LAKE COUNTY – Just when you're beginning to get used to the springtime temperatures we've enjoyed for over a week, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Sacramento is predicting a dramatic change in the weather beginning on Monday.

Tracking a storm that will move into Lake County Monday night and Tuesday, the NWS is forecasting that rain and cooler temperatures will return for a short time.

In addition to the rain, snow levels are expected to reach the 4,000 foot level by Tuesday.

The NWS advises caution if you will be traveling to the Sierra Nevada mountains on Monday or Tuesday, as winter driving conditions will be in effect.

High temperatures on Monday should be in the mid to upper 50s, with lows in the 40s.

Expect temperatures a few degrees cooler on Tuesday and clearing and warmer by Wednesday.

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The Westshore Pool is stripped of its plaster now, but will be ready for fun by summer, said project manager Bob Dwyer. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

LAKEPORT – Despite weather delays during February and plenty of unexpected repair work, work on the Westshore Pool is moving forward, with the pool expected to be ready for action this summer.

At its Feb. 6 meeting, the council awarded a $313,370 bid for renovating the pool to Pleasanton-based Pool Time, which was the only company to submit a bid on the project.

The renovations, according to city staff, are funded primarily by Measure I proceeds, along with a $168,000 state grant.

City Engineer Scott Harter reported Pool Time began work on the pool Feb. 12.

Since work got under way, there have been several discoveries that weren't expected in the original project scope, Harter said.

Those included Pool Time's finding that parts of the pool, such as the main drain, needed to be re-plumbed due to leaks. That resulted in having to remove parts of the pool wall, which will have to be replaced with a special kind of concrete.

As a result, Pool Time Project Manager Bob Dwyer has attended the last few City Council meetings to ask for contract change orders to cover additional costs.

While the council grumbled about the requests, they ultimately approved them, saying they felt the community had made clear its desire for the pool's renovation.

“The pool has never been one of my favorite items, but if we're going to fix it, we're going to fix it right," Mayor Roy Parmentier said at the council's Feb. 20 meeting.

During a special council meeting on March 9, the council asked Dwyer to come and answer questions about the project, which he did as part of asking for a fourth change order.

The council approved that order, bringing the total cost of the pool now to $370,515.

Dwyer, who has been building and remodeling pools in 1973, said delays during remodeling projects aren't uncommon.

He's had about a week's worth of delays due to rainy weather in February and that, along with the other renovation issues, has caused him to be little behind in his timeline. However, Dwyer said he expects to be finished in time for the summer season.

Harter said the local swim team start training in May.

In his meetings with the council, Dwyer said he felt they've been receptive to the issues with the pool.

When the work is done, said Dwyer, “Everybody will be very pleased. It will look so much cleaner than before.”

That's because it will have new coping, tile and plaster, and 75-percent new plumbing, Dwyer said. In fact, everything but the pool floor has been completely replumbed, he added.

There is some electric repair that remains, he said, but for the most part, he believes most of the surprises are past.

“I think we've discovered most of the stuff that is extra, above and beyond the original contract scope,” he said.

Remodeling the pool will make it essentially brand-new, he said, for less than half of what it would cost to build a new pool.

He said he has plans to build a new pool for the City of East Palo Alto that will be 4,300 square feet, about the same size as Westshore. That project, he said, will cost about $1 million.

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A view of the deep end of the pool and one of the skimmers. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

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Alie Stout and Conrad Kiczenski at Lucerne Harbor Park, where Saturday's peace rally will take place. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

LUCERNE – Conrad Kiczenski is worried – about global warming, poverty and war. And he's only 15.

Those are the major issues that will impact his future, he said.

Rather than just worry, Conrad is moving his feet.

This Saturday, the teen hopes to inspire other young people from around the county to speak out in defense of their future at a 2 p.m. rally in Lucerne Harbor Park.

Lake County's version of the “Shut Down the War Machine” rally, which Conrad and friend Alie Stout have organized, is part of a series of protests scheduled in major cities around the U.S. that same day.

Saturday, events such as the “Gathering of Eagles” rally in Sacramento, will show support for U.S. troops in Iraq. Organizers say that rally is nonpolitical.

Conrad said he first heard about the nationwide rally on Myspace.com, which has emerged as an important social forum for teens.

“I decided, we got to get up and do something,” he said.

