Business News
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The event begins at 5 p.m. at the market, located at 6084 E. Highway 20 in Lucerne and featuring a new paint job, facade and awning.
Participating groups include the North Shore Business Association, Lake County Chamber and Clear Lake Oaks/Glenhaven Business Association.
The evening will include special acknowledgments, a great chicken and rib barbecue, beer and wine and even a dance until 10 p.m., all for $10 per person with your RSVP. E-mail
Lakeview Supermarket and the Lake County Visitor's Center will both have extended hours. Lakeview will have a huge sidewalk and after-hours sale for those who love great USDA Choice and Prime beef and love hot grocery deals.
Come and check out Lakeview Supermarket & Deli's new look, both inside and out.
Also, please help Lakeview thank the people who played such a huge role in improving the Northshore area. Don't miss the party – the evening will feature great food, great people and great music, courtesy of Tony Barthel from the Featherbed Railroad Bed & Breakfast.
Since the parking lot will be reserved for dancing, partying and eating, please consider car-pooling with a friend or two.
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Simple yet stylish, this new logo will complement the Lake County Winegrape Commission logo and the County of Lake logo. It will appear in full, vibrant color, two-color, or black and white. Look forward to seeing the new LCWA logo on a variety of printed materials including the posters and postcards promoting the inaugural People's Choice Wine Awards judging and tasting to be held on Oct. 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Six Sigma Ranch & Winery.
Tickets are $25 each for an afternoon of fun, food, and wine. Event goers will have the opportunity to taste and judge over 50 award-winning Lake County wines while enjoying the scenery at the 4,300 acre Six Sigma ranch. We encourage designated drivers and continue to promote responsible hospitality.
In a collaborative effort with the Lake County Marketing & Economic Development Program, LCWA also is implementing a winery and tasting room signage system that will enable visitors to more easily find their way throughout the Lake County wine region.
These types of winery directional signs are relatively common in other major wine regions throughout California and beyond. After consulting with several wine industry groups in other counties, we now have a project ready to implement.
As most of these signs will be placed at intersections of key travel routes, representatives of CalTrans have been consulted. Additionally, the Lake County Board of Supervisors has been informed of this project and, on Jan. 22, 2008, signed Resolution No. 2008-16 in support of the Directional “Way Finding” Signage Program.
Next steps include constructing and producing the signs and obtain authorization from property owners to install them at key locations throughout the county.
LCWS hopes for the continued support from the community on this project as it is important to the wineries and tasting rooms of Lake County, as well as to the County’s tourism program and economic health.
More information on the Lake County Directional "Way Finding" sign will be released in the near future.
Tickets for the People's Choice Wine Awards tasting and judging on Oct. 3, can be purchased online or at the following Lake County wineries: Gregory Graham Wines, Langtry Estates & Vineyards, Rosa D'Oro Vineyards, Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Steele Wines, Tulip Hill Winery and Wildhurst Vineyards.
In Middletown tickets also are available at the Middletown Florist located in the shopping center at the corner of Highway 29 and Wardlaw Street. Call 707-355-2762 or www.lakecountywineries.org for more information.
Founded in 2007, the Lake County Winery Association (LCWA) works closely with the county of Lake and the Lake County Winegrape Commission, as well as other county businesses and organizations, to increase Lake County tourism by promoting our award-winning, breathtaking, and still relatively undiscovered, wine region.
One of the newest destinations for those looking to enjoy fine wines in a relaxed, down-to-earth, rural and breathtaking environment, this award-winning, yet unspoiled, and relatively undiscovered wine region is located just two hours by car from the San Francisco Bay area or the Pacific Coast. It surrounds Clear Lake, California’s largest natural freshwater lake, and sits at the foot of Mt. Konocti, a dormant, multiple volcano that forms a prominent and majestic landmark almost centered in Lake County. Mt. Konocti is responsible for crafting a wide range of elevations suitable for growing a wide selection of varietals.
Here in Lake County, it is the combination of the high elevation, rugged lands; the gentle slopping, rolling hillsides; the expansive fertile valley floor; and the spectacular and picturesque lake and lakeshore that provide the origin of Lake County’s highly acclaimed wines. The winery association invites visitors and residents alike to explore Lake County vineyards and Lake County wineries.
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“In my 21 years in attorney discipline, I have not seen a crisis of this magnitude. It is truly unprecedented,” said Interim Chief Trial Counsel Russell Weiner, who is waiving investigation confidentiality in favor of public protection.
The waiver, allowed by law, is used only occasionally, but Weiner said the seriousness of the problem demanded a strong reaction by the bar in order to protect consumers.
This is the first time the names of more than a few lawyers being investigated have been made public.
“The number of attorneys using their law licenses to essentially take money from unwary but trusting consumers is astounding,” Weiner added. “There are literally thousands of victims who have lost money they could not afford to lose. Under the circumstances, the need for public information and protection is paramount.”
Those attorneys being named by the State Bar have allegedly taken fees for promised services and then failed to perform those services, communicate with their clients or return the unearned fees, Weiner said. Some attorneys misrepresented the services they could provide. “It appears these attorneys may have significantly harmed their clients who were already facing great financial pressure and the possible loss of their homes.”
About one-quarter – almost 800 cases – of the active investigations in the Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OTC) are related to foreclosure complaints. The office has experienced a 58 percent increase in active investigations over 2008 due in large part to the huge increase in complaints against attorneys offering loan modification services. “Our office is aggressively investigating these cases and is working proactively with law enforcement,” said Weiner.
In March of 2009, the State Bar created a special team of investigators and lawyers to handle the growing number of complaints received about attorneys offering loan modification services. OTC found that many of the offending attorneys are associated with firms that use telemarketers or phone banks to sign up clients without regard to the facts of the individual case or whether or not the client can be helped, Weiner said.
In many cases, the attorneys work with untrained non-attorney staff engaging in the unlawful practice of law by offering legal advice to prospective clients. OTC also is investigating the non-attorney staff for possible referral to law enforcement.
In recent months, OTC has obtained the resignation of three attorneys who were offering loan modification services. Those attorneys chose to give up their licenses to practice law rather than face disciplinary charges and possible disbarment. In addition, OTC lawyers are preparing to put some attorneys on inactive status pending the filing of formal disciplinary charges
Weiner warned consumers to take special caution when seeking legal representation related to loan modification. “Consumers should not be comforted by advertisements that claim the attorney is a member of the State Bar of California,” he said, noting that all attorneys practicing in California on a regular basis are members. “Such membership does not mean the attorney has any special knowledge, experience or expertise in the area of loan modification. In fact, it appears that many of the attorneys offering these services have little or no prior experience in the area of loan modification.”
The following attorneys have received a significant number of complaints related to the loan modification services they were hired to perform. They are entitled to a full and fair hearing on any charges that may be filed in the future. No discipline may be imposed unless and until the State Bar proves allegations of misconduct by clear and convincing evidence.
▪ David Arase, Bar No. 233705, Arase Law Firm and National Housing Assistance, Costa Mesa;
▪ Stephen Burns, Bar No. 113371, Legal Group Network, Los Angeles;
▪ Robert Buscho, Bar No. 122556, United Law Group, Fullerton;
▪ Nicholas Chavarela, Bar No. 251632, Rodis Law Group and America’s Law Group, Santa Ana;
▪ Steven Feldman, Bar No. 103676, Feldman Law Center, Mission Viejo;
▪ Eric Johnson, Bar No. 224065, Avantgarde Group, Culver City;
▪ Paul Lucas, Bar No. 163076, Lucas Law Center, Alison Viejo;
▪ Brandon Moreno, Bar No. 233750, U. S. Foreclosure, Santa Ana;
▪ Jeffrey Nemerofsky, Bar No. 213014, U.S. Advocacy Law Group and U.S. Financial Products, Laguna Niguel.
▪ Gregory Paiva, Bar No. 207218, Law Offices of Gregory Paiva, Ontario;
▪ Adrian Pomery, Bar No. 249664, U.S.. Foreclosure, Orange;
▪ Ronald Rodis, Bar No. 181873, Rodis Law Group and America’s Law Group, Newport Beach;
▪ Mark Shoemaker, Bar No. 134828, Advocates for Fair Lending, Long Beach;
▪ Marc Tow, Bar No. 78429, Marc Tow and Associates, Newport Beach;
▪ Michael Yellin, Bar No. 255050, A Fresh Start Loan Modification, Los Angeles;
▪ Sean Rutledge, Bar No. 255938, United Law Group, Irvine.
The State Bar suggests that consumers be wary of attorneys offering loan modification services under any of the following circumstances:
Advertisements of the office do not expressly identify by name the attorney who is responsible for the business.
Office staff will not readily identify by name the attorney responsible for oversight of the business.
The attorney in charge of the office is too busy or not willing to meet personally with prospective clients.
The firm advises a consumer to stop paying the existing mortgage.
The business, through its advertisements or claims of its representatives, makes claims that sound too good to be true, such as claims of a 90 or 100 percent rate of success in obtaining loan modifications, or claims that a reduction in the mortgage principal is likely to be achieved.
The business demands payment of a large fee, even before obtaining a prospective client’s basic income and expense information, and information about the existing mortgage and present home value.
The attorney responsible for the business is not licensed to practice law in the state where the consumer resides.
There are legitimate loan modification services and ethical attorneys that are providing the promised services for their clients.
Two places to start in the search for loan modification assistance are: HUD Housing Counselors, 800-569-4287, www.hud..gov/counseling ; and HOPE NOW, 888-995-HOPE, www.hopenow.com .
Consumers can also find qualified attorneys through a State Bar-certified lawyer referral service that can be found on the State Bar’s Web site (www.calbar.ca.gov ), or by calling the State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Services Directory at 1-866-442-2529 (toll free in California) or 415-538-2250 (from outside California).
Consumers having a problem with the attorney handling their loan modification may contact the State Bar at 1-800-843-9053 or visit the State Bar’s Web site at www.calbar.ca.gov to find a complaint form.
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DAVIS – Dr. Glenda Humiston has been appointed state director of US Department of Agriculture Rural Development in California.
Humiston, appointed by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, will be located in the Davis state office.
“Glenda will be an important advocate on behalf of rural communities in California and help administer the valuable programs and services provided by the USDA that can enhance their economic success,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Humiston has spent over 25 years working on public policy development and program implementation that supports sustainability.
She served from 1998 – 2001 as Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment at USDA. While there she received national honor awards from USDA and EPA as well as two “Hammer” Awards from Vice President Gore for outstanding government programs.
“I am excited to return to USDA and look forward to working with the great team at Rural Development,” said Humiston. “Many of our rural communities are struggling during these economic times, but at Rural Development we have the resources available to help families, businesses and communities succeed and thrive. I am proud to help lead this charge.”
Humiston resides in Novato with her wife, Grace Flannery.
She holds a bachelor of science from Colorado State University in animal science and a master’s degree from the University of California at Davis in International Agricultural Development.
She has also completed professional certification in environmental and land use planning and a two-year fellowship with the California Agricultural Leadership program.
Most recently, Humiston completed her Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley, within the Division of Society and Environment. Her research and dissertation, “Sustainable Agriculture as U.S. Farm Policy: Opportunities and Threats to Reform” was funded by a prestigious EPA STAR Fellowship and graduate fellowships from U.C. Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports creation of critical community and technology infrastructure.
Further information on rural programs is available at one of California’s 18 local USDA Rural Development offices or by visiting http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ca .
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