The training consists of 32 hours of classroom instruction.

The classes will be held at the Kelseyville United Methodist Church for four consecutive Saturdays beginning on March 31.

Class sessions will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Saturday and will provide the participants with the basic skills necessary to work in both the community and court mediation programs served by Lake County Mediations.

The cost of the training is $250.

Lake County Mediations offers a sliding-scale fee for the training based on demonstrated need and a commitment to provide volunteer hours to the organization as either a mediator or volunteer. The fee includes the materials provided to participants.

A certificate of completion will be awarded to the participants who complete all of the classes at a reception held following the final training session on April 21.

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

The training uses a combination of class room instruction and role playing to enhance student’s skills.

Attorney’s who participate in the training will receive 32 hours of mandatory continuing education credit for their participation.

Other professional continuing education credit for participation in the training may be sought by the participant.

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

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The public is invited to the Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club's next meeting on Monday, Feb. 13.

Marilyn Waits, president of Redbud Audubon Society, will discuss how to create a welcoming habitat that offers food, water and shelter for a variety of Lake County birds.

She will bring several handouts on this topic and will suggest other resources to explore.

Waits has been president of the Redbud Audubon chapter for seven years and was awarded the 2011 Stars of Lake County Environmental Award. She is a small business consultant and former vice president at Bank of America.

Meetings of the Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club are free and open to the public on the second Monday of each month.

They are held in the activities room of the administration building of the Hidden Valley Lake Association, 18174 Hidden Valley Road.

A social gathering with refreshments begins at 9:30 a.m., with the business meeting and program at 10 a.m.

For further information please contact Angela Birk at 707-987-0195, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The meeting will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the meeting room at McDonald's on Todd Road in Lakeport.

Meetings are free and open to the public.

For more information visit http://meetup.com/lcflyingsaucerclub, call Chip Saucer at 707-263-3391 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

From noon to 5 p.m. the public is invited to attend this new event being presented by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.

Activities will begin at 12:15 p.m. with a St. Patrick's Day Costume and Kazoo Parade, open to all ages.

There will be first place ($50), second place ($25) and third place ($10) prizes awarded to the winners of the costume contest.

A Leprechaun's Lounge inside the hall will feature children's activities and games.

Entries are being sought for the Irish Stew Cook-off & Tasting and applications can be found at www.lakecochamber.com.

On Feb. 1, you will find more information on this new event at www.rhythm-and-brews.com.

All nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals are encouraged to enter the cookoff. The entry fee is $25; all who enter will be provided a 10-foot by 10-foot space, 8-foot-long table, two chairs and electricity.

A limit of 20 entries only will be accepted for the cookoff.

The winner of the People's Choice Tasting competition will be awarded $100. In addition, there will be a $50 prize awarded to the winner of the best decorated booth for the cookoff contestants. This prize also will be awarded through a People's Choice vote.

The Lake County Home Brewer's club will be making a presentation at 1:30 p.m. and the Home Wine Makers club will do so at 2:45 p.m.

If you ever wanted to make your own beer or wine, attend Rhythm & Brews to talk with the people who do.

The admission price of $25 includes 15 brew tastings and 10 Irish Stew tastings. Irish Stew tastings only are $5/5 tastes; microbrew tastings only are $15/10 tastings.

Additional food and beverage vendors will be available as well.

Music by three different groups will be presented during the afternoon and tickets to win a Pot O' Gold are available through the chamber, its directors and if some are left, at the event on March 17.

The drawing for three prizes of $250, $250 and $500 will be done at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Please contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092 with any questions.

Bouska, a local history buff, will discuss John Cobb's residency in the Stone House, the village of Guenoc in the mid-1860s, and Middletown’s founding in 1870.

Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

Public tours of Stone House Museum begin the second Saturday of each month, beginning Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Located at 18174 Hidden Valley Road in Hidden Valley Lake, the house is a California State Historical Monument.

For entrance to the Hidden Valley Lake gated community, visitors should enter at the Hartmann Road gate and mention they’re touring Stone House.

For more information see www.lakecountystonehouse.com.

Lake County Special Districts said this week that property owners should understand that these are private companies have no connection to Special Districts.

Special Districts also has no knowledge or information about these companies or the insurance coverage they may offer.