He and Alie, 15, began making fliers and putting them up around town, although many of them were immediately torn down, they reported.

That hasn't stopped them, though. In fact, they've been out every day putting up new fliers to replace those that went missing.

This isn't the first time the teens have been involved with political action.

Alie and Conrad met while attending Upper Lake High School. Last October, they were part of a student walkout to protest the war. Alie estimates 70 students left class Oct. 5, despite the fact that they were facing “dire consequences.”

They were both hassled and cheered on by other students and community members, she said. “The positive overruled the negative by far.”

All of the teens ended up receiving detention, she said.

Since then, Conrad left Upper Lake High to study in California Virtual Academy's home school program. He said the school system doesn't motivate original thinking.

The October rally, like Saturday's, was organized largely through Conrad's efforts using Myspace.com and posting fliers.

“I just really think it's a good cause,” said Alie. “This area needs more things for teens to do that are positive, not negative.”

Still, she said she's gotten a lot of negative comments from classmates, whose views have ranged from the rally being a “dumb” idea to the more ominous opinion that it will look bad on her resume when she prepares to go to college.

“I just kinda give 'em the cold shoulder,” she said. “They can say what they want.”

Both the teens say their parents have been very supportive of their work to organize the rally.

Do teens think much about the war in Iraq, and what it might mean for their future?

Conrad and Alie certainly do, but they said other teens either don't think much about it or, worse yet, don't have any hope that they can make a difference by speaking out.

They said the kids who do think about it a lot don't appear to hang out with the popular crowd.

Conrad believes a draft may be imposed soon, because, he said, “We're making enemies faster than we can kill them.”

What would they like to see happen at Saturday's rally?

“What we're trying to do is inspire people to stand up for their future,” said Conrad.

The rally will start at 2 p.m. Saturday in the picnic table area of Lucerne Harbor Park, Conrad explained. There will be an open mike for a discussion of both sides of the war issue.

Conrad and Alie say they want people of all viewpoints to come and share their thoughts “so we can learn from them,” added Conrad.

“I want to leave people inspired, with hope that they can make a difference, because that's really missing,” said Conrad.

He said he expects a pretty good turnout of both adults and teens.

Lake County Youth Action (LCYA), a group Conrad and Alie are helping organize, will meet at noon on Sunday at the Lucerne Senior Center, to discuss the rally and possible future events.

For anyone needing a ride to the rally, Conrad suggests visiting laketransit.org/systemmap.asp.

For more info on LCYA go to groups.myspace.com/lakecountyyouthaction or email Conrad at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Protestors held signs and marched along Highway 20 Saturday afternoon. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

LUCERNE – A Saturday peace rally organized by two local teenagers drew about 50 people who marched and discussed their concerns about the current war in Iraq.

Conrad Kiczenski and Alie Stout, both 15, organized the rally, which took place began 2 and 4:30 p.m. at Lucerne Harbor Park.

Those who attended the afternoon event were an almost equal number of teens and adults. On the adult side were several members of Lake County Peace Action and District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing.

Some visitors came from outside the county to participate. Madeline Daughton, a third grade teacher, and author Rudy Knoop, both of Covelo, drove over for the day to take part.

The location for the rally, in a grove of redwoods at the park, was especially poignant. Among the trees is one with a plaque called “The Freedom Tree.”

The plaque reads: “The Freedom Tree: With the vision of universal freedom for all mankind, this tree is dedicated to the POW/MIAs of California and all prisoners of war and missing action, 1973.”

Some of the signs carried at the rally had slogans such as, “Peace is not partisan,” and “Occupation is terror.”

Conrad himself carried a sign that said, “Tell Congress, stop funding war.”

The group marched and stood along the edge of the park bordering Highway 20, where a number of cars passing by honked as a show of support.

During an interview with videographer Hiram Dukes, Conrad said he's concerned that corporate media is helping keep people ignorant of the government's actions.

Several participants took their turn at the bullhorn to share their thoughts about the war and why the rally was important.

Finley resident Phil Murphy told the teens at the event that they should be proud of themselves for being there and taking action. “You're doing the right thing,” he said.

He added that by protesting the government's policies the teenagers were doing what their parents and neighbors have failed to do.

Both Conrad and Alie were pleased with the turnout.

“I was surprised at how many people showed up,” said Alie.

She said they hope to plan more events this summer.

