COBB – A small but growing number of local residents concerned about rising long-term unemployment, the economy and the resulting foreclosure crisis will begin meeting weekly at Mountain High Coffee & Books in Cobb.

The next meeting begins at noon Wednesday, May 12.

The intention is to draw locals out of their homes and shed light on a situation many may feel or believe they are alone in when in fact they are not.

All are invited to attend, whether a previous or current homeowner with questions or perhaps some helpful insight, banker, Realtor, local official. It's sure to be a lively debate held in an open forum.

For more details contact Robert Somerton at 707-245-7541.

Mountain High Coffee & Books is located at 16295 Highway 175 in Cobb.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Habitat for Humanity International is pleased to announce that its partner Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) was recognized for its work to provide solar powered systems for Habitat homes built in California.

PG&E has been honored by the Council on Foundations, with the Critical Impact Award for demonstrating leadership and innovation in the communities it serves.

“The Council on Foundations is pleased to recognize the partnership between Habitat for Humanity and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The nomination submitted by Habitat for Humanity illustrated how such a partnership can truly impact a community and the lives of many hard working families. They are well deserving of this honor,” said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations.

The award comes as PG&E renews its partnership with Habitat for Humanity. PG&E is donating $1.2 million to Habitat for Humanity in 2010 to fund the installation of solar powered systems on homes constructed by 22 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in northern and central California.

PG&E’s gift is expected to help more than 80 Habitat partner families. According to the California Energy Commission, the solar panel systems can provide up to $500 in annual energy savings and generate nearly 300kWh of clean, renewable energy from sunlight each month.

“Pacific Gas and Electric Company has been at the forefront of providing solar energy technology for our affiliates in California,” said Mark Crozet, Habitat for Humanity International’s senior vice president of Resource Development. “PG&E’s personal investment and leadership help our affiliates build homes that are even more affordable to own.”

Last April, PG&E hosted a green building symposium where Habitat affiliates learned the latest sustainable building techniques from industry leaders. In 2010, at least six Habitat affiliates in California are expected to build homes that will earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDTM) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council with PG&E’s help.

“We at PG&E share Habitat's commitment to help create a better future for our communities and our planet,” said Greg Pruett, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs, Pacific Gas and Electric Company. “Our renewed partnership demonstrates the importance we place on investing in environmental stewardship to benefit generations to come.”

Over the past three years, PG&E has donated more than $3.5 million to fund the installation of solar panels on 280 Habitat homes built in California. PG&E employees also have donated thousands of hours volunteering on Habitat construction sites.

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corp., is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers clean energy to 15 million people in northern and central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com.

CLEAR LAKE RIVIERA – Justin McCray, candidate for the Clearlake Rivera Community Association (CLRCA), will host a “meet the candidate” event at Rivera Common Grounds Coffee shop on Friday, May 14, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 15, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please stop by and meet McCray while helping yourself to a free cup of coffee.

McCray welcomes all questions, comments and suggestions on how to improve the CLCRA for all.

He also is the chairman of the CLRCA Community Garden, which broke ground this week.

Property owners wishing to sign up for a plot, want to request any information on the garden, or wish to discuss his candidacy should contact Justin McCray at 707-498-0161.

You also can meet McCray at the Clear Lake Cruise-in car show this weekend at Austin Park, either at the Lake County Tipsters booth or the AAA booth.

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County during the coming week.

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Sulphur Bank Drive to one-tenth of a mile west of Catholic Church Road on Friday, May 7. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Hilderbrand Drive to the junction of Route 29/175 in Middletown beginning Monday, May 10. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– AT&T of Sacramento has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for an aerial crossing near Western Mile Road beginning Monday, May 10. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., weekdays. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road to the junction of Route 20/29 through Friday, May 7. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in

effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Bob Whitney of Willits has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a driveway near Happy Lane beginning Friday, May 7. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Pavement repairs at Blue Slide Gulch, just south of Westport, will continue. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute

delays. Contractor – Mercer-Fraser of Eureka.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from La Franchi Road to 0.3 mile north of Hewlett Sturtevant Road on Tuesday, May 11. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– A drainage repair project from the Rosetti Creek Bridge to 0.2 mile north of the El Roble Overcrossing will begin Monday, May 10. 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 – Quimu Contracting Inc. of Dixon.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility maintenance and tree trimming from 0.5 mile south of the Jitney Gulch Bridge to 0.4 mile south of Confusion Hill beginning Monday, May 10. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 222

– Replacement of the Russian River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays during work hours and five-minute delays at other times. Contractor – CC Myers 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).

LAKEPORT – The second annual National Law Enforcement and Lake County Firefighter Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony will take place this Saturday, May 8.

The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the memorial near the Old Courthouse Museum in downtown Lakeport, 210 Main St.

The event is sponsored by the Iron Warriors Eastbay Chapter.

The Eastbay meeting and lunch will be held at TNT on the Lake, 1 First St., at 10:30 a.m.

UPPER LAKE – The Northshore Dive Team will hold a meeting this Friday, May 7.

The meeting will be held beginning at 7 p.m. at Northshore Fire Protection District's Station 90 in Upper Lake.

All interested personnel are encouraged to attend.

The training will follow.

The team, which operates through community donations, also is seeking help in updating its dive gear. Donations can be sent to the team at P.O. Box 61, Upper Lake, CA 95485.

For more information, call team leader Capt. John Rodriguez at 707-275-9007 or 707-349-3367, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the team's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Upper-Lake-CA/Northshore-Dive-Team/289897949089?ref=ts.