Saturday, 23 November 2024

Community

LAKEPORT – On April 14, Dr. Tom Suchanek from U.C. Davis and the U.S. Geological Survey will present the results of a long-term interdisciplinary study of mercury cycling and bioaccumulation in Clear Lake to the Lake County Board of Supervisors.

The presentation is scheduled to take place at 9:30 a.m. during the board meeting, which will take place in the board chambers at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

This presentation will be the culmination of over 15 years of study by about 30 scientists from U.C. Davis and other academic institutions as well as from federal, state, and local governments on the sources, transformation, transport, burial, bioaccumulation and effects of mercury on Clear Lake’s water, sediments, benthic (bottom) invertebrates, plankton, fish, birds and humans.

A primary focus of the Special Issue and the presentation will be the influence of the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Superfund Site as a source of mercury in Clear Lake, as compared with other mercury-contaminated sites worldwide.

The results of these studies were published recently (December 2008) as a 300-page special issue of the highly regarded peer-reviewed scientific journal Ecological Applications that is distributed to ecologists and other scientists throughout the United States and the world.

This study represents the first holistic ecosystem-level study of mercury cycling and bioaccumulation derived from mining sources, as opposed to atmospheric deposition.

The 17 individual publications in this special issue may be accessed and downloaded as PDF files for free at the following Web site, www.esajournals.org/toc/ecap/18/sp8.

Results from an additional follow-on paper published in 2009 by Suchanek and others in the peer-reviewed journal Water, Air and Soil Pollution, that provides a mass-balance mercury budget for the lake (quantifying the inputs, outputs and storage components of mercury within the Clear Lake aquatic ecosystem), will also be presented.

The presentation will be held on April 14 during the Board of Supervisors Chambers (1st floor) of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 North Forbes Street, Lakeport, CA 95453.

A follow-on reception by Drs. Tom Suchanek and Peter Richerson will be held in the Lakeport Museum (second floor conference room) from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrance to the Museum on April 14 will be through the stairs at the rear of the building, which is directly across the street from the Courthouse. Several of the other authors of the papers in the Special Issue are also  expected to be present as well.

Questions regarding the presentation and reception may be directed to Dr. Tom Suchanek (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or via telephone 916-919-0859.

LAKEPORT – “Read to Me” chapter book story times are every Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High Street.


The “Read To Me” program is open to all ages, whether child or adult.


Miss Barbara reads classic chapter books that will appeal to ages 8 to 80.


A brief synopsis of the story in progress opens each session, and then guests get comfortable to enjoy the story.


To find out what the current story is, visit the library Web site, www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Lake_County_CA__Library/Children.htm or call the library.


Everyone is invited to join the fun.


Lakeport Library is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday noon to 8 p.m., telephone 707-263-8817.


The Lake County Library Web site is www.library.co.lake.ca.us.

LAKE COUNTY – Calling all textile artists!


There will be a big change in the “Clothing and Textiles” exhibit at the Lake County Fair in 2009.


All textile-related entries will be displayed in a “home of their own” – the Theater Building that was once the “Home Arts” building many years ago.


In addition, there are some substantial cash awards for the winners. Be sure to check the 2009 premium book (due out in June) for more information about these changes.


Anyone interested in volunteering to help with this undertaking is welcome.


Clothing and textile enthusiasts themselves are taking responsibility for handling all exhibits (check-in and pick-up, display, “white glove” duty, etc). Kerrie Hershey and Jane Alameda have agreed to coordinate all these efforts, but they will need lots of helpers. Please volunteer to assist with this effort.


Call either Kerrie (at Kerrie's Quilting in Lakeport, 707-263-8555) or Jane (707-263-3831) for more information.

LAKEPORT – The city of Lakeport Public Works Department’s roadside and alley weed spraying program will commence May 4.


Weeds in the public right-of-way in areas without sidewalks or paving will be sprayed using the herbicide Roundup.


If a property owner or resident (tenants or renters must get the legal owner’s concurrence for the request) does not want Roundup sprayed adjacent to their property, they must contact the Public Works Department at 707-263-0751 no later than April 30 by 4 p.m.

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Members of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians present the newly purchased Jaws of Life to South Lake County Volunteer Firefighters Association members. Courtesy photo.




MIDDLETOWN – The Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians has provided the necessary funding to the South Lake County Volunteer Firefighters Association for the purchase of additional state-the-art lifesaving equipment.

Acquired was the device commonly known as the “Jaws of Life,” and it is now available through South Lake County Fire Department’s First Responders.  

The purchased device, known as a Parrot Blade Cutter, is used in rescue operations where high strength and rapid response are required.

This tool has a cutting force of more than 150,000 pounds, and replaces an existing tool that delivers 50,000 pounds of cutting force. It is also smaller, lighter and faster than the older device.

“The purchase of this replacement rescue tool provided by the members of the Middletown Rancheria is another testament to our collaborative effort in providing the community’s fire, rescue and EMS personnel the tools they need for improved emergency response,” said Mike Wink, fire captain for Training and Unit EMS coordinator.

Jose Simon III, tribal chairman for the Middletown Rancheria, said the tribe is proud to continue its support of the county’s fire, rescue and EMS services.

“South Lake County depends so much on the unit’s training and equipment, and anything we can do to help is of the highest priority to us,” said Simon.

Middletown Rancheria owns Twin Pine Casino & Hotel.  The casino has operated a Las Vegas-style gaming facility of the latest slot machines and table games for the past 14 years. The Rancheria recently opened its 107,000-square-foot new casino/hotel/event center complex at its current Middletown location.

KELSEYVILLE – Curves of Kelseyville raised more than 1,200 pounds of food from fundraising efforts in their local community to benefit Trinity Food Pantry.


The fundraising efforts took place from March 1 to March 31. They collected more than 1,200 pounds of food and household supplies.


"While we work to improve the lives of the women in the Kelseyville area through Curves, we also feel it is important to reach out to others in our community," said Shelly Puntillo, owner of Curves of Kelseyville. "It’s apparent to us that Trinity Food Pantry cares about the lives and the health of the people in our community. We are proud to be able to partner with them to help the Kelseyville area."


According to Puntillo, one of Curves of Kelseyville’s goals is to foster community involvement through charitable efforts.


"Curves has always been dedicated to improving someone’s life – through weight loss or a charitable initiative. It’s exciting to be able to give both to the Kelseyville community," said Puntillo.


Curves’ exercise program consists of 30 minutes of exercise three times a week, during which participants work all major muscle groups and receive a great cardio workout. It includes all five components of a complete exercise program: warm-up, strength training, cardio, cool down, and stretching.


For more information on Curves’ donation efforts, or to become a member contact Shelly Puntillo at 707-279-1679.

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