KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Local mindfulness teacher, author and life coach JoAnn Saccato will present a free workshop based on her upcoming eight-week Compassion-based Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, Personal Clarity and Emotional Freedom courses.

The workshop will be held at Clear Lake Riviera Community Association Meeting Room, 9689 State Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road), Kelseyville, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The event is free.

Saccato will provide information on the history and health benefits of a mindfulness practice, as well as guide participants through various compassion and mindfulness exercises.
 
Mindfulness is a body-based practice that invites one to purposefully pay kind, non-judgmental attention to direct experience of senses, thoughts and emotions.

Studies indicate that mindfulness can help reduce stress and stress-related illnesses; increase focus and attention; decrease incidences of, and relapses with, depression; help reduce anxiety; aid the immune system; and aid in sleep and digestive disorders.

As well, mindfulness has been shown to help with addictive and compulsive disorders.
 
“Besides reducing stress, compassion-based mindfulness, and the supporting tools I teach in the eight-week course, help participants gain deeper clarity, a new vitality and sense of freedom in their lives,” Saccato said.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and be ready for gentle movement exercises.
 
Saccato is author of “Companioning the Sacred Journey: A Guide to Creating a Compassionate Container for Your Spiritual Practice” and her forthcoming book, “Compassion-based Mindfulness for Peace, Clarity and Freedom.”

For more information on Saccato and Compassion-based Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, Personal Clarity and Emotional Freedom, visit www.Compassion-basedMindfulness.com or call 707-350-1719.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Library Literacy Program is having a training for volunteer tutors on Monday, Sept. 21.

The training session will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at the Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High St.

Future tutors will learn techniques for teaching adults to read and write.

Those who would like to help Lake County adults to a better future are invited to attend the training.

For more information or to register call 707-263-7633.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Quality Management District issued another air quality outlook for the remainder of the weekend.

The Jerusalem and Rocky fires are winding down with smoke production greatly reduced.

The source of the major smoke intrusion into Lake County are the major fires burning in Northern California, including the Humboldt Complex, the Route Complex, the South Complex, the Gasquet Complex, the River Complex and other Northern California, Oregon and Washington fires.

With the forecast for north winds, the county may experience smoke from these fires, the district said.

District officials reported that air quality conditions currently are in the “moderate” to “unhealthy for sensitive individuals” range.

The forecast for the remainder of the weekend is for “moderate” to “unhealthy” air quality.

With the smoke moving in on Saturday and the stagnant air pattern, the smoke is forecast to remain trapped in the Lake County Air Basin until conditions change.

Conditions can change quickly from “moderate” to “unhealthy.” Localized areas may experience intermittent particulate levels in the “hazardous” range.

All areas of Lake County may be significantly impacted, should meteorological conditions worsen.

The “moderate” to “unhealthy” air quality forecast results from higher levels of fine particulates from the Northwest fires and the possibility of increased ground-level ozone.

Ozone is generated when combustion products in the smoke combine with the high temperatures, sunlight, and humidity. Other chemical reactions reduce visibility by forming secondary particulates.

Individuals with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung or heart diseases should carefully adhere to their medical treatment plans and maintain at least a five-day supply of prescribed medications. They should limit outdoor activity and unnecessary physical exertion.

Air conditioning that recirculates indoor air should be used, when available. Drinking plenty of water to avoid drying of the airways is recommended, unless restricted for medical reasons.

Dust masks are not protective against fine particulate, which is the pollutant most detrimental to health caused by wildfire smoke. Such masks are only useful in filtering out the ash and larger particles that are encountered in burn areas.

Air purifying respirators, such as N-95 filtering face pieces, may be effective in reducing harmful particulate matter, but also increase the work of breathing, can lead to physiologic stress, and are not recommended as a general protective measure.

With the potential for significant smoke from the regional fires, individuals planning to enjoy the outdoors especially those at higher elevations – such as Mt. Konocti park, Boggs Forest and the Mendocino National Forest – should be prepared for significant smoke impacts. Caution is recommended.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Clearlake Community United Methodist Church is offering a huge collection of donated clothing, and some furniture and household things for victims of the Rocky and Jerusalem fires.

Pastor Cindy Lawler said they have received donations from all over including truck loads from workers at FedEx in Sacramento, Marin residents and the Kathy Fowler car dealership in Lakeport.

