MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – “Community Works,” an exhibition of art work inspired by the Valley fire and other wildfire experiences of 2015 and 2016, opens at the Middletown Art Center on Saturday, Aug. 27.

The opening will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 9, includes work by children and adults who used art as a means to give voice and expression to their experience, and as a way to find and make beauty despite chaos and devastation.

Musical guests will be Hearts and Bones. Big Valley and Beaver Creek wines will be available for purchase by the glass.

All proceeds will benefit MAC’s growing palette of programs and scholarship fund. MAC is a project of EcoArts of Lake County, a nonprofit 501c3.

The art center relies on tax-deductible donations, which are, and memberships to supplement income from classes and art sales.

Since the Valley fire, MAC has provided a strong sense of continuity, community and enrichment to recovering residents and the area.

MAC has become an increasingly critical component of life in the south Lake County area as residents continue to restore their lives and rebuild their homes.

The loss of friends and neighbors who have relocated elsewhere within Lake County or left the area entirely still pulsates painfully. Harbin Hot Springs too is sorely missed as both a place of work and a destination for visitors, providing a huge contribution to our local economy. 

MAC recently offered two weeks of free healing art classes called “Community Works” to help ease and soothe anxiety and PTSD as the community approaches the Valley fire anniversary in high fire season. In the midst of classes the Clayton fire broke out. Several participants left suddenly to prepare for evacuation. 

“A colleague was talking yesterday about how trauma shrinks the back part of our brain and it takes days/weeks to regroup back to ‘normal’,” said artist and teacher Sage Abella, one of several Clayton fire evacuees who sought MAC out as a place of refuge and solace daily. “I think that making art actually wiggles and enlivens that trauma shrink process. I bet making art helps our brain breathe in and out, expanding. At least that's what I feel while making my art inside this emotional time.”

Community Works is a collaboration of Middletown Art Center, local artists, musicians and dancers, and Tri Uplifting Lake County.  It is made possible in part by Roby and Associates, a public insurance adjuster and by Lake County Rising Valley Fire Relief Fund.

For more information about Community Works and the schedule of classes offered, visit www.MiddletownArtCenter.org , or find them on Facebook.

MAC is located at 21456 Highway 175, at the junction of Highway 29 in Middletown.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – With a unanimous show of support in the Assembly Thursday, Sen. Mike McGuire’s bill that will assist rural counties by again requiring the state to fund payment in lieu of taxes, or PILT, reimbursements to counties will now head to Gov. Brown’s desk for his signature.

In fact, support for the bill was so strong in the legislature that it was approved by all Senate committees, Assembly committees and both houses without receiving any votes in opposition.

PILT payments were established in 1949 to offset adverse impacts to county property tax revenues that result when the state acquires private property within a county for wildlife management areas.

Currently, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife owes nearly $8 million in payments to California’s 36 rural counties and a change in 2015 to the Fish and Game Code makes it even easier for the state to continue to forgo making these payments.

“The state needs to step up and follow through on a promise and advance Fish and Wildlife PILT payments to rural counties,” Sen. Mike McGuire said. “Since 2001, California has been depositing millions of PILT dollars into the General Fund. Those dollars should have been going to rural counties and it’s time to give those counties their due.”

Holding back these payments to counties on the North Coast has had a detrimental impact on the counties and their bottom line.

For example, in PILT payments alone, Del Norte is owed more than $220,000, Humboldt County is owed more than $160,000, Lake County is owed $93,000, Sonoma County is owed $116,000 and Marin County is owed more than $150,000.

“This was an agreement made decades ago and the state has reneged on these payments for far too long,” Sen. McGuire said. “Small communities and rural counties desperately need these dollars to keep our neighborhoods safe, fund local fire and emergency services and invest in crumbling roads and streets.”

The legislation was supported by the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC).

“On behalf of California’s rural counties, we appreciate the California Legislature’s approval of Senator McGuire’s Senate Bill 1188,” said Lee Adams, RCRC immediate past chair and Sierra County supervisor. “State PILT is a crucial source of public safety and health and welfare funding for counties, and ensuring this funding source continues simply honors the implicit state commitment that began more than six decades ago. We are grateful for the senator’s leadership on this issue, and we urge the governor to sign this legislation.”

SB 1188 is a bi-partisan effort to make PILT payments to counties a requirement. It passed unanimously, 66-0, in the Assembly on Thursday. It will now head to Gov. Brown’s desk for potential signature.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Twenty-three new law enforcement cadets graduated from the California Wildlife Officer Academy during ceremonies at the Performing Arts Center in Paradise on Aug. 12.

The badge pinning and swearing-in ceremony included 12 sponsored warden cadets and two current peace officers who transferred as laterals from other agencies.

