MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – On Sunday, July 7, Cal Fire Mendocino Unit firefighters will be out on the streets to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association to help Jerry’s Kids.

The “Fill-the-Boot” fundraiser will be in Fort Bragg at the intersection of Main Street and Laurel from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They are asking everyone to come out and help the firefighters support Jerry’s Kids.

When you drop dollars into the firefighter’s boot, you are supporting local MDA services, research for neuromuscular diseases, a clinic at UC Davis, summer camps and community education programs.

The MDA does not receive funding from state, federal or local governments, nor does it seek or receive fees for services it provides.

Cal Fire took on the challenge to support Jerry’s Kids statewide in 2008. This is Mendocino Unit’s fourth year of involvement with the “Fill-the-Boot “fundraisers.  

Through the generous donations from the community they have raised more than $4,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Green Party of Lake County will suspend meetings for the summer and will not meet in July and August.

They will resume meetings on Sept. 15 in their new meeting location at McDonald's Restaurant on Todd Road, Lakeport. The group will gather in the meeting room in the back.

There are 409 registered Greens in Lake County.

For more information call 707-263-3391, visit www.lakecountygreenparty.bravesites.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The state Green Party Web site is www.cagreens.org ; the national site is www.gpus.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Looking for an opportunity to show off your grillin’ skills?

Individuals and groups interested in competing in this year’s Grillin’ on the Green barbecue competition still have time to sign up.

The event is an annual fundraiser to benefit Westside Community Park in Lakeport. It will take place Saturday, Aug. 3, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road.

Each year Grillin’ on the Green attracts a larger number of attendees who enjoy a barbecue cook-off, musical entertainment, children’s activities, and a car show. Cook-off competitors may register through Friday, July 5, by calling Cindy Ustrud, 707-263-7091.

Individuals and groups, from backyard barbecuers to professional grillers, have an opportunity to compete in the cook-off. There is no entry fee.

Each contestant is required to provide his/her own setup and samples of the chef’s “grillin’” specialty for 300 people. The competition will culminate in a presentation of the People’s Choice Awards.

For cook-off entry forms or additional information about the event and the barbecue competition, contact Westside Community Park Committee Chair Dennis Rollins, 707-349-0969.

The Park Committee is also seeking sponsorships for this year’s event. Levels of sponsor recognition are $100, $300, $500, $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000. Sponsors will be recognized at the Grillin’ on the Green event.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the next phase of development of Westside Community Park.
Westside Community Park is a City of Lakeport recreational facility that was established 14 years ago.

The nonprofit Park Committee is developing the park in conjunction with the city of Lakeport, volunteers, and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lucerne Alpine Senior Center Memorial Rose Garden is marking its 20th anniversary.

A bequest from the L.R. Ottinger estate established the garden and it was dedicated on July 3, 1993.  

For 20 years various kinds and colors of roses have been planted and are as varied as the people they honor.  

The garden is located on the center's northeast corner. There is a dedication plaque on the pathway to the center which remembers more than 180 individuals with roses in their name.  

Every July, the garden is rededicated. Lucerne Alpine Senior Center is requesting help from volunteers in the upkeep of the garden. Call 707-274-8779 if you wish to assist.

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

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– A Caltrans encroachment permit has been issued for paving work 1.0 mile east of Long Valley Road beginning Tuesday, July 9. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists may experience minor traffic showdowns.

Highway 29

– Caltrans will perform striping from junction with Route 53 to the junction with Route 20 on Tuesday, July 9. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
Highway 53

– Highway widening and rehabilitation from 40th Avenue to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1
 
– Guardrail work from Sunset Drive to Garcia River Overflow Bridge will begin Monday, July 8. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Golden State Bridge Inc. of Martinez.
 
– Bridge painting at the Salmon Creek Bridge and the Albion River Bridge 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 10-minute delays. Contractor – Jeffco Painting and Coating of Vallejo.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance at the Jug Handle Creek Bridge beginning Monday, July 8. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Replacement of a culvert with a bridge at Dunn Creek 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. Contractor – Shasta Construction of Redding. LC#C1FA

Highway 20

– Caltrans will perform striping from junction with Route 1 to the junction with Route 101 on Wednesday, July 10. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Intermittent One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
Highway 101

– Bridge work at the Ash Creek Bridge will begin Sunday, July 7. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday through Friday. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– 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.  

– Bridge work at the Russian River Bridge will begin Sunday, July 7. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday through Friday. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Guardrail work just south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – DeSilva Gates Construction of Dublin.
 
– Highway construction from 0.5 mile north of Casteel Lane to the North Willits Railroad Crossing will continue. Nighttime work hours are 12 midnight to 6 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – DeSilva Gates Construction of Dublin.
 
Highway 128

– Guardrail work just south of the Flynn Creek Bridge to the Robinson Creek Bridge will begin Monday, July 8. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 162

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for tree trimming from 0.3 mile east of the junction of Routes 101/162 to Short Creek Road beginning Monday, July 8. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 253

– Guardrail work from Singley Cattle Pass to the Robinson Creek Bridge will begin Monday, July 8. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

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).

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The “Reading is Delicious” summer reading program events are under way a the Redbud Library in Clearlake.

Join them for an exciting time of games and reading for a delicious fun time this summer.  

The fun started on Friday, June 28, with a kickoff spaghetti day.

On Friday, July 5, it's lunch box mysteries; collect a new lunch box with goodies and learn what goes in a lunch box and what doesn’t.  

On Friday, July 12, it's “Hi, Pizza Man,” with a delicious pizza along with new books to check out.

“Fun with Healing Plants” will be the program on Friday, July 19. Learn what plants make good healing sources, and how plants can help us relax.

“Salad People” – with children making their own salads – will be the topic on Friday, July 28.

The Friday, Aug. 9, program will be “Healthy Sandwich Surprise,” to be followed on Saturday, Aug. 10, with an award party with a handcrafted, fruitful summer cake.

All this with story time, games, songs, activities and crafts stirred together into a delicious, unforgettable dish. Also, you will not want to miss your free cookbook.

The Redbud Library is located at 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake.

For more information, contact the library at 707-994-5115.