LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust is presenting two educational lectures at its Rodman Preserve Nature Center, 6350 Westlake Road near Upper Lake.

On Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. a lecture will be presented by Steve Zalusky, president, Coast Range Wetlands, Inc. on “Wetlands Restoration – Help for an Endangered Ecosystem.”

Zalusky will talk about the importance of preserving ecological diversity, both from a species as well as an ecosystem-function standpoint and how restoration of wetlands is a necessary step to remediate threats to local water quality and restore a healthy water cycle in areas where wetlands are damaged or obliterated.

In Lake County, Steve and Danielle Zalusky of Coast Range Wetlands Inc. are working towards maintaining and restoring wetlands locally, and the Lake county Land Trust is looking to partner with them to protect these ecologically important and rare ecosystems.

Then, on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Dr. Paul Aigner, resident co-director of the University of California – McLaughlin Reserve will present a lecture on “Discovering California’s Lost Ecosystem: the ecology and management of native grasslands.”

Aigner will talk about the wholesale transformation of species composition and ecology of California grasslands.

“The native wildflowers and perennial bunchgrasses that dominated grasslands before European settlement have been almost completely replaced by annual grasses that were introduced from Europe and Asia starting in the early 1800s,” Aigner explained.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the ecology of pre-European California grasslands and the role of Native Americans in managing them, how grasslands are affected by grazing and fire, why it is important to preserve serpentine and other native-dominated grasslands, and how land managers protect native-dominated grasslands and restore degraded grasslands to a semblance of their pre-European state.

Space is limited to 40 attendees. Reservations will be made in the order received.

Please make reservations by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-262-0707. Please provide the name of each person for whom you would like to make a reservation.

The Lake County Land Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of valuable natural habitats and open space in Lake County.

For more information, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org .

With motor vehicle crashes ranking as the leading cause of death for teens, AAA Northern California is urging parents to be more involved with their teen drivers and calling for stronger graduated driver’s licensing programs.

According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, risky driving behavior among 16 and 17-year-old teens involved in fatal crashes increased when teen passengers were present.

The new research, released as part of Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 14-20), shows that the prevalence of risky behavior generally grew for 16 and 17-year-old drivers as the number of teen passengers increased.

Among 16 and 17-year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes:

• The prevalence of speeding increased from 30 percent to 44 percent and 48 percent with zero, two and three or more teen passengers, respectively.
• The prevalence of late-night driving (11 p.m. to 5 a.m.) increased from 17 percent to 22 percent and 28 percent with zero, two and three or more teen passengers, respectively.
• The prevalence of alcohol use increased from 13 percent to 17 percent and 18 percent with zero, two and three or more teen passengers, respectively.

“Mixing young drivers with teen passengers can have dangerous consequences,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “AAA urges parents to set and consistently enforce family rules that limit newly licensed teens from driving with young passengers.”

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, data analysis on fatal crashes that occurred nationwide from 2005 and 2010 shows that 9,578 drivers age 16 and 17 were involved in fatal crashes, and that 3,994 of these crashes included at least one teen passenger.

This study also shows how risk of death in a traffic crash for 16 and 17-year-old drivers increases by 44 percent when carrying one passenger younger than 21, doubles with two, and quadruples with three or more younger passengers, compared to driving alone.

Teen drivers face a number of safety challenges including:

• Teenage drivers are involved in more crashes per mile than drivers of any other age group.
• Drivers aged 16 and 17 are involved in about seven times as many crashes per mile driven compared to drivers in their forties, fifties, or sixties.
• Teenage drivers are overrepresented in crashes that result in the death of other people, such as passengers, pedestrians, or occupants of other vehicles.

AAA recommends that all states adopt and enforce a comprehensive three-stage graduated licensing system for beginning drivers – learner’s permit, intermediate/probationary license, full/unrestricted license.

These programs should limit driving at night, and driving with young passengers, among other provisions designed to help novice drivers gain skills and experience associated with responsible driving.   

AAA has a wide range of tools available at www.TeenDriving.AAA.com to help parents simplify the learning-to-drive process including parent-teen driving agreements, online webinars, licensing information and free online information developed from a National Institutes of Health program.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Bring on the face painting, crowd cheering, car-pooling, cookouts, pep rallies, halftime showdowns, hometown pride and mud-slinging battles in the trenches.

Bass Bowl III (sponsored by SERVpro) will be Friday night, Oct. 26, and this year’s game has been included into the Great American Rivalry Series by the United States Air Force.

The annual game features longtime rivals the Clear Lake High Cardinals and the Kelseyville Knights.

A member on the US Air Force will present two $500 scholarships to the players with the top GPA from each team prior to the game.

“The Air Force is proud to be part of the Great American Rivalry Series again,” said Robert J. Morse, of the US Air Force. “This allows us to showcase how teamwork, dedication and commitment to excellence goes beyond the football field. It helps us connect with fans and emphasize these values are common in both football and the Air Force.”

The Great American Rivalry Series selects a limited number of rivalry games across the nation for their scholarship program.

