SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis), chair of the Assembly Aging and Long Term Care Committee and Assemblymember Holly Mitchell, chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, presented House Resolution 5 on Monday to honor Rosa Parks’ 100th birthday.
 
“Rosa Parks is my personal civil rights hero,” said Assemblymember Mariko Yamada. “She raised neither a gun nor her voice, yet ignited the 20th Century Civil Rights Movement through her courageous act of peaceful defiance.  As we begin statewide observances of Black History Month, I am honored to join Assemblymember Holly Mitchell in commemorating the 100th Birthday of Rosa Parks.”

Rosa Parks was born on Feb. 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Ala.  

She was arrested on Dec. 1, 1955 for refusing to surrender her seat on a bus to a white passenger.  

Her arrest launched the Montgomery bus boycott involving over 40,000 black Americans, which ended legal segregation in public transportation and inspired ordinary citizens throughout the world.  

In recognition of her civil disobedience and lifelong activism for racial equality, she is celebrated as the “Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement.”

“She knew that she was stepping into harm’s way,” Assemblymember Mitchell said.  “I think it’s important to remember that it wasn’t an act out of impulse; it was an act out of strategy and a commitment to long-term change in this country.”

Parks’ quiet example has impacted many groups in the quest for social justice, evidenced by representatives of the Women’s, LGBT, Asian Pacific Islander and Latino Legislative Caucuses joining Assemblymembers Yamada and Mitchell in the Assembly commemoration Monday.

California designated Feb. 4 as Rosa Parks Day beginning Feb. 4, 2000.

COBB, Calif. – The Friends of Boggs Mountain group will hold a trail maintenance work day on Saturday, Feb. 9.

The work begins at 9 a.m.

Allow two to three hours; bring water, work gloves and a hand tool such as loppers or clippers. They will have tools available.

They meet in the Boggs parking lot, and carpool to the work sites, if necessary.

Call David Thiessen at 707-928-0465 for more information.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Bureau of Land Management rangers will lead a hike to view wintering bald eagles in the Cache Creek Natural Area on Saturday, Feb. 9.

The moderately strenuous hike will begin at 10 a.m. at the Redbud Trailhead, located off Highway 20, eight miles east of Clearlake Oaks.

The hike will last three to four hours.

Hikers should wear sturdy hiking boots and layered clothing, and carry water, lunch and binoculars. Rain cancels the hike.

Spaces are limited and reservations required.

For additional information and to RSVP, call the BLM Ukiah field office at 707-468-4000.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Shannon Michele of Cache Creek Catering and Lake County Wine Studio are presenting a monthly food and wine series featuring gourmet appetizers paired with select Lake County wines.

Locally produced foods are proudly featured as key ingredients in recipes created by Cache Creek Catering.

The series is held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. The per person cost is $25 and $20 for Wine Studio club members. Reservations are required.

Feb. 8 will feature Noggle Vineyard and Winery wines beginning with a salad of warmed kale, bacon and green beans in a pomegranate vinaigrette paired with 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon followed by the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon paired with rosemary and chocolate beef tips.

The final course will be a dark chocolate torte topped with chocolate mousse paired with Eden Crest port style Cabernet Sauvignon.

January's event featured red blends of Lake County beginning with a Rhone blend from Sol Rouge called Gypsy Rouge paired with a Gruyere turnover topped with a cranberry shallot relish and a Bordeaux blend called Grand Vin from Alienor Cellars paired with a savory beef cobbler.

The final pairing of specialty truffles and Lavender Blue Tawny Syrah completed the three-course event.

March 8 will be the next date to follow for the Local Cuisine Scene event.

For reservations and additional information, contact Susan at 707-293-8752.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Probation Department will hold an ex-offender employment workshop on Friday, Feb. 8.

The workshop will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Soper-Reese Community Theater, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.

The ex-offender employment workshop was developed in Sonoma County and has been a service offered quarterly for several years.  

The goal of the program is to reduce recidivism by enhancing the offenders’ ability to secure employment, thus creating a greater opportunity for their success on probation, mandatory supervision or other kinds of required supervision.

The Feb. 8 workshop will consist of resource information and opportunities for ex-offenders seeking job skills and employment.  

Speakers will consist of local law enforcement, employers, employment development agencies, and ex-offenders who are now enjoying success and moving in a positive direction.  

Additionally, during the event breakout groups will address specific skill building relevant to finding and maintaining employment.

For more information call Lake County Probation 707- 262-4285.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Sons of Norway Vikings of Lake Lodge No. 6-166 will now meet on the second Sundays of the month at 1 p.m.

The group will continue to meet at the Galilee Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 8860 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville.

The lodge's first heritage and culture afternoon will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10.

The theme is “Comfort Food Day,” with meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn, red Jell-O, salad and rolls. Cost of the meal will be $6 per person.

They will show a DVD on rune stones, discussing the history and writing on the stones.

The lodge's next event, on Sunday, March 17, will look at the vikings of Ireland.

Visit the lodge's Web site at http://www.vikingsoflakelodge.org/ .