LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Time Bank of Thrive Lake County opened its Social Capital Fund on Monday, Jan. 20.

The Social Capital Fund enables time bank members with excess hours the ability to contribute these hours to a special fund to assist other members.

The fund currently accepts and distributes hours only – cash contributions and distributions are not available.

“The Social Capital Fund provides an excellent opportunity for community members in need to get help” says John Saare, North Lake and technical coordinator for the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County.

“Now there can be one less barrier between members with critical needs and those who may be able to help,” said Saare. “Also, there are those who just want to volunteer and not receive any hours for themselves. This fund allows them to magnify their service contribution.”

Carol Cole-Lewis, Thrive Lake County Coordinator and Time Bank Project Coordinator explained why this fund is so important.

“People have refrained from joining the time bank because they have physical, financial or other challenges which truly limit their ability to give back,” she said. “We hope this fund goes some way towards removing this barrier toward membership and to help meet the deepest needs of  Lake County residents.”

Cole-Lewis continued, “Any time bank member who wants to apply for hours from the Social Capital Fund can contact us.”

The time bank uses the complimentary currency of  hours to enable members to exchange services.

Every hour is valued the same, regardless of the service performed.

Time bank membership is open to any Lake County resident, business, or organization.

Office locations include 307 N. Main St., Lakeport, open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. most weekdays; and the Clearlake Food Pantry at 14832 Lakeshore, Clearlake, open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays.

The next free orientation for new and prospective members is 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Dancing Tree People Farm, 1445 Pitney Lake, Upper Lake.  

For more information about Time Bank of Thrive Lake County, visit http://timebanklakeco.org or phone 707-413-0220.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Lake County’s Window to the Universe presents “Voyager: 36 years of Discovery” on Saturday, Jan. 25.

The show will be held from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Taylor Observatory and Norton Planetarium, 5725 Oak Hills Lane in Kelseyville.

Come learn about the Voyager spacecrafts as staff assistant Eduardo Alatorre explains their amazing discoveries, including Voyager's recent entry into interstellar space.

Since their 1977 launch and “Grand Tour” to today's Interstellar Program, the Voyager spacecrafts have offered insight into our Solar System neighborhood and beyond.

Window to the Universe public events are sponsored by The Friends of Taylor Observatory.

Events include a science topic presentation, a planetarium experience and astronomical viewing, and are held regardless of weather. Please dress accordingly.

Ticket prices are $5 per adult and $3 per child under 12 years of age.

For more information, visit www.taylorobservatory.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Chamber of Commerce is extending an invitation to the public to attend the casting call for the fifth annual Celebrity Lip Sync, to be held this spring.

The casting call will take place Thursday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m. at Lakeside Family Fun Center, 872 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport.

The casting call is open to anyone who would like to be involved in this years’ production.

Whether you want to volunteer to be in an act, help backstage, in the actors tent, work on wardrobes/costumes, help in the lobby area or a myriad of areas, plan to attend this meeting. It won’t be a long meeting, but it will be fun.

Come see the songs that are on the list; the theme this year is “Anything Goes.”

If you have a song you would like to suggest and/or do, bring it along. Remember, in Lip Sync you are not actually singing. Most of the acts in Lip Sync require a lot of people which means backup dancers, etc.

Many of the event's actors are beginners, people who just want to get out and have fun. There are choreographers to help, costume ideas and suggestions from the Lip Sync Committee, and all sorts of help for anyone who wants to participate.

Lip Sync is a production of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce and takes place on April 12 and 13 at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre.

For more information, contact the chamber at 707-263-5092.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking public comment on a proposal to list the Northern spotted owl as an endangered or threatened species.
 
The Northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) inhabits forests from southwest British Columbia through the Cascade Range and coastal ranges of Washington, Oregon and northern California.

In California, the Northern spotted owl range runs south as far as Marin County in the Coast Ranges and across the Klamath Mountains of northern California east to the Cascade Range where it meets the range of the California spotted owl (S. o. occidentalis) near the Pit River area.
 
The Northern spotted owl generally inhabits mature and old-growth forests as these habitats contain the necessary structural complexity, including high canopy cover, developed understory and presence of snags, required for various life stages.

Preferred prey species include pocket gophers (Thomomys spp.), northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus), woodrats (Neotoma spp.), red tree voles (Phenacomys longicaudus) and deer mice (Peromyscus spp.), with woodrats and flying squirrels often being their most common prey.

Loss of habitat, degradation of habitat and competition with other owl species have been noted to negatively impact the Northern spotted owl; however, climate change, disease, contaminants and predation may also negatively affect its populations.
 
In September 2012, the Environmental Protection Information Center submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to formally list the Northern spotted owl as a threatened or endangered species.

The commission published findings of its decision to advance the species to candidacy on Dec. 27, 2013, triggering a 12-month period during which CDFW will conduct a status review to inform the commission’s decision on whether to list the species.
 
As part of the status review process, CDFW is soliciting public comment regarding the species’ ecology, biology, life history, distribution, abundance, threats and habitat that may be essential for the species, and recommendations for management of the species. Comments, data and other information can be submitted in writing to:
 
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Nongame Wildlife Program
Attn: Neil Clipperton
1812 9th 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. . If submitting comments by email, please include “Northern spotted owl” in the subject heading.
 