Today at noon Alie and Conrad will lead a meeting of Lake County Youth Action at the Lucerne Senior Center. The newly forming group seeks to unite local teens in positive causes and activities.

For more information about Lake County Youth Action, e-mail Conrad at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About 50 people took part in the Saturday event. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

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In Lake County, there appears to have been a slight increase both in fatal collisions and the resulting fatalities.

CHP said increased enforcement, along with education, resulted in lives saved statewide.

Highway collision fatalities decreased 9.22 percent in 2006, with 3,907 collision fatalities compared to 4,304 in 2005. Statewide, there were 3,542 fatal collision in 2006, down from 3,822 in 2005.

Jaime Coffee of the Sacramento CHP Office reported that fatal collisions in Lake County in 2005 numbered 12, with 13 victims killed. Statistics for 2006, which she said were preliminary and only extended through September, listed 16 fatal collisions and 20 victims killed.

The county's fatality statistics over the last 10 years show a steady overall increase, with some years showing notable drops. (See graph below.)

“While I am saddened to see these deaths, I am pleased to see what appears to be a substantial reduction in the number of casualties,” said CHP Commissioner Mike Brown. “The projected reduction reflects the emphasis the CHP places on safety.”

CHP said its goals include preventing death, injury and property damage. The indicator of a state’s relative success in traffic safety is represented by the number of traffic fatalities per every 100 million miles of vehicle travel, referred to as the Mileage Death Rate (MDR). The MDR is affected by both increased educational and enforcement efforts.

“Early indications are that California’s estimated mileage death rate in 2006 is 1.21, that’s a dramatic improvement from the previous year’s 1.31 if that holds up,” said Brown.

The MDR won’t be official until the third quarter of 2007 when all data elements are finalized.

“These projected reductions in collisions and victims killed are primarily the result of increased enforcement and education in the three main causes of fatal crashes – seat belt usage, DUIs and speeding,” Brown added.

The preliminary figures were also good news at the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).

OTS awards grants to agencies throughout the state for programs aimed at reducing deaths and injuries on California's roadways.

In the last year OTS awarded $103 million to 290 agencies, more funding to more agencies than ever before, with greater emphasis on combating DUI offenders, increasing seat belt use and promoting public awareness campaigns.

DUI arrests statewide rose 4 percent between 2005 and 2006, going from 89,944 to 93.690. In Lake County, 2005 DUI arrests numbered 360, compared to a preliminary estimate of 411 for 2006 (for 10 years of Lake County DUI statistics, see graph below).

The Lake County District Attorney's Office received an OTS grant last year, according to District Attorney Jon Hopkins. The funds, said Hopkins, were used to create a new DUI Vertical Prosecution Unit and fund a prosecutor whose sole function is to work DUI cases. The unit won its first prosecution in February.

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Fatal collision and victim statistics, 1996-2006.

The number of DUI arrests from 1996 to 2006.

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Acting City Manager Richard Knoll and other city staffers attended the meeting Thursday morning in Rancho Cordova.

The hookup ban resulted from an incident last April in which the city sewer system became overloaded due to heavy rains and problems with Willopoint trailer park's sewer system.

The city tried to release treated wastewater from its system through irrigation, in order to prevent its sewer ponds overflowing, according to Knoll. Because of ground saturation, between three and six million gallons of treated wastewater ran off the site, into a Clear Lake tributary and, eventually, into the lake itself, which violating CLMSD's waste discharge agreement with the state.

Knoll said the board did decide to formally impose the cease and desist ban – which had been issued to the city on Jan. 18, at the same time as the hookup moratorium. However, it agreed to lift the connection ban, he said.

“There are a number of stipulations and conditions associated with the cease and desist order, including the fact that we have to construct 90 acres of additional irrigation facilities related to our spray disposal at the wastewater site,” he said.

That work needs to be completed by Nov. 1, he said, and would add capacity to the system.

The city has agreed to other stipulations spelled out in the cease and desist order as well, said Knoll, including completing a sewer master plan, and more plans for staffing and revenue.

The project to add irrigation is progressing, said Knoll. At the March 20 City Council meeting staff will offer a proposal from the city's engineering firm that include design and bid specifications for the project.

Last month, Knoll said, the council directed staff to begin negotiations on the irrigation facilities and another capacity-increasing project, which would build a bypass channel around the sewer system's recapture basin, allowing the city to extend irrigation, its main treated wastewater disposal method.

