WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City, CA), a former California State University Trustee and University of California Regent, is honored that his Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculating Act has been unanimously endorsed by the California State Student Association (CSSA).

The CSSA represents more than 446,000 students in the California State University (CSU) system.

“While federal student loans are one of many tools that students can use to access college, high interest rates have made them increasingly difficult to pay back,” said Taylor Herren, president of the California State Student Association. “It’s fair to ask borrowers to pay back their loan plus the amount to cover administrative costs; however, interest rates higher than that mean borrowers spend longer in repayment and end up delaying significant purchases, such as a house, or wait longer to start a family, ultimately slowing the nation’s economy. We are grateful that Congressman Garamendi recognizes the damage high interest rates have and is pursuing legislation to treat borrowers more fairly.”

“Undergraduate students in the CSU system graduate with an average student loan debt of nearly $16,000. It’s a sign of just how out of control college debt has gotten that this is actually well below the national average. We must do better for our students,” Congressman Garamendi said. “I’m honored that CSU students are joining me in this movement to reform our student loan system. My Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculating Act is part of the solution to making sure that every qualified student in America is able to pursue their dreams.”

Congressman Garamendi introduced the Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculating Act on the UC Davis campus last week.

Since it was introduced, it has already been cosponsored by 24 members of Congress. It is also endorsed by the Higher Education Loan Coalition, a grassroots alliance of schools dedicated to the continuous improvement and strengthening of the federal Direct Loan program.

The legislation refinances student loan interest rates to the current 10 year Treasury note rate, plus 1 percent. This means that current interest rates (4.29 percent for undergraduate borrowers, 5.84 percent for graduate borrowers, and 6.84 percent for parent and graduate PLUS loan borrowers) would all be lowered to 3.23 percent.

In practical terms, this means an undergraduate student with average student loan debt ($35,051) would save $2,760 over the lifetime of their loan; a graduate student with average student loan debt ($57,600) would save $3,480 over the lifetime of their loan.

The bill also ensures that borrowers with an expected family contribution of less than, or equal to, $10,000 will not accrue interest on their student loans while they are in school.

While lieutenant governor, serving as a University of California Regent and California State University trustee, Garamendi voted against every undergraduate tuition increase.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Christian Center will host a regional women's event entitled “Sisterhood” on Saturday, May 21, at 11 a.m.

There will be attendees from churches all over Lake and Mendocino counties. The community is invited to attend.

The event will feature special music, an inspiring word by Pastor Ruth Suski, skit, door prizes, food and much more. Childcare is provided.

Lakeport Christian Center is located at 455 S. Forbes St. For more information call 707-263-4514 or visit www.lcchub.com .

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.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from Manzanita Drive 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 15-minute delays.

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to perform utility work near Foothill Drive on Friday, May 13. A shoulder closure will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-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 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

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 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays.
 
MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Geotechnical studies near the Little River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Pavement repairs between Happy Lane and Simpson Road will begin Friday, May 13. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Highway repairs just 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.

Highway 20

– Turnout construction at various locations from 1.3 miles east of Little Lake Road to 1.9 miles west of Broaddus Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 3 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 miles 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 6 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 3 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 8 p.m., weekdays and Saturdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Emergency slide repairs just south of Standish-Hickey State Park will continue. One-way traffic control with a signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 162

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to remove equipment 1.1 miles east of Hosea Creek on Friday, May 20. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 253

– Highway repairs from Cattle Pass to Butler Ranch 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.

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).

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Join the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association on Saturday, May 14, for a guided nature walk at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.

Meet in front of the Ranch House at 8:15 a.m. for time to experience the early morning wildlife to be found in the Ranch House and Barn complex yard.

The walk should last between one and a half to two hours.

The May walk will be led by California Naturalist and Park Docent Nicola Selph.

Weather and trail conditions permitting, Selph plans on exploring three of the habitats found at the Park: the creek-side habitat of the Cache Creek Nature Trail and boardwalk, the grasslands of the Anderson Flats Trail and the oak woodlands of the Ridge Trail.

The trees are green and flowers are blooming. Turtles are sunning themselves on logs in the creek. Birds, dragonflies and insects are becoming active.

There will be no tour of the historic Ranch House after the walk.

There is no charge and parking is free for those attending this event. Heavy rain will cancel the walk.

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Highway 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake. 

For more information about the nature walk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-995-2658.

For information about how you can help support AMIA’s campaign to keep the park open and thriving, please visit www.andersonmarsh.org or contact them at the telephone number or email address above.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Luncheon Club will host Ginny De Vries, coordinator for the Lake County Adult Literacy Program, on Wednesday, May 18.

Lunch will be served by the South Lake County Fire Sirens at noon at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.

De Vries has been the coordinator for the Lake County Adult Literacy Program for 27 years. She will share why the existence of this Lake County Library program is important to all of us.

Her will only last about 15 minutes, leaving plenty of time for questions. The program will end promptly at 1 p.m.

For only $5 per person, enjoy chicken Caesar wraps, fruit salad and carrot and raisin salad (sounds like a healthy, refreshing spring meal).

Reservations are highly recommended. Please call 707-987-3113 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to make a reservation before 6 p.m. Tuesday.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Friday, May 13, at Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, the Culinary Club will present the Future Chefs of Lake County Competition.

