The AmeriCorps group which collected the most food during a food drive. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – The Lake County AmeriCorps program has started it annual recruiting for members.

The AmeriCorps Program engages its members in direct service and capacity-building to address unmet community needs.

The program exists in partnership with our county’s schools, preschools and Healthy Start to assist with the compelling educational needs of literacy tutoring, mentoring, preventive health screenings and and school readiness.

AmeriCorps members also mobilize community volunteers and strengthen the capacity of the organizations where they serve.

During the 2007-08 school year, AmeriCorps members logged an incredible 17,500 hours of service within Lake County “Getting Things Done.”

Members tutored/mentored 300 students, helped prepared 250 preschoolers to enter kindergarten, delivered over 200 Second Step (violence prevention curriculum) and 190 health curriculum lessons.

When not in a classroom near you, members are busy participating in community events. Members logged more than 3,500 hours of community service at events such as Konocti Kids Day, Lake County Office of Education Preschool Picnic, Ceaser Chavez Day, Make a Difference Day, Mock Disaster Drill held in Upper Lake, food drives and several bicycle helmet/infant car seat fittings held around Lake County.

Like helping your community wasn’t enough, members receive a modest living allowance to offset living expenses and an education award upon completion of their service.

Visit the local AmeriCorps on the web at www.lakecountyamericorps.org for more information on how you can become a part of our team and make Lake County a better place!

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LAKE COUNTY – Each year the Board of Directors of the Lake County Fair chooses one member of the community to receive the honor of grand marshal by leading the fair parade and cutting the grand opening ribbon. All of the grand marshals have a history of years of service to the Lake County community. But until this year, none could boast of having worked at the fair every year since it moved to the fairgrounds in Lakeport.

A soft-spoken, pleasant man, Billy DeWaal of Kelseyville was a 15-year-old Lakeport boy with an interest in magic in 1948 when the first fair was held on what was then a brand new fairgrounds in Lakeport.

Billy's father knew the fair manager at the time, Phil Lewis, and managed to wrangle a slot on a stage for Billy to perform his magic act. At his first fair show, Billy performed a ventriloquist act and a magic show in which he used his sister as an assistant and performed an illusion where he floated his sister in mid-air. At that point, Billy had been studying and practicing magic for nearly 10 years.

After that, Billy began performing magic shows regularly at local service club meetings, including the Lion's Club, Rotary, the Odd Fellows, the Lakeport Women's Civic Club and Chamber of Commerce meetings. He also performed each year at the Lake County Fair, and has continued to do so every year since.

And after being "discovered" at the Lake County Fair, Billy went on to build a career around performing magic shows at fairs and festivals throughout the western United States and Canada.

Billy's acts have changed over the years, from ventriloquism and magic, to becoming William Wayne, Master Magician. In between, Billy spent more than 25 years performing as Wacky Willy the Clown, and in the 1980s he expanded his business to include Bilmar Puppets, a puppet theater which included his daughter Karen and granddaughter Becky as performers. Billy once made television commercial for AT&T which was aired in every English-speaking country in the world, and at various times performed with both Bob Hope and George Burns.

A few years ago, Billy changed his act once more and became William Wayne, Master Magician, the act he now performs several times each day at the Lake County Fair. Billy's wife of 55 years, Mary DeWaal, also works at the Lake County Fair, where she operates Aunt Mary's Art Center.

Billy DeWaal is a member of the Society of American Magicians. He has belonged to the Clowns of America #593, the Puppeteers of America, and the American Guild of Variety Artists.

In addition to traveling all over North America performing, Billy is also a Navy veteran of the Korean War, and was awarded two Silver Stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. Billy and Mary now live in Kelseyville, with two cats, 20 doves, two rabbits, and a huge collection of magic illusions and stage props, which Billy calls his "barn full of magic."

“Billy DeWaal has an amazing track record as a performer, and he is the only person around who has been employed by the Lake County Fair for 60 years,” said Lake County Fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons. “It's pretty astounding. The fair board found choosing the grand marshal pretty easy this year, and Billy definitely deserves the honor."

The Lake County Fair parade through downtown Lakeport takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, with the grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at the main gates at 6 p.m.

Anyone who enters the parade and fills out an entry form in advance will receive free admission to the Fair when the parade arrives at the fairgrounds. Parade entrants will be provided an entry wristband before the parade starts.

For more information, contact the fair office at 263-6181.

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For the second year, seaplanes graced downtown Lakeport in preparation for the annual Seaplane Splash-In, scheduled for September 19 through 21. Photo by Gail Salituri.

LAKEPORT – Resident and visitors crowded into downtown Lakeport on Friday, Aug. 22 to sample the annual Taste of Lakeport celebration.

The 11^th annual event was sponsored by the Lakeport Main Street Association.

Business kept their doors open until 10 p.m. to welcome visitors, with a live performance by Jimmy Z in the Museum Square.

Langtry Estate and Vineyards poured wine at Inspirations Gallery. Photo by Gail Salituri.

Live music was featured on the sidewalk downstairs from KPFZ 88.1 FM's downtown offices. Photo by Gail Salituri.

Goodies from Main Street Bakery were a feast for the eye and the taste buds. Photo by Gail Salituri.

