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What if I lose my job? Is my unemployment check taxable? Can I afford to take money out of my retirement account? These are just a few of the "What if" questions people are dealing with these days.


The Internal Revenue Service recognizes that many people are going through difficult times financially. Often, there is a tax impact to events such as job loss, debt forgiveness or dipping into a retirement account.


If your income has decreased, you may even be eligible for certain tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can mean money in your pocket.


Most importantly, if you believe you may have trouble paying your tax bill, contact the IRS immediately. There are steps the IRS can take to help. To avoid additional penalties, you should always file your tax return on time even if you are unable pay your tax bill.


Here are some “What if” questions that are answered on the official IRS Web site.


Simply go to IRS.gov and type the keywords "What if" in the “search” box at the top of the page.


Job Related

What if I lose my job?

What if my income declines?

What if I withdraw money from my IRA?

What if my 401(k) drops in value


Debt Related

What if I lose my home through foreclosure?

What if I sell my home for a loss?

What if my debt is forgiven?


Tax Related

What if I can’t pay my taxes?

What if I can’t pay my installment agreement?

What if I can’t resolve my tax problem with the IRS?

What if I need legal representation to help with my tax problem but can’t afford it?


Remember. to access the genuine IRS Web site be sure to use .gov. Don't be confused by Internet sites that end in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. The address of the official IRS governmental Web site is www.irs.gov.


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LAKE COUNTY – The latest list of 2009 Stars of Lake County nominees shows there are still plenty of categories to be filled for this year's awards.


The Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce reports that the following people, groups and businesses have been nominated. Nominations can be made online www.lakeportchamber.com/stars/default.asp. For more information call the chamber at 263-5092.


Stars of Lake County 2009 nominees, as of Feb. 12:


MAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Lake County Record Bee

1. Andy Weiss, Lakeport

2. Duane Furman, Lakeport


WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Northlake Medical Pharmacy

1. Yvonne Cox, Nice

2. Linda Fergusson, Hidden Valley Lake

3. Cheryl Robbins, Lakeport

4. Shirley Crawford, Kelseyville


LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Bruno’s Shop Smart

No nominees


SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Food’s Etc.

No nominees


YOUTH ADVOCATE/VOLUNTEER

Sponsored by: Polestar Computers

1. Lorna Sue Sides, Kelseyville


YOUTH ADVOCATE/PROFESSIONAL

Sponsored by: Umpqua Bank

No nominees


MALE STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: McDonald’s-Lakeport

1. Benjamin Mullin, Lucerne


FEMALE STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Piedmont Lumber

No nominees


AGRICULTURE AWARD

1. JoAnn Saccato, Clearlake


ARTS AWARD/AMATEUR

Sponsored by: Shannon Ridge Winery & Vineyards

No nominees


ARTS AWARD/PROFESSIONAL

No nominees


VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Barry Parkinson, attorney at law

1. Dick Michaels, Kelseyville

2. Bill and Carolyn Tobin, Middletown

3. Jan Parkinson, Lakeport

4. Myra Wendt, Lakeport; Pat Norcio, Lakeport; Bill Knoll, Lakeport; Beth Truman-Nunes, Clearlake Oaks; Barbara Lee, Lower Lake

5. Brondell Locke Jr., Clearlake Oaks


MARLA RUZICKA HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka

1. Faith Hornby, Lakeport

2. Mina Pierce, Clearlake Oaks


SENIOR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: WestAmerica Bank

No nominees


BEST IDEA OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Kathy Fowler Auto Dealerships

1. Mary McMillan, Kelseyville


ORGANIZATION-VOLUNTEER

Sponsored by: Strong Financial Network

1. Operation Tango Mike, Kelseyville

2. Soroptimist International of Clear Lake, Clearlake


ORGANIZATION-NONPROFIT

No nominees


LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT-WOMAN

Sponsored by: Lakeview Market & Deli

Dr. Frances Crary, Lakeport


LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT-MAN

Sponsored by: Orchard Park Assisted Living & Memory Care

No nominees


HERO OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: U. S. Representative Mike Thompson

1. Mike Botto, Clearlake


NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

1. Chic Le Chef, Hidden Valley Lake


ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

Sponsored by: Lake County Land Trust

No nominees


SPIRIT OF LAKE COUNTY

Sponsored by: John Tomkins

No nominees


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CLEARLAKE – KPFZ 88.1 FM, Lake County Community Radio, will present a live broadcast of the Clearlake City Council meeting on Thursday, Feb. 12.


The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.