These new wildlife officers have a few additional weeks of formal training before setting out on their first patrols with field training officers, or FTOs.

The other 11 graduates were self-sponsored cadets who paid their way through the academy and are now eligible to apply for a wildlife officer position, or any other California law enforcement position. Three were already hired by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office as deputies.

“Our cadets and academy staff have worked extremely hard to develop the skills necessary to protect California’s fish and wildlife, and the public alike,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife Chief of Enforcement David Bess. “I am confident they will serve our state well.”

CDFW’s Wildlife Officer Academy is certified through the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and offers training consistent with every law enforcement agency in California.

Field training with experienced FTOs is also mandated by POST to be sure new wildlife officers can apply the skills they learned during the academy to real life circumstances.

FTO is the final stage of formal training. Upon successful completion, these officers will begin patrolling California to protect the natural resources of this great state.

Two veteran wildlife officers had the special honor of passing the torch to family members. Twenty-five year veteran wildlife officer Lieutenant Marty Wall pinned his son, Douglas Wall.

“It’s a proud moment and a true honor to see your son follow in your footsteps, sharing your values and continuing your life’s commitment to protecting California’s wildlife,” said Lt. Wall.

Thirty-year veteran wildlife officer Lieutenant Sam Castillo also pinned a badge on his nephew, Daniel Castillo.

Annually, wildlife officers make contact with more than 295,000 people and issue more than 15,000 citations.

These officers primarily work alone, in remote areas, contacting subjects who almost always have some form of weapon, and they do so knowing that backup could be hours away.

Wildlife officers have large patrol districts and great responsibilities, and frequently a sole officer will cover an entire county. The average California wildlife officer’s patrol district exceeds 500 square miles.

In 2008, CDFW teamed with Butte College to provide peace officer academy training for prospective wildlife officers. That partnership provided CDFW a state of the art POST-certified academy facility with 40 years of police training history.

CDFW anticipates the next round of warden cadet selection to begin in September or October of 2016, with the next academy beginning in January 2017.

For more information about becoming a wildlife officer and the application timeline, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/enforcement/career .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Klamath River anglers in the spit area (within 100 yards of the channel through the sand spit formed at the Klamath River mouth) will have caught their sub-quota of 167 adult fall-run Chinook salmon by sundown on Monday, Aug 22.

The spit area subsequently was closed to fishing one hour after dark.

Only the spit area is affected by this closure. Fishing downstream of the Highway 101 Bridge in the estuary will be unaffected until the lower river quota of 555 adult fall-run Chinook salmon over 22 inches is met.

Once that number is met, anglers will still be able to fish but will have to release any Chinook salmon over 22 inches.

As of Aug. 22, the lower Klamath River tally is 188 salmon caught.

The Klamath River above the confluence with the Trinity River will remain open until 189 adult Chinook are caught in this area.

The quota on the Trinity River is 183 adult Chinook from the confluence with the Klamath River up to Cedar Flat, and 183 adult Chinook from Cedar Flat up to the Old Lewiston Bridge.

Anglers may keep track of the status of open and closed sections of the Klamath and Trinity rivers by calling 800-564-6479.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County First 5 Lake Commission will meet on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

The meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Legacy Court training/conference room at 1950 Parallel Drive in Lakeport.

Agenda items include reappointment of commissioners Susan Jen, Ana Santana, Pam Klier and Laurie Daly; a discussion of Brown Act refresher training; a program presentation on the Hero Project; authorization for the executive director to enter into an agreement with the Lake County Fair for a breastfeeding station; and authorization for the executive director to sign supporting partner documents for the Local Dental Pilot Program.

There also will be reports from the executive director and commissioners, and public comment and announcements.

Commissioners include Jim Brown, Laurie Daly, Brock Falkenberg, Kathy Maes, Susan Jen, Pam Klier, Ana Santana and Jeff Smith.

For more information call the Lake County First 5 Lake Commission at 707-263-6169 or visit www.firstfivelake.org .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Community members who have been receiving CalFresh benefits and were living in Lower Lake (95457) and Clearlake (95422) zip codes at the time of the Clayton fire will receive automatic replacement of a portion of their CalFresh benefits.

This replacement issuance is intended to enable CalFresh households to replace lost perishable foods.

Because CalFresh benefits were issued between Aug. 1 and 10, and subsequent power outages began on Aug. 13, CalFresh recipients with benefits issued from Aug. 6 to 10 will receive 60-percent replacement, and CalFresh recipients with benefits issued from Aug. 1 to 5 will receive 45-percent replacement.

Recipients may check their Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, balance by calling 877-328-9677 or visiting the EBT Web site www.ebt.ca.gov , and may contact Lake County Social Services at 707-995-4200 for any questions.

