Cherokee Nation citizens in California and Arizona are next to receive the tribe’s new photo ID citizenship cards, starting this weekend.  

The mobile registration group visited California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Kansas and Missouri since October.

They will return early in the new year to California and Arizona, with stops planned in Oakland, Roseville and Phoenix.

“Producing a government-issued, photo ID helps to instill a greater sense of pride in our people, and we’re happy to bring this service to our Cherokees living outside of Oklahoma,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “I’ve presented my photo tribal citizenship card at several major airports, and even to the U.S. Secret Service, and experienced no problems whatsoever.”

The tribe began issuing the photo ID citizenship cards, similar in appearance to a driver’s license, on Oct. 1.

So far, nearly 7,323 cards have been issued to citizens both in and outside of Oklahoma.

The Cherokee Nation is the largest tribe in the U.S. with more than 315,000 citizens, including 19,843 in California and 4,384 in Arizona.

The new citizenship photo ID cards are being issued in conjunction with a meeting of Oakland, Cali., Sacramento, Cali. and Phoenix-area Cherokee citizens. The groups will meet at the following times and locations:

Saturday, Jan. 5
Intertribal Friendship House
523 International Blvd., Oakland, CA
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Cherokee Nation photo IDs
Noon to 3 p.m. – General meeting

Sunday, Jan. 6
Maidu Activities Center
1960 Johnson Ranch Dr., Roseville, CA
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Cherokee Nation photo IDs
Noon to 3 p.m. – General meeting

Saturday Jan. 12
Phoenix Indian Medical Center
First floor, Conference Rooms A & B
4212 N. 16th St., Phoenix, Ariz.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More than a year of planning and design was required to transform the tribal citizenship cards, also known as “blue cards,” into photo IDs.

The tribe consulted with members of the Five Civilized Tribes and gathered input from other tribes that had upgraded to photo ID cards.

The upgraded citizenship cards feature a citizen’s Cherokee Nation registration number, official registrar signature, the citizen’s photo and signature, Principal Chief’s signature and a distinctive Cherokee Nation hologram seal for validation. Citizens may also opt for their official Bureau of Indian Affairs Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) on the back of the card.

Children 12 and younger can get a new photo ID but must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the card. Upgrading to a photo ID is free. At-large citizens should bring a valid ID and previously issued citizenship or CDIB card, if available.

For more information contact the Cherokee Nation registration department at 918-458-6980 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Cherokee Nation is the federally recognized government of the Cherokee people and has inherent sovereign status recognized by treaty and law. The seat of tribal government is the W.W. Keeler Complex near Tahlequah, Okla., the capital of the Cherokee Nation.

With more than 300,000 citizens, over 8,000 employees and a variety of tribal enterprises ranging from aerospace and defense contracts to entertainment venues, Cherokee Nation is one of the largest employers in northeastern Oklahoma and the largest tribal nation in the United States.

To learn more, please visit www.cherokee.org .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Department of Public Works issued a Friday update on local road closures and weather-related conditions.

In the Bartlett Springs Road area above Nice, four wheel drive is needed due to snow. Bartlett Springs Road between Indian Valley Reservoir and the Colusa County line is not passable to trailers due to a large rock in the roadway at mile post marker 29, Public Works reported.

Public Works on Friday suggested four wheel drive be used by drivers on Elk Mountain Road near Upper Lake due to snow.

The agency said Holdenried Road at Hill Creek in Kelseyville remains to all traffic due to a bridge closure, and Bell Hill Road is closed at the Adobe Creek low water crossing in Kelseyville due to flooding.

Soda Creek Hill in the Lake Pillsbury area requires four wheel drive and chains because of ice on the roadway.

For more information contact the Lake County Department of Public Works at 707-263-2341.

NICE, Calif. – The Featherbed Railroad and Sons of Italy are planning a joint celebration of the New Year that is open to the public.

For just $25 this open event includes a deluxe prime rib dinner on Monday, Dec. 31, at the Sons of Italy hall in Nice plus a lavish dessert buffet.

