LAKEPORT, Calif. – It’s not too late to become a vendor at the upcoming Hot August Nites Car Show & Concert, a benefit for the Lakeport Senior Activity Center.

The deadline for vendor sign up is July 31.

The third annual event will be celebrated from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Lakeport’s Library Park.

It features a free car, truck and motorcycle show plus free concert by local favorites LC Diamonds, promising a large turnout. 

“Fun, sun, music, food, entertainment, great vendors, raffle and a 50s costume contest should really bring out the crowds,” said senior center Director Jonathan Crooks.

“This is a great chance for the vendors to show off their specialties and share their ‘wares’ while supporting the Lakeport Senior Activity Center in the ongoing quest to help our local seniors,” said Gloria Doskocil, event volunteer.

Vendor applications are available online at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at the center office, 527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For additional information, call 707-263-4218.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Local mindfulness teacher, author and life coach, JoAnn Saccato, will present a free workshop based on her eight-week Compassion-based Mindfulness for Peace, Clarity and Freedom course.

The workshop will be held at Harbin Hot Springs, 18424 Harbin Springs Road, Middletown, on Sunday, July 26, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. in the Temple.

The event is free, though attendees must be registered as a guest at Harbin.
 
Saccato will provide information on the history and health benefits of a mindfulness practice, as well as guide participants through two mindfulness exercises.
 
Mindfulness is a body-based practice that invites one to 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, mindfulness helps 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 courses, visit www.Compassion-basedMindfulness.com or call 707-350-1719.

For more information on visiting Harbin Hot Springs, visit www.harbin.org .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Denim & Diamonds was held on May 16 and is the annual fundraiser held by the Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise held at Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill. 

It is an evening full of dancing, live music, silent and live auction, raffles, a delicious four-course meal as well as a wonderful group of individuals who give back to the community.

This year the event was a huge success, drawing in a record crowd and producing more revenue than expected due to the support of individuals and local sponsorships.

The 2015 Denim & Diamonds event raised nearly $40,000 and $500,000 over the past several years.

All the money raised goes back into the community and has been instrumental in funding many important projects such as dictionaries for all third grade students, scholarships for high school graduates attending college, sponsorship of foreign exchange students both inbound and outbound, adopt a fifth grader as well as various service projects like the avenue of flags you see in downtown, the red chairs, the crosswalks and even LFRC’s shelter renovations just to name a few.

The Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise wants to give an extra special thank you to our generous sponsors including: Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Fidelity National, Bella Vista Farming Co. LLC, Boatique Winery, Mendocino Community Health Clinic, Lakeside Campus, Red Hill Vineyards and St. Helena Hospital Clearlake. 

The group offered a large “thank you” to Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill for generously donating the space and working lots of hard, long hours to make this event possible. UCC Rentals also truly went above and beyond to support the community once again.

The Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise greatly appreciates all the attendees and donors to our silent and live auction, every one of you makes this community a better place and allows Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise is able to accomplish great things.

Please save the date for next year: May 14, 2016.

The 2016 Denim & Diamond co-chairs will be Kimberly Baldwin and Tom Dodd. 

For more information please e-mail Kimberly or Tom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

They look forward to seeing everyone at Denim & Diamonds 2016.

SACRAMENTO – Experts from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) are helping visitors to the California State Fair put a dent in the state’s historic drought, with water-saving tips for their homes and yards.

The Department’s award-winning “Californians Don’t Waste – Save Water in Your Home” exhibit in the Counties Building offers fairgoers hands-on demonstrations of simple ways to save water in their kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms.

A companion outdoor garden exhibit in the State Fair’s Farm section offers equally simple tips to increase landscape irrigation efficiency, including how to keep shade-giving trees alive during drought.

The weather was cool as the gates to the 162nd California State Fair opened this morning, but the mercury is expected to climb to more typical State Fair readings before closing night on July 26.

California’s drought continues in cool weather or hot, making the wise and sparing use of water more urgent every day.

California is under a statewide mandate to reduce water use by 25 percent, with some areas facing targets of up to 36 percent.

In imposing restrictions, the State Water Resources Control Board empowered local agencies to fine property owners up to $500 a day for failure to comply with conservation goals.

“Never has there been a more critical time for all Californians to learn as many new ways as possible to conserve water at home, especially outside in the yard,” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “Californians have done a good job in reducing their water use. However, with the state battling historic drought, we’re asking everyone to step it up to help California get through these hot summer months and beyond.”

The Water Board has called on all residents to further reduce their water use in the critical summer months, especially outdoors. Outdoor irrigation can account for up to 80 percent of residential water use in hotter climates.

DWR’s outdoor exhibit at the State Fair demonstrates various options that would help residents meet conservation demands and features a low-water garden maintained with a water-efficient irrigation system.

New technology to reduce water use in landscaping is on display along with drought-tolerant plant ideas and tips for conserving water with compost and mulch.

DWR’s indoor exhibit shows visitors how to save water throughout the home. The exhibit is interactive, and DWR staff is available to explain the water-saving techniques.

Save Our Water, created by DWR in partnership with the Association of California Water Agencies, is a statewide program aimed at helping Californians reduce their everyday water use.

Additional tips, tools and inspiration to find new and creative ways to conserve may be found at Save Our Water’s Web site, available in both English and Spanish, at http://saveourwater.com/ .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Joseph E. Richard has been was elected president of the Konocti Senior Support Inc. Board in June after Pat Goodson completed her term as president.

With direction from Goodson, the duties, procedures and by-laws have been reviewed and a new, straight-forward vision has been initiated: “To provide companionship, counseling, and advice to seniors in their homes and at senior centers.”

After a productive board retreat and with a stronger team in place, Richard will be overseeing committees to expand the programs and monitor volunteer issues as he works with the board, the program directors, volunteers and the community.

He has 45 years of experience in corporate and nonprofit governance will be a great asset to Lake County seniors.

Richard has a master's degree in labor and industrial relations, and has studied tax law and finance. He has authored and published governance-related books, is a certified expert testifying witness and was a senior faculty member of the National Association of Corporate Directors.

He also was a consultant and human resources executive. Presently, he volunteers for his home owners’ association as a board member and on their fire safety committee. He also serves the county itself, with mediation and as a member of the grand jury.

Barbara Nuckols, LMFT and senior peer counseling director, is making great progress with the Konocti Senior Support Board’s vision to open up the program to visit all seniors centers as well as seniors in their homes.

She presents one-hour, free educational workshops eight times a month, Tuesday and Thursday each week at 11 a.m. Call your senior or wellness center, or the Konocti Senior Support office at 707-995-1417 to find out the one nearest you.

Norma Shepherd, the Friendly Visitor Program director, was nominated for her outstanding service to community elders by the county at their awards ceremony, Stars of Lake County.

She has expanded the program to more than a dozen companions who make life to life contact with home bound seniors and more recently at senior centers.

Shepherd invites seniors to visit seniors in their homes or at senior centers. Call her at 707-995-1417 to see if you can help her with this meaningful program.

If you have questions, want to attend workshops on senior issues, know someone 55 or older who might benefit from peer counseling or companionship, or if you would like to help seniors, call 707-995-1417 or visit www.konoctiseniorsupport.com .

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Emergency culvert and roadway repairs on Route 1 just south of Rockport in Mendocino County will occur Monday, July 13, through Wednesday, July 15.

One-way traffic control will be in effect during daylight hours. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

To get the latest information about projects and highway conditions within Caltrans District 1, “like” the agency on Facebook, www.facebook.com/CaltransD1 .