NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around the North Coast during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

Caltrans will suspend work on Northern California highways from Wednesday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 30, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans Maintenance forces to respond to emergency situations.

LAKE COUNTY

There is no major roadwork scheduled for Lake County from Friday, November 28 through Thursday, December 4.
 
MENDOCINO COUNTY
 
Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.
 
– Highway construction 1.0 mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge to the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. A long-term detour is in place with a 20 miles per hour advisory speed. Motorists are urged to drive with caution and will experience minor traffic slowdowns.
 
– Bridge rehabilitation at the Arnold Bridge Overhead will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel from 5 a.m. to 5 a.m., weekdays. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.
 
– Bridge rehabilitation at the Jitney Gulch Bridge will begin Monday, Dec. 1. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 5 a.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Bridge rehabilitation at the Bridges Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 5 a.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Bridge rehabilitation at the Mignon "Minnie" Stoddard Lilley Memorial Bridge and the Elizabeth Jane Rosewarne Memorial Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 5 a.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Bridge rehabilitation at the Piercy Separation will begin Monday, Dec. 1. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel from 5 a.m. to 5 a.m., weekdays. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.
 
Highway 271

– Bridge rehabilitation at the Reynolds Overcrossing and the McCoy Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 5 a.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

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).

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On board for a year, Barbara Nuckols, LMFT and Senior Peer Counseling director for Konocti Senior Support, is making great progress developing strong connections with the community.

She has attended many of the county outreach and planning programs, has introduced herself to more than 30 different agency representatives, and doubled the number of senior peer counselors serving elders in Lake County.

With the Konocti Senior Support Board’s vision to open up the program to visit elders in the senior centers as well as in elders' homes, Nuckols has initiated trainings at all senior locations around the Lake.

Starting in November, the one-hour workshops will be held Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to noon at the Clearlake Oaks, Lakeport and Lucerne senior centers, and at the Konocti Senior Support office. Call your senior center or our office to find out which one is near you.

Worthwhile training topics vary from suicide prevention to learning active listening skills. With Nuckols’ background as a counselor for more than 20 years, she is a great asset to clients and counselors alike.

Nuckols feels her main strength is in helping others reconnect to the support and joy in their lives. “What may feel like a lonely path or an uphill battle can become a joyful process of discovery.”

Her past training includes a master's in counseling psychology (somatic emphasis), a master's in educational counseling psychology and a PPS credential (guidance counseling).

In other Konocti Senior Support news, Friendly Visitor Program Director Norma Shepherd was nominated for a Stars of Lake County Award for her outstanding service to community elders.

She has expanded the program to more than a dozen friendly visitors who make life to life contact with homebound seniors.

Meanwhile, Konocti Senior Support Board members are working to improve the organization's programs.

With the encouragement of Board President Pat Goodson, the duties, procedures and by-laws have been reviewed and a new, straightforward vision has been initiated: “To serve isolated seniors through peer counselors and friendly visitors.”

An updated Web site and brochure have been developed by Karen Magnuson and Rick Ventura now brings the program to various senior living facilities.

The board has been further strengthened with the addition of Amy Fox, who was an assisted living administrator at Orchard Park and also an attorney, as well as J. Richard  who has 45 years' experience in corporate and nonprofit governance.

Come join in serving the community by joining Konocti Senior Support’s Friendly Visitor or Senior Peer Counselor Program.

Prospective volunteers will be offered training to become a senior peer counselor or friendly visitor. Check the Web site, www.konoctiseniorsupport.com , for dates and times. Those trained will visit elders in their homes or staff drop-in sessions at local senior and wellness centers.

Elders often request counseling for loss and grieving or emotional support. Each meeting is confidential and provided by volunteer visitors or peer counselors who receive guidance to best assist their clients.

If you have questions, want to attend workshops on senior issues, would like to volunteer or know someone 55+ who might benefit from our services, call Konocti Senior Support's office at 707-995-1417 or visit www.konoctiseniorsupport.com .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Middletown’s Gibson Museum is seeking the loan of antique toys and games to be displayed during the month of December.

The best known year-end holidays and festivities will be the focus of exhibits.

All items submitted will be handled with consummate care, said Voris Brumfield, who is coordinating the effort, and will be returned promptly after the first of the year.

Thus far, a decades-old erector set has been committed and a handful of antique games as well as a collection of historic TB Christmas Stamps and handmade cards.

Christmas ornaments collected by Hidden Valley Lake resident Georgeann Tintorri will decorate a tree.

Reproductions of heritage dolls, handmade by Hidden Valley’s Elizabeth Eaholtz, will be displayed as well as the handcrafted rag dolls of Middletown artist Sophie Lauterborn.

Anyone whose collection includes holiday-oriented items they’d like to share during December should send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , leave a message at 707-809-8009 or stop in at the museum, at the corner of Calistoga and Callayomi, any Wednesday, Friday or Saturday afternoon between 1 and 5 p.m.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Library will host a free demonstration on holiday entertaining made simple on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Amy Patton will share tips and recipes for make-ahead breads, casseroles and other ideas for a simple meal that gives cooks time to enjoy their guests.

“You can make it fresh ahead of time and pop into the oven for easy serving,” Patton said.

Light refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Lake County Library.

Lakeport Library, located at 1425 N. High St., is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m. The phone number is 707-263-8817.

The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting the annual Sol Rouge wine release party event with Bryan and Jill Kane from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29.
 
Sol Rouge is a family estate vineyard and winery located in the Red Hills Appellation at elevations of more than 1,800 feet.

Located in the foothills of Mt. Konocti, the vineyard property contains rich, red volcanic soil and, from this unique profile, Sol Rouge derived its name – translating to "Red Soil" in French. 

This 70-acre estate is currently planted with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Cinsault.
 
The $10 per person wine and appetizer sampler will feature the new Sottomarino Pinot Grigio alongside Sol Rouge releases of Viognier, Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon with a variety of appetizers. 

Sol Rouge and wine studio wine club members are invited to attend at no charge.
 
Artwork on display at the studio are paintings by Evonne Bishop and the Saturday event will be the final day of the show.
 
Lake County Wine Studio is a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County.

Artists' shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.
 
The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake and is open Monday, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m.; and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m.

For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Library is now collecting toys for Supervisor Rob Brown’s annual holiday toy drive.

People can drop off new, unwrapped toys at the library during business hours through Dec. 13.

The toys will go to needy children in Lake County.

Lakeport Library, located at 1425 N. High St., is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m. The phone number is 707-263-8817.

The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .