Lake County Sheriff's Det. Mike Curran recently picked up stuffed animals donated to the agency by Riviera Elementary School students in Kelseyville, Calif. The stuffed animals are given to children who need comfort during certain potentially traumatic or uncomfortable situations. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Students in Kelseyville are showing their community spirit by collecting toys for children facing traumatic circumstances.

Riviera Elementary School's Friday Night Live Club sponsors a stuffed animal drive, according to teacher and club advisor Deanna Madeson.

Det. Mike Curran with the Lake County Sheriff's Office recently picked up a number of the stuffed toys that he said the school had had since the end of the school year.

Curran said the students make two toy donations annually.

“The stuffed animals are used at our office to give to kids for comfort during uncomfortable topic interviews, at the Child Interviewing Center located at Victim Witness, accident scenes and by our civil division on occasions,” Curran said.

Madeson said the students also collect stuffed toys as part of their October Red Ribbon Week celebration, which this year takes place from Oct. 25 through 29.

The Red Ribbon Week events focus on themes, such as “Hugs Not Drugs,” Madeson said.

Students are encouraged to bring with them stuffed animals from home, and also are asked to donate toys.

“It's the whole entire school that gets involved,” she said.

She explained that the club, founded in the 1980s, encourages children not to do drugs.

At Riviera Elementary, the fourth and fifth graders are involved with the club. “We try to do a lot of promotion at school and in the community by getting the kids involved,” she said.

Activities include poster contests, service to community members including projects for rest homes, and the annual “Peacemaker Essay” that takes place around Martin Luther King Day in January.

Find out about the California Friday Night Live Partnership at www.fridaynightlive.org/.

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The meeting on the AltaGas Renewable Energy Pacific Inc. proposal will be held from noon to 3 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 8, in the Bureau of Land Management's Sacramento office, 2800 Cottage Way.

Two previous scoping meetings were held on the project, one on Sept. 9 in Lakeport and the second on Sept. 10 in Colusa.

The project would be located on several thousand acres leased from BLM in the Walker Ridge area, in Lake and Colusa counties.

The Canadian company's plans include generating up to 70 megawatts with 29 Siemens wind turbines, company officials reported at the Sept. 9 meeting.

The company's plan of development for the project is available on its Web site at www.altagas.ca/walker_ridge_wind_park and on the BLM Web site at www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ukiah/Walker_Ridge_Wind_Project.html.

The public comment period on what issues should be addressed in the environmental impact statement that will be prepared on the proposed win park closes on Oct. 13.

Public comments on the plan should be sent to Bethney LeFebvre, BLM Ukiah Field Office, 2550 N. State St., Ukiah, CA 95482; telephone 707-468-4000; fax 707-468-4027; e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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New sign lettering is installed on the Carnegie Library in Lakeport, Calif., on Friday, September 17, 2010. Photo by Richard Knoll.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport's Carnegie Library recently got some new touches to its exterior signage.

In 2009, vandals broke the historic sign lettering at the Lakeport Carnegie Library.

The Carnegie Library Building, built in 1918, is on the National Register of Historic Places and as such it is required that replacement of the letters be of original style and like-kind materials.

After looking at options, the city selected Sleeper Woods Design in Lakeport to fabricate the new letters.

John Moorhead and Rose Davidson, the owners of the Lakeport-based Sleeper Woods Design, specialize in such projects. The business' motto is “Honoring Tradition with Technology.”

After coordinating with city staff, Sleeper Woods Design began the process of fabricating the redwood letters in a style consist with the original lettering, no easy task.

It was decided that Sleeper Woods Design would fabricate two sets of redwood letters reinforced with plastic backing to ensure longevity.

Created from tight-grained old growth redwood, these isometric letters were carved with a CNC router, then adhered to an 1/8-inch plastic backing using marine epoxy.

A golden burnishing sealant was then applied as an undercoat, followed with the bright 23k gold leaf.

The bright new lettering on the Carnegie Library in Lakeport, Calif., had to be historically accurate because the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo by Richard Knoll.

Ben Mansell and Travis Costs, students at Clear Lake High School, participated in the project as part of a job shadowing program.

The students reviewed the proposal with the city of Lakeport and assisted in the production of the replacement letters.

They observed the CNC operation, cutting out the letters, and also assisted in sanding – lots of sanding – and the application of the gold leaf, under Davidson's direction.

Moorhead, the woodworking instructor at Clear Lake High School, sourced and prepped the redwood for cutting and worked with Mansell and Costs in the job shadow program.

