Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a report this past week highlighting USDA Rural Development’s fiscal year (FY) 2012 investments in job creation, businesses, infrastructure and housing for Americans living in rural communities across the nation.

“President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment in rural communities that have made them stronger,” Vilsack said. “Thanks to our loan, grant and technical assistance programs, USDA Rural Development is helping residents and rural enterprises thrive, and we are laying a strong foundation for rural America’s future.”

In California, $1.3 billion was invested to support homeownership and safe and affordable rental housing; guaranteed loans for rural businesses that saved and created jobs; energy efficiency and production of renewable energy and biofuels; the renovation and construction of community facilities and emergency services; and the construction and upgrade of water and wastewater systems, telecommunication and broadband services.

“Due to the hard work of our dedicated staff in California and a committed network of partners, USDA Rural Development has helped more Californians than ever before,” said USDA Rural Development California State Director Glenda Humiston.  “The investments made in 2012 have helped improve both the quality of life and economic opportunities throughout the state’s rural communities.”

In 2012, $68.2 million was invested to improve or construct water and wastewater systems for over 54,000 rural citizens.  An additional $35.9 million in funds assisted almost 30 California communities in renovating or constructing town halls, schools, libraries, health care facilities and child care centers, as well as assisting a variety of first responders with equipment and facilities.

The guaranteed business loans totaled $101.3 million, supporting and preserving jobs at 37 rural businesses throughout the Golden State.  Investments supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and biofuels exceeded $2.2 million for the year. And an additional $2.7 million supported a variety of agriculture producers

Rural Development is also the lead agency ensuring that rural families have access to safe, well-built, affordable homes.  In 2012, Rural Development in California helped 5,521 families and individuals purchase safe, affordable homes, providing $922 million in direct and guaranteed loans.  Over 12,000 low- and very-low-income families were able to live in safe, multi-family apartments with help from $79 million in rental assistance which ensures affordable housing remains affordable.

Nationally, Rural Development invested over $30 billion in rural communities.  For a copy of the agency’s 2012 Progress Report, go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/RDProgressReport-2012.pdf .

And for additional information on Rural Development projects throughout the country, please visit Rural Development’s new interactive web map featuring program funding and success stories for the past four fiscal years. The data can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RDSuccessStories.html .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Konocti Lioness Club held a Christmas basket raffle fundraiser with two huge baskets, one for a child and the other for an adult.  

On Dec. 22 the winning tickets were drawn by Santa Claus John.  

Winner of the child's basket was Leslie Rosier and the winner of the adult basket was Uta Haller of Hidden Valley Lake.  

The funds raised will go toward the club's projects for Lake County youngsters.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Shannon Michele of Cache Creek Catering and Lake County Wine Studio are presenting a monthly food and wine series featuring gourmet appetizers paired with select Lake County wines.   

Locally produced foods are proudly featured as key ingredients in recipes created by Cache Creek Catering.
 
The series is held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. The per person cost is $25, and $20 for Wine Studio club members. Reservations are required.
 
Jan. 18 will feature red blends of Lake County beginning with a Rhone blend from Sol Rouge called Gypsy Rouge paired with a gruyere turnover topped with a cranberry shallot relish and a Bordeaux blend called Grand Vin from Alienor Cellars paired with a savory beef cobbler. The final course will be a Tawny Port truffle cocktail.

December’s event featured Lavender Blue wines beginning with a white cheddar fondue and assorted dippers served with Cabernet Sauvignon.  

The second course was cocoa nib rubbed beef, winter squash and dried fig on a skewer paired with Petite Sirah. The final pairing of Panforte paired with Tawny Syrah completed the three-course event.

Returning to the second Friday of each month, Feb. 8, will be the next date to follow for the Local Cuisine Scene event.
 
For reservations and additional information, contact Susan Feiler at 707-293-8752.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Clear Lake High School's Class of 2013 is hosting an all you can eat crab feed on Saturday, Feb. 9, at St. Mary's Hall, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.

Crab, pasta, salad and French bread will be served along with specialty desserts. For those who don't care for crab, a steak ticket may be purchased instead.

No host bar by the Early Lake Lions opens at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 7 p.m.

Tickets are only $40 each and available at Lakeport Tire and Auto at 1901 S. Main St. in Lakeport, telephone 707-263-5422); The Wright Look, 906 S. Main St., Lakeport, telephone 707-263-4016; or call Toni Funderburg at 707-489-1306.

This event is a Sober Grad Fundraiser for CLHS's class of 2013.  

Sober Grad is a longstanding tradition hosted on the night of graduation to provide a supervised, safe, and fun environment for the graduating class.  

Sober Grad fundraisers are held throughout the county by each individual school. Please come enjoy all the crab you can eat and know that all proceeds go toward the CLHS class of 2013's Sober Grad Night.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The next HazMobile event will be held Friday, Jan. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 26, at Kmart, 2019 S. Main St. in Lakeport.

Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Households can bring up to 15 gallons of toxic items free of charge. Fees will be charged for amounts over 15 gallons.

Items that are accepted include paint, solvents, fuels, five-gallon propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, fluorescent light tubes (up to 60 linear feet) and other toxic materials that cannot be put in the trash.

Items that cannot be accepted include televisions, computer monitors, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials or infectious wastes.

To learn how and where to properly dispose these items, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or contact the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.

HazMobile services are provided to residential households by the Integrated Waste Management Division of the Lake County Public Services Department and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

Businesses also are welcome to use this convenient service to properly dispose of hazardous waste and protect our environment, however, businesses must pay for this taxpayer-funded service and first make an appointment.

Business appointments can be made by calling the Mendocino County Solid Waste Authority, the contracted agency that provides this service in Lake County at 707-468-9786.
 
Free recycling options for residents and businesses:

• Recycled paint is available to both residents and businesses at Lake County Waste Solutions on first-come, first-served basis in five gallon containers. Colors include tan, brown, gray, and pink.
• Used cooking oil can be dropped-off by businesses and residents, which will be recycled into BioDiesel by Yokayo BioFuels. Drop-off at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and the Northshore Fire Protection District station at 6257 Seventh Ave. in Lucerne.
• Used motor oil can be dropped-off by residents for recycling year round at a number of sites in the county. Visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us for locations.
• Electronics (e-waste) can be dropped off at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and monthly at the Goodwill e-waste collection held in Lakeport.

Lake County Waste Solutions
230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport
888-718-4888 or 234-6400
Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
www.candswaste.com

South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center
16015 Davis St., Clearlake
Open daily 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
707-994-8614
www.southlakerefuse.com

The HazMobile program is subsidized by the Lake County Public Services Department, Integrated Waste Management Division and CalRecycle as a public service to Lake County residents.

For more information about recycling, reusing, and reducing, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or call the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Yacht Club will have its second annual crab feed at its hall on Sunday, Feb. 10.

The event will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is chaired by past Commodore Jerry Hansen.

Price of tickets are $30 per person or a table of eight for $200.

The meal will include homemade red sauce rigatoni pasta, French bread, salad and fresh Dungeness crab. Beverages will be sold separately.  

The Lakeport Yacht Club is located right on the lake, at the end of Fifth Street in Library Park.  

The group is dedicated to promoting boating safety, taking care of beautiful Clear Lake and its shoreline, as well as the love of power boating or sailing on waterways in Lake County, Calif.

The tickets went really fast last year. You can call 707-274-9952 for ticket information, visit http://lakeportyachtclub.net/ or the group’s Facebook page Lakeport Yacht Club.  

The club’s First Sunday Sail and barbecue will resume April through July.