Chesbro, who served in the State Senate from 1998-2006, chaired the Senate Select Committee on Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health.

“Chairing this committee will allow me to continue the work on behalf of people with disabilities that I started when I was in the State Senate,” Chesbro said. “Unfortunately, after I left the Senate this committee was discontinued, but now the Assembly has filled the void. With the establishment of this committee, the Assembly can provide a greater focus on the needs of Californians with disabilities.”

The Select Committee on Disabilities will hold hearings to discuss a variety of issues to promote access to quality health care for persons with disabilities, including issues relating to mental, physical and developmental disabilities.

“I am looking forward to hearing from all the stakeholders and discussing how California can best meet the needs of this constituency. This is something that I am passionate about and I am thankful to the speaker for this appointment,” Chesbro said.

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There will be free bus trips to The Geysers where you can tour a working geothermal power plant, reservations required.

Musical performers will be providing entertainment throughout the day as well as guest speakers: at 10 a.m. Brad Barnwell of the Audubon Society will be speaking on “Birds of Lake County” and at 12:30 p.m. Scott Catamas, trained by Al Gore, will give a presentation on climate project providing the newest information regarding the science and solutions of climate change.

Many organizations will have informational booths, activities and giveaways. Children can have their face painted, pan for gems, do a scavenger hunt or enter a recycled art contest.

Electric, and hybrid cars as well as solar oven also will be on display.

There will be much more, so please call 987-4270 with any questions, or to reserve a seat for the power plant tour.

The Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center is located at 15500 Central Park Road, Middletown.

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CLEARLAKE – Team DUI is sponsoring a candlelight vigil in memory of the those Lake County families that have been impacted by the devastating consequences of collisions involving driving under the influence.

The vigil will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at Austin Park in Clearlake.

Team DUI is a grassroots collaborative consisting of members from CHP, Clearlake Police, Clearlake elected officials, Lake Family Resource, the District Attorney’s Office, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Lake County Probation, Lake County Office of Education, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, members of local school districts and individual members of the community who have been affected by a DUI.

The group has received numerous state awards for the prevention work they have been doing in our community. They have presented to all Lake County schools and have touched more than 1,500 students in their presentations about the dangers of drinking and driving, underage drinking and not getting into a vehicle with a drunk driver.

Everyone is welcome.

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LAKE COUNTY – Clearlake City Councilman Roy Simons will be Herb Gura's guest on “The Law Show” this weekend.

The show will air live from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, on KPFZ 88.1 FM.

Call in and ask about Provinsalia, and all things Clearlake.

The call-in number is 707-263-3435 or 800-732-5739 (KPFZ).

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LAKEPORT – The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 88 of Lake County, will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, April 4, at Lakeport Yacht Club located next to the Fifth Street launch ramp in Lakeport.

The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and items on the agenda will be an upcoming April 24-25 rummage sale, the Heron Festival informational booth and the safe boating classes.

Any persons wishing to join this active flotilla is encouraged to attend.

For additional information, please call the Flotilla's information line at 707-513-5122. Join the group and become one of America's volunteer life savers.

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Fran Ransley (right) shows off some lovely winter greens during the Lake Co Community Co-op's free home gardening talk and tour. Photo by Lori Patotzka.

LOWER LAKE – Building a home garden was the main focus at the Lake County Community Co-op's monthly general meeting for members and the public on Saturday, March 14.

Fran Ransley, Lake County Co-op member and volunteer, shared her gardening experience, tips and stories with a group of more than 20 enraptured listeners who attended from around the county.

Participants shared their own gardening tips as well and others took home ideas on how to start their own garden, raised bed and container gardening, and dealing with non-human garden critters who also have a taste for fine dining.

It was a mostly sunny but chilly March morning, but those who came out for this free talk and garden tour went home enriched with new ideas to perhaps start their own garden this spring.

The group’s April 11 meeting will take place at Barber’s Country Farm in Kelseyville, where we will focus on learning about building good soil for gardens and planters and tour their fabulous greenhouses. The public is welcome to attend so watch in the future for more information.

Celebrating over one year in community, 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 707-993-4270.

Local County residents tour Fran Ransley's winter garden. Photo by Lori Patotzka.

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