The American pika. Photo courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Game.

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is seeking public comment on a proposal to list the American pika as an endangered or threatened species.

American pikas (Ochotona princeps) are small lagomorphs (relatives of rabbits and hares) that inhabit broken-rock habitats such as mountain talus slopes.

In California, they typically live at moderate-to-high elevations in the southern Cascades, Sierra Nevada and mountain ranges of the Great Basin.

Climate change is considered to be the primary factor that impacts pika populations in California, although mining, grazing, disease and other factors may have an effect as well.

In April 2007, the Center for Biological Diversity submitted a petition to the Fish and Game Commission to formally list the American pika as a threatened or endangered species.

As part of the status review process, DFG is soliciting public comment regarding the pika’s ecology, biology, life history, distribution, abundance, threats, essential habitat and recommendations for management.

Comments, data and other information must be submitted in writing to:

California Department of Fish and Game

Nongame Wildlife Program

Attn: Scott Osborn

1812 Ninth Street

Sacramento, CA 95811

Comments may also be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

All comments received by March 15, 2012, will be included in a DFG report to the commission that will be submitted on or before the due date of Oct. 26, 2012.

Following the receipt of the report, the Commission will allow a 30-day public comment period prior to taking any action on DFG’s recommendation.

DFG’s petition evaluation report for the American pika can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/publications/.

Co-founders Phil Smoley and Zane Jensen will present events that happened 150 years ago as part of the ongoing commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War.

In addition, there will be a brief review of the the first 12 meetings that covered month by month the events of 1861.

This meeting will mark the first anniversary of the group, and a small celebration is planned after the presentations.

In its first year, the meetings have attracted groups as small as 16 and as large as 32.

“These folks really love their history,” said Smoley. “Most everyone has a unique perspective or historic family narrative that makes the group dynamic and exciting. Everyone has learned something from most every attendee.”

The monthly meetings attempt to follow the Civil War month by month, and will have one or two presenters followed by a roundtable discussion.

“The discussions have been robust. In many ways, we are still dealing with unresolved issues left over from that period,” Smoley said.

The meeting starts promptly at 6:15 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information, contact Phil Smoley at 707-264-4905, or Zane Jensen, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Club will hold its regular meeting on Saturday, Jan. 14, at noon in the Rose Room of the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center.

The senior center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive, corner of 10th and Country Club Drive, in Lucerne.

The featured speaker will be Tim Williams, who will discuss the Occupy Wall Street movement and the highlights of his visit to Washington, D.C.

Other items on the agenda will be discussion on the plans and goals for the 2012 election year, voter registration activities and support for the local Democratic Central Committee's United Democratic Headquarters in Lakeport, where people can register to vote and pick up yard signs and bumper stickers for a small donation.

The meeting is open to all Democrats, who are invited to attend, join and get involved in the political process in this critical election year.

Lake County Democratic Club meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month at noon in the Rose Room of the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center.

Contact the Democratic Club of Lake County by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The public is invited to attend the meeting on Monday, Jan. 9, of the Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club where the owner of Star Gardens, Tanya Striedieck, will discuss how to select and grow native plants.

Striedieck will bring samples of the natives that are the commonly available in Lake County and tell a little about each one.

She also will talk about both planted and existing natives including general watering requirements, care and tips on how to protect what is already growing.

Meetings of the Hidden Valley Garden Club are scheduled the second Monday of each month in the administration building of the Hidden Valley Lake Association, 18174 Hidden Valley Road.

Meetings are free and open to the public.

Social gathering with refreshments begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by the business meeting and program 10 a.m.

The mission of the Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club is to provide members a greater sense of appreciation, pride and knowledge about our private and public gardens and for the study and enjoyment of amateur gardening in various aspects and applications.

For further information please contact Angela Birk at 707987-0195, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The work will continue until the middle of February, weather permitting, according to City Engineer Scott Harter.

Harter reported that there may be some traffic delays from Lakeport Boulevard down Parallel Drive.

The city asks that drivers use alternative routes if possible, and apologizes for any inconvenience that results from the project.

The club will serve prime rib with all the trimmings baked potato, veggies, salad, rolls and a special midnight dessert buffet with a Champagne toast.

The bar is open 6 p.m. for socializing then dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Enjoy dancing to music of Sounds Like Fun Entertainment, right after the meal.

All tickets cost $30 at the door. Everyone is welcome.

The Sons of Italy club hall is located at 2817 E. Highway 20 in Nice.

For information about this event or renting the hall for your own, call 707-274-9952.