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EMERYVILLE, Calif. – As temperatures rise, gas prices are expected to continue their descent due to the resolution of refinery issues and relatively low crude oil prices.
This week's state prices are registering at $3.10 on average for a gallon of unleaded gasoline – that’s $0.33 less than prices since AAA Northern California’s latest monthly gas survey of March 10.
Northern California’s average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.05 – that’s $0.32 less than last month’s AAA reported price on March 10.
The least expensive average price in Northern California can be found in Marysville, where regular unleaded gasoline is $2.80 per gallon.
Of all metro areas tracked by AAA in Northern California, Eureka registers the highest price at $3.28 per gallon of unleaded regular.
“Despite falling for the majority of the previous month, retail averages maintain the potential to inch upward short-term as we approach the summer driving season,” said Cynthia Harris, AAA Northern California spokesperson. “The price at the pump remains heavily influenced by the global price of crude and the ability of domestic refineries to manage scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.”
Any global or national market moving developments will cause the price at the pump to fluctuate; however, it is estimated that even with seasonal prices, consumers are expected to see prices move lower leading up to the peak driving season this summer. California ($3.10) and Hawaii ($3.09) are nation’s most expensive markets for retail gasoline.
The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has continued to point lower, due to the resolution of regional refinery issues and a global price of crude oil that remains relatively low.
This week's average price of $2.39 per gallon is fractions of a penny higher than one week ago.
The global oil market remains bearish, despite the price of crude showing volatility reminiscent of the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009.
Global supply continues to outpace demand, and news of sustained production from OPEC along with high-cost production countries like the U.S. is expected to keep downward pressure on global crude prices. The U.S. oil production and supplies continue to outpace demand.
To get the best mileage possible, AAA recommends keeping tires at the recommended pressure suggested by the vehicle manufacturer, performing routine maintenance and making sure fluids are clean and belts and hoses are in good repair.
The way you drive can also impact fuel economy. Smooth driving to avoid sudden stops and starts, combining trips and lightening a vehicle’s load also help to conserve gasoline.
AAA Fuel Gauge Report is the most comprehensive retail gasoline survey available, with more than 100,000 self-serve stations surveyed every day, nationwide. Data is provided in cooperation with OPIS Energy Group and Wright Express, LLC.
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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – On Saturday, April 18, Organic Home Lifestyle, a new eco-focused business located in Middletown, will host an Earth Day event for all ages.
“We’re offering an all-day Earth Day terrarium-building workshop to share a small token of environmental appreciation with people,” said Tara Somers, co-owner and founder. “We’re also going to give away some of our most popular organic and natural home products, and we’ll offer light snacks and refreshments for people as well.”
The event will take place from noon until 6 p.m. at the Organic Home Lifestyle flagship store, located at 21137 Calistoga Road.
“We’re excited to see how our community responds,” said Somers.
Terrarium making will be donation-based – whatever people want to give. All proceeds from the workshop will go directly to a couple of the store’s favorite local nonprofits, Middletown Art Center and the Clear Lake SPCA.
The main focus of the event is the “Organic Home Lifestyle Interactive Eco-Home Tour” that is designed to inform and inspire the community about limiting toxic exposures, conserving natural resources and implementing sustainable practices.
“Whether it’s making a deposit into the household compost or shaking up our natural, homemade cleaning concoction, we hope people will be inspired by the tour to incorporate eco-friendly processes more into their homes and lifestyles,” said Star Brumfield, Organic Home Lifestyle representative.
Offering guests mini-passports to check off while answering eco-immersive questions and taking real time actions will help guide them as they explore different areas of the home.
“We want to contribute as much as we can to the economic vitality of our extraordinary community, where nature abounds,” said Martha Somers, co-owner/founder. “We saw that the most effective way to do this was to create a thriving business that would promote stewardship of our local natural resources by raising awareness and giving back.”
Dedicated to helping families incorporate natural solutions for everyday household needs, Organic Home Lifestyle offers natural home products, workshops and classes that support healthy living, simple living and careful consumption of natural resources.
Learn more at www.OrganicHomeLifestyle.com , email
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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The 2014 Cache Creek Vineyard Rosé has received a gold medal at “The 2015 Rosé Competition” held at Simi Winery on March 25.
Wines were entered from various counties and 19 states.
Recognizing the importance of the growing Rosé category, this competition was judged by distinguished wine judges including Christopher Sawyer, Denise Gill, Debra Del Fiorentino, Sue Straight, Debra Parker Wong, Rick Fraga and Ray Johnson.
“As a category, Rosé is on fire and consumers can’t go wrong with the variety of styles that medaled in the competition,” said Judge Deborah Parker Wong.
The Cache Creek Vineyards 2014 Rosé will be officially released to celebrate Lake County Wine Adventure Weekend on May 16.
Start off your Wine Adventure at the Reggae and Rosé event featuring live Reggae bands, Jamaican jerk chicken with grilled pineapple paired up with the gold medal-winning 2014 Rosé.
Visit Cache Creek Vineyards online at https://www.cachecreekvineyards.com/ .
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Thursday, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, spoke at the Bay Planning Coalition’s 2015 Decision Makers Conference.
Garamendi's speech focused on America's pivotal opportunity to create thousands of American jobs by revitalizing America's shipbuilding industry.
“We're not building big ships in the United States except for the U.S. Navy. These are strategic national assets,” Congressman Garamendi said.
“What if we recognized that the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG), when and where deemed appropriate, provides us with a unique opportunity to rebuild the American shipbuilding industry and strengthen our Merchant Marine,” Garamendi said. “When we export LNG, we need to make sure that the export of this natural asset is being conducted by American sailors on American ships. In doing so, we will revitalize America's shipbuilding industry in a big way.
“We have an opportunity to make sure that a very significant part of the American economy has an opportunity to blossom and grow – not just the shipyards – but the entire supply chain: electronics, engines, and more,” he added. “Can it be done? Well, it turns out that a lot of shipyards are represented by my Republican friends.”
In his remarks, Garamendi also argued that we need to ensure that harbor maintenance funds are not siphoned off to projects unrelated to improving America's harbors. California is disproportionately harmed by this practice.
“Harbor maintenance fund money should be used for what is one of the principal economic opportunities this nation possesses: our ports,” he said.
Garamendi also argued that we need to:
· Preserve the Jones Act;
· Renew the Surface Transportation Act and ideally model it out of ideas of the President's GROW America Act, including its call for a robust and comprehensive freight management plan; and
· Do more to preserve the Merchant Marine.
“We're going to build in America and Make It In America one ship, two ships, one hundred ships at a time,” Garamendi concluded. “What I need from all of you is your interest and support in building the American shipbuilding industry. If any of you would like to join me in this effort, let me know.”