MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Calpine Geothermal Visitors Center, located at 15500 Central Park Road in Middletown, will be closed from Thursday, Nov. 26, through Saturday, Nov. 28, to allow its team to celebrate the holiday with their families.

The visitors center will resume regular business operations on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The Visitors Center is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For Geysers and tour information, visit www.geysers.com or call 707-987-4270.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around the North Coast during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

Caltrans will suspend work on Northern California highways from Wednesday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 29, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans Maintenance forces to respond to emergency situations.
 
LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from Rosemont Drive to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m., or from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
 
– Rocky fire repairs from Gravel Plant Road to the Lake/Colusa County line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 29

– Valley Fire cleanup from the Lake/Napa County line to Hidden Valley will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
 
– Pavement repairs from Main Street in Kelseyville to the junction of Routes 29/175 near Lakeport will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 175

– Fire recovery work from the junction of Routes 29/175 in Middletown to Loch Lomond will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days per week. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility repairs just north of Point Arena beginning Monday, November 30. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Bridge painting at the Navarro River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Highway repairs just north of Ocean Meadows Circle will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility repairs south of Abalone Access Road beginning Wednesday, Dec. 2. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Bridge rehabilitation at the Arnold Bridge Overcrossing will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
 
– Pavement repairs from Harwood Road to Rattlesnake Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
 
– Bridge rehabilitation at the Bridges Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Bridge rehabilitation at various South Fork Eel River Bridges from Piercy to the Humboldt/Mendocino County line will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.
 
Highway 162

– Pavement repairs from the South Eel River Bridge to Laytonville Dos Rios Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
Highway 271

– Bridge rehabilitation at the McCoy Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – All branches of the Lake County Library system will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, to observe Thanksgiving.

Normal hours at all branches will resume on Saturday, Nov. 28. Call your local branch if you have any questions.

Lakeport Library, located at 1425 N. High St., is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The phone number is 707-263-8817.

Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake, is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 7 p.m. The phone number is 707-994-5115.

Middletown Library, 21256 Washington St., is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is 707-987-3674.

Upper Lake Library, 310 Second St., is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is 707-275-2049.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – County officials said Monday that particulate monitors have been set up and are running at Cobb Elementary School, Middletown High School and Coyote Valley Elementary School.

Numbers on those monitors have been good, except for an occasional divergence into moderate air quality during commute times when there are more cars, trucks and buses on the road, the county reported.

Particulate monitors demonstrate attainment or non-attainment of national and state ambient air quality standards.

Because of Lake County’s ongoing exceptional air quality, the impact of the fires and cleanup equipment has had minimal post-fire impact throughout the community, according to Lake County Air Pollution Control Officer Douglas Gearhart.

American Lung Association statistics place Lake County’s air as the cleanest county in the nation for the past three years for annual particulate average concentrations.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The minutes from the Valley Fire Long Term Recovery Task Force meeting held on Nov. 17 at the Black Rock Golf Course in Cobb are now posted on www.LakeCountyRecovers.com .

There will be no task force meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

The public task force meetings will resume at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, and will be held at the Twin Pine Casino Event Center at 22223 Highway 29 in Middletown.

If you are unable to access the Internet to read the minutes and would like to have the minutes sent to you by mail, call 707-263-2580.

The Lake County Valley Fire Recovery Task Force is a partnership of local, state, federal, and tribal representatives.

These agencies are working together to provide comprehensive services to aid in the recovery of Valley fire survivors and Lake County residents.

The group was convened at the end of September immediately following the deactivation of the Lake County Emergency Operation Center.

Carol Huchingson, Lake County Social Services director, is leading the task force.

This year’s four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend reflects a steady increase of Californians projected to travel since 2009, according to the latest travel survey from AAA.

AAA Northern California’s travel forecast predicts that more than 5.7 million Californians plan to travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving holiday celebration. This represents a slight increase of 0.6 percent when compared to last year’s figures.

“A steady pace of consumer confidence continues to motivate budget-conscience Californians to get behind the wheel or board an airplane to gather with family and friends,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “While many remain cautious about the economy and their personal finances, lower gas prices and a higher level of consumer optimism have contributed to increase in holiday excursions.”

According to AAA, car travel will lead the way with more than 4.9 million Californians projected to drive during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents a 0.7 percent increase when compared to last year’s figures.

AAA projects that more than 616,000 holiday travelers will fly, which is a decrease of -0.4 percent when compared to 2014.

Approximately 180,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as boats or trains, an increase of 0.6 percent when compared to last year’s figures.

Nationally, AAA forecasts that more than 47 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the four-day weekend, a 0.6 percent increase compared to last year’s travel statistics. 

The AAA Leisure Travel Index reports that prices at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are expected to remain relatively flat, with an average price of $155 per night. AAA Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be four percent higher, with an average room costing $118 per night.

This Thanksgiving weekend, airfares will decrease by 10 percent, landing at an average of $169 roundtrip across the top 40 domestic flight routes, according to the AAA Leisure Travel Index. 

Car rental rates will average $60 for the holiday weekend, up eight percent from last year. The expected primary activities this holiday weekend will be dining, shopping and visiting family and friends.

Because of heightened security measures taking place in major airports due to the recent terrorist bombings in Europe, AAA Travel advises worldwide caution for U.S. travelers. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

AAA safety travel tips

– AAA Travel partners are monitoring the situation in Paris and Europe very closely. At this time, there have been no reports of interruption of service or cancellation of departures to the region.
   
– AAA has not seen significant cancellations or departure from travel plans at this time. Travelers should however, always stay informed and remain vigilant when traveling.

– Many providers are allowing travelers to cancel or alter itineraries with no additional fee.

– Travelers with plans to visit Paris or European destinations are advised to consult with their travel providers (tour operators, cruise lines and airlines) for any changes to travel plans or requirements.

– Travelers are advised to travel with an additional form of identification such as an International Driving Permit, which can be obtained at one of AAA’s more than 1,000 branch offices across North America. Travelers should keep their passport and/or IDP on their person at all times while traveling.

– Enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or nearest Consulate to contact them in the case of an emergency.

– Flights and rail connections to Paris and the rest of France are operating. However, allow for longer delays at airports and metro stations due to police checks.

AAA air travel tips

– Book a nonstop. If you fly direct, you won’t get stuck in a connecting city.

– Fly mornings. Try to book the first flight of the day. Delays tend to worsen later in the day.

– Leave enough time for connections. Schedule at least one hour for a connection. Give yourself more time if you have to change planes and go through security again.

– Use small airports. Avoid airline hubs whenever possible. Secondary airports are usually less congested and less prone to delays.

– Prepare for increased scrutiny at security checkpoints: Wear shoes that are easily slipped off and on, place computers and electronic items in their own bin, wear jewelry sparingly, do not take on wrapped gifts, and remember to put liquids in a quart plastic bag.

Projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA earlier this year as part of an agreement to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays.