“We have always been able to count on Twin Pine Casino & Hotel patrons and employees for their generous donations to our seasonal food bank. We appreciate their continued support,” said Spirit of the Season representative Phyllis Kelsey.

The Middletown Rancheria, which owns Twin Pine Casino & Hotel, reported that almost 24,347 nonperishable food items were collected and delivered to the Spirit of the Seasons food bank in the past few weeks.

More than 150 families will benefit from this food drive and all remaining food will be distributed to Catholic Charities, Senior Centers, Rural Food Program and the Methodist Church.

“This food drive by Twin Pine Casino & Hotel customers and employees is something we are proud to do, because it benefits so many deserving people and families,” said Middletown Rancheria Tribal Chairman Carl Rivera. “We expect to continue to serve and support the community in this way as long as it is so desperately needed.”

Rivera said community service is an important component of the tribe’s business operations. “We strive to contribute in many ways to many organizations and charitable events throughout the year. We are fortunate to live and work in a community of such generous people.”

Twin Pine Casino & Hotel is a principal enterprise of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California. The casino and hotel has operated a Las Vegas-style gaming facility of state-of-the-art slot machines and table games for the past 17 years.

Twin Pine Casino & Hotel is located at 22223 Highway 29 at Rancheria Road in Middletown. Contact the casino at 707-987-0197 or 800-564-4872, or visit it online at www.TwinPine.com.

"Flooding can occur anywhere," said Commissioner Jones. "I strongly encourage all homeowners to document their possessions before any type of disaster strikes. It's stressful enough to lose your belongings when severe weather hits. But being prepared by having good records, including serial numbers, so you can better replace your possessions can lessen the blow."

Commissioner Jones reminds residents that in California, most standard homeowner's insurance policies do not cover mudslides.

Residents are urged to contact their insurers to determine exactly what their current policies will cover and if buying flood insurance is the right option for them.

A flood insurance policy typically takes effect 30 days after it is purchased. So with heavy rains predicted in the coming weeks and during the first three months of next year, now is the time to consider your options.

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance program (NFIP) in response to the rising cost of taxpayer-funded disaster relief for flood victims and the increasing amount of damage caused by floods.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flood insurance covers building contents. The cost is determined by several factors, including the region's flood risk, year the structure was built, and type of structure insured (residential versus commercial, single-family versus multiple-family).

FEMA manages the NFIP, which makes federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and business owners in communities participating in the NFIP. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, in California, less than 255,000 households are protected by flood insurance, which equates to fewer than 2.5 percent of residents and business owners having flood insurance.

To assess your need for flood insurance, go to the California Department of Insurance Web site at www.insurance.ca.gov. Additionally, the NFIP offers flood related bulletins and newsletters.

For more information about documenting your possessions or to receive a free home inventory guide, call the California Department of Insurance at 800-927-HELP.

Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $12 to $15 with complimentary glass of champagne.

Jump at 1 p.m. The cost to jump is $10 or you can sponsor another brave jumper.

All proceeds from the jump will go to the Zino Mezoui scholarship fund at Yuba College Culinary Department.

Zino's is located at 6330 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, telephone 707-279-1620.

The “Fill the Boot” fundraiser will be set up at the following location this coming Friday, Dec. 16; in Ukiah at the intersection of Airport Park Boulevard and Hastings Avenue.

The “Fill-the-Boot” fundraiser will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

They are asking everyone to come out and help the firefighters support Jerry’s Kids.

When you drop dollars into the firefighter’s boot, you are supporting local MDA services, research for neuromuscular diseases, a clinic at UC Davis, summer camps and community education programs.

The MDA does not receive funding from state, federal or local governments, nor does it seek or receive fees for services it provides.

The fire service has been a long running supporter of the MDA. Its history began in 1952 when the father of a child, who was burdened with a neuromuscular disease, in desperation, sought the aid of George Graney, IAFF (International’s Association of Fire Fighters) Local 718 member and the help of the Boston Fire Company.

Immediately, 20 firefighters set out to conduct a door-to-door canister drive that raised $5,000 to help with the child’s medical expenses.

In August of 1954, Graney spoke at the IAFF’s bi-annual convention and proposed that MDA be established as their “charity of choice.” He gained unanimous approval and this marked the beginning of a formal bond between the IAFF and MDA.

Cal Fire took on the challenge to support Jerry’s Kids statewide in 2008. This is Mendocino Unit’s second year of involvement with the “Fill the Boot “fundraisers.

Musician Sue Hill with daughter, Kya. Kya Hill lost her arm in a vehicle crash on November 3, 2011. Courtesy photo.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Friends and supporters of Middletown High senior Kya Hill will gather for a benefit at the regular Monday Blues at the Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant in Upper Lake from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19.

Hill is recovering from a serious auto accident on Nov. 3 in which she lost her right arm.

The band for the evening will be Dave Broida’s Blues Farm.

Kya Hill’s mother, Sue Hill, is the longtime bass player in this band and recently donated one of her kidneys to Dave in a kidney transplant operation.

Rounding out the band will be Steve DuBois on drums and “Mojo” Larry Platz on guitar plus special guests Tom Aiken and Bill Noteman.

“I have known Sue for many years,” said Broida, “and I’ve watched Kya grow into a wonderful young woman. She will overcome this hurdle as she has many others in her young life.”

Broida and the band will be donating all of their fees and tips for the evening to a fund for Kya Hill. The Blue Wing also will make a contribution.

Jennifer Preusser, a colleague of Sue Hill’s at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake, added that “this event at the Blue Wing will be a chance for the hospital and other community members to show their support for Sue and Kya during this difficult time.”

Kya Hill is completing her senior year at Middletown High School, where she is serving her second term as president of their Future Farmers of America Chapter.

She had enlisted with the U.S. Army for an eight-year contract, starting out as an Airborne Combat Medic and planning to move on to doctorate studies in anesthesiology.

In light of the accident, she is now planning to pursue sociology studies and motivational speaking, as well as working with the Department of Defense in the research and development of neural-interface prosthetics – a unique opportunity provided by her surgeon.

“It seems that Kya has firmly grasped the notion that by losing an arm, her embrace of the world has been made larger,” said her mother. “What a remarkable young lady!”

The price at the pump has dropped by double digits in every metro area across Northern California, according to the latest report from AAA Northern California, which tracks gas prices as a service to consumers.

According to AAA, all but two Northern California metro areas tracked by the organization had drops of 20 cents or more over the past month.

The Golden State’s average for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $3.59, down 25 cents since last month’s AAA report on Nov. 8. For perspective, that’s 32 cents higher than California’s average price on this date last year.

Among all 50 states, California has the third highest state average price for regular, unleaded gasoline. Hawaii is first and Alaska is second.

Northern California gas prices are now averaging $3.58, down 24 cents from last month. In the San Francisco Bay Area, motorists can expect to pay an average price of $3.67, which is a 24-cent decrease.

The national average price of $3.27 is down by 14 cents, which is 29 cents more than the national price on this date last year, when it was $2.98.

“Global economic issues continue to play a huge role in where oil and gas prices are going,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “This is especially true in the Euro zone where sovereign debt concerns remain in the forefront of investors’ minds. Investors have been a large driving force of where prices have been going as their buying behavior can influence the price of commodities, up or down. Poor economic data is often interpreted as an indication of decreasing demand, or the potential of decreasing demand, which causes the price of oil to drop as investors pull back on their buying.”

Another recent influence on pricing is the U.S. dollar, which has strengthened relative to foreign currencies. Oil futures are priced in U.S. dollars.

As the dollar strengthens, when compared to currencies abroad, the effective purchasing power of those holding foreign currencies decreases.

As this happens, oil futures become a less attractive investment, which exerts downward pressure on prices. Additionally, figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show that demand for gasoline in the United States is the lowest it has been in the past six weeks.

The least expensive average price in Northern California can be found in Marysville where regular is $3.42.

Of all the metro areas in Northern California where gas prices are tracked by AAA, South Lake Tahoe has an average price of $3.88, the highest in Northern California. This is also the highest price in the lower 48 states.

The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The average price of gas in that metro area is $2.84. Wailuku, Hawaii, holds the dubious crown for the highest average price in the nation, at $4.38 per gallon.