The Clearlake City Council will hold a public hearing to take public input on the proposal that it certify the Provinsalia development project's environmental impact report and amend the city's general plan to change the nearly 300 acres of the proposed project's site from resource protection to specific plan status.


The project calls for 565 single family homes, 100 condominiums and a nine-hole golf course.


Herb Gura will offer commentary from the City Council Chambers while Steve Elias mans the anchor desk at KPFZ's Lakeport studios.


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Pictured in photo (left to right): Jo Douville, June Beto, Elaine Mansell, Ann Blue, Claire Grieve, Nora Gerrard, Marva Brandt, Carol Brabrook and Ginny Cline. Photo by Linda Pyers.


 

 

LAKE COUNTY – Members of the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club packaged 125 Valentine bags which were delivered to the Lucerne Alpine Senior and the Lucerne Senior Center so they could be delivered to the Meals on Wheels people the day before Valentine's Day.

 

 

Fifteen Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club members all pitched in – making handmade cards, shopping for candy and bags, buying candy, taking photos, packaging the bags and then delivering them to the two senior centers.


Claire Grieve and Jo Douville provided desserts and coffee/tea, and a nice time followed with everyone sitting around visiting.


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MCLAUGHLIN RESERVE – The UC Davis-McLaughlin Reserve's next science lecture will take place on Saturday, Feb. 21 and explore the issues surrounding genetically engineered (GE) foods.

Dr. Peggy Lemaux, Cooperative Extension specialist with the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, will present “Genes, Genomes and Genetics: Our Plants and Foods Past, Present, Future” from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Genes are sets of instructions that determine an organism’s characteristics, like the size of the fruit or the shape of the seed. Together all of the instructions make up the genome, and the study of these instructions – how they change and how they are inherited from generation to generation – is known as genetics.

Plants and their genes have changed over centuries through modifications in their genetic information (mutations) and by classical breeding and selection. More recently genetic engineering has been used to introduce genes.

In 2007, commercialized GE varieties were planted on over 280 million acres worldwide, both in developed and developing countries. For many farmers and consumers worldwide, planting and eating GE crops and their products are acceptable and even welcomed; for others they raise issues related to food and environmental safety and social and economic impacts.

Understanding how these crops are created, their usefulness in addressing research and agricultural problems, and the potential positive and negative consequences of their use can provide perspective in deciding on their utility in today’s agricultural systems.

Research in the laboratory of Dr. Peggy Lemaux has focused on using genetic engineering and genomic technologies to understand and improve crops. These efforts include creation of barley grain with improved starch characteristics for brewing, a hypoallergenic wheat for consumers with wheat allergies and, most recently, nutritional enhancement of sorghum for Africa with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Besides research, her position involves talking with the public about issues relating to plants, agriculture, food production and new genetic technologies.

Dr. Lemaux is active in researching and addressing both the potential positive and negative impacts of growing and consuming GE crops and foods. Her background allows her to approach both scientific and societal implications with a broad perspective.

Attend Dr. Lemaux's presentation to learn more about the science of genetic engineering and how scientists address issues related to use of new agricultural technologies.

The UC Davis-McLaughlin Reserve is located at 26775 Morgan Valley Road, 13 miles east of Lower Lake.

For more information contact Cathy Koehler or Paul Aigner, reserve managers, at 995-9005, e-mail
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or visit the reserve online at http://nrs.ucdavis.edu/mclaughlin.html.

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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.


Caltrans will suspend work on Northern California highways from Friday, Feb. 13, through Monday, Feb. 16, in observance of the President’s Day weekend. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans Maintenance forces to respond to emergency situations.


LAKE COUNTY


Highway 20


– The county of Lake has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for sidewalk upgrades from Fourth Street to Sixth Street beginning Tuesday, Feb. 17. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.


Highway 29


– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Bar X Ranch to Hofacker Lane Road beginning Tuesday, Feb. 17. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.


– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from Cole Creek Bridge to Hill Creek Bridge. 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.


MENDOCINO COUNTY


Highway 1


– Roadway repair due to pavement deterioration from 3.6 miles south of Ridgewood Ranch Road to 1.9 miles south of Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.


Highway 101


– Brian Shuster of Willits has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work at California Street. Work hours are 7 a.m. To 5 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.


Highway 128


– PG&E of Santa Rosa has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work 0.3 miles east of Nash Mill Road on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.


– AT&T of Walnut Creek has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work from 1.4 to 2.6 miles east of Dry Creek Bridge beginning Tuesday, Feb. 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.


– A storm damage repair project near the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. To 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Fedco Construction of Santa Rosa.


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).


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