Persons who contribute $10 or more to a local charity in Lake or Mendocino County between now and Christmas Eve will receive a free $10 gift card from Mendo Mill.

Mike Mayfield, the president of Mendo Mill, and Richard Cooper, the president of the Mendo Lake Credit Union, jointly announced the “Gift for Givers” campaign.

The two organizations teamed up last summer to raise $168,000 for local charities in a one-month Mendo Mill Charity Challenge.

“We learned from the Mendo Mill Charity Challenge that the spirit of giving runs broad and deep among the people of our local communities, and the holiday season is an appropriate time to ask for their help,” said Mayfield.

“This is a timely appeal to the generosity of the compassionate people in this area who recognize that many individuals as well as charitable organizations are struggling in the current slow economy,” Cooper added.

Mayfield said the free gift card process is simple and easy. “From now until Christmas Eve, just bring the receipt from your charitable contribution to any Mendo Mill store. Our cashiers will issue a free $10 gift card, no purchase necessary, limit one card per individual, and we will keep the name of the charity confidential.”

He added, “The $10 card may be used by the individual who has made the charitable contribution or may be donated to that person’s favorite charity.”

Cooper said that posters announcing the campaign will be displayed in the Credit Union’s offices in Ukiah, Fort Bragg and Lakeport, and cashiers will begin handing out reminders Nov. 16.

“We want to give this campaign maximum visibility from now until Christmas Eve” said Cooper, adding “All of our personnel are enthusiastically involved in the effort and will have complete information for our customers.”

Mayfield said posters will be displayed at the Mendo Mill stores in Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Clearlake and Willits and cashiers begin handing out information Nov. 16.

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Lake County Special District of Lakeport has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to repair a water main from the entrance to Paradise Cove to 0.1 mile east of Gladys Street Monday,

Nov. 16, and Tuesday, Nov. 17. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from 0.2 mile west of Long Valley Road to 1.0 mile west of Walker Ridge Road beginning Monday, Nov. 16. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays.

One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 175

– Nancy Kayman of Lakeport has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a driveway near Forestry Station Access Road. Work hours are 8 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

– 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

– Roadway repair due to pavement deterioration and a slipout from 1.1 miles north of Reeves Canyon Road to 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. Contractor – North Bay Construction of Petaluma.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Ryan Creek Road to Big Trails Drive through Friday, Nov. 13. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Cummings Road Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of French Camp.

Highway 128

– AT&T of Walnut Creek has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility relocation from 1.5 to 3.5 miles east of Mountain House Road. Work hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic

control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 162

– A highway reconstruction and realignment project 1.6 miles east of Rodeo Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 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.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for an aerial crossing 0.5 mile east of East Lane on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 175

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs at Buckman Drive on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

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).

The event is free, but voluntary donations are welcome at registration, with proceeds ti benefit troops through Operation Tango Mike.

Everyone is welcome to join the fun with the free bootcamp (a fun warmup for the plunge) at 10 a.m. The plunge will be at 11 a.m.

“Plungers” should wear a swim suit under warm clothing, old sneakers, bring towels and a big smile for the pre-plunge group picture.

To be “official” plungers must dunk in all the way. A whistle will blow the start!

Politicians, celebrities, police, firemen and the public are invited.

For more information call Becky Peterson 707-277-0720. Information will be available soon at www.garagebootcamp.com .

The bazaar will take place from noon to 6 p.m. at the Eastlake Grange on Highway 20.

Featured will be handcrafts, art, gifts and fun.

Come and enjoy the spirit of the season and bring your friends.

For those interested in having vendor space, please call 707-998-1531 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Twin Pine Casino & Hotel will welcome food donations through December 11, 2009, to benefit Catholic Charities Lake County Programs Rural Food Project in Middletown. Courtesy photo.

MIDDLETOWN – As a traditional part of its holiday community involvement, Twin Pine Casino & Hotel has kicked off its annual effort to gather food items for local families in need.

Casino guests can bring in two cans or two boxes of non-perishable food any time during Harvest Club hours (8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.) through Dec. 11 and receive a drawing entry ticket into the casino’s current cash or merchandise giveaways.

Guests can earn two entry tickets per day in this manner, although additional food donations will be gratefully accepted. Other entry tickets can be earned through slot or table play.

“For the past several years this has been a popular way for our guests to enter our drawings, win cash or prizes, and also help the local community in the process,” said Phil Davis, Twin Pine’s marketing director.

Casino, hotel and restaurant employees are also participating directly in the food drive through an internal team competition to see which employee teams can raise the most donations from various sources. The team competition is voluntary, but the participation rate is good-natured and very high.

Twin Pine has chosen the Catholic Charities Lake County Programs Rural Food Project in Middletown to be the recipient of all of the food that is accumulated.

“We are so appreciative of the generosity of our neighbors and friends as we endeavor to stave off the hunger that record numbers of people are now experiencing,” said Hedy Montoya, regional director of the Lake County food project.

Twin Pine Casino has operated a Las Vegas-style gaming facility of the latest slot machines and table games since 1994.

The Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians recently opened its new casino/hotel/restaurant complex at its current Middletown location.

Twin Pine Casino & Hotel, with its pervasive wine-country theme, is located in Lake County, California at the northern gateway to the world-renowned Napa Valley and in the heart of northern California’s famous wine region.

For further information see www.TwinPine.com .