KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Konocti Art Society artists group is holding a gourd display and raffle, and community members are encouraged to sign up to win one of the distinctive art pieces.

See the beautiful gourds and obtain raffle tickets at WestAmerica Bank, located on Main Street in
Kelseyville.  

Gourds will be on display until Saturday, Sept. 29.

The winning tickets will be drawn at 3 p.m. at the bank during the Kelseyville Pear Festival.

Tickets are one for $1 or six for $5.

Proceeds will be used for a Kelseyville beautification project through the Lake County Quilt Trail.  

A quilt block will be added to the Lake County Quilt Trail on the WestAmerica Bank in Kelseyville.  

WestAmerica Bank has been a strong supporter of the Konocti Art Society for 20 years. They have graciously displayed KAS’ art at the Pear Festival and other events.  

KAS members displaying gourds are Leah Adams, Judy Cardinale, Diana Constable, Patricia Courtney, Bonnie Ewing, Barbara Funke, Gerri Groody, Jan Hambrick, Annette Higday, Barbara Kossen, Jeanne Landon-Myers, Barbara Levasseur, Karen Magnuson, Gaylene McComb, Ruth Morgan, Carolyn Morris, Marie Newsom, Patty Oates, Diane Tembey-Stawicki and Phyllis Thiessen.

UKIAH, Calif. – American Red Cross is offering a free class, “Disaster Services Overview,” for new volunteers and those who want to learn about Red Cross volunteer opportunities in Mendocino County.

Opportunities for Red Cross volunteers include responding to local and national emergencies, training the community in disaster education, and staffing health and safety fairs.

In 2012-13, the American Red Cross has a major initiative to educate the community on disaster preparedness, and local volunteers are especially needed to present disaster education information to the community. Free training will be provided to qualified volunteers.

The Disaster Services Overview class will be held twice:

• In Ukiah, on Thursday, Sept. 13, 413 N. State St., NCO office. Meeting at 6 p.m., class from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., after the monthly Disaster Action Team meeting. New people are welcome at the Disaster Action Team meeting.
• In Willits, on Saturday, Sept. 15, Willits Library, 390 East Commercial St. Hours are10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Interested people can contact Don Rowe, 707-463-2456, to register or for more information.

American Red Cross, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties, is a neutral, humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disasters, and prepares people to prevent and respond to emergencies.

Like all Red Cross chapters, the local chapter is self-sustaining and is funded by local contributions.

Donations can be made at www.arcsm.org , www.redcross.org , via mail to American Red Cross, 5297 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, or by phone at 707-577-7627 (Sonoma County), 707-463-0112 (Mendocino County), or 707-263-8451 (Lake County).

SACRAMENTO – AB 2169, a bill by Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) to reduce costs and eliminate redundancy in the Forest Legacy Program, is headed to the governor’s desk after winning final approval from the Assembly on Thursday.

The bill will streamline the program and save money by clarifying that conservation easements acquired through the Forest Legacy Program should be treated the same as other easement acquisitions by the Wildlife Conservation Board, and not be subject to a duplicative review by the state Public Works Board.

The Forest Legacy Program was created by legislation Chesbro authored in 2000 when he served in the State Senate.

The program helps forest landowners protect environmentally important forestland threatened with conversion to non-forest uses, such as residential subdivisions or commercial development, by allowing the purchase of conservation easements.

“Last year when Cal Fire acquired a conservation easement on Sonoma County’s Baxter Ranch for the Forest Legacy Program, the purchase was forced to go through State Public Works Board, which added $18,000 to the project,” Chesbro said. “When I authored the Forest Legacy Program legislation 12 years ago, it was not the intent to involve the Public Works Board in purchases.”

AB 2169 expressly exempts Forest Legacy Program conservation easement purchases from the Public Works Board’s process, and clarifies that these projects should go through the standard California Wildlife Conservation Board process, which is what the original legislation intended, Chesbro said.

“The Wildlife Conservation Board’s expertise on forestry-related projects makes it uniquely qualified to oversee Forest Legacy Program purchases,” Chesbro said. “Forcing them to go through an additional process is duplicative and adds unnecessary costs to the program.”

“There is no logical reason to treat conservation easements purchased with Forest Legacy funds differently than any other easement purchased by the Wildlife Conservation Board,” said Paul Mason of the Pacific Forest Trust. “The added cost and delay is pointless and wasteful. Ironically, the delays and dysfunction resulting from this duplicative process has harmed California’s competitiveness in securing federal funding for this program.  We urge the governor to sign this common sense bill.”

SAN FRANCISCO – Attorney General Kamala Harris this week warned Californians about potential scams targeting young immigrants seeking to participate in the federal government’s recently launched Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Beginning Thursday, certain young immigrants who were brought to United States as children and meet several key guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and, as a result, may be eligible for work authorization.

To learn more about the Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Web site, http://www.uscis.gov .