Wineries from around Lake County came to share their wines. Photo by Gail Salituri.

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

Caltrans will suspend work on Northern California highways from Friday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of the Labor Day weekend. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans Maintenance forces to respond to emergency situations.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Mary Poppie of Litchfield Park has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for surveying near Main Street beginning Wednesday, Sept. 3. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– A roadway realignment project from 1.4 miles east of the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge to 1.6 miles west of Walker Ridge Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 29

– A shoulder widening project from Hofacker Lane to 0.5 miles north of Hofacker Lane will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – North Bay Construction of Petaluma.

– A paving project from the junction of Route 29/53 and Kelseyville Road will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday evening through Friday afternoon. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Bridge rehabilitation from the Adobe Creek Bridge to the Park Way Overcrossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect 24 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – American Civil Constructors of Benicia.

– Installation of a changeable message sign and paving from Ackley Road to 0.5 miles south of Lakeport Boulevard will begin Tuesday, Sept. 2. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 281

– PG&E of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work near Point Lakeview Road beginning Wednesday, Sept. 3. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Mendocino Unified School District has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a water line between Jackson Street and Lansing Street. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Turns onto Little Lake Road will be restricted. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 101

– A paving project from the Mendocino/Sonoma County line to the Russian River Bridge will continue. 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. Contractor – Eric Gutierrez of Sacramento.

– A pavement repair project from 0.1 miles north to 1.5 miles north of Comminsky Station Road will continue. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– A paving project from Center Street to the junction of Route 101/253 will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday evening through Friday afternoon. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Eric Gutierrez of Sacramento.

– 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.

– A paving project from the CAL FIRE station to 0.3 miles north of Grider Road will resume. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Services of North Highlands.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from the Outlet Creek Bridge to 0.2 miles north of Big Trails Drive beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Bridge deck rehabilitation on the Long Valley Creek Bridge will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – American Civil Constructors of Benicia.

– A paving project from Long Valley Creek Bridge to Harmon Drive will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 12 midnight, weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Mercer Fraser of Eureka.

– A curve improvement project will continue. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Redwood Construction Service of Trinidad has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for the Willie Nelson at Dimmick Ranch concert Saturday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 1. A shoulder closure will be in effect from Piercy in Mendocino County to Richardson Grove in Humboldt County. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 162

– Bridge deck rehabilitation on the Long Valley Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – American Civil Constructors of Benicia.

– A bridge widening project at Outlet Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal is in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Company, Incorporated of Rancho Cordova.

Highway 253

– A bridge widening project at Anderson Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal is in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

– A bridge widening project at Soda Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal is in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

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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Pictured (left to right), new Executive Director Dennis Fay with Community Care board members Kate Rossi, Andy Rossoff, Margie Handley, Sharon Weeks, board president Bruce Andich, and Dennis Huey. Photo by Steve Winkle.

LAKE COUNTY – The Board of Directors of Community Care Management Corp. has appointed Dennis Fay as the agency’s new executive director.

Fay is a Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE) and brings his 20 years of public health administration experience in the US Air Force to the position.

He has extensive experience in the policy making arena having served at the Air Force Surgeon General’s office, the Pentagon, Washington DC. He served on many federal boards and agencies providing consultation in deployment health, veteran’s affairs, public health, food safety and emergency planning. In these capacities, Fay developed or contributed to numerous federal and state planning commissions.

“It is my pleasure to continue to be of 'service' to the people of Mendocino and Lake counties,” Fay said. “I welcome the privilege to help the frail, the less fortunate and those in need to live a healthy and prosperous life in their homes.

I’m also in the lucky position to be able to draw from the expertise of Cynthia McMath, who served as executive director for the last three years and who remains with the agency in the Supported Living Program she helped to create,” Fay added.

Community Care, a private, nonprofit care management and independent living agency, has served Lake and Mendocino County frail seniors and younger adults with disabilities to remain in their homes and the community for 24 years.

The agency’s multiple programs operate from offices in Ukiah, Ft. Bragg, and Clearlake. They include the Multipurpose Senior Services Program, The Linkages Program, Community Care HIV/AIDS Program and Drop-In Center, Respite Program to assist family caregivers, Independence Plus Programs (Supported Living Program, Community Integration Program, Horizons, Inclusive Senior Services), and Senior Information and Assistance Program.

To learn more about Community Care, visit www.communitycare707.com/.

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From left, Clearlake Police Chief Allan McClain, NAACP Branch President Aqeela El-Amin Bakheit and NAACP member Anthony Anderson at the Aug. 9 raffle at the Clearlake City Hall. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

CLEARLAKE – The Lake County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People held the drawing for its annual scholarship fundraiser raffle on Aug. 9.

The drawing was held at Clearlake City Hall, with Clearlake Police Chief Allan McClain pulling the winning ticket.

Kevin Ness of Clearlake won the three-wheeled electric mobility scooter, courtesy of North Valley Medical Supply in Las Vegas.

Funds raised during raffle will benefit the NAACP's high school scholarship program.

For information about the local NAACP branch and its programs, call Branch President Aqeela El-Amin Bakheit at 995-2545.

Kevin Ness, left, is presented with the winning raffle ticket by NAACP Branch President Aqeela El-Amin Bakheit following the Aug. 9 raffle. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

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