On Sept. 17, with the help of the Lakeport Public Works Crew, Moorhead and Davidson installed the new lettering and restored the Carnegie Library Building to its full glory.

Funding for the sign lettering project was provided by the Lakeport Redevelopment Agency.

The city of Lakeport is very pleased to have worked with Sleeper Woods Design and the students of Clear Lake High School on this great example of historic preservation and community involvement.

Richard Knoll is Lakeport's community development and redevelopment agency director.

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John Moorhead and Rose Davidson, owners of the Lakeport, Calif.-based Sleeper Woods Design, fabricated the new library letters. They were assisted by Clear Lake High School students Ben Mansell and Travis Costs, who took part in a job shadowing program. Photo by Richard Knoll.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Following a cool morning and early afternoon on Monday, Lake County residents got a sample of the changing weather to come with brief rain, some thunder and even a little lightning in areas of the county.

The National Weather Service issued a statewide winter storm advisory on Monday that was set to last through Tuesday at 11 a.m., warning of stormy conditions across Northern California.

The agency reported that an upper level, low pressure system was developing over California, with the system expected to produce significant snow above the 8,500 foot mark in certain areas of the state, particularly the Sierras. Campers and hikers in those areas were advised to move to lower elevations.

In Lake County specifically, the National Weather Service issued a special weather statement which expected a partly sunny Tuesday, with a high near 71 degrees and a north northeast wind between 8 and 11 miles per hour, developing into partly cloudy conditions with a low of 56 degrees.

A 20-percent chance of showers is reported for Wednesday, with partly sunny conditions and a high near 69 degrees, with a light and variable wind before a mostly cloudy evening with a high of 52 degrees, the National Weather Service reported.

Thursday should be mostly sunny with cloudy conditions at night, with a high of 70 degrees down to a low of 53 degrees.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are expected to be clear and sunny with high temperatures at 72, 78 and 80 degrees, respectively. Next Monday, Columbus Day, should be sunny with a 72-degree high, the National Weather Service reported.

For current weather news visit the weather section on the Lake County News homepage.

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Dachshunds race in Lake County's first dachshund derby during Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 2, 2010, in Lakeport, Calif. Photo by Tera DeVroede.

The Lake County Chamber of Commerce hosted the event.

Several blocks of Main Street were closed, with visitors checking out vendor booths that were positioned in the middle of the street.

Master of ceremonies Tony Barthel directed the action from the Oktoberfest stage at Third and Main streets, where there were performances during the day from the Sweet Adelines, Clear Lake Clickers, Twice As Good and the Kelseyville Jazz Band.

It proved a busy day for activities in the city, with the Sponsoring Survivorship walk to raise funds for fighting cancer starting off the day.

Lannette Huffman and Keegan Huffman were costume contest winners at Lakeport's Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, October 2, 2010. Photo by Tera DeVroede.

Also taking place Saturday was the annual Konocti Challenge bike race around Lake County, which started and ended in Lakeport. After the event, numerous cyclists still in their riding togs came down to visit Oktoberfest.

There were plenty of pretzels, bratwursts and steins filled with beer to be found throughout town during the day.

Besides the food and fun, Oktoberfest proved to be a wiener dog wonderland, with dozens of dachshunds and their proud owners parading through downtown.

They were there for the dachshund derby – heralded as the county's first – held in front of the Old Courthouse Museum.

Chamber Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton said a total of 29 dachshunds had been signed up for the races, which drew a crowd that clustered tightly around the small race course.

The first race was a bit bumpy – after the starting signal was given, the dogs didn't seem clear on the concept and stood around at one end of the race course, until their owners began running with them toward the finish line.

Participants in the dog costume contest parade through the ring near the Old Courthouse Museum in downtown Lakeport, Calif., on Saturday, October 2, 2010. Photo by Tera DeVroede.

As the races progressed, everyone got the hang of it, with the dogs getting help from humans waiting at the finish line to coax them there. Some of the dogs who had participated in the pre-race costume contest ran in full costume – one, notably, dressed as a hot dog.

The humans also got their opportunity for dress up, with many people decked out in Lederhosen and dirndls.

Lannette Huffman won the dirndl costume contest for women, with Keegan Huffman winning the Lederhosen contest.

The event wound up with an evening performance by the LC Diamonds, who played at a street dance that ended at 9 p.m.

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The Kelseyville High School Jazz Band played during the afternoon portion of Oktoberfest in Lakeport, Calif., on Saturday, October 2, 2010. Photo by Tera DeVroede.

