LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – One man was killed and two other people were injured in a head-on collision on Saturday afternoon east of Clearlake Oaks.
Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the man who died was Kenneth Kub Xiong, 19, of Stockton.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said the fatal wreck occurred on Highway 20 near Walker Ridge Road at 1:20 p.m. Saturday.
The CHP said Xiong was driving his 1996 Honda Civic westbound, just west of Walker Ridge Road, at an unknown speed.
At the same time, Nina Watanabe, 65, of Elk Grove was driving her 2015 Toyota Tacoma eastbound in the same area at approximately 50 miles per hour, within the No. 2 lane. Riding as her passenger was 75-year-old James Darke of Sacramento, the CHP said.
The CHP said that, due to Xiong’s unsafe speed for the wet conditions, his vehicle lost traction with the roadway, causing it to cross over the solid double yellow lines and into the eastbound lane, directly in front of Watanabe.
Watanabe attempted to brake and steer her Toyota to the right, however, the CHP she was unable to avoid a head-on collision with Xiong’s Honda.
Both vehicles came to rest in the roadway, blocking all lanes of Highway 20, which was closed for an extended period of time as firefighters and CHP officers worked at the scene, based on radio reports.
Watanabe and her passenger, Darke, both of whom were wearing their seat belts, sustained major injuries and were transported by ambulance to Adventist Health Clear Lake, the CHP said.
The CHP said Xiong, who also was using his seat belt, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the collision scene by medical personnel.
Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected of being factors in this collision, the CHP said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Fair Board of Directors is inviting the community to help it build a better fair.
The board encourages community members to attend its upcoming meeting to be held on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Little Theater building at the Lake County Fairgrounds, located at 401 Martin St., Lakeport.
The Dec. 10 meeting will provide an opportunity for the Fair Board of Directors to hear community input and comments regarding the fair event, district agricultural association, and the fairgrounds.
The purpose of this meeting is to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the Lake County Fair and to explore future possibilities and opportunities.
The goal is to “build a better” Lake County Fair and to ensure it serves the needs of the community today and tomorrow.
“We look forward to hearing from all of you,” said Board President Tom Turner. “With the coming of the new year, the Fair Board of Directors seeks to hire a new chief executive officer to represent the fair. As part of this process, we are exploring a ‘2020 and beyond’ vision for the Lake County Fairgrounds that aligns our mission with the needs and expectations of the community.”
Local government officials representing the county of Lake and cities of Lakeport and Clearlake are encouraged to attend.
In addition, members of the Lake County and Clearlake Chamber of Commerce; members of agriculture organizations including Lake County Farm Bureau, 4-H and FFA groups, California Women for Agriculture, and members of the Lake County Fair Foundation; community business owners and representatives of banking, real estate, wineries and vineyards, and other business entities; Lake County Fair staff, associates and contractors should also attend.
Most importantly, members of the public who attend the annual fair and participate in numerous activities held at the Lake County Fairgrounds are invited to share and participate.
“We need your input to ensure the strong future of the Lake County Fair,” said Turner. “Join us on Dec. 10. We look forward to hearing your comments, concerns and expectations for your Lake County Fair.”
The Dec. 10 meeting will be facilitated by Kalia Mitchell, board resource coordinator, Fairs & Expositions Branch of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
For more information on this community meeting or to request an application for the CEO position, please contact the Lake County Fair, 49th District Agricultural Association, P.O. Box 70, Lakeport, CA 95453. CEO applications should be received by Dec. 6.
The Lake County Fair – also known as the 49th District Agricultural Association – is one of 54 fair organizations that operate as state agencies under the authority of the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fairs & Expositions Branch.
Nearly 1 in 5 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, and 1 in 4 young adults aged 19 to 34 years, are living with prediabetes, according to a new CDC study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics.
Prediabetes is a health condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. The condition also increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, and stroke.
Monitoring the percentage of adolescents and young adults with prediabetes can help determine the future risk of type 2 diabetes. To do this, CDC researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey covering the years 2005-2016.
“The prevalence of prediabetes in adolescents and young adults reinforces the critical need for effective public health strategies that promote healthy eating habits, physical activity, and stress management,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “These lifestyle behaviors can begin early in a child’s life and should continue through adolescence and adulthood to reduce onset of type 2 diabetes.”
