The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP) is seeking nominations to fill an additional vacancy on the FRGP Peer Review Committee (PRC).

Pursuant to the Public Resources Code, section 6217, members of the PRC are appointed by the director of CDFW to provide advice, oversight and recommendations regarding grant funding priorities for the FRGP.

Seven of the PRC’s 14 representatives are recommended by the California Advisory Committee on Salmon and Steelhead Trout.

The remaining seven represent the following interests: one representative from the agriculture industry, one representative from the timber industry, one representative of public water agency interests, one academic or research scientist with expertise in anadromous fisheries restoration and three county supervisors from coastal counties (county supervisors are recommended by the California State Association of Counties).

Because the FRGP only awards grants to applicants within coastal counties of California, all representatives must reside in or represent interests in coastal counties in which salmon and steelhead exist.  

CDFW will accept nominations from the general public for the agriculture industry position through April 30, 2013.

That appointed representative will serve until December 2016, starting with the PRC meeting scheduled this fall.  

To nominate a representative for the agriculture seat, please send a nomination letter to Patty Forbes, FRGP Coordinator, 830 S Street, Sacramento, CA 95811.

Nomination letters should include a resume of the candidate and verification that they represent coastal counties in which salmon and steelhead exist.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Congressman Mike Thompson’s 22nd annual ravioli dinner continues its effort to raise funds and awareness for responsible electronic-waste disposal this weekend.

The dinner is set for 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, in Phil Lewis Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Free electronic recycling will be offered at the site that day from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Items that can be accepted include cellphones, computers, fax machines and other outdated electronics.

Additionally, four refurbished computers will be given to nonprofit organizations during the event.

Dinner attendees can taste wines from Lake County wineries and participate in the bake auction and silent auction.

Tickets for the dinner cost $20. Sponsorships are also available for groups, with prices ranging from $150 to $1,000.

For more information, contact Mary Jane Bowker at 707-226-8989.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Mediations has announced the dates and location for its basic mediation training class for 2013.

The training consists of 32 hours of classroom instruction.

Classes will be held at the Methodist Church, First and Main streets in Kelseyville for four consecutive Saturdays beginning on April 6 and continuing on April 13, April 20 and April 27.

Class sessions will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and will provide the participants with the basic skills necessary to work in both the community and court mediation programs served by Lake County Mediations.

The cost of the training is $250, which includes the training manual. Lake County Mediations offers a sliding-scale fee of $125 that is available to anyone who has a demonstrated financial need and agrees to a commitment to provide 25 volunteer hours in return to Lake County Mediations.

Individuals seeking the sliding-scale rate will participate in an interview prior to acceptance into the class.

Participants will receive training in communication and active listening skills, the role, value, types and history of mediation, the mediation process and dealing with dispute resolution in culturally diverse populations.

The training uses a combination of classroom instruction and role-playing to enhance student’s skills.

A certificate of completion will be awarded to the participants who complete all of the classes.

Attorneys who participate in the training will receive 32 hours of Mandatory Continuing Education Credit (MCLE) for their participation.

The participant may seek other professional Continuing Education credit for participation in the training.

More information about Lake County Mediations and the upcoming training can be found on its Web site at www.lakecountymediations.org or by contacting Barbara Johnson, executive director of Lake County Mediations, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 707-263-6800.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Youth Services is looking for members for its board of directors.

The nonprofit organization serves Lake County youth, ages 7 through 17.

The group’s mission is to provide a safe place for the youth to enjoy activities and develop skills that will help them become community leaders.

Board applications will be accepted until April 1 at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Interviews will be scheduled for the week on April 8.  

There also are other ways to become involved with the organization.

If you are interested in serving the youth by teaching a class, running a program or sharing a skill, call 707-994-KIDS (5437).

Donations may be made to the Lake County Youth Services and mailed to P.O. Box 1042, Lower Lake CA 95457, Attn: Youth Center.

They also accept donations of old vehicles. Title are required for each donated vehicle. Call Enterprise Towing at 707-994-8801 and they will pick it up.

For more information about the youth center contact Joyce Overton at 707-350-2898.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – At the next Sierra Club Lake Group general membership meeting Department of Water Resources invasive species coordinator Carolyn Ruttan will discuss the county's program to protect Clear Lake and other local water bodies from the devastation that would inevitably accompany an infestation of invasive quagga or zebra mussels.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, at the Lakeport Yacht Club, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Fifth Street boat ramp. As always it is free and open to the public.

As most local residents know by now, all boats (and many other vessels) must undergo a formal screening process before receiving a sticker allowing them to launch in Lake County waters, with a potential fine up to $1,000 for noncompliance.

If the vessel has recently been in an area contaminated by invasive mussels, or if it not “clean, drained, and dry,” an additional detailed inspection and (if necessary) a decontamination process will be required.

The county program has changed in many ways since it was initiated in 2008. Ruttan will talk about the ways the program has evolved, discuss current procedures, and – most important of all – let us know what local residents can do to assist this vital endeavor.

For more information visit www.redwood.sierraclub.org/lake or contact Lake Group chair Ed Robey at 707-994-8304 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Traffic Safety Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 20.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the front conference room at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

Citizen members include Ann Blue, Vicki Cole, Wally Cox, Steve Jones, Kermit Knudson and Suzanne Russell. City staffers who sit on the commission include City Engineer Scott Harter, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen, City Clerk Janel Chapman and Engineering Technician Brian Everhart.

Discussion and action items will include election of the chair and co-chair, request for two hour parking at 910-916 S. Main St. and a stop sign at Manzanita and Sixth streets.

There also will be updates on a request for no parking on one side of Helena Avenue and site distance problems at Manzanita and Seventh Street due to fencing.