The regional board and the city didn't see eye to eye on everything, said Knoll, including capacity calculations for the city's sewer system. He said during his testimony at Thursday's meeting he mentioned his concerns about those calculations and the board's methodology.

Some of the regional board's staff research included using the city's draft general plan as a basis for calculating capacity, said Knoll, which isn't an accurate approach.

They also found on the city's Web site a map of proposed projects that, if built, would not all run into the city's sewer system.

The information the regional board staff pieced together led them to conclude that several hundred new homes would hook up to the system within the next few years, said Knoll.

Knoll said that's untrue, and after looking historically at the number of new home permits he reported to the board that the city is issuing an average of 12 to 14 permits annually.

Scott Schellinger of Schellinger Brothers, the company building the Parkside subdivision near Westside Community Park, attended the meeting, said Knoll. Schellinger told the regional board that if they could build and sell 25 homes in the next year in Lakeport they would be “ecstatic.” He added that Lakeport is a market that doesn't have high-volume housing demand.

With those objections lodged, however, Knoll said the city was willing to accept the board's conclusions about capacity and move forward.

“The question was, is the city out of capacity?” Knoll said. The answer, he added, based on the water board's calculations, was yes.

However, capacity will expand due to the city's planned projects, he said.

“That is the basis upon which the regional board lifted the connection ban,” said Knoll.

Knoll explained that he told the regional board that it's been a difficult year for the city in terms of the sewer issue. He said he's had to adjust his own thinking about the city's sewer capabilities.

“We've had to come to grips with the fact that we don't have as much capacity as we thought we did,” he said.

Hookups to the sewer system would be able to take place again after Nov. 1 once the city fulfills the regional board's stipulations, said Knoll. That will allow Schellinger Brothers to move forward with permits, including four that were pending for new family homes.

Knoll reported Rick Kemp at the Sears on Main Street also had wanted a building permit for a new business in his plaza, which while in the county would flow into the city sewer system.

With the regional board's willingness to lift the ban based on the city's proposed capacity projects, the city now has new hurdles, said Knoll.

The irrigation and bypass channels, together, are in the million-dollar range, said Knoll.

“How we're going to pay for it is going to be the challenge,” he said.

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NASA and his human "mom," Katie Eells. Photo courtesy of Katie Eells.

LAKE COUNTY – Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) Facility Dog, NASA, is known and loved by thousands in Lake County and beyond. This March, he celebrates his seventh birthday.

Serving as a CCI working dog in Lake County for more than five years, NASA has contributed to the comfort, joy and healing of his many friends.

NASA’s primary mission is working with physical and occupational therapy professionals at Lakeport rehabilitation centers in Evergreen and Skilled Nursing facilities. Clients exercise with him; he brings play and laughter into what can sometimes be a painful experience.

Recently a physical therapist introduced to NASA a client who had so far refused therapy. The only word she would say was “no,” then she would close her eyes and pretend to sleep.

When she entered the room and saw NASA waiting, her eyes lit up. Cheerfully she brushed and stroked NASA. She threw NASA’s ball and reached to throw it again and again. Touched by NASA’s magic, the therapist watched with tears in her eyes.

While the client lay on a cot to have her contracting leg muscles stretched, NASA snuggled beside her so she could relax and straighten her legs comfortably. This time they fell asleep together! NASA is as good as a pain pill! Now this client “practices” all week so that she can show NASA her progress when he comes next time.

NASA volunteers at the “Thursday Club,” or the Northshore Adult Day Center directed by Caroline Denny and located at the First Lutheran Church in Lucerne. Participants delight in NASA’s presence. He greets them as they arrive, wags them into the room and program while caretakers quietly exit.

Throughout the day he visits everyone, putting his head on laps, shaking hands, encouraging participants to play ball, pet him and talk.

As a Hospice volunteer, NASA helps facilitate eight-week Hospice Bereavement Groups. He always knows who needs a hug. At Wings, the Hospice bereavement camp for families, children sit under a tree, hug NASA, whisper their stories into his ear, and they grieve and heal together. They trust NASA because he keeps everything confidential.

NASA is the official MASCOT (Mature Adults Served by Canine Outreach Therapy) at Lucerne Senior Center. There he visits with many seniors who have given up pets of their own. He brings smiles and laughter. Although he is a large golden retriever/yellow lab mix, his gentle eyes and demeanor invite attention and love.

