Dr. Harry Lyons, professor of biology and ecology at the Clear Lake Campus of Yuba College, will give a presentation titled “The Language of Oaks,” centered on the natural history of four oak species found in Lake County with short descriptions of six other species also found here, and cursory mention of 10 more species found elsewhere in California.

Dr. Lyons also promises “short asides on names people call oaks and why they call them anything at all. A description of the roles humans expect oaks to play in making the new, hot, crowded century more livable. Expect, at the beginning, an explanation on why other trees are not oaks and, at the end, a burst of appropriate music.”

His unique presentations are always notable for both sound science and a high level of entertainment value; those who have not yet had this experience have an unexpected pleasure before them.

The meeting is free and open to the public; for more information contact Victoria Brandon at 994-1931 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Clearlake Oaks Community United Methodist Church will host a ballot measure workshop from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5.

Once again Californians will face a number of ballot measures in November. For the past several years Jericho (www.jerichoforjustice.org) has been facilitating workshops to go beyond the 30-second sound bite ads and brief descriptions in the sample ballots.

Sister Marti McCarthy, Jericho director and lobbyist in Sacramento, will give background on the various issues and surface major contributors on each side.

Workshop participants will have time to discuss the ballot measures so that the pros and cons are apparent.

Clearlake Oaks Community United Methodist Church is located at 12487 The Plaza, behind the Red and White Market.

For more information call 998-9435.

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The car seat safety check will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kathy Fowler Chevrolet-Pontiac, 1175 Parallel Drive, Lakeport.

Event sponsors include the California Highway Patrol, Lake County Office of Education, Cal Fire, South Lake County Fire Protection District and Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

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Come to Habitat for Humanity's Sept. 27 yard sale for good deals and a chance to learn how to volunteer. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE PARK – Habitat for Humanity of Lake County will host a yard sale and volunteer open house on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3418 14th St. in Clearlake Park (on the corner of Country Club and 14th Street).

Need building or home supplies? Come get them at deeply discounted rates with all proceeds going to build homes for Lake County families.

Also, come learn of how to apply for a home or how to volunteer in our office or at the job site. Call 994-1100 with any questions.

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“Street Skills” representatives held an event at Eureka High School this week, during which laptops were available for teens to go to www.slowfortheconezone.com to watch safety videos, take a quiz and enter a sweepstakes. On-campus activities will take place at more than 40 high schools through Nov. 8 to alert teens about safe driving.

New drivers will have a chance to win their own 2009 Toyota Scion XB (donated by Clear Channel and upgraded with tires, wheels and a high-end sound system) and $1,000, which may be used toward auto insurance (donated by campaign partner AAA). No state dollars are being used for the sweepstakes. The grand prize winner will be awarded these prizes at a press conference in December. AAA will also award roadside assistance memberships to 20 lucky runners-up.

Caltrans has taken increasingly innovative approaches this year to reach teens and young adult drivers. Earlier this summer, it launched Slow Mo Films, an online entertainment community. Ultimately, Caltrans wants to remind teen drivers to drive safely in cone zones: slow down, watch for sudden stops or other drivers merging at the last minute and avoid distractions such as text messaging, eating or changing the radio station.

Caltrans has sent educational materials to approximately 320 public high school drivers’ education teachers in California and 600 private driving schools. Kits include safety materials from other partners as well, including CHP, Office of Traffic Safety, MADD, DMV and AAA.

Funding for the “Slow for the Cone Zone” public education program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information or to enter the New Driver Sweepstakes, please visit www.slowfortheconezone.com.

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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

– A highway widening project from Polk Jones Cattlepass to Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road will continue through Friday, Sept. 19. Work hours are 5 a.m. to 12 noon, weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from Ogden Road to Bruner Drive. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– 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 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 29

– A shoulder widening project from Hofacker Lane to 0.5 miles north of Hofacker Lane will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – North Bay Construction of Petaluma.

– Bridge rehabilitation from the Adobe Creek Bridge to the Park Way Overcrossing will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Monday night through Friday Morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – American Civil Constructors of Benicia.

– Installation of a changeable message sign and paving from Highland Springs Road to 0.2 miles south of Lakeport Boulevard will continue. Work hours are 8 p.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday evening through Friday afternoon. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 53

– Modification of the traffic signal at the intersection of 40th Avenue/Lakeshore Boulevard will continue. 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. Contractor – North Bay Construction, Incorporated of Petaluma.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– A paving project from Main Street to the Brush 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 – North Bay Construction, Incorporated of Petaluma.

– AT&T of Sacramento has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to relocate utilities from 1.4 miles to 0.4 miles south of Navarro Bluff Road on Friday, Sept. 19. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Mendocino Unified School District has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a water line between Jackson Street and Lansing Street. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Turns onto Little Lake Road will be restricted. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– A paving project from Walnut Street to Pudding Creek Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– The city of Fort Bragg has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a new sewer line between Elm Street and Airport Road. Work hours are 7 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.

– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from the Chamberlain Creek Bridge to the Broaddus Creek Bridge. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays.

Highway 101

– A paving project from the Mendocino/Sonoma County line to the Russian River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Martin Brothers Construction of Sacramento.

– 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.

– A paving project from Center Street to the junction of Route 101/253 will continue. Work hours are 9 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday evening through Friday afternoon. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Additionally, on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Martin Brothers Construction of Sacramento.

– 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.

– Bridge deck rehabilitation on the South Willits Overhead will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – American Civil Constructors of Benicia.

– A paving project from Long Valley Creek Bridge to Harmon Drive will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 12 midnight, weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Mercer Fraser of Eureka.

– A curve improvement project in Laytonville will continue. 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. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 128

– International Surfacing Systems of Modesto has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for pavement repair from 2.3 miles west of Paul Dimmick Park to 0.1 mile east of Nash Mill Road beginning Monday, Sept. 22. 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.

Highway 162

– Bridge deck rehabilitation on the Long Valley Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – American Civil Constructors of Benicia.

– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from the junction of Route 101/162 to the Short Creek Bridge. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– 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).

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