Many of our children suffer some degree of hunger in the summer because 72 percent of all school-age children here are eligible for reduced-rate or free lunches during the school year. When they are out of school, they have no access to this extra nutrition.

To help with this problem, several agencies have come together to hold a food drive called “Cans For Our Kids” in conjunction with Konocti Kids Day.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at Austin Park in Clearlake.

The food drive is being sponsored by Bicoastal Media, which will do a live broadcast from the park. The goal for the day is 10,000 items, and a running count will be kept and announced.

Volunteers from AmeriCorps, Lake County Community Action Agency, Girl Scouts, Healthy Start and First Five will all collect food at a drive by location on the corner of Austin and Uhl, directly across the street from the skate park. Drive west on Olympic and follow the signs to the drop off location. You may either hand the donations to volunteers as you drive through, or they will assist with unloading your vehicle. All nonperishable food will be appreciated.

The Lake County Office of Education AmeriCorps program, working with Healthy Start and First Five will discreetly distribute the food to those families most in need. If you cannot deliver the food and still want to donate, or if you have any questions about this event, please call Lorrie at 277-9227.

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According to Zimmerman, “The Soper-Reese Community Theater is a remarkable project. It’s an example of what the citizens of small town America can achieve when they rally around a common cause. I think it’s a story that needs to get out, and the Internet is one good way of doing this.”

The new Web site includes the mission and goals for the theater along with a brief history. Visitors to the site can find a calendar of events, theater news, a photo gallery and contact information.

Soperreesetheatre.com includes direct links to the Lake County Arts Council and other Lake County arts resources.

Theatre Manager John Ross invites community members and supporters, as well as potential users, to visit and become familiar with the site. Keep an eye on the calendar for upcoming events at the theater.

Fundraising Chair Nina Marino would also like to remind visitors to the site that we are still in the fundraising process and further financial support is needed to complete the theatrer renovation.

Contact John Ross, theater manager, 263-6120 (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for further information.

For booking information contact Linda Drew, 928-5753 (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

For fundraising information contact Nina Marino, 279-4082 (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

For information about the Lake County Arts Council call 263-6658 or contact Executive Director Shelby Posada, 263-1871 (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

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Patrons are panicking and parents are threatening their children with punishment over these notices. Library staff wants to assure those people that most of those patrons do not owe money and will not be sent to collections. Call your local branch if you received such a notice and have any questions.

Library patrons also can check their accounts through the Lake County Library Web site, www.co.lake.ca.us/Page386.html. Click on "My Account," enter your library card number and PIN (last four digits of your phone number) to see any fines or notices on your account.

Lakeport Library, located at 1425 N. High St., is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday noon to 8 p.m.; telephone 263-8817.

Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake, is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m.; telephone 994-5115.

Middletown Library, 21267 Calistoga Road, is open Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; telephone 987-3674.

Upper Lake Library, 310 Second St., is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; telephone 275-2049.

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The CHP apologizes to the public for any inconvenience the temporary closure may cause.

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On April 19 "It's a Girls' Thing" offered activities in Karaoke singing, led by Laureen Leigh, hair accent styling assistance by Melissa Reece, nail painting boutique by Becky Martin, makeup advice by Heather Rulka and face painting by local artist Gloria De la Cruz.

The following Saturday "Just for Guys" featured instruction in building erupting volcanoes by Mark Reece, and an obstacle course set up by Eric Barth and Zack Robison. Music demonstrations were staged by music director Mike Heintz and band member Chris Grant. I set up a rap/slam workshop and video studio.

A lunch was provided on both days. Joyce Overton was responsible for organizing the regular volunteers that prepared and served the food.

Many of the leaders of individual activities brought their own equipment and supplies. But these two special youth days would not have been possible without a sizable donation made by local business owner Marvin Carpenter.

Both days showed our children what it is like to be treated special by competent adults with skills to offer in a safe, organized environment. Volunteers teaching what they know to our children at recreational facilities could be a model for the future.

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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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