Caleb Blyleven, Chris Lasher and Brenden Allen were among 6,500 Scouts who traveled to Sacramento on Saturday, October 24, 2009, for the California Capitol March. Courtesy photo.

SACRAMENTO – On Oct. 24 Caleb Blyleven, Chris Lasher and Brenden Allen represented Lakeport's Cub Scout Pack 142 and were welcomed by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and the Scouts of the Golden Empire Council who put together the California Capitol March.

Police cars and a United States Air Force Marching Band of the Golden West led approximately 6,500 Scouts on their mile-and-a-half-long trek from Raley Field to the west steps of the state capitol to the centennial ceremony.

The ceremony featured speakers including Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca as the “Boy Scouts of America California Report” was presented to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This event marked the Boy Scouts' first observation of the organization's 100th anniversary, which is Feb. 8, 2010.

The youth group, which teaches children from ages 7 and up about the value of responsible citizenship, has had more than 110 million members since its founding in 1910.

Scouts walked a mile and a half from Raley Field to the west steps of the state capitol to the centennial ceremony. Courtesy photo.

WALNUT CREEK – Nobody wants to drive around in a clunker, but tough economic times mean many motorists are keeping their vehicles longer.

By following a few simple tips from AAA Northern California, you can help maintain your car’s appearance and even boost the resale value.

“When many motorists think of vehicle maintenance, the first things that come to mind are oil changes and other engine upkeep – things under the hood,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “By extending vehicle maintenance to the interior and exterior of the vehicle an owner can reduce wear and tear and help preserve the vehicle’s value.”

AAA recommends motorists perform the following maintenance tasks:

• Clean the interior with regular vacuuming and shampooing as necessary. Clean soiled surfaces with a damp cloth and use protective UV coatings on vinyl and rubber surfaces.

• Use floor mats to protect the carpet. Use protective covers when transporting pets or items with sharp edges.

• Wash the exterior every two weeks and wax as needed to protect the car’s finish from contaminants and ultraviolet rays that fade paint. When washing, rinse out the wheel wells and accessible areas of the undercarriage to remove salt and prevent rust.

• Use care when removing bugs and tar to avoid damaging the paint by using products that are specifically designed for this purpose.

• Clean the windows inside and out with a product that reduces glare and does not leave streaks. Also, repair windshield chips quickly to prevent them from becoming cracks that require a complete windshield replacement.

Another easy way to improve the resale value of a vehicle is saving all of its maintenance records. Being able to produce a record of proper maintenance and repairs during ownership of the vehicle can add hundreds of dollars to a vehicle’s sale price.

Also, most repairs come with some form of warranty, and documentation of the repair will be needed to support any warranty claim that might arise.

Whitney Braito and her dog came dressed as hippies and took first place. Photo by Ted and Becky Horat.

Included in the fun event was the “Mutt Strut,” where canines were able to show off their costumes.

The winners were: First place, Whitney Braito and her dog were both dressed as hippies; second place, Liz Callahan's two dogs went as “watch dogs”; third place, Toni Drake's Corgi “Tater” was dressed as a lobster.

As part of Dogtoberfest, the club also promoted Responsible Dog Ownership Day.

Canines and humans alike had a great time, with many fun games for the dogs such as dog races, egg races, musical mats and hot dog dunking as well as a photo booth.

The Lake County Kennel Club of Northern California is affiliated with the American Kennel Club.

The kennel club also holds dog training classes for basic obedience, rally and agility throughout the year. The next classes will begin in January.

For more information visit the group's Web site, www.lckcnc.org .

Liz Callahan's two dogs went as

The ultimate goal of these groups is to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on the best methods and means to ensure the future safety, security and sustainability of Lake County.

In January of this year, the Lake County Energy Policy Council conducted its first meeting. The council is comprised of a group of people concerned with energy conservation including local government representatives, trade organizations, businesses, non-profit groups and individuals.

The council provides a forum for discussing ways to improve energy efficiency savings while maintaining a healthy economy and environment.

Our local businesses – including Lake County's chambers of commerce – are playing an active role, both by participating in the council discussions and promoting green practices and recycling throughout the county.

One of the council’s primary objectives is to obtain energy program funds including California Energy Commission (CEC) and PG&E Energy Watch partnership funding (block grants, low interest bonds, etc.).

These monies would be used for a range of purposes from county building (energy) upgrades to funding an energy coordinator position in the county to spearhead efforts to manage the implementation including commercial and residential retrofits, low interest financing opportunities, a green county Web site, training and education, carbon emission tracking, etc.

Recent council activities include the following:

– Pacific Gas & Electricity Energy Watch Partnership: The working subcommittee has prepared all the information necessary to apply for this funding. As soon as the California Public Utilities Commission publishes the specific requirements, the application will be submitted. The terms of the contract with PG&E must still be negotiated and approved by the Board of Supervisors prior to implementation.

– California Energy Commission (CEC) Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program: This application which is the funding that is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Lake County is awaiting response from the CEC. This Board of Supervisors request for funds to conduct energy audits on some county-owned buildings has already been submitted. County staff is working to answer remaining CEC questions and await their final approval.

– AB 811 Bonds: Sonoma County and the city of Palm Springs have launched energy efficiency programs under California Assembly Bill (AB) 811, which permits local governments to offer loans to residents and businesses for building upgrades and retrofits. These loans would be secured and financed by adding a tax lien to the property, enabling businesses and homeowners to make (renewable) energy investments and pay them off over the loan period as a recurring semi-annual tax assessment that remains attached to the property upon its sale to another party. Local government can then sell the government-backed, low-interest energy efficiency bonds to raise the money necessary to pay for the program in a financially sustainable way. Qualifying energy efficiency improvements include: windows, insulation, solar electric and hot water, wind power and water conservation measures.A regional group coordinated through a Mendocino-based non-profit agency is researching grant and funding opportunities with “pooled” cooperation from neighboring counties that may increase the chance of bringing the program to Lake County residents and businesses.

– Green Web site development: The nearly-designed space is intended to be a local county resource guide including energy related events and announcements, public information, media releases, news articles, local green job postings, group recognition and achievement awards, volunteer opportunities, advertisements, school energy projects, career training venues, various links, blogs, etc. This Web site is still under construction and continues to seek design input from all community sectors.

Growing mums is an all-year process.

Charter member Carol Kesey has been sharing her plants and her knowledge of mums with members.

King’s Mums (www.kingsmums.com ) is an excellent source to purchase mums. There are many varieties: incurve, reflex, decorative, pompom, single, semi-double, anemone, spoons, quill, spiders, brush and thistle, exotic or unclassified, gnomes, cascades and garden cushion.

CLTTGC held judged chrysanthemum shows for many years. Last year members decided to create a non-judged show – just for the pure joy of enjoying these beautiful flowers with all the varieties and share them with our community. The flowers were presented in the form of floral arrangements and also single stems.

The theme for this year’s show is “Mum Songs.” All floral arrangements will be created around this theme.

The event is free and open to the public. The public is invited to attend the show on Friday, Nov. 13, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Lakeport Yacht Club, next to the Fifth Street boat ramp in Lakeport.

Refreshments of cookies and cider will be available for your enjoyment as you enjoy the show.

Kabatin Redbud Flower Arrangers have already held a planning meeting for the mum show. Buds are forming on the plants as gardeners anxiously await them to open. The members flower arranging group are members of CLTTGC; they meet at Mendo-Lake Credit Union Bank on 11th Street in Lakeport on the second Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club meets at on the third Tuesday of the month at noon at Scotts Valley Women’s Clubhouse, 2298 Hendricks Road in Lakeport ($20 annual dues). For more information visit www.clttgc.org .

CLTTGC is a member of Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club, Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

The event will be held at the Sons of Italy club hall, 2817 E. Highway 20, Nice.

The bar is open for socializing at 5 p.m. then dinner will be served at 6 p.m.

They will serve a holiday buffet meal of roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, holiday salads, yams, and rolls then topped off with homemade pie for dessert.

Enjoy dancing to music of the Jim Williams Band, right after the meal.

All tickets cost $18 at the door.

Everyone is welcome.

Please bring canned goods for holiday baskets for Northshore needy families.

For information about this event or renting the hall for your own, call 707-274-9952.