Business News
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- Written by: Editor
LOWER LAKE – Kaj and Else Ahlmann are celebrating the 20-year anniversary of their discovery of what is now Six Sigma Ranch in Lower Lake.
“Acquiring the Ranch and uncovering its potential has been a terrific journey,” said Kaj Ahlmann.
“Every year the vineyards come into balance to a greater degree, and even more so since we've transitioned to organic farming,” added Six Sigma Vice President Christian Ahlmann. “The maturing of the grape vines is reflected in added complexity of the wines.”
Three new vintages have been released in celebration of the ranch’s 10-year anniversary: 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Rooster Vineyard (crisp and dry with notes of passion fruit and pink grapefruit); 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Michael’s Vineyard (oak fermented, hints of apricot and pear, with a silky finish); and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Six Sigma Vineyards (raspberry, plum and dark cherry with a finish of sweet tannins).
Guests are invited to visit Six Sigma Ranch, taste the new releases, and peruse the selection of 2009 holiday gift packs – highlighting Six Sigma wines and locally produced Dancing Treepeople Organic Walnuts, Villa Barone Olive Oil and Holdenried Ranch dried pears.
The tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and located at 13372 Spruce Grove Road in Lower Lake.
For more information call 707-994-4068.
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- Written by: Office of Congressman Mike Thompson
The STORAGE Act would provide a tax credit to individuals and businesses when they purchase energy storage systems.
Energy storage systems allow consumers to keep excess energy generated by things like solar panels or wind turbines when energy is in low demand and then use it during periods of peak demand, reducing consumers’ electricity bills and greatly enhancing the reliability of alternative energy sources.
“We need to do more to create new green jobs and promote clean, renewable energy,” said Congressman Thompson. “These tax incentives will help save people money on their electricity bills while also helping our environment, which is a win-win. It will also spur innovation, because it incentivizes the development and use of new technologies.”
Businesses and individuals would both be eligible for tax credits under the STORAGE Act. Businesses and factories that generate energy via large compressed air systems, flywheels, and large arrays of fuels cells and batteries would be eligible for a 20 percent tax credit. Households and businesses that purchase energy storage systems for their property would be eligible for a 30 percent tax credit.
The tax credits would also help improve our alternative energy infrastructure.
The current alternative energy electricity infrastructure is highly inefficient. Right now, alternative energy sources are often shut down if the energy cannot be used immediately.
Energy storage systems can help fix this problem by storing energy temporarily and delivering it when it is needed. Energy storage systems also help cope with peak demand.
By allowing consumers to store energy, rather than draw on the system during peak demand time, it can reduce the number of power plants that are needed.
This bill will be assigned to the House Ways & Means Committee. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Ron Wyden.
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- Written by: Editor
The meeting will be held a the Live Oak Senior Center, 2502 Foothill Blvd. on The Plaza in Clearlake Oaks.
There will be a appetizers, a gourmet dinner and the music of John Zimmerman.
Please bring an unwrapped gift for the Toys for Tots. All are invited.
Please RSVP before Dec. 12 by calling 707-998-9563.
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- Written by: Editor
SACRAMENTO – As winter nears and the nights turn chilly, many people will choose to heat their homes with a nice, warm wood fire in the fireplace. While there are many wood dealers eager to sell at attractive prices, how do you know if you’re getting a good, fair deal? The only way to know for sure is to measure what is sold.
Firewood has its own special unit of measurement called a “cord.”
Firewood, in units of 1/8th of a cord and above, must be sold by the cord or fractions of a cord. A cord of wood by law must equal 128 cubic feet.
To determine if you have a cord, the wood must be measured when it is “ranked and well stowed.” This means the wood is stacked neatly in a row with the pieces of wood parallel and touching with as few gaps as possible. If, when measured, the width times the height, times the length equals 128 cubic feet, it is a cord of wood.
Be wary of terms such as "face cord," "rack," "rick," "tier," "pile" or "truck-load," as these terms are illegal to use in the sale of firewood. If a seller uses such terms, consumers should be on alert for a possible problem.
Some wood dealers try to sell firewood from a pick-up truck. Be on your guard, because a pick-up cannot hold a cord of firewood. An 8-foot truck bed can hold one-half of a cord while a 6-foot bed can barely hold one-third of a cord.
Make sure you get an invoice or delivery ticket that contains the name and address of the seller, the date purchased or delivered, the quantity purchased, and the price. The seller is required by law to give you this information in writing. You may want to take note of the license plate of the delivery vehicle.
Finally, if you believe you have not received the quantity you ordered and paid for, call the seller to correct the problem. Try to maintain the wood in the condition it was delivered, take a photograph, and do not burn any.
If the seller can’t or won’t correct the problem, contact your local county weights and measures office as soon as possible at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/exec/county/county_contacts.html or the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Division of Measurement Standards at 916-229-3000.
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