The event, sponsored by the Lake County Wine Alliance, will begin at 6 p.m.

Two chosen student chefs will compete for the win.

During the cook-off those attending in Aromas Café will be treated with a live view of the event as well as a flight of wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Tickets for seating in Aromas Café will cost $40 per person. The event will also be live streamed in the classrooms next door for $10 per person where you will also be treated with hors d’oeuvres.

During the cook-off, host Weston Seifert will be the commentator introducing the competitors, introducing the judges, and giving viewers the play by play during the cooking portion.

The winner will receive a $1000 scholarship while the second place winner will receive a $500 scholarship.

All of the proceeds from the event will go directly to the Culinary Club which provides events for the community and scholarships to students. Don’t miss this new event at one of the state’s best culinary arts program.

The Lake County Campus is located at 15880 Dam Road Extension in the city of Clearlake.

For more information, please contact the campus at 707-995-7900.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Division 35 of the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) will host a reception for certificated school personnel retiring at the conclusion of the 2015/2016 school year. 

The reception will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, at the Boatique Winery located at 8255 Red Hills Road in Kelseyville.

The reception will feature wine tasting and appetizers. There is no charge to attend.

“This is an opportunity to meet other retired Lake County educators and learn the benefits of membership in the California Retired Teachers Association,” said Division 35 President Joyce Anderson.

Division 35 provides, among other things, grants to local teachers and scholarships to students pursuing a career in education.

The state organization works to protect the retirement benefits earned by certificated personnel retired under the California State Teachers Retirement System.

Anderson added, “Membership in CalRTA is open to all retired certificated teachers, administrators and support staff. We hope you will join us on June second to celebrate your retirement from public education.”

Those planning to attend are asked to please RSVP to Anderson by calling 707-995-1189 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by May 20.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County farming community will be hosting a reception for voters to meet and talk with Cecilia Aguiar-Curry who is running for the open Fourth Assembly seat created by Bill Dodd’s run for state Senate.

The reception will be held at the Saw Shop Bistro in Kelseyville on Thursday, May 12, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Hors d’oeuvres and a no-host wine bar will be available.

Aguiar-Curry has been the first woman mayor of Winters since 2012 and is a businesswoman and co-owner of her family’s farm.

She is a former planning commissioner and city councilwoman who currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Sacramento Council of Governments. She also serves as chairwoman of the Yolo Housing Commission and Vice Chairwoman of the Yolo County Water Association.

As Mayor, Aguiar-Curry worked to bring an agricultural innovation hub to western Yolo County, build a state-of-the-art senior housing development, secure computers for local schools and encourage downtown economic development.

Her leadership helped bring a $75 million PG&E training center to Winters and helped achieve the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument designation.

Aguiar-Curry has earned numerous awards recognizing her business leadership and dedication to providing affordable broadband access to rural areas. Most notably, she was a recipient of Congressman John Garimendi’s “Woman of the Year” in 2015 and the California State Fair’s “2015 Champion of Technology” Award.

“I’m running for the state Assembly to get things done – to protect our natural resources, water and open space, support agriculture, provide good jobs and give our kids the tools they need to get ahead in a competitive world,” she said in a statement.

Aguiar-Curry is a lifelong resident of Winters and an alumnus of San Jose State where she earned degrees in business administration and accounting.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – “Loose Affiliations,” Middletown Art Center’s ninth exhibition, opens Saturday, May 14, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The exhibit runs through June 26 at the Middletown Art Center, or MAC, which is located in the heart of town at the junctions of highways 29 and 175.

Lake County residents and visitors are invited to enjoy artist’s interpretations of both inner and outer worlds. You are invited to see intriguing work, meet the artists, enjoy refreshments and community. Children are welcome.

Founded in partnership with EcoArts of Lake County, MAC provides a year-round arts and cultural presence in South Lake County where formerly there was none.

Team members transformed the old Main Street Pavilion into a beautiful space for contemporary art, performance, and events. The back portion of the building serves as a studio where classes in drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, drama and more, are offered for children, teens and adults.

The Art Center opened doors March 28, 2015, and has consistently presented extraordinary art exhibitions featuring work by local artists, in a wide variety of mediums, including painting, pastels, photographs, sculptures in a wide variety of media and prints.

MAC is an arts nonprofit made by community members for the community to enjoy. The center offers a colorful palette of classes for children, teens and adults most days of the week. Aside from lively art openings every six weeks, MAC hosts musical performances, Open Mic and Hootenannys every other Friday.

MAC is expanding its offerings to engage the community both in terms of classes and happenings to encourage self-expression and enrichment through the arts.

The center continues to subsidize classes to those impacted by the Valley fire and those in the greatest need as the community recovers. MAC’s key goals are to inspire every child and adult to express themselves and grow through the arts and arts exposure, while bolstering the quality of life and sustainability of our community in support of a healthy local economy.

The gallery is open Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m., or Sunday noon to 5 p.m. (subject to seasonal changes).

MAC will be closed on Friday, May 13, and will re-open on Saturday, May 14, at 6 p.m. for the opening reception.

Find out more about MAC at www.middletownartcenter.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ARTMiddletown . For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , call 707-809-8118 or visit MAC at 21456 State Highway 175.