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 20

– Pavement repairs from Manzanita Road to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Pavement repairs from Main Street in Kelseyville to the junction of Routes 29/175 near Lakeport will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Highway repairs just north of Ocean Meadows Circle 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 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 from about 2.0 miles south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge to the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday evening through Wednesday morning. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Highway construction from Casteel Lane to Reynolds Highway will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– PG&E has been issued a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility repairs just south of the Jitney Gulch Bridge on Tuesday, July 14. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 128

– Culvert rehabilitation at various locations from Wendling Street to Philo School Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Roadway repairs from the Shearing Creek Bridge to the Maple Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.
 
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.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Luncheon Club's July meeting is featuring the Middletown 4-H Club.

Lunch will be served on Wednesday, July 15, at noon at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St. The program will end promptly at 1 p.m.

This month's speakers and servers are members of the Middletown 4-H Club under the direction of Middletown High School teacher and "get 'er done" gal, Karen Jones.

Middletown 4-H is the largest 4-H club in Lake County, hosting more than 90 members.

The club concentrates on engaging local members with leadership activities as well as promoting and helping with local community service activities. 

One of their biggest activities is the Lake County Fair because of the leadership benefits it promotes.

The local club members will share their love of the fair and their animals. Public speaking is part of being a leader.

Join the club as it supports these youth who are working to improve themselves and their world.

For only $5 per person, enjoy ham and spinach quiche, broccoli and salad.

Reservations are required. Please call 707-987-3113 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make a reservation or for more information.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – At the Monday, Aug. 10, meeting of the Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club, Marie Powell will give a presentation on succulents.

Powell will discuss different varieties, propagation, and how and where to plant them in the ground and in pots around your home.

She will give a demonstration on how to make containers for succulents using Portland cement and peat moss.

Meetings of the Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club are free and open to the public on the second Monday of each month.

They are held in the HVL Association administration building's activity room, 18174 Hidden Valley Road.

A social gathering with refreshments begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by a business meeting and program at 10 a.m.

For further information, contact Cheryl Crawford at 707-987-8254 or e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Free movies in the Middletown Square Park are finally a reality due to the tenacity of Marlene Elder, an active member of Middletown Area Town Hall (MATH), and the generosity of the Middletown community, Merchants and Hardester’s Markets.

The first movie, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very, Bad Day,” will be shown at dusk on Saturday, July 11. The Boy Scouts will have a fundraising concession stand.

The plan is to have two more movie dates this season: Aug. 8 and Sept. 12.

Due to unknown variables such as community participation and the wide range of quality and price for the equipment, donations are continuing to be collected at all three Hardester’s Markets located in Cobb, Middletown and Hidden Valley Lake.

A donation can be done in one of two ways: 1) Round up to the next dollar on purchases; or 2) give an amount of your choosing at any of the Hardester’s Markets’ checkout stands.

The hope is that the equipment purchased to begin the free summer movie program in the park can be upgraded as needed.

Hardester’s has paid in advance for the movie equipment, and pledged to make up any short fall from community donations.

There also are licensing fees that range from $150 to $375 depending on the movie shown and businesses or individuals that would like to sponsor movie nights may do so.

Hardester’s Markets have graciously agreed to pay the licensing fees for movie nights if a movie night is not covered.

The July 11th movie is being hosted by MAMA members Star Gardens and Munchies & Music.

MAMA hosts are still needed for the August and September movies. Hosting requires picking the movie, which needs to be “G” or “PG” rated, and set up and take down of the equipment.

No alcohol will be allowed at this event as the goal is to have a community family event and children of all ages will be present.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Public Works said work on a bridge replacement on Ackley Road will begin on Monday, July 13.

The bridge is 500 feet north of Matthews Road.

Traffic control will be in effect, with delays expected.

Beginning on Monday, July 20, and continuing through Oct. 30, Ackley Road at Ackley Road bridge will be closed to all traffic – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – in order to replace the bridge.

Signage will be in place directing through traffic to use alternate routes.

For more information, call Lake County Public Works at 707-263-2341.

School is out for summer and that means many kids will be home with tons of energy – and using lots of energy in the home.

PG&E wants parents to know that the company offers savings and safety tips year-round, but summer is a great time for families to learn ways to save energy and money.

It’s also a good opportunity to teach children how to stay safe around electricity and natural gas. 

Summertime energy and money saving tips

PG&E wants customers to know that summer can be better when we save together and offers customers even more ways to save.

Energy usage is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California and by taking steps to save, parents and students can all be part of the solution to reduce the impacts of climate change.

– Avoid using the oven on hot days. Instead, cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or grill outside.
– Save on cooling costs by setting your thermostat to 78°F when you're at home, health permitting. Set it to 85°F when you're away for more than a few hours.
– If possible, enjoy an afternoon out at the pool, park or local library. You can also visit your community cooling centers ( see www.pge.com/coolingcenter ).
– Wait until cooler times of the day to do tasks that make your house warmer, like laundry and cooking.
– If you turn your ceiling fan on when using the air conditioner, you can raise your thermostat about 4°F to save on cooling costs with no reduction in comfort.
– Turn off lights when not in use.
– Unplug computers, appliances and equipment when you’re not using them.

Don't forget to take advantage of the many rebate incentives offered by PG&E for energy-efficiency purchases and improvements.

From lighting to appliances to maintenance and upgrades that won’t break the bank, PG&E offers incentives to help you take control of your energy use and your monthly bill.

Complete the customized Home Energy Checkup to learn more about the energy usage in your home. Find energy saving tips, available incentives and ways you can SAVE on your bill this summer at www.pge.com/saveenergymoney .
 
Gas and electric safety in the home

Summer is almost here and with more kids at home, PG&E urges customers to be safe and prepared for natural gas and electric emergencies in the home.

Gas leak safety

– Keep a flashlight handy. Never use matches or candles to look for gas leaks, and never turn any electric switches on or off if you suspect a gas leak.
– If the smell of gas continues, or if you have any doubts, open windows and doors and get everyone out of the building. Using a phone away from the building, call 9-1-1 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
– Avoid causing a gas leak by calling 8-1-1 two working days before digging to have gas pipelines and other underground utility lines located and marked for FREE.
– Don’t just rely on your nose to detect the presence of natural gas.
      
In addition to the odor added to natural gas, the following signs may indicate the presence of a gas leak:

– Hissing, whistling or roaring sounds.
– Damaged connections to gas appliances.
– Dead or dying vegetation in otherwise moist areas over or near pipeline areas.
– Unusual soil movement or bubbling water.
– Exposed pipeline after an earthquake, fire, flood or other disaster.

Electric outage preparation and safety

– Have battery operated flashlights with fresh batteries on hand.
– During an outage, use battery-operated flashlights, and not candles, due to the risk of fire. If you must use candles, keep them away from drapes, lampshades and small children. Do not leave candles unattended.
– Have battery operated radios with fresh batteries for updates on storm conditions and outages.
– Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator and freezer during an outage to prevent food from spoiling.
– Secure or put away any outside items such as garbage cans and lawn furniture that can be blown by high winds into overhead power lines.
– If you experience an outage, unplug or turn off all electric appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.

For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page .