Friday, 29 March 2024

Community

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. — Cutting a holiday tree is a special tradition to share with family and friends, and it also helps maintain a healthy forest.

Christmas tree permits are a unique opportunity for citizens to help thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees.

The Mendocino National Forest will begin selling Christmas tree permits online at Recreation.gov on Friday, Nov. 3.

To purchase a Christmas tree permit, users can visit Recreation.gov and search by forest name or use the interactive map to explore locations.

Visitors will need to create or log in to a Recreation.gov account to review guidelines and purchase a permit.

A permit must be purchased, limited to one per household. On Recreation.gov, visitors have the option to purchase up to three trees. The cost for 2023 is $10 per tree, and with a $2.50 transaction fee. The number of permits is limited and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

Permits are good through Dec. 31, 2023.

Persons must be at least 18 years old to purchase the permit. All Christmas tree permit sales are final; no refunds will be made. Christmas tree cutting will be allowed only in specific areas in the Mendocino National Forest.

When heading out to the forest to cut a Christmas tree, officials remind visitors to follow these important tips for a safe and enjoyable experience:

• Plan your trip and check the weather forecast.
• Bring plenty of warm clothes, water, food, tire chains, shovel, a saw or ax to cut your tree and a tarp and rope to bring it home.
• Keep vehicles on designated roads and be prepared for changing weather and road conditions. Be aware of safety hazards when traveling through a burned area.
• Remember cellphone service may be unavailable, so carry emergency equipment in vehicles.
• Cut the 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 within the designated • Christmas tree cutting area and not on other federal, state or private lands.
• Cut the tree as close as possible to the ground and leave as short a stump as possible.
• Print your permit and make sure it is visible on your vehicle dashboard. If you purchase a permit in-person at one of our offices or vendors, you will receive a tag that needs to be tied to your tree when you transport it home.

Fourth graders, who participate in the Every Kid Outdoors program, are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit.

The Every Kid Outdoors program introduces fourth graders to public lands in their own backyards and beyond.

To receive a free permit, students or their teachers can register for passes online at https://everykidoutdoors.gov/pass.htm.

Parents and guardians will need to bring the pass for in-person purchases or enter the voucher or pass number for online purchases.

Permits can be also purchased by mail or in person at the Willows or Upper Lake Ranger Stations. If purchasing in person, individuals can purchase one permit per household and one tree per permit.

Several local vendors will also be selling Christmas tree permits. For a list of locations selling permits, please visit the forest website at https://bit.ly/MNF-Christmas-2023.

Before making a trip to purchase a permit in person, please call the forest office or vendor ahead of time to double check hours and permit availability.

COBB, Calif. — Friends of Boggs Mountain is sponsoring a free map and compass class on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m.

The class will take place at the Little Red School House, 15780 Bottle Rock Road, Cobb.

During this class, the instructor will help you understand a topographic map, proper use of your compass and how to use the two together.

You'll learn about magnetic north, true north, and map symbology.

After covering these fundamentals, you'll get time to practice orienting a map in proper north direction and understanding contour lines.

This engaging class is a great introduction to outdoor navigation and map reading on Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest.

Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Wednesday, Nov. 1, and arrive five to 10 minutes prior to the start time listed.

To get the best instruction, bring your own compass as supplies are limited.

Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Rotary Club of Lakeport is delighted to present a diverse and engaging lineup of speakers for the month of November.

These distinguished speakers will offer valuable insights and expertise in their respective fields, promising to make each meeting an educational and inspiring experience for our members and guests.

On Nov. 1, they kick off the month with an esteemed guest, District 5130 Governor Tom Boylan.

Boylan will address the club, providing an update on the latest developments within Rotary District 5130. His perspective on the district's initiatives and future plans is sure to be of great interest to members.

The following week, on Nov. 8, they will host Michelle Goodman from Lake County Waste Solutions.

She will share her knowledge and experience in waste management, addressing key environmental issues and discussing initiatives that benefit the community. Her presentation promises to shed light on sustainable practices and the importance of responsible waste management.

Nov. 15 brings us Debra Fiedler from Lake County Young Life. Fiedler will introduce them to the inspiring work being done by Lake County Young Life, a youth-focused organization. Her presentation will highlight their mission, activities and the positive impact they are making in the lives of young people in the community.