Music will be provided by DJ Tony Barthel who spent 22 years as an event planner and DJ in the entertainment capital of the world, Hollywood. He brings more than 28,000 songs of all types and will play music requested by the audience.

Instead of having to wait until midnight California time, they’re going to be celebrating 2013 on New York time – that means 9 p.m. here.

That's also when they will open the big dessert buffet and pop the corks on the champagne toast, which also is included in the price.

This means you can get to a second celebration or just retire early or, best of all, stick around and keep dancing the night away. The celebration won't end until the dancing stops so bring your very best dancing shoes.

For more information or reservations call Featherbed Railroad, 707-274-8378, or visit http://n-s-b-a.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=fa0dd6a1f3dce387d9e827662&;id=4f9b109c07&e=0c7d588137 .

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around the North Coast this week.

In observance of the New Year's Day holiday, Caltrans crews and contractors will not be performing any activity on state highways that would include lane closures on Monday, Dec. 31, and Tuesday, Jan. 1.

However, Caltrans will respond to emergency situations with traffic control as required. Have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.

LAKE COUNTY

There is no major roadwork scheduled for Lake County from Friday, Dec. 28, through Thursday, Jan. 3.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge 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. Contractor – Golden State Bridge Inc. of Martinez.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs near Madrone Avenue on Friday, Dec. 28. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 20

– Electrical upgrades just west of Gravel Pit Road will continue Wednesday, Jan. 2. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Cal Electro Inc. of Redding.

– A pavement repair project from 1.4 miles west of Little Lake Road to Three Chop Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

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.

Highway 128

– Pavement repairs from 0.4 mile east of the Robinson Creek Bridge to the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – OC Jones and Sons of Berkeley.

Highway 271

– Electrical upgrades 0.9 mile south of the Caltrans Maintenance Yard will continue Wednesday, Jan. 2. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Cal Electro Inc. of Redding.

Work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

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).

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Rosa d’Oro Vineyards tasting room in Kelseyville will feature a menu inspired by the cuisine of Oaxaca, Mexico for its upcoming Flight Night on Friday, Jan. 18.

Attendees will enjoy a flight of four wines paired with a four-course meal prepared by Winemaker and Chef Pietro Buttitta.

Pietro Buttitta, son of owner Nick Buttitta, is a certified sommelier and graduate of Western Culinary Institute, with five years of restaurant cooking under his belt.

He currently works in all aspects of viticulture and winemaking at Rosa d’Oro Vineyards.

Rosa d’Oro featured French cuisine during the December Flight Night.

The first course included 2010 Greco White Table Wine paired with a smoked trout salad, followed by 2010 Sagrantino paired with Parisienne gnocchi in mushroom brown butter sauce, 2009 Dolcetto with cassoulet of duck and white beans as the main course, and 2012 Muscat with lemon goat cheese tart for dessert.

The Flight Nights are held once a month and offer a different theme for each evening. Recent menus have included Spanish, Greek, Italian and Thai cuisine.

Reservations are required for Friday, Jan. 18, with two services offered, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., at the Rosa d’Oro tasting room, 3915 Main St., Kelseyville.

Please call 707-279-0483. Cost is $30 per person.

Owned and operated by Nick Buttitta, a second generation Italian-American, Rosa d’Oro Vineyards is committed to crafting unique wines of historic interest, such as Moscato, Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Aglianico that honor traditional Italian winemaking while highlighting the superb growing conditions of Lake County.

For more information visit www.rosadorowine.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Department of Public Works on Thursday urged motorists to be prepared with four wheel drive and chains if traveling in some of Lake County’s mountain areas.

In its Thursday afternoon update, the agency reported that it was recommending four wheel drive in the Elk Mountain Road area near Upper Lake and on Bartlett Springs Road above Nice due to snow.

On Soda Creek Hill near Lake Pillsbury Public Works urged drivers to have both four wheel drive and chains due to ice on the roadway.

Also on Thursday, Public Works said Holdenried Road at Hill Creek near Kelseyville remained closed to all traffic due to a bridge closure.

Public Works can be reached at 07-263-2341.