A collection of German beer steins were on display at The Kitchen Gallery, where visitors could vote for their favorite stein. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

The two projects, both located in California, are the first in a series of renewable energy projects on public lands under final review by the Department of the Interior that would potentially provide thousands of U.S. jobs and advance U.S. clean energy technologies.

“These projects are milestones in our focused effort to rapidly and responsibly capture renewable energy resources on public lands,” Salazar said in signing the final Records of Decision for the initiatives.

Salazar said the projects advance President Barack Obama's agenda for stimulating investment in cutting-edge technology, creating jobs for American workers, and promoting clean energy for American homes, businesses and industry.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger applauded the development.

“Today’s announcement only further cements California’s national leadership in renewable energy development – and it couldn’t have been done without our federal partners,” Schwarzenegger said. “Our great partnership is helping to improve public health, grow our green economy, promote energy independence and strengthen our national security.”

Salazar’s approval grants the U.S.-based companies access to almost 6,800 acres of public lands for 30 years to build and operate solar plants that could produce up to 754 megawatts of renewable energy, or enough to power 226,000 to 566,000 typical American homes. The projects will generate almost 1,000 new jobs.

The projects Salazar approved will employ two different types of solar energy technology. The Imperial Valley Solar Project, proposed by Tessera Solar of Arizona, will use Stirling Energy System's SunCatcher technology on 6,360 acres of public lands in Imperial County. The plant is expected to produce up to 709 megawatts from 28,360 solar dishes, enough to power 212,700 to 531,750 homes.

The Chevron Lucerne Valley Solar Project, proposed by Chevron Energy Solutions of California, will employ photovoltaic solar technology on 422 acres of public lands in San Bernardino County, and will produce up to 45 megawatts from 40,500 solar panels, enough to power 13,500 to 33,750 homes.

The project has also gotten support from national environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Johanna Wald, the group's senior attorney, called the permitting of the projects “a major milestone in renewable energy on public lands and a down payment on America’s transition to a clean energy economy.”

She added, “Perhaps most importantly, the process provided valuable lessons that careful planning, siting and designing up front will lead to renewable projects that are smart from the start.”

Wald said the Natural Resources Defense Council, Wilderness Society and Defenders of Wildlife played “an instrumental role in getting these projects to where they are today, and encouraged important mitigation measures to minimize their impacts on diverse wildlife, precious water supplies and other key desert resources.”

In April of 2009, Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) committed to helping the nation reach its clean energy future by guaranteeing coordinated processing, full environmental analysis and public review for specific renewable energy projects where the companies involved demonstrated they were ready to advance to the formal environmental review and public participation process.

“We’re confident that our solar program is smart from the start. With something as momentous as the introduction of large-scale solar development on the public lands, we have one chance to do things right,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “That's why we did complete environmental analyses on both these projects with expanded opportunities for public participation.”

The “fast track” program is part of the administration’s overall strategy to spur a rapid and responsible move to large-scale production of renewable energy on public lands.

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, renewable energy developers that have their projects under construction by the end of 2010 or meet one of the program’s safe harbor provisions can qualify for significant funding.

The recovery act’s payment for specified energy property in lieu of tax credit program makes Tessera and Chevron eligible for approximately $273 million and $31 million, respectively.

Each project has undergone thorough environmental review, including public scoping, draft environment impact statements (EIS) and final EISs.

The companies have undertaken extensive mitigation efforts to minimize any impacts to wildlife, water and other resources. State and federal agencies have set up a joint compensation fund operated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to ensure that impacts are mitigated.

“There are 11 million acres of public lands in the California Desert, and a large majority of those lands are managed for conservation purposes,” Salazar said. “These projects, while a significant commitment of public land, actually represent less than one-hundredth of 1 percent of that total area. Given the many benefits, the extensive mitigation measures, and the fair market value economic return, approval of these projects is clearly in the public interest."

Salazar also praised the unprecedented partnership between Interior and the State of California in encouraging renewable energy projects. On Oct. 12, 2009, Salazar and Schwarzenegger signed an agreement directing Interior agencies and California state agencies to create a unique federal-state initiative to advance development of environmentally appropriate renewable energy on U.S. lands in California.

The Imperial Valley Solar Project is one of the projects being jointly processed through the BLM and the California Energy Commission cooperative model.

“Our collaborative approach shows how separate government processes can be streamlined, without cutting any corners or skipping any environmental checks and balances in the process,” Salazar said. “I commend Governor Schwarzenegger and the people of California for their leadership and partnership on these important renewable energy projects.”

