How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Recreation
- Details
- Written by: Editor
But they’ve also left many roads impassable, brought colder-than-normal temperatures and made it difficult for many visitors to reach their favorite spots to cut a Christmas tree.
With more storms in the forecast, visitors are being asked to use caution and be prepared when going out to the Forest, whether it’s to cut a Christmas tree or enjoy the winter weather.
“Over the past week we have had several people get stuck and require assistance to get out of the forest,” said Forest Supervisor Tom Contreras. “We want visitors to enjoy the forest, but are asking that they do so safely, being aware of changing conditions and not taking unnecessary risks that can lead them to be stranded. With the snow and cold temperatures, an unplanned stay in the forest can be even more dangerous this time of year.”
Following are some tips when planning a trip to the Forest, especially during the winter:
Plan your trip:
Check the weather and road conditions, bring plenty of warm clothes, water, emergency food, tire chains, shovel, sandbags or other necessary traction devices.
Be aware when conditions call for 4-wheel drive and know the mechanical limits of your vehicle.
Make sure you have a full tank of gas when you leave and are prepared for changing conditions in the mountains!
Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back.
Take a map and be careful with GPS – they aren’t always up to date with the latest road condition information and can sometimes lead you into trouble.
Help the resources:
Keep vehicles on designated roads and be aware of changing weather and road conditions.
Wet dirt roads can quickly turn to mud, making it possible to get stuck and causing damage to road, soil and water resources.
If there are puddles in the road, mud flipping off the tires or you can see your ruts in the rearview mirror, consider pulling over and taking a hike, or turning around and heading back.
If you get stuck or stranded:
Do not panic! The person you told where you were going and when you were going to be back should report it to the authorities. Stay with your vehicle so you can be found more easily.
Signal distress by using emergency flashers and tying a flag on the antenna or mirror.
Run the engine periodically for warmth, making sure the tailpipe is clear of snow or ice and that a downwind window is open to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you’re cutting a Christmas tree:
Remember a saw to cut the tree with, and a tarp and rope to secure it to your vehicle and help you get it back home safely!
Make sure you are cutting a tree on the Mendocino National Forest and not from other federal, state or private lands and following the regulations on the permit.
Attach the permit on the tree where it will be easily visible with the tree packed or tied on your vehicle for transport home.
To help keep your tree fresh, cut at least one inch off the base when you get home and stand the tree in a container of water in a cool, shaded area, checking the water level daily.
Christmas tree permits are still available for purchase from the Mendocino National Forest and area vendors. Permits are $10 per tree and will be sold through Friday, Dec. 17.
The permits are good through December 24, 2010, and trees may be cut and removed any day of the week in any authorized area of the Mendocino National Forest.
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
Everyone over 10 years of age is encouraged to come and experience the fun and challenge of developing your self-defense skills and personal confidence.
This training offers excellent physical conditioning, through the careful direction of Coach Dave Cavagna.
Cavagna is a USA Boxing Certified Coach, with two black belts (Judo and Hawaiian-style Jujitsu).
He grew up and lives in Lower Lake, and is dedicated to helping others develop their self-defense skills.
Classes meet every Monday and Wednesday from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at Middletown Judo Studio, 15872 Armstrong St. in Middletown.
Find out what boxing can do for you and your family.
Drop by and join in or call Cavagna for further information, 707-513-7943.
- Details
- Written by: Ron Hallman
The results were:
First flight: Olie Smith and Al Burrows tied for first with the lowest nets of the day, 30, while Bill Helt came in third at 33.
Second flight: Jim Brown was first with 31, Mike Casolo and Ron Martinez tied for second one stroke back at 32.
Third flight: Dick Kistner and Don Dornbush tied for first with 33, Tony D'Agosta came in third with 36.
Fourth flight: Tom Sowell was first with 31, and Phil Tyler and Dennis Day tied for second with 34.
Closest to the par 3 pins were Brian Rudy and Bill Helt.
Chip-ins were scored by Jim Hodges, Gary Pickrell, Byron Hoss and Al Burrows.
Forty-four men participated in the day's competition.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
Permits are available for purchase from area vendors, as well as either in person or by mail from Mendocino National Forest offices.
Vendors are listed below with contact information for the National Forest Service.
Permits are $10 per tree and will be sold through Friday, Dec. 17. The permits are good through Dec. 24, and trees may be cut and removed any day of the week in any authorized area of the Mendocino National Forest.