Key study findings:
– Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) adolescents (those aged 12-18) and 1 in 4 (24%) young adults (aged 19-34 years) were living with prediabetes. – The percentage of adolescents and young adults living with prediabetes was higher in males and participants with obesity. – Hispanic young adults had higher rates of prediabetes compared to white young adults. – Adolescents and young adults with prediabetes had significantly higher cholesterol levels, systolic blood pressure, abdominal fat and lower insulin sensitivity than those with normal glucose tolerance, which increased their risk of type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases.
“We’re already seeing increased rates of type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related complications in youth and young adults, and these new findings are evidence of a growing epidemic and a tremendously worrisome threat to the future of our nation’s health,” said Ann Albright, Ph.D., director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. “Additional research is needed to support the development of interventions for youth and increasing access to programs that we know work for young adults, like the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program.”
What can be done?
Research shows that adults with prediabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle-change program, including weight management and exercise, can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent (71% for people over 60 years old).
Participation in the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change program can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in those at high risk.
The program, available to those aged 18 and older, is taught by trained lifestyle coaches, and encourages healthy, whole-life changes to help participants address barriers to improved nutrition, increased physical activity and coping mechanisms for stress reduction.
Parents can also help turn the tide on prediabetes by encouraging healthy eating and increased physical activity. They can aim for their children to get 60 minutes of physical activity a day. To find tips on how to encourage children to eat healthy and stay active, visit CDC’s Healthy Weight site.
There are several ways state and local organizations can create a supportive environment to promote healthy weight and help prevent diabetes related to obesity.
States and communities can:
– Support mothers who choose to breastfeed. – Work with early care and education centers and schools to improve healthy food and beverage offerings and opportunities for physical activity for children. – Increase access to healthy and affordable foods. – Make it easier and safer to walk and bike where families live, learn, work, and play.
To learn more about diabetes or the National Diabetes Prevention Program, visit http://cdc.gov/diabetes.
On Monday, the California Department of Water Resources announced an initial State Water Project allocation of 10 percent for the 2020 calendar year.
The initial allocation is based on several factors, such as conservative dry hydrology, reservoir storage, and releases necessary to meet water supply and environmental demands.
State allocations are based on conservative assumptions and may change depending on rain and snow received this winter.
“We are thankful for the recent rains and the start of the new water year with above average reservoir storage, but the dry start in October and November reminds us that California’s weather is extremely variable and we must prepare for various conditions,” said Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth. “The wet weather can stop from one day to the next.”
The 2020 initial allocation amounts to 427,167 acre-feet of water.
Lake Oroville, the SWP’s largest reservoir, is currently at 54 percent of capacity and 90 percent of average for this time of year.
Shasta Lake, the Central Valley Project’s largest reservoir, is at 71 percent of capacity and 119 percent of average.
San Luis Reservoir, the largest off-stream reservoir in the United States where water is stored for the State Water Project and Central Valley Project, is at 43 percent of capacity and 72 percent of average.
In Southern California, the State Water Project’s Castaic Lake is at 77 percent of capacity and 101 percent of average.
Nearly all areas served by the SWP have sources of water other than the allocation, such as streams, groundwater, and local reservoirs. The SWP provides water to 29 SWP contractors who supply water to more than 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland.
The Department of Water Resources will conduct the season’s first snow survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada on Jan. 2.
On average, the snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs as it melts in the spring and early summer.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Friday, Dec. 6, Kelseyville’s Main Street merchants will once again welcome guests to enjoy the magic of Christmas in downtown.
They will light up Main Street with holiday floats, an 80-foot lighted tree and lots of merriment for the 29th annual “Christmas in the Country.”
At 5:30 p.m. the festivities begin with the annual Holiday Merchant Open House. Local businesses will open their doors and offer lots of complimentary holiday treats to sample and provide an opportunity to start your holiday shopping.
Live Oak Belgian horses will again pull a large wooden wagon down Main Street.
“The wagon rides are a wonderful holiday tradition that really excites the children,” said Victoria Christie, owner of Roto-Rooter of Lake County, this year’s sponsor of the wagon rides.
At 6:30 p.m. the crowd favorite Parade of Lights begins on Main Street with tractors, horses and holiday floats elaborately decorated with lights.
Parade entries are still available; entry forms can be found at the the KBA website, www.visitkelseyville.com .
This year’s parade entrants will help with providing extra security. “We have hired CHP officers for both ends of Main Street to keep the traffic controlled,” said co-chair Marilyn Holdenried. “We felt it was worth the investment to keep our community safer.”
Don’t miss Santa Claus at 7 p.m. when he makes his annual pre-Christmas Kelseyville appearance at Westamerica Bank. He will be listening to Christmas wishes of all the children. Photos will be taken by Santa’s Helpers.
Music will be provided by the Piano Man, David Neft. The Bridge Band will be playing holiday music at the Presbyterian Church and there will be caroling in United Methodist Church and the Unitarian Universalist shared space on Main Street.
There will be lots of food too: Pogo’s pizza-by-the-slice, John’s Market barbecue, chili and chowder at the Presbyterian Church, cocoa and coffee by the Big Valley 4Hers and tamales at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
Come out and start your Christmas season in Kelseyville, the friendly country town, on Friday, Dec. 6.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will look at a design element for the proposed Lakefront Promenade, and hold public hearings on a telecommunications-related policy and wireless facilities rules.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Community Development Director Kevin Ingram will present to the council a request to approve a proposed wood plank stamped concrete design for use along the Lakefront Promenade.
Ingram’s report to the council explains that a key element of the adopted 2017 Lakeport Lakefront Revitalization Plan includes a “waterfront promenade” along the entire shoreline of Clear Lake, stretching from C Street to Clear Lake Avenue.
He said the initial implementation phase would accompany the replacement of the storm-damaged sea wall, scheduled to be replaced this month.
Other phases would follow, including one related to the proposed development of a lakeside park at the Natural High property and a waterfront path between Library Park and proposed new Lakefront Park, with future phases also to include private lands, such as the Will-O-Point Resort and the North Main Resort.
The council also will hold a public hearing to adopt and ordinance adding Chapter 15.28 Telecommunications Infrastructure Improvements to the Lakeport Municipal Code establishing a “dig once” policy for the city.
Ingram’s report to the council explains that dig once policies “are currently being adopted by municipalities across the county as a best management practice to improve and facilitate telecommunications infrastructure improvements. Dig once policies allow for the coordination between public works departments, public utility companies and internet service providers. Planned excavation/trenching projects in the public right-of-way is a coordination opportunity for the laying of broadband conduit simultaneously with these projects, reducing cost and reducing damage to public sidewalks and roadways. Dig once policies require that these coordination efforts take place.”
Also on Tuesday, the council will hold a public hearing as part of considering the adoption of an ordinance modifying Chapter 17.41 and amending Chapters 17.03, 17.4, 17.05, 17.6, 17.07, 17.8, 17.09, 17.10, 17.11, 17.12, 17.13, 17.14, 17.16, and 17.28 of the Lakeport Municipal Code to permit and regulate wireless facilities within the city of Lakeport.
Tuesday’s meeting also will include a presentation by First 5 California titled “State of Our Children” and a resolution that Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will take to the council supporting the Keeping California Safe Act.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on Nov. 19; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; and the adoption of the resolution accepting construction of the South Main Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project by Lamon Construction Co. Inc. and authorize the filing of the notice of completion.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Association of Realtors reported that the sale of single-family residences in Lake County remained steady in October.
The same pattern was observed statewide and in general the trend has been consistent throughout 2019.
There were 69 sales of single-family residences in October compared to 76 sales in October about a 9 percent decrease. The year-over-year decrease was 2.8 percent. In October 2018 there were 71 sales.
The October 2019 median sales price was $269,000, down 2 percent from the September median of $274,500.
The year-to-year median sales price increased 3.9 percent. The median for October 2018 was $259,000.
“Possibly the most challenging issue for Lake County real sales right now is affordable insurance,” said Lake County Association of Realtors President Mary Benson. “Not all properties have this issue, but it is nonetheless extremely important that buyers start their insurance search early in the buying process.”
On the financing side of the business cash buyers purchased 17.5 percent of the sold homes, conventional loans 37.5 percent and FHA 12.5 percent. VA loans accounted for 8.75 percent of the sales and USDA loans 3.75 percent.
On a statewide basis the California Association of Realtors reported that the median sales price in California for October was $605,280, down 0.1 percent from September and up 6.0 percent from October 2018.
Existing, single-family home sales totaled 404,240 in October on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, up 0.1 percent from September and up 1.9 percent from October 2018.
The 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaged 3.69 percent in October, down from 4.83 percent in October 2018, according to Freddie Mac.
The decrease of 114 basis points for the 30-year fixed-mortgage rate was the largest decline in any 12-month period since November 2009.
The five-year, adjustable mortgage interest rate was an average of 3.38 percent, compared to 4.08 percent in October 2018.
LAKE COUNTY NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
October 2019 Median price: $269,000 Units sold: 69 Median days to sell: 64
September 2019 Median price: $274,500 Units sold: 76 Median days to sell: 57
October 2018 Median price: $259,000 Units sold: 71 Median days to sell: 51
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has four adoptable cats and kittens this week.
The following cats and kittens at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.
This male domestic short hair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 39, ID No. 13198. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male domestic short hair kitten
This male domestic short hair kitten has a brown tabby coat with white markings and green eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 39, ID No. 13198.
“Bones” is a male domestic long hair kitten in cat room kennel No. 115c, ID No. 13045. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Bones’
“Bones” is a male domestic long hair kitten with a gray tabby and white coat and green eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 115c, ID No. 13045.
This female domestic short hair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 141, ID No 13235. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female domestic short hair kitten
This female domestic short hair kitten has an all-black coat and gold eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 141, ID No 13235.
This female domestic short hair cat is in cat room kennel No. 144, ID No. 13245. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female domestic short hair
This female domestic short hair has a gray tabby coat and green eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 144, ID No. 13245.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Forecasters said that Lake County can expect more days of steady rain in the week ahead, with the possibility of an atmospheric river moving over the region later this week.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Lake County’s northern mountains. It’s in effect through 10 a.m. Sunday.
Portions of Lake County, mostly along the Northshore, also are under a winter weather advisory through 6 p.m. Monday.
Forecasters also are reporting that there is the possibility of an atmospheric river that could impact Northern California beginning on Thursday, bringing with it heavy precipitation, strong winds and continued cool temperatures.
On Saturday, rain – accompanied by high winds – fell steadily across Lake County.
The heavy rain and wind, plus snow in higher elevations, caused traffic issues throughout the day.
The California Highway Patrol reported snow on parts of Highway 175 in Cobb and at Soda Creek and Elk Mountain Road in Upper Lake.
There also were reports of rock and mudslides along Highway 20, particularly near Blue Lakes.
The day’s major traffic incident was a fatal head-on crash involving two vehicles on Highway 20 near the Oasis east of Clearlake Oaks.
The resulting highway closure backed up traffic for miles in both directions, according to reports from the scene. It was not immediately clear what caused the wreck.
In addition to impacting safety on the roads, the weather conditions appeared to have caused a number of small power outages around Lake County, based on Pacific Gas and Electric’s online outage map.
The National Weather Service reported the following 24-hour rain totals as of 2:30 a.m. Sunday based on its network of observation stations in Lake County. Amounts are in inches:
– Bartlett Springs: 0.71; – Hidden Valley Lake: 2.05; – Indian Valley Reservoir: 0.72; – Kelseyville: 0.84; – Knoxville Creek: 1.22; – Lakeport: 0.68; – Lower Lake: 1.21; – Lyons Valley: 0.67; – Soda Creek: 0.73; – Whispering Pines: 1.32.
The specific Lake County forecast anticipates rain through Monday night, with lesser chances of precipitation on Tuesday and Wednesday. Rain is likely on Thursday and Friday, but the local forecast so far only says there’s only a chance of rain on Saturday.
Daytime temperatures will range into the lower 50s, while nighttime temperatures are expected to drop into the high 30s.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Acorn-cache on a gnarled oak trunk. Photo by Kathleen Scavone.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After the recent rains, on a blessedly damp and shiver-inducing gray day the landscape's colors and textures, painted by the grandest environmental designer of all, take on a different look.
We are always cognizant of the texture, or tactile quality of everyday objects with which we are in contact, even if it is at the periphery of our senses – the smooth sheets of a bed, soft fleece of a well-loved sweater, or the comforting and creamy texture of a bowl of hot oatmeal.
Looking out the window the layers of texture in the just-fallen leaves and the tree's gnarly bark can be seen.
Taking a walk along Cache Creek the waterscape of the creekbed appears to take on a newly-textured look, since the recent rain has rearranged it.
The demure pools in the creek soon become outrageous after the rain's redesign. The harmonizing of water's abundant flow now creates a new story to “read” in nature, and is enhanced by these forces in the natural world.
Moss on a tree trunk. Photo by Kathleen Scavone. Next to the creek, where I stroll, is a level trail that consists of soil's organic material, that of decayed plants and animals, chipped rock and mineral fragments that formed over the millennia. Now this trail demonstrates a new and slightly different topography with a range of textures.
If you consider just one small square of soil, maybe just outside your door, it is almost mind-boggling to think about the layers that lie beneath our feet.
From the organic or humus layer of a plants remnants derived from a tree – fall's leaves and twigs – then next, the relatively thin layer, possibly 5 inches deep, down to the subsoil beneath that, with its iron, clay and additional organic matter. Then, delving deeper, the “parent layer” of hefty rocks, and on down several feet to the bedrock beneath our feet – that huge heap of rock can be found.
That is a lot of texture-inducing material.
Nature's landscape design – in its leaves and bark and waving grasses – does on a large scale what a good landscape designer tries to achieve on a smaller scale around a home or in a garden.
Textural contrasts play a part in both, as you perceive leaves of differing sizes, shapes and surface feel. The contrast of coarse tree bark overlaid with cotton-soft mosses seem to be tricks to elevate our awareness of what we are viewing.
The varying textural contrasts relate to both how a plant feels, i.e., smooth, abrasive, or rough, or it can refer to how plants look as they are juxtaposed in the wild.
Unfurling manzanita bark. Photo by Kathleen Scavone. In other words, sometimes we are drawn to these contrasts in texture because of the objects' properties of color, or its size. The plants' wispy foliage or its coarse leaves create other nuances of texture.
To delve further into nature's nuances we might consider the plant's scent as part of its textural makeup.
The fine fragrance of pine may initially draw you in, then on closer observation you note the subtle changes which have occurred since it grew new and feathery soft needles.
Looking closer you see the bark has so many hues that combine to make up the trunk's unique grainy covering.
You might ascertain the proximity of a California bay laurel tree by its sharp, fresh scent and again at further notice, as it draws you nearer you ascertain the miniscule spheres of its fruit, the olive-colored bay balls.
Take a texture walk and consider all of the surfaces around you, using your eye to sense color and grain of the scenery nearby.
You may want to write about them, sketch some or simply wander and enjoy!
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, freelance writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.”
A stellar jay feather juxtaposed against leaves and grass. Photo by Kathleen Scavone.
One source of stress is just how much to spend on gifts. Spending too much can put you in financial distress. Spending too little may make you look cheap.
How do you decide what’s the “right” amount to spend on gifts?
As an economist, I study holidays and gift giving because a large fraction of retail shopping is driven by seasonal events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Super Saturday – also and more appropriately known as Panic Saturday – which is the last Saturday before Christmas.
‘Dead weight loss’
Gift giving is stressful because nobody wants to buy what they think is a perfect gift only to discover it is a dud.
Other economists, however, have resisted this Scrooge-like view of gift giving and point to evidence that a present can actually have more value to the recipient than the price the giver paid. In other words, a gift, even when technically unwanted, could have more value simply because someone else bought it for you.
A third of those polled by Gallup said they planned to spent more than $1,000 on gifts this year.Piotr Piatrouski/Shutterstock.com
Setting a budget
So if you’re dead set on buying some gifts, how much should you budget for it?
Since gifting is a social act, it makes sense to consider how much other people typically spend.
There are a number of surveys run each year that ask people during the fall to estimate what they plan on spending for holiday gifts. The National Retail Federation’s annual survey of holiday spending estimates the typical American will spend $659 on gifts for family, friends and co-workers in 2019. On the high end, Gallup puts the average at $942, with more than a third of respondents expecting to spend over $1,000 on gifts.
But these figures aren’t that helpful for an individual since $659 means something different to someone making $40,000 a year versus $200,000.
That’s where the Consumer Expenditure Survey comes in. It’s a large survey run by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that tracks the spending habits of 12,000 to 15,000 families each year. The government uses the survey to determine the cost of living and inflation rates for the typical family.
The survey follows gift giving very precisely. It has categories for common holiday presents like electronics, books and clothes, as well as gifts that typically aren’t associated with the season such as housing and transportation.
After removing these non-holiday gifts, the typical U.S. family spends about 1% of its annual take-home pay on gifts. So whatever you earn, you could multiply it by 1% to get a figure that is in the ballpark of what the average American spends – but won’t break the bank.
A gift is one way to make a child feel special.Alliance Images/Shutterstock.com
Making the holidays memorable
While calculating a gift budget is one way to take the stress out of how much to spend on gifts, my family has another: Only give gifts to children.
Adults get wrapped boxes filled with paper. After the real gifts are opened and the young children are safely moved out of the way, we crumple up the paper and throw it at each other in our annual paper fight.
That keeps the cost down while making the kids feel special. It also ensures the kids don’t feel left out when their friends talk about the gifts they received. Other families follow their own methods for controlling expenses, such as secret Santa gifts or by focusing attention more on togetherness than on the stuff received.
Whether you have a paper fight or follow another family tradition, my main message is that it doesn’t take very much money to make the winter holidays memorable.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control is starting off December with many new adoptable dogs.
Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of Australian Shepherd, bluetick coonhound, cattle dog, Chihuahua, corgi, Doberman Pinscher, Great Pyrenees, McNab, Patterdale terrier/Fell terrier, pit bull, shepherd, treeing walker coonhound and wirehaired terrier.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
“Freckles” is a male McNab-border collie mix in kennel No. 12, ID No. 13299. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Freckles’
“Freckles” is a male McNab-border collie mix with a medium-length black and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 12, ID No. 13299.
This male Doberman Pinscher is in kennel No. 18, ID No. 13284. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male Doberman Pinscher
This male Doberman Pinscher has a short black and brown coat.
He’s in kennel No. 18, ID No. 13284.
This female Great Pyrenees is in kennel No. 19, ID No. 13285. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female Great Pyrenees
This female Great Pyrenees has a long white coat.
She is in kennel No. 19, ID No. 13285.
“Patsy” is a female treeing walker coonhound/bluetick coonhound mix in kennel No. 20, ID No. 13290. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Patsy’
“Patsy” is a female treeing walker coonhound/bluetick coonhound mix with a short tricolor coat.
She is in kennel No. 20, ID No. 13290.
“Daisey” is a female treeing walker coonhound/bluetick coonhound mix in kennel No. 21, ID No. 13291. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Daisey’
“Daisey” is a female treeing walker coonhound/bluetick coonhound mix with a short tricolor coat.
She is in kennel No. 21, ID No. 13291.
This male Patterdale terrier/Fell terrier is in kennel No. 23, ID No. 13194. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Patterdale terrier/Fell terrier
This male Patteradle or Fell terrier has a short brown and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 23, ID No. 13194.
“Max” is a male treeing walker coonhound/bluetick coonhound mix in kennel No. 25, ID No. 13289. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Max’
“Max” is a male treeing walker coonhound/bluetick coonhound mix with a short tricolor coat.
He is in kennel No. 25, ID No. 13289.
This male Chihuahua-corgi mix is in kennel No. 26, ID No. 13274. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Chihuahua-corgi mix
This male Chihuahua-corgi mix has a short brown coat.
He is in kennel No. 26, ID No. 13274.
“Scrappy” is a female wirehaired terrier in kennel No. 27a, ID No. 13174. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Scrappy’
“Scrappy” is a female wirehaired terrier with a coarse tan coat.
She is in kennel No. 27a, ID No. 13174.
This male Australian Shepherd is in kennel No. 28, ID No. 13250. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male Australian Shepherd
This male Australian Shepherd has a long black and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 28, ID No. 13250.
“Pessie May” is a female Chihuahua in kennel No. 29, ID No. 13225. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Pessie May’
“Pessie May” is a female Chihuahua with a short white and tan coat.
She has been spayed.
She is in kennel No. 29, ID No. 13225.
“Hazel” is a female cattle dog in kennel No. 33, ID No. 13255. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Hazel’
“Hazel” is a female cattle dog with a medium-length tricolor coat.
She has been spayed.
She’s in kennel No. 33, ID No. 13255.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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