MIDDLETOWN
Change of Watch ceremony leads to USCG 2020 officers
The annual ceremony for the Change of Watch for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Auxiliary, Flotilla 88 of Lake County, was held at Twin Pines Casino in Middletown on Dec. 14, 2019. This ceremony commemorates the changing of the flotilla commander, vice commander and its staff officers for the new year of 2020.
Officiating at the ceremony was Auxiliary Sector Coordinator (ASC) Carl Pierce. Given the oath of office were Phil Mammano as Flotilla Commander and John Felton as Vice Commander.
Also taking their oath of office for their respective offices were the Flotilla Staff Officers for 2020.
The USCG Auxiliary consists of over 30,000 volunteer members throughout our country who provide operations support to the USCG and are dedicated to promoting recreational boating safety. For additional information regarding joining this active volunteer group, please call 707-570-8860.
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LAKEPORT
Lakeport Yacht Club installs new officers for 2020
The 2020 slate of officers for the Lakeport Yacht Club was installed at the January meeting. The new officer are Commodore Mike Woodbury, Vice Commodore Ed Posada, Port Captain Mike Bielenberg, Secretary Earl Nelson, Treasurer Len Kashuba, and Directors Cindy Lightfoot, Jim Dvorak and Eileen Meo.
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LAKE COUNTY
Lake Family Resource Center’s 2020 Wine & Chocolate fundraiser Feb. 1, 2020
At the Mt. Konocti Winery Event Center on Saturday, February 1st from 12pm-4pm, join the Lake Family Resource Center in irresistible indulgence at Wine, Chocolate & More. Please join us and 19 of our most notable local wineries and breweries who are teaming up with more than 10 local restaurants, bakeries and eateries to offer a delectable experience you won’t soon forget!
Enjoy Mt. Konocti Winery and Event Center and fabulous views of Clear Lake and Mt. Konocti as you treat yourself to an array of chocolates, pastries and delectable savory bites while sampling a variety of wines, sparkling wines, dessert wines and even beer.
Take home a souvenir wine glass; have a chance to win the door prize—a giant wine glass terrarium; participate in an expansive silent auction; purchase your favorite wines to take home; and try your luck in a raffle with the lucky winners receiving a ginormous selection of wine that includes one or more bottles of wine from every single winery present!
All proceeds will benefit the programs and services of Lake Family Resource Center, which since 1995 has been strengthening the Lake County community one family at a time.
Tickets are $60 in advance and $70 at the door. To purchase tickets: lakefrc.org/wine-chocolate-more2020.
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CLEARLAKE
Lake County Republican Women Federated meet February 12
Lake County Republican Women, Federated (LCRWF) will meet for lunch Wednesday, February 12 at Howard’s Grotto, 14732 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake.
Richard Ford, Assessor-Recorder County of Lake will talk about what Prop. 13 changes would mean for homeowners, renters and commerical property owners. Beware of tax hikes in the proposed Prop 13 changes. On the March 3, 2020 California Presidential Primary Election voters will have a choice. Be informed, educated about this proposition.
All women and men are welcome at LCRWF meetings by reservation only. However, membership is open to registered Republican women, but many registered Republican men join and are active as associate members. To reserve a seat at this luncheon, please phone (707)998-3280 no later than Feb. 8 ($20 per person) provide your name and contact phone number. A made reservation is a paid reservation as the organization always must pay for number of reservations make. Attendees should check in before 11:30 a.m.
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WASHINGTON
USDA to open the application window second round of ReConnect Program funding Friday
On Monday, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue announced USDA will begin taking applications for the second round of $550 million in ReConnect Program loan and grant funding on January 31. These funds will enable the federal government to continue to partner with the private sector and rural communities to build modern broadband infrastructure in areas with insufficient internet service. Insufficient service is defined as connection speeds of less than 10 megabits per second download and 1 megabit per second upload. Beginning Friday, ReConnect funding applications can be submitted at www.usda.gov/reconnect.
“Reliable, high-speed broadband e-Connectivity is critical for economic prosperity and quality of life, from education to health care to agriculture to manufacturing and beyond,” Secretary Perdue said.
Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers and municipalities may apply for funding through USDA’s ReConnect Program to connect rural areas that currently have insufficient broadband service. Through the ReConnect Program, USDA is making available approximately $200 million for grants, as well as up to $200 million for loan and grant combinations, and up to $200 million for low-interest loans. Funds will be awarded to projects that have financially sustainable business models that will bring high-speed broadband to rural homes, businesses, farms, ranches and community facilities such as first responders, health care sites and schools.
To assist potential providers with their applications, USDA is hosting technical assistance and training webinars across the country. To see an updated list of dates and locations, or to register for a workshop or webinar, visit www.usda.gov/reconnect/events.
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