LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – One of Hospice of Lake County's volunteers works to bring an extra helping of comfort to those facing loss.

Hospice volunteer Jan Stewart crafts one-of-a-kind memory bears for the families and loved ones of hospice patients.

Each bear is handmade from articles of clothing that reminds families of their loved ones. Stewart transforms the clothing into a cuddly, soft bear to be hugged, talked to and serve as a companion during times of sadness and loneliness.

“What I do is simple,” said Stewart. “I just sew.”

Stewart got the idea when her mother passed away in another state. The local hospice made two memory bears from her mother’s clothing so the family had something to remember her by.

Stewart and her sister wanted all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have a bear too, so they gathered familiar articles of clothing and started sewing.

Seeing how much the bears meant to her family members, Stewart realized what a precious gift memory bears could be to other families who had lost loved ones.

“I wanted to give something back to hospice to say thank you,” Stewart said.

She contacted Judy Krings, RN case manager at Hospice Services of Lake County, and offered to make memory bears for the loved ones of Lake County’s hospice patients.

“I delivered Jan’s first bear to a recent widow. Her immediate reaction was to grab the bear and hug it while thanking me through tears of joy,” said Krings.

Each bear ends up with a personality of its own. Some are fatter than others; some have an arm or a leg that sits in a particular way. One bear even needed a nose job; its nose was just too big for its head.

Stewart has made cowboy bears, plaid flannel bears, flower print bears and one bear in shocking pink satin. She provides the special nose buttons, eyes, ribbons and stuffing for the bears. Hospice Services of Lake County reimburses Stewart for the expenses.

Hospice Services of Lake County relies on volunteers like Stewart who help in the thrift stores, visit patients that need companionship, package supplies for patients or perform light office duties.

For more information on how to become a volunteer at Hospice Services of Lake County, contact Laurie Fisher at 707-263-6270, Extension 130, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Women and girls have special challenges and needs that often go unmet, and many with such challenges live right here in Lake County.

If you are a woman who has worked to improve the lives of women and girls through your professional and/or volunteer work, you are a candidate for The Ruby Award.

Soroptimist International of Clear Lake is looking for applicants for this annual award that gives the recipient a cash award to be donated to her favorite Lake County charity.

The Soroptimist Ruby Award Women Helping Women recognizes and honors the first federation president, Ruby Lee Minar.

A ruby is also a deep red gemstone associated  with wisdom, importance, vitality, strength, vivacity, power and love: all words embodying the strong and compassionate women who are our award recipients.

The Soroptimist Ruby Award honors women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and/or volunteer work.
             
Many Lake County women work in various capacities to meet those special need through their personal or professional influence to help other women or girls.

Past activists worked for health services to benefit low-income women, another lobbied for child care, others volunteered at a women's shelter or mentored young women or girls.

The Ruby Award acknowledges ordinary women who have worked in  extraordinary ways to remove barriers to a better life.

Soroptimist is a cause-related philanthropic federation of clubs improving the lives of women and girls through social and economic empowerment.

If you know of a special professional or volunteer or are one yourself, please request and fill out a  nomination form and include a statement (no more than 750 words) describing the work and impact of the nominee.

Nomination forms and more information can be obtained by contacting Marty Comito at 707-994-8464.

Mail paperwork to Soroptimist International of Clear Lake, P.O. Box 7167,  Clearlake, CA, 95422; deadline for submission is Nov. 19.

Soroptimist International Clear Lake meets twice monthly, at noon at Howard’s Grotto, business meeting on the second Thursday of each month and a program meeting with a speaker on the fourth Thursday of each month. Lunch is $12 and all interested women are invited to attend and learn more about the organization.

Please contact Wanda Harris, president at 707-987-9027 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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

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

Highway 20

– Construction of a roundabout at the Route 20/Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road intersection will continue through Friday, Nov. 9. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

Highway 53

– Pavement repairs from Route 29 to 40th Avenue will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

– Highway widening and rehabilitation from 40th Avenue to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 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

– Shoulder improvements at various locations from Iverson Avenue to 0.3 mile north of Kinney Road will begin Friday, Nov. 9. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek 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 five-minute delays. Motorists should anticipate 40-minute delays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days per week except holidays. Contractor – Golden State Bridge Inc. of Martinez.

Highway 20

– Electrical upgrades near Gravel Pit Road will continue on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Cal Electro, Inc. of Redding.

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from 0.1 mile east of Gravel Pit Road to 0.3 mile west of Wildwood Campground. 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.

– A pavement repair project from 1.4 miles west of Little Lake Road to Three Chop Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work from James Creek to 1.2 miles west of Broaddus Creek. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-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 128

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from Route 1 to the North Fork Navarro River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– Pavement repairs from 0.4 mile east of the Robinson Creek Bridge to the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – OC Jones and Sons of Berkeley.

– Sheri Hansen of Yorkville has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to install a driveway 0.5 mile west of the Ornbaun Creek Bridge. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Tetra Tech of Rancho Cordova has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for spill cleanup near the Mendocino/Sonoma County line on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 162

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance about 0.6 mile east of the Rodeo Creek Bridge on Thursday, Nov. 15. Work hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 175

– Clark Anderson of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to install a driveway about 2.7 miles south of Buckman Drive. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 253

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from Singley Cattlepass to the Robinson Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– Slipout repairs about 5.6 miles west of Butler Ranch will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Services of Willits.

Highway 271

– Electrical upgrades 0.9 mile south of the Caltrans Maintenance Yard will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Cal Electro Inc. of Redding.

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).

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Child Care Planning Council will meet on Thursday, Nov. 15.

The meeting will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lake County Office of Education, 1152 S. Main St., Lakeport.

For more information visit www.lakecountychildcareplanning.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – New facilities at Yuba College’s Clear Lake campus and a new president are among the topics that Yuba College Dean Bryan Bell will discuss at the next Middletown Luncheon Club program on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

The program takes place at the Middletown Methodist Church Social Hall, 15155 Armstrong at Washington, starting at noon. All programs are open to the public.

Lunch costs only $5 per person and a hearty Irish Stew will be served by the Oro Fino Rebekah Lodge.  Reservations are not necessary, just show up and enjoy.

For more information about the Middletown Luncheon Club, or to be a speaker, contact Linda Darms at 707-987-3494. There is no program in December.

The Middletown Luncheon Club is open to all, meets every third Wednesday of the month from January through November, providing informative speakers and presentations to the community.

Different local nonprofit organizations provide lunch each month and receive a donation.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Branch 168 of the Sons In Retirement (SIR) will hold its final monthly luncheon of 2012 on Friday, Nov. 9.

The meeting will take place beginning at noon at Lakeside Lanes and Family Fun Center, 872 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport.

The remaining activities for 2012 include: the year end golf turkey shoot on Nov. 14; the annual Christmas dinner dance on Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Lakeside Lanes and Family Fun Center; and a three-day bus trip, Nov. 13-15, to Reno to see Jersey Nights at the Eldorado Showroom.

In 2013 the club will be celebrating its 55th anniversary so in addition to a full slate of golf and bowling tournaments, monthly luncheons, trips to see shows and plays, and dinner dances, they have a special 11-day anniversary cruise on Princess Lines Grand Princess round trip form San Francisco to Alaska.  

Sons In Retirement is a social organization for men of retirement age who are pursuing the goal of enjoying their later years.  

It has 142 branches with 18,000 members throughout the state.

Anyone interested in learning more about Sons In Retirement is encouraged to contact Larry Powers, chair of the membership committee, at 707-263-3403 or to visit the state Web site at www.sirinc.org .