At 7 years old he is a mature, strong, healthy boy. He loves to play ball, run far and fast, and leap in the air. Recently NASA’s courage and steadiness were tested by a mounted police officer in Sacramento.

With permission, he brought his horse close to NASA. When it leaned down and kissed NASA on the nose, NASA smiled.

“That’s a good dog,” said the officer.

CCI, a nonprofit organization based in Santa Rosa, trains and provides service, hearing, skilled companion and facility dogs.

For more information, call 707-577-1700, TDD 577-1756, or visit their website at www.caninecompanions.org.

NASA sits in the lap of one of his special friends. Photo courtesy of Katie Eells.

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The incident took place at the park's boat ramp at about 8 p.m., according to Lakeport resident Harold LaBonte.

LaBonte said the victim survived, and that two arrests may have taken place at the nearby Willopoint trailer park.

He reported some confusion at the scene as patrons at the nearby TNT on the Lake restaurant hurried to leave the area.

Police officials at the scene would not release details, said La Bonte.

A dispatcher at Lakeport Police reported at shortly before 11 p.m. that no one with the authority to release information on the case was available for comment.

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Daphne Kelley, 56, of Clearlake died at UC Davis Medical Center, where she had been taken for treatment, according to CHP Officer Kevin Domby.

Kelley's 1999 Oldsmobile collided with a tree at 8:01 a.m. Wednesday on Highway 29 near Diener Drive, according to CHP incident logs.

Rescue crews had managed to revive her at the accident scene before transporting her to Davis, according to Domby.

The agency reported that Kelley was driving northbound at an unknown rate of speed when her car went into the southbound lane then back into the northbound lane before going off the road and striking the tree on the driver's side.

The CHP has released no further information about the accident or what caused Kelley's vehicle to travel back and forth across the road before the collision took place.

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Ricardo Muniz (left) and Elias Hernandez were among five Sureno gang members arrested late Friday in connection with the stabbing. Lake County Jail booking photos.

LAKEPORT – Five gang members were arrested Friday night after a man was stabbed in front of a restaurant near Library Park.

Lakeport Police Lt. Brad Rasmussen reported Saturday morning that the incident was reported at 7:57 p.m. Friday, when the Lake County Sheriff's dispatch center received a 911 call from a cell phone.

The incident reportedly happened in front of TNT on the Lake restaurant, at 1 First St., according to Rasmussen's report.

Three Lakeport Police units, assisted by two California Highway Patrol units and three Lake County Sheriff’s units, responded to the scene and located a 20-year-old male victim who had been stabbed numerous times, Rasmussen said.

Lakeport Fire Department medical units responded to the scene and transported the victim to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, said Rasmussen. However, the seriousness of the man's injuries resulted in his transport to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital by REACH.

Rasmussen said LPD officers identified and located five documented members of the Sureno street gang who were arrested within a few hours of the stabbing.

Arrested were 18-year-old Ricardo Tapia Muniz of Lakeport, for attempted murder with a felony criminal street gang enhancement; and Elias Hernandez, 19, of Lakeport, on conspiracy and attempted murder charges, also with the gang enhancement.

Muniz and Hernandez are being held in the Lake County Jail, with bail set at $155,000 for Muniz and $150,000 for Hernandez, according to a jail official.

In addition, police arrested three male juveniles: a 14-year-old male from Lakeport, on conspiracy and attempted murder charges with the gang enhancement; a 16-year-old male from Lakeport, facing charges of attempted murder and a street gang enhancement; and a 17-year-old Lakeport resident, who is charged with conspiracy, attempted murder and the enhancement for street gangs. No bail has been set for any of the juveniles, who remain in Juvenile Hall.

Rasmussen said Saturday morning that LPD investigates and documents known street gang members and associated activity within the city limits.

Three officers, led by Det. Norm Taylor, are responsible for that effort, said Rasmussen. All are trained in dealing with gangs, and they're assigned to gang investigations such as this one.

“This is why we were able to quickly locate and arrest the five gang members,” Rasmussen said. “Documented Sureno street gang members have been responsible for other crimes in Lakeport in the past.”

Rasmussen said the investigation into the stabbing will continue through the weekend.

