like to volunteer with Habitat for a family in need? Well, here is how … You can either call the group's office to schedule and appointment, or you can visit their Web site and print out the volunteer application and send it by mail, fax it or bring it in yourself.

When you turn in an application Habit for Humanity would like to set up a volunteer orientation with you, which they old once every month. This is an opportunity for community members to learn more about how Habitat works and how to become a volunteer. Many people are unaware of Habitat and its purpose.

Volunteer orientations will be held at two different times: on Wednesday, March 25, at the Habitat office from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the same day.

Come and learn more about Habitat — find out about plans for the future and how individuals and groups can get involved in supporting Habitat's work.

For more information contact Habitat for Humanity Lake County at telephone 994-1100, fax 994-1450, visit them online at www.lakehabitat.org, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the group's office at : 15382 A. Main St., Lower Lake.

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LAKE COUNTY – The Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce reports that several new nominations for this year's Stars of Lake County Awards have been submitted.

The updated list follows.

MAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Lake County Record-Bee

1. Andy Weiss, Lakeport

2. Duane Furman, Lakeport

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Northlake Medical Pharmacy

1. Yvonne Cox, Nice

2. Linda Fergusson, Hidden Valley Lake

3. Cheryl Robbins, Lakeport

4. Shirley Crawford, Kelseyville

5. Anita Grant, Lakeport

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Bruno’s Shop Smart

1. Umpqua Bank, Lakeport & Kelseyville

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Food’s Etc.

1. Ting's Thai Kitchen, Hidden Valley Lake

2. Furry Tail's Pet Boutique, Kelseyville

3. Lake Event Design, Lakeport

4. Solo Flight Academy, Lakeport

5. Middletown Florist, Middletown

6. Studebaker’s Coffee House & Deli, Kelseyville

YOUTH ADVOCATE/VOLUNTEER

Sponsored by: Polestar Computers

1. Lorna Sue Sides, Kelseyville

YOUTH ADVOCATE/PROFESSIONAL

Sponsored by: Umpqua Bank

No nominees reported

MALE STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: McDonald’s~Lakeport

1. Benjamin Mullin, Lucerne

2. James Green, Kelseyville

FEMALE STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Piedmont Lumber

No nominees reported

AGRICULTURE AWARD

1. JoAnn Saccato, Clearlake

2. Barrett Farms, Finley

ARTS AWARD/AMATEUR

Sponsored by: Shannon Ridge Winery & Vineyards

No nominees reported

ARTS AWARD/PROFESSIONAL

No nominees reported

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Barry Parkinson, attorney at law

1. Dick Michaels, Kelseyville

2. Bill and Carolyn Tobin, Middletown

3. Jan Parkinson, Lakeport

4. Myra Wendt, Lakeport; Pat Norcio, Lakeport; Bill Knoll, Lakeport; Beth Truman-Nunes, Clearlake Oaks; Barbara Lee, Lower Lake.

5. Brondell Locke, Jr., Clearlake Oaks

MARLA RUZICKA HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka

1. Faith Hornby, Lakeport

2. Mina Pierce, Clearlake Oaks

SENIOR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: WestAmerica Bank

No nominees reported

BEST IDEA OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Kathy Fowler Auto Dealerships

1. Mary McMillan, Kelseyville

ORGANIZATION-VOLUNTEER

Sponsored by: Strong Financial Network

1. Operation Tango Mike,Kelseyville

2. Soroptimist International of Clear Lake, Clearlake

3. KPFZ Radio, Lakeport

ORGANIZATION-NONPROFIT

No nominees reported

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT-WOMAN

Sponsored by: Lakeview Market & Deli

1. Dr. Frances Crary, Lakeport

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT-MAN

Sponsored by: Orchard Park Assisted Living & Memory Care

No nominees reported

HERO OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: U. S. Representative Mike Thompson

1. Mike Botto, Clearlake

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

1. Chic Le Chef, Hidden Valley Lake

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

Sponsored by: Lake County Land Trust

No nominees reported

SPIRIT OF LAKE COUNTY

Sponsored by: John Tomkins

No nominees reported

For more information on the awards, call the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce, 263-5092. Nominations also can be submitted online at www.lakeportchamber.com/stars/default.asp.

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The meeting will begin at 6 p.m., an hour earlier than its normal time, in the Redbud Library Community Room, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake.

The guest speaker will be John Burton, former California Senate president pro-tem and a candidate for state party chair. His Web site is www.burton2009.com.

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

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 277-0713 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The committee's Web site is www.lakecountydemocrats.org.

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– AT&T of Sacramento has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work just east of the Junction of Route 20/29 beginning Monday, Feb. 23. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– The County of Lake has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for sidewalk upgrades from 4th Street to 6th Street. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 29

– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from Bar X Ranch to Hidden Valley Road. 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.

– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from Cole Creek Bridge to Hill Creek Bridge. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 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 utility work from 0.4 to 0.1 miles west of Loch Lomond Road on Monday, Feb. 23. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work 0.7 miles west of Dry Creek Road on Monday, Feb. 23. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work 0.1 miles south of Creamery Lane on Monday, Feb. 23. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

– 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.

– Brian Shuster of Willits has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work at California Street. 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.

Highway 128

– AT&T of Walnut Creek has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work from 1.4 to 2.6 miles east of Dry Creek Bridge through Friday, Feb. 20. 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.

Please keep in mind work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans wishes to advise motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

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 agency reported that Bartlett Springs Road is closed to all traffic due to downed trees and heavy snow.

Holdenreid Road is closed to all traffic at Hill Creek due to a bridge failure.

Bridge Harbor Road, four-tenths of a mile from Highway 29, is closed to all traffic due to bridge failure.

The public is asked to use alternate routes for areas where closures are reported.

Road conditions are subject to change. The public is urged to use extreme cautioni when driving on all county roads.

For more information call the Lake County Department of Public Works, 263-2341.

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