The Middletown Senior Center received a $300 donation this week. Pictured from left to right are Road Riders Frank Haas, Paul Breunig, Middletown Senior Center Director Jacque Spiker and rider Dennis Prator. Courtesy photo.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Senior Center accepted a donation of $300 from the Clear Lake Road Riders this week.

The donation will help purchase numerous necessities for the new center, which broke ground on Sept. 14.

Taking part in the presentation were Frank Haas of the Road Riders, businessman Paul Breunig, Middletown Senior Center Director Jacque Spiker and rider Dennis Prator.

The Middletown Senior Center Inc. is located at 15299 Central Park Road, Middletown, telephone 707-987-3113.

Visit the center online at www.middletownseniorcenter.org.

Wild Bill Hill of Roseville, Calif., and his 1964 Amphicar. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – As seaplanes fly arrive in Lakeport this weekend for the 32nd annual Clear Lake Splash-In – which takes place Friday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Sept. 25 – “amphicars,” which can travel on land an in water, also will be arriving for a splash in of their own off Library Park.

Tattoo artist Wild Bill Hill of Roseville was far from home looking for a Nash Metropolitan when he found his rare, amphibious vehicle.

It was 1964 Amphicar. His initial thought: “That's even uglier than a Nash.”

With no money in hand and a rather tight budget, he made a really low offer. The owner said, “I like your face; I think you'll give it a good home.”

The deal was done. It take several months of payments but Wild Bill was finally able to bring the “water car” home.

The Amphicar needed a complete restoration: stripping and repainting, upholstery, rebuilding the motor-transmission, new rubber seals.

It’s now completely sealed and water tight with no leaks anywhere. The car works great on land, in the lakes or rivers. It’s unquestionably Wild Bill’s favorite car and takes it out every chance he gets.

Wild Bill started collecting cars about 20 years ago with a Model T and now has a garage full of specialty cars, including a 1915 Ford Speedster (with a matching miniature go-cart), 1932 Ford Phaeton (with a matching go-cart), 1954 Porsche Spyder, 1959 Messerschmitt, 1959 Nash Metropolitan, 1966 shortened VW Bus, 1999 Chevy flat-bed car hauler, 2002 Panoz AIV Roadster, 2005 Panoz Esperante, 1966 H-D Shovelhead (with a matching miniature), a Bobber motorcycle and 3 mini-bikes.

His wife Nancy has a 2009 Lincoln MKX, 2007 Pontiac Solstice and a 1940 Stearman bi-plane.

This is number 137 out of just 3,000 Amphicars built in West Germany from 1961 to 1967. But just less than 200 are known to exist in this condition worldwide. It’s the only civilian amphibious passenger automobile ever to be mass produced.

The Amphicar is equipped with water tight doors that have double locks and seals to keep out the water, a rear mounted water cooled four-cylinder Triumph Spitfire engine producing 43 horsepower, and twin nylon propellers.

A special two-part land-and-water transmission allows the wheels and propellers to be operated either independently or simultaneously. In the water, the front wheels act as rudders. It runs 32 miles per gallon on the road and one and a half gallons per hour on the water.

It weighs 2,292 pounds with a top speed of seven miles per hour on water and 70 miles per hour on land. Hence, it was dubbed the “Model 770.”

Yes, it floats. Yes, Wild Bill takes it in the water all the time. Yes, it's great for fishing. Yes, you can still get parts. Yes, one sold at auction recently for $127,000. No, the wheels don't fold up. No, you can't water ski behind it. No, I would not take it in the ocean.

And, no, it's not for sale.

A 1964 Amphicar, owned by Wild Bill Hill of Roseville, Calif., next to a seaplane. Courtesy photo.

Habitat for Humanity can carry no interest loans to assist qualifying families.

The payments are made directly to Habitat for Humanity Lake County and those monies go into the building fund which makes it possible to continue building homes for other low income families

in Lake County.

The first session will be at the United Christian Parish, off of Brush Street, in Lakeport on Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., so come by and see if you qualify.

Other dates and times include 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, United Methodist Church, 14521 Pearl Ave., Clearlake; 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, Community United Methodist Church, 12487 The Plaza, Clearlake Oaks; 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 10^th and Country Club; 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, Middletown United Methodist Church, 15833 Armstrong, Middletown.

There will be a representative from Habitat for Humanity at all of the meetings around Lake County.

Some requirements to qualify including having lived in Lake County for the past year, having a housing need, maintaining a steady income and being willing to partner with Habitat in building one's own home.

For more information call 707-994-1100 or visit www.lakehabitat.org.

RUTHERFORD, Calif. – Join Assembly Assistant Majority Leader Michael Allen at Rutherford Grove for a community fundraiser with the Pathway Home on Sunday, Oct. 2.