Closing out the month on Nov. 29, they have an international treat for members.

Coach Michael Lin will be Zooming in from Australia to share his expertise on "How to Successfully Coach Your Team Members."

Coach Lin's insights into effective coaching methods will be invaluable for members who are involved in leadership roles within their businesses or organizations.

The Rotary Club of Lakeport invites not only its members but also the wider community to join us for these exciting and informative presentations.

Meetings take place at O’Meara Brothers Brewing Co. on Wednesdays at noon.

The club encourages everyone with an interest in these topics to attend and participate in these engaging discussions.

The Rotary Club of Lakeport is part of Rotary International, a global organization dedicated to community service, humanitarian projects, and the promotion of international understanding and peace. With a strong focus on making a difference at the local and international levels, our club is committed to serving the Lakeport community and beyond.

Horses and campers enjoying their Wings of Hope experience during a previous camp event. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Hospice Services of Lake County recognizes and addresses the unique ways children grieve and heal from the loss of a loved one.

Families with children ages 5 years and older who have experienced the death of a significant person in their lives are invited to attend a one-day, free bereavement camp.

The camp is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Clearlake.

Camp activities are designed for healing in a fun and positive environment with equine therapy and a family art project. Wings of Hope Bereavement Camps are offered periodically throughout the year and are facilitated by bereavement counselors and trained volunteers.

Most of us will experience the life-altering experience of losing a loved one: the death of a best friend, a parent, son or daughter. These losses can be even more traumatic to children and youth. These are powerful personal events that, if not dealt with effectively, can cycle into a landslide of life-changing events.

Pre-registration is required for Saturday’s camp, and space is limited. For more information and to reserve space, contact Kathleen Bradley by calling 707-263-6222, emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visiting the organization’s website at www.lakecountyhospice.org.

Hospice Services of Lake County’s mission is to support and comfort people by providing the highest quality medical, emotional and spiritual care to help patients and their families navigate their end-of-life journeys.

For more information, call Hospice Services of Lake County, 707-263-6222.

Janine Smith-Citron is development director for Hospice Services of Lake County.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Way back in 2010, a local high school football coach, a contractor and a real estate broker got together to discuss how to make the rivalry football game between the Kelseyville Knights and Clear Lake Cardinal more exciting and memorable.

Out of that meeting came an idea, The Bass Bowl.

Friday night will be the 13th rendition of that idea when the unbeaten and top ranked Clear Lake Cardinals travel to play the Kelseyville Knights in Bass Bowl XIII.

The game begins at 7:30 p.m. at Kelseyville High School.

The Cardinals have been a juggernaut this season, averaging over 48 points a game while giving up less than eight points in winning all eight games thus far.

The Knights are also fielding one of their best teams in years and will come in with a 6-2 record, averaging 41 points a game while giving up just 12 points a game.

While the Cardinals will be a clear-cut favorite to win, they are hobbling a bit after a very physical game at Willits in which several of their players got banged up.

But they are riding a four-game winning streak against Kelseyville, winning the last three Bass Bowls and a playoff game last year.

Kelseyville had dominated the Bass Bowl series, taking a 7-2 lead in 2018 when they blanked Clear Lake 44-0.

But it has been all Clear Lake ever since, and if they win Friday, they will cut the lead to 7-6.

The Bass Bowl was created to foster community awareness and involvement in high school athletics in general, and the Bass Bowl in particular.

For more information, visit TheBassBowl.com.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Superior Court is offering a new technological service to help people remember their court dates and appearances.

The court said Monday that it has launched a new hearing reminder service.

Individuals will be able to sign up for email and/or text reminders of upcoming court dates.

The process is simple; individuals create an account and input a case number to register.

The hearing reminder service will then send email and/or text reminders two weeks before and two days before all future hearings in the case.

For more information use the QR code below or visit www.hrs.courts.ca.gov/lk.



Upcoming Calendar

30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lakeport Community Cleanup Day
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Second annual Bunny Brunch
30Mar
03.30.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Lake County poet laureate inauguration
31Mar
03.31.2024
Easter Sunday
31Mar
03.31.2024 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Lakeport Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt
1Apr
04.01.2024
Easter Monday
1Apr
10Apr
15Apr
04.15.2024
Tax Day

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