“Car accidents are an unfortunate and frightening experience for any driver and this situation shouldn’t be aggravated by an insurance agent who is asking you 20 questions about why you have chosen a particular auto body repair shop over their ‘recommended’ or pre-selected repair shops,” Wiggins said.

Existing law prohibits automobile insurers from “steering” a policyholder to specific automotive repair shops. “Steering” occurs when an insurer requires an individual’s car to be repaired at a particular auto body repair shop and/or suggests or recommends that his/her car be repaired at a specified auto body repair shop. SB 1167 seeks to clarify existing law prohibiting an insurer from steering a policyholder to a specific auto repair shop, thereby allowing the consumer to select an auto body repair shop of their choice.

“My office has received complaints from constituents about some common statements insurers make to steer policyholders to certain repair shops such as, ‘we won’t guarantee the repairs if you take your car to that repair shop,’ or ‘if you go there, you will have to pay additional costs,’ ” the senator said. “If statements like that are being made, apparently there is some confusion about the intent of the law which prohibits an insurer from ‘suggesting’ or ‘recommending’ a particular repair shop.”

SB 1167 provides that when a policyholder first reports vehicle damage to an insurer, the insurer shall determine if the policyholder has selected an auto repair facility prior to providing any information regarding a program or a facility that performs auto body repairs. If it is determined that the policyholder has selected a repair facility, the representative of the insurer shall cease, or not engage in, any discussions regarding a program or a facility that performs auto body repairs.

“I want to make sure that consumers aren’t frightened into taking their cars someplace other than their preferred auto repair shops because their insurers claim they won’t guarantee the work,” Wiggins said. “These claims are unfounded and disingenuous.”

The purpose of the law is to allow car owners the freedom of choice in selecting an auto body repair shop, but the reality is that insurers discourage policyholders from going to repair shops outside of their network.

This network includes “direct repair programs” which are essentially pre-selected auto body repair shops approved by the insurer where labor rates and repairs are predetermined in a presumed effort to keep costs down. However, many auto repair shops allege that these repair programs could compromise the integrity of auto body repair and could force shop owners to perform substandard repairs.

SB 1167 will be assigned to a Senate policy committee later this month.

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A model of the planned Park Pavilion, which the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association's Saturday yard sale is raising money to build. Photo courtesy of Thelma Dangel.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 9 at Kelseyville Senior Center, Kelseyville Senior Center, 5245 Third St.

There will be a variety of good choices from clothes, selections from the Visitor Center, donated special items from friends and plenty to choose from.

Donations of a one-year-old washing machine has been made and a dryer, some very good ski equipment and a special offer of a percentage of cases of wine sold, a dinette set with six padded chairs and two extra leaves and much more.

Freshly baked cookies will be available for sale. If you don't find something to purchase, a donation to benefit the Education Pavilion Fund will be most welcome.

The sale benefits the Clear Lake State Park for the Education Pavilion Fund.

Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association Board is moving along to add funding for the building of the pavilion across from the Visitor Center in the park. For several years, this has been a plan which will be used by the thousands of children from the schools previously, but this pavilion will be used by many more and not be concerned by the weather.

If you want to donate an item, please call association President Madelene Lyon at 279-4395.

Cash donations are welcome also, to CLSPIA, and sent to 5300 Soda Bay Rd., Kelseyville, CA 95451.

The group extends its deepest thanks to the community for its support in this effort.

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The annual Verna Morris Memorial Pancake Breakfast will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Kelseyville Lions Clubhouse located at 4335 Sylar Lane (Sylar Lane is located southeast of the county park).

One of the Easter Seals Northern California Lake County services is assisting families with transportation costs for out-of-county medical visits for children.

Each year, through the generosity of the Kelseyville Lions Club with the assistance of the Big Valley Lions Club, a pancake breakfast is offered to raise money for this program.

Verna Morris, 1920-1996, was a founding member of the National Tuberous Sclerosis Association, the California Association of Neurologically Handicapped Children (Alameda/Contra Costa counties), and an active board member of the Sonoma County Respite and Atypical Infant Development Program.

According to her husband, Bill Morris, “Verna was a personal support system for hundreds of parents and individuals with disabled children and adults. She was an exceptional woman who gave to her community.”

Contributions from family and friends began the fund in 1996. The Kelseyville Lions Club has supported the Verna Morris program with one of their monthly pancake breakfasts that attracts approximately 150 children and adults.

The Big Valley Lions Club provides the serving of the food to the families. The breakfast is held at the Kelseyville Lions Clubhouse on the second Sunday of February.

Tickets will be available at the door for $6 per person. Children age 5 and under eat for free.

For further information please call 263-3949. Direct donations to the fund may be made to Easter Seals Northern Calif., 501 B N. Main St., Lakeport, CA 95453.

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The film describes the history of the native people of this area, with an emphasis on the devastating effects of the Gold Rush, and is narrated by BlueWolf.

The Lucy Moore Foundation will host a panel discussion and dialog on the issue of the use of Indian names as sports mascots following the film from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This is an opportunity to exchange views and hear from all sides. The goal is to achieve understanding on how and why such divisions occur and how personal hurt affects decisions. The discussion will focus on why the practice of using Indian names as mascots is controversial.

All interested parties, especially residents of Kelseyville and native people, from all sides of the issue whether for, against or undecided, are encouraged to attend and are welcome, as this meeting will be educational.

The intent is to encourage people to make up their own minds, based not on hearsay or any form of preconception but on actual and complete information.

This is an opportunity to base decisions on facts. Strong emotions have arisen around the Kelseyville High School mascot issue. The organizers encourages all who come, on both sides of the issue, to attend with a willingness to respect everyone present, and to hear all sides of the issue with an open mind and an open heart.

A volunteer from Mediacom's public access TV Channel 8 will record the discussion for broadcast on the PEG channel.

Food and refreshments will be served, food fights will be discouraged. Thanks to all for keeping a sense of humor.

For more information or details call Bernadine Tripp at 275-9574.

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Rushing invites the public to attend a Lucerne Community Town Hall Meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 9, at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center.

County Staff will provide updates on the redevelopment process, local projects, a water update and other issues. The agenda includes an open forum to discuss issues of interest to the community of Lucerne.

Free tables will be set up for local groups, businesses or organizations wishing to distribute literature.

Lucerne Alpine Senior Center will be serving breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon. Come for breakfast and stay for the meeting!

The Lucerne Alpine Senior Center is located at 10th Avenue and Country Club Drive.

For more information contact Rushing, 263-2368, or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Romance is in the air this month, as the Friends of the Lake County Library feature the Friends' canvas book bags filled with donated romance novels.

Library Friends members are preparing romance-theme bags filled with a selection of books which will sell for $15 during February.

Red and burgundy bags have a romance theme, and black bags have a broken-hearts theme. Bags alone are $10 and come in five colors: burgundy, red, cream, black and navy.

Proceeds from the Friends of the Library book sales and bag sales support the Lake County Library. The Friends of the Library Web address is www.co.lake.ca.us/Residents/Community_Resources/Index_of_Organizations/Friends_of_the_Lake_County_Library.htm.

To join the Friends, see the membership information on the Web site or pick up an application at your local branch.

Library branches are located at 1425 N. High St. in Lakeport, 14785 Burns Valley Road in Clearlake, 21267 Calistoga Road in Middletown and 310 2nd St. in Upper Lake.

The library Web site www.co.lake.ca.us/page386.aspx has more information about the library.

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