Schwarzenegger reported that there are more than 250 renewable energy projects interested in building and running facilities in the Golden State.

The California Energy Commission approved six large-scale solar projects totaling nearly 3,000 MW in clean, renewable energy which are expected to start construction in California by year's end. Those include the world’s largest solar energy project, which is expected to reach 1,000 MW.

The projects are part of a group of nine solar thermal projects scheduled to go before the California Energy Commission for decisions by the end of the year in order to qualify for federal stimulus dollars, the Governor's Office reported. If all nine projects are approved, more than 4,300 MW of solar power will be added to our grid, providing more than 8,000 construction jobs and more than 1,000 operational jobs.

Additionally, there are 12 other large wind and photovoltaic projects working to break ground in California, the Governor's Office reported.

On top of being home to the world’s largest solar energy project, California is also home to the world’s largest wind energy project, the Alta Wind Energy Center, officials said.

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Officials are looking for 8-year-old Elisa Cardenaz of Fresno, Calif., who was abducted from her home on Monday, October 4, 2010. Courtesy photo.

The California Highway Patrol issued a statewide Amber Alert late Monday for a child abduction case.

Eight-year-old girl Elisa Cardenaz was abducted from her Fresno home just before 8:30 p.m. Monday, the CHP reported.

The suspect, who was not named, is possibly a 25-year-old Caucasian or light-skinned Hispanic male, about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, with brown hair, according to the report. The man was last seen wearing a white tank top and blue jeans.

He may be driving a brown and red 1980s or 1990s model single cab Ford pickup with a white horizontal pin strip on the side and an unknown license plate number.

When she disappeared the child was wearing a light purple sweater with Winnie the Pooh on the front and light-colored blue jeans, officials reported. She is described as 4 feet tall and 60 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

To report possible sightings, the public is asked to call 911.

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Caltrans issued the reminder to all candidates registered in the upcoming election, their representatives and campaign personnel, and campaign workers for ballot measures of the policy regarding placement of “temporary political signs” within view of a state highway.

According to Caltrans, Section 5405.3 of the State Outdoor Advertising Act allows an exemption for the placement of the temporary political signs along certain state highways.

But the law requires the signs not be placed within the state highway right-of-way, and if they're within view of a state highway candidates are required to file a statement of responsibility form with Caltrans.

To meet the temporary political sign requirements, the signs have to encourage a particular vote in a scheduled election, be placed no sooner than 90 days prior to the scheduled election and removed within 10 days after that election, be no larger than 32 square feet and have a statement of responsibility form filed with the Department of Transportation certifying a person who will be responsible for removing the signs, Caltrans reported.

Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie said they don't track how many signs belonging to specific candidates are taken down.

“We do track when we have a call to remove large signs but that is very rare and most of those are other advertising signs, they're not political signs,” he said.

Figuring out just where the right-of-way is, however, can be a challenge, he said.

“The right-of-way varies a lot throughout Lake County,” Frisbie said. “It depends upon where it's at, how old the highway is at that section.”

In some places, the right-of-way is about 10 feet from the edge of the pavement, in other places it extends as much as 80 feet from the road's edge, he said.

“If they're not sure, a general rule is in most places if there is some sort of fence off the road, generally that fence is on the right-of-way line,” he said.

Hanging the signs on fences also isn't allowed, he said, because the fence is still considered the right-of-way.

Because most people aren't aware of the right-of-way's location, illegal signs are a year-round problem, Frisbie said.

Not allowing the signs in certain areas has several reasons behind it, according to Frisbie.

“It's visibility and safety, but also it's an inappropriate use of state property,” he explained.

State law directs Caltrans to remove unauthorized signs. Maintenance crews will pull the signs when they can, although Frisbie said the removals are a low priority compared to other duties.

Because the signs are removed during the normal course of road work, the removal costs are insignificant, he said.

If someone calls to look for the signs, Frisbie said Caltrans crews will make arrangements to get them returned, with no charge.

Frisbie said candidates and their representatives can call him at 707-441-4678 to get more information on how to retrieve signs.

“We would much prefer that they call us rather than have to go out and remove an improper sign,” he said. “That inconveniences both of us.”

Candidates also can get a copy of the statement of responsibility form for temporary political signs at www.dot.ca.gov/oda/political_signs.htm .

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THE GEYSERS, Calif. – A moderate-sized earthquake was reported near The Geysers on Monday afternoon.

The quake, measured at 3.0 in magnitude, was reported at 12:34 p.m., according to the US Geological Survey.

