Community

Details

Written by: Editor

Published: 24 October 2009

LAKE COUNTY – With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country.

Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.

The big question is: How do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist?

BBB offers the following advice:

• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

• Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, the Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by email, so be on the lookout for email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Details

Written by: JoAnn Saccato

Published: 23 October 2009

CLEARLAKE – The Lake County Community Co-op (LCCC) will receive the benefit of a feasibility study and software analysis thanks to a USDA grant award to the California Center for Cooperative Development (CCCD), located in Davis.

Beginning immediately, the CCCD will begin the task of assessing Lake County’s economic market and resource information that will enable the LCCC to make an informed decision on developing a retail food co-op.

In the event that a retail storefront is not feasible at this time, the CCCD will help the Co-op strengthen its ability to provide more locally produced food items to its growing membership base.

The project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Cooperative Development Grant, will incorporate the expertise of project manager Luis Sierra and CCCD consultant Andrew McLeod, and will include an inquiry into path that the Quincy Natural Food Co-op proceeded on during it’s inception.

The co-op seeks to learn from an established food co-op in another rural California county.

The co-op, started almost two years ago, offers a weekly CSA box that is focused on providing produce from local organic farms, such as Barber’s Country Farm, Bio Farm, Leonardis Organics and Full Moon Farm, as well as fresh baked organic breads from the Main Street Bakery in Kelseyville.

The group also provides bulk and natural food items online through Azure Standards, sponsors the Friday Night Farmers’ Market, the Educational series, “Lake County Community Co-op Presents …” on local TV8, and partners on community garden projects.

For more information about the co-op and the progress of the feasibility study, follow the links from www.lakeco-op.org or call 707-993-4270.

Details

Written by: Editor

Published: 23 October 2009

CLEARLAKE – The Lake County Stonewall Democratic Club will hold its next meeting on Monday, Oct. 26.

The meeting will be held at the Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake.

A potluck will be held at 6:30 p.m., to be followed by the meeting at 7 p.m.

The end of year events will be discussed including the upcome elections and the Christmas party.

 

All LGBT people, and their friends and allies are are invited come and meet new friends, and help make a difference in our community.

For more information contact Harold Riley, 707-995-3905.