The event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Bob Pestoni’s Rutherford Grove & Winery, 1673 Hwy 29, Rutherford.

The Pathway Home is a residential recovery treatment program, the only program of its kind in the United States.

It was specifically created for, and dedicated to serve, our nation's “New Warriors” – those of any age, who have served the United States in Afghanistan or Iraq and who experience the effects of post- traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury.

Tickets cost $35 per person or $50 per couple. Fine Wines and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Please remit checks to The Pathway Home, P.O. Box 4870, Santa Rosa, CA 95402.

To RSVP contact Helen Ross at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-322-7741.

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Lake County Special District has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs 0.5 mile west of Reclamation Road on Tuesday, Sept. 27, and Wednesday, Sept. 28. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Robinson Rancheria of Nice has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to construct a road approach near Reclamation Cutoff. 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 pavement repair project from the junction of Routes 20/53 to the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to noon, weekdays. In two-lane sections, one-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. In three-lane sections, traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel and motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 29

– A pavement repair project from the Lake/Napa County line to Spruce Grove Road will continue. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. Daytime work hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 53

– Highway widening from 40th Avenue to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Sierra Equipment Rental of Glenn.

Highway 175

– A pavement repair project from the Lake/Mendocino County line to the junction of Routes 29/175 in Kelseyville will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 281

– Clear Lake Riviera Community Association of Kelseyville has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to pave a road approach near Broadmoor Way beginning Monday, Sept. 26. 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.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Installation of a roundabout at Simpson Lane will continue. Nighttime work hours are 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Fedco Construction Inc. of Santa Rosa.

– Storm damage repairs near the Union Landing Viaduct 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 – Valentine Corporation of San Rafael.

Highway 20

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Two Rock Lookout to just west of the Broaddus Creek Bridge beginning Monday, Sept. 26. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Bridge deck repairs at the Russian River Bridge just south of Geysers Road will continue through Friday, Sept. 23. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Wahlund Construction of Eureka.

– Slide repairs north of the Korean War Veterans War Memorial Bridge 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. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from 0.3 mile north of Nelson Road to 0.6 mile south of the El Roble Overcrossing. Work hours are 9 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.

– Installation of cable median barrier from the El Roble Overcrossing to the junction of Routes 20/101 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday afternoon. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Ghilotti Brothers of San Rafael.

– A pavement repair project from the Robinson Creek Bridge to Uva Drive will continue. Nighttime work hours are 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. Daytime work hours are 5 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. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Orr Springs Road Undercrossing will continue on Friday, Sept. 23. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Wahlund Construction of Eureka.

– Pavement repairs from 1.9 to 0.8 miles south of Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue on Saturday, Sept. 24. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. 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 Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs 0.5 mile north of Shimmins Ridge Road on Monday, Sept. 26. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Construction of retaining walls from Bell Springs Road to 0.7 mile south of the Cummins Road Undercrossing 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. Contractor – J F Shea Construction Inc. of Redding.

– Fence repair north of the Empire Camp Rest Area will continue through Friday, Sept. 23. Work hours are 7 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. Contractor – V A P Construction Inc. of La Miranda.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Confusion Hill to the Humboldt/Mendocino County line. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 128

– Culvert repairs from 0.6 to 1.3 miles east of Mountain House Road 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 – Team Ghilotti of Petaluma.

Highway 175

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from the junction of Routes 101/175 and the Mendocino/Lake County line. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 222

– Replacement of the Russian River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays during work hours and five-minute delays at other times. Contractor – CC Myers of Rancho Cordova.

Highway 253

– Culvert repairs from Cattle Pass to the junction of Routes 101/253 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Team Ghilotti of Petaluma.

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).

Are you a compassionate person who wants to make a difference in the community? If you are willing to make a commitment as a volunteer counselor, The Lake Family Resource Center domestic violence responder training is free.

Learn the psychological aspects of domestic violence/abuse, effective counseling techniques, and how to use crisis intervention skills to assist survivors of domestic violence and their families.

Gain an insider's view of the criminal justice system (court), which prosecutes domestic violence perpetrators.

As a volunteer you will provide crisis counseling to survivors of domestic violence, give information to the public and make referrals, meet domestic violence victims at the emergency room and/or law enforcement and accompany them to court when advocacy as requested. Domestic violence responders are required by the state of California to complete 40-hours of training, which is provided free of charge.

Upon graduation, volunteer responders receive a certificate of completion and are eligible to volunteer to help adult and child victims.

Lake Family Resource Center is currently taking class reservations. If you are interested in domestic violence responder training, please contact Sherri Boelter at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 707-279-0563, Extension 183.

Lake Family Resource Center provides a multitude of services to build family stability and strength. The agency supports Lake County residents in achieving stable, self-sufficient, and healthy families and communities.

Call them at 707-279-0563 to find out more about what the group offers.