All comments received by May 1 will be evaluated prior to submission of the CDFW report to the commission.

Receipt of the report will be placed on the agenda for the next available meeting of the Commission after delivery and the report will be made available to the public at that time.

Following the receipt of the CDFW report, the commission will allow a 30-day public comment period prior to taking any action on CDFW’s recommendation.
 
CDFW’s petition evaluation report for Northern spotted owl is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/publications/ .

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

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 175

– AT&T of Santa Rosa has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from the Cobb Post Office to Anderson Springs Road on Friday, Jan. 24. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– AT&T of Santa Rosa has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from Anderson Springs Road to Bush Street beginning Monday, Jan. 27. 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.

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.

– Guardrail repairs at various locations from Albion to Little River Airport Road will continue Tuesday, Jan. 28. 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 – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– Replacement of a culvert with a bridge at Dunn Creek 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 – Shasta Construction of Redding.

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.

– Striping near from the South Ukiah Overhead will continue through Friday, Jan. 24. Work hours are 7 p.m. to noon, weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for tree trimming from 1.2 miles south of the junction of Routes 1/101 to just south of Confusion Hill through Friday, Jan. 24. 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.

– AT&T of Santa Rosa has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work at the Mignon "Minnie" Stoddard Lilley Memorial Bridge and the Elizabeth Jane Rosewarne Memorial Bridge on Monday, Jan. 27. Work hours are 8 a.m. to noon. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 128

– Vegetation removal in preparation for culvert rehabilitation at various locations from Wendling Street to 0.7 mile east of Mountain House Road will begin Monday, Jan. 27. 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.

Highway 162

– Bridge rehabilitation at the Outlet Creek Bridge will begin Wednesday, January 29. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. LC#C162CA

Highway 175

– Bridge rehabilitation at the Russian River Bridge will begin Wednesday, Jan. 29. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekdays. One way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. LC#C175BA

Highway 253

– Willow Creek Water District of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs near Stipp Lane beginning Monday, Jan. 27. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-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).

California’s wild plants and animals need your help, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) makes it easy for you.

When you prepare your California individual income tax return, simply make a voluntary contribution on line 403 and/or line 410 of Form 540.

By donating any number of dollars you can support the Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Fund and/or the California Sea Otter Fund. What you donate this year may be deductible on next year’s tax return.

“The voluntary contributions Californians make at tax time are incredibly helpful in our efforts to save threatened and endangered species,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “These funds have provided critical support for many state-listed species, including the greater sandhill crane, desert tortoise, large-flowered fiddleneck, riparian brush rabbit, California condor, Owens pupfish and many more. These donations help us protect California’s exceptional biodiversity.”

More than 200 species of plants and 80 species of animals are listed by the state as rare, threatened or endangered.

Money raised through the tax check-off program helps pay for essential CDFW research and recovery efforts for these plants and animals, and critical efforts to restore and conserve their habitat.

For example, since 1983 the tax check-off fund for Rare and Endangered Species has raised more than $18 million and supported numerous projects, including intensive recovery efforts for California condors and the Owens pupfish.

The Condor Recovery Program oversees research on condors in captivity and in the wild. The program works to develop protocols for the captive breeding program, identify research needs, address threats to condors in the wild, and manage the captive and wild populations. It is because of this monumental effort that more than 100 condors are flying free in California today.

Support from California taxpayers has enabled wildlife biologists to achieve important recovery milestones to conserve vulnerable species. More information about how CDFW uses funds in the tax check-off program is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/taxcheck .

A second tax check-off fund was created in 2006 specifically to facilitate recovery of the California sea otter, which is listed as a Fully Protected Species under state law and threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.

According to the 2013 survey, there are fewer than 3,000 sea otters in California waters. This small population is vulnerable to oil spills, environmental pollution, predation by white sharks and other threats.

Donations to the California Sea Otter Fund support research by CDFW scientists, who have discovered that a substantial proportion of sea otter mortality has been caused by diseases, parasites and toxins.

In the last decade, connections to many of the things that make sea otters sick and kill them in the ocean have been related to human activities on land.

The cumulative effects of various types of pollution are contributing to the premature deaths of otters that should live longer and produce more pups.

This fund consists entirely of voluntary contributions from taxpayers of the state of California. There are no other dedicated state funding sources available to continue this important work.

CDFW works with the California Coastal Conservancy, Friends of the Sea Otter, Defenders of Wildlife and others to promote the Sea Otter Fund.

Visit www.dfg.ca.gov/taxcheck and Facebook, www.facebook.com/SeaOtterFundCDFW .

If someone else prepares your state tax return, please tell him or her if you want to make a voluntary contribution to the California Sea Otter Fund on line 410 or the Rare and Endangered Species Protection Program on line 403.

If you use Turbo Tax, when you’re near the end of your tax return it should ask if you want to make a voluntary contribution to a special fund. Click “Yes” and go to lines 403 and 410.