She said her church is collecting and offering the items with the help and support of all of the Lake County Methodist churches.

Clearlake Community United Methodist Church is located at 14521 Pearl St., Clearlake.

It is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; noon to 2 p.m. Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays; or by appointment.

For more information contact the church at 408-821-2443.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Jerusalem and Rocky fires have resulted in smoke, haze and degraded air quality intermittently throughout Lake County.

Several other major fires burning in Northern California, including the Humboldt Complex and other Northern California, Oregon and Washington fires, are all contributing significant smoke to the air. 

With the forecast for north winds, the county may experience smoke from these fires.

The Lake County Quality Management District reports that air quality conditions currently are in the “good” range.

Though the Jerusalem and Rocky fires are not expected to contribute significant amounts of smoke, areas impacted by smoke from any of the fires currently burning in Northern California are forecast to have “moderate” to “unhealthy” air quality.

Similar conditions are expected through the weekend, and possibly into next week.

Conditions can change quickly from “good” to “unhealthy for sensitive individuals.” Localized areas may experience intermittent particulate levels in the “unhealthy” range. 

All areas of Lake County may be significantly impacted, should meteorological conditions worsen.

The “good” to “moderate” air quality forecast results from lower levels of fine particulates in the smoke and the possibility of increased ground-level ozone.

Ozone is generated when combustion products in the smoke combine with the high temperatures, sunlight and humidity. Other chemical reactions reduce visibility by forming secondary particulates.

Dust masks are not protective against fine particulate, which is the pollutant most detrimental to health caused by wildfire smoke. Such masks are only useful in filtering out the ash and larger particles that are encountered in burn areas. 

Air purifying respirators, such as N-95 filtering face pieces, may be effective in reducing harmful particulate matter, but also increase the work of breathing, can lead to physiologic stress, and are not recommended as a general protective measure.

With the potential for significant smoke from the regional fires, individuals enjoying the outdoors  especially those at higher elevations – such as Mt. Konocti park, Boggs Forest and the Mendocino National Forest – should be prepared for potential smoke impacts. Caution is recommended.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Thirty new law enforcement cadets graduated from the California Wildlife Officer Academy during ceremonies at the Performing Arts Center in Paradise on Aug. 14.

The graduating class includes 23 sponsored warden cadets who will begin field training immediately. Another seven self-sponsored cadets paid their way through the academy and will apply to become wildlife officers.
 
"After 31 weeks of hard work at the academy, these cadets have earned the right to begin protecting California and ensuring the future of wildlife resources for the people of this great state," said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Chief of Enforcement David Bess.
 
The CDFW Wildlife Officer Academy is certified through the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and offers training consistent with every law enforcement agency in California.
 
For the 23 sponsored cadets, graduation concludes a rigorous 31 weeks of formal academy training, but marks the beginning of an additional three weeks of specialized training and certifications, followed by an additional 15 weeks of field training with seasoned field training officers (FTOs).

Upon successful completion of the FTO program, these new officers will begin their incredible career patrolling California and protecting the fish and wildlife resources.
 
A special moment occurred during this year's graduation, when Cadet William H. Castillo was pinned by his father, Lt. Sam Castillo.

Lt. Castillo is nearing retirement after a noteworthy 30-year career as a wildlife officer and lieutenant for CDFW. Lt. Castillo will pass the torch to his son to honor the commitment of all wildlife officers who dedicate their lives to protecting California's natural resources.
 
Annually, wildlife officers make contact with more than 295,000 people and issue more than 15,000 citations.

Wardens mostly work alone, in remote areas, contacting subjects who nearly always have some form of weapon, and they do so knowing that backup could be hours away.

Wardens cover large patrol districts, the average being more than 600 square miles. They do all this with a sense of pride and honor, for a job that is not only rewarding, but truly enjoyable.
 
In 2007, CDFW teamed with Butte College to provide peace officer academy training for prospective wardens.

That partnership provided CDFW a state of the art academy facility and a POST-certified training program for wildlife officer cadets on the Butte College Oroville campus.
 
Butte College has a 40-year history of police recruit training. The 928-acre community college campus, the largest in California, is also a designated wildlife refuge.

CDFW anticipates the next round of warden cadet selection to begin in September or October of 2015, for the January 2017 academy.

For more information about becoming a warden and to monitor when applications will be accepted, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/career/ .