LAKEPORT, Calif. – The U.C. Master Gardeners of Lake County invite residents involved or interested in gardening in Lake County to the inaugural Spring Garden Event on Sunday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Agricultural Center, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport.

This free (rain or shine) public event welcomes all ages and levels of gardening experience.

UC Master Gardeners will present "see-how-it's-done" demonstrations on soil care and composting, successful seed sprouting, transplanting and irrigation.

There will also be talks on native plants, drought-tolerant planting, fire safe landscaping, vegetable growing, and pests/diseases scheduled hourly starting at 10:30 a.m.

If you have a sample (or good photos) of a problem in your garden or an unknown plant, bring it along!

The master gardener help desk and plant clinic will be staffed to answer your questions about plants, pests, and garden-related problems. Bring plant samples in sealed plastic bags.

A variety of plants and seedlings will be available, as well as gently-used gardening tools, accessories, and supplies. Proceeds will support UC Master Gardener educational activities throughout Lake County.

For children, the UCCE 4-H Youth Development Program will host a youth area where young people can participate in hands-on gardening activities.  

UC Master Gardeners are a group of selected, trained residents who work as volunteer staff of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE).

Master gardeners provide accurate horticultural information on fruit and vegetable gardening, landscape trees, lawns, ornamental plants, soils, fertility, irrigation, pest management, and other gardening-related topics based on research of the University of California and other recognized research institutions.

UCCE is the public service arm of the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR).

For further information about the Spring Garden Event, contact UCCE at 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, 707-263-6838, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The next HazMobile event will be held Friday, April 20, and Saturday, April 21, at Upper Lake Community Park, 575 E. Highway 20, Upper Lake.

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 234-6400
Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
www.candswaste.com

South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center
16015 Davis St., Clearlake
Open daily 7:30 a.m. to 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.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County District Attorney Don Anderson presented checks to local organizations that feed those in need across the county during the Lake County CAN! packing party in Upper Lake on Friday, March 30.

The funds come from a community diversion program Anderson implemented that allows offenders to make monetary restitution in lieu of community service.

Anderson presented a total of $3,600 in checks – $900 each – to the food banks with North Coast Opportunities and Middletown United Methodist Church, Lakeport Free Kitchen Project and the Lakeport Senior Center Meals on Wheels program.

Joining Anderson for the presentation were Tammy Alakszay, North Coast Opportunities' community action coordinator; Lou Denny, North Coast Opportunities' food packing coordinator; and Pastor Voris Brumfield of the Middletown United Methodist Church.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Sons of Norway Vikings of Lake Lodge No. 6-166 will hold a “Swedish Night” on Wednesday, April 18.

The group will meet at Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville.

Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature Swedish meatballs, red potatoes, peas/carrots, Janssen’s Fristelse, crispbread and dessert. The cost is $7.

At 7 p.m. the group will hear a presentation on Stockholm, Sweden's capitol city.

For more information visit the lodge's Web site at www.vikingsoflakelodge.org .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Star Touring and Riding Clearlake Chapter No. 442 is having its first ride of the season on Saturday, April 14.

All motorcycle enthusiasts are welcome – all makes and models – to the group's meet and greet ride.

They will meet at Hillside Honda, 460 S. Main St., in Lakeport between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. with kickstands up at 11 a.m.

If you would like to see what Star Touring is all about bring your license and insurance along and join them.

If you would like more information, contact Phill Parriott, chapter president, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Doll Club will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 10, at noon.

The club meets on the second Tuesday of the month at selected locations around the lake.

The group shares dolls, has presentations about special dolls and occasionally gets together with other doll clubs. The club welcomes new members.

For further information about the club, please call club President Johanna Cramm at 707-279-9970.