WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior has added seven VA national cemeteries to the National Register of Historic Places.

The recognition coincides with the national celebration of Historic Preservation Month each May and comes ahead of a weekend of Memorial Day observances at VA National Cemeteries nationwide.

 “Over four million veterans, service members, reservists and family members – of every generation and from every war and conflict, from the Revolution to the Global War on Terror – have been laid to rest in VA national cemeteries. Inclusion in the National Register emphasizes the significance of these seven 1930s-era national cemeteries as hallowed grounds,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald. “This recognition is particularly timely. On Memorial Day, we pay homage to those who placed themselves on the Altar of Freedom for love of country; this is a day for remembrance, reflection and respect – for honoring those who gave all. That is the mission of those who serve in our National Cemetery Administration, a mission they consider a sacred trust with those who gave so much for their country.”

The national cemeteries added to the National Register of Historic Places are Baltimore, Md.; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Rosecrans, Calif.; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Snelling, Minn.; Golden Gate, Calif.; and Long Island, NY.

The listing recognizes the cemeteries established between the World Wars and as the first expansion of the national cemetery system since the Civil War. They also represent the first modern landscape designs created to honor the sacrifice of thousands of veterans.

The individual cemetery designs are tailored to each location, but together reflect a unity of purpose in their appearance and sentiment. The history of national cemeteries is one of evolving veterans’ benefits, memorialization, politics and planning. 

VA has 102 national cemeteries listed in the National Register. This distinction recognizes these national cemeteries as national shrines honoring the Veterans buried there, their historic association with U.S. military history and as an enduring symbol of their sacrifice. In addition,

VA operates 134 national cemeteries and 33 soldiers’ lots and monument sites in 40 states and Puerto Rico.

More than 4 million Americans, including veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA’s national cemeteries. VA also provides funding to establish, expand, improve, and maintain 100 veterans cemeteries in 47 states and territories including tribal trust lands, Guam and Saipan.

For veterans not buried in a VA national cemetery, VA provides headstones, markers or medallions to commemorate their service. In 2015, VA honored more than 353,000 veterans and their loved ones with memorial benefits in national, state, tribal and private cemeteries.

Information on VA burial benefits is available from local VA national cemetery offices, at www.cem.va.gov or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 800-827-1000.  For more information about the history of VA national cemeteries, visit www.cem.va.gov/history .

For a listing of Memorial Day events taking place at VA national cemeteries nationwide, visit http://www.cem.va.gov/features.asp .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport’s annual Memorial Day Parade will take place on Saturday, May 28.

The theme of this year's event is “Lake County Strong,” and will once again honor members of the Armed Forces.

The parade is expected to last about 45 minutes.

The route will extend from the Lake County Fairgrounds on Martin Street to Main Street, traveling north to Clear Lake Avenue, with the judges' stand in front of the Courthouse Museum between Second and Third Streets.

The Lakeport Police Department has issued a traffic advisory for the parade.

The agency reported that from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Main Street between S. Main and C streets, N. Main to Clearlake Avenue, and Martin Street east to the the Lake County Fairgrounds and S. Main Street will be closed to traffic for the parade.

Motorists are advised to use caution when driving in this area and find alternate routes when possible.

Lakeport Police and Public Works staff will be on site to conduct traffic controls and provide for public safety.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office will hold testing of its voting machines next week.

Pursuant to regulations of the California State Commission on Voting Machines and Vote Tabulating Devices, a logic and accuracy test will be conducted for the ballot tabulation computer and software to be used for the June 7 Presidential Primary Election.

This test will run on Tuesday, May 31, at 9 a.m. in the Registrar of Voters office, second floor, Room 209, Courthouse, Lakeport.

All interested persons are invited to observe this test.

SACRAMENTO – With summer fast approaching, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith reminds Californians to avoid mosquito bites during travel to Latin American countries and the Caribbean.

There have been increased reports of mosquito-borne diseases, including Zika, chikungunya, and dengue, in those locations. Dr. Smith also reminded pregnant women to consider postponing travel to destinations affected by Zika virus.

“Summer vacation should be about having fun, not recovering from serious illnesses acquired from mosquito bites,” said Dr. Smith. “Perhaps the easiest thing you can do to protect yourself while traveling outside of California is to pack insect repellent containing DEET. The mosquitoes that transmit Zika, chikungunya and dengue are aggressive and bite during the day, so it’s important to use that repellent and to wear protective clothing whenever you go outside or spend time in buildings with open windows and no screens.”

Zika is a viral disease that typically causes fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.

While most people infected with Zika virus will not develop symptoms, Zika virus infection has been tied to Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis.

Pregnant women and women who may become pregnant should be especially careful because Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other brain defects.

Although primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, Zika virus is also found in semen of infected men and can be transmitted to sexual partners.

Since the emergence of Zika in Brazil last year, the virus has spread rapidly throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Chikungunya and dengue transmission have also been prevalent throughout Latin American countries in recent years, including several Mexican states, many of which are popular tourist destinations.

Chikungunya is a viral disease characterized by acute onset of fever and severe joint pain. Dengue, another viral disease, is characterized by high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and internal bleeding in severe cases. Chikungunya and dengue are not contagious from person to person – only from mosquito to person.

There is no vaccine against chikungunya, dengue or Zika. Treatments for the diseases include supportive care, rest, fluids and fever relief.

If you have returned from an affected region and have a fever, joint pain or rash within two weeks following your return, contact your medical provider and tell them where you have traveled. If your doctor suspects Zika, chikungunya or dengue, protect yourself against mosquito bites for at least two weeks after you recover. This will prevent the virus from spreading to mosquitoes, which might then infect others.

People who are traveling to areas known to have Zika virus, dengue or chikungunya should take these steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes:

– Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol for long-lasting protection. If you use sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should choose an EPA-registered insect repellent and use it according to the product label.
– Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
– Use air conditioning or window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes indoors, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
– Help reduce the number of mosquitoes outside by emptying standing water from containers, such as flowerpots and buckets.

For more information on Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses, visit the CDPH Zika virus information Web page, http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Zika.aspx .

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County and the North Coast during the coming week.

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

Caltrans will suspend work on Northern California highways from Friday, May 27, through Monday, May 30, in observance of the Memorial Day weekend.

However, in the case of unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans Maintenance forces to respond to emergency situations.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from Sayre Ave. to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Valley fire recovery work from the Lake/Napa County line to Hidden Valley will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to perform utility work near Konocti Forestry Camp on Thursday, June 2. Intermittent full highway closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 53

– Caltrans has granted an encroachment permit for the Lower Lake Parade and BBQ, which will extend from Morgan Valley Road to the junction of Route 29 and Route 53 on Sunday, May 29. A full closure of Morgan Valley Road will be in effect from noon to 2 p.m. Motorists are advised to seek an alternate route.

Highway 175

– Valley fire recovery work from the junction of Routes 29/175 in Middletown to Loch Lomond will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Paving operations between Old Coast Highway and Glennen Drive will begin Tuesday, May 31. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Highway repairs a quarter-mile north of Ocean Meadows Circle 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.

– Paving operations between Abalobadiah Creek and Blue Side Gulch will begin Monday, May 30. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

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.

– Highway construction from 0.6 mile south of Upp Creek to the north Willits railroad crossing will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Pavement repairs from Sherwood Road to Rattlesnake Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Pavement repairs from the junction of Routes 1/101 to the Bear Pen Undercrossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Emergency slide repairs just south of Standish-Hickey State Park 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.

Highway 128

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to perform tree work near the east limits of Philo on Wednesday, June 1. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 162

– Drainage inspections between Poonkiny-Fairbanks and the Town Creek Bridge will begin Tuesday, May 31. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 253

– Highway repairs from Cattle Pass to Butler Ranch will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

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).

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The 40-9ers Ladies Golf Club played a nine-hole scramble on May 19.

There was a three-way tie for first place, with net 25.4: Joy Ryan, Liz Cummesky and Toni Stratton; Nancy Erickson, Kit Hoss and Elaine Fauser; and Adele Curtin, Julia Yamashita and Floydean Greenlow.

The Board of Directors of the California Association of Realtors, or CAR, voted to support a $1.3 billion proposal by California Assembly members to create affordable housing programs.

“With a historically low homeownership rate of 54 percent and record high rental costs, the dream of owning a home in California is evaporating. Our teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers, and other middle class workers should be able to afford to live in the communities they serve,” said C.A.R. President Pat “Ziggy” Zicarelli. “C.A.R. recognizes the urgency of California’s housing crisis and is fully supporting the proposal by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee to invest a portion of our state’s budget surplus to address this housing crisis.”

