LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Mediations is announcing the scheduling of its basic mediation training for 2013.

The training consists of 32 hours of classroom instruction over five sessions.

A certificate of completion will be awarded to the participants who complete all of the classes. Twenty-eight hours of MCLE credit is available for legal professionals.

Classes will be held at the United Methodist Church, First and Main streets, Kelseyville, on the following dates and times: All day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following Saturdays – Oct. 5, 12 and 26; and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, and Friday, Oct. 25.

The training will be led by experienced mediation trainers and will consist of a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience in role-play case studies.

Participants will receive training in communication and active listening skills; the role, value, types and history of mediation; and dealing with dispute resolution within a culturally diverse community.

The cost of the training is $250 and includes a training manual.

Lake County Mediations offers a reduced fee of $125 to anyone who has a demonstrated financial need and agrees to commit 25 volunteer hours to Lake County Mediations co-mediating and/or shadowing with experienced mediators.

Individuals seeking the reduced-fee option are required to participate in an interview prior to acceptance into the class.

More information about Lake County Mediations and the upcoming training can be found at www.lakecountymediations.org , by contacting Barbara Johnson at 707-263-6800 or emailing a message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The board of the Public, Education and Government – or PEG – cable access television station will meet at Wednesday, Sept. 11.

The meeting will take place beginning at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Items on the agenda include a presentation of an sSs Multimedia news video demo.

Under business, the board will discuss a surplus equipment inventory report, the treasurer's report, programmer's job description, pilot program partnership and programming committee discussion, update Cablecast agreement and request form for video submission, and Web hosting update and payment due dates.

They also will form an ad hoc committee of local producers, review station equipment, consider providing a stipend for volunteer programmer Beth Kaiman, and look at equipment needs and priorities for the next year.

The board reported there will be no December meeting.

There also will be reports from the marketing and programming committees, and a staff report.

Board members include Chair Denise Loustalot, Vice Chair Ed Robey, Vince Metzger, Martin Scheel and Jo Bennett.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Lake Transit Authority has announced that the bus is back and it is free on Fridays.

On Tuesday, Sept. 3, all Lake Transit bus routes and schedules returned to full operation.

Bus service was restored to the same level operated prior to the July 29 start of a labor dispute between Teamsters Union Local 665 and Paratransit Services, the company that contracts with Lake Transit Authority to operate the buses.

The transit agency plans to welcome passengers back with free bus service on each Friday in September.

“Free Fare Fridays is our way of thanking bus riders for their patience,” said Lake Transit Authority General Manager, Mark Wall. “We have heard from many of our passengers about the hardships they encountered during the strike, and we hope that the free fares help to express our appreciation for their understanding during this difficult time.”

He added, “Fares are free on all routes and for elderly and disabled passengers using Dial-A-Ride services every Friday in September.”

Employees of Paratransit Services voted to strike for an indefinite period beginning July 29. The company operated very limited schedules until Aug. 16 when service was restored to 60 percent of the prestrike level.

On Aug. 22, additional schedules were added bringing service to 88 percent of the normal level.

Last week, Teamsters Local 665 and Paratransit Services settled on a new three-year contract.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Public Education and Government (PEG) Committee welcomed Martin Scheel as a new member of the board in July.

Scheel is a member of the Lakeport City Council.

Board member Jo Bennett said Scheel has a good working knowledge of film production and has his own radio show on KPFZ.

She said the appointment completes the board's five-member requirement.

“We welcome Martin to our board and look forward to providing continued service to Lake County viewers,” she said.

The committee is the governing body for TV8, the county's cable access television station.

NICE, Calif. – Lake County’s two representatives in Congress, John Garamendi and Mike Thompson, will join together to give an update on the latest in Washington at a campaign fundraiser for Rep. Garamendi at the Sons of Italy Lodge on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The event begins at 4 p.m. at the lodge, 2817 Highway 20 in Nice.

While Garamendi hosted a town hall in Clearlake Oaks earlier this year, the Sons of Italy event is Garamendi’s first campaign fundraiser in Lake County since 2012. Garamendi faces a competitive 2014 reelection campaign.

The event, priced at a reasonable $20 per person (with children 10 and under free), will feature a traditional summer barbeque with all the fixings and a raffle. Vegetarian options also will be available.

Nice resident Deb Clarke, a retired teacher, business owner, and member of the SOI lodge, is donating the rental of the Lodge to Garamendi’s campaign.

“I like to help one candidate who inspires me every year,” Clarke explained. “John has a down-to-earth nature and actually listens to his constituents. Congressmen Thompson and Garamendi make a great team for Lake County, and I’m doing my part to make sure they can continue their important work for years to come.”

Local wineries, radio stations, and business are providing brand new prizes for the raffle put together with help of Garamendi supporters Olga Martin Steele and Deb Clarke. Volunteer outreach has been spearheaded by Becky Curry.

The raffle ticket items sold at the door or throughout the barbeque will be beautiful baskets, local wines, and other local merchandise. Garamendi for Congress will be donating a LED TV. There will be six tickets sold for $5.

There is still time to donate prizes to the campaign by calling 707-274-9952.

Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.garamendi.org/harvestday or by reaching Debbi Gibbs or Jennifer Lopez at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 916-863-6881.

Checks can also be mailed to Garamendi for Congress (FEC C00462697), P.O. Box 440, Walnut Grove, CA 95690.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – AARP has the position open for a National Programs volunteer driver safety program instructor at the Lakeport Senior Center.

The ideal candidate must be more than 50 years of age with dependable transportation.

Duties are to promote, organize and conduct driver safety program classes in Lake County.

There will be reimbursement for expenses.

For more info please contact Carol Deuel at 707-459-4928 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Complete description and applications are available at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center, 527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport.