LAKEPORT, Calif. – Thrive Lake County has received a donation of $500 from Mendo Lake Credit Union to assist with rental costs of their office in the LakeWorks Community Space at 307 N. Main Street in Lakeport.

"Having a main street presence has been important to the organization," says John Saare, north lake coordinator for the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County. "The exposure has been great to introduce time banking to Lake County residents who may not have computer access or who just want a flesh and blood person to find out about what time banking is and how it can help people and businesses get necessary services through time exchanges rather than cash. Thank you, Mendo Lake Credit Union!"

Carol Cole-Lewis, Thrive Lake County coordinator explained why this donation is needed.

"Thrive Lake County is fiscally sponsored and financially supported by North Coast Opportunities, and it is our intention to be self-supporting in the near future. We have intentionally dropped our membership fees this year to encourage participation by Lake County residents and businesses. However, during this start up phase, there are some things that we still need to pay cash for. Our rent in the LakeWorks space is one of them, hence this donation from Mendo Lake Credit Union is vital to the existence of our community."

"We have an interest in supporting community organizations that are helping build our local economy, " explains Jamey Gill, community outreach manager for Mendo Lake Credit Union. Gill continued, "We're excited to support the efforts of Thrive Lake County in this way, and look forward to working with them as we can to assist in building a thriving Lake County."

The Thrive Lake County Lakeport office on 307 N. Main St. is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Clearlake office at the Clearlake Food Pantry is open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays.

For more information about Thrive Lake County, visit http://thrivelakecounty.org or call 707-413-0220.

Mendo Lake Credit Union can be found on the Internet at  or contacted via telephone at 707-468-0161.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Club will hold its regular meeting at 11 a.m. Saturday,  July 13, in the Rose Room of the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center.

Margaret Koster from Move To Amend will speak on “Defending Democracy, Challenging Corporate Rule.”

Lake County Democratic Club meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month at 11 a.m. in the Rose Room of the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center.

The public is always welcome and membership is open to all registered Democrats.

The senior center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive, corner of 10th and Country Club Drive, in Lucerne.

Contract the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit http://lakecountydemocrats.org/ .

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Keys Club in Clearlake Oaks is seeking a lifeguard for an event on Saturday, July 6.

Applicants must be certified.

The event is expected to last three to four hours.

For more information call Betty at 707-998-0309, Barbara at 707-998-4801 or Andrea at 908-370-2340.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Konocti Regional Trails Team is running a 48-hour logo development contest.

The contest, being run via www.48hourslogo.com , expires at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 3.

The winning logo receives $500.

The contest can be found at http://www.48hourslogo.com/project.php?id=23361 .

It’s important that the logo designer read the creative brief provided in the “What We Do” section.

For more information, contact trails coordinator Giselle Stahl at 707-263-2580.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The next HazMobile event will be held Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20, at Highlands Senior Service/Community Center, 3245 Bowers Ave., in Clearlake.

Hours will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
 
Households can bring up to 15 gallons of toxic items free of charge.

Fees will be charged for amounts over 15 gallons.

Items that are accepted include paint, solvents, fuels, five-gallon propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, fluorescent light tubes (up to 60 linear feet), and other toxic materials that cannot be put in the trash.
 
Items that cannot be accepted include televisions, computer monitors, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials or infectious wastes.

To learn how and where to properly dispose these items, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or contact the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.
 
HazMobile services are provided to residential households by the Integrated Waste Management Division of the Lake County Public Services Department and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

Businesses also are welcome to use this convenient service to properly dispose of hazardous waste and protect our environment, however, businesses must pay for this taxpayer-funded service and first make an appointment.
 
Business appointments can be made by calling the Mendocino County Solid Waste Authority, the contracted agency that provides this service in Lake County at 707-468-9786.
 
Free recycling options for residents and businesses:

• Recycled paint is available to both residents and businesses at Lake County Waste Solutions on first-come, first-served basis in five gallon containers. Colors include tan, brown, gray and pink.
• Used cooking oil can be dropped-off by businesses and residents, which will be recycled into BioDiesel by Yokayo BioFuels. Drop-off at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and the Northshore Fire Protection District station at 6257 Seventh Ave. in Lucerne.
• Used motor oil can be dropped-off by residents for recycling year round at a number of sites in the county. Visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us for locations.
• Electronics (E-waste) can be dropped-off at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and monthly at the Goodwill E-Waste collection held in Lakeport.

Lake County Waste Solutions
230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport
888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400
Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
www.candswaste.com

South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center
16015 Davis Street, Clearlake
Open daily 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
707-994-8614
www.southlakerefuse.com

The HazMobile program is subsidized by the Lake County Public Services Department, Integrated Waste Management Division and CalRecycle as a public service to Lake County residents.

For more information about recycling, reusing, and reducing, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or call the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.

In recognition of the great volume of water Californians could collectively save in their homes and backyards, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. is urging residents to make July “Water Smart Month.”

“Conserving water is essential to our state’s future,” declared the governor. “This precious resource is the backbone to the success of the state’s economy, public health, and abundant wildlife.”

With triple-digit heat gripping parts of the state and reservoirs dropping to meet summer demand for water, the governor urged Californians to find ways to conserve daily.

“The snow packs are shrinking and the state will not see its reservoirs begin to fill again until fall,” wrote the governor in a commemorative letter. “Low consumption practices and technology will help keep water in the streams and lakes for all to enjoy. I invite all Californians to practice more sustainable water consumption, whether it be watering the lawn less frequently, constructing a drip irrigation system for the garden or upgrading existing systems with smart irrigation controllers.”

Landscape irrigation is the single largest use of water in urban areas, comprising nearly one-third of urban water use.

The California Department of Water Resources encourages all Californians to observe “Water Smart Month” by checking their sprinkler systems, upgrading to more efficient technologies, and being mindful of when and how they water landscaping.

“Typically outdoor water use peaks in July,” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “Big water savings can be found outdoors, starting with your sprinkler system. Fix leaky sprinklers, don’t water in the heat of the day, and consider installing a weather-based controller. I installed one at home and it works great. Simple changes like these won’t crimp your daily life, but they will yield big rewards for our state.”  

For specific details on saving water, including advice on how long to run your sprinklers, visit the Save Our Water campaign Web site at www.saveourh2o.org .

The Web site includes a new “Sprinklers 101” section, a one-stop shop for homeowners and professional landscapers looking to learn more about outdoor water efficiency.

Created by a 2009 gubernatorial drought declaration, Save Our Water educates Californians about easy ways to conserve water, indoors and outdoors.