Know Gangs, an organization that provides training about gangs for law enforcement, reports that the Surenos street gang developed in the 1960s out of the Mexican Mafia, which itself emerged during the 1950s in the California prison system.

In the late 1960s Nuestra Familia formed, Know Gangs reports. Most of Nuestra Familia's members were from Northern California, so they became known as the Nortenos, or Northerners. Out of the Mexican Mafia came young men from Southern California then took on the Surenos, or Southerners, moniker, Know Gangs reported.

Surenos are separate today from the Mexican Mafia, according to Know Gangs. They use the number 13 and its variations – XIII, X3, 13 – as well as the letter M (the alphabet's 13^th letter) and “Sur” in graffiti and tattoos. Their chosen color is blue, and their

The gangs' presence is noted in local graffiti, especially in the Kelseyville area.

Know Gangs reports that the Surenos is the nation's largest street gang, with members found in every state in the nation.

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Ben Higgins (center), USDA Rural Development's California director, and Rob Wiener of California Coalition for Rural Housing (left of Higgins) presented a grant for $100,000 to members of five local tribes on Thursday. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

LAKE COUNTY – Five local American Indian tribes have received a $100,000 federal grant to help them improve housing in their communities.

The U.S. Department of Agricultural Rural Development visited Big Valley Rancheria's Konocti Vista Casino Thursday to make the official presentation to the tribes, which include Big Valley, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Robinson Rancheria and Elem Indian Colony.

The grant funds will be used to provide training and technical assistance to assist tribes in acquiring and developing land for housing projects and related infrastructure, rehabilitating and building housing, and operating housing assistance programs, the agency reported.

State USDA Rural Development Director Ben Higgins came for the event. He said the grant is modest when considering the nearly $80 million the agency has awarded over the last seven years to help foster growth in business development, homeownership and infrastructure in rural communities.

However, Higgins said in the case of Lake County's tribes, “Money alone isn't the answer,” and that it's necessary to have an element of community leadership as well.

“There are unique and pressing problems we're looking to address,” he said, which include a poverty rate of 17 percent in Lake County, which is five points above the state average.

Also on hand was Rob Wiener of California Coalition for Rural Housing. That organization is partnering with the tribes on an implementation plan for the grant, which includes conducting an analysis to identify each tribe's training and housing needs, training in affordable housing and training for housing and community development applications.

By funding that important training, said Higgins, the grant will help the tribes plan for the future.

This is one of the first grants the agency has been able to award in this fiscal year, said Higgins, which has been delayed in Congress.

The California Coalition for Rural Housing has done numerous farmworker housing projects, said Wiener, but tribal housing is a brand new experience for them. He said the coalition hopes to see if they can get existing housing programs to work for the county's tribes.

“We see this as a wonderful opportunity to learn about tribal housing issues,” he said.

The visitors from USDA Rural Development and California Coalition for Rural Housing also had what Higgins called an “eye opening” experience.

That came in the form of a tour of Big Valley Rancheria's housing conditions, led by Tribal Administrator Anthony Jack and Linda Hedstrom, the tribe's housing director.

“We're going to dispel the myth that all gaming tribes are rich,” said Jack.

What they showed were conditions that Wiener and Higgins said were some of the worst they had ever witnessed: numerous travel trailers clustered around each other, hooked up to hoses for running water; badly dilapidated homes and trailer houses that looked barely habitable.

And yet they sit in a beautiful area looking out on the lake, on land that Hedstrom called “an incredible, priceless piece of property.”

Even the rancheria's construction department lacked heating, wheelchair access and hot water, said Hedstrom.

“All tribes around here have the same stories,” said Hedstrom.

About 200 of the tribes 860 members live on the Rancheria, said Jack. Hedstrom said many more would like to return to the rancheria to live in their native communities, but the tribe needs more land and better housing.

They're hoping to expand the rancheria, said Hedstrom. While there's prospective land nearby, she said, the owners usually ask exorbitant prices.

The perception, said Jack, is that the tribe has a lot of money thanks to the casino, but that's wrong. Due to competition, he said, “It's hard to make a buck right now.”

That's one reason why the rancheria aggressively pursues grants, said Hedstrom.

The tribe recently put in 10 new manufactured homes next to 10 newer stick-built homes along Yellow Hammer Lane. Hedstrom said they had many people on a list for those manufactured homes. The families which received the homes were determined by lottery, she said, and began moving in at the start of March.