While the California Attorney General’s Office has not yet received any citizen complaints of scams directly related to this new program, immigrants are often the target of consumer scams and should be vigilant in seeking assistance related to the Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

To combat the threat of scams, Attorney General Harris has provided the following information and tips as eligible immigrants begin to apply for consideration:

If you are seeking help from an attorney:

• Is the person offering legal services a lawyer licensed by the State Bar of California? You can check out an attorney online at www.calbar.ca.gov/ or by calling 1-800-843-9053.
• If you cannot afford a private attorney, the Board of Immigration Appeals provides a list of attorneys who provide immigration services either for free or for very little cost. This list is available online at http://www.justice.gov/eoir/probono/states.htm . You also can contact your local legal aid office. For a referral, visit www.lsc.gov and click on the Find Legal Assistance tab.

If you are seeking help from an immigration consultant:

• Immigration consultants are required to register with the California Secretary of State’s Office, and to post a $50,000 bond. You can check out an Immigration Consultant online at http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/sf/bond_search/ or by calling 1-916-653-3984.
• It is against the law for an immigration consultant to give legal advice. An immigration consultant can only give you non-legal help, such as translating your answers to questions on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services forms.
• Get a written contract signed and dated by the immigration consultant. Make sure the contract lists the full name and contact information for the immigration consultant, the services you were promised and how much you have agreed to pay. The contract must be written in both English and your language. You have the right to cancel the contract within 72 hours of signing the contract. You must cancel the contract in writing. Give only copies of original documents to the immigration consultant; keep your originals in a safe place.

If you have a complaint against an Immigration Consultant, please contact the California Attorney General’s Office. You can file a complaint online at https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company or by mailing your complaint to Office of the Attorney General, Public Inquiry Unit, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – 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. Temporary all-way stop signs are in place. A shoulder closure will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road is closed at Route 20; a detour is available. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work from Island Drive to Shady Lane. 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.

– Emergency guardrail repairs from the junction of Routes 20/53 to New Long Valley 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 – Teichert Construction of Davis.

Highway 29

– Pavement repairs from Clayton Creek Road to Lee Barr Road will continue through Friday, Aug. 17. Work hours are 6:30 a.m. to 3 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 – Teichert Construction of Davis.

Highway 53

– Pavement repairs from Wilson Street to 18th Street will continue. Nighttime work hours are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday Morning. 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 6:30 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

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for tree trimming from 0.2 mile south of Fish Rock Road to 0.2 mile north of Iversen Road through Friday, Aug. 17. 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.

– 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.

– Elk Volunteer Fire Department has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to hold the annual Great Day in Elk parade from Cliff Ridge Road to about 0.2 mile north of Elk on Saturday, Aug. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– A highway realignment project near Navarro Bluffs Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect 24 hours per day from 6 a.m. on Monday, August 13, through 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17.
Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Services of Willits.

– AT&T of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for an aerial crossing near Surfwood Estates Road beginning Monday, Aug. 20. Work hours are 8 a.m. to noon, weekdays. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Ocean View Drive to Abalobadiah Creek beginning Monday, August 20. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20

– Paulson Excavation of Albion has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for fuel spill cleanup 1.3 miles east of Three Chop Road. 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.

– A pavement repair project from Road 300 to Irmulco Road will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance at the Russian River Bridge and Overhead beginning Monday, Aug. 20. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– 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.

– Crosswalk improvements at Gregory Lane will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to noon, weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Cal Electro, Incorporated, of Redding.

– Shoulder widening and installation of rumble strips from just north of Ryan Creek Road (south) to just south of Big Trails Drive will begin Monday, August 20. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Legg Inc. of Livermore.

– Paving from Bell Springs Road to Hermitage Vista Point will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 128

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from the junction of Routes 1/128 to Philo will begin Monday, Aug. 29. 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.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from Philo Greenwood Road to Indian Creek through Friday, Aug. 17. 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.

– Paving from Con Creek to Robinson Creek will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Pavement repairs from 1.9 mile west of the Ornbaun Creek Bridge to 0.9 mile east of 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 10-minute delays. Contractor – OC Jones and Sons of Berkeley.

Highway 162

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from the junction of Routes 101/162 to the Town 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.

Highway 253

– Slipout repairs about 5.6 miles west of Butler Ranch 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 – Mendocino Construction Services of Willits.

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 First 5 Commission will hold a regular meeting at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22

The commission will meet in First 5 Lake’s training/conference room at 1950 Parallel Drive, Lakeport.

Agenda items include committee updates, a grantee program presentation on oral health, review and acceptance of the Nurturing Parenting 2005-11 Evaluation Report, review of the response to the Lake County Grand Jury’s oversight report on First 5, commissioners’ reports and the executive director’s report.

For more information contact First 5 Lake County, telephone 707-263-6169, or online at www.firstfivelake.org .