Smart controller devices are irrigation clocks that adjust the amount of water applied to a landscape in response to environmental changes.

Using sensors and/or weather information, these controllers adjust your irrigation system automatically in response to rain, wind or temperature changes. Smart controllers can help reduce landscape water usage and in some cases can offer dramatic savings. They can also help you maintain a more healthy landscape.

Smart controllers are becoming very popular in states like California which are experiencing severe water shortages. However, if used incorrectly this device may not give the desired water saving results.

CLCA offers these recommendations to help you maximize the efficiency of this water saving device and to help keep your landscape beautiful.

Program it correctly

In order to maximize and maintain water efficiency, the smart controller needs to be programmed correctly. These mini computers need in depth information about soil, plants, exposure, type of irrigation etc. because they are customized for your property.

Like any computer, if it receives inaccurate information, it will not achieve the desired results, possibly resulting in over or under irrigated areas and damaged plants or hardscapes.

Monitor your site

Site conditions must be monitored, especially the first few weeks after installing your controller to fine tune and adjust your controller settings.

Look for runoff, poor plant heath, color changes and/or any other signs that settings might need to be modified. Several adjustments may be needed.

Water mandates and restrictions

If you are limited to day of the week watering restrictions, your smart controller may not be allowed to function correctly.

CLCA recommends to either use the smart controller or follow the allocated watering days, not both. If only allowed to water one or two days a week, it defeats the purpose of watering based on sensors and weather information.

Smart controllers and good water management are often more effective at reducing landscape water usage than assigned watering days because most people soak their lawns during their allocated time, actually using more water than the site actually needs. Some cities and water districts are now allowing those with smart controllers to be exempt from limited day watering restrictions.

Be sure to check with your local water district regarding restriction exceptions.

Regular maintenance of current irrigation system

It is important to regularly inspect your irrigation system and repair leaks and/or other problems. Since these controllers consistently adjust your watering, if there is a leak or other problem with the irrigation system, even if programmed correctly, your landscape may not receive the correct amount of water that it needs. Learning to read your water meter will help you determine if you have a leak.

Installing new landscape

If new landscape is being installed, group plants into similar areas based on water needs. These areas, called hydrozones will help your plants receive the proper amount of water to meet their needs and help to maximize the efficiency of your controller because all the plants have the same water usage requirements.

When selecting an irrigation system for your new landscape, take time to learn about the most efficient irrigation devices and about the water requirements of the plants being installed. Also consider including drought tolerant plants in your landscape design.

A well-planned landscape incorporating advanced irrigation technology, drought resistant plants and a smart controller will see the most water savings.

Smart controllers are an excellent tool to help reduce landscape water usage. When used and programmed properly, a smart controller can help you achieve substantial water savings.

For additional water saving information, visit www.clca.org/clca/about/consumer/drought/index.php .

Wood smoke is made up of a mixture of gases and fine particle pollution that isn’t healthy to breathe indoors or out – especially for children, older adults and those with heart disease, asthma or other lung diseases.

EPA has established the Burn Wise campaign to reduce wood smoke pollution, helping to protect your home, health and the air we breathe, while keeping those who use wood for heat warm throughout the winter.

If you’re burning wood, you can have a cheaper, safer and healthier fire by following these tips:

• Burn only dry, seasoned wood. It’s better for the air and your wallet. Look for wood that is darker, has cracks in the end grain, and sounds hollow when hit against another piece of wood. Dry seasoned wood is more efficient at heating your home and can add up to significant savings over the winter. Never burn painted or treated wood or trash.

• Maintain your wood stove or fireplace and have a certified technician inspect it yearly. A certified technician can clean dangerous soot from your chimney and keep your wood stove or fireplace working properly, which reduces your risk of a home fire.

• Change to an EPA-certified wood stove or fireplace insert. These models are more efficient than older models, keeping your air cleaner, your home safer and your fuel bill lower, while keeping you warm in the winter. An estimated 12 million Americans heat their homes with wood stoves each winter, and nearly three-quarters of these stoves are not EPA certified. An EPA-certified wood stove can emit nearly 70 percent less smoke than older uncertified models.

More information on Burn Wise is available at www.epa.gov/burnwise .

This program is funded with newly available federal stimulus dollars with the goal of placing qualified participants in jobs to stimulate the local economy.

The Lake County Department of Social Services will reimburse employers the wages and taxes for qualified employees.

The employer will, in turn, provide supervision and training to the participants.

They are offering informational meetings for employers about this program at the Job Zone, located at 9055 Highway 53, Lower Lake.

Informational meetings will be held on Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. and Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.

The agency is excited to present this new program and hope that any potential employers will attend.

Space is limited, so please, RSVP to Jeremiah at 707-995-9015.

Like fine wine itself, a toast is an opportunity to savor. Over the next few weeks, countless people will stand up and say a few words at holiday meals, office parties and various New Year's festivities.

"Delivering a toast is a classic form of public speaking," says Gary Schmidt, president of Toastmasters International. "It's an easy way to connect with an audience."

In that spirit, Toastmasters offers these tips on the art of toasting:

• Be brief. Keep your comments short and they'll have a greater impact. Talk for more than a couple of minutes and the guests will grow antsy.

• Be bold. Step up and act confident. Speak loudly and clearly.

• Be prepared. Know what you want to say ahead of time. Your words might inspire reflection or provide some much-needed laughter, so make the most of the moment – don't wing it.

• Be fresh. Your drink shouldn't be stale and neither should your words.

• Cliches and platitudes mean little to listeners; be original and speak from the heart.

• Be you. Don't try to be hilarious if that's not who you are. Skip the serious message if it doesn't feel right. Just be yourself.

New Year's events are particularly ripe for a toast. Some celebrate family and friends, others talk about goodwill for the world. One suggestion is to touch on obstacles you've overcome in the past year. Then mention a few goals for 2010. End your remarks on a hopeful note.

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. The organization currently has 250,000 members in 12,000 clubs in 106 countries. Since its founding 85 years ago in October 1924, the organization has helped more than four million men and women give presentations with poise and confidence.

For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org .

There will be $20 a month fee with scholarships available.

The youth center will accept registration applications from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28, through Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 12477 The Plaza, at the United Methodist Church grounds.

The center will offer homework help, career planning, job readiness, computer skills, Internet access, foosball, air hockey, mural design and much more.

The youth center of Clear Lake Oaks strives to be a safe and fun environment where our youth can learn grow and call their own.

This program is funded with newly available federal stimulus funds with the goal is to place qualifying participants in jobs and to stimulate the local economy.

If you are unemployed, have a child and your income is below the 200 percent federal poverty level, then this program may be able to assist you.

Informational meetings for potential employees will be held at The Job Zone, located at 9055 Highway 53, Lower Lake.

The dates for the informational meetings will be on Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. and Jan. 12 at 11 a.m.

This is an exciting new program that will assist many unemployed parents. Space is limited, so please, RSVP to Jeremiah at 707-995-9015.