LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Habitat for Humanity Lake County announces the planned submittal of a request for funding from the USDA Rural Development Housing Preservation Grant.
 
Funds awarded will be used to assist very low and low income homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes in Lake County.
 
The public is invited to comment by contacting Richard Birk at 707-994-1100 or by mail, P.O. Box 1830, Lower Lake, CA 95457, within 15 days of this announcement.
 
The statements of activities for this grant is available at Habitat for Humanity Lake County, 16285 A Main St., Lower Lake, CA.
 
The goal of Housing Preservation funding is to support the Lake County homeowners who need home repairs in order to preserve a safe and healthy household.

HOPLAND, Calif. – The UC Hopland Research and Extension Center has announced its new hiking series, “Hiking Hopland,” every second Saturday in 2016.

Hikes for all abilities are available from short family friendly visits with the center's newborn lambs to 7-mile hikes for the more intrepid explorer, including more than 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

All hikes allow visitors to learn more about exactly what goes on at the 5,358-acre Research and Extension Center, including why they have dogs with their sheep, what their wildlife cameras have been detecting and why one researcher spends her time catching Western fence lizards.

Planned hikes are as follows:

– “Meet the Lambs,” Jan. 9 and Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to noon. This short family-friendly hike will follow fairly flat paved roads for a total distance of 1 mile to visit the newborn lambs. There will be the chance to felt your own bar of soap with Beth Keiffer and learn about 4H. These hikes are suitable for all ages.

– “The Long One,” March 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This challenging hike will take participants up into the higher elevation of the center, through rangeland into oak woodland. The route is approximately 6 miles with significant change in elevation (968 feet). This hike is suitable for those who are well
accustomed to hiking such distances. Bring a packed lunch, water and sun protection.

– “Birds of HREC,” April 9, 10 a.m. to noon. Enjoy the wide diversity of birds and get your bird list started on this spring hike with the Peregrine Audubon Society. This hike will be approximately 2 miles at a slow pace with plenty of stops. Bring your binoculars. This hike is suitable for all wildlife enthusiasts who are willing to hike slowly and quietly for the best chance of wildlife observation.

– “Wildflower Wander,” May 14, 10 a.m. to noon. The perfect time to revel in the spring plant life. Join the California Native Plant Society on this short hike, approximately 3 miles with plenty of opportunity to look closely at the local flora. Bring your hand lens or borrow theirs to see plants up close.

– “Secrets of the Turkey Vulture,” June 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We all know the soaring turkey vulture, but have you ever seen a nest? Find out where they nest and appreciate how shy and secretive these birds can be with researchers Greg Giusti and Bob Keiffer. This is a moderate hike of approximately
5 miles, with elevation gain (344 feet). They will visit a turkey vulture nest site and see the methods used by scientists to understand their nesting habits and requirements. Bring a packed lunch, water and sun protection.

No dogs are permitted on hikes due to the presence of guardian dogs and sheep.

All hikes meet at the Rod Shippey Hall, Hopland Research and Extension Center, 4070 University Road.

Hikes are free, but space is limited.

For more information and registration for all hikes visit http://hrec.ucanr.edu or call Hannah Bird, 707-744-1424, Extension 105, or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Club will host state Sen. Mike McGuire as its guest speaker on Tuesday, Jan. 12.

The meeting will take place beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the social hall at the Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church, 16255 Second St.

McGuire will discuss the current state of Lake County. There also will be time for questions and answers.

Lake County Democratic Club meetings are open to the public. Club membership is open to all registered Democrats.

The Lake County Democratic Club is an officially chartered club of the Democratic Party of Lake County.

Visit www.lakecountydemocraticclub.org or contact the club at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In a move to strengthen patient care and bereavement services in Lake County, the board of directors of Hospice Services of Lake County voted on Thursday, Dec. 17, to outsource much of its routine administrative work.

The decision came after months of planning and strategizing on how Hospice Services will meet the increase in mandated reporting and other requirements from Medicare, while not diminishing its services to the community.

Over the last few years, Medicare has increased administrative requirements for Hospice Services agencies, but not increased funding to match.

Without changes, these administrative burdens, would cut into funds previously directed towards patient care.

“These requirements without offsetting reimbursement puts a strain on hospices like ours,” said Corrigan Gommenginger, executive director of Hospice Services of Lake County, “these mandates take funds away from patient care, which is against what this organization has been about for over 35 years.”

There has been a push nationwide for hospice agencies to create shared services with each other to make independent, non-profit agencies like HSLC stronger and maintain focus on patient care.

Through the Northern California Hospice Coalition, of which Hospice Services of Lake County is a member, Gommenginger was able to contract with another hospice agency to provide oversight of the finance and human resource functions of the agency.

Four administrative positions have been eliminated. Gommenginger planned a period of transition during the six weeks following the vote to give time to finalize open projects and reassign tasks and duties previously handled by the administrative professionals.

He stated that this arrangement does not symbolize any agency shortcomings or failures, or any sort of merger.

The changes, while difficult, are a sign of leadership on the part of the organization to adapt to the changes in its industry and better prepare Hospice Services of Lake County for the future.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Winter Wonderland Father Daughter Dance will take place on Friday, Jan. 29, in Upper Lake.

The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Upper Lake Middle School gym.

There will be music, dancing, food and a photo booth.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children, and are available at the front offices of Upper Lake Middle School, 725 Old Lucerne Road, and Upper Lake Elementary School, 679 Second St., or contact Lisa Glenn at 707-533-7105.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – It’s been many years since many older Lake County residents got their driver’s license.

Yet the driving experience is significantly different from even a decade ago with changing vehicles, changing technology, changing road rules and even changing roadways.

Residents can refresh their skills and have the opportunity to save money on their car insurance with the new, enhanced AARP Smart Driver Course being offered at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center, 527 Konocti Ave., telephone 707-263-4218.

The two-day course is being offered on Jan. 19 and 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. each day.

The volunteer instructor is Steve Hendricks, telephone 707-972-7884.

The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-AARP members.

The new curriculum was developed following a two-year research study conducted by Eastern Virginia Medical School.

The course helps drivers 50 and older stay current with driving laws and new technologies inside and outside of vehicles.

Participants will also learn defensive driving skills, proven safety strategies and how to manage and accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time.

“Since 1979, AARP Driver Safety has helped over 15 million drivers stay safe, educated and confident behind the wheel. Every driver can benefit from a refresher,” said Julie E. Lee, vice president and national director of AARP Driver Safety.

Many participants may be eligible for a multi-year insurance discount after taking the course.

Participants are encouraged to check with their insurance agent to see if they are eligible.

Attendance is required but there are no tests required to pass the course.