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Written by: Ken Young

Published: 30 November 2007

Created: 30 November 2007

Last Updated: 30 November 2007

Dec. 1st is World AIDS Day. It is unfortunate that AIDS has taken a back-seat in the public dialogue and relegated to one day of recognition.

This disease is alive and thriving in rural communities, ethnic communities and across all lines.

This past week, the Lake County BOS did their part and designated AIDS Awareness Week in Lake County with a Proclamation naming this and acknowledging the work of Community Care HIV/AIDS Project and Drop In Center.

In 2007, AIDS has many faces. Among them, scores of men, women and children, around the world, and here in Lake County.

For over two decades, Community Care HIV/AIDS Project-Drop In Center has been the sole provider of support and services for people who are HIV-Positive as well as responders to the growing pandemic that is HEP C.

I am advocating to let people know that help is available. No one in Lake County needs to wonder, or be ill and isolated, or not receive support and resources. At CCHAP-DIC, we are here, a staff of four, every Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. "Here" is a safe, drug-free, place to receive potentially life-saving information, emotional support and connection to the rare, existing resources.

With our partners, we can help folks with gas vouchers to make their multiple medical appointments, food vouchers, a food cupboard and other services. Our modest staff comprises a loving registered nurse/PHN, a vivacious-on-the-spot clinical social worker, a wonderful case aide and me.

We also provide support groups, exercise groups and client-to-client workshops free of charge to the client.

If you, or someone you care about, may be at-risk for HIV, or HEP C, please call us at 995-1606.

As a rural community, we need to work together to be the healthiest community we can be. Peace.

Ken Young lives in Clearlake Oaks.

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Written by: Johnny Carney

Published: 25 November 2007

Created: 25 November 2007

Last Updated: 25 November 2007

I was going to start this missive with the word "arguable," but on reflection, that is not my view.

It used to be that we had a gas station on almost every corner, and now it is coming to pass, will have a casino instead. Actually "casino” is a sugar-coated term for a gambling den. Now our "esteemed" governor is to issue permits for more slot machines. Backed by firemen and police, the age-old ploy has been dusted off and put into action. Nine billion in new taxes will be generated they say. For what? For schools? For health care? For the needy?

You know as I do that governments – local, state and federal – can suck in and absorb taxes forever. What happened to the money created by the state lottery which was touted as a boon for schools, and why does my teacher daughter still buy supplies out of pocket? Ranked among the worst things to happen to this state, its main victims are those who can least afford it. Arguable, I don't think so.

And our governor, who stated prior to the election, "I have plenty of my own money," now stands as the all-time champion in collecting campaign "donations" to the tune of $125 million. Question ... how much gambling den money was included in that total?

As for the “gamblers,” ask yourself, "Who's paying for all this?” Sadly you are.

 

Johnny Carney lives in Kelseyville.

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Written by: Lynn and Mike Rossman

Published: 14 November 2007

Created: 14 November 2007

Last Updated: 14 November 2007

We would like to publicly thank the fine people of Clearlake, the Clearlake city employees and the Clearlake Police Department for all their assistance while we renovated the Lamplighter Hotel, now known as the Lamplighter Lakehouse Inn.

Mike’s cardiac arrest and eventual recovery shortly after our purchase of the Lamplighter certainly destroyed our plans to complete renovation in time for high season. The burglaries that occurred during our absence created additional setbacks. However, the fine police work of Officer Labbe and the help of our new friends in the community assured us that buying the Lamplighter to renovate and reopen the inn, and soon, the restaurant was the right decision.

Thank you Nancy and Brad Hagen, Harold and Delores Molt, Linda King, Robert Siegmund, Dave Lind, Jeanne Picetti, Kathy Fitts and Andrea Bellah. You are among Clearlake’s finest.

We’re happy to report that the Lamplighter Lakehouse Inn is finally open. We look forward to meeting many more wonderful Lake County people when the restaurant opens.

Lynn and Mike Rossman own the Lamplighter Resort in Clearlake.

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