CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Rotary Club of Clearlake will host a free Christmas dinner and celebration at Burns Valley School on Saturday, Dec. 8.

The dinner will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the multipurpose room at Burns Valley School, 3620 Pine Ave.

The Rotary will serve ham with all the fixings, pumpkin pie, egg nog, tea and coffee.

Santa Claus will make a special appearance. Each child will receive a gift and a photo with Santa.

That same day, the school will host the annual “Warm for the Winter” coat exchange. People are welcome to bring coats that no longer fit and exchange them at this event.

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

In addition to Lake and Mendocino County projects, Del Norte and Humboldt projects are listed for the benefit of those traveling during the holiday week.

Caltrans will suspend work on Northern California highways from Wednesday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 25, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans Maintenance forces to respond to emergency situations.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

– Paving from 0.4 miles north of the G. H. Douglas Memorial Bridge to just south of the Louis D. Martin, Sr. Memorial Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Tidewater Contractors Inc. of Brookings.

– Slipout repairs 1.5 miles north of Rudisill Road will continue. Intermittent, one-way traffic control will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Robert J. Frank Construction of Redding.

– Road repairs 2.7 miles south of Mill Creek Park will continue. Intermittent, one-way traffic control will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Hemmingsen Construction of Crescent City.

– Bridge work 1.7 miles south of Hamilton Road will continue. Work hours are midnight to 3 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Myers and Sons Construction of Sacramento.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

 – Drainage work from just south of the Van Duzen River Bridge to 2.7 miles west of Cottrell Ranch Road will continue. Work hours are 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Mercer Fraser Co. of Eureka.

Highway 96

– A project to build a retaining wall 0.5 mile south of Bluff Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control with temporary stop signs will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Engineered Soil Repairs, Inc. of Walnut Creek.  

Highway 101

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work at two locations from 0.65 mile north of the Airport Road Undercrossing to just south of the Crannel Scale Station on Monday, Nov. 19, and Tuesday, Nov. 20. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Traffic will be restricted to two lanes in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Delbert A. Brown Memorial Bridge will continue. Work hours are midnight to 12 midnight to 3 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Myers and Sons Construction of Sacramento.

Highway 169

 – Emergency slide repair just west of Cappell Creek 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 – Shasta Construction of Redding.

Highway 254

– Construction of a retaining wall 0.5 mile south of School Road 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 – Mercer Fraser Company of Eureka.

Highway 299

– Slide repairs from 1.0 to 1.5 miles east of SMT Road will continue. 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. Contractor – G R Sundberg, Inc. of Arcata.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 53

– Pavement repairs from Route 29 to 40th Avenue will continue. 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. 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

– 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. Contractor – Golden State Bridge Inc. of Martinez.

Highway 20

 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

– 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.

Highway 162

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work near the Covelo Ranger Station beginning Monday, November 19. 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 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 271

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for tree trimming just north of Piercy beginning Monday, Nov. 19. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-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).

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Fair Board of Directors will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 26.

The meeting will begin at 4:45 p.m. at the administration office, located at 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Action items include approval of hazardous agreements to be negotiated by management, approval of the 2013 fair annual budget and board officer nominations and elections. There also will be committee reports.

For the fourth consecutive year, the latest travel survey from AAA finds Thanksgiving travel is continuing to show a slow but steady climb regardless of the economic headwinds facing many Californians.

AAA Northern California’s latest travel forecast predicts more than 5.4 million Californians plan to travel 50 miles or more this extended, four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents an modest increase of 0.6 percent when compared to last year’s figures.

“After several years of economic uncertainty, Californians are well-versed in budgeting so they can gather with family and friends to celebrate holidays together,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris.

According to AAA, the state’s roadways will be heavily congested as more than 4.7 million Californians are projected to travel by motor vehicle during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents a 0.5 percent increase when compared to last year’s figures.

Despite higher airfares, more than 548,000 holiday travelers are predicted to fly, which is a decrease of 1.8 percent when compared to 2011.

Approximately 169,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as boats or trains. This represents an increase of 11 percent when compared to last year’s figures.

