LAKEPORT, Calif. – Mendocino College's Lake Center Campus still has spots available in its Construction Fundamentals and Green Building class.

The class takes place on Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with lectures on various phases of construction.

Hands-on labs are on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

For more information or to sign up visit www.mendocino.edu .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Roadside rumble strips are designed to alert motorists that they may be veering off the road, but for bicyclists, rumble strips can catch them by surprise.

Caltrans worked with Northern California bicycling advocates and designed the “Flying Wedge,” a new pavement striping that alerts bicyclists of upcoming rumble strips.
 
In this latest Caltrans News Flash, see how collaboration and creative thinking resulted in an innovative and inexpensive solution that is having a big impact on the safety of bicyclists.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Parks and Recreation Commission will next meet on Thursday, Feb. 2.

The commission will meet beginning at 3 p.m. in the conference room at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda includes updates on activities at Library Park and Westside Community Park.

The commissioners also will discuss changing to quarterly meetings and will get a progress update on a sign for a new walking path.

Commissioners are Ann Blue, Kipp Knorr,  Suzanne Lyons, Suzanne Russell and Cindy Ustrud.

On Monday, Congressional Wine Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA-05) and Duncan Hunter (R-CA-50) applauded a new trade enforcement action to ensure both imported and local wines have equal access to grocery store shelves in Canada.

Currently in British Columbia, only wines produced in the province can be sold on grocery store shelves.

This week, the United States challenged that regulation for discriminating against U.S. wine producers.
 
“Our American wineries make some of the best wines in the world, and denying them access to grocery stores in British Columbia not only hinders the growth of our entrepreneurs, but denies Canadians access to our products,” said Thompson and Hunter in a joint statement. “It is encouraging that British Columbia wants to open grocery stores as a new distribution channel for wine, but as a member of the WTO, any expansion  must include products from around the world. Any trade partnership must be based on a level playing field where everyone has a chance to grow their economy—including American winemakers.”
 
Under the WTO dispute settlement process, the U.S. and Canada undergo consultations to resolve this complaint. If a mutually-agreed upon solution cannot be reached during the consultation period, the U.S. may request a dispute settlement panel to examine the matter.
 
For more information, visit https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2017/january/Challenges_Canadian_Trade_Measures_That_Discriminate_Against_US_Wine .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Kelseyville Methodist Thrift Shop will hold a special 25-cent sale on Monday, Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The shop is located at 5250 First St., just off of Main Street.

“This is a special sale to new and regular customers,” said Methodist member and volunteer Marti Dunn. “We have an array of pants, blouses, dishes, linens, purses, sweaters, infant clothing and coats.”

The 25-cent sale is for inside items only. All outside items are at regular prices.

The thrift shop has been providing assistance to the community since 1954 and all proceeds assist the operation of this Kelseyville Church, which has served the community since 1854 on the same spot at First and Main streets.

In addition to Kelseyville United Methodist Sunday Services at 9 a.m. with Sunday brunch on the first Sunday each month, the church hosts Girl Scouts, 4-H, AA and the Lake County Unitarian Universalist at 11 a.m. on Sundays.

For more information about donations to the thrift shop, contact Linda Breeding at 707-349-5400.

For information about the Kelseyville United Methodist Church and prayer requests contact Pastor Voris Brumfield at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text 707-295-7174.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – David Ellsworth Schober Jr. entered into rest on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, in Clearlake.

Age 37, David lived most of his life in Lake County.

He is survived by his daughter, Alexis Davis Schober; wife, Kathy Chase Schober; sons, Dalton Case Schober and Dylon Chase Schober; and parents, David and Penny Schober.

A celebration of life is planned for this coming springtime.

David’s family would appreciate any memorial donations in his memory be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202.

Arrangements under the care of Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel.

Please share your loving memories of David by signing his online guestbook at www.jonesandlewis.com and www.legacy.com .

On day one of his administration, President Donald Trump suspended a quarter point decrease in the FHA mortgage insurance premium that was set to begin on Jan. 27.

The decrease was designed to make FHA mortgages more affordable as mortgage interest rates are on the rise and allow more people to qualify for home ownership.

The National Association of Realtors expressed disappointment stating that “roughly 750,000 to 850,000 home buyers will face higher costs, and 30,000 to 40,000 new home buyers will be left on the sidelines in 2017 without the cut …” 

If I had voted for Donald Trump based on his promise to make “America Great Again,” I would be curious as to why that doesn’t include giving more people an opportunity to own their homes.

But maybe his supporters aren’t aware. There’s little media coverage of this mean-spirited action because we are all distracted by the facts and alternative facts of crowd counts for the inauguration. 

Shirley Howland lives in Clearlake, Calif.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Jessica Sarah Smith, 31, entered into eternal rest on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, following a tragic accident.

She was preceded in death by her dear mother and sister, Deborah Jean, and Elizabeth Inez Palmer.

She is survived by her loving husband, Clayton Smith; the light of her life, daughter, Lexxus Morais; stepson, Ethan Smith; brother, Tim Palmer; sister-in-law, Melissa; nephews, Timmy, Dane, James, Nathan and June; nieces, Sarah and Carrie; beloved dogs, Patches and Spot; and a host of other family and friends.

Jessica had been a proud Lake County resident for 30 years. She made a very successful career, planning events, and loved being able to help so many plan and execute their most special days.

She married her soulmate, Clayton, on June 4, 2016, and he made her blissfully happy.

Jess loved nothing more than spending time with her family and friends. She was a proud and amazing mother.

She was witty, hilarious, fiercely protective and loving, and will be missed everyday by all who were blessed enough to know her.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 North High St. in Lakeport.

FOREVER MISS YOUR FACE JESS…

For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The newly hazmat-certified students went though a two-week workshop where they learned how to deal with hazardous materials.

Instructor Angie Siegel had this to say about the two weeks she spent with her new FROs: “I had a wonderful hazmat group this year. Well, all my groups have been outstanding. This years hazmat students had amazing scores on the final, we had a lot of As and really high Bs. I was so proud of the effort that they put in and they were respectful and mature at the firehouse.”

Siegel would also like to send a big thank you to the firehouse’s Chief Willie Sapeta for his time training our newest FROs. He has been donating his time to Carlé’s Hazmat FRO program for 20 years. Our media class is making Chief Sapeta a thank you gift.

“This workshop gave a lot of real world examples and helped us better understand the right way to go about handling dangerous substances,” said hazmat student Alfred Lewis. “My favorite part about the hazmat workshop was actually going to the firehouse and suiting up in a Class A hazmat suit.”

Another hazmat student, Nick Kieffer agreed. “My favorite part was getting in the real hazmat Class A suit.”

Student of the week last week was Samantha McCulloch for her hard work and great attendance. You’ve earned it, congratulations.

The CHILY winner last week was Taylor Churchill. She picked an awesome candle. Congratulations.

The “Be Fresh” is a program straight out of the Lake County Resources Center. They teach health classes and exercise classes as well. Their motto is, “We want to get people healthier one bite or one step at a time.”

Carlé would like to warmly thank the wonderful Jacque Felber and Shelly Sandhoff for working with the students of Carlé and helping them choose between a healthy meal and an unhealthy one.

The mug design contest for school spirit is still going strong. We have received a lot of fantastic designs and all have already had their art work turned into mugs.

A new design contest has started. Instead of school spirit it is super hero or super villain-themed. Original artwork or Photoshop design, no exceptions. Good luck and let the best design win. All will get their artwork on mugs or key chains and the overall winner wins a movie soundtrack CD as well.

Finally a note from our writer: My name is Brianna E. Legg and I have been the writer of the Carlé Chronicle for the past two years. This is sadly my last article. I have finished my requirements and will be graduating the week this article comes out. I begin classes at Woodland Community College on Monday, Jan. 23. I have enjoyed the last two years and I will miss it, thank you so much for the opportunity. Our new writers, Donovan Harvey and Nick Phipps, will begin next week.

Brianna E. Legg is a graduating senior at Carlé Continuation High School in Lower Lake.