Gregg Dinderman of www.skyandtelescope.com.

LAKE COUNTY – Star gazers, take note – a beautiful and fascinating show of the planets is currently on display in the night sky.

Beginning on Thursday night, Jupiter and Venus will line up in the southwest sky, and will continue to do so through Sunday as part of a nightly dinner date.

By about 5:15 p.m. it's dark enough to see the two planets; look about halfway up in the southwestern sky in the early evening. They will set together in the west at about 7:45 p.m.

The king and queen of the planets will be closest on the night of Sunday, Nov. 30; the following night, Dec. 1, they will joined by a nearly four-day-old moon that will be accompanied by earthshine, or a reflection of the sun off the earth and onto the moon.

Over the following nights Jupiter and Venus will begin moving out of their alignment.

The year 2011 will reportedly be the next time such a display will be seen in the sky. The last time it was seen worldwide was last February.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

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

Many Caltrans crews observe the Thanksgiving holiday during the Nov. 27-30 time period. Caltrans wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Mohammed Hussain of Nice has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for paving near the Middle Creek Bridge beginning Monday, Dec. 1. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– A highway widening project from Polk Jones Cattlepass to Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– 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 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 29

– A slide repair project from the Lupiyoma Creek Bridge to Bar X Ranch will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Installation of a changeable message sign near the junction of Route 29/175 in Kelseyville will resume. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Mohammed Hussain of Nice has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for paving at the junction of Route 20/29. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 281

– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from 0.9 miles west of Tenino Way to the junction of Route 29/281. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– AT&T of Fort Bragg has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for an aerial crossing between Philo Greenwood Road and Navarro Bluff Road. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Caltrans will continue geotechnical drilling at Ocean Meadows Circle (south). Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20

– A highway widening project from Old Willits Road to Gravel Pitt Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 101

– 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.

– 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.

– Majajo, LLC of Willits has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility installation between Oak Avenue and San Francisco Avenue. 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.

Highway 162

– 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 Co. Inc. 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).

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

Prevention in mental health involves reducing risk factors or stressors, building protective factors and skills and increasing support. Prevention promotes positive cognitive, social and emotional development and encourages a state of well-being that allows the individual to function well in the face of changing and sometimes challenging circumstances.

MHSA calls for an approach to prevention that is integrated, accessible, culturally competent, strengths-based, effective, and that targets investments with the aim of avoiding costs (in human suffering and resources) for treatment services.

Early intervention is directed toward individuals and families for whom a short-duration (usually less than one year), relatively low-intensity intervention is appropriate to measurably improve a mental health problem or concern very early in its manifestation, thereby avoiding the need for more extensive mental health treatment or services; or to prevent a mental health problem from getting worse.

For individuals participating in PEI programs, the early intervention element:

• Addresses a condition early in its manifestation.

• Is of relatively low intensity.

• Is of relatively short duration (usually less than one year).

• Has the goal of supporting well-being in major life domains and avoiding the need for more extensive mental health services.

• May include individual screening for confirmation of potential mental health needs.

PEI programs have the following characteristics:

• Consistent with MHSA transformational principles; potential program participants and their families are involved in planning; implementing and evaluating PEI programs.

• Programs are often designed and implemented in collaboration with other systems and/or organizations.

• Programs are generally delivered in a natural community setting.

• Programs link individual participants who are perceived to need assessment or extended treatment for mental illness or emotional disturbance to County Mental Health, the primary care provider or another appropriate mental health services provider. Programs help individuals navigate to obtain needed services.

• Programs recognize the underlying role of poverty and other environmental and social factors that impact individuals’ wellness, therefore programs also help link individuals and family members to other needed services provided by grassroots organizations and local agencies, particularly in the areas of substance abuse treatment; community, family or sexual violence prevention and intervention; and basic needs, such as food, housing and employment.

• Programs are consistent with non-supplant requirements, collaboration and leveraging principles and all MHSA statutory and regulatory requirements.

Meetings are scheduled:

• Monday, Dec. 1, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Robinson Rancheria Banquet Center in Nice;

• Tuesday, Dec. 2, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Clearlake Senior Center in Clearlake.

• Thursday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Calpine Geothermal Center in Middletown.

• Friday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Konocti Vista Casino Banquet Room in Lakeport.

For more information, call Holly at 263-4338, Extension 250.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

The Lakeport Main Street Association, Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce and city of Lakeport are sponsoring the annual holiday decorations contest.

First and second prizes will be awarded for the best business decorations and best residential decorations. This is an opportunity to shine in your neighborhood or have your storefront windows invite holiday shoppers.

Applications may be picked up at the offices of the city of Lakeport at 225 Park St., Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce at 875 Lakeport Blvd., or the Lakeport Main Street Association, 200 Park Street (Carnegie Library building).

The form may also be downloaded from the city’s Web site at www.cityoflakeport.com.

Applications need to be returned to the city of Lakeport or Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Judges will tour the neighborhoods and businesses on Dec. 12 to review the properties that have been nominated or are evidence. Prizes will be awarded at the Lakeport City Council meeting of Dec. 16.

The first prize for each category will be $300, and the second prize will be $100.

For more information, please contact the city of Lakeport at 263-5615, Extension 12; the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce at 263-5092; or the Lakeport Main Street Association at 263-8843.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

Guests are invited and encouraged to contribute a new unwrapped toy, nonperishable food items or a $10 donation.

Food items that are in high demand include apple juice, canned fruit cocktail, stuffing mix, canned tomatoes, canned pineapple, yams, cranberries, soup, broth, brown sugar and marshmallows. The event will benefit local Lake County charities.

The day’s festivities will include a Christmas craft faire, wine sale, visit with Santa Claus, Middletown Renaissance Ensemble at 3 p.m. and good old-fashioned holiday goodies and cheer.

For more information call 707-987-5203.

Langtry Estate and Vineyards is located at 21000 Butts Canyon Road, Middletown. Visit them online at www.langtryestate.com.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

On Tuesday, Nov. 25, the Lake County Board of Supervisors will present a special proclamation to Community Care HIV/AIDS Project Drop In Center (CCHAP), designating "AIDS Awareness Week" in Lake County, from Dec. 1st through Dec. 6.

The proclamation also will honor the CCHAP clients and staff and community-wide support in making a successful, first-ever AIDSWalk Lake County this past September.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, AIDS Awareness Week will culminate with the first-ever “Lake County AIDS Service of Remembrance.” This special community event is a collaboration between CCHAP Drop In Center, the Stonewall Democratic Club and the Clearlake Oaks Community Methodist Church.

The special service begins at 2 p.m. and is located at the CLO Community Methodist Church, on The Plaza (in back of the Red and White Market).

The service will be officiated by Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser and will be an open, community-wide event- where all are welcome.

The theme is to honor those who have gone before us and to encourage personal responsibility to keep the dialogue moving, all year-round, through individual efforts of leadership.

Stop AIDS. Keep The Promise. Empower. Deliver. Lead. Make a healthier Lake County. Please join in this this very special commemorative event.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}