In a rare occurrence, biologist Steve Zalusky of Northwest Biosurvey testified before the Lake County Planning Commission on Aug. 11 that his work had been altered in favor of conclusions drawn by a report on Wild Diamond Vineyards.

Standing before the commission, he accused the consulting firm that hired him, SHN Engineers and Geologists, of multiple instances of irregular practices.

SHN, contracted by Wild Diamond Vineyards to produce an environmental impact report, determined in their draft document that there would be no significant impact to people or the environment from a proposed vineyard/winery/event center development next to Hidden Valley Lake.

Zalusky came forward of his own accord and I find his integrity very moving. His testimony should raise questions about the validity of the entire report for those who weren't already asking them.

Elizabeth Montgomery lives in Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.

SACRAMENTO – California’s community colleges are welcoming students this fall term with improved transfer pathways to California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC) as well as bachelor degree offerings at 10 colleges as part of a historic pilot program aimed at meeting the needs of the state’s changing economy.

Additionally, college will be more affordable for thousands of students thanks to nearly two dozen College Promise programs now in place or beginning soon across the state.

“We usher in the new academic year enthusiastic about the road ahead,” said California Community Colleges Interim Chancellor Erik E. Skinner. “From improved transfer pathways to exciting new certificate programs at many of our campuses and the introduction of the bachelor’s degree at select colleges, our students now have even more choices when it comes to accomplishing their higher education goals.”

Bachelor’s degree programs will start at Antelope Valley College (airframe manufacturing technology); Bakersfield College (industrial automation); Feather River College (equine and ranch management); Foothill College (dental hygiene); Rio Hondo College (automotive technology); San Diego Mesa College (health information management); Santa Monica College (interaction design); Shasta College (health information management); Skyline College (respiratory care); and West Los Angeles College (dental hygiene). Five more programs are set to begin by the Fall 2017 semester.

“Our students now have the opportunity for local career advancement with this one-of-a-kind program,” said Antelope Valley College President Ed Knudson. “Antelope Valley College’s new airframe manufacturing technology degree embraces the unique training needs of the Antelope Valley’s aerospace economy. We are proud to be creating the area’s next generation high tech workforce.”

The California Community Colleges Board of Governors gave final approval to the landmark pilot program in 2015. The bachelor’s degree programs are all in career technical education fields like health, technology and science that are hiring and need more skilled workers.

“The impact of being able to provide a bachelor’s degree in respiratory care at an affordable cost will allow students to directly access higher wage jobs in our community. It is a win for the student and a win for San Mateo County,” said Skyline College President Regina Stanback Stroud, Ed.D.

The number of California community college students transferring to both the CSU and the UC is up slightly. It is easier than ever for students to receive an associate degree while preparing for transfer to CSU via the Associate Degree for Transfer Program (AA-T/AS-T).

More than 2,000 transfer degrees are available at California community colleges statewide which, upon completion, guarantee students transfer to the CSU system at junior level with the opportunity to complete of a similar baccalaureate program in no more than 60 units. More information is available at www.adegreewithaguarantee.com .

The number of degrees awarded through the program in 2014-2015 was nearly double the amount awarded the year before. 20,644 students earned Associate Degrees for Transfer in 2014-15 compared to 11,448 in 2013-14.

Students interested in transferring to one of the nine undergraduate UC campuses can use the university’s new Transfer Pathways, which outline a single set of community college courses that prospective transfer students can take to prepare for a particular major.

Transfer Pathways have been developed for the 21 most popular majors for transfer students. More information is available at http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/preparation-paths/index.html .

As the cost of higher education continues to make headlines across the country, California is leading the way in the development and implementation of College Promise programs.

College Promise programs started in the early 2000s as a way to address the problem of college affordability by offering higher education funding for students who live in particular communities. California now has 23 such programs, 16 of which were announced just this year.

More information on the California College Promise and the various programs can be found at https://calcollegepromise.org/ .

“To see the interest and excitement about creating College Promise programs demonstrates the commitment we all have to the success of our students," said California College Promise chairperson Helen Benjamin. “For 30 years, California, with its Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver program, has offered free tuition to financially needy students. Promise programs go a step further by providing financial help for other costs associated with attending college, including books, transportation and living expenses.”

For students who have not yet applied to attend a California community college, it’s not too late. Prospective students can visit http://home.cccapply.org/ to find information about each of the 113 campuses as well as application information.

A variety of financial aid opportunities are available for students, including the BOG Fee Waiver, Pell Grants and loans. Visit www.icanaffordcollege.com to learn more about each option. The Web site offers a step-by-step guide to finding and securing the right kinds of aid to fund each student’s community college experience.

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 113 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year.

For more information about the community colleges, please visit http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/ , https://www.facebook.com/CACommColleges or https://twitter.com/CalCommColleges .