There is a limit of one permit per household. Up to four additional permits may be purchased for additional households using separate names and addresses. Individuals must be 18 or older to purchase a permit.
The Mendocino National Forest only accepts cash or check as payment for Christmas tree permits and sales are final, with no refunds. Permittees will receive a tree tag and map of the Forest.
To purchase a permit by mail, send a printed name and mailing address, a printed name and address for each permit purchased, a daytime telephone number, and a check or money order made out to “USDA Forest Service” for $10 for each permit to either the Willows, Upper Lake or Covelo offices with “Christmas Tree Permit” written on the outside of the envelope. Mail-in requests received after Dec. 13 will not be filled.
A form can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino, under “Passes & Permits” and the subcategory “Forest Products Permits.”
If you are planning on cutting a Christmas tree for someone else who isn't present, a Third Party Authorization must be in possession of the cutter. This form is also available on the Forest Web site.
Permit holders should be aware that federal and state quarantines to prevent the spread of sudden oak death (SOD) are in effect for Lake and Mendocino Counties.
Any Douglas fir Christmas tree cut in these counties can only be transported into other SOD quarantine counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Marin, San Francisco, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma.
All Mendocino National Forest offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 25, in observance of Thanksgiving. Christmas tree permits can be purchased from the following offices and vendors:
Mendocino National Forest Supervisor's Office/Grindstone Ranger District Office
825 N. Humboldt Ave., Willows, CA 95988
530-934-3316
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Stonyford Work Center
5171 Stonyford-Elk Creek Road, Stonyford, CA, 95979
530-963-3128
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Covelo Ranger Station
78150 Covelo Road, Covelo, CA 95428
707-983-6118
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Upper Lake Ranger Station
10025 Elk Mountain Road, Upper Lake, CA95485
707-275-2361
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 28, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; weekends, Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Black Butte Store
34985 Etsel Ridge Road, Covelo, CA 95428
707-983-9438
Hours: Seven days a week, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Keith's Family Foods
76201 Covelo Road, Covelo, CA 95428
707-983-6633
Hours: Seven days a week, 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
M&M Feed and Supply
74540 Hill Road, Covelo, CA 95428
707-983-6273
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Nancy's Elkhorn Family Lodge
2745 County Road 306, Elk Creek, CA 95939
530-968-5312
Hours: Seven days a week, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Flournoy Country Store
16140 Paskenta Road, Flournoy, CA 96029
530-833-5305
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sacramento River Discovery Center
1000 Sale Lane, Red Bluff, CA 96080
530-527-1196
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Stonyford General Store
292 Market St., Stonyford, CA 95979
530-963-3235
Hours: Seven days a week, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Squaw Creek Inn & Resort
4425 Sites Ladoga Road, Stonyford, CA 95979
530-963-3483
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Hi-way Grocery
160 E. Hwy 20, Upper Lake, CA 95485
707-275-2380
Hours: Seven days a week, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Woody's Gas and Mini Mart
220 E. Hwy 20, Upper Lake, CA 95485
707-275-2045
Hours: Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cutting a Christmas tree on the National Forest is a great holiday tradition for many families and also helps with hazardous fuels reduction by removing smaller trees from the Forest.
Following are some tips to make your experience more enjoyable.
Plan your trip. Check the weather, bring plenty of warm clothes, water, emergency food, tire chains, shovel, a saw or axe to cut your tree, and a tarp and rope to bring it home. Make sure you have a full tank of gas when you leave and are prepared for changing conditions in the mountains! Also, let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back.
Keep vehicles on designated roads and be aware of changing weather and road conditions. Wet dirt roads can quickly turn to mud, making it possible to get stuck and causing damage to road, soil and water resources. If there are puddles in the road, mud flipping off the tires or you can see your ruts in the rearview mirror, consider pulling over and taking a hike to look for a tree, or turning around and finding a different area to cut your tree.
Cut your tree early in the season before favorite cutting areas can't be reached because of snow.
Make sure you are cutting a tree on the Mendocino National Forest and not from other federal, state or private lands.
Cut the tree as close as possible to the ground and leave as little of a stump as possible.
Attach the permit on the tree where it will be easily visible with the tree packed or tied on your vehicle for transport home.
To help keep your tree fresh, cut at least one inch off the base when you get home and stand the tree in a container of water in a cool, shaded area, checking the water level daily.
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino.