Girl Scouts gathered at the Taylor Observatory on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009. Photo courtesy of Taylor Observatory.

Forty NorCal Girl Scouts (grade sixth through 12) and adult chaperones participated in a barbecue, classroom activities, a planetarium show, telescope viewing and a Perseids meteor shower party.

The meteor shower party included camp fire pits to roast marshmallows for their s’mores while they watched the meteor fireworks in the sky. The Friends of Taylor Observatory provided the barbecue and s’mores. Kelseyville Lumber and Piedmont Lumber helped by discounting the cost of the fire pits.

Observatory Assistants Edward Giannelli and Stephen Kane were there to assist the girls with understanding sky maps, identifying constellations and telescope viewing of deep sky objects. Not only did the girls and their chaperones have a great time, Taylor Observatory helped fulfill several of the requirements necessary for the Girl Scouts to earn their Space Exploration Interest Project Award.

All girls, grades fourth through sixth, are invited to register with the Girls Scouts and join the campout at Taylor Observatory in an upcoming event on Oct. 10. Junior Girl Scouts will be earning the Sky Search Badge and Cadettes in 6 th grade will earn the Space Exploration Interest Project.

Anyone interested in participating, should contact Michelle Meese at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or register online at http://www.girlscoutsnorcal.org/pages/events/event.html?id=1526 .

Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium, a program of the Lake County Office of Education, holds public events on the third Saturday of each month from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The observatory is available for school groups, scout groups, birthday parties and other private functions. Call 707-262-4121 or visit www.taylorobservatory.org for more information.

The Friends of Taylor Observatory are, from left, Hans Dobusch, Walt Lyon, Kathy Windrem, Michelle Buell and Dave Geck, Lake County Office of Education superintendent. Photo courtesy of Taylor Observatory.

The event helped Girl Scouts earn badges. Photo courtesy of Taylor Observatory.

The first algae volunteer committee meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, at Main Street Bar & Grill, 14084 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake.

Clearlake City Council member Joyce Overton said 15 people have signed up to take part so far, which she said is a great start.

Anyone is interested in joining the group or attending is asked to call Overton at 707-350-2898 or Dian Gibson at 707-994-6642.

NICE – The new Lake Northshore Lions Club is having its first dinner meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

The dinner will begin at 7 p.m. at Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino conference center, 1545 E. Highway 20.

All the new members are invited and their guests.

Any community resident along the Northshore who may be interested in finding out more about Lions International and the new club is also cordially invited.

The Northshore Lions Club will be meeting the third Wednesday of each month.

The Club will be doing the “White Cane” project and eye screening for elementary school children in October.

The price is $15 for dinner including tax and tip, they will collect at the door.

Please RSVP to Harry De Lope at 707-277-9177 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Tuesday, Aug. 18.

SAN FRANCISCO – A new study from AAA finds a shocking number of mature drivers are unaware of the dangers of driving while under the influence of medication, and the problem gets worse with age.

The study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety surveyed drivers 56 and older. The study finds 78 percent of those with a medical condition use one or more medications. However, only 28 percent were aware those medications could potential impact their driving performance.

The study further showed that only 18 percent received a warning from a healthcare professional about the medications possibly impairing their driving. Additionally, the study found that even if a person has multiple medications or health conditions, this doesn’t increase their chances of being warned by a healthcare professional.

Commonly used medications that can impair driving behavior include ACE inhibitors, beta blockers and sedatives. Previous research shows using just one potentially impairing medication can increase a driver’s risk of being in a crash.

The survey used data from those aged 56 to 93. It shows the awareness of medications that could impair driving decreased with age, while the number of prescription medications people were taking increased with age. Of those surveyed, 69 percent use one or more medications that could impair their driving, and 10 percent use five or more medications that could impair their driving.

“Health care professionals need to educate patients about medications that could potentially impair driving to help them make safe driving decisions,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “One of our goals is to help older drivers stay mobile as long as safely possible. So, it is imperative that we do a better job of educating drivers on known risks, such as the side‐effects of medications.

By 2030, the number of drivers 55 years of age and older is expected to increase by more than half. That means the issue of medications impacting driving will only grow unless measures are taken to increase awareness. Potentially high‐risk groups include those with multiple medical conditions, those taking multiple medications, and those with less education about the overall risks.

“Seniors and their families need to be aware of health and wellness issues which can affect their ability to drive safely,” said Skryja. “By using the tools and resources available at www.aaa.com/seniordrivers , families can identify and address these issues to help maintain safe mobility throughout their lives.”

AAA Northern California offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, DMV, financial services and consumer discounts to nearly 4 million members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago.

Beginning Aug. 17 and lasting for approximately two months, State Street between Main Street and Gaddy Lane will be subject to single-lane traffic control.

Work will take place Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for pavement rehabilitation and drainage improvements, holidays excluded.

A maximum 20-minute delay is expected.

Please drive with caution in this area.

For more information call the Lake County Department of Public Works.

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will take 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 Government Street to Rancheria 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

20-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Manzanita Avenue to Bartlett Springs Road beginning Monday, August 17. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. 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 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

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Wardlaw Street to the Lupiyoma Creek Bridge. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– AT&T of Walnut Creek has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs about 0.3 mile north of the Lupiyoma Creek Bridge on Monday, Aug. 17. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m..

Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– A highway widening and lighting project at Spruce Grove Road will begin Monday, Aug. 17. Nighttime work hours are 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., weekdays. Daytime work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. During nighttime work hours one-way traffic control will be in effect, and motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. During daytime work hours a shoulder closure will be in effect, and motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Bridge deck repairs at Alder Creek Bridge, Elk Creek Bridge, and Russian Gulch Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect at one bridge at a time. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

– Construction of a retaining wall about three miles north of Elk will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should

anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Bridge deck repairs at Casper Creek Bridge and Hare Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 p.m. to 10 a.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect at one bridge at a time. Motorists

should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

Highway 20

– Construction of a retaining wall 0.4 mile east of Three Chop Road will continue. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Redwood Valley Undercrossing 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 15-minute delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

– Anthony Faga of Fort Bragg has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a road approach between 0.7 mile west of Old Lake County Road and Old Lake County Road. Work hours are 7 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 101

– Storm damage repair from 0.5 mile north of the Mendocino/Sonoma County line 1.6 miles south of East Side Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – North Bay Construction of Petaluma.

– Roadway repair due to pavement deterioration and a slipout from 1.1 miles north of Reeves Canyon Road to 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. Contractor – North Bay Construction of Petaluma.

– Repair of a slipout near Ryan Creek 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. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Services Inc. of Willits.

– A pavement repair project from Big Trails Drive to the Long Valley Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Windsor Fuel Co. of Pittsburg.

– Storm damage repair near the Arnold Overhead bridge will continue. Work hours are 6 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 – Mendocino Construction Services Inc. of Willits.

– JCJ Salvage of Leggett has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to cleanup after a truck collision about 0.5 mile north of Huntsman Way on Friday, August 14, from 8 a.m. to noon. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 128

– Bridge deck repairs at the North Fork Navarro River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute

delays. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of Stockton.

– Repair of a slipout near the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute

delays. Contractor – Fedco Construction of Santa Rosa.

Highway 162

– A bridge widening project at Outlet Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Contractor – Viking Construction Company, Incorporated of Rancho Cordova.

– A highway reconstruction and realignment project 1.6 miles east of Rodeo Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 253

– A culvert replacement project from Butler Ranch to Stipp Lane will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute

delays. Contractor – Coast Construction, Incorporated, of San Rafael.

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).