Nationally, AAA forecasts that more than 43 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the four-day weekend. This represents a 0.7 percent increase when compared to last year’s travel statistics.  

An average West Coast family of four is projected to spend an average of $767 over the holiday weekend. Families who travel by car are likely to drive an average of 887 miles over the four-day holiday weekend. AAA’s Leisure Travel Index reveals that prices at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are down about 1 percent from a year ago, with an average price of $143 per night. AAA Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be one percent higher, with an average room costing $104 per night.

This Thanksgiving weekend, those traveling by air will find lower fares. The average lowest round-trip price is projected to be $188 for the top 40 U.S. air routes. Car rental rates will average $47 for the holiday weekend, compared to $37 last year.

 For West Coast families, the expected primary activities this holiday weekend will be visiting family and friends, followed by dining, shopping, touring/sightseeing and visiting museums.

As part of AAA’s ongoing commitment to provide safety and protection to motorists, AAA’s Tipsy Tow Program offers a free tow for drinking drivers from 6 p.m. on Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving Day), until 6:00 a.m. on Nov. 23, in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah. Members and non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to ten miles.

“Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way,” said Harris. “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home.”

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA reminds motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather.

AAa tips for long-distance winter trips:

• Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
• Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
• Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
• Pack a cell phone programmed with your local AAA's telephone number along with your AAA card, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
• If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Don't over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn't clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
• If possible, run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District will hold a regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20.

The meeting will take place the district’s administration office, 19400 Hartmann Road.

Agenda items include board committee and staff reports, and revision of administrative assistant/secretary to the board job description and title, and assignment of secretary to the board function to general manager’s job description.

The board also will consider revisions to the personnel policy manual, including adoption of revised jury duty leave policy, time-off to vote policy, medical benefit alternative coverage policy, revised hours worked and overtime policy.

There also will be and ad hoc policy committee review of a sample policy manual and policy committee recommendations, and a closed session to discuss the general manager position.

The next regular board meeting will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 18.

UKIAH, Calif. – Thursday, Dec. 6, marks the third in the Friends of the Mendocino College Library fall reading series with a reading and talk by author Mark Rawitsch.

He will present on his recently released book, “The House on Lemon Street: Japanese Pioneers and the American Dream.”

The event will take place at 7 p.m. in Room 4210 in the new library building at the Mendocino College Ukiah campus.
 
In 1915, Jukichi and Ken Harada purchased a house on Lemon Street in Riverside, Calif. Close to their restaurant, church and children’s school, the house should have been a safe and healthy family home.

Before the purchase, white neighbors objected because of the Haradas’ Japanese ancestry, and the California Alien Land Law denied them real-estate ownership because they were not citizens.

To bypass the law Mr. Harada bought the house in the names of his three youngest children, who were American-born citizens. Neighbors protested again, and the first Japanese American court test of the California Alien Land Law of 1913 – The People of California v. Jukichi Harada – was the result.

Bringing this little-known story to light, “The House on Lemon Street” details the Haradas’ decision to fight for the American dream.

Chronicling their experiences from their immigration to the United States through their legal battle over their home, their incarceration during World War II, and their lives after the war, this book tells the story of the family’s participation in the struggle for human and civil rights, social justice, property and legal rights, and fair treatment of immigrants in the United States.

Sandra Dallas of The Denver Post has called the book “[A] highly engaging history of the California Japanese.”

Susan Hasegawa of San Diego City College has said of the author, “Rawitsch teaches that history, the creation of history, and preserving our history occurs in our backyard, not in some far-off place.”

Rawitsch is currently the dean of instruction at the Willits Center and the Lake County Center for Mendocino College where he has worked for the last 25 years.

“The House on Lemon Street” is the first book in the new Nikkei in the Americas Series developed by the Asian American Studies Department at University of California, Los Angeles, and the University Press of Colorado.

Because of Rawitsch’s research, the Harada House in Riverside is now a National Historic Landmark.

The reading is sponsored by the Friends of the Mendocino College Library, an affiliate group of the Mendocino College Foundation.

For more information, call 707-468-3051 or visit www.mendocino.edu .