It was reported as being a “poorly constrained” shallow earthquake, listed at a depth of zero miles, the survey reported.

The US Geological Survey's data showed that the quake was centered two miles north of The Geysers geothermal steamfield, 15 miles southwest of Clearlake and 25 miles north of Santa Rosa.

It was immediately followed by two smaller quakes, measuring 1.3 and 1.0 in magnitude, respectively, in close proximity, the US Geological Survey reported.

The only shake reports received on the quake came from Eureka, 247 miles away, and Mammoth Lakes, 365 miles distant, according to survey records.

The last time the US Geological Survey reported a quake measuring 3.0 or above near The Geysers was on Aug. 15, as Lake County News has reported.

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As often happens, the most vulnerable segments of our population often are hit the hardest, and this year is no exception.

To help recoup a nearly $20 billion shortfall in California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed $1.2 billion in cuts to child care funds, which would eliminate most subsidized child care for low-income families.

He also proposed to eliminate California’s welfare program, CalWORKs, which serves 1.4 million people, 1.1 million of whom are children.

In Lake County, subsidy programs serve 380 families and 712 children.

The local impacts of this situation are significant.

Without a state budget, child care programs funded through the California Department of Education also do not receive payments without a signed budget.

Currently, 12 CDE-funded programs are located throughout Lake County, including nine operated through Lake County Office of Education.

These programs have not received funding since June 2010. They have been operating on reserves and loans for three months, and there is no end in sight.

LCOE lost the only two full-day preschool programs they offered and are now only offering three-hour programs at all sites, which impacted 48 working families.

Since 1997, The Learning House has operated three state-funded centers in Clearlake – The Hillcrest House, The Toddler House and The Learning House Preschool.

Families depend on these programs to continue working, for emotional relief and guidance on parenting, but without some relief this respected small business may have to close its doors.

Many of their parents would have to quit their jobs, because the cost of child care alone would exceed the entire average monthly income of these families.

Without a signed budget, all stage two and three subsidized child care payments also are held.

In August, approximately $85,000 in payments to Lake County child care providers were held due to the impasse.

According to Nicole McKay, Child Care Subsidy Manager for North Coast Opportunities, “This year has been especially tough on families and providers. Several licensed child care facilities face the possibility of closing their doors due to lack of funding. It is important that parents and providers advocate for the continued funding of these programs as subsidized child care enables parents to work and move toward self-sufficiency.”

Family child care homes collectively provide care to approximately 1,200 Lake County children.

Liberty Perry, family child care provider in Clearlake, is working hard to hold on and maintain the high quality care and education she is providing.

Perry, winner of the 2010 Family Child Care Provider of the Year Award, said that 40 percent of the children in her care rely on subsidies.

She is now facing a 92-percent reduction in her personal income because of the budget delay.

According to Catherine Albiston, professor at the UC Berkeley School of Law, and her colleagues, cutting child care will have dramatic impacts on an already faltering economy:

• Without subsidies, low-income single parents will not be able to work, because the cost of non-subsidized child care will exceed their income.

• Child care providers will lose jobs as centers close. In Lake County, the child care industry employees nearly 500 people. Without a signed budget, a large majority of them will face unemployment or severe reduction in income, dramatically impacting Lake County’s economy.

• Tax revenues will shrink and social services costs will grow. Parents need child care to work, and when Californian’s lose their jobs, tax revenues shrink. The Labor Center calculates that California will lose $3.1 billion in economic output and $157 million in state and local tax revenue due to the reduction in child care jobs alone.

Ample research demonstrates the importance of high-quality early childhood education during a child’s first five years of life.

Children who attend high-quality early childhood programs are more likely to graduate from high school and far less likely to be on welfare, become criminals or teen parents, or experience debilitating health and socioeconomic problems.

Studies focused specifically on California have shown that if high-quality early childhood programming were more widely accessible, juvenile crime would fall 19 percent and the high school dropout rate would decrease by 14 percent.

Nobel Prize winning economist James Heckman concluded that, “the most cost-effective strategy for strengthening the future American workforce is to invest greater human and financial resources in the social and cognitive environments of children who are disadvantaged, beginning as early as possible.”

Lake County needs quality child care providers to keep our families working, our economy growing and our children thriving.

For more information on child care in Lake County, contact the Lake County Child Care Planning Council at 707-994-4795 or visit the group's Web site at www.lakecountychildcareplanning.com.

Shelly Mascari is the director of the Lake County Child Care Planning Council.

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