In response to the ongoing wildfire threat across California, the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is offering guidelines to protect homes and prepare families at risk.

The alliance offers the following prevention tips.

Protect your home

Clean your gutters, eaves and roof to make sure they are clear of debris.

Make sure your street number is legible and clearly marked for emergency responders.

Remove fuels that can lead flames to your home or that can become ignited from windblown embers, including:

• Dead grass, leaves, etc. (fine fuels) and dead twigs, branches, etc. (coarse fuels) within 30 feet of buildings;
• Dry leaf/pine litter from roofs, rain gutters, decks and walkways;
• Dead and dry litter at the base of plants;
• Tree branches (ladder fuels) within 6-10 feet of the ground;
• Firewood within 30 feet of buildings;
• Continuous beds of combustible vegetation (on the ground or in tree tops) that can bring large flames within 100 feet of your home.

Identify an emergency water supply for firefighting within 1,000 feet of your home through one of the following:

• Community water/hydrant system; and/or
• Drafting site on a lake;
• Cooperative emergency storage tank with neighbors;
• Swimming pool.

Prepare your family

Have a fire disaster plan including at least two, predetermined evacuation routes, a NOAA Weather Radio and disaster kit for your family.

Finally, follow any and all evacuation orders immediately

Federal Alliance for Safe Homes is a nonprofit organization that is the country's leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters.

Learn more about FLASH and gain access to its free consumer resources by visiting www.flash.org or calling 877-221- SAFE (7233).

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This year marks the 15th anniversary of First 5 in Lake County.

The anniversary offers the opportunity to celebrate young children and remember what a difference we can make in their lives.

First 5 Lake funds local programs that educate parents, grandparents, caregivers and teachers about the critical role they play during a child’s first 5 years.

Here in Lake County, First 5 Lake provides matching funds to support the Steps to Quality Program with the CARES Plus grant, a quality improvement/leadership development program for Lake County’s early childhood educators.

The Comprehensive Approaches to Raising Educational Standards (CARES) Program is First 5 California's Teacher Signature program.

Launched in 2000, CARES Plus serves as a way to increase teacher/child interactions and retain the highest qualified early education teachers, therefore increasing the quality of student education.

Researchers, educators and economists agree that early childhood development drives success in school and life.

A critical time to shape productivity is from birth to age five, when the brain develops rapidly to build the foundation of cognitive and character skills necessary for success in school, health, career and life.

Early childhood education fosters cognitive skills along with attentiveness, motivation, self-control and social ability – the character skills that turn knowledge into know-how and people into productive citizens.

First 5 Lake’s investment in early childhood education is a significant contributor to a strong and positive future for Lake County.

In Lake County the CARES Plus grant is focused on the Steps to Quality program, which is dedicated to increasing the quality of early learning programs for children ages 0 to 5 and their families.

Those aims are accomplished by supporting the early childhood educators in pursuing higher education, quality professional growth, and providing focused mentoring and coaching to improve the quality of the care and education provided to young children in Lake County.

Over the past decade, First 5 Lake has assisted hundreds of early childhood educators in continuing both their education and professional growth.

For more information on Steps to Quality visit www.lakecountychildcareplanning.com or call 707-262-4162.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District Board will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

The board will meet at 7 p.m. at the Hidden Valley Lake CSD Administration Office boardroom, 19400 Hartmann Road.

Items for discussion and possible action include the midyear budget review, drought update, agenda for the February board workshop, feasibility of shifting district board member elections to even-numbered years, and nomination and election of the board vice president and board president for the 2014 calendar year.

Board packets are posted at www.hiddenvalleylakecsd.com . Click on the “Board Packet” link on the Agenda tab.

In compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special accommodations to participate in or attend the meeting please contact the District Office at 987-9201 at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

Public shall be given the opportunity to comment on each agenda item before the Governing Board acts
on that item, G.C. 54953.3. All other comments will be taken under Public Comment.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The holidays for the residents of Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare were brightened considerably by several local angels this season.

Grocery Outlet in Lakeport hosted an “angel tree” again this year. Shoppers were able to choose an “angel” tag from the tree and provide a gift for residents of the local skilled nursing facility.

The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary donated several boxes of gifts. A number of other anonymous gift donations received. Residents received calendars, notebooks, perfume, clothing and other items.

Dean Gotham, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America along with other members of the organization joined residents during the annual Christmas party on Christmas Eve and sang Christmas carols.

“We are so grateful for the support of our community,” said Teri Appleberry, activities director for Evergreen Lakeport. “The support we receive each year from Grocery Outlet and the others groups make the holidays brighter for our residents.”

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The North Coast Opportunities Governing Board will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. at North Coast Opportunities, 850 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport.

Agenda items include the following:

3:15 p.m.: Approval to authorize the executive director or chief financial officer to complete the renewal application for the $1 million dollar line of credit from the Savings Bank of Mendocino County.

3:20 p.m.: Approval to revise the personnel policies as follows:

1. Change the eligibility of regular employees for health insurance from the current 28 hours to 30 hours per week effective Feb.1, 2014.

2. Change the waiver amount for eligible employees that have coverage elsewhere and can provide proof of that coverage from the current 50 percent of NCO’s health insurance contribution to $300 per month effective Feb. 1, 2014.

3. Human Resources requests that the board approve the following changes to NCO’s current personnel policies and practice effective Jan. 1, 2014, to comply with recent changes in California :

a. NCO will change the waiting period for coverage of insurance from the current “three full months” to “no more than 60 days.”

4. Human Resources requests that the board recognize and approve the following change to NCO’s current personnel practices and protocols effective Feb. 1, 2014, to comply with recent changes in federal and California law:

a. In order to bring NCO more in line with the current interpretation of ACA regulations, NCO will no longer offer coverage to spouses of an employee.

3:25 p.m.: Information on Move More 2014.

3:40 p.m.: Information on Leadership Mendocino Program Update/Wellness Day.

3:55 p.m.: Executive Director Patty Bruder's report.

4:05 p.m.: Membership Committee update.

4:15 p.m.: Personnel evaluation process.

4:25 p.m.: December financials.

4:30 p.m.: Brief reports and announcements.

4:40 p.m.: Presentation of topics for consideration/agenda for future meeting.

4:45 p.m.: Meeting adjourns.

For information, or if you need disability modification or accommodation in order to participate in this meeting, please contact the North Coast Opportunities executive secretary 48 hours before the meeting at 707-462-3200, Extension 201.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The regular meeting of the Clearlake Planning Commission scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, has been canceled.

The commission is next scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4.