LAKE COUNTY
Holiday closures
Lake County Public Services, announced today that the Eastlake Landfill in Clearlake and the Public Services Office , in Lakeport will be closed Thursday, November 22, 2018 and Friday November 23, 2018 for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Eastlake Landfill will re-open Saturday, November 24, 2018 and the Public Services Office will re-open on Monday, November 26, 2018.
Normal operating hours at the landfill are 7:30 am to 3 pm daily. The Public Services office is normally open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Normal collection schedules will resume the week following the holiday.
If you have any questions regarding this subject or any of the solid waste issues in Lake County, please call (707) 262-1618.
—Submitted
UKIAH
Making Peppernut balls at the Grace Hudson Museum
Did you ever wonder what local California Indian people did without coffee and chocolate? They ate peppernut balls! Learn how to prepare and enjoy these Native treats, from harvesting the fruit of the bay laurel tree to the finished truffle-like product. Along the way you’ll learn why Peppernut Girl is so sad and what Woodrat taught the humans. Museum Curator Sherrie Smith-Ferri will lead both the workshops, which last about 90 minutes. Class fees: $15 Museum members & volunteers; $20 non-Museum members. All materials included. Call the Museum at (707) 467-2836 to make your reservation.
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
State Schools Chief Torlakson writes letter oppposing proposal to deny immigrants visas
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson sent a letter Wednesday to the federal Department of Homeland Security opposing efforts to deny immigrants permanent residency or visas if their households benefit from aid programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Medicaid.
In California, an estimated one million students are living with one parent or guardian who is undocumented. And there are many more students with parents on visas or as permanent residents who could be impacted by such changes as well.
“I strongly oppose efforts that will reduce the number of children that are eligible to receive free and reduced-price meals in schools,” said Torlakson, who was a high school science teacher and coach. “This damaging proposal would cause serious harm to our nation’s children. “Children need to come to school healthy and well-nourished so they are prepared to learn. As educators we have an obligation to protect the health and well-being of all children and students—including those who come from immigrant families.”
Families driven by fear will not access child nutrition programs, and more children will come to school hungry, the letter states. Hungry children are less able to learn and are more likely to miss school due to illness. Nutrition programs such as SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid are essential in assisting low-income families that struggle with food insecurity to help their children reach their full potential.
“It’s imperative that the health and well-being of children are kept foremost in mind when developing regulations that have far-reaching effects on the nation’s children,” Torlakson added.
Currently, California directly certifies 2,661,974 children to receive free and reduced-price NSLP and SBP meals through the automated direct certification process, which includes households participating in SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid programs. Children living in households that choose not to participate in SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, for fear of impacting their immigration status, will not automatically qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, and many will not complete the income-based household meal application, resulting in the neediest children not meeting the minimum dietary requirements.
Learn more about California’s nutrition assistance programs at the CDE’s Nutrition web page. Copies of the letter are available upon request.
—Submitted