C.A.R. formed an Affordable Workforce Housing Task Force in August 2015 to examine existing policies in California designed to expand the availability of “affordable housing” and to make recommendations to increase the availability of affordable work force housing in California.

This budget proposal includes:

· $400 million for homeownership and rental housing opportunities – $200 million for a new workforce housing grant program to provide funding for down payment assistance, homeownership assistance and rental housing for individuals making 120 percent of the area median income; $200 million for the CalHome Program which provides grants and loans to local governments and non-profit organizations for rehabilitation of existing homes, mortgage assistance, acquisition, site development, and pre-development/construction of homes.

· $60 million for seismic retrofits of soft-story homes. Personal income tax credits for 30 percent of qualified cost incurred for a seismic retrofit.

· $75 million for farmworker housing: 50 million to finance the construction, rehabilitation, and acquisition of owner-occupied and rental units for ag workers; 25 million for the construction, rehabilitation, and acquisition of rental housing for farmworkers and their families who make up to 60 percent of the area median income.

· $500 million for the rental housing for lower income working families – $300 million in low income housing tax credits to enable private developers to create more than 3,000 homes and leverage $300 million in federal tax credits and $600 million of federal tax exempt bonds, which would otherwise go unclaimed; $200 million to fund the construction, rehabilitation, and acquisition of 5,700 multifamily rental homes, serving 62,500 families and individuals at 60% of the area median income or below.

· $300 million for shelter programs – $200 for multifamily supportive housing; $60 million for the Medi-Cal Housing Program to provide rental assistance for people who are homeless and enrolled in Medi-Cal; and, $40 million to assist persons at risk of becoming homeless with homeless prevention assistance and rapid rehousing.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Join the Taylor Observatory on Saturday, May 28, for its monthly “Window to the Universe” lecture and planetarium show.

Join Dr. David Velasquez for “A New Look at Jupiter,” which takes place at the observatory, located on 5725 Oak Hills Lane in Kelseyville, from 7:15 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 28.

Jupiter has always held a prominent place in the solar system, from ancient times to the present.

Beginning with Galileo’s early telescopic observations of Jupiter’s moons, the planet has gradually revealed its secrets.

In the past few years, with the Kepler telescope’s discovery of numerous exoplanets and planetary systems orbiting distant stars, our former theories of the formation of our solar system are being questioned.

With the scheduled arrival of NASA’s Juno probe in July, and its year-long investigation of the detailed structure of the planet, NASA scientists hope to gain a better understanding not only of the dynamics of the planet, but also of how Jupiter has influenced the current configuration of the solar system.

Sponsored by the Friends of Taylor, the event includes planetarium shows at 7:15 p.m. and 9 p.m., the lecture at 8 p.m. and telescope viewing – weather permitting – from 9 to 10:30 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults, Lake County K-12 students are admitted free.

For more information visit www.taylorobservatory.org or www.friendsoftaylor.org , or call Friends of Taylor Observatory President Bill Haddon at 415-209-3084.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Rancho de la Fuente and Rancho Californio present the third annual Californio Days at Rancho de la Fuente on Sunday, June 12.

Festivities begin with the popular Fiesta of the Horse at 10:30 a.m.

There are three times more participants this year, including new drill teams and exotic horse breeds, as well as returning favorites like the Hooves and Wheels Quadrille, the Claiche Family Jousters and Cowboy Mounted Shooting, two hours of fast-paced, fun entertainment.

The fiesta show will be followed at 12:30 p.m. by live music, family-friendly beverage and food sales (with a low-priced kids menu in addition to tasty adult dishes), and opportunity to browse educational displays devoted to California history, agriculture, artwork and ranch crafts. There is a special emphasis on artwork, crafts and literature by local residents.

In a new feature this year, at 1:30 p.m. the action will move to the big Barn venue, with American Indian drumming and singing ("Red Voices Intertribal Drum"), and ceremonial dancing.

That will be followed by a special screening of the locally-produced documentary "A Walk Through Time, The Story of Anderson Marsh." The film will be introduced by historian/archeologist Dr. John Parker and Koi Nation tribal administrator Dino Beltran. There will be opportunity afterwards for audience Q&A with the filmmakers.

Last year’s Californio Days event drew more than 500 spectators and participants. The event has doubled in size every year.

Admission to Californio Days is free.

Parking begins at 9:45 a.m. and the two-hour-long Fiesta of the Horse starts at 10:30 a.m.

Rancho de la Fuente is located at 2290 Soda Bay Road, south of Lakeport.

This years sponsors and supporters include, to date, Highland Springs Equestrian Center, Lake County Wine Studio, Balius Farm Miniature Sport Horses, and the Lake County Chapter of the California Dressage Society.

Anyone interested in sponsoring, supporting, volunteering, participating, or contributing displays or expertise, please contact Deb Baumann at 707-275-9234 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – What started as supply run for victims of the Valley fire last September came full circle recently as a Lake County elementary school hosted its first ever game of cricket.

Inspired by the good deeds of his club mates Caen Healy, a senior at Napa High School, arranged to put on a cricket match at Coyote Valley Elementary School as part of his senior project.

The story starts on Sunday morning, Sept. 13, 2015, when many in the Napa Valley woke to the news of the Valley fire.

Members of the Napa Valley Cricket Club learned that many residents from Lake County had been evacuated to the Calistoga Fairgrounds, where the club plays its games.

Through local members on the ground in Calistoga and social media it became obvious to the club that supplies were needed in Calistoga. While many people were making offers of items in various online social media conversations there was no way to get the supplies to where they were needed.

The cricket club hastily arranged a drop-off point in north Napa and got the word out about this via email, text and social media. By 2 p.m. that afternoon they had sent seven vehicles north to Calistoga with food and water supplies, blankets, sleeping bags, canopies, clothing, animal crates and much more.

Included in the supply run were care packages individually hand made by club member Emma Brown and these somehow made their way to the doorsteps of homes in Middletown after the fire had been quelled.

Some online sleuthing by one of these recipients, Middletown resident and Napa Valley Cricket Club Principal Shane Lee, led him to the club's Web site and a subsequent phone call to express his gratitude for their generous thoughts and actions.

Fast-forward a few months as Healy is working through his senior project at Napa High. “I was writing a paper for my senior project on 'Developing cricket in non-traditional markets' and I was looking for a way to do this locally.”

He added, “The Napa Valley Cricket Club is now well established here in the Napa Valley and has been very supportive in my efforts to found the Napa High Cricket Club, but I wanted to reach beyond that. They suggested I contact the folks up at Coyote Valley Elementary School and arrange to come visit and show them the game of cricket. And that’s what I did.”

Sixth grade teacher Jeff Herman jumped at the opportunity to expose his class to the game of cricket. Herman had himself been exposed to the game years ago while living in Stellenbosch, South Africa and knew about the etiquette of the game, and its traditions. In addition he wanted to expose the students to something new, to help broaden their minds and allow them to see, and play, the second most popular sport in the world.

Healy started in the classroom where he showed the students a video about cricket, especially for Americans, as it compares and contrasts cricket and baseball. A handout for each student allowed him or her a visual understanding of the game and prompted many interesting questions.

Healy passed around cricket balls and cricket equipment including his helmet, a bat, gloves, and pads so that the interested students could touch and feel real cricket equipment.

After the question and answer session it was time to head outside. The class was broken into three groups for practice drills: fielding (throwing and catching); bowling (think pitching in baseball); and batting. Once the basic skills had been mastered it was time for a game.

The class was then broken in two teams – the A’s and the Giants – and they batted in pairs for 2 overs (2 x 6 balls) while every student got a chance to bowl one over (6 balls). The game finished right as the buses pulled up to take the sixth graders home and all of them had been part of history having just played in the first ever cricket match in Lake County!

Healy took the structure for the day from a program run by Napa Valley Cricket Club President Phil Bourke at Vichy Elementary School, Napa, in 2015, which proved highly successful, and hopes to use it in the future as he is keen to continue to be an ambassador for the game he loves and has played for the last 11 years.

The equipment used on the day came to Healy from the United States Youth Cricket Association, based on the East Coast, which had generously sent two full cricket sets that Healy presented to the school so that the students could continue to play the game.

“It’s been a great experience coming to Coyote Valley Elementary School and watching the kids learn about the game of cricket, a game that I love. Cricket is growing in America and soon there will be a large program of outreach into schools all over the country so it was great to be part of that push to de-

mystify the game and show the kids how much fun it is as a game. Shane and Jeff at Coyote Valley Elementary School were great in accommodating me for this part of my senior project and I’m grateful to them for their time in getting everything arranged.”

Healy plans to continue his own cricket playing this year with the NVCC as they play 11 games over the course of 2016.

After graduation this June he plans to attend Napa Valley College before taking up a place at Boston University in their Economics program in the fall of 2017.