“We are proud that we were able to secure such a coveted selection since this is just the Bass Bowl’s third year in existence,” Bass Bowl coordinator Phil Smoley said. “The Bass Bowl is one of just eight rivalries in California chosen for this honor, and it shows that when the community pulls together, we can make great things happen.”

The Bass Bowl is a series of fundraising events that leads up to the game itself, to help with local high school athletics.

For more information, go to www.BassBowl.com .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Community United Methodist Church, located at 15155 Armstrong Street in Middletown, needs help to serve the hungry in our community.  

The church participates in the Rural Food Program and distributes food the third Wednesday of the month. They also provide an emergency food distribution the fourth Wednesday of the month.  

Throughout the month, they distribute food on an as-needed basis.

The church also provides free community dinners every Wednesday and Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. as well as a free community breakfast on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and a free community lunch after the service at 12:30 p.m.

They serve 80-plus families throughout the month and the number is increasing.

The church’s food pantry can always use staples and canned goods, but they would love to be able to provide for distribution fresh produce from the area.  

If you have extra garden produce, would like to donate canned goods and/or staples or have questions, then please call the church office at 707-987-3379 or call Melanie at 707-295-7797.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Oct. 13 Lake County Land Trusts annual dinner, held at the beautiful Rancho de la Fuente facility on Soda Bay Road, brought together 135 land trust supporters to enjoy music by Tom Nixon and Doug Kauffman, a fantastic silent auction, interesting speakers, and delicious food.

The Lake County Land Trust presents the dinner every year on the second Saturday of October to provide an opportunity for supporters to enjoy each other’s company, hear an update on Land Trust projects, and learn about conservation-related topics from a key note speaker.

This year, retiring Lake County Winegrape Commission President Shannon Gunier spoke about the connection between the Land Trust and local winegrape growers as well as Lake County growers’ commitment to sustainable agriculture.

Gunier imparted interesting facts about the success of marketing Lake County grapes and talked about how local farming families have worked with the Land Trust in the past to protect and preserve important open space in the county, including the Land Trust’s Rodman Preserve near Upper Lake.

Lake County Land Trust board member and secretary, Jon Ambrose, brought everyone up to date on Land Trust projects, like the Big Valley Wetlands proposal to preserve important remaining wetlands on Clear Lake, and the status of the Boggs Lake Preserve cooperative management agreement with The Nature Conservancy.

Every year the Land Trust honors “Supporters of the Year,” with a recognition plaque and Congressional Certificate from Congressman Mike Thompson’s office.

This year the honorees were Bonnie Piccolo, for her work in planning and executing the annual dinners, and Katherine Lindsley as a volunteer hike leader at the Rodman Preserve.

Rancho de la Fuente provided a beautiful and comfortable setting for the event with a delicious dinner provided by Ciao Thyme catering.

Wines were donated by Steele Wines, Wildhurst, Six Sigma, Shannon Ridge, and Ceago. Generous dinner sponsors included The Law Office of Dennis Fordham, Hanchett Publishing, Brad and Kathy Barnwell, The Lake County Winegrape Commission, and Peter and Nancy Gruchawka.

The Lake County Land Trust is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of important natural habitats and open space in Lake County.

The Land Trust, incorporated in 1994, owns and operates the Rodman Preserve near Upper Lake and the Rabbit Hill Park in Middletown. All proceeds from the dinner and silent auction go to the Lake County Land Trust to help continue its conservation work in Lake County.

For more information, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org or become a fan of the Land Trust on Facebook.

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

– Lake County Special Districts has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work from Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road to Ogden Road through Friday, Oct. 19. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work near Harvey Boulevard through Friday, Oct. 19. 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.

– Emergency guardrail repairs from the junction of Routes 20/53 to New Long Valley 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 – Teichert Construction of Davis.

Highway 53

– Pavement repairs from Route 29 to 40th Avenue will continue. Work hours are 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will  be  in  effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

– Highway widening and rehabilitation from 40th Avenue to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. Work hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Mallo Pass Creek to the Navarro River Bridge beginning Monday, Oct. 22. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Beginning Monday, Oct. 22, motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Contractor – Golden State Bridge Inc. of Martinez.

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from Blue Slide Gulch to Leggett will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute  delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

Highway 20

– A pavement repair project from 1.4 miles west of Little Lake Road to Three Chop 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 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Destination Hopland has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to hold the Hopland Passport event from 0.2 mile south of East Side Road to 0.3 mile south of the CAL FIRE station on Saturday, Oct. 20, and Sunday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brief intermittent closures will be in effect to allow for pedestrian crossing. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 128

– Pavement repairs from 0.4 mile east of the Robinson Creek Bridge to the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 25-minute delays. Contractor – OC Jones and Sons of Berkeley.

Highway 253

– Slipout repairs about 5.6 miles west of Butler Ranch will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Services of Willits.

Highway 271

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from the southern junction of Routes 101/271 to the Humboldt/Mendocino County line will continue Tuesday, Oct. 23. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute  delays.  Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– Electrical upgrades 0.9 mile south of the Caltrans Maintenance Yard will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Cal Electro Inc. of Redding.

Work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

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).