Hedstrom said the tribe wants to hold a construction boot camp, similar to one which has been held successfully in Lake County over the past few years, in order to help tribal members learn how to assist in building their own homes.

Afterward, Higgins said, “The housing conditions here are some of the worst in the state, if not the country.”

For more in USDA Rural Development's programs, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/ca.

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Dilapidated conditions haunt many parts of Big Valley Rancheria, but the tribe is working to find grants to fund more news homes. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

One of 10 new modular homes for tribal members on Yellow Hammer Lane. Each of the homes cost about $112,000, said Big Valley Housing Director Linda Hedstrom. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

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Richard Knoll said in an interview Wednesday that he's preparing a staff report to the council for its March 20 meeting in which he'll urge them to move forward with the event, which for the past two years has been hosted at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa.

The city hosted a public meeting March 6 to allow community members the chance to give their opinions on the plan.

At the council's request, a second meeting to gauge community opinion about the event will be held at City Hall at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20.

From the first community meeting, Knoll said the city received 23 written responses from community members that were opposed to hosting the event, and 19 that expressed support.

He said that he hoped the council wouldn't rely solely on those responses to make their decision, because he believes the event is consistent with past lake-centered events hosted in Lakeport, including boat racing and sailing events.

Knoll said city staff has come up with conditions for the event. “More than anything else, it's a rough operational plan.”

That plan calls for fencing, limited gate locations, hiring extra security personnel to augment the police staff, and requiring that the event be nonalcoholic. That last part, said Knoll, would be enforced through searches of bags and coolers, with alcohol being confiscated if necessary.

A beer garden will be part of staff's suggestion, he said, which would be tightly controlled, with no alcohol leaving that area.

Knoll said there are still other issues that need to be addressed, such as providing access to bathroom facilities for boaters, which he said was a problem at Konocti Harbor.

He said he believes the event will bring a lot of people to the county and could potentially have a very beneficial impact on the local economy.

The event will likely take place in August, Knoll said, although the timing could be more flexible in the future.

He said he's concerned about water quality, because algae blooms have happened in the past at that time – although not recently, he said.

Knoll said the council could make a decision as early as its March 20 meeting, but that he thinks they might wait until April 3, at which time Stimmel – who is currently out of the country – would be able to attend.

Local business owners share opinions

Roy Disney of Disney's Water Sports was one voice at the March 6 meeting who laid out several concerns about the event, especially the intersection of boating and alcohol.

Disney said in a later interview, “Our No. 1 concern with the whole event is safety and safe boating out on the lake.”

Alcohol, he said, “just has no room in boating.”

Disney, who has been in business locally for 25 years, said that the event is “well known for its alcohol consumption.”

While he loves the water sports competition side of the event, Disney said he doesn't believe BoardStock is a good fit for Lakeport, and doesn't think it can be converted to a nonalcoholic event.

He's also not convinced of the potential benefit to local hotels and restaurants, because August is already a peak tourism time.

For Disney, “ideal events” for Lake County include the Konocti Challenge (formerly Pedal the Puddle), fishing tournaments and car shows, which all possess a strong family element.

He said he's not alone in his concerns about the event, and that other local businesses, particularly hotels and restaurants, have told him they don't support BoardStock being held in Lakeport.

Sandra West, owner of Kelseyville's Edgewater Resort, has built a successful business on the lakeshore and been a staunch advocate of the county.

She also was at the March 6 meeting to ask questions.

West said Wednesday that she thinks BoardStock in Lakeport could be a good idea, if it has limitations and restrictions, such as making it an alcohol-free event.

She agreed with Disney that August is already a busy season for local tourism, and she would like to see the event held during the off season, such as in April or October. Like Disney, West said she's also heard from local business owners and community members about hosting the event in Lakeport, and the majority of them have “negative thoughts.”

West said she's also like to see the county hold a “safe, clean and sober weekend,” which she feels would end up attracting more families interested in having safe fun on the water.

She said she would only really support the event if it was advertised as being “safe and sober.”

“No beer gardens, none of that stuff,” she said.

West said it's her understanding that BoardStock, when it was held in Stockton several years ago, was an alcohol-free event.

She added that the promoter should waive any fees for holding the event in Lake County.

There's no better setting for the event than Lake County, she said – if it's done properly.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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