Bear Creek Watershed Coordinator and Rangeland Ecologist Craig Thomsen of the UC Davis Department of Plant Science is going to tell us about stakeholder goals and stewardship issues in the Bear Creek watershed, which is in western Colusa County just over the Lake County line.

This presentation will highlight the region's natural beauty, ecological degradation, stakeholder concerns and a management framework for addressing stewardship problems: among other things attendees will see some horrible examples of erosion in progress (and learn about effective ways to reverse it), and learn about the ecological damage caused by abandoned mercury mines and invasive alien weeds.

Bear Valley and the rest of the watershed are also famous for their rare plants and spectacular display of spring wildflowers, so the audience can expect to see breathtaking examples of that annual showstopper.

The presentation will be followed by an update on the status of the Berryessa-Snow Mountain National Conservation Area proposal that was the subject of the Lake Group forum held at the Brick Hall in Lower Lake in January 2008.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information contact Victoria Brandon at 994 1931 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

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.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

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.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– The county of Lake has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for sidewalk upgrades from Fourth Street to Sixth 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 perform routine maintenance from 0.7 miles north of Bar X Ranch to 0.1 miles north of Spruce Grove Road through Friday, March 13. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from 0.1 miles north of Spruce Grove Road to Hofacker Lane Road beginning Monday, March 16. Work hours are 8:30 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 through Friday, March 13. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Construction of a retaining wall about 3 miles north of Elk will begin Friday, March 13. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

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.

– The city of Willits has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to service the Willits Arch near Franklin Avenue beginning Monday, March 16. Work hours are 9 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.

– Brian Shuster of Willits has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work at California Street through Friday, March 13. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 162

– Caltrans will perform culvert repairs near Hosea Creek on Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

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).

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

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.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

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.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}