KELSEYVILLE – On Feb. 27 Lake County Special Olympics is hosting a “Polar Plunge” at the county park in Kelseyville.

At noon individuals and teams will be dressed up to take the cold plunge into Clear Lake.

These special people have been been collecting pledges to support Lake County Special Olympics. All Lake County sports are funded by donations made to Lake County Special Olympics.

The group must raise $20,000 a year to support over 100 athletes who participate in sports such as basketball, track and field, golf, weight lifting and bowling.

All money raised will support local athletes by purchasing uniforms, equipment and transportation.

This event will help keep our county wide Special Olympics program going strong.

Special Olympics helps developmentally disabled athletes learn about healthy habits and social skills while developing athletic ability. The program is offered to participants at no cost. This year round program cannot exist without the financial support of our community.

For more information or to make a donation go to www.sonc.org/polarplunge , be sure to click on Kelseyville to make a local donation. Donations may also be sent to Lake County Special Olympics, P.O. Box 94, Lakeport CA 95453.

For additional information phone Steve or Peggy Buchholz at 707-279-4280.

While no projects in Lake County are planned, several projects in Mendocino County that may impact Lake County commuters are included here.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Construction of a retaining wall about three miles north of Elk 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 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 20

– Construction of a retaining wall 0.4 mile east of Three Chop 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 – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 101

– An emergency culvert replacement project at the northbound 101 onramp of the junction of Routes 101/271 has begun. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. A full ramp closure will be in effect. A detour is available. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Service of Willits.

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).

Christy Zurcher is hosting the event as part of her senior project.

Zurcher’s career goal is to become a librarian and is working with the library staff on several projects in the library. She is learning book ordering, displays and publicity.

Everyone is invited to attend, but the intended audience is children, younger teens and parents.

Refreshments and free bookmarks will be provided.

The library is located at 1425 N. High St. The phone number is 707-263-8817.

Visit the Lake County Library Web site at http://library.co.lake.ca.us or on Facebook.

The Patti Mattingly Award is awarded by RCRC to a policymaker who has demonstrated leadership on rural issues and an understanding of the unique challenges that rural communities face.

RCRC recognized Chesbro and Nielsen for working across party lines to forge solutions for rural communities and to prevent Sacramento from balancing the state’s budget problems on the backs of rural counties.

“It is with much appreciation that RCRC selects Assemblyman Chesbro for his important work on behalf of rural counties in the State Assembly,” said Supervisor David Bradshaw of Modoc County, RCRC’s chairperson. “Assemblyman Chesbro’s efforts helped the state’s rural counties meet the challenges of a very difficult 2009 Legislative Session.”

“RCRC member counties cannot thank Assemblyman Chesbro enough,” added Supervisor Dave Finigan of Del Norte County. “He was vital in securing the passage of SB 65, which provided an exemption to counties with a population under 40,000 from experiencing deferrals in state payments. Without passage of this bill, many rural counties could have faced dire fiscal straits.”

RCRC also cited the following actions in 2009 by Assemblyman Chesbro:

• Author of AB 283, which seeks to enact an extended producer responsibility program to minimize the amount of solid waste handled by local governments and create new, green jobs.

• Author of AB 754, which seeks to ensure that counties receive federal mental health services funds in an expedited manner.

• Worked to ensure that any alternative custody/early release of state prisoner proposals contain adequate protocols with counties.

• Author of AB 648, which seeks to allow rural hospitals to hire physicians directly, thereby allowing for more physicians to practice in rural areas.

• Worked closely with RCRC staff in the discussions on water policy and opposed legislation to impose a difficult new mandate on rural counties for groundwater monitoring.

RCRC’s Patti Mattingly Award was established in memory of former Supervisor Patti Mattingly of Siskiyou County, who had tremendous courage and commitment and an ability to promote constructive solutions surrounding rural issues. Recipients are selected by the RCRC Board of Directors.

RCRC is an association of 31 rural California counties that advocates before the Legislature, Congress and state and federal government agencies on behalf of rural issues.

Headquartered in Sacramento, RCRC’s governing board is comprised of county supervisors from member counties.

The event will be held at Mt. Konocti Growers, 2550 Big Valley Road, Lakeport, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13.

This year’s event, a benefit for Lake Family Resource Center, is presented by Kathy Fowler Auto Center, Mt. Konocti Growers, Robinson Rancheria Bingo & Casino, Umpqua Bank and other donors and sponsors.

More than 25 Lake County wineries are participating, and many are pouring multiple premium Lake County wines, including sparkling wines, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Primitivo and ports.

Luscious chocolates have been paired by Certified Sommelier Stephanie Green of Focused on Wine in Kelseyville.

Green, currently pursuing her Masters in Wine sponsored by Gina Gallo, says Wine & Chocolate is one of her favorite local wine events.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for local wineries to present premium wines to a wide audience,” said Green.

In addition to tasting wine an chocolate, entertainment includes raffles, workshops, conversations with winemakers, a new “Name that Grape” contest, and an antique car show (weather permitting).

Participants also will be able to vote on their favorite pairing. Wine Country box lunches will be available for purchase at a nominal charge.

Proceeds from the Wine & Chocolate Festival benefit the programs and services of Lake Family Resource Center.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door and are available at the following locations:

• Brassfield Estate Winery, Clearlake Oaks;

• Focused on Wine, Kelseyville;

• Kathy Fowler Auto Center, Lakeport;

• Hillside Honda, Lakeport;

• Lake County Wine Studio, Upper Lake;

• Lakeport Chamber of Commerce, Lakeport;

• Lakeshore Feed & Grain, Clearlake;

• Lake Family Resource Center, Kelseyville Offices;

• Langtry Estate & Vineyards, Middletown;

• Moore Family Wines, Cobb;

• People Services, Lakeport;

• Rosa d ‘Oro, Kelseyville;

• Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, Clearlake Oaks;

• Six Sigma Ranch, Vineyards & Winery, Lower Lake;

• Wild About Books, Clearlake;

• Wildhurst Vineyards, Kelseyville.

For more information, call 707-279-0563 or 888-775-8336.