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.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 29

– AT&T of Fort Bragg has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from Hofacker Lane to Spruce Grove Road beginning Monday, June 16. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge 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 five-minute delays.

– Sidewalk enhancements near the junction of Routes 1/20 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for tree trimming from Ward Avenue to Hales Grove beginning Monday, June 16. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20

– Sidewalk enhancements from the junction of Routes 1/20 and Boatyard Drive will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Culvert rehabilitation at various locations from 0.9 mile west of the Broadus Creek Bridge to Willits Cemetery Road will begin Monday, June 16. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 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.

– Ramp improvements from the junction of Routes 101/253 and North State Street will continue. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel, and motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Intermittent ramp closures will be in effect at South State Street/Route 253 (Exit 546), Talmage Road/Route 222 (Exit 548A), Gobbi Street (Exit 548B), Perkins Street (Exit 549), and North State Street (Exit 551). No two consecutive ramps will be closed at a time. Motorists will be advised to seek an alternate route.

– Northern Aggregates Inc. of Willits has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to add turn lanes just south of Black Bart Drive. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week.  Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Highway construction from 1.0 mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge to the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Nighttime work hours are 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., weekdays. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect to allow trucks to enter and exit the highway. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Highway construction from 0.8 to 1.5 miles south of the North Willits Railroad Crossing will continue. Nighttime work hours are 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., weekdays. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect to allow trucks to enter and exit the highway. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Culvert rehabilitation just south of the North Willits Railroad Crossing will begin Monday, June 16. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to move power lines just south of Ryan Creek Road beginning Monday, June 16. Work hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 128

– Vegetation removal in preparation for culvert rehabilitation at various locations from the Robinson Creek Bridge to the Mendocino/Sonoma County line 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.

Highway 175

– Bridge rehabilitation at the Russian River Bridge 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 five-minute delays.

Highway 253

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs 2.8 miles west of Butler Ranch on Tuesday, June 17. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-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. – The popular children’s Nature Education Program at the Lake County Land Trust’s Rodman Preserve will resume on Saturday, June 21, and be held on the third Saturday of each month through September.

The program is great fun for children ages 7 through 12, or younger if accompanied by a parent.

It is free and open to the public.

A highlight of this first program will be learning about predators and prey by dissecting owl pellets, a fun activity that children enjoy.

The owl pellets contain the remains of small animals, that have been eaten by owls, including bones and skulls.

This popular program is led by Elaine Mansell, a well-known local naturalist and educator.

Mansell is a retired teacher and former Junior Ranger program director at Clear Lake State Park.

Although the program offered at Rodman Preserve is aimed at children 7 to 12, all are welcome.

Mansell likes to “get kids out to look at stuff and learn about nature,” something she is passionate about.

Her programs focus on the many different habitats at the Rodman Preserve and she draws on her experience and knowledge of what children love and encourages them to become “Rodman Explorers.”

Reservations are encouraged, but not required.

Please call Elaine Mansell at 707-263-1637 or Roberta Lyons at 707-994-2024 if you would like more information or to make a reservation for your child.

The preserve is located at 6350 Westlake Road near Upper Lake.

Take the Nice-Lucerne Cut-off between Lakeport and Upper Lake. Turn east onto the Nice-Lucerne Cut-off, then left on to Westlake Road. The preserve entry is to the immediate right after turning on to Westlake Road.

For more information about the Lake County Land Trust, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org .

COBB, Calif. – Twenty-seven dogs and more than 40 humans joined Lower Lake dog trainer Suzi Stephens, her dog Scooter, and co-sponsors Friends of Boggs Mountain and Evanger’s Dog and Cat Food Company in making the second annual Dogs at Boggs a howling success.

The event was held at Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest just north of picturesque Cobb in mountainous southern Lake County, California, on Saturday, May 10.

Held trailside near the forest’s office building, the training portion of the event helped prepare dogs and owners for safe hiking and socializing.

“Your first priority when you are in public with your dog is your dog’s safety,” Stephens said.

She counseled against introducing your dog to every dog you meet. “I don’t like every human I meet,” she noted, “so why would I expect my dog to like every dog she meets?”

Stephens noted that the “sit,” “stay” and “come” commands are among the most useful when handling dogs in the forest.

She demonstrated sit and stay with her own dog Scooter, then borrowed Nala, a small terrier mix, to explain how to train a dog to sit, stay, and come. Nala was a great student, nearly trained in just minutes.

Stephens also discussed trail etiquette. “Do not allow your dog to chase bikers,” she admonished.  

She recommends stepping to the low side of the trail with your dog when meeting horseback riders. Mountain lions and other predators generally attack from above, and if we move lower, horses are less likely to mistake us for predators.

Stephens demonstrated shortening a leash to tightly control your dog as you step ten or twelve feet off the trail, speaking in a calm, friendly voice as horse and rider approach.

Stephens also demonstrated the use of poop bags, which most participants already use. “I turn the bag inside out, pick up the poop, turn it inside in, tie a knot in it, and hook it to my belt to pack out of the forest.”

Thanks to Friends of Boggs Mountain, there are now four dispensers installed at forest entrances and camps.

Following the training session, Karen Rhoads led a hike on the 1.3-mile Interpretive Trail.

The hike’s theme was “The Edible Forest.” Temporary signs had been posted along the trail earlier, identifying plants that are edible by humans and dogs.

Rhoads talked about harvesting pine nuts for food during a water break at the halfway point.

First, she stressed that if you or your dog have peanut or tree nut allergies, avoid contact with pine nuts.

She then shelled some gray pine and Coulter pine nuts with pliers, and two adventurous hikers tasted them.

“Delicious,” both hikers exclaimed in surprise.

The group learned that the local pine nuts make rich, flavorful pesto.

Rhoads discussed the problem of rapid oxidation once a pine nut is outside its protective shell, recommending that we eat them quickly if shelled on the trail, and freeze them to preserve them as they’re shelled at home.

Following the hike, dog participants received bags that included treats, kibble samples and canned food from Evanger’s along with an “I’m a Boggs Dog” button.

Evanger’s also provided a gift basket of kibble, treats, canned foods and retail coupons that was raffled off to one lucky participant.

The Boggs Mountain Coloring Book, designed and illustrated by Karen Rhoads and published by Friends of Boggs Mountain, made its debut at Dogs at Boggs.

A number of copies were sold, with the author autographing each one.

Proceeds from coloring book sales support other projects of the non-profit, volunteer FOBM.

Sadly, the event ended and participants headed home, tired and happy.

Tent, water bowls, and extra leashes were stored for next year. Friends of Boggs Mountain already is planning the third annual Dogs at Boggs.

LUCERNE, Calif. – A caregiver support group for families dealing with memory loss or other cognitive impairments will meet on Thursday, June 19.

The group meets at the First Lutheran Church, 3863 Country Club Drive across from the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Social worker Jenny Johnson is the facilitator.

The group is sponsored by Redwood Caregiver Resource Center (1-800-834-1636) and the Social Day Programs in Lake County.

For more information call Jenny Johnson at 707-350-3030 or Caroline Denny at 707-263-9481.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Looking for an opportunity to show off your grillin’ skills?

Individuals and groups interested in competing in the fifth annual Grillin’ on the Green barbecue competition are encouraged to sign up now.

The event is an annual fundraiser to benefit Westside Community Park in Lakeport.

It will take place 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road.

Each year Grillin’ on the Green attracts a larger number of attendees who enjoy a barbecue cook-off, musical entertainment, children’s activities and a car show.

Cook-off competitors may register through Friday, July 11, by calling Cindy Ustrud, 707-263-7091.

Individuals and groups, from backyard barbecuers to professional grillers, have an opportunity to compete in the cook-off. There is no entry fee.

Each contestant is required to provide his/her own setup and samples of the chef’s “grillin’” specialty for 300 people.

The competition will culminate in a presentation of the People’s Choice Awards.

The Park Committee also is seeking sponsorships for this year’s event. Levels of sponsor recognition are $100, $300, $500, $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000. Sponsors will be recognized at the Grillin’ on the Green event.

For cook-off entry forms or additional information about the event and the barbecue competition, contact Westside Community Park Committee Chair Dennis Rollins, 707-349-0969.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the next phase of development of Westside Community Park.

Westside Community Park is a City of Lakeport recreational facility that was established 15 years ago.

The nonprofit park committee is developing the park in conjunction with the city of Lakeport, volunteers, and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Free Family Movie Night is moving to Austin Park for the summer months.

The next showing is at 9 p.m. Friday, June 27.

The event is free and open to the community.

There will be popcorn and snacks (while supplies last), plus a family friendly movie displayed on a large movie screen from a projector.

Bring your own chair or cozy blanket to sit on